The life of Mr. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury written by himself in a Latine poem, and now translated into English. Thomas Hobbesii Malmesburiensis vita. English Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. 1680 Approx. 22 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 11 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A44004 Wing H2251 ESTC R13395 11833475 ocm 11833475 49741 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44004) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 49741) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 497:7) The life of Mr. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury written by himself in a Latine poem, and now translated into English. Thomas Hobbesii Malmesburiensis vita. English Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. [2], 18 p. Printed for A.C. ..., London : 1680. Translation of Thomas Hobbesii Malmesburiensis vita. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. 2004-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-11 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-01 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2005-01 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE LIFE OF Mr. THOMAS HOBBES OF MALMESBURY . Written by himself In a LATINE POEM . And now Translated into ENGLISH . LONDON : PRINTED for A. C. and are to be sold in Fleetstreet , and without Temple-bar . 1680. THE LIFE OF Mr. Thomas Hobbes OF MALMESBURY . IN Fifteen hundred eighty eight , Old Style , When that Armada did invade our Isle , Call'd the Invincible ; whos 's Freight was then , Nothing but Murd'ring Steel , and Murd'ring Men ; Most of which Navy was disperst , or lost , And had the Fate to Perish on our Coast : April the fifth ( though now with Age outworn ) I' th' early Spring , I , a poor worm , was born . In Malmesbury Baptiz'd , and Named there By my own Father , then a Minister . Many things worth relating had this Town ; And first , a Monastery of Renown , And Castle , or two rather it may seem , On a Hill seated , with a double Stream Almost environ'd , from whence still are sent Two Burgesses to sit in Parliament . Here lie the Bones of Noble Athelstane , Whose Stone-Effigies does there remain ; Who for reward gave them the Neighbouring Plains , Which he had moistned with the Blood of Danes . Here was the Roman Muse by Adelm brought , Here also the first Latin Schole was taught . My Native place I 'm not asham'd to own ; Th' ill Times , and Ills born with me , I bemoan : For Fame had rumour'd , that a Fleet at Sea , Wou'd cause our Nations Catastrophe ; And hereupon it was my Mother Dear Did bring forth Twins at once , both Me , and Fear . For this , my Countries Foes I e'r did hate , With calm Peace and my Muse associate . Did Learn to speak Four Languages , to write And read them too , which was my sole delight . Six years i' th' Greek and Latin Tongue I spent , And at Fourteen I was to Oxford sent ; And there of Magd'len-Hall admitted , I My self to Logick first did then apply , And sedulously I my Tutor heard , Who Gravely Read , althou ' he had no Beard . Barbara , Celarent , Darii , Ferio , Baralypton , These Modes hath the first Figure ; then goes on Caesare , Camestres , Festino , Baroco , Darapti , This hath of Modes the same variety . Felapton , Disamis , Datisi , Bocardo , Ferison , These just so many Modes are look'd upon . Which I , tho' slowly Learn , and then dispense With them , and prove things after my own sense . Then Physicks read , and my Tutor Display'd , How all Things were of Form and Matter made . The Aëry Particles which make Forms we see , Both Visible and Audible , to be Th' Effects of Sympathy , Antipathy . And many things above my reach Taught me . Therefore more pleasant studies I then sought , Which I was formerly , tho' not well Taught . My Phancie and my Mind divert I do , With Maps Celestial and Terrestrial too . Rejoyce t' accompany Sol cloath'd with Rays , Know by what Art he measures out our Days ; How Drake and Cavendish a Girdle made Quite round the World , what Climates they survey'd ; And strive to find the smaller Cells of Men. And painted Monsters in their unknown Den. Nay there 's a Fulness in Geography ; For Nature e'r abhor'd Vacuity . Thus in due time took I my first Degree Of Batchelor i' th' University . Then Oxford left ; serv'd Ca'ndish known to be A Noble and Conspicuous Family . Our College-Rector did me Recommend , Where I most pleasantly my Days did spend . Thus Youth Tutor'd a Youth ; for he was still Under Command , and at his Father's will : Serv'd him full twenty years , who prov'd to be , Not a Lord only , but a Friend to Me. That my Life's sweetest Comfort was , and made My Slumbers pleasant