SPEECH TO SIR JOHN DENHAM. 269 



debts; and the more fresh and late debts shall be 

 either more negligently called upon, or over-easily 

 discharged, or over-indulgently stalled : or if the 

 number of informations be many, and the King s part 

 or fines for compositions a trifle ; or if there be much 

 ado to get the King new land upon concealments, 

 and that which he hath already be not known and 

 surveyed, nor the woods preserved, (I could put you 

 many other cases,) this falls within that which I term 

 the sick estate of the exchequer : and this is that 

 which makes every man ready with their under 

 takings and their projects to disturb the ancient 

 frame of the exchequer ; than the which, I am per 

 suaded, there is not a better, this being the burden 

 of the song : That much goeth out of the subject s 

 purse, and little cometh to the king s purse. There 

 fore, give them not that advantage so to say. Sure 

 I am, that besides your own associates, the barons, 

 you serve with two superior great officers, that have 

 honourable and true ends, and desire to serve the 

 King and right the subject. 



There resteth, that I deliver you your patent. 



