The
sum of this is, that for the uncertain hopes of some conveniences we
ought not to defer the execution of a work that is necessary,
especially when the use of those things which we would stay for may
otherwise be supplied, but the loss of time never recovered. Nay,
further yet, though we were sure to obtain all that we had a mind
to, though we were sure of getting never so much by continuing the
game, yet when the light of life is so near going out, and ought to
be so precious, Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle, the play is not
worth the expense of the candle. After having been long tossed in a
tempest, if our masts be standing, and we have still sail and
tackling enough to carry us to our port, it is no matter for the
want of streamers and topgallants; utere velis totes pande sinus. A
gentleman in our late civil wars, when his quarters were beaten up
by the enemy, was taken prisoner and lost his life afterwards, only
by staying to put on a band and adjust his periwig. He would escape
like a person of quality, or not at all, and died the noble martyr
of ceremony and gentility. I think your counsel of festina lente is
as ill to a man who is flying from the world, as it would have been
to that unfortunate well-bred gentleman, who was so cautious as not
to fly undecently from his enemies, and therefore I prefer Horace's
advice before yours.
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