No More Learning

We said; "We well observed those his
words, which he formerly spake, that this happy island, where we now
stood, was known to few, and yet knew most of the nations of the world;
which we found to be true, considering they had the languages of
Europe, and knew much of our state and business; and yet we in Europe,
(notwithstanding all the remote discoveries and navigations of this
last age), never heard of the least inkling or glimpse of this island.
This we found wonderful strange; for that all nations have
inter-knowledge one of another, either by voyage into foreign parts, or
by strangers that come to them: and though the traveller into a foreign
country, doth commonly know more by the eye, than he that stayeth at
home can by relation of the traveller; yet both ways suffice to make a
mutual knowledge, in some degree, on both parts. But for this island,
we never heard tell of any ship of theirs that had been seen to arrive
upon any shore of Europe; nor of either the East or West Indies; nor
yet of any ship of any other part of the world, that had made return
from them. And yet the marvel rested not in this. For the situation
of it (as his lordship said) in the secret conclave' of such a vast sea
might cause it. But then, that they should have knowledge of the
languages, books, affairs, of those that lie such a distance from them,
it was a thing we could not tell what to make of; for that it seemed to
us a conditioner and propriety of divine powers and beings, to be
hidden and unseen to others, and yet to have others open and as in a
light to them. "

At this speech the Governor gave a gracious smile, and said; "That we
did well to ask pardon for this question we now asked: for that it
imported, as if we thought this land, a land of magicians, that sent
forth spirits of the air into all parts, to bring them news and
intelligence of other countries. " It was answered by us all, in all
possible humbleness, but yet with a countenance taking knowledge, that
we knew that he spake it but merrily, "That we were apt enough to think
there was somewhat supernatural in this island; but yet rather as
angelical than magical. But to let his lordship know truly what it was
that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not any
such conceit, but because we remembered, he had given a touch in his
former speech, that this land had laws of secrecy touching strangers. "
To this he said; "You remember it aright and therefore in that I shall
say to you, I must reserve some particulars, which it is not lawful for
me to reveal; but there will be enough left, to give you satisfaction. "

"You shall understand (that which perhaps you will scarce think
credible) that about three thousand years ago, or somewhat more, the
navigation of the world, (especially for remote voyages,) was greater
than at this day. Do not think with yourselves, that I know not how
much it is increased with you, within these six-score years: I know it
well: and yet I say greater then than now; whether it was, that the
example of the ark, that saved the remnant of men from the universal
deluge, gave men confidence to adventure upon the waters; or what it
was; but such is the truth. The Phoenicians, and especially the
Tyrians, had great fleets. So had the Carthaginians their colony,
which is yet further west. Toward the east the shipping of Egypt and
of Palestine was likewise great. China also, and the great Atlantis,
(that you call America,) which have now but junks and canoes, abounded
then in tall ships. This island, (as appeareth by faithful registers
of those times,) had then fifteen hundred strong ships, of great
content. Of all this, there is with you sparing memory, or none; but
we have large knowledge thereof.

"At that time, this land was known and frequented by the ships and
vessels of all the nations before named. And (as it cometh to pass)
they had many times men of other countries, that were no sailors, that
came with them; as Persians, Chaldeans, Arabians; so as almost all
nations of might and fame resorted hither; of whom we have some stirps,
and little tribes with us at this day. And for our own ships, they
went sundry voyages, as well to your straits, which you call the
Pillars of Hercules, as to other parts in the Atlantic and Mediterrane
Seas; as to Paguin, (which is the same with Cambaline,) and Quinzy,
upon the Oriental Seas, as far as to the borders of the East Tartary.

"At the same time, and an age after, or more, the inhabitants of the
great Atlantis did flourish. For though the narration and description,
which is made by a great man with you; that the descendants of Neptune
planted there; and of the magnificent temple, palace, city, and hill;
and the manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, (which as so many
chains environed the same site and temple); and the several degrees of
ascent, whereby men did climb up to the same, as if it had been a scala
coeli, be all poetical and fabulous: yet so much is true, that the said
country of Atlantis, as well that of Peru, then called Coya, as that of
Mexico, then named Tyrambel, were mighty and proud kingdoms in arms,
shipping and riches: so mighty, as at one time (or at least within the
space of ten years) they both made two great expeditions; they of
Tyrambel through the Atlantic to the Mediterrane Sea; and they of Coya
through the South Sea upon this our island: and for the former of
these, which was into Europe, the same author amongst you (as it
seemeth) had some relation from the Egyptian priest whom he cited. For
assuredly such a thing there was. But whether it were the ancient
Athenians that had the glory of the repulse and resistance of those
forces, I can say nothing: but certain it is, there never came back
either ship or man from that voyage. Neither had the other voyage of
those of Coya upon us had better fortune, if they had not met with
enemies of greater clemency. For the king of this island, (by name
Altabin,) a wise man and a great warrior, knowing well both his own
strength and that of his enemies, handled the matter so, as he cut off
their land-forces from their ships; and entoiled both their navy and
their tamp with a greater power than theirs, both by sea and land: arid
compelled them to render themselves without striking stroke and after
they were at his mercy, contenting himself only with their oath that
they should no more bear arms against him, dismissed them all in safety.

"But the divine revenge overtook not long after those proud
enterprises. For within less than the space of one hundred years, the
great Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed: not by a great
earthquake, as your man saith; (for that whole tract is little subject
to earthquakes;) but by a particular' deluge or inundation; those
countries having, at this day, far greater rivers and far higher
mountains to pour down waters, than any part of the old world. But it
is true that the same inundation was not deep; not past forty foot, in
most places, from the ground; so that although it destroyed man and
beast generally, yet some few wild inhabitants of the wood escaped.
Birds also were saved by flying to the high trees and woods. For as
for men, although they had buildings in many places, higher than the
depth of the water, yet that inundation, though it were shallow, had a
long continuance; whereby they of the vale that were not drowned,
perished for want of food and other things necessary.

"So as marvel you not at the thin population of America, nor at the
rudeness and ignorance of the people; for you must account your
inhabitants of America as a young people; younger a thousand years, at
the least, than the rest of the world: for that there was so much time
between the universal flood and their particular inundation. For the
poor remnant of human seed, which remained in their mountains, peopled
the country again slowly, by little and little; and being simple and
savage people, (not like Noah and his sons, which was the chief family
of the earth;) they were not able to leave letters, arts, and civility
to their posterity; and having likewise in their mountainous
habitations been used (in respect of the extreme cold of those regions)
to clothe themselves with the skins of tigers, bears, and great hairy
goats, that they have in those parts; when after they came down into
the valley, and found the intolerable heats which are there, and knew
no means of lighter apparel, they were forced to begin the custom of
going naked, which continueth at this day. Only they take great pride
and delight in the feathers of birds; and this also they took from
those their ancestors of the mountains, who were invited unto it by the
infinite flights of birds that came up to the high grounds, while the
waters stood below. So you see, by this main accident of time, we lost
our traffic with the Americans, with whom of, all others, in regard
they lay nearest to us, we had most commerce.

