Page 81 [81]
OCR
so Erasmus the Heroes, which the Pens of so many Eloquent men have extoll’d to the Skies. In a word, this Folly is that that lai’d the foundation of Cities; and by it, Empire, Authority, Religion, Policy and publique Actions are preserv’d; neither is there any thing in Humane Life that is not a kind of pastime of Folly. But to speak of Arts, what set men’s wits on work to invent and transmit to Posterity so many Famous, as they conceive, pieces of Learning, but the thirst of Glory? With so much loss of sleep, such pains and travel, have the most foolish of men thought to purchase themselves a kind of I know not what Fame, than which nothing can be more vain. And yet notwithstanding, ye owe this advantage to Folly, and which is the most delectable of all other, that ye reap the benefit of other men’s madness. And now, having vindicated to my self the praise of Fortitude and Industry, what think ye if I do the same by that of Prudence? But some will say, You may as well joyn Fire and Water. It may beso. But yet I doubt not but to succeed even in this also, if, as ye have done hitherto, ye will but favour me with your attention.
