THE SPEAKER S EXCUSE. 71 



sun fair upon the ground, whereby all things exhi 

 larate and do fructify, is either hindered by clouds 

 above or mists below ; perhaps by brambles and 

 briers that grow upon the ground itself. All which 

 I hope at this time will be dispelled and removed. 



I come now to the last part of your speech, con 

 cerning the petitions : but before I deliver his ma 

 jesty s answer respectively in particular, I am to 

 speak to you some few words in general ; wherein, 

 in effect, I shall but glean, his majesty having so ex 

 cellently and fully expressed himself. 



For that, that can be spoken pertinently, must be 

 either touching the subject or matter of parliament 

 business ; or of the manner and carriage of the 

 same ; or lastly of the time, and the husbanding and 

 marshalling of time. 



For the matters to be handled in parliament, 

 they are either of church, state, laws, or grievances. 



For the first two, concerning church, or state, ye 

 have heard the king himself speak ; and as the Scrip 

 ture saith, &quot; Who is he that in such things shall 

 &quot; come after the king ?&quot; For the other two, I shall 

 say somewhat, but very shortly. 



For laws, they are things proper for your own 

 element ; and therefore therein ye are rather to lead 

 than to be led. Only it is not amiss to put you in 

 mind of two things ; the one, that ye do not multi 

 ply or accumulate laws more than ye need. There is 

 a wise and learned civilian that applies the curse of 

 the prophet, &quot; Pluet super eos laqueos/ to multipli 

 city of laws : for they do but ensnare and entangle 



