Walledtowns,storedarsenalsandarmories,goodlyracesofhorse,chariotsofwar,elephants,ordnance,artillery,andthelike;allthisisbutasheepinalion’sskin,exceptthebreedanddisposi—
tionofthepeople,bestoutandwarlike.Nay,num—
ber(itself)inarmiesimportethnotmuch,wherethepeopleisofweakcourage;for(asVirgilsaith)
Itnevertroublesawolf,howmanythesheepbe.
ThearmyofthePersians,intheplainsofArbela,wassuchavastseaofpeople,asitdidsomewhatastonishthecommandersinAlexander’sarmy;
whocametohimtherefore,andwishedhimtosetuponthembynight;andheanswered,Hewouldnotpilferthevictory.Andthedefeatwaseasy.
WhenTigranestheArmenian,beingencampeduponahillwithfourhundredthousandmen,dis—
coveredthearmyoftheRomans,beingnotabovefourteenthousand,marchingtowardshim,hemadehimselfmerrywithit,andsaid,Yondermenaretoomanyforanembassage,andtoofewforafight.Butbeforethesunset,hefoundthemenowtogivehimthechasewithinfiniteslaughter.
Manyaretheexamplesofthegreatodds,betweennumberandcourage;sothatamanmaytrulymakeajudgment,thattheprincipalpointofgreat—
nessinanystate,istohavearaceofmilitarymen.
Neitherismoneythesinewsofwar(asitistriviallysaid),wherethesinewsofmen’sarms,inbaseandeffeminatepeople,arefailing.ForSolonsaidwelltoCroesus(wheninostentationheshowedhimhisgold),Sir,ifanyothercome,thathathbetteriron,thanyou,hewillbemasterofallthisgold.There—
foreletanyprinceorstatethinksolelyofhisforces,excepthismilitiaofnativesbeofgoodandvaliantsoldiers.Andletprinces,ontheotherside,thathavesubjectsofmartialdisposition,knowtheirownstrength;unlesstheybeotherwisewantinguntothemselves.Asformercenaryforces(whichisthehelpinthiscase),allexamplesshow,thatwhatsoeverestateorprincedothrestuponthem,hemayspreadhisfeathersforatime,buthewillmewthemsoonafter.
TheblessingofJudahandIssacharwillnevermeet;thatthesamepeople,ornation,shouldbeboththelion’swhelpandtheassbetweenbur—
thens;neitherwillitbe,thatapeopleoverlaidwithtaxes,shouldeverbecomevaliantandmar—
tial.Itistruethattaxesleviedbyconsentoftheestate,doabatemen’scourageless:asithathbeenseennotably,intheexcisesoftheLowCountries;
and,insomedegree,inthesubsidiesofEngland.
Foryoumustnote,thatwespeaknowoftheheart,andnotofthepurse.Sothatalthoughthesametributeandtax,laidbyconsentorbyimposing,beallonetothepurse,yetitworksdiverselyuponthecourage.Sothatyoumayconclude,thatnopeopleoverchargedwithtribute,isfitforempire.
Letstatesthataimatgreatness,takeheedhowtheirnobilityandgentlemendomultiplytoofast.
Forthatmakeththecommonsubject,growtobeapeasantandbaseswain,drivenoutofheart,andineffectbutthegentleman’slaborer.Evenasyoumayseeincoppicewoods;ifyouleaveyourstad—
dlestoothick,youshallneverhavecleanunder—
wood,butshrubsandbushes.Soincountries,ifthegentlemenbetoomany,thecommonswillbebase;
andyouwillbringittothat,thatnotthehundredpoll,willbefitforanhelmet;especiallyastotheinfantry,whichisthenerveofanarmy;andsotherewillbegreatpopulation,andlittlestrength.
ThiswhichIspeakof,hathbeennowherebetterseen,thanbycomparingofEnglandandFrance;
whereofEngland,thoughfarlessinterritoryandpopulation,hathbeen(nevertheless)anover—
match;inregardthemiddlepeopleofEnglandmakegoodsoldiers,whichthepeasantsofFrancedonot.AndhereinthedeviceofkingHenrytheSeventh(whereofIhavespokenlargelyintheHistoryofhisLife)wasprofoundandadmirable;
inmakingfarmsandhousesofhusbandryofastandard;thatis,maintainedwithsuchapropor—
tionoflanduntothem,asmaybreedasubjecttoliveinconvenientplentyandnoservilecondition;
andtokeeptheploughinthehandsoftheowners,andnotmerehirelings.AndthusindeedyoushallattaintoVirgil’scharacterwhichhegivestoan—
cientItaly:
Terrapotensarmisatqueubereglebae.
Neitheristhatstate(which,foranythingIknow,isalmostpeculiartoEngland,andhardlytobefoundanywhereelse,exceptitbeperhapsinPoland)tobepassedover;Imeanthestateoffreeservants,andattendantsuponnoblemenandgentlemen;whicharenowaysinferioruntotheyeomanryforarms.Andthereforeoutofallques—
tions,thesplendorandmagnificence,andgreatretinuesandhospitality,ofnoblemenandgentle—
men,receivedintocustom,dothmuchconduceuntomartialgreatness.Whereas,contrariwise,thecloseandreservedlivingofnoblemenandgentle—
men,causethapenuryofmilitaryforces.
Byallmeansitistobeprocured,thatthetrunkofNebuchadnezzar’streeofmonarchy,begreatenoughtobearthebranchesandtheboughs;thatis,thatthenaturalsubjectsofthecrownorstate,bearasufficientproportiontothestrangersub—
jects,thattheygovern.Thereforeallstatesthatareliberalofnaturalizationtowardsstrangers,arefitforempire.Fortothinkthatanhandfulofpeoplecan,withthegreatestcourageandpolicyintheworld,embracetoolargeextentofdominion,itmayholdforatime,butitwillfailsuddenly.TheSpartanswereanicepeopleinpointofnaturaliza—
tion;whereby,whiletheykepttheircompass,theystoodfirm;butwhentheydidspread,andtheirboughswerebecomentoogreatfortheirstem,theybecameawindfall,uponthesudden.
Neveranystatewasinthispointsoopentoreceivestrangersintotheirbody,asweretheRomans.
