32 BACON'S ESSAYS 



more virtuous, but less innocent, than their descendants ; 

 for there is rarely any rising but by a commixture of good 

 and evil arts. But it is reason the memory of their virtues 

 remain to their posterity, and their faults die with them- 

 selves. Nobility of birth commonly abateth industry ; and 

 he that is not industrious, envieth him that is. Besides, 

 noble persons cannot go much higher : and he that standeth 

 at a stay when others rise, can hardly avoid motions of 

 envy. On the other side, nobility extinguisheth the pas- 

 sive envy from others towards them ; because they are in 

 possession of honour. Certainly, kings that have able men 

 of their nobility shall find ease in employing them, and a 

 better slide into their business ; for people naturally bend 

 to them, as born in some sort to command. 



XV 

 OF SEDITIONS AND TROUBLES 



SHEPHERDS of people had need know the calendars of 

 tempests in state ; which are commonly greatest when 

 things grow to equality ; as natural tempests are greatest 

 about the Equinoctia. And as there are certain hollow 

 blasts of wind and secret swellings of seas before a tempest, 

 so are there in states : 



I lie etiam caecos instare tumullus 

 Saepe monet, fraudesque et operta tumescere bella. 



Libels and licentious discourses against the state, when 

 they are frequent and open ; and in like sort, false news 

 often running up and down to the disadvantage of the 

 state, and hastily embraced; are amongst the signs of 

 troubles. Virgil giving the pedigree of Fame, saith ' she 

 was sister to the Giants': 



Illam Terra parens, ird irritata Deorum, 

 Extremam (ut perhibent) Coeo Enceladoque sororem 

 Progenuit, 



