“King James, 1605, when he came to our University of Oxford, and, amongst other edifices, now went to view that famous Library, renewed by Sir Thomas Bodley, in imitation of Alexander, at his departure brake out into that noble speech, If I were not a King, I would be an University man; and if it were so that I must be a prisoner, if I might have my wish, I would desire to have no other prison than that Library, and to be chained together with so many good Authors _et mortuis magistris_. So sweet is the delight of study, the more learning they have (as he that hath a Dropsy, the more he drinks the thirstier he is), the more they covet to learn, and the last day is _prioris discipulus_; harsh at first learning is, _radices amaræ_, but _fructus dulces_, according to that of Isocrates, pleasant at last; the longer they live, the more they are enamoured of the Muses. _Heinsius_, the keeper of the Library at Leyden in Holland, was mewed up in it all the year long; and that which to my thinking should have bred a loathing caused in him a greater liking. _I no sooner_ (saith he) _come into the Library, but I bolt the door to me, excluding lust, ambition, avarice, and all such vices, whose nurse is idleness, the mother of ignorance, and Melancholy herself; in the very lap of eternity, amongst so many divine souls, I take my seat, with so lofty a spirit and sweet content, that I pity all our great ones, and rich men that know not this happiness_.” _The Anatomy of Melancholy._ But by the sacred genius of this place, By every Muse, by each domestic grace, Be kind to wit, which but endeavours well, And, where you judge, presumes not to excel. Our poets hither for adoption come, As nations sued to be made free of Rome: Not in the suffragating tribes to stand, But in your utmost, last, provincial band. If his ambition may those hopes pursue, Who with religion loves your arts and you, [Illustration: THE OLD ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM AND SHELDONIAN THEATRE The Old Ashmolean Museum, with its noble entrance, stands to the left of the picture; on the right side is part of the south front of the Sheldonian Theatre. An entrance to the enclosure from Broad Street is seen between the thermes and a part of the north side of the street. The collection of the Old Ashmolean Museum is removed to the Taylor Institution.] Oxford to him a dearer name shall be, Than his own mother university. Thebes did his green unknowing youth engage, He chooses Athens in his riper age. DRYDEN.