weary of
her life reserveth her breath only for thee. In which alone even I must
grant that thy felicity is diminished, she consumeth herself with tears
and grief for thy sake.

What should I speak of thy children, which have been Consuls, in whom
already, as in children of that age, their father's or grandfather's
good disposition appeareth? Wherefore, since the greatest care that
mortal men have is to save their lives, O happy man that thou art, if
thou knowest thine own wealth, who still hast remaining those things
which no man doubteth to be dearer than life itself? And therefore cease
weeping. Fortune hath not hitherto showed her hatred against you all,
neither art thou assailed with too boisterous a storm, since those
anchors hold fast which permit neither the comfort of the time present
nor the hope of the time to come to be wanting."

"And I pray God," quoth I, "that they may hold fast, for so long as they
remain, howsoever the world goeth we shall escape drowning. But thou
seest how great a part of our ornaments is lost." "We have gotten a
little ground," quoth she, "if thy whole estate be not irksome unto
thee. But I cannot suffer thy daintiness, who with such lamentation and
anxiety complaineth that something is wanting to thy happiness. For who
hath so entire happiness that he is not in some part offended with the
condition of his estate? The nature of human felicity is doubtful and
uncertain, and is neither ever wholly obtained, or never lasteth always.
One man hath great revenues, but is contemned for his base lineage.
Another's nobility maketh him known, but, oppressed with penury, had
rather be unknown. Some, abounding with both, bewail their life without
marriage. Some other, well married but wanting children, provideth
riches for strangers to inherit. Others, finally, having children,
mournfully bewail the vices which their sons or daughters are given to.
So that scarce any man is pleased with the condition of his fortune. For
there is something in every estate, which without experience is not
known, and being experienced doth molest and trouble. Besides that,
those which are most happy are most sensible,[108] and unless all things
fall out to their liking, impatient of all adversity, every little cross
overthrows them, so small are the occasions which take from the most
fortunate the height of their happiness. How many are there, th