OF A DIGEST OF LAWS. 



what happened to Callisthenes, that followed Alex 

 ander s court, and was grown into some displeasure 

 with him, because he could not well brook the Per 

 sian adoration. At a supper, which with the Gre 

 cians was a great part talk, he was desired, the king 

 being present, because he was an eloquent man, to 

 speak of some theme, which he did ; and chose for his 

 theme, the praise of the Macedonian nation, which 

 though it were but a filling thing to praise men 

 to their faces, yet he performed it with such advan 

 tage of truth, and avoidance of flattery, and with 

 such life, as was much applauded by the hearers. 

 The king was the less pleased with it, not loving the 

 man, and by way of discountenance said : It was 

 easy to be a good orator in a pleasing theme. 

 &quot; But,&quot; saith he to him, &quot; turn your style, and tell 

 &quot; us now of our faults, that we may have the profit, 

 &quot; and not you the praise only ;&quot; which he presently 

 did with such quickness, that Alexander said, That 

 malice made him eloquent then, as the theme had 

 done before. I shall not fall into either of these ex 

 tremes, in this subject of the laws of England ; I 

 have commended them before for the matter, but 

 surely they ask much amendment for the form ; 

 which to reduce and perfect, I hold to be one of the 

 greatest dowries that can be conferred upon this 

 kingdom : which work, for the excellency, as it is 

 worthy your majesty s act and times, so it hath some 

 circumstance of propriety agreeable to your person. 

 God hath blessed your majesty with posterity, and I 

 am not of opinion that kings that are barren are 