Thereforeitsortedwiththemaccordingly;fortheygrewtothegreatestmonarchy.Theirmannerwastograntnaturalization(whichtheycalledjuscivitatis),andtograntitinthehighestdegree;thatis,notonlyjuscommercii,jusconnubii,jushaere—
ditatis;butalsojussuffragii,andjushonorum.
Andthisnottosingularpersonsalone,butlikewisetowholefamilies;yeatocities,andsometimestonations.Addtothistheircustomofplantationofcolonies;wherebytheRomanplantwasremovedintothesoilofothernations.Andputtingbothconstitutionstogether,youwillsaythatitwasnottheRomansthatspreadupontheworld,butitwastheworldthatspreadupontheRomans;andthatwasthesurewayofgreatness.Ihavemarvelled,sometimes,atSpain,howtheyclaspandcontainsolargedominions,withsofewnaturalSpaniards;
butsurethewholecompassofSpain,isaverygreatbodyofatree;faraboveRomeandSpartaatthefirst.Andbesides,thoughtheyhavenothadthatusage,tonaturalizeliberally,yettheyhavethatwhichisnexttoit;thatis,toemploy,almostindif—
ferently,allnationsintheirmilitiaofordinarysoldiers;yea,andsometimesintheirhighestcom—
mands.Nay,itseemethatthisinstanttheyaresensible,ofthiswantofnatives;asbythePrag—
maticalSanction,nowpublished,appeareth.
Itiscertainthatsedentary,andwithin—doorarts,anddelicatemanufactures(thatrequireratherthefingerthanthearm),have,intheirna—
ture,acontrarietytoamilitarydisposition.Andgenerally,allwarlikepeoplearealittleidle,andlovedangerbetterthantravail.Neithermusttheybetoomuchbrokenofit,iftheyshallbepreservedinvigor.Thereforeitwasgreatadvantage,intheancientstatesofSparta,Athens,Rome,andothers,thattheyhadtheuseofslaves,whichcommonlydidridthosemanufactures.Butthatisabolished,ingreatestpart,bytheChristianlaw.Thatwhichcomethnearesttoit,istoleavethoseartschieflytostrangers(which,forthatpurpose,arethemoreeasilytobereceived),andtocontaintheprincipalbulkofthevulgarnatives,withinthosethreekinds,—tillersoftheground;freeservants;andhandicraftsmenofstrongandmanlyarts,assmiths,masons,carpenters,etc.;notreckoningprofessedsoldiers.
Butaboveall,forempireandgreatness,itim—
portethmost,thatanationdoprofessarms,astheirprincipalhonor,study,andoccupation.Forthethingswhichweformerlyhavespokenof,arebuthabilitationstowardsarms;andwhatishabilita—
tionwithoutintentionandact?Romulus,afterhisdeath(astheyreportorfeign),sentapresenttotheRomans,thataboveall,theyshouldintendarms;
andthentheyshouldprovethegreatestempireoftheworld.ThefabricofthestateofSpartawaswholly(thoughnotwisely)framedandcomposed,tothatscopeandend.ThePersiansandMacedo—
nianshaditforaflash.TheGauls,Germans,Goths,Saxons,Normans,andothers,haditforatime.TheTurkshaveitatthisday,thoughingreatdeclination.OfChristianEurope,theythathaveitare,ineffect,onlytheSpaniards.Butitissoplain,thateverymanprofitethinthat,hemostintendeth,thatitneedethnottobestoodupon.Itisenoughtopointatit;thatnonationwhichdothnotdirectlyprofessarms,maylooktohavegreat—
nessfallintotheirmouths.Andontheotherside,itisamostcertainoracleoftime,thatthosestatesthatcontinuelonginthatprofession(astheRo—
mansandTurksprincipallyhavedone)dowon—
ders.Andthosethathaveprofessedarmsbutforanage,have,notwithstanding,commonlyat—
tainedthatgreatness,inthatage,whichmain—
tainedthemlongafter,whentheirprofessionandexerciseofarmshathgrowntodecay.
Incidenttothispointis,forastatetohavethoselawsorcustoms,whichmayreachforthuntothemjustoccasions(asmaybepretended)ofwar.Forthereisthatjustice,imprintedinthenatureofmen,thattheyenternotuponwars(whereofsomanycalamitiesdoensue)butuponsome,attheleastspecious,groundsandquarrels.TheTurkhathathand,forcauseofwar,thepropagationofhislaworsect;aquarrelthathemayalwayscom—
mand.TheRomans,thoughtheyesteemedtheextendingthelimitsoftheirempire,tobegreathonortotheirgenerals,whenitwasdone,yettheyneverresteduponthatalone,tobeginawar.First,therefore,letnationsthatpretendtogreatnesshavethis;thattheybesensibleofwrongs,eitheruponborderers,merchants,orpoliticministers;
andthattheysitnottoolonguponaprovocation.
Secondly,letthembeprest,andreadytogiveaidsandsuccors,totheirconfederates;asiteverwaswiththeRomans;insomuch,asiftheconfederatehadleaguesdefensive,withdiversotherstates,and,uponinvasionoffered,didimploretheiraidsseverally,yettheRomanswouldeverbethefore—
most,andleaveittononeothertohavethehonor.
Asforthewarswhichwereancientlymade,onthebehalfofakindofparty,ortacitconformityofestate,Idonotseehowtheymaybewelljustified:
aswhentheRomansmadeawar,forthelibertyofGrecia;orwhentheLacedaemoniansandAthe—
nians,madewarstosetuporpulldowndemoc—
raciesandoligarchies;orwhenwarsweremadebyforeigners,underthepretenceofjusticeorpro—
tection,todeliverthesubjectsofothers,fromtyrannyandoppression;andthelike.Letitsuf—
fice,thatnoestateexpecttobegreat,thatisnotawakeuponanyjustoccasionofarming.
