OF THE PLANTATIONS IN IRELAND. 175 



excellency of the work, in point of honour, policy, 

 safety, and utility, here I cease. 



For the means to effect this work, I know your 

 majesty shall not want the information of persons 

 expert and industrious, which have served you 

 there, and know the region : nor the advice of 

 a grave and prudent council of estate here ; which 

 know the pulses of the hearts of people, and the 

 ways and passages of conducting great actions; 

 besides that which is above all, which is that foun 

 tain of wisdom and universality which is in yourself; 

 yet notwithstanding in a thing of so public a nature, 

 it is not amiss for your majesty to hear variety 

 of opinion : for, as Demosthenes saith well, the 

 good fortune of a prince or state doth sometimes 

 put a good motion into a fool s mouth. I do think 

 therefore the means of accomplishing this work 

 consisteth of two principal parts. The first, the 

 invitation and encouragement of undertakers ; the 

 second, the order and policy of the project itself. 

 For as in all engines of the hand there is somewhat 

 that giveth the motion and force, and the rest 

 serveth to guide and govern the same : so it is in 

 these enterprises or engines of estate. As for the 

 former of these, there is no doubt, but next unto 

 the providence and finger of God, which writeth 

 these virtuous and excellent desires in the tables 

 of your majesty s heart; your authority and affection 

 is &quot; primus motor&quot; in this cause ; and therefore the 

 more strongly and fully your majesty shall declare 



