The essays, or Councils, civil and moral. With a Table of the colours of good and evil, and a Discourse of the wisdom of the ancients. To which is added in this ed. the character of Queen Elizabeth

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THE

ESSAYS'

O R

Cottuciis, Ciiil aiiD fll9o?al,

O F

Sir F R JN c I s Bacon,

Lord VeruUm^ Vifcount St. Albin,

With a T A B L E of the Colours

O F

G 0 0 D ^nd E V I L

And a Difcourfe
Of the W I S D O M of the

ANCIENTS.

To which is added in this Edition the Chancer
of Queen ELIZABETH.

LONDON: '^^^» *^

Printed by Fi. CUrk^ for R. Chifwell, S. Smith,
T. Bennet, B. Walford, T. Childe^ G.Sawhrldge^
and R.lVellirigton. 170(5.

\106

f

i

T O T H E

Right Honourable my very good Lord,

THE

Duke of BpicJ^ngham his Grace,

LORD HIGH-ADMIRAL
O F

ENGLAND.

Excellent Lord,

Solomon fayf^ A Good Name is a
precious Ointment ; and^ I affure
my felfj fuch will Tour Oracts Name
be with Poflerity ; for your Fortune and
Merit, both hate been Eminent ; and Tou
ha^ve planted Things that are like to laji. I
do now publijh my Eflays ; which^ of all
my other Works, have been mojl Current :
For that^ as it feems^ they come home to
Mens Bufinefs, and Bofoms. / have en-
larged them both in Number- ani Weight ;

A 1 fo

The Epiftle Dedicatory.

fo that they are indeed a New Work. /
thought it therefore agreeable to my Af-
fe&ian^ and Obligation to Your Grace, to
prefix your Name before them^ both in Eng-
lifh and Latin : For 1 conceive^ that the
Latin Volume of them^ (being in the Uni-
verfal Language ) may lafi as long as
Books la(i. My Inftauration / dedicated
to the King ; my Hiftory of Henry the
Seventh (which I have now alfo tranjlated
into Latin) and my Portions of Natural
Hiftory to the Prince. And theft I Dedi^
cate to Your Grace, being of the beft Fruits,
that^ by the good increaje which God gives
to my Pen and Labours ^ I could yield, God
lead Your Grace by the Hand,

Vour Graces mofl: obliged

And Faithful Servant,
¥r, St, ALB AN.

Elegies

Elogies oa the Illuftrious Author:
Bctt. Johnfon^ in his Difcoveries^ p. loi.

THere happened in my Time, one noble Speaker
CLord yerulam} who was full of Gravity in his
Speaking. His Language (where he could fpare or
pafs by a Jeft ) was nobly Cenforious. No Man ever
fpake more neatly, more preftly, more weightily or
fuffered lefs emptinefs, lefs Idlenefs in what he uttered.
No Member of his Speech but coniifted of his own Gra-
ces. His Hearers could not cough or look afide from
him without Lofs. He commanded where he Spoke ;
and had his Judges angry and pleafed at his Devotion.
No Man had their AfFeifiions more in his Power. The
fear of every Man that heard him, was, left he fhould
make an end. And ajterwards^ Lord Egerton^ the Chan-
cellor, a great and grave Orator, &c. But his Learn-
ed and able, ( though unfortunate ) Succellbr, H Lord
Bacori^ is he, who hath filled up all Members, and per-
formed that in our Tongue, which may be compar'd or
prefer'd, either to infolent Greece or haughty Rome. la
ihort, within his View, and about his Times, were all
the Wits born, that could honour a Language or help
Study. Now Things daily fall ; Wits grow downward,
and Eloquence goes backward : So that he may be
nam'd and ftand as the mark and dxuh of our Language.
And A little after. My Conceit of his Perfon was ne-
ver increafed toward him, by his Place or Honours.
But 1 have and do Reverence him for the Greatnefs that
was only proper to himfelf, in that he feem'd to rac e-
ver by his Work, one of the greateft Men, and molt
worthy of Admiration, that had been in many Ages.
In his Adverlity I ever prayed, that God would give
him Strength, for Greatnefs he could not want. Neither

could

could I condole in a Word or Syllable for him *, as knovr-
ing no Accident conld do harm to Vertuc, but rather
help to make it manifeft.

A. Corvley^ in his Poem to the Royal Society, after
fomc Reflexions upon the State of Philofo^hy
aforecime, goes on.

SO me few exalted Spirits this latter Agt has JhowH^
That Ubour^dto ajfen the Lihe'^ty
(from GttardianSy who were now Vfitrpers grown)
Of this Old Minor ////, Captiv'd FhUofiphy j

J^ut ^twas Rebellion cali'd to Pl^ht

Tor fitch a long opprejfcd Fight.
BACON at lafl^ a mighty Man, arofe^

Whom a wife King and Nature chcfe

Lord Chancellor o^ both their Laws,
And boldly undertook the injured Pupils Canfe.

III.

Attthmty^ which did a Body boafi,

Thoitfrh ''twas hut Air condens^d^ and jlalJCd ahoHtj

Like fame old Giants more Gigantick Ghofi j

To terrijie the Learned Rout
With the pirn Afagick of trne Reafons Light ^

He ch^ic'd out of our Sight,
Nor faffer'd Living Men to be mi fled

By the vain jh.tdows of the Dead :
Tc Graves from whence it rofe, the coiiqner'd Phantome fled '-,

He brinks that Mon^rous God which flood
In midfl- of th^ Orchid, and the whole did claim,

fj'hich with a tifdcfs Sithe of Wood,

And f'jmething tlfe not worth' a Name,

( Both vafi jot jhew, yet neither fit

Or to Defend, or to Beget \

Ri I-chIoms

Ridiculous and fenftlefs Terrors ! ) made
Children and fuperftitioHS Men afraid.

the Orchard^ J open now, and free ;
BACON has broke that Scare -erovt Deity

Come, enter, all that Vfill,
Behold the rifned Frmt, come gather now your fIL

Tet fiill, methinks, me fain wou^d h^

Catching at the Porbiddtn Tree-,

We would be like the Deity,
When Truth and Falfbood, Good and Evil, we
Without the Senfes aid within our fehes wonld fee ;

For ^tis Cod only who can find.

j^ Nature in his AUrnL

IV.

From Words, which art but FiBures of the Tl^ught^
(Though we our Thoughts from them perverjly drew)
To Things, the Aitnds right Obje&, he it brought^
Like foolip) Birds to fainted Grapes we fiew ;
He fought and gather d forottr Vfe the Truc\
And when on heaps the chafen Eurtches lay^
He prefi them wtftly the Afethamc way.
Till all their Juyce did tn one f^ejfel pm.
Ferment into a Nourijljment Divine^

The Thirjiy Souls refrefinng Wine,
Who to the Life an exatJ Piece woAd make^
Mufi not from others Work a Ccpy take ;

No, not from Ruben'j or Vandike;
Miuh lefs content himfelf to make it like
Th* Ideas and the Images which lie
In his own Fancy, or his Memory.

No, he before his Sight mufi place

The Natural and Living Face \

The real Obje^l mufi command
Fach.Judgynent of his Eye, and Motion cf his Hand.

V.

From thefe long Errors of the way.

In iphich our wandring Predecejfors wentj

And like th^ old Hebrews many Tears did fir ay

In De farts but of fmall Extent^
BACON, like Mofes, led hs forth at lajt^

The barren Wildernefs he fafr^

Did on the very Border ftand.

Of the Bleft promised Land,
And from the Mountain Top of his Exalted Witf

^ Saro it himfelf and jhew'd Hs it.
But Life did never to one Man allow
Time to Difcover Worlds^ and Conquer too j
Nor can fo jliort a Line fufficient be
To fathom the vafi depths of Natures Sea :

The Work he did we ou^ht t\ admire.
And were unjuft if we jhould more require
From his few Tears, divided ^twixt the Excefs
Of low Affliction, and high Happinefs :
For who on Things remote can fix his Sight,
Thais always in a Triumph, or a Fight ?

A. Cowley.

THE

THE

TABLE-

OF Adverfty. Page ii

Of Ambitiott, lOi

Of Anger, ,^0

Of Atheifm, ^x

Of Beauty. , .^

OfBoLdnefs, ^p

Of BHilding. I 'j Q

Of Ceremonies and Reffe^s. I ig

Of CounfeL - ^ ^3

Of Cunning. ~ ^g

0/ Cnflom and EducdtiMi 107

0/ Deformity. j 1 7

Of Delays. -'

0/ Empire, — .g

0/ Expence, „g

Of Fusion. ti6

Of Followers and Friends, i ^ i

Of Fortune. j^^

Of Fnendjhip. ^

Of Gardens. J2^

OfGoodnefs, and Coodnefs of Nature. ao

Of Great Place. 2«

^f the true Greatnefs of Kingdoms and Eflattk 77

:?^ kegiment of Health. S5

Of Honour dHd Repatarion, I44.

'*; /nnrvations. J;

*i "*■

6 e/

The TABLE.

Of Judicature^ -

Of Love,

Of Marriage md Single Lift.

Of Masks andTriHmphs,

Of Nature in Men,

Of Negotiating,

Of Nobility,

Of Parents and Children*

Of Plantations.

Of Praife,

Of Prophecies.

Of Revenge,

Of Riches.

Of Seditions and Troubles,

Of feeming Wife.

Of Simulation and Diffmnlation',

Of Studies.

Of Superjiition.

Of Sufpicion.

Of Suitors.

Of Travel.

Of Truth.

Of f^ain- Glory.

Of l^iciffitude of Things.

Of Vnity in Religion.

Of Vjury.

Of Wifdom for a Man's Self.^

Of Touth and Age.

A Fragment of an Effay of Fame.

A Civil Character of Julius Csefar.

A Civil Character of Auguftus Cxiar.

ESSAYS

ESSAYS.

I.

Of Truth.

IT" jyr T" Hat is Truth ? Said jefling Pilate^ and
\/ \/ would floc ftay for an Anfwcr. Certainly
Ir T there be that delight io giddinefs, and
count it A Bondige to fix a Belief; affecting Free-will ia
ihi king, as well as in afting. And though the Seds of
Philofophers of that kind be gone, yet there remaia
certain dilcourilng Wits, wtiich are of the fame Veins;
though there be not fb much Blood in them, as was in
thole of the Ancients. But it is not only the difficulty
and labour, which Men take in finding out of Truth ,
nor again, that when it is found, it impofeth upon Men's
Thoughrs, that doth bring Lyes in favour ; but a natural,
though corrupt Love, of the Lye it felf One of the la-
ter Schools of the Grecians exaraineth the Matter, and is
at a ftand, to think what (hould be in it, that Men (houid
love Lyes ; . where neither they make for Pleafure, as
with Poets, nor for Advantage, as with the Merchant,
but for the Lves fake. But I cannot teil. This fame
Truth h a naked and open Day-li^bt, that doth not Ihew
the Masks, and Mummeries, and Triumphs of the World,
half fo ftately and daintily as Candle-light. Truth may
perhaps come to the price of a Pearl, that ftieweth belt
by Day \ but it will doc rife to the price of a Diamond or

B 2 Carbu£icle,

i Sir FrariCls BaconV EJJajs,

Carbuncle, tliac flieweth belt in varied Lights. A mix-
ture of a Lye doth ever add Pleafure. Doth any Maa
doubt, that if there were taken out of Men's Minds vaia
Opinions, flattering Hopes, falfe Valuations, Imagina-
tions as one would, and the like ^ but it would leave the
JMinds of a number of Men, poor fhrunken things, full
of Melancholy and Indifpofition, and unpleafing to thcm-
felves ? One of the Fathers in great fevcrity calj'd Pde-
iie, rimm Doemonum^ becanfe it filleth the Imagination,
and yet it is but with the Ihadow of a Lye. But it is not
the Lye that pafTeth through the Mind, but the Lye that
linketh in, and fettleth in it, that doth the hurt, fuch
as we fpake of before. But howfoever thefe things are
thus ia Men's depraved Judgments and AfFedions; yet
Truths whichonly doth judge it felf, teacheth, that the
Enquiry of Tmth^ which is the love-making, or wooing
of it I The knowledge of Trnth^ which is the prefence
of it: And the belief of TVw^, which is the enjoying of
it, is the fovereign Good of liumane Nature. The firit
Creature of God in the Wo'rksof thcDays, was Light of
the Senfe ^ the laft was the Light of Reafon \ and his
Sabbath-work ever fincc, is the Illumination of his Spirit.
FirIt, he breathed Light upon the face of the Matter or
Chaos \ then he breathed Light into the Face of Man \
and ftill he breatheth and infpireth Light into the Face*
of his Chofen. The Poet that beautified the Sedi, that
was othsrwifc inferiour to the reft, faith yet excellently
well : It is a fleafnre to ft And upon the Shorcy and to fee Ships
toft upon the Sea \ a pLeafure to ft and in the vclndow of a Caftle^
and to fee a Battle^ and the adventure thereof below : But na
pleafure is comparable to the ftanding upon the vantage-ground
of Truths (an Hill not to be commanded, and where the
A\x is always clear and ferene:) and to fee the Errors^ and
I'i'dnd^rirfffs^ and Mifts^ and Ternpefts in the f^ale bilow : So
always that this profpcdl be with Pity, and net with
Swelling or Pride. Certainly it is Heaven upon Earth,
U) have a Man's Mind move in Charity, reft in Provi-
Uence, and tuia upon the Poles of Truth,

To

Of Death, j

To pafs from Theological and Philofophical TVw/;, to
the Truth of Civil Biilinels, it will be acknowledge^',
even by thofe that Pra^ife it not, rhac clear and rourd
dealing is the Honour of Man's Nature, and that mixture
of Fallhood is like allay in Coin of Gold and Silver,
which may make the Metal work the better, bat it era-
bafeth it. For thefe winding and crooked courfes are
the goings of the Serpent, which goeth bafely upon the
Belly, and not upon the Feet. There is no Vice that
doth fo cover a Man with fhame, as to be found faife
and perfidious. And therefore Montaigne laith prettily,
when he enquired the reafon. Why the word of theX;-?
fhould be fuch a Difgrace, and fuch an odious Charge :
Saith he, Ifitbewe^T^e^g'^ed, To fay that a AUn lycth^ is
as much as to fay, that he is a Brave toxcards Cud, and 4
Coward towards Men. For a Lye faces God, and fliiinks
fiom Man. Surely the wickcdnefs and fallhood, and
breach of Faith, cannot pciTibly be fo highly exprefled,
as in that it (hall be the lafl: Peal, to call the Judgments
of God upon the Generations of Men •, it being fore-
told, that when Chrilt cometh, He jhall not find faith
iffon the Earth.

II.

Of Death,

MEN fear Death, asChildren fear to go in the dark:
And as that natural fear in Children is encreafed
with Tales, fo is the other. Certainly the Contemplation
of Death, as the Wages of Stn, and paffige to another
World, is Holy and Religious •, but the fear of ic, as^
Tribute dqe unto Nature, is weak. Yet i n religious Me-
ditations, there is fcmetim.es a mixture of Vanity and Su-
perftition. You fhall read in fome of the Friars Books
of Mortification, that a Man (hould think with himfelf,
what the Paia is, if he have but his Fingers ends prefled

Pa o?

4 Sir Francis Bacon's EJfays.

or tortured, and thereby imagine what the Pa'insof Death
arc, when the vvhole Body is corrupted and diflblved ^
when many times Death pafTech with iefs Pain, than the
iorture of a Limb: For the nioft vital Parts are not the
quickelt of Senfe. And by him that fpake only as a
Philofopher, and natural Man, it was well faid ; Pompa
mortis magis terret^ quam Mors ipfa. Groans, and Con-
vulfions, and difcoloured Face, and Friends weeping,
and Blacks, and Obfeqnies, and the like, fhew Death
terrible. It is worthy the obferving, that there is no
Paffion in the Mind of Man fo weak, but it mates and
inaftcrs the fear of Death: And therefore Death is no fuch
terrible Enemy, when a Man hath fo many attendants
about him, that can win the Combat of him. Revenge
triumpl^s over Death \ Love flights it •, Honour afpireth lO
it ^ Grief flicth to it \ Fear pre occupateth it. Nay we
read, after Otho the Emperor had flain himfelf, Pity
(which is the tendered of Affedions) provoked many to
die, Oiit of meer coinpaffion to their Sovereign, and as
the truefl: fort of Followers. Nay, Seneca adds Ncenefs
and Satiety j CoTtta cjuam dii^ eadem jaccres \ Mori velle^ non
tantHm Fort is , ant Mlfer^ fed ctiam Fafiidiofus poteji. A
Man w-ould die, though he were neither valiint nor mi-
ferable, only upon a wearinefs to do the fame thing fo
oft over and over. It is no Icfs worthy to obferve, hovy '
little alteration in good Spirits the approaches of Death
make. For they appear to be the fame Men till the laft
inflant. y^Hgufius Cxfar died in a Complement ; Livia,
Conjugii noftri memor^ vive^ & vale. Tiberius in Dillimu-
lation, as Tacitus faith of him ^ Ja'nTiberium Tires, &
Corpus, non Diffimidatio deferebant. f^efpajian in a Jeff, fit-
ting upon the ftool •, Vt pitto, Dcus fo. Galbawhh a Sen-
tence; Fm, fi ex re fit popidl Romani, hoUiing forth his
Neck. Septimius Severus in difpatch ^ Adefte^ ft cjiiid miht
refiat agendum ; and the like. Certainly the Stoicks be-
flowed too much cod upon Death, and by their great
Prepprucions made it appear mo^e fearful. Better, faith
he. Qui Rnem vua extremmn inter muriera ponat Natura.

ic

Of Vnity in Religion. 5

It is as natural to die, as to be born \ and to a littJe In-
fant perhaps the one is as painful as the other. He that
dies in an earneft Purfuic, is like one that is wounded in
hot Blood, who for the time fcarce feels the hurt ; and
therefore a Mind fix'd, and bent uponfomewhac that is
good, doth avert the dolours of Death. But above all,
believe it, the fweeteft Canticle is, Nnnc dlmittis^ when
a Man hath obtained worthy Ends and Expeftations.
Death hath this alfo ; that it openeth the Gate to good
Fame, and extinguilheth Envy.

. -^ExtinUHs amahitHT idem.

III.

Of Unity in Religion.

REligion being the chief band of hnmane Society, it is
a happy thing when it felf is well contained with-
in me true band of Vnity. The Quarrels and Divifions
about Religion were Evils unknown to the Heathen.
The Reafon was, becaofe the Religion of the Heathen
coniifted rather in Rices and Ceremonies, than in any
coullant Belief. For you may imagine what kind of
Faith theirs was, when the chief Dodors and Fathers of
their Church were Poets. But the true God hath this
Attribute, that he is a Jealous God, and therefore his
Worfhip and Religion will endure no Mixture or Partner.
We (hall therefore fpeak a few Words concerning the
Vnity of the Church ^ What are the Fruits thereof^ what the
Sonds^ and what the Means.

The Frmts of Vnity (next unto the wcll-pleafing of God,
which is All in All) are two •, the one towards thofe that'
are without the Church, the other towards thofe that are
within. For the former j It is certain, that Herefies and
■Schifms are of all others the greateft Scandals, yea, more
than corruption of Manners. For as in the Natural
Body, a Wound or Solution of continuity, is worfe than

B ^ a cor-

6 Sir Francis Bacon'^ ^Jfys,

a corrupt Humour j fo in the Spiritual. So that nothing
doth fo much keep Men out ot the Church, and drive
Men out of the Church, as a breach of Vnity : And there-
fore whenfoever it cometh to that pafs, that one faith,
jEcce in deferto^ another (aich, Ecce in penetralibHs ^ that is,
when fome Men feek Chrift in the Conventicles of He-
reticks, and others in an outward face of a Church, that
Voice had need continually to found in Men's Ears, NoUte
exire. Go not out. The Do(ftor of the Gentiles (the pro-
priety of vvhofe vocation drew him to have a fpecial care,
of thole without) faith, If an Heathen come in and hear yon
fpeak with fever nl Tongues^ will he not fay that yon are mad I
And certainly it is little better, when Atheiils and pro-
phane Perfons do hear of {^o many difcordant and con^
trary Opinions in Religion:^ it doth avert them from the
Church, and maketh them to fif down in the Chair of the
Scorners. It is but a light thing to be vouched in fo fe-
rious a Matter, but yet it exprefleth well the deformity.
There is a Mafler of Scoffing, that in his Catalogue of
Books of a feigned Library, fets down this Title of a
Uook, The Morrice-dance of Hereticks. For indeed every
Se<fl of them hath a divers Pofture, or cringe by them-
felves, which cannot but move deriiion in Worldings,
and depraved Politicks, who are apt to contemn Holy
Things.

A s 1x>r the Frnit toward thofe that are within. It is Vcace
which containeth infinite Blcflings^ it efiablifheth Faith j
it kindleth Charity ; the outward Peace of the Church'
diftiileth into Peace of Confcicnce; and it turncth the
Labours of Writing and Reading of Controverfies, into
Treat ifes of Mortification and Devotion.

Concerning the Bonds of Vnity.^ the true placing of
them importeth exceed ir,t;Iy. There appear to be two
extreams. For to certain Zealots all fpeech of pacification
is odious. /; u Peace., Jehu ?. What hafl- thou to do with
Peace. ^ Turn thee behind me..?eace is noc the Matter, but
following a Party. ConUzXiwi^Cdxtzm Laodiceans., and
luke- warm Perfons, think they may accomodate. Points:

Ui

Of Vmtj in Religion. j

of Religion by middle ways, and taking part of both,
and witty Reconcilements, as if they would make an ar-
bitrement between God and Man. But thefe extreams
are to be avoided ^ which will be done, if the League of
Chriftians, penned by oiir Saviour himfelf, were in the
two crofsClaufes thereof, foundly and plainly expound-
ed. Ue that is n§t with us, is aaainfl us : And again. He
that is not againft hs, is with us : Tliat is, if the points
Fundamental, and of Subftance in Religion, were irulj
difcerned and dillinguifhed from Points not meerly of
Faith, but of Opinion, Order, or good Intention. This
is a thing may feem to many a Matter trivial, and done
already j but if it were done lefs partially, it would be
embraced more generally.

Of this I may give only this Advice, according to my
fmall Model : Men ought to take heed of rendring God's
Church by two kinds of Controverfies : The one is,
when the matter of the point controverted is too finall
and light, not worth the heat and itrife about it, kindled
only by Contradiction. For, as it is noted by one of
the Fathers, Chrtjt*s Coat indeed had no feam^ but the Chur"
ches Vefinre was of divers Colours ; whereupon he faith. In
vejte'vartetasjir^jhjjiira non fit \ they be two things, Z^^/ry
and Vniformtty. The other is, when the matter of the
point controverted is great, but ic is driven to an over-
great fubtilty and obfcuricy, fo that it becoraeth a thing
rather ingenuous t4ian fubftantial. A Man that is of
Judgment and Underftanding, Ihall fometimes hear Ig-
norant Men differ, and know well within himfelf, that
thofe which fo differ, mean one thing, and yet they
themfelves would never agree. And if it come fo to
pafs, in that diftance of Judgment which is between Man
and Mju, fhall we not think, that God above, that
knows the Heart, doth not difcern that frail Men ia
fome of their Contradictions intend the fame thing, and
accepteth of both ? The nature ot fuch Controve'rfies is
exceilently exprefled by St. Pad^ in the warning and
jprecepc that he giveth concerning the fame, Devita pro-
* ' fanai

9 SirVvinc\sB2icon*s Epp.

fanas vocutn novitates^ & opjpo/itiones falfi nomittis fcientU^
Men create Oppofitions which are not, and put them into
new terms fo fixed, as whereas the meaning ought to
govern the term, the term in efFedt governeth the mean-
ing. There be alfo two falfe Peaces, or Vmties ^ the
one, when the Peace is grounded but upon an implicite
Ignorance j for all Colours will agree in the dark : The
other when it is pieced up upon a dired admiffion of
contraries in Fundamental Points. For Truth and Fal-
ihood in fuch Things, are like the Iron and Clay in the
Toes ef Nebuchadf7ez,z.ar^s ImagCy they may cleave, but
they will not incoporate.

Concerning the Means of procurw£ Vnity ^ Men mufl
beware, that in the procuring or muniting of Religious
Vnityy they do not diflblve and deface the Laws ot Cha-
rity, and of Humane Society. There be two Swords
amongft Chriftians, the Spiritual and Temporal ; and
both have their due Office and PJace in the maintenance
of Religion. But we may not take up the third Sword,
which is Mahomet^ Sword, or like unto it \ that is, to
propagate Religion by Wars, or by fanguinary Perfecu-
tions to force Confciences, except it be in cafes of overt
Scandal, Blafphemy, or intermixture of Pradice againft
the State-, much lefs to nourifh Seditions, to authorize
Confpiracies and Rebellions, to put the Sword into the'
People's Hands, and the like, tending to the fiibverfioa
of all Government, which is the Ordinance of God.
For this is but to dafh the firft Table againft the Second,
and fo to conllder Men as Chriftians, as we forget that
they are Men. Lncrcrius the Poet, when he beheld the
A&. of Agamemnon, that could endure the facrificing of-
his own Daughter, exclaimed j

Tantitm Religio potnit fftadere malornm.

what would he have faid, if he had known of the Mal-
fat-re in France^ or the Powderv-Treafon of England?.
He would have been feven times more Epicure and

AtheiH

Of Revewge. ^

Atheifl: than he was : For as the Temporal Sword is to
be drawn with greai Circumfpedion in cafe* of Reigion^
ib ic is a thing monftrous, to put it into the hands of
the common People. Let that be left unto the Anabap-
ti/ls, and other Furies. It was great Blafphemy, wheii
the Devil faid, / wtU afcend and he Uke the bighefi \ but
k is greater Blafphemy toperfonate God, aod bring him
in, faying, I will dcfcend and be Uke the Pritice ofDarhnefs ^
And what is it better, to make the caufe of Religion to
defcend to the cruel and execrable Ad^ions of Murdering
Princes, Butchery of People, and Subverlion of States
and Governments? Surely this is to bring down the Hor
lyGhoft, inftead of the iikenefsofa Dove, inthefliape
of a Vulture or Raven ^ and to fet cut of the Bark of ji
Chriftiaa Church, a Flag of a Bark of Pyrates and jif-
fajfwes. Therefore it is mod neceflary, that the Church
by Dodrin and Decree, Princes by their Sword, and
all Learnings both Chriftian and [V^oral, as by their
Mercury Rod, do damn and fend to Hell for ever thofc
Fads and Opinions, tending to the fuppoi t of the fame,
as hath been already in good part done. Surely in Coun-
cils concerning Religion^ that Council of the Apoftic
would be prefixed, Ira hominis ron implet juftitiam Del:
And it was a notable Obfervation of a wife Father, and
no lefs ingenuoufly contefled. That thoje which held and
per/waded prejfure of Confciences^ were commonly inter ejfed
therein them/elves for their oven ends.

IV.

Of Revejtge.

REvenge is a kind of wild Juftice •, which the more
Man s Nature runs to, the moreought Law to weed
it out. For as to the firfl: wrong, it doth but offend the
Law, bur the Reverge of that wrong putteth the Law

out of Office. Certainly ia taking Revenge^ a Man is
^ - _ bug

lo ^/> Francis Bacon^s ^ffays]

But even with his Enemy ; but in pafling it over he H
fuperior : for it is a Prince's part to pardon. And 5o-
hmon^ I am fure, faith, It is the Glory of a Man to pafs by
an Offence. That which is pait, is gone, and irrecovera-
ble j and wife Men have enough to do with things pre-
fenc, and to come: therefore they do but trifle with
themfelves, that labour in paft matters. There is no
Man doth a wrong for the wrongs fal^e, but thereby to
purcbale himfeif Profit, or Pleafuie, or Honour, or the
like. Therefore why ftiould I be angry with a Man for
loving himftlf better than mti And if any Man fhould
do wrong meerly out of ill Nature, why ? Yet it is but
like the Thorn or Bryar, which prick and fcratch, be-
caufe they can do no other. The mofl tolerable fort of
RevengCy is for thofe wrongs which there is no Law to
remedy : But then let a Man take heed, that the Revenge
befiicb, as there is no Law to punifh ^ elfe a Man's E-
nemy isitill before- hand, and it is two for one. Some
when they take Revenge^ are defirous the Party (hould
know whence it Cometh: This is the more pencrous. For
the Delight feemeth to be not fo much in doing the
hort, as in making the Party repent. But bafe and crafty
Cowards are like the Arrow that flieth in the Dark. Ct?/.
mus Duke of Florence had adefperate faying againft per-
fidious or neglecting Friends, as if thofe wrongs were
Unpardonable: Toujhallread^ (faith he) that we are com'
mandedto forgive our Enemies '.^ but you never read^ that we
are commanded to forgive our Friends. But yet t lie Spirit
of ^'i?^ was in a better tune i "Shall we (fjichhe) take good
from God's hand, and not be content to take evil alio ? A nd fo,
of Friends in a proportion. This is certain, that a Man
that ftudieth Revenge, keeps his own Wounds green,
which otherwifc would heal, and do vftW : Publick Re-
venges are for the mofl part Fortunate, as that for tlie
death of C^efar, for the death of Pcrtinax, for the death
af Henry the Third oi France, and many more. But in
private Revenges it is not fo. Nay, rather vindicative
Perlbns live the Life of Witches ^ who, as they arc mif-
chievous, fo end chey unfortunate. 0^

II

V.
0/ Jdverfitj,

IT was an high of Speech Seneca^ (after the manner of
the Stoicks) That the good things Tvhich belong to Pro/peri*
ty are to he wijfjed. but the good things that belong to Advtr^
City are to be admired : Bona rerumjecundantm optabUia^ ad^
verfarum mirabilia. Certainly, if Miracles be the com-
mand over Nature, they appear moft in Adverfity. It
is yet a higher Speech of his, than the other, (much too
high for a Heathen) It is true greatnefs to have in one the
frailty of a Man^and the fecttrity of a God : Vere rhagnum ha^
berefra^tlitatem hominis^fecuritatem Dei. This would have
done better in Poede, where Tranfcendencies are more
allowed. And the Poets indeed have been bufie with
it ; for it is in effei^ the thing, which is figured in thaC
ftrange Fid^ion of the ancient Poets, which reemef-h not
to be without Myftery \ nay, and to have fome ap-
proach to the State of a Christian : That Hercules^ whea
he went to unbind Prometheus (by whom Humane Nature
is reprefented)y^//e/^ the length of the great Ocean in an Ear'
then Pot or Pitcher; Lively delcribing Chriftian Refolution,
that faileth in the frail Bark of the Flefh, through the
Waves of the World. But to fpeak in a mean: The
Virtue of Profyerity is Temperance, the Virtne of Adver^
fity is Fortitude, which in Morals is the more heroical
Virtue. Profperitv is the Bleffing of the Old Tefiament^
Advtrfiy is the Bfeffing of the AVtr, which carrieth th6
greater Benedidion, and the clearer Revelation of God's
Favour. Yet even in the Old Tefiament^ if you lillca
to David's Harp, you (hall hear as many Hearfe-likc
Airs, as Carols. And the Pencil of the Holy Ghoft
hath labour'd more in defcribing the AfBidions of Job^
than the Felicities of Solomon. Profperity is not without
many Fears and Diflalles ^ and Adverfity is not without
Comforts and Hopes. We fee in Needle- works and Em-
broideries,

12 SiirVrznas "Bzcon* s EJfajis.

broideries, it Js more pleaflng to have a lively Work
upon a fad and folemn Ground, than to have a dark and
melancholy \York upon a lightfom Ground. Judge
therefore of the pleafurc of the Heart, by the pleafure
6f the Eye. Certainly Vertue is like precious Odours,
tooft fragrant, when they are incenfed or crulhed : For
Trofperity doth befl difcovcr Vice, but Adverfity doth
belt difcover Vertue.

VI.

Of Simulation And DifftmuUtion,

ETfimulation is but a faint kind of Policy or Wifdom 5
for it a«keth a Ilrong Wit and a ftrong Heart, to
1 when to tell truth, and to do it. Therefore it is the
^weaker fort of Politicks, that are the great Diflemblers.
Tacitus faith, Livia fined well w:'th the Arts of her HuS'
hand andD jfimulatlon of her Son \ attributing Arts or Tolicy
to AiigHjtHi^^nd D'ijfimuUtion toTiheriiis. And again, whea
Mucianus encourageth yefpufian to take Arms againfl: Ki-
tellius^ he faith. We rife not againfl the piercing Jttrgmeni
,of Augullus, nor the extream Caution or Clofenefs of Tiberi-
us. Thefe properties of Arts^ or Policy^ and D.jftmuUtidn^
or Clofenefs, are indeed habits and facuUies, fcvcral, and
to be diftinguifhed. For if a Man have that penerratioii
of Judgment, ashecandidern, what things are to belaid
open, and what to be fecreted, and what to be Ibewed
at half lights, and to whom, and when (which indeed
are Arts of State, and AitN of Lite, as Tacitus well caU
leih ihem) to him a habit of DiffimuUtion is a hindrance,
and a poonicfs. But if a Mdii cannot accain to that
Judgment^ then it is left to him generally to he Clofej
and a D^jfembUr. For where a Man canndc chnfe or va-
ry in Paiticulars, there it is good to take the f^^eft- and
wai ieft way la general •, like the going forciv hy one that
cannot well fee. Certainly the ablefl: JMcu that ever

wercf

Of Simulation And DifftmulAtioh, i ^

^crc, have had all an opennefs and franknefs of Dealing^
and a Name of Certainty and Veracity : but then the/
were like Horfes, well managed j for they could tell
pafllng well, when to flop or turn •, And at fuch times,
when they thought the cafe indeed required Lifimulati'
on, if then they ufed it, it came to pafs, that the formct
Opinion fpread abroad of their good Faith, and clear-
nefs of Dealing, made them almoft invifible.

There are three Degrees of this hiding and veiling of
Man's felf. The f\r& Chfeftefs, Refervatlon, zndSecrecy^
when a Man leaveth himfelf without Obfervation, or
without hold to be taken what he is. The Second Diffi'.
mulation in the Negative, when a Man lets fall Signs and
Arguments, that he is not that he is. And the third 5»-
tnulation in the Affirmative, when a Man induftriouflj
and expreQy feigns and prctecds to be that he is not.

For the firft of thefe. Secrecy : It is indeed the virtue
of a Confcflbr -, and afluredly the Secret Man heareth
many Confeffions •, For who will open himfelf to a Blab,
or a Bibler ? But if a Man be thought Secret, itinviteth
Difcovery, as the more clofe Air fucketh in the more
open : And as in Confeflion, the revealing is not for
worldly ufe, but for the eafe of a Man's Hearty fo 5r-
cret. Men come to the knowledge ot many things in thac
kind, while Men rather dilcharge their Minds, than im-
part their Minds. In few words, Myfteries are due to
Secrecy. Befides (to fay truth) Nakednefs is uncomely, as
well in Mind as in Body -, and it addeth no fmall Reve-
rence to Mens Manners and Actions, if they be not alto-
gether open. As for Talkers, and Futile Pcrfons, they
are commonly vain, and credulous withal. ForhethaE
talketh what he knovveth, willalfo talk what he know-
eth not. Therefore fet ic down, that an habit of Secrecy
is both foUtick and moral. And in this part it is good, that
a Man's Face give his Tongue leave to fpeak. For the dif-
covery of Man's felf, by the trads of hisCountenance, is
a great weakaefs and betraying, by how much it is ma-
ny times more marked and believed, than a Man's words.

For

;. 5/V Francis Bacon'i E/^^^. .

T:r.r ti.P fprond which is D^imdmon: It followeth

Sing 'Bal n« o» either (id. they will fo bcfeE
SnSc^SnaSi»^^^^^^^^^^
as much by his Silence l^^y^^^'^Sp g. Asfor Ej^.vo^

fclt^ little fcopc oi J)iffm„Ution, which is, as it were,
but the skirts or train of S««rx._^ J j^,(.^

' r nr nf iMind that hath fome main Faults ', which

prize For where a Man's Intentions =>^« P""'^, "^

rAar^n^sfMrnrelfbyamanifeftDe^^^^^^^^^^^

fotirraTh?^i:dS\"oS:r:'F'oVtohim\hatopc

IS Mc^vill hardly n-ew^J-Z^--^^^,^

•II i'f„;rN ipr h m CO on, and turn iiicii »»'-'-". ,

will ftair) let mm K" . . ^ therefore it is

"''^^l^rewTprrcrrot I%»V^ 7".// <• %«, ^^
irf.K a?iftll^-were Lwayofdifcovcry, t

by Simulation,

Of Paref.ts dffd Children; 15

There be alfa three difadvar.tages to fee it even. The
firft. That 5»'/a«/^r<o« and Dijjimulation commonly carry
with them a fhew of fcarfulncfs, which in aoy buliaefs
doth fpoil the Feathers of round flying up to the mark.
The fecond, That it puzzleth and perplexeth the conceits
of many, that perhaps would ocherwife co-oporate with
him, and makes a man walk alraofl; alone 10 his owq
ends. The third and greatcft is. That ic depriveth a
man of one of the mofl: principal inftrucnents for adion,
wbich is Trnfi and Belitf. The compofition and tempe-
rature is, to have Open fiefs in fame and opinion, Sfcrrcy
in habit, DijfimuUtion in feafonable ufe^ and a power to
feign, if there be no remedy.

vn.

Of Parents and Children,

•TPHE joyiof P^rrfff^arefecretj and fo are their griefs

1 and fears •, they cannot utter the one, nor they
will not utter the other* Children fweeten labours, buE
they make misfortunes more bitter : they increafe the
cares of Life, but they piitigate the remembrance of
Death. The perpetuity by generation is common to
Beafts ^ but memory, merit, and noble works are proper
to Men: and furelya man Ihall fee the noblcft Works
and Foundations have proceeded from Childlefs Afen^
which have fought to exprefs^the images of their (minds
where thofe of their bodies have fail'd : So the care of
poftcrity is mofl: in them that have no poflerityi They
that are the firfl: raifers of their Houf^s, are molt indul-
gent towards ihdr Children, beholding them as thecoa-
tinuance, not only of their kind, but of tlieir work, and
fo both Children and Creatures.

The difference in affeciionof P-jrc^fj towards their fe-
tcral Childrenjh many times uaequal, and fomcimesua-

G ivonhfj

i6 Sir Francis Bacon'j EJfap.

worthy, efpecially in the Mother ^ as Solomon fdkh, A wtfe
Son rejoyceth the Father^ but an ungracious Son fiiames the
Mother. A man (hall fee, where there is a Houfe full of
Children^ one or two of the eldeft refpeSed, and the
youngeft made wantons ; butinthemidft, fome that are
as it were forgotten, who many times ncverthelefs prove
the beil. The illiberalicy oi Parents in allowance towards
their Children^ is an hai mful error, makes them bafc, ac-
quaints them with (hifts, makes them fort with mean
company, and makes themfuifeit more when they come
to plenty .- and therefore the proof is belt, when men
keep their authority towards their Children^ but not their
purfe. Men have a foolifli manner (both Parents, and
School- Adafters^ and Servants) in creating and breeding
an emulation between Brothers, during Childhood, vihich
many times forteth to difcord when they are men, and
difturbeth Families. The Italians make little difference
between Children and Nephews, or near Kinsfolks ^ but
fo they be of the lump they care not, though they pafs
not through their own body. And to fay truth, in Na-
ture it is much a like matter, in fb much that we fee a Ne-
phew fometimes refembleth an Uncle, or a Kinfmaa
more than hisown Parent, as the Blood happens. Let
Tarenti chufe betimes the vocations and courfes tliey
mean their Children Ihould take, for then they arc molt
flexible ^ and let them not too much apply themfelves
to the difpofition of their Chidren,as thinking they will
take belt to that which they have molt mind to. It is
true, that if theaffedion or aptnefs of the Children be
extraordinary, then it is good not tocrofs it : but gene-
rally the Precept is good, Optimnm clige,f»ave & facile
illud facit confuetiido. Younger Brothers mc commonly for-
tunate, but feldom ornever where the elder aTQ difin-
herited.

Of

«7

VIII.

Of Marriage and Single Life.

HE that hath li^ife znd Children, hath given hoftages
to Fortune, for they are impediments to great
encerprifes, either of Vertue or Mifchief. Certainly
the bed works, and of gicateft merit for the publick,
have proceeded from the itnmarried or Childlefs Mcti^
which both in afFedion and means have married and
endowed the publick. Yec ic were great reafon, that
thofe that have Children fhould have greateft care of fu-
ture times, unto which they know they mufl: tranfniic
their deareft pledges. Some there are, who though
they lead a Single Life, yet their thonghts do end vvich
themfelves, and account future times im.pertinencies.
iSfay, there are fome other, that account W^i/r and CIj//-
dren but as Bills of Charges. Nay, more, there are
fome foolifh rich covetous men, that take pride in ha-
ving no Children, bccaufe they may be thought fo much
the richer. For perhaps they have heard fome talk.
Such an one is a great rich Alan; and another except to
it. Tea, but he hath a great charge of Children ; as it it were
an abatement to his riches. But the moft ordinary caufe
of a Single Life is Liberty, efpecially in certain felf-plea-
lingand humorous minds, which are fo fenfible of eve-
ry reftraint, as they will go near to think >heir Girdles
and Garters to be Bonds and Shackles. Vnmarried men
arc bed Friends, beftMafters, belt Servants, butnotal*
ways bcftSubjeds ^for they are light to run away, and
almoU all Fugitives are of that condition, kfingle life
doth well with Church-men: for Chanty will hardly wa-
ter the Ground, where it mufl firft: fill a Pool. It is
indifferent for Radges and Magifratti •, for if they be fa-*
cile and corrupt, you (hail have a Servant five times
wors thana H'^/f. For Souldicrs, I find the Generals

C 2 commonlf

i$ Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfajs,

commonly in their hortativcs put men in mind of theif
Wives and Children. And I think the defpiling of Mar"
riage amongft the Thtks^ making the vulgar Souldier
more bafe.. Certainly Wife and Children area kind of
humanity ^ and Single men^ though they be many times
more charitable, bccaufe their means arc kfs exhaull:
yet OB the other fide, they are more cruel and hard-
hearted, (good to make feverc Inquifitorsj becaufe their
teiidernefs is not fooft called upon. Grave natures, led
by cnffom, and therefore confcant, are commonly lo-
ving Husbands ; as was faid of Vlyffes^ f^etulam [nam pra"
tulit imrnortalitati. Chafc Women are often proud and
froward, as prefuming upon the merit of their chaftity.
It is one of the befc bonds both of chaftity and obedi-
ence in the Wife^ if (he thinks her Husband wife, which
fhe will never do, if ihe find him jealous. Wives are
young mens JMiftrelTes, Companions for middle Age,
and old mens Nurfes^ fo as a man may have a quarrel
to marry when he will. But yet he was reputed one of
the wife men, that made anfwer to the qucftion-, When
a man fhould marry ? A young man not yet^ an elder man
Kot at all. It is often feen, that bad Husbands have ve-
ry good Wives \ whether it be, that it laifeth the price
o'"' tiicii Husbands kindnefs when it comes, or that the
Wives take a pride in their patience. But this never fails,
if the bad Htabands were of their own chufing, againft
their Friends confcnt ^ for then they will be fure to
make good their own folly.

IX.

OJ Envj/.

TH E R E he none of the Afe^lions, which have been
noted to fafcinate or bewitch, hct Love and £nvy,
liiey bouh have vehement uiflics, ihcy Ijaaie ibcm-

felves

r

OfEnv). 19

(cjves readily into imaginations and fuggefcioas •, and
ihey come eafily into the eye, efpeciiUy upon the pre-
feace of the objedts, which arc the points that conduce
to fafcinatioD, if any fuch thing there be. We fee like-
wife the Scripture calleth Envy^ art evd eye \ and the A-
ftrologers call the evil influences of the Stars, Evil A*
fpe6ts\ fo thatftill there feemeth to be acknowledged ia
the adi of £«:{y,an,'eja;ulation or irradiation of the Eye.
Nay, fome have been fo curious, as to note, that the
times, when the ftroke or percufTion of an Envlons Eye
doth moft hurt, are, when the Party envied is beheld ia
Glory or Triumph \ for thatfets an edge upon Envy.
And befides, at fuch times the fpiritsof thc?^r/c>» envi^
cd do come forth mofc into the outward parts and Ip
meet the blow.

But leaving thefe curiofities, Cthough not unworthy
to be thought on in fit place j we will hjudle. What
Ferforjs are apt to envy others^ what Perfotis are mofi fMbjiQ
to be envied themfelves^ and vohat is the d:fh'ence between
fkblick and private Envy.

A man that hath no virtue in himfelf, tvcr envieth
virtue in others. For mens minds will eirher feed upon
their OA'n good, or upon others evil •, and who want-
cth the one, will prey upon the other \ and who fo
is out of hope to attain to another's vertue, wi|l
feek to come at even-hand by deprefling another's ^gX"
tune.

A man that is bufie and inqnidtive, is commonly En^
~^ions : for to know much of other mens matters cmnoc
be, becaufe all that ado may concern his efcate •, there-
fore it muft needs be, that he taketh a kind of plea-
fure in looking upon the fortunes of ochcrs ; nei-
ther can he that mindeth but his Qwn bnflnefs, find
much matter for Envy: For Envy is a gadding pjflion,
and walketh the Streets, and doth uot keep home, Non
fj} curiofus, qitin idem fit niAlevolA-.

Men of noble Birth are noted to he envlout towards
iiey? Mea when they rife : For the difcance is altered \

C 3 ' ^n(i

so

3

5/V Francis Bacon's Elpj'^-
„^itisV>keadeceitofthe eye that when others come

on, they think 'hemfeWes go back ^^^

Deformed P".f°"'' .^f .f Xf^^'naot ^(Tibly mend
Baftardsare c«v,ms-. f°f. f^ *" """ i^air anothers,

his own cafe, "jV n.hr « J^i a "e y ™a»e and heroi-
except there ^jff ^ '^t\hTo ™^^^^^^ natural wants
cal nature, which '""ntoh to ma^ ^^^^ ^^

"The fame is the ca. of^--tf ^^^^ t^-^n"
^!;ftret"nrthiroth:r^m\nsharmsaRedempt.onol

their own fufFcnngs. many matters out o

They th^dtf' « to ex«' " , p^_. ^^^

levity and ^f Sf ^^^'"i^pofnWe but'many in fom
"°' T. ort'hb^s moulVfurpafsthem •, which was th
one of thole tningb uiuuna i mortallY en'^^^

charaaer of ,^*'-;„';f ^^ n worfowb/rcin h
Poeti aiiH P-i'fit'U and jirtijictri iii
had a vein to excel. ;^ q^^^, ai

Laftlv, ""•■ Kinsfolks ana I gpctoE.

thofe that ^-^^beeii bred together a« .^i^^^^^

"> '•ll^'^'l^fhemthek own fortunes, and pointeth'
braid nnto them their ow re,nembrance,ar

them, and cometh oftner nto their r ^^^^^^ ^^

incarruh lil^7'^^"'°V „m fn cch and Fame. Cai:
E,^ ever -dou et^ , om f^ ch an ^^^^^^^ ^.^ ^^

E„.jy w >c the more '"'«;9" "'•?£. ^^^s better accei
ther'^*./, becanfe "^''" ' ''^^'j; Thus muchforri
ed, there was no body to look on.
th4! are aft to Emy- ,r ryj^ ,„ Hot

Concerning.b/' rW ■»"";" ■■;;'; they .re adv:
Fi, ft, Perfons of Jl"-^ , "f:;ru ,e ften'"^ ^^^ '
;t\^m;::StM:;t.«^thepaymentofaI.

Of Envy, 21

but Rewards and Liberality rather. Again, Envy is e-
ver joyned with the comparing of a man's felt-, and
where there is no comparifoa, no Envy •, and therefore
Kings are not envied^ but by Kings. Neverthelefs it is
to be noted, that unworthy perfons are mofl: envied at
their firft coming in, and afterwards overcome it bet-
ter j whereascontrariwife, Perfons of worth and merit
are moft envied, when their fortune coatinueth long.
For by that time, though their virtue be the fame, yet
it hath not the fame LHjire jfor frefh men grow up that
darken it.

Perfons of noble blood are lefs envied in their ridng ;
fork feemeth but right done to their Birth. Bclides,
there feemeth not much added to their forta.-e^ and
Envy is as the Sun- beams, that beat hotter upon a Bink
or fteep rifing Ground, than upon a Flar. And for the
fame reafons, thofs that are advanced by degrees arc
lefs envied^ than thofe that are advanced fuddenly, and
^er faltum.

Thofe that have joyned with their Hono'jr great
Travels, Cares or Perils, are lefs fubjeft to Envy : For
men think that they earn their Honours hardly, and pi-
ty them fometimes •, and Pity ever healeth Envy.
Wherefore you (hall obferve, that the more deep and
fober fort of politick Perfons in their greatncA, are e-
ver bemoaning themfelves, what a life they lead, chant-
ing Quanta fatimur. Not that they feel it fo, but only
to abate the edge of Envy. But this is to be underflood
ofbufinefs that is laid upon men, and notfuch as they
call unto themfelves. For nothing increafeth Envy
more than an unnecefTiry and ambitious engrolfifig of
bulincfs j and nothing doth extinguirti Envy more, than
for a great Perfon to preferve all oiher inferior Oftker s
in their full rights and preheminencies of their places :
for by that means there be io many Skreens between
him and Envy.

Above all, thofe are moft fubjeft to Envy which car-
ry the greataefs of their fortunes ia an infolent and

C 4 proud

22 Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs,

proud manner, being never well but while tbey are-
flicwing how great they are, cither by outward pomp,
or by triumphing over all oppolition or competition ^
whereas wife Men will rather do Sacrifice to Envy, in
fuffering themfelves fometimes of purpofe to be croft
and over-born of things that do not much concern
them. Not with (landing Co much is true, That the car-,
liageofgrcatnefs in a plain and open manner ( fo it be
without Arrogancy and vain-glory ) doth drawlefs E«-
^'^, than if it be in a more crafty and cunning falhiori.
por in that courfc a Man doth butdifavow fortune, and
feemcth to be confcious of his own want in worth, and
doth but teach others to Envy him.

Laftly, To conclude this part 9 As we faid in the be-
ginning, that the act of Envy had fomewhat in it of
witchcraft, fo there is no other cure of Envy but the
cure of witchcraft *, and that is, to remove the Lot ( as
they call it ) and to lay it upon another. For which
purpofe, the wifer fort of grcjit Perfons, bring in ever
upon the Stage feme body upon whom to drive the£«-
vy that vyould come upon themfelves ^ fometimes upon
Miniflersand Servants, fometimes upon Colleagues and
AfTocjates, aiid the like; and for that turn there are
never wanting fome Perfons of violent and undertaking
Natures, who, fo they may have Power and Bufinefs,'
will take it at any coft.

Now to fpeak of publick Envy, There is yet fome
good in publick Envy \ whereas in private there is none.
forpHbUck E^jvy is an OJhacifm^ that eclipfeth Men when
they grow too great. And therefore it is a bridle alfa
to great ones, to keep them within boujids.

This Envy beipiijin the Latin word JnvtMa, goeth.
in the modern Languages by the name of Difcontent'
ment^ of which we (hall fpeak iil handling Sedition. Ic
isadifeafe in a State like toinfcdion \ for as infedloii
fpreadeth upon that which is found, and tainccth it ; fo
when Envy is gorten pjice in a State, ic reducetii evea.
^hebefl adions thereofj,' and turneth Chem into an Wi

' " ■ ' ■ '- ' •' odour.

Of Love, 2 J

odour. And therefore there is little won by interming-
ling ofplaufible actions. For that doth argue but a
weaknefs and fear of Envy^ which hurteth fo ranch the
more, as it is hisewife ufual in wfeBions ^ which if yoa
fear them, you call them upon you.

This pHblick Envy feemeth to bear chiefly upon prin-
cipal Officers or Miuifters, rather than upon Kings and
Eftates themfelves. But this is a fure rule, that if the
Envy upon the Minillers be great, when thecaufe of it
in him is fmail ^ or if the Envy be general, in a manner,
upon all the Minillers of an Eftate, then the Envy
(though hidden) is truly upon the State it felf. And
fo much oipubUek Envy^ or Difconteatment^aad the dif-
ference thereof from private Envy^ which was handled
in the firfb place.

We will add this in general, tooching the affe^oa
oiEnvy ^ that, of all other Aff^dions, it is the moil im-
portune and continual *, for of other AfFedioas there
is occafion given but now and then. And therefore it
was well faid, Jnvidiafe^osdies non agit. For ic is ever
working upon fome or other. And ic is alfo noted, that
Love and Envy do make a Man pine, which other Af-
fedions do not *, becaufe they are not fo continual, it
isalfothevileft Affedion, and the moll depraved : for
which caufe it is the proper Attribute of the Devil, who
is called the envious Man^ that fometh Tares amongji the
Wheat by night : as it always cometh to pafs, thai Envy
workethfubcilly, and in the dark, and to the prejudice
of good things, fuch as is the Wheat.

X.

OfLove.

TH E Stage is more beholding to Love than the Life
of Man. For, as to the Stage, Love is even matter
Pt Comedies, and novy and theq of Trsgedies : but ia

Life

24 Sir Francis Bacon^ EJfays.

1 ifc it doth much mifchiefi fometimeslikc a Synrr,

S^i* magnum Alter ^"'"^f """T; /;_^y„n and all noble

dot, and raaK-. "ini ^j^,^,, ^^j ^^^^

MoQth (as bealls are) vec °\"^^^„l jhing to noce
bim for higher purpofes. '^/''j^^^^.Ves the Nature

tTl'Ll-t^^che-rhluerSwUhwl^^^^^^^^

doth of the Peff°" ,^""''' =','/,. k «>-/'• Neithe
raid, that .-, <•< m,r»iP«« " ffZCtonh and not to th
i°^''''y^T>ru\orir.S;V;u, except th
Party Loved: but to tne ^ , |,3t £,,.^, is£

i..i.e be rcciproqae : for t"^a""^ "" ' ^j^h g

,„ rewarded =>f ^T^;'^'; ' "bV^ lii^'ch the mo,
inward and fecret Comenipt. cy , -,^1, lofeth n(

Men ought to beware of this Pa^.on ^^^^

' only other tbm^s, but uf«lt- As lor u.

Of Great Place. 25

the Foets Relation doth well figure them •, that he thac
preferreth Helena^ qitteth the gifts of Jhtjo and Pallas,
For whofoever eftcemeth too much of amorous afFedi-
on, quitteth both Riches and Wtfdom. This paflion hath
his Floods in the very times of weakncfs : which arc
great Profperity and gvtsit jidver/ity, though this latter
hath been lefs obferved. Both which times kindle Lovr^
and make it more frequent, and therefore fhew it to be
the Child of Folly. They do bell, who, if they can-
not but idmk Love j yet make it keep Quarter, and fe-
ver it wholly from their ferious Affairs and Adions of
Life: for if it check once with Bufinefs, it troubleth
Mens Fortunes, and makethMen that they can no ways
be true to their own Ends. I know not how, but mar-
tial Men are given to Love j I think it is but as they
are given to iVine •, for Perils commonly ask to be paid
in Pleafures. There is in a Man's Nature a fecret Incli-
nation and Motion towards Love of others ; which if
it be notfpent uponfomeonc, or a few, doth natural-
ly fpreadicfelf towards many, and maketh men be-
come Humane and' Charitable \ as it is feen fomtimesia
Friars. Nuptial Love maketh Mankind ^ Friendly LoTC
ferfe^eth it j hnt wanton Love corrupt eth and embafeth it.

XL

OfC^reat Place,

ME N in Great Place are thrice Servants : Servants
of the Sovereign or Stare -^ Servants of i^twr ^and
Sc' vauts of Bufinefs. So as they have no Freedom, ei-
ther in their Perfons^ nor in their Attiens^ nor in their
Times. It is a ftrange defire to Peek Povper^ and co lofe
Liberty ; or to feek Power over others^ and to lofe Pow-
er over a Mansfelf. The Rihag unto Place is laborious;
aad by fairts Mea come to greater ?aim : and it is fome-

limes

j5 Sir Francis Bacon's Epys.

1? thin' C«>»»»'./5., ?«-/'«"'. ""-f^ """"u^nZ

„ NaV retire Mca cannot when they would ; ne^

her wufchey, when it were Reafon : but a- .„^pa„-

!Lnr nf Priyacenefs, even in Age and SicKnels, wnicn

f borrl« oth°r Mens Opinions, . to think themfdves
to °°"''f".f u : jgp k„ the r own feeling, they
happyi for f chey "dge Dy jhemfelves what

dition IS not to W.l. ^h^^^o"^ ^„^ „f ,{■ i^ng ,
er todo good, is tne,""= ^™ , u^.^ -> yet to-

forgood thooghts (tho,,gh God accjc^ em,^J y

wards Men are liule '>^^^" f ^^,,^° ^ be without Power

""/puc'e" 'as dK Vrta,e and C Imanding Ground
and Place, as ^"^J' '"".^ . j ^f M,,n's motion i a'."!
Merit and good Woi ks s "^""^ °' ,|,^„ieBt of Man's
Confciencc.ot the r-"™* '' /^e ^«°™f.'im

reft : for i! a Man can be P""^" f'p^fj, ^, „„,,,..
he (hall likewife be partaker °(f°^'^2„^, .„, ^/i",
/« De.s, »'^'P-r«°?'-.' f^n^^'^fntreSabbath. U
;w .«»■« #« *"« "'«•' ' And hen ^^^

ihe Difcharge of thy ^f""' f^J "'^o'^epts. An^ af
smples ; for Imitaiioa is a Gipbe (>1 fteupis. a -^

Of Great Place, 27

tcr a time (et before thee thine own Example •, and ex-
amine thy felf Ilrid^ly whether thou didfl not bell at
firft. Negled not alfo the Examples of thofe that have
carried themfelves ill in the fame flace : not to fet off
thy felt by taxing their Memory; but to direflthy felf
what to avoid. Reform therctoie without bravery or
fcandal of former Times and Perfons ^ but yet fet ic
down to thy felf, as well to create good Precedents as
to follow them. Reduce things to the firft Inftitation,
and obferve therein, and how they have degenerated;
but yet ask Counfel of both Times, of the Ancienter
Time what is belt, and of the Latter Time what is fit-
teft. Seek to make thy Courfc Regular, that Men may
know before-hand what they may exped, but be not
too pofitiveand peremptory •, andexprefs thy felf well
when thou digrelTefl from thy Rule. Prcferve ihe right
of thy Place, but ftir not queftions of Jurifdiif^ion ; and
rather affiime thy Right in Silence and iie facio, thaa
voice it with Claims and Challenges. Preferve likewife
the Right of Inferior Places ; and think it more Honour
to dire.^ in chief, than to be bufie in all Embrace and
invite Helps and Advices, touching the Execution of thy
Vlace: and do not drive away fuch as bring Informati-
on, as Medlers, but accept of them in good part The
Vices of Authority are chiefly four .- Delays, Corruptions
Eoughiefs and Fatiion. For Delays, Give ealie accefs.
Keep Times appointed, Go through with that which is
in hand, and interlace not buiinefs but of neccffity.
For Corruption, Not only binds thine own hands, or thy
Servants hands from taking, but binds the hands of Sui-
tors alfo from offering: For Integrity ufed, doth the
one j but Integrity profefTed, and witbamanifeft dete-
ftation of Bribery, doth the other ; and avoid not on-
ly the Fault, but the Sufpicion. Whofoever is found
variable, and changeth manifeflly, without manifelt
Caufe, giveth fufpicion of Corruption. Therefore always
when thouchangclt thine opinion or courfe, profefs it
plainly, and declare it, together with 'the Reafons that

move

22 Sir Francis Bacori^j EJfap,

move thee to change, and do not t;hink to fleal It A
Servant, or a Favourite, if he be Inward, and no other
apparent caufe of Efleem, is commonly thoaghtbuc a
By-way to clofe Corruption. For Roughnefs^ It is a need-
lefs caufe of Difcontent ; Severity breeaeth Fear, but
Eoughnefs breedeth Hate. Even Reproofs from Autho-
rity ought to be grave, and not taunting. As for Fa-
cility^ it is worfe than Bribery : for Bribes come but
now and then \ but if Importunity, or idle refpeifis
lead a Man, he fhall never be without^ as Solomon faith^
To refpefi Ferfons is not good \ forfach a Man will tranf-
^refs for a piece of bread. It is moft true that was anci-
ently Ipoken •, A place pieweth the Man: and it fheweth
fome to the better, and fome to the worfe : Omnium
confenfu, capax Imperii nift imperajfet ; faith Tacitus., of
Galha : but of F'efpafian he faith. Solus imperantium f^efpa-
fanus mutatus in melius. Though the one was meant of
Sufficiency, the other of Manners and Affedion. It is
an affurcd Sign of a worthy and generous Spirit, whom
Honour iimtwd.s: for Honour^ is or fhould be the place
of Vertue ^ and as in Nature things move violently to
their place, and calmly in their place \ fo Vertue in Am-^
bition is violent, in Authority fettled and calm. All
riling to Great Place^ is by a winding Stair ^ and if there
be Factions, it is good to fide a Mans felf, whilft he is
in the Rifing ^ and to balance himfelf when he is
placed, life the memory of thy Predeceflbr fairly and
tenderly ^ for if thou dofl; not, it is a debt will fure be
paid when thou art gone. If thou have Colleagues,
refpeft them, and rather call them when they look rot
for it, than exclude them w hen they have reafon to look
to be called. Be not too fenfible, or too remembring
ot thy Place in Converlatioa, and private Anfwers to
Suitors-, But let it rather be faid, When he fits in Place
he is anothtr Man,

Of

Of Bolfbtefs 99

XII.

Of Bolcimfs.

IT is a trivial Grammar-School Text, but yet worthy
a w ife Man's confideration. Queftion was ask'd of
Vemofthcnes^ What was the chief fart of an Orator ? He
anfwer'd, ABlon\ What next? AEiion-y Whatnexta-
gain? Atlion \ He faid it that knew it beft, and had by
nature himfelf no advantage in that he commended. A
ftrange thing, that thatpart of an Orator which is but
luperficial, and rather the virtue of a Player, fhould be
plac'd fo high above thofe other noble parts of In-jtn"
tion^ Elocution^ and the reft: Nay, almoft alone •, as if
it were All in All. But the reafon is plain. There is
in Humane Nature generally more of the Fool thaa
of the Wife \ and therefore thofe Faculties, by which
the foolifh part ofMens minds is taken are moft potent.
Wonderful like is the cafe oiBoldnefs in civil bufinefs :
Whatfirft? Boldnefs'^ What fecond and third? Boldnefs^
And yet Boldnefs is a Child of Ignorance and Bafenefs,
far inferior toother parts. Butneverthelefs it doth faf-
cinate and bind hand and foot, thofe that are either
fhallovv in judgment, or weak in courage, which are
the greateft part •, yea, and prevaileth with wife Mea
at weak times. Therefore we fee it hath done W^onders
in popular States, but with Senates and Princes lefs i
and more, ever upon the firft entrance of Bold Verf(,.,i
into adion, than foon alter: for Boldnefs is an ill Keep-
er of Promife. Surely, as there are MoHntebanksfor the
NaturalBody, fo are ih^r^ Mountebanks for the Politick
Body : Men that undertake great Cures, and perhaps
have been lucky in two or three Experiments,but want
the grounds of Science, and therefore cannot hold out.
Nay, you (hall fee a Bold Fellow many times do AdAho-
raet's miracle : Mahomet made the People believe, that

he

3© Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs,

he would call an Hill to him •, and from the top of it
offer lip his Prayers for the obfervers of his Law. The
People aflembled, Mahomet calFd the Hill to him again
and again *, and when the Hill ftood flill, he was ne-
ver a whit abalh'd, but faid, //' the Hill will not come to
Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the Hill. So thefe Men,
when they have promis'd great matters, and fail'd moC:
fhamefully, yet (if they have the perfeclion oi BoUnefs)
they will but flight it over, and make a turn, and no
more ado. Certainly to Men of great judgment, Bold
Perfons are a fport to behold ^ nay, and to the Vulgar
alfo, Boldnefs hath fomewhat of the Ridiculous. For if
abfurdity be the fubjeci of laughter, doubt you not^
but great Boldnefs is feldom without- fome abfurdity.
Efpecially it is a fport to fee, when a Bold Fellow is out
of countenance ^ for that puts his face into a moft
ihrunken and wooden pofture, as-needs it mujfl: for in
bafhfulnefs the Spirits do a little go and eomej but with
Bold Men, upon lijce occafion, they Hand at a flay, like
a Stale of Chefs, where it is no Mate, but yet the Game
cannot ftir. But this lafl were fitter for a Satyr than
for a ferious Obfervation This is well to be vveigh'd.
That Bvldnefs is ever blind ; for it feeth not dangers
and incnnveniencies ; therefore it is ill in Counfel,'
good ill Execution : fo that the right ufe of Bold pef-
lons is, that they never command in Chief, but be Se-
conds, and under the ditection of others. For inCoun-
fel it is good to fee Dangers, and in Execution not to'
fee them, except they be very great.

XIII.

Of Qoodnefs^ And Qoodmfs of Nature.

IT-akcOoodncfs in this fenfe, theaffeftingof the weal
of Men, whichis tiul the Urea an scaW Philamhropii^y
and iliQiVord Humr.rnty (asic is us'd) is a little too light

Of Goodnefs^ and Goodnefs of Nature. . j i

to exprcfs it. Goodnefs I call the Habit, and Goodnefs of
Nature the Inclination. This of all Virtues and Digni-
ties of the mind is the greatefl, being the Charader of
the Deity j and without it Man is a bulie, niifchicvous
wretched thing, no better than a kind of Vermine.
Goodfiefs anfvvers to the Theologicd f^irtuc^ C-j-'^riVy, and
admits no excefs, but error. The deure of power ia
excefs, caus'd the Angels to fall*, the delire of know-
ledgein excefs, caus'd Man to fall j but in Chnrlty^ there
is no excefs, neither can Angel or Man come indanger
by it. The Inclination oi Goodnefs is imprinted deeply
in the nature of Man^ infomnch, that if it iffue not to-
wards Men, it will take u:Uo other livingCreatures:as
it is feenin the Turks^ a cruel People, who ncverthelefs
are kind to Bealts, and give Alms to Dogs and Birds :
Infomuch as Busbecjnius reporteth, a Chriilian Boy ia
Confiamincfle had like to have been ftoned for gagging,
in a waggilhnefs, a long-bilFd Fowl. Errors indeed,
in this VivtMz^mGoodnefs orC/?<2r/fj',may becommitted-
Th^ Italians haveanungracious Proverb, Tantobuon che
val niente-^ So good that he is good for nothing. And one
o^ thoDodiorsoi Italy^Nichclas Machiavel^had the con-
fidence to put in writing, alraofl in plain terms. That
the Chrijli an faith had given up good Men in frey to thofe
that are tyrannical and unjfifi: which he fpake, becaufe
indeed there was never Law, or Sec'i, or Opinion, did
fo much magnifie Goodnefs as the Chriilian Religioa
doth: therefore to avoid the fcandal, and danger both,
it is good to take knowledge of the errors of an Habit
fo excellent. Seek the good of other Men, but be not
in bondage to their faces or fancies ^ for that is butfa-
cility or foftnefs, which taketh an honeib mi.id prifoner.
Neither give the c^fcfs Cock a Gem, who would be
better pleas'd and happier if he had had a Barley Corn.
The Example of God teacheth the Lelfcn truly : He
fcndeth hisRairi^ and rnaketh his Siintofhine itdon the Jitjt
ar.dVnjufi'^ but he doth not rain Wealth,' nor fni.ic
ofiour and Virtues upon Men equally. Common be-

D nefits

^2 Sir Francis Bacon' j Effays.

nefits areto be communicated withall', but peculiar be-
nefits with choice. And beware, how in making the
PortraiSiitre^ thou breakeft the Pattern ^ for Divinity
maketh the love of our felves the Pattern*, the love of
our Neighbours but the Portraiture. Sell all thou hafi
and give It to the Peor^ and follow me : but fell not all
thou haft, except thou come and follow me i that is,
except thou have a Vocation, wherein thou mayft do as
much good with little means as with great : for other-
wife, in feeding the Streams thou driefl the Fountain.
Neither is there only a Habit of Goodnefs direded by
right Reafon : but there is in fome Men, even in Na-
ture, a difpofition towards it ^ as on the other fide,
there is a natural malignity. For there be that in their
Nature do not aftecl the good of others. The lighter
fort of malignity turneth but to croQnefs, or froward-
nefs, or aptnefs to oppofc, or difficilenefs, orthelikej
but the deeper fort to envy and mecr mifchief Such
Men in other Mens calamities, areas it were in feafon,
and are ever on the loading part ^ not fo good as the
Dogs that lick'd Lazamsh fores, but likeFlies,that are
ftill buzzing upon any thing that is raw^ Mifanthropi^
that make it their practice to bring Men to the Bough,
and yet have never a Tree for the purpofc of their
Gardens, as Timon had. Such difpolitions are the very
errors of Humane Nature % and yet they are the fitteit
Timber to make great Politicks of: like to knee-Tim-
ber ,that is good for Ships that areordain'd to be tofs'd,
but not for building Houfcs, that (hall ftand firm. The
parts and figns of Good/iefs arc many. If a Man be gra-
cious and courteous to Strangers, it (hews he is a Citi-
zen of the World-, and that his heart is no Ifland cutoff
fiom other Lands, but a Continent that joyns to them.
If he be compalfionate towards the afflictions of others,
it (hews that his heart is like the noble Tree, that ij
wounded it felf, when it gives the Balm. If he calily
pirdoiis and remits ofi'ences, it (hews that his mind is
planted above Injuries, fo that he cannot be (hot. If he

be

Of Nobility, ^i

be thankful for fmall benefits, it (hews that he weighs
Mens minds, and not their tralh. But above all, if he
have St. P^w^s Perfeftion, that he would wifh to be an
Anathema from Chrifl:,forthe Salvation of hisBrethren,
it fliews much of a Divine Nature, and a kind of con-
formity with Chrifi liimfelf.

XIV.

Of Nobility,

WE will fpeajvof A'o^/7;f)', Firftasa Portion of aa
Ejlate-y then asa Cdnditim oi PartluiUr Per fans.
A Monarchy^ where there is no Mi^/Z/fy at all, is ever a
pure and abfolutc Tyranny y3i'=> that of theT/iri^j j for No-
vUity ^tt^iivgzxs Sovereignty^ and draws the eyes of the
People lomewhat alide from the Lifie Royal. But for
Democracies they need it nof, and they are commonly
more quiet, and lefs fubjed to Sedition, than where
there are Stirps of A'i?^/<fj. For Mens eyes are upon the:
bufinefs, and not upon the perfons-, or if upon theper-
ibns,it is forbufinefs-fake^as the fittelt,and not for Sags-
and pedigree. We fee the Switz.ers laft well, notwith-
ftanding their diverfity of Religion, and of Cantons :
for Utility is their Boad, and not Refpeds. Thellni-
tcdProvinces of the Law-Count ries'm their Government
excel j for where there is an equality, theConfultations
are more indifferent, and the payments and tributes
more chearful. A great and potent Nobility addcth Ma-
jefty to a Monarch, but diminiflieth Power j and put-
teth Life and Spirit into the People, but prelTeth their
Fortune. It is well when NoIpLss are not too great for
Sovereignty, nor for jultice •, and yet maintdin'd ia
that height, as the Infolcacy of Inferiours may be bro-
ken upon them, before it come on too fife upon the
Ma jelly of Kings. A numerous Nobility caufeth Pover-

D 2 ty

^4 'S'/y Francis Bacon'i EjfAjs.

ty and inconvenience in a State: for it is a furcharge of
Expence •-, and befides, it being of neceffity that many
of the Nobility fall in time to be weak in fortune, it
maketh a kind of difproportion between Honour and
Means.