Nobodycanbehealthfulwithoutexercise,neithernaturalbodynorpolitic;andcertainlytoakingdomorestate,ajustandhonorablewar,isthetrueexercise.Acivilwar,indeed,isliketheheatofafever;butaforeignwarisliketheheatofexercise,andservethtokeepthebodyinhealth;
forinaslothfulpeace,bothcourageswilleffemi—
nate,andmannerscorrupt.Buthowsoeveritbeforhappiness,withoutallquestion,forgreatness,itmakethtobestillforthemostpartinarms;andthestrengthofaveteranarmy(thoughitbeachargeablebusiness)alwaysonfoot,isthatwhichcommonlygiveththelaw,oratleastthereputa—
tion,amongstallneighborstates;asmaywellbeseeninSpain,whichhathhad,inonepartorother,aveteranarmyalmostcontinually,nowbythespaceofsixscoreyears.
Tobemasterofthesea,isanabridgmentofamonarchy.Cicero,writingtoAtticusofPompeyhispreparationagainstCaesar,saith,ConsiliumPompeiiplaneThemistocleumest;putatenim,quimaripotitur,eumrerumpotiri.And,withoutdoubt,PompeyhadtiredoutCaesar,ifuponvainconfidence,hehadnotleftthatway.Weseethegreateffectsofbattlesbvsea.ThebattleofActium,decidedtheempireoftheworld.ThebattleofLe—
panto,arrestedthegreatnessoftheTurk.Therebemanyexamples,wheresea—fightshavebeenfinaltothewar;butthisiswhenprincesorstateshavesetuptheirrest,uponthebattles.Butthusmuchiscertain,thathethatcommandsthesea,isatgreatliberty,andmaytakeasmuch,andaslittle,ofthewarashewill.Whereasthosethatbestrong—
estbyland,aremanytimesneverthelessingreatstraits.Surely,atthisday,withusofEurope,thevantageofstrengthatsea(whichisoneoftheprin—
cipaldowriesofthiskingdomofGreatBritain)isgreat;bothbecausemostofthekingdomsofEu—
rope,arenotmerelyinland,butgirtwiththeseamostpartoftheircompass;andbecausethewealthofbothIndiesseemsingreatpart,butanaccessorytothecommandoftheseas.
Thewarsoflatteragesseemtobemadeinthedark,inrespectoftheglory,andhonor,whichreflecteduponmenfromthewars,inancienttime.
Therebenow,formartialencouragement,somedegreesandordersofchivalry;whichneverthelessareconferredpromiscuously,uponsoldiersandnosoldiers;andsomeremembranceperhaps,uponthescutcheon;andsomehospitalsformaimedsol—
diers;andsuchlikethings.Butinancienttimes,thetrophieserectedupontheplaceofthevictory;
thefunerallaudativesandmonumentsforthosethatdiedinthewars;thecrownsandgarlandsper—
sonal;thestyleofemperor,whichthegreatkingsoftheworldafterborrowed;thetriumphsofthegenerals,upontheirreturn;thegreatdonativesandlargesses,uponthedisbandingofthearmies;
werethingsabletoinflameallmen’scourages.
Butaboveall,thatofthetriumph,amongsttheRomans,wasnotpageantsorgaudery,butoneofthewisestandnoblestinstitutions,thateverwas.
Foritcontainedthreethings:honortothegeneral;
richestothetreasuryoutofthespoils;anddona—
tivestothearmy.Butthathonor,perhapswerenotfitformonarchies;exceptitbeinthepersonofthemonarchhimself,orhissons;asitcametopassinthetimesoftheRomanemperors,whodidimpro—
priatetheactualtriumphstothemselves,andtheirsons,forsuchwarsastheydidachieveinperson;
andleftonly,forwarsachievedbysubjects,sometriumphalgarmentsandensignstothegeneral.
Toconclude:nomancanbycaretaking(astheScripturesaith)addacubittohisstature,inthislittlemodelofaman’sbody;butinthegreatframeofkingdomsandcommonwealths,itisinthepowerofprincesorestates,toaddamplitudeandgreatnesstotheirkingdoms;forbyintroducingsuchordinances,constitutions,andcustoms,aswehavenowtouched,theymaysowgreatnesstotheirposterityandsuccession.Butthesethingsarecommonlynotobserved,butlefttotaketheirchance.
OfRegimentOFHEALTH
OfRegimentOFHEALTH
THEREisawisdominthis;beyondtherulesofphysic:aman’sownobservation,whathefindsgoodof,andwhathefindshurtof,isthebestphysictopreservehealth.Butitisasaferconclu—
siontosay,Thisagreethnotwellwithme,there—
fore,Iwillnotcontinueit;thanthis,Ifindnooffenceofthis,thereforeImayuseit.Forstrengthofnatureinyouth,passethovermanyexcesses,whichareowingamantillhisage.Discernofthecomingonofyears,andthinknottodothesamethingsstill;foragewillnotbedefied.Bewareofsuddenchange,inanygreatpointofdiet,and,ifnecessityenforceit,fittheresttoit.Foritisasecretbothinnatureandstate,thatitissafertochangemanythings,thanone.Examinethycustomsofdiet,sleep,exercise,apparel,andthelike;andtry,inanythingthoushaltjudgehurtful,todiscon—
tinueit,bylittleandlittle;butso,asifthoudostfindanyinconveniencebythechange,thoucomebacktoitagain:foritishardtodistinguishthatwhichisgenerallyheldgoodandwholesome,fromthatwhichisgoodparticularly,andfitforthineownbody.Tobefree—mindedandcheerfullydisposed,athoursofmeat,andofsleep,andofexercise,isoneofthebestpreceptsoflonglasting.
Asforthepassions,andstudiesofthemind;avoidenvy,anxiousfears;angerfrettinginwards;
subtleandknottyinquisitions;joysandexhilara—
tionsinexcess;sadnessnotcommunicated.Enter—
tainhopes;mirthratherthanjoy;varietyofdelights,ratherthansurfeitofthem;wonderandadmiration,andthereforenovelties;studiesthatfillthemindwithsplendidandillustriousobjects,ashistories,fables,andcontemplationsofnature.
Ifyouflyphysicinhealthaltogether,itwillbetoostrangeforyourbody,whenyoushallneedit.Ifyoumakeittoofamiliar,itwillworknoextra—
ordinaryeffect,whensicknesscometh.Icommendrathersomedietforcertainseasons,thanfrequentuseofphysic,exceptitbegrownintoacustom.Forthosedietsalterthebodymore,andtroubleitless.
