LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 61 



are now likewise in intention, shall be settled upon 

 you, I do not see, but you may think your private fortunes 

 established ; and therefore it is now time, that you should 

 refer your actions to the good of your sovereign, and your 

 country. It is the life of an ox, or beast, always to eat, 

 and never exercise ; but men are born (and specially Chris 

 tian men) not to cram in their fortunes but to exercise their 

 virtues ; and yet the other hath been unworthy, and (thanks 

 be to God) sometimes the unlucky humour of great persons 

 in our times. Neither will your future fortune be the 

 farther off; for assure yourself, that fortune is of a woman s 

 nature, and will sooner follow by slighting, than by too 

 much wooing. And in this dedication of yourself to the 

 public, I recommend unto you principally, that which I think, 

 was never done since t was born ; and which, because it is 

 not done, hath bred almost a wilderness and solitude in the 

 king s service ; which is, that you countenance and en 

 courage, and advance able men, in all kinds, degrees, and 

 professions. For in the time of the Cecils, the father and 

 the son, able men were by design and of purpose sup 

 pressed: and though of late, choice goeth better, both in 

 church and commonwealth, yet money and turn-serving, and 

 cunning canvasses and importunity, prevaileth too much. 

 And in places of moment, rather make able and honest men 

 yours, than advance those that are otherwise, because they 

 are yours. As for cunning and corrupt men, you must (I 

 know) sometimes use them, but keep them at a distance ; 

 and let it appear rather, that you make use of them, than 

 that they lead you. Above all depend wholly (next unto 

 God) upon the king, and be ruled (as hitherto you have 

 been) by his instructions, for that is best for yourself. For 

 the king s care and thoughts for you are according to the 

 thoughts of a great king ; whereas your thoughts concern 

 ing yourself, are, and ought to be, according to the thoughts 

 of a modest man. But let me not weary you, the sum is, 



