Meaning of 'she is the farther off'

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teachers,

Please read:

Fortune has somewhat the nature of a woman
If she be too much wooed, she is the father of.

Please explain me why "be" after "she" and what is the meaning of "the father of".

Thanks
Quoc

[Pamela]

Amy, be reminds me of Subjunctive I. Am I right? Correct me, please!

[Yankee]

Hi

Yes, be is subjunctive, but I have no idea what the end of the quote is supposed to mean other than possibly too much wooing makes a woman more like a man.

Where did you get this quote, Quoc?

Amy

[Alan]

Hi,

I think she is the father of should read she is the farther off a line from Francis Bacon. This suggests that if you try too hard to persuade fortune to be on your side, she (fortune) will just go further (farther) away

Alan
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[Tung Quoc]

Dear teacher Alan,

Please give me an example with she is the farther off?
(Situation nowadays)

Thanks
Tung Quoc

[Alan]

Hi,

I can't give you an example of this precise phrase because it is written in a style that you would find in 16th-17th century philosophical writing. All I can do is explain again what it means: that much further away. In the piece quoted it suggests that you more you try to attract good fortune, the further away it will go away from you.

Alan
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