Despisenonewaccidentinyourbody,butaskopinionofit.Insickness,respecthealthprin—
cipally;andinhealth,action.Forthosethatputtheirbodiestoendureinhealth,mayinmostsick—
nesses,whicharenotverysharp,becuredonlywithdiet,andtendering.Celsuscouldneverhavespokenitasaphysician,hadhenotbeenawisemanwithal,whenhegivethitforoneofthegreatpreceptsofhealthandlasting,thatamandovary,andinterchangecontraries,butwithaninclina—
tiontothemorebenignextreme:usefastingandfulleating,butratherfulleating;watchingandsleep,butrathersleep;sittingandexercise,butratherexercise;andthelike.Soshallnaturebecherished,andyettaughtmasteries.Physiciansare,someofthem,sopleasingandconformabletothehumorofthepatient,astheypressnotthetruecureofthedisease;andsomeotheraresoregular,inproceedingaccordingtoartforthedisease,astheyrespectnotsufficientlytheconditionofthepatient.Takeoneofamiddletemper;orifitmaynotbefoundinoneman,combinetwoofeithersort;andforgetnottocallaswell,thebestac—
quaintedwithyourbody,asthebestreputedofforhisfaculty.
OfSuspicionOfSuspicionSUSPICIONSamongstthoughts,arelikebatsamongstbirds,theyeverflybytwilight.Cer—
tainlytheyaretoberepressed,oratleastwellguarded:fortheycloudthemind;theyleesefriends;andtheycheckwithbusiness,wherebybusinesscannotgooncurrentlyandconstantly.
Theydisposekingstotyranny,husbandstojeal—
ousy,wisementoirresolutionandmelancholy.
Theyaredefects,notintheheart,butinthebrain;
fortheytakeplaceinthestoutestnatures;asintheexampleofHenrytheSeventhofEngland.Therewasnotamoresuspiciousman,noramorestout.
Andinsuchacompositiontheydosmallhurt.Forcommonlytheyarenotadmitted,butwithexami—
nation,whethertheybelikelyorno.Butinfearfulnaturestheygaingroundtoofast.Thereisnothingmakesamansuspectmuch,morethantoknowlittle;andthereforemenshouldremedysuspicion,byprocuringtoknowmore,andnottokeeptheirsuspicionsinsmother.Whatwouldmenhave?Dotheythink,thosetheyemployanddealwith,aresaints?Dotheynotthink,theywillhavetheirownends,andbetruertothemselves,thantothem?
Thereforethereisnobetterway,tomoderatesus—
picions,thantoaccountuponsuchsuspicionsastrue,andyettobridlethemasfalse.Forsofaramanoughttomakeuseofsuspicions,astoprovide,asifthatshouldbetrue,thathesuspects,yetitmaydohimnohurt.Suspicionsthatthemindofitselfgathers,arebutbuzzes;butsuspicionsthatareartificiallynourished,andputintomen’sheads,bythetalesandwhisperingsofothers,havestings.Certainly,thebestmean,toclearthewayinthissamewoodofsuspicions,isfranklytocom—
municatethemwiththeparty,thathesuspects;
fortherebyheshallbesuretoknowmoreofthetruthofthem,thanhedidbefore;andwithalshallmakethatpartymorecircumspect,nottogivefurthercauseofsuspicion.Butthiswouldnotbedonetomenofbasenatures;forthey,iftheyfindthemselvesoncesuspected,willneverbetrue.TheItaliansays,Sospettolicentiafede;asifsuspicion,didgiveapassporttofaith;butitought,rather,tokindleittodischargeitself.
OfDiscourseOfDiscourseSOME,intheirdiscourse,desirerathercom—
mendationofwit,inbeingabletoholdallarguments,thanofjudgment,indiscerningwhatistrue;asifitwereapraise,toknowwhatmightbesaid,andnot,whatshouldbethought.Somehavecertaincommonplaces,andthemes,whereintheyaregoodandwantvariety;whichkindofpovertyisforthemostparttedious,andwhenitisonceperceived,ridiculous.Thehonorablestpartoftalk,istogivetheoccasion;andagaintomoderate,andpasstosomewhatelse;forthenamanleadsthedance.Itisgood,indiscourseandspeechofcon—
versation,tovaryandinterminglespeechofthepresentoccasion,witharguments,taleswithrea—
sons,askingofquestions,withtellingofopinions,andjestwithearnest:foritisadullthingtotire,and,aswesaynow,tojade,anythingtoofar.Asforjest,therebecertainthings,whichoughttobeprivilegedfromit;namely,religion,mattersofstate,greatpersons,anyman’spresentbusinessofimportance,andanycasethatdeservethpity.Yettherebesome,thatthinktheirwitshavebeenasleep,excepttheydartoutsomewhatthatispiquant,andtothequick.Thatisaveinwhichwouldbebridled:
Parce,puer,stimulis,etfortiusutereloris.
Andgenerally,menoughttofindthedifference,betweensaltnessandbitterness.Certainly,hethathathasatiricalvein,ashemakethothersafraidofhiswit,sohehadneedbeafraidofothers’memory.
Hethatquestionethmuch,shalllearnmuch,andcontentmuch;butespecially,ifheapplyhisques—
tionstotheskillofthepersonswhomheasketh;forheshallgivethemoccasion,topleasethemselvesinspeaking,andhimselfshallcontinuallygatherknowledge.Butlethisquestionsnotbetrouble—
some;forthatisfitforaposer.Andlethimbesuretoleaveothermen,theirturnstospeak.Nay,iftherebeany,thatwouldreignandtakeupallthetime,lethimfindmeanstotakethemoff,andtobringotherson;asmusiciansusetodo,withthosethatdancetoolonggalliards.Ifyoudis—
semble,sometimes,yourknowledgeofthatyouarethoughttoknow,youshallbethought,anothertime,toknowthatyouknownot.Speechofaman’sselfoughttobeseldom,andwellchosen.I
knewone,waswonttosayinscorn,Hemustneedsbeawiseman,hespeakssomuchofhimself:andthereisbutonecase,whereinamanmaycom—
mendhimselfwithgoodgrace;andthatisincommendingvirtueinanother;especiallyifitbesuchavirtue,whereuntohimselfpretendeth.