As for Nobility in f articular Terfons^ It is a reverend
thing to fee an ancient Callle or Building not in decay;
or to fee a fair Timber Tree found and perfect : how
much more to behold an Ancient Noble Family^ which
hath flood againfl the Waves and Weathers of Time.
For New Nobility is but the AA of Power ; but Anci-
ent Nobility is the Ad: of Time. Thofc that are firft
rais'dto Nobility are commonly more virtuous, but Icfs
innocent than their Defcendents ; for there is rarely
any Riling, but by a commixture of good and evilArts.
But it is reafon the memory of their Virtues remain to
their Pofterity ; and their Faults die with themfelves.
Nobility of Birth commonly abateth Induftry ;,and he that
Is not induftrious, envieth him that is. Befides, Noble
Terfons cannot go much higher ;and he that ftandeth at a
Itay when others rife, can hardly avoid motions of En-
vy. On the other fide. Nobility extinguilheth thePaffivc
Envy from others towards them ; becaufe they are m
pofTeflion of Honour. Certainly Kings that have able
Men of their Nobility ^?i[i2M find eafe in employing them, -
and a better Aide into their bufinefs :forPeople natural-
ly bend to them, as born in fome fort to command.

XV.

OJ Seditions and Troubles,

SHepherds of People had need know the Kalendcrs of
Tempests in State ; which are commonly greateft
when things grow to equality; as natural Tempejls are
greatelt about the ^quinoBial. And as there are cer-
tain

Of Seditions and Troubles, j 5

tain hollow blafts of Wind, and recretfvvellingsof Seas
before a Tempefl, ^o are there in States.

^-..^—.Jlle etiam cscos wflare Tumult us

Sxpe moTiet^ Fr^tudefqHe C^ oferta tumefcere Bella.

Libels and Licentious Difcoiirfes againfl theState,when
they are frequentand open; and in like fort, falfe News
often running up and down to the difadvantage of the
State, and haftily embraced, are amongft the Signs of
Troubles. Firgil giving the Pedigree of Fame^ faith.
She was Sifier to the Giants.

Jllam Terra Parens ira irritata Deorum^
Extremam (ut perhibent^ Cao Enceladoijue fororem
Pro(Tenuit. >

As if ivtwf^ were theRelicks of 5^^ jr /<?;// paftj but they
are no leis indeed, the Preludes of Seditions to come.
Howfoever he noteth it right, That Seditions Tumults^
and Seditious F,imes^ differ no more but as Brother and
Sifter, Mafculine and Feminine j efpecially if it come to
that, that the beft Actions of a State, and the moft plau-
fible, and which ought to give greateft contentmentj
are taken in ill fenfc, and traduced : For that Ihews
the Envy great, as Tacitus faith, Conflata magna
Jnvidia^Jeu bene^feu male^ g^ft^ premirnt. Neither doth
it follow, that becaufe thefe Fa?nes are a iign ofTrou-
bles^ that the fupprelling of them with too much feve-
rity, fliouldbeaRemedyofT>'o«^/<?j: Forthedefpiling
of them many times checks them beft •, and the go-
ing about to flop them, doth but make a ^A^onder long-
liv'd.

Alfo that kind of Obedience which Tacitus fpeaketh
of is to be held fufpefted ; Eram in officio j fed tamen qui
tnallent mandata Imveraritinm interpretari^ quam exequi i,
Difputiag, Exculing, Cavilling upon Mandates and
Directions, is a kind of Ihaking off the Yoak, and effay

D 3 of

^S Sir Francis Bacon's Ejfajs.

of difobedience ^ efpecially,if in thofe Difputings, tli€y
which are for the diredion,fpeaIc fearfully and tender-
ly ; and thofe that are againft it audacioufly.

Alfo, as Macloiavel noteth well^ when Princes, tliat
ought to be common Parents, make themfelves as a
Party, and lean to a fide, it is a Boat that is overthrown
by uneven weight on the one fide ; as was well feen in
ithe time of Henry the third o^ France : For firfb him-
felf enticed League for the extirpation of the Protefiams^
and Drcfenily after the fame League was turn'd upon
himfelf; For when the Authority of Princes is made but
an Accelfary toa Caufe, and that there are other Bands
that tie fafter than the Band of Sovereignty, Kings
begin to be almoft put out of polFeflion.

Alfo, when Difcords, and Quarrels, and Fadions,
are carried opealy and audacioufly, it is a fign the Re-
verence of Government is loft. For the Motions of
the greateft Perfons in a Government, ought to be as
the motions of the Planets under Primnm Mobile (ac-
cording to the old Opinion-,) which is, that every of
them is carried fwiftly by the higheft Motion, and
ibftly in their own Motion. And therefore when great
Ones in their own particular motion move violently ^
and as Tacitus exprcireth it well, Liherids ctnam nt Ln-
ftrantium mcmrriijfent^ it is a fign the Orbs are out of
Frame : For Reverence is that wherewith Princes are
girt from God, v/ho threat'ncth thediilblvi.u', thereof^
Salvam cingula Regum,

So when any of the four Pillars of Government are
mainly fhaken or weak'ncd,(which are RcUgion^Jiifiice^
Comfel^ and Trcafnre) Men had need to pray for fair
weather.

Bnt let us pafs from this part of Prcdidions Tcon-
cerning which, neverthelefs, more light may be taken
from that which followeth) and let us fpeak firff: of the
Materials oi Seditions \ then of the Motives of them ^
and thirdly, of the Remedies.

Con-

Of Seditions and Troubles. ^j

Concerning the Materials of Seditions \ It is a thing
well to be confider'd : For the fureft way to prevent
Seditions fif the times do bear itj is to take away the
matter of them. For it there be fuel prepared, it is
hard to tell whence the fpark (hall come that (hall fet it
on fire. The Matter oi Seditions is of two kinds *, mitch
Poverty and much Difcontentment, It is certain,fo many
Overthrown Eftates^ fb many Votes for Troubles. Liican
noteth well the State of Rome before the Civil War.

Hinc Vfura vorax^ rapdumcjue in tempore Foevtts^
Hinc concujfa Fides^ (^ mnltis utile Bellum,

This fame multis utile Bc/lum^ is an afTur'd and infalli-
ble fign of aStatc difpos'd to Sedit ions a.nd7"oiilfle:. And
if this Poverty and broken Eftate in the better fort, be
join'd with a want and neceflity in the mean Feople,the
danger is eminent and great ^ for the Rebellions of the
Belly are the worfl. As (or Difcontentment s^ theyare in
thePolitick Body like toHumours in the Natural,\vhich
are apt to gather prcter-natural Heat, and to enflame.
And let no Prince meafurc the danger of them by this,
whether they bejuftor unjuflrFor that weretoimagine
People to be toorearonable,who do often fpurn at their
own good; Nor yet by this, whether the griefs where-
upon they rife,beia fad great or fmall: for they are the
moft dangerous Dijcomentments^ where the fear isgrea-
ter than the feeling. Dlendi modtis^ Timendi non item.
Befides, in great Oppreflions, the fame things that pro-
voke tke Patience, do withal make the Courage j but m
fears it is not fo. Neither let any Prince or State be fe-*
cure coi^c^rnxii'^DtfcunTemments bccaufcthey hare been
often, or have been long, and yet no Peril hath enfuedi
for as it is true, that every Vapour or Fume doth not
turn into a Storm. So it is neverthclels true, that
Storms tho' they blow over divers times, yet may fall
at lait : And as the Sfiniih Proverb noteth well ', The
Cord breaketb At the Lift by th* vecakejt ^ff.

D 4 The

38 Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs,

The Caiifes and Afotions of Seditions are, Innovation in
Rellgion^'Taxes^ Alter at ion of Laws and CHJ]:oms ^breaking
of Frivilcges^G encral O^frcjfi on ^Advancement of unworthy
PerfonSj Strangers^ Dearths^Disbanded Soldier s^ Factions
grown defperate. And whatfoever in. offending People,
joineth and knitteth them in a Common Caufe.

For the Remedies ^ there may be fome general Pre^
fervatives whereof we will fpeak , as for the juftCure,
it mull a.nfwer to the psirticnlar Difeafe, and fo be left
to Counfel rather than Rule.

The firfl Remedy or Prevention is, to remove by all
rneans poflible that Material Caufe of Sedition^ whereof
we fpeak j which is Want and Poverty in the State. To
which pnrpofe ferveth theOpeningand well-Balancing
of Trade, the Cherifhing of Manufadlurcs, the Banifh-
ing of Idlenell;, the Repreffing of Wafte and Excefs by
Sumptuary Laws, the Improvement and Husbanding
of the Soil, the Regulating of Prizes of Things vendi-
ble, the Moderating of Taxes and Tributes, and the
like. Generally it is to be forefeen, that the Popula-
tion of a Kingdom ("efpecially if it be not mown down
"by Wars^ do not exceed the Stock of the Kingdom,
which Ihould maintain them. Neither is the Populati-
on to be rcckon'donly by number ^ for a fmaller num- .
ber that fpend more, and earn lefs, do wear out an
Eftate fooner than a greater number that live lower,
and gather more. Therefore the multiplying of Nobi-
lity, and other Degrees of Qiiaiity, in an over-propor-
tion to the Common People, doth ipeedily bring a State
to Neceflity i and fo doth likewifean overgrown Cler-
gy, for they bring nothing to the Stock. And in like
manner, when more are bred Scholars than Prefer-
ments can take off.

It is likewifeto beremembrcd, that forafmuch as the
increafeof any Eilate mufl be upon the Foreigners ;
("for whatfoever is fomewhere gotten, is fomewhere
iofl.j There be but three things which one Nation fel-
leth unto another jthe Commodity asNature yi&ldeth it-,

the

Of Seditions and Troubles, ^9

the ManufaBure andtherVo^wrtf or Carriage : So that if
thefe threeWheels go, Wealth will flow as in a Spriag-
tide. And it cometh many times to pafs, that Materi-
amfuperahit Opns-^ that the Work and Carriage is more
worth than the Materials, and inricheth a State more:
as is notably feen in the Lorv-Coumry-men^ who have
the beft Mines above ground in the World.

Above all things good Policy is to be ufed, that the
Trcafure and Moneys in a State be not gathei'd into
few Hands. For otherwife a State may have a great
Stock, and yet ftarve. And Money is like Muck, not
good except it befpread. This is done chiefly by fup-
prefling, or at the leaft keeping a ftreight hand upon
the DevouringTradesof IT^^ryj/^^ro/Ziw^, great P^/w-
rages^ and the like.

For removing Difccntemments^ or at leaft the danger
of them, there is in every State (as we knowj two Por-
tions oiSubjects^xht Noble fs and the Commonalty. When
one of thefe is Difcontem^ the danger is not great : for
common people are of flow motion, if they be not ex-
cited by the greater fort j and the greater fort are of
fmall ftrength, except the multitude be apt and ready
to moveof themfelves. Then this is the danger, when
the greater fort do but wait for the troubling of the
Waters amongft the meaner,that then they may declare
themfelves. The Poets feign, that the reft of the Gods
would have bound Jupiter-^ which he hearing of, by the
Counfcl of Pallasj fent for Briareus with his hundred
hands, to come in to his aid. An Emblem no doubt,
to Ihew how fafe it is for Monarchs to makefure of the
good will of common people.

To give moderate liberty for Griefs and Difcontent-
mems to evaporate (fo it be without too great Info-
lency or Bravery) is a fafe way. For he that turneth
the Humours back, and m.aketh the Wound bleed in-
wards, endangereth malign Ulcers, and pernicious
Impofthumations.

The

4© Sir Francis Bacon'j Effays,

The part of KpimetheHs mightwcW become Promot hens
in the cafe of Diicontentments'^ for there is not a better
provifion af ainfl them. iF.fimctheus^ when griefs and
evils Hew abroad, at hff: (hut the Lid, and kept Hope
in the bottom of the V'eflel. Certainly the politick
and artificial nourifhingand entertaining of //o;?£-j,and
carrrying Men from Hops to Hofes^ is one of the heft
Antidotes againft the Poifon o^ Dlfcontentments. And
it is a certain fign of a wife Government and Proceed-
ing, when it can hold Mens hearts by Hopes when it
cannot by fatisfadion *, and when it can handle things
in fuch manner, as no evil (hall appear fo peremptory
but that it hath fome out-let o{ Hope ; which is the lefs
hard to do, becaufe both particular Perfons and Facti-
ons are apt enough to flatter themfelves, or at leaft to
brave that which they believe not.

Alfo the fore fight and prevention, that there be no
likely or fit Head, w hereunto DifcontemedPerfons may
refort, and under whom they may join, is a known,
but an excellent point of caution. I underftand a fie
Head to be one that hath Greatnefs and Reputation,
that hath Confidence with the Dijcomented Party, and
upon whom they turn their eyes •, and that is thought
Difcometned in his own particular ^ which kind of Per.-
fons are either to be won, and reconciled to the State,
and that in a fait and true manner;, or to be fronted
with fbme other of the fame Party that may oppofe
them, and fo divide the Reputation. Generally the
dividing and breaking of all Fadions and Combinati^
onsthat are adverfe to the State, and fctting them at
diftance, or at leaft diftruft among themfelves, is not
one of the worft Remedies. For it is a defpcrate cafe,
if thofe that hold with the proceeding of the State, be
full of Difcord and Fadionj and thofe that are againft
it, be entire and united.

I have noted, that fome witty and fharp Speeches,
which have fallen from ?n>ices^ have given fire to 5^-.
ditions, Cajar did himfelf infinite hurt in that Speech,

Of Atheifm. 41

Syllanefcivit Itteras^ non potuit dichare : For it did utterly
cut off that Hofe which Men had entertain'd, that he
would at one time or other give over his Dictatorihip.
Gulba undid himfelf by that Speech, Legi a fe miHtem^
non emij for it put the Soldiers out of Hope of the Do-
native- Prohus likewife by that Speech, Si vlxero^ no?i
opHS erit ampliHS Romano Imferio miUtibus: A Speech of
great defpair for the Soldiers: And many the like.
Surely Princes had need, in tender matters, and ticklifti
times, to beware what they fay ^ efpecially in thefe
ihort Speeches, which fly abroad like Darts, and are
thought to be fhot out of their fecrct Intentions. For
as for large Difcourfes, they are fiat things, and not
fo much noted.

Laftly, LetPrinces againfl: all Events not be without
fome great Perfon, one, or rather more, of Military
Valour near unto them, for the reprefling of Seditions
in their beginnings. For without that, there ufeth to
be more trepidation inCourt,upon the firfc breakingout
of Troubles, than were fit. And the State runneth the
danger of that, which Tacitus faith ; Atque is habitus
animorHmfuit^ ut pejfimum f acinus auderent pauci^ plu*
res veilent, omnes paterentur. But let fuch Military Per-
fous be aflijrd, and well reputed of, rather than Facti-
ous and Popular, holding alio good correfpondence
with the other great Men in the State, or elfe the Re-
medy is worfe than the Difeafe.

XVI.

Of Atheifm.

I Had rather believe all the Fables in the Z,f/rn^,and
the Talmud, and the Alccran, that this Univerlal
Frame is without a Miad. And therefore God nevei*

wrought

42 Sir Francis Bacon's Ffys.

wrought a Miracle to convince Atheifm^ becaufe his
ordinary Works convince it. It is true, that a little
Fhilofophy inclinethMan's mind to Atheifm^ but depth
in Philofophy bringeth Mens minds about to Religion ^
for while the mind of Man looketh upon fecondCaufes
icatter'd, it may fometimes reft in them, and go no
further : But when it beholdeth the Chain of them
Confederate and Link'd together, it muft needs fly to
frovidence 2i]\6. Deity. Nay, even that School which is
moftaccus'd ofuitheifm^ doth moft demonftrate Religt-
<?».-That is, the School oi LucifpHs and DemocritHs^ and
EficHfus. For it is a thoufand times more crcdible,that
Ibnr mutable Elements, and one immutable fifth E.f^
fence, duly and eternally plac'd, need no God, than
that an Army of infinite fmall Portions, or Seeds un-
plac'd, fhould have produc'd this order and beauty
withoutaDivineMarflial. The Scripture faith, TheFooL
hath [aid in his hearty there is no God: It is not laid. The
Fool hath thought in his heart : So as he rather faith it by
rote to himfelf, as that he would have,than that he can
throughly believe it, or be perfuaded of it. For none
deny there is a God, but thofe for whom it maketh that
there were no God. It appearcth in nothing more, that
Atheifm is rather in theL/p, than in the Heart of Man,-
than by this; That Athetfis will ever be talking of that
their Opinion,as if they fainted in it within themfelvcs,
and woiUd be glad to be ftrengthned by the confent of
others. Nay more, you fhall have Athcifts ftrive to get
Difcfples^ as it fareth with other Sedls. And, which is
molt of all, you Ihall have of them that will fufFcr for
Atheifm and not recant ; whereas if they did truly
thinkjthat there were no fuchthingas God^ why Ihould
they trouble themfelvcs ? Efkiirns is charged, that he
did but diffemble torhisCredifs lake,when he affirm'd,
there were Blejfed Natures^ but fuch as cnjoy'd them-
leIves,without having refped to the Government of the
World ; wherein, they fay, he did temporize ; though
ia fecret he thought there was no God» But certainly

he

Of Atheifm. 4j

he is traducd •, for his Words are Noble and Divine;
Non Decs vulgi negare -profanum^ fed vitlgiOfiniones Dti
ayf.icare prof an ism. Plato could nave faid no more: And
although he had the confidence to deny the Admhilfira-
t'lon^ he had not the power to deny ihtNatttre. The In-
dians of the Wef have names for their particular Gods^
though they have no name for God ^ as if the Heathens
Ihould have had the names oiJufiter^Afollo^ Afarsj fire.
but not the word De»s : which fhews, that even thofe
barbarous People have the notion, tho' they ha\*e not
the latitude and extent of it. So that againft the Atheifi
the very Savages take part with the very fubtileft Phi-
lofophers. The Contemplative -^f/j«?//Ms rare: A Dla~
goras^z. Bion^2iLncian perhaps,and Ibme others, and yet
they feem to be more than they are : For that all that
impugn a vtc^vi^AReligion or Superfitlon^siVQ by the ad-
verfe part branded with the name oiAthelJls. But the
greaty^f //«•//?/ indeed are ft^/>ocn>^j,which are ever hand-
ling Holy Things, but without feeling; fo as they muft
needs be cauteriz'd in the end. The Caufes of Atheifm
are Divifions in Religion^ if they be many: For any one
main Divifion addeth Zeal to both fides, but many Di-
vifions introduce Atheifm. A nother is^Sca?7dal oiPriefis,
when it is come to that which St. Bernard faith, Non
ejijam dicere , ut popidns^fc facerdos: quia nee fie poprUui^
ut facerdos. A third is, Cuflom of Trophane Scoffing ia
Holy Matters^ which doth by little and little deface the
Reverence of Religion. And laftly. Learned Times^ ef-
pecially with Peace and Profperity ; for Troubles and
Adverlitiesdo more bow Mens minds to Religion. They
that deny a God^ dellroy Man's Nobility: for certainly
Man is of kin to the Beafls by his Body ; and if he be
not of kin to God by his Spirit, he is a bafe and ignoble
Creature. It deftroys likcwife Magnanimity, and the
railing Human Nature: For take an^^example of a Dog,
and markwhat ageaerofity and courage he will put on,
when he finds himfelf maintained by a Man, who to
him is inftcad of a Go^, or Melior natara : Which cou-

44 Sir Francis BsiCOn^sEJfajs.

rage is manifeftly fuch, as that Creature without thi
confidence of a better Nature than his ovvn,could never
attain. So Man, when he refteth and alTureth himfelf
upon divin c protedion and fa vour,gathereth a force and
faith, which human Nature in it felf could not obtain.
Therefore a?,Jtheifm is in all refpeds hateful,fo in this,
that it depriveth human Nature of the means to exalt
it felf above human Frailty. As it is in particular Per-
fons, fo it is in Nations. Never was there fuch a State
for Magnanimity, as Rome. Of this State hear what Ci-
cero faith, Quam volHmHsJicet^FatresC"onfcripti^os ame^
mus^tameti nee numero Hiffanos^ nee rohore G alios, nee cal-
liditate Pcenos^/iec artibusGraeos-^ -nee denique hoc ipfo hu-^
jusGentis& Terra domeftieo nativoc^ite fenptltalos ipfos c^
Latinos -J fed Pietate ac Religione^atcjne hac una Sapient ia^
quodVeorum Iim7iortalium Numine^omnia regignbernari'^
que perfpexmiHs^ omnes Gentes Nationefque fuperavimHSt

xvir.

Of Suferfiition.

IT were better to have no Opinion oiGod at all,than
fuch an Opinion as is unworthy of him: For the
one is Unbelief, the other is Contumely, and certainly

Super Bition is the reproach of the Dcity. Plutarch faitrt
well to that purpofe : Surely Cfuith hej / had rather a
great deal Mcnjhsnldfay^ there was no fuch Man at alias
Fiutarch,tw^^^^ that they jhould fay, that there was Qne Flu-
tixxchjthat watld eat hisChildren asfoon as they were born y
as the Poets fpeak oiS-^tHm, And as the Contumely is
greater towards God^ fo the Danger is greater towards
Men. Jthcifm leaves a Man to Scnfc, to Philofopby,
to Natural Piety, to Laws, to Reputation*, allwhicli
may be guides to an outv/ard Moral Virtue, tho' Relt-
gic7i were not.- But Super Hit -ion difmountsall thefe, and

eredtcth

Of Sttperfiition. 45

eredeth an abfolute Monarchy in the minds of Men.
ThcvQktreJthetfmdld never perturbSf^rfj-.for it makes
Men weary of themfelves, as looking no further: And
we fee the times inclin'd to Atheifm (as the time oi Au~
fjtfifts CiTar) were civil times. But Superjtition hath
been the Confufion of many States, and bringeth in a
new Frimum Mcbde^ that raviiheth all the Spheres of
Government. TheMafter of Super frit ion is the People ;
and in all Suferfiittotj^ Wife Men follow Fools, and Ar-
guments are fitted to Practice in a revers'd order. It
was gravely faid by fome of the Prelates in the Council
oiTrem^ where the Dodrine of the School-men bare
great fway. That the School-men were like Aiironotners
which did feign Eccentricks^ and Epicycle ^^andfnch Engines
pfOrbs^ to falve the Phdnomena : tho* they knew there were
no fuch things. And in like manner, that the School-
men had fram'd a number of fubtil and intricate Axi-
cms and Theorems^ to fave the practice ot the Church.
ThtCaufes of S«p^r/f;>to«are,pleafmg and fenfual Rites
and Ceremonies : Excefs of Outward and Pharilaical
Holinefs : Over-great Reverence of Traditions, which
cannot butload the Church: TheSrratagems ofPrclates
for their own Ambition and Lucre: The favouringtoo
much of good Intentions, which openeth the Gate to
Conceits and Novelties: The taking an aim at Divine
Matters by Humane, which cannot but breed mixture
of Imaginations: And laitly, Barbarous Times, efpeci-
ally joyn'd with Calamities and Difafters. Sniper si .'t ion
without a Veil is a detbrm'd thing ^ for, as it addeth
deformity to an Ape to be fo like a Man j lb the iimir
litudc of Super slition to Religion makes it the more de-
form'd. And as wholefome Meat corrupteth to little
Worms j fo good Forms and Orders corrupt into a
Number of petty Obfervances. There is a Sufersfltion
■in avoiding %:ifershition^ when Men think to do beil, if
they go funheft: from iheSuperftatun formerly received.
Therefore Care would be had, that (fas it fareth in ill
Purgings) the good be not taken away with the bad,

which

46 Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfaysl

which commonly is done, when the People is the Re-
former.

XVIII.

Of Travel,

TR AVZ L, in the younger Sort, is a part of Edu-
catioil \ in the elder, a part of Experience, fe
that TV^z^c/Zf"/-/? into a Country before he hath feme En-
trance into the Language, goeth to School^ and not to
Travel. That young yi^n.Travel under fome Tutor, or
grave Servant, I allow well, fo that he be fuch a one
that hath the Language, and hath been in the Country
before, whereby he. may be able to tell them, what
things are worthy to be feen in the Country where
they go, what Acquaintances they are to feek, what
Exercifcs or Difcipline the Place yieldeth. For elfe
young Men fliall go hooded, and look abroad little. It
is a ftrange thing, that in Sea-Voyages, where there is
nothing to be feen but Sky and Sea, Men fhould make
Diaries j but in Land-Travel^ wherein fo much is to be
obferv'd, for the moft part they omit it ^ as if Chance
were fitter to be regiflred than Obfervation. Let Dia-
ries therefore be brought in ufc. The things to be feen
and obferv'd are the Courts of Princes, efpecially when
they give Audience to AmbalFadors : The Courts of
Juftice, while they fit and hear Caufes-, and fo of Con-
fiftories Ecclefiaftick . The Churches and Monaftcries,
with the Monuments which are therein extant : The
Walls and Fortifications of Cities and Towns ^ and {'d
the Havens and Harbors : Antiquities and Ruins : Li-
braries, Coll eges,Difputations and Ledures, where any
are : Shipping and Natives : Houfes and Gardens of
State and Pleafure near great Cities: Armories, Arfe-
nals, Magazines, Exchanges, Burfes, Ware-houfes: Ex-

ercife's

Of Travel, ^-f

rrcifcs of HoiTitianfhip, Fencing, Traii'ling of Soldiers,
and the like: Gomedies,fuch\vIieretmto the better fort
of Perfons do refort. Treafures of Jewels arid Robes :
Cabinets and Rarities. And to conclude, whatfoeVer
is memorable in the Places where they go. After alt
which the Tutors or Servants ought to make diligCQC
Enquiry. As for Triumphs, Mafques,Feafl:s,Weddings,
Funerals, Capital Executions, and fuch Shews •, Men
need not to be put in mind of them j yet arc they not
to be negleded. It you will have a young Man to put
his Travel into a little room, and in fhort time to ga-
ther m.ueh, this you rauft do. Firft, as we faid, hemuft
have fome entrance into the Language before he goeth.
Then he mull have fuch a Servant or Tutor as know-
eth the Country, as was likewife h\A. Let him carry
with him alfo fome Chart or Book, defcribing thd
Country where he Travelletk^ which will be a good
key to his Enquiry. Let him keep alfo a Diary. Let him
not Hay long in one City orTown, more or lefs, as the
Place deferveth, but not long: Nay, when he llayeth
in one City or Town, let him, change his Lodging
from one end and part of the Town to another, which
is a great Adamant of Acquaintance. Lethim fcqueiLer
himfelf from the Company of his Country-men, and
diet in fuch places where there is good Company of the
Nation where he Travelleth. Let him upon his Removes
from one Place to another, procure recommendation
to fome Perfon of Qiiaiity, rellding in the Phce v/hi-
ther he removeth, that he may ufe his Favour in thofe
things he dcfireth to fee or know. Thus he may a-
bridge his Travels with much profit. As for the Ac-
cjuaintance which is to be fought in Tro.-^M^ that v;hich
is moft of all profitablej is Acquaintance v/ith the Se-f
cietariesand employed Menof Amballadors •, for fo in
I ravelling in One Country, he fhaii fuck the Experience
of many. Let him alfo fce^nd viht eminent Verfons,'
in ail kinds, which arc of great Name abroad : that he
may beable to teM how the Life agreeth with thcF^me.

£ For

48 Sir Francis Bacon V EJfaysl

For Qiiarrels, they are with Care andDifcretion to be
avoided : They are commonly for MiftrefTes, Healths,
Place, and Words. And let a Man beware how he
keepeth Company with Cholerick and Quarrelfbmc
Perfons, for they will engage him into their own Quar-
rels. When a Traveller returneth home, let him not
leave the Countries where he hath Trrft^ff/T^, altogether
behind him, but maintain a Correfpondency by Letters
with thofe of hisAcquaintancewhichareofmoft worth.
And let his Travel appear rather in his Difcourfe than
in his Apparel or Gefture *, and in his Difcourfe let him
be rather advis'd in his Anfwers, than forward to tell
Stories: And let it appear, that he doth not change his
Country-Manners for thofe of Foreign Parts j but only
prick in fome Flowers of that he hath learned abroad,
into the Cuftoms of his own Country.

XIX.

Of Empire.

IT is a mifcrable State of Mind, to have few things
to delire, and many things to fear j and yet that
commonly is the Cafe o{ Kings ^ who being at the high-
eft, want matter of dcfire, which makes their minds
more languifning, and have many Reprcfentations of
Perils and Shadows, which makes their minds the lefs
clear. And this is one reafon alfo of that efted which
the Scripture fpcaketh of-, That the King's heart is infcru-
tahle. For, multitude of Jealoufies, and lack of fbme
predominant defire that fhould marfhal and put in or-
der all the relf,maketh anvMan's heart hard to find or
found. Hence it comes likcwife, that Princes min^j
times make themfclves delire, and fct their Hearts up-
on Toys: Sometimes upon a Building, fomctimes upon
ereding of an Order, fomctimes- upon the advancing
IV . ' of

Of Empire. 49

of a Perfbrij fometimes upon obtaining excellency in
Ibme Art of Feat of the Hand \ as Nero for playing on
the Harp, Domitia?i for Certainty of the Hand with the
Arrow,Co;?iwo^«/for playing at Fencc,C«r^f;?//^ for dri-
ving Chariots, and the like. This feemeth incredible
unto thofe that know not the Principal •, That the mind
of Man is more cheared and refrejhed by profiting in [mail
things ^ than by fianding at a fiay in great. We fee alio
that the Kings that have been fortunate Conquerors in
their firft years, it being notpoflible for them to go for-
ward infinitely, but that they muft havefome check or
arrell in their Fortunes, turn in their latter years to be
Superftitious and Melancholy : As did Alexander the
Great, Diode fian-^ and in ourMemory,CW/fj the Fifth,
and others: For he that is us'd to go forward, and finci-
eth a flop, falleth out of his own favour, and is not the
thing he was.

To fpeak now of the true Temper of Empire -^ It is a
thing rare, and hard to keep -^ for both Temper and
Diftemperconfifl: of Contraries. But it is one thing to
mingle Contraries, another to interchange them. The
Anfwer of Apolhnins to Veffapan is full of excellent In-
ftrudion; Fefpafian ask'd him. What was NeroV over^
throw? He anfwer'd, Nero could touch and tune the Harp
well J but in Government fornetimcs he us*d to wind the pins
too high^ fometimes to let them down too low. And certain
it is, that nothing deftroyeth Authority ^o mnch,as the
unequal and untim.ely interchange of?o\WQtPrcJfed tod
far, and Relaxed too much.

This is true, that theWifdom of all thefelatterTimes
in Princes Affairs, is rather fine Deliveries, and Shift-
ings of Dangers and Mifchiefs, when they are near^
than (olid and grounded Courfcs to keep them aloof.
But this is but to try Mafteries with Fortune .• and let
Men beware how they negled and fuffer matter of
Trouble to be prepared : for no Man can forbid the
fpark, nor tell whence it may come. The difnculties
in Princes Buiiaefs are many and great-, but the ^reat-

E 2 ed

5© Sir Francis BaconV EJfays,

eft difHcnlty is often in their own mind. For it is com-
mon with Princes O^dkhTacitHs) to will Contradictories :
Sn^t flerMrncjue Regum voliintates vehement es^ & inter fe
cent r aria. For it is the Solecifm of Power, to think to
Command the end, and yet not endnre the means.

Kings have to deal with thtixNeighbours^thtixWives^
thQivChildren^ tbdrPrelates or C/fr^^,theiriVi9/»/fj, their
SecondNohles or Gentlemen^ their Merchants^ their Com-
7vons^ and their Men of War. And from all thefe arife
Dan friers, if Care and Circimifpedion be not ufed.

Firft, For their Neighbours : There can no general
Rule be given (the occafions are fo variable) lave one,
which ever holdeth, which is, that Princes do keep due
Centincl, that none of their iW/>/7^o«rj do over-grow
lb, by increafing of Territory,(by imbracing of Trade,
by Approaches, or the like) as they become more able
to annoy them, than they were. This is generally the
work of ftanding Coiinfetsto forefee, and to hinder it.
^During tlutTriamvirate of Kings^KingHenry the 2th of
JF.riglandy Francis the \ fi ^ King oi Franc e^-AuA Charles the
5f/j Emperonr, there was fuch a Watch kept, that none
of the Three could win a Palmof Ground, butthe other
Two would ftrait-v»ays balance it, either by Confe-
deration, or if need were, by a War, and would not .
in any wife take up Peace at Intercft. And the like was
done by thatL.eague, (\n\\\c\\G nicciardine faith, was the
Security of Italy) made between Fcrdinando King, of
Naples ^Lorenz.iiis Medices^3.i\d Lndovicns Sforz^a^VolcW'
tarc,the one of Florence^ theother of Mi lain. Neither is
the Opinion of fomc of the School-men to be received ^
'Tuat a If^ar cannot jitftly he made but upon a precedent In-
it'.yy or Provocation. For there is no qucftioii, but a jult
Fear of an imminent Danger, though there be no Blow
given, is a lawful Caufeof a War.

For their Wives: There arc cruel examples of them.
Livia is infamcd for the poyfoning of her Husband :
.■'oxa!a:ia., Solyman'sVJ'ifc-, was thcdfcltrucfionofthatrc-
liowned Prince, Sultan Mufiapha., and otherwifc trou-

, ■ blei

Of Empire 51

bled his Houfe and Siicceflion : Edward the Second -of
f.figUnd^ hisQiieen had the principal hand in the<i:jpa-
fing and mnrther of her Husband. This kind of dan-
gler is then to be fear'd, chiefly when the Wives have
Plots for the raifing of their own Children, or elfe that
they be Advoutrelfes.

For their Children: The Tragedies likewife of dan-
gers from them have been many. And generally the
entring of Fathers into fufpicion of their C/j/V^rr;/, hath
been ever unfortunate. The deilrudion of A^nfiapha
(that we nam'd before) was fo fatal to Solymans Line,
as the Sitccejfion oii\{€THrks from Solyman until this day,
is fufpeded to be untrue, and of ftrange Blood ^ for
t\\?itSelymHs thefecond was thought to be fuppofititious.
The deflruftion ofCrifins^ a young Prince of rare tc^
wardnefs, by Conft ant inns the Great, his Father, was in
like manner fatal to his Houfe •, for both Conflaminas
and Confiance his Son died violent Deaths j and Confian-
tins his other Son did little better, who died indeed of
Sickijefsjbut after i\\z.t Julian us had taken Arms ag^inft
him. The deiliruction oi Demetrius^ Son to Phdv thp
StconAoiAfacedon^ turn'd upon the Father, who died
of Repentance. And many like Examples there are,
but few or none where the Fathers had good by fuck
dillruft, exceptit were where the Sons were up in open
Arms againft them ^ as was Selymns the Firit againfl:
Bajaaet^ and the three Sons oi Henry the Second, King
of England.

For their Prelates : When they are proud and great,
there is alio danger from them-, as it was in the time^
OXAnfelmns^ and77jc/w4J Becket^ Archbifhops oiCjinter'
hiiry^ who with theirCroliers did almolt try it v/iththq
King's Sword-, and yet they had to deal with ftout and
haughty Kings 5 WiUUm Rufus^ Henry the firll, and
Henry the Second. The danger is not from the State\
but where it hath a dependence of Foreign Authority •,
or where the Church-men corae in, and are elected,not
by the collatioQ of the King, or particular F4trons,but
by th,e people. - £ ^ foj.

52 Sir Francis Bacon's EJfajs.

For their Nobles: To keep them atadiftance it is not
amifs, but to deprefs them may make a King more ab-
folute, but lefs fafe, and lefs able to perform any thing
that he defires. I have noted it in my Hiftory of King
Henry the Seventh, of £;?^/-^«<fl^, who deprefled his Nohi'
lity^ whereupon it came topafsjthat hisllmeswere full
of Difficulties and Troubles-, for the Nobility^ though
they continu'd loyal unto him, yet did they notco-ope-
rate with him in his Bufinefs j fo that in effed he was
fain to do all things himfelt:

For their Second Nobles : There is not much danger
from them, being a Body difpers'd. They may fome^
times difcourfe high, hut that doth little hurt. Befides
they are a counter poize to the higher iVbi>//f>y,that they
grow not too potent: And laftly, being the moft imme-
diate in Authority with the Common People, they do
belt temper popular Commotions.

For their Mtrcbmn : They ar^ Fena j>orta • and if
they flourifh not, a Kingdom may have good Limbs,
but will have empty Veins, and nouriih little. Taxes
andlmpofts upon them, do feldom good to the King's
Revenue, for that he wins in the Hundred, he lofeth in
the Shire^ the particular Rates being increased, but the
total bulk of Trading rather decreased.

For thQii'Commofjs: There is littledanger from them,
except it be where they have great and potentHeads,or
where you meddle with thepoint of Religion, or their
Cuftoms, or means of Lite. >

For their Men of War: It is a dangerousState,whcre
they live and remain in a Body, and are usM to Dona-
tives, whereof we fee examples in the Janizaries and
Trctorlan Bands of Rome : But Trainings of Men, and
Arming them in fevernl places,and under feveralGom-
jinanders, and without Donatives, are things of De-
fence, and no danger.

Princes are like to Heavenly Bodies^ which caufe good
or evil timesi and which have much l^eneration^ but no
^f^i-. All Precepts ponceraing Jir/;r^.f,^rein effect com-
"" '■ - . . - prehended

Of CounfeL 55

prehended in thofe two Remembrances, Memento quod
ti Homo, and Memento c^uod es Dens, or Hce Dei ; the
one bridleth their Power, and the other their Will.

XX.

Of CounffL

TH E greatefl Truft between Man and Man is the
Trnft of Giving Cotmfel : For in other confidences
Men conjmit the parts of Life, their Lands,their Goods,
their Children, their Credit, to fome particular Affair:
but to fuch as they make their Counfelbrs, they commit
the whole, by how much the more they are oblig'd to
all faith and integrity. The wifeft Princes need not
think it any diminution to their Greacnefs, or derogati-
on to their SufHciency, to rely upon CounfeL God him-
felf is not without, but hath made it one of the great
Names of his blefled Son, the CoHnfeilor-, Solomon hath
pronounced, T^at in Coimfel is Stability. Things will
have their firft or fecond agitation \ if they be not tof-
fed upon the Arguments of C?«,'z/f/, they will be tofTed
upon the Waves of Forr/mf, and be full of inconftancy,
doing and undoing, like the reeling of a drunken Man,
Solomon's, Son foand the force bf Counfelj as his Father
faw the neceflity of it. For the beloved Kingdom of
God was firft rent and broken by ill Counfel \ upon
which Counfel there arefct for inftrudion the two marks,
whereby Bad Cannfel is for ever befl: difcerned, that it
was young Counfel for the Perfons, and violent Counfel for
the Matter.

The ancient Times to fet forth in figure, both the
incorporation, and infeparablc conjur.dion of Counfel
with KingSj and the wife and politick ufe of Counfel by
Kings-, the one in that they fay, Jupiter did Marry
J/ff?>, which fignificth Counfel^ whereby they intend that
E 4 Sovereignty

54 ^^f" Francis Bacon'/ EJfajs.

Sovereignty is married to Coiinfel ^ the other in that
which folipweth, which was thus : They fay, after
Jupiter Wiis married to Afetis, foe conceived by him»
and was with Child: but Jupiter fufFer'd her not to
Itay till file brought forth, but eat her up ^ whereby
he became himfelf with Child, and was delivered of
FalUs Armed out of his Head \ which monftrous Fa*
bk containeth a fecret of Empire, how Kings are to
make ufe of their CoHncil of State. That firft they ought
to refer matters unto them, which is the firft begetting
pr impregnation-, but when they are elabprate, mould-
ed, and fhaped in the Womb of their Council^ and
grow ripe, and ready to be brought forth, that then
they fuffer not their Cgmvil to go through with the
refolutioh and diredion, as if it depended on them j
|)ut take the matter hack into their own hands, and
inake it appear to the World, that the Decrees and fi-
nal Dircdions (which, becanfe they come forth with
Prudence and Power, are refembled to Pallas Armed)
proceeded from themfelves: And not only from their
Authority ^hax. (the more to add reputation to thcmiclve.s)
from their Head and Device.

Let us now fpeak of the Inconveniencies oi Ccunfel^ and
of the Remedies. The hconveniencies that have been,
noted in calling and ufing ComfeL, arc three: Firft, the
tevealing of Afi^airs, whereby they become lefs fecret.
Secondly, the weakqing of the Authority of Princes
ys if they were lefs of themfelves. Thirdly, the dan-
ger of being unfaithfully Coimfelled^ and more for th?
^ood of theni cjiat Coio/Jcl, than of him that is CotiH'
felled. For which hwonvcnlencies^ the Dodrin of /m/>',
jind practice of France in fome liings times, hath in-
i\■6(^\^x:Q(^ Cabinet Co'mcib •, a Remedy worfe than th^
pifjnfe.

As 10 ^e^recy: PritKes are not bc^und to comj.-.unicaij^
fill matters, vyith all Coun/el/lors, but ex^raft and fcieci»
Neither is it necelfiry, that he that confultetb v\hat he
Iho'jjd do^ ihould decUre what he will do. But l<^c

Princes.

OfCounfeL 5 J

princes beware, that the imjecreting of their Affairs comes
not from themfelves. And as for Cabinet Councils^ ic
may be their Motto •, Tlenns rimarum fum : One futile
Perfon, that maketh it his Glory to tell, will do more
hurt, than many that know it their Duty to conceal.
It is true, there be fome Affairs which require extreaia
Secrecy, which will hardly go beyond one or two Per-
fons befide the King : Neither are thofe Counfels ua-
profperous^ for belides the Secrecy ^ they commonly go
on conftantly in one Spirit of Direftion without di-
ftraction. But then it muft be a prudent King, fuch as
is able to grind with a Hand-mill \ and thofe Lmard
Counfellors had need alfo be wife Men, and efpecially
true and trufty to the King's ends \ as it was with King
iif»r)' the Seventh, g^ England ^ who in his greatefl bD-
linefsimpartedhimfelfto none, except it were to Afor-
ton and Fox,

For weakning of Authority : The Fable (heweth the
Remedy. Nay, the Majefty of Kings is rather exalted
than dimiuifhed, when they are in the Chair of Co««-
fel. Neither was there ever Prince bereaved of his de-
pendencies by his Council, except where there hath beea
either an over-greatnefs in one Counfellor, or an o.ver-
Ilritf^ combination in divers, which are things Toon found
and holpen.

For the lafl Inconvenience, that Men will Counfel witlj
an Eye to themfelves : Certainly, No/i inveniet fidem fw
fer terram, is meant of the nature of Times, and not of
all particular Peribns. There be, that are in nature,
faithful and fincere, and plain, and direct, not crafty
^nd involv'd : Let Princes above all draw to themfelves
fuch natures. Befides Councellors are not commonly fo
united, but that one Conacellor keepeth Centinel over
another ; fo that if any do Counfel, out of Fad^ion, or
private ends, it commonly comes to the King's Ear.
But the belt Remedy is, if Princes know iht'iv Counfellors
^5 well as their Comfe/lors kaow %h^m >

Trinci^if

56 Sir Francis BaconV EJfap.

Frincifis efi virtus maxima rtojfe [hos.

And on the other fide, Connfellors (hould not be too
fpeculative into their Sovereign's Pcrfon. The true
compofition of a Comfellor^ is rather to be skill'd in their
Maftcr's Bulinefs, than in his Nature j for then he is
like to advife him, and not to feed his humour. It is
of Angular ufe to Princes^ if they take the Opinions of
their Conttfel, both feparately and together. For pri-
vate opinion is more free, but opinion before others is
more reverend. In private, Men are more bold in
their own humours •, and in confort, Men are more
obnoxious to others humours: Therefore it is good to
take both. And of the inferior fort, rather in private,
to preferve freedom *, of the greater, rather in confort,
to preferve refped. It is vain for Princes to take Coun-
fd^ concerning Matters^ if they take no Comfel like-
wiie concerning Perfons : for all Matters are as dead
Images ; and the life of the execution of Affairs refteth
/ in the good choice of Perfons. Neither is ic enough to
confuk concerning Perfons, fecundnm genera, as in an
Jdea or Afathematical Defiriftion, what the kind and cha-
rafter of the Per/on fhould be •, for the greatefl: errors
are committed, and the moft Judgment is Ihewn in the
choke of JttvidHats. It was truly faid. Optimi Conjili"
aril mortisi-^ Bosks will fpeak plain when Coiinfelbrs
Jvlanch. Therefore it is good to be converfant in them,
cfpecially the Books of fuch as themfelves have been
Actors upon the Stage.

The Councils at this day in moft places are but fami-
liar meetings, where matters are rather talked on than
debated. And they run too fwift to the Order or Aft
of CoHnfcl. It were better, that in Caiifes of weight,
the Matter were propounded one day, and not fpoken
till the next day j In no^e Confiiuim. So was it done
in the CommifHonof iy»;o« between England and Scot'
land^ which was a ^rave and orderly Aflembly. I

commencj

Of Delays 57

commend fet days for Peticions ; for it gives both the
Suitors more certainty for their attendance, and it frees
the meetings for matters of Eftate, that they may Hoc
Agere. In choice of Committees for ripening Bufinefs
for the Council^ it is better to chufe indifferent Perfons,
than to make an Indifferency, by putting in thofe that
are ftrong on both lldes. I commend alfo ftanding
Commifftons ^ as for Trade, for Treafore, for War,
for Suits, for fome Provinces : For where there be divers
particular Councils^ and but one Council oi St ate ^ (as it
is in S^Mri) they are in effeft no more than ftanding
Commijfions '^ fave that they have greater Authority :
Let fiich as are to inform Councils out of their partici.iar
Profeflions (as Lawyers, Sea-men, Mint-men, and rhe
like) be firlt heard before Committees^ and then, as
occahon ferves, before the Council. And let them not
come in multitudes, or in a Tribunitious manner ; for
that is to clamour Councils^ not to inform them. A
long Table, and a fquare Table, or Seats about the
Walls, feem things of Form, but are things of Sub-
ftance ^ for at a long Table, a few at the upper end in
effed fvvay all the bufinefs ^ but in the other Form,
there is more ufe of the Counfellors Opinions that fie
lower. A King^ when he prefides in Council^ let him
beware how he opens his own Inclination too much in
that which he propoundeth 5 for elfe Counfellors will but
take the wind of him, and inftead of giving Free Coun*
fel, fing him a Song of Placebo,

XXI.

Of DeUjs,

FO R T U N E is like the Market, where many times
if you can ftay a little, the Price will fall. And
again, it is fometimes like Sybilla's Offer, which at firfl
pffcrcch the Commodity at full, then confumeth part

aqd

^S S/r Francis Bacon's FJptjs]

and part,and ftill holdeth up the Price. For Occafien (as it
is in the Common Verfe) mrmth a bald Noddle^ after Jhe
hath pfejentedher Locks in Front, and no hold taken j or aC
leaft turneth the handle of the Bottle firfl to be re-
ceived, and after the Belly, which is hard to clafp.
There is Ibrely no greater Wifdom, than well to time
the Beginnings and Onfets of Things. Dangers are no
more light, if they once feem light ; and more Dan-
gers have deceived Men, than forc'd them. Nay, it
were better to meet fome Dangers half way, though
they come nothing near, than to keep too long a watch
Bpon their Approaches ^ for if a Man watch too long,
kis odds he will fall afleep. On the other fide, to be
deceiv'd with too long fhadows, as forac have been,
when the Moon was low, and (hone on their Enemies
back, and fo to (hoot off before the time \ or to teach
Dangers to come on, by over-early Buckling towards
them, is another extream. The Ripenefs or Unripe-
nefs of the Occafwn, (as we faid) mull ever be well
weigh'd j and generally it is good to commit the Be-
ginnings of all great Actions to Argus with his hun-
dred Eyes, and the Ends to BriarcHs with his htindred
H^ndsv firft to Watch, and then to Speed. Far tiic
Uelrmt of Plut9, which maketh the Politick Man goin-
"«i(ible, is Secrecy in the Counfel, and Celerity in the Exer
Ctttioa. For when things are once come to the Execu-
tiiOQ,. there is no Secrecy comparable to Celerity •, like
th^ motion of a Bullet in the Air, which fiyeth fo fwift^
as k out-runs the Eye.

XXII.
Of Cunning,

WE take Cunning for a Sinider or Crooked Wif-
dom. And certainly there is gr^at difference
between a Cuming Man aiid a IVije lAm\-^ not only iq

Of Cunning. 59

point of Honelly, but in point of Ability. There be
:iiat can pack the Caids, and yet cannot play well : io
ihereare fome that are good in Caavaflesand Factions,
ihat are otherwife Weak Men. Again, it is one thing
:o underftand Perfons, and another thing to under-
[tand Matters-, for many are perfedin Mens Humours,
:hat are not greatly capable of the real part of Bu-
[inefs, which is the Conftitution of one that hath ftu-
iied Men more than Books, Such Men are fitter for
Pradice than for Counfel: and they are good but in
tlieir own Alley, turn them to new Men, and they
have loll their Aim : So as the old Rule to know a
Fool from a Wife Man \ Mitte ambos nudos ad ignotos^ <^
videhis^ doth fcarce hold for them. And becaufe thefe
Cumiing Men are like Haberdafhers of fmall Wares, ic
is not amifs to fet forth their Shop. ^

It is a point of Gmmng to wait upon him, with
whom you fpeak, wich your Eye, as the Jefuits give
it in Precept : For there may be many wife Men that
bave fecret Hearts and tranfparent Countenances. Yec
this would be done with a demure Abaling of your Eye
fometimes, as the Jefuits alfo doufe.

Another is, that when you have any thing to obtain
af prefent difpatch, you entertain and amufe the Parcy
with whom you deal, with fome other Difcourfe, that
he be not too much awake to make Objedions. I knew
3 CounccUor and Secretary^ that never came to Queen £/;-
z^beth of E'/igUnd with Bills to fijn, but he would al-
ways firfl; put her into fome Difcourfe of Eftate, that
Die might the lefs mind the Bills.

The like furprize may be made by moving things,
tvhen the Party is in hafte, and cannot flay to confider
sdvifedly of that is moved.

If a Man would crofs a Bufinefs, that he doubts ibms
other would handfoinely and eire<5lually move, let him
pretend to wilh it well, and move it hiiufelf in fueh
tort as may foyl ic.

The

6o Sir Francis BaconV Ejfajs,

The breaking off in the midft of that one was d-
bout to fay, as if he toek himfelf up, breeds a grea-
ter Appetite in him with whom you confer to know
more.

And becaufe it works better, when any thing feem-
eth to be gotten from you by Queftion, than if you
offer it of your felf ^ you may lay a Bait for a Quefti-
on, by Ihewing another Vifage and Countenance than
you are wont ; to the end, to give occafion for the
Party to ask, what the matter is of the Change, as Nc'
hemiah did , And I had not before that time been fad before
the King.

In things that are tender and unpleafing, it is good
to break the Ice by fonie whofe Words are of lefs weightj
and to refervc the more weighty voice to come in as
by chance, fo that he may be ask'd the Qijeftion upon
the other's Speech 5 as Narcijfusdidim relating to C/4«-
diits the Marriage of Mejfalina and Silius.

In things that a Man would not be feen in himfelf^
it is a point of Cunning to borrrow the name of the
World j as to fay, The World fays^ or, There is a Speech
abroad.

I knew one, that when he wrote a Letter, he would
put that which was moft material in the Pofi-fcriptj as if
it had been a By-mattcr.

1 knew another, that when he came to have Speech,
he would pafsover that he intended mofl, and go forth,
and come back again and fpeak of it, as a thing that he
bad almoft forgot.

Some procure thcmfclvcs to be furpriz'd at fuch times,
as it is like the Party that they work upon will fuddenly
come upon them, and to be found with a Letter in
their hand, or doing foniewhat which they arc net
accuftomed ^ to the end they may be oppoftd of
thofe things, which of themfelves they are defirous to
utter.

It is a point of Cuming, to let fall thofe wotds in a
Man's own Name, which he would have another Man
^ - • learn'

Of Cunning. 6 1

learn and ufc, and thereupoa take advantage. I knew
two that were Competitors for the Secretary's Place, ia
Queen Eliz^abeth's Time, and yet kept good Qiiarter
between themfelvcs, and would confer one with another
upon the Bufincfs ; and one of them faid. That to be
a Secretary in the Declination of a Monarchy^ was a tick-
lifli thing, and that he did not affeft it : The other
llrait caught up thofe Words, and difcourfed with di-
vers of his Friends, That he had no reafon to delire to
be a Secretary in the Declining of a Mon^chy. The
firft Man took hold of it, and found means it was told
the Qiteen^ Who hearing of a Declination of a Monarchy j
took it fo ill, as ftje would never after hear of the
others Suit.

ThereisaC/iw«/w^, which we in England cb\]-, Theturn'
ingoftheCatinPan'j which is, when that which a Man
fays to another, he lays it as if another had faid it to
him •, and to fay truth, it is not eafie, when fuch a mat-
ter pafs'd between two, to make it appear from which
of them it firft moved and began.

It is a way that fome Men have to glance and dart at
others, by juflifying themfelves by Negatives ^ as to
fay, This I did not : As Tigellinus did towards Burrhns ;
Se non diver fas f^es^ fed incolitmitatem Imftratoris fim^lici*
ter fpe^are.

Some have in readinefs fo many Tales and Stories, as
there is nothing they would infinuate, but they can
wrap it into a Tale, which ferveth both to keep them*
felves more in Guard, and carry it with more Fieafure.

It is a good point of Cunnings for a Man to (hape the
Anfwer he would have in his own Words and Propofi-
lions •, for it makes the other Party ftick the lefs.

It is ftrange, how long fome Men will lie in wait
to fpeak fomewhat they defire to fay, and how far about
they will fetch, and how many other matters they will
be3t over to come near it ; it is a thing of great Patience,
but yet of much life.

A fud-

6 1 5/> Francis BaeonV E//4^/.

A fudden, bold, and unexpeded Queftion, doth raa*
ny times furprize a Man and lay liim open : Like to him^
that having changed his Name, and walk'd mPauls^ a-
nother fuddenly came behind him, and call'd him by
his true Name, whereat heftreight-wayslook'd back.

But thefe fmall Wares, and petty points of Cnnnhg
are infinite \ and it were a good deed to make a Lift: of
them : For that nothing doth more hurt in a State, thaa
that CHfining Men pafs for Wife.

But certainly forae there are, that know the Reforts
and Falls of Bufinefs, that cannot link into the Main of
it : Like a Houfe that hath convenient Stairs and En-
tries, but never a fair Room. Therefore you (hall fee
them find out pretty Loofes in theConcIuiion, but are
HO ways able to examine or debate Matters : and yet
commonly they take advantage of their Inability, and
would be thought Wits of diredion. Some build rather
upon the abuhng of others, and (as we now fay) Put-
twaTricks upon them\ than upon the foundnefs of their
own Proceedings. But 5&/owo« faith, Prndens advertit
ad grejfits [hos^ Stultus divertit ad dolos.

XXIIL

Of Wifdom for X Man's felf

AN Ant is a vpife creature for it felf, but it is a fnrewd
thing in an Orchard or Garden. And certainly
Men chat are great Lo-yfri of T'/jfw/f/t.'w, waftc the Pub-
lick. Divide with rcafon between Self-love SindSociety\
and be fo true to thy Self as thou be not falfe to others,
efpcciaily toLhy King and Country. It is a ]>oor Cen^
ter of a Man's Adions, Hirhfelf. It is right Earth \ for
that only ftauds fa/l upon its own Center i, whereas all
things that have afTiaicy with the Heavens^ move upon
the Gentei of another which they BcacEt. The refer-
ring

Of Wifdom for a Man's Self 65

ring of all to a Man's Self, is more tolerable in a Sove-
reign Prince ; becaule Themfehes, arc not only Them'
felves, but their Good and Evil is at the Peril of the pub-
lick Fortune. But it is a defperace Evil in a Servant to
a Prince, or a Citizen in a Republick. For wbatfoe-
ver Affairs pafs fuch a Man's Hands, he crooketh them
to his own Ends, which mufl: needs be often Eccentrick
to the ends of his Mafler or State : Therefore let Prin-
ces or States chufe fuch Servants as have not this Mark-,
except they mean their Service fhould be made b'jt the
accelTary. That which maketh the cffedl more perni-
cious, is, that all proportion is loll^ it were dif-pro-
portion enough for the Servant's good, to be preferred
before the Mafters ; but yet it is a greater Extrcam,
when a little good of the Servant {hall carry Things a-
gainfl: the great good of the Mailers. And yet that is
the cafe of bad Officers, Treafurers, AmbafTadors, Ge-
nerals, and other falfe and corrupt Servants, which fee
a Byafs upon their Bowl, of their own petty Ends and
Envies, to the overthrow of their Mailer's great and im-
portant Affairs. And for the moft part, the Good
which Servants receive, is after the model of their owa
Fortune ^ but the Hurt they fell for that Good, is after
the model of their Mailer's Fortune. Ar.d certainly
it is the nature of extream Self loven, as they will fst
an Houfe on Fire, if it were but to roaft their Eggs : And
yetthefe Men many times hold credit with their Mafters,
becaufe their Study is bnC to pleafe them, and profic
Themfelves ^ and for either refped they will abandon the
good of their Affairs.

Wifdom for a Man's felf is in many Branches thereof a
depraved thing. It is the Wifdom of Rats^ that will be
fure to leave the Houfe fometime before it falls. It is
the Wifdom of the Fox, that thrufls ont the Badger, who
digged and made room for him. It is the Wifdom of
Crocodiles, that fhed tears when they would devour : But
that which is fpecially to be noted, is, that thofe which
(as Cicero fays of Pomvey) are, Sni amamts fnc rivali,

F are

64 Sir Francis Bacon'^ ^Jf^js*

are many times unfortunate. And whercis they have:
all their time facrificed to Themfelves, they become in
the end Themfelves Sacrifices to the Inconftancy of For-
tune, whofe Wings they thought by their Self-Wifdom
to have pinnioned.

XXIV.

Of Innovation.

AS the Births of living Creatures at firft are ill fba-
pen, fo are all Innovations^ which are the Births
ot Time. Yet notwichftanding, as thofe that firft bring
Honour into their Family, are commonly more wor-
thy than mofl: that fucceed : So the firfl: Precedent (if it
be good) is feldom attained by imitation. For 111 to
Man's Nature, as it ftands perverted, hath a natural mo-
tion, ftrongefl: in continuance : But Good as a forced
motion, ftrongefl at firlf. Surely every Medicine is an
Innovation \ and he that will not apply new Remedies,
mull exped new Evils : For Time is the greateft Innova-
tor. And if Time of courfe alter Things to the worfe,^
and Wifdom and Counfel (hall not alter them to the
better, whatfhall be the end ? It is true, that what is
fettled by Cuftom, though it be not good, yet at leafl: it
is fit. And thofe things which have long gone together
are as it were confederate within themfelves, whereas
new Things piece not fo well : But though they help by
their utility, yet, they trouble by their Inconformity.
Befides, they are like Strangers^ more admired, and lefs
favoured. All this is true, if Time flood flill \ which
contrariwife raoveth fo round, th=it a forward retenti-
on of Cu/lom is as turbulent a thing, as an Innovation:
and they that reverence too much old Times, are but a
icorn to the new. It were good therefore, that Men
ia their Innovations would follow the Example of Time

it

Of DifpauL 65

hfelf; which Meed Jnnovateth grcatlYt but quietly,
and by degrees, fcarce to be perceived : For otherwifc
wliatfocver is new, is unlook'd for *, and ever ic mends
fome, and pairs other : And he thac is holpen, takes
it for a Fortune, and thanks the Time ^ and he that is
hurt, for a V/rong, and imputeth it to the Author. It
is good al fo, not to try Experiments in States, except
the neceffity be urgent, or the utility be evident ; and
well to beware, that it be the Reformation that draw-
eth on the Change, and not the defire of Change thac
pretendeth the Reformation. And laftly, that the
Novelty^ though ic be not rejeded, yet be held for a
fufpeft : And as the Scripture faith. That we make a
fiand upon the ancient xvay^ and then look about us, and dij-
cover what is the fir eight and right way, and fo to walk
in it.

XXV.

Of Difpatch,

AVfeEled Difpatch is one of the mofl dangerous things
to Bufinefs that can be. It is like thac which
thePhyficians call Pre-digefiion, or Hafty Digeftion, which
is fure to fill the Body full of Crudities, and fecret Seeds
of Difeafes. Therefore meafure not Difpatch by the
times of fitting, but by the advancement of the Bufi-
nefs. And as in Races, it is not the large flride, or
high Life that makes the Speed \ fb in Bufinefs^ the
keeping clofe to the Matter, and not taking of ic too
much at once, procnreth Difpatch. It is the care of
fome only to come offfpeedily for the time, or to con-
trive fome falfe Periods of Bufinefs, becaufe they may
feem Men of Difpatch. But it is one thing to abbreviate by
contrading, another by cutting off ^ and Bufinefs fo hand-
led at feveral Sittings or Meetings, goeth commonly

F 2 back-

66 Sir Francis Bacon^ Ejfajs,

backward or forward in an unlleady manner. I knevtr
a Wife Man^ that had it for a by-word, when he faw
Men haften to a Conclufion \ Stay a little ; that we may
make an end the fooner.

On the other fide, True Difpatch is a rich thing. For
Tinae is the meafure of Bulineis, as Money is of Wares ^
and Bufinefs is bought at a dear hand, where there is
fmall Difpatch. The Spartans and Spaniards have been
noted to be of fmall Difpatch^ Mivenga la M^terte de
Spafna, Let my Death come from Spain, for then it will
be lure to be long in coming.

Give good hearing to thofe that give the firfl Infor-
mation in Bufinefs •, and rather dired them in the be-
ginning, than interrupt them in the continuance of
their Speeches : For he that is put out of his own order,
will go forward and backward, and more tedious
while he waits upon his Memory, than he could have
been, if he had gone on in his own courfe. But fome-
times it is feen, that the Moderator is more trouble-
fome than the Ador.

Iterations are commonly lofs of Time, but there is no
fuch gain of Time, as to tterate often the State of the
Ouefiion j for it chafeth away many a frivolous Speech as
it is coming forth. Long and curious Speeches arc as^
fit for Difpatch^ as a Robe or a Mantle with a long train
is for a Race.

Prefaces and Paflages, and Excufations, and other
Speeches of reference to the Perfon, are great wallers
of time •, and though they feem to proceed of Modefly,
they are Bravery. Yet beware of being too material,
when there is any impediment or obftrudtion in Men's
Wills ^ for pre-occupatiou of Mind ever requireth Pre-
face of Speech, like a fomentation to make the unguent
enter.

Above all things, Order^ and Diftribiitiony and Sing'
ling out of Parts^ is the life of Difpatch : fo as the Di/lri-
button be not too fubtle ^ for he that doth not divide,
will never enter well into Bufinefs : And he that divi-

dcth

Of Seeming Wife, 6j

deth too much will never come out of it clearly. To
chnfe Time, is to fave Time, and an unfeafonable
motion is but beating the Air. There be three parts
of Bufinefs^ the Freparatian, the Debate or Examinanon,
and the Ferfe^:on ^ whereof if you look for Difpatch
let the middle only be the work of many, and the firft
and lafl the work of few. The proceeding upon fome-
what conceived in Writing, doth for the mod pare fa-
cilitate Difpatch : For though it (honid be wholly re-
je^cd, yet that Negative is more pregnant of diretfli-
on, than an Indefinite ', as Afhes are more generative thaa
Dull.

XXVI.

Of Seemirfg Wife.

IT hath been an Opinion, that, the French are wifer
than they feem, and the Spaniards feem wifer than
they are. But however it hz between Nations, cer-
tainly it is fo between Man and Man. For as the A-
poftle faith of Godlinefs, having a pew of Gadltnefs, hut
denying the Fower thereof ^ fo certainly there are iu points
of Wffdom and Sufficiency, that to do nothing or little
very folernnly ^ Mag>ia conatn nugas. It is a ridiculous
thing, and fit for a Satyr, to Pertons of Judgment, to
fee what fhifts thefe Formallfts have, and wl.^t pro-
fpedives to make Superficies to feera Body, that hath
depth and bulk. Some are fo clofe referved, 'as they
will not (hew their Wares, but by a dark Light j and
feem always to keep back fomewhat : And when they
know widiin themfelves, they fpeak of that they do
DOt well know, would neverthelefs feem to others, to
know of that which they may not well fpeak. Some
help themfelves with Countenance and Gefture, and

F 3 are

6i Sir Francis Bacon's EJfays.

are wife by Signs ^ as Cicero faith of Pifo, that when hei
anfwered him, he fetched one of his Brows up to his
Forehead, and bent the other down to his Chin : Re-
fpondes^ altera ^ Frontem fiiblato^ altera ad MentHm de-
prejfo fupercUioj cnidelltatem tlbi non placer e. Some think
to bear it, by fpeaking a great Word, and being pe-
remptory i and go on, and take by admittance that
which they cannot make good. Some whatfoever is
beyond their reach, will feem to defpifc or make light
of it, as impertinent or curious, and fo will have their
Ignorance feem Judgment. Some are never without a
difference, and commonly by amufing Men with a fub-
tilty, blanch the Matter ^ of whom A. GelUiis faith, //<?-
minem delirum qui verborum mlnMlis rerum frangit pondtrti*
Of which kind alfo Plato in his Protagoras bringeth in
Tradicus in fcorn, and maketh him make a Speech, that
confifteth of didindions from the beginning to the end.
Generally fuch Men in all deliberations find eafe to be
of the Negative fide, and affcdl a credit to objed and
foretel Difficulties : For when Propofitions are denied,
there is an end of them r, but if they be allowed, it re-
quireth a new Work j which falfe point of Wifdora h
the Bane of Bufinefs. To conclude, there is no decay-
ing Merchant, or inward Beggar, hath fo many tricks
to uphold the credit of their Wealth, as thefe empty"
Perfons have to maintain thecreditof their Sufficiency.
Seeming Wife Men may make ffiifc to get Opinion, but
let no Man chufe them for Employment ^ for certainly
you were better take' for Bufinefs a Man fomewhat ab-
furd, than over-formal.

XXVII. Of

69

XXVIL

Of Friendlhip,

IT had been hard for him that fpoke it, to have put
more truth and untroth together in tew Words, than
ill that Speech, lll'jofoever is delighted in SolitHje^ is either
a mid Beafi, or a God. For it is moft true, ihit a na-
tural and fecret hatred, and averficion towards Society
in any Man, hath fomewhat of the Savage Beafl ^ but
it is moft untrue, that it Ihould have any Character at
all of the Divine Nature, except it proceed not out of
a pleafure in Solitude^ but out of a lo\'^ aad defiie to
fequefter a Man's felt for a higher Converfation ; fuch
as is. found to have been falfly and feignedly in forae of
the Heathen, as Eptnenides the Candian^ Niima the Ro'
man, Empedocles the Sicilian, and A^ollonins of Tyana ;
and truly and really in divers of the ancient Hermits
and Holy Fathers of the Church. But litile do Mea
perceive what ScUtiide is, and how far it extendeth :
For a Crown is not Company, and Faces are bat a
Gallery of Pidures, and Talk but a TinUir.g Cymbal,
where there is no Love. The Latine Adage meeteth
with a little, Magna Civitas, magna foUrndo ; becaufe
in a great Town Friends are fcattered, fo that there is
not chat fellowlhip, for the mofi: part, which is in lefs
Neighbourhoods. But we may go farther, and affirm
molt truly, that is a meer and miferahle Solitude to
want Friends, without which the World is but a Wil-
dernefs : And even in this Senfe alio of Solitude, who-
foever in the Frame of his Nature and Affections is
unfit for Friettdfiiip, he takcth it of the Beaft, and not
from Humanity.

A Principal Fruit of Friendfhip is, the Eafe and DiC*
charge of the Fulnefs and Swellings of the Heart, which
Paffions of all kinds do caufe and induce. We know

F 4 Pif-

70 Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfajs.

Difeafes of Stoppings and SufFocations are the mofl dan-
gerous in the Body, and it is not much otherwife in
Mind : You may take Sarz.a to open the Liver, Steel
to open the Spleen, Florvcr of Sulphitr for the Lungs,
Caftoreum for the Brain \ but no Receipt openeth the
Heart, but a true Friend, to whom you may impart
Griefs, Joys, Fears, Hopes, Sufpicions, Counfels, and
whatibever lieth upon the Heart to opprefs it, in a kind
of Civil Shrift or ConfeiTion.

It is a ftrange Thing to obferve, how high a Rate
great Kings and Monarchs do fee upon this Pruh of
FnenJJlnp whereof we fpeak ; lb great, as they purchafe
it many times at the hazard of their own Safety and
Grcatnefs. For Princes, in regard of the Diftance of
their Fortune from that of their Subjects and Servants,
cannot gather this Fruit, except (to make themfclves,
capable thereof) they raife fome Perfons to be, as it
were. Companions, and almoft Equals to themfelves,
which many times forteth to Inconvenience. The mo-
dern Languages give unto fuch Perfons the Name of
Favonritcs or Privadoes^ as if it were matter of Grace or
Converfatiou. But the Roman Name attaineth the true
Ule and Caufe thereof, naming them Panicipes Cnra-
rum ; for it is that which tieth the Knot, and we fee
plainly that this hath been done, not by weak and paf.
iionate Frances only, but by the Wifell, and moft Po-
litick that ever reigned : Who have oftentimes joyned to
themfelves fome of their Servants, whom both them-
felves have called Friends, and allowed others likewife
to call them in the fame manner, niing the Word which
is received betv/een Private Men.

L. Sylla, when he commanded Rome, raifed Pompeji
(after furnamed the Great) to that Height, that Pompey
vaunted himfelf for Sylla's Over-match : For when he
had carried the ConfnlJlnp for a Friend of his againfl: the
purfuit of Sylla, and that SylU did a little refenc
thereat, and began to fpeak great, Pompey turned upon
bim again, and in effed bad hira be quiet ^ For that

more

Of Friendjfj'tp. 71

more Men adored the Sufj-rijif?^ than the Snn-feiti/7g. With
Julius^ Becius Drutas had obtained that Interell, as he
fet him down in his Teftament, for Heir in Remainder
after his Nephew. And this was the Man that had Power
with him, to draw him forth to his Death. For when
Cafar would have difcharged the Senate, in regard of
fome ill Prefages, and efpecially a Dream oi Calphrnia-^
This Man lifted him gently by the Arm out of his
Chair, telling him, he hoped he would not difmifs the
Senate, till his Wife had dreamed a better Dream. And
it feemeth his Favour was fo great, as Antomns in a Let-
ter which is recited Verbatim in one of Ckeroh Philippi'
qites^ called him Venefica^ Witch ., as if he had enchanted
Cdtfar. Augufius raifed Agrippa (though of mean Birth)
to that Heighth, as when he confuked with Mcecenas
about the Marriage of his Daughter JuUa^ Alaecenas
took the Liberty to tell him, That he mitfl either marry
his Daughter to Agrippa, or take away his Life ^ there was
r.o third way^ he had made him fo great^ With Tiberius
Cafar^ Sejanus had afcended to that Heighth, as they
two were termed and reckoned as a pair of Friends. Ti-
berius in a Letter to him, faith, Hac pro Amicitia nofira
non occHltavi ^ and the whole Senate dedicated an Altar
to Friefidfhipj as to a Geddefs^ in refped of the greac
Dearnefs of Fricndjlnp between them two. The like or
more was between Septimins Sevems and PUmiauHs \ for
he forced his eldeft Son to marry the Daughter of Plan-
tiamts^ and would maintain Plantianus in doing Affronts
to his Son, and did write alfo in a Letter to the Senate
thefe words j J love the Man fo well^ as I wifh he may over-
love me. Now if thefe Princes had been as a TV^j-Vi;/, or
a Marcus AHrelihs, a Man might have thought, that this
bad proceeded of an abundant goodnefs of Nature ^
but being Men fo wife, of fuch flrcngch and feverity of
Mind, and fo extream Lovers of themfelves, as all tiiefe
were •, it proveth more plainly, that they found their
own felicity (though as great as ever happened to Mor-
tal Man) but as an half Piece, except they might have.

a Friend

72 Sir Francis BaconV EJfays.

a Friend to make it Entire \ and yet, which is more, they

were Princes that had Wives, Sons, Nephews, and yet

all thefe could not fupply the Comfort of Friend-

Pp.

