The First Book 43 



The former, again, is mixed with strife and perturbation; 

 but the latter hath the true character of Divine Presence, 

 coming ^ in aura lent, without noise or agitation. 



2. Neither is certainly that other merit of learning, in re- 

 pressing the inconveniences which grow from man to man, 

 much inferior to the former, of relieving the necessities 

 which arise from nature; which merit was lively set forth 

 by the ancients in that feigned relation of Orpheus' theatre, 

 where all beasts and birds assembled ; and, forgetting their 

 several appetites, some of prey, some of game, some of 

 quarrel, stood all sociably together listening to the airs and 

 accords of the harp; the sound whereof no sooner ceased, or 

 was drowned by some louder noise, but every beast returned 

 to its own nature: wherein is aptly described the nature 

 and condition of men, who are full of savage and unre- 

 claimed desires of profit, of lust, of revenge ; which as long 

 as they give ear to precepts, to laws, to religion, sweetly 

 touched with eloquence and persuasion of books, of sermons, 

 of harangues, so long is society and peace maintained ; but 

 if these instruments be silent, or that sedition and tumult 

 make them not audible, all things dissolve into anarchy and 

 confusion. 



3. But this appeareth more manifestly, when kings them- 

 selves, or persons of authority under them, or other gover- 

 nors in commonwealths and popular estates, are endued 

 with learning. For although he might be thought partial 

 to his own profession, that said. Then should people and 

 estates he happy, when either kings were philosophers, or philo- 

 sophers kings : 2 yet so much is verified by experience, that 

 under learned princes and governors there have been ever 

 the best times : for howsoever kings may have their imper- 

 fections in their passions and customs; yet if they be illu- 

 minate by learning, they have those notions of religion, 

 policy, and morality, which do preserve them, and refrain 

 them from all ruinous and peremptory errors and excesses; 

 whispering evermore in their ears, when counsellors and 

 servants stand mute and silent. And senators or coun- 

 sellors likewise, which be learned, do proceed upon more 

 safe and substantial principles, than counsellors which are 



^ In the edition 1605 com — ends a line, and the remainder of the 

 word has been omitted. The editions 1629 and 1633 read commonly^ 

 » Plat. Rep. V. 473. 