Speechoftouchtowardsothers,shouldbespar—
inglyused;fordiscourseoughttobeasafield,withoutcominghometoanyman.Iknewtwonoblemen,ofthewestpartofEngland,whereoftheonewasgiventoscoff,butkepteverroyalcheerinhishouse;theotherwouldask,ofthosethathadbeenattheother’stable,Telltruly,wasthereneverafloutordryblowgiven?Towhichtheguestwouldanswer,Suchandsuchathingpassed.
Thelordwouldsay,Ithought,hewouldmaragooddinner.Discretionofspeech,ismorethaneloquence;andtospeakagreeablytohim,withwhomwedeal,ismorethantospeakingoodwords,oringoodorder.Agoodcontinuedspeech,withoutagoodspeechofinterlocution,showsslowness:andagoodreplyorsecondspeech,with—
outagoodsettledspeech,showethshallownessandweakness.Asweseeinbeasts,thatthosethatareweakestinthecourse,areyetnimblestintheturn;asitisbetwixtthegreyhoundandthehare.
Tousetoomanycircumstances,ereonecometothematter,iswearisome;tousenoneatall,isblunt.
OfPlantationsOfPlantationsPLANTATIONSareamongstancient,primi—
tive,andheroicalworks.Whentheworldwasyoung,itbegatmorechildren;butnowitisold,itbegetsfewer:forImayjustlyaccountnewplan—
tations,tobethechildrenofformerkingdoms.I
likeaplantationinapuresoil;thatis,wherepeoplearenotdisplanted,totheend,toplantinothers.Forelseitisratheranextirpation,thanaplantation.Plantingofcountries,islikeplantingofwoods;foryoumustmakeaccounttoleeseal—
mosttwentyyears’profit,andexpectyourrecom—
penseintheend.Fortheprincipalthing,thathathbeenthedestructionofmostplantations,hathbeenthebaseandhastydrawingofprofit,inthefirstyears.Itistrue,speedyprofitisnottobeneg—
lected,asfarasmaystandwiththegoodoftheplantation,butnofurther.Itisashamefulandunblessedthing,totakethescumofpeople,andwickedcondemnedmen,tobethepeoplewithwhomyouplant;andnotonlyso,butitspoileththeplantation;fortheywilleverlivelikerogues,andnotfalltowork,butbelazy,anddomischief,andspendvictuals,andbequicklyweary,andthencertifyovertotheircountry,tothediscreditoftheplantation.Thepeoplewherewithyouplantoughttobegardeners,ploughmen,laborers,smiths,carpenters,joiners,fishermen,fowlers,withsomefewapothecaries,surgeons,cooks,andbakers.Inacountryofplantation,firstlookabout,whatkindofvictualthecountryyieldsofitselftohand;aschestnuts,walnuts,pineapples,olives,dates,plums,cherries,wildhoney,andthelike;
andmakeuseofthem.Thenconsiderwhatvictualoresculentthingsthereare,whichgrowspeedily,andwithintheyear;asparsnips,carrots,turnips,onions,radish,artichokesofHierusalem,maize,andthelike.Forwheat,barley,andoats,theyasktoomuchlabor;butwithpeaseandbeansyoumaybegin,bothbecausetheyasklesslabor,andbe—
causetheyserveformeat,aswellasforbread.Andofrice,likewisecomethagreatincrease,anditisakindofmeat.Aboveall,thereoughttobebroughtstoreofbiscuit,oat—meal,flour,meal,andthelike,inthebeginning,tillbreadmaybehad.Forbeasts,orbirds,takechieflysuchasareleastsubjecttodiseases,andmultiplyfastest;asswine,goats,cocks,hens,turkeys,geese,house—doves,andthelike.Thevictualinplantations,oughttobeex—
pendedalmostasinabesiegedtown;thatis,withcertainallowance.Andletthemainpartoftheground,employedtogardensorcorn,betoacom—
monstock;andtobelaidin,andstoredup,andthendeliveredoutinproportion;besidessomespotsofground,thatanyparticularpersonwillmanureforhisownprivate.Considerlikewisewhatcommodities,thesoilwheretheplantationis,dothnaturallyyield,thattheymaysomewayhelptodefraythechargeoftheplantation(soitbenot,aswassaid,totheuntimelyprejudiceofthemainbusiness),asithathfaredwithtobaccoinVirginia.Woodcommonlyaboundethbuttoomuch;andthereforetimberisfittobeone.Iftherebeironore,andstreamswhereupontosetthemills,ironisabravecommoditywherewoodaboundeth.
Makingofbay—salt,iftheclimatebeproperforit,wouldbeputinexperience.Growingsilklikewise,ifanybe,isalikelycommodity.Pitchandtar,wherestoreoffirsandpinesare,willnotfail.Sodrugsandsweetwoods,wheretheyare,cannotbutyieldgreatprofit.Soap—asheslikewise,andotherthingsthatmaybethoughtof.Butmoilnottoomuchunderground;forthehopeofminesisveryuncertain,andusethtomaketheplanterslazy,inotherthings.Forgovernment;letitbeinthehandsofone,assistedwithsomecounsel;andletthemhavecommissiontoexercisemartiallaws,withsomelimitation.Andaboveall,letmenmakethatprofit,ofbeinginthewilderness,astheyhaveGodalways,andhisservice,beforetheireyes.Letnotthegovernmentoftheplantation,dependupontoomanycounsellors,andundertakers,inthecountrythatplanteth,butuponatemperatenumber;andletthoseberathernoblemenandgentlemen,thanmerchants;fortheylookevertothepresentgain.Lettherebefreedomfromcus—
tom,tilltheplantationbeofstrength;andnotonlyfreedomfromcustom,butfreedomtocarrytheircommodities,wheretheymaymaketheirbestofthem,excepttherebesomespecialcauseofcaution.Cramnotinpeople,bysendingtoofastcompanyaftercompany;butratherharkenhowtheywaste,andsendsuppliesproportionably;butso,asthenumbermaylivewellintheplantation,andnotbysurchargebeinpenury.Ithathbeenagreatendangeringtothehealthofsomeplanta—
tions,thattheyhavebuiltalongtheseaandrivers,inmarishandunwholesomegrounds.Therefore,thoughyoubeginthere,toavoidcarriageandlikediscommodities,yetbuildstillratherupwardsfromthestreams,thanalong.Itconcernethlike—
wisethehealthoftheplantation,thattheyhavegoodstoreofsaltwiththem,thattheymayuseitintheirvictuals,whenitshallbenecessary.Ifyouplantwheresavagesare,donotonlyentertainthem,withtriflesandgingles,butusethemjustlyandgraciously,withsufficientguardnevertheless;
anddonotwintheirfavor,byhelpingthemtoin—
vadetheirenemies,butfortheirdefenceitisnotamiss;andsendoftofthem,overtothecountrythatplants,thattheymayseeabetterconditionthantheirown,andcommenditwhentheyre—
turn.Whentheplantationgrowstostrength,thenitistimetoplantwithwomen,aswellaswithmen;thattheplantationmayspreadintogenera—
tions,andnotbeeverpiecedfromwithout.Itisthesinfullestthingintheworld,toforsakeordestituteaplantationonceinforwardness;forbesidesthedishonor,itistheguiltinessofbloodofmanycom—
miserablepersons.