It IS not to be forgotten, what Commines obferveth of
liis Mailer, Duke Charles the Hardy ; namely, That he
would communicate his Secrets with none^ and leafl:
of all thofe Secrets which troubled him rnofl. Where-
upon he goeth on, and faith, that towards his latter
Eime ^ That clofenefs did impair^ and a little perijh his Vn-
derflanding. Surely, Commines might have made the
fame Judgment alfo, if it had pleafed him, of his fe-
cond Mafter, Leipw the Eleventh, whofe Clofenefs was
indeed his Tormentor. The Parable of Pythagoras is
dark, but true. Cor nt edito^ Fut not the Heart. Cer-
tainly if a Man would give it a hard Phrafe, thofe that
want Friends to open themfelves unto, are Cannibals
of their own Heart. But one thing is moft admirable,
(wherewith I will conclude this firfi; Fmit of Friend-
^iipy) which i"), That this Communicating of a Man's
Self to 2i Friend, works two contrary efFefts^ for it re-
doubleth Joys^ and cutteth Griefs in Halfs :, for there is
no Man that imparteth his Joys to his Friend^ but he
Joyeth the more *, and no Man that imparteth his Griefs
to his Friend, but he grieveth the lefs. So that it is ia
truth an Operation upon a Man's Mind of like Vertue,
2S the Alchymifis ufe to attribute to their Stone for Man's
Body, that it worketh all contrary cfFeds, but ftill to
the Good and Benefit of Nature \ but yet without bring-
ing in the Aid of Alchymifis^ there is a manifefl Image of
this in the ordinary courfe of Nature : For in Bodies
Vnicn ftrengtheneth and cherilheth any natural Adion \
and on the other fide, weakneth and dulleth any vio-
lent Impreflion \ and even fo it is of Minds.

The fecond Fruit of Friendjhip is Healthful and Sove-
reign for the Vnderfianding, as the firfl: is for the Aftefti-
ons : For Friendjhip makcth indeed a faif Day in the Af-
fg^ions from Storm andTempefts^ but it maketh Day-
light

Of Frie/idflfip. 7J

light ia ihzVnderflanding out of Dark'nefs and Confufioa
ot Thoughts. Neither is this to be underftcod only of
Faithful Counfcl which a Man receiveth from his
Friend : But before you come to that, certain it is, that
wholbever hath his Mind fraught with many Thoughts,
his Wits and Underftanding do Glarifie and break up
in the Communicating and Difcourfing with another ;
he tofleth his Thoughts more eafily, he marihalleth
them more orderly, he feeth how they look when they
are turned into Words. Finally, he waxcth wifer than
Himfelf; and that more by an hours Difcourfe, thaa
by a days Meditation. It was well faid by ThemifiocUs
to the King of Perfia^ That Speech was like Cloth of Arras
opened and put abroad, whereby the Imagery doth appear in
Figure ^ whereas in Thoughts they lie bnt as in Tacks. Nei-
ther is this fecond Frtut of FriendJIiip, in opening the
Vnderjianding, reflrained Only to fuch Friends as are able
to give a Man Counfel ; (they indeed are bcfl) but e-
ven without that a Man learneth of himfcif, and bring-
eth his own Thoughts to Light, and whetteth his Wits
as againft a Stone, which its felf cuts not. In a Word,
a Man were better relate himfelf to a Statue or Picture,
than to fuffer his Thoughts to pafs in fmother.

And now to make this fecond Fruit of Friendfup
compleat, that other Point which lieth open, and fai-
leth within Vulgar Obfervation, which is Faithfid Ccun-
fel from a Friend. Heraclitus faith well in one of his
Enigma's •, Dry Light is ever the befi. And certain it is,
that the Light that a Man receiveth by Counfel from a-
Eother, is drier and purer than that which cometh from
his own Vnderflanding and Judgment, which is ever in-
fu fed and drenched in his Affe^icns and Cuftoms, fo as
there is as much difference between the Counfel that a
Friend giveth, and that a Man giveth himfelf, as there
„is between the Counfel of a Friend, and of a Flatterer -^
for there is no fuch Flatterer as is a Man's Self ; and
there is no fuch remedy againft Flattery of a Man's Self,
as the liberty of a Friend, Counfel is of two forts j the

one

74 ^^f" Francis Bacon's Fffajs.

€inzconcermas Manners^ the other concerning Bnjiriefs.
For t\\t firll ^ the beft prefervaiive to keep the Mind
i» Health, is the faithful Admonition of a Friend. The
caFling of a Man's felf to a ft rid account is a Medicine
fometime too piercing and corrolive. Reading good
Books of Morality, is a little Flat and Dead. Obfer-
fing our Faults in others, is fometimes unproper for
oar cafe. But the befl Receipt (heft, 1 fiy) to work,
sad belt to take, is the Admonition of a Friend. It is a
ifrrange thing to behold, what grofs Errors, and ex-
tream Abfurdities many (efpecially of the greater fort)
do commit, for want of a Friend to tell them of them,
to the great damage both of their Fame and Fortune :
for, as St. Jjimes faith, they were as Men that loakfome-
times into a GUfs, And prefently forget their own Shape and
Favonr. As for Bitjinefs, a Man UTay think, if he v;ill,
ihat two Eyes lee no more than one, or that a Game-
i^er fccth always more than a Looker on •, or that a
Man m Anger is as wife as he that hath faid over the
lour and twenty Letters ^ or that a Musket may be fhoc
off as well upon the Arm, as upon a Reft ., and fuch
other fond and high Imaginations, to think himfclf All
ia All. But when all is done, the help of good Counfet
js that which fetteth Bnfinefs ftreight \ and if any Man
fhink that he will take Gonnfel^ bat it fliali be by pieces^
iasking Co:tnfel in one Bufinefs of one Man^ and in ano-
ther Bufinefs of another Man \ it is well, (that is to fay,
better perhaps than if he ask'd none atal!) hut he run-
neth two Dangers •, one, that he Ihall not faitiifully be
Counfelled ; for it is a rare thing, except it be from a
perfeft and entire Friend^ to have Counfel given, but fuch
is fliatl be bowed and crooked to fome ends, which he
hath that giveth it. The other,that he fhall have Connfel
given, hurtful and unfafe, (though with good meaning)
and'mixt^ partly of mifchief,and partly of remedy : even
as if you would call a Phyfician, that is thought good for
the cure of the Difeafe you complain of, but is unac-
quainted with your Body j and therefore may put you

in

Of Frierjdffjtp. j^

ia a way for prefent Cure, but overthroPv'cth your
Health in fome other kind, and fo cure the Difeafe,
and kill the Patient. .But a Friend that is wholly ac-
quainted with a Man's Eltate, will beware by furthering
any prefent Bitfinefs^ i)Ovv he dafheth upon other Incon-
venience j and therefore rells not u^ionfcattercd Cakufch^
for they will rather diftract and mif-kad, than fettle
and direct.

After thcfe two noble Fntits of Fnendpiip^ (Peace in
the AffeEilo:-7s, and Support of the Judgment) follow eth the
lalt Fr:tit which is like the Pomerramtte, full of maof
Kernels ; I mean j^idy and Bearing a part in all Aciicm
and Occajiom, Here the beft way to reprefent to the
Life the manifold ufe of Friendjhip^ is to call and fee, how
many Things there are, which a Man cannot do him*
felf i and then it will appear, that it was a fparing
Speech of the Ancients, to fay, That a Friend is anctthtr
himfelf-^ for that a Friend is far more than himfelf-
Men have their Time, and die many times in defirc of
fome Things^, which they principally take to Heart j The
bellowing of a Child, the finifhing of a Work, or the
like. If a Man have a true Friend, he may reft almog;
fccure, that the care of thofe Things will continue after
him : So that a Man hath as it were two Lives in his
Deiires. A Man hath a Body, and that Body is con-
fined to a Place ^ but where Friendjhip is, all Oiiices of
Life are as it were granted to him and his Deputy ; for
be may exercife them by his Friend. How many Things
are there, which a Man cannot, with any face or com-
linefs, fay or do himfelf ? A Man can fcarcc alledge
his own Merits with Modefty, much lefs extol them :
A Man cannot fometimes brook to fapplicate or beg ;
and a number of the like. But all thefe Things are grace-
ful in a Friend's Mouth, which are blufhing in a Ma-n*s
own. So again, a Man's Perfon hath many proper-
Relations, which he cannot put off. A Man cannot
fpeak to his Son, but as a Father ; to his Wife but as a
Husband j to his EnCiTy, but upon terms. Whereas a

Friejui

7 6 Sir Francis BaconV Effaj's.

Friend may fpeak as the cafe requires, and not as it ibrt-
cth with the Perfon : But to enumerate thefe Things
were cndlefs : I have given the Rule, where a Man
cannot fitly play his own part : If he have not a Fncnd^
he may quit the Stage.

XXVIII.

Of Expefice,

RIC HE S are for fpending, and fpending for Ho-
nour and good Aftions; Therefor Extraordinary
Ex fence mud be limited by the worth of the occaflon.
For yoUtntary Vndoing may be as well for a Man's Com'
try^ as for the Kingdom of Heaven ^ but Ordinary Ex fence
ought to be limited by a Man's Eftatc, and governed
with fuch regard, as it be within his compafs, and not
fobjedt to deceit and abufe of Servants, and ordered to
the belt fhew, that the Bills may be lefs than theEfti-
mation abroad. Certainly, if a Man will keep but of
even hand, his Ordinary Exptnces ought to be but to the
half hisReceipts : And if he thinks to wax Rich, but to
the third part. It is no bafcnefs for the greateft to de-
fcend and look into their own Eflate. Some forbear it,
not upon negligence alone, but doubting to bring them-
felves into Melancholy, in refpcS they fhall find it
broken ; but Wounds cannot be cured without fearch-
Jng. He that cannot look into his own Eflatc at all,
had need both chufe well thofe whom he employeth,
and change them oftner ; for new are more timerous,
and lefs fubtle. He that can look into his Efbate but
feldom, it bchoveth him to turn all to certainty. A
Man had need, if he be plentiful in fome kind of Ex-
fcnce^ to be as faving again in fome other : As if he be
plentiful in Diet, to be faving in Apparel: U he be
plentiful in the Hall, to be faving in the Stable, and
the like. For he that is plentiful in Exfences of all kinds,

will

Of Kjngdoms and Ejlates. 77

«p111 hardly be pieferved from decay. In clearing ot j
Man^ Eftate, he may as well hurt himfelf, in being
too fudden, as in letting it run on too long. For haft7
Selling is commonly as difadvantageous as Intereft.
Befides, he that clears at once will relapfe ^ for find-
ing himfelf out of ftreights, he will revert to his
Cuftoms : But he that cleareth by degree?, indoceth
a habit of Frugality, and gaineth as well upon his
Mind as npoa his Eftate. Certainly, who hath a State
to repair, may not defpife fmall Things: And com-
monly it is lefs diflionourable to abridge petty Charges,
than to (loop to petty Gettings. A Man ought warily
to begin Charges, which once begun will continue ^ but
in Matters that return not, he may be more Magnifi-
cent.

XXIX.

Of the true Great/tefs of KJftgdoms and
EJlates.

TH E Speech of Themiftodes the Athenian, which
was haughty and arrogant, in taking fo much to
hira-felf, had been a grave and wife Obfervation and
Ccnfure, applyed at large to others : Delired at a Fcaft
to touch a Lute, he faid, He could not Fiddle^ but yet he
could make a fmall Town a great City. Thefe Words,
(holpen a little with a Metaphor) may exprefs two dif-
fering Abilities in thofe that deal in Bufinefs of State.
For it a true Survey be taken of Counfellors and Statef-
men, there may be found (though rarely) thofe which
can make a fmall State great, and yet cannot Ftddle : As
on the other fide, there will be found a great many
that tan Fiddle very cunningly, but yet are fo far from
beiog able to make a fmall State great, as their Gift lieth

the

78 Sir Francis BaconV EJfap,

the other way, to bring a great and flourifhing Eftate
to ruin and decay. And certainly thofe degenerate
Arts and Shifts, whereby many Counfellors and Go-
vernors gain both Favour with their Mailers, and Efti-
mation with the Vulgar, deferve no better name than
Fidling^ being Things rather pleafing for the time, and
graceful to themfelves only, than tending to the weal
and advancement to the State which they fcrve. There
are alfo (no doubt) Counfellors and Governours
which may be held fufficient (Negonis fares) able to
manage Afflurs, and to keep them from Precipices, and
manifelt Inconveniencies, which neverthelefs are far
from the ability to raife and amplifie an Eflate in power,
means, and fortune. But be the Workmen what they
may be, let us fpeak of the Work •, That is, the trne
Greatnefs of Kingdoms and Eflates, and the Means thereof.
An Argument fit for Great and Mighty Princes to
have in their Hand, to the end, that neither by over-
meafuring their Forces, they leefc themfelves in vain
Enterprifes, nor on the other fide, by undervaluing
them, they defcend to fearful and pufilanimous Com'
fels.

The Greatnefs of an Eftate in Bulk and Territory,
doth fall under meafure ^ and xhQ Greatnefs of Finances
and Revenue, doth fall under Computation. The Po-
pulation may appear by Mufters, and the Number and
Greatnefs of Cities and Towns by Carts and Maps.
But yet there is not any thing among Civil Affairs,
more fubject to Error, than the right Valuation, and true
Judgment, concerning the Power and Forces of an
Eftate.

The Kingdom of Heaven is compared not to any great
Kernel or Nut, but to a Grain of Mufiard-feed, which
is one of the Icaft Grains, but hath in it a Property and
Spirit haftily to get up and fpread. So are their States
great in Territory, and yet not apt to Enlarge or Com-
mand j and fome that have but a fmall dimenfion of
Stem, and yet apt to be the Foundations of great Mo-
narchies. Walled

Of Kjngdoms and, Eflates. •^^

Walled Towns^ Scored Arfenals and Armories.
Goodly Races of Horfe, Chariots of War, Elephants,
Ordnance, Artillery, and the like : All this is but a
Sheep in a Lyon's Skin, except the breed and difpofition
of the People be ftont and warlike. Nay, Nnraber
(it felf) in Armies iniporteth not much, where the
People is of weak Courage : For, (as Firail fairh) It ne-
ver troubles a Wolf, how many the Sheep be. The Army
of the Perfiansj in the Plains of Arhela^ was fuch a vafE
Sea of People, as it did fomewhat afionifli the Com-
manders in Alexander^ Army ^ who came to him there-
fore, and wilhed him to fet upon them by Night ; but
he anfwered. He would not pilfer the nBory : And th^
Defeat way cafie.

When Ttgranes the y^rmenian, being encamped upoa
a Hill with 400000 Men, difcovered the Army of the
Romans, being not above 14CC0 marching towards
him, he made himfelf Merry with it, and faid, Tonder
Men are too many for anAmbajfage^ andioo jevo for a Ftght :
But before the Sun fet, he found them enough to give
him the Chafe with infinite Slaughter. Many arc the
Examples of great odds between Number and Courage :
So that a Man may truly make a Judgment, That the
principal point of Greatncfs in any State, is, to have a
Race of Military Men. Neither is Money the Sinews
of War, (as it is trivially faid). where the Sinews
of Men's Arms in Bafe and Effeminate People are faiJ-
ing. For Solon faid well to Crcefus, (when in Often-
tation he (hewed him his Cold) Sir, if any other come^
that hath better Iron than you, he will be Mafter of all this
Gold. Therefore let any Prince or State think foberly
of his Forces, except his Militia of Natives be of good
and valiant Soldiers. And let Princes on the other
fide, that have Snbje»fts of Marrijl Difpo2JLio2, imoyy
their own Strength, unlels they be otherwife wantirt^
unto themf^ivcs. As for Mercenary Forces, (which is the
Help in this Cafe) ali Examples fhcw, chat whatfbever
Ellate or Prince doth rell upon themj He may fprcad

G hif

So StK Francis Bacon^ Ejfap.

his Feathers for a tune, but he will mew them foon after.

The Bleffing of Judas and Jjfachar will never meet,
'That the fame People or Nation jhould he both the Lions
Whelps andAfs between Burthens : Neither will it be, thaC
a People over- laid with Taxes, fhould ever become Va-
liant and Martial. It is true. That Taxes levied by
Confent of the State, do abate Men's Courage lefs, as
it hach been feen notably in the Exercifes of the Low Conn-
tries \ and in fome degree in the Subfdies of England :
For you muft note, that we fpeak now of the Heart, and
not of the Purfe. So thaK although the (ame Tribntt
and Tax^ laid by Confent, or by impofing, be all one
to the Purfe, yet it works diverfly upon the Courage:
So that you may conclude. That no People o'oer-charged with
Tribute, is fit for Empire.

Let States that aim at Greatnefs, take heed how their
Nobility and Gentlemen do multiply too faft : For thaE
maketh the Common Subjed grow to be a Peafant
and a bafe Swain, driven out of Heart, and in cfied
but a Gentleman's Labourer : Even as you may fee in
Coppice Woods. Jf you leave your Stadles too thick, you
jhall never have clean Vnderwood, but Shrubs and Bujhes,
So in Countries, if the Gentlemen be too many, the Com-
mons will be bafe : And you will bring it to that, that
not the hundredth Poll will be fit for an Helmet*, e-
fpecially as to the Infantry, which is the Nerve of an
Army -, and fo there will be great Population and little
Strength. This which I fpeak of, hath been no where
better feen, than by comparing of England and Prance :
Whereof England, though far lefs in Territory and Po-
pulation hich been neverthelefs an Over-match •, in re-
gard t!ie Middle People of England make good Soldiers,
which the Peafants of France do not. And herein the
device of K. Henry the Seventh (whereof I have fpokea
largely in the Hilary of his Life) was profound and Ad-
mirable in making Farms and Houfes of Husbandry,
of a Standard : That is, maintained with fuch a Pro-
portion of Land unto them, as may breed a Subject to

live

Of Kjfighms ^nd Eftdtes. S i

live in Convenient Plenty, and no Servile Condition :

and to keep the Plough in the hands of the Owners,

and not meer Hirelings. And thus indeed you fhail

attain to f^ir^ifs Character which he gives to AncienE

Italy,

•^ — ■ — —Terra jtotens armifcjue at que ttbere Gleba.

Neither is that State (which for any thing I know,
is almoft peculiar to E»gUnd^ and hardly to be found
any where elfe, except it be perhaps in Poland) to be
pafled over \ I mean the State of Free Servants and At'
tendants upon Noblemen and Gentlemen, which are nO
ways inferiour to the Teomanry for Arms : And therefore,
out of all Queflion, the Splendor and Magnificence, and
great Retinues, and Hofpitalicy of Noblemen and Gen'^
tlemen received into Cuftom, doth much conduce unto
Martial Greatnefs : Whereas contrariwife, the clofe and
referved Living of Noblemen and Gentlemen, caufeth a
Penury of Military Forces.

By all means it is to be procured, That the Trunk of
NebuchadnezzMr's Tree of Monarc^jy, be great enough to
bear the Branches, and the Boughs ^ that is. That the
Natural Subjects of the Crown or State, bear a fufficienC
Proportion to the Stranger Subjetls that they govern,;
Therefore all Scates that are liberal of Naturalization
towards Strangers are fit for Empire. For to think that
an Handful of People can wicii the greateft Courage
and Policy in the World, embrace too large extent of
Dominion, it may hold for a time, but it will fail fud-
denly. The Spartans were a nice People in point of
Naturalization-, whereby, while they kept their compaft
they flood firm ^ but when they did fpread, and their
Boughs were became too great for their S!:em, they be-
came a Wind- fail upon the fuddeo. Never any State
was in this Point fo open to receive Strdrgers into their
Body, as were the Romans, therefore ic forted with
them accordingly : For they grew to the greateft Ma-
f7archy. Their manner was to grant Naturalization,
(which they called Jus Civitatis) and to grant it in the

G 1 highelt

82 Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfajs,

highefl Degree ^ that is, not only Jus CommercH^ Jus
Conn lib a, Jus Hxreditatts^ hxHaX^oJusSHfragiiy and Jus
Honor urn. And this, not to fingiilarPerfons alone, but
likewife to whole Families ^ yea, to Cities, and fomer
times to Nations. Add to this their Cultom of Plan-
tation of Colonies^ whereby the Roman Plant was re-
moved into the Soil of other Nations j and putting
both Conftitutions together, you will fay, that it was
not the Romans that fpread npon the World^ but it
was the World that fpread upon the Romans 9 and that
was the fure Way of Greatnefs. I have marvelled
fometimes at S^ain^ how they clafp and contain fo
large Dominions with fo few natural Spaniards : But
fure the whole Compafs of Sfain is a very great Body
of a Tree, far above Rome and Sparta at the firft : And
befides, though they have not had that ufage to natu-
ralize liberally, yet they have that which is next to it j
that is, To employ^ almofi indifferently^ all Nations in their
Militia of ordinary Soldiers -J yea, and fometimes in their
Highefi Commands. Nay, it feemeth at this inftant, they
are fcnfible of this want of Natives, as by t\\t Pragma-
tical SanBion^ now publilhed, appcareth.

Itiscertain, that .W^^/f^ry and IVithin-door Arts^ and
delicate Manufadtures, (that require rather the Finger,
than the Arm) have in their Nature a Contrariety to a
Military Difpolition. And generally all Warlike People
dre a little Idle, and love Danger better than Travel :
neither muftthcy be too much broken of it, if they ihall
be preferved in Vigour. Thereforeitwas great Advan-
tage in the Ancient States of Sparta^ Jthens^ Rome^ and
6ther§, thatthey hadtheufe of Slaves^ which connnouly
did rid thofe Mannfadures ^ but that is abolifhed in
greatefl part by ihe ChYiJiian Law. That u'hich cometh
neareft to it, is to leave thofe Arts chiefly to Stran-
geis (which for that purpofearc the more ealJly to be
received) and to contain the principal Bulk of the
vulgar Natives within thofe three kinds ;, Tillers of the
Ground, Free Servants, and Handicrafts Men of flrong

and

Of Kjngdoms and Eftites. 8}^

and manly Arts ; as Smiths, Mafons, Carpenters, &c,
not reckoning profcffed Soldiers.

But above all, for Empire and Greatnefs it importeth
moll, that a Nation do profefs Arms as their principal
Honour, Study and Occupation : For the things w hich we
formerly have fpoken of, are but HabiUtations towards
Arms-, and what is H^ihUitation^ without Intention and
A^ ? Romulus after his death (as they report or feign^
fent a Prefent to the RomAns^ that above all they Ihould
intend Arms, and tiien they fhould prove the greateft
Empire of the World, TheJFabrick of the iV^fe of
Sparta was wholly ( though not wifely ) framed and
compofed to that Scope and End. The Perf^^ns and
MAcedonians had it for a Flafli. The Galby Germans^
Goths^SaxotJs^Norr-iansy and Others had it fori! time The
Tnrks have it at this day, though in great De*.!? tion.
Of Chrillian £«ronf ^ they that have it, are i.. .Tect
only the Spamardj. But it is fb plain, T>..it every 7^ fan
pro^teth in that he mofi intendeth^ that it ueedeth not tO
be flood upon. It is enough to point at it, that ao
Nation which doth not direclly profefs Arms, may
look to have Greatnefs fall into their Mouths. And oa
the other fide, it is a mofb certain Oracle of Time, that
thofe States that continue long in that Profcflion (as
the Romans and Turks principally hiave done) do Won-'
ders •, and thofe that have profeffed Arms but for an
Age, have notwithftanding commonly attained that
Greatnefs In that Age, which maintained them long
after, when their Profeffion and Exercife of Arms arc
grown to decay.

Incident to this Point is, for a State to have thole
Laws or Cnftoms which may reach forth unto them
juft Occafions (as may be pretended) of War : For
there is that Jullice imprinted in the Nature of Men,
that they enter not upon Wars (whereof fo many Ca-
lamities do enfue) but upon fome, or at leaft fpecious
Grounds and Quarrels, The Turk hath at hand, for
cauie of War, the Propagation of his Law or Sed, a

G i QiiaiTel

S4' Sir Francis Bacon's Ejfajs.

Quarrel that he may always Command. The Romans
though they efteemed the extending the Limits of their
Empire to be great Honour to their Generals, when it
was done ^ yet they ftever refted upon that alone to be-
gin a War. Firfl therefore, let Nations that pretend to
Creatffefs^h^ve this j that they be fenfible of Wrongs,ei-
therupon Borders,Merchants,or Politick M[nifl:ers,and
that they fit not too long upon a Provocation. Second-
ly, let them be preft, and ready to give Aids and Suc-
cours to their Confederates ^ as it ever was with tbeRo-
mans : Infomuch as if the Confederate had Leagues
defenfive with divers other States, and upon Invalion
offered, did implore their Aids feverally •, yet the Ro-
mans would ever be the foremoft, and leave it to none
other to have the Honour. As for the Wars which
were anciently made on the behalf of a kind of Party,
or tacit Conformity of Eflate, I do not well fay, how
they may b? well juftified : As when the Romans made
a War for theLiberty of Gr^zcia ^ or when thtLacedx-
monians and Athenians made Wars to fct up or pnll down
Democracies andOligarchies-^ or when Wars were made
by Foreigners, under the pretence of }uftice or Pro-
te<^ion, to deliver theSubje(fls of others from Tyranny
and OpprefTion, and the like. Let it fuffice, That no-
Eftate exped to be Great, thsit is not awake, upon any
jufl Occalion of Arming. ' '

tsfo Body can be Healthful without Exercife^ nei-
ther Natural Body, nor Politick •, and certainly to a
Kingdom or Efiate, a Jnft and Honourable War is the
true Exercifc.- A Civil War indeed is like the Heat of
a Fever ; bnt a Foreign War is like the Heat of Exer-
eife^ and ferveth to keep the Body in Health : For in a
f!o;hful Peace both Courages will effeminate, and Man-
ners corrupt. But howfoever it be forHappinefs with-
out all Qiiefl-ion \ for Grcatnefs^ it maketh to be llil),
for the moll; part in Arms ^ and the ftrength of a
Vcterane Army (though it be a chargeable Bufinefs)
jtlways on Foot, is that Which Commonly giveth the
' ' ' " Law,

Of K^ingdoms and EJIates. 85

Law, or atleafl; the Reputation amongll all Neighbour-
ing States ; as may well be feen in Spain^ which hath
"had in one part or other a Veterane Army, alraoft con-
tinually, now by the fpace of fixfcore Years.

To be Mafter of the Se,i, is an Abridgoatnt of a Mo-
narchy. Cicero writing to Aniens^ of P»mpey his Pre-
faratien againfi: C^/^r, laith, ConfiUnm Pompeii plare
Themifiocleum efi ^ Put at enim cjiti Mari potitur^ enm Re^
rum potiri. And without doubt Pempey had tired out
Ce/^r, if upon vain Confidence he had not left that
Way. We fee the great Eifefts of Battles by Sc.^.. The
Battle of AcHnm decided the Empire of the World.
The Battle ofLepar.to arrefted the Greatnefsof theT/</-X-.
There be many Examples, where Sea-Fights have been
Final to the War : But this is when Princes or States
have fet up their Rell upon the Battles. But thus much
is certain, that he that Conmiands the Sea^ h at great
Liberty, and may take as much, and as little of the
War, as he will j whereas thofe that be ftrongeft by
Land, are many times neverthelefs in great Streights.
Surely at this day, with us of Europe^ the Vantage of
llrength at Sea (which is one of the principal Dowries
of this Kingdom of Great Britain) is great : Both be-
caufe raofl: of the Kingdoms of Europe are not meerly
In-land, but girt with the Sea^ raoft pait of their Com-
pafs j and becaufe the Wealth of both I:; dies feem in
great part b^^t an Acceflary to the Command of the
Sea.

The Wars of Latter Ages feem to be made in the Dark,
in refpe^t of the Glory and Honour which refieded up-
on Men from the Wars mAncie7;tTirne. There be now
for Martial Encouragement, fome Degrees and Orders
of Chivalry, which neverthelefs are conferred promil-
cuoufly upon Soldiers, and no Soldiers ^ and fome Re-
membrance perhaps upon the Scutcheon ^ and fome
Hofpitals for maimed Soldiers, and fuch like Things,
But in Ancient Times, the Trophies erected upon the
riice of the Victory j the Funeral Laudatiyes and Mo-

G 4 nu meats

8$ Sir Francis Bacon'/ EJfajs.

numents for tbofe that died in the Wars •, the Cro\vii,s
and Garlands perfonal •■, the Style of Emperor, which
the grcatKing of the World after borrowed j the Tri-
umphs of the Generals upon their Return •, the great
Donatives and Largefles upon the disbanding- of the
Armies,were Things able to enfiame all Men's Courages.
But above all, that of the Triumph amongft the Romans^
was not Pageant or Gawdry, but one of the Wifefl
and Nobleftlnftitutions that ever was: For it contained
three Things j Honour to the General j Riches to the
Treafuryout of the Spoil-, and Donatives to the Army.
But that Honour perhaps were not fit for Monarchies^
except it be in the Perfon o^th^Monarch hi mfelf, oralis
Sons J as it cam.e to pafs in theTimes of theRomanEm-
ferors, who did impropriate the Adual Triumphs to
themlelves, and their Sons, for fuch Wars as they did
atchieve in Perfon ^ and left only for Wars atchieved
by Subjefts, fome Triumphal Garments and Enfigns to
the General.

To conclude, No Man can, by Care taking (as the
Scrip are faith) add a Cubit to his Stature^ in this little
Model o^2iAian''s Body • but in the great Fram.e of King-
doms and Common -Wealths^ it is in the Power of Princes
or Eilatesto add Amplitude and Greatntfs to their King-
doms. For by introducing fuch Ordinances, Conftitu-
tions and Cuftoms, as we have now touched, they
may fow Greatncfs to their Polterity and SuccefFion.
But thefe Things are commonly not obfervcd, but letc
to take their Chance.

XXX.

Of Regime y?t of Health,

TH E R E is a Wifdom m this beyond the Rules of
Phy/ick : A Man's own Obfervation what he finds
good of, and what he finds hurt of, is the belt Phyfick

'■■■"■■ '■■ ■ ' ■ t"^

Of Regiment of Hedth. S7

Xo preferve Health. But it is a fafer concluiloii to fay.
This arreeth not wellmth me^ therefore I will not contimit
it^ than this, If^nd no offence of this ^ therefore I may nfe
it. For ftrength of Nature in Youth pafTeth over many
Excefles which are owing by a Man till his Age. Dif-
cern of the coming on of Years, and think not to do
the fame Things ftill \ for Age will not be defied. Be-
ware of fudden change in any great point of Diet \
and if necefHty inforce it, fit the reit to it : For it is a
Secret both in Nature and State, that it is fafer to change
many Things than one. Examine thy Oifloms of Di-
et, Sleep, Exercife, Apparel, and the like : And try
in any thing thou {halt judge hurtful, to difcontinue it
by little and little , but fo, as if tho'i doft find any in-
convenience by the change, thou come back to it again :
For it is hard to diftinguifh that which is generally held
good and wholeforae, from that which is good partiai-
larly, and fit for a Man's own Body. To be free mind-
ed, and chearfully difpofed at hours of Meat, and of
Sleep, and of Exercife, is one of the belt Precepts for
long Life. As for the Paflions and Studies of the Mind \
avoid Envy, anxious Fears, Anger fi-etting inwards,
fubtil and knotty Inquifitions, Joys, and Exhilarations
inExcefs, Sadnefs not communicated^ entertain Hopes,
Mirth rather than Joy, variety of Delights, rather thaa
furfcit of them, Wonder and Admiration, and there-
fore Novelties, Studies that fill the Mind with fplendid
and illuHrious Objects, as Hiftories, Fables, and Con-
templations of Nature. If you fly Phyfick in Health al-
together, it will be too ftrange for your Body when
you fhall need it. If you make it too faniiiiar, it will
work no extraordinary Effect when Sicknefs cometh.
1 com. mend rather fome Diet for certain Seafons, than
frequent ufe of Thyfich^ except it be grown into a Cu-
ftom : For thofe Diets alter the Body more, and trouble
it lefs. Defpife no new Accident in your Body, but
ask Opinion of it. In Sicknefs refp^d: Health principally,
and in Heakh^ .Action : For thofe that put their Bodies

to

88 Sir Francis Bacon'j EJJays,

to eadure in Healths may in moll Skknejfes^ which are
not very fiiarp, be cured only with Diet and tending.
Celfm could never have fpoken it as aPhy/ician^ had he
not been a wife Man withal, when he giveth it for one
of the great Precepts of Health and Lafting, That a
Man do vary, and interchange Contraries, but with an
inclination to the more benign Extream- life Fafting
and full Eating, but rather full Eating •, Watching and
Sleep, but rather Sleep j Sitting and Exercile, but rather
Exercife, and the like ^ So fhall Nature be cheriflied,
and yet taught Mafleries. Thyfuiam are fbme of them
fo plealing, and conformable to the Humour of the Pa-
tient, as they prefs not the true Cure of the Difeafe \
andfbme other arefo regular,in proceeding according
to Art for the Difeafe, as they refped not fufficiently
the Condition of the Patient. Take one of a middle
Temper, or if it may not be found in one Man, com-
bine two of either fort ^ and forget not to call as well
the beft acquainted with your Body, as the bell reput-
ed of for his Faculty.

s

XXXI.

Of Sufpicion,

V SP rciO NS amongfl Thoughts are like Bats
amongft Birds, they ever fly by twilight. Certain-
ly tbcyareto be reprefTed, or at lead well guarded ^ for
they cloud the Mind, they lecfe Friends, that they check
with Buiuiefs, whereby Bufmefs cannot go on currant
and conftantly. They difpofc Kings to Tyranny, Huf-
bands to Jealoufic, Wife Men to Irrefolution and Me-
lancholy. They are defects, not in the Heart, but in
the Brain j for they take place in the Itoutcil Natures :
As in the Example ot Be. nry the Seventh of England^
there was not a nioreS.«y]?/nV/^;Man, nor a more Stout*,

And

Of Dffcourfe. 89

And in fuch a Compofition they do fmall hurt. For
commonly they are not admitted, but with Examination
whether they be likely or no •, but in fearful Natures
they gain Ground too fall. There is nothing makes a
Man fftfpecl much, more than to know little;, aiid there-
fore Men (hould remedy Sufftcion^ by procuring to
know more, and not to keep their S«/p/c/fl«j in fmother.
What would Men have ? Do they think thofe they im-
ploy and deal with areSaiiits ? Do they not think they
will have their own Ends, and be truer to themfelves
than to them? Therefore there is no better way to ^K/?-
derateSHfficions^ than to account uponflich5«//)/a(;;7j as
true, and yet to bridle them as falfe. For ib far a Man
ought to makeufe oi Spiff icions^ as to provide, as if that
Ihould be true that he Jf^fpecls^ yet it may do him no
hurt. SnfvicioKs that the Mind of it felf gathers are but
Buzzes, but SnfficisKs that are artificially nourifhed, and
put into Me»''s Heads by the Tales^ and whifpering of
others, have Sting*. Certainly the belt means to clear
the way in this fame Wood of Sufftcions^ is frankly to
communicate them with the Party that hz faff eels ^ for
thereby he fhall be fure to know more of the Truth of
them than he did before •, and withal, Ihall make that
Party more circumfpeft, not to give further Caufe of
Snfficion. Kut this would not be done to Men of bafe
Natures: For they, if they find themfelves oncQ/n/peff-
td^ will never be true. Th^haLans lay, Sofpetto Hcemiji
fede •, as if SHfpkion did give a Pafport to Faith : But it
ought rather to kindle it, to difcharge it felf.

XXXII.

Of Difcourfe,

SO M E in their Difcourfe defire rather commenda-
tion of Wit, in being able to hold all Arguments,
than of Judgment in difcerning what is true : As if it

>verc

9^ Sir Francis Bacon's FJfys'.

were a Praife to know what might be faid, and not
what ihould be thought. Some have certain Common
Places, and Themes, wherein they are good, and want
variety^ which kind of Poverty is for the moft part te-
dious, and when it is once perceived, ridiculous. The
honourableft part of Talk, is to give the occafion, a-
gain, to moderate and pafs to fomewhatelfe •, for then
a Man leads the Dance. It is good in Difcourfe and
Speech of Converfation, to vary and intermingle Speech
of the prefent occafion with Arguments, Tales with
Reafons, asking of Qiieftions with telling of Opinions,
and Jeft with Earneft : For it is a dull Thing to Tire,
and as we lay now, to Jade any thing too far. . As for
Jeft, there bexertain Things which ought to be privi-
leged from it •, namely, Religion, Matters oi State,
Great Perfbns, any Man's prefent Bufinefs of Impor-
tance, and any Cafe that deferveth pity. Yet there be
Ibme that think their Wits have been afleep, except they
dart out fomev/hat that is piquant, and to the quick ;
•That is a Vein which fhould be bridled.

Farce^ Fuer^ fiirmdis^ & fortius utere lor Is,

And generally Men ought to find the difference ber .
tween Saltnefs and Bitternefs. Certainly he that hath
aSatyricalVein, as he maketh others afraid of his Wit,
fo he had need be afraid of others Memory. He that
queftioneth much, fliall learn much, and content much ^
"but efpccially if he apply his Qiiefbions to the Skill of
the Perlbns whom he asketh : For he (hall give them
occafion to plcafe themfelves in Speaking, and hirafelf
fhall continually gather Knowledge. But let hisQiielli-
ons not be troublefome*, for that is fit for a Pofcr : And
let him be fare to leave other Men their turns to fpcak.
Nay, if there be any that would reign, and take up all
the time, let him find means to take them off, and to
bring others on, as Muficians ufe to do with thofe that
dance too long Galliards. If you dilfemble fometimes

your

Of Difcourfe, 91

your Knowledge of that you are thought to know, yon
fhail be thought another time to know that you know-
not. Speech of a Man's felf ought to be feldom, and
well chofen. I knew one was wont to fay in fcorn. He
mufi needs be a Wife Afan^ he freaks fo much of himjelf :
And there is but one Cafe, wherein a Man may com-
mend himfelf with good Grace, and that is, in com-
mending Vertue in another ^ efpecially if it be fuch a
Vertuew hereunto himfelf pretendeth. Speech of touch
towards others fhould be fparingly ufed : Yov Difcourfe
ought to be as a Field, without coming home to any
Man. I knew two Noblemen of the Weft part of Eng-
land^ whereof the one was given to Scoff, but kept e-
ver Royal Cheer in his Houfe : The other would ask
of thofe that had been at the others Table, Tell truly^
was there never a Flout or dry Blow given ? To which
the Gucft would anfwer, Such and fuch a Thing faffed :
The Lord would fay, / thought he would mar a good
Dinner. Difcretion of Speech is more than Eloquence -
and to fpeak agreeably to him with whom w^e deal, is
more than to fpeak in good Words and in good Order.
A good continued Speech, without a good Speech of
Interlocution, Ihews Slowncfs •, and a good Reply, or
fecond Speech without a good fettled Speech, (heweth
Shallow nefs and Weaknefs ; as we fee in Beafts, that
thofe that are weakeft in the Courfe, are yet nimbleft
in the Turn \ as it is betwixt the Greyhound and the
Hare. To ufe too many Circumftances cVe one come
to the Matter, is wearifbme j to ufe none at all, is
blunt.

XXXIIL

91 Sir Francis BaconV Ejfyi,

XXXIII.

Of PUnUtions.

PLANTATIONS areamongft Ancient, Primitive,
and Heroical Works. Whenthe World was young,
it begat more Children •, btit now it is old, it begets
fewer : For I may juftly account new Plantations to be
the Children of former Kingdoms. I like a Plantation
in a pure Soil, that is, where People are notDifflaitted^
to the end, to Plant others *, for elfe it is rather an Ex-
tirpation, than a Plantation. Planting of Countries is
lik^ Planting of Woods j for you mull make account to
lofe ahnoll: Twenty Years Profit, and expeft your Re-
compence in the end. For the principal Thing that hath
been the deftruclion of moft Plantations, hath been the
bafe and hafty drawing of Profit in the firft Years. It
is true, fpeedy Profit is not to be neglefted, as far as
may ftand with the good of the Plantation, but no fiir-
ther. It is a fiiameful and unblefled Thing, to take the
Scum of People, and wicked condemned Men, to be
the People with whom you Phmt : And not only fo, but
it fpoileth the Plantation ; for they will ever live like
Rogues, and not fall to Work, but be Lazy, and do Mif-
thief,and fpend Vicluals,and bequickly weary ^ and then
certifie over to their Country to the difcrcdit of the
P//7;7r^f/o;7.ThePeople wherewith you Plant, oughtto be
Gardeners, Plough-men, Labourers, Smiths,Carpenters,"'
Joiners, Fiihermen, Fowlers, with fome tew Apothe-
caries, Surgeons, Cooks, and Bakers. In a Country «
of Plantation, firll look about what kind of Victual the
Country yields of itfclf toliand^ asChernuts,Walnuts,
Pine-Apples, Olives, Dates, Plumbs, Cherries, Wild-
Hon(?yi and the like, and make ufe of them. Then
con lid er what Victual, or Efculent Things there are,
v/hich grow fpccdily, and within the Year : asParfnips,

Carrots^

Of FldjatAtions, 9^

Carrots, Turnips, Onions, Raddifiii Artichoaks of
Jerufalem^ Aiaiz.^ and the like» For Wheat, Barky,
and Oats, they ask too much Labour : But with Peafe
and Beans you may begin, both becaufe they ask lefs La-
bour, and becaofc they ferve for Meat as well as for
Bread. And of Rice likewife cometh a great Encreafe,
and it is a kind of Meat. Above all, there ought to be
brought ftore of Bisket, Oat-meal FJour, Meal, and
the like, in the begitining, till Bread may be had. For
Beafts and Birds, take chiefly fuch as are leaft fubjedt
to Difeafes, and multiply faftell ^ as Swine, Goats,
Cocks, Hens, Turkey?, Geefe, Houfe-Dovcs, and the
like. The Victual in Pi^tations ought to be expended,
almoll as in a befieged Town i that is, with a certaia
Allowance ^ and let the main part of the Ground
employed to Gardens or Corn, be to a common Stock
and to be laid in, and ftored up, and then delivered
out in Proportion, befides fome Spots of Ground than
any particular Perfon will Manure for his own private
life. Confider likewife what Commodities the Soil,
where the Plantation is, doth naturally yield, that they
may fome way help to defray the Charge of the Planta-
tion : So it be not, as was faid, to the untimely Prejudice
of the main Bulinefs^ as it hath fared with Tobacco ia
f^irgima. Wood commonly aboundeth but too much,
and therefore Timber is fit to be one. If there be Iroa
Ore, and Streams whereupon to fet the Mills, Iron is a
brave Commod ity where Wood aboundeth. Making of
Bay-Salt, if the Climate be proper for it, would be puc
in Experience. Growing Silk likewife if any be, is a
likely Commodity. Pitch and Tar, where ftore of Fii s
and Pines are will not fail. So Drugs, and Sweec
Woods, where they are, cannot but yield great Profit.
Soap-Alhes likewife, and other Things that may be
thought of. But Moil not too much under Ground ^ for
the hope of Mines is very uuGcrtain, and ufeth to make
the Planters Lazy in other Things. For Government, lec
ic be in the Hands of one aiQilGd with fome Counfei j

and

9^4 ^^^ Francis BaconV kjjajsl

and let them have Commiflion to Exercife Martial Laws
with fome Limitation. And above all, Let Men make
that Profit of being in the Wildernefs, as they have
God always, and his Service before their Eyes. Let not
the Government of the Plantation depend upon too
many Counfellors and Undertakers in the Country that
PUntethy but upon a temperate number^ and let thofe
be rather Noblemen and Gentlemen, than Merchants;
for they look ever to the prefent Gain. Let there be
Freedoms for Cuftom, till the Plantation be of Strength ;
and not only Freedom from Cuftom, but Freedom to
carry their Commodities, where they may make the
belt of them, except there be Ibme fpecial caufe of Cau-
tion. Cram not in People, by fending too faft. Com-
pany after Company, but rather hearken how they
walle, and fend Supplies proportionably j but fo, as the
number may live well in the Plantation^ and not by fur-
charge be in Penury. It hath been a great endangering
to the Health of fome Plantations^ that they have built a-
long the Sea and Rivers in Marfhy and Unwholefome
Ground?. Therefore, though you begin there to a-
void Carriage, and other like Difcommodities, yet build
i\\\\ rather upwards from the Streams, than along. lE
concerneth like wife the Health of the Plantation^ that
they have good ftore of Salt with them, that they may"
life it in their Victuals, when it (ball be neceflary. If
you Plant where Saviiges are, do not only entertain
them with Trifles and Gingles, but ufe them jullly and
gracioiifl)^, with fufficient Guard neverthelefs \ and do
not win their Favour by helping them to invade their
Enemies, but for their defence it is not amils. And fend
oft of them over to the Country th^t Plants that they
may fee a better Condition than their own, and commend
it when they return. When the Plantation grows to
Strengrh, tiicn it is time to Plant with Women as well
as with Men, that the Plantation may fprcad into Gene-
rations, and not he ever pieced from without. It is the
llnfiillert 1 hing ia the World to forfake or deftituCe a

Plantation

Of Riches. 95

Tlamation once in forwardnefs \ for befides the diftio-
nour, k is guiltinefs of Blood of many commiferable
Perfbns.

XXXIV.

Of Riches.

I Cannot call Riihes better than the baggage of Virtue.
The Roman Word is better, Impedimenta •, for as the
baggage is to an Army, fo is Riches to Vertue. It can-
not be fpared, nor left behind, but it hindreth the
March : Yea, and the care of it fometimes lofeth or
difturbeth the Vidory. Of great Riches there is no
real ufe, except it be in the Diftribution, the reft is buE
conceit : So faith Solomon, Where much is there are many
to confume it j and what hath the Owner ^ but the fight of it
with his Eyes ? The perfoiial Fruition in any iMan can-
not reach to feel great Riches : There is a Cuftody of
them, or a Power of Dole and Donative of them, or a
Fame of them, but no folid ufe to the Owner. Do you
not fee what feigned Prices are fet upon little Stones
and Rarities ? And what Works of Oftentation are un-
dertaken, becaufe there might feem to be fome ufe of
great Riches ? But then you will fay, they may be of
ufe to buy Men out of Dangers or Troubles : As Selcmon
faith, Riches are a ftrona Held in the Imagination of the
Rich Man. But this is excellently exprefied. That it is
in ImaginMion, and not always in Fa5i :■ For certainly
great Rtches have fold more Men than they have boughc
out. Seek not proud Riches, but fcch as thou mayeffc
get juftly, ufe foberly, diflributechearfully, and leave
contentedly : Yet have noAbllract nor Friarly Contempt
of them, but dillinguifh, as Cicero faith well of Rahirius
Pojlhumits •, In fludio rei ampllfcand^ afparebar, non Ava^
riti* pradanty fed injlramentum Bonitatis^ ^lusri. xJear-

H ^ea

96 Sir Francis Bacon^ EJfap,

ken alfo to Solomon^ and beware of hafty gathering of
Riches : Qui fefiinat ad DlvitiaSy non exit inJQVS. The
Poets feign, that when Pl»tHs (which is Riches) M fent
from Jupiter^ he limps and goes flowly •, but when he
is.feni from Pluto^ lie runs, and is fwift of Foot-; mean-
ing, that Riches gotten by g09d Means, and juft Labour,
pace flowly : But when they come by the Death of o-
thers, (as by thecourfe of Inheritance, Teftaments, and
the like) they come tumbling upon a Man. But it
might be applied likewife to Plino, taking him for the
Devil ; for when Riches come from the Devil ("as by
fraud, and Oppreflion, and unjuft Means) they come
upon Speed. The ways to inricii are many, and moft
of them foul ; Parfmony is one of the bell, and yet is
not innocent; for it with-holdeth Men from Works of
Liberalicy and Charicy. The Improvement of the Ground
is the mod natural obtaining of Riches \ for it is our
Greac Mothers Blefling, the Earths, but it is flow; and
yet where the Men of great Wealth do ftoop to Husban-
dry, it multiplieth Ridies exceedingly. I knew a Noble-
man of England^ that had the greatefl: Audits of any
Man in my Time : A great Grailer, a great Sheep-Mafl"er,
a great Timber-man, a great Collier, a great Corn-
Mafl:er, a great Lead-man, and lb of Iron, and a num-
ber of the like Points of Husbandry ; fo as the Earth
feemed a Sea to him in rcfpcd of the perpetual Impor-
tation. Ic was truly obferved by One, that himfelf
came very hardly to a little Riches, and very eafily to
great Riches ; for when a Man's Stock is come to that,
that he can expe(!t the Prime of Markets, and overcome
thofe Bargains, which for their greatnefs are few Men's
Money, and be Partner in the Ind»fl:ries of younger Men,
he cannot but increafc mainly. 7'he Gains of ordinary
Trades 'M'\^ f^ocations are Honefl, and furthered by two
Things, chiefly, by Diligence, and by a good Name,
for good and fair Dealing. But the Grains of Bargains
are of a more doubtful Nature, when Men fhall wait
npon others Neceffity, broke by Servants and Inflru-

mencs

Of Riches. gj

mihti to draw them on, put ofT others cunningly that
would be better Chapmen, and the like Pradices which
are Crafty and Naught. As for the Choppir?^ of Bargains^
when a Man buys, not to hold, but to fell over again,
that commonry grindeth double, both upon the Seller
and upon the Buyer. Shartngs do greatly inrlch^ if the
Hands be well chofen that are trufted. Vfury is the cer-
tainefl: means of Gain, though one of the word \ as
that whereby a Man doth eat his Bread, In fndore vid-
tus alieni : And befldes, doth Plow upon Sundays.
But yet, certain though it be, it hath Flaws j for that
the Scriveners and Brokers do value unfouind Men to
ferve their own turn. The Fortune^ in being the firft
i-u an Invention, or in a Privilege, dothcaufe fbmetimes a
wonderful overgrowth in Riches; as it was with the firlt
Sugar-Man in the Canaries : Therefore if a Man can play
the true Logician, to have as well Judgment as Invention,
he may do great Matters, efpecially if the Times be fit.
He that refteth upon Gains Certain, (hall hardly grow to
great Riches ; and he that puts all upon Adventures, doth
oftentimes Break, and come to Poverty : It is good

, therefore to gx^zx^ Adventures with Certainties that may
Uphold Lofles. Monopolies and Coemption of Wares for^f-

. fale, where they are not rellrained, are great means to'
Enrich, efpecially if the Party have Intelligence what
Things are like to come into Requell, and to ftore hira-
felf beforehand. Riches 'gotten by Service, though it
be of the belt Rife, yet when they are gotten by Flat-
tery, feeding Humours, and ot!ier ferviie Conditions,
they may be placed amongfl: the Worll. As for fifhing
for Teftaments and Executorpips, (as Tacitus faith of Sene-
ca, Tejramenta & Orbos tanquam Indcigine capi) it is yet
worfe, by how much Men fubmit tliemTelves to mea-
ner Perfons, than in Service. Believe not much them
that feem to defpife Riches ; for they dcfpife them that
defpair of them, and none worfe when they come to
them. Be not Penny-wife ; Riches have Wings, and
foraecimes they fly away of themfelvcs ; fometimes

H 2 they

9? Sir Francis Bacon'j EJfaysl

they mil ft he fet flying to bring in more. Men leave
their Riches either to their Kindred, or to thePnblick ^
and moderate Portions profper beft in both'. A great
State left to an Heir, is as a Lure to all the Birds of
Prey round about to feize on him, if he be not the
better eftablifhcd in Years and Judgment. Likewife
glorious Gifts and Foundations are like Sacrifices with-^
out Salt^ and but the Painted Sepulchres ofAlms^ which
loon will putrifie and corrupt inwardly : Therefore mea-
liire not thine Advancements by quantity, but frame
them by meafure \ and defer not Charities till Death :
For certainly if a Man Weigh it rightly, he that doth
ip i^* ??^tejiberal of another Mans, than of his own.

ixxv.

Of Prophecies,

IM E A N not to fpeak of Divine Prophefies^ nor of
Heathen Oracles, nor of Natural Predidions, but
only of Prophecies that have been of certain Memory,
and from hidden Caufes. Saith tht Python ijfa to Saul^
7o morrow thou and thy Son Jliall be with me. Homer hath
thefeVerfes.

u4t damns ayEnedi. cunUis dominahitur oris.
Et nati natorum^ & qui nafcentur ah ilUs.

A Prophefie^ as it feems, ot the koman Empire. Seneca^
the Tragedian^ hath thefe Verfes.

J''enief7t Ann is

Scciila ferisj quibns Oceanus
yincula rcram laxet^ C^ in^cns
Pateat Telbts^ Tiphyfcjiic novos
Detegnt othes •, nee Jic t err is
'Ultir/ia Thale :

A

Of Prophecies, 99

A Prophejie of the Difcovery of America. The Daugh-
ter of Polycrates dreamed, thac Jupiter bached her Fathef,
and Apollo anoinced him \ and it came to pa(s that he
was Giucified in an open Place, where the Snn made
his Body run with Sweat, and the Rain wailied it.
Philip of Macedon dreamed he fealed up his Wife's Bel-
ly ; whereby he did Expound it that his Wife Ihould be
Barren : But A'lfiander the Sooth-Saycr rold him his
Wife was with Child, becaufe Men do not ufe to feal
VefTels that are empty. A Phantafra thac appeared to
Ad. BrutHs in his Tent, faid to him, Philippis ternm me
videbis. Tiberius faid to Galba^ Tu <jkO:jue^ G*tlba^ de-
^uftabis Imperiitm. In Fefpafians, Time there ^'ent a Pro-
^aecy in the Ea(l, that thofe that (houfd coraf* forth of
Jndea Ihould Reign over the World : Which though it
may be was meant of our Savioitr, ^ ezTacitus Expounds
it of Fejpafian. Domitian dreamed the Ntght before he
was Slain, thac a Golden Head was growing out of the
Nape of hi'^Neck: And indeed the SuccelTion that fol-
lowed him for many Ye irs made Golden Times. Henry
the Sixth of England, faid of Henry the Seventh, when
he was a Lad, and gave him Water, This is the La4
th.tt jliall er^joy the Crown for which we firive. When I was
in France, I heard from one DoSor Pena, that the Q^een
Mother, who was given to cirioiis Arts, caufed the
King her Husband's Nativity to be Calculated under
a falfe Name : And the Aftrologer gave a Judgment,
that he fhoald be killed in a Duel \ at which the Qjeen.
laughed, thinking her Husband to be above Challenges
and Duels : But he was Slain upon a Courfe at Tile, the
Splinters of the Staff of A4o:igomery going in at his Bever.
The trivial Prophecy thac i heard vyhen \ was a Child,
and Qiieen EUzjibetb was in the Flower of her Year?,
was j

H 3 msn

ipo Sir Francis Bacon's EJfsjis]

IVben Hcmfe is ffnty
Eagland'-f dane.

Wereby it was generally conceiYed, that after the
Princes had Reign^, whidi had the principal Letters
of that Word Hemf^ (which were Herry^ Edzcardy
M*ry^ Philips and Elizjtbetby) England (houid COOie tO
Utter Confxiiion ^ which thanks b« to God is verified
la theChange of the Name ^ for that the King's Style is
ho more of EngUnd^ but of Britai^. There was alfo a-
nother Profhecy^ before the Year of 8S^ lyhich I do not
wcQ nndcrfiiand :

There fitaU he feen ufen 4 Di^^
Between the ^ugh Mid the May,
The BUck Feet of Nop^ay.
When that is com: and gme^
England iuild Honfes of Lime and St one ^
For ^ftcr iV^^ jhuM jom have none.

It was generally conceived to be meant of the Sfom^y
Fleet thst came in 88. For that the King oi Spain's Sir-
came, as they fay, is Norway, The Predidion of ^^-
giomemanMSj

OHogejniMS oBavxs mirabilis jittnus^

Was thought likewi(e accomplifhed, in the fending of
that great Fleet, being the grcatell in Strength, tho'
not in Number, that ever fwam upon the Sea. -A
dean's Dream, I think it ivas a Jeft j It was, Tr
was devoared of a longDrigoa^ and it was expounded
of a'iVtaker of Saufages that troubled him exceed:'" '
There are numbers of the like kind, efpecially i:
iaclodc Dreams ai^ Predictions oi Ajtrchvy, But I have
ict down ihele few only of certain Credit for Example.
My judgment is, that they ought afi to bedeipifed, and

ought

Of Ambition. tch

ought to ferve but fo^ Winter-Talk by the Fire-lide :
Though, when I fay Defptfed, I mean it as for Belief^
for othcrwife, the fpre<jding or puMifhing of them is in
no fort to be Defpifed ^ for they have done much MiC-
chief. And I fee many feVere Laws made to fupprefs
them. That that hath given them Grace, and feme
Credit, confifteth in three Things: Firft, That Mea
mark when they hit, and never nlark when they mils ;
^s they do generally alfo ot Dreams. The fecond is.
That probable Conjectures, or obfcure Traditions, nia-
ny times turn themf^i-esiato i'rop^fCiVj, while the Na-
ture of Man, which coveteth Divination., thinks ic no
Peril to foretel. that which indeed they do but Collect ;
As that of Seneca s Verfe, For fo much was then fuoifd
to Demonftration, that the Globe of the E.^rth had
great Parts beyond the AtUmick -, which might be prd-
bably conceived not to be all Sea : and addi ig thereto,
the Tradition in Platoh Tim£ns, and his AtUntlcHSy it
might encourage one to turn it to a PrcdtUion. The
third and laft (which is the Great one) is, That aU
mofl all of them, being infinite in number, have been
Impoftures, and by idle and crafcy Brains meerly con-
trived and feigned after the Event paft.

XXXVI.

Of Ambiticn.

AMBITION is like ChoUr., which is an Homour that
maketh Men Aftive, Earneft,full of Alacrity, and
Stirr log, if it be not ftopped, but if it be Hopped and can-
not have its way, it beconlcth aduft, and thereby Ma-
lign and Venomous. So Amhltioits Men., if they find
the way open for their Riling, and ftiil get forward,
they are rather Bulie than Dangerous^ but if they be
checkt in their defires, they become fecretly dilcontent,

K 4 and

102 Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfajs,

and look upon Men and Matters with an Evil Eye, and
are beft pleafed when Things go backward, which is the
worit property in a Servant of a Prince or State. There-
fore it is good for Princes, if they ufe Ambitious Men^ to
handle it fo, as they be ft ill Progreflive, ajid not Retro-
grade \ which, becaufe it cannot be without Inconve-
nience, it is good not to ufe fuch Natures at all. For
if they rife not with their Service, they will take order
to make their Service fall with them. But fiace we
have faid, it were good not to ufe Men of Ambitious Na-
tures, except it be upon neceflicy, it is fit we fpeak in
what Cafes they are of necefficy. Good Commanders in
the Wars muft be taken, be they never (b Ambitious-,
for the ufe of their Service difpenfeth with the reft ^ and
to take a Soldier without Ambition^xi to pull ofFhis Spurs.
There is alfo great ufe of Ambitious Men,ia being Skreens
to Princes in Matters of Danger and Envy j for no Man
will take that part, except he be like a feel'dDove, that
mounts and mounts, becaufe he cannot fee about him.
There is ufe alfo of Ambitious Meriy in pulling down the
"greatnefs of any Subjed that over- tops ^ as Tiberius ufed
Macro in pulling down of Sejanus. Since therefore they
muft be ufed in fuch Cafes, there refteth to fpeak how
they are to be bridled, tbat they may be lefs Dangerons.
There is lefs Danger of them, if they be of mejnl3irth,
than if they be Noble \ and if they be rather" harlh of
Nature, than Gracious and Popular \ and if they be
rather new raifed, than grown cunning, and fortified in
their Greatnefs. It is counted by fome a weaknefs in
Princes to hjvc Favourites \ but it is of all others the beft:
remedy againft Ambitious Great Ones. For when the
way of pleafuring and difpleafcring lieth by the Favou-
rite^ it is impoflible any other fhould be Over great. A-
. nother means to Curb them, is to balance them by o-
thers as Proud as they. But then there muft be feme
middle Conncellors to keep Things fteady •, for without
that Balldft the Ship will roiil too much. At the leaft,
a Prince may animate and inure fome meaner Perfons,
■'■■•■■ ■ ' ■ ' to

Of M^sks and Triumphs. loj

to be as it were Scourges to Ambitious Men. As for the
haying of them obnoxious to ruin, if they be of fear-
ful Natures, it may do well ^ but if they be flout and
daring, it may precipitate their Deligns, and piove
dangerous. As for the pnlling of them down, if the
Affairs require it, and that it may not be done with fafe-
ty fuddenly, the only way is, the enterchange continu-
ally of Favours and Difgraces^ whereby they may not
know what to exped, and be as it were in a Wood.
Of Ambitions, it is lefs harmful the Ambition to prevail in
great Things, than that other to appear in every thing ^
for that breeds Confufion, and mars Bufinefs. But yet
it is lefs Danger, to have an Ambitions Man flirring in
Bufincfs, than great in Dependences. He that feeketh to
be Eminent amongft able Men, hath a great Task \ but
that is ever good tor the Publick \ but he that Plots to
be the only Figure amongfl Cyphers, is the decay of an
whole Age. Honour hath three Things in it : The Van-
tage Ground to do good \ the approach to Kings and
Principal Perfons^ and th-^ ra'fing of a Man's own For-
tune. He that hath the befl of thefe Intentions when
he afpireth, is an honeft Man ^ and that Prince that
can difcern of thofe Intentions in another that afpireth,
is a wife Prince. Generally, let Princes and States chule
foch Miniftersas are more fenlible of Duty, than of Ri-
ling •, and fuch as love Bufiaefs rather upon Confcience,
than upon Bravery \ and let them difcern a bufie Nature
from a willing Mind.

XXXVII.

Of Mdsks and Triumphs.

THESE Things arc but Toys, to come amongft
fuch ferious Obfervations. But yet, fince Princes
will have fuch Things, it is better they fhould be graced

with

104 ^i^ Francrs Bacon V "EJfays.

with Elegancy, than daubed with Goft. Ditncing to Song^
is a thing of great State and Pleafure. 1 underftand it,
that the Song be inChoire, placed aloft, and accompa-
nied with fomc broken Miidck, and the Ditty fitted to
the Device. Acting in Song^ efpecially in Dialogues^ hath
an extream good Grace : 1 fay AElmg^ not Dancings (for
that is a mean and vulgar Thing) and the Voices of the
jpialogne would be ftrong and manly, (a Bafe, and a
Tenor, no Treble,) and the Ditty High and Tragical,
not Nice or Dainty. Several Choires placed one over a-
gainfl; another, and taking the Voice by Catches, A»'
them-vvik, give great Pleafure. Turning Dances into H-
gure is a childifh Curiofity ^ and generally let it be noted,
that thofe Things which I here fet down, are f uch as do
naturally take the Senfe, and not refped petty Wonder-
ments. It is true, the Alterations of Scenes^ lb it be qui-
etly, and without noife, are Things of greac Beauty and
Pleafure, for they feed and relieve the Eye, before it
be full of the fame Object. Let the Scenes abound with
Liglot^ fpecially Coloured and f^aried-^ and let the Maf-
kersy or any other that are to come down from the Scene^
have fome motions upon the Scene it felf, before their
coming down •, for it draws the Eye ftrangely, and
makes it with great pleafure to defire to fee that it can-
not perfet^dy difcern. Let the Songs be Loud and Chear-
ful^ and not Chirpings or PuUngs. Let the Mujick like-
wile be Sharp and LohJ^ and wctl fUced. The Colours
that fhew beft by Candle-light, are White, Carnation,
and a kind of Sea-water Green ; and Oes or Spangs^ as
they are of no grefat Colt, fo they are of moft Glorf. '
As for Rich Embroidery, it is lolf, and not difcerned.
Let the Suits of Maskers be graceful, and fich as become
the Perfon when the Vizars are off, not after Examples
of known Attires j Turks, Soldiers, Mariners, and the
like. Lee Anti-masks not be long, they have been com-
monly of Fools, Satyrs, Baboons, Wild-men, Antiques,
Beafts, Spirits, Witches, Ethiops, Pigmies, Turqnets,
Nymphs, Rufticks, Cupids, Statua^s moving, and the

liket

Of Ndture in Men, 105

like. As for Angds^ it is not Comical enough to puc
them in Ami-masks j and any thing that is hideous, as
Devils, Giants, is on the other fide as unfit. But chiefly,
let the Mufick of them be Recreative, and with fome
ftrange Changes, Some fweet Odours fuddenly coming
forth, without any drops falling, are in fuch a Com-
pany, as there is Steam and Heat, Things of great Plea-
fure and Refrefhment. Double Masks, one of Men, a-
nother of Ladies, addeth State and Variety. But all is
nothing, except the Room be kept clear and neac.

For Jufis, and Turneysy and Barriers^ the Glories of
them are chiefly in the Chariots wherein the ChalJen-
gers make their Entry, fpecially if they be drawn with
ftrange Beafts, as Lions, Bears, Camels, and the like ;
or in the Devices of their Entrance, or in the Bravery
of their Liveries, or in the goodly Furniture of their
Horfes and Armour. But enough of thefe Toys.

XXXVIII.

Of Nature in Men.

NATVRE is often Hidden, fometiraes Overcome,
feldom Extinguifhed. Force maketh Nature more
violent in the Return \ Doctrine and Difcourfe maketh
Nature lefs importune : But Cuftom only doth alter
and fubdue Nature. He that feeketh Vidory over his
Nature^ let him not fet hirafelf too great, nor too fniall
Tasks, for the firll will make him dejeded, by ofcen
Failings ; and the fecond will make him a fraail Pro-
ceeder, though by often Prevailings. And at the firft,
let him pradife with Helps, as Swimmers do with Blad-
ders or Rulhes •, but after a time let him prac^ife with
pifadvantages, as Dancers do with thick Shooes : For
it breeds great Perfedion, if the Pradice be harder
than the Ufe. Where Nature is mighty, and therefore
the Victory bard, the Degrees had need be, Firll, to

ftay

io6 Sir Francis Bacon's FJfajs.

ilay and arreft Nature in Time, like to iiim that would
fay over the Four and Twenty Letters when he was
Angry, than to go lefs in quantity : As if one /hoiild
in forbeating Wine, come from drinking Healths to a
Draught at a Meal, and laftly to difconiinue altogether :
But if a Man have the Fortitude and Refolution to En-
franchife himfelf at once, that is the bell \

OptimHs ille anlmi vindeJc, Udentia pe^ius
ymckU qui rnpit, dedolHitque femel.

Neither is the Ancient Rule amifs to bend Nature, as
a Wand to a contrary Extream, whereby to fet it right,
nnderftanding it where the contrary Extream is no Vice.
Let not a Man force a Habit upon himfelf wich a perpe-
tual Continuance, but with fome Intermiflion ; for
both the Paufe re-inforceth the new Onfet : And if a
Man that is not perfeft be ever in praftice, he ihall as
well pradife his Errors, as his Abilities, and induce
one Habit of both ^ and there is no means to help this,
but by feafonable IntermifTion. But let not a Man trufi;
his Viflory over his Nature too far ; for Nature will lie
buried a great time, and yet revive upon the Occaliqn
of Temptation. Like as it was with ty£fofs Damfel,
turned from a Cat to a Woman, who fate very demure-
ly at the Boards end, till a Moufe run before her.
Therefore let a Man either avoid the Occafion altoge-
ther, or put himfelf ofcen to it, that he may be little
moved wich it. A Man's Nature is beft perceived in pri-
vatenefs, for there is no Affection in Paflion, for that
putteth a Man out of his Precepts \ and in a new Cafe
of Experiment, for there Cuftom leavech him. They
are happy Men whofe Natures fort with their Vocations,
othcrwife they may fay, Midtum Incola fult Anima mea \
when they Convcrfe in ihofe they do not afFed. In
Studies whatfoever a Man commandeth upon himfelf.
Jet him fet Hours for it^ but whatfoever is agreeable to
his Nature^ let him take no care for any fet Times, for

his

Of Cuftom and Education. 107

his Thoughts will fly to it of themfelves j fo as the fpaces
ol" other Bufinefs or Studies will fuffice. A Man's Nature
runs cither to Herbs or Weeds ^ therefore let him fea-
fonably Water the one, and Deftroy the other..

XXXIX.

Of Cajiom and Education.

MENS Thoughts are much according to their la-
clination, their Difcourfeand Speeches according
to their Learning and infufed Opinions j but their Deeds
are after as they have been accujiomed: And therefore as
Machiavrl well noted, (though in an ill-favoured In-
ftance) there is no truf^ing to the force of Nature nor
to the bravery of Words, except it be corroberated by
Cuftom. His Inilance is, that for the atchieving of a
defperate Confpiracy, a Man (hould not rcfb upon the
fiercenefs of any Man's Nature, or his refolute Underta-
kin,^s; but taiie fuch an one as hath had his Hands for-
merly in Blood. But Machiavel knew not of a Frier
Clement^ not a Ravailiac, nor a Jauregy^ nor a Baltazjsr
Gerrard j yet this Rule holdeth ftill, that Nature, nor
the Engagements of Words are not fo forcible as Cuftom.
Only Superftition is now fo well advanced, that iVI?n
of the firft Blood are as firm as Butchers by Occupation,
and Votary Refolutioa is made Equipollent to Cuftom^
even in matter of Blood. In other Things the predomi-
nancy o{ Cuftom is every where vifiblc, infomuch as a
Man would wonder to hear Men Profefs, Prctefl, En-
gage, give great Words, and then do jaffc as they have
done before, as if they were dead Images, and Engines
moved only by the Wheels of Cuftom. We fee alfo the
Reign or Tyranny of Cuftom., vvhat it is. The hdians
(I mean the Seft of their Wife Men) lay themfelves
quietly upon a Hack of Wood, and fo Sacrifice them-
felves

168 Sir Francis Bacon'j Effays,

felves by Fire. Nay, the Wives ftrive to be buracd with
the Corps of their Husbands. The Lads of Sparta of
ancient Time, were wont to be fcourged upon the Altar
of Diana without fb much as Squeaking. I remember
in the beginning of Qiieen EUz.abeth^sTime^ of England^
an Irifi} Rebel condemned, put up a Petition to the Dc
futy, that he might be hanged in a Wyth, and not in
an Halter, becaufe it had been fo ufed with former
Kebeh. There be Monks in Rujfia, for Penance, thaE
will fit a whole Night in a Veflel of Water, till they be
engaged with hard Ice. Many Examples may be put
down of the force of Cufiom, both upon Mind and Bo-
dy. Therefore fince Cufiom is the Principal Magiltrate
of Man's Life, let Men by all means endeavour to ob-
tain good Cufioms, Certainly Cufiom is molt perfedt
when it beginneth in young Years: This we call Edu'
cation, which is in effed but an early Cufiom. So we fee
in Languages, the Tongue is more plain to all Exprel-
lions and Sounds, the Joynts are more fupple to all
Feats of Adivity and Motions of Youth than after-
wards. For ic is true, the late Learners cannot fo well
take the Ply, except it be in fome Minds that have not
fuffcred themfelves to fix, but have kept themfelves open
and prepared to receive continual Amendment, which
is exceeding rare. But if the force of Cufiom, Simple
and Separate, be great, the force of Cufiom Copulate,
and Conjoyned, and Collegiate, is far greater. For
their Example teacheth. Company comforteth. Emu-
lation quickneth. Glory raifeth : So as in fuch Places the
force of Cufiom is in his Exaltation. Certainly the great
multiplication of Virtues upon humane Nature, rcfteth
upon Societies well ordained and difciplined : For Com-
n)on-wcalchs and good Governments do nourifh Virtue
Grown, but do not much mend the- Seeds. But the
Miiery is, that the mod cffcdual Means are now appli-
ed to ; he Ends leaft to be defired.

