THE 



FIRST BOOK OF FRANCIS BACON ; 



OF THE PROFICIENCE AND 



ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, 



DIVINE AND HUMAN. 



To the King. 



THERE were under the law, excellent King, both daily 

 sacrifices and freewill offerings ; the one proceeding upon 

 ordinary observance, the other upon a devout cheerfulness : 

 in like manner there belongeth to kings from their servants 

 both tribute of duty and presents of affection. In the 

 former of these I hope I shall not live to be wanting, 

 according to my most humble duty, and the good pleasure 

 of your Majesty's employments : for the latter, I thought it 

 more respective to make choice of some oblation, which might 

 rather refer to the propriety and excellency of your individual 10 

 person, than to the business of your crown and state. 



Wherefore, representing your Majesty many times unto 

 my mind, and beholding you not with the inquisitive eye of 

 presumption, to discover that which the Scripture telleth 

 me is inscrutable, but with the observant eye of duty and 

 admiration ; leaving aside the other parts of your virtue 

 and fortune, I have been touched, yea, and possessed with 



