9. Queen Elizabeth was importuned much by | have put a trick upon the countryman, which was my Lord of Essex to supply divers great offices thus: the scholars appointed for supper two that had been long void; the queen answered pigeons and a fat capon, which being ready was nothing to the matter, but rose up on the sudden, brought up, and they having sat down, the one and said, "I am sure my office will not be long scholar took up one pigeon, the other scholar took void." And yet at that time there was much the other pigeon, thinking thereby that the counspeech of troubles and divisions about the crown tryman should have sat still until that they were to be after her decease: but they all vanished, and ready for the carving of the capon, which he perKing James came in in a profound peace. ceiving, took the capon and laid it on his trencher, and thus said, "Daintily contrived, every one a bird." 10. King Henry the Fourth of France was so punctual of his word after it was once passed, that they called him the King of the Faith. 11. The said King Henry the Fourth was moved by his Parliament to a war against the Protestants: he answered, “Yes, I mean it; I will make every one of you captains; you shall have companies assigned you." The Parliament observing whereunto his speech tended, gave over, and deserted his motion. 12. A great officer at court, when my Lord of Essex was first in trouble, and that he and those that dealt for him would talk much of my lord's friends and of his enemies, answered to one of them, "I will tell you, I know but one friend and one enemy my lord hath; and that one friend is the queen, and that one enemy is himself." 13. The Lord Keeper, Sir Nicholas Bacon, was asked his opinion by my Lord of Leicester, concerning two persons whom the queen seemed to think well of: "By my troth, my lord," said he, "the one is a grave counsellor, the other is a proper young man; and so he will be as long as he lives." 17. A man and his wife in bed together, she towards morning pretended herself to be ill at ease, desiring to lie on her husband's side; so the good man to please her came over her, making some short stay in his passage over, where she had not long lain, but desired to lie in her old place again. Quoth he, "How can it be effected ?” She answered, "Come over me again." "I had rather," said he, "go a mile and a half about." raigned. 18. A thief being arraigned at the bar for stealing a mare, in his pleading urged many things in his own behalf, and at last nothing availing, he told the bench the mare rather stole him than he the mare, which in brief he thus related: that passing over several grounds about his lawful occasions, he was pursued close by a fierce mastiff dog, and so was forced to save himself by leaping over a hedge, which being of an agile body he effected, and in leaping, a mare standing on the other side of the hedge, leaped upon her back, who running furiously away with him, he could not by any means stop her until he came 14. My Lord of Liecester, favourite to Queen to the next town, in which town the owner of the Elizabeth, was making a large chase about Corn-mare lived, and there was he taken and here arbury Park, meaning to enclose it with posts and rails, and one day was casting up his charge what it would come to; Mr. Goldingham, a free-spoken man, stood by, and said to my lord; "Methinks your lordship goeth not the cheapest way to work." "Why, Goldingham?" said my lord. "Marry, my lord," said Goldingham, "count you but upon the posts, for the country will find you railing." 15. Sir Nicholas Bacon being appointed a judge for the northern circuit, and having brought his trials that came before him to such a pass, as the passing of sentence on malefactors, he was by one of the malefactors mightily importuned for to save his life, which when nothing that he had said did avail, he at length desired his mercy on the account of kindred. "Pr'ythee," said my lord judge, "how came that in?" Why, if it please you, my lord, your name is Bacon and mine is Hog, and in all ages hog and bacon have 66 19. A notorious rogue being brought to the bar, and knowing his case to be desperate, instead of pleading, he took to himself the liberty of jesting, and thus said, "I charge you in the king's name to seize and take away that man (meaning the judge) in the red gown, for I go in danger of my life because of him." 20. A rough-hewn seaman being brought before a wise just-ass for some misdemeanour, was by him sent away to prison: and being somewhat refractory after he heard his doom, insomuch as he would not stir a foot from the place he stood, saying, "It were better to stand where he was than go to a worse place." The justice thereupon, to show the strength of his learning, took him by the shoulder, and said, "Thou shalt go Nogus vogus,'" instead of "Nolens volens." 21. A debauched seaman being brought before been so near kindred that they are not to be sepa-a justice of the peace upon the account of swear-rated." 66 Ay, but," replied Judge Bacon, "you and I cannot be kindred except you be hanged; for hog is not bacon until it be well hanged." 