OfRichesOfRichesICANNOTcallrichesbetterthanthebaggageofvirtue.TheRomanwordisbetter,impedi—
menta.Forasthebaggageistoanarmy,soisrichestovirtue.Itcannotbespared,norleftbehind,butithindereththemarch;yea,andthecareofit,sometimeslosethordisturbeththevictory.Ofgreatrichesthereisnorealuse,exceptitbeinthedistribution;therestisbutconceit.SosaithSolo—
mon,Wheremuchis,therearemanytoconsumeit;andwhathaththeowner,butthesightofitwithhiseyes?Thepersonalfruitioninanyman,cannotreachtofeelgreatriches:thereisacustodyofthem;orapowerofdole,anddonativeofthem;
orafameofthem;butnosolidusetotheowner.
Doyounotseewhatfeignedprices,aresetuponlittlestonesandrarities?andwhatworksofosten—
tationareundertaken,becausetheremightseemtobesomeuseofgreatriches?Butthenyouwillsay,theymaybeofuse,tobuymenoutofdangersortroubles.AsSolomonsaith,Richesareasastronghold,intheimaginationoftherichman.
Butthisisexcellentlyexpressed,thatitisinimagi—
nation,andnotalwaysinfact.Forcertainlygreatriches,havesoldmoremen,thantheyhaveboughtout.Seeknotproudriches,butsuchasthoumayestgetjustly,usesoberly,distributecheerfully,andleavecontentedly.Yethavenoabstractnorfriarlycontemptofthem.Butdistinguish,asCicerosaithwellofRabiriusPosthumus,Instudioreiampli—
ficandaeapparebat,nonavaritiaepraedam,sedinstrumentumbonitatiquaeri.HarkenalsotoSolomon,andbewareofhastygatheringofriches;
Quifestinataddivitias,noneritinsons.Thepoetsfeign,thatwhenPlutus(whichisRiches)issentfromJupiter,helimpsandgoesslowly;butwhenheissentfromPluto,heruns,andisswiftoffoot.
Meaningthatrichesgottenbygoodmeans,andjustlabor,paceslowly;butwhentheycomebythedeathofothers(asbythecourseofinheritance,testaments,andthelike),theycometumblinguponaman.ButitmoughtbeappliedlikewisetoPluto,takinghimforthedevil.Forwhenrichescomefromthedevil(asbyfraudandoppression,andunjustmeans),theycomeuponspeed.Thewaystoenricharemany,andmostofthemfoul.
Parsimonyisoneofthebest,andyetisnotinno—
cent;foritwithholdethmenfromworksofliberal—
ityandcharity.Theimprovementoftheground,isthemostnaturalobtainingofriches;foritisourgreatmother’sblessing,theearth’s;butitisslow.
Andyetwheremenofgreatwealthdostooptohusbandry,itmultipliethrichesexceedingly.I
knewanoblemaninEngland,thathadthegreat—
estauditsofanymaninmytime;agreatgrazier,agreatsheep—master,agreattimberman,agreatcollier,agreatcorn—master,agreatlead—man,andsoofiron,andanumberofthelikepointsofhus—
bandry.Soastheearthseemedaseatohim,inrespectoftheperpetualimportation.Itwastrulyobservedbyone,thathimselfcameveryhardly,toalittleriches,andveryeasily,togreatriches.
Forwhenaman’sstockiscometothat,thathecanexpecttheprimeofmarkets,andovercomethosebargains,whichfortheirgreatnessarefewmen’smoney,andbepartnerintheindustriesofyoungermen,hecannotbutincreasemainly.Thegainsofordinarytradesandvocationsarehonest;andfurtheredbytwothingschiefly:bydiligence,andbyagoodname,forgoodandfairdealing.Butthegainsofbargains,areofamoredoubtfulnature;
whenmenshallwaituponothers’necessity,brokebyservantsandinstrumentstodrawthemon,putoffotherscunningly,thatwouldbebetterchap—
men,andthelikepractices,whicharecraftyandnaught.Asforthechoppingofbargains,whenamanbuysnottoholdbuttoselloveragain,thatcommonlygrindethdouble,bothupontheseller,anduponthebuyer.Sharingsdogreatlyenrich,ifthehandsbewellchosen,thataretrusted.Usuryisthecertainestmeansofgain,thoughoneoftheworst;asthatwherebyamandotheathisbread,insudorevultusalieni;andbesides,dothploughuponSundays.Butyetcertainthoughitbe,ithathflaws;forthatthescrivenersandbrokersdovalueunsoundmen,toservetheirownturn.Thefortuneinbeingthefirst,inaninventionorinaprivilege,dothcausesometimesawonderfulovergrowthinriches;asitwaswiththefirstsugarman,intheCanaries.Thereforeifamancanplaythetruelogician,tohaveaswelljudgment,asinvention,hemaydogreatmatters;especiallyifthetimesbefit.Hethatrestethupongainscertain,shallhardlygrowtogreatriches;andhethatputsalluponadventures,dothoftentimesbreakandcometopoverty:itisgood,therefore,toguardadventureswithcertainties,thatmayupholdlosses.Monopo—
lies,andcoemptionofwaresforre—sale,wheretheyarenotrestrained,aregreatmeanstoenrich;
especiallyifthepartyhaveintelligence,whatthingsareliketocomeintorequest,andsostorehimselfbeforehand.Richesgottenbyservice,thoughitbeofthebestrise,yetwhentheyaregottenbyflattery,feedinghumors,andotherserv—
ileconditions,theymaybeplacedamongsttheworst.Asforfishingfortestamentsandexecutor—
ships(asTacitussaithofSeneca,testamentaetorbostamquamindaginecapi),itisyetworse;byhowmuchmensubmitthemselvestomeanerper—
sons,thaninservice.Believenotmuch,themthatseemtodespiseriches;fortheydespisethem,thatdespairofthem;andnoneworse,whentheycometothem.Benotpenny—wise;richeshavewings,andsometimestheyflyawayofthemselves,some—
timestheymustbesetflying,tobringinmore.
