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THE SECOND BOOKE 85
selfe on him, but presently cast mine eyes on my selfe,
and all my wits tog-ether, to see in what state I am, and
how it goeth with me. Whatsoever concerneth him,
the same hath relation to me. His fortunes forewarne
me, and summon up my spirits that way. There is no
day nor houre but we speake that of others we might
properly speake of our selves, could we as well enfold
as we can unfold our consideration. And many authours
doe in this manner wound the protection of their cause,
by over-rashly running against that which they take
hold of, thirling such darts at their enemies that might
with much more advantage be cast at them. The Lord
of Montluc, late one of the Lord Marshals of France,
having lost his sonne, who died in the Hand of Madera,
a worthy, forward and gallant young gentleman, and
truely of good hope, amongst other his griefes and
regrets did greatly move me to condole the infinite
displeasure and hearts-sorrow that he felt, inasmuch as
he had never communicated and opened himselfe vnto
him: for, with his austere humour and continuall endevouring
to hold a grimme-stern-fatherly gravity over
him, he had lost the meanes perfectly to finde and
throughly to know his sonne, and so to manifest vnto
him the extreme affection he bare him, and the worthy
judgement he made of his vertue. 'Alas,' was he wont
to say,' the poore lad saw never anything in me but a
severe-surly countenance, full of disdaine, and haply
was possessed with this conceit, that I could neither
love nor esteeme him according to his merits. Ay-me,
to whom did I reserve, to discover that singular and
loving affection which in my soule I bare vnto him?
Was it not he that should have had all the pleasure
and acknowledgement thereof? I have forced and
tormented my selfe to maintaine this vaine maske,
and have vtterly lost the pleasure of his conversation,
and therwithal his good will, which surely was but
faintly cold towards me, forsomuch as he never received
but rude entertainement of me, and never felt
but a tyrannicall proceeding in me towards him.' I
am of opinion his complaint was reasonable and well