The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

286 A SPEECH ON THE MOTION OF A SUBSIDY.
to multiplicity of laws: for they do but ensnare sensible of forms than of matter; and is as far from
and entangle the people. I wish rather, that ye enduring diminution of majesty, as from regardshould either revive good laws that are fallen and ing flattery or vainglory; and a king that underdiscontinued, or provide against the slack execu- standeth as well the pulse of the hearts of the
tion of laws which are already in force; or meet people, as his own orb. And, therefore, both let
with the subtile evasions from laws which time your grievances have a decent and reverend form
and craft hath undermined, than to make "' novas and style; and, to use the words of former parcreaturas legum," laws upon a new mould. liaments, let them be " tanquam gemitus coThe other point, touching laws, is, that ye busy Ilumbae," without pique or harshness: and, on
not yourselves too much in private bills, except the other side, in that ye do for the king, let it
it be in cases wherein the help and arm of ordinary have a mrark of unity, alacrity, and affection;
justice is too short. which will be of this force, that whatsoever ye
For grievances, his majesty hath with great do in substance, will be doubled in reputation
grace and benignity opened himself. Neverthe- abroad, as in a crystal glass.
less, the limitations, which may make up your For the time, if ever parliament was to be
grievances not to beat the air only, but to sort to measured by the hour-glass, it is this; in regard
a desired effect, are principally two. The one, of the instant occasion flying away irrecoverably.
to use his majesty's term, that ye do not hunt Therefore, let your speeches in the House be the
after grievances, such as may seem rather to be speeches of counsellors, and not of orators; let
stirred here when ye are met, than to have your committees tend to despatch, not to dispute;
sprung from the desires of the country: ye are to and so marshal the times as the public business,
represent the people; ye are not to personate especially the proper business of the parliament,
them. be put first, and private bills be put last, as time
The other, that ye do not heap up grievances, shall give leave, or within the spaces of the
as if numbers should make a show where the public.
weight is small; or, as if all things amiss, like For the four petitions, his majesty is pleased to
Plato's commonwealth, should be remedied at grant them all as liberally as the ancient and true
once. It is certain, that the best governments, custom of parliament doth warrant, and with the
yea, and the best men, are like the best precious cautions that have ever gone with them; that is
stones, wherein every flaw or icicle or grain are to say, That the privilege be not used for defraudseen and noted more than in those that are gene- ing of creditors, and defeating of ordinary justice:
rally foul and corrupted. that liberty of speech turn not into license, but be
Therefore contain yourselves within that mode- joined with that gravity and discretion, as may
ration as may appear to bend rather to the effectual taste of duty and love to your sovereign, reverence
ease of the people, than to a discursive envy, or to your own assembly, and respect to the matters
scandal upon the state. ye handle: that your accesses be at such fit times,
As for the manner of carriage of parliament as may stand best with his majesty's pleasure
business, ye must know, that ye deal with a king and occasions: that mistakings and misunderthat hath been longer king than any of you have standings be rather avoided and prevented, as
been parliament men; and a king that is no less much as may be, than salved or cleared.
A SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT,
39 OF ELIZABETH,
UPON THE MOTION OF SUBSIDY.
AND please you, Mr. Speaker, I must consider mixture of this House doth so require it, that in
the time which is spent; but yet so, as I must causes of this nature there be some speech and
consider also the matter, which is great. This opinion, as well from persons of generality, as
great cause was, at the first, so materially and by persons of authority, I will say somewhat,
weightily propounded; and after, in such sort and not much: wherein it shall not be fit for me
persuaded and enforced; and by him that last to enter into, or to insist upon secrets, either of
spake, so much time taken, and yet to good pur- her majesty's coffers, or of her council; but my
pose; as I shall speak at a great disadvantage: speech must be of a more vulgar nature.
but, because it hath been always used, and the I will not enter, Mr. Speaker, into a laudative