Of

I09

XL.
Of fcrtuw.

IT cannot be denied, but outward Accidents con-
duce much to Fortune ■ Favour,OpportuniLy,Death of
others, OccafionfictiDg Virtue. But chiefly the Mould
o€ siMaa-s Fortune is in his own Hands. Faher qkifqae
Fertur.£ fua, faith the Poet. And the moft frequent of
External Caufes is, that the Folly of one Man is the
Fortune of another. For no Man Profpers fo fuddenly,
as by others Errors Serpens nifi Serpent em comederit non
fit Draco. Overt and Apparent Virtues bring forth
Fraife i but there be Secret and Hidden Virtues that
bring forth Fortune. Certain Deliveries of a Man's felf,
which have no Name. The SpanijJ) Name, Defembolrura^
partly expreffeth them, when there be not Stands nor
Reftivenefs in a Mans Nature^ but that the Wheels of
bis Mind keep way with the Wheels of his Fortune*.
For fo Li'vy ( after he had defcribed Cato Major, ia
thefe Words, in illo viro, tAmum Rohur Corporis & Animi
fuity lit cjMocunque loco natus ejfet, FortunAm phi foBurus vt*
derethr) falleth upon that, that he had f^erfatile Ingenium.
Therefore it a Man look fharply and attentively, he fliall
fee Fortune : For though fhe be blind, yet Ihe is not in-
vilible. The way of Fortune is like the A^iCny Way ia
the Sky, which is a Meeting or Knot of a number of
fmall Stars ^ not feeu afunder, but giving Light together ;
So are there a number of little, and fcarce difcerned
Virtues, or rather Faculties and Cufloms that make Men
Fortunate. The Italians note fome of them, fuch as a
Man would little think : When they fpeak of one that
cannot do amifs, they will throw in into his other
Conditions that he hath, Poco di Matto. And certainly,
there be not two more Fortunate Properties than to have
a little of the f W, and not too much of the Honest. There-
fore excream Lovers of their Country, or Mailers, were
ner^r Fortunate^ neither can they be. For when a Man

place th

110 Sir Francis BaconV Effays]

placeth his Thoughts without himfelf, he goeth not his
own way, and hafly Fortune maketh an Enterprifer
and Remover ^ (X^t French hath it better. Enter^renant
or Remnant) but the exercifed Fortune maketh the able
Man. Fortune is to be Honoured and Refpefted, if it
"be but for her Daughters, Confidence and Reputation: For
thofe two Felicity breedeth •, the firfl, within a Man's
felf, the latter in others towards him. All wife Men to
decline the Envy of their own Virtues, ufe to afcribe
them to Providence and Fortune ^ for fo they may the
better ailure them : And befides, it is Greatnefs in a
Man to be the Care of the Higher Powers. So Cafar
faid to the Pilot in theTempeft, Caifarem port as, &For-
tunam ejus. So Sylla chofe the Name of Felix, and not
of Magnus. And it hath been noted, that thofe that af-
cribe openly too much to their own Wifdom and Policy,
cndVnJortunate. It is written. That Timotheus the A~
thcnian, after he had, in the account he gave to the
State of his Government, often interlaced his Speech,
And in this Fortune had no part, never profpered in any
Thing he undertook afterwards. Certainly there be,
whofe Fortunes are like Homer^rerfes, that have a Slide
and Eafinefs more than the Verfes of other Poets, as
Plutarch faith of Timolcon''s Fortune, in refpecl of that
of Agefilaus, or Epaminondas : And that this fliould
be, no doubt it is much ia a Man's felf.

XLI.

Of Vfury.

MANY have madcwitty Inve(^ives againfl: Vfury:
They fay. That it is pity the Devil fhould have
God's ?zn, which is the Tuht. That x.\\QVfurer is the
greateftSabbath-breakcr,becaufe his Plough goeth eve-
ry Sunday. That the Vfurer is the Drone that I^ rrgil

ipeakcth of:

JgnAvnm

Of Vfufy, 1 1 1

JgnavHYit flic us f€Ctts a prxfeplus ttrcent.

That the Vfurcr breaketh the firft Law that was made
tor Mankind after the Fall ^ which was. In fudorv vuttus
tut comedet panem tuum^ not, In fndore zultus alieni. That
Vfurers (hould have Oraince-tawny EonnttSy t)ecaurethey
do Jttdaiz.e. That it is againO Mature, for Morcy to be-
get Monty^ and the like. I fay this only, that Vfury is a
CoticeffUm propter duritiem cordis : For iince there muil: be
Borrowing and Ler.ding, and Men are fo hard of Heart,
as they will not lend freely, Vfnry muJI be permitted.
Some others have made Snipicious and Cunning Pio-
politionsof Banks, difcovery of Men's Eftates, and o-
ther Inventions, but few have fpoken of ZJfury ufefully.
It is good to fet before us the Incommodities and Cvmmo-
ditics of Vfury, that the good may be either Weighed
out, or Culled out j and warily to Provide, that while
we make forth to that which is better, we meet noc
with that which is wo'rfe.

The Difcommoditks of Vfury '^re, Fird, that it makes
fewer Merchants : For were it not for this hzv Trade of
Vfury^ Money would not lie ftill, but would in great
part be employed upon Merchandijing, wrich is the
fe»4 PorM of Wealth in a State. The Iccond, That ic
makes poor Merchants •, for as a Farmer cannot husband
his Ground fo well, if he fit at a gieat Rent : ^o the
Merchant cannot, drive his Travie fo well, if he lit at
great Vfury. The third is incident to the oiher two •,
and that is. The decay of Coftcms, of King««, or States,
which Ebb or Flow with Merchandizing. The fourth,
That it bringeth the Treafure of a Realm or State into a
few Hands; for t.he Vfaycr being at Certainties, and o-
thers at Uncerthinties, st the end of the Game molt of
the Money will be in the Rox ; and ever a S*are tiouri*
(heth, when Wealth is more equally fpread. The fifth",
Thit it beats down the Price of Land ; for the employ-
oscnc cf Money is chiePiy either Merchandizing or Por-

i ciialing

1 1 2, Sir Francis Bacon^ EJfays,

chafing; and Vfnry way-lays both. The fixth, That it
doth dull and damp all Indullries, Improvements, and
new inventions, wherein Money would be ftirring, if
it were not for this Siug. The laft. That it is the Can-
Ivcr and Ruin of many Men's Eftates, which in procefs
of Time breeds a publick Poverty.

On the other iide, the Commodities of V fury ire : Firft,
That howfoever Vfury in fomc refpedt hindreth Mer-
chardizing, yer in feme other it advanceth it j for it
is ceitain, that the greateft part of Trade is driven by
young Merchants, upon borrowing at Intereft : So as
if ihe Vfurer either call in, or keep back his Money,
there will enfue prefcntly a great ftand of Trade.
The fecond is, That were it not for this eafie borrow-
ing upon hterefi. Men's Necefficies would draw upon *
them a moft luclden undoing, in that they would be
forced to fell their Means (be it Lands or Goods) far
under foot ; and fo whereas Vfary doth but gnaw upon
tb- m, bad Mgrkets would fw allow them quite up. As
f -r Mortgaging or Pawning, it wfll little mend the Mat-
ter •, for either Men will not take Pawns without Vfe^ or
if they do, they will look precifely for the Forfeiture. I
remember a cruel Monied Man in the Country, that
would fay, the Devil take thia Vfury^ it keeps us from
Foifeitures of Mortgages and Bonds. The third and
laft is, That it is a vanity to conceive, that there would
be ordinary borrowing without Profit*, and it is impof-
iible to conceive, the number of Inconveniences that
will enlue, if borrowing be Cramped : Therefore to
Ipeak of the abolilhing of Vffiry is idle. All States have
ever had it in one kind, or rate or other : So as that O-
pir-ion mud be fent to lytofia.

To fpt^ak now of the Reformatkn and Rdglcment of V"
fury how the Difcommodnks of it may be befl; avoided,
antl the Commodities retained. It appears by the Balance
of Commodities and Difcommoditits oi Vfnry, twoThin^'.s
are to be t ecoRciled : The one, that the Tooth of Vfary
be gi JLdcd, that it bite not too much : The other, that

there

OfVfury. 11^

there be left open a means to invite Mcnicd Men to
lend to the Merchants, for the Continuing and Qjick-
ning of Trade. This cannot he done, except you la-
troduce two feveral forts of Vfnry^ a kfs and a gre<tter.
For if you reduce "Lyi/^ roonc low rate, it will eafe the
Common Borrower^ but the Merchant v,\\\ be to feek for
Money. And itistobe nored. That the l»ade of Mer-
chandize, being the moft Lucrative^ may bear Vfury at 3
good rate ^ other Con tracts not fo.

To ferve both Intentions the way would be chiefly
thus : That there be two Rates of Vfury^ the one Free
and General for all, the other under Licence only to rer-
tain Perfons^ and in certain PUces of Mtrchandiz^irg Firft
therefore, let Vfury m general be redncedto Five in the Hnn-
dred^ and let that Rate be prccUimed to be Free 2nd Cur-
rant j and let the State (hut it felt out to take ^ny Penal- .
ty for the fame. This will prefer ve Borrowing from
any general Stop or Drynefs This will eafe ijifinite
Borrowers in the Country. This will in good part raile
the Price of Land, becaufe Land purchafed at Sixteen
Years Pnrchafe, will yield Six in the Hundred, and fome-
what more, whereas this Rate of Intercft yields but Five.
This by reafon will encourage and edge Induflriousand
Profitable Improvements, becaufe ra^ny will rather
venture in that kind, than take Five in the Hundred,
efpecially having been ufed to greater Profit Secondly,
Let there be certai/i Perfons Ltcenfedto lend to known Mer-
chant j^ upon Vfury^ at a Ugh Rate •, and let it be with
the Cautions following. Let the Rate be, even with
the Merchant himfelf, fomewhat more c.^lie than thac
he ufed formerly to Pay : For bv that means all Bor-
rowers (hall have fome Eafe by this Rtfcrmstion, be he
Merchant or whofoever. Let it he no Bsnt or Com-
mon Stock, but every Man he Mailer of his own Mo-
ney. Not that I alco^^echer miilike Bsnks, but they will
hardly be brooked, in regard of certain Snfpicions. Lee
the State be anfwersd fome fmall matter for the LicenJe,
and the refl left to the Lender •, for if ihc abatement be

I 2 but

114 ' 5/> Francis BaconV Ej[j4//.

butfmall, it will no whit difcourage the Lender. For
he, for Example, that took before Ten or Nine in the
Hundred, will fooner defccr.d to Eight in the Hundred,
than give over his Trade of Vfnryj and go from certain
Gains to Gains of Hazard. Let thefe Licenfed Lenders
be in Number indefinite, but reftrained to cei tain prin-
cipal Cities and Towns of Merchandizing, for then
they will be h^.rdly able to colour other Menu's Monies
in the Country, fo as the Lictnfe of N ne will not fuck
away the current Rate of F.ve\ for no Man will Lend
his Monies far rff", nor put them into unknown Hands.
It ir be objeded. That this doth in a fort Authorize
Vfnry^ which bs-fore was in fome Places but permiflive :'
The Anfwer is, that it is better to mitigate Vfury by De-
claration^ than to fufifer it to rage by Connivence.

XLIL

Of Touth And, Age,

A Man that is Tonng in Tcan^ may be Old in Hours,
if he have loft no Time j but that happeneth rarely.
Gtnerally TGiith is like the firfl: Cogitations, not io wife
as the lecond *, for there is a Tputh in Thoughts as well
as in Ages : And yet the Invention of Tomg Mtn is
more lively than that of Old, and Imaginations flrearti
into their Minds better, and, as it were, more Divine-
ly. Natures that have much Heat, and great and vio-
lent Defircs and Perturbations, are not ripe for Adlioft
till they hive pafied the Meridian of their Years ^ as it
was with 'Julius C.far^ aid Scpiimins StveruSj of the
latter of whom it is faid, JmentHrem tgit trrorihus, imo
Fn'oribits pienam \ and yet he was the ahlefl; Emperor al-
molt of all the Lift Butrepofcd Nsiures muy do well
in ToHth^ as it is ^<f:{ \\\ Ai(gt,i\}Hi Cf^r^ Cofmm Duke
oiltorer.ce^ Gajlon ilt Foix^ and others. On the other
iide, Heat and Vivacity inv?gf, is an excellent Com-

pcfiiioft

Of Touth And Age, irj

pofition for Bufioefs. Yomn^ Men are fitter to invent than
to judge, fitter for Execution than for Gounfci, and fitter
for new Projefts than for fettled BuiiaelSi to= the Expe-
rience o{ jig€ in Things that fall within the com pais of it
diredteth them, but in new Things abufeth them. T he
Errors of Young Men are the ruin of BuQnefs ; but the
Errors of y^^eiyl/e« amou '.It but to this, that moremigbc
have been done or fooner Tow^g Men i i the condud
and manage of Actions emb.ace more than they can
hold, ilir more than they can quiet, fly to the end with-
out confideration of the means and degrees, porfne feme
few Principles which they have chanced upon abfurdly,
care not to innovate, which draws unknown Incon veni-
encies : Uie extreara Remedies at firit, ana that which
doubleth all Errors, will not acknowle 5ge or retraft
them, like an unready Horfe, that will neither Stop nor
Turn. Men of /ige objeft roo much, confult too long,
adventure too little, repent too foon, and feldom drive
Buunefs home to the full Period, hut content them felves
with a mediocrity of Saccefs Ccrt.iin'y it is good to
compound Em^hyments of both ; for that will be good
for the pre fern, becaufe the Vertnes of eitlicr Age may cor-
rect theDefedts of both, and good for Sncceffion, that
Toung Afcn may be Learners,while Men in Age are Adors.
And laftly, good for Extern Jccidents^ becaufe Autho-
riiy followeth Old Men, and Favour nnd Popularity
Touth. But for the Moral part, perhaps Tcmh wiil have
the Preheminecce, as /Ige hath for the Politick. A cer-
tain RAbhin npDn the Text, Tottr young Menj^jallfee f^tJi-^xTy
and your old Men ^}all dream Dreams, ir.ferreth, thuYoitvg
Men are admitted nearer to God ihan Old, becaufe f^ifi-
on is 3 clearer Revelation than a Dream. And certain-
ly the more a M^^ drjnkerh of the World, the more
i" inroxicateih ; and Age doth p;olit rather in the pow-
ers of Underftanding, than in the Vertues of the Will
and Affections. There be fome hive an over early
Ripenefs in their Yenis, which fadeth berimes. Thefe
are firft fuch as have brittle Wits, the edge whereof is

I i " foon

1 1 6 Sir Francis Bacon's EJfays.

foon turned ; fuch as was Hermogenes the Rhetoricutn^
whole books are exceeding ftibtil, who afterwards wax-
ed ftupid. A fecond fort is of thofe that have forae
narurai Difpofitions which hdve better Grace in Tenth
than in /^ge ^ fuch as is a fluent and luxuriant Speech,
whi'-h becomes Touth well, but not Jge: So Tully faith
of Horttnfms^ Idem mambat^ neque idtm decehat. The
thiid is, of fuch as take too high a ftrain at the
fiift, and are magnanimous more than Trad of Years
can uphold : As was Scipio Jfricanust of whom Livy
faith in efFeft, Vltima pimis cedebant.

XLIII.

Of Beauty.

VERTUE is like a rich Stone, beJl plain fet ; and
furely, Vertue is beft in a Body that is comely,
though not of delicate Features, and that hath rather
Dignity of Prcfence, than BtAuty of Afpedt. Neither
is it almoft feen that very Beautiful Ferfom arc otherwife
of great Vertue,as if Nature were rather bufie not to Err,
than in Labour to produce Excellency ; and therefore
they prove accomplifhed, but not out of great Spirit,and
ftudy rather Behaviour than Vertue. But this holds out
always, iov Aigitjim Csfar^ Titus yefpafanm^ Philip dc
£eHe of France^ Edward the Fourth of England, AUibiadet
of j^thens, Ifmatl the Sophy of Perfia^ were all high
and great Spirits, and yet the mofl: BeAmiful Men of
their Times. In Beauty, that of favour is more thaa
that of Colour •, and thnt of decent and gradoHS Motion,
more than that of Favour. That is the belt part of
Beauty which a Pifture cannot exprefs, no nor the firft
jlight of the Life. There is no excellent Beauty that hath
not fome ftrangenefs in the Proportion. A Man can-
not tell, whether j^pelles or Jlhert Barer Vi'ere the more
f rifier j whereof the one would make a Perfonage by

Geometrical

Of Deformity. liy

Geometrical Proportions, the other by taking the beft
Parts OQC of divc •» Faces to ra.ke one Excellent Such
Perfonages I think would pleafe no Body, but the Pain*
ter thacmade them. Not but 1 think a P-^i'^tcT may
make a better Face th^n ever wa^, but he'jiuft do it by
a kind of Felicity^ (as a Mufician that raakech an excel-
lent Air in Mufick) and not by Rule. A Man 1I12U
fee Faces, that if you Examine them part by part, yon
/ball find never a good, and yet altogether do well. If
it be true, that the principal Part of Beauty is in decent
Motion, certainly it is no marvel, though Per fans in Ttars
feem many times more amiable, PM/c^or»wi AHrnmrui pub-
chtr \ for no Touth can be comely, but by pardon, and
coafidering the Touth^ as to make up the comeli ^efs.
Beauty is as Summer Fruits, which are eafie to corrupt,
and cannot laft, and for the moft part it makes a dillb-
lute ToHth^ and an ^ge^ a little oat of countenance ^ bot
yet certainly again, if it light weU, it raaketh Vertues
ihine, and Vices bluih.

XLIV.

Of Deformity.

DEFORMED PerfoTts are commonly even with Na-
ture i for as Nature hath done ill by them, fo do
ibey by Nature, being for the moft part (as the Sciip-
ture faith) 'void of Natttral Jfficl'on^ and fo they have
Revenge of Nature. Certainly, there is a confent be-
tween the Body and the Mind, and where Nature err-
cth in the one, (he vcntureth in the other ; Vbi peccat in
ii>:o^ ptriclitatur in ahcro. But bccaufe there is in Ma.i
an Eledtioa touching the Frame of his. Mind, and a Ne-
ceflity in the Frame of his Body, the Stars of natural
Inclination are fometimes obfcured by the Sun of Dif-
cipline and Vertue : Therefore it is good to confider of

1 4 Vefarmity,

I'iS Sir Francis Bacon'/ ^Jf^J^-

Liformity^ not as a Sign which is more deceivable, but
as a Caufe which fcldom faileth of the EfFed. Whofo-
ever hath any Thing fixed in his Perfon that doth in-
duce Contempt, hach alfo a perpetual Spur in himfelf
to refcue and deliver himfelf from Scorn. Therefore
all Deformed Perfons are extream bold. Firft, as in their
own Defence, as being expofed to Scorn, but in pro-
cefs of Time, b} a general Fjabit. Alfo it ftirreth in
them Induftry, and efpecially of this kind, to watch and
obferve the Weaknefs of others, that they may have
fomewhat to repay, ^gain, in their Superiors, it quench-
eth jealoufie towards them, as Perfons that they think
they may at Pleafure Defpife •, and it layeth their Com-
petitors and Emulators afleep, as never believing they
fhould be in poffibility of Advancement, till they fee
them in Pofleffion ; fo that upon the Matter in a great
Wit, Deformity is an advantage to Rifing. Kings in an-
cient Times (and at this prefent in fome Countries) were
wont to put great Truft in Eunuchs *, becaufe they tha^
are Envious to all, are more obnoxious and officious to-
wards one. But yet their Trull towards them hath ra-
ther been as to good Spials, and good Whifperers, than
good M.igiftrates and Officers. And much like is the
Reafon of Deformed Perfons. Still the Ground is, they
will if they be of Spirit, feek to free themfelves from
Scorn, which muft be either by Virtue or Malice; and
therefore let it not be marvelled if fometimes they
prove exceliCnt Perfons ; as was J^efilaits, Zarige* the
Son ot Solymart^ ty^fov^ Gufca Prefident of Peru^ and So*
crates may go likewife araoilgfl them, with others.

XLV.

119

XLV.

Of BuiUifjg.

HOVSES arc Built to Live in, and not to look on :
Tberefoie let life be preferred before Uniformi-
ty, except where both may be had. Leave the goodly
Fabricks ot Houfes^ for Beauty only, to the Enchanted
Palaces of the Poets^ who build them with fmall Coft. He
that builds a fair Houfe upon an iHSeat, committerh him-
felf to Prifon. Neither do I reckon it an iU Seat only
where the Air is unwholfom, but likewife where the Air
is unequal j as you fliall fee many fine Seats fet upon a
knap of Ground, environed with higher Hills round a-
bout it, whereby the Heat of the Sun is pent in, and
the Wind gathereth as in Troughs •, fo as you fhall have,
and that fuddenly , as great Diverfity of Heat and Cold,
as if you dwelt in feveral Places. Neither is it ill Avr
only that makeih an ill Seat, but ill Ways, ill Markets ;
and if you will confak with Momus, ill Neighbours. I
fpeak not of any more. Want of Water, want of
Wood, Shade and Shelter, want of Fruitfulnefs, and
mixture of Grounds of feveral Natures, want of Pro-"^
fp:ft, want of level Grounds, want of Places at fome
neirDiftancefor Sports of Hunting, Hawking, and PvS-
ces ; Too near the Sea or too remote, having the Com-
modity of Navigable Rivers, or the Difcommodiey of
their Overflowing: Too far off'from great Cities, which
may hinder Buiinefs, or too near them which lurcheth
all Provifions, and maketh every Thing dear : Where a
Man hath a great Living laid together, and where he is
fcanted. All which, as it isimpofllble perhsps to 6nd
together, fo it is good to know them, and think of
them, thataManmay ta'-.easraany ashecan-, And if he
have feveral Dwellings, that he fort them fo, that what
he wameth in the one, he may find in the other. Lw

ciiUtu

120 Sir Francis Bacon V EJJays,

chUhs anfwered Pom^ey well, who when he fa w his ftately
Galleries and Rooms io large and lightfome in one of
hh Hottfef, faid, Surely an excellent Place for Summer^ but
how do yoH in Winter f Luculim anfwered, Why d^you not
think me as wife as fome Fowl are, that ever change their
jihode towards the Winter f

To pafs from the Seat to the Hoafe it felf, we will do
as Cicero doth in the Orator's Art, who writes Books
De Oratorcy and a Book he Entitles Omtor \ whereof
the former delivers the Precepts of the Art^ and the lat-
ter the PcrfeUion. We will therefore defcribe a Princely
Palaccy making a brief Model thereof. For it is ftrange
to fee now in Europe ferae huge Buildv^gs^ as the FaticAn,
and Efcurial^ and fome others be, and yet fcarce a very
fair Room in them.

. Firft therefore, I fay, you cannot have a perfedi Pa-^
lace, except you have two feveral Sides j a Side for the
Banquet, as is fpoken of in the Book of Hefner, and a
Side for the Houfi)old\ the one for Feafls and Triumphs,
and the other for Dwelling. I underfland both thefe
Sides to be not only Returns, but Parts of the Front ^
and to be uniform without, though feverally Partiti-
oned within, and to be on both fides of a great and
Statdy Tower in the midft of the From, that as it were
joyneLh them together on either hand. I would have
on the fide of the Banquet in Front one only gooM^ Room
above Stairs, of fome forty Foot high, and under it a
Room for a Drejfmg or Preparing Place at times of Tri-
umphs. On the other fide, which is the FIomJIjoU fide,
I wiili it divided at the firll into a Hall and a Chappel,
(with a Partition between) both of good ftate and big-
Defs, and thofe not to go all the length, but to have at
the farther end a Winter and Summer Parlor, both fjir \
and under thcfe Rooms, a fair and large Cf//,i»r funk under
Ground,; and likewife fotrje Privy Kitchms, with Bute'
ries and Pantries, and the like. As for the Tower, 1
would have it two Stories, of eighteen Foot high apiece
above the two Wings, and goodly' Leads upon the Top,

railed

Of Buildwg. 121

railed with Statna's interpofed, and the fame Tower to
be divided into Rooms as ftiall be thought ht ; the Stairs
likewife to the upper Rooms, let them be upon a fair
open Ntwel^ and finely railed in with Images of WW,
caft into a Brafs Colour, and a very fair Landing Place
at the Top. But this to be, if you do not point any of
the lower Rooms for a Dining Place of Servants, for
otherwifc you (hall have the Servants Dmner after your
own ; for the Steam of ic will come up as in a Tunnel.
And fo much for the Front, only I underftand the
Heighth of the fit ft Staii s to be hxteen Foot, which is the
Heighth of the lower Rooms.

Beyond this Front is there to be a fair Courty but three
fides of it of a far lower Building than the Front, And
in all the four Corners of that Court fair Siair Cafes,
caft into Turrets on the out fide, and not within the Row
of Butldingi themfelves. But thofe Towers are not to be
of the heighth of the f row, but rather proportionable to
the lower Building Let the Court not be Paved, for
that ftriketh up a great Heat in Summer, and much Cold
in Winter j but only fome Side-Alleys, with a Crofs,
and the Quarters to Graze being kept Shorn, but not too
near Shorn. The l^ow of Return on the Banquet Side, let
it be all Stately Galleries, in which Galleries let there be
three or five fine CnpoWs in the length of ic, placed at c-
qual dift3nce,and fine Co/o/<rf<:i WiWoiTj of feveral Works.
On the Houinold tide. Chambers of Frefence and ordi-
nary Entertainment, with fome Bed Chambers, and let
all three Sides be a double Houfe, without thorow Lights
on the Sides, that you miy have Rooms from the Sun,
both for Fore-noon and Afternoon. Caft it alfo, that
you may have Rooms both for Summer and Winter,
Shady for Summer, and Warm for Winter. You Ihall
have fometimes fair Houfes fo full of Glafs^ that or.t can-
not tell where to become to be out of the Sun, or Cold ;
for Jrtbowed Windows I hold them of good ufe ^ (in Cities
indeed Vpright do better, in refped of the Uniformity
towards the Street) for they be pretty Retiring Places

for

122 S/r Francis Bacon's FJ/ajs^

for Conference^ and befides, they keep both the Wind
and the Sun off: For that which would ftrike almoft
through the Room, doth fcarce pafs the Window. But let
them be but few, four in the Court on the Sides only.

Beyond this Court let there be an Inward Court of the
fame Square and Heighth, which is to be environed
wicti the Garden on all fides ^ and in the infideCloi-
ftered upon all fides ; upon decent and beautiful Arches,
as high as the fir ft Story. On the Vnder Story towards
the Gardtn, let it be turned to a Grotta^ or place of Shade
or Eftivation •, and only have opening Windows towards
the Garden^ and be level with rhe Floor, no whit
funk under Ground, to avoid al! Dampiflmefs: And
let there be a Fomtdn, or fome fair Work of Statna's in
the midft of this Cmrt^ and to be Paved as the other
Court was. Thefe Bmldings to be for Privy Lodgings on
both Sides, and the end for Privy Galleries: Whereof yoa
muft fore-fee that one o{ thera be for an Injirrnary, If the
Prince or anv fpecial Perfon Ihould be Sick, with Cham-
bers^ Bed Chambers, AntiCameraj and Rtcamera^ joyning
to it : This upon the fecond Story. Upon the Ground
Story a fair Gallery, open upon Pillars ; and upon the third
Sto>y likewife, an op€n Gallery upon Pillars, to take the
Profpeft and Freihnefs of the Garden. At both Cor-
ners of the fur theft Side, by way of Return, let there
be two delicate or rich Cabinets, daintily Paved, Rich-
ly Hanged, Glazed wkh Cryflallina Glajfs, and a Rich
Cupola in the n>idft, and All other Elegancy that may be
thought upon. In the Vpper Gallery too I wifh that there
may be, if the Place will yield it, fome Fountains run-
ning in divers Places from the Wall, with fome fine A-
voidances. And thus much for the Model of the Pa-
lace ; fave that you muft have, before you come to the
jFrd^r, three Coul'ts : And a Green Coart Plain, with a
Wall about it ; a Second Court of the fime, but more
Garnifhed with little Turrets, or rather Embellifhraents
upon the Wall ; and a third Court^ to make a Square
within the Fronts bat not to be Built, nor yet Enclofed

with

Of Gat dens, 125

with a Naked Wall) but Enclofed with Terraffes leaded
aloft, and fairly Garnifhed oa the three fides j and Cloy-
ftered on the in fide with Pillars, and not with Arches
below. As for Offices, let them ftand at diftance with
fom Lom-Galleries, to pafs from them to the Palace it felf.

XLVI.
Of Gardens.

GO D Almighty firft Planted a Gjirden \ and indeed
it is the pureft of Humane Pleafures. It is the grea-
teft Refrelhment to the Sprits of Man \ without which.
Buildings and Palaces are but grofs Handy- works. And
a Man thall ever fee, that when Ages grow to Civility
and Elegancy, Men come to Bmld Stately^ fooner than
to Garden Finely : As if Gardening were the greater Per-
fedtioa. I do hold it in the Royal Ordering of Gardens^
there ought to be Gardens for all the Months in the Year,
in which, feverally. Things of Beauty may be then in
Seafon. For December and January, and the latter pare
of November, you muft take fuch Tnings as are Green all
Winter; Holly, Ivy, Bays, Juniper, Cyprefs Trees,
Yews, Pine- Apple Trees, Fir Trees, Rofemary, Laven-
der, Periwir.lcle the White, the Purple, and the Blue,
Germander Flags, Orange- Trees, LimonrTrees, and
Myrtle, if they be ftoved, and fweet Marjoram warmi
fsts. There foiloweth for the latter part of January and
February, the Mezerion Tree, which then Blorfbms,
Crocus Vernus, both the Yellow and the Grey Prira-
Rofes, Anemones, the Early Tulippa, Hyacinthus Ori-
entalis, Chamairis, Frettellaria. For i^«<rc^ there comes
Violets, fpecially the Single blue, which are Earlieft,
the Yeilqw Daffadil, the Daizv, the Almond- Tree in
.:onbm,thePe3ch-Treein Bionbra, the Cornelian-Tree
in FiloflTom, Sweet Brisr. In Jpril foHow the double
White Violet, the Wall Flower, the Stock Gilly-Flower,

the

124 ^^^ Francis BaconV EJJdjs.

the Cowflip, Flower-de Lices, and Lilies of all Ka-
tufcs, Rofemary Flower, the Tulippa, the Double Pio-
ny, the Pale DafFadill, the French Honey. Suckle, the
Cherry-Tree in Eloflbm, the Damafcen and Plumb-
Trees in Bloflbm, the White Thorn in Leaf, the Lelack-
Tree. In May and Jme come Pinks of all Sorts, fpecl-
ally the Blufh Pink, Rofes of all kinds, except the Mask,
which comes later,Honey Suckles,Strawberries,Buglofs,
Columbine, the French Marygold, FlosAfricanus, Cher-
ry-Tree inFruit, Ribes, Figs in Ft uit, Rafps, Vine-Flow-
ers, Lavender in Flowers, the Sweet Satyrion with the
White Flower, Herba Mufcaria, Lilium Convallium, the
Apple>Tree in Bloflbm. Injuly come Gilly- Flowers of
all Varieties, Musk- Rofes,and the Lime Tiee in Bloflbm.
Early Pears and Plumbs in Fruit, Gennitings, Quod-
lings. In jinguft come Plumbs of all forts in Fruit, Pears,
Apricocks,.Barberries, Filbeards, Musk- Melons, Monks-
hoods ot all Colours In September come, Grapes, Ap-
ples, Poppies of all Colours, Peaches, Melo-Cotones,
Nedarines, Cornelians, Wardens, Quinces. In OUober
and the beginning of November^ come Servifes, Medlars,
Bullaces \ Rofes Cut or Removed to come late. Holly-
oaks, and fuch like. Thefe Particulars are for the C/i-
mate of London : But my Meaning is perceived, that you
may have f^er Perpetuum^ as the Place afibrds.

And bicauTe the Breath of Flowers is far Sweeter in
the Air, (where it comes and goes, like the Warbling
of Mnlick) than in the Hand, therefore nothing is more
fit for that Delight, than to know what be the Flowers
9nd FUnts chat do belt perfume the Air. Rofes Damask
and Red are Flowers tenacious of their Smells, fo that
you may walk by a whole Row of them, and find no-
thing of ihar Sweernefs ; yea, though it be in a Morn-
ing Dew, Bays likewife yield no Sme'.l as they grow,
Rofemary little, nor Sweet-Marjoram. That which
above all nthers yields the Sxveetefi Smdl in the Air^ is
the Violet, fpecially the White double Violet, which
comes twice a Year, about the middle of JpnU and

about

Of Gat dens. 125

about Bartholorncw-tide. Next to that is the Musk
Rofe, then the Strawberry Leaves dying with a molt
excellent Cordial Smell. Then the Flower of the
Vines 5 it is a little Dull, like the Duft of a Bent, which
grows upon the Clufter in the fir ft coaling forth. Thca
Sweet-Briar, then Wall Flowers, which are very de-
lightful to be fet under a Parlour, or lower Chamber
Window. Then Pinks and Gilly Flowers, efpecially
the matted Pink, and Clove Gilly-Flower. Then the
Flowers of the Lime- Tree. Then the Honey-Suckles,
fo they be fomewhat afar off. Of Bean- Flowers I fpeak
not, becaufe they are Field- Flowers. But thofe which
prfume the Air moft delightfully, not pffcd by as the
reft, but being rr<?^</ewiKf>9'7 and Cr«j]>f<^, are three, that
is, Burnet, Wild-Time, and Water-Mints. Therefore
you are to fet whole Alleys of them, to have the Plea-
fure when you Walk or Tread.

ForG<ir^f;7/,(rpe3king of thofe which are indeed Mwe-
like^ as we havedoneof £«jWi>^jj The Contents ought
not well to be under Thirty Acres of Cronnd, and to be
divided into three Parts ; a Green in the entrance, a Heath
or Defart in the going forth, and the Afali Garden
in the midfl, befides Meys on both fides. And f like
well, that four Acres of Ground beAdigncd to the Green^
fix to the Heath, four and four to either Side, and twelve
to the Afaiu Garden. The Green hath two Fleafures j tlie
one becaufe nothing is more pleafant to the Eye than
Green Grafs kept finely fnorn-, the other, becaufe it will
give you a feir Alley in the midft, by which you may
go in front upon a Stately Hed^e^ which is to enclofe the
Garden. But becaufe the Alley will be long, and in
great Heat of the Year or Day, you ought not to buy
the (hade in the Garaen., by going in the Snn through
the Green ; therefore you are of either fut the Grten to
plant a Cox/en y^/Ze^' upon Carpenters Work 3 bo'ic twelve
foot in Heighth, by which you may go in fhsde iiito the
Garden, As for the making of Kmts of Figures, wita
Divers Cdoured Earths^ that they may lie und^r the Win-
dows

ii6 Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs.

dows of the Houfe, on that Side which the Ganien ftandsii
they be but Toys, you may fee as good Sights many
limes jn Tarts. The Garden is beft to be Square, encora-
pafled on all the four Sides with a ftately Arched Hedge :
Tf he Arches to be upon Pillars of Carpenters Work, of
feme ten foot high, and fix foot broad, and the /paces
between of the fame Dimcnfion with the Breadth ot the
j4rch. Over the Jrches let, there be an entire Hedge^ of
fome four foot high, framed alfo upon CarpentersWork,
and upon l\\tVppr Hedge^ over every Arch a little Twr-
ret, with a Belly, enough to receive a Cage of Birds\ and
over every Space between the Arches fome other little
Figure, vilih broad Plates oiRoundColouredGlafs gilt,for the
Sun to play upon. But l\\\sHedge, I intend to be raifed up-
on a Banh, not fteep,but gently flope, of fome fix foot,fet
all with Flowers. Alfo I underftand, that this Square of
the Garden, Ihould not be the whole breadth of the
Ground, but to leave on either fide Ground enough for
diverfity of Side Alleys UBto which the two Covert Alleys
of the Green may deliver you, but there muft be no
Atltys with Hedges at either end cf this great /w/c/wre .-
Not at the Higher Erd, for letting your Profped upon
this f'iir Hedge from the Green ; not at the further End,{or
letting your Profpeft from the Hedge through thcArches^
upon the Health. For the ordering of the Ground with-
in the Great Hedge, 1 leave it to Variety of Device. Ad-
viflng ncvcrthelefs, that whatfoever Form you caft it
into ', firft it be not too bufie, or full of Work -, wherein
1, for my part, do not like Images cut out in Jumper, or
other Gardi:n /?«/,they are for Children. Little low Hedges
Round like Wcks, with fome pretty Pyramids, 1 like
well : And in feme Plices Fair Columnf upon Frames cf
Carpenters Work. I would alfo have rhe Alleys fpaciou?
and fair. You inay iidve defer JlUys upon the Side
Grou'yjds, but none in the Main Cardtn. \ wifii alfo in the
very middle a /^iryl<io//»7f, with three Afcenisand Alleys,
enough for four to walk a Bread-, which I would have
10 be pcrfed Circles, without any Bulwarks or Imbofl"-

Dients,

Of Gardens, 127

ttients, and the whole Mount to be thirty foot high, and
fbme fine Banquntif:^ Houfc^\\\t\\ feme Chlm/Jtys neatly
call, and without too much GUfs,

For Fountains^ they are a great Beauty and Refrefh-
ment, but Po<?/j marrall, and makethe Garden unwhol-
forae, and full of Flies and Froggs. Fountain j I intend
to be of two Natures, the one that ff rinkleth or ffoitteth
Water^ the other 2fair Receipt otlVater^ of fome thirty
or forty foot fquare, but without Fifli, or Slime, or
Mud. For the firfl, the Ornaments of Images dlt^ or
of Marble^ which are in ufe, do well , but the main
matter is, fo to convey the Water, as it never ftay, ei-
ther in the Bowls, or intheCiftern, that the Water be
never by reft Difcobured^ Green or Red, or the like •,or
gather any A'fojfinefs or Pntrefatlion. Belides that, it is
to be cleanfed every day by the hand j alfo fome fteps
up to it, and fome Fine Pavement about it doth welK
As for the other kind of Fountain, which we may call a
Bathing-Pod, it may admit much Curiofity and Beauty,
wherewith we will not trouble our lelves, as that the
bottom be finely paved, and with Images, the fides
iikewife ; and withal Embelliihed with coloured
Glafs, and fucM things ofLuftre: Encompafred alfo
with fine Rails of low Statues. But the main point is
the fame, which we mentioned in the former kind of
Fountain, which is, thzilhtWaterhzinperfeTnalTnotion^
fed by a Water higher than the -Po'.-/,and delivered into
it by fair Spouts, and then difchargcd away under
Ground by fome equality of Bores, that it ftay little.
And for fine Devices of Arching Water without fpil-
ling and making it rife in feveral forms fof Feathers,
Drinking Glades, Canopies, and the like/ they be pret-
ty things to look on, but nothing to Health and Sweet-
nefs.

For the Heath, w hich was the third part of our Plot, I
wifli it to be framed, as much as m.ay be, to a Natn.-al
Wildnefs. T-ees I would have none in it, but fjme
77;;f^ff/,niadeonly o{Sxeet-Sriar^iiid.Hor:ey- Suckle and

12S Sir Francis Bacon'/ EJfays.

fome Wild-Vine amongft, and the Ground fet with ViO"
lets^ Strawberries and Prtmrofes : for thefe arc Sweet,
and profper in the Shade. And thefe to be in the Heathy
ht-re and there, not in any Order. I like alfo little
Neaps J in the Nature oi Mole-Hills^ ffuchasarein Wild-
Heaths) to be fet, fome with Wild-Thyme, forae with
Pinks, fome with Germander, that gives a good flower
to theeye ^ fome with Periwinkle, fome with Violets,
fome with Strawberries, Ibme with Cowtlips, fome
with Daizies, fome with Red-Rofes, fome with Lilium
Convaliiiim, fome with Sweet- Williams Red, fome
with Bears-Foot, and the like Low Flowers, being
withall Sweet and Sightly. Part of which Heaps^to be
with Standards J of little Bujhes^ prickt upon their top,
and part without •, the Standards to be Rofes, Juniper,
Holly, Bear-berries, (but here and there, becaufe of
the fmell of their blofTom ) RedCurrans, Goofeberrics,
Rofemary, Bays, Sweet-Briar, and fuch like. But
thefe btandardstoh^ktYityfith. Cutting, that they grow
not out of Courfe.

For the Side Grounds^ you are to fit them with varie-
ty of Alleys^ private, to give a full fhade, fome of
them, wherefoever the Sun be. You are to frame fome
of them, likewife for fhelter, that when theWind blows
fharp, you may walk as in a Gallery. And thofe Al-
leys muft be likewife hedged at both ends, to keep out
the Wind, and theje clofer Alleys mult be ever finely
Gravelled, and no Grafs, becaufe of going wet. In
many of thefe Alleys likewife, you are to fet FruitTrces
of all forts •, as well upon the Walls, as in Ranges. And
this would be generally obfervcd, that the Borders
wherein you plant your Fr«;V Trces^ be fair and large
and low, and not fleep, and fet yNii\\fine Flowers^ but,
thiii and fparingly, left they deceive the Trees. At the_
end of hoih t\\Q[id'e Grounds^ I would have a Mount of
fome pretty Helght,"leavingthc Wallofthe Enclofure
brealt-high, to look abroad into the Fields.

For

Of Negotiating. 1 29

For the Main Ga,rden^ I do not deny, but there fliould
be fbme fair ^//^'y.f ranged on both fides with Fr«;>-r/-f if/,
and fbme pretty Tufts of Fruit-Trees and Arhors with
Seats^ fet in Ibme decent Order j but thefe to be by no
means fet too thick \ but to leave the Main-Garden fb, '
as it be not clofe, but the Air open and free \ for as
for Shade I would have you reft upon the AUeys of
the Side Grounds^ there to walk, if you be difpofcd,
in the Heat of the Year or Day : but to make account,
that i\{G Main Gar den is for the more temperate parts of
the year \ and in the Heat of Summer, for the Morn-
ing and the Evening, or Over-cafl Days.

For Aviaries^ I like them not, except they be of that
largenefs, as they may be turfed^ and have Living
FUnts and Bujljes fet in them, that the Bird • may have
more fcope, and natural Nelting, and that no *ouinefs
appevir in the floor of the Aviary. So I have made a
Plat-form of a Princely Crfr^^f a?, partly by Precept, part-
y by Drawing, not a Model, but Ibme general Lines
of it, and in this I have Ipared for no coft. But it is
nothing, for Great Prince s^thsLt for the moil part taking
advice with Work-men, with no Icfs Cole, fet their
things together, and fometimes add St at no's and fuch
things, for State and Magnificence, but nothing to the
true pleafure of a Garden.

XLVII.

Of Negotiating,

IT is generally better to deal by Speech, than by Let-
ter ; and by the mediation of a Third, t^ian by a
man's feif. Letters are good, when a Man would draw
an Anfwer by Letter back again ^ or when it may
fervefor a Man's juftification aftervvards to produce
his own Letter, or v/here it may be danger to be in-

K 2 terruptcd

I go Sir Francis BaconV EJJayi,

terrupted or heard by pieces. To deal in Perfon is
good, when a Man's face breedeth Regard, as com-
monly with Inferiors j or in tender Cafes, where a
Man's Eye upon the Countenance of him with whom he
fpeaketh, may give him a Diredion how far to go:
And generally where a man will referve to himfelf li-
berty either to Difavow^ or to Expound. In choice of
JnflrHments^ it is better to chufe men of a plainer fort
that are like to do that is committed to them, and to
report back again faithfully the fuccefs, than thofe that
are cunning to contrive out of other Mens Bufinefs
Ibmewhat to grace themfelves, and will help the mat-
ter in Report for fatisfaclion fake, life all fuch Per-
fons as affeft the bufinefs wherein they are imployed,
for that quickneth much j and fuch as are fit for the
matter : as bold Men for Expoftulation, fair fpoken
Men for Perfvvafion, crafty Men for Enquiry and Ob-
fervation, froward and abfurd Men for bufinefs that
doth not well bear out it felf. life alfo fuch as have
beeniucky,and prevailed before in things wherein you
have imployed them, for that breeds confidence, and
they will ftrive to maintain their Prefcription. It is
better to found a Perfon with whom one Deals afar
off, than to fall upon the point at firft j except you mean
to furprife him by fome fliort Qiieflion. It is better
Dealing with Men in Appetite, than with thofe that
are where they would be. If a Man Deal with ano-
ther upon Conditions, the flart of the firft Perfor-
mance is all, which a Man cannot reafonably De-
mmd, except cither the nature of the thing be fuch
which mull go before ^orelfea Man can perfwade
the other Party that he Ihall ftill need him in fome o-
ihcr thing *, or clfe that he be counted the honefter
Man. All Pradice is to Difcover^ ov to Wcrk : Men
Dlfcovcr themfelves in Truft, in Paliion at unawares,
and of neceflity, when they would have fomewhat
done, and cannot find an apt pretext. If you would
Work any Man, you muft either know his nature and

fa fh ions,

Of Followers and Friends. i j i

fafhions, and fo lead him ^ or his ends, and fb per-
fwade him ;, or his vveaknefs and difadvantages, and
fo awe him ^ or thofe that have Intereft in him, and
fb govern him. In Dealing with cunning Perlbns we
mull ever confider their ends to interpret their Speech-
es j and it is good to fay little to them, and that
which they leaft look for. In all Negotiatitms of diffi-
culty a Man may not look to low and reap at once,
but ;muft prepare bulinefs, and fo ripen it by de-
grees.

XL VIII.

OfFollorvers and Friends,

COSTLY folloxoers are not to be liked, lefl: while a
Man maketh his Train longer, he makes his
Wings ihorter. I reckon to be coftly, not them alone
which charge the Purfe, but which are wearifora and
importunate in Suits. Ordinary FoUovpers ought to chal-
lenge no higher Conditions than Countenance, Re-
commendation, and Protection from wrongs. Factious
FolloTfers are worfe to be liked, which follow not upon
Affection to him with whom they range themfelves,
but upon Dilcontentmcnt conceived againlt fome o-
ther i whereupon commonly enfueth that ill intelli-
gence that we many times fee between great Perfb-
nages. Likewife glorious Followers who make them-
felves as Trumpets of Commendation of thofe that
.follow, arc full of Inconvenience ^ for they taint bu-
finefs through want of Secrecy, and they export Ho-
nour from a Man, and make him a return in Envy.
There is a kind of Foilorvers likewife which are dan-
gerous, being indeed Efpials j which enquire thcfe-
trets of the Houfe, and bear Tales of them to other j
yet fuch Men, many times, are in great favour ■, for

K 3 they

I J2 Sir Francis Bacon's EJfajs]

they are officious, and commonly exchange Tales, the
Fo'tlo-m^ing by certain Efiates of Men, anfvverable to that
which a great Perfon himfelf profefleth, ^as of Soldi-
ers to him that hath been employed in the Wars, and
the like) hath ever been a thing Civil, and well taken
even in Monarchies •, fo it be without too much pomp
of popularity. But the moft honourable kind of ful-
lowing^ is to be followed, as one that apprehendeth to
advance V^ertue and Defert in all forts of Perlbns;
And yet where there is no eminent odds in fufficiency,
it is better to take with the more pafTable, than with
the more able. And befides, to fpeake truth, in bafe ♦
times Adive Men are of more ufe than Vertuous. It
is true, that in Government it is good to ule Men of
one Rank equally ^ for to countenance fbme extraor-
dinarily, is to make them infolent, and the reft dis-
content, becaufe they may claim a due. But contra-
riwife, in favour to ufe Men with much difference
and eleftion is good ^ for it maketh the Perfons pre-
ferred more thankful, and the reft more officious, be-
caufe all is of favour. It is good difcretion not to
make too much of any Man at the firft -^ becaufe one
cannot hold out that proportion. To be governed
(as we call it ) by one, is not fafe i for it fhcws Soft-
nefs, and gives a freedom to Scandal and Difreputati-
on \ for thofe that would not cenfure or fpeak ill of
a Man immediately, will talk more boldly of thofe
that are fo great with them, and thereby wound their
honour, yet to be diftraded with many is worfe jfor
it makes Men to be of the laft Imprelfion, and full of
Change. To take advife of fome few Friends is ever
honourable i for Lookers on^ many times^ fee more than
Gamejierxj and the Fale befidlfcovereth the Hill. There
is little Friendfhip in the World, and leaft of all be-
tween equals, which was wont to be magnified. That
that is, is between Superior and inferior, whofe For-
tunes, may comprehend one the other.

Of

»3J

xux.

Of Suitors.

MA N Y ill Matters and Projeiflsare undertaken,
and private Suits do putnfiethe Publick Good.
Many good Matters are undertaken with bad Minds, I
mean not only cornipt Minds, b,ut crafty Minds That
intend not Performance. Some embrace S-t'.ts wTiich
never mean to deal effedually ia^em \ but if they fee
there may be life in the matter by fome other means,
they will be conteat to win a Thank, or taKe afecond
Reward, or at Icaft to make ufe in the mean time of
the Stiitorh Hopes. Some take hold of Sua^ only for
an occalion to crofs fome other •, or to make an In-
formation, whereof they could not other wife have
apt Pretext, without Care what becom.e of the S«/t
when that turn is ferv'd ^ or generally, to make other
Men's Bu'cWefs a kind of Entertainment to bring in
their own. Nay, ibme undertake Suits with a full
purpofe to let them fall, to the end, to gratific the ad-
verfe Party or Competitor. Surely there is in fome
fort a Right in every Sit:t •, either a Right of Equity,
if it bea S/^if of Controverfie, or a Right of Defert, if
it be a Suit of Petition. If Affeelion lead a Man to
favour the wrong fide in Joftice, let him rather ufe his
Countenance to compound the Matter, than to carry
it. If Affeftioa lead a Mail to favour thelefs worthy
in Defert, let him do it without depraving or dif-
abling the better Deferver. In Suts which a Man doth
not well underftand, it is good to refer them to fome
Friend of Truft and Judgment, that may report, whe-
ther he m.ay deal in them with Honour •, but let him
chnfe well his Referendarie? , for elfe he may be
led by the Nofe. SyJtors are fo difballed with Delays
and Abufes, that plain dealing in denying to deal ia

K 4 Suits

1 ^4 ^^^ Francis Bacon V EJfajs.

Suits at firft, and reporting the fuccefs barely, and in
challenging no more thanks than one hath deferved,
is grown not only Honourable, but alfb Gracious. In
Suits of Favour, the firft coming ought to take little
place j fo tar forth Confideration may be had of his
Truft, that if intelligence of the matter could not o-
therwife have been had, but by him, advantage be
not taken of the Nfote» but the Party left to his other
mean, and in fbme fort recompeaced for his Difcq-
very. To be ignorant of the value of a Smt is fim-
plicity 'y as well as to be ignorant of the Right thereof
is want of Confcience. Secrecy in Suits is a great
mean of obtaining-, for voicing them to be in for-
wardnefs, may difcourage fome kind of Suitors ; but
doth quicken and awaken others ; but Timing of the
Suit is the principal. Timing, I fay, not only in re-
fpect of the Perfon that fhould grant it, but in re-
fpeftof thofe which are like tocrofsit. Let a Man
in the choice of his mean, rather chufe the fittelt
mean than the greateft mean j and rather them that
deal in certain Things, than thofe that »se General.
The Reparation of a Denial, is fometimes equal to the
firft Grant ; if a Man fhew himfelf, neither dejefted,
nor difcontented". Iniquum fetas^ nt z/Ecfuum feras ^ is
a good rule, where a Man hath ftrength of Favour :
But otherwife a Man were better rife in his Suit ; for
he that would have ventured at firft to have loft the
Suiter^ will not in the Conclulion lofe both the Suitor^
and his own former favour. Nothing is thought fd
eafie a requeft to a great Perfon as his Letter ^ and
yet, if it be not in a good Caufe, it is fo much out of
his Reputation. There are no worfe Inftruments than
thefc general Contrivers of Smts^ for they are but a
kind of Foifon and Infection to publick Proceedings. -

p/

115

Of Studies,

STUDIES ferve for Delight^for Ornament, and
for Ability. Their chief ufe tor Delight is in Pri-
vatenefsand Retiring \ for Ornament is in Difcourfc^
and for Ability, is in the Judgment and Difpofitioa
of Bufinefs. For expert Men can execute, and per-
haps judge of Particulars one by one ; but the general
Counfels and the Plots, and Marfhalling of Affairs,
come beft from thofe that are Learned, To fpend too
much time in Stnci:es is floth j to ufe them too much
for Ornament is affectation j to make Judgment whol-
ly by their Rules is the humour of a Scholar. They
perfed Nature, and arc perfeded by experience r for
Natural Abilities are like Natural Plants, that need
Pruyning by Study, and Studies themfelves do give
forth Diredions too much at large, except they be
bounded in by Experience. Crafty Men contemn Stu-
dies, Simple Men admire them, and Wife Men ufe
them : For they teach not their own ufe, but that is
a Wifdom without them, and above them, won by
Obfervation. Read not to Coutradid and Confute,
nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find Talk
and Dilcourfe, but to weigh and confider. Some Books
are to be tafted, others to be fwallowed, and fome
few to be chewed and digefled •, that is, fome Books
are to be read only in parts ; others to be read, but
not curioufly ^ and fome few to be read, wholly, and
with diligence and attention. Some Books alfo may be
read by Deputy, and Extrads made of them by o-
thers : But that would be only in the lefs important
Arguments, and the meaner fort q( Books, elfe dillil-
led Boch are like common difliJled Waters, fiafhy
■:ings. Reading maketh a full Man j Conference a

ready

I j6 Sir Francis BaconV EJfap'.

ready Man ; and Writing an exad Man. And there-
fore if a Man Write little, he had need have a great
Memory *, if he Confer little, he had need have a
prefent Wit j and if he Read little, he had need have
much Cunning to feem to know that he doth not. Hi-
fiories make Men Wife, Poets Witty, the Mathematkks
Subtil, Natural Philofojjhy Deep, Moral Grave, Logick
and Rhetorick able to Contend. Aheunt Stndia in Mo-
res ; Nay, there is no Stand or Impediment in the
Wit, but may be wrought out by fit 'Studies : Like as
Difeafes of the Body may have appropriate Exercifes.
Bowling is good for the Stone and Reins, Shooting for
the Lungs and Breaft, gentle Walking for the Sto-
mach, Riding for the Head, and the like. So if a
Man's Wit be wandering, let him Study the Mathema-
ticks j for in Demonftrations, if his Wit be called a-
way never fo little, he mufl begin again : If his Wit
be not apt to diftinguifh or find differences, let him
Stndy the School-Men ^ for they are Ciimini fe Chores. If
he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one
thing to prove and illuftrate another, let \{imStHdy the
Lawyers Cafes • fo every Defed of the Mind may have
a Q^ecial Receipt.

LI.

Of ¥actiorj.

MANY have an Opinion not Wife ^ that for a
Prince to govern his Eftate, or for a great Pcr-
fon to govern his Proceedings, according to the re-
fped of Fadions^ is a principal part of Policy •, where-
as contrariwife, the chiefell Wifdom is, either m or-
deringthofethingswhichareGcneral,and wherein Men
of feveral Fall ions do nevcrthclefs agree •, or in dealing
ivith correfpondence to particular Perfons one by one.

But

Of Faff torn* 137

But I fay flot, that the conlideration of FaBions is to
be negleded. Mean Men in their riling muft adhere,
but great Men that haveftrength in themfelves, were
better to maintain themfelves indiiferent and Neutral:
Yet even in beginners to adhere fo moderately, as he
be a Man of the one Faclion^ which is molt palTable
with the other, commonly giveth bell way. The lo-
wer and weaker FaBion is the firmer i?i Conjunction :
and it is often feen, that a few that are iliff, do tire
out a great number that are more moderate. When
one of the Fashions is extinguilhed, the remaining fub-
divideth : As the Faction between LucuUhs^ and the
reft of the Nobles of the Senate (which they called
Optimates) held out a while againlt the FaSlion of Pom-
fey and Cjtfar^ but when the Senates Authority was
pulled down, Cafar and P<?wp<ry foon after brake. The
FaEhion or Party oi Antonins^ and OctAvianns C<i.far^ a-
gainit Brutus and Cajfins^ held out likewife for a time :
But when Brutus and Cajfuts^ were overthrown, then
foon after Antotiius and OUavianus brake and fubdivi-
ded. Thefe examples are of Wars, but the fame hol-
deth in private Faiiions : And therefore thofe that are
Seconds in Factions^ do many times, when the Fiitlioti
fubdivideth, prove Principals ; but many times alfo
they prove Cyphers and cafhierd. For many a Man's
ftrength is in oppoiition, and when that faileth, he
groweth out of ufe. It is commonly feen, that Men
once placed, take in with the contrary Faction to that
by which they enter, thinking belike that they have
their firlt fure, and now arc ready for a nev/ Pur-
chafe. The Traitor in Facbion lightly goeth away
with it •, for when matters have ftuck long in Bal-
lancing, the winning of fome one Man cafteththem,
and he getteth all the thanks. The even carriage be-
tween two FAciions^ proceedeth not always of mode-
ration, but of a truenefs to a Man's felf, with end to
make ufe of both. Certainly in ItaLy^ they hold it a
little fufpedinPopfj, when they have often in their

mouth

ig8 Sir Francis Bacon'/ EJfays,

moixth padre commme^ and take it to be a Sign of one
that meaneth to refer all to the greatnefs of his own
Houfe. Kings had need beware, how they fidethem-
felves, and make themfelves as of a Faction or Party y
for Leagues within the State are ever pernicious to
Monarchies ^ for they raife an OHligation, Paramount
to Obligation of Sovereignty, and make the King,
'Tanefuam hhhs ex nobis ^ as was to be feenintheZ/e^^^e
oi France. When FaUions are carried too high, and
too violently, it is a fign of weaknefs in Princes, and
much to the prejudice both of their Authority and Bu-
ftnefs. The motions of Fusions under Kings, ought to
be like the motions (as the Aflrpnomers fpeak) of the
Inferior Orbs, which m,ay have their proper motions,
but yet ftill are quietly carried by the higher motion of
Trimum Mobile.

LII.

Of CeremOfiies and Refpe^s,

HE that is only real, had need have exceeding great
parts of Virtue, as the Stone had need to be
rich, that is fet without foil. But if a Man mark it
well, it is in praife and commendation of Men, as it
is in gettiiigs and gains : For the Proverb is true. That
light gains make heavy purfes -^ for light gains come
thick, whereas great come but now and then. So it
is true, that fmall matters win great Commendation,
becaufethey arc continually in ufc, and in note ;,wherc'
as the occalion of any great Virtue cometh but on
Feflivals. Therefore it doth much add to a Man's Re-r
putation, and is, ( as Qiieen Ifabclla faith) Like perpetual
Letters Commendatory^ to have ^podforms. To attain
them, it al moil fufficeth not to defpife them*, for fo
ihall a Mail obferve them in others : And let himtruft

himfclf

Of Ceremonies mi Refpeifs. 159

himfelf with the reft. For if he labour too much to
exprefs them, he fhall lofe their Grace, which is to be
Natural and Unaffefted. Some Mens behaviour is
like a Verfe, wherein every Syllable is meafured. How-
can a Man comprehend great matters, that breaketh
his mind too much to fmall obfervations ? Not to ufe
Ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to ufe them a-
gain ^ and fo diminifh refpe^ to himfelf j efpecially,
they are not to be omitted to Grangers, and formal
Natures : But the dwelling upon them, and exalting
them above the Moon, is not only tedious, but doth
diminifh the faith and credit of him that fpeaks, And
certainly, there is a kind of conveying of effedual
and imprinting PalTions amongft Complements, which
is of fingular ufe, if a Man can hit upon it. Amonglt
a Man's Peers, a Man fhall be fure of familiarity ;
and therefore it is good a little to keep State. Amonglt
a Man's Inferiours, one fhall be fure of Reverence ;
and therefore it is good a little to be familiar. He
that is too much in any thing, fo that he giveth ano-
ther occafion of Satiety, maketh himfelf cheap. To
apply ones felf to others is good, fo it be with De-
monftration, that a Man doth it upon regard, and not
facility. It is a good Precept generally in feconding
another, yet to add fomevvhat of ones own ^ as if vou
would grant his Opinion, let it be with fome diflindi-
on j if you will follow his Motion, let it be with
Condition-, if you allow his Counfel, let it be with
alledging further Reafon. Men had need beware, how
they be too pcrfed in Complements : For be they
never fo fufficicnt otherwife, their enviers will be fure
to give them that Attribute, to the difadvantage of
their greater Venues. It is lofs alfo in bulinefs, to be
topfull of refpects^ or to be too curious in obfervin^
Times and Opportunities. Sclomon faith, He that conji-
dereth the IVi/jd flja/l not Sow, and he tf nt looketh to the
Chads jhall not Reap. A wife Man will make more op-
P'^rtunities than he finds. Mens Behaviour ihculd be

like

140 Sir Francis Bacon'/ EJfays.

like their Apparel, not too Straitj or point device, but
free for Exercife or Motion.

LIII.

0/ Praife,

PR A I S E is the Reflexion of Vertuc, but it is as
the Glafs or Body which giveth the Refledion.
If it be from the common People, it is commonly
falfe and naught, and rather follow eth vain Perfons
than vertuous. For the common People underftand
not many excellent vertues : the loweft vertues draw
fralfe from them, the middle vertues work in them A-
Itonifiiment or Admiration, but of the higheft Vertues
they have no fenfe or perceiving at all, but Ihews and
Species virtmihus f miles ferve beft with them. Cer-
tainly Fame is like a River, that beareth up things light
and fwoln, and drowns things weighty and folid :
But if Perfons of Quality and Judgment concur, then
it is, (as the Scripture laith) Nomen honnm in^ar un-
guemi fragrantis. It fill eth all roundabout, and wxH
not eafily away i For the Odours of Oyntments are
more durable than thofe of Flowers. There be 9j
many falfe Points of Fraife that a Man may jultly
hold it a fufped. Some Praifes proceed meerly of
Flattery, and if he be an ordinary Flatterer, he will
have certain common Attributes, which may ferve e-
very Man : If he be a cunning Flatterer he will fol-
lowHhe Arch Flatterer, which is a Man's felf: And
wherein a Man thinketh bell of himfclf , therein the
Flatterer will uphold him moft ^ but if he be an im-
pudent Flatterer, look wherein a Man is confcious to
himfelfthat he is mofl defcdive, and is molt out of
Coimtenancein himfelf, that will the Flatterer Enti-
tle him to by force, S^reta ConfcicKtia, Some Praifes

come

OJ Praife, 141

comeof good wiflies and refpefts, which is a form due
in Civility to Kings and great Perfons, Laudando pra"
cijtere^ when by telling Men what they are, they re-
prefent to them what they Ihould be. Some Men are
praifed malicioufly to their hurt, thereby to ftir envy
and jealoulie toward them, Pejfiminn genus inimicorcm
laudnntium^ infomuch as it was a Proverb amongft
the Grecians ; that he that was praifed to his hurt JiwuLd
have a pujh rife upon his Nofe •, as we lay, That a blifier
will rife Hfon ones Tongue that tells a Lye. Certainly mo-
derate fraife^ ufed with opportunity, and not vulgar,
is that 1 which doth the good. Solomon faith. He that
■praifeth his Friend aloud^ ^'f^^ early ^ it Jljall he to him no.
better than a Curfe. Too much magnifying of a Man
or matter, doth irritate contradid:ion, and procure en-
vy and fcorn. To fraife a Man's felf cannot be de-
cent, except it be in rare cafes ; but to fraife a Man's
Office or profefllon, he may do it with good Grace,
and with a kind of Magnanimity. The Cardinals of
Rome^ which are Theologues, and Fryars, and School-
men, have a Phrafe of notable contempt and fcorn to-
wards civil bufinefs : For they call all Temporal buli-
nefs of Wars, Embaflages, Judicature and other em-
ployments, Shirr eri., which is under Sheriffi-ies^ as if
they were but matters for Under-SherifFs and Catch-
poles J though many times thofe Vnder-Sherifries do
more good than their high (peculations. Sjiint Paul.,
when he boafts of himfelf, he doth oft interlace I [peak
like A Fool •, but fpeaking of his Calling, he faith, Mag-
nipco ApoftolatHm meum.

Of

142 5/V Francis BaconV Ejfap.

LIV.

Of Vaw-Glory.

IT was prettily devifed ofty£fop^ The Fly fate npon the
Axletreeofthe Chariot-Wheel^ and faid^ What a Dujir
do I ralfc? Soare there Ibme vain Per fons, thatwhatfoe-
ver goeth alone, or moveth-upon greater means, if
they have never fo little hand in it, they think it is
they that carry it. They that are Glorious^ muft needs
."be fadious •, for ail Bravery ftands upon comparifons.
They mufl needs be violent, to make good their own
Vaunts. Neither can they be fecret, and therefore not
eifedual ; but according to the French Proverb, Bean-
eoup de Brnit^ pen de Fruit •, Much Bruit^ little Fruit,
Yet certainly there is ufe of this Qiiality in Civil Af*
fairs. Where there is an Opinion and Fame to be
created, either of Virtue or Greatnefs, thefe Men are
good Tri'impeters. Again, as Titus Livtus noteth in
the cafe oi Antiochns^ and the z/Etolians^ There are fomc-
tmies great ejfeBs of croj's Lyes: As if a Man that Ne-
gotiates between two Princes, to draw them to join
111 a War againft the third, doth extol the Forces of
cither of them above meafure, the one to the other :
And fonietimcs he that deals between Man and Man,
raifeth his own Credit with both, by pretending great-
er Intereft than he hath tn either- And in thefe and
the like kinds, it often falls out, th?X fomewhat is pro-
duced of nothing : For Lyes are fufhcient to breed O-
pinion, and Opinion brings on Subftance. ^ In xMilita*
ry Commanders and Soldiers, f^ain Glory is an cilen-
tial Point: For as Iron (harpeas Iron, ^o hj Glory onfe
Courage fharpneth another. In cafes of great En^
terprife, upon Charge and Adventure, a Compolition
o^ Glorious Natures doth put Life into Bulinefs", and
rhofc that are of folid and fober Natures have more

of

Of Vain G lor J. I4j

t>f the Balkfl: than of the Sail. In Fame of Learn-
ing the Flight will ilow, without fome Feathers of
Ofientation. Qni de contemnenda Gloria Librvs fcrtbunt.,
Nomen fuum infcribum. Socrates^ Arift^otle^ Galen ^ were
Men full of Oftemation. Certainly f^Mn^Glory helpeth
to perpetuate a Man's Memory ^ and Vertue was ne-
ver {6 beholden to humane Nature, as it received his
due at the fecond Hand; Neither had the Fame of
Cicero^ Seneca^ Pliniiis Secundus^ born her Age fo well,
if it had not been joined with fome Vanity in them-
felves \ like unto Vamijh, that maketh Cielmgs not on-
ly Ihine, but lalt. But all this while, when I fpeak
of Vain-Glory^ 1 mean not ot that property that T^icitfts
doth attribute to Mncianns^ Omnium ejHd dixerat^ fece^
ratine, ArteqnadamOfientator : For that proceeds noC
of Vanity^ but of Natural Magnanimity and Difcreti-
on : And in fome Perfbns, is not only Comely, but
Gracious. For Excufations, Ceffions, Modelty it felf
well governed, are but Arts ot OHentation, And a-
mongftthofe Arts there is none better than that which
Plinius 5a7^ff</«jfpeakethof, which is to be liberal of
Praifeand Commendation to others, in that whereia
a Man's felf hath any Perfection. For, faith Pliny
very wittily, In commending another^ you do your felf
right: For he that you commend^ is eitker Superior to yon^
in that you commend^ or Inferior, If he be Inferior^ if he
be to be commended^ you much more : If he be Superior^
if he be not to b^ commended, you much lefs Glorious,
Men are the fcorn of wife Men, the admiration of
Fools, the Idols of Parafites, and the Slaves of their
own Vaunts.

h Of

144 ^^^ Francis Bacon's Ejfays,

LV.

Of Honour and Reputation,

THE Winning of Hononr^ is but the revealing of
Man's Virtue and Worth without Difad vantage.
For fome in their Adions do wooe and afFecl Honour
and Refutation *, which fort of Men are commonly
much talked of, but inwardly little admired. And
ibme, contrariwife, darken their Virtue in the Ihew of
it, fo as they be undervalued in Opinion. If a Man
perform that which hath not been attempted before,
or attempted and given over, or hath been atchieved,
but not with fo good circumftance, he fhall purchafe
more Honour^ than by effeding a matter of greater
difficulty or virtue, wherein he is but a follower. If
a Man fo temper his Aftions, as in fome one of them
he doth content every Fadion or Combination of
People, the Mufick will be the fuller. A Man is an
ill Husband of his Honour that entreth into any Adi-
on, the failing wherein may difgrace him more than
the carrying of it through can Honour him. Honour
that is gained and broken upon another, hath the"
quickeft reflection, like Diamonds cut with Fafcets.
And therefore let a Man contend to excel any Com-
petitors of his in Honour^ in out-fhooting them, if he
can in their own Bow. Difcreet Followers and Ser-
vants help much to Refutation : Omnis jama a DomC'
fiicis emanat. Envy, which is the Canker of Honour^ is
beft cxtiaguifhed by declaring a Man's felt in his ends,
rather to feck Merit than Fame •, and by attributing
a Man's fuccelfes, rather to Divine Providence and
Felicity than to his own Vjrtue or Policy. The true
mar (hailing of the Degrees of Sovereign Honour^ arc
ihcfe. In the firfl place arc, Condltores Lnpcriorum^
Fojmders of States and Common-wealths •, fuch as were

RomitlHs^

Of Homur ansi Reputdtion. 1 45

Romulus^ Cyrus^C^far^ Ottoman^ Ifmc.el, Inthefecond
place are, Legijlatores^Laxt-givers \ which are alio cal-
ed Second Founders^ or Perpetui Princifes^ becaufe they
govern by their Ordinances after they are gone \ fuch
were Lycurgm^ Solon ^ Juftinian^ Edgar ^ Alfhonjus of
Gafiile the wife, that made the Siete fatridas. In the
third jAzcQZTC, Liber at ores or Salvatores •, fuch as com-
pound the long mileries of Civil Wars, or deliver their
Countreys from Servitude ofSrangcrsor Tyrants j
as AugHfins Cifar^J^efpafianns^ AureliafiHs^T^eodoricus^
King Henry the Seventh of England^ King Henry the
Fourth oi France. In the fourth place are Projtagat ores
or PropHgnatores Imperii ^ fuch as in Honourable Wars
enlage their territories, or make noble defence againft
Invaders. And in the laft place are Panes Patrid^
which Reign juftly, and make the times good wherein
they live. Both which laft kinds need no Examples,
they are in fuch number. Degrees of Honour in Sub-
jeds arc : Firft, Participes Cur arum, thofe upon whom
Princes do difcbarge the greateft Weight of their Af-
fairs, their Right Hafids^ as we call them. The next
are, Dnces Belli, Great Leaders, fuch as are Princes
Lieutenants, and do them notablefervicesin the Wars.
The third are Gratioji, Favourites, fuch as need not this
fcantling, to be Solace to the Sovereign, and ha rmlefs
to the People. And the fourth NegotUs Pares, fuch as
havegreat places under Princes, and execute their pla-
ces with fulficiency. There is zn. Honour likewife which
may be ranked amongft the greateftj^^ch hapneth
rarely, that is, of iuchas Sacrifice themjfl J to Death or
Dargcr for the Good of thdrCountrey j aS was M. Regw
Ins, and the twoDeai.

