Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/169

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148
A Diſcourſe
Book II.

in the beds, and enquire after Flowers from the known and unknown World? But for what purpose I pray? Is it to assure me that you also are one of that newly sprung up Sect of curious and idle persons; who have converted the most excellent and simple delight, into the instrument of a couple of Vices; Vanity, and Sloth? For to this end have they their Gardens, with an ambitious curiosity they search after a few forraign Plants and Flowers; and when they have them, they cherish and attend them, with the same anxiety and passion, as a Mother doth her Son. These are they whose Letters wander into Thrace, Greece, India, for some little parcel of seed, a Clove, or off-set of a Flower: Who more passionately lament the withering of some new fashioned Slipps; than the Death of an old try'd Friend. Does any Man laugh at that Roman, who put on mourn-

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