"As for the other parts of the world, it is most manifest that in the
ages following (whether it were in respect of wars, or by a natural
revolution of time,) navigation did every where greatly decay; and
specially far voyages (the rather by the use of galleys, and such
vessels as could hardly brook the ocean,) were altogether left and
omitted. So then, that part of intercourse which could be from other
nations to sail to us, you see how it hath long since ceased; except it
were by some rare accident, as this of yours. But now of the cessation
of that other part of intercourse, which might be by our sailing to
other nations, I must yield you some other cause. For I cannot say (if
I shall say truly,) but our shipping, for number, strength, mariners,
pilots, and all things that appertain to navigation, is as great as
ever; and therefore why we should sit at home, I shall now give you an
account by itself: and it will draw nearer to give you satisfaction to
your principal question.

"There reigned in this land, about nineteen hundred years ago, a king,
whose memory of all others we most adore; not superstitiously, but as a
divine instrument, though a mortal man; his name was Solamona: and we
esteem him as the lawgiver of our nation. This king had a large heart,
inscrutable for good; and was wholly bent to make his kingdom and
people happy. He therefore, taking into consideration how sufficient
and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid (at
all) of the foreigner; being five thousand six hundred miles in
circuit, and of rare fertility of soil in the greatest part thereof;
and finding also the shipping of this country might be plentifully set
on work, both by fishing and by transportations from port to port, and
likewise by sailing unto some small islands that are not far from us,
and are under the crown and laws of this state; and, recalling into his
memory the happy and flourishing estate wherein this land then was; so
as it might be a thousand ways altered to the worse, but scarce any one
way to the better; thought nothing wanted to his noble and heroical
intentions, but only (as far as human foresight might reach) to give
perpetuity to that which was in his time so happily established.
Therefore amongst his other fundamental laws of this kingdom, he did
ordain the interdicts and prohibitions which we have touching entrance
of strangers; which at that time (though it was after the calamity of
America) was frequent; doubting novelties, and commixture of manners.
It is true, the like law against the admission of strangers without
licence is an ancient law in the kingdom of China, and yet continued in
use. But there it is a poor thing; and hath made them a curious,
ignorant, fearful, foolish nation. But our lawgiver made his law of
another temper. For first, he hath preserved all points of humanity,
in taking order and making provision for the relief of strangers
distressed; whereof you have tasted. "

At which speech (as reason was) we all rose up and bowed ourselves. He
went on.

"That king also, still desiring to join humanity and policy together;
and thinking it against humanity, to detain strangers here against
their wills, and against policy that they should return and discover
their knowledge of this estate, he took this course: he did ordain that
of the strangers that should be permitted to land, as many (at all
times) might depart as would; but as many as would stay should have
very good conditions and means to live from the state. Wherein he saw
so far, that now in so many ages since the prohibition, we have memory
not of one ship that ever returned, and but of thirteen persons only,
at several times, that chose to return in our bottoms. What those few
that returned may have reported abroad I know not. But you must think,
whatsoever they have said could be taken where they came but for a
dream. Now for our travelling from henna into parts abroad, our
Lawgiver thought fit altogether to restrain it. So is it not in China.
For the Chinese sail where they will or can; which sheweth that their
law of keeping out strangers is a law of pusillanimity and fear. But
this restraint of ours hath one only exception, which is admirable;
preserving the good which cometh by communicating with strangers, and
avoiding the hurt; and I will now open it to you. And here I shall
seem a little to digress, but you will by and by find it pertinent.

"Ye shall understand (my dear friends) that amongst the excellent acts
of that king, one above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erection
and institution of an Order or Society, which we call Salomon's House;
the noblest foundation (as we think) that ever was upon the earth; and
the lanthorn of this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of the
works and creatures of God. Some think it beareth the founder's name a
little corrupted, as if it should be Solamona's House. But the records
write it as it is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the king
of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us. For
we have some parts of his works, which with you are lost; namely, that
natural history, which he wrote, of all plants, from the cedar of
Libanus to the moss that groweth out of the wall, and of all things
that have life and motion. This maketh me think that our king, finding
himself to symbolize in many things with that king of the Hebrews
(which lived many years before him), honored him with the title of this
foundation. And I am rather induced to be of this opinion, for that I
find in ancient records this Order or Society is sometimes called
Salomon's House, and sometimes the College of the Six Days Works;
whereby I am satisfied that our excellent king had learned from the
Hebrews that God had created the world and all that therein is within
six days: and therefore he instituting that House for the finding out
of the true nature of all things, (whereby God might have the more
glory in the workmanship of them, and insert the more fruit in the use
of them), did give it also that second name.

"But now to come to our present purpose. When the king had forbidden
to all his people navigation into any part that was not under his
crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance; that every twelve years
there should be set forth, out of this kingdom two ships, appointed to
several voyages; That in either of these ships there should be a
mission of three of the Fellows or Brethren of Salomon's House; whose
errand was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and state of those
countries to which they were designed, and especially of the sciences,
arts, manufactures, and inventions of all the world; and withal to
bring unto us books, instruments, and patterns in every kind: That the
ships, after they had landed the brethren, should return; and that the
brethren should stay abroad till the new mission. These ships are not
otherwise fraught, than with store of victuals, and good quantity of
treasure to remain with the brethren, for the buying of such things and
rewarding of such persons as they should think fit. Now for me to tell
you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being discovered
at land; and how they that must be put on shore for any time, color
themselves under the names of other nations; and to what places these
voyages have been designed; and what places of rendezvous are appointed
for the new missions; and the like circumstances of the practique; I
may not do it: neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we
maintain a trade not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor for silks; nor
for spices; nor any other commodity of matter; but only for God's first
creature, which was Light: to have light (I say) of the growth of all
parts of the world. "

And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. For
indeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probably
told. And he, perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat but had
it not ready in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask us
questions of our voyage and fortunes and in the end concluded, that we
might do well to think with ourselves what time of stay we would demand
of the state; and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he would procure
such time as we desired: Whereupon we all rose up, and presented
ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet; but he would not suffer us;
and so took his leave. But when it came once amongst our people that
the state used to offer conditions to strangers that would stay, we had
work enough to get any of our men to look to our ship; and to keep them
from going presently to the governor to crave conditions. But with
much ado we refrained them, till we might agree what course to take.

We took ourselves now for free men, seeing there was no danger of our
utter perdition; and lived most joyfully, going abroad and seeing what
was to be seen in the city and places adjacent within our tedder; and
obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanest
quality; at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom and
desire to take strangers as it were into their bosom, as was enough to
make us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries: and
continually we met with many things right worthy of observation and
relation: as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world worthy to hold
men's eyes, it is that country.