Menleavetheirriches,eithertotheirkindred,ortothepublic;andmoderateportions,prosperbestinboth.Agreatstatelefttoanheir,isasaluretoallthebirdsofpreyroundabout,toseizeonhim,ifhebenotthebetterstablishedinyearsandjudg—
ment.Likewisegloriousgiftsandfoundations,arelikesacrificeswithoutsalt;andbutthepaintedsepulchresofalms,whichsoonwillputrefy,andcorruptinwardly.Thereforemeasurenotthineadvancements,byquantity,butframethembymeasure:anddefernotcharitiestilldeath;for,certainly,ifamanweighitrightly,hethatdothso,isratherliberalofanotherman’s,thanofhisown.
OfPropheciesOfPropheciesIMEANnottospeakofdivineprophecies;norofheathenoracles;norofnaturalpredictions;
butonlyofpropheciesthathavebeenofcer—
tainmemory,andfromhiddencauses.SaiththePythonissatoSaul,To—morrowthouandthysonshallbewithme.Homerhaththeseverses:
AtdomusAEneaecunctisdominabituroris,Etnatinatorum,etquinascenturabillis.
Aprophecy,asitseems,oftheRomanempire.
Senecathetragedianhaththeseverses:
——VenientannisSaeculaseris,quibusOceanusVincularerumlaxet,etingensPateatTellus,TiphysquenovosDetegatorbes;necsitterrisUltimaThule:
aprophecyofthediscoveryofAmerica.Thedaugh—
terofPolycrates,dreamedthatJupiterbathedherfather,andApolloanointedhim;anditcametopass,thathewascrucifiedinanopenplace,wherethesunmadehisbodyrunwithsweat,andtherainwashedit.PhilipofMacedondreamed,hesealedupbiswife’sbelly;wherebyhedidexpoundit,thathiswifeshouldbebarren;butAristanderthesoothsayer,toldhimhiswifewaswithchild,becausemendonotusetosealvessels,thatareempty.AphantasmthatappearedtoM.Brutus,inhistent,saidtohim,Philippisiterummevidebis.
TiberiussaidtoGalba,Tuquoque,Galba,degusta—
bisimperium.InVespasian’stime,therewentaprophecyintheEast,thatthosethatshouldcomeforthofJudea,shouldreignovertheworld:
whichthoughitmaybewasmeantofourSavior;
yetTacitusexpoundsitofVespasian.Domitiandreamed,thenightbeforehewasslain,thatagoldenheadwasgrowing,outofthenapeofhisneck:andindeed,thesuccessionthatfollowedhimformanyyears,madegoldentimes.HenrytheSixthofEngland,saidofHenrytheSeventh,whenhewasalad,andgavehimwater,Thisistheladthatshallenjoythecrown,forwhichwestrive.
WhenIwasinFrance,IheardfromoneDr.Pena,thattheQueenMother,whowasgiventocuriousarts,causedtheKingherhusband’snativitytobecalculated,underafalsename;andtheastrologergaveajudgment,thatheshouldbekilledinaduel;
atwhichtheQueenlaughed,thinkingherhus—
bandtobeabovechallengesandduels:buthewasslainuponacourseattilt,thesplintersofthestaffofMontgomerygoinginathisbeaver.Thetrivialprophecy,whichIheardwhenIwasachild,andQueenElizabethwasintheflowerofheryears,was,WhenhempeisspunEngland’sdone:
wherebyitwasgenerallyconceived,thataftertheprinceshadreigned,whichhadtheprincipallettersofthatwordhempe(whichwereHenry,Edward,Mary,Philip,andElizabeth),Englandshouldcometoutterconfusion;which,thanksbetoGod,isverifiedonlyinthechangeofthename;
forthattheKing’sstyle,isnownomoreofEng—
landbutofBritain.Therewasalsoanotherproph—
ecy,beforetheyearof’88,whichIdonotwellunderstand.
Thereshallbeseenuponaday,BetweentheBaughandtheMay,TheblackfleetofNorway.
Whenthatthatiscomeandgone,Englandbuildhousesoflimeandstone,Forafterwarsshallyouhavenone.
Itwasgenerallyconceivedtobemeant,oftheSpanishfleetthatcamein’88:forthatthekingofSpain’ssurname,astheysay,isNorway.Thepre—
dictionofRegiomontanus,Octogesimusoctavusmirabilisannus,wasthoughtlikewiseaccomplishedinthesendingofthatgreatfleet,beingthegreatestinstrength,thoughnotinnumber,ofallthateverswamuponthesea.AsforCleon’sdream,Ithinkitwasajest.
Itwas,thathewasdevouredofalongdragon;anditwasexpoundedofamakerofsausages,thattroubledhimexceedingly.Therearenumbersofthelikekind;especiallyifyouincludedreams,andpredictionsofastrology.ButIhavesetdownthesefewonly,ofcertaincredit,forexample.Myjudg—
mentis,thattheyoughtalltobedespised;andoughttoservebutforwintertalkbythefireside.
ThoughwhenIsaydespised,Imeanitasforbe—
lief;forotherwise,thespreading,orpublishing,ofthem,isinnosorttobedespised.Fortheyhavedonemuchmischief;andIseemanyseverelawsmade,tosuppressthem.Thatthathathgiventhemgrace,andsomecredit,consistethinthreethings.
