LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 451 



Any particular, I that live in darkness, cannot propound. 

 Let his grace, who seeth clear, make his choice : but let 

 some such thing be done, and then this reputation will 

 stick by him; and his grace may afterwards be at the 

 better liberty to take and leave off the future occasions, that 

 shall present. 



To the King. 



It may please your most excellent Majesty, 

 I send, in all humbleness, to your majesty, the poor 

 fruits of my leisure. This book* was the first thing that 

 ever I presented to your majesty;^ and it may be will be 

 last. For I had thought it should have posthuma proles. 

 But God hath otherwise disposed for a while. It is a 

 translation, but almost inlarged to a new work. I had 

 good helps for the language. I have been also mine own 

 index expurgatorius, that it may be read in all places. For 

 since my end of putting it into Latin was to have it read 

 every where, it had been an absurd contradiction to free it 

 in the language, and to pen it up in the matter. Your 

 majesty will vouchsafe graciously to receive these poor 

 sacrifices of him that shall ever desire to do you honour 

 while he breathes, and fulfilleth the rest in prayers. 

 Your Majesty s true Beadsman 



and most humble Servant, &c. 



Todos duelos con pan son buenos : itaque det vestra Majestas 

 obolum Bellisario. 



To the Prince. 



It may please your excellent Highness, 

 I send your highness, in all humbleness, my book of 

 Advancement of Learning, translated into Latin, but so 

 inlarged, as it may go for a new work. It is a book, I 

 think, will live, and be a citizen of the world, as English 

 books are not. For Henry the Eighth, to deal truly with 

 your highness, I did so despair of my health this summer, 

 as I was glad to choose some such work, as I might com 

 pass within days ; so far was I from entering into a work 

 of length. Your highness s return hath been my restora- 



De Aitgmentis Scientiarum, printed at London, 1623, in fol. The present 

 to King James I. is in the royal library in the British Museum. 



t The two hooks of Sir Francis Bacon of the Proficiency and Advancement of 

 Learning, Divine and Human : printed at London, 1605, in 4to. 



GG2 