16. Two scholars and a countryman travelling upon the road, one night lodged all in one inn and supped together, where the scholars thought to ing, was by the justice commanded to deposit his fine in that behalf provided, which was two s'illings, he thereupon, plucking out of his pocket a half-crown, asked the justice what was the rate he was to pay for cursing; the justice told him sixpence; quoth he, then, "A pox take you all for a company of knaves and fools, and there's half- | sir," said the apprentice, "but if Joseph's misa-crown for you, I will never stand changing of tress had been as handsome as mine is, he could money." not have forborne." 22. A witty rogue coming into a lace shop, said he had occasion for some lace, choice whereof being showed him, he at last pitched upon one pattern, and asked them how much they would have for so much as would reach from ear to ear, for so much he had occasion for; they told him for so much so some few words passing between them, he at last agreed, and told down his money for it, and began to measure on his own head, thus saying, "One ear is here, and the other is nailed to the pillory in Bristol, and I fear you have not so much of this lace by you at present as will perfect my bargain; therefore this piece of lace shall suffice at present in part of payment, and provide the rest with all expedition." 23. A woman being suspected by her husband for dishonesty, and being by him at last pressed very hard about it, made him quick answer with many protestations, "That she knew no more of what he said than the man in the moon :" Now the captain of the ship called "The Moon" was the very man she so much loved. 25. When my Lord President of the Council was newly advanced to the Great Seal, Gondomar came to visit him; my lord said, "That he was to thank God and the king for that honour; but yet, so he might be rid of the burden, he could very willingly forbear the honour. And that he formerly had a desire, and the same continued with him still, to lead a private life." Gondomar answered that he would tell him a tale, "Of an old rat that would needs leave the world: and acquainted the young rats that he would retire into his hole, and spend his days solitarily; and would enjoy no more comfort: and commanded them, upon his high displeasure, not to offer to come in unto him. They forbore two or three days; at last, one that was more hardy than the rest, incited some of his fellows to go in with him, and he would venture to see how his father did; for he might be dead. They went in, and found the old rat sitting in the midst of a rich Parmesan cheese." So he applied the fable after his witty manner. 26. Mr. Houland, in conference with a young student, arguing a case, happened to say, “I would ask you but this question." The student presently interrupted him to give him an answer. Whereunto Mr. Houland gravely said; “Nay, though I ask you a question, yet I did not mean 24. An apprentice of London being brought before the chamberlain by his master, for the sin of incontinency, even with his own mistress; the chamberlain thereupon gave him many Christian exhortations, and at last he mentioned and pressed the chastity of Joseph when his mistress tempted him with the like crime of incontinency. "Ay, you should answer me, I mean to answer myself." ORNAMENTA RATIONALIA,* A SUPPLY (BY THE PUBLISHER) OF CERTAIN WEIGHTY AND ELEGANT SENTENCES, SOME MADE, OTHERS COLLECTED BY THE LORD BACON; AND BY HIM PUT UNDER THE ABOVESAID TITLE; AND AT PRESENT NOT TO BE FOUND. A COLLECTION OF SENTENCES OUT OF THE MIMI OF PUBLIUS; ENGLISHED BY THE PUBLISHER. 1. "ALEATOR, quanto in arte est melior, tanto est nequior." A gamester, the greater master he is in his art, the worse man he is. 2. "Arcum, intensio frangit; animum, remissio." Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending, the mind. *Tenison's Baconiana, page 60. 3. "Bis vincit, qui se vincit in victoria." He conquers twice, who upon victory overcomes himself. 4. "Cum vitia prosint, peccat, qui recte facit." If vices were upon the whole matter profitable, the virtuous man would be the sinner. 5. "Bene dormit, qui non sentit quod male dormiat." He sleeps well, who feels not that he sleeps | 22. "In vindicando, criminosa est celeritas." ill. In taking revenge, the very haste we make is criminal. 6. "Deliberare utilia, mora est tutissima." To deliberate about useful things is the safest 23. "In calamitoso risus etiam injuria est." delay. When men are in calamity, if we do but laugh we offend. 7. "Dolor decrescit, ubi quo crescat non habet." The flood of grief decreaseth, when it can swell no higher. 8. "Etiam innocentes cogit mentiri dolor." Pain makes even the innocent man a liar. 9. Etiam celeritas in desiderio, mora est." Even in desire, swiftness itself is delay. 10. Etiam capillus unus habet umbram suam." The smallest hair casts a shadow. 11. "Fidem qui perdit, quo se servat in reliquum ?" He that has lost his faith, what has he left to live on? 12. "Formosa facies muta commendatio est." A beautiful face is a silent commendation. 13. “Fortuna nimium quem fovet, stultum facit.” Fortune makes him a fool, whom she makes her darling. 14. Fortuna obesse nulli contenta est semel." Fortune is not content to do a man but one ill turn. 15. "Facit gratum fortuna, quam nemo videt.” The fortune which nobody sees, makes a man happy and unenvied. 16. "Heu! quam miserum est ab illo lædi, de quo non possis queri." O! what a miserable thing it is to be hurt by such a one of whom it is in vain to complain. 17. "Homo toties moritur quoties amittit suos." A man dies as often as he loses his friends. 18. Hæredis fletus sub persona risus est." The tears of an heir are laughter under a vizard. 19. “Jucundum nihil est, nisi quod reficit va- 34. "Pars beneficii est, quod petitur si bene rietas." Nothing is pleasant, to which variety does not 20. "Invidiam ferre, aut fortis, aut felix potest."|35. 21. "In malis sperare bonum, nisi innocens, nemo potest." None but a virtuous man can hope well in ill circumstances. neges." It is part of the gift, if you deny genteely what is asked of you. "Timidus vocat se cautem, parcum sordidus." The coward calls himself a wary man; and the miser says he is frugal. 36. "O vita! misero longa, felici brevis." O life! an age to him that is in misery; and to him that is happy, a moment. A COLLECTION OF SENTENCES OUT OF SOME OF THE WRITINGS OF THE LORD BACON.* 1. It is a strange desire which men have, to seek power, and lose liberty. 17. In great place ask counsel of both times: of the ancient time, what is best; and of the latter 2. Children increase the cares of life; but they time, what is fittest. mitigate the remembrance of death. 3. Round dealing is the honour of man's nature; and a mixture of falsehood is like allay in gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. 18. As in nature things move more violently to their place, and calmly in their place: so virtue in ambition is violent; in authority, settled and calm. 19. Boldness in civil business is like pronun4. Death openeth the gate to good fame, and ex- ciation in the orator of Demosthenes: the first, tinguisheth envy. second, and third thing. 5. Schism in the spiritual body of the church is a greater scandal than a corruption in manners: as, in the natural body, a wound or solution of continuity is worse than a corrupt humour. 6. Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more a man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out. 20. Boldness is blind: wherefore it is ill in counsel, but good in execution. For in counsel it is good to see dangers: in execution, not to see them, except they be very great. 21. Without good nature, man is but a better kind of vermin. 22. God never wrought miracle to convince 7. He that studieth revenge, keepeth his own atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. wounds green. 23. The great atheists indeed are hypocrites, 8. Revengeful persons live and die like witches: | who are always handling holy things, but without their life is mischievous, and their end is unfortu- feeling; so as they must needs be cauterized in the end. nate. 9. It was a high speech of Seneca, after the manner of the Stoics, that the good things which | belong to prosperity are to be wished; but the good things which belong to adversity are to be admired. 10. He that cannot see well, let him go softly. 11. If a man be thought secret, it inviteth discovery as the more close air sucketh in the more open. 24. The master of superstition is the people. And in all superstition, wise men follow fools. 25. In removing superstitions, care would be had, that, as it fareth in ill purgings, the good be not taken away with the bad: which commonly is done when the people is the physician. 26. He that goeth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, 12. Keep your authority wholly from your chil- and not to travel. dren, not so your purse. 13. Men of noble birth are noted to be envious towards new men when they rise: for the distance is altered; and it is like a deceit of the eye, that when others come on, they think themselves go back. 14. That envy is most malignant which is like Cain's, who envied his brother, because his sacrifice was better accepted, when there was nobody but God to look on. 15. The lovers of great place are impatient of privateness, even in age, which requires the shadow like old townsmen, that will be still sitting at their street door, though there they offer age to scorn. 27. It is a miserable state of mind, and yet it is commonly the case of kings, to have few things to desire, and many things to fear. 28. Depression of the nobility may make a king more absolute but less safe. 29. All precepts concerning kings are, in effect, comprehended in these remembrances: remember thou art a man; remember thou art God's vicegerent: the one bridleth their power, and the other their will. 30. Things will have their first or second agitation: if they be not tossed upon the arguments of counsel, they will be tossed upon the waves of fortune. 31. The true composition of a counsellor is, 16. In evil, the best condition is, not to will: rather to be skilled in his master's business than the next not to can. his nature; for then he is like to advise him, and not to feed his humour. 129 32. Private opinion is more free, but opinion before others is more reverend. 52. Riches are the baggage of virtue; they cannot be spared, nor left behind, but they hin- 33. Fortune is like a market, where many times der the march. if you stay a little the price will fall. 34. Fortune sometimes turneth the handle of the bottle, which is easy to be taken hold of; and after the belly, which is hard to grasp. 35. Generally it is good to commit the beginning of all great actions to Argus with an hundred eyes; and the ends of them to Briareus with an hundred hands; first to watch, and then to speed. 36. There is great difference betwixt a cunning man and a wise man. There be that can pack the cards, who yet cannot play well; they are good in canvasses and factions, and yet otherwise mean men. 37. Extreme self-lovers will set a man's house on fire, though it were but to roast their eggs. 53. Great riches have sold more men than ever they have bought out. 54. Riches have wings, and sometimes they fly away of themselves, and sometimes they must be set flying to bring in more. 55. He that defers his charity till he is dead, is, if a man weighs it rightly, rather liberal of another man's than of his own. 56. Ambition is like choler; if it can move, it makes men active; if it be stopped, it becomes adust, and makes men melancholy. 57. To take a soldier without ambition, is to pull off his spurs. 58. Some ambitious men seem as skreens to princes in matters of danger and envy. For no man will take such parts, except he be like the 38. New things, like strangers, are more ad-seeled dove, that mounts and mounts, because he mired and less favoured. 39. It were good that men, in their innovations, would follow the example of time itself, which indeed innovateth greatly, but quietly, and by degrees scarce to be perceived. 40. They that reverence too much old time, are but a scorn to the new. 41. The Spaniards and Spartans have been noted to be of small despatch. "Mi venga la muerte de Spagna;" Let my death come from Spain, for then it will be sure to be long a coming. 42. You had better take for business a man somewhat absurd, than over-formal. 43. Those who want friends to whom to open their griefs, are cannibals of their own hearts. 44. Number itself importeth not much in armies, where the people are of weak courage; for, as Virgil says, it never troubles a wolf how many the sheep be. cannot see about him. 59. Princes and states should choose such ministers as are more sensible of duty than rising; and should discern a busy nature from a willing mind. 60. A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds; therefore let him seasonably water the one, and destroy the other. 61. If a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see fortune; for though she be blind, she is not invisible. 62. Usury bringeth the treasure of a realm or state into a few hands: for the usurer being at certainties, and others at uncertainties; at the end of the game most of the money will be in the box. 63. Beauty is best in a body that hath rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect. The beautiful prove accomplished, but not of great spirit; and study, for the most part, rather beha 64. The best part of beauty is that which a picture cannot express. 45. Let states that aim at greatness, take heedviour than virtue. how their nobility and gentry multiply too fast. In coppice woods, if you leave your stadles too thick, you shall never have clean underwood, but shrubs and bushes. 46. A civil war is like the heat of a fever; but a foreign war is like the heat of exercise, and serveth to keep the body in health. 65. He who builds a fair house upon an ill seat, commits himself to prison. 66. If you will work on any man, you must either know his nature and fashion, and so lead him; or his ends, and so persuade him; or his 47. Suspicions among thoughts, are like bats weaknesses and disadvantages, and so awe him; among birds, they ever fly by twilight. or those that have interest in him, and so govern 48. Base natures, if they find themselves once him. suspected, will never be true. 49. Men ought to find the difference between saltness and bitterness. Certainly he that hath a satirical vein, as he maketh others afraid of his wit, so he had need be afraid of others' memory. 50. Discretion in speech is more than eloquence. 51. Men seem neither well to understand their riches nor their strength; of the former they believe greater things than they should, and of the latter much less. And from hence certain fatal pillars have bounded the progress of learning. 67. Costly followers (among whom we may reckon those who are importunate in suits) are not to be liked; lest, while a man maketh his train longer, he maketh his wings shorter. 68. Fame is like a river that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid. 69. Seneca saith well, that anger is like rain, which breaks itself upon that which it falls. 70. Excusations, cessions, modesty itself well governed, are but arts of ostentation. |