Walkington, Thomas (b. c. 1575, d. 1621)

The Optick Glasse of Humors

London

Imprinted by John Windet for Martin Clerke

1607

"[Y]our continuance after in all studious actions, constancy in your fauours and kind disposition (for I must needs say as hee of Augustus -- 'Rarus tu quidem ad recipiendas amicitias, ad retinendas vero constantissimus') these incited mee to cause that which as a sparke lay shrowded in embers in my breast, to exhibit it selfe more apparantly in this little flame."

[...] Nether did I in the waine of my iudgment attempt this as desirous to drawe in the perfuming breath of vaine glory, to puff vp my self with self cōceit like the Camaeleō which is -- nil praeter pulmones, nothing but lungs: but only thinking to break the ice, happely to wade farther, and to imploy my selfe in greater taskes, as fitter oportunity shall obiect her selfe vnto me, if the prefinit tear me and limit of my life permit, and withall in lue of gratitude, to presēt your self with this little which seems much in regard of my wants, and labour, as much seems little in respect of of your euer kind fauour. For this as also your other endowments, my penne might worthily fill whole pages: but your splendent vertues can easily be their owne Herauldes to limme forth their owne armory, and to extoll in presence, is more glauering and poeticall, then true-louing and patheticall. This onely my affection cannot conceale, your gratious demeanour, generous cariage, curtuous nature, studious endeauour, and wisedome for managing your selfe each where, (when you happely were a flourishing braunche, engrafted in the fruitfull Oliue tree of this our Athenes, that thrise famous vniuersity of Cambridge) were first the sympathizing adamants of my affection: your continuance after in all studious actions, constancy in your fauours and kind disposition (for I must needs say as hee of Augustus -- Rarus tu quidem ad recipiendas amicitias, ad retinendas vero constantissimus) these incited mee to cause that which as a sparke lay shrowded in embers in my breast, to exhibit it selfe more apparantly in this little flame.
(Epistle Dedicatory)

Fire::Sparks Fire::Embers Fire::Flame

Reading

Reading 1664 edition at the Folger, text from EEBO-TCP <Link>

Walkington, Thomas, The Optick Glasse of Humors. Or The Touchstone of a Golden Temperature, or the Philosophers Stone to Make a Golden Temper Wherein the Foure Complections Sanguine, Cholericke, Phlegmaticke, Melancholicke are Succinctly Painted Forth, and their Axternall Intimates Laide Open to the Purblind Eye of Ignorance It Selfe, by which Euery One May Iudge of What Complection he is, and Answerably Learne What is Most Sutable to his Nature. Lately Pend by T.W. Master of Artes. (London: Imprinted by Iohn Windet for Martin Clerke, and are to be sold at his shop without Aldersgate, 1607)

05/16/2013