One day there were two of our company bidden to a Feast of the Family,
as they call it. A most natural, pious, and reverend custom it is,
shewing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is the
manner of it. It is granted to any man that shall live to see thirty
persons descended of his body alive together, and all above three years
old, to make this feast which is done at the cost of the state. The
Father of the Family, whom they call the Tirsan, two days before the
feast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose; and
is assisted also by the governor of the city or place where the feast
is celebrated; and all the persons of the family, of both sexes, are
summoned to attend him. These two days the Tirsan sitteth in
consultation concerning the good estate of the family. There, if there
be any discord or suits between any of the family, they are compounded
and appeased. There, if any of the family be distressed or decayed,
order is taken for their relief and competent means to live. There, if
any be subject to vice, or take ill courses, they are reproved and
censured. So likewise direction is given touching marriages, and the
courses of life, which any of them should take, with divers other the
like orders and advices. The governor assisteth, to the end to put in
execution by his public authority the decrees and orders of the Tirsan,
if they should be disobeyed; though that seldom needeth; such reverence
and obedience they give to the order of nature. The Tirsan doth also
then ever choose one man from among his sons, to live in house with
him; who is called ever after the Son of the Vine. The reason will
hereafter appear.

On the feast day, the father or Tirsan cometh forth after divine
service into a large room where the feast is celebrated; which room
hath an half-pace at the upper end. Against the wall, in the middle of
the half-pace, is a chair placed for him, with a table and carpet
before it. Over the chair is a state, made round or oval, and it is of
ivy; an ivy somewhat whiter than ours, like the leaf of a silver asp;
but more shining; for it is green all winter. And the state is
curiously wrought with silver and silk of divers colors, broiding or
binding in the ivy; and is ever of the work of some of the daughters of
the family; and veiled over at the top with a fine net of silk and
silver. But the substance of it is true ivy; whereof, after it is
taken down, the friends of the family are desirous to have some leaf or
sprig to keep.

The Tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or linage, the males
before him, and the females following him; and if there be a mother
from whose body the whole linage is descended, there is a traverse
placed in a loft above on the right hand of the chair, with a privy
door, and a carved window of glass, leaded with gold and blue; where
she sitteth, but is not seen. When the Tirsan is come forth, he
sitteth down in the chair; and all the linage place themselves against
the wall, both at his back and upon the return of the half-pace, in
order of their years without difference of sex; and stand upon their
feet. When he is set; the room being always full of company, but well
kept and without disorder; after some pause, there cometh in from the
lower end of the room, a taratan (which is as much as an herald) and on
either side of him two young lads; whereof one carrieth a scroll of
their shining yellow parchment; and the other a cluster of grapes of
gold, with a long foot or stalk. The herald and children are clothed
with mantles of sea-water green satin; but the herald's mantle is
streamed with gold, and hath a train.

Then the herald with three curtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh up
as far as the half-pace; and there first taketh into his hand the
scroll. This scroll is the king's charter, containing gifts of
revenew, and many privileges, exemptions, and points of honour, granted
to the Father of the Family; and is ever styled and directed, To such
do one our well beloved friend and creditor: which is a title proper
only to this case. For they say the king is debtor to no man, but for
propagation of his subjects. The seal set to the king's charter is the
king's image, imbossed or moulded in gold; and though such charters be
expedited of course, and as of right, yet they are varied by
discretion, according to the number and dignity of the family. This
charter the herald readeth aloud; and while it is read, the father or
Tirsan standeth up supported by two of his sons, such as he chooseth.
Then the herald mounteth the half-pace and delivereth the charter into
his hand: and with that there is an acclamation by all that are present
in their language, which is thus much: Happy are the people of Bensalem.

Then the herald taketh into his hand from the other child the cluster
of grapes, which is of gold, both the stalk and the grapes. But the
grapes are daintily enamelled; and if the males of the family be the
greater number, the grapes are enamelled purple, with a little sun set
on the top; if the females, then they are enamelled into a greenish
yellow, with a crescent on the top. The grapes are in number as many
as there are descendants of the family. This golden cluster the herald
delivereth also to the Tirsan; who presently delivereth it over to that
son that he had formerly chosen to be in house with him: who beareth it
before his father as an ensign of honour when he goeth in public, ever
after; and is thereupon called the Son of the Vine.

After the ceremony endeth the father or Tirsan retireth; and after some
time cometh forth again to dinner, where he sitteth alone under the
state, as before; and none of his descendants sit with him, of what
degree or dignity soever, except he hap to be of Salomon's House. He is
served only by his own children, such as are male; who perform unto him
all service of the table upon the knee; and the women only stand about
him, leaning against the wall. The room below the half-pace hath
tables on the sides for the guests that are bidden; who are served with
great and comely order; and towards the end of dinner (which in the
greatest feasts with them lasteth never above an hour and an half)
there is an hymn sung, varied according to the invention of him that
composeth it (for they have excellent posy) but the subject of it is
(always) the praises of Adam and Noah and Abraham; whereof the former
two peopled the world, and the last was the Father of the Faithful:
concluding ever with a thanksgiving for the nativity of our Saviour, in
whose birth the births of all are only blessed.

Dinner being done, the Tirsan retireth again; and having withdrawn
himself alone into a place, where he makes some private prayers, he
cometh forth the third time, to give the blessing with all his
descendants, who stand about him as at the first. Then he calleth them
forth by one and by one, by name, as he pleaseth, though seldom the
order of age be inverted. The person that is called (the table being
before removed) kneeleth down before the chair, and the father layeth
his hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth the blessing in these
words: Son of Bensalem, (or daughter of Bensalem,) thy father with it:
the man by whom thou hast breath and life speaketh the word: the
blessing of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and the Holy
Dove, be upon thee, and make the days of thy pilgrimage good and many.
This he saith to every of them; and that done, if there be any of his
sons of eminent merit and virtue, (so they be not above two,) he
calleth for them again; and saith, laying his arm over their shoulders,
they standing; Sons, it is well ye are born, give God the praise, and
persevere to the end. And withall delivereth to either of them a
jewel, made in the figure of an ear of wheat, which they ever after
wear in the front of their turban or hat. This done, they fall to
music and dances, and other recreations, after their manner, for the
rest of the day. This is the full order of that feast.

By that time six or seven days were spent, I was fallen into straight
acquaintance with a merchant of that city, whose name was Joabin. He
was a Jew and circumcised: for they have some few stirps of Jews yet
remaining among them, whom they leave to their own religion. Which
they may the better do, because they are of a far differing disposition
from the Jews in other parts. For whereas they hate the name of
Christ; and have a secret inbred rancour against the people among whom
they live: these (contrariwise) give unto our Saviour many high
attributes, and love the nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely this man
of whom I speak would ever acknowledge that Christ was born of a virgin
and that he was more than a man; and he would tell how God made him
ruler of the seraphims which guard his throne; and they call him also
the Milken Way, and the Eliah of the Messiah; and many other high
names; which though they be inferior to his divine majesty, yet they
are far from the language of other Jews.

