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In Harvey’s case indeed Apollo seems to have cared but ill for his votary.
‘Captain, or Colonel, or Knight-in-Arms,
Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seize,
If deed of honour did thee ever please,
Guard them from harm!’
So pleads Milton for himself with the Cavaliers. I am sure had he known Harvey he would have pleaded no less earnestly for him with the soldiers of the Commonwealth.
Harvey bowed without a murmur to the stroke of which later times have felt the full weight.
But I see, Sir, my little hour is well nigh spent, and I have as yet done but scant justice to one part of my theme, though that is indeed the greatest, the real occasion of our meeting here. A word or two must still be said to commemorate the Benefactors of our College; and I am forbidden to end without the endeavour to stir up myself and you, my colleagues, to a diligent enquiry into Nature’s ways.
Benefactors—those who have done us good, or have shown us kindness; in vulgar sort, those to whom we owe gifts of money, grants of land, something or other that can be bought