in Nights darkest shade . Thus I at Ease did Live , of Books , whilst he Did with all sorts supply my Library . Then I our own Historians did peruse , Greek , Latin , and Convers'd too with my Muse. Homer and Virgil , Horace , Sophocles , Plautus , Euripides , Aristophanes , I understood , nay more ; but of all these , There 's none that pleas'd me like Thucydides . He says Democracy's a Foolish Thing , Than a Republick Wiser is one King. This Author I taught English , that even he A Guide to Rhetoricians might be . To Forrain Countries at that time did I Travel , saw France , Italy , Germany . This Debonaire Lord th' Earl of Devonshire , I serv'd complete the space of twenty year . His Life by Sickness Conquer'd , fled away , T' exchange it for a better the last day . But yet provided ere he di'd for me , Who liv'd with little most contentedly . I left my pleasant Mansion , went away To Paris , and there eighteen Months did stay , Thence to be Tutor I 'm cal'd back agen , To my Lord's Son , the Earl of Devon then . This Noble Lord I did instruct when young , Both how to Speak and Write the Roman Tongue ; And by what Arts the Rhetor deceives those That are Illiterate ; taught him Verse and Prose ; The Mathematick Precepts too , with all The Windings in the Globe Terrestrial ; The whole Design of Law , and how he must Judge between that which Equal is and Just. Seven years to him these Arts I did Explain : He quickly Learnt , and firmly did retain . We spent not all this time in Books alone , Unless you 'l take the World for to be one ; Travel'd through Italy and France , did view The sweet Retirements of Savoy too . Whether on Horse , in Coach , or Ship , still I Was most Intent on my Philosophy . One only thing i' th' World seem'd true to me , Tho' several ways that Falsified be . One only True Thing , the Basis of all Those Things whereby we any Thing do call . How Sleep does fly away , and what things still By Opticks I can Multiply at will. Phancie's Internal , th' Issue of our Brain , Th'internal parts only Motion contain : And he that studies Physicks first must know What Motion is , and what Motion can do . To Matter , Motion , I my self apply , And thus I spend my Time in Italy . I scribbled nothing o'er , nor then e'r wrought ; I ever had a Mistriss that me taught . Then leaving Italy , return we do To Paris , and its stately Fabricks view . Here with Mersennus I acquainted grew , Shew'd him of Motion what I ever knew . He both Prais'd and Approv'd it , and so , Sir , I was Reputed a Philosopher . Eight Months elaps'd , I return'd , and thought good For to Connect what e'r I understood . That Principles at second hand more clear , By their Concatenation might appear . To various Matter various Motion brings Me , and the different Species of Things . Man's inward Motions and his Thoughts to know , The good of Government , and Justice too , These were my Studies then , and in these three Consists the whole Course of Philosophy . Man , Body , Citizen , for there I do Heap Matter up , designing three Books too . I' th' interim breaks forth a horrid War , Injurious to my Study , and a Bar. In the year sixteen hundred forty , then Brake out a Sickness , whereof many Men Of Learning , languishing , gave up their breath At last , and yielded to impartial death . Wherewith when seized , he reputed was The Man that knew Divine and Humane Laws . The War 's now hot , I dread to see it so , Therefore to Paris well-belov'd , I go . Two years elaps'd , I published in Print My Book de Cive ; the new Matter in 't Gratifi'd Learned Men , which was the Cause It was Translated , and with great Applause By several Nations , and great Scholars read , So that my Name was Famous , and far spread . England in her sad Pangs of War , and those Commend it too , whom I do most oppose . But what 's disadvantageous now , who wou'd , Though it be Just , ever esteem it Good ? Then I four years spent to contrive which way To Pen my Book de Corpore , Night and Day ; Compare together each Corporeal Thing , Think whence the known changes of Forms do spring . Inquire how I compel this Proteus may , His Cheats and Artifices to Display . About this time Mersennus was ( by Name ) A Friar Minorite , yet of Great Fame , Learned , Wise , Good , whose single Cell might be Prefer'd before an University . To him all Persons brought what e'r they found By Learning , if new Principle , or Ground , In clear and proper Phrase , without the Dress Of Gawdy Rhet'rick , Pride , Deceitfulness . Which he imparts to th' Learned , who might there Discuss them , or at leisure , any where . Publish'd some Rare Inventions , to the Fame Of their own Author , with each Authors Name . About Mersennus , like an Axis , here Each Star