They say after Iupiter was married to Metis, shee conceiu'd by him, and was with childe, but Iupiter suffered her not to stay till shee brought fourth, but eate her vp; whereby hee became with child and was deliuered of Pallas, armed out of his head. Which monstrous fable containeth a secret of Empire: How Kings are to make vse of their Counsell of state. That first they ought to referre matters to them, which is the first begetting, or impregnation; but when they are elaborate, moulded, and shaped in the wombe of their counsell and growe ripe, and ready to be brought fourth; that then they suffer not their counsel to go through, with the resolution and direction, as if it depended vpon the; but take the matter back into their own hand, & make it appeare to the world, that the decrees and final directions (which because they come forth with prudēce, and power, are resembled to Pallas armed) proceeded from themselues: and not onely from their authority, but (the more to adde reputation to themselues) from their head and deuice. The inconueniences that haue beene noted in calling and vsing counsell, are three. First, the reuealing of affaires, whereby they become lesse secret. Secondly, the weakning of the authority of Princes, as if they were lesse of themselues. Thirdly, the danger of being vnfaithfully counselled, and more for the good of them that counsel, then of him that is counselled. For which inconueniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practise of France, hath introduced Cabanet counsels, a remedy worse then the disease.1 But for secrecy,

1 The MS. proceeds thus: "which hath tourned Metis the wife to Metis the mistresse, that is Councells of State to which Princes are [solemly]

Princes are not bound to communicate all matters with all Councellors, but may extract and select. Neither is it necessarie, that hee that consulteth what hee should doe; should declare what hee will doe. But let Princes beware that the vnsecreting of their affaires come not from themselues. And as for Cabanet Counsell, it may be their Mot, Plenus rimarum sum. One futile person, that maketh it his glory to tell, will do more hurt, then manie that know it their dutie to conceale. For weakning of authority, the fable sheweth the remedy; neither was there euer Prince bereaved of his dependances by his Counsell, except where there hath been either an ouergreatnesse in one, or an ouerstrict combination in diuerse; for the last incōuenience that men will counsell with an eie to themselues. Certainlie, Non inueniet fidem super terram is meant of the nature of times, and not of all particuler persons. There bee that are in nature faithfull and sinceare, and plaine, and direct, not craftie and inuolued. Let Princes aboue all, draw to themselues such natures. Besides, counsels are not commonly so vnited, but that one keepeth Sentinell ouer an other. But the best remedie is, if Princes know their counsellors, as well as their Counsellors know them, Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. And of the other side Councellors should not be too speculatiue into their Soueraignes person. The true composition of a Councellor, is rather to be skilfull in their Masters businesse, then in his nature: For then he is like to aduise him, and marryed, to Councells of gracious persons recommended cheifly by [flattery and] affection."

The word "solemly" has a line drawn through it, and the words "flattery and" are inserted between the lines in Bacon's hand.

not to feed his humor. It is of singuler vse to Princes, if they take the opinions of their Councell, both seperatly and together. For priuate opinion is more free, but opinion before others is more reuerent. In priuate, men are more bold in their own humors; and in consort, men are more obnoxious to others humours. Therefore it is good to take both, and of the inferiour sort rather in priuate to preserue freedome; of the greater rather in consort, to preserue respect. It is in vain for Princes to take counsell concerning matters: if they take no counsell likewise concerning persons. For all matters are as dead images, and the life of the execution of affaires resteth in the good choise of persons. Neither is it enough to consult concerning persons, secundum genera, as in an Idea, or mathematicall description, what kind of person should be; but in indiuiduo: For the greatest errors, and the greatest iudgement are shewed in the choice of Individuals. It was truly said, Optimi Consiliarij mortui. Bookes will speake plaine, when Councellors blanch. Therefore it is good to be conuersant in them, specially the books of such as themselues haue beene Actors vpon the Stage.

11. OF DISPATCH.

AFFECTED dispatch is one of the most dangerous things to businesse that can bee. It is like that which the Physitians call pre-digestion, or hasty digestion, which is sure to fill the bodie full of crudities and se

1 The two clauses "to preserve freedom," and to "preserve respect," are not in the MS.

2 The Essay ends here in the MS.

cret seedes of diseases. Therefore measure not dispatch by the times of sitting, but by the aduancement of the businesse. It is the care of some onely to come of speedily for the time, or to contriue some false periods of businesse, because they may seeme men of dispatch. But it is one thinge to make short by contracting; another by cutting off: and businesse so handled by peeces, is commonly protracted in the whole. I knew a wise man had it for a bie-word, when he saw men hasten to a conclusion; Stay a little that wee may make an end the sooner. On the other side, true dispatch is a rich thing: For time is the measure of businesse, as money is of wares and businesse is bought at a deare hand where there is small dispatch. Giue good hearing to those that giue the first information in businesse; and rather direct them in the beginning, then interrupt them in the continuance of their speeches: For he that is put out of his owne order, will goe forward, and backwards, and be more tedious by parcels, then he could haue bin at once. But sometimes it is seene, that the moderator is more troublesome, then the Actor. Iterations are commonly losse of time; but there is no such gaine of time, as to iterate often the state of the question. For it chaseth away many a friuolous speech, as it is comming forth. Long and curious speeches are as fit for dispatch, as a Robe or Mantle with a long traine, is for race. Prefaces, and passages, and excusations, and other speeches of reference to the person, are great wastes of time, and though they seeme to proceede of modesty, they are brauery. Yet beware of being too materiall, when there is any impediment, or obstruction in mens will. For preoccu

1 wills in MS.

pation euer requireth preface: like a fomentation to make the vnguent enter. Above all things, order and distribution is the life of dispatch: so as the distribution bee not too subtill: For he that doth not diuide, will neuer enter well into businesse; and he that diuideth too much will neuer come out of it clearely. To chuse time, is to saue time, and an vnseasonable motion is but beating the aire. There bee three parts of businesse; the preparation, the debate, or examination, and the perfection. Whereof if you looke for dispatch, let the midle onely be the worke of many, and the first and last the worke of few. The proceeding vpon somewhat conceiued in writing, doth for the most part facilitate dispatch. For though it should bee wholly reiected, yet that Negatiue is more pregnant of a direction, then an indefinite; as ashes are more generatiue than dust.

12. OF LOVE.

LOVE is the argument alwaies of Comedies, and many times of Tragedies. Which sheweth well, that it is a passion generally light, and sometimes extreme. Extreame it may well bee, since the speaking in a perpetuall Hyperbole, is comely in nothing, but Loue. Neither is it meerely in the phrase. For whereas it hath beene well said, that the Arch-flatterer with whom al the petty-flatters haue intelligence, is a Mans selfe, certainely the louer is more. For there was neuer proud Man thought so absurdly well of himselfe, as the louer doth of the person loued: and therefore it was well said, that it is impossible to loue, and to bee wise. Neither doth this weakenes appeare to others