170 THE OCCASION OF THE PRIVATE

"G. Wither. ? 1615.

that I was never yet well acquainted withal! whispered such doubts, provisoes, and considerations into my ears, as half startled my Muse, and so distempered the whole frame of my studies, that I could no sooner bend my Invention to any intended piece, but it was presently confounded by the intrusion of some molested thoughts, ofttimes even in the very height of conceit.

Wherewith, as it were, awakened; I began to foresee my future, and weigh my present estate. And having noted the general condition of Man, with the uncertainty of this world's favours; and how soon, for the most part, the want of outward fortunes or a little trouble will make the best friends weary of their dearest familiars, if they become but a little chargeable; I saw reason enough to doubt [fear] that if I should (by neglecting my worthy friends to apply me wholly to my studies) wear myself out of their respect and acquaintance: perhaps, hereafter, when I had, with my Youth, wasted my Fortunes, and by much labour, brought to pass somewhat for others' contentments; one mighty Fool or other, incensed by some great Villain, might, for all my pains, pick an unjust quarrel, and cause me to be shut where, despised of the world, forgotten of my friends, and beggared in my estate, I may lie and hear myself pitied, only by a few good natures that were not able to help me.

And for the present, I perceived my late troubles had already, not only wasted my time with the hindrance of my fortunes; but also brought me so far behind, that I was fain to engage my credit further than ever I thought in that kind to do: which, though I should forfeit but a day (and that never so much against my will) many, I see, would be ready to take that advantage to my disgrace; whilst few or none are of so good nature or noble disposition as to excuse me, by considering the troubles I had passed, and the many unlooked for occasions that might force me to such an inconvenience.

Hereupon, I resolved, before I would busy my head with any more inventions than for recreation only, to try, if, by any means, I might, first either recover my former hindrances; or suit my mind with such an estate as might make me hereafter able, of myself, without

Wither

relying on any others' friendships, to bear out the brunt of ensuing misadventures.

Once, I was determined, since most men deemed me a prisoner at His Majesty's charge, to petition that it would please him, to make me as happy in deed as I was in opinion: but when I remembered how little I had in me to deserve it, and understood how far my Sovereign was from being so much as acquainted with my endurance till his justice delivered me; and withal, knowing how many that had nothing but begging to live by, depended on his royal bounty, I was loth to rob them of their occupation. And, in truth, I feared also, lest, if ought were granted me, I should have been fain, after twelve months' dancing attendance, to part with three moieties to get one! and perhaps to some Under Officer! to whom the being beholding, would be worse to me than three years' close imprisonment !

But knowing somewhat was suddenly to be determined of, to prevent loss of time; and seeing the best men, with their noblest actions, obscured by poverty, while wealth made the owners thereof esteemed of those that once scorned them, and the base means by which they obtained it, quite forgotten: when I perceived also, the greatest men thought nothing base that might increase their profit, and that this was no Age to stand on curious terms, I found small reason why I should think scorn to undertake any course, so it were honest, that might bring me any such reasonable benefit, whereby I might be enabled to keep even with the world, and to go forward with what I intended, as well for the good of

others as mine own contentment.

Therefore finding how helpful a little travel with some commodity might prove to my intended studies, at first I proposing a voyage, meant to put out somewhat among my friends, to be repaid me again with reasonable advantage at my return.

But having many well willers that outwardly professing me more than an ordinary love, seemed desirous of occasion to shew it; I was advised by divers of my best friends to imprint this Elegy, and to put it out for an adventure [a speculation] amongst my acquaintance, upon a certain consideration: yet I thought it

172 THE OCCASION OF THE PRIVATE [G. Wither.

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fit, before I presumed too much upon them, to make trial how they stood affected to such a project. And indeed, no sooner had I discovered my intent, but I found every man in whom I had any confidence, so voluntarily ready to accept it, that I have now set it on foot; and hope thereby, to make myself able to compass that which shall make both me and them gainers by the bargain.

Yet I trust no man will imagine, that I am driven to use this, as my ultimum refugium: for let this fail, and the worst that can betide me! yet I am verily persuaded GOD will so provide for me, that I shall ever find an estate [position] (or, sure, a mind at least) as shall make me content.

And therefore I have undertaken this, not altogether in hope of profit; but being an honest enterprise, I rather attempt it, partly to make trial who are friends? and partly to shew this great world, that the Little World of my Mind is not so barren but it can, out of itself, spare somewhat wherewithal to make traffic for others' best commodities. In which my comfort is, if I have an ill voyage, none but I myself shall be in danger to lose anything; whereas if I make a prosperous return, many are likely] to gain, and perhaps, too, more than they had ever hope of.

