When I wrote that sentence I was
thinking of Berreo. I loved him, though I took his city. He was a valiant
and liberal gentleman, and of a great heart. I mind how I combated his
melancholy, for he was most melancholic. But now I have grown like him.
Perhaps Sir Edward Coke was right and I have a Spanish heat. I think a man
cannot strive whole-heartedly with an enemy unless he have much in common
with him, and as the strife goes on he gets liker. . . . Ah, Jasper, once
I had such ambitions that they made a fire all around me. Once I was like
Kit Marlowe's Tamburlaine:
"'Threatening the world with high astounding terms,
And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword.'
But now the flame has died and the ashes are cold. And I would not revive
them if I could. There is nothing under heaven that I desire."
The seaman's face was grave and kindly.
"I think you have flown too high, Sir Walter. You have aimed at the moon
and forgotten the merits of our earthly hills."
"True, true!" Raleigh's mien was for a moment more lively.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251