L2 Of

lifi Sir Vnncis Bzcon^s EJfays.

LVI.

0/ Judicature,

JV DGES ought to remember, that their Office is,
Jhs dtcere^zndnotjHs dare : To interpret LaUy and
not to make Law^ or give Law : Elfe will it be like the
Authority claimed by the Church ojRome^ which under
pretext of Expofition of Scripture, doth not ftickto add
and alter, and to pronounce that which they do not
find j and by jl^erv of Antiquity to introduce Novelty,
Judges ought to be more learned than Witty, more Re-
verend than Plaufible, and more advifed than Confi-
dent. Above all things Integrity is their Portion and
proper Virtue : Curfed (faith, the Law) is he that remo-
veththe Land-Aiark. Themiflayerofa Meer-Stone is to
blame •,but it is theunjuft Jndge that is the Capital Re-
mover of Land-Marks, when he definethamifs of Lands
and Property. One foul Sentence doth more hurt than
many foul Examples', for thefe do but corrupt the Stream,
the other corrupteth the Fountain. Solaith Solomon,
Fons turhatus-^ C^l^enacorrupta, eji Jufius cadens mcaufa
fua coram Adverfario. The Office oi Judges may have
reference unto l\[t Parties thatfue, unto the Advocates
that plead^ unto the Clerks and Mmifiers oijufiice un-
derneath them, and to the Sovereign or State above
them.

Firft, For|hfiCi«/f J or Parties that fue. There be (faith
the ScriptiJr£ii^^ Judgment into Wormwood ^and

fuerly there D^alfdjihat turn it into Finegar ^ for In-
juftice maketh it bifter, and delays make it four. The
principal F3uty of a Judge is to fupprefs force and fraud,
whereof force is the more pernicious when it is open,
and fraud when it is clofc and difgiiifed. Add thereto
coutcntioi's Suits, which ought to be fpewcdout as the
Surfeit of Courts. A Judge ouglit to prepare his way

to

Of Judicature. 14/7

to a Jufl: Sentence, as God ufeth to prepare his way by
ratJiNJ ralleysy and tahw^ do-vn HilU : So when there
appeareth on either fide an High Rind, violent Profe-
cution , cunning Advantages takea, Combination,
Power, Great Counfcl, then is the Virtue of a Jftdge
fcen. to make Inequality Equal, that he may plant his
Judgment as upon an even Ground. OhI fortlter emun'
git^ elicit fanguinem \ and where the Wine-Prefsis hard
wrought, it yields a h arOi Wine that taftes of the
Grape-Stone. 'Ji-'^gei mud bewire of hard Conftru-
Aions, and ftrained Inferences *, for there is no worfe
Torture thai the Torture of Laws, efpecially, in cafe
of Laws penaU they ought to hive care, that that
which was meant for Terror, be not turned into Ri-
gor, and that they bring not upon the People that
Shower whereof the Scripture fpeaketh, PUet Taper eos
LAcjueos ^ for penal Laws prcifed area -^/joTP^r of, 9;/;«r«
upon the People. Therefore let Penal Larvs^ if they
have been Sleepers of long, or if they be grown unfit
for the prefent Time, be by wife Judge: coafiaed in
the Execution, Jndicis Officiurn eft^ ut Res tta Tempera
Rerum^ &C. In Caufes of Lije and Death^ J^^dges ought,
(as far as the Law permitteth) in Juitice to remember
Mercy •-, and to cait a fevere Eye upon the Example
but a merciful Eye upon the Perfon.

Secondly, for the Advocate: and Council that plead i
Patience and Gravity of hearing is an eiTential part of
Juftice, and an over-fpeaking Judge is no well-tuned
Cymv^d. It is no Grace to a J-^-d-ge^ firit to find that
which he might have heard in due time from the Bar,
or to fhew quicknefs of conceit in cutting off Evi-
dence or Counfeltoo fhort, or to prevent Informations
by Queilions though pertinent. The parts of a Judge-
in hearing are tour \ To dired the Evidence \ to mo-
derate length, repetition, or impertinency of Speech.
To Recapitulate, Select, and Collate the material
Points of that which hath been faid •, And to give the
Rule or Sentence. Whatfoever is above thefe, is to^

148 Sir Francis Bacon'j Ejfajs,

much i and proceedeth either of Glory and willing-
iiefs to fpeak, or of impatience to hear, or of fhort-
neft of Memory, or of want of a ftayed and equal
Attention. It is a ftrange thing to fee, that the bold-
nefs oi Advocates (hould prevail with Judges ^ where-
as they fhould imitate God in whofe feat they lit, who
re-prejfeth thePn /HmptHous^andgiveth Gracetothe Modefli
But it is more ftrange, that Judges fhould have noted 5
Favourites*, which cannot but caufe multiplication of
Fees, and fufpicion of By-ways. There is due from
the Judge to t]^Q v^^vt'c^/'f fome Commendation and
Gracing, where Caufes are well handled, and fairplea-
ded ^ elpecially towards the fide which obtaineth not j
for that upholds in the CUent the Reputation of his
Caimfel^ and beats down in him the conceit of his
Cmfe. There is likevvife due to the Puhlick a civil Re-
phenfion of Advocates^ where there appeareth cun-
ning Counfel, grofs Negled, flight information, in-
dilcreet Prefling, or an overbold Defence. And let
not the Counfel at the Bar chop with the Judae^ nor
wind himfelf into the handling of the Caufe anew,
after the Judge hath declared his Sentence : But on
the other lide, let not the Judge meet the Canfe half
way, nor give occafion to the Party to fay, His Coun-
cel or Proofs were not heard.

Thirdly, For that that concerns Clerhsznd Mlnifiers.
The Place of Jufilce is an hallowed Place ^and there-
fore not only the Bench, but the Foot-pace, and Pre-
cinfts, and Purprife thereof ought to be preferved
without Scandal and Corruption. Forcertainly Graces
(as the Scripture laith) will not he gathered oj 'Thorns or
Thifiles'^ neither can Juftice yield her Fruit with fwcet-
nefs amongft the Briars and Brambles of Catching and
Poling Clerks and Mimfiers, The Attendance of Courts
is fubjed to four bad luftruments: Firfl:, Certain
Pcrfons that are fovvers of Suits which make the Court
^vell, and the Country pine. The. fecond fort is,
^.thoje th^t engage Courts in Qijarrels of Jurifdidi-

Of Judicature, 149

on, and are not truly ^mici QirU^ bat Parajlti Cnrid:,
in puffing a Court up beyond her bounds, for their
own Scraps and Advantage. The third fort is, Of
thofe that maybe accounted the Left hands of Courts ;
Perfons that are full of nimble and finifter tricks and
fhifts, whereby they pervert the plain and direct Cour-
fes of Courts^ and bring Juftice into oblique Lines and
Labyrinths. And the fourth is, the Poller and Ex-
after of Fees, which juftifies the common refemblance
of the Courts of Jii/hice to the Bujh^ w hereunto while
the Sheep flies for Defence in Weather, he is fure to
lofe part of his Fleece. On the other fide, an Ancient
Clerk, skilfal in Precedents, wary in proceeding, and
underltanding in the Bufinefs of the Court, is an excel-
lent Finger of a Court, and doth many times point
the way to the J^tdge himfelf.

Fourthly, For that which may concern the Sove-
reign and Efiate. Judges ought above all to remember
the conclusion of the Roman Trrelve Tables, Salus Pcf^-
li Snpema. Lex ; and to know, that Law5, except they
be in order to that end, are but things captious, and
Oracles not well infpir'd. Therefore it is an happy
thing in a Sr .Iff, when A'/>^r and States do often con-
fult with Judges ; and again, when Judges do often
confult with the Ki-ngdivAState : The one, whenthrre
is a matter of Law intervenient in bufinefs of State ;
The other, when there is fome confideration of State
intervenient in matter of Law; For many times the
things deduced to Judgment may be Meum 2indTiium^
when the reafon and confequence thereof may Trench
to point of EJhtc. I call matter of Eftate not only
the ])SiTts of So^■ereignty, but whatfoevcr introduceth
any great Alteration, or dangerous Precedent,or con-
cerneth manifeftly any great portion of People. And
let no Man weakly conceive, that Jult Laws and true
Policy have any Antipathy .• For they are like Spirits,
Hid Sinews, that one moves with the other. Let Judges
alfo remember, That Solomon' sThr one wasfupported by

L 4 Lions

I ^o Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs]

Lions on both fides : Let them be Lions, but yet Li^
oas under the Throne j being circumfpecl, that they
do not check or oppofe any points of Sovereignty, Let
not Judges alio be fb ignorant of their own right, as
to think there is not left to them, as a Principal part
of their Office, a wife life and Application of Laws;
for they may remember what the Apfile faith of a
greater Laxv than theirs, Nos fcimns quia Lex bona efi^
modo cjuis ea Htatur legitime ^

LVIL

Of Anger*

TO feek toextinguilh ^^j^^r utterly, is but a brave-
ry of the Stoicks. We have better Oracles: Be
angry y but fin not. Let not the Sun go down upon your an-
ger . Anger muft be limited and confined, both in Race
and Time. We will firftfpeak, how the Natural In-
clination and Habit fo be an^jy^mTq be attempered and
calmed. Secondly, How the particular motions of
mger may be reprefled, or at leaft refrained from do-
ing mifchief. Thirdly, How to xz\{^anger^ or appeafe
anger in another.

For the firfl : There is no other way but to Medi-
tate and Ruminate well upon the efFedts of Anger\\<y^
it troubles Man's Life. And the befl time to do this, is
to look back upon Anger ^ when the fit is throughly
over. Seneca faith well \ That Anger is like Rutn^ which
breaks it fetf upon th^.t it falls. The Scripture exhorteth
us, Topjfefs our Souls in patience. Whofoevcr is out of
fatience^ is out of PofTcflion of hisSo;//. Men mu/lnot
turn Bees ^

'Animnfque in y^tirjcrc pommt.

Ajigen

f^f Anger. 151

"Anger is certainly a kind of Bafenefs ; as it appears
well in the Weaknefs of thofe Subjeds in whom it
reigns, Children, Women, Old Folks, Sick Folks. On-
ly Men muft beware, that they carry their Anger ra-
ther with Scorn, than with Fear : So that they may
feem rather to be above the injury than below it, which
is a thing calily done, if a Man will give Law to him-
felf in it.

For the fecond Point. The Caufes and Motives of
Anger are chiefly three : Firft,to be too f en fib U of hum
For no Man is Angry that feels not himfelf hurt j and
therefore tender and delicate Perfons muft needs be of-
ten Angry : They havefo many things to trouble them,
which more robuft Natures have little fenfe of. The
next is, the Apprehenfion and Conftrudion of the In-
jury offered, to be in the circumftances thereof, full
of contempt. For contemft is that which puttethan edge
upon Anger^ as much or more than the hurt it felf :
And therefore when men are ingenious in picking
out circumftances of contempt^ they do kindle their An-
ger much. Laftly, Opinion of the touch of a Man's
Reputation doth multiply and Iharpen Anger : Where-
in the remedy is, that a M^n Ihould have as Gonfalvo
was wont to fay, TeUm Honoris crajfiorem. But in all
refrainingsof vi/w^r/-, it is thebeftremedy towinTime,
and to make a man's felf believe that the Opportuni-
ty of his revenge is not yet come \ but that he fore-
fees a time for it, and fo to ftill himfelf in the mean
time, and referve it.

To contain Anger from Mlfchief^ though ittake hold
of a Man, there be two things, v^iiereof you muft
have fpecial Caution : The one, of extream hittemefs
of Words^ efpecially if they be Aculeate and Proper-,
for CommHnia Male dicla2irQ:iOX^m{\2^ fo much. And 3-
gain, That in Anger a Man reveal no Secrets;, for that
inakes him not fit for Society. The other. That you
do noi peremptorily break off ia any buliuefs in a lit of

Anfer i

152 Sff Francis Bacon'/ EJJap'.

Anger % but howfoever you Jhew bitternefs, do not aSt

any thing that is not revocable.

For raifing and affeafng Anger in another : It is done
chiefly by chufing otTimes ; when Men are forwardeft
and worft difpofed, to inccnfe them. Again, by ga-
thering (as was touched before^ all that you can find
out to aggravate the contempt \and the two remedies are
by the contraries : The former, to take good Times,
when firft to relate to a Man an angry bufinefs : For
the firfl: Impreflion is much 5 and the other is to fever
as much as may be the Conftrudion of the Injury from
the Foin^ of contempt •, imputing it to Mi funderftanding,
Fear, Fafllon, or what you will.

LVIII.

Of VicilJitude ofThifigs,

SO LO MO iV faith. There is no new thing upon the
Eanh : So that as Plato had an imagination, That
all knowledge was but arememberance : So Solomon ^lytth
his fcntence. That all Njveltyis but Oblivion .-Whereby
you may fee, that the River oi Lethe runneth as well
above ground as below. There is an abftrufe Altro-
lo^er that faith, J[ it were not or two things that are
confiar:t^ ( The one js^That the fixed ftars ever fland at like
dijiance one from another^ and never come nearer together^
nor go further a/nnder^the other ^That the Diurnal Moti-
onvertctually keepeth Time) no Individual would lajl one
moment. Certain it is. That l\\Qmatter is in a perpetu-
al Flux, and never at a ftay. The great Winding-
Sheets that bury all things in Oblivion are two i De^
luges and Earth'jiiakes. As for Conflagrations and great
Droughts^ they do not meerly'di^coplc, but deftroy.
Phaeton's Car weat but a Day : And the Three years
Drought, in the time of Elias^ was but particular, and

left

Of Vici/ptude of Things'. 153

left People alive. As for the great bkrmngs by Light-
n'tngs^ which arc often in the Weft Indies^ they are but
narrow. But in the other two Deflrudions, by De-
luge and Earthquake^ it is further to be noted, That
the remnant of People which hap to be referved, are
commonly ignorant and mountainous People, that can
give no account of the time paft jfo that the Obli-
vion is all one, as if none had been left. If you con-
fider well of the People of the Weft- Indies^ it is very
probable, that they are a newer or younger People,
than the People of the Old World. And it is much
more likely, that the dellru£tion that hath heretofore
been there, was not by Earthquakes^ ( as the EgyptUn
Prieft told Solon, concerning the Ifland of AtLmtis^
That it was Jwalhived by an Earthquake) but rather,
it was Defclated by a particular Deluge : For Earth-
quakes are feldom in thofe Parts. But on the other fide,
they have fuch pouring Rivers^ as the Rivers of Afia,
and Africky and Europe, are but Brooks to them. Their
Andes likewife, or Mountains, are far higher thaa
thofe with us-, whereby it fcems, that the Remnants
of Generations of Men were in fuch a particular De-
luge faved As for the obfervation that y^/^c/;;Vtff/ hath.
That the Jealo-ijie of ScSls doth much extinguifn the
memory of things ^ traducing Gregory the Great, that
he did what in him lay to extinguifh all Heathen An-
tiquities. I do not find that thofe Zeals do any great
Effefts, nor laft long ^ as it appeared in the Succefli-
on of S.tbinian, who did revive the former Antiqui-
ties.

The Vlciffitude or Mutations in the Superior Glob:^
are not fit matter for this prefent Argument. It may be
Tlato\< G're^f_)'f^«-, if the World fhould lafl: fo long,
would have fome effed ^ not in renewing the State or
like Individuals, (for that in the Fume of thofe, that
conceive the Coeleftial Bodies have more accurate In-
fluences upon thefe things below, than indeed they
have ) but in GroXs. Cornets out of queftion have like-
wife

154 ^^''' Francis BaconV EJfap,

wife Power and EfFed over the Grofs and Mafs of
things : But they are rather gazed upon, and waited
upon in their Journey, than wifely obferved in their
EfFeds, efpecially in their refpeclive EfFefts j that is.
What kind of Comet for Magnitude, Colour, Verfion
of the Beams, placing in the Region of Heaven, or
lading, produceth what kind of efFeds.

There is a Toy which I have heard, and I would
not have it given over, but waited upon a little. They
lay it is obferved in the Low-Co untreys^ (I know not in
what partj That every fiveand thirty Years, the fame
kind and fuit of Years and Weathers come about a-
gain, as great Frofls, great Wet, great Droughts, warm
Winters, Summers with little Heat, and the like j and
they call it the Prime.ltis athing I do rather mention,
becaufe computing backwards, Ihave found fome con-
currence.

But to leave thefe points of i\74f/^?f, and come to mer?:
The greateft ricijfititde of things amongft men^ is. The
Vic}(j'iti4de of Sc^s and Religions : For thofe Orbs rule in
mens minds moll. The true Religion is buUt upo?i the
Rock, the reft are toft upon the Waves of Time. To
fpeak therefore ofthe Caufcs of new Sects, d^nd to give
fome Counfcl concerning them, as far as the weakacfs
of Humane Judgment can give ftay to fo great Revo-'
lutions.

When the Religion formerly received, is rent by Dif-
cords y and when the Holinefs of the Profcilbrs of
Rciigiofi is decayed, and full of Scandal, and withal
the Times be Stupid, Ignorant, and Barbarous, you
may doubt the fpringing up of a ncrv Sell, if then alfo
there fhould arife any extravagant and ftrangeSpirit
to make himfelf Author thereof : AH which points
held, when A4abomet publifiied his Lnvo. If a 'fievo Sett
have not two properties, fear it not •, for it will not
fpread. The one is, The Supplanting or the Oppo-
liugof Authority eftabliflied. For nothing is more
popular than that. The other is, The giving Licence

!9i

Of Ficiffitade of Things* 155

to pleafures aad Voluptuous Life, For as for Specula-
tive Hereftes^ fliiGh as were in Ancient Times the Ar-
rians^ and now the Arminians) though they work
mightily upon Mens Wits, yet they do not produce
any great alteration in States, except it be by the help
of Civil Occafions. There be three manner of Plan-
tations of new Se^s^ by the Power of Signs and Mi-
racles^ by the Eloeji'.ente and Wifdom oi Speech and Per-^
fwafion^ and by the S^ord j for Martyrdoms^ I reckon,
them amongft Miracles^ becaufe they feem to exceed
the ftrengtB of Humane Nature : And I may do the
Xlkz of Super lathe and Admirable Holir/efsof Life. Sure-
ly there is no better way to flop the rifing of new
Se^s and Schifms^ than to reform abufes, to compound
the fmaller differences, to proceed mildly, and not
with Sanguinary perfecutions ^ and rather to take off
the principal Authors by winning and advancing
them, than to enrage them by violence and bitter-
nefs.

Thp Changes and J^icijfitude in Wars are many, but
chiefly in three things : In the Seats or Stages of the
War ; in the Weapons.^ and in the manner of the Con-
duEl. Wars in Ancient Time, feem'd more to move
from Eafl to Weft : For the Per/ians^ A£yrians^ Arabians^
Tartars (which are the Invaders) were all Eaftern
People. It is true, the Gauls were Weflern, but we
read but of two Incurfions of theirs, the one to Galh-
Cr£cia^ the other to Rome. BmI Eaft and Weft have no
certain Points of Heaven, and no more have the Wars
either from the Eaft oxthQWeft any certainty of Obfer-
vation. But North and South are fix'd,' and it hath
feldom or never been feen, that the far Southern Peo-
ple have invaded the Northern, but contrariwiie.
Whereby it is manifefl, that the Northern Tra'ch of the
World is in Nature the mere Martial Religion ^ be it
in refpecl of the Stars of that Hemifphere, or of the
great Continents that are upon the North., whereas
the South Part., for ought that is known, is almoft ail

Sea:

1 56 Sir Francis BaconV EJfajs.

Sea ; or (which is moft apparent) of the Cold of the
Northern Parts, which is that, which without Aid of
Difcipline doth make the Bodies hardeft, and the Cou-
rages warmefl.

Upon the Breaking and Shivering of a great State and
Empire, you may be fure to have U^ars. For great
Empires, while they ftand, do enervate and deflroy
the Forces of .'the Natives which they have fubducd,
refting upon their own Proteding Forces j and then
when they fail alfo, all goes to Ruin, and they be-
come a Prey. So was it in the decay of the Roman
Empire ^ and likewife in the Empire of Almain, after
Charles the Great, every Bird taking a Feather, and
were not unlike to befall to Spain, if it Ihould break.
The gvt^it Ace ejfions a.ndVnions of Kingdoms do likewife
flir up Wars. For when a State grows to an Over-
power, it is like a great Flood thatwill be furetoover-
flow. As it hath been feen in the States of Rome, Tur-
ky, Spain, and others. Look when the World hath
fewell Barbarous People, but fuch as commonly will not
marry or generate, except they know means to live ;
Cas it is almofl every where at this Day, except Tar^
tary) there is no danger of Inundations of People;
but when there he great Shoals of People, which go on
to populate without forefeeing means of Life and Su-
lleutation, it is of neceflity that once in an Age or
two, they difcharge a Portion of their People upon o-
ther Nations, which the ancient Northern People were
wont to do by Lot, calling Lot what Part Ihould ftay
at home, and what Ihould feck their Fortunes. When a
Warlike State g\-o\ss [oft isiwdejfeminate, they may be fure
of a War; for commonly fuch States are grown rich
in the time of their Degenerating, and fo the Prey
iaviteth, and their decay in Valour encourageth a
War.

As for the Weapons, it hardly falleth under Rule and
Obfervation •, yet we fee even they have Returns and
l^icijfi tildes, For certain it is, i\\dX0rd?2ance was known

in

Of Viciffitude (f Things, 1 57

in the City of the OxydraUs in hdia ; and was that
which the Macedonians calFd Thunder and Lightning,
and Magick. And it was well known, that the ufe
of Ordnance hath been in China above 2000 Years. The
Conditions of Weapons^ and their Improvements are ;
FirJl, The fetching afar off \ for that out-runs the
Danger, asit isfeeninOr^»4«ctf and^«/^^/^-f. Second-
ly, The Strengh of the Percuflion, wherein likewile
Ordnance ^0 exceed all Arietations, and ancient Inven-
tions. The Third is. The commodious ufe of them ;
as that they may lerve in all Weathers, that the Carri-
age may be light and manageable, and the like.

For the Condull of the War • at the firft Men reiled
extreamly upon Number •,they did put the Wars likewife
upon main Force and Valour^ pointing Days for pitch'd.
Fields, and fo trying it out upon an even Match, and
they were more ignorant in Rariging a.nd Jlrraying their
Battles. After they grew to reft upon Number^ rather
Competent thanVaft, they grew to advantages ofPlace^
Cunning Diver fions^ and the like : and they grew more
skilful in the ordering of their Battles.

In the Touth of a State^ Arms do fiOnrilh ^ in the
middle Age of a State^ Learning ^ and then both of them
together for a time : In the declining Age of a State^
AiechanicalArts and Merchandiz.e. Learningy hath his
Infancy, when it is but beginning, and almoft Child-
ifli j then his Youth when it is Luxuriant and Juve-
nile; then his ftrength of Years, when it is fo lid and
reduc'd j and laftly, his Old Age ^ when it waxeth dry
and exhauft: But it is not good to look too long up-
on thefe turning Wheels ofKiajJitude^ left we become
giddy. As for the Philology of them, that is but a Cir-
cle of Talcs, and therefore not St for this Writing.

J r.-

158 Sir Francis Bacon V EJftp,

LIX.

J Fragment of an EJfdj of Fame,

^T^ H E Poets make Fame a Menfier. They defcribe
i her in Part finely and elegantly j and in Part
gravely and fententioufly. They fay, look how mz-
TiY Feathers fhe hath, fo many f^^j fhe hath underneath :
fo msiny Tongues 3 fo many rckesj fhe pricks up fo ma-
ny Ears.

Thi$ is a Flour ijh: There follow excellent Parable f'^
as that^flie gathereth Strength in goings that fhe goeth
tipon the Ground, and yet hideth her Head in the
Clouds. That in the Day-time fhe fitteth in a Watch-
Tower ^ and flieth moft by Night : That fhe mingleth
things done with things not done : And that flieis
a Terror to great Cities : But that which pafleth all
the reft is: they do recount that the Earthy Mother of
the Gyants^ 'that made War againft Jupter^ and were
by him deftroy'd, thereupon, in anger, brought forth
Fame : For certain it is, that Rebels figur'd by the Gy^
ants and Seditious Fames^ and Libels.^ are but Brothers
and Siflcrs •, Mc:fculinc and Feminine. But now if a Man
can tame this Monfier^ and bring her to feed at the
Hand, and govern her, and with her tlie other raven-
ing Fowl, and kill them, it is fomewhat worth. But
we are infected vvith the Style of the Poets. To fpeak
now in a fid and ferious manner : There is not in all
the Politicks^ a Place lefs handled, and more worthy
to be handled, than this of F^we. We will therefore
fpeak of thcfe Points. What are falfe Fames •, and what
are true Fames : and how they may be belt difcern-
cd •, how Fames may be fown and raifed 3 how they*
may be fpread and multiplied, and how they may be
clieck'd and laid dead: And other things concerning .
the Nature of Fame, Fame is of that Force, as there is

fcarcely

Of Fame. 159

fcarcely any great Adion wherein it hath nota greac
part, efpecially in the IVar. MucUnns undid VittUlus
by a Fame that he fcatter'd \ that yitelllus had in pur-
pole to remove the Legions of Syria into Germany ;
and the Legions of Germany into Syria: whereupon
the Legions of Syria were infinitely inflam'd. JhUhs
Cafar took Pompey unprovided , and laid ajleep his
Induftry and Preparations, by a Fame that he cunning-
ly gave out, how Cafar's own Soldiers lov'd hrm not ;
and being weary'd with the Wars, and laden with
the Spoils of Gaul, would forfake him as foon as he
came into Italy. Livia fetled all things for the Succef-
fion of her Son T/i»m«/, by continual giving out, that
her Husband Angujius was upon recovery and amend-
ment. And it is an ufual thing with Bajl}aws, to
conceal the Death of the great Turk from the JanizA-
ries and Men of War, to fave the Sacking of Confian-
tinople, and other Towns, as their manner is. Themi-
fiecles made Xerxes King of Per/ia poft apace out of
Gracia, by giving out that the Gracians had a purpofe
to break his Bridge of Ships, which he had made athwart:
Hellefpont. There be a thoufand fuch like Examples-^
and the more they are, the lefs they need to be re-
peated i becaufe a Man meeteth with them every
where: Therefore, let all wife Covemonrs have as
great a Watch and Care over Fame, as they have of the
Achions and Defigns themfelves.

The refi was not finlpj'd.

)■

M A Civil

i6o Sir Francis Bacon' j Effajs,

LX.

J Civil Character of Julius Caefar.

JV LIVS C<l/£SAR was Partaker at firft of an
exercis'd Fortune j which turn'd to his Benefit:
tor it abated the haughtinefs of his Spirit, and whet-
ted his Induflry. He bad a Mind, turbdent in his De-
lires and Affcdions ^ but in his Judgment and Under-
Handing very ferene and placid: And this appears by
his eafie Deliverances of himfelf, both in bis Tranfadi-
ons and in his Speech, For no iMan ever refolv'd
more fwiftly, or fpake more perfpicuoufly and plainly.
There was nothing forc'd or difficult in his ExprefTions.
But in his Will and Appetite, he was of that Conditi-
on, that he never refted in thofe things he had got-
ten J but ftill thirfted and purfu'd after new •, yet fo,
that he would not rulh into new Affairs ralh.ly, but
fettle and make an end of the former, before he at-
tempted freOi Aftions. So that he would put a fea-
fonable Period to all his Undertakings. And there-
fore, though he won many Battles in Spain, and
weaned their Forces by degrees j yet he would not"
give over, nor defpifc the Relicks of the CtvU War
there, till he had kci\ all things compos'd : But then
alToon as that was done, and the State fetl'd, inftant-
ly he advanc'd in his Expedition againft the Parthi'
ans.

He was, no doubt, of a very noble Mind ; but
yet fuch as aim'd more at his particular jidvancemem,
than at many Merits for the Common Good, For he re-
ferred all things to Himfelf-, and was the true and per-
fed Centre of all his Adtions. By which means, be-
ing fo faft tied to his Ends, he was ftill profperous,
and prevail'd in his Purpofcs^ Infomuch, that neither
CoHntryy nor Religiori^ nor good Turns done him, nor

Kindredy

Of Julias Captr, \6i

kindred^ DorFriendfliipdiTcrted his Appetite, nor Brid-
led him from purfuiog his own Ends. Neicher was he
much indin'd to works of Perpetuity : For he ellablifh-
ed nothiog for the future j He founded no fumptuous
Builditirs •, He procured to be eoaded no wholfome
//*ra?;,lnit ftill minded himfclf: And fo his Thoughts
were confia'd wichia the Circle of his own Life. He
iboghi indeed after Fame and Reputation^ becaufe he
thought they might be profitable to his Defigns : Ocher-
wi(e, in his inward Thoughts he propounded to himfelf
rather Abfdutenefs of Power, than Honour and Fame.
For as for Honour and Famt, he purfu'd not after them
for themfelvcs \, but becaufe they were the Inflrumencs
cft PoTPer and Greatnefs. And therefore he was carri-
ed on through a Natural Inclination, not by any
Rules that he had learn'd, to effed the fole Regiment 3
and rather to enjoy the fame than to feem worthy ot it.
And by this means he won much Reputation amongft
the People, who are no valuers of true Worth : But a-
mongft the Nobility and great Men, who were tender
of their owa Honours, it procured him no more than
this, that he incurr'd the Brand of an Amintious and
Daring Man.

Neither did they much err from the Truth who
thought him lb \ for he was by Nature exceeding hold-,
and never did put on any Ihcw of Modesty, except is
were for fome Purpofes. Yet notwithftanding, he fo
atteraper'd his Boldnefs^ that it neither impeach'd himi
of Rafhaefs; nor was burthcnfome to Men^ nor
rendrcd bis Nature fufpeded, but was conceLv'd to
flow out of an Innate Sincerity and freenefs of Beha-
viour, and the Nobility of his Birth : And in all other
things he pafs'd, not for a Crafty and Deceitful Peribn^
but for an open-hearted and plain-dealing Man. And
whereas he was indeed an Arch-Politician, that could
counterfeit and diflemble fufficiently well-, and was
wholly compounded of Frauds and Deceits, fo that there
Was fiocbiog Jiftcnt ia him^ but all artificial *, yet he

M a covcr'd

162 Sir Francis Bacon'/ EJfajs.

cover'd and difguis'd himfelf fo, that no fuch Viccs^
appear'd to the Eyes of the World •, but he was gene-
rally reputed to proceed plainly and uprightly with
all Men. Howbeit, he did not ftoop to any petty
and mean Artifices, as they do, which are ignorant in
State Employments i and depend not fo much upon
the llrength of their own Wits, as upon the Counfels
and Brains of others, to fupport their Authority; for
he was skill'd in the Turnings of all Humane Affairs;
and tranfafted all Matters, efpecially thofe of high
Confequence by himfelf, and not by others.

He was fingiilarly skilful to avoid Envy ; and found
it not impertinent to his Ends, to decline that, though
it were with Ibme diminution of his Dignity. For
aiming at a Real P<rwer, be was content to pafs by all
vain Pomp and outward fhews of Power throughout
his whole Life r, Till at the laft, whether high-flown
wirh the continual Exenife of Powey, or corrupted with
Flatteries, he affefted the Enjigns of Poroer, (the Stile and
Diadem of a King^) which was the Bait that wrought
his Overthrow.

This is true, that he harbour'd the Thoughts of a
Kingdom from bis very youth : And hereunto the Ex-^
ample of Sylla, and the Kindred of Marius, and his £-
mulation of Pompey, and the Corruption and Ambition of
the Times, did prick him forward : But then he pav'd
his way to a Kingdom, after a wonderful and ftrange
manner. As firft, by a Popular and Seditions Power -,
afterwards by a Military Power, and that of a General
in War. For there was requir'd to effeft his Ends ;
Firft, That he fliould break the Power and Authority of
t\[Q Senate', which, as long as it flood firm, wasad-
verfe, and an hindrance, that no Man could climb
to Sovereignty and Imperial Command.' Then the Power
of Crajfus and Pompey was to be fubdu'd and quelfd,
which could not be done other wife, than by Arms.
And therefore (as the mofl: Cunning Contriver of his
own Fortune') he laid his firft Foundation by Bribes-^

By

Of Julius C^Ptr. i^J

By corrupting tlie Courts of Jufiiccy by renewing tiie
memory of Cains Marius, and his ?^ny ; for mod of
the Senators and Nobility were of Sy/Z^'s FaElion : by
theZ/<«TPof diftribHting the f/>/^i amongfl: the Common
People : by the Sedition of the Trtbttnes, where he was
the Author : by the madnefs and /</ry of Cataline, aijd
the Confpiratorsy unto which Aftion hefecrecly blew the
Ca/i/j/ By the Banijlment of C/c*ro, which was the
greateft Blow, to the Authority of the Senate^ as might
be j and federal other the like Arts : But moft of all
hf the Conjun^iion of Crajfis aad Pompey^ both berwixc
themfelvcs, and with him ^ which was the thing that fi-
nifti'd the Work.

Having accompliflit this Part, he betook himfelf to
the other; which was to make ufe of, and ro enjoy
his Power, For being made Proconful of France for five
Years ; and afterwards continaing it for five Years
more , he furnifh'd himfelf wkh Arms and Legions^
and the Power of a Warlike and Opulent Province , as
was formidable to Italy.

Neither was he ignorant, that after he had flrcngth-
ned himfelf vvith Arms and a Military Power ^ neicher
Crajfts nor Pompey could ever be able to bear op againft
iiimi whereof the one trnllcd to his great Riches, the
ocher to his Fame and Reputation ; the one decay'd
fhrough Age, the other in Power and Authority :
And neicher of them were grounded upon true and
lafting Foundations. And the rather, for that he had
oblig'd ail the Senators ^:idi Magif^rates : And in a word,
all thofe that hjd any Po.ver in the Common-wealthy
fo firmly to himfelf, with private Benefits, thathewjs
fearlefs of any Coinbination or Opppfitioa againil
his Defigns, till he had openly invaded the Imperial
Power.

Which things, thongh he alv/ays bare in his Mind,
snd ac the laft a^ed it, yet he did not lay dosvn his
former Perfon ; bat couleur'd things fo, that wh^
with the veafoniblenefs of his Demands, what with

M 3 . In*

1 ^4 Sir Frapcis Bacon'§ EJfajs.

Ills Pretences of Peace, and what vf\i\\ the nipdcrate
life pf his Succefies, he tqrn'd all (:hc Envy of the ^^-
lY?*/^ P^;'9', apd feem'd to take up Arms upon neceflicy
for his own Prefervation and Safety. Rnc the Falfpnefe
of this Pretence nianife(lly appeared j inafmiich as
foon after having obtain'd the Re^al foTver, all Civil War
being appeas'd, and all his Rivals and O^pojttesy which
might put hini to any Fear, being remov'd out of the
wifay by the Itroke Qf Death., nocv^'ithftanding he ne-
ver thoog!}C of refigning the Repuhlici ^ no, nor ever
made any (hew or offer of rejigging the fame. \Vhich
Ihew'd plainly, that his Amhinon^of being a Kirtg was
fetled in him, and remain'd with him unto his laft
Breath. For he did not jay hold upon occafions, as they
happen'd, but moulded and form'd the occafions, as
himfelfpleas'd.

H^s chief Abilities confiRed in Martial Knowledge ;
in which he fo excell'd, that he could not only lead
an Army, but mould an Army to his own liking. For
lie was not more skilful in managing Affairs, than in
^inm?}g of Hearts. Neither did he efre<ft this by any
ordinary Difcipline, as by inuring them to fulfil all
his Commands-, or by flriking a Sharae into them to
difobey, or by carrying a fevere Hand over them ;
But by Tnch a way as did wonderfully ftir up an Ala-,
crity and Chearfolnefs in them ^ and did in a fort
afTure him of the Viftory aforehand, and which did
oblige the Soldier to him, more tlian was fit for a Free
EJiati. Now whereas he was vers'd in all kinds of
Martial Knowledge^ and joyn'd Civil Arts with the
Jirts of ffW j nothing came fb fuddenly, or fo un-
lookt for upon him, for which he had not a Remedy
at hand : And nothing was fb averfc, but that he could
pick fomething for his Turn and Benefit out of it.

He ftood fufficicntly upon his State and Greatnefs.

For in great Battles, he would fit at home in the Head

Quarter, and manage all things by Mejfages, which

iwrought him a double Benefet. Fi^f^, that it fecur'd

' ■ ■ ' 'his

I

Of "Julius Cxfar. 165

his Perfon more, and exposM him the lefs to Danger.
Secondly, tiiat if at any time his Army was worlted,
lie coald put new Spirit into them with his own Pre-
fence, and the Addition of //t/J; Forccij and turn the
FortMrte of the D^. In the condoding of his IVarsy he
woald not only follow former Precedeyns^ but he was
able to devife and purfue new Stratagems ^ according as
the Accidents and Occafions requir'd.

He was conftanr, and Cngularly kind, and indul-
gent in his Friendfljips contraded. Notwithftanding,
he made choice of fuch Friends, as a Man might eafi-
ly fee, that hechofe them rather to be Infiruments to
his Ends^ than for any Good Will towards thenu And
whereas, by Nature, and out of a firm Refohuion, he
adhered to this Principle j not to be eminent amongffc
Great and dejervivg Men , but to be chief amongfl
Jnferionrs and f^ajfals : He chofe only mean and aitive
Men, and fuch as to whom himfelf might be all in
all. And hereupon grew that Saying; So let Caeiar
live^ though I die : And Other Speeches of that kind»
As for the Nobility, and tliofe that were his Peers, \v!
contracted Friend/hip, with fuch of them as might be
ufeful to him ; and admitted none to his Cabifiet Council,
but thofe that had their Fortunes wholly depending
upon him.

He was moderately fumifh'd with good Literature,
and the Arts; Bnt in fuch fort as he apply'd his Skill
therein 10 Civil Policy. For he was well read in Hifio-
ry: and was expert m Rhetorick, and the Art of fpeak-
ing. And becaufe he attributed much to his good
Stars, he would pretend more than an ordinary Know-
ledge in Afironomy. As for Elocjuence, and a prompt
Elocution, that was Natural to him, and pure.

He was diflblute, and pro pen fe to f^oluptuoufnefs and
Pleafures ; which ferv'd well at fir/l for a Cover to his
Ambition. For no Man would imagine, that a Man
fo loofely given, could harbour any Ambitious and Vaft
Thoughts in his Heart. Notwithftanding, he fo go-

M 4 vern'd

1 66 Sir Francis Bacon'i EJfajs.

vern'd his Pleafnres, that they were no hindrance, cither
to his Profit, or to his Bufinefs : And they did rather
whet, than dull the vigour of his Mind. He was Tem-
perate at his Meals j free from Nicenefs and Curiofity ia
his Lnfis J pleafant and Magnificent at publick Interludes.
Thus being accomplifh'd, the fame thing was the
Means of his down-fall at laft , which in his Beginnings
was a ftep to his Rife^ I mean llis JjfeEiation of Popula-
rity: For nothing is more popular, than to forgive our
Enemies. Through which, either Firtueor Cmning, he
loft his Life.

LXI.

J Civil Character of Auguftus Caefar.

AVGVSrvS C^SAR, (if ever any Mortal
Man) was endu'd with agreatnefs of Mind, un-
difhurb^d with Pajficns, clear and well ordered; which IS
evidenced by the high Atchievemencs which he perfor-
med in his early Youth. For thofe Perfons which are
of a turbulent Nature or Appetite , do commonly
pafs their Youth in many Errors j and about their
middle, and then, and not before, they [hew forth
thQiT Perfe^io?js; but thofe that are of a fedate and
calm Nature, may be ripe for great and glorious Adti-
ons in their Youth. And whereas the Faculties of the
Mind, no lefs than the Parts and Mimhers of the Body,
do connH: and flourifh in a good temper of Health, and
Beauty, and Strength; So he was in iht firength of the
Mind, inferior to his Unkle Julius -, but in the Health
and Beauty of the Mind, fuperior. For Julius being
of an unquiet and uncompos'd Spirit, (as thofe, who
are troubi'd with the Falling- ficknefs for the moft part
are,) notwithllanding he carry'd on his own Ends with
much Moderadou and Difcretion \ but he did not or-

dcr

Of Augufius defar, 167

der his Ends well, propounding to himfelf, raft and
high Defigns, above the Reach oiz Mortal Man. Bat
jinguftHs^ as a Man fober, and miffdful of his Mortali"
ty, leem'd to propound no other Ends to himfelf, than
fuch as were orderly and well weigh'd, and governed
by Reafon. For firft he was defirous indeed to have
the Rule and Principality in his Hands ; then he foughc
to appear worthy of that Power which he fhould ac-
quire: Next, to enjoy an High Place^ he accounted but
a Tranfitory Thing : Laftly, He endearour'd to do fuch
ui^ions, as might continue his Memory ^ and leave an /»»-
frejfion of his good Government to yifter Ages. And there-
fore, in the beginning of his^^f, he affeded Voxoer ; in
the middle ^i his Age^ Hononr, and Dignity ^ in the Dc'
dine of his Tears^ Eafe and Pleafnre j and in the end of his
Lifcf he was wholly bent to Memory and Po ferity.

FINIS.

O F T H E

COLOURS

O F

GOOD and EVILi

A Fragment,

IN DeliberatlveSjthe Point is,what is Good and
what is Evil ; and of Good what is greater ;
and of Evil what is lefs.

So that the Perfwader'sLabour,isto make things
appear Good or Evil, and that in a higher or low-
er Degree ; which as it may be preformed by
true and folid Reafons, fo it may be reprefentcd
alfo by Colours, Popularities, and Circumftances,
which are of fuch force, as they fway the ordina-
ry Judgment either of a weak Man, or of a wife
Man, not fully and confiderately attending and
pondering the matter. Befides their power to al-
ter the nature of the Subie£t in appearance, and
fo to lead to Error they are of no lefs ufe to
quicken and Strengthen the Opinions and Perfwa-
fions which are true; for Reafons plainly delivered^
and always after one manner, efpecially with Fine
and Faftidious Minds, enter but heavily and dully;
whereas if they be varied, and have more Life and
Vigour put into them by thefe Forms and Infinua-
tions, they caufe a ftronger Apprehenfion, and
many times fuddeniy win the mind toaRefolution,
Laftly, to make a true and fafe Judgment, no-
thing can be of greater Ufe and Defence to the
Mind, than the Difcovery and Reprehenfion of
thefeCoIourS;{bewing in whatCafes they hold,and
in what they deceive; which, as it cannot be done,
but out of a very univerfal knowledge of the Na-
ture of things; fo being performed, it fo deareth
Man's Judgment and HleSion, as it is the iefs apt
CO Aide into any Error.

Capita

Capita Seftionum, qus in Boni Malique
Colorum Tabula continetitur.

\,^^Vi C£tera Partes^ velSe^ia^ fecund as umnU
\^ miter deferunty cum pnguU ^rimipatum fihi
'vendicentf Melior reliquis videtur. Nam primas
qud^ue ex zelo videtur Jumere, fecurtdas autem ex ve*
ro & merito tribuere.

2. Cujus excellent id, vet exuperantia Melior ; id
toto genere Melius.

3. Quod ddFeritatemrefertur^ Majus ejt, quant
quod ad Opinionem. Modus autem & probatio ejus^
quod ad Opimonempertinet, hxc ejl ; Quod quis, fi
clam putaret forte, fafturus non effet.

4. Quod rem integram fervat ^ Bonum : Quod fine
receptu e-/, Malum \ Nam fe recipere nonpojfe^ inh.
potenti^ genus ejl ; polentia autem Bonum.

5. Quod ex pluribus conftat^ & divifthilibus, efi
Majus quam quod ex paucioribus, & Magii Vnum :
Nam omnia, per partes confiderata, major a videntur \
quare & pluralttas partium Magnitudinem prd fe fert>.
Fortius autem operatur pluralitas partium, fi Ordo
abfit: Nam inducit fimilitudinem Infiniti^ & impe*
dit comprehenftonem.

6. Cujus privatio bona^ Malum : Cujus privati9
maUy Bonum,

7. Quod Bono vicinum^ Bonum : Quod a Bono re-
mot um^ Malum 6

%. Qttod

8. J2uod quis culpa fad co^traxit, Majas Malum:
Quod ah externis impomtur, Minus Malum,

9. Quod opera & virtute fjojlrafartumeji^ Majus
Bcnum : Qucd ah alienobemjicio^ lelab wdulgentU
tortun/t^ delatum efi^ Minus Bortum,

I a Gradus Privafivnis major zridetur, quamgra-
dus Diminutionis ; & rurfusgradus Irtceftionis major
videturj quamgradus Imrementi,

1 1 . Quod Uudant homines & celebrant^ bonum ;
quod vitufer&nt & refrehendunt^ malum.

1 2. Quod etiam ab inimicis laudatur^ magnum Bo^
num\ quod'vero ab dmicis rep-tbendttur^ magnum
Malum,

Tk

The Heads of the Sediions of the Table of
the Colours of Good and Evil, rendred
into Englifh, are as follow.

f.O/»f^ all Parties^ or Se^s, challenge the prehem
jj mimnce of the Fir ft Place to themfelves\ that,
to which. all the reft with one Confent give the Second
Place^ feems to be better than the others. For every
one feems to take the Fir ft Place out of Z^al to itfelf ^
hut to give the Second where it is really due.

2. That kind is altogether beft, whofe Excellence,
or Preheminence is beft,

^. That^ which hath a r elation to Tvwihy /i Grea-
ter than that which refers to Opinion. But the Men-
fur e^ and Trjal of thaty which belongs to Opinion,
is this : It is that which a Man would not do, if
he thought it would not be known.

4. Thaty which kee^s a matter fafe and entire ^ is
Good, but what is deftitute and unprovided of Re-
treat is Bad. For whereas all Ability of AUing is
Goody not to be able to withdraw ones felf is a kind of
Impotencj,

5. That which conftfls of more Parts y andthofeD'i*
vifible, is Greater, and more one, than what is made
upofFcwev : For all things when they are looked up"
on piece meal, feem Greater ; when alfoa Plurality
of Parts make a jhew of a Bulk con fider able : Which
4 Plurality of Parts effects moreftrongly^ ifthejbe in

no

il

fto cerlAtn Order ; for it then refemUes an Infinity^
and hinders the comprehending of them.

6. That^ whofe Privation (or, the PJ^ant of which)
is Good, is in tt felf Evil ; That^ whofe Privation
(or, the Want whereof) is an Evil, is in it felf Goodie

7. What is near to Good, is Good ; what is at di*-
fiance from Good^ is Evil.

8. That Tvhich a Man hath procured by his orvn
Default^ is a Greater Mifchief {or Evil :) That^
which is laid on him by others, is a Leffer Evil.

9. That, which is gotten by our own Pains and In'
duflry, is a greater Good : That^ vJjich comes bj 4-
not her Man's Court efe, or the Indulgence of Fortune^
is a lefTer Good.

10. The Degree of ?tivationfeems Greater than
the Degree of Diminution. And again, the Degree of
Inception (or Beginning) feems greater than the De-
gree of lncr€2ik.

1 1 . That, tvhich Men commend and celebrate, is
Good: That^ which they difpraife and reprehend, is
Evil,

12. That, which draws Commendation even from
Enemies, is a great Good ; but that, which is repre^
he-nded even by Friends, is a great EviL

N A Table

A Table of the Colours (or Appearances^
ef Good and Evil ; and their Degrees,
as Places of Periuafion and Diffuafion,
and their fever al Fallaxes, and the E'
lenchs of them,

i/*^ U 1 C2tercE Partes, vel SeSse, fecundas unani'
*VJ miter deferunt, cum (inguls principatutn lifei
vendicent, Melior reliquis videtnr. Nam primasqua;-
qneex zelo videcurfumerej fccoadas aatera ex v'ero&
merito tribuere. That isy

Since all Parties^ or Se^s, challenge the Treheminence of the
firfb Place to themfelves j that^ to which all the refi with
cne Confentgive the fecond Place^ feems to be better than
the others. For every one feems to take the firft Place cut of
Zed to itfelf^ but to give the fecoad rchere it is really due.

SO Gcero went about to prove die Sed of Acade-
micks, which fufpeilded all Jjfeveration^ tor to
be the befi. For^ faith he^ ask a Scoick, r:h:ch
Philoibphy is true^ he will prefer his oTpn : then ask
him, which approacheth (next) the Truth, he will confefs
the Academicks. So deal with the Epicure, that rvtU
fcant endure the SCoick to be in fight of him \ fo foon as he
hath placed himfelf, he mill place the Academicks wr^-r him.
So if a Prince cook divers Competitors to a FIjcc,
and examin'd them feverally, whom next themfelves
they would chiefly commend -, it were like the ablefi
Man (hould have the mo^ feccnd Voices.

The Fallax of this Colour happcneth oft in refpei^ of
Envy, for Men are accuftom'd, skcr themflizes, and
their own Fafl/ion, to incline unto tiieni which are foft-

N 2 €ft.

a A Take of the Colours

eft, and arc leafi in their way, in defpight and deroga-
tion of them, that hold them hardeft to it. So that this
Colour of Meliority and Treheminenee is a fign of Enerva-
tion and Weaknefs. ^ ■

2. Oijus excelUntia, vel exHperantia Melior j id totogtnert
Melius. That is.

That kind isaltogether befi, whofe Excellence, or Pre-
heminence is belt.

Appertaining to this are the Forms : Let us not wan-
der in Generalities. Let us compare Particular with
Particular, &c. This Appearance, though it feem of
Strength rather Logical than Rhetorical, yet is very oft
a Fallax.

Sometimes ; bccaufe fbme things are in kind very ca»
fual ', which if they efcape, prove Excellent : fo that the
kind is inferior, becaufe it is fo fubjed to Peril ', but
that which is Excellent, being prov'd, is fuperior.
As the BlolTom of March, and the Bloflbm of May^
whereof the French Verfe goeth :

Burgeon de Mars, enfans de Paris,
Si un efchape, bien vaut dix.

So that the Bloflbm of May is generally better than the
Bloflbm of March ', and yet the beft Bloflbm of Alarch
is better than the beft Bloflx)m of A^ay.

Sometimes, becaufe the Nature of fome kinds is to be
more e^ual, and more indifferent, and not to have very
diftant Degrees; as hath been noted in the warmer
Climates, the People are generally more wife, but in the
Northern Climate, tlie Witsof cfe<>/'are greater. So in
many Armies, if the Matter fliould be try'd by Duel
between two Champions, the Vidory ftiould go on the
one fide ; and yec, if it were try'd by the grofs, it
would go on the other lide. For Excellencies go as it

were

of Good and Evil. j

were by ChAnce, but kinds go by a w<?rr certain Nature
as by DifctfUne in War.

Z»4//y, many JbW^ have much refufe^ which coun-
tervail that which they have excellent j and therefore
generally Metd is more precious than Stone^ and yet a
Diamond is more precious than Gold.

3. ^o«i ad Veritatem refertHr, MaJHs efi quam quod ad
Ofinionem. Modvu autem & probatto eJHt^ quod ad Opi-
nionempertinet, httc eft : Qiiod quis, fi clam putareE
fore, a<iiurus non eflet. That is,

That which hath relation to Truthy is greater than that
which refers to Opinion. But theMeafure, and Try-.
al of that, which belongs to Opinion, is this : It is that
which a Man would not do, if he thought it would not
be known. ,

SO the Epicures Cay to the Stoicks, Felicity plac'd ia
y^trtue i that it is like the Felicity of a Player, who,
if he were left of his Auditors, and their Applaufe^
would Itreight be out of Heart and Countenance \
and therefore they call f^irtue, bonum theatrale j that is,
4 Stage good. But of Riches the Poet faith,

Populus me fibulat.
At mihi plaudo : i. e.

Me People hifs abroad.
But I my felf applaud.

And of Pleafure,

■ • ' - — Grata fub imo
Coitdia corde premens, vulcujimulato Pudorem: i. e.

" Your welcome Joys within let ftifled lie,
^* But counterfeit abroad a Modelty.

N 3 The

4 ATM of iheCblotfrs

The Fdlax 'of this ColoHt is fdmeWfiat fubtiJ, tfitJugh
the Aiifwer to the Example be/ready: Foti^tui h
not chofen propter mtram popdargm; for tfte'A'pplattf^of
People '^ butcontrariwife, Aiaxiiiie Si^mum teipjkm T^evere^
re^ a Man ought to ftand tnafl ia awe of nimfelrv fo
2i% 2i Fmuoiis Man will htYnt\io\ii-m'"filiiHtii)f^^^
Defart^ and not only i«f^f*«^ro, upon the 5m?^ :, though
percafe it will be mbre ftrong by Glory snd i-^wf,' -is an
Heat, which is? donbled by RefteBion; 6ut cH^t deii^^h
tire Siipfofitidn, it doth reprehend" the Bi/74i*:, ■ Where-
of the Reprehenfw}i\i a Lavi', that f7rr«e (filth-' Si- is
joyn'd with Labour and Conflid) would not. be cho-
fen, but for F^wr.and Opimbrt ; -y^t it foflbWttfi ;fiOf,
that the chief 3imi'i>e of the Elci^ibii-fftould not- htreal^
and for it felf-^ for Fame may be only canfa impkljivay
iht impelling or-wr^/^/jfCaufe, ahtl -rrdt cmfa xtm'jHtntnSj
or effciens, the conjtitHting, or efficient Canft. A* if
there were two Horfes, and the one would do better
hithoHt thiSpiirihan the othtfr but again, the 6ther
T(>ith the Spur vvouldfaf exceed tlie dblng of the fortnlr,
giving him the Spur alfor, yet the lat*ter Will be Judg-
ed to be the 'better Hor/t .- addHlre Form, as to fay,
^ttijhj the Life ofthh Harfe ii'-hut {A 'ftre'Spur^' Wrll not
fet vc as to a tt;/^* Jildgment :' tor,^ -ikce tht' iiir'din»ry-
hfirument of Horfemanfhip is the S|?«rj and that it is
no matter of Impediment or BnrthfTt, the Horfe is not to
be accounted the lefs of, whiclr wil^noi: do well with'
cut the Spitr^ but the other i% .tp be reckon'd rather a
Delicacy, than a P^'irtitt. S-o '^hry^zn^. Honour are the
Spun to rirtne : and, although ^irtne would languipj
without them, yet Itnce they be always at hand to
attend Firtne, Virtue is not faid to be the lefs chofen
f«r it felfy becaufe it needed the Spur of Fame and Re-
pMtatioh. ■ And therefore that Poficion, Nota ejus ret j
tjiiod propter Opinionem, & non propter veritatem elicit fir^
k<ec eji ', Qjtod qitis,Ji clam put aret' fore, faShrus'no^ ^i/^'^»
{That ts, y7;^r the Mark of a Thing chofen for ^Opi-
nion, and not for Truth- fake ^ is this, That one would

noE

of Good Md Evil. . 5

not do it if he thought it would not be known,) ;^ re-
prehended.

4. QHodrcmintegramfervat^Bomtm: quodjiner'rs^^
Mdlum. Nam fe reciters non pojfe^ impoter^ - :
fotentia out em Bonnm : Tnat is.

That, which keeps a macter lafe and entire, >
but what is defticnce, andunprovided of a retreat, is
Bad. For, whereas ai J Ability ot At^iTig is Good,
not to be able to withdraw ones felt,' is a kind of Im-
potency.

HEreof ty£ofp fram'd the FahU of the two Fro^s,
that confulted together in the time of Drought.,
(when many Plajhes that they had repaired to were
dry,") . what was to be done : and the one pfopoonded to
go down into a deep IVell, becaufe it was like the Wa-
rer- would noz fail chere^ but the other anfwcred, Yea,
but if it do fail, how jhall we get Kp again ? And the
Reafin is, t\\2X Hnmane AHionssiXQ^O uncertain, andfub-
je£t to Penis, as that feemeth the hefi Courfe, which
had tno^ Paffages oat ot it. Appertaining to this Per-
fuafion, the ivrwf are, Teu jhall engage your felf: on the
other fide, Tantum, quantum voles, fnmes exfortana, i. e.
Take what Lot you will • or, you jhaU keeffthe matter
in your own Hand. The Reprehenfion of it is, that pr-
ceeding and refolving in all Aciions is necejfary. For as !";€
faith well, Not to refolve, is to refolve; and many times
it breeds as many Necejfities, and engageth as faria
fome other fort, as to refolve. So it is bat the covets
ons Man's Difeafe tranflated in Power -, for the covetous
Man will enjoy nothing, becaufe he will have his fnH
fiore, ^ndpofjibtlityzo enjoy the more*, fo, by this Rch-
fon, a Man (hould execute nothing, becaufe he fhouid
be ftill indifferent, and at liberty to execute any thing.
Befides Neceffity and this fame Ja'3a eji alea, or, once
having caft ths Dice, hath many times an Advantage^

N 4 becaufe

6 A Table of the Colours

becaufe itavvaketh i\\q fowers of i\\t Mind, andflrength-
lieth Endeavour, (Ceteris fares^ mcejfitate certe fu^eriores
ijiiii) which are able to deal with any others, but ma-
fier thefe upon neceffity.

5, Quod ex fhirihus confiat^ & divlfihilihus^ efi majtrs
qnam quad ex faucioribus^ & magis 'Vnum: nam oni'^
nia^ fer partes confiderata^ major a videntur '^ tjuare cfr
fluralitas parttHtn Afag}/itndinempr<cfefen, ■ Fortius
mtem oferatur Pluralitas fartiam^fi Or do ah fit : nam
inducit fimiUt lidinfm Irifinitij & impedit comfrehenfi-
onem : That is,

That, which confifts of more Parts, and thofe Dmy?^/^,
is greater^ and more One^ than what is made up of
fewer ^ for all things, when rhey are look'd upon
piece-meal, feem greater; whence alfo a plurality of
Parts make fhew of a Bulk confiderablej which a
Plurality of Parts effects more ftrongly, if they be in
no certain Order , for it then refemhles an Infinity^
and hinders the comprehending of them.

TH I S Colour feemeth palpable, for it is not Plura'
lityof Parts, without Alajority of Parts, thatmak-
etn ihe total gvQaiQr ; yet neverxhelefs, it often carries
the mind away ; yea, it deceiveth the fenfe ; as it feem-
eth to the Eye a fliorter diftance of way, if it be aW dead
and continitd, than if it have Trees, or Buildings, or any
other marks, whereby the Eye may divide it. So when a
great'moneyd Man hath divided his Chefts, and Coyns, and
^ags, he feemeth to himfelf richer than he was. And
therefore the way to ampUfie any thing is to break it, and
to make Anatomy of it \\\ fever al parts, and to examine
it accorditig 10 'everal Qrcumftanccs, And this makcth
the great c^r (lie w, li it h^doiiQ without Order, for Confu-
jion maketh things mufter more. And befides, what is
fet down by Order and Divifion, doth demonftrate, that
notiii'igis left ofitov omitted-, bucal| is there: whereas.,
'If

of Good unci Evil. 7

if it be without Order^ both the Miad com^rehendeth lefs
that which is fet down, and befides it Icaveth a Sulpi^
cion, as if more might hefaid than is exfrejs'd.

This Ct?/o«r deceiveth, if the Mind ofhimthatis to
beperfwaded, do of it {e\t overconceive or prejuj^^e of
the Greatnefs of any thing •, for then the breaking of it
will make it fttmtefs^ becaufe it makes it to appear
more according to the Truth. And therefore if a Maa^
be in Sicknefs or Pain, the time will feemlonger with-
out a Clock, or Hourglafs, than witi it ; for the Mind
doth value every moment ^ and then the Hour doth ra-
thtrfum up the moments than divide the D^^ So in gi
^/^^ P/<</« the way feemeth the longer, becaufe the Eye
hath pre-conceiv'd kJljorter^thsLn the truth :and the fru-
firating of that maketh it feem longer than the truth.
Therefore,if any Man have an over-great Opinion of any
thing, then if another think, h^^ breaking it'mtofeyc^
ral Confiderutions, he Ihall make it ft^m greater to him,
he will be deceived. And therefore in fuch Cafes, it is
not lafetO divide, but to extol thtEntire Hill in general.

Another Cafe, wherein thisCJc/^r deceiveth,is, whea
the Matter ^J'o/^^w, or divided,isnot ccn.preherjded by the
Senfe, or m^de at once in refpect of the dijiralt:ng of
fcattenng of it : and being entire, and not divided^ is
comprehended. As an Hundred Pounds in Heaps otfive
Pounds will fhew more than in one grofsHeap: Co as the
Heaps be all ]i\yoii one Table to be feen at once, other-
wife not. As Flowers, growing fcatter'd in divers Beds,
will fhew more, than if they did grow in one Bed . fo
^s all thofe Beds be within a Plot, that they be object
to view at once; otherwife not. And therefore Men^
whole Living lyeth together tn one Shire, are commonly
coimt^A greater landed, than thofe, whole Livings are
difper^'d, though it be more ; becaufe of the Not tee and
Comprehenfion.

A third Cafe, wherein this Colour deceiveth, which is
not {b properly a Cafe ovReprehenf-.n, as it is a counter
Colour^ being in effecl as large as the Colour it felf is,

Omnis

g A TMe of the Colours

Omnis compofitio indigent U cujufdam videtur effeforticeps:
That every Compolition feems to partake of a certain
want; becaufe, if <?«<? thing would ferve the turn, it
were ever befi •, but it is the DefeH: and Imperfe^ion of
things that hath brought in that help to piece them tf:
as it is laid) ^Martha^ Martha^ attenais
*Liik 10.41,42. ad plHrtma^ uniim fnjfictt : that is ^ Mar-
tha, Martha, thou art troubled about
many things 5 one thing is fuffieient. So likewife
hereupon t/£fop fram'd the FMe of the Fox and the
Cj2f, wherein the FoArbragg'd, what a xiumher of jlnfts
and devices he had, to get from the Hounds'^ and the
Cat faid. He bad but one, which was to climb a Tree-^
whichin proof was ^^fffr worth than all the reft; where-
0f the Prdverb grew,

JidHlta novit VnlftSy fed Fetis tinnm magnum.

Meynard the Hounds to fcape had fhifts not fmall.
Grimalkin only one, as good as all.

And in the Moral of this Fable^ it comes likewife to
pais, That a good fare Friend is a better help at apnch,
ikon all theStratagems and Policies of Man^s ovpn W^/>. So.
it falleth out to bea commonError'mNegotiating-^\s\iGXQ'
as Men have »z^?7 Reafons to induce or perfwadey they
llrive commonly to utter, and ufe them aU at once^
which ipf^^w^f^ them. For it argueth, as was faid, a
iieedinefs in every of the Reafons by it felf,as il- one did
not truft to <^ny of them, but fled from one to another ^
helping himfelf only with that^

Et-qui non profhnt jinguUy tnultd juva-nt.

And what help'd not alone before,

Doth help full well, when joyn'd with more.

Indeed,

of Good Arti Evil. '^

Indeed, in a fet Speech in an Ajfembly^ it is expe<^ed,
a Man ftiould ufe all his Reafons in the Cafe he hand-
leth : but in frivate Perfuafums it is always a great
Error.

A fourth Cafe, wherein this Colour may be refrehencted
is in refpe^ of that fame vis unita fortior, the acknovv-
ledg'd firength of an nnited Power ; according to the
Tale of the FRENC H King, who, when the £»?pg-
ror*i Emhajfador had recited his Mafier^s Style at large,
which confifteth of w7/?;7)' G7;wm>/, and Dominio/js, the
F^ £ iVC// ir/iVG' willed his Chancellor, or other Aft-
nifiers, to repeat over FRANCE as many times as the
other had recited the feveral Bomnions •, intending, in
was equivalent with them all, and more compared and
united.

There is alfb appertaining to this Colour another Point,
why breaking of a thing doth help it -, not by way ot
adding a (hew oi Magnitude unto it, but a note of Ex-
cellency and ^^nfy : whereof the Forms are, fffcf rr yott
fjoll find fttch a Concurrence ; Great, but mt cotnfleat : for
it feemsa lefs work of A^^iwr^ or Fortune, to make any
thing in his kind greater than ordinary, than to make a
Jlrange Compofitiofl. Yet, if it be narrowly confider'd,
thisC<7/o«r will be repreherided, ov encounter d^ by impu-
ting to all Excellencies in Compoftions a kind of Poverty^
or (at leafl-} zCaftalty, ov Jeopardy: for from that,
which is excellent in Creatnefs, fomevvhat may hitakett^
or there may be a Decay, and yet fufficient left ; but
from that which hath his price in CompofnioK, if you
take away any thing, or any Part do fail, all is DsT-
grace.

6. CitjHS

%0 A Table of the Colours

6. CnJHS Privatio bona. Malum: CHJus Privatio mala^
Bonnm. This is.

That, whofe Privation r<?r, the want of whichj is Good,
is in it Mi Evil: that whofe Privation (or^ the want
thereof) is an Evil, is in it felf Good.

TH E Forms to make it conceiv'd, that that was Evil,
which is chang'd for the better^ are^ He that is in
He II thinks there is no Heaven. Satis quercHS ^ Acorns ware
good^ till Bread was foitnd^ &:c. And on the Other fide,
thcForms to make it conceiv'd, that that was goody which
waschang'dfor the worfe^nXj Bonamagis carendocjHam
fruendo fern imits: That is^ we underftand the Goodnefs
of things more by wanting, than enjoying them. Bona
a tergo formofijfima: i. e. Good things never appear in their
full Beauty^ till they turn their backhand be going away^ScC-

The Reprehenjion of this Colour is, That the Good or
E'yil which is remov''d^ may be elbeem'd Good or Evil
comparatively : and not pofitiveh or .{imply. . So that if
the Privation, be Good-^ it follows not, that the former
Condition was Evil^ hwtlefs Good : For the Flower or
Blojfom is a pofitive Good^ although thcremove of it, to
give place to the Fruity be a comparative Good. So in
thcTable of <!y£fop, when the .old fainting Man-in the^^^
of theDay call down his Burthen^ and call'd for Deatlr^
and when Death came to know his will with hiW) faid.
It was for nothing^buttohclp him up with his Burthen again'y
it doth not follow, that becaiife -Oc^^^, which w£is th^
privation of the Burthen^ was ill', therefore the Burthen
wsLSgood. And in this part the ordinary Form o( malum
tjeceffarium^ a necelFary Evil, aptly reprehended this Co-
lour: Vorprivatio mali necejfarii ejl mala^ the privation
of a nccelfary Evil is Evil j and yet that doth not con-
vert the Nature of the ncceffary Evil, but it is Evil.

Again it cometh fometimes to pafs, that there is an
equality 'mthQd\^i\^Qoiprivationy and fas it werej a

Dilemma

of Good Ani Evil. i I

DiUmmahoni^oHhtgoodtox-f Dilemma ^Corrnptioiini'
maU, of the ^il ; fo that the ^ Corrftpti- 'J^Hj^'''^
♦« of ofie Good is a Generation of the other.

Sort't pater iOjhus uttique efi:

Both Chances the fame e^jual Parent have:

And contrarily,'the remedy of the one Evil, is the «*-»
cafion and commencement of another -^ as in SryZ/rf and
Charybdts,

7. ^«J^ ^(?«<7 vicinum^ Bonnm : ^«o^ i 5fl»(? remoturn^
Malum. That is,

What is near to Good, is Good: What is at diflance
from Good, is Evil.

SUCH is the Nature of things, that things contrary^
and diflant in Nature and Qjiality • and alfo fevered
and disjoyned in Place-j and things /*^^, and confeming ia
i^kality, zYZ placed, and (as it werej quartered together:
For partly, in regard of the Nature, to fpread, multiply^
and /«/f c7 in fimilitude : and partly, in regard of the
Nature, to break, expel,dnd niter that which is dip.gr ee^
able ?in^ contrary, moft things do either ^j/sd^rf, and
draw near to themfelves the like, or fat leall) aJJimiUte
to themfelves that which approacheth near them, and do
alio drive away, chafe, and exterminate thtiv contraries.
And that is the reafon commonly yielded, why thew/V-
Me Region of the Air fhouid be colaefl; becaufe the Sun
and Stars are either /jor by DircEl Beams or by refieEli-
on. Thedire^ Beams heatthe upper Region-, therejle^cd
Beams from the Earth and Seas, heat the loinr Region.
That which is in the mid'/l; being farther diftant in
place from thefe two Regions of heat, is moft diltant in
Nature, that hcoldejl, which is that they term cc/d', or

12 A Table of the Colours

* Jmiperi(iafis is a Phi' hot^ per'^^fjtiperifiaft^^that IS, e»-
Jofophical Term, fignify- ^oiromnji by contraries: which was

;^;XtXS Plffintly taken hold of by him.

orCeJd is made more flrong who laid, that ^« honeft Man «»
in itfeify by the rejir dining thefe Days mufi needs be more ho-
ofthe contrary. ngft than in Ages heretofore^ prop-

ter Antiperiftafin, becanfe the Jhutting of him in the
midft of Contraries mnfi needs make the hoRd^tX ftronger^
and more comfaB in it felf.

The Reprehen/ion of this Colour is :

Firft, many things of AmfUtHde in their kind do (2s
it were) engrofsto themfelves all^ and leave that which
is next them moft defiitnte. As the Shoots^ or Vnder^
Wood J that grow near a^r^-^f and fpread Tree^ is the
moft pined and jl)ruhby Wood of the Fields becaufe the
greatTree doth deprive and deceive them of the Sap and
nouriftimenf^ fo he faith well, JDivitis fervimaxime fervi^
That rich Mens Servants are the greatefl Slaves : And
the Comparifon was Pleafant to him, that compar'd
Courtiers attendant in the Courts of Princes^ without
great Place or Ojjice^ to Fafting-days-j which were next
the Holy-days 5 but otherwife were the leancft Days in
all the Week.

Another Reprehenfan is, that th'mgs of Great nefs aad
Tredowinancy^ though they do notextcnuate the things
adjoyning in. Juhftances^ yet they droivn them^ and ob-
fcure them iajhew and appearance. And therefore the
Aftronomers fay,- that, whereas in all other Planets Con-
junUion is the perfe^teffi Amity ^ the Sun contrariwifc is
good by AfpeEl^ but evil by ConjunUion.

A third Reprehenfion is, becaule Evil approacheth to
6'oo^,fometimes forConcealment^ibmctimQS ioxProte^ion:
AndGood to Evil forConverftonandReJormation. So fJypo-
crifie draweth near to Religion for covert and hiding it felf.