Now this (among other poems in my hand, long since penned; whereof some might peradventure have been thought fitter for such a purpose) for two reasons, I have made use of. First, for that it pleased sundry of my friends to make choice hereof. Secondly, I knowing how jealous these Times are of my writings, and how ready some would be to take occasion of hurting me (though they everlastingly disgraced themselves), thought it good policy to take such a piece as, I was certain, would be free from the least exception: whereas else, when I shall look to have the liberty of the whole world to wander in, I may chance, once again, to be scarce allowed two rooms to walk in! The subject is but light, yet those I know that desire to do me good, will no less accept thereof, than if it were a jewel of some greater value.

Examples of such undertakings, we daily see in Gentlemen, both of good birth and reasonable fortunes: only this difference there is, they put out their money; and I, not only that which some wil'

more esteem, but what, without me, no money can purchase. They seek their own commodity; and I, with my particular profit, to be able to do my friends and country good.

By this means also, I shall be sure to be beholding to none but those that love Virtue and Me! and [shall] preserve the unequalled happiness of a Free Spirit! Whereas else, being forced to accept of some particular bounties: it may be, blinded by seeming courtesies, I might fall into the common baseness incident to flatterers; and so, at length, become like those great Clergy-men of our Times, who dare not upbraid all sins, for fear they should seem so saucy as to reprehend their patrons.

Yet the best is, I see few apt to corrupt any with their liberality; though I make no question there be such, and some PHILLIPS too, that if they knew the danger of a flatterer, would think themselves as much honoured by that boy who should every day remember them, They were but men! as ALEXANDER could be by his sly courtiers, who hourly proclaimed him, the son of JUPITER !

But I do not greatly doubt any such alternation! for whatever my fortunes be, so far is my Mind in love with her own liberty, that with more contentment could I die in poverty, than live in abundance subjected to baseness. For I cannot admire any one because he is rich, nor believe a man aught the wiser for his titles! I shall never praise my Lord's running horse that is a jade, to please him; nor fashion myself to humour his follies for his revenues! I cannot laugh, when he doth, unless I see some occasion; nor be sad, when he is so, unless I love him! Nor shall I ever need to do so, if my friends continue but so much love as they have now begun to make shew of. For some of my acquaintance, out of their own worth only; others, merely moved by their good will towards me, have freely proffered more than ever I could, of myself, have requested: yea, many, in a sort strangers (partly in consideration of the good they seemed to have received from my former pains, and partly in hope to make me able to perform some greater matter), have, both by their promises and persuasions, so encouraged me, as I have resolved to make trial of the world's fair shews of new professed friendship.

Wither.

174 THE OCCASION OF PRIVATE PRINTING, &c. [G. Wit

1615.

If it take effect, I shall thereby find means to free myself from those cares which might else much abate the vigour of my spirit, trouble my inventions, and consume my youth before I could be fit to settle myself about that, which, if I may live to effect according to my intent, will require, besides an undistempered mind, all the best assistances of Nature, with the utmost of my endeavours.

And if I fail in my hopes, it shall never discontent me! for my greatest loss will be but a little labour, which will be, another way, very well recompensed. For when I shall perceive the No Trust that is to be reposed on this world's love, I shall, ever after, be so far from flattering myself again with any such confidence, or troubling my mind with studying after others' satisfactions, as I will persuade myself all my former determinations were but impossible Ideas! and with less charge and pain, enjoy alone that delight and contentment which with dis-easing myself, I should but share amongst an unthankful multitude.

But I make no question, I shall find as good success in this as I do or can justly expect: and the sooner, because as the project is honest, so it is unhurtful to all. And my comfort is, if any should, in their foolish imagination, deem me aught disparaged thereby; it were but their weakness to think so! for in respect of those base courses, suits, and enterprises (by which some men, now of great account) have increased aud raised their fortunes out of the dunghill; I hold this honourable! seeing I shall receive willingly with love, what they, against men's wills, have either defrauded by subtilties, or extorted by violence.

But what mean I? My intent is, by this time, sufficiently understood! and there needs no more Apologies to my Friends: because they will approve or hold it indifferent; and, questionless, to their power, further it. Now, as for others, they shall, by my will, never come to the honour or credit to be acquainted with a FIDELIA!

Valete.