course, that remembering only that himself was in the high seat of a king, he could not perceive that he was a king of reasonable creatures, who would quickly scorn follies and repine at injuries. But imagining no so true property of sovereignty, as to do what he listed, and to list whatsoever pleased his fancy, he quickly made his kingdom a tennis-court, where his subjects should be the balls; not in truth cruelly, but licentiously abusing them; presuming so far upon himself, that what he did was liked of every body; nay, that his disgraces were favours; and all because he was a king. For being in nature not able to conceive the bounds of great matters, (and suddenly borne into an unknown ocean of absolute power,) he was swayed withal, he knew not how, as every wind of passion puffed him. Whereto nothing helped him better than that poisonous sugar of flattery which some used out of innate baseness of their hearts, straight like dogs fawned upon the greatest. Others, secretly hating him, and disdaining his great rising (so undeservedly,) bent their exalting him only to secure his over

throw like the bird that carries his shell-fish high, to break it the easier with its fall. But his mind (being an apt matter to receive what from their amplifying speeches they would lay upon it), danced so pretty a measure to their false music, that he thought himself the wisest and worthiest, and best beloved, that ever gave honour to royal title.

Remark.

The virtue of a prince is the glory of his people, and his vices their dishonour. Men are prone to imitation; hence, the example of a sovereign often controls his laws; for, should it be evil, though they be good, the nation will pursue his practice, and neglect his precepts. Men will not be taught virtue by a vicious teacher. Some old writer hath observed, that " it is easier for subjects to oppose a prince by applause than by armies." When a brilliant genius attracts the observation of a people to compare his talents, prowess, affability, and munificence, with inferior qualities in the sovereign, the observation the

subject excites, is more injurious to the king, than the arms of a thousand rebels. It dissolves his empire over the public mind; and the royal ordinances are only endured, while those of the popular idol are executed with alacrity. By such methods, Bolingbroke dethroned Richard II. and Richmond, Richard III. By such methods, many a hollow pretender hath usurped the regal authority, and turned the golden sceptre into an iron rod. These mighty spirits who, by subtlety and force vault into seats beyond their level, are generally, when mounted to the height of power, tyrants and being tyrants, are the veriest slaves on earth; their fears are their fetters; for the memory of how they rose, ever whispers how they may fall: and foreseeing a traitor in every brave and generous man, virtue appears to them as a kind of hostile hypocrisy, ever ready to rebel. The first ministerę of a usurper are Jealousy and Despotism; and under such rulers there is no safety for any, but the insignificant and vile.

VOL. II.

WOMAN.

1.

ONE look (in a clear judgment) from a fair and virtuous woman, is more acceptable than all the kindnesses so prodigally bestowed by a wanton beauty.

2.

It is against womanhood, to be forward in their own wishes.

3.

There is a certain delicacy, which in yielding, conquers; and with a pitiful look, makes one find cause to crave help one's self.

4.

Silence ought to be, without sullenness; modesty, without affectation; and bashfulness, without ignorance.

5.

Some women are in that degree of welldoing, to which the not knowing of evil ser

veth for a ground of virtue; and they hold their inward powers in better form, with an unspotted simplicity, than many do, who rather cunningly seek to know what goodness is, than willingly take to themselves the following of it. But as that sweet and simple breath of heavenly goodness is the easier to be altered, because it hath not passed through the trial of worldly wickedness, nor feelingly found the evil that evil carries with it; so these innocents, when they come to a point wherein their judgments are to be practised by knowing faultiness by its first tokens, doth not know whether the pending circumstance be a thing to be avoided, or embraced; and so they are apt to fall easily into the snare.

6.

The sex of womankind, is most particularly bound to consider with regardful eyes, men's judgments on its deeds.

Remark.

A clear reputation must be desirable to every honourable mind. Lucretia died to