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THE SECOND BOOKE 443
that the apprehension which she hath of my aproching
end, by reason of the fiftie five years wherein her hap
hath beene to know me, would somewhat lesse cruelly
trouble hir. The judgement she made of my first
Essayes, being a woman of this age so yong, alone
where shee dwelleth, and the exceeding vehemencie
wherewith she loved me and long time by the onely
esteem which before ever she saw me, she had by them
conceived of me she desired me, is an accident most
worthy consideration. Other vertues have had little or
no currantnesse at all in this age : but valour is become
popular by reason of our civil! warres, and in this part
there are minds found amongst us very constant, even
to perfection and in great number, so that the choice is
impossible to be made. Loe heere what hitherto I
have knowen of any extraordinary and not common
greatnesse.