And for the country of Bensalem, this man would make no end of
commending it; being desirous, by tradition among the Jews there, to
have it believed that the people thereof were of the generations of
Abraham, by another son, whom they call Nachoran; and that Moses by a
secret Cabala ordained the Laws of Bensalem which they now use; and
that when the Messiah should come, and sit in his throne at Hierusalem,
the king of Bensalem should sit at his feet, whereas other kings should
keep a great distance. But yet setting aside these Jewish dreams, the
man was a wise man, and learned, and of great policy, and excellently
seen in the laws and customs of that nation.

Amongst other discourses, one day I told him I was much affected with
the relation I had, from some of the company, of their custom, in
holding the Feast of the Family; for that (methought) I had never heard
of a solemnity wherein nature did so much preside. And because
propagation of families proceedeth from the nuptial copulation, I
desired to know of him what laws and customs they had concerning
marriage; and whether they kept marriage well and whether they were
tied to one wife; for that where population is so much affected,' and
such as with them it seemed to be, there is commonly permission of
plurality of wives.

To this he said, "You have reason for to commend that excellent
institution of the Feast of the Family. And indeed we have experience
that those families that are partakers of the blessing of that feast do
flourish and prosper ever after in an extraordinary manner. But hear
me now, and I will tell you what I know. You shall understand that
there is not under the heavens so chaste a nation as this of Bensalem;
nor so free from all pollution or foulness. It is the virgin of the
world. I remember I have read in one of your European books, of an
holy hermit amongst you that desired to see the Spirit of Fornication;
and there appeared to him a little foul ugly Aethiop. But if he had
desired to see the Spirit of Chastity of Bensalem, it would have
appeared to him in the likeness of a fair beautiful Cherubim. For
there is nothing amongst mortal men more fair and admirable, than the
chaste minds of this people. Know therefore, that with them there are
no stews, no dissolute houses, no courtesans, nor anything of that
kind. Nay they wonder (with detestation) at you in Europe, which
permit such things. They say ye have put marriage out of office: for
marriage is ordained a remedy for unlawful concupiscence; and natural
concupiscence seemeth as a spar to marriage. But when men have at hand
a remedy more agreeable to their corrupt will, marriage is almost
expulsed. And therefore there are with you seen infinite men that
marry not, but chose rather a libertine and impure single life, than to
be yoked in marriage; and many that do marry, marry late, when the
prime and strength of their years is past. And when they do marry, what
is marriage to them but a very bargain; wherein is sought alliance, or
portion, or reputation, with some desire (almost indifferent) of issue;
and not the faithful nuptial union of man and wife, that was first
instituted. Neither is it possible that those that have cast away so
basely so much of their strength, should greatly esteem children,
(being of the same matter,) as chaste men do. So likewise during
marriage, is the case much amended, as it ought to be if those things
were tolerated only for necessity? No, but they remain still as a very
affront to marriage. The haunting of those dissolute places, or resort
to courtesans, are no more punished in married men than in bachelors.
And the depraved custom of change, and the delight in meretricious
embracements, (where sin is turned into art,) maketh marriage a dull
thing, and a kind of imposition or tax. They hear you defend these
things, as done to avoid greater evils; as advoutries, deflowering of
virgins, unnatural lust, and the like. But they say this is a
preposterous wisdom; and they call it Lot's offer, who to save his
guests from abusing, offered his daughters: nay they say farther that
there is little gained in this; for that the same vices and appetites
do still remain and abound; unlawful lust being like a furnace, that if
you stop the flames altogether, it will quench; but if you give it any
vent, it will rage. As for masculine love, they have no touch of it;
and yet there are not so faithful and inviolate friendships in the
world again as are there; and to speak generally, (as I said before,) I
have not read of any such chastity, in any people as theirs. And their
usual saying is, That whosoever is unchaste cannot reverence himself;
and they say, That the reverence of a man's self, is, next to religion,
the chiefest bridle of all vices. "

And when he had said this, the good Jew paused a little; whereupon I,
far more willing to hear him speak on than to speak myself, yet
thinking it decent that upon his pause of speech I should not be
altogether silent, said only this; "That I would say to him, as the
widow of Sarepta said to Elias; that he was come to bring to memory our
sins; and that I confess the righteousness of Bensalem was greater than
the righteousness of Europe. " At which speech he bowed his head, and
went on in this manner:

"They have also many wise and excellent laws touching marriage. They
allow no polygamy. They have ordained that none do intermarry or
contract, until a month be past from their first interview. Marriage
without consent of parents they do not make void, but they mulct it in
the inheritors: for the children of such marriages are not admitted to
inherit above a third part of their parents' inheritance. I have read
in a book of one of your men, of a Feigned Commonwealth, where the
married couple are permitted, before they contract, to see one another
naked. This they dislike; for they think it a scorn to give a refusal
after so familiar knowledge: but because of many hidden defects in men
and women's bodies, they have a more civil way; for they have near
every town a couple of pools, (which they call Adam and Eve's pools,)
where it is permitted to one of the friends of the men, and another of
the friends of the woman, to see them severally bathe naked. "

And as we were thus in conference, there came one that seemed to be a
messenger, in a rich huke, that spake with the Jew: whereupon he turned
to me and said; "You will pardon me, for I am commanded away in haste. "
The next morning he came to me again, joyful as it seemed, and said;
"There is word come to the Governor of the city, that one of the
Fathers of Salomon's House will be here this day seven-night: we have
seen none of them this dozen years. His coming is in state; but the
cause of his coming is secret. I will provide you and your fellows of
a good standing to see his entry. " I thanked him, and told him, I was
most glad of the news.

