MR. BACON S DISCOURSE 



IN THE 

 PRAISE OF HIS SOVEREIGN. 



No praise of magnanimity, nor of love, nor of know 

 ledge, can intercept her praise, that planteth and 

 nourisheth magnanimity by her example, love by her 

 person, and knowledge by the peace and serenity of 

 her times. And if these rich pieces be so fair unset, 

 what are they set, and set in all perfection ? Magna 

 nimity no doubt consisteth in contempt of peril, in 

 contempt of profit, and in meriting of the times 

 wherein one liveth. For contempt of peril, see a lady 

 that cometh to a crown after the experience of some 

 adverse fortune, which for the most part extenuateth 

 the mind, and maketh it apprehensive of fears. No 

 sooner she taketh the sceptre into her sacred hands, 

 but she putteth on a resolution to make the greatest, 

 the most important, the most dangerous that can be 

 in a state, the alteration of religion. This she doth, 

 not after a sovereignty established and continued by 

 sundry years, when custom might have bred in her 

 people a more absolute obedience ; when trial of her 

 servants might have made her more assured whom 

 to employ ; when the reputation of her policy and 

 virtue might have made her government redoubted : 

 but at the very entrance of her reign, when she was 