Sipe latet vitium proximitate boni,

Ofr^ under neighboring Goodj Vice Jlrrowded ties,

And

xf Good And Evil. i}

And S4fff?«i2ry-niea, which were commonly tKordi-
fiate Mea, and Adalefathors^ were wont to be nearefi:
to Priefis^ and Prelates^ and Holy-men : For theyi%>/?jr
of good things is fuch, as the Cofifines of them are me-
rend. On the otiier fide, our Saviour charged with
fiearnefs of PHbhcans and Rioters^ laid Matt. 9. 11.
The Phy/icum ofpreachtth the fick rather than tl3€ whde.

8. Quod quis culfafna centraxit^ majus malum: quedsif
externis imfonitur^ minus malum. That is,

Tliat which a Man hath procur'd by his own De-
fault, is 2L greater mi/chief (or Evilj^ that, which IS
laid on by ethers, is a leffer Evil.

TH E Reafon is, becaufe the fling and remsrfe of the
Mmd^cc{t/:T:g it (df^donh let h aWAdvevfity: Goa-
trarywiie, the con/idering^nd recording inwardly ,tbat a.
Man is clear and free from Fault, zndjftft Im^utatiex^
^oth attempt outward Calamities. For if the Will be ia
the Senfe, and in the Confcience both, there is a Geminor-
tion of it: But 'if Evil be in the o«^, and Comfort in tte
<>ffcfr, it is a kind ofComfofition: So the Potrj in T>-/a/p-
^»^J, do make the raoft fajfionate Lamentation, andthofe
thsit fore-TMR final Defpatr, to he accujing, questioupJ'^
;2ad torturing of a Maris felf.

Ssque unum clam^ caufamque caput qr^ msUrura.

She railing doth cenfefs her felf to he
The caufe and fource of her awn mifery.

And contrariwiIe,the extremities ofwe-nlyVafoTtshixe
been annihilated iq the COnfidcration of tkeir o^n gQsd
defer ving. Befides, when the Eitil comcth from ip/r^
*Kt, there is left a kind of evaporation of Grief, if itcoise
1>7 human %«ry,either by indignation, and med.tatingx^
revenge from our fel ves pr by expect/ ng , OTfare-cynctivln^

that

^4 -A Tahk of the Colours

that Nemejts and Retribmion will take hold of the Anthori
of our hurt ^ or, if it be by {onnne or Accident ; yet there
is left a kind of ExpofinUtion agaiaft the Divine Powers,

ji:e}»e Decs atque Aftra vocat crudelia Mater :

The Gods and cruel Stars the Mother doth charge.

But, where the Evil is deriv'd from a Man*s owH
faulty there all ftrikes deadly inwards^ and JUfocateth.
The Reprehenfion of this Colour is:
Firit in refpeft of Ho^c. For Reformation of our'

Fault IS in no ftr a Jj0t estate^ OUT own Power -^ but amend-
ment of our Fortune fimply is not: Therefore DemoHhc"
nes ill many of his Orations faith thus to the People of
Athens \, That which having regard to the timepasi-^ is the
worfe Point and CtrcurnBance of all the reft^ That as to the
time to come) is the beft. What is that ? Even this^ that
by your Sloth^Irrefolution^and Mifgovernment^your affairs
are grown tothisDeclination andDecay. For^ had you, tts^d
and ordered your Means and Forces to the bcf}-^ and done
your Parts every way to the full '^ and notwithstanding your
Matters pjoidd have gene backward in this manner as they
doj there had been no hope left of Recovery or Reputation*
But fince tt hc.th been only by your own Err or ^ &C. So £-
picictus in his Degrees faith, The worfiflate of Man is to
accufe extern Things^ better than that to accufe any
Man's felf, and be ft of all to accnje neither^

Another Reprehenflon of this Colour ^ is in refpecl of
the rvell bearing of Evils, wherewith a Man can charge
ao body but himfelf, which maketh them the lefs,

«.. ■- -Pcve fit, quod benefertur onus t

The Burthen's Ight, that^s on difcreetly laid*

And therefore many Natures, that arc either extreamty
proifdj and will take no Fault to themjclvcsy or elfe very

true

Of Good and Evil. 1 5

true^ and cleaving to themfelves^ (when they fee the
hlame of any thing that falls out i!i^ mult light upon
themfelves') have no other j?«7^, but to bear it t?>fr mr//,
and to Tw^^i^tf r^f leafi of it ; For, as we fee, when fbmc-
times a Fault is tommitted^ and before it be known who
is to /'/♦?»»?, much ado is made of it ^ but after, if it ap-
pear to be done by a So-n^ or by a W7/ir, or by a ^f^r
Friend'^ then it is light made of: So much more, when a
Man raufl: take it npon himfelf. And therefore it is com-
monly feen, that Women which marry Husbands of
their own chufng^ againfl their Friends Confent^ if they
be never fb ill-usU^ yet you fhall feldom fee them com-
plainy hut fet a good Face on it.

p. Quod Of era & virtute jjofira fartum efi , Majus So"
fjum: Quod ab alieno beneficio^ i/el ab indnlgentia For-^
tHfta^ delatum efi j Minus Boniim. That is,

That which is gotten by our own Pains and Induflry,
is a. greater Good-^ that which comes by another Man's
Courtefie, or the Indulgence of Fortune, isa,leJfrrGood,

TH E Rcafons are,
Firil, ThQ future Hope : Becaufe in the Favour of
others^ or thc good Winds of Fortune^ we have no StatCy
or Certainty^ In our Endeavours, or Abilities, we have.
So as when they have purchas'd us one good Fortune^
we have them as ready, and better edged and environed
to proaire another^

The Forms be : Tou have won this by Flay. Ton havt
not only the Water, but you have the ileceipt •• Tou can
make it again, if it be lofi, &;c.

Next, becaufe thefeP^f'pfrf iff, which w^e enjoy by
the benefit of other SjCariY with themanOi;/i!>*Tf;ci?7,vvhich
ieemetha kind ot burthen: Whereas the other, w hich we
derive fromo;^r felves, are like thz freefi Patents, Abf<jue
alicjuo mde reddendo,vi\x\'iQ\jit rnakirig any Refiitution.Aad
if ihcy proceed from Fortune, or Fr evidence, yet they

O feem

i6 A Table of the Colours

feem to touch us fecretly with t\\Q Reverence of the i)/-
vine Power ^ whofe Favours we tafte^ and therefore
work a kind ot ReligioHs Fear and Reftramt : Whereas,
in the (Jf^^?" kind, that comes to pafs, which the -Pre-
;pfef r {peaketh, Ez^ek. LattdntHr^ exalt ant ^ immolant flagis
fiiis & facrificant ret I fno : Men are glad^ they rejoyee^
they ofer to their Toils ^ and facrifice to their Nets.

Thirdly, Becaufethat, which cometh unto us with-
out our civn FirtHe^ yieldeth not thatCommendation and
Reputation : For Actions of great Felicity may draw won-
der^ but fraife lefs ^ as Cicero faid to Cafar^ Qua mire-
mur^ hahemus\ quA laudemus^ expevtamus : That isj
They /?<«^ what they might ipow^^r at j hut expeU^ed
what they might praife.

Fourthly, Becaufe the Purchafes of our own Indufiry
are joyn'd commonly with Labour and Strife ^ which
gives an Edge and Appetite^ and -makes the Fruition of
our Dellres more pleafant. Suavis cibus a venatw. Ve-
nilbn is fweet of ones own killing.

On the other fide, there be four Counter -Colours to
this Colour^ rather than Reprehenfrns j becaufe tl^y be
as large fis the Colour it felf.

Firll,Becaufe Felicity feemeth to be a Chamber of the
Favour a.^d Love oi the Divine Powers^ andaccording-
'ly works hothoi Confidence in our fclves^ and Rejpect and
Authority from others. And this Felicity extendeth to
manY cafual things J w hereunto the Care and Virtue of
IVian cannot cxtfnd-^ and therefore feemeth to be at large
Good. As when Cdj/iir faid to the Sailer i C^farem
fortas^ & for tunam ejus '^ Thafhecarry'dC^/^rand his
Fortune : If hebad faid , Ft virtute'm efus^ -and his Falonr-^
it had hcQii fmall Comfort aga-inft a Tempsfi ^ otherwife
than if it might feem upon Merit^ to induce Fortune.

Next, whatfoever is done by nnue and Induflry^
fcems to be done by a kind of Flabit and Art ; " and
thereupon open to be hmtated zrA-foHorv^d : Whereas
Ftlicity is imitable. So we generally fee, that things of
iV^j^z/rf-feem more excellent than things of ^rr,. becaufe

they

Of Good an^ Evil. 17

they be imitahle ', for, Qnod Imitabile f/r, fotentia quor
dam vulgatum efi : What is imicable, is by a certain Poxver
made known abroad.

Thirdly, Ffi/oVy commendeth thofe Things which come
withoHt our own Labour : For they feem Gifts, and the
ethers leem Fenny-worths. Whereupon Plutarch faith ele-
gantly of the A^ls of Timoleon, who was fo fortunate,
compared with the jicis of Agefdaus and Efaminondas,
That r/j^y ro^re //i^ Homer'j f^<:r/« ; rfc^ ran Jo eafily^ and
fo well. And therefore it is the Word we give unto Poefie,
terming it a ha^fy Vein j becaufe Facility feeraeth ever to
come from Happmefs.

Fourthly, This CamQ prater fpem, vel expeclatum, when
Things happen befides Hope or Expectation^ it doth iu-
creafe the Price and Pleafure of many Things \ and this
cannot be incident to thofe Things that proceed from ouc
owa Care^ and Compajfing.

I o. Gradus Privationis major videtur, quam gradus Diml"
nutionis : Et rurfus, Gradus inceptionis major videtur,
quam Gradus Incrementi : That is,

The Degree of Privation feenis greater than the Degree
■ of Diminution : And again, the Degree of Inception,
(or Beginnings) feems greater than the Degree of
Increafe.

IT is a Pofition in the Mathematicks, that there is no Pro-
portion between fomewhat a/id nothing : Therefore the
Degree of Nullity and Quiddity^ (or ^^3) fecmcch lar-
ger than the Degrees of Increafe and Decreafe. As co a
Monoculus, it is more to lofe one Bye^ than to a Man ihaC
hath two Eyes. So, if one have loft: Divers Children, ic is
more Grief to him to lofe the lafl^ than nil the rej} \ be-
caufe he is Spes Cregis, the Hope of his Stock. Aud thei e-
fore Sibylla^ when file brought her Thrre Books and had
burned Two^ did double the whole Price of both the other-,
bccdufe ths burning of that had h^cn grades priv^itio>7iSy a

O 2 " DciA'ce

i8 J table of the Colours.

Degree of Privation^ and not DiminMionis^ of DimirtH-'
tion.

This Colour is reprehended.

FirftjinthoreThingSjthel^^andSfmc:? whereof relleth
in fufficiency, competency, ox determinate e^uamity : As if a
Man be to pay one hundred Pounds upon Penalty, it is more
to him to want twelve Pence, than after that twelve Penccy
fuppofed to be wanting, to want ten Shillings more. So
the decay of a Man^s Efiate feems to be mofl touched in the
Degree, when he firfi grows behind, more than afterwards,
when he proves nothing worth. And hereof the com-
mon Forms are ; Sera in /undo parjimonia ', or, It is too late
to pinch when the Purfe is at the bottom j and, as good never
A whit as never the better.

It is reprehended alfo in refped of that Notion, Cor^
ruptio umus, generatio alterius : That the Corruption of
one thing is the Generation of another. So that Gradus
Privationis, the Privative Degree is many times lefs Mat"
ter, becaufe it gives the Caufe and Motive to fome new
Courfe. As when Demojlhenes reprehended the People
for hearkning to the Conditions offered by K. Philip, being
not honourable, nor ecjual, he faith, They were but Elements
of their Sloth and Weaknefs *, which if they were taken amay^
Necejftty would teach them jironger Refolutions. So Dodor
HeElor was wont to fay to the Dames of London, when
they complained, they were they ccnld not tell how, but
yet they could not endure to take any Medicine, he
would tell them, their way was only to be Sick ; for
then they would be glad to take any A^edicine.

Thirdly, this Colour may be reprehended in refpeft
that the degree of Decreafe is more fenfitive than the De-
gree of Privation ', for in the Mind of Men, Gradus Di-
tninmonis, the Degree oi Decreafe may work a wavering
between fJope and fear, and keep the Mind \n fufpenec,
from fettling, and accommodating in Patience, and Re-
foliition. Hereof the common Forms are ; Better cry
onty thMi always ask j make or mar, &c.

For

Of Gooi and Evil. 19

For the fecond Branch of this Colour, it depends upon
the fame General Reafon : Hence grew the Common Place
of extolling the beginning of every thing ^

Dimidium fa^i, qui bene coepit, habet.

He hath his Work half done^
IVhoe^re hath well begun.

This made the Aftrologer £q idle, as to judge of Man^s
Nature, and Defiiny by the Confiellation of the Moment
of his Nativity, or Conception.

This Colour is reprehended, becaufe many Inceptions are
bat (as Epicurus terraeth them) Tentamenta, that is, im- ,
perfeB Offers, and Effays, which vanijii, and come to no
fubfiance, without any iteration; foas, infjchC«yr/, the
fecond Degree feems the worthiejh ; as the Body-Horfe in the
Cart, that draweth more than the Fore-Horfe. Here-
of the common Forms ; The fecond Blow makes the Bray.
The fecond Word makes the Bargain. Alter principittm dedit,
alter modnm abftulit, ^c. The one began, the other kept
no mean.

Another Reprehenfion of this Colour, is in refpedt of Df-
fatigation, which makes Perfeverance of greater Dignity
than Inception : For Chance or Infiintt of Nature may caufe
Inception : Bat fettled AjfeElion, or Judgment, maketh tha
Continuance.

Thirdly, This Colour is reprehended in fuch Things,
which have a Natural Courfe and Inclination contrary to
an Inception : So that the Inception is continually evacu'
ated and gets no fiart ', but there behovech perpetua In-
ceptio, that there be always a beginning \ as in the com-
mon Forms : Non progredi, efi regredt. Not to go for-
ward, is to go backward. Qui non proficit, deficit. He
who makes no Progrefs, decays. Running agai*}Jt an HiU ;
Rowing againjl the Stream, or with the Hilt, then the
Degree of Inception is more than aU the reft.

O 3 Fourthly,

20 A Table of the Colours

Fourthly, This Colonr is to be underftood of Gradns
Jnce^tionis a yotemia ad-aUnm comparati^ non gradns ab
aUit ad IncrementHm \ Of the Degree of Inception, in com-
parifon of the Power witlj the Aft, mt of the Degree from
the Ad to the Increafe. For otherwifc. Major videtur
ffradus ab impotent ia adpotentiam^ qttam a potentia ad aEium^
Ti^e Degree from ImpotcGcy to Potency, feems greater,
than from the ?O^QX to the Ad:.

1 1 . Quod laudant homines & celebrant^ bonum j quod vitti-
perant, & reprehendunt, malum.

1 1 . That which Men praife and celebrate, is good j that
which they difgrace, and reprehend, is bad.

THis Colour deceives four ways, viz.. either through
Ignorance, or through want of Integrity ; or
through particular Refped and Fadion, or through the
natural inclination of thofe that praife, or difpraife.
Firfl-, Through Ignorance •, for what fignifies the Judg-
ment of the Rabble in diilinguifhing and' determining
Good and Evil ? Phocion knew well enough, who,
when the People applauded him more than ordinary,
asked, Whether he had done any Thing amifs ? Secondly,
Through want of Integrity^ for thofe that praife and
difpraife commonly carry on their own Defigns and
don'c fpeak what they think.

Laudat venales qui vult extruder e merces.

Every Man praifes the Wares he would put off.

It is naughty it is naughty fays the Buyer -^ but when he is
gone^ hevaiinteth. Thirdly, Out of Partiality *, for eve-
ry one knows, that Men ufe to Extol with immode-
rate Praife thofe that are on their own fide, and to de-
prcfs thofe of the adverfe Party below their Defert.
Lal^i'y, Thiough-d natural Inclination -J for feme Men are

by

Of Good and Evil. ai

by Nature framed and moulded forfervile Fawniag and
Flattery, whilft others on tlie contrary are fliff, captious
andmorofe*, and when thefe commend or inveigh, they
do but comply with their own Humours, not troubling
their Heads overmuch about the Truth of theBufiaefs.

1 2. Quod etiam ah inimicis laudatur^ magnum hon;tm ; quod
vero etiam ab amicis refrehenditftry magnum malum,

12. That which draws Commendation even from Ene-
mies, is a great Good j but that which is reprehended
even by Friends, is a great Evil.

THis Colour feems to ftand upon this Foundation,
That it may well be believed, that the force of
Truth extorts from us whatfoever we affirm to beagainfl:
our Wills, and contrary to the bent and inclination of
our iMinds.

This Colour deceives through the fubtilty, as well of
Enemies as Friends : For the praifes of Enemies are not
always againft their Wills, nor as forcM by Truth, but
they chule to bellow them in fuch Cafes where they
may create Envy or Danger to their Adverfaries.
Therefore the Grecians had a fuperftitious Fancy, that
if a Man were commended by another out of Spight,
and with a mifchievons Defign, he would have a Pu.^
rife upon his Nofe : Belides, fometimes Eaemies beftovy
Praifes, like Preambles as 'twere, that they may the more
freely and malicioufly calumniate. On the other fide,
this Colour deceives, from the craft of Friends •, for
they'll fometimes take notice of theFaults of theirFriends,
and fpeak freely of them , but they chnfe fuch as may
do them little hurt, as it for all the reft they were the
befl: Men in the World. Again, it deceives, becaufe
Friends ufe their Reprehenfions (as we faid Enemies do
their Commendations) as certain little Prefaces, after
which they may expatiate more freely in their Praifes.

f J N 2 S.

THE

WISDOM

O F T H E

ANCIENTS.

Written in Latin by the Right Ho-
nourable Sk FRANC I S BACON,
Knight, Baron of Ferulam^ and Lord Chan-
cellor of England.

Done into Englijh by Sir ARTHUR
GORGES, Knight.

Scutum invincibiJe fides.

L 0 N D 0 N:
Printed in the Year, 1705.

THE

TABLE-

CAffandra^ or Divination. Page i

/Tyj>ho)i, or a Rebel. ,3

The Cyclops^ or the Minifters of Terror. 5

NarcijfHs, or Self-Love. 6

Styx, or Leagues. 7 .

jptf», or Nature. 9 1

Tcrjeus^ or sA/ar. 19

Endymion, or a Favourite. 22

The Sifter of the Giants, or Fame. 24

jiBeorj^ and Penthens^ or a Curious Man. 25

Orpheus, or Philofophy. 25

Cfp/^w, or Beginnings. 29

TroteHs, or Matter. 32

Jliemnon, or a Youth too forwards 34

Tythonus, or Satiety. 35

5f«wo's Suitor, or Bafenefs. 3^

Cifpid, or an Atom. 37.

Diomedef, or Zeal. 46

D^^4/«^, or Mechanic^ f3

EriBhonius, or Impofture. 4-6

Deucalion, or Reftitution. 47

Nemeps, or the Viciflitude of Things. /^/W.

jichelom, or Battle. 50

Bionyfiiis, or Paffions. 51

jitaUnta, ox Gd\n. 55

Prometheus, or the Statue of Man. 57

59^//^ and /c4r«^, or the Mi«ldle-<yax. 69

5;?^^»As or Science.' - ^-^ -^ ^^ -^ 70

froferpina, or Spirit. |74-"

yWf^ij, or Counrd. • 78;

The Srnns, or Pkafures. 79|
-^ THE

THE

PREFACE.

THE Antiquities of the jirft Jge (except thofe
we find in Sacred Writ) were buried in Oblivi^
on And Silence : Silence was fucceeded by Poetical Fa^
bles ; and Fables again were followed by the Records we
now enjoy. So that the Myjleries and Secrets of Antiquity
were dijiinguijbed and feparated from the Records and
Evidences of fucceeding Times by the Veil of FiBion^
which interfofed it felf, and came between thofe Things
which Perished, and thofe which are Extant. I fup'
pofefome are of Opinion^ that my Purpofe is to nrtte
Toys and Trifles^ and to ujurp the fame Liberty in ap-
plying^ that the Poets affumed in figning^ which I
might do (I confefi) if I lifled, and with more feri-
ous Contemplation intermix thefe Things^ to delight ei-
ther my felf in Meditation, or others in Reading,
Neither am I ignorant how Fickle and Inconftant a.
Thing Fiction is^ as being fubjecl to be drawn and
wrefted any way^ and how great the commodity of Wit
and Difcourfe is, that is able to apply Things well, yet
fo as never meant by the frfi Authors. But / remember
that this Liberty hath been lately much abufed, in that
many J to pur chafe the Reverence of Antiquity to their
own Inventions and Fancies, have for the fame Intent
laboured to wreft many Poetical Fables : Neither hath
this old and common Vanity been ufedonly of late, or now
and then : For even Chryfjppus long ago did (as an

Interpreter

The P R E F A C E.

Interpreter of Dr earns) afcribe the Opinions of the St a-,
icks to the Ancient Poets ; and more fottifhlj do the
Chymifts appropriate the Fancies and Delights of
Poets in the Transformation of Bodies^ to the Expert'
ments of their Furnace, All the fe Things, ^ f^y^ i
have fujftcientlj confidered and weighed^ and in them
have fee n and noted the general Levity and Indulgence
of Men^s Wits above Allegories ; and jet for all this
I relinquijb not my Opinion*

For fir (I it may not be^ that the Folly andLoofnefs
of a feiv jhould altogether detract from the refpe^ due
to the Parables : For that were a Conceipt which might
favour of Profanenefs and Prefumption : For Religion
it felf doth fometimes delight in fuch Veils and Sha^
dom ; So that whofo Exempts them^ f terns in a man-
per to inter dicl all Commerce between Things Divine
and Humane. But concerning Humane Wifdom^ I
do indeed ingenuoufly and freely confefs, that I am in-
clined to imagine^ that under fome of the Ancient Pini-
ons lay couched certain Myjleries and Allegories^ even
from their firfl Invention?. And I am perfvaded (whe-
ther ravijhed with the Reverence of Antiquity^ or be-
caufe in fame Fables I find fuch fmgular Proportion
between the Similitude and the Thing fignifed ; and
fuch apt and clear coherence in the very Structure of
. them J and propriety of Names wherewith the Perfons
er A^ors in them are infcribed and intituled) that
no Mtn can conftantly deny^ but this Senfe was in the
Authors Intent and Meanings when they firfi invented
them, and that they purpofely fljadowed it in this
fort : Fjy who can be fo Stupid and Blind in the open
Light J at (when he hears how Fame^ after the Giants
were defiroyed, fprung up as their youngeft Sifhtr)

not

r

The PREFACE.

TJOt to refer it to the Murmurs and, Seditious Reports
ef both fides y which are rront to fly abroad for a time
dfter the fupprelJi?7g of Infurre^iom ? Or xvherj be Ijttars
horv the Giant Typhon, having cut out and brought
dtvay Jupiter'/ Nerves, which Mercury ftole from
him^ and refiored again to Jupiter ; doth not prefentlj
perceive how fitly it may be applied to powerful Rf-
beilions^ which take from Princes their Sinews of Mo-
ney and Authority ; but fo that by affability of Speech^
snd wife Edicts (the Minds of their Subjects being
in time privily^ and as it were by fhealth reconciled)
they recover their Strength again ? Or when he hears
how (in that memorable Expedition of the GotPs a-
gainfi the Giants) the braying of Silenus his Afs^
conduced much to the profligation of the Giants, dotb
not confidently imagine that it was invented to /beip
how the greatefi Enter prizes of Rebels are oftentimes
difperfed with vain Rumors and Fears,

Moreover, to what 'Judgment can the Conformity ansL
Signification of Names feem obfcure f Seeing Metis,
the Wife of Jupiter, doth plainly fignifie Coanjel : T y-
phon, Infurreclion : ?£in(Vniverfali}y : Kemefis, Kf-
venge, and the like : Neither let it trouble any Man^
if jometimes he meet with Htflorical Narrations^ or
Additions for Ornament'^s fake, or conju(ion of TimeSy
or fomething transferred from one Fable to another^ to
bring in a new Allegory : For it could be nootherwife^
feeing they were the Inventions of Men, which lived
in diver fe Ages, and had alfo diver fe Ends : Some be^
ing ancient, others neoterical ; fome have an Eye to
Things Natural, others to Moral.

There is another Argument, and that no fmail one
neither, to prove that thefe Fables contain artdin bid-

den.

The P R E F A C E.

den^ and involved Meanings^ feeing fome of them at*e
obferved to be fo abfurd^ and fooUjh in the very reU'*
tion that they jhew^ and as it were proclaim a Para-
ble afar of: For fuch Tales as are probable^ they may
feem to be invented for delight, and in imitation if
Hifiory, And as for fuch as no Man would fo much as
imagine or relate^ they feem to be fought out for other
Ends : For what kind of Fiction is that^ wherein Ju-
piter is faid to have taken Metis to Wife ; and, per-
ceiving that jhe was with Child, to have devoured
her ; whence himfelf conceiving, brought forth Pallas
armed, out of his Head ? Truly, I think there was ne-
ver Dream (fo different to the courfe of Cogitation^
and fo full of MonfiroJityJ ever hatched in the Brain
of Man, Above all Things, this prevails moft with
me and is of fingular Moment ; many of thefe Fables
feem not to be invented of thofe by whom they are re-
lated^ and celebrated^ as by Homer, Hefiod and others.
For if it were fo^ that they took beginning in that Age,
and from thofe Authors by whom they are delivered^
and brought to our Hands : My Mind gives me, there
could be no great or high Matter expelled, or fuppo-
fed t.o proceed from them in refpeB of thefe Originals.
But if with attention we conftder the Matter^ it will ap-
pear, that they were delivered, and related as Things
forr^terly belitved, and received, and not as newly in-
vented, and offered unto us, Beftdes, feeing they are
diver fly related by Writers that lived near about one
and the fdffarne time, we may eaflj perceive that
they were common Thinp, derived from precedent ik/f-t
rnoriah ; and that they became various, by reafon of the
divers Ornaments be Jl owed on ther/i by particular Re'
lotions : And the confide rat ion of this mujl needs in-

creafe

The PREFACE.

^€Afe in us a great Opinion of them^ as not to he 4C~
counted, either the tffa^s of the Time^ or inventions of
the PoeSs^ hut ds fAcred Relicks, or ahfirdcled Airs of
hetter Times ^ which by Tradition from more Ancient
Nations^ fell into the Trumpets and Flutes of the Grae-
cians. But if any do ohfiinately contend^ That Alle-
gcries are always advent it i ally ^ and as it were hy Cos-
fir aint^ never naturally^ and properly included in Fd-
hies J we will not be much troublefome^ hut fufer them to
enjoy that gravity of Judgment, n^iich I am fur e they
effect, although indeed it be but Lurnpifh, and almofi
Leaden. And {if they be worthy to be taken notice cf,)
we will begin afrejb with them infome other Fafjiofi. ■,
There is found among Men, (and it goes for current )
a twofold ufe of Parables, and thofe, (which is more to
he admired) referred to contrary Ends ; conducing as
well to the folding up, and keeping of Things under a
Veil^as to the enlightning and laying open ofVbfcurities,
But omitting the former ^rather than to undergo wrang-
ling, and affuming ancient Fables as Things vagrant^
and compafed only for Delight,) the latter muft quefli-
onlefs ft til remain as not to be wrefied from us by any
violence of Wit, .veither can any (that is but meanly
Learned) hinder ; but it mu(} abfolutely he rec^.ived, as
a Thing grave, and fober, frte from all inanity, andexr
ceeding. profitable , and mceffary to all Sciences.
This is it, I fay, that leads the Under ftanding of Man
by an eafie and ge.vtle Pajfuge through all noicl And
Abftrufelirventicm, which any wa) differ from ccnmcu
received Opiniom. Therefore in th& firfh Ages ( ivhen
many humane Inventions aud Conchf^ons \hich are
*}oiv common, and vulgar^ were neiv, and not generallf
known,) ail Things were full of Fables , Enigma's, Pa.

r

rabu'fj

The PREFACE.

rabies^ dnd Similies of all forts : By which they fought
to teach, and lay opefSy not to hide and conceal KjwW"
ledge ; efpec tally feeing the Vnder {landings of Men
were in thofe Times rude and impatient ^ and almoft in-
capable of any Subtilties ; fuch Things only excepted^
as were the ObjeSi of Senfe^ for as Hieroglyphicks
preceeded Letters^ jo Parables were more ancient than
Arguments, And in thofe Days alfo, he that would iU
luminate Mtn* 5 MinAs anew in any old Matter^ and that
not with difprofty and harfhnefs^ mujl abfolutely take
the fame Courfe, and ufe the help of Himilies, Where^
fore after all that hath been faid^ we muft thus con-
clude: TheWifdomof the Ancients, it was either
much^ or happy : Much^ tf thefe Figures and Tropes
were invented by Study and Premeditation ; Happy, if
they (intending nothing lefs) gave Matter^ and Oc»
cafion to fo many worthy Meditations, As concerning
my Labours^ {if there he any Thing in them which may
do good,') 1 wtll on neither fart count them ill befiow'^
ed, my purpofe being to ilia fir ate either Antiquity, or
Things themfelves. Neither am I ignorant that this
very Subject hath been attempted by others ; But to
fpeak as I think, and that freely without Oflentation, the
Dignity and Efficacy of the Thing, is almof loft by
thefe Men's Writings^ though voluminous, and full of
Pains, whilft not diving into the depth of Matters, but
skilful only in certain common Places, have applied the
Senf'e of thefe Parables to certain vulgar, and general
Things, not fo much as gUncing at their true Vert ue,
genuine Propriety, and full Depth. I (if I be not de»
ceivedy) fJuU be new in common Things. Wherefore
leaving fuch as are plain and open^ 1 will aim at far"
ther and richer Matter s^

To

T O T H E

BOOK.

Rich Mine of Arty Minion of Mercurjr,
True Truch-Man of the Mind of Myfiery j
Invention's Store-Honfc^ Nymph of Helicon j
Deep Moralifi of Time^ Tradition,
Vnto this Taragon of Brutus Kace^
Prefent thy Service^ and with chearful Grace,

Say, (if Pythagoras believed may be J
The Soul of Ancient Wifdom lives in Thee*

4*11 E

ri

iio\ D^i:

THE

O F T H E

AN G IE NTS.'

£A S S ANDR A; Or^ Dhination.

TH E Foets Fable, that J^llo being enamour-
ed of Cajfandray was by her many Shifts and
cunning Slights ftill deluded in his Defire ;
but yet fed on with hope, until fuch time
as flie had drawn from him the Gift of Pro-
phefying-, and having by fuch her DifTimulation, in
the end, attained to that which from the beginning (he
fought after ^ at laft, flatly rejeded his Suit. Who find-
ing himfelf fo far engaged in his Proraife, as that he
could not by any means revoke again his rsfh Gift, and
yet enilamed with an earneft defire of Revenge, highly
^ifdaining to be made the fcorn of a crafty Wench, an-
nexed a Penalty to. his Protmfe, viz.. that llie (hould €<»
ver foretel the Truth, but never be believed: So were
^er Divinations always faithful, but at no time regarded ^
her^f ibc ^ill fcwnd the Experience, yea, even in the

? i ruia

t

2 The Wifdom of the Ancients]

ruin of her own Country, which fli€ had often fore-
warned them of ^ but they neither gave Credit nor Ear
to her Words. This Fable feems to intimate the unpro-
iitable Liberty of untimely Admonitions and Counfels:
For they that are fo over-weened with the (harpnefs and
dexterity of their own Wit and Capacity, as that they
difdain to fubmit themfelves to the Documents of Apollo^
the God of Harmony, whereby to learn, and obferve the
Method and Meafure of Affairs, the Grace and Gravity of
Difcourfe, the difi^erences between the more judicious and
more vulgar Ears, and the due times when to fpeak, and
when to be filent ; be they never fo fenfible and pregnant,
and their Judgments never fo profound, and profitable •,
yet in all their Endeavours either of perfwafion, or per-
force, they avail nothing, neither. are they of any mo-
ment to advantage or manage Matters ^ but do rather
haften on the Ruin of all thofe that they adhere, or de-
vote themfelves unto. And then atlaft, when Calamity
doth make Men feel the event of Negled, then fhail they
too late be reverenced as deep, forefeeing, and faith-
ful Prophets. Whereof a notable Inftance is eminently
fet forth in Manns Cato Vticetifis^ who, as from a Watch-
tower^ difcovered afar off, and, as an Oracle, long fore'J
told the approaching Ruin of his Country, and the-
plotted Tyranny hovering over the State, both in the
firfl Confpiracy, and as it was profecuted in the Civil
Contention between Cxfar and Pompey, and did no good
the while, but rather harmed the Common-wealth, and
haftned op his Country's Bane •, which M. Cicero wife-
ly obferved, and writing to a familiar Friend, doth in
thefe Terms excellently delcribe, Cato optime femit^ fed
nocet inter ditm Reipiihlic<£ : Loquitur enim tanquam in Re*
piiblica Platonis^ non tanqaam'm fcce Romidi. Cato (faith
he,) jiidgeth profoundly, but in the mean time damni-
fies the State \ for he fpeaks in the Common-wealth of
Tlato^ and not as in the Dregs of Romulus. '

rrpHONy

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 5

T r P HO N, or A Rebel,

JVNO being vex'd (fay the Poets) that ^nftter had
begotten Pallas by himfelf without her, earneflly
prefled all the other Gods and Goddefles that (be might
alfo bring forth of her felf alone without him ; and
having by violence, and importunity obtained a GranE
thereof, fhe fmote the Earth, and forthwith fprang up
Typhon^ a huge, and horrid Monfter : This ftrange Birth
(hecommits to a Serpent, (as a Fofter-Father,) to nou-
rifli it J who no fooner came to ripenefs of year->, but
he provokes Jupiter to Battle : In the Confli^ the Gy-
ant getting the upper hand, takes Jupiter upon his
Shoulders, carries him into a remote, and obfcure Coun-
try, and (cutting out the Sinews of his Hands and
Feet ) brought them av/ay, and fo left him miferably
mangled and maimed. But Mercnry recovering thefe
Nerves from Typhon by Health, reftored them again to
Jupiter. Jupiter being again by this means corrobora-
ted, aflaults the Monfter afrefh, and at the firfl: flrikes
him with a Thunder-bolt, from whofe Blood Serpents
were ingendred. This Monfter at length fainting, and
flying, Jupiter cafts on him the Mount v/£tna^ and with
the Weight thereof crufh'd him.

This Fable feems to point at the variable Fortune of
Princes, and the rebellious infurredion of Traytors in
a State : For Princes may well be faid to be married
to their Dominions, as Jupiter was to Juno \ but it
happens now and then, that being debolhed by the
long cuftom of Erapiring, and bending towards Ty-
ranny, they endeavour to draw all to themfelves, and
(contemning the Counlel of their Nobles and Sena-
tors) hatch Laws in their own Brain •, that is, difpofe
of Things by their own Fancy, and abfolute Power. The
People (repining at this) ftudy how to create, and fet
up a Chief of their own Choice. This Project by the
fecret inftigatioa of the Peers, and Nobles, doth for

P 3 th?

6 The Wifdom of the Ancients.

feeking Countenance, aiid creeping into Fav^our, do
fometiraes take occafion from the fecret Beckonings, and
ambiguous Commands of their Prince, to perform fome
hateful Execution. But Princes (abhorring the Fadi,
and knowing well, that they fhall never want fuch kind
of Inftruraents,) do utterly forfake them, turning them
over to the Friends and A Hies of the wronged, to their
Accufations and Revenge, and to the general Hatred of
the People^ fo that with great Applaufe, and profpe-
rous Wifhes and Acclamations towards the Prince, they
are brought, rather too late, than undefervedly, to a
miferable End.

NJRCISSVS; Or, Self-Love.

THey lay, That Narcijfus was exceeding Fair and
Beautiful, but wonderful Proud and Difdainful ;
wherefore defpifing all others in refped of himfelf, he
leads a folitary Life in the Woods and Chafes, with a
few Followers, to whom he alone was all in all ^ amongft
the reft, there follows him the Nymph Echo. During
his Courfe of Life, it fatally fo chanced, that became to
a clear Fountain, upon the Bank whereof he lay down
to repofe himfelf in the Heat of the Day. And hav-
ing efpied the (badow of his own Face in the Water,
was fo befotced, and raviflied with the Contemplation
and Admiration thereof, that he by no means poflible
could be drawn from beholding his Image in thisGlafs ;
infomuch, that by continual gazing thereupon, he pin-
ed away to nothing, and was at laft: turned into a Flower
of his own Nime, which appears in the beginning of
the Spring and is facred to the infernal Powers, Fluto^
Proferpina^ -dnci the Furies.

This Fable feems to fhew the Difpofitions, and For-
tunes of thofe, who in refpe»Sl either of their Beauty, or
other Gift wherewith they are adorned, and graced by

Nature,

The iVifdom of the Amknts, j

Nature, without the help of Induftry, are fo far bcfoc-
ted in themfelves, as thac they prove theCaufe of cheir
own Deftru(ftion. For it is the property of Men infe-
fted with this Humour, not tocgme much abroad, or to
be Coaverfanc in Civil Affairs, efpecially feeing chofe
that are in publick Place, mult of neceflicy eocoaater
with many Contempts, and Scorns, which may much
dejedt, and trouble their Minds ^ and therefore they
lead for the moft part a folicary, private, and oblcure
Life, attended on with a few Followers, and thofe,
fuch as will adore, and admire them, like an Echo
flatter thera in all their Sayings, and applaud them ia
all their Words. So that being by this Cuilom redu-
ced, and puft up, and as it were, ftupified with the
Admiration of themfelves, they are poflefled with To
ftrange a Sloth and Idlenefs, that they grow in a man-
ner benumb'd, and defective of all Vigour and Alacrity.
Elegantly doth this Flower, appearing in the begmning
of the Sprifig, rcprefent the likenefs of thefe xMen's Dif-
pofitions, who, in their Youth do flourifh, and v? ax fa-
mous i but being come to ripencfs of Years, they de-
ceive and fruftrate the good Hope that is conceived of
them. Neither is it impertinent that tiiis Flower is faid
to be confecrated to the infernal Deities, becaufe Men
of this Difpoficion become unprofitable to all Humane
Things : For whatfoever prodaceth no Fruit of it felf,
but palTeth, and vanilheth as if it had never been, (like
the way of a Ship in the Sea,) that the Ancients were
wont to dedicate to the Ghofts, and Powers below.

S TT Xy or he Agues.

TH E Oath by which the Gods were wont to oblige
themfelves, (when they meant to ratifie any Thing
fo firmly as nevei to revoke ir,) is a Thing well known
to the Vulgar, as being mentioned alraolt in every Fa-
ble,

S The Wffdom of the Ancients,

ble, which was when they did not invoke or call to
witnefs any Celeftial Majefty, or Divine Power, buE
only the River Styx^ that with crooked and Memdry,
Turnings incircleth the Palace of the infernal Dis. This
was held as the only manner of their Sacrament \ and
befides it, not any other Vow to be accounted firm,
and inviolable \ and therefore the Puniftiment to be in-
fiifted, (if any did Perjure themfelves,) was, that for
certain Years they (hould be put out of Commons, and
not to be admitted to the Table of the Gods.

This Fable feems to point at the Leagues and Pa<fis
of Princes, of which, more truly, than opportunely,
may be faid. That be they never fo flrongly confirmed
with the Solemnity and Religion of an Oath, yet arc
for the moft part, of no validity \ infomuch that they
are made rather with an Eye to Reputation, and Re-
port, and Ceremony ; than to Faith, Security, and Ef-
fed. Moreover, add to thefe the Bond of Affinity, as
the Sacraments of Nature, and mutual Deferts of each
Part, and you fhall obferve, that with a great many, all
thefe Things are placed a degree under Ambition and
Profic, and the licentious defire of Domination ^ andfb
much the rather, bccaufe ic is an eane Thing for Prin-
ces to defend and cover their unlawful Defires and un-
faithful Vows, with many outwardly feeming fair Pre-
texts, efpeci^liy feeing there is no Umpire or Moderaror
of Matters concluded upon to whom a Rcafon fhould be
tendred. Therefore there is no true and proper Thing
made choice of, for the confirmation of Faith, and that no
celeftial Power neither, but is indeed Necejfity., (a great
God to great Potentates,) the Peril alfo of State, and
the Communication of Profit. As for Necejfity^ it is e-
legantly reprefented by Styx^ that fatal and irremeable,
River ^ and this Godhead did Itinerates, the Athenian^
call to the Confirmation of a League ; who becaufe he
-^one is found to fpeak plainly that which many hide
cbvertly in their Breafls, it would not be amifs to re-
late his Words. He obferving how the Lacedaemonians

had

The Wifdom of the jtndents, 9

had thought upon, and propounded divers Cautions,
Sandions, Confirmations and Bonds, pertaining to
Leagues, interpofed thus : Vnum haced£momiy nobis
vobifcum vinculum & fecuritatis ratio ejfe pojfit j Ji plane
demonfiretis^ vos ea'nobis concejjijfe, & inter man us pofnifiy
Ht vobis facultas Udendi nos, fi maxime velUtis, minime
fufpetere pojfu. There is one Thing (O Lacedemonians)
that would link us unto you in the Bond ot Amity,
and be the occafion of Peace and Security, which is,
if you would plainly demonftrate, that you have yield-
ed up, and put into our Hands, fuch Things as that,
would you Hurt us never fo fain, you fhould yet be
disfurniflied of Means to do it. If therefore the Power
of Hurting be taken away, or if by breach of League
there follow the danger of the Ruin or Diminution of
the State or Tribute •, then indeed the Leagues may
feem to be ratified and eflablifhed, and as it were con-
firmed by the Sacrament of the Stygtan Lake \ feeing
that in includes the fear of Prohibition and Sufpenfioa
from the Table of the Gods, under which Name the
Laws and Prerogatives, the Plenty and Felicity of a
Kingdom were fignified by the Ancients.

P J N, or Nature,

TH E Ancients have exquifitely defcribed Nature un-
der the Perfon of Pan^ whofe original they leave
doubtful ; for fome fay that he was the Son of Aier-
citry^ Others attribute unto him 3 far different beginning,
affirming him to be the ccm.mon Off fpring of Pene-
lope's Suitors, upon a Sufpicion, that every one of them
had to do with her \ which latter Relation doubtlefs
gave occafion to fome after Writers to Eniicle this an-
cient Fable with the Name of Penelope^ a Thing very
frequent amongft them, when they apply old Fidions
to young Perfbns and Names, and that many times
'- abfurdly

lo The Wifdom of the Amiems\

abfurdly aad indifcreetly, as may be feen here ; For
?<«« being one of the Ancient Gods, was long before the
time of Vlyjfes and Penelope. Befides (for her Matronal
Chaftity) (he was held venerable by Antiquity. Nei-
ther may we pretermit the third Conceit of his Birth :
For fome fay, That he was the Son of Jupiter and
JHybris, which fignifies contumely or difdain. But how-
foever begotten, the Parca (they fay,) were his Sifters.
He is pourtrayed by the Ancients in this Guife ; on
his Head a pair of Horns to reach to Heaven, his Bo-
dy Rough and Hairy, his Beard long and fhaggy, his
Shape biformed, above like a Man, below like a Beaft,
his Feet like Goat's-hoofs, bearing thefe Enfigns of his
Jarifdidion, to wit, in his Left-hand a Pipe of feven
Reeds, and in his Right a Sheep- hook, or a 5tafF
crooked at the upper end, and his Mantle made of a
Leopard's Skin. His Dignities and Offices were thefe:
He was the God of Hunters, of Shepherds, and of all
Rural Inhabitants : Chief Prefident alfo of Hills and
Mountains, and next to Mercury^ the Ambaflador of
the Gods. Moreover, He was accounted the Leader
and Commander of the Nym^hs^ which were always
wont to Dance the Rounds, and Frisk about him i he
was accoil:ed by the Satyrs and the old 5/7^«i. He had
Power alfo to ftrike Men with Terrors, and thofe efpe-
cially Vain and Superftitious, which are termed Pa-
nt ck Fears. His a4s were not many, for ought that
can be found in Records, the chiefcft was, that he
challenged Cupid at Wreflling, in which Conflid he had
the Foil. The Tale goes too, how that he caught the
Gyant Typhon in a Net, and held him faft. Moreo-^
ver, where Ceres (grumbling and chafing that Profer*
fina was ravifhed) had hid her felf away, and that
ail the Gods took Pains (by difperfing thcmfelves in-
to every Corner) to find her out, it was only his good
Hap (as he was Hunting) to light on her, and ac-
quaint the reft where flie was. He prefumed alfo to
put it to the Tryul who was the bcft Mulician, he or

Apollo^

The Wifdom of the Jmientf, 1 1

Afollo^ and by the Judgment of Mid^ts was indeed pre*
ferred : Bat the wife Judge had a pair of AfTes Ears
privately chopt to his Noddle for his Sentence. Of
his Love-tricks, there is nothing reported, or at leaft
not much, a Thing to be wondered at, efpecially being
among a Troop of Gods fb profufely amorous. This
only is faid of him, that he loved the Nymph Echo
(whom he took to Wife) and one pretty Wench more
called Sirynx, towards whom Chpid (in an angry and
revengeful Humour, becaufe fo audacicufly he had chal-
lenged him at a Wrellling) inflamed his Defire. More-
over, he had no Iflbe (which is a Marvel alfb, feeing
the Gods, efpecially thole of the Male kind, were very
Generative) only he was the reputed Father of a little
Girl called Jambe, that with many pretty Tales was
wont to make Strangers Merry •, but fome think that he
did indeed beget her by his Wife Jamhe. This (if any
be) is a noble Tale, as being laid out and big- bellied
with the Secrets and Myfteries of Nature.

Pan (as his Name imports) reprefents and lays opca
the All of Things or Nature. Concerning his Origi-
nal there are two only Opinions that go for Currant ;
for either he came of Mercury^ that is, the Word of
God, which the Holy Scriptures Vv'ithout all Contro-
verfie affirm, and fueh of the Philofophers as bad any
fmack of Divinity afTented onto-, or elfe from the
confufed Seeds of Things. For they that would have
one (Imple Beginning, refer it unto God \ or if a matc-
riate Beginning, they would have it various in PowerJ
Sothat we may end the Controverfie with this Diltribo-'
tion. That the World took Beginning, either frosi
MercHryy or from the Seeds of all Things.

Virg. Eclog. 6.

Namque canebat uti magnum fer inane coacia.
Semina terrarumque^ animaqne^ mar if que fuijfcntj

i2 The.Wifdom of the Ancients:

Et Uquidi Jimul ignis : Et his exordia primis
Ommay & ipfe tener mundi concreverit Orbis,

For rich- vein'd Orpheus fweetly did rehearfc
How that the Seeds of Fire, Air, Water, Earthy
Were all pad in the vafb void llniverfe :
And how from thefe as Firftlings, all had Birth,
And how the Body of this Orbick frame,
From tender Infancy fb big became.

, But, as touching the third Conceit of P<<«'s Original,
it feems that the Grecians (either by intercourse with
the iy^gyptians^ or one way or other) had heard Icnne-
thing of the Hebrew Myfteries^ for it points to the
State of the World, not confidered in immediate Crea*
lion, but after the Fail of Adam, expofed and made
fiibjed to Death and Corruption : For in that State it
was (and remains to this Day) the Off-fpring of God
and Sin. And therefore all thefe Three Narration^
concerning the manner of Pan's Birth may feem lO
be true, if it be rightly dillinguifhed between Things
and Times. For this Pan or Nature (which we fulpedt,
Coatemplate, and Reverence more than is fit) took be-
ginning from the Word of God by the means of coh-
i\Akd Matter, and the entrance of Prevarication and
Corruption. The Deltinies may well be thought the
Siders of Pan or Nature^ becaufe the Beginnings and
Continuances and Corruptions and Depreflions, and
DilFoIutions,and Eniinencies, and Labours, and Felicities
of Things, and all the Chances which can happen unto
any thing, are Unkt with the Chain of Caufes natural

Horns are attributed unto iiim, becaufe Horns are
broad at the Hoot and fh.irp at the Ends, the Nature ot
all Things being like a Pyramis^ fharp at the Top. For
individual or lingular Things being infinite, are firfl
tolledcd into Species^ which are many d\^o\ then from
Species into Generals^ ^nd t'vom Generals (by afcendiug)
arc coniradtcd intoThings or Notions more general •-, To

that

The Wifcbm cf the Ancients, j j

that at length Nature may fecm to be contraded into aa
Unity. Neither is it to be vvondred at, that Pan touch-
ech Heaven with his Horns, feeing the height of Nature
or llniverfal Ideas do, in fome fort, pertain to Things
Divine, and there is a ready and Ihort PafTagc from Me-
tofhypcks to natural Tlnology.

The Body of Nature is elegantly and with deep Judg-
ment depainted Hairy, reprefenting the Beams or Ope-
rations of Creatures ^ for Beams are as ic were the Hairs
and Bnllles of Nature^ and every Creature is either
more or lefs Beamy, which is moft apparent in the fa-
culty of Seeing, and no lefs in every Vertue and Ope*
ration that effeduates upon a diftant Objecl, for what-
foever works upon any Thing afar off, that may rightly
fie faid to dart forth Rays or Beams. j .^~- '

Moreover, Tanh Beard is faid to be exceeding lon^
becaufe the Beams or Influences of Coeleftial Bodies do
operate and pierce fartheft of all ^ and the Sua, when
<his higher half is Ihadowed with a Cloud) his Beams
break out m the lower, and looks as if be were Beard-
ed.

Natwre^ is alfo excellently ftt forth with a biformed
Body, with refped to the differences between fuperior
and inferior Creatures. For one part by reafon of their
Fulcritode, and Equability of Motion, and Conllancy
and Dominion over the Earth and Earthly Things, is
worthily fet out by the fliape of Man : And the ocher
part m refped of their Perturbations and unconftant
MotiOQs, {and therefore needing to be moderated by
the Celeftial) may be well fitted with the Figure of a
Brute Beafl. This Defcription of his Body peaains al-
io to the Participation of Species, for no natural Beiae
leemstobefiraple, but as ic were participated and com-
pounded of two. As for Example, Man.hath fomething
ot a Beafl, a Beaft fomething of a Plant, a Plant fome-
thing of inanimate Body^ ot that all natural Things a-e
in very Deed bitormed, that is to fay, compounded of
a luperior and inferior Sfeclcj.

ft

14 The Wifdom of the Ancients',

It is a very witty Allegory, that fame of the Feet of
the Goat, by reafon of the upward tending Motion of
Terreflrial Bodies towards the Air and Heaven, for the
Goat is a climbing Creature, that loves to be hanging
about the Rocks and fteep Mountains •, and this is done
alfo in a wonderful manner, even by thofe Things which
are deftinated to this inferior Globe, as may nianifeftly
appear in Clouds and Meteors.

The two Enfigns which Part bears in bis Hands, do
point, the one at Harmony, the other at Empire : For
the Pipe confifting of fevcn Reeds, doth evidently de-
monftrate the Gonfent, and Harmony, and difcordant
Concord of all inferior Creatures, which is caufed by
the Motion of the Seven Planets: And that of the
Sheep- hook may be excellently apply 'd to the Order of
Nature, which is partly right, partly crooked : This
Staff' therefore or Rod is fpecially crooked in the up**
per end, becaufe all the Works of Divine Providence in
the World are dope in a far fetcht and circular manner,
fo that one Thing may feera to be affeded, and yet in-
deed a clean contrary brought to pafs •, as the felling of
Jofefh into <i/£gy^t^ and the like. Befides in all wile
Humane Government, they that lit at the Helm do mor^
happily bring their Purpofes about, and infinuate more
ealily into the Minds of the People, by pretexts and Ob-
lique Courfes, than by direft Methods : So that all Scep-
ters and Mafles of Authority ought in very Deed to be
crooked in the upper endi

.Pa-nh Cloak or Mantle is ingenionfly feigned to be a
Skin of a Leopard, becanfe it is full of Spots : So the
Heavens are fpotted with Stars, the Sea with Rocks and
Iflands, the Land with Flowers, and every particular
Creature alfo is for the molt part garnifhed with divers
Colours about the Superficies, which is as it were a Man-
tle unto it.

The Office of Pan can be by nothing fo lively con-
ceived and exprelt, as by feigning him to be the God
of Hunters, for every natural Action, and fo by confe-»
:;! quence,

Th Wifdom of the Ancients. 1 5

quence, Motion and ProgrefTion, is nothing elfe but a
Hunting. Arts and Sciences have their Works, and Hu-
mane Counfels their Ends which they earneftly hunt
after. All natural Things have either their Food as a
Prey, or their Plcafure as a Recreation which they
leek for, and that in moft expert and fagacious man*
ner.

Torva LtAfiA Dipam fe^nitury Lnpus ipfe CafeHam,
Borentem Cityfitm fequitur lafciva Capella.

The hungry Lionels, (with (harp defire)
Purfues the Wolf, the Wolf the wanton Goat:
The Goat again doth greedily afpire
To have the Trifoil Juyce pafs down her Throat.

Pan is alfb faid to be the God of the Country-Clowns,
becaufe Men of this Condition lead lives more agreeable
unto Nature, than thofe that live in the Cities and
Courts of Princes, where Nature by too much Arc is
corrupted : So as the faying of the Poet (though in the
fenfc of Love) might be here verified.

-—'Purs minima efi if fa fueUa ftti.

The Maid lb trickt her felf' with Art,
That of her felf Ihe is leaft part.

V

He was held to be Lord Prefident of the Mcuntains^
becaufe in the high Mountains and Hiiis, Nature lays her
felf moft open, and Men moft apt to View and Con-
templation.

Whereas Pan is faid to be (next onto Mennry) tha
Meflenger of the Gods, there is in that 3 Divine My-
ftery contained, for next to the Word of God, the Image
of the World proclaitns the Power and Wifdom Diviiv?,
as fings the Sacred Poet, PfaL xix. f. Call enanart Glo-
^iam Dei, atque Optra ma^imm ejus indicat Firm^meaturai

1 6 The Wiflom of the Ancient s»

The Heavens declare the Glory of God, and the Firma-
ment fheweth the Works of his Hands.

The Nymphs^ that is, the Souls of Living Things take
great delight in Pan. For thefe Souls are the Delights
or Minions of Nature, and the Direction or Condud of
thcCc Nyhtphs is with great Reafon attributed unto Pan^
becaufe the Souls of all Things Living, do follow their
natural Difpolitions as their Guides, and with infinite va-
riety every one of them after his own Fafhion doth leap,
and frisk and dance with inceflant Motions about her.
The Satyrs and Silefji alfb, to wit, Youth and Old Age, are
fome of Pans Followers : For of all natural Things, there
is a lively, jocund, and (as I may fay) a dancing Age,
and an Age again that is dull, bibling, and reeling.
The Carriages and Difpolitions of both which Ages, to
fome fuch as Democrats was, (that would obferve them
duly,) might paradventure feem as ridiculous and de-
formed, as the gambols of the Satyrs, or the geftures of
the SilenL

Of thofe Fears and Terrors which Pan is laid to be
the Author, there may be this wife Conftrudion made :
Namely, that Nature hath bred in every Living Thing
a kind of Care and Fear, tending to the Prefervation of
its own Life and Being, and to the repelling and (hun-
ning of all Things hurtful. And yet Nature knows not
how to keep a Mean, but always intermixes vain and
empty Fears with fuch as are difcreet and profitable :
So that all Things (if their infides might be fcen) would
appear full of Pamck Frights: But Men efpeciaily in
harci, fearful, and diverfe Times, are wonderfully infa-
tuated with Supeiilition, which indeed is nothing elfe
but a Pa-iick Terror.

Concerning the Audacity of Fan in challenging Cu-
ftd at IVreilliijg : The meaning of it is, that Matter
wants not Inclination and l^efire to the relapfing and dif-
folncion of the World into the old Chaos^ if her Malice
and Violence were not reltrained and kept in order, by
the prepotent Unity and Agreement of Things fignified

by

The Wifdom of the Amienf.^ 1 7

by Cufidy or the God of Love ^ and therefore it was a
happy turn for Men, and all Things elfe, that in their
Conflid Pan was found too weak, and overcome.

To the fame EfFed may be interpreted his catching
of Typhon in a Net : For howfoever there may forae-
tifiies happen vaft agd unwonted Tumours (as the
Name of Typhon imports) either in the Sea or in the Air,
or in the Earth, or elfewhere ; yet Nature doth intan-
gle it in an intricate Toil, and curb and reftrain in, as
it were with a Chain of Adamant, the Excefles and Info-
lencies of thefe kind of Bodies.

But forasmuch as it was Pans good Fortune to find
out Ceres as he was Hunting, and thought little of ir,
which none of the other Gods could do, though ihey
did nothing elfe but feek her, and that very ferioufly •,
it gives us this true and grave Admonition, That we
expedt not to receive Things neceCary for Life and Man-
ners from Philofophical Abftradions, as from the grea-
ter Gods j albeit they applyed themfelves to no other
Study j hut from Pan, that is, from the difcreetObfer-
vation and Experience, and the uoiverfal Knowledge of
the Things of this World j whereby (oftentimes even
by Chance, and as it v/ere going a Hunting) fuch Inven-
tions are lighted upon.

The Qiiarrel he made with Jpollo about Afuficl^ and
the Event thereof contains a wholfome Inftruclion,
which may ferve to reftrain Men's Reafons and Judg-
ments with Reins of Sobriety, from Boafting and Glo-
rying in their Gifts. For there feems to be a twofold
Harmony, or Mufick ; the one of Divine Provider.cc,
and the other of Humane Judgment-, the Adminillra-
tion of the World and Creatures therein, and the more
fecret Judgments of God, found very h.ird and harfii ',
which Folly, albeic it b.- well fet out with A lies Ears ;
yet notwichftanding thefe Ears are fecret, and do not
openly appear, neither is it perceived or noted as a De-
formity by the Wjlgar.

a 2 Lailly,

i8 ' The Wifdom of the Aments.

Laflly, It is not to be wondred at, that there is no-
thing attributed unto Pan concerning Loves, but only
of his Marriage with Echo : For the World or Nature
doth enjoy it felf, and in it felf all Things elfe. Now
he that Loves would enjoy foraething, but where there
is enough, there is no Place left to defire. Therefore
there can be no wanting Love in Pan^ or the World,
nor deiire to obtain any thing (feeing he is contented
with himfelf) but only Speeches, which (if plain)
may be intimated by the Nymph Echo ^ or if more quainc
by Syrinx, It is an excellent Invention that P<a», or
the World is faid to make choice of Echo only (above
all other Speeches or Voices) for his Wife : For that
alone is true Philofophy, which doth faithfully render
the very Words of the World ^ and it is written no
otherwifc than the World doth Diftate, it being no-
thing elfe but the Image or Refledion of it, not add-
ing any thing of its own, but only iterates and re-
fbunds. It belongs alfo to the Sufficiency or Perfedion
of the World, that he begets no Ifliie : For the World
doth generate in refped of its Parts, but in refpedt of
the whole, how can it generate, feeing without it
there is no Body ? Not with (landing all this, the Tale
of that tailing Girl fathered upon Pan^ may in very
Deed, with great Realbn, be added to this Fable : For
by her are reprefented thofe vain and idle Paradoxes
concerning the Nature of Things which have been fre-
quent in all Ages, and have filled the World with
Novelties •, Frnitlefs, if you refpeft the Matter \ Chang-
lings if you refpeft the Kind \ fometimes creating Plca-
fure, fometimes Tedioufncfs with their overmuch Prat-
ling-

P E RSEVSy

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 19

P E R S EV S, or War.

PERSEVS is faid to have been enipbyed by Pal-
las^ for the deftroying of Mednfa, who was very
infeftuous to the Weftern Parts of the World, and
efpecially about the utmoft Coafts of Hibena. A Mon-
fter fo dire and horrid, that by her only Afpedl Ihe
turned Men into Stones. This Adedufa alone of all the
Corgons was Mortal, the relt not fubjed to Death. Ter"
fens therefore preparing himfelf for this noble Enter-
prife, had Arms and Gifts bellowed on him by three
of the Gods : Mercury gave him Wings annexed to
his Heels, Fluto a Helmet, Pallas a Shield and a Look-
ing-GIafs. Notwithltanding (although he were thus
furnifhed) he went not diredUy to Medufa, but firft
to the Grea, which by the Mothers fide were Sifters
to the Gorgons. Thefe Gre£ from their Birth were
Hoar-headed, refembling old Women. They had but
one only Eye, and one Tooth among them all \ both
which, (he that had occafion to go abroad, was wont
to take with her, and at her return to lay them down
again. This Eye and Tooth they lent to Perfeus \ and
£0 finding himfelf throughly furnifhcd for the effidiag
of his Defign, haftens towards Afednfa. Her he found
Sleeping, and yet durfl not prefent himfelf with his
Face towards her, left fhe fliould awake ^ but turning
his Head afide, beheld her in Pallas\ Glafs, and (by
this means direding his Blow) cut off her Head ^ from
whofe Blood gufhing out, inftantly came PegafMs, the
Flying- Horfe. Her Head thus fmote off, Perfeits behows
on Pallas her Shield, which yet retained this Vertue,
that whofoever looked upon it, (hould become as flupid
as a Stone, or like one Planet-ftrucken.

This Fable feems todiredt the Preparation and Order,
that is to be ufed in making of War ; for the more apt
and confiderate Undertaking whereof, three grave and

CL 3 whole-

20 The Wifdom of the Ancient s,

wholeforae Precepts (favouring of the Wifdom of Td-
las) are to be obferved.

Firft, That IMen do not much trouble themfelvcs a-
bout the Conqueft of Neighbour Nations, feeiag that
private Pofleflions and Empires arc enlarged by diffe-
rent Means : For in the Augmentation of private Reve-
nues, the vicinity of Men's Territories is to be confide-
red j but in the Propagation of Publick Dominions, the
occafion and facility of making War, and the Fruit to
be expeded ought to be inftead of Vicinity. Certainly
the Romans J what time their Conquefts towards the
Weft, fcarce reacht beyond Liguria^ did yet in the Eafb
bring all the Provinces as far as the Mountain Tanrus
within the compafs of their Arms and Command \ and
therefore Perfens^ although he were Bred and Born ia
the Eaft, did not yet refule to undertake an Expedition
even to the uttermoll Bounds of the Weft.

Secondly, There muft be a care had that the Mo-
tives of War be jnft and honourable, for that begets
an Alacrity, as well in the Soldiers that Fight, as in the
People that Pay; it draws on and procures Aids, and
brings many other Commodities befides. But there is
no Pretence to take up Arms more Pious, than the fop-
prelfing of Tyranny ^ under which Yoke, the People
lofe their Courage, and are caft down without Heart
and Vigour, as in the fight of Medufa.

Thirdly, It is wifely added, that feeing there were
three Gorgons (by which Wars are reprefented) Terfeus
undertook her only that was Mortal ^ that is, he made
choice of fuch a kind of War as was likely to be efleft-
ed and brought to a Period, not purfuing vaft and end-
lefs Hopes.

The furniihing of Terfeus with Neceflaries was that
which only advanced his Attempt, and drew Fortune to
be of his fide ; for he had fpeed from Mercury, con-
cealing of his Couflfels from Orcus, and Providence from
Pallas.

Neither

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 2i

Neither is it without an Allegory, and that full of
Matter too, that thofe Wings of Celerity were faftned
to Perfettsh Heels, and not to his Ankles •, to his Peer,
and-not to his Shoulders j becaufe Speed and Celerity is
required, not fo much in the firfl Preparations for War,
as in thofeThings which fecond and yield Aid to the firft \
for there is no Error in War more frequent, than that
Profecutions and Subfidiary forces do fail to anfwer the
Alacrity of the firft Onfets.

Now for that Helmet which Tlnto gave him, power-
ful to make Men invifible, the Moral is plain j but that
twc^old Gift of Providence, (to wit, the Shield and
Looking-Glafs) is full of Morality •, for that kind of
Providence, which like a Shield avoids the force of
Blows, is not alone needful, but that alfo by which the
Strength and Motions, and Counfcls of the Enemy arc
dcfcry'd, as in the Looking-Glafs of Pallas.

But Perfeus^ albeit he were fufficiently furniihed with
Aid and Courage, yet was he to do one Thing of fpecial
Importance before he entred the Lifts with this Monfter,
and that was to have fome Intelligence with the Grfx.
Thefe Gn£ are Treafons which may be termed the Si-
fters of War not defcended of the fame Stock, but far
unlike in Nobility of Birth ^ for Wars are generous and
heroical, but Treafons are bafe and ignoble. Their
Defcription is elegant, for they are faid to be Gray- head-
ed, and like old Women from their Birth ^ by reafon
that Traytors are continually vext with Cares and Tre-
pidations. But all their Strength (before they break
out into open Rebellions) confifts either in an Eye or
in a Tooth •, for every Faftion alienated from any
State, contemplates and bites. Befides, this Eye and
Tooth is as it were common ; for whatfoever i.hey caQ
learn and know, is delivered and carried from one lo
another by the hands of Fadion. Aird as concerning
the Tooth, they do all bite alike, and fing the fame
Song^ fo that hear one, and you hear all. ?^>-/f«j there-
fore was to deal with thefe Gre£ for the love of theic

Q. 4 Eye

22 The Wifdom of the Ancients]

Eye aad Tooth. Their Eye to difcover, their Tooth to
low Rumours and flir np Envy, and to moleft and trou-
ble the Minds of Men. Thefc Things therefore being
thus difpofed and prepared, he addrefles himfelf to the
Adion of War, and fets upon Mcdufa as flie flept ^ for
a wife Captain will ever arfault his Enemy, when he is
unprepared and molt fecure; and then is there ^ood
life of Pallas her Glafs : For moft Men, before it come
to the Pufli, can acutely pry into and dilcern their Ene-
mies Eftate ', but the befl; ufe of this Glafs is in the very
point of danger, that the manner of it may be fo con-
iidered, as that the Terror may not difcourage, which
is fignified by that looking into this Glafs with the Face
turned from Aiednfa,

The Monfter's Head being cut off, there follow two
Effeds. The firft was, the procreation and raifing of
Tegafns^ by which may be evidently underftood Fame^
that (flying through the World) proclaims Vidory.
The fecond is the bearing of Medufah Head in his Shield ^
to which there is no kind of defence for Excellency
comparable \ for the one famous and memorableAd prof-
peroufly cffefied and brought to pafs, doth reftrain the
Motions and Infolencies of Enemies, and makes Envy
her felf filent and amazed.

E N D r M 1 0 Ny or a Favourite.

IT is faid, That Luna was in Love with the Shepherd
Endymion^ and in a ftrange and unwonted manner
bewrayed her AfFedtion ; For he lying in a Cave fa-
med by Nature under the Mountain Latmus^ fhe of-
tentimes defcended from her Sphere to enjoy his Com-
pany as he flept ^ and after Ihe had kifl!ed him, afcen-
ded up again. Yet notwithftanding this his Idlenefs,
and fleepy Security, did not any way impair his £fl:ate
or Fortune ^ for liana brought it fo to pafs, that he

alQue

The Wifdom of the Ancients. 2j

aione (of all the reft of the Shepherds) had his Flock
iu beft Plight, and moft Fruitful.

This Fable may have reference to the Nature and
Difpofitious of Princes ; for they being full of Doubts,
and prone to Jealoufie, do not eafily acquaint Men of
prying and curious Eyes, and as it were of vigilant
and wakeful Difpofitions, with the fecret Humours and
Manners of their Life -, but fuch rather as are of quiec
and obfervant Natures, fuffering thera to do what they
lift without further Scanting, making as if they were
Ignorant, and perceiving nothing but of a ftupid Dif-
pofition, and poITeft with Sleep, yielding unto them
limple Obedience, rather than (lie Complements ^ For
it pleafeth Princes now and then to defcend from their
Thrones or Majefty (like Luna from the fuperior Orb)
and laying afide their Robes of Dignity (which al-
ways to be cumbred with, would feem a kind of Bur-
then) familiarly to Converfe with Men of this Con-
dition, which they think may be done without Dan-
ger^ a Quality chiefly noted in Tiberius Cafar^ who
(of all others) was a Prince moft fevere j yet fuch
only were gracious in his Favour, as being well acquain-
ted with his Difpofition, did yet conftancly Diflemble,
as if they knew nothing. This was the Cuftom alfo of
Lerpis the Eleventh, King of France, a cautious and
wily Prince.

Neither is it without Elegancy, that the caufe of En-
dymion is mentioned in the Fable, becaufe th^t it is a
Thing ufiial with fuch as are the Favourites of Princes,
to have certain pleafant retiring Places, whirher to in-
vite them for Recreation both of Body and Mind,
and thatvyithout hurt or prejudice to their Fortunes al-
fo. And indeed thefe kind of Favourites are Men
commonly well to pafs j for Princes, akhough perad-
venture they promote them not et'er to Places of Ho-
nour, yet do they advance them fufJicicntly by their
Favour and Conntenance : Neither do they alfect them
phus, only to ferve their own turnj but are wont to

imich

24 ^^'^ Wifdom of the Ancients,

inrich them now and then with great Dignities, and
Bounties.

The Sifler of the GIANT S^ or Fame.

IT is a Poetical Relation, that the Giants begotten
of the Earth, made War upon Jupiter, and the
other Gods^ and by the force of Lightning, they
were refilled and overthrown. Whereat the Earth
being excitated to Wrath, in Revenge of her Chil-
dren brought forth Fame, the youngeft Sifler of the
Giants.

Jllam terra parens ira irritata Deornm,
£xtremam (m prohibent) Cto Eneeladoque for or em
Trogennit -

Provok'd by wrathful Gods, the Mother Earth
Gives Fame, the Giants youngeft Sifter, Birth.

The meaning of the Fable feems to be thus : By the
Earth, is fignified the Nature of the Vulgar, always
fwoln and malignant, and ftill broaching new Scandals
againft Superiors, and having gotten fit Opportunity,
flirs up Rebels and Seditious Perfons, that with impious
Outrage do moleft Princes, and endeavour to fubvert
their Eftates •, but being fuppreft, the fame natural Dif-
pofition of the People ftill leaning to the viler fort,
(being impatient of Pe.ice and Tranquility.) fpread
Rumours, raife malicious Slanders, repining Whifper-
ings, infamous Libels, and others of that kind, to the
detraction of them that .ire in Authority : So as Re-
bellious A iflions, and Seditious Reports, differ nothing
in Kind and Blood, but as it were in Sex only ^ the
one fort being Mafculine, and the other Feminine.

ACTt/iON^

The Wifdom of the Ancients. 85

ACT MON and PENTHEVS,oraCu-
rious Man.

THECuriofityofMen-, in prying into Secrets, and
coveting with an nndifcreet Defire to attain the
knowledge of Things forbidden, is fet forth by the Aa-
cients ia two other Examples : The one of AclAon, the
other of Pentheus.

AciAon having unawares, and as it were by chance
beheld Dinna naked, was turned into a Stag, and de-
voured by his own Dogs.

And Ptmheus climbing up into a Tree, with a defire
to be a fpcdator of the hidden Sacrifices of Bacchus^ was
ftrucken with fuch a kind of Frenfie, as that whatfoe-
ver he lookt upon, he thought it always double, fup-
pofing (among other Things) he faw two Suns^ and
two Thebes ; infbmuch that running towards Thebes^
fpying another Twr^tf^, inltantly turned back again, and
fo kept ftill running forward and backward with perpe-
tual Unreft.

Eumenidum velutl demens vidit agmlna Pentheusy
Et Solem geminumy da^Uces fe ojfendere Thebas.

Pemheiis amaz*d, doth troops of Furies fpie ;
And 5;<«, and Thebes feem double to his Eye.

