404 ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 



sals, for their actions, and for their negligent omis 

 sions : but the ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, 

 and hands they are, must be answerable to God and 

 man for the breach of their duties, in violation of 

 their trusts, whereby they betray them. Opinion is 

 a master wheel in these cases : that courtier who 

 obtained a boon of the emperor, that he might every 

 morning at his coming into his presence humbly 

 whisper him in the ear and say nothing, asked no 

 unprofitable suit for himself: but such a fancy 

 raised only by opinion cannot be long-lived , unless 

 the man have solid worth to uphold it ; otherwise 

 when once discovered it vanisheth suddenly. But 

 when a favourite in court shall be raised upon the 

 foundation of merits, and together with the care of 

 doing good service to the king, shall give good dis 

 patches to the suitors, then can he not choose but 

 prosper.] 



The contemplation then of your present condi 

 tion must necessarily prepare you for action : what 

 time can be well spared from your attendance on 

 your master, will be taken up by suitors, whom you 

 cannot avoid nor decline without reproach. For if 

 you do not already, you will soon find the throng of 

 suitors attend you ; for no man, almost, who hath to 

 do with the king, will think himself safe, unless you 

 be his good angel, and guide him ; or at least that 

 you be not a &quot; malus genius&quot; against him : so that, 

 in respect of the king your master, you must be 

 very wary that you give him true information ; and 

 if the matter concern him in his government, that 



