But the Quincunx[184] of Heaven runs low, and 'tis time to close the five ports of knowledge; We are unwilling to spin out our awaking thoughts into the phantasmes of sleep, which often continueth præcogitations; making Cables of Cobwebbes and Wildernesses of handsome Groves. Beside _Hippocrates_[185] hath spoke so little and the Oneirocriticall Masters,[186] have left such frigid Interpretations from plants, that there is little encouragement to dream of Paradise it self. Nor will the sweetest delight of Gardens afford much comfort in sleep; wherein the dulnesse of that sense shakes hands with delectable odours; and though in the Bed[187] of _Cleopatra_, can hardly with any delight raise up the ghost of a Rose.
[184] Hyades _near the Horizon about midnight, at that time._
Night, which Pagan Theology could make the daughter of _Chaos_, affords no advantage to the description of order: Although no lower then that Masse can we derive its Genealogy. All things began in order, so shall they end, and so shall they begin again; according to the ordainer of order and mystical Mathematicks of the City of heaven.
Though _Somnus_ in _Homer_ be sent to rowse up _Agamemnon_, I finde no such effects in the drowsy approaches of sleep. To keep our eyes open longer were but to act our _Antipodes_. The Huntsmen are up in _America_, and they are already past their first sleep in _Persia_. But who can be drowsie at that howr which freed us from everlasting sleep? or have slumbring thoughts at that time, when sleep it self must end, and as some conjecture all shall awake again?
I cannot omit to advertise, that a Book was published not long since, Entituled, _Natures Cabinet Unlockt_, bearing the Name of this Authour: If any man have been benefited thereby this Authour is not so ambitious as to challenge the honour thereof, as having no hand in that Work. To distinguish of true and spurious Peeces was the Originall Criticisme, and some were so handsomely counterfeited, that the Entitled Authours needed not to disclaime them. But since it is so, that either he must write himself, or Others will write for him, I know no better Prevention then to act his own part with lesse intermission of his Pen.