The day being come, he made his entry. He was a man of middle stature
and age, comely of person, and had an aspect as if he pitied men. He
was clothed in a robe of fine black cloth, with wide sleeves and a
cape. His under garment was of excellent white linen down to the foot,
girt with a girdle of the same; and a sindon or tippet of the same
about his neck. He had gloves, that were curious,'' and set with
stone; and shoes of peach-coloured velvet. His neck was bare to the
shoulders. His hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montera; and his
locks curled below it decently: they were of colour brown. His beard
was cut round, and of the same colour with his hair, somewhat lighter.
He was carried in a rich chariot without wheels, litter-wise; with two
horses at either end, richly trapped in blue velvet embroidered; and
two footmen on each side in the like attire. The chariot was all of
cedar, gilt, and adorned with crystal; save that the fore-end had
panels of sapphires, set in borders of gold; and the hinder-end the
like of emeralds of the Peru colour. There was also a sun of gold,
radiant, upon the top, in the midst; and on the top before, a small
cherub of gold, with wings displayed. The chariot was covered with
cloth of gold tissued upon blue. He had before him fifty attendants,
young men all, in white satin loose coats to the mid leg; and stockings
of white silk; and shoes of blue velvet; and hats of blue velvet; with
fine plumes of diverse colours, set round like hat-bands. Next before
the chariot, went two men, bare-headed, in linen garments down the
foot, girt, and shoes of blue velvet; who carried, the one a crosier,
the other a pastoral staff like a sheep-hook; neither of them of metal,
but the crosier of balm-wood, the pastoral staff of cedar. Horsemen he
had none, neither before nor behind his chariot: as it seemeth, to
avoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his chariot went all the officers
and principals of the companies of the city. He sat alone, upon
cushions of a kind of excellent plush, blue; and under his foot curious
carpets of silk of diverse colours, like the Persian, but far finer.
He held up his bare hand as he went, as blessing the people, but in
silence. The street was wonderfully well kept: so that there was never
any army had their men stand in better battle-array than the people
stood. The windows likewise were not crowded, but every one stood in
them as if they had been placed.

When the shew was past, the Jew said to me; "I shall not be able to
attend you as I would, in regard of some charge the city hath laid upon
me, for the entertaining of this great person. " Three days after the
Jew came to me again, and said; "Ye are happy men; for the Father of
Salomon's House taketh knowledge of your being here, and commanded me
to tell you that he will admit all your company to his presence, and
have private conference with one of you, that ye shall choose: and for
this hath appointed the next day after to-morrow. And because he
meaneth to give you his blessing, he hath appointed it in the forenoon. "

We came at our day and hour, and I was chosen by my fellows for the
private access. We found him in a fair chamber, richly hanged, and
carpeted under foot without any degrees to the state. He was set upon
a low Throne richly adorned, and a rich cloth of state over his head,
of blue satin embroidered. He was alone, save that he had two pages of
honour, on either hand one, finely attired in white. His under
garments were the like that we saw him wear in the chariot; but instead
of his gown, he had on him a mantle with a cape, of the same fine
black, fastened about him. When we came in, as we were taught, we
bowed low at our first entrance; and when we were come near his chair,
he stood up, holding forth his hand ungloved, and in posture of
blessing; and we every one of us stooped down, and kissed the hem of
his tippet. That done, the rest departed, and I remained. Then he
warned the pages forth of the room, and caused me to sit down beside
him, and spake to me thus in the Spanish tongue.

"God bless thee, my son; I will give thee the greatest jewel I have.
For I will impart unto thee, for the love of God and men, a relation of
the true state of Salomon's House. Son, to make you know the true
state of Salomon's House, I will keep this order. First, I will set
forth unto you the end of our foundation.
Secondly, the preparations
and instruments we have for our works. Thirdly, the several
employments and functions whereto our fellows are assigned. And
fourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe.

"The end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes, and secret
motions of things; and the enlarging of the bounds of human empire, to
the effecting of all things possible.

"The Preparations and Instruments are these. We have large and deep
caves of several depths: the deepest are sunk six hundred fathom: and
some of them are digged and made under great hills and mountains: so
that if you reckon together the depth of the hill and the depth of the
cave, they are (some of them) above three miles deep. For we find,
that the depth of a hill, and the depth of a cave from the flat, is the
same thing; both remote alike, from the sun and heaven's beams, and
from the open air. These caves we call the Lower Region; and we use
them for all coagulations, indurations, refrigerations, and
conservations of bodies. We use them likewise for the imitation of
natural mines; and the producing also of new artificial metals, by
compositions and materials which we use, and lay there for many years.
We use them also sometimes, (which may seem strange,) for curing of
some diseases, and for prolongation of life in some hermits that choose
to live there, well accommodated of all things necessary, and indeed
live very long; by whom also we learn many things.

"We have burials in several earths, where we put diverse cements, as
the Chineses do their porcellain. But we have them in greater variety,
and some of them more fine. We have also great variety of composts and
soils, for the making of the earth fruitful.

"We have high towers; the highest about half a mile in height; and some
of them likewise set upon high mountains; so that the vantage of the
hill with the tower is in the highest of them three miles at least. And
these places we call the Upper Region; accounting the air between the
high places and the low, as a Middle Region. We use these towers,
according to their several heights, and situations, for insolation,
refrigeration, conservation; and for the view of divers meteors; as
winds, rain, snow, hail; and some of the fiery meteors also. And upon
them, in some places, are dwellings of hermits, whom we visit
sometimes, and instruct what to observe.

"We have great lakes, both salt, and fresh; whereof we have use for the
fish and fowl. We use them also for burials of some natural bodies:
for we find a difference in things buried in earth or in air below the
earth, and things buried in water. We have also pools, of which some
do strain fresh water out of salt; and others by art do turn fresh
water into salt. We have also some rocks in the midst of the sea, and
some bays upon the shore for some works, wherein is required the air
and vapor of the sea. We have likewise violent streams and cataracts,
which serve us for many motions: and likewise engines for multiplying
and enforcing of winds, to set also on going diverse motions.

"We have also a number of artificial wells and fountains, made in
imitation of the natural sources and baths; as tincted upon vitriol,
sulphur, steel, brass, lead, nitre, and other minerals. And again we
have little wells for infusions of many things, where the waters take
the virtue quicker and better, than in vessels or basins. And amongst
them we have a water which we call Water of Paradise, being, by that we
do to it made very sovereign for health, and prolongation of life.

"We have also great and spacious houses where we imitate and
demonstrate meteors; as snow, hail, rain, some artificial rains of
bodies and not of water, thunders, lightnings; also generations of
bodies in air; as frogs, flies, and divers others.

"We have also certain chambers, which we call Chambers of Health, where
we qualify the air as we think good and proper for the cure of divers
diseases, and preservation of health.

"We have also fair and large baths, of several mixtures, for the cure
of diseases, and the restoring of man's body from arefaction: and
others for the confirming of it in strength of sinewes, vital parts,
and the very juice and substance of the body.

"We have also large and various orchards and gardens; wherein we do not
so much respect beauty, as variety of ground and soil, proper for
divers trees and herbs: and some very spacious, where trees and berries
are set whereof we make divers kinds of drinks, besides the vineyards.
In these we practise likewise all conclusions of grafting, and
inoculating as well of wild-trees as fruit-trees, which produceth many
effects. And we make (by art) in the same orchards and gardens, trees
and flowers to come earlier or later than their seasons; and to come up
and bear more speedily than by their natural course they do. We make
them also by art greater much than their nature; and their fruit
greater and sweeter and of differing taste, smell, colour, and figure,
from their nature. And many of them we so order, as they become of
medicinal use.

