The Second Book 183 



too high a pitch in his favours, it doth commonly end in 

 unkindness and unthankfulness. 



Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo P coram regibus stahit, 

 nee erit inter ignohiles} Here is observed, that of all virtues 

 for rising to honour, quickness of despatch is the best ; for 

 superiors many times love not to have those they employ 

 too deep or too sufficient, but ready and diligent. 



Vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole, cum adolescenie 

 secundo qui consurgit pro eo.^ Here is expressed that which 

 was noted by Sylla first, and after him by Tiberius; Plures 

 adorant solem orientem quam occidentem vel meridianum.^ 



Si spiritus potestatem habentis ascenderit super ie, locum 

 tuum ne demiseris ; quia curatio faciei cessare peccata 

 maxima.^ Here caution is given, that upon displeasure, 

 retiring is of all courses the unfittest; for a man leaveth 

 things at worst, and depriveth himself of means to make 

 them better. 



Erat civitas parva, et pauci in ea viri : venit contra cam 

 rex magnus, et vadavit eam, instruxitque munitiones per 

 gyrum, et perfecta est obsidio ; inventusque est in ea vir 

 pauper et sapiens, et liberavit eam per sapientiam suam ; et 

 nullus deinceps recordatus est hominis illius pauperis.^ Here 

 the corruption of states is set forth, that esteem not virtue 

 or merit longer than they have use of it. 



Mollis responsio frangit iram.^ Here is noted that silence 

 or rough answer exasperateth ; but an answer present and 

 temperate pacifieth. 



Iter pigrorum quasi sepes spinarumP Here is Uvely 

 represented how laborious sloth proveth in the end; for 

 when things are deferred till the last instant, and nothing 

 prepared beforehand, every step findeth a brier or an 

 impediment, which catcheth or stoppeth. 



Melior est finis orationis quam principium.^ Here is 

 taxed the vanity of formal speakers, that study more about 

 prefaces and inducements, than upon the conclusions and 

 issues of speech. 



Qui cognoscit in judicio faciem, non bene facit ; iste et pro 



• Prov. xxii. 29, » Eccles. iv. 15. 



• Plut. Vit. Pomp, and Tacit. Ann. vi, 46. The words vei meri- 

 dianum are omitted in the Latin, as they should be here. 



• Eccles. X. 4. • ix. 14, 15. 



• Prov, XV. I. »xv. 19. 



• Eccles. vii. 8. 



