304                               OF FAME.

it is solid and reduced ; and, lastly, his old age, when
it waxeth dry and exhaust. But it is not good to
look too long upon these turning wheels of vicissi¬
tude, lest we become giddy. As for the philology
of them, that is but a circle of tales, and therefore
not fit for this writing.
 

A fragment of an essay,

OF FAME.

The poets make fame a monster. They describe
her, in part, finely and elegantly ; and, in part,
gravely, and sententiously. They say, look how
many feathers she hath, so many eyes she hath
underneath : so many tongues ; so many voices ; she
pricks up so many ears.

This is a flourish : there follow excellent parables ;
as that she gathereth strength in going; that she
goeth upon the ground, and yet  hideth her head in