"We have also means to make divers plants rise by mixtures of earths
without seeds; and likewise to make divers new plants, differing from
the vulgar; and to make one tree or plant turn into another.

"We have also parks and enclosures of all sorts of beasts and birds
which we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise for
dissections and trials; that thereby we may take light what may be
wrought upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects; as
continuing life in them, though divers parts, which you account vital,
be perished and taken forth; resuscitating of some that seem dead in
appearance; and the like. We try also all poisons and other medicines
upon them, as well of chirurgery, as physic. By art likewise, we make
them greater or taller than their kind is; and contrariwise dwarf them,
and stay their growth: we make them more fruitful and bearing than
their kind is; and contrariwise barren and not generative. Also we
make them differ in colour, shape, activity, many ways. We find means
to make commixtures and copulations of different kinds; which have
produced many new kinds, and them not barren, as the general opinion
is. We make a number of kinds of serpents, worms, flies, fishes, of
putrefaction; whereof some are advanced (in effect) to be perfect
creatures, like bests or birds; and have sexes, and do propagate.
Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand, of what matter
and commixture what kind of those creatures will arise.

"We have also particular pools, where we make trials upon fishes, as we
have said before of beasts and birds.

"We have also places for breed and generation of those kinds of worms
and flies which are of special use; such as are with you your
silk-worms and bees.

"I will not hold you long with recounting of our brewhouses,
bake-houses, and kitchens, where are made divers drinks, breads, and
meats, rare and of special effects. Wines we have of grapes; and
drinks of other juice of fruits, of grains, and of roots; and of
mixtures with honey, sugar, manna, and fruits dried, and decocted; Also
of the tears or woundings of trees; and of the pulp of canes. And these
drinks are of several ages, some to the age or last of forty years. We
have drinks also brewed with several herbs, and roots, and spices; yea
with several fleshes, and white-meats; whereof some of the drinks are
such, as they are in effect meat and drink both: so that divers,
especially in age, do desire to live with them, with little or no meat
or bread. And above all, we strive to have drink of extreme thin
parts, to insinuate into the body, and yet without all biting,
sharpness, or fretting; insomuch as some of them put upon the back of
your hand will, with a little stay, pass through to the palm, and yet
taste mild to the mouth. We have also waters which we ripen in that
fashion, as they become nourishing; so that they are indeed excellent
drink; and many will use no other. Breads we have of several grains,
roots, and kernels; yea and some of flesh and fish dried; with divers
kinds of leavenings and seasonings: so that some do extremely move
appetites; some do nourish so, as divers do live of them, without any
other meat; who live very long. So for meats, we have some of them so
beaten and made tender and mortified,' yet without all corrupting, as a
weak heat of the stomach will turn them into good chylus; as well as a
strong heat would meat otherwise prepared. We have some meats also and
breads and drinks, which taken by men enable them to fast long after;
and some other, that used make the very flesh of men's bodies sensibly'
more hard and tough and their strength far greater than otherwise it
would be.

"We have dispensatories, or shops of medicines. Wherein you may easily
think, if we have such variety of plants and living creatures more than
you have in Europe, (for we know what you have,) the simples, drugs,
and ingredients of medicines, must likewise be in so much the greater
variety. We have them likewise of divers ages, and long fermentations.
And for their preparations, we have not only all manner of exquisite
distillations and separations, and especially by gentle heats and
percolations through divers strainers, yea and substances; but also
exact forms of composition, whereby they incorporate almost, as they
were natural simples.

"We have also divers mechanical arts, which you have not; and stuffs
made by them; as papers, linen, silks, tissues; dainty works of
feathers of wonderful lustre; excellent dies, and, many others; and
shops likewise, as well for such as are not brought into vulgar use
amongst us as for those that are. For you must know that of the things
before recited, many of them are grown into use throughout the kingdom;
but yet, if they did flow from our invention, we have of them also for
patterns and principals.

"We have also furnaces of great diversities, and that keep great
diversity of heats; fierce and quick; strong and constant; soft and
mild; blown, quiet; dry, moist; and the like. But above all, we have
heats, in imitation of the Sun's and heavenly bodies' heats, that pass
divers inequalities, and (as it were) orbs, progresses, and returns,
whereby we produce admirable effects. Besides, we have heats of dungs;
and of bellies and maws of living creatures, and of their bloods and
bodies; and of hays and herbs laid up moist; of lime unquenched; and
such like. Instruments also which generate heat only by motion. And
farther, places for strong insulations; and again, places under the
earth, which by nature, or art, yield heat. These divers heats we use,
as the nature of the operation, which we intend, requireth.

"We have also perspective-houses, where we make demonstrations of all
lights and radiations; and of all colours: and out of things uncoloured
and transparent, we can represent unto you all several colours; not in
rain-bows, (as it is in gems, and prisms,) but of themselves single.
We represent also all multiplications of light, which we carry to great
distance, and make so sharp as to discern small points and lines. Also
all colourations of light; all delusions and deceits of the sight, in
figures, magnitudes, motions, colours all demonstrations of shadows.
We find also divers means, yet unknown to you, of producing of light
originally from divers bodies. We procure means of seeing objects afar
off; as in the heaven and remote places; and represent things near as
afar off; and things afar off as near; making feigned distances. We
have also helps for the sight, far above spectacles and glasses in use.
We have also glasses and means to see small and minute bodies perfectly
and distinctly; as the shapes and colours of small flies and worms,
grains and flaws in gems, which cannot otherwise be seen, observations
in urine and blood not otherwise to be seen. We make artificial
rain-bows, halo's, and circles about light. We represent also all
manner of reflexions, refractions, and multiplications of visual beams
of objects.

"We have also precious stones of all kinds, many of them of great
beauty, and to you unknown; crystals likewise; and glasses of divers
kinds; and amongst them some of metals vitrificated, and other
materials besides those of which you make glass. Also a number of
fossils, and imperfect minerals, which you have not. Likewise
loadstones of prodigious virtue; and other rare stones, both natural
and artificial.

"We have also sound-houses, where we practise and demonstrate all
sounds, and their generation. We have harmonies which you have not, of
quarter-sounds, and lesser slides of sounds. Divers instruments of
music likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you have, together
with bells and rings that are dainty and sweet. We represent small
sounds as great and deep; likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp; we
make divers tremblings and warblings of sounds, which in their original
are entire. We represent and imitate all articulate sounds and
letters, and the voices and notes of beasts and birds. We have certain
helps which set to the ear do further the hearing greatly. We have also
divers strange and artificial echoes, reflecting the voice many times,
and as it were tossing it: and some that give back the voice louder
than it came, some shriller, and some deeper; yea, some rendering the
voice differing in the letters or articulate sound from that they
receive. We have also means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes, in
strange lines and distances.

