Whether our ancestors wrote better than we do, or whether we excel them in our selection of words, style, and expression, perspicuity and brevity, is a question often debated but never yet decided. But this question is not at an end, if people will compare, as they sometimes do, a dull writer of a past century to the most celebrated authors of the present age, or the verses of Laurent,[827] who is paid for not writing any more, to those of Marot and Desportes.[828] In order to judge sensibly in this case we should compare one age to another, and one first-rate piece of literary work to another, such as, for example, the best _rondeaux_ of Benserade and Voiture[829] to the following two, which tradition has handed down to us, but without transmitting to us the name of the authors, or the time when they were written:[830]— In timely sort Ogier came into Fraunce, Of Paynim misbegot to rid the lond; Needs not that I should tell his puissaunce, Sit never foeman durst his glaunce withstond. Thoʼ when he hath set all in happy chaunce, Forth on a perlous jorney bent, he fond In Paradise the well of youthʼs joyaunce, Wherewith he thought to stay timeʼs threatening bond In timely sort. Thoʼ by this well his body, weak with years, Upon a sodain changéd quight appears To youthful wight, fresh, limber eke, and straight. Great pitye ʼtis such lesinges tell no truth! Virgins I wot of that bene past their youth, To whom this bath had come, ere yet too late, In timely sort. * * * * * Of this prow knight full many clerks have penned That never daunger could his corage scare: Whom natheless the foul fiend, which unaware He ʼspoused in womanʼs shape, did foully shend. So piteous case left his stout heart at end Without one taint of fear or sordid care: Whereof great praise throughout the world he bare— If aught of credence we to tales may lend Of this prow knight. Eftsoones it chaunced the daughter of the king Earned for his love, and made free offering To Richard, of herself for second wife. Then, if to keep a woman or a fiend Be better, and which stirs more hellish strife, He that would weet may question which was weened Of this prow knight. [Illustration] XV. OF THE PULPIT.[831] (1.) A sermon at present has become a mere show, in which there is not the least appearance of that evangelical gravity which is the very soul of it; a good appearance, a well-modulated voice, careful gestures, choice expressions, and prolonged enumerations supply its place. To listen attentively whilst Holy Writ is dispensed is no longer customary; going to church is an amusement, among numberless others, and is a diversion in which there exists rivalry and many persons bet on various competitors.