Mystical bedlam, or the world of mad-men. By ThoMystical bedlam, or the vvorld of mad-men. By Tho

9. The Idle

Man, you will say, is not mad: for mad-men can hardly be kept in, and he can hardly be got out. You need not bind him to a post of patience, the love of ease is strong fetters to him. Perhaps, he knows his own madness, and keeps his Chamber; both that sleep may quiet his frenzy, and that the light may not distract him. He lives by the sweat of other mens brows, and will not disquiet the temples of his own head. If this be his wit, it is madness: for by this means, his Field is covered with nettles and thorns, his body overgrown with infirmities, his soul with vices; his conscience shall want a good witness to it self: and his heart be destitute of that hope, which in the time of calamity might have rejoiced it.

Man, you will say, is not madde: for mad-men can hardly bee kept in, and hee can hardly bee gotte out. You need not bind him to a poste of patience, the loue of ease is strong fetters to him. Perhaps, he knowes his owne madnesse, and keepes his Chamber; both that sleepe may quiet his frenzy, and that the light may not distract him. Hee liues by the sweat of other mens browes, and will not disquiet the temples of his owne head. If this be his wit, it is madnesse: for by this means, his Field is couered with nettles and thornes, his body ouergrowne with infirmities, his soule with vices; his conscience shall want a good witnesse to it selfe: and his heart be destitute of that hope, which in the time of calamity might haue reioyced it.