"We have also perfume-houses; wherewith we join also practices of
taste. We multiply smells, which may seem strange. We imitate smells,
making all smells to breathe outs of other mixtures than those that
give them. We make divers imitations of taste likewise, so that they
will deceive any man's taste. And in this house we contain also a
confiture-house; where we make all sweet-meats, dry and moist; and
divers pleasant wines, milks, broths, and sallets; in far greater
variety than you have.

"We have also engine-houses, where are prepared engines and instruments
for all sorts of motions. There we imitate and practise to make
swifter motions than any you have, either out of your muskets or any
engine that you have: and to make them and multiply them more easily,
and with small force, by wheels and other means: and to make them
stronger and more violent than yours are; exceeding your greatest
cannons and basilisks. We represent also ordnance and instruments of
war, and engines of all kinds: and likewise new mixtures and
compositions of gun-powder, wild-fires burning in water, and
unquenchable. Also fireworks of all variety both for pleasure and use.
We imitate also flights of birds; we have some degrees of flying in the
air. We have ships and boats for going under water, and brooking of
seas; also swimming-girdles and supporters. We have divers curious
clocks, and other like motions of return: and some perpetual motions.
We imitate also motions of living creatures, by images, of men, beasts,
birds, fishes, and serpents. We have also a great number of other
various motions, strange for equality, fineness, and subtilty.

"We have also a mathematical house, where are represented all
instruments, as well of geometry as astronomy, exquisitely made.

"We have also houses of deceits of the senses; where we represent all
manner of feats of juggling, false apparitions, impostures, and
illusions; and their fallacies. And surely you will easily believe
that we that have so many things truly natural which induce admiration,
could in a world of particulars deceive the senses, if we would
disguise those things and labour to make them seem more miraculous. But
we do hate all impostures, and lies; insomuch as we have severely
forbidden it to all our fellows, under pain of ignominy and fines, that
they do not show any natural work or thing, adorned or swelling; but
only pure as it is, and without all affectation of strangeness.

"These are (my son) the riches of Salomon's House.

"For the several employments and offices of our fellows; we have twelve
that sail into foreign countries, under the names of other nations,
(for our own we conceal); who bring us the books, and abstracts, and
patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call Merchants of
Light.

"We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books.
These we call Depredators.

"We have three that collect the experiments of all mechanical arts; and
also of liberal sciences; and also of practices which are not brought
into arts. These we call Mystery-men.

"We have three that try new experiments, such as themselves think good.
These we call Pioneers or Miners.

"We have three that draw the experiments of the former four into titles
and tables, to give the better light for the drawing of observations
and axioms out of them. These we call Compilers.

"We have three that bend themselves, looking into the experiments of
their fellows, and cast about how to draw out of them things of use and
practise for man's life, and knowledge, as well for works as for plain
demonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the easy and
clear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we call
Dowry-men or Benefactors.

"Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole number, to
consider of the former labours and collections, we have three that take
care, out of them, to direct new experiments, of a higher light, more
penetrating into nature than the former. These we call Lamps.

"We have three others that do execute the experiments so directed, and
report them. These we call Inoculators.

"Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by experiments
into greater observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we call
Interpreters of Nature.

"We have also, as you must think, novices and apprentices, that the
succession of the former employed men do not fail; besides, a great
number of servants and attendants, men and women. And this we do also:
we have consultations, which of the inventions and experiences which we
have discovered shall be published, and which not: and take all an oath
of secrecy, for the concealing of those which we think fit to keep
secret: though some of those we do reveal sometimes to the state and
some not.

"For our ordinances and rites: we have two very long and fair
galleries: in one of these we place patterns and samples of all manner
of the more rare and excellent inventions in the other we place the
statues of all principal inventors. There we have the statue of your
Columbus, that discovered the West Indies: also the inventor of ships:
your monk that was the inventor of ordnance and of gunpowder: the
inventor of music: the inventor of letters: the inventor of printing:
the inventor of observations of astronomy: the inventor of works in
metal: the inventor of glass: the inventor of silk of the worm: the
inventor of wine: the inventor of corn and bread: the inventor of
sugars: and all these, by more certain tradition than you have. Then
have we divers inventors of our own, of excellent works; which since
you have not seen, it were too long to make descriptions of them; and
besides, in the right understanding of those descriptions you might
easily err. For upon every invention of value, we erect a statue to
the inventor, and give him a liberal and honourable reward. These
statues are some of brass; some of marble and touch-stone; some of
cedar and other special woods gilt and adorned; some of iron; some of
silver; some of gold.

"We have certain hymns and services, which we say daily, of Lord and
thanks to God for his marvellous works: and forms of prayers, imploring
his aid and blessing for the illumination of our labours, and the
turning of them into good and holy uses.

"Lastly, we have circuits or visits of divers principal cities of the
kingdom; where, as it cometh to pass, we do publish such new profitable
inventions as we think good. And we do also declare natural
divinations of diseases, plagues, swarms-of hurtful creatures,
scarcity, tempests, earthquakes, great inundations, comets, temperature
of the year, and divers other things; and we give counsel thereupon,
what the people shall do for the prevention and remedy of them. "

And when he had said this, he stood up; and I, as I had been taught,
kneeled down, and he laid his right hand upon my head, and said; "God
bless thee, my son; and God bless this relation, which I have made. I
give thee leave to publish it for the good of other nations; for we
here are in God's bosom, a land unknown. " And so he left me; having
assigned a value of about two thousand ducats, for a bounty to me and
my fellows. For they give great largesses where they come upon all
occasions.

[The rest was not perfected. ]




THE ESSAYS OR COUNSELS, CIVIL AND MORAL,

OF FRANCIS Ld. VERULAM VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS


By Francis Bacon


THE ESSAYS

Of Truth
Of Death
Of Unity in Religion
Of Revenge
Of Adversity
Of Simulation and Dissimulation
Of Parents and Children
Of Marriage and Single Life
Of Envy
Of Love
Of Great Place
Of Boldness
Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature
Of Nobility
Of Seditions and Troubles
Of Atheism
Of Superstition
Of Travel
Of Empire
Of Counsel
Of Delays
Of Cunning
Of Wisdom for a Man's Self
Of Innovations
Of Dispatch
Of Seeming Wise
Of Friendship
Of Expense
Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates
Of Regiment of Health
Of Suspicion
Of Discourse
Of Plantations
Of Riches
Of Prophecies
Of Ambition
Of Masques and Triumphs
Of Nature in Men
Of Custom and Education
Of Fortune
Of Usury
Of Youth and Age
Of Beauty
Of Deformity
Of Building
Of Gardens
Of Negotiating
Of Followers and Friends
Of Suitors
Of Studies
Of Faction
Of Ceremonies and Respects
Of Praise
Of Vain-glory
Of Honor and Reputation
Of Judicature
Of Anger
Of Vicissitude of Things
Of Fame


