The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

A SPEECH ABOUT UNDERTAKERS. 271
those that may have persuaded a parliament. ingenuously confess, how far they will politicly
Take it on the other side, for I mean, in all things, deny, and what we can make and gather upon
to deal plainly, if any man hath been diffident their confession, and how we shall prove against
touching the call of a parliament, thinking that their denial; it is an endless piece of work, and
the best means were, first, for the king to make I doubt that we shall grow weary of it.
his utmost trial to subsist of himself, and his own For a message to the king, it is the course I
means; I say, an honest and faithful heart might like best, so it be carefully and considerately
consent to that opinion, and the event, it seems, handled: for if we shall represent to the king the
doth not greatly discredit it hitherto. Again, if nature of this body as it is, without the veils or
any man shall have been of opinion, that it is not shadows that have been cast upon it, I think we
a particular party that can bind the House; nor shall do him honour, and ourselves right.
that it is not shows or colours can please the For any thing that is.to be done amongst ourHouse; I say, that man, though his speech tend selves, I do not see much gained by it, because it
to discouragement, yet it is coupled with provi- goes no farther than ourselves; yet if any thing
dence. But, by your leave, if any man, since the can be wisely conceived to that end, I shall not
parliament was called, or when it was in speech, be against it; but I think the purpose of it is
shall have laid plots to cross the good will of the fittest to be, rather that the House conceives that
parliament to the king, by possessing them that all this is but a misunderstanding, than to take
a few shall have the thanks, and that they are, as knowledge that there is indeed a just ground, and
it were, bought and sold, and betrayed; and that then to seek, by a protestation, to give it a
that which the king offers them, are but baits remedy. For protestations, and professions, and
prepared by particular persons; or have raised apologies, I never found them very fortunate; but
rumours that it is a packed parliament; to the they rather increase suspicion than clear it.
end nothinbg may be done, but that the parlia- Why, then, the last part is, that these things
nment may be dissolved, as gamesters used to call be handled at the committee seriously and temfor new cards, when they mistrust a pack: I say, perately; wherein I wish that these four degrees
these are engines and devices naught, malign, and of questions were handled in order.
seditious. First, Whether we shall do any thing at all in
Now for the remedy; I shall rather break the it, or pass by it, and let it sleep.
matter, as I said in the beginning, than advise Secondly, Whether we shall enter into a partipositively. I know but three ways. Some mes- cular examination of it!
sage of declaration to the king; some entry or Thirdly, Whether we shall content ourselves
protestation amongst ourselves; or some strict with some entry or protestation among ourselves.
and punctual examination. As for the last of And, fourthly, Whether we shall proceed to a
these, I assure you I am not against it, if I could message to the king; and what l
tell where to begin, or where to end. For cer- Thus I have told you my opinion. I know it
tainly I have often seen it, that things when they had been more safe and politic to have been
are in smother trouble more than when they break silent; but it is perhaps more honest and loving
out. Smoke blinds the eyes, but when it blazeth to speak. The old verse is c; Nam nulli tacuisse
forth into flame it gives light to the eyes. But nocet, nocet esse locutum." But, by your leave,
then if you fall to examination, some person must David saith, ", Silui a bonis, et dolor meus renobe charged, some matter must be charged; and vatus est." When a man speaketh, he may be
the manner of that matter must be likewise wounded by others; but if he hold his peace
charged; for it may be in a good fashion, and it from good things, he wounds himself. So I have
may be in a bad, in as much difference as between done my part, and leave it to you to do that which
black and white: and then how far men will you shall judge to be the best.