The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

202 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN.
and may be, is no good mintman; but takes positively and resolutely; thatit is impossible an
greatness of kingdoms according to their bulk and elective monarchy should be so free and absolute
currency, and not after their intrinsic value. as an hereditary; no more than it is possible for
Although, therefore, I had wholly sequestered my a father to have so full power and interest in an
thoughts from civil affairs, yet, because it is a new adoptive son as in a natural; r" quia naturalis obcase, and concerneth my country infinitely, I ob- ligatio fortior civili." And again, that received
tained of myself to set down, out of long con- maxim is almost unshaken and infallible; ", Nil
tinued experience in business of estate, and much magis naturne consentaneum est, quam ut iisdem
conversation in books of policy and history, what modis res dissolvantur, quibus constituuntur."
I thought pertinent to this business; and in all So that if the part of the people or estate be somehumbleness present it to your highness: hoping what in the election, you cannot make them nulls
that at least you will discern the strength of my or ciphers in the privation or translation. And if
affection through the weakness of my abilities: it be said, that this is a dangerous opinion for the
for the Spaniard hath a good proverb,,, De suario pope, emperor, and elective kings; it is true, it is
si empre con la calentura;" there is no heat of a dangerous opinion, and ought to be a dangerous
affection, butis joined with some idleness of brain. opinion, to such personal popes, emperors, or
To a war are required, a just quarrel; sufficient elective kings, as shall transcend their limits, and
forces and provisions; and a prudent choice of become tyrannical. But it is a safe and sound
the designs. So, then, I will first justify the quar- opinion for their sees, empires, and kingdoms;
rel; secondly, balance the forces; and lastly, and for themselves also, if they be wise; " plenipropound variety of designs for choice, but not tudo potestatis est plenitude tempestatis." But
advise the choice; for that were not fit for a the chief cause why I do not search into this
writing of this nature; neither is it a subject point is, because I need it not. And in handling
within the level of my judgment; I being, in the right of a war, I am not willing to intermix
effect, a stranger to the present occurrences. matter doubtful with that which is out of doubt.
Wars, I speak not of ambitious predatory wars, For as in capital causes, wherein but one man's
are suits of appeal to the tribunal of God's justice, life is in question, 6" in favorem vitre" the evidence
where there are no superiors on earth to determine ought to be clear; so much more in a judgthe cause: and they are, as civil pleas are, plaints, ment upon a war, which is capital to thousands.
or defences. There are therefore three just I suppose therefore the worst, that the offensive
grounds of war with Spain: one plaint, two upon war upon Bohemia had been unjust; and then
defence. Solomon saith, "1 A cord of three is not make the case, which is no sooner made than reeasily broken:" but especially when every of the solved; if it be made not enwrapped, but plainly
lines would hold single by itself. They are and perspicuously. It isthis"in thesi." An offenthese: the recovery of the Palatinate; a just fear sive war is made, which is unjust in the aggresof the subversion of our civil estate; a just fear sor; the prosecution and race of the war carrietlh
of the subversion of our church and religion. For, the defendant to assail and invade the ancient and
in the handling of the two last grounds of war, I indubitate patrimony of the first aggressor, who
shall make it plain, that wars preventive upon is now turned defendant; shall he sit down and not
just fears are true defensives, as well as upon put himself in defence? Or if he be dispossessed,
actual invasions: and again, that wars defensive shall he not make a war for the recovery. No
for religion, I speak not of rebellion, are most man is so poor of judgment as will affirm it. The
just: though offensive wars for religion are sel- castle of Cadmus was taken, and the city of
dom to be approved, or never, unless they have Thebes itself invested by Phcebidas the Lacedresome mixture of civil titles. But all that I shall mronian, insidiously, and in violation of league:
say in this whole argument, will be but like bot- the process of this action drew on a re-surprise of
toms of thread close wound up, which, with a the castle by the Thebans, a recovery of the
good needle, perhaps, may be flourished into large town, and a current of the war even unto the walls
works. of Sparta. I demand, was the defence of the city
For the asserting of the justice of the quarrel, of Sparta, and the expulsion of the Thebans out
for the recovery of the Palatinate, I shall not go so of the Laconian territories, unjust! The sharing
high as to discuss the right of the war of Bohe- of that part of the duchy of Milan, which lieth
mia; which if it be freed from doubt on our part, upon the river of Adda, by the Venetians, upon
then there is no colour nor shadow why the Pala- contract with the French, was an ambitious and
tinate should be retained; the ravishing whereof unjust purchase. This wheel set on going, (lid
was a mere excursion of the first wrong, and a pour a war upon the Venetians with such a temsuper injustice. But I do not take myself to be pest, as Padua and Trevigi were taken from them,
so perfect in the customs, transactions, and privi- and all their dominions upon the continent of Italy
leges of that kingdom of Bohemia, as to be fit to abandoned, and they confined within the salt
handle that part: and I will not offer at that I waters. Will any man say, that the memorable
cannot master. Yet this I will say, in passage, recovery and defence of Padua, when the gentle