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66 Erasmus
leap over those bounds she has appointed to us.
Nature hates all false-colouring, and is ever best
where she is least adulterated with Art.
Go to then, don’t ye find among the several
kinds of living Creatures, that they thrive best
that understand no more than what Nature taught
them? What is more prosperous or wonderful
than the Bee? And though they have not the
same judgement of sense as other Bodies have,
yet wherein hath Architecture gone beyond
their building of Houses? What Philosopher
ever founded the like Republique ? Whereas the
Horse, that comes so near man in understanding
and is therefore so familiar with him, is also
partaker of his misery. For while he thinks it
a shame to lose the Race, it often happens that
he cracks his wind ; and in the Battel, while he
contends for Victory, he’s cut down himself,
and, together with his Rider, 1¢ lies biting the
earth’: not to mention those strong Bits,
sharp Spurrs, close Stables, Arms, Blows, Rider,
and briefly, all that slavery he willingly submits
to, while, imitating those men of Valour, he so
eagerly strives to be reveng’d of the Enemy.
i terram ore momordit.