[Sidenote: But this number of years, multiplied by whatever sum you please, vanishes when compared with the infinite extent of eternity.] ¶ But naþeles þilke self nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to þe p{er}durablete þat is een[de]les. [Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none between the infinite and finite.] ¶ For of 1568 þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende may be maked no {com}parysou{n}]. [Sidenote: Hence it is, that Fame (however lasting), compared with eternity, will seem absolutely nothing.] ¶ And for þi is it al þouȝ renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken 1572 were þouȝt by þe regard of et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. [Sidenote: But yet you do good from no other view than to have the empty applause of the people, foregoing the pleasures of a good conscience in order to have the insignificant praises of other people.] ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. [[pg 59]] {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse 1577 of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke. [Linenotes: 1545 _comeþ_--comth it 1547 _furþe_--forth _manere_--maner 1548 _þerfore_--ther-for _auȝte_--owhte 1549 _paied_--apayed _hys owen_--hise owne 1550 _neyȝbores_--nesshebours _be_--ben 1552 _haþ_--MS. haþe 1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt 1556 _derke_--derk _doþ aweye_--MS. doþe, C. doth a-wey _her autours_--hir actorros 1557 _ȝe_--yow _semen_--semeth 1558 _comyng_--to comynge 1559 _wilt_--wolt 1560 _whiche_--which 1563 _myche_--mochel 1564 _þo_--the _haþ_--MS. haþe _some_--som 1566 _self_--selue 1567 _be_ (2)--ben 1568 _een[de]les_--endeles 1569 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked [_but----comparysoun_]--from C. 1573 _by_--to] [Headnote: VANITY REPROVED.] [Sidenote: This silly vanity was once thus ingeniously and pleasantly rallied.] ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of whiche 1580 p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} myrily swiche vanite. [Sidenote: A certain man, who had assumed the name of a philosopher through a love of vain-glory, was told by a man of humour that he could prove he was a philosopher by bearing patiently the injuries offered him.]