The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

NEW ATLANTIS. 263
days before the feast, taketh to him three of such and the other a cluster of grapes of gold, with a
friends as he liketh to choose; and is assisted long foot or stalk. The herald and children are
also by the governor of the city, or place, where clothed with mantles of sea-water green satin;
the feast is celebrated: and all the persons of the but the herald's mantle is streamed with gold,
family of both sexes are summoned to attend him. and hath a train. Then the herald with three
These two days the Tirsan sitteth in consultation curtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh up as
concerning thegood estate of the family. There, if far as the half pace; and there first taketh in
there be any discord or suits between any of the fa- his hand the scroll. This scroll is the king's
mily, they are compounded and appeased. There, charter, containing gift of revenue, and many priif any of the family be distressed or decayed, vileges, exemptions, and points of honour, granted
order is taken for their relief, and competent to the father of the family; and is ever styled
means to live. There, if any be subject to and directed, "To such a one, our well beloved
vice, or take ill courses, they are reproved and friend and creditor:" which is a title proper only
censured. So likewise direction is given touch- to this case. For they say, the king is debtor to
ing marriages, and the courses of life which any no man, but for propagation of his subjects. The
of them should take, with divers other the like seal set to the king's charter, is the king's image,
orders and advices. The governor assisteth, to embossed or moulded in gold; and though such
the end to put in execution, by his public authori- characters be expedited of course, and as of right,
ty, the decrees and orders of the Tirsan, if they yet they are varied by discretion, according to the
shouldbe disobeyed; though that seldom needeth: number and dignity of the family. This charter
such reverence and obedience they give to the or- the herald readeth aloud: and while it is read,
der of nature. The Tirsan doth also then ever the father or Tirsan standeth up, supported by
choose one man from amongst his sons, to live in two of his sons, such as he choseth. Then the
the house with him: who is called ever after the Son herald mounteth the half pace, and delivereth the
of the Vine. The reason will hereafter appear. charter into his hand: and with that there is an
On the feast-day, the father, orTirsan, cometh forth acclamation by all that are present in their lanafter divine service into a large room where the guage, which is thus much: ", Happy are the
feast is celebrated: which room hath a half pace people of Bensalem." Then the herald taketh
at the upper end. Against the wall, in the mid- into his hand, from the other child, the cluster of
dle of the half pace, is a chair placed for him, grapes, which is of gold both the stalk and the
with a table and carpet before it. Over the chair grapes. But the grapes are daintily enamelled;
is a state made round or oval, and it is of ivy; an and if the males of the family be the greater numivy somewhat whiter than ours, like the leaf of a ber, the grapes are enamelled purple with a little
silver asp, but more shining, for it is green all sun setonthe top; if the females, then they are enwinter. And the state is curiously wrought with amelled into a greenish yellow, with a crescent on
silver and silk of divers colours, broiding or bind- the top. The grapes are in number as many as there
ing in the ivy; and is ever the work of some of are descendants of the family. This golden cluster
the daughters of the family: and veiled over at the herald delivereth also to the Tirsan; who
the top with a fine net of silk and silver. But presently delivereth it over to that son, that he
the substance of it is true ivy; whereof, after it had formerly chosen to be in the house with him:
is taken down, the friends of the family are desi- who beareth it before his father as an ensign of
rous to have some leaf or sprig to keep. The honour, when he goeth in public, ever after; and
Tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or is thereupon called the Son of the Vine. After
lineage, the males before him, and the females this ceremony ended, the father or Tirsan retireth;
following him; and if there be a mother, from and after some time cometh forth again to dinner.
whose body the whole lineage is descended, there where he sitteth alone under the state as before
is a traverse placed in a loft above on the right and none of his descendants sit with him, of what
hand of the chair, with a privy door, and a carved degree or dignity soever, except he hap to be of
window of glass leaded with gold and blue; Solomon's House. He is served only by his
where she sitteth, but is not seen. When the own children, such as are male; who perform
Tirsan is come forth, he sitteth down in the chair; unto him all service of the table upon the knee;
and all the lineage place themselves against the and the women only stand about him, leaning
wall, both at his back, and upon the return of the against the wall. The room below the half pace,
half pace, in order of their years, without differ- hath tables on the sides for the guests that are
ence of sex, and stand upon their feet. When he bidden; who are served in great and comely
is set, the room being always full of company, order; and towards the end of dinner, which, in
but well kept, and without disorder; after some the greatest feast with them, lasteth never above
pause there cometh in from the lower end of the an hour and a half, there is a hymn sung, varied
room a taratan, which is as much as an herald, and according to the invention of iimn that composeth
on either side of him two young lads; whereof one it, for they have excellent poesy, but the subject
carrieth a scroll of their shining yellow parchment; of it is always the praises of Adam, and Noah, andl