VIII. 3-] THE SECOND ROOK. 125 



the works or fruits of nature or art) which are now 

 extant, and whereof man is already possessed ; out of 

 which doth naturally result a note, what things are yet 

 held impossible, or not invented: which kalendar will 

 be the more artificial and serviceable, if to every reputed 

 impossibility you add what thing is extant which cometh 

 the nearest in degree to that impossibility; to the end 

 that by these optatives and potentials man s inquiry may 

 be the more awake in deducing direction of works from 

 the speculation of causes. And secondly, that those ex 

 periments be not only esteemed which have an immediate 

 and present use, but those principally which are of most 

 universal consequence for invention of other experiments, 

 and those which give most light to the invention of causes. 

 For the invention of the mariner s needle, which giveth 

 the direction, is of no less benefit for navigation than the 

 invention of the sails which give the motion. 



4. Thus have I passed through natural philosophy 

 and the deficiences thereof; wherein if I have differed 

 from the ancient and received doctrines, and thereby 

 shall move contradiction, for my part, as I affect not 

 to dissent, so I purpose not to contend. If it be 

 truth, 



Non canimus surdis, respondent omnia sylvz ; 



the voice of nature will consent, whether the voice of 

 man do or no. And as Alexander Borgia was wont to 

 say of the expedition of the French for Naples, that 

 they came with chalk in their hands to mark up their 

 lodgings, and not with weapons to fight ; so I like better 

 that entry of truth which cometh peaceably with chalk 

 to mark up those minds which are capable to lodge 

 and harbour it, than that which cometh with pugnacity 

 and contention. 



