The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

536 SPEECHES COMPOSED FOR ESSEX.
glad to pray her to say nothing of them, and not bondman to Philautia, you, that presume to bind
to discover them in their flights. occasion, and to overwork fortune, I would ask
Corrupt statesman, you that think, by your you but one question. Did ever any lady, hard to
engines and motions, to govern the wheel of for- please, or disposed to exercise her lover, enjoin
tune; do you notmark, that clocks cannot be long him so good tasks and commandments as Phiin temper?. that jugglers are no longer in request lautia exacteth of you? While your life is nowhen there tricks and sleights are once perceived? thing but a continual acting upon a stage; and
Nay, do you not see, that never any man made that your mind must serve your humour, and yet
his own cunning and practice (without religion your outward person must serve your end; so as
and moral honesty) his foundation, but he over- you carry in one person two several servitudes to
built himself, and in the end made his house a contrary masters. But I will leave you to the
windfallS But give ear now to the comparison scorn of that mistress whom you undertake to
of my master's condition, and acknowledge such govern; that is, to fortune, to whom Philautia
a difference, as is betwixt the melting hailstone hath bound you. And yet, you commissioner of
and the solid pearl. Indeed it seemeth to depend, Philautia, I will proceed one degree farther: if I
as the globe of the earth seemeth to hang in the allowed both of your assurance, and of your
air; but yet it is firm and stable in itself. It is values, as you have set them, may not my master
like a cube, or a die-form, which, toss it or throw enjoy his own felicity; and have all yours for adit any way, it ever lighteth upon a square. Is he vantage. I do not mean, that he should divide himdenied the hopes of favours to come. He can self in both pursuits, as in your feigning tales toresort to the remembrance of contentments past. wards the conclusion you did yield him; but beDestiny cannot repeal that which is past. Doth cause all these are in the hands of his mistress
he find the acknowledgment of his affection small? more fully to bestow, than they can be attained
He may find the merit of his affection the greater. by your addresses, knowledge, fame, fortune.
Fortune cannot have power over that which is For the muses, they are tributary to her majesty
within. Nay, his falls are like thefalls of Anteus; for the great liberties they have enjoyed in her
they renew his strength. His clouds are like the kingdom, during her most flourishing reign; in
clouds of harvest, which make the sun break forth thankfulness whereof, they have adorned and
with greater force. His wanes are changes like the accomplished her majesty with the gifts of all the
moon's, whose globe is all light towards the sun, sisters. What library can present such a story
when it is all dark towards the world; such-is the of great actions, as her majesty carrieth in her
excellency of her nature, and of his estate. At- royal breast by the often return of this happy
tend, you beadsman of the muses, you take your day? What worthy author, or favourite of the
pleasure in a wilderness of variety; but it is but muses, is not familiar with her! Or what lanof shadows. You are as a man rich in pictures, guage, wherein the muses have used to speak, is
medals, and crystals. Your mind is of the water, unknown to her? Therefore the hearing of her,
which taketh all forms and impressions, but is the observing of her, the receiving instructions
weak of substance. Will you compare shadows from her, may be to Erophilus a lecture exceedwith bodies, picture with life, variety of many ing all dead monuments of the muses. For fame,
beauties with the peerless excellency of one! the can all the exploits of the war win him such a
element of water with the element of fire? And title, as to have the name of favoured and selected
such is the comparison between knowledge and servant of such a queen. For fortune, can any
love. insolent politique promise to himself such a forCome out, man of war; you must be ever in tune, by making his own way, as the excellency
noise. You will give laws, and advance force, of her nature cannot deny to a careful, obsequious,
and trouble nations, and remove landmarks of and dutiful servantS And if he could, were it
xingdoms, and hunt men, and pen tragedies in equal honour to obtain it by a shop of cunning,
blood; and, that which is worst of all, make all as by the gift of such a hand 3
the virtues accessary to bloodshed. Hath the Therefore Erophilus's resolution is fixed: he
practice of force so deprived you of the use of renounceth Philautia, and all her enchantments.
reason, as that you will compare the interruption For her recreation, he will confer with his muse;
of society with the perfection of society? the for her defence and honour he will sacrifice his
conquest of bodies with the conquest of spirits? life in the wars, hoping to be embalmed in the
the terrestrial fire, which destroyeth and dissolveth, sweet odours of her remembrance. To her service
with the celestial fire, which quickeneth and will he consecrate all his watchful endeavours,
giveth life t And such is the comparison be- and will ever bear in his heart the picture of her
tween the soldier and the lover. beauty; in his actions, of her will; and in his
And as for you, untrue politique, but truest fortune, of her grace and favour.