And then they may think what accusation that was like
to prove, when they that were the engineers feared to be the
authors. Nor were they content to feign things against me, but to
urge things, feigned by the ignorant, against my profession, which
though, from their hired and mercenary impudence, I might have
passed by as granted to a nation of barkers that let out their
tongues to lick others' sores; yet I durst not leave myself
undefended, having a pair of ears unskilful to hear lies, or have
those things said of me which I could truly prove of them. They
objected making of verses to me, when I could object to most of
them, their not being able to read them, but as worthy of scorn.
Nay, they would offer to urge mine own writings against me, but by
pieces (which was an excellent way of malice), as if any man's
context might not seem dangerous and offensive, if that which was
knit to what went before were defrauded of his beginning; or that
things by themselves uttered might not seem subject to calumny,
which read entire would appear most free. At last they upbraided my
poverty: I confess she is my domestic; sober of diet, simple of
habit, frugal, painful, a good counseller to me, that keeps me from
cruelty, pride, or other more delicate impertinences, which are the
nurse-children of riches.
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