TO

THE RIGHT HONORABLE

MY VERY GOOD LORD

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

HIS GRACE, LORD

HIGH ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND


EXCELLENT LORD:

SALOMON saies; A good Name is as a precious oyntment; And I assure my
selfe, such wil your Graces Name bee, with Posteritie. For your Fortune,
and Merit both, have been Eminent. And you have planted Things, that
are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which, of all my other
workes, have beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home,
to Mens Businesse, and Bosomes. I have enlarged them, both in Number,
and Weight; So that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it therefore
agreeable, to my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your
Name before them, both in English, and in Latine. For I doe conceive,
that the Latine Volume of them, (being in the Universall Language) may
last, as long as Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King:
My Historie of Henry the Seventh, (which I have now also translated into
Latine) and my Portions of Naturall History, to the Prince: And these
I dedicate to your Grace; Being of the best Fruits, that by the good
Encrease, which God gives to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God
leade your Grace by the Hand. Your Graces most Obliged and faithfull
Servant,

FR. ST. ALBAN





Of Truth


WHAT is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.
Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to
fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And
though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain
certain discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be
not so much blood in them, as was in those of the ancients. But it is
not only the difficulty and labor, which men take in finding out
of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon men's
thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural, though corrupt
love, of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians,
examineth the matter, and is at a stand, to think what should be in it,
that men should love lies; where neither they make for pleasure, as with
poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchant; but for the lie's sake.
But I cannot tell; this same truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that
doth not show the masks, and mummeries, and triumphs, of the world, half
so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the
price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the
price of a diamond, or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights.
A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if
there were taken out of men's minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes,
false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would
leave the minds, of a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of
melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?

One of the fathers, in great severity, called poesy vinum daemonum,
because it fireth the imagination; and yet, it is but with the shadow of
a lie. But it is not the lie that passeth through the mind, but the
lie that sinketh in, and settleth in it, that doth the hurt; such as we
spake of before. But howsoever these things are thus in men's depraved
judgments, and affections, yet truth, which only doth judge itself,
teacheth that the inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or wooing
of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the
belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of
human nature. The first creature of God, in the works of the days,
was the light of the sense; the last, was the light of reason; and his
sabbath work ever since, is the illumination of his Spirit. First he
breathed light, upon the face of the matter or chaos; then he breathed
light, into the face of man; and still he breatheth and inspireth light,
into the face of his chosen. The poet, that beautified the sect, that
was otherwise inferior to the rest, saith yet excellently well: It is a
pleasure, to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea;
a pleasure, to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle,
and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the
standing upon the vantage ground of truth (a hill not to be commanded,
and where the air is always clear and serene), and to see the errors,
and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the vale below; so always
that this prospect be with pity, and not with swelling, or pride.
Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man's mind move in
charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.

To pass from theological, and philosophical truth, to the truth of civil
business; it will be acknowledged, even by those that practise it not,
that clear, and round dealing, is the honor of man's nature; and that
mixture of falsehoods, is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which
may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it. For these
winding, and crooked courses, are the goings of the serpent; which goeth
basely upon the belly, and not upon the feet. There is no vice, that
doth so cover a man with shame, as to be found false and perfidious. And
therefore Montaigne saith prettily, when he inquired the reason, why the
word of the lie should be such a disgrace, and such an odious charge?
Saith he, If it be well weighed, to say that a man lieth, is as much to
say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men. For a
lie faces God, and shrinks from man. Surely the wickedness of falsehood,
and breach of faith, cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in
that it shall be the last peal, to call the judgments of God upon the
generations of men; it being foretold, that when Christ cometh, he shall
not find faith upon the earth.




Of Death


MEN fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural
fear in children, is increased with tales, so is the other. Certainly,
the contemplation of death, as the wages of sin, and passage to another
world, is holy and religious; but the fear of it, as a tribute due
unto nature, is weak. Yet in religious meditations, there is sometimes
mixture of vanity, and of superstition. You shall read, in some of the
friars' books of mortification, that a man should think with himself,
what the pain is, if he have but his finger's end pressed, or tortured,
and thereby imagine, what the pains of death are, when the whole body is
corrupted, and dissolved; when many times death passeth, with less
pain than the torture of a limb; for the most vital parts, are not the
quickest of sense. And by him that spake only as a philosopher, and
natural man, it was well said, Pompa mortis magis terret, quam mors
ipsa. Groans, and convulsions, and a discolored face, and friends
weeping, and blacks, and obsequies, and the like, show death terrible.
It is worthy the observing, that there is no passion in the mind of man,
so weak, but it mates, and masters, the fear of death; and therefore,
death is no such terrible enemy, when a man hath so many attendants
about him, that can win the combat of him. Revenge triumphs over
death; love slights it; honor aspireth to it; grief flieth to it;
fear preoccupateth it; nay, we read, after Otho the emperor had slain
himself, pity (which is the tenderest of affections) provoked many to
die, out of mere compassion to their sovereign, and as the truest sort
of followers. Nay, Seneca adds niceness and satiety: Cogita quamdiu
eadem feceris; mori velle, non tantum fortis aut miser, sed etiam
fastidiosus potest. A man would die, though he were neither valiant, nor
miserable, only upon a weariness to do the same thing so oft, over and
over. It is no less worthy, to observe, how little alteration in good
spirits, the approaches of death make; for they appear to be the same
men, till the last instant. Augustus Caesar died in a compliment; Livia,
conjugii nostri memor, vive et vale. Tiberius in dissimulation; as
Tacitus saith of him, Jam Tiberium vires et corpus, non dissimulatio,
deserebant. Vespasian in a jest, sitting upon the stool; Ut puto deus
fio. Galba with a sentence; Feri, si ex re sit populi Romani; holding
forth his neck. Septimius Severus in despatch; Adeste si quid mihi
restat agendum. And the like. Certainly the Stoics bestowed too much
cost upon death, and by their great preparations, made it appear more
fearful. Better saith he, qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponat
naturae. It is as natural to die, as to be born; and to a little infant,
perhaps, the one is as painful, as the other. He that dies in an earnest
pursuit, is like one that is wounded in hot blood; who, for the time,
scarce feels the hurt; and therefore a mind fixed, and bent upon
somewhat that is good, doth avert the dolors of death. But, above all,
believe it, the sweetest canticle is', Nunc dimittis; when a man hath
obtained worthy ends, and expectations. Death hath this also; that
it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy. --Extinctus
amabitur idem.




Of Unity In Religion


RELIGION being the chief band of human society, it is a happy thing,
when itself is well contained within the true band of unity. The
quarrels, and divisions about religion, were evils unknown to the
heathen. The reason was, because the religion of the heathen, consisted
rather in rites and ceremonies, than in any constant belief.