A SPEECH ABOUT UNDERTAKERS. 17 



and whether the olive should reign over them ? that 

 might not be : but we have accepted the bramble to 

 reign over us. For it seems that the good vine of 

 the king s graces, that is not so much in esteem ; and 

 the good oil, whereby we should salve and relieve 

 the wants of the estate and crown, that is laid aside 

 too : and this bramble of contention and emulation ; 

 this Abirnelech, which, as was truly said by an under 

 standing gentleman, is a bastard, for every fame that 

 wants a head, is &quot; filius populi,&quot; this must reign and 

 rule amongst us. 



Then for the king, nothing can be more oppo 

 site, &quot; ex diametro,&quot; to his ends and hopes, than this : 

 for you have heard him profess like a king, and like 

 a gracious king, that he doth not so much respect 

 his present supply, as this demonstration that the 

 people s hearts are more knit to him than before. 

 Now then if the issue shall be this, that whatsoever 

 shall be done for him shall be thought to be done 

 but by a number of persons that shall be laboured 

 and packed ; this will rather be a sign of diffidence 

 and alienation, than of a natural benevolence and 

 affection in his people at home ; and rather matter 

 of disreputation, than of honour abroad. So that, 

 to speak plainly to you, the king were better call for 

 a new pair of cards, than play upon these if they be 

 packed. 



And then for the people, it is my manner 



ever to look as well beyond a parliament as upon 



a parliament ; and if they abroad shall think 



themselves betrayed by those that are their de- 



VOL. vi. c 



