The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

268 A SPEECH TOUCHING PURVEYORS.
And therefore to descend, if it may please your great enormities any aggravating, neither needeth
majesty, to the third sort of abuse, which is of so great grace, as useth of itself to flow from
the unlawful manner of their taking, whereof your majesty's princely goodness, any artificial
this omission is a branch; and it is so manifold, persuading. There be two things only which I
as it rather asketh an enumeration of some of the think good to set before your majesty; the one
particulars, than a prosecution of all. For their the example of your most noble progenitors, kings
price: by law they ought to take as they can of this realm, who, from the first king that enagree with the subject; by abuse they take an dowed this kingdom with the great charters of
imposed and enforced price: by law they ought their liberties, until the last, all save one, who, as
to make but one appraisement by neighbours in he was singular in many excellent things, so I
the country; by abuse they make a second ap- would he had not been alone in this, have ordainpraisement at the court-gate; and when the sub- ed, every one of them in their several reigns,
ject's cattle come up many miles lean, and out some laws or law against this kind of offenders;
of plight, by reason of their great travel, then and especially the example of one of them, that
they prize them anew at an abated price: by law king who, for his greatness, wisdom, glory, and
they ought to take between sun and sun; by union of several kingdoms, resembleth your maabuse they take by twilight, and in the night- jestV most, both in virtue and fortune, King Edtime, a time well chosen for malefactors: by law ward III., who, in his time only, made ten several
they ought not to take in the highways, a place laws against this mischief. The second is the
by your majesty's high prerogative protected, and example of God himself; who hath said and proby statute by special words excepted; by abuse nounced, "6That he will not hold him guiltless
they take in the ways, in contempt of your ma- that taketh his name in vain." For all these
jesty's prerogative and laws: by law they ought great misdemeanors are committed in and under
to show their commission, and the form of com- your majesty's name: and therefore we hope your
mission is by law set down; the commissions majesty will hold them twice guilty that commit
they bring down, are against the law, and be- these offences; once for the oppressing of the
cause they know so much, they will not show people, and once more for doing it under the
them. A number of other particulars there are, colour and abuse of your majesty's most dreaded
whereof as I have given your majesty a taste, so and beloved name. So then I will conclude with
the chief of them upon deliberate advice are set the saying of Pindarus, "' Optima res aqua;" not
down in writing by the labour of some commit- for the excellency, but for the common i.se of it;
tees, and approbation of the whole House, more and so, contrariwise, the matter of abuse of purparticularly and lively than I can express them, veyance, if it be not the most heinous abuse, yet
myself having them at the second hand by reason certainly it is the most common and general abuse
of my abode above. But this writing is a col- of all others in this kingdom.
lection of theirs who dwell amongst the abuses It resteth, that, according to the command laid
of these offenders, and the complaints of the peo- upon me, I do in all humbleness present this
pie; and therefore must needs have a more per- writing to your majesty's royal hands, with most
feet understanding of all the circumstances of humble petition on the behalf of the Commons,
them. that as your majesty hath been pleased to vouchIt remaineth only that I use a few words, the safe your gracious audience to hear me speak, so
rather to move your majesty in this cause: a few you would be pleased to enlarge your patience to
wvords, I say, a very few; for neither need so hear this writing read, which is more material.