So now that a competent time is past—time which brings all things to maturity—since the first surprise of your calamity, I believed I should do an acceptable piece of friendship, if I should now comfort you with those reasons which may lessen your grief and silence your complaints. Soft words alleviate a wounded heart,If you in time will mitigate the smart.Aesch. 878. Euripides hath said wisely to this purpose:— Our applications should suited beUnto the nature of the malady;Of sorrow we should wipe the tender eyes,But the immoderate weeper should chastise For of all the passions which move and afflict the mind of man, sorrow in its nature is the most grievous; in some they say it hath produced madness, others have contracted incurable diseases, and some out of the vehemence of it have laid violent hands upon themselves.