96 BACON'S ESSAYS 



any thing that is hideous, as devils, giants, is on the other 

 side as unfit. But chiefly, let the music of them be re- 

 creative, and with some strange changes. Some sweet 

 odours suddenly coming forth, without any drops falling, 

 are, in such a company as there is steam and heat, things 

 of great pleasure and refreshment. Double masques, one 

 of men, another of ladies, addeth state and variety. But 

 all is nothing except the room be kept clear and neat. 



For justs, and tourneys, and barriers ; the glories of 

 them are chiefly in the chariots, wherein the challengers 

 make their entry ; especially if they be drawn with strange 

 beasts : as lions, bears, camels, and the like ; or in the 

 devices of their entrance ; or in the bravery of their 

 liveries ; or in the goodly furniture of their horses and 

 armour. But enough of these toys. 



XXXVIII 

 OF NATURE IN MEN 



NATURE is often hidden ; sometimes overcome ; seldom 

 extinguished. Force maketh nature more violent in the 

 return ; doctrine and discourse maketh nature less impor- 

 tune ; but custom only doth alter and subdue nature. He 

 that seeketh victory over his nature, let him not set himself 

 too great nor too small tasks ; for the first will make him 

 dejected by often failings ; and the second will make him 

 a small proceeder, though by often prevailings. And at 

 the first let him practise with helps, as swimmers do with 

 bladