THE SECOND BOOK. 61 



THE SECOND BOOK. 



To the King. 



1. IT might seem to have more convenience, though it come 

 often otherwise to pass (excellent King), that those which are 

 fruitful in their generations, and have in themselves the fore 

 sight of immortality in their descendants, should likewise be 

 more careful of the good estate of future times, unto which 

 they know they must transmit and commend over their de-arest 

 pledges. Queen Elizabeth was a sojourner in the world in 

 respect of her unmarried life, and was a blessing to her own 

 times ; and yet so as the impression of her good government, 

 besides her happy memory, is not without some effect which 

 doth survive her. But to your Majesty, whom God hath 

 already blessed with so much royal issue, worthy to continue 

 and represent you for ever, and whose youthful and fruitful 

 bed doth yet promise many the like renovations, it is proper 

 and agreeable to be conversant not only in the transitory parts 

 of good government, but in those acts also which are in their 

 nature permanent and perpetual. Amongst the which (if 

 affection do not transport me) there is not any more worthy 

 than the further endowment of the world with sound and 

 fruitful knowledge. For why should a few received authors 

 stand up like Hercules columns, beyond which there should be 

 no sailing or discovering, since we have so bright and benign a 

 star as your Majesty to conduct and prosper us ? To return 

 therefore where we left, it remaineth to consider of what kind 

 those acts are which have been undertaken and performed by 

 kings and others for the increase and advancement of learning, 

 wherein I purpose to speak actively, without digressing or 

 dilating. 



2. Let this ground therefore be laid, that all works are over 

 common by amplitude of reward, by soundness of direction, 

 and by the conjunction of labours. The first multiplieth en 

 deavour, the second preventeth error, and the third supplieth 

 the frailty of man. But the principal of these is direction, for 

 claudus in via antevertit cursorem extra, mam; and Solomon 

 excellently setteth it down, &quot;If the iron be not sharp, it re- 

 quireth more strength, but wisdom is that which prevaileth,&quot; 



