OF A VALIANT MAN.

He undertakes without rashness, and performs without fear; he seeks not for dangers, but, when they find him, he bears them over with courage, with success.  He hath ofttimes looked death in the face, and passed by it with a smile; and when he sees he must yield, doth at once welcome and contemn it.  He forecasts the worst of all events, and encounters them before they come in a secret and mental war.  And if the suddenness of an unexpected evil have surprised his thoughts, and infected his cheeks with paleness, he hath no sooner digested it in his conceit than he gathers up himself, and insults over mischief.  He is the master of himself, and subdues his passions to reason, and by this inward victory works his own peace.  He is afraid of nothing but the displeasure of the Highest, and runs away from nothing but sin:  he looks not on his hands, but his cause; not how strong he is, but how innocent:  and, where goodness is his warrant, he may be over-mastered; he cannot be foiled.  The sword is to him the last of all trials, which he draws forth still as defendant, not as challenger, with a willing kind of unwillingness:  no man can better manage it, with more safety, with more favour; he had rather have his blood seen than his back, and disdains life upon base conditions.  No man is more mild to a relenting or vanquished adversary, or more hates to set his foot on a carcase.  He had rather smother an injury than revenge himself of the impotent, and I know not whether he more detests cowardliness or cruelty.  He talks little, and brags less; and loves rather the silent language of the hand, to be seen than heard.  He lies ever close within himself, armed with wise resolution, and will not be discovered but by death or danger.  He is neither prodigal of blood to misspend it idly, nor niggardly to grudge it, when either God calls for it, or his country; neither is he more liberal of his own life than of others.  His power is limited by his will, and he holds it the noblest revenge, that he might hurt and doth not.  He commands without tyranny and imperiousness, obeys without servility, and changes not his mind with his estate.  The height of his spirits overlooks all casualties, and his boldness proceeds neither from ignorance nor senselessness; but first he values evils, and then despises them.  He is so balanced with wisdom that he floats steadily in the midst of all tempests.  Deliberate in his purposes, firm in resolution, bold in enterprising, unwearied in achieving, and howsoever happy in success; and if ever he be overcome, his heart yields last.

OF A PATIENT MAN.