The firll of the Fables pertains to the fecrets of Prin-
ces, the fecond to Divine Myftcries. For tbofe that
are near about Princes, and come to the knowledge of
more Secrets than they would have them, do certainly
incur great Hatred. And therefore, (fufpecting that
they are Shot at, and Opportunities watcht for their O-
vcrthrow,) do lead their Lives like Stags, fearful and
full of fufpicion. And it happens oftentimes that their
Servants, and thofe of their Houihold, (to infinuate

into

26 The Wifdom of the Anciefits]

into the Prince's Favour) do accufe them to their De-
ftriidlion •, for againfl: whomfoever the Prince's Difple^-
fare is known, look how many Servants that Man hath,
and you Ihall find them for the molt part ^o many
Traytors unco him, that his End may prove to be like

The other is the Mifcry of Penthms : For that by the
height of Knowledge and Nature in Philofophy, hav-
ing climbed, as it were into a Tree, do with rafh At-
tempts (unmindful of their Frailty) pry into the Se-
crets of Divine Myfteries, and are juftly plagued with
perpetual Incouftancy, and with wavering and per-
plexed Conceits : For feeing the light of Nature is one
thing, and of Grace another ; it happens fo to them
as if they faw two Suns. And feeing the Anions of
Life, and degrees of the Will to depend on the Un-
dcrftanding, it follows that they doubt, are inconftant
no lefs in VVill than in Opinion ^ and fo in like man-
ner they may be faid to fee two Thebes : For by The-
bes (feeing there was the Habitation and Refuge of Pen-
theus) is meant the end of Adions. Hence it comes
to pafs that they know not whither they go, but as di-
ftraded and unrefolved in the Scope of their Intentions,
are in all Things carried about with fudden Faflions of
the Mind.

0 RP HEVS^ or Philofophy.

TH E Tale of Orpheus^ though common, had never
the fortune to be fitly applied in every Point. Ic
may fecm to reprefent the Image of Philofophy : For
the Perfoa of Orpheaf (a Man Admirable and Divine,
and fo excellently skilled in all kind of Harmony, that
with his fvveet ravifliing Mufick he did as it were
charm and allure all Things to follow him) may car-
ry a lingular Defcription of Philofophy : For the La-
' * bour^

The iVifdom of the Jn tents, 27

bours of Orpheus do fo far exceed the Labours of Herat-
les in Dignity and Efficacy, as the Works of Wifdom,
excel the Works of Fortitude.

Orpheus for the Love he bare to his Wife, fnatcht,
as it were, from him by untimely Death, refolved to
go down to Hell with his Harp, to try if he might
obtain her of the Infernal Powers. Neither were his
hopes fruftrated : For having appeafed them with the
melodious found of his Voice and Touch, prevailed at
length fo far, as that they granted him leave to take
her away with him *, but on this Condition, that ihe
ftould follow him, and he not to look back upon her,
till he came to the Light of the upper World ; which
he (impatient of, out of Love and Care, and thinking
that he was in a manner pafl: all Danger) neverthelels
violated, infomuch that the Covenant is broken, and
fhe forthwith tumbles back again headlong into Hell.
Orpheus falling into a deep Melancholy, became a Con-
temner of Women-kind, and bequeathed himfelf, to a
fblitary Life in the Defarts \ where, by the fame Me-
lody of his Voice and Harp, he firfl drew all manner
of wild Beafts unto him, (who forgetful of their Sa-
vage fiercenefs, and cafting off the precipitate Provo-
cations of Luft and Fury, not caring to faiiate their
Voracity by hunting after Prey) as at a Theatre in
fawning and reconciled Amity one towards another,
Handing all at the Gaze about him, and attentively
lend their Ears to his Mufick. Neither is this all ;
for fo great was the Power and alluring Force of this
Harmony, that he drew the Woods, and moved the
very Stones to come and place therafelves in an order-
ly and decent Fafliion about. him. Thefe Things fuc-
ceeding happily, and with great Admiration for a time -,
at length certain Thracian Wom.en (pofreft with the
Spirit of Bacchus^) made fuch a horrid and flrange Noife
with their Cornets, that the found of Orphenj's Harp
could no more be heard, infomiiCh as that Harmony
which was the Bond of that Order and Society being

diilblved,

28 The Wifdom of the Amients.

diflblved, all Dilbrder began again; and the Beafis
(returning to their wonted Nature) purfued one ano-
ther unto Death as before : Neither did the Trees or
Stones remain any longer in their Places : And Orpheus
himfelf was by thefe Female Furies torn in Pieces, and
fcattered all over the Defart. For whofe cruel Death
the River Helicon ((acred to the Mufes) in horrible In-
dignation, hid his Head under Ground, and raifed it
again in another Place.

The meaning of this Fable feems to be thus : Or*
pheush Mufick is of two forts, the one appealing the In-
ternal Powers, the other attrading Beafts and Trees ;
the firft may be fitly applied to Natural Philofophy,
the fecond to Moral or Givil Difcipline.

The mofl; noble Work of Natural Philolbphy, is the
Reflicution and Renovation of Things corruptible -, the
other (as a lefTer degree of it) the Prefervation of Bo-
dies in their Eftates, detaining them from Diflblutioa
and Putrefadion j and if this Gift may be in Mortals,
certainly it can be done by no other means than by
the due and exquilite Temper of Nature, as by the me-
lody and delicate Touch of an Inftruraent. But feeing
it is of all Things molt difficult, it is feldom or never
attained unto ; and in all likelihood for no other Reafon,
more than through curious Diligence and untimely Im-
patience. And therefore Philofophy hardly able to
produce fo excellent an Effed in a penlive Humour,
(and that without caufe) bufies her felf about Humane
Objeds, and by Perfuafion and Eloquence, infinuating
the love of Vertue, Equity, and Concord in the Minds
of Men ; draws Multitudes of People to a Society,
makes them fubjed to Laws, obedient to Government,
and forgetful of their unbridled Aftedions, whilft
they give Ear to Precepts, and fubmit themfelvcs to
Diiciplir.e ; whence follows the building of Koufes,
erediiig of Towns^ planting of Fields and Orchards,
with "I rces and the like, infomuch that it would not
be amifs to fay, That even thereby Stones and Woods

were

The Wifdom of the Ancients. 29

were called together and fettled in Order. And after
ferious Trial made and fruftrated about the reftoring of
a Body Mortal, this care of Civil Affairs follows in his
doe Place : Becaufe by a plain Demonflration of the un-
evitable necelTity of Death, Mens Minds are moved to
feek Eternity by the frame and glory of their Merits. It
is alio wifely faid in the Fable, that Oryhem was averfe
from the love of Women and Marriage, becaufe the de-
lights of Wedlock and the love of Children do for the
moil part hinder Men from enterpriling great and no-
ble Defigns for the publick Good, holding Poftcrity a
fufficient (tep to Immortality without Action.

Befides, even the very Works of Wifdom (although
amongft all Humane Things they do mofl excel) do ne-
verthelefs meet with their Periods. For it happens thac
(afcer Kingdoms and Common-wealths have flouriihed
for a time) even Tumults, and Seditions, and Wars a-
rifei in the midfl of which Hurly-burlies, firll Laws
are filent. Men return to the pravity of their Natures ;
Fields and Towns are wafted and depopulated •, and
then (if their Fury continue Learning and Philofophy
muft needs be dif-membred \ fo that a fevu Fragments
only, and in fbme Places will be found like the icatte-
red Boards of Shipwrack, fo as a barbarous Age muft
follow ^ and the Streams of Helicon being hid under the
Earth, (until the Viciffitude of Things paffing,) they
break out again, and appear in feme other remote Na-
tion, though not perhaps in the fame Climate.

C 0 E L V M^ or Bezinnin^s,

WE have it from the Poets by Tradition, that Car-
Ifim was the Ancienteft of the Godi, and that Iiis
Members of Generation were cut off by his Son SAtHm.
Saturn had many Children, but devoured. thetn as foon
as they were Born; Jnftr>- only efcap'd who being

come

i6 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

come to Maa's Eftate, thruft Satnrn his Father into Hell,
and fo ufurped the Kingdom. Moreover he pared off
his FatherV Genitals with the fame Faulchion that 5*-
tnrn difmembred Ccelam, and cafi: them into the Sea ;
from whence came f^ems. Not long after this, (Jufiter
being fcarce fetled and confirmed in this Kingdom) was
invaded by two memorable Wars. The firft of the
Titans^ in the fupprefling of which Sol (who alone of
all the Titan.(, favouring Jnpiter^s iide) took exceeding
great Pains. The fecond was of the Giants, whom
Jhpiter himfelf deflroyed with Thunder-bolts : And fd
all Wars being ended, he Reigned fecure.

This Fable feems enigmatically to (hew from whence
all Things took their Beginning, not much differing
from that Opinion of Pliilofophers, which Democrkus
afterwards laboured to maintain, attributing Eternity
to the firft Matter, and not to the World. In which
he comes fomewhat near the truth of Divine Writ, tel-
ling ns of a huge deformed Mafs, before the beginning
of the fix days Work.

The meaning of the Fable is this : By Caelum may
be underftood that vafl Concavity^ or vaulted Gompafs
that comprehends all Matter : And by Saturn may be
meant the Matter it felf, which takes from his Parent
all power of Generating ^ for the univerfality or whole
Bulk of Matter always remains the fame, neither in*
creeling or dirainiihing in refped of the quality of its
Nature : But by the divers Agitations and Motions of
it, were firfl produced imperfed, and ill agreeing Com-
pohtioiis of Things, making as it were certain Worlds
for Proofs or EfTays, and fo in procefs of Time a per-
fed Fabrick or Strudure was framed, which fhould
flill retain and keep his Form. And therefore the Go-
vernment of the firft Age wa3 fliadowcd by the King-
dom of S.'ttHYn^ who for the frequent Diffolutions and
ftorc Gonrinnances of Things was aptly feigned to de*
vour his Children. The fucceeding Government was
dccyphercd by the Reign of Jupiter, who confirmed

thofe

The Wifdom of the Amierits, J i

thofe continual Mutations unto Tartarus^ a Place Hgni-
fying Perturbation. This Place feems to be all that mid-
dle Place between the lower Superficies of Heaven, and
the Center of the Earth : In which all Perturbations,
and Fragility, and Mortality or Corruption are frequent.
During the former Generation of things in the time of
Saturn^ Reign, f^enas was not Born : For fb long as in
the univerfality of Matter, Dilcord was better and more
prevalent than Concord, it was necelDry that there
fhould be total DilTolution or Mutation, and that in the
whole Fabrick. And by this kind of Generation were
Creatures produced before Samrn was deprived of his
Genitals. When this ceafed, that other which wrought
hyf^enus, immediately came in, confiding in fetled and
prevalent Concord of Things, fo that Mutation Ihouid
be only in refped of the Parts, the univerfal Fabrick
remaining whole and inviolate.

Saturn^ they fay, was depofed and call down into
Hell, but not deltroyed and utterly extinguiflit, be-
caufc there was an Opinion that the World (hould re-
lapfe into the old Chaos and interregnum again, which
Liicretihs prayed might not happen in his Time :

Quod procitl a nohti fltBat for tuna gaher^ians :
Et ratio potias quam res perfaadeat iffa.

Of guiding Providence be gracious.
That this Dooms-day be far remov'd from us ^
And grant, that by ns it may be expetfled.
Rather than on us, in our Times effecUd.

For afterwards the World Ihouli fubfifl by its owa
quantity and power. Yet from ihc beginning there
was no reft : For in the Coeleftijl P.egions there flrft fol-
lowed notable Mutations, which by the Povver of the
Sun (predominating over fapc^rior Bodies) were fb
quieted, that the ftate of the World fhould be confer-
ved : And aftci wards (in infeiior Bodies) bj the fup-

R ' picaiag

J 2 The Wifolom of the Ancients,

preding and diflipating of Inundations,Tempefts,Winds,
and general Eai thquakes, a more peaceable durable A-
greement and Tranquility of Things followed. But of
this Fable it may convertibly be faid, That the Fable
contains Pbilofbphy, and Philofophy again the Fable : For
we know by Faith, that all thefe Things are nothing elfc
but the long fince ccafing and failing Oracles of Senfe,
feeing that both the Matter and Fabrick of the World
are mod truly referred to a Creator.

P R 0 T E V S, or Matter.

THE Poets fay that Protens was Neptune's Herds- mafl,
a grave Sire, and fo excellent a Prophet, that he
might well be termed thrice excellent : For he knew
not only Things to come, but even Things paft as well as
prefent ; fb that befides his Skill in Divination, he was
the Meflenger and Interpreter of all Antiquities and
hidden Myfteries. The Place of his Abode was a huge
vaft Cave, where his Cuftom was every Day at Noon
to count his Flock of Sea-calves, and then to go to lleep.
Moreover he that deflred his Advice in any thing, could
by no other means obtain it, but by catching him in
Manacles, and holding him fall therewith •, who never-
thelefs to be at liberty, would turn himfelf into all
manner of Forms and Wonders of Nature ; fometimes
into Fire, fometimes into Water, fometimes into the
Ihape of Beafls, and the like ^ till at length he were re-
llored to his own Form again.

This Fable may leem to unfold the fecrets of Nature,
and the properties of Matter. For under the Perfon of
Trotens^ the firfl Matter (which next to God) is the an-
cienteft Thing may be rcprcfentcd : For Matter dwells
in the concavity of Heaven, as in a Cave.

He is Nc^tnne% Bond-man, becaufe the Operations and
Difj)eiifations of Matter are chiefly cx'crcifed in liquid
Bodies. His

The Wifdom of the Ancients, j j

His Flock or Herd feems to be nothing but the or-
dinary Species of fenfible Creatures, Plants and Metals,
in which Matter feems to diffufc and as it were fpend ic
felf i fo that after the forming and perfeding of thcfe
Kinds, (having ended as it were her Task,) fhe feems
to Sleep, and take her KtR^ not attempting the Com-
poflcioQ of any more Species. And this may be the
Moral of Proteus his counting of his Flock, and of his
fleeping.

Now this is {aid to be done, not in the Morning,
nor in the Evening, bnt at Noon j to wit, at fuch time
as is moft fit and convenient for the perfecting and
bringing forth o( Species out of Matter, duly prepared
and predifpofed, and in the middle, as it were be-
tween their Beginning and Declinations, which we
know fufficiently (out of the Holy Hiltory) to be
done about the time of the Creation : For then by
the power of that Divine Word (Producat,) Matter at
the Creator's Command did congregate it felt (not by
Ambiges or Turnings, but inftantly) to the Produdioa
of its Work into an Aft and Con(titution of Species.
And thus far have we the Narration of Prcteus (free
and unreftrained, together with his Flock compleat : )
For the univerfality of Things, with their ordinary
Struftures and CompoHcions of Species^ bears the Face
of Matter, not limited and conftrained, and of the
Flock alfo of Material Beings. Nevertlielefs if any
expert Miniiter of Nature, (hall encouncer Matter by
main force, vexing and urging her with Intent and
Purpofe to reduce her to nothing \ fhe contrariwife
(feeing Annihilation and abfclute Dedrudion cannot
be effected by the Omnipotency of God) being thus
caught in the ftraits of Keceflity, dcth chenge and
turn her feif into divers fttange Forms and Shapes of
Things, fo thjt at length (by fetching a Circuit as it
v.ere) Ihe comes to a Period, and (if the fcrce con-
tinue) betakes her ft\i to her former Being. The rca-
fon of which Conitraint or Binding, will be moic fa-

Pv 2 cile

J4 *I^he Wifdom of the Amients.

c\\t and expedite, if Matter be laid hold on by Mana-
cles, that is. Extremities.

Now whereas it is feigned that Trot em was a Pro-
phet, well skiird in three differences of Tiroes, it hath
an excellent Agreement with the Nature of Matter :
for it is necefiary that he that will know the Properties
and Proceedings of Matter, fhould comprehend in his
Underftanding the fum of all things, which have been,
which are, or which fhall be, although no Know-
ledge can exieud fo far as to fingoJar, and individual
Beings.

ME M iV ON, or a Touth too forward,

TH E Poets fay, that A{emmn was the Son of Ahto-
ra^ who (adorn'd with beautiful Armour, and
animated with popular Applaufe,) came to the Trojan
War \ where fin rafh Boldnefs \ halting unto, and
thirfting after Glory,) he enters into fingle Combat
with Achilles^ the valianteft of all the Graciansy by wbofe
powerful Hand he was there flain. But Jupiter pitying
his Deftrudion, fent Biids to modulate certain lamenta-
ble and doleful Notes at the Solemnization of his Fu-
neral Obfequies^ Whofe Statue alfo (the Sun refleding
on it with his Morning Beams) did ufually, as is re-
ported, fend forth a mournful Sound.

This Fable may be applyM to the unfortunate Defti-
nies of hopeful young Men, who like the Sons of Au'
rora^ (puOed up with the glittering fhew of Vanity,
and Oftentation,) attempt Adions above their Strength,
and provoke, andprefs the ni.oft valiant Heroes to com-
baie with them ^ To that (meeting with their over-
march) they are vanquifh'd, and deicroy'd : whofe
untimely Death is oft accompanied with much Pity
and Commifeiaiion^ For among all the Difaftcrs that
tan happen to iMortals,^ there is none io lamentable,

and

The Wifdom of the Ancients. J5

and fo powerful to move Compaffion, as the flower of
Virtue cropt with too fudden a Mifchance. Neither
hath it been often known that Men in their green Years
become lb loathfome, and odious, as that at their
Deaths either Sorrow is ftinted, orCommiferation mo-
derated \ but that Lamentation and Mourning do not
only flutter about their Obfequies, like thofe Funeral
Birds ; but this pitiful Commiferation doth continue
for a long fpace, and efpecially by Occafions, and new
Motions, and beginning of great Matters, as it were
by the Morning- Rays of the 5»», their Paffions and
Defires are renew'd.

TITHONVS^ or Satiety.

IT is elegantly feigned, that Tithonus was the Para-
mour of Aurora, who (defirous to enjoy his Com-
pany) petitioned Jupiter that he might never die ;
but (through Womanifli overlight) forgetting to ia-
fert this Claufe in her Petition, that he might not with-
al grow old, and feeble ; it follow'd that he was on-
ly freed from the condition of Mortality •, but for old
Age, that came upon him in a marvelous, and mife-
rable falhion, agreeable to the ftate of thofe who can-
not die, yet every Day grow weaker and weaker with
Age : Infomuch that Jupiter (in commiferation of that
his Mifery,) did at length metamorphof^ him into a
Grafs- hopper.

This Fable feems to be an ingenious Char3(fter, or
Dedription of Pleafure, which in the beginning, and
as it were, in the Morning, feems to be pleafant and
delightful, that Men defire they might enjoy, and
monopolize it for ever unto themfelves, unmindful of
that Satiety, and Loathing, which (like old Age,) will
come upon them before they be aware. And fo at
Jafl:, (when the ufe of Pleafure leaves Men, the Deluc

R 3 and

36 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

and Affe<S^ion not yet yielding unto Death,) it comes
to pafs that Men pleafe themfelves only by talking,
and commemorating thofe things which brought Plea-
fure unto thera in the flower of their Age, which may
be obferv'd in libidinous Perfons, and alfo in Men of
Military Profeffions ^ the one delighting in beaftly
Talk, the other boafting of their valorous Deeds, like
Grafs- hoppers, whofe Vigour confifts only in their
Voice.

JVNO'S SVITOR, or Bafenefs.

TH E Poets fay, that Jttfiter^ to enjoy Iiis luftful De-
lights, took upon him the fhape of fundry Crea-
tures, as of a Bull, of an Eagle, of a Swan, and of a
Golden Shower ^ but being a Suitor to Jum^ he came
in a Form mofl ignoble and bafe, an Objeft full of
Contempt and Scorn, refembling indeed a miferablc
Cnckow weather-beaten withRainand Tempeft, numb'd,
quaking, and half dead with Cold.

This Fable is wife, and feems to be taken out of the
Bowels of Morality j the Senfe of it being this, That
Men boaft not too much of themfelves, thinking by
Oflentation of their own Worth, to infinuate thcm-
lelves into Eftimation and Favour with Men. The
Succefs of fuch Intentions being for the mofl: part mea-
fiir'd by the Nature and Difpolltion of thofe to whom
Men fue for Grace ; who, if of themfelves they be en-
dow'd with no Gifts and Ornaments of Nature, but
are only of haughty and malignant Spirits, (intimated
by the Pcrfon of 7««<j,) then are Suitors to know
that it is good Policy to omit all kind of Appearance
that may any way fhew their own leaft Praife or Worth,
and that tiicy much deceive themfelves in taking any
other Courfe. Neither is it enough to fliew Deformity

in

The Wifdom of the Ancientsl J7

In Obfequioufhefs, unlefs they alfo appear even abjed
and bafe in their very Perfoas.

CVPID, or An Atom.

THAT which the Poets lay of C«p»W, or Love^ can-
not properly be attributed to one and the felf
fame Perfon*, and yet the Difference is fuch, that (by
rejcSing the Confufion of Perfons,) the Similitude may
be receiv'd.

They fay, that Love is the ancienteft of all the Gods,
and of all things elfe, except Chaos^ which they hold
to be a Contemporary with it. Now as touching Chaosy
that by the Ancients was never dignified with Divine
Honour, or with the Title of the God. And as for
Love^ they abfolutely bring him in without a Father ;
only ibmc are of opinion, that he came of an Egg
that was laid by Nox^ and that on Chaos he begat tlie
God, and all things elfe. There are four things attri-
buted to him, perpetual Infancy, Blindnefs, Naked-
nefs, and Archery. There was alfo another Lovc^
which was the youngeft of the Gods, and he, they fay,
was the Son of Venus. On this alfo they bellow the
Attributes of the elder Lwe^ as in fome fort we'll apply
unto him.

This Fable tends, and looks to the Cradle of Nature^
Love feeming to be the Appetite or Defire of the firlt
Matter, or fto fpeak more plainj the natural motion of
the Atom^ which is that Ancient and only Power that
Forms and Falhions all things out of Matter, of which
there is no Parent, that is to fay, no Caufe, feeing eve-
ry Caufe is as a Parent to its Efieif^. Of this Power or
Virtue there can be no Caufe in Nature (as for Cod^ we
always except hipi,) for nothing was before it, and
therefore no efficient Caufe of it. Neither was there
<iny thing better known to Nature, and therefore nei-

H 4 thcr

3 8 The Wifdom of the Ancients.

ther Genus nor Form. Wherefore whatfoever it is, po-
ilcive ic is, and but inexpreflible. Moreover, if the
manner and proceeding of it were to be conceiv'd, yet
could ic not be by any Caufe, feeing that (next unto
God,) it is the Caufe of Caufes, it felf only without
any Caufe. And perchance there is no likelihood that
the manner of ic may be contain'd or comprehended
wichin the narrow compafs of humane Search. Not
without reafon therefore it is feign'd to come of an Egg
which was laid by Nox. Certainly the Divine Philofo-
pher grants fo much.

Eccl. 3. II. OmBa fecit temfeflatibus fuis pulchra, &
mundnm tradidit dij^ntationibus eoritm^ ita tamen Ht non in'
'ueniat homo opus^ quod operatHs efi Dens aprincipio adjinem.
That is, he hath made every thing beautiful in their
Seafons, alfo he hath fet the World in their Meditati-
ons ^ yet Man cannot find the Work that God hath
wrought, from the Beginning even to the End : For
the principal Law of Nature, or Power of this Defire,
created (by God,) in thefe parcels of things, for con-
curring and meeting together, (from whofe Repetitions
and Multiplications all Variety of Creatures proceeded,
and were compos'd,) may dazzle the Eyes of Men's
Underltandings, and comprehended it can hardly be".
The Greek Philofophers are obferv'd to be very acute
and diligent in fearching out the material Principles of
tilings-, but in the beginnings of Motion (wherein con-
lifts all the efficacy of Operation,) they are negligent
and weak, and in this chat we handle, they feem to
be altogether blind, and Hammering^ for the Opinion
of the Peripateticks QQxiccvmnE, the appetite of Matter,
caus'd by Privation, is in a manner nothing elfe but
Words, which rather found, than (ignifie any Reality.
And chofe that refer it unto God, do very well ^ but
then they leap up, they aPcend not by degrees :, for
doubtlefs there is one chief Law fubordinace to God, ia
which all q.itural things concur and meet, the fame
that in the fore-cited Scripture is demonitrated in thefe"

Words,

The Wifdom of the Ancients, J9

Words, Of us quod operatus efi Dens a principio nfqHe ad fi*
mm \ the Work that God hath wrought from the Be-
ginning even to the End. But Democritus, which en-
trcd more deeply into the Confideration of this Point,
after he had conceiv'd an ^tom, with fome fmall Di-
menfion and Form, he attributed unto it one only De-
lire, or firft Motion, fimply, or abfolutely, and ano-
ther comparatively, or in refped ^ for he thought that
an things did properly tend to the Center of the World,
whereof thofe Bodies which were more material, de-
Icend with fw it cer Motion, and thofe that had lefs Mat-
ter, did, on the contrary, tend upward. But this Me-
ditation was very (hallow, containing lefs than was ex-
pedient; for neither the turning of the Celeftial Bodies
in a round, nor (hutting and opening of things, may
feem to be reduc'd or apply'd to this Beginning. And
as for that opinion of Epicurns^ concerning the cafual
Declination and Agitation of the Atom^ it is but a mere
Toy, and a plain Evidence, that he was ignorant of that
Point. It is therefore more apparent (than we could
wi/b,) that this Cupid^ or Love, remains as yet cloud-
ed under the Ihades of Ntght. Now as concerning
his Attributes, He is elegantly defcrib'd with perpetual
Infancy, or Childhood ; bccaufe compound Bodies they
feem greater, and more Uricken in Years : Whereas the
firft Seeds of things, or Atoms, they are little, and di-
miaatc, and alfo in their Infancy.

He is alfo well feign'd to be naked, becaufe all com-
pound Bodies, to a Man rightly judging, feem to be
apparell'd and cloath'd, and nothing to be properly
naked but the firft Particles of things.

Concerning his Blindnefs, the Allegory is full of
Wifdom; for this Love, or Defire (whatloever it be)
feems to have but little Providence, as directing his
Pace and Motion by that which it perceives neareft ;
not unlike blind Men that go by feeling : More admira-
ble then, muft that chief divine Providence be, which
(from things empty and dcllicute of Providence, and

as

40 The Wifdom of the Aficients]

as it were blind,) by a conflant and fatal Law, pr<>^
doceth fo excellent an Order and Beauty of Things.

The lafl: thing which is attributed to Love^ is Ar-
chery ; by which is meant, that his Virtue is fuch, as
that it works upon a dillant Objeft \ becaufe that what-
ibever operates afar ofi^ feems to Ihoot, as it were, an
Arrow. Wherefore whofoever holds the Being both
of Atoms and yacnlty, muft needs infer, that the Vir-
tue of the Atom reacheth to a diftant Objed : for if
it were not fo, there could be no Motion at all, by rea-
Ibn of the interpofition oi faculty j but all things would
iland ftone ftill, and remain immoveable.

Now as touching that other Cupid or Love^ he may
well be term'd the youngcft of the Gods, becaufe he
(ould have no Being before the Conftitution of Species,
And in his Defcription the Allegory may be apply'd
and traduc'd to Manners : Neverthelefs he holds fome
kind of Conformity with the Elder ; for Pterins doth ge-
nerally ftir up a defire of Conjun^ion and Procreati-
on, and Cnpid her Son doth apply this Defire to fome
individual Nature ^ fo that the general Difpofition comes
Irom f^em.f, the more exad Sympathy from Cnpid : the
one deriv'd from Caufes more near, the other from Be-
ginnings more remote and fatal, and as it were from
the elder Cupidy of whom every exquifite Sympathy
doth depend.

DIOMEDES, or Zjal.

D10 MEDES flourifhing with great Fame and
Glory in the Trojan Wars, and in high Fa-
vour with PalUs^ was by her inftigated (being indeed
forwarder than he (hould have been) not to forbear
Venus a jot, if he enconntred with her in Fight ; which
very boldly he perform'd, wounding her in the right
Arm. This prefumptuous Fad he carry'd clear for a

while J

The Wifdom of the Aneients, '41

while, and being honoured and renown'd for his ma-
ny heroick Deeds, at laft return'd into his own Coun-
try ,where finding himfelf hard beftead with domeftick
Troubles, fled into Jtaly^ betaking himfelf to the Pro-
tedion of Foreigners, where in the beginning he was
fortunate and royally entertained by King Daunus with
fumptuous Gifts, railing many Statues in honour of
him throughout his Dominions. But upon the very firfl
Calamity that hapned unto this Nation, whereunto he
was fled for Succour, King Daunus enters into a con-
ceit with himfelf that he had entertained a wicked
Gueft into his Family, and a Man odious to the Gcd-
defs, and an Impugner of their Divinity, that had da-
red, with his Sword, to aflault and wound that God-
defs, who in their Religion, they held it Sacrilege
fo much as to touch. Therefore, that he might expi-
ate his Country's Guilt, (nothing relpecling the Du-
ties of Hofpitality, when the Bonds of Religion tied
him with a more reverend regard) fnddenly flew J)io^
medes^ commanding withal that his Trophies and Sta-
tues fhould be abolifh'd and deftroy'd. Neither was
it fafe to lament this miferable Defl:iny *, but even his .
Companions in Arms, whilfl: they mourned at the
Funeral of their Captain, and fill'd all the Places with
Plaints and Lamentatbns, were fuddenly mctamor-
phos'd into Birds like unto Swans, v/ho, when their
Death approacheth, fing melodious and mournful
Hymns.

This Fable hath a moll rare and lingular Subjcd:
For in any of the Poetical Recordsj wherein the Heroes
are mcntion'd, wc find not that any one of them, be-
fides Biomedes, did ever with his Sword oHer Violence
toany ofthcDeities. And indeed ,theFable feemsin him
to reprefentthe Nature and Fortune of Man, who of
himfelf doth propound, and make this as the end of
all his Adions, to worfhip fome Divine Power, or to
follow fome Seel of Religion, though never fo vain
and fuperilitious, and with Force and Arms to defend

the

'4^ The Wifdom of the Ancients',

the lame: For although thofe bloody Quarrels for Re-
ligion were unknown to the Andents,(theHeathenG6ds
not having fo much as a touch of that Jealoufie, which
is an Attribute of the true God,) yet theWifdom of the
Antient Times feems to be fo copious and full, as that,
what was not known by Experience, was yet compre-
hended by Meditations and Fidions. They then that
"endeavour to reform and convince any Seft of Religi-
on, (though vain, corrupt, and infamous, fhadowed
by the Perfon of P^en^s J not by the force of Argument
andDoc^rin, and Holinefs of Life, and by the weight
of Examples and Authority, but labour to extirpate
and root it out be Fire and Sword, and Tortures, arc
eacourag'd, it may be, thereunto by Pa/las ^ that is,
by the Acrity of Prudence^ and Severity of Judgment,
by wlK)fe Vigour and Efficacy, they fee into the Falfi-
ty and Vanity of thefe Errors: And by this their ha-
tred of Pravity, and good zeal to Religion, they pur-
chafe to themfelves great Glory, and by the Vulgar (to
whom nothing moderate can be grateful) are eftecm'd
and honour'd as the only Supporters of Truth and Re-
ligion, when others feem to be luke-warm and full of
Fear. Yet this Glory and Happinefs doth feldom en-
diare to the end, feeing every violent Prorperity,if it pre-
vent not alteration by an untimely Death grows to be
neprofperous at laft: For if it happen that by a change
of Government, this banifti'd and deprefs'd Scd get
Strength, and fo bear up again, then thefe zealous Men,
fo fierce in oppofition before, are condemned, their ve-
ry Names are hateful, and all their Glory ends in Ob-
loquy.

In that Diomedes is faid to be murther'd by hisHoU,
it gives us. ro nnderftind that the difference of Religi-
onbreeds Deceit and Treachery, even among neareft
Acquaintance.

Now in that Lamentation and Mourning was not
tolerable but punifh'd-, it puts us in mind, that let
there be never fo nefarious an AcT done, yet there is
-...: fome

1

The Wifdom of the Aticiems. 4 j

fome place left for Coinmiferation and Fity, that even
thofe that hate Offences, fhoiild yet in Humanity
commiferate Offenders, and pity their Diflrefs, it be-
ing the Extremity of Evil when Meicy is not fuffcrd
to have Commerce with Mifery. Yea, even in the
Caiife as well of Religion as Impiety, many Men may
be noted and obferv'd to have been compaflionatc.
But on the contrary the Complaints and Moans ofi)/-
omedes\ Followers, that is, of Men of the fame Seft
and Opinion, arc wont to be Ihrill and loud, like
Swans or the Birds of Diomedes. In whom alfo that
part of the Allegory is excellent to fignifie that the
laft Words of thofe that fufFer Death for Religion, like
the Songs of dying Swans, do wonderfully work up-
on the Minds of Men, and ftrike and remain a loog
time in their Senfes and Memories.

DjEDJLVS, or Mechinick.

MEchanical Wifdom and Induflry, and in it un-
lawful Science perverted to wrong ends is fba-
dowed by the Ancients under the Perfon of Dsdalus^
a Man ingenious, but execrable. This D^daliis (for
murthering his Fellow-fervant that emulated him j being
banilh'd, was kindly entertain'd (during his E:dle^
in many Cities and Princes Courts : for indeed he
was tbe Raifer andBuilder of many gocdly Struftures,
as well in Honour of the Gods, as the Beauty and
Magnificence of Cities, and other publick Places, but
' for his Works of Mifchief he is molt notorious, it
is he that fram'd the Engine which F^/iphae us'd to
fatisfie her Lull in company with a Bull •, fo that by
his wretched Induftry, and pernicious Device, that
Monger Alinotaur (the Deftrudion of fo many hope-
ful Youthsj took his accurfed and intamous Begin-
ning, and. ftudying to cover and inci-eafc one Mif-
chief

44 *^^^ Wifdom of the Ancients,

chief with another ^ for the Security 'and Prefervati-
on of this Monfter he invented and built a Labyrinth,
a Work for intent and ufe niofl nefarious and wicked,
for Skill and Workmanfhip famous and excellent. Af-
terwards, that he might not be noted only for Works
of Mifchief, but be fought after as well for Remedies,
asfor InilrumentsofDeflrrudion, he was the Author
of that ingenious Device concerning the Clew of
Thread, by which the Labyrinth was made paflable
without any let. This Dadalus was perfecuted by Mi"
»w with great Severity, Diligence, and Inquiry, but
he always found the means to avoid and efcape his
Tyranny. Laftly, he taught his Son learns to fly j but
the Novice, in ORentationof this Art, foaringtoo
high, fell into the Sea and was drowned.

The Parable feems to be thus : In the beginning of
it may be noted that kind of Envy or Emulation that
lodgeth, and wonderfully fways and domineers a-
mongft excellent Artificers, there being no kind of
People more reciprocally tormented with bitter and
deadly Hatred than they.

The Banifhmcnt alfo of Dxdalus (a. Punifhment in-
filled on him againft the Rules of Policy and Provi-
dence) is worth the noting : For Artificers have this
Prerogative to find entertainment and welcome in all
Countries, fo that Exile to an excellent Workman can
hardly be term'd a Punilhment, whereas other Con-
ditions and States of Life can fcarce live out of their
own Country. The Admiration of Artificers is pro-
pagated and increas'd in foreign and flrange Nations,
feeing it is a natural and unbred Difpofition of Men to
value their own Country-men (in refpect of Mecha-
nical Works) lefs than Strangers.

Concerning the ufe of Mechanical Arts, that which
follows is plain. The Life of Man is much beholden
to them, feeing many things (conducing to the Or-
nament of Religion, to the Grace of Civil Difcipline,
and to the beautifying of all -Humane Kind) are ex-

traftcd

The Wifdam of the Ancknts. 45

tra<?led out of their Treafuries : And yet notwith-
flanding fiom the izmt MagaiLirie ov Store-houfe are
produced Inftruments both of Lufl: and Death ^ for to
omit the Wiles of Bands, we will know how far ex-
quifite Poyfons, Warlike Engines, and fuch like Mis-
chiefs (the effeds of Mechanicallnventionsj do exceed
the Minotaur himfelf in Malignity and favage Cruelty.

Moreover that of the Lahyri-nth is an excellent Alle-
gory, whereby is fhadow'd the Nature of Mechaaical
Sciences \ for all fuch handycraft Works as are more
ingenious and accurate, may be compar'd to a Laby-
rinth in refpeft of Subtilty and divers intricate Pafla-
ges, and in other plain Refemblances, which by the
Eye of Judgment can hardly be guided and drfcerned,
"but only by the Line of Experience.

Neither is it impertinently added, that he which in-
vented the intricate Nooks of the Labyrinth, did alfo
ihew the Commodity of the Clew: For Mechanical
Arts are of ambiguous ufe, ferving as well for hurt as
for Remedy, and they have in a manner Power both to
4oofe and bind themfelves.

Unlawful Trades, andfo byconrequence,Arts them-
felves are often perfecuted by Mhios^ that is, by Laws,
which do condemn them, and prohibit Men to ufe
"them. Neverthelefs they are hid and retained every
'where, finding lurking Holes and places of Receipt,
which was well obferv'd by Tacitus of the Mathema-
ticians and Figure-flingers of his time, in a thing not
{b much unlike \ Genus Hominnm quod in Civitate nofira
'fern^er & retinebltnr & vetabitnr. There is a kind of
Men that will always abide in our City, though al-
v;ays forbidden. And yet notwithftanding unlawful
and curious Arts of what kind focver, in trad of
time, when they cannot perform what they promiie,
do fall from the good Opinion that was held of there,
(aootherwife than /cw/«j fell down from the Skies,)
they grow to be contemned and fcorncd, and fo pe-
rifh by too much Oltentation. And to fay the Truth,

they

46 *The Wifdom of the Ancienti]

they are not fo happily reftrain'd by the Reins of Law,

as bcwray'd by their own Vanity.

ERICTHONIVS, or Impofiure.

TH E Poets fable that Vulcan folicited Mnerya for
her Virginity, and impatient of denial, with aa
intlam'd Defire ofier'd her Violence, but in ftrugging
his Seed fell upon the Ground, whereof came EriEiho-
niits^ whofe Body from the middle upward, was of a
comely and apt Proportion, but his Thighs and Legs
like the Tail of an Eel, fmall and deform'd. To which
Monftrofity he being confcious, became the firfi: In-
ventor of the ufe of Chariots, whereby that part of
his Body which was well proportioned might be fcen,
and the other which was ugly and uncomely might be

This llrange and prodigious Fiction may leem to
'{hew that Art which (for the great ufe it hath of Fire)
is fhadow'd by Vnlcan^ although it labour by much
flrivingwith corporeal Subftances to force Nature, and
tomakeherfubjeato it, ((he being for her induftri-
ous Works rightly reprefented by Minerva-^) yet fel-
dom or never attains the end it aims at, but with much
ado and great Pains (wreflliug as it were with her;
comes Oiort of its Purpofc, and produceth certain im-
perfed Births and lame Works, fair to the Eye, but.
•weak and defedive in ufe , " which many Impoftors
(with much Subtilty and Deceit) fet to view, and car-
ry about, as it were in Triumph, as may for the moll
part be noted ia Chymical Fiodudions, and other
Mechanical Subtilties and Novelties, efpcciairy when
(gather Perfecuting their Intent, than reclining their Er-
.rorsj they rather ftrive to overcome Nature by force,
than fue for her Embraccmcnts by due Obfcquioufnefs

and Obfcrvance. ,, ,^ ^r

DEVCALION^

The Wifdom of the Amients, 47

VEVCALIO i\\ or Reft itut ion,

TH E Poets fay, that (the People of the Old World
being deftroy'd by a general Deluge) Deucalion
and Pyrrha were only left alive ; who praying with
fervent and zealous Devotion, that they might know
by what means to repair Mankind, had anfwer from
an Oracle that they Ihould obtain what they defir'd,
if taking the Bones of their Mother they cafl them be-
hind their Backs j which at firfl: ftruck them with
great Amazement and Defpair, feeing (all things be-
ing defac'd by the Flood) it would be an endlefs
work to find their Mother's Sepulchre, but at length
they underflood that by Bones the Stones of the Earth
(feeing the Earth was the Mother of hll things) were
fignified by the Oracle.

This fable feems to reveal a fecret of Nature, and
to correct an Error familiar to Men's Conceits : For
through want of Knowledge Men think that things
may take Renovation and Reftauration from their Fu-
trefadion and Dregs, no otherwife than the Phanix
from the A(hes, which in no cafe can be admitted,
feeing fuch kind of Materials, when they have fulfilTd,
their Periods, are unapt for the beginnings of fuch
things : We mufl: therefore look back to more com-
mon Principles.

NEMESIS, or the VUigitude of thi;jgs.

NE ME S IS is faid to be a Goddefs Venerable unto
all, but to be fear'd of none but Potentates and
Fortune's Favourites. She is thought to be the Daughter
of Oceanits and Ncx. She is pocrtraiifted with Wirygs
oaher Shoulders, .and on her Head a Coronet j bcsr-

S iug

48 The Wffdom of the Anclenti,

ing in her Right Hand a Javelin of AJh^ and in hef
Left a Pitcher with the Similitudes of j£thiopta»s en-
graven on it i and laftly, Ihe is defcrib'd fitting on aa
Hart.

The Parable may be thus unfolded. Her Name Nc
mefts doth plainly fignifie Revenge or Retribution, her
Office and, Adminiftration being f like a Tribune of the
People) to hinder the conllant and perpetual Felicity
of happy Men, and to interpofe her \A''ord, veto^ I
forbid the Continuance of it ^ that is, not only to
chaflife Infblency, but to intermix Profperity (^though
harmlefs and in a mean j with the Vicillitudes of Ad-
verlity, as if it were a Cuftom, that no mortal Man
Ihould be admitted to the Table of the Gods but for
Sport. Truly when I read that Chapter, wherein Cai^
us Pliniiis hath collected his Misfortunes and Miferies of
jiugafiMi Cafar^ whom of all Men I thought the moft
Happy, who had alfo a kind of Art to ufe and enjoy
his Fortune, and in whofe Mind might be noted neither
Pride, nor Lightnefs, nor Nicenefs, nor Diforder, nor
Melancholy, (as that he had appointed a time to die of
his own accord,^ I then deem'd this Goddefs to be great
and powerful, to whofe Altar fo worthy a Sacrifice as
tliis was drawn..

Tiie Parents of this Goddefs were Oceamts and NoXy
that is, the Viciffitude of things and Divine Judegment
oblcure and fecret : For the Alteration of things are
aptly reprefcnted by the Sea, in refped of the conti-
nual Ebbing and flowing of it, and hidden Provi-
dence is well fct forth by the Night : For even the
Nodurnal Ncmcfis (feeing Humane Judgment differs
puicb from Divine^ was ferioufly obferv'd by the
Heathen.

Virgil ^,neid. lib. 2.
•— -CW/V (^ Ripheus JH(h'Jfimus unus^
Qh'i jiut ex TcHiris^ & fervamijjin.KS izqiti.
Dns dliter vlfiim -

.That

The Wifdom (f the Amienfs, 49

That Day, by Greehijh Force, wa«; Ripheus (lain
So juft and ftric^ Obfervei: of the Law,
As Troy within her Walls, did not eontaia
A better Man : Yet God then good it faw.

She is defcrib'd with Wings, becaiife the Changes of
things are fb ftidden, as that they are feen before fore-
feea : For in the Records of all Ages, who find it for
the moft part true, that great Potentates, and wife
Men, have perifh'd by thofe Misfortunes which they
moft contemn'd; as may be obferv'd in Marcus Cicero^
who being admonifh'd by Dedus Brutus of OclavinsC£-
far's hypocritical Friendfhip and Hollow-heartednefs
towards him, returns him this Anfwer, Te aittem, mi
Brute ^ jicut debeo^ amo^ quod ifind qnicquid efi nngarHrri
tM fcire velnifii : I muft ever acknowledge my felf
(\^^x Brutus) beholden to thee, m Love, for that thou
hafb been fo careful to acquaint me with that which I
efteem but as a needlefs Trifle to be doubted.

Nemejis is alfo adorn'd with a Coronet, to fliew the
envious and malignant Difpolitioa of the Vulgar, for
whjsn Fortune*s Favourites and great Potentates come
to ruin, then do the common People rejoyce, fetting,
as it were, a Crown upon the Head of Revenge

The Javelin in her right Hand points at thofe whom
Ihe a(flually ftrikes and pierceth through.

And before thofe, whom fhe deftroys not in their
Calamity and Misfortune, flie ever prefents that black
and difmalSpcdacle in her leftHand: For queftionlefs
to Men fitting as it were upon the Pinacle of Frofpcri-
ty, the thoughts of Death and painfulnefs of Sicknefs
and Misfortunes, perfidioufnefs of Friends, treachery
of Foes, change of Eftate, and fuch like, feem as ugly
to the Eye of their Meditations, as thok «y€rhiodiuns
pid:ur'd'm Nsmejls her Pitcher, f^irgil in defcribiiigth^
^attie of yia^lum, fpcaks thus elegantly of 'i'leopatra.

S 2 £e^

tna

5o The Wifdotn <f the Jmle»f/l

JRegtna in medils patrio vocat agmina ffiro.
Nee dum etiam geminos a tergo refficit nngues.

The Qiieen amid'ft this hurly-burly ftands,
And with her Countrey-Timbrel calls her Bands j
Not fpying yet, where crawl'd behind her Back,
Two deadly Snakes with Venom fpeckled black.

But not long after, which way fbever fhe turned,
Troops of ^thiopans were ftill before her Eyes.

Laftly, It is wifely added, That Nemefis rides upon
an Hart, becaufe a Hart is a moft lively Creature.
And albeit, it may be, that fuch as are dit off by
Death in their Youth, prevent and fliun the Power of
Nemefis-^ yet doubtlefs fuch, whofeProfperity and Pow-
er continue long, are made fubjed unto her, and lie as
it were trodden under her Feet.

JCHELOVS^ or, Battle.

IT is a Fable of Antiquity, that when Heresies and
Achelous as Rivals contended for the Marriage of
Deianira^ the matter drew them to Combate, wherein
jichelons took upon him many divers fliapes, for fo was
it in his Power to do, and amongft others, transfor-
ming himfelf into the likenefs of a furious wild Bull,
aflaults Hercules and provokes him to fight. But Hercn-
Ics^ for all this, flicking to his old Humane Form, cou-
rageoufly encounters him, and fo the Combkt goes
roundly on. But this was the event, That Hercules
tore away one of the Bull's Horns, wherewith he be-
ing mightily daunted and grieved, to ranfomc his Horn
again, wxs contented to give Hercules^ in exchange
thereof, the A\ndt be an -Hoxn-y or Cumn-Co^ia.

This

The Wifdom of the Ancient 5» 51

This Fable hath relation unto the Expeditions of
War, for the Preparations thereof on the detenfive
part (which expreft in the Perfon of Achelous) is very
diverfe and uncertain. But the invading Party is molt
commonly of one fort, and that very fingle, coaiiiling
©f an Army by Land, or perhaps of a Navy by Sea.
But for a King that in his own Territory e.xpecls an
Enemy, his occafions are infinite. He fortifies Towns,
he afTembles Men out of the Countries and Villages,
he raifeth Citadels, he bnilds and breaks down Bridges,
he difpofeth Garrilbns, and placeth Troops of Soldiers
on Paflages of Rivers, on Ports, on Mountains, and
Ambufties in Woods, and is bufied with a multitude of
other Diredions, infomuch, that every day he prefer!-
beth new Forms and Orders ; and then at laft having
accommodated all things compleat for Defence, he then
rightly reprefents the form and manner of a fierce fight-
ing Bull. On the other fide, the Invader his greatefl:
care is, the fear to be diftrcfied for Victuals in an
Enemy-Country ^ and therefore affects chierly tohaftea
on Battle ; For if it fiiould happen, that after a Field-
fight, he prove the Victor, and as it weic, break the
Horn oi the Enemy, then certainly this follows, that
his Eaemy being ftricken with Terror, and abafcd ia
his Reputation, prefently bewrays his weaknefs, and
feeking to repair his lofs, retires himfi^lf to fome Ilrong
hold, abandoning to the Conqueror the fpoil and lack
of his Country and Cities: Which may well be termed
a Type of the Amahhean Horn.

DJONTSVS, or PaJ/ions,

THE Y lay that Scmele^ Jupit€r\ Sweet-heart, Tha-r
ving bound her Param.our, by an irrevocable
Oath, to grant her one Reqaeft which fhe would re-
unite) deiired that he would accompany bcr in the

S 3 fame

5? The Wifdom of the Aficients.

fame form wherein he accompanied Jimo : Which he
granting ( as not able to deny ) it came to pafs, that
the mifcrable Wench was burnt with Lightning. But
the Infant which fhe bare in her Womb, Jupiter, the
Father, took out, and kept it in a Gafli which he cut
in his Thigh, till the Months were compleat that it
fhould be born. This burthen made Jnplter fomewhat
to limp, whereupon the Child (becaufe it was heavy
and troublefbme to its Father while it lay in his Thigh)
was called Dionyfns. Being born, it was committed
to Froferftna for fome Years to be Nurft, and being
grown up, it had filch a maiden Face, as that a Marx
could hardly judge whether it were a Boy or Girl. He
was dead alfo, and buried for a time, but afterward
revived : Being but a Youth, he invented and taught
the planting and dreffing of Vines, the making alfo,
and ufe of \A^ine ^ for, which becoming fiimous and re-
nowned, he fubjugated tlie World, even to the uttcr-
moft bounds of JndLi. He rode in a Chariot drawn
with Tygers. Thel'e danced about him certain defor-
med Hobgoblins called Cohali. Acratm and others, yea,
even the Mufe§ alfo were fome of his Followers. He
took to Wife v^>'?W;7f,forfaken and left hy The fens. The
T'ree facred unto him was the Ivy. He was held the
Inventor and Inftitiitor of Sacrifices and Ceremonies,,
and full of Corruption and Cruelty. He had power to
ftrike Men with Fury and Madnefs *, for it is reported.
That at the celebration of his Orgies, two famous
Worthies, Pemhens and Orpheiis^werc torn in Pieces by
certain frantick Women, the one becaufe he got upon
a Tree to behold their Ceremonies in thefe Sacrifices ^
the other for making melody with his Harp : And for
his Gods, they are in a manner the fame with. Jupiter's.
There is fuch excellent morality coucht in this Fablc»
af; that moral Philofophy affords not better ', for under
the ^crfono't B^iccbH<is defcribedthc nature of AfFefti-
on, Paflion or 'Perturbation, the Mother of which
(i^hoiigh never fo hurttiilj is nothing elfe but the Ob-

The Wifdom cf the Jmknts, 5 J

jed of apparent good in the Eyes of Appetite. And it
is always conceived in an unlawful delire, rafhly pro-
pounded and obtained, before Well under ftood and con-
fidered •, and when it begins to grow, the Mothci" of
it, which is the deiire of apparent good by too much
fervency, is dellroyed and perifheth. Neverthelefs
Cwhirft yet it is an imperfect Embrio) it is nourifhed
and preferved in the Humane Soul (which is as it were
a Father unto it, and reprefented by Jnfiter) but efpe-
cially m the inferior part thereof, as in a Thigh, where
alfo it caufeth fo much trouble and vexation, as that
good determinations and adionsarc much hindrcd and
lamed thereby ^ and when it comes to be confirmed
by confent and habit, and breaks out as it were into
ad, it remaiusyet a while with Profe/yhia, as with a
Nurfe, that is, it feeks corners and fecret places, and
as it were. Caves under Ground, until (the Reins of
Shame and Fear being laid afide in a pampered audaci-
oufnefsj it either takes the pretext of fomc Vertue, or
becomes altogether impudent and fliamelefs. And it is
moll true, that every vehement Paflion is of a doubtful
Sex, as beLng Mafculine in the fir (I Motion, but Femi-
nine in Profecution.

It is an excellent Fiction that of BacchHs''s reviving *,
for Paflions do fometimes feem to be in a dead Sleep,
and as it were utterly extinct, but we Ihould not think
them to be fo indeed-, no, though they lay, as it
were, in their Grave •, for let there be but matter and
opportunity offered, and you (hall fee them quickly
to revive again.

The invention of Wine is wittily afcribed unto him ;
every affection bein?, in2,enious and skilful in finding
outthatwhich brings Nourifhmentuntoitjand indeed,
of all things known to Men, Wine is moib powerful
and efficacious to excite and kindle PaiTions of what
kind foever, as being in a manner common Nurfe to
them alU

S 4 Again,

54 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

Again, his conquering of Nations, and undertaking
infinite Expeditions is an elegant device ^ for Defire
never refts content with what it hath, but with an in-
finite and unfatiable Appetite ftill covets and gapes af-
ter more.

His Chariot alfo is well faid to be drawn by Tygers *,
for as foon as any afFeclion Ihall from going a-foot, be
advanced to ride in a Chariot, and fhallcaptivate Rea-
fon, and lead herin a Triumph, it grows cruel, unta-
med, and fierce againft whatfoever withftands or op-
pofeth it.

It is worth the noting alio, thatthofe ridiculous Hob-
goblins are brought in dancing about his Chariot •, for
every Paflion doth caufein the Eyes, Face and Gefture,
certain undecent, and ill-feeming, apilh, and de-
formed Motions i fo that they who in any kind of Paf-
fion, as in anger, arrogancy, or love, feem glorious
and brave in their own Eyes, do yet appear toothers
niifhapen and ridiculous.

In that the Mufcs are faid to be of his company, it
fl]ews that there is no afledion almoft which is not
foothed by fome Art, wherein the indulgence of Wits
doth derogate from the glory of the Mufes, who (when
they ought to be the Miftrefs of Life) are made the
. Waiting-maids of Affcftions.

Again, where liacchusis fiid to have loved Ariadne^
that was rcjeded by Thefeui •, it is an Allegoryof fpecial
obfervation j for it is m.oll certain, that Palfions, al-
ways covet and defire that which Experience forfakes;
and they all know (who have paid dear, for ferving
. and obeying their Lull) that whether it be Honour,
or Riches, or Delight, or Glory, or Knowledge, or
any thing elfe which they feek after, jet are they but
things call off,* and by divers Men, in all ages after
experience had utterly rejected and loathed.

Neither is it without a Myftery, that the Ivy was
facred to Bacchifs •, for the Application holds, Firft, In
that the Ivy remains green in Winter. Secondly, In

that

The Wifdom of the Ancients. 55

that it fticks to, embraceth and overtoppeth fb many
divers Bodies, as Trees, Walls and Edifices. Touching
the firft, every Paflion doth by reliftance and relufta-
tion, and as it were by Antiperifiafis fiike the Ivy of
the cold Winter) grow frefh and lufty. And as tor
the other, every predominate Affcdion doth again
(like the f-vy) embrace and limit all Humane Acti-
ons and Determinations, adhering and cleaving faft
■unto them.

Neither is it a wonder, that fuperftitious Rites and
Ceremonies were attributed unto Bacchus^ feeing every
giddy-headed humour keeps in a manner Revel-rout ia
felfe Religions ^ or thatthecaufeof Madnefslhouidbe
afcribed unto him, feeing every afFeftion is by Nature
a fhort fiiry, which (if it grows vehement, and become
habitual) concludes in Madnefs.

Concerning the rendingand difmembring of Temheus
and Orpheus^ the Parable is plain, for every preva-
lent affedion is outrageous and fevere, and againft
curious inquiry, and wholfome and free admoniti-
on.

Laft:ly,That by conhCiojiof Jupiter and Bacch its ^tht'ir
Perfbns may be well transferred to a Parable, feeing
noble and famous Ads, and remarkable and glorious
Merits, do fometimes proceed from Vertue, and well
ordered Reafonand Magnanimity, and fometimes from
a fecret Affedion, and hidden PafTion, v/hich are fo
dignified with the celebrity of Fame and Glory, that a
Man can hardly dillinguifh between the Adsof^^rc/;«j,
andtheGefts oi Jupiter.

ATJLANTJ, or Gaw.

ATA LANTA, who was reputed to exxel in
fwiftnefs, would needs challenge Hippomenes at
a match in Running. The Conditions ot the Prize were

tbefe :

5^ Ihe Wifdom of the Ammti,

thefe : That if Hippomenes won the Race, he ihould .
efpoufe Atalanta-^ if he were out-run, that then he
ihould forfeit his Life. And in the Opinion of all, the
viclory was thought alTured of Atdamah fide, being
famous, as (he was, for her matchlefs and inconquera-^
ble fpeed, whereby flie had been the bane of many.
JHfippomenes therefore bethinks him how to deceive her
by a Trick, and in that regard provides three Golden
Apples or Balls, which he purpofely carried about him.
The Race is begun, and Atalanta gets a go6d ftart be-
fore him. He feeing himfeif thus call behind, being
mindful of his device, throws one of his Golden Balls
before her, and yet not outright, but fomewhat of the
one fide, both to make her linger and alfo to draw
her out of the right courfe : She, out of a VVomanifh
defire, (being thus enticed with the Beauty of th<?
Golden AppleJ leaving her dired Race runs afide,
and ftoops to catch the Ball, ////?powf;^/f^ the while holds
on his courfe, getting thereby a great Itart, and leaves
her behind him : But fhe by her, own natural fv?ift-
ncfs, recovers her loft time, and gets before hhn a-
gain. But Hlfpomenes ftill continues his iiight,and both
the fecond and third times caft out his Balls, thofe in-
ticing delays ; and fo by craft, and not by his adivityi
wins the Race and Viclory.

This Fable fecms Allegorically to demonllrate a no-
table confiid between Art and Nature j for Art ffig-
nified by AtaUnta) in its vv^ork (\\ it be not letted and
hindred) is far more fwift than Nature, more fpeed y
in pace, and fooner attains the end it aims at, which
is manifeft: almoft in every effed : As you may fee
it in Fruit-trees, whereof thofe that grow of a Kernel
are long e're they bear, but inch as are grafted on a
Stock a great deal fooner. ^ou may fee it in Clay »
which in the generation of Stones, is long 'ere it be-
come hard i but in the burning of Bricks, is Vtry
quickly effected. Aifo in Moral Pafiages you may^
cbierve, that it is a long time e'rc (by the benefit of

Nature).

The Wifdom of the Jntknts. 57

Nature) forrow canbealTwaged, and comfort attain-
ed , whereas PhiloTophy (which is, as it were, Art of
Living tarries not theleifure of time, but doth it in-
ftantly, and out of hand ^ and yet this Prerogative
and fmgular agility of Art is hind red by certain Gol-
den Apples to the infinite prejudice of Humane pro-
ceedings : For there is not any one Art or Scie?:cc
which conftantly perfeveresinatrue andlawful courfe,
till it comes to the propofed End or Mark ^ but ever
and anon makes ftops after good beginnings, leaves the
Race, and turns afide to Profit and Commodity, like
uitalanta.

%
Declinat cur/ns^ aifrumqne vaiubile to/lit.

Who doth her courfe forfake.
The Roiling Gold to take.

And therefore it is no wonder that Art hath not the
Power to conquer Nature, and by Pad or Lawot Con-
queft, to kill and deftroy her ; but on the contrary it
falls our, that Art becomesfubjed to Nature, and yields
the Obedience, as a Wife the Husband.

PROMETHEVS, or the Sutae of Man,

THE Ancients deliver, that Tmmetheus made a
Man of Clay, mixt with certain parcels taken
from divers Animals, wholludying to maintain this his
Work by Art, (that he might not be accounted a foun-
der only, but Propagator of Humane kind) Hole up
to Heaven with a bundle of Twigs, which he kindled
at the Chariot of the Sun, came down again, and
communicated it with Men : And yet they fay, (That
notwithftanding this excellent work of his,) he was
requited with Ingratitude, in a treacherous Confpira-

cy:

58 Th Wifdom of the Ancient si

cy: For they accufed both him and his Invention to
Jftpiter, which was not fo taken as was meet it fhould,
for the Information was pleafing to Jupter and all
the Gods. And therefore in a merry Mood, granted
unto Men, not only the ufe of Fire, but perpetual
youth alfo, a Boon moft acceptable and defirable. They
"being, as it were, over-joyed, did foolifhly lay this
Gift of the Gods upon the back of an Afs, who be-
ing wonderfully opprefs'd with Thirfl, and near a
Fountain, was told by a Serpent (which had the cu-
ftody thereofj that he fhould not drink, unlefs he
would promife to give him the Burthen that was on
his Back. Tlje filly Afs accepted the condition, and
fb the redauration of Youth ffold for a draught of
Water) pail from Men to Serpents. But Prouietheus
full of Malice, being reconciled unto Men, after they
were fruftrated of their Gift, but in a Chafe yet with
Jnpter^ feared not to ufe deceit in Sacrifice : For ha-
vingkilled two Bulls, and in oneof their Hides wrapp'd
Dp the Flefli and Fat of them both, and in the other
only the Bones, with a great Ihevv of Religious Devo-
tion, gave Jupiter his choice, who f detefting his Fraud
and Hypocrifie, but taking an occafion of Revenge)
chofe that which was ftopp'd with Bones, and fo turn- ■
ing to Revenge fwhen he faw that the Infolency of
Promethats would not be reprefented, but by laying
{()me grievous Afflidion upon Mankind, in the forming
oi which hefo much bragged and boa(tcd) commanded
l^iilcan to frame a goodly beautiful Woman, which
being done, every one of the Gods bellowed a Gift
on her ^ whereupon Ihe was called Pntidora. To this
Woman they gave, in her hand, a goodly Box full of
all Miferics and Calamities, only in the bottom of ic
they put H:>fe ^ with this Box (he comes firlt to Pro-
metheus^ thinking to catch him, if peradvcnture he
ihould accept it at her hands, and foopcn it : which
he ncverthelefs, with good Providence and Forefight
rcfufcd. Wl!t:reupQn llie goes to Epimethens ("who

though

The Wifdom of the Jmierts] 5 9

though Brother to Prometheuf^ yet was of a mnch dif-
fering Difpolicion) and offers this Box unto him, who
without delay took it, and rafhly opened ic^ but
vviien he faw that all kind of Miferies came flatter-
ing about his Ears, being wife too late, with great
fpeed and earneft endeavour clapt on the Cover, and
fo with much ado retained Hope fitting alone in the
bottom ^ at laft Jupiter laying many and grievous
Crimes to Tromethens\ charge (as that he had ftoln
Fire from Heaven, that in contempt of his Majefty,
he facrificed a Bull's Hide (lufTd with Bones, that he
Icornfully rejected his Gift, and befides all this that
he offered violence to TalUs^ cafl him' into Chains,
and doom'd him to perpetual Torment : And by Ju-
fitnh Command, was brought to the Mountain Cau-
cafus, and there bound fait to a Pillar that he could
not ftir •, there came an Eagle alfo, that every day
fat tyring upon his Liver and wafted it, but as much
as was eaten in the day, grew again in the Night, that
Matter for Torment to work upon might never decay.
But yet they fay there was an end of this Punifhment.
For Hercules crofiing the Ocean in a Cup, which the
Sun gave him, came to Caacafus, andfet Prometheiisaz
liberty, by (hooting the Eagle with an Arrow. More-
over in fome Nations there were inftituted in the ho-
nours of Prometheus^ certain Games of Lamp-bearers,
in which they that ftrived for the Prize, were wont
to carry Torches lighted •, which who fo fiiffered to go
out, yielded the Place and Vidory to thofe that follow-
ed, and fo caft back themfelves^ fo that whofoever
came firfl: to the Mark with his Torch burning, got the
Prize.

This Fable demonflrates and prelTeth many true and
grave Speculations, wherein fjme things have beea
heretofore well noted, others not fomuch astouch'd.

Prometheus doth clearly and elegantly fignifie Provi-
dence : For in the Univerfality of Nature, the Fabrick
and Conftitutiou of Man only was by the Ancients

pick'd

6 0 The Wifdom of the Ancients.

pick'd out and chofen, and attributed unto Providence]
as a peculiar Work. The reafon of it feems to be, not
only in that the Nature of Man is capable of a mind
and underftanding, which is the Seat of Providence^
and therefore it would feem ftrange and incredible,
that the reafon and mind Ihould fo proceed and flow
from dumb and deaf Principles, as that it Ihould necef-
farily be concluded , the Soul of Man to be endued
with Providence, not without the example, intention,
and ftamp of a greater Providence. But this alfo is
chiefly propounded, that Man is as it were the Centre
of the World, in rcfped ot final Caufes, fo that if
Man were not in Nature, all things would feem to
ftray and wander without purpofe, and like fcattcred
Branches (as they fay) without inclinations to their
end : For all things attend on Man, and he makes ufa
of, and gathers Fruit from all Creatures : For the re-*
volutions and periods of Stars make both for the di-
ftinclions of Times, andthediftributionof the World's
fight. Meteors alfo are referred to prefages of Tempelts 5
and Winds are ordained, as well for Navigation, as
for turning of Mills, and other Engines : And Plants,
and Animals of what kind foever, are ufeful either for
Men's Houfes, and Places of fheiter, or for Rayment,
or for Food, or Medicine, or for eafe of Labour, orirs
a word, for delight and folace \ fo that all things feem
to work, not for themfelves^ but for Man.

Neither is it added without conlideration that cer-
tain Particles were taken from divers living Creatures^
and mix'd and tempered with that clayey Mafs, be-
caufe it is moft true that of all things comprehended
within the compafs of the Univerfe, Man is a thing
moft mix'd and compounded, infomuch that he was
well termed by the Ancients, a little World j for al-
though the Chymlcksdo, with too much Curiofity, take
and vvrelt the elegancy of this Word (Microcofm) to
the Letter, contending to find in Man all Minerals, all
Vegetables and the reft, or any thing that holds propor^

lioit

The Wifiom of the AmeMf, 6t

tion with them \ yet this propolicion remains fonnd and
whole, that the Body of Man, oi'all material Beings is
found to be mod compounded^ and mofl: organical,
v/hereby it is endued and furuilbed with mofl: admirable
Vertues and Faculties. And as for ftmple Bodies, their
Powers are not many, tho' certain and violent, as ex-
ifting without being weakned, diminifhed or ftinted by
mixture ; for the multiplicity and excellency of Opera-
tion have their refidence in mixture and compofition, and
yet nevcrtheleft, Man in his Originals feems to be a
thing unarmed and naked, and unable to help it felf,
as needing the aid of many things *, therefore Prometheus
made hafte to find out Fire, which foppeditates and
yields comfort and help in a manner, to all humane
Wants and Neceffities : fb that if the Soul be the Form
of forms, and if the Hand be the Inllrument of Inftru-
ments ^Fire deferves well to be called the Succour of
Succours, or the Help of Helps, which infinite ways
affords aid and afliftance to all Labours and Mechanical
Arts, and to the Sciences themfelves.

The manner of ftealing this fire is aptly defcribed,
even from the nature of things: It was, they fay, by a
bundle or Twigs held to touch the Chariot of the Sun:
For Twigs are ufed in giving Blows or Stripes, to figni-
fie clearly, that fire is engendred by the violent per-
cullion and mutual collifion of Bodies, by which their
material Subftances are attenuated and fet in Motion,
and prepared to receive the heat or influence of the
Heavenly Bodies ; and fo in a clandefl:ine manner, and
as it were by Health, may be faid to take and faatch
Fire from the Chariot of tlie Snn.

There follows next a remarkable part of the Parable,

that Men inftead of Gratolation and Thanklgiving,

were angry, and expoHuIaied che Matter with Prow^-

w, iniomuch that they accufed both him and his In-

ition unto Jupiter^ which was fo acceptable to him,

'.t he augmented their former Commodiues with a

-.V Bouncy. Seems it not ftrange, that Ingratitude

towards

62 The Wifdom of the Am 'tents',

towards the Author of a Benefit (a Vice that in a man-
ner contains all other Vices) fhouldfind fuch Approba-
tion and 'Reward? No, it feems to beotherwife: For
the meaning of the Allegory is this, that Men's out^cries
upon the defedts of Nature and Art, proceed from aa
excellent difpofition of the Mind, and turn to their good^
whereas the filencing of them is hateful to the Gods,
and redounds not fo much to their Profit : For they
that infinitely extol Humane Nature, or the knowledge
they poflefs, breajting out into a prodigal admiration
of that they have and enjoy, adoring alfo thofe Sciences
they profefs, would have them be accounted perfed;
they do firft of all (hew little Reverence to the divine
Nature, by equalizing, in a manner, their own De-
feds with God's Perfedion: Again, they arc wonder-
fully injurious to Men, by imagining they have attain-
ed the higheft ftep of knowledge, (refting themfelves
contented) feek no further. On the contrary, fuch
as bring Nature and Art to the Bar with Accufations,
and Bills of Complaint againfi: them, are indeed ot
more true and moderate Judgments : For they are ever
in Adion, feeking always to find out new Inventions.
Which makes me much to wonder at the foolifli and in-
conlidcrate Difpolitions of fome Men, who (making
themfelves Bond-'flaves tothe Arrogancy of afew) have
the Philofophy of the Peripateticks (containing only a
Portion ot Grecian Vi/ifdom, and that but a fmall one
neither) in fo great efteem, that they hold it, not only
an unpipficable, but a fufpicious, and almoft heinous
thing, to lay gny imputation of Imperfedion upon it. I
approve racber of Empedocles his Opinion (who like a
Mad-man, and of Demecrituf his Judgment, who with
great moderation complained how char; all things were
involved in a Mifl") that we knew nothing, that we
difcerned nothing, th^t Truth was drowned in the
deptiis of Oblcurity, and that falfe things were wonder-
fully joined and incermix'd with true (as for the new
Academy that exceeded all meafure) than of the con-
fident

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 6 J

fident and pronunciative School of ArlftctU. Let Mea
therefore be admonifh'd, that by acknowledging the
Imperfection of Nature and Art, they are grateful to
the Gods, and (hall thereby obtain newBenefits and
greater Favours at their bountiful Hands, and the Ac-
cufation oi PromothcHs ihtiv Author and Mafter Ctho'
bitter and vehement) will conduce more to their Pro-
fit, than to the effiife in the Congratulation of his In-
vention : For in a Word the opinion of having enough,
is to be accounted one of the greatefl Caufes of having
too little.

Now as touching the kind of Gift which Men arc
faidto have receiv'd in reward of their Accufation
(to wit, an ever-fading Flower of Youthj it is to
fliew, that the Ancients fecmM not todelpair of at-
taining the Skill by Means and Medicines, to pot off
Old Age, and to prolong Life, but this to be numbred
rather among fuch things (having been once happily
attain'd unto) are now through Men's Negligence and
Carelefnefs, utterly perifli'd and loil j than among fuch
as have been always deny'd and never granted : For
they fignifie and Ihew, that by affording the true ufc
of Fire, aad by a good and ftern Accufation and Con-
viction of the Errors of Art, the Divine Bounty is
not wanting unto Men in the obtaining of fuch Gifts,
but Men are wanting to themfelves in laying this Gift
of the Gods upon the back of a filly llow-pac'd Aft,
which may fcem to be Experience, a ftupid things
and full of Delay: From whofe leifurely^-and Snail-
like-pace, proceeds that Coniphinc of Lite's Brevity,
and Art's Length. And to fay the Truth, I am of this
opinion, that thofe two Faculties, Dcgmatical 2irA Em-
frrical^ are not as yet well joyn'd aad coupled toge-
there, but as new Giftsof the Gods impos'd either up-
on Phiiofophical Abftraclions, as upoaa flying Bird,
or upon flow and dull txperieoce, as upon an Afs.
And yet methinks, I would not en i ill Con-

ceit of this Afs, ii it meet not r -cidents of

T Trav^

64 The W^dom of the AncieMs.

Travel and Thirft: For 1 am perfwaded, that who fb
conftantly goes on, by the Conduft of Experience as
by a certain Rule and Method, and not covets to meet
with fach Experiments by the way, as conduce either
toGain orOftentation, (to obtain which, he muft be
fain to lay down, and fell this Burthen) may prove no
unfit Porter to bear his new addition of divine Miini-
ficence. , -

Now, in that this Gift is iaid to pafs from Men to
Serpents, it may feem to be added. to the Fable for
Ornament fake in a manner, unlefs it were inferted to
ftiame Men, that having the ufe of that Coeleftial Fire,
and of fo many Arts, are not able to get unto them-
felves fuch things as Nature it felf beftows upon ma-
ny other Creatures.