wheel'd round , as in its Orb or Sphere . England , Scotland , and Ireland was the Stage Of Civil War , and with its four years Rage , Harras'd and wasted was ; Perfidious Fate Exil'd the Good , and Help'd the Profligate . Nay , Charles , the Kingdom 's Heir , attended then , By a Retinue of Brave , Noble Men , To Paris came , in hope Times might amend , And Popular Fury once be at an end . My Book de Corpore then I design'd To write , all things being ready to my Mind . But must desist : such Crimes and Sufferings I Will not impute unto the Deity . First I resolv'd Divine Laws to fulfil ; This by Degrees , and carefully I will. My Prince's studies I then waited on , But cou'd not constantly attend my own . Then for six Months was sick ; but yet at length , Though very weak , I did recover strength , And finish'd it in my own Mother-Tongue , To be read for the good of old and young . The Book at London Printed was , and thence , Hath visited the Neighbouring Nations since ; Was Read by many a Great and Learned Man , Known by its dreadful Name , LEVIATHAN . This Book Contended with all Kings , and they By any Title , who bear Royal sway . In the mean time the King 's sold by the Scot , Murder'd by th' English , an Eternal Blot . King Charles at Paris who did then reside , Had right to England's Scepter undeny'd . A Rebel Rou● the Kingdom kept in aw , And rul'd the Giddy Rabble without Law , Who boldly Parliament themselves did call , Though but a poor handful of men in all . Blood-thirsty Leeches , hating all that 's good , Glutted with Innocent and Noble Blood. Down go the Miters , neither do we see That they Establish the Presbytery . Th' Ambition of the stateliest Clergie-Men , Did not at all prevail in England then . Hence many Scholars to the King did go , Expel'd , Sad , Indigent , Burthensome too . As yet my Studies undisturbed were , And my Grand Climacterick past one year . When that Book was perus'd by knowing Men , The Gates of Janus Temple opened then ; And they accus'd me to the King , that I Seem'd to approve Cromwel's Impiety , And Countenance the worst of Wickedness : This was believ'd , and I appear'd no less Than a Grand Enemy , so that I was for 't Banish'd both the King's Presence and his Court. Then I began on this to Ruminate On Dorislaus , and on Ascham's Fate . And stood amazed , like a poor Exile , Encompassed with Terrour all the while . Nor cou'd I blame th'young King for his Assent To those Intrusted with his Government . Then home I came , not sure of safety there , Though I cou'd not be safer any where . Th'Wind , Frost , Snow sharp , with Age grown gray , A plunging Beast , and most unpleasant way . At London , lest I should appear a Spy , Unto the State my self I did apply ; That done , I quietly retired to Follow my Study , as I us'd to do . A Parliament so cal'd did Govern here ; There was no Prelate then , nor Presbyter . Nothing but Arms and Souldiers , one alone Design'd to Rule , and Cromwel was that one . What Royalist can there , or Man alive , Blame my Defence o' th' Kings Prerogative ? All Men did scribble what they wou'd , Content And yielding to the present Government . My Book de Corpore through this Liberty I wrote , which prov'd a constant War to me . The Clergy at Leviathan repines , And both of them oppos'd were by Divines . For whilst I did inveigh 'gainst Papal Pride , These , though Prohibited , were not deny'd T' appear in Print : 'gainst my Leviathan They rail , which made it read by many a man , And did confirm 't the more ; 't is hop'd by me , That it will last to all Eternity . 'T will be the Rule of Justice , and severe Reproof of those that Men Ambitious are . The King's Defence and Guard , the peoples Good , And satisfaction , read , and understood . I , two years after , Print a Book to show How every Reader may himself well know . Where I Teach Ethicks , the Phantomes of Sense , How th'Wise with Spectres , fearless may dispense . Publish'd my Book de Corpore withal , Whose Matter 's wholly Geometrical . With great Applause the Algebrists then read Wallis his Algebra now Published , A Hundred years that Geometrick Pest Ago began , which did that Age Infest. The Art of finding out the Numbers sought , Which Diophantus once , and Gheber Taught : And then Vieta tells you that by this , Each Geometrick Problem solved is Savil the Oxford Reader did supply Wallis with Principles Noble and High , That Infinite had end , and Finite shou'd Have parts , but yet those without end allow'd . Both which Opinions did Enrage and Scare All those who Geometricasters were . This was enough to set me Writing , who Was then in years no less than Seaventy two , And in Six Dialogues I do Inveigh Against that new and Geometrick way , But to no purpose , Great Men it doth please , And thus the Med'cine yields to the Disease . I Printed then two Treatises that stung The Bishop Bramhal , in our Mother-Tongue . The Question at that Time was , and is still , Whether at God's , or our own Choice We Will. And this was the Result proceeding thence , He the Schools follow'd , I made use of Sense . Six Problems , not long after , Publish'd I , A Tract but small , yet pure Philosophy . Wherein I Teach how Nature does cast down All weighty Bodies , and huge massy Stone : How Vapors are exhaled by the Sun ; How Winds engender Cold , when that is done : The Reason of their Levity , and how The Barren Clouds do hang on Heaven's Brow ; How move , and when that they are pregnant grown With Moisture , do in violent Showers pour down . By what Cement hard Matter is conjoyn'd , And how Hard Things grow Soft , the Cause do find : Whence Lightning , Snow , Ice do proceed , and Thunder , Breaking through wat'ry Clouds , even to wonder : How Loadstones Iron attract : how , and which way They th' Arctick and Antarctick Poles obey . Why from the Sea unequal Waves do glide , I' th' Year , or Month , each Day a double Tide ; And why a Ship doth Sail against the Wind , In that small Treatise all these things you find , Which may in time tread with applause the Stage , As yet unblam'd in such a Carping Age. The Nature of the Air I do discry In a small Volume ; and most pithily , Compos'd on purpose for to obviate An Inanifick Machin form'd of late . Then , leaving Physicks , I return again To my Beloved Mathematick strain : For now the Barb'rous , Bloody Enemy Had left the place , where my Estate did ly . The Truth I cou'd not Teach ; for none but Foole May hope t' Instruct in their declaming Schools . Another Book of Principles I Print , Nothing cou'd be more clear than what was in 't . Whereby the Nature of Proportion is Explain'd so fully , none can say amiss . Upon this Subject most agreed that I Of every one had gain'd the Victory ; Others seem in it to find Errors store , But they are crazy grown , and I the more Press upon them ; then do ascend the high And lofty Summet of Geometry . The Circles Quadrature I Publish then ; The Pythian God's Porisma Teach all Men. By a new Method I thought to o'rcome , Though not by the same Reasons neither , some O' th' Former Demonstrations , but in vain . Mathematicians Half-Witted complain , Who blush for to Subscribe ; but I 'll not lose My Labour any longer , thinking those Indocil Brutes will ever master Sense , Or with good Literature ever dispense . Then my Rosetum was put forth , which I Stor'd with Rare Flowers of Geometry . Wallis opposes , and I lost the day , As both Divines and Algebrists do say . The Army then Discamp'd , and gone , thereby Wallis of nothing thinks , but Victory ; Who having chosen an unpleasant Field , Which Thick and Troublesome deep Roots did yield , Liking the Combat , I turn , scatter quite All in a moment , Numbers Infinite . These were my Wars ; what more have I to say ? How Rich am I , that is , how wise , I pray ? No matter for my Money or my Land ; If any ask that , let him understand , A small parcel of Ground I had to show , My own Inheritance , and let him know , That This I on my Brother did bestow : Of small Extent , but a most Fertil Ground , Which did with store of bladed Wheat abound Fit for a Prince ; and had not ev'ry thing Run cross , I had been counted a great King. When I the Civil War approaching find , And people led by every breath of wind , I sought than this a more commodious place To live and study in , and that Paris was . Stock'd with five hundred pounds of Coin before I did desert , or leave my Native Shore ; To these two hundred added , but withal , A Weighty Lasting Grief did me befal . ( Thou' rt Dead , Godolphin , who lov'dst Reason , true Justice and Peace , Soldier Belov'd , Adieu ) Twice forty pounds , a yearly Pension , then I from my own Country receiv'd ; and when King Charles restored was , a hundred more Was allow'd me out of his private Store . A Noble Gift : I slight Reproaches , when I know I 'm Good , from other Black-mouth'd Men. Content with this , desire no more Pelf ; Who but a Mad-man lives beneath himself ? Let my Estate by yours Computed be , And greater seem ; if not , it 's enough for me . My Sums are small , and yet live happy so , Richer than Croesus far , and Crassus too . Verdusius , thou know'st my Temper well , And those who read my Works , and with thee dwell . My Life and Writings speak one Congruous Sense ; Justice I Teach , and Justice Reverence . None but the Covetous we Wicked call , For Avarice can do no good at all . I 've now Compleated my Eighty fourth year , And Death approaching , prompts me not to fear . FINIS .