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24 Erasmus
to the Collier. For what difference between
them, but that the one has more wrinckles and
years upon his head than the other? Otherwise,
the brightness of their hair, toothless mouth,
weakness of body, love of Milk, broken speech,
chatting, toying, forgetfulness, inadvertency, and
briefly, all other their actions, agree in every
thing. And by how much the nearer they
approach to this Old-age, by so much they
grow backward into the likeness of Children,
until like them they pass from life to death,
without any weariness of the one, or sense of
t other.
And now, let him that will compare the
benefits they receive by me, with the Meta¬
morphoses of the Gods ; of whom, I shall not
mention what they have done in their pettish
humours, but where they have been most
favourable : turning one into a Tree, another
into a Bird, a third into a Grashopper, Serpent,
or the like. As if there were any difference
| between perishing, and being another thing !
But I restore the same man to the best and
happiest part of his life. And if Men would but
refrain from all commerce with Wisdom, and