But thatfudden Reconciliation of Men to Vromctheus^
after they were fruflratcd of their Hopes, contains a
profitable and wife Note, Ihewing the Levity and Te-
merity of Men in new Experiments ^ for if they have
not prefent Succefs, anfwerable to their Expectation^
with too fudden haft defift from that they began, and
with Precipitancy returning to their former Experi-
ra.(?nts, are reconcil'd to them again.
/The State of Man, in refped or Arts, and fuch things-
as concern the Intelleft, being now defcrib'd, the Pa-
rable paiTeth to Religion : For after the planting of
Arts, follows the fetting of Divine Principles, which
Hypocrifie hath over-fpread and polluted. By that
two-fold Sacrifice therefore is elegantly fhadow'd out
thePerfons of a true Religious Man, and an Hypocrite.
In the one is contain'd Fatnefs, (which by reafon of
the Inflammation and Fumes thereof;) is call'd. The
Portion of God ^ by which his Afl'cftion and Zeal, (tend-
ing to God's Glory, and afcending towards Heaven)
isfignify'd. In him alfo are contain'd the Bowels of
Charity, and in him is found that good and wholc-
fome Fleih. Whereas in the other, there is nothing
but dry and naked Bones j which nevcrthclcfs, do

ftuif

The Wifdom of the JmietHs, 65

iluffup the Hide,' and make it appear likea fair and
goodly Sacrifice: By this may be well meant thofe
external and vain Rites, and empty Ceremonies by
which Men do opprefs and fill up the finccre Wor-
ihip of God, things compos'd rather for Oftentation^
than any way conducing to true Piety. Neither do
they hold it fufEcient to offer fuch mock-Sacrifices
unto God, except they alfo lay them before him, as
if he had chofen and befpoke them. Certainly the
Prophet in the Perfon of God, doth thus expoHulate
concerning this Choice, If a. 58. 5. Nam tandem hoc
efi illud JejumHm ijuod ELEGI^ ut homo anlmam fu'^
Am in diem unum af^igat^ Q^ caput infiar junceti demit-^
tat? Is it fiich a Faff, that I have chofen, that a Man
ihould alBicl his Soul for 4 Day, and to bow dowa
bis Head like a Bulrufh ?

Having now touch'd the State of Religion, the Pa-
rable converts it feif to the Manners and Conditions
of Human Life. And it is a common, but apt Inter-
pretation, by Pandora to be meant Pleafure and Volup-
tuoufnefs •, which fwhen the civil Life is pamper'd
with too much Art, and Culture, and Superfluity,) is
ingendred, as it were, by the efficacy of Fire, and
therefore the workofVoluptuoufaefsis attributed unto
Vulcan^ who alfo himfelf doth reprefent Fire. From
this do infinite Miferies, together with too late Repen-
tance, proceed, and overflow the Minds, andBodies^
and Fortunes of Men, and that not only in refpecl of
particular Eftates, but even over Kingdoms and Com-
mon-wealths ", for from this Fountain have Wars, Tu-
mults, and Tyrannies deriv'd their Original.

But it would be worth the Labour to confider how
elegantly and proportioiubly this Fable doth delineate
two Conditions ; or (as I may fay) two Tables m*
Examplesof Human Life, under the Perfons ot Prd»
methcHs, or Epimetheus -^ tor they that are o( Epimethc^is
his Sed, are improvident, not forefeeing what m.iy
come to pafs hereafter j efteenilng that befl which

T 2 feeins

66 The Wifdom of the Anslents.

feems moftfweetfor the prefent \ whence it happens^
that they are overtaken with many Miferies, Difficul-
ties, and Calamities, and fo lead their Lives almoft in
perpetual Afflidion •, but yet notwithftanding they
pleafe their Fancy, and out of Ignorance of the Paflages
of things, do entertain many vain hopes in their Mind,
whereby they fometimes (as with fweet Dreams) lb-
lace themfelves, and fweeten the Miferies of their Life.
But they that are Prometheus his Scholars, are Men en-
du'd with Prudence, forefeeing things to come, wa-
rily fhunning, and avoiding many Evils and Misfor-
tunes. But to thefe their good Properties, they have
alfo annexed,that they deprive themfelves, and defraud
their Genius of many lawful Pleafures, and divers Re-
creations, and Cwhich is worfe,) they vex, and tor-
ment themfelves withCares andTroubles,and inteftine
Fears i for being chain'd to the Pillar of Neceflity, they
are afflifted with innumerable Cogitations, ('which,be-
caufe they are very fwift, may be fitly compared to an
EagleJ and thofe griping, and as it were, gnawing
and devouring the Liver, unlefs fometimes, as it were,
by Night, it may be they get a little Recreation, and
eafe of Mind ^ but fo, as that they are again fuddenly
a [faulted with frefh Anxieties and Fears.

Therefore this Benefit happens to but a very few
of either Condition, that they Ihould retain the Com-
modities of Providence, and free themfelves from the
Miferies of Care and Perturbation j neither indeed
can any attain unto it, but by the afTiftance of Her-
cities^ that is, Fortitude, and Conftancy of Mind,
which is prepar'd for every Event and arm'd in all
Fortunes, forefeeing without Fear, enjoying without
loathing, and fuffering without Impatience. Iiis worth
the noting alio, that this Virtue was not' natural to
Prometheus^ but adventitial, and from the Indulgence
of another *, for no in-bred and natural Fortitude is
able to encounter with thefe Miferies. Moreover, this
Virtue was Veceiy'd ahd brought unto him from the

rcniotcll

The Wifdom. of the Ancients, 67

remoteft part of the Ocean^ and from the Sw;, that is,
from WilUom, as from the Sun ^ and from the Medita-
tion of Inconftancy, or of the Waters of Human Lite,
as from the failing upon the Ocean \ which two rirgU
hath well conjoyn'd in thefe Verfes j

Felix qui fotuit rerHm cognofcere caufas :
Qniquc metHS omnes-^ & inexorabile fatum
Subjecit pedibHS^ jtrepititmf^ Acherontis avari,

Happy is he that knows the caufes of things :
And that which dauntlefs courage treads upon
All Fear and Fates, relentlefs Threatnings,
And greedy Throat of roaring Acherofi.

Moreover, it is elegantly added for the Confohtioa
and Confirmation of Mens Minds, that this noble He*
ro crofs'd the Ocean in a Cup or Pan, left peradven-
ture, they might too much fear that the ftraits and
frailty of their Nature will not be capable of this For-
titude and Conftancy. Of which very thing Seneca
well conceiv'd, when he faid, Magnum efi habere fimul
fragilitatem hominis^ & fecm itatem Dei. It is a great
matter for Human Frailty and Divine Security to be at
one and the felt-fame time, in one and the felf-fame
SubjecT:.

But now we are to ftep back a little again to that,
whichbyPremeditationwepaftoVerjIeftaBreachlhoiild
be made in thofe things that were fb link'd together.
That therefore which I could touch here, is that hit
Crime imputed to Prometheus^ about feeking to bereave
Minerva of her Virginity: For qiieftionlefs, it was
this hainous Offence that brought that Punilhment of
devouring his Liver upon him-, which is nothing elfe
but to fhew, that when we are puft up with too much
Learning and Science, they go about oftentimes to
make even Divine Oracles fubjed to Senfe and R.ea-
fon ; whence moll certainly follows a c<?ntiaual Di-

T 3 frractioa,

68 The Wifdom of the Ancients.

ftraction, and reftlefs griping of the Mind \ we mufl
therefore with a fober, and humble Judgment, diftin-
guifh between Humanity and Divinity, and between
the Oracles of Senfe, and the Myfteries of Faith, unlefs
an Heretical Religion, and a commentitious Philofo-
phy be pleaiing unto us.

Laftly, It remains that we fay fomething of theGames
ofPrometheHSj perform'd with burning Torches, which
again hath reference to Arts and Sciences, as that Fire,
in whofe Memory, and Celebration, thefe Games were
inllituted, and it contains in it a moil wife Admoniti-
on, that the perfedion of Sciences to be expeded from
Succeflion, not from theNimblencfs and Promptnels of
one only Author ;,for they that are nimbleft inCourle,
and Urojigell in Contention, yet haply have not the
luck to keep Fire ft ill in their Torch 3 feeing it may be
as well extinguifh'd by running too laft, as by going
too flow. And this running and contending with
Lamp?, feems long lince to Ijg intermitted, feeing
all Sciences feem even now to fiourilh raoft in their
firft Authors, -^rZ/ro//^, Gakn^ End id and Ptolomy,
Succeflion having neither effeded, nor almoft attempt-
ed any great Matter. It were therefore to be wifli'd,
that thefe Games, in honour of Prcmethem^ or Human
Nature, were again reftor'd, and that Matters Ihould
receive Succefs by Combate and Emulation, and not
hang upon any one Man's fparkling and fliaking Torch.
Men therefore are to be adraonifli'd to roufe up their
Spirits, and try their Strengths and Turns, and not
to refer all to the Opinions and Brains of a few.

And thus havel delivcrd that vvliich I thought good
toobferve out of this fo well known, and common
Fable 3 and yet I will not deny, but that there may
be fbm.e things i;i if, which have an admirable Con-
fent with the Myfteries of Chriftian Religion, and ef-
pecially that failing of Hcrcults iri a Cup, (to fet Fro-
fnetheits at liberty,) fcems toreprcfcut an Image of the
Diviae Wor'd, Coming in.Fkfi?, as i'lt a fr-ail Vcflbl, to
'■••"• redeem

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 6x)

redeem Man from the Slavery ofH^lL But I have in-
terdifted my Pen all Liberty in this kind, left I fliould
ule ftrange Fire at the Altar of the Lord.

SCTLLA 2^ti^ ICARVS, or the

Middk'fvaj.

ME D I O C R I T Y, or the Mlddh^way^ is moft
commended in Moral Adions •, in Contempla-
tive Sciences, not fb celebrated, though no lefs pro-
fitable and commodious^ but inPolitical Employ m5nts,
to be ufed with great heed and Judgment. The An-
cients by the way, prefcrib'd by Icants^ noted the Ms-
diocrity of Manners", and by the Way between Scylla
and Chnrybdis (fo famous for Difficulty and Danger.)
the Mediocrity of intclledual Operations.

Icarus being to crofs the Sea by flight, wascoTTinignd-
ed by his Father, that he fhould fly neither too high
nor too low ; for his Wings being joyn'd with Wax, if
he ftiould mount too high, it was to be fear'd left the
Wax fhould melt by the heat of the Sun v and if too low,
left mifty Vapours of the Sea would make it lefs tena-
cious j but he in a youthful Jollity foaring too high,
fell down headlong, and pcrilh'd in the Water.

The Parable is ealie and vulgar j for the way of Vir-
tue lies in a dired Path between Excefs and Defect.
Neither is it a wonder that Icarus perilh'd by Excefs,
feeing that Excefs for the moft part, is the peculiar Fault
of Youth, as Defed is of Age, and yet of two evil
al^d hurtful ways, Youth commonly makes choice of
the better, Defect being always accounted worft j for
whereas Excefs contains fome Sparks of Magnaainiity,
aud, like a Bird, claims Kindred of the Heave is, De-
fed, only like a bafc Worm, crawlsupon the Earth.
Excellenty therefore faid Her adit us^ Lumm ficcam^ op-
rima Anirnc.\ a dry Light is the belt Soul j for if the

T 4 . ^^

7© The Wifdom of the Ancients.

Soul contrad moiftu re from the Earth is become de-
generate altogether. Again, on the other lidc, there
muft be Moderation us'd, that this Light be fubtiliz'd
by this laudable Siccity, and not deftroy'd by too much
Fervency. And thus much every Man for the molt
part knows.

Now they that would fail between Scylla and. Cha-
rybdis mult be furnifh'd, as well with theSkill, as prof-
perous Succefs in Navigation : For if their Ships fall
into Scylla they are fplit on the Rocks : If into Ciaaryb'
dis they are fwallowed up of a Gulph;

The Moral of this Parable (which we will but brief-
ly touch, although it contain Matter of infinite Con-
templation) fcems to be this : That in every Art and
Science, and fo in their Rules and Axioms, there be a
mean obferv'd between the Rocks of Diftinftions, and
the Gulphs of Univerfalities \ which two are famous
for the Wrack both of Wits and Arts.

SPHINX, or Science,

THEY fay that Sphynx was a Monfler of divers-
Forms, as having the Face andVoice of a Virgin,
the Wiiigsof a Bird, and the Talons of a Gryphin. His
Abode was in a Mountain near the City of Thebes^ he
kept alfo the High-Ways, and us'd to lie in Ambufh
for Travellers, and fo to furprize them : To whom
(being ia his Powerj he propounded certain dark and
intricate Riddles, which were thought to have been
given and received oftheMufes. Now ifthefemiferablc
Captives v\'ere not a^-lc inftar.tly to refolve and iiiter-
pret them in the midft of their Difficulties and Doubt?,
fhe would rend and tear them in pieces. The Coun-
try groaning a long time under this Calamity, the
Theb^.-j.i at lail: propounded the Kingdom as a Reward
unto him th it c^uld interpret the Riddles of Sphyr?x,

there

The Wifdom of the Ancients, y^

there being no other way to deftroy her: Whereupoa
Oedipus (a. Man of piercing, and deep judgment, but
Maim'd and Lame, by reafon ot Holes bor'd in his
Feet,) mov'd with the hope of fo great a Reward, ac-
cepted the Condition, and determin'd to put it to the
hazard ^ and fo with an undaunted and bold Spirit,
prefented himfelf before the Monfter ; who ask'd him
what Creature that was, which after his Birth, went
firft upon four Feet, next, upon two, than upon three,
and laftly, upon four Feet again, anfwer'd forthwith,
that it was Man *, which in his Infancy, immediately
after Birth, crawls upon all four, fcarce venturing to
creep, and not long after, ftands upright upon two
Feet j then growing old, he leans upon a Staffwhere-
with he fupports himfelf, fo that he may feem to have
three Feet ^ and atlaft, in dccrepid Years, his Strength
failing him, he falls groveling again upon four, and
lies bed-rid. Having therefore by this true Anfwer
gotten the Victory, he inftantly flew this Sfhynx^ (and
laying her Body upon an Afs,) leads it, as it were, in
Triumph ^ and fo according to the Condition,^ was
created King of the Thebans.

This Fable contains in it no lefs Wifdom than Ele-
gancy, and it feems to point at Science, efpecially tkit
which is joynM with Pradice, for Science m.ay notab-
furdly be term'd a Monfter, as being by the ignorant
and rude Multitude always held in Admiration. It is
diverfe in Shape and Figure, by reafon of the infinite
variety of Subjects, wherein it is converfant. A Mai-
den Face and Voice is attributed unto it for its gracious
countenance and volubility of Tongue. Wings are ad-
ded, becaufe Sciences and their Inventions do pafs and
fiy from one to another, as it were, in a moment, fee-
ing that theCommunication of Science is as the kindling,
of one Light at another. Elegantly alfo it is feign'd to
have Iharp and hooked Talons, becaufe the Axioms
ind Arguments of Science do fo faftcn upon the Mind,
ind fo itrongly apprehend and hold it, as that it ftir

not

f2 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

not or evade, which is noted alfo by the Divine Philo-
fopher, Ecclef. 12. 12. Verba fa^ientHm (faith Yi^^funt
tauquam aciilei & velnti clavi in ahum defxi. The words
of the Wife are like Goads, and Nails driven far in.

Moreover, all Science feems to be placed in fteep
and high Mountains ; as being thought to be a lofty and
high thing, looking down upon Ignorance with a
fcornful Eye. It may be obferv'd and feen alfo a great
way, and far in compafs, as things fet on the tops of
Mountains.

Furthermore, Science may well be feign'd to befet
the High- way, becaufe which way foever we turn in
this Progrefs and Pilgrimage of Human Life, we meet
with fome matter or occaiion offered for Contempla-
tion.

Sphynx is faid to have receiv'd from the Mufes di-
vers difficult Quefcions and Riddles, and to propound
them unco Men, which remaining with the Mufes, are
free (it may be) from favagc Cruelty v for fo long
as there is no other end of Study and Medication, than
to know, the Underftanding is not rack'd andimprifon-
cd, but enjoys Freedom and Liberty, and even Doubts
and Variety find a kind of Pleafure and Dcleiftation ;
Bun when once thefe t/^.ii^ma's are deliver'd by the
Mufes to Sphynx^ that is, to Practice, fo that if it be fol-
Jicited and urg'd by Adion and Eledion, and Deter-
rniaation ^ then they begin to be troublefome and ra-
ging i and unlefs they be refolv'd and expedited, they
do wonderfully torment and vex the Minds of Men,
diflradiug, and la a manner rending them into fundry
Parts.

Moreover, there is always a twofold Condition pro-
pouftded with Sphynxhcr t/^tigmas: To iiim that doth
not expound them, diftracliou of Mind ^ and to hiiiji
that doth, a Kingdom ^ for he that knows that which
he fonght to know, hath attain'd the end he aim'd at,
and every Artificer alfo commands over his Work.

Of

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 7 j

OiSfhynx her Riddles, they are generally two kinds ;
Ibme concerning the Nature of things, others touching
the Nature of Men. So alfo there are two kinds of
Empires, as Rewards to thofe that refolve them. The
one over Nature, the other over Men ^ for the proper
and chief end of true Natural Philofophy is to com-
mand and fway over Natural Beings j as Bodies, Me-
dicines, Mechanical Works, and infinite other things j
although the School (being content with fuch things
as are offer'd, and priding it felf with Speeches) doth
negle(fl Realities and Works, treading them as it were
under foot. But that t/£nigma propounded to Oedipus
(by means of which he obtain'd the Theban Empire)
belong'd to the Nature of Man .• For whofoever doth
throughly conCder the Nature of Man, may be in a
manner the Contriver of his own Fortune, and is borij
to command, which is well fpoken of the Romans
Arts :

Tu regerc imferio fopuhs^ Romane, memento.
Ha ttbi ernnt Artes

'Roman remember, that with Scepters awe

Thy Realms thou Rule. Thefe Arts lee be thy Law.

It was therefore very appollte, that Ayguflns Cdfar
(whether by Premeditation, or by a Chance) bare a
Spbyrix in his Signet: For he (if ever any) was fa-
mous not only in Political Government, but in ail
the courfe of his Lifej he happily difcover'd many
new iAinigmiis concerning the Nature of Man, which
if he had not done with Dexterity and Promptnefs, he
had ofcen-times fain into imminent Danger and De-
ftruSion.

Moreover, ic is added in the Fable, that the Body
of Spkjnxy when fhe was overcome, was isid upon aa
Afsj which indeed is an elegant Fi6ion, feeing there
is nothing fo acute and abflrufe, but (being well under-

ftood.

74 *rbe Wifdom of the Jmients.

ftood, and divulged, ) may be well apprehended by a
flow capacity.

Neither is it to be omitted, that Sfhynx was overcome
by a Man lame in his Feet^ for when Men are too
fwift of Foot, and too fpeedy of Pace, in hafting to
Sfhynx her t/£>ii^ma''s, it comes to pafs, that (fhQ get-
ting the upper hand) their Wits and minds are rather
diftraded by Difputations, than that ever they come to
command by Works and Effects.
fiioh ■

PROSEKFIN Jy or Spirit.

PLVTO, they fay, being made King of the Infer-
nal Dominions, (by that memorable Divifion, )
was in defpair of ever attaining any one of the Su-
perior Goddefl'es in Marriage, efpecially if he (hould
venture to cpurt them, either with Words, or with
any amorous Behaviour ^ fo that of neceflity he was
to lay fome Plot to get one of them by Rapine : Ta-
king therefore the Benefit of Opportunity, he caught
lip Proferpim ( the Daughter of Ceres^ a beautiful Vir-
gin,) asflie was gathering Narcig us- Bowers in the Mea-
dows of Sicily, and carried her away with him in his
Coach to the Subterranean Dominions ^ where Ihe
was welcomed with fuch Refped,. as that (he was filled
the Lady of Dis. But Ceres, her Mother, when, in
no place fhe could find this her only beloved Daugh-
ter, in, a forrowful Hamour, and diflraiftcd beyond
meafure, went coaipafTiag the whole Earth, with a
barniag Torch in her hand, to feek, and recover this
her loft CVild. Bat when file fivj that all was in vain,
fbppofing perad venture, thit fhe was carried co Hell,
fi)>2 importuned Jupiter with many Tears and Lamen-
tations, that fhe might be reftored unto her again ;
and ac length, prevailed thus far. That iflhehadtafiied
of J oQtIjiag ill r^eil, (he. fl}oald^j|ive Jeaye to brjng her
'' ' ' ' " ' "' "''^ ' from

The Wifdom of the Jncients'. •f^

from thence. Which Condition was as good as a De-
nial to her Petition, Proferfma having already eaten
three Grains of a Pomegranate : And yet for all this,
Ceres gave not over her Suit, but fell to Prayers and
Moans afrelh : Wherefore, it was at lafl: granted, that
Cthe Year being divided ) Frofirpina fhould by alter-
nate Courfes, remain one fix Months with her Hus-
band, and the other fix Months with her Mother. Not
long after this, Thefens^ and Perithous, in an over-hardy
Adventure, attempted to fetch her from Pluto^s Bed ;
who, being weary with Travel, and fitting down opom
a ftone in Hell, to reft themfelves, had not the power
to rife again , hut fat there for ever. Proferpna there-
fore remained Queen of Heil, in whofe Honour there
was this great privilege granted. That although it
were^naded, that none that went down to Hell, fhould
have the power ever to return from thence j yet was this
lingular exception annexed to this Law, That if any
prefented Profer^ina with a Golden Bough, it fhoulS
be lawful for him to go and come at his Pleafure.
Now there was but one only fuch a Bough in a fpa-
cious and Ihady Grove, which was not a Plant nei-
ther of it felf, bat budded from a Tree of another
kind, like a Rope of Gum, which being pluckt of^
another would inftantly fpring our.

This Fable feems to pertain to Nature, and to dive
into that rich and plentiful efficacy and variety of fub-
alternal Creatures, from whom whatfoever wc have is
deriv'd, and to them doth again return.

By Proferpna, the Ancients meant that ^^therial Spi-
rit, fwhich being feparated from the upper Globe) is
(hut up and detain'd uTider the Earth (reprefcnted-by
Flino) which the Poet well expreft thus :

Sive recens tellits, feduSlaciue nnper ah alto
ty£therej ccgtjati rcrhjibac [(rnlra cali-

Whether

^6 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

Whether the Youngling Tellus (that of late
Was from the high-rear'd ^ther feparate)
Did yet contain her Teeming Womb within
The living Seeds of Heaven her ncareft kin.

This Spirit is feign'd to be rapted by the Earth, be*
caufe nothing can with-hold it, when it hath time and
leifure to efcape. It is therefore caught and ftaid by a
fudden Coatradion, no otherwife than if a Man Ihould
go about to mix Air with Water, which can be done
by no means, but. by a fpeedy and rapid Agitation, as
Riay be feen in Froth, wherein the Air is rapted by the
Water.

Neither is it elegantly added, that Proferfina was
rapt as Ihe was gathering Narcijfash Flowers in thp Val-
leys, becaufe Narcij/as hath his Name from Slownefs
or Stupidity ; For then indeed is this Spirit moft pre-
par'd and fitted to be fnatcht by Terreltrial Matter,
"when it begins to be coagulated, and become as it were
flown.

Rightly is Proferfina honour'd more than any of the
other God's Bedfel]ows, in being ftyl'd the Lady of X>*/j
becaufe this Spirit doth rule and fway all things id
thofe lower Regions, Plato abiding llupid and igno-
rant.

',/This Spirit the Power Cccleflial ((had owed by O'
rts) itrives, with infinite Sedulity, to recover and get
again t For that Brand or burning Torch of t/£ther
(which Ceres carry'd in her Hand) doth doubtlefsiigni-
fie the Sun, which enlightncth the whole Circuit of the
Earth, and would be of greateft moment to recover
Pro/f^/w^, if poflible it might be*

But Proferpina abides ftill ^ the Reafon of which is
accurately, and excellently propounded in the Condi-
tions heiwcQn J dpi ter and Ceres: For, firilj it is moll'
certain there arc two ways to keep Spirit in folid and
terreltrial Matter j the one by CciiHipsiiou, ar.dOb^

The Wifdom of the Afnients. fj

ftradion^ whieh is nieer ImprifoRmencandConfliraint;
the other, by Adraiaiilracion, or proportionable Nu-
triment, which ic receives willingly, and of irs ovvn
accord: For after that the included Spirit begins to feed
and nourilh ic felf, it makes uo hafle to be gone ^ but
is as it were, liak'd to its Earth : And this is pointed
at by Proferpina her eating of Pomegranate y which if (he
had not done, fhe had long auce been recover'd by
Ceres with her Torch, compaffing the Earth. Now as
concerning tliat Spirit which is in Metals and Minerals,
ic is chiefly perchance reftrain*d by the fblidity of
Mafs: But that which is in Plants and Animals, inha-
bits a porous Body, and bath open Paflage to be gone,
in a manner, as it lifl-s, were it not that it willingly
abides of its own accord, by reafon of the Relifh it finds
in its Entertainment. The fecond Condition concerning
the fix Months Cuftom, it is no other tlwa an elegant
Defcription of the Divifion of the Year ; feeing ^his
Spirit mix'd with Earth, appears above ground in V'e-
getable Bodies during the Summer Months, , and ia the
Winter links down again- ::

Now as concerning Thejeus and PerithaHt, and tbtir
Actempt to bring Prfl/fr^i«<j quite away, the meaning of
it is, that it oftentimes comes to pals that fom'e more
fubtil Spirit defcending with divers Bodies to the Earth,
never come to fuck of any fubaltern Spirit, whereby
to unite it unto them, and fo to bring it away. Bnt
on the contrary are coagulated themfelves, and never
rife more, that Prcferpwa fhould be by that means aug-
mented with Inhabitants and Dominion. '"

All that we can fay concerning that Sprig of Gold, is
hardly able to defend us from the Violence of the (j[7y-
mich, if in this regard they fet iipori us, feeing they
promife by that their Elixir to effea Golden Moontains
and the reftoring of Natural Bodies, as it were, front
the Portal of Hell. But concerning Chymiflry, and
thofe perpetual Suitors for that Philofophical Elixir^ wtf'
know certainly that their Theoty, is without Grounds,

78 The Wifdom of the Ancient s\

and we fufped that their Pradtice is alfo without cer-
taia Reward. And therefore Comitting thefe) of this
laft part of the Parable, this is my Opinion, I am indu-
ced to believe by many Figures of the Ancients, that
the Confervation and Reftauration of Natural Bodies,
in fome fort, was not efteem'd by them as a thing im-
poiTible to be attained, but as a thing abftrufe and full
of Difficulties, and fo they feem to intimate in this
place, when they report that this one only Sprig was
found among infinite other Trees in a huge and thick
Wood, which they feign'd to be of Gold, bccaufeGold
is the Badge of Perpetuity, and to be artificially as it
were inferted, becaufe thisEffed is to be rather hop'd
for from Art, than from any Medicine, or fimple or
natural means.

' MET IS, or CounfeL

H E Ancient Poets report, that Jupiter took Metis
_ to Wife, whofe Name doth plainly fignifie Coun-
fei, and that (he by him conceiv'd. Which when he
found, not tarrying the lime of her Deliverance, devour?
both her and that which fhe went withall, by which
means JupUer himfelf became with Child, and was de-
liver'd of a wondrous Birth; for out of his Head or
Brain came forth Pallas Armed.

The Senfeof this Fable Cwhich at firfi: Apprehenfion
may feem monflrons andabfurdj contains in it a Secret
of State, to wit, with what Policy Kings arc wont tocar-
ry themfelves towards their Counfellors, whereby they
may not only preferve their Authority and Majefty
free and entire, but alfo that it may be' the more ex-
toll'd and dignity'd of the People : For Kings being as
it were ty'd and coupl'd in a. Nuptial Bond to their
Connfellors, do truly conceive that communicating
with them about the Afluirs of greateft Importance do
yet detract nothing from their own Majefty. But

whea

The Wifdom of the Ancients, yg

when any Matter comes to be cenfured or decreed
(which is a Birth) there do they confine and reftrain
the liberty of their Councellors i Jefl: that which is done
ihould feem to be hatched by their Wifdom and Jodg-
ment. So as at laft Kings (except it be in fuch Matters
as are diftaftful and maligned, which they always will
be fure to put off from themfelves) do alTume the
Honour andPraife of all Matters that are ruminated ia
Council, and, as it were, form'din the Womb, where-
by the Refolution and Execution (which becaufe it pro-
ceeds from Power, and implies Necefllty, is elegantly
ftadcwed under the Figure of Pallas Armed) fhall feem
to proceed wholly from themfelves. Neither fufficeth
it, that it is done by the Authority of the King, by his
meer Will and free Applaufe, except withal, this be
added and appropriated as to ifliie out of his own
Head or Brain, intimating, that out of his own Judg-
ment, Wifdom, and Ordinance, it was only invented
and derived.

The ST REN S, or P/eafures,

TH E Fable of the Syrens feems rightly to have
been apply'd to the pernicious Allurements of
Pleafure, but in a very vulgar and grofs manner. And
therefore to me it appears, that the Wifdom of the An-
cients have with a farther reach or iofight llrained deep-
er Matter out of them, not unlike the Grapes ill preiVd ;
from which, though fome Liquor were drawn, yec
the beft was left behind. Theie Syrens are fa id to be
the Daughters oi Acloelous^ and Terpjuhore one of the Mu-
fes^ who in their firft being, were winged, but after
ralhly entring into Contention with the Mufes, were by
them vanquilhed, and deprived of their Wings. Of
whole pluck'd out Feathers the Mufes made themfelves
Coronets, {o as ever u.ice thic time all "the Mufes have

U attired

8o The Wifdom of the Ancient f,

attired thcmfelves with plumed heads, excciptTerpfichori
only, that was Mother to the Syrens. The Habitation
of the Syrens was in certain pleafant Iflands, from
whence as foon as out of their Watch-Tower they dif-
covered any Ships approaching, with their Iweet Tunes
they would fir ft entice and ftay them, and having them
in their Power would deftroy them. Neither was their
Song plain and lingle, but confifting of fuch variety
of melodious Tunes fo fitting and delighting the Ears
that heard them, as that it ravifhed and betrayed all
Paflengers. And fo great were the Mifchiefs they did,
that thefe Ifles of the Syrens^ even as far off as Man
can ken them, appeared all over white with the Bones
of unburied Carcafles. For the remedying of this Mi-
fery a double Means was at laft found out ^ the one by
Vlyjfes^ the Other by Or f he us. Vlyjfes fto make experi^
ment of his Device) caufedall the Ears of his Company
to be ftop''d with Wax, and made himfelf to be bound
to the Main-Maft, with fpecial Commandment to his
Mariners not to be loofed, albeit himfelf fliould require
them fo to do. But Orpheus neglefted and dildained to
be fo bound, and with a ihrill and fwcet Voice, iinging
Praifes of the Gods to his Harp, fnpprefs'd the Songs of
the Syrens J and fo freed himfelf from their Danger. •
This Fable hath relation to Men's Manners, and
contains in it a manifeft and moft excellent Parable:
For Pleafures do for the moft proceed out of the abun-
dance and fuperfluity of all things, and alfo out of the
Delights and jovial Contentments of the Mind ; the
which are wont fuddenly, as it were, with winged In-
ticements to ravifti and rap Mortal Men : But Learn-
ing and Education brings it fo to pafs, as that it re-
ftrains and bridles Man s Mind, making it fo to confi-
der the ends and events of Things, as that it clips the
Wings of Plcafiire. And this was greatly to the Ho-
nour and Renown of the Mulls , fpr after that by
fome Examples, it was made manifeft, that by the
Power of Philofophy, vain Pleafures might grow Con-

ten]ptil>lc y.

The Wifdem of the Ancients, %{

temptible^ it prefeatly grew to great efleem, as a thing
that could raife, and elevate the Mind aloft, thatfeem-
ed to be bafe, and fixed to the Earth, make the cogita-
tions of the Men (which do ever refide in the Head,)
to be a;thereal, and as it were winged. But that the
Mother of the Syrens was left to her Feet, and without
Wings J that no doubt is no otherwife meant, than of
light and fuperficial Learning, appropriated and de-
figned only to Pleafures, as w ere thofe which Petronins
devoted himfelf unto, after he had received his fatal
Sentence ", and having his Foot, as it were, upon the
Threfliold of Death, fought to give himfelf all delight-
fiil Contentments ; infbmuch, as when he had caufed
Confolatory Letters to be fent him, he would perufe
none of them, (as Tacitus reports, that Ihould give
him Courage and Conftancy) but only read fantaltical
Verfes, fuch as thefe are 5

Vivamus^ Mex Lesbia, atq\ amemiiS^
RumorefqHC Senum feveriorum^
Omnts uniits afiimemus A^is.

My Leshia^ let us live and love ;
Though wayward Dotards us reprove,
Weigh their Words light for our behove.

And this alfo :

Jura Senes norint^ & tjuid fit fap]'-, ftefafque^
Inqiiirant trijfes^ Legumq-^ examina fervent.

Let doting Granfire know the Law,
And right and wrong obferve with awe j
Let them in that ftrici Circle draw.

This kind of Dodrine would eafily perfwadeto take
thefe plumed Coronets from the Mufes, and to rcftore
the Wings again to die Syrens, Thefe Syrens are faid

U i to

%2 The Wifdom of the Ancients,

to dwell in remote Ifles •, for that Plcafures love Pri-
vacy, and retired Places, (buaning always too much
Company of People. The Syren's Songs are fo vul-
garly undcrflood, together with the Deceits and Dan-
ger of them, as that they need no Expofition. But
that of the Bones appearing like white Cliffs, and
defcrycd afar off, hath more Acutenefs in it ^ for there-
by is fignified, that, albeit the Examples of Affliftions
be manifeft, and eminent ^ yet do they not fufficient-
ly deter us from the wicked Enticements of Plea-
fures.

As for the Remainder of this Parable, though it be
not over-myflical, yet it is very grave, and excellent :
For in it are fet out three Remedies for this violent,
enticing Mifchief ; to wit, Two from Philofophy,
and one from Religion. The firft Means to fliun
thefe inordinate Pleafures, is, to withftand, and refift
them in their Beginnings, and ferioufly to fhun all Oc-
cafions that are offered, to debauch and entice the
Mind, which is fignified in that (topping of the Ears ;
and that Remedy is properly ufed by the meaner and
bafer fort of People, as it were Vlyjfes^s Followers or
Mariners-, whereas more Heroick and Noble Spirits
may boldly Converfe even in the midfl of thefe fedu-"
cing Pleafures, if with a refolved Conftancy they Hand
upon their Guard, and fortifie their Minds j and fo
take greater Contentment in the trial and experience
of this their approved Vertue^ learning rather through-
ly to underftand the Follies and Vanities of thofe Plea-
fures by Contemplation, than by SubmilFion : Which
Solomon avouched of himfelf, when he reckoned up the
multitude of thofe Solaces and Pleafures wherein he'
. SwaiH, doch conclude with this Sentence,

Sapientia quocjue ferfeverabat mecum.

VVifuora alfo continued with me^

There-

The Wifdom of the Ancients, 8^

Therefore thefe Heroes^ and Spirits of this eicellent
Temper, even ia the midft of thefe enticing Pleafures,
can (hew therafelves conftant and invincible, and are
able to fupport their own vertaous Inclination, a-
gainft all heady and forcible Perfwafions whatfocver ;
as by the Example of Vlyfes, that fo peremptorily in-
terdiftcd all peftilent Gounfel, and Flatteries of his
Companions, as the moft dangerous and pernicious
Poyfons to captivate the Mind. But of all other Re-
medies in this Cafe, that of Orpheus is moft Predomi-
nant : For they that chaont and rcfound the Praifes of
the Gods, confound and diflipate the Voices and In-
cantations of the Syrens j for Divine Meditations do
not only in Power fubdue all fenfual Pleafures *, but al-
fo far exceed them in Swiftnefs and Delight.

FINIS.

U J THE

8s

THE

CHARACTER

O F

Written by way of Efiay.
By the Lord Vemlam.

OUeen Elizabeth was one, whom Nature and
FortHne had made the Wonder of her Sex^ and
an Ornament to Crowned Heads. For the Truth
of this we need not appeal to the Teftimony
of any Monk^ or of any fuch like Solitary Rtdufe : For
the' thcfe Men write acutely, and have extraordinary
judgments •, yet being wedded to, and byalFed by their
own Faftion, they can never be faithful in tranfmitting
a Thing of this Nature to Pofterity. But this is a Pro-
vince that more properly belongs to Men of thQ fi'fi
Rank^ to fuch as have had the Management of the.Gd-
vernmem in their own Hands, and have been acquainted
with the fecret Springs and Motions of Civil Affairs.
Every Age has look'd upon a Female Government as a
Rarity ^ if Profperons as a Wonder y but if Profperous and
f^ngi alraoft as a Miracle. Whereas tho' fhe Reign'd fulP

U 4 four

86 The Chdra^er of

four and forty Years, yet fhe outliv'd not her Hapfinefi,
Of the Happinefs of her Reign I defign to fay fomething,
without running out into high Encomiums. For Praife
indeed is the Tribute of Men, but Happinefs the Gift
of Cod.

I take this to be the firft Step to her Uappinefs, that
from a private Condition fhe was rais'd to the Admi-
niftration of the Re^al Power. Forafmuch as 'tis a (land-
ing Rule in the Morality and common Senfe of Mankind,
that thofe Things are to be look'd upon as our greatefb
Happinefs, which come beyond our Hope and Expecta-
tion. But this is not what I mean. That which I
aim at is this, that Princes^ who are bred up in Courts
as the undoubted Heirs of a Crown, are fo far debauch'd
by a foft indulgence and effeminate Education, that
they frequently become lefs capable of managing the
State : Whereas thofe have proved the beft and mo(t
excellent Princes, who have been under the Difci-
pline of both Fortunes. We need not to go far for
Inftances, Henry the Seventh in England^ and Lewis the
Twelfth m France^ within our own Memory, and almoft
at the fame time, mounted the Throne, not only from
a Private, but alfo from an Advcrfe and harafs'd For-
tune -^ and rhcone prov'd famous for his Prudence, the o- '
ther for his Juflice. This was the Cafe of Queen Elizabeth j
whofe Fortune was as inconflant at the firfl,as at laft when
Ihe came to the Crown, it prov'd Conftant and Even. For
at her Birth fhe was declar'd Heirefs to the Throne,
afterwards difinherited, and at Jail defpis'd : During
her Brother's Re:gn Ihe enjoy'd a more fereiie and favour-
able Fortune, but whillt b^r Si fier fvvay'd the Scepter
the Cloiids aiid Storms return'd upon her again. Nor
was fhe advanc'd on a flidden from a Prifon to a Throne,
thereby to render her Haughty after the Provocation
of her Sufferings : But being rcfl.or'd to her Liberty,
3nd rais'd in her Hopes, fhe at laft quietly and happily
c^ounted the Throne, without any Oppolitioo 9r Com-
petitor. '

Thefe

Queen Elizabeth. 87

Thcfe Things 1 have mention'd, to fhew how careful
Divine Providence was of this beft of Princes^ by pre-
paring her for a Crown by fuch methods of Difcipline.
Nor ought the Misfortune of her Mother to Eclipfe the
Glory of her Birth : Efpecially fince 'tis abundantly evi-
dent, that Henry the Eighth was engag'd in a new Love
before he gave way to his Aflger againft Queen Ann :
Nor is Pofterity a ftranger to the Nature of that Kmg^
which was fo very prone to Love and Jealoulie, and
profecQted both even with the Effbfion of Blood. To
this we may add, that ihe was cut off by an Accufati-
on grounded on flight Conjedures, and on the impro-
bable Teftimony of a wicked Accufer : All which was
mutter'd privately at that very time •, and Queen Ann
her felf with an undaunted Mind, and noble Prefence,
protefted her Innocence at the time of her Death. For
having (as flie thought) got a faithful and generous
Meflenger, (he juft before her Execution difpatcht him
away with this Meflage to the King ; That the King had
very well obferv'd^ and would Jhll keep his Promife good to
her^ that was now going to be invefied with new Honours : Since
from a private Perfon he raised her at fit J} to the Dignity of a
Marchionefs^ and then advanced her to be the Partner of his
Bed and Throne ^ and now^ when he could raife her no higher
on Earthy defignd to promote her an Innocent to the Crown of
Martyrdom. But the Meflenger durfl: not tell this to
the King^ who was devoted to another Love, tho' Fame^
the Aflerter of Truth, has tranfiuicted it to Pofterity.

Another part of the Happinefs of Queen Elizabeth
feems to conlift: in the Period and Coiirfe of time wherein
fhe Reign'd : Not only that it was Long., but becaufe ic
was fuch a Pare of her Life, as was mofl fie for managing
the Afl'airs of State, and governing a Kingdom. For
flie was five and twenty Years Old when ftie began her
Reign (at which Age flie was out of her Guardians Jurif-
di'.^ion) and ftie contiuu'd to Reign to the votli Year
of her Age. So that flie neither experienced what it was
to be a Minor^ and under a Governor ""s Power \ aor did ^

flic ^

88 The Chdra5fer of

Ibe labour under the Inconveniences of an extreme and
Baiferable Old Age. An Age, which even to private
Men brings too many Troubles along with it j but to
Kings, befide the ordinary Mifcries of human Life, it
comes attended with the Decay of their States, and is
back'd with an inglorioHi Exit, For there has icarce been
a King, that has liv'd to an extreme and infirm old Age,
but what loft: much of that Power and Efl;eem, which
fee formerly had. Of this we have a notable Inftance in
TMi^ the Secondy King of Spain, a Prince very Potent,
and one very well skill'd in the Art of Governing :
Who in his latter Days, labouring under thelmpotency
of old Age, deeply experienc'd the Truth of what we
afferted. He quitted all his Conquefl:s in France^ made
a Peace with that Nation, and endeavour'd to do the
fame with others, that fo he might leave all Things in
quiet, and compos'd to his Succeflbrs. On the other
hand. Queen Eliz.abeth^s Fortune was Co Conftant and
Vigorous,thatno declenfion of Affairs follow'd her lively,
tbo' declining Age. Nay more, for a Handing and moft
certain monument of her Happinefs, (he died not before
a Vidory in Ireland had put an end to the Rebellion there ;
fo fbining and uniform was her Glory in all its Parts J
Befides, I think it very material to refled, over what
Ibrt of People Jhe bore the fway j for had her Govern-
ment been over the Talmyreniansy or any other foft and
unmanly Nation of jifia^ it had been a lefs wonder,
fince a Female in the Throne would be fiiicable enough
to an Effeminate People ^ but to have all Things move
and be directed by a Woman's Nod in England, a Na-
tion fo fierce and warlike j this, I fay, jultly raifes our
highell Admiration.

But tho' the Genius of her SnbjcLls was fo dcltrous of
War, and fo impatient of Peace, yet this did not hin-
der her from maintaining it ftrictly all her Reign. And
tbis natural Inclination of hers, joined with fuccefs, is
what 1 reckon redounds to her higheft; Commendation.
For this conduc'd much to the Happinefs of their own

Life,

Queen Elizabeth. S9

Life, to the Honour of her Sex, and to the Peace and
Quiet of her Confcience. About the tenth Year of her
Reign, an Infurredion was indeed attempted in the
Norths but it was foon hufh'd and fupprefs'd. All the
reft of her time England enjoy 'd a fecure and profound
Peace. And 1 account it a molt glorbus Peace, upoa
thefe two Accounts \ which tho' they make nothing to
the Merits yet contribute very much to the Glory of a
Peace. The firft is, that it appeared the more Confpi-
cuous and Shining by the Calamities of its Neighbours,
which were all in Flames round it. Another is, that
even in the Bleflings of Peace, there ftill remaiaM fo
much martial Glory, as by its famous Anions not on-
ly retain'd, but likewife increas'd the Honour of the
Englifl) Nation. For the Supplies fent into the Nether-
lands, France, and Scotland ; the Voyages that were
made to the Indies, and round the whole World ; the
fleets that were fent to infefi: Portugal and the Coafls
of Spain, and the Irijh Rebels fo otten conquered and
cut offi were all fufficient Tefti monies, that England
had remitced and loft nothing of its Ancient Glory in
the Field of War.

It was likewife an addition to her Glory and DefertSy
that by her timely Supplies, the Neighbouring Princes
were maintain'd in their Thrones -, and the Suppliant
States, who by a Conduft unbecoming Princes, were
expos'd to the Cruelty of their Minifters, to the Fury of
the Rabble, and to all manner of Ravage and Slaughter,
were at laft reliev'd by her, and plac'd in that Pofture of
Affairs, wherein they now are. Nor were her Counfels
lefs beneficial than her Supplies : Witnefs her frequent Ad-
monitions to his Catholick Majefiy, to moderate the Dif-
pleafure he had conceiv'd againft his Subjcifts in the Ne-
therlands, and to rellore them to that Mildnefs of Go-
vernment which they formerly enjoy'd : And witneft
her earneit Importunities with the Kings of France, put-
ting them often in Mind of the Edi^s wherein they had
prorais'd to preferve the Peace. It muft indeed be ac-

knowledg''d

^

90 I'he Chara5ier of

knowledg'd that her Advices pfov'd incffedual. For the
common Interefl; of Europe opposed the firfi, left the Am-
bition of Spalfiy freed as it were from its Confinement,
Ihouid enlarge it felf (as Affairs then ftood) to the great
Prejudice of the Kingdoms and States of the Chriftian
World. And the Latter was prevented by the Maflacre
of fo many Innocent Perfons, who with their Wives
and Children were butcher'd in their own Habitations
by the barbarous Rabble, who like fo many Beafts of
Prey feem'd to be Animated, Armed, and fent out by
Publick Authority : So that the Blood which was fhed
cry'd aloud for Revenge^ that the Kingdom, ftain''d by
{o notorious k Villany, might be purg'd by mutual
Slaughters and Bloodfhed. However Ihe perform'd the
Office of a Faithful^ Prndent^ and Generous Ally.

There is ftill another Reafon, why we (hould admire
the peaceful Reign of Queen EUaahethy namely, becaufe
the Peace which ihe enjoy'd, was not owing to the In-
clination which the Age Ihe liv*d in bad to it, but wholly
to her own Prudence and wifeConduft. She ftruggled
with an Inbred Fa^ion at Home, upon the account of
Religion ; and the itrength of the Kingdom, lifce the
common Bulwark of all Europe^ feem'd to oppofe the
growing Greatnefs of the Spaniard^ and his Ambition'
ib formidable at that time ; fo that upon thefe Accounts,
there was a fufficient Caufe of War : But by her Forces
a»d Policy fnc furmounted thefe Difficulties. This was
demonftrated by one of the mofl: memorable Events,
that ever iiappened in the whole Courfe of Affairs of
oar Age. For when the Sparrijb Armada rode u|iou our
Seas, to the Terror of all Europe^ with lb much Noife,
and fb much Afiurance of Succefs ; it took not the leaft
FiOicr-boat, nor burnt the leaft Cottage, nor fo much
as touched upon our Coaft : But being routed in an En-
gagement, was difpers'd by a miferable Flight, and
with frequent Storms ; and to left England and her Sea
Coalh in an unmov*d and undifturbed Peace. Nor was
Ihc iefs Forcanate m difappaiQiing ihe fecrei Plots of

her

Queen Elizabeth. 91

her private Foes, than in Conqoering and Routing the
Forces of an open Enemy : For tho' there were many
Confpiracies laid againft her Life, yet were they moft
happily difcovercd and defeated. Nor was fhe up^n
that account more fearful or anxious of the Safety of
her Perfon ^ her Guards were not increas'd, nor did
fhe confine her felf in her Palace, without appearing
Abroad : But fecure of her felf, and trufting to her
Subjeds, fhe remembred her Deliverance^ but forgot
the Danger^ and alter'd nothing of her ufual Manage-
ment and Behaviour.

iJt is likewife worthy our Obfervation, to confider ia
what fort of Times fhe Flourifh'd. For feme Ages are
(b Barbarous and Ignorant, that Men have been Go-
Yern'd with as much Eafe, as a Shepherd drives and
manages his Sheep : But this Princefs liv'd in a molt
Learned and Polite Age ^ wherein it requir'd greac
Parts, and a high Degree of V^ertue to be Excellent.
A Female Government is likewife very often Eclips'd by
Marriage, and all the Praifes and Condud is beftow'd
upon the Husband: VVhilfl; thofe who livellnmarry'd,
have no Sharers or Partners in their Glory. And in
this was oar Queen the more to be commended, in that
her Throne Hood upon no other Bafi^ than what Ihc
her felf had ereded. She had no Brother^ no Vncle,
nor any other of the Royal Family^ to partake of her
Cares, or fhare in her Government. But even thofe
whom fhe did Advance to any Places of Trufl, werefb
managM and kept in fuch Awe, that each of them was
folicitous how to Pleafe her ^ fo that fbe was always
Mtfirefs of her felf. She was indeed ChilMefs, and lefc
no ilTue of her own Body to fucceed her : But this has
been the Cafe of the mofi: fortunate Princes, of ^Ux-
ander the Great ^ of Julius Cafar., of Trajan^ and feveral
others: Which has been variouflv Cenlur'd, and has
always been a Matter of Difpute. For feme have IccU'd
upon it as a Diminution of Human H^ppwef:, as if Men
could not be complearly Happy, uulcfs they vrere fo

bo;h

92 The CkaraBer of

both ia their own Perfons, and in the Propagation of
their Species : But others have efteem'd it as the greater
JHappinefs, becaufe then it feems to be compleat, when
it is not any longer fubjedied to the various turns of
Fortune : Which 'tis impoffible to fecure, when a Po-
fterity is left behind.

To all this wc may add her Outward EmhelUjhments 5
file was tall of Stature^ well Ihap'd in her Body, and had
in her Face the mixture of Sweetnefs and Majefiy ; and al-
ways en joy 'd a very Sound Health, Befides all this, fhc
was ftrong and vigorous to the very laft, never experi-
enc'd the Changes of Fortune, nor the Miferies of Old
Age, and at laft by an eafy and gentle Death fhe obtain'd
that Enthanafia^ which Auguftus C<tfar was us'd fo pallio-
nately to Defire. This alfo is Recorded of Antoninus
Pius^ one of the befl: of Emperors, whofe Death feem'd
to be nothing elfe but a Qiiict and fweet Slumber. Jufb
fo in Queen Elizabeth^ Diftemper, there was nothing
that was deadly, or ominous, or unfuitable to humane
Nature. She was not defirous of Life, or impatient
under Sicknefs, nor difturb'd with the Tortures of any
Pain : No direful, no peftilential Symptom appear'd,
but every Thing feem'd rather to Prognofticate the decay
of Nature, than either the Corruption or Difparagemenc
of it. For fome few Days before her Death, being weak*
ened by the drynefs of her Conftitution, and the cares
of the Government, having not fo much as drank any
Wine, or taken any moift Diet, fhe was feiz'd with a
Dead Palfy^ but yet (which is not ufual in that Diftem-
per) (he retained her Speech, her Senfe and her Motion,
tho' not fo brisk and lively as before. Nor was (he long
in this Condition, fo that it did not feem to be the lafi
A^t of her Life, but rather the firfi Step to her Death.
For tho' 'tis efteemed a Mifery to live a long time in the
lofs of the ufe of our Faculties \ yet to be prepar'd for
Death, by a gradual decay of our Senfcs, is certainly a
very fweet and pleafant Dijfolution*

Another

Queen Elizabeth. 9|

Another remarkable Addition to her Haffimfs^ is
this, that (he was not only very Happy in her owa
Perfon, but likewife in the Worthioefs of her Minifitrs
of St/tte. For fhe made Choice of fuch Men, as this
Jpmd perhaps was never fo Happy in before. ButG"**^
that favours KingSy raifes them up Minificrs and adorns
their Minds.

There remain two Pofihumons Felicities, which feem
to attend the more Noble and Auguft Pa Cages of her
Life : The One is that of her Succejfor, the Other, that
of her Memory. For (he has got fuch a Succejfor, who,
tho' by his Mafculine Virtue, and Ojf-ffring, and late Ac'
ceffion to the Throne, he may excel and eclipfe her Glo-
ry ', yet is fo far a favourer of her Name and Efleemy
and is fo willing to tranfmit her Actions to Poflerity,
that he has made little Alterations, either in the Choice
of Minifters, or in the Afethod of Governing. So that
hjrdly any Father has been fucceeded by his Son, with
lefs Noife, Difturbance or Alteration. As for her Me-
mory, 'tis fo much in the Mouths, and fo frefh in the
Minds of all Men, that Death feems to have extinguifli-
ed Envy, and put her Fame in a clearer Light, and
now the Hapfinefs of her Memory does as it were ftrive
to outvie that of her Life. For tho' through Mens
love to any Party, or upon the account of the diffe-
rence of Religion, any factious Report may be fpread
Abroad, yet 'tis fuch as feems to be fearful of it felf,
is not finccre, and can never iafl: long. And 'tis upon
this account efpecially that 1 have made this Colledion
of Things, that relate to her Happinefs, and arc marks
of the Divine Favour : That fo no foul-mouthed Libel-
ler might dare to (lain fo great Blellings of God, by
the Venom of his fcandalous Tongue. If any one
fhould now fay, as one did to Cafar, ^na miremur, ha-
bemhs : fed qitx laudemus, exfeEiamus ; we do indeed fee
coitfe to Admire, but none to Praife : To this I anfwer,
that I look upon Admiration as the fupcrlative Degrc^ '
of Praife. Nor could that Hjppinefs vvc have been de-|^^

fcribiagj^

94 ^ 1^^^ Character of

fcribing, be attained by any, but fuch as are fupported
and highly indulged by the Divine Favour ^ and fuch
as in fomc meafure by their Morals and yertne arc the
Eftablilhers of their own Fortune. However I thought
fie to fubjoin fome few Hints with refped to thofe Mo'
rals of the Queen, which feera to have been mod ex-
pofed to the lalh of malevolent Tongues.

In Religioriy Queen EUz^abeth was Pious and Moderate^
Conftant and Steady^ and a profeft Enemy to Novelty,
As for her Pietyj tho' the chief ftrokes of it appear'd in
the Anions and Affairs of State ^ yet fome ligns of it
were to be feen in theCourfe of her Life, and her ordi-
nary Converfation. She was feldom abfent from Di-
vine Service^ either in her publick or private Chapel. She
employed much of her Time in reading the Scriptures
and the Writings of the Fathers^ efpecially of S. Auguftine.
She compos 'd fome Prayers her felf, upon fome Occali-
ons, and for fome extraordinary Purpofes. Whenever
ihe mentioned the Name of God, even in ordinary Dif-
courfe, ihe generally added the Title of Creator \ and
fliewedfome fort of Humility and Reverence in her Looks
and Countenance, which I my felf have often obferved.
As for that which fome have reported, that Ihe was fo
far from thinking of her Mortality, that (he could not-
endure to be told of Old Age or Death, it is abfolutely
falfe : Since ihe her felf, feveral Years before her Death,
would frequently with much Facetioufnefs call her felf
the Old Woman : And would often Difcourfe about the
Infcription, ihc had a mind ihouid be on her Tomb:
She gave out, that Ihe was no lover ot Glory and pom-
pous Titles, but only delii'd her Memory might be re-
corded in a Line or two which (hould very briefly ex-
prefsher AV«f, her ^'ir^w/Vy, ihc Time of her Reign, the
Reformation of Religion, and her Prefervation of the Peace,
'Tis true, in the Flower of her Age before ihe was paft
C;hiid- bearing, when ihe was importun'd by fome to
cJcciare her Succejfor, ihe did make anfwer. That flie could
' Vy no means endure to h^lve a Shroud held before her Eyes

while

Quein Elizabeth. 95

v>\nU jhe was Living. However, fome few Years before
her Death, when fhe was more thoughtful, and medi-
tated (as 'tis probable) OQ her Mertdhy^ as one of her
bofom Friends told her, that many and great Places and
Offices. of Trull in the Common-weakh, would be too
long vacant \ (he rofeup, and with more than ordinary
Concern faid, That fiit wasfnrc Her Flace would not lon^
be f^acaat.

As for her Moderation in Religion, perhaps in this her
CloaraUer will feem deficient, becaufe of the Seventy of
thofe LatpSy which were made againfl; her Subjects of the
Homijb Religion^ but we will produce fuch Things, as
are well known to us, and carefully taken Notice of by
us. This is certain, that fhe was alvvays averfe from
laying any Conftraint on Men's Coufcieiices : But yet
Ihe could not allow that the Government fhould be en-
danger'd under the pretence of Confciencs and Religion,
Hence it was that (he thought nothing but a certain De-
ftrudion would cnfue, if Ihe fhould at the firfl grant a
Liberty and Toleration of two Religions by publick Au-
thority to a fierce and headftrong People, who would
foon upon their privaxe Animoiities fall together by
the Ears. Even in the beginning of her Reign, whea
all Things looked with a fufpicions Face, Ihe kept fome
of the Prelates^ which were of a more turhjiknt and
factious Spirit, Prifojersat large, cho' fhe hjd the Law
on her lide : And to the reft of both Oiders, Ihe ufed
not any fharp luqaiiition, but by a generous Conuivence
kept the£ii u.ider her Protection. This was the Poflure
of A«?ii«s at firft. Nor did {he fweive much from this
her Qernency^ tho' provoked by the Bull ot Excomozit*
nicat'oyj thundered agaiad: her by Pi:ts the Fifth. This
indeed might have railed her ladi^^narion, a id hjve
been the occafioa of new raodclliag the State, but flijl
fte re^ • • ^ ^ er own generous Temper. For this Pru*
dent z -i^eous Wcaisn was not much Moved ii

t(\Q ]<^oi\i ot fiich Threatnipgs, being fecure of the -
^^Uvi and A'TcCtion oi her Sabjeds, sad not tearir..^

X siiy

g6 The CharaBer of

any Harm from the Romijh FaUion^ which was too weak
to attempt any Thing unlefs feconded by a foreign
Enemy.

But about the three and twentieth Year of her Reign,
the Face of Affairs was quite chang'd. Nor was this
Period of Time, feigned to ferve a turn only, buE
mentioned in the pblkk Records^ and engraven as it were
in leaves of Brafs. Nor were her SubjeSs of the Romif)
Reunion punifhed with any Severity before that Year,
tho' feveral Laws had formerly been Enafted againfb
them. But at this time it was by degrees difcovered
what vaft and ambitious Defigns were laid by S^ain^ to
Conquer this Kingdom. A great part of this Dellgn
was to raife a Fadion in the very Heart of the Nation,
which being no Friends to the Government, and defirous
of Alteration, ftiould join with the Enemy upon his In-
vafion; This was hoped would be effeded upon the
difference there was in Religion : Whereupon they re-
folded to improve that Breach, and Priefts were fent
over from the young Seminaries, to raife and increafe
Men's Love for the Romijh Religion^ to teach and inforce
the Validity of the Pole's BhH^ which abfolved the
Qijcen's Snbjefts from their Allegiance, and to excite,
and prepare the Minds of Men for an Alteration in the
Government.

xMuch about that time, Ireland was openly invaded,

. and the Name and Government af Qiieen EUz,abeth vilified
hy various and fcandalous Libels ; and Affairs were in
fuch a ftrange Ferment, that they progaofticated a great-
er Commotion. Nor indeed will I fay, that every Priefi
knew of the Delign, or were confcious of what was to
be done, bat cerciiinly they were the wicked Inftigators
and Promoters of the Viilany others were to commit.
And this is certainjy true, (as appears by feveral Con-
Jcffions) that alrnofl: all the Friefts who were font into
'Endand from the Year above- mcncion'd^ to the thirti-
IcH 7evir of Q:i\z^\\ Eliz.abeth\ Reign (wherein the De-
liga of Spaifi and the Romamfis was to be put ia Execi>-

V tion.

Queen Elizabeth. 97

tioB, by that memorable Preparation of a Fleet and
Land-forces) I fay *cis certain, that all, who were fcnc
over within that time, among other Things had this
likewife in their Orders, That they fliould infinuate.
That Affairs could, vot Ufi long in the fame Pofiure ^ that
they vpould put on a new Face within fame jljort time ^ and
that the Pope and the CathoUck Trincei would take care of
the EngliQl State^ provided the Englilh were not their own
hiaderance. Nay, fome of the Priells were manifeftly
engaged in the Plots and Contrivances which were laid
for the Subverlion and Ruin of the Government : And
which is ftill more, the whole Train of this Defign was
difcover'd by Letters which were intercepted from all
Parts : Wherein it was written. That the Figdatjcy ef
the Queen and her Council over the CathoUcks would he baf-
fled : Forjhe only feem^d concern d^ that the Faction jljould
not be headed by any Nobleman or Perfon of Quality \ when-
AS the Ijefign they laid was fuch as was carried on by Pri'
'vate Men of no Note \ who never met and confptr^d tO'
gether in Numbers^ but ordered and difpas'd all Things in
the private way of Confeffion. Thefc were the Artifices
which were then us'd, and were fo cuftomary and Tami-
iiar xo thofe Men, as might be feea iu a fielh and pa-
l-allel Cafe.

In a time of fo much Danger, Qacen EUz^^eth^was
X)bliged by a kind of fatal Neceility to EnaA fevere
Laws, thereby to reltrain thofe of her Subjects, who
being averfe to her Government, and grown pall the
hopes of being Ciir'd, began to grow Rich by the pri-
vate Life they led, being exempted from the Charge
and Burthen of poblick Offices. The Original of this
fpreading Evil was charg'd opon the Seminary Priefts '^
who were bred up in foreign Parts, and maintaioM by
the Charity and Benevolence of Fo.etgn Princes the pror
fell Enemies of the Realm : Who had liv'd in Pljce^
nvhere the bed Titles they could beftow on Qiieen Eli^
TLabeth were thofe of, Hereticky Excornmunicated^ ixnd
2j.imnablc Fury j who, tho' they thcmfeives were not

X 2 engag'd

98 The CharA^er of

engag'd in treafonable PraQices, yet were known to be
the intimate Friends of futh as were guilty of thofe Vil-
lanies, and who, by their Artifices and poyfonous Me-
thods had depraved the very Sacrifice of the Mafs^
which before was a f.veet and harmlefs Thing \ and had
as it were infcd^ed it with a new kind of Ferment and
pernicious Malignity. Whereupon the only Expedient
to put a frop to this growing Evil was thought to be
the prohibiting thefe Men from coming into the Land
upon pain of Death ^ which was accordingly Enaded in
the kv^n. and twentieth Year of her Reign. Nor did the
Event it fclf, when fo great a Storm broke out upon,
and threatened the Nation, in the lead take off from the
Envy and Hatred of thefe Men, but rather increas'd it ^
Tq far had they divefted themfelves of the Love they
ow'd their Country. Afterwards when our Fears of
S^aln (the true ocqafion of this Severity) were over and
vanifh'd \ yet the Memory of the former Times was fo
deeply fixt in the Minds and Senfes of moll Men, and
to have abrogated the Laws that were once made would
fiave argued lb much hccnfia-'Ky, or to have flighted
'them would have been a Sign of fo much hdiferency^
that Queen ElUabeth as Cafes then Rood, did not think
jt fafe for her fclf, that Things fhould return to the
Tati*s Polture they were in before the three and twenti-
eth Year of her Reign. To this may be added the In-
duflry of fome to increafe the Revenues of the Exche-
ejuer^ and the Care of thofe Miriifrers ofjnfiice, who
are us'd to miiid no other Safety of their Country than
what is contain'd in the Laws •, Both which required and
csil'd loudly for the Laws to be put in Execution. How-
ever, fne (to the Giory of her good Nature be it fpo-
ken) did fo far bloiit the edge of the Laws, that but
very few Priefls fuffer'd Death upon that account. Nor
•do we fpeak this by way of Defence, for thefe Matters
ftand in need of none : Since the whole Saftcy of the
Nafcion depended upon this Conduct, and the Method and
Meafure oi all this SeViericy was far from being Bloody,

and

Qaeen Elizabeth. 99

and is a Thing that noChriftiaa need to be afham'd of ;
for it proceeded more from the Arrogance and wicked
Pradices of others, than from any neceility the Nation
lay under, and it ftands for a Monument of Difgrace
to the Romanifls. But not to forget what wc firft af-
ferted, we think we have abundantly deraonftrated, that
(he was Modtrate in Points of ReUgiort^ and that the
Alteration which did happen, was not owing to her
Nature, but to the Iniquity of the Times.

Of her Confioficy in Religion and the IVorJhip thereof,
the greateft Proof is, That with an undaunted Mind and
little Afliftance (he extirpated and abrogated the Romijh
Religion, as being difagreeable to the Word of God, the
Primitive Purity, zwd^h^x OViViConfcieiJce : Notwithftand-
ing in her Sifter''s Reign it was eftablifhed by Publick Au-
thority and a great deal of Care, and had taken deep
Root, and was ftrengthned with the Confent and Appro-
bation of all that were in Authority and Places of Truft.
Nor did (he do this haftily or in a heat, but caiitioufly
and by degrees.* The Truth of which appears, not on-
ly in her whole Conduct of Affairs, but alfo in that
Anfwer which (he once made to a Courtier upon the
like Occafion. For in the beginning of her Reign, when
according to theCuftom the Prifiners were to be releas'd,
to Grace, and Honour her firft AccefTion to the Throne \
as (he was going to Chapel (he was accofted by a certaia
Courtier, who took more than ordinary Freedom, being
of a pleafant and facetious Nature. He, either promp-
ted to it by his own private Inclination, or fet on by a
wifer Head, delivered a Petition into her Hand, and in
a full Concourfe of People with a loud Voice cxprened
himfelf thus. That there were fiill four or five kept Pri/o-
ners, and that for no Reajon at all : That he came to Peti'
tion for their Freedom, as well as for the Rejf. That they
fcere the Four Evangelifis, and the Aposile S. Paul, ti?^;*
had been long confin'd in an unknown Tongne, as it Tfere in d
Prifon, and were not fnffer^d to appear abroad in the Worl/iC
The Q-een gave him this very cautious Reply, 1 hat it

WM

loo The Chara^er of

was befi to Ccnfult them firfiy whether they were witting t9
have their Freedom yet^ or no. And thus (he kept every
Thing within her own Power, by giving fuch a doubt-
ful Anfwer to fo furprizing a Demand. Nor did (he
carry on Things fearfully, and by fits and ftarts, but
Gravely, Orderly, and Maturely : A Conference firft
had between the Parties, and a Parliament firft call'd ;
and at laft, within the compafs of a Year, Ihe fo far
order'd and eftablifh'd all Things which concern'd Re^
ligion^ that fhe did not fuffer the leaffc Tittle of them
to be alter'd, during all her Reign. And it was always
her Publick Admonition in almoft every Seflion of Tar^
iiament, that no Innovation Ihould be made in the Dif"
cifline and Ceremonies of the Church. Thus far of her
Religion.

Now if any oii\[Z graver Sort fhould objed thefe Le-
vities : " That (he -was contented and defirous to be
" Adniired, to be Courted, and upon the Account of
" Love to be Prais'd and ExtoU'd ; and that ihe con-
" tinu'd thefe Levities even to an Age wherein they
" were unbecoming her : Yet if you take even thefe
in a milder Senfe, they are not without their due Ad-
miration, fince they are fuch Things, as often are to be
found in the fabulous Narrations of Poets and others.
Thus 'tis recorded of a certain Qiieen in the Fortunate
JJlandt, who in her Court and Government entertained
that fofc Thing call'd Love, and yet forbid Lafi to en-
ter there. But if a harflier Condrudion fhould be put
upon them, yet they are to be admir'd, and that very
highly too, fince thefe Softnejfes call but little blemifh
on her Fame, and none at all upon her Grandeur ; did
no Injary to her Government, and hinder'd not the
Publick Adminiftratioa of Affairs. For thefe fort of
Things are urually joyn'd to the moft noted Fortune,
Bnc, to conclude this EiTiy -, fhc was certainly a good^
moral prince]}, and as fuch fhe delir'd to appear : Shq
was a haier of f^ice, and ftudy'd to grow famous by
■Yho:touraH2 A^cthods. And truly at the naming of her

Manners y

Queen Elizabeth. lOi

Manners^ fomething comes into ray Mind, which I will
here declare. When (he had orderM an Exprels to be
written to her Ambaflador, concerning certain Inftru-
dions, which he was privately to impart to the Queen
Mother of France at Falois^ and her Secretary had ia-
lerted a certain Claufe, that the Ambaflador to ingra-
tiate himfelf the better Ihould fay, That they were tw«
Female Princes^ of vphom^ in the Management of A^airs^
and in the Art and SkiU of Governing^ as great Things
were exfeSied as from the befi of Men \ file could not en-
dure the Coraparifon, but order'd it to be ftruck out,
and faid. That ^e ui*d quite different Arts and Methods
in the Adminiftration of the Government. And fhe was
extreamiy pleas'd, when any one by chance dropt
out fuch an Exprefilon as this. That fie x&ould have liv*d
and excelCd in the Eye of the iVorld^ tho* fie had fpent her
Days in a private and mean Station : So defirons was flie
that nothing of her f^irtue and Praife fliould be owing
to the Grandure of her Fortune. But if I fliould enter
ypon her Praifes, either Moral or Political^ or fhould
touch only upon her f^irtuesj which woiild be a Difpa-
ragement to fo great a Princefs : Or Ihould I endeavoar
to fet them in their clear and proper Light, I mufl: rua
out into the Hifiory of her Life, which requires more
Leifure, and a larger Genius, than I can pretend to.
For I have here given you her CharaEler in ihort. But
it muft after all be faid, That only Tir/ie will beflow a
true Encomium on this Excellent Woman: Since no
Age fince the Creation, could ever fhew her Equd \a
her own fex^ that was io fit to manajis the Affairs of
a State.

FINIS.

ADVERTISEMENT.

Lately Tublijh'dy

DVcior Hifloricus : Or a fliort Syftcra of
Univerfal Hiftory, and an Introduftion
to the Study of it. In Two Volumes, Octavo.
Containing, An Explication of Terms, and other
Pracogmu in Chronology, an Account of all the
Ancient Greek and Roman Hiftorians, with the
Judgment of the Beft Criticks upon ; Alfo an
ample Collection of Englijh Hiftorians. A Chro-
nology of all the molt Celebrated Perfons and
Anions from the Creation to this Time. And
a Compleat Hiftory of all the Ancient Monar-
chies and States of AfiA and Gretce, the Romm
Empire, the Kingdoms of the Gothf^ Fandals^
Lombards and Franks^ the State of Britam from
the Primitive Times to the end of the S*xon Hep-
tarchy, the Hiftory of ScotUHi and Ireland^ as
alfo of Venice : And laftly, the Rife and Progrefs
of the Turkijh Power. Written by Tlyo. Hear^/e^
M. A. of Sc. Edmund' H4l^ Oxon, Printed for
Tim, QhtUe^ and Sold by moft Bookfeliers.

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PR

Bacon,

Francis

2206

The

essays, of Councils,

A3

civil

and moral

1706

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