First,thatmenmarkwhentheyhit,andnevermarkwhentheymiss;astheydogenerallyalsoofdreams.Thesecondis,thatprobableconjectures,orobscuretraditions,manytimesturnthemselvesintoprophecies;whilethenatureofman,whichcovetethdivination,thinksitnoperiltoforetellthatwhichindeedtheydobutcollect.AsthatofSeneca’sverse.Forsomuchwasthensubjecttodemonstration,thattheglobeoftheearthhadgreatpartsbeyondtheAtlantic,whichmoughtbeprobablyconceivednottobeallsea:andaddingtheretothetraditioninPlato’sTimaeus,andhisAtlanticus,itmoughtencourageonetoturnittoaprediction.Thethirdandlast(whichisthegreatone)is,thatalmostallofthem,beinginfiniteinnumber,havebeenimpostures,andbyidleandcraftybrainsmerelycontrivedandfeigned,aftertheeventpast.
OfAmbitionOfAmbitionAMBITIONislikecholer;whichisanhumorthatmakethmenactive,earnest,fullofalac—
rity,andstirring,ifitbenotstopped.Butifitbestopped,andcannothavehisway,itbecomethadust,andtherebymalignandvenomous.Soam—
bitiousmen,iftheyfindthewayopenfortheirrising,andstillgetforward,theyareratherbusythandangerous;butiftheybecheckedintheirdesires,theybecomesecretlydiscontent,andlookuponmenandmatterswithanevileye,andarebestpleased,whenthingsgobackward;whichistheworstpropertyinaservantofaprince,orstate.
Thereforeitisgoodforprinces,iftheyuseambi—
tiousmen,tohandleit,soastheybestillprogres—
siveandnotretrograde;which,becauseitcannotbewithoutinconvenience,itisgoodnottousesuchnaturesatall.Foriftheyrisenotwiththeirservice,theywilltakeorder,tomaketheirservicefallwiththem.Butsincewehavesaid,itweregoodnottousemenofambitiousnatures,exceptitbeuponnecessity,itisfitwespeak,inwhatcasestheyareofnecessity.Goodcommandersinthewarsmustbetaken,betheyneversoambitious;fortheuseoftheirservice,dispensethwiththerest;andtotakeasoldierwithoutambition,istopulloffhisspurs.Thereisalsogreatuseofambitiousmen,inbeingscreenstoprincesinmattersofdangerandenvy;fornomanwilltakethatpart,excepthebelikeaseeleddove,thatmountsandmounts,be—
causehecannotseeabouthim.Thereisusealsoofambitiousmen,inpullingdownthegreatnessofanysubjectthatovertops;asTiberiususedMarco,inthepullingdownofSejanus.Since,therefore,theymustbeusedinsuchcases,thererestethtospeak,howtheyaretobebridled,thattheymaybelessdangerous.Thereislessdangerofthem,iftheybeofmeanbirth,thaniftheybenoble;andiftheyberatherharshofnature,thangraciousandpopu—
lar:andiftheyberathernewraised,thangrowncunning,andfortified,intheirgreatness.Itiscountedbysome,aweaknessinprinces,tohavefavorites;butitis,ofallothers,thebestremedyagainstambitiousgreat—ones.Forwhenthewayofpleasuring,anddispleasuring,liethbythefavorite,itisimpossibleanyothershouldbeover—
great.Anothermeanstocurbthem,istobalancethembyothers,asproudasthey.Butthentheremustbesomemiddlecounsellors,tokeepthingssteady;forwithoutthatballast,theshipwillrolltoomuch.Attheleast,aprincemayanimateandinuresomemeanerpersons,tobeasitwerescourges,toambitionsmen.Asforthehavingofthemobnoxioustoruin;iftheybeoffearfulnatures,itmaydowell;butiftheybestoutanddaring,itmayprecipitatetheirdesigns,andprovedangerous.Asforthepullingofthemdown,iftheaffairsrequireit,andthatitmaynotbedonewithsafetysuddenly,theonlywayistheinterchange,continually,offavorsanddisgraces;wherebytheymaynotknowwhattoexpect,andbe,asitwere,inawood.Ofambitions,itislessharmful,theambitiontoprevailingreatthings,thanthatother,toappearineverything;forthatbreedsconfusion,andmarsbusiness.Butyetitislessdan—
ger,tohaveanambitiousmanstirringinbusiness,thangreatindependences.Hethatseekethtobeeminentamongstablemen,hathagreattask;butthatisevergoodforthepublic.Buthe,thatplotstobetheonlyfigureamongstciphers,isthedecayofawholeage.Honorhaththreethingsinit:thevantagegroundtodogood;theapproachtokingsandprincipalpersons;andtheraisingofaman’sownfortunes.Hethathaththebestoftheseinten—
tions,whenheaspireth,isanhonestman;andthatprince,thatcandiscernoftheseintentionsinan—
otherthataspireth,isawiseprince.Generally,letprincesandstateschoosesuchministers,asaremoresensibleofdutythanofusing;andsuchaslovebusinessratheruponconscience,thanuponbravery,andletthemdiscernabusynature,fromawillingmind.
OfMasquesANDTRIUMPHS
OfMasquesANDTRIUMPHS
THESEthingsarebuttoys,tocomeamongstsuchseriousobservations.Butyet,sinceprinceswillhavesuchthings,itisbettertheyshouldbegracedwithelegancy,thandaubedwithcost.Dancingtosong,isathingofgreatstateandpleasure.Iunderstandit,thatthesongbeinquire,placedaloft,andaccompaniedwithsomebrokenmusic;andthedittyfittedtothedevice.Actinginsong,especiallyindialogues,hathanextremegoodgrace;Isayacting,notdancing(forthatisameanandvulgarthing);andthevoicesofthedia—
loguewouldbestrongandmanly(abaseandatenor;notreble);andthedittyhighandtragical;
notniceordainty.Severalquires,placedoneoveragainstanother,andtakingthevoicebycatches,anthem—wise,givegreatpleasure.Turningdancesintofigure,isachildishcuriosity.Andgenerallyletitbenoted,thatthosethingswhichIheresetdown,aresuchasdonaturallytakethesense,andnotrespectpettywonderments.Itistrue,theal—
第4章