The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

62 APPENDIX TO ESSAYS CIVIL AND MORAL.
nested extremely upon number; they did put the them together for a time; in the declining age of
wars likewise upon main force and valour, point- a state, mechanical arts and merchandise. Learning days for pitched fields, and so trying it out ing hath its infancy, when it is but beginning,
upon an even match; and they were more igno- and almost childish; then its youth, when it is
rant in ranging and arraying their battles. After luxuriant and juvenile; then its strength of years,
they grew to rest upon number, rather competent when it is solid and reduced; and, lastly, its old
than vast; they grew to advantages of place, cun- age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust; but it is
ning diversions, and the like; and they grew not good to look too long upon these turning
more skilful in the ordering of their battles. wheels of vicissitude, lest we become giddy; as
In the youth of a state, arms do flourish; in the for the philology of them, that is but a circle of
middle age of a state, learning; and then both of tales, and therefore not fit for this writing.
APPENDIX TO ESSAYS.
A FRAGMENT OF AN ESSAY OF Syria into Germany, and the legions of Germany
FAME.* into Syria; whereupon the legions of Syria were
THE poets make Fame a monster; they describe infinitely inflamed. Julius Caesar took Pompey
her in part finely and elegantly, and in part grave- unprovided, and laid asleep his industry and prely and sententiously: they say, look how many parations, by a fame that he cunningly gave out
feathers she hath, so many eyes she hath under- how Ceesar's own soldiers loved him not; and
neath, so many tongues, so many voices, she being wearied with the wars, and laden with the
pricks up so many ears. spoils of Gaul, would forsake him as soon as he
This is a flourish; there follow excellent para- came into Italy. Livia settled all things for the
bles; as that she gathereth strength in going; that succession of her son Tiberius, by continual giving
she goeth upon the ground, and yet hideth her out that her husband Augustus was upon recovery
head in the clouds; that in the daytime she sit- and amendment; and it is an usual thing with the
teth in a watch-tower, and flieth most by night; bashaws, to conceal the death of the Great Turk
that she mingleth things done with things not from the janizaries and men of war, to save the
done; and that she is a terror to great cities: sacking of Constantinople, and other towns, as
but that which passeth all the rest is, they their manner is. Themistocles made Xerxes, king
do recount that the Earth, mother othehe giants of Persia, post apace out of Graecia, by giving out
that made war against Jupiter, and were by him that the Grecians had a purpose to break his bridge
destroyed, thereupon in anger brought forth Fame; of ships which he had made athwart Hellesfor certain it is, that rebels, figured by the giants, pont. There be a thousand suchlike examples,
and seditious fames and libels, are but brothers and the more they are, the less they need to be
and sisters, masculine and feminine: but now if repeated, because a man meeteth with them every
a man can tame this monster, and bring her to feed where; therefore let all wise governors have as
at the hand and govern her, and with her fly other great a watch and care over fames, as they have
ravening fowl, and kill them, -it is somewhat of the actions and designs themselves.
worth: but we are infected with the style of the [THE REST WAS NOT FINISHED.]
poets. To speak now in a sad and serious manner, there is not in all the politics a place less OF A KING.t
handled, and more worthy to be handled, than
this of fame; we will therefore speak of these 1. A KING is a mortal god on earth, unto whom
points; what are false fames; and what are true the living God hath lent his own name as a great
fames: and how they may be best discerned; how honour; but withal told him, he should die like a
fames may be sown and raised; how they may man, lest he should be proud and flatter himself,
be spread and multiplied: and how they may be that God hath with his name imparted unto him
checked and laid dead: and other things concern- his nature also.
ing the nature of fame. Fame is of that force, as 2. Of all kind of men, God is the least bethere is scarcely any great action wherein it hath holden unto them; for he doth most for them,
not a great part, especially in the war. Mucianus and they do ordinarily least for him.
undid Vitellius by a fame that he scattered, that 3. A king that would not feel his crown too
Vitellius had in purpose to remove the legions of heavy for him, must wear it every day; but if lie
* Published by Dr. Rawley in his Resuscitatio. f See note K, at the end.