The essays, or councils, civil and moral, of Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban with a table of the colours of good and evil, and a discourse of The wisdom of the ancients : to this edition is added The character of Queen Elizabeth, never before printed in English.

PERSEƲS, or War.

PERSEUS is said to have been employed by Pal∣las, for the destroying of Medusa, who was very infestuous to the Western Parts of the World, and especially about the utmost Coasts of Hiberia. A Mon∣ster so dire and horrid, that by her only aspect she turned Men into Stones. This Medusa alone of all the Gorgons was mortal, the rest not subject to Death. Per∣seus therefore preparing himself for this noble enter∣prise, had Arms and Gifts bestowed on him by three of the Gods: Mercury gave him Wings annexed to his Heels, Pluto a Helmet, Pallas a Shield and a Look∣ing-Glass. Notwithstanding (although he were thus furnished) he went not directly to Medusa, but first to the Greae, which by the Mothers side were Sisters to the Gorgons. These Greae from their Birth were Hoar-headed, resembling old Women. They had but one only Eye, and one Tooth among them all; both which, she that had occasion to go abroad, was wont to take with her, and at her return to lay them down again. This Eye and Tooth they lent to Perseus; and so finding hims••lf throughly furnished for the effecting of his design, hastens towards Medusa. He•• he found sleeping, and yet durst not present himself with his Face towards her, lest she should awake; but turning his head aside, beheld her in Pallas's Glass, and (by this means directing his blow) cut off her head; from whose Blood gushing out, instantly came Pegasus, the Plying-Horse. Her head thus smote off, Pers••••s bestows on Pallas her Shield, which yet retained this vertue, that whatsoever looked upon it, should become as stu∣pid as a Stone, or like one Planet-strucken.

This Fable seems to direct the preparation and order, that is to be used in making of War; for the more apt and considerate undertaking whereof, three grave and

wholesome Precepts (savouring of the wisdom of Pal∣las) are to be observed.

First, That men do not much trouble themselves a∣bout the Conquest of Neighbour Nations, seeing that private possessions and Empires are enlarged by diffe∣rent means: For in the augmentation of private Reve∣nues, the vicinity of mens Territories is to be conside∣red; but in the propagation of Publick Dominions, the occasion and facility of making War, and the Fruit to be expected ought to be instead of vicinity. Certainly the Romans, what time their Conquests towards the West scarce reacht beyond Liguria, did yet in the East bring all the Provinces as far as the Mountain Taurus within the compass of their Arms and Command; and therefore Perseus, although he were bred and born in the East, did not yet refuse to undertake an expedition even to the uttermost bounds of the West.

Secondly, There must be a care had that the Mo∣tives of War be just and honourable, for that begets an alacrity, as well in the Soldiers that fight, as in the people that pay, it draws on and procures Aids, and brings many other Commodities besides. But there is no pretence to take up Arms more pious, than the sup∣pressing of Tyranny; under which yoke, the people lose their courage, and are cast down without heart and vigor, as in the sight of Medusa.

Thirdly, It is wise••y added, that seeing there were three Gorgons (by which Wars are represented) Perseus undertook her only that was mortal; that is, he made choice of such a kind of War as was likely to be ef∣fected and brought to a period, not pursuing vast and endless hopes.

The furnishing of Perseus with necessaries was that which only advanced his attempt, and drew Fortune to be of his side; for he had speed from Mercury, concea∣ling of his Counsels from Orcus, and Providence from Pallas.

Neither is it without an Allegory, and that full of matter too, that those Wings of Celerity were fastned to Perseus his Heels, and not to his Ankles, to his Feet, and not to his Shoulders; because speed and celerity is required, not so much in the first preparations for War, as in those things which second and yield aid to the first; for there is no Error in War more frequent, than that Prosecutions and Subsidiary forces do fail to an∣swer the alacrity of the first onsets.

Now for that Helmet which Pluto gave him, power∣ful to make men invisible, the Moral is plain; but that twofold gift of Providence (to wit, the Shield and Looking Glass) is full of Morality; for that kind of Providence, which like a Shield avoids the force of blows, is not alone needful, but that also by which the strength and motions, and Counsels of the Enemy are descryed, as in the Looking Glass of Pallas.

But Pers••us, albeit he were sufficiently furnished with aid and courage, yet was he to do one thing of special importance before he entred the Lists with this Monster, and that was to have some intelligence with the Greae. These Greae are Treasons which may be termed the Si∣sters of War not descended of the same stock, but far unlike in Nobility of Birth; for Wars are generous and heroical, but Treasons are base and ignoble. Their description is elegant, for they are said to be Gray-hea∣ded, and like old Women from their Birth; by reason that Traytors are continually vext with cares and tre∣pidations. But all their strength (before they break out into open Rebellions) consists either in an Eye or in a Tooth; for every faction alienated from any State, contemplates and bites. Besides, this Eye and Tooth is as it were common; for whatsoever they can learn and know, is delivered and carried from one to another by the hands of Faction. And as concerning the Tooth, they do all bite alike, and sing the same song; so that hear one, and you hear all. Perseus there∣fore was to deal with these Greae for the love of their

Eye and Tooth. Their Eye to discover, their Tooth to sow rumors and stir up envy, and to molest and trouble the Minds of men. These things therefore be∣ing thus disposed and prepared, he addresses himself to the Action of War, and sets upon Medusa as she slept; for a wise Captain will ever assault his Enemy, when he is unprepared and most secure; and then is there good use of Pallas her Glass: For most men, before it come to the push, can acutely pry into and discern their Enemies estate; but the best use of this Glass is in the very point of danger, that the manner of it may be so considered, as that the terror may not discourage, which is signified by that looking into this Glass with the face turned from Medusa.

The Monster's Head being cut off, there follow two effects. The first was, the procreation and raising of Pegasus, by which may be evidently understood Fame, that (flying thorough the World) proclaims Victory. The second is the bearing of Medusa's Head in his Shield; to which there is no kind of defence for ex∣cellency comparable; for the one famous and memorable act prosperously effected and brought to pass, doth re∣strain the Motions and Insolencies of Enemies, and makes Envy her self silent and amazed.