第4章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"ESSAYS",免费读到尾

  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—

点击下载App,搜索"ESSAYS",免费读到尾