and Occasions. Here, the best Way to represent to life[1] the manifold use of Frendship is to cast[2] and see how many Things there are, which a Man cannot doe Himselfe; And then it will appeare that it was a Sparing Speech[3] of the Ancients to say, That a Frend is another Himselfe: For that[4] a Frend is farre more then Himselfe. Men have their Time[5], and die many times in desire of[6] some Things which they principally take to Heart[7]; The bestowing[8] of a Child, The Finishing of a Worke, Or the like. If a Man have a true Frend, he may rest almost secure[9] that the Care of those Things will continue after Him. So that a Man hath as it were two Lives in his desires[10]. A Man hath a Body, and that Body is confined to a Place; But where Frendship is, all Offices of Life are as it were granted to Him and his Deputy; For he may exercise them by his Frend. How many Things are there which a Man cannot, with any Face or Comelines, say or doe Himselfe? A Man can scarce alledge[11] his owne Merits with modesty, much lesse extoll them: A man cannot sometimes brooke to Supplicate or Beg; And a number of the like. But all these Things are Gracefull in a Frend's Mouth, which are Blushing[12] in a Man's Owne. So againe, a Man's Person hath many proper Relations[13] which he cannot put off. A Man cannot speake to his Sonne, but as a Father; To his Wife, but as a Husband; To his Enemy, but upon Termes[14]: whereas a Frend may speak as the Case requires, and not as it sorteth with the Person[15]. But to enumerate these Things were endlesse: I have given the Rule, where a Man cannot fitly play his owne Part: If he have not a Frend, he may quit the Stage.
- ↑ to the life, vividly
- ↑ cast up, reckon
- ↑ moderate statement
- ↑ for
- ↑ i.e. their appointed time
- ↑ whilst still desiring
- ↑ set their hearts upon
- ↑ sc. in marriage
- ↑ assured
- ↑ so far as his desires are concerned
- ↑ declare
- ↑ which raise a blush
- ↑ the part which a man plays in life has many relations to itself
- ↑ without due formalities
- ↑ not as befits a particular character.
