Tell Wit how much she wrangles In fickle points of niceness; Tell Wisdom she entangles Herself in over niceness; And if they do reply Then give them both the lie. Tell Physic of her boldness; Tell Skill it is pretension; Tell Charity of coldness; Tell Law it is contention; And if they yield reply, Then give them all the lie. Tell Fortune of her blindness; Tell Nature of decay; Tell Friendship of unkindness; Tell Justice of delay; And if they do reply, Then give them still the lie. Tell Arts they have no soundness, But vary by esteeming; Tell Schools they lack profoundness And stand too much on seeming: If Arts and Schools reply, Give Arts and Schools the lie. Tell Faith it's fled the city; Tell how the country erreth; Tell manhood, shakes off pity, Tell Virtue least preferreth; And if they do reply, Spare not to give the lie. So when thou hast, as I Commanded thee, done blabbing; Although to give the lie Deserves no less than stabbing; Yet stab at thee who will, No stab the soul can kill." [Illustration: Small triangular decoration of two stylized fish] BOOK II SPECULATIVE "Philosophy is one of the richest presents that man ever received from heaven, being that which raises the mind into the contemplation of eternal things, and is the science which of all others affords the most agreeable entertainment."--EVELYN. I. INSTRUMENTALITIES. "The age, the present times, are not To snudge in, and embrace a cot; Action and blood now get the game, Disdain treads on the peaceful name: Who sits at home, too, bears a load Greater than those that gad abroad." HENRY VAUGHAN. [Illustration: Decorative banner of two mythical animals among leaves] INSTRUMENTALITIES. I.--TENDENCIES.