And
folk of truth did not so at all, but reputed him both for wise and
honest.
Two others I knew who were marvellous afraid that they would kill
themselves, and could tell me no cause wherefore they so feared it
except that their own mind so gave them. Neither had they any loss
nor no such thing toward them, nor none occasion of any worldly
shame (the one was in body very well liking and lusty), but
wondrous weary were they both twain of that mind. And always they
thought that they would not do it for anything, and nevertheless
they feared they would. And wherefore they so feared neither of
them both could tell. And the one, lest he should do it, desired
his friends to bind him.
VINCENT: This is, uncle, a marvellous strange manner.
ANTHONY: Forsooth, cousin, I suppose many of them are in this
case.
The devil, as I said before, seeketh his occasions. For as St.
Peter saith, "Your adversary the devil as a roaring lion goeth
about seeking whom he may devour." He marketh well, therefore, the
state and condition that every man standeth in, not only
concerning these outward things (lands, possessions, goods,
authority, fame, favour, or hatred of the world), but also men's
complexions within them--health or sickness, good humours or bad,
by which they be light-hearted or lumpish, strong-hearted or faint
and feeble of spirit, bold and hardy or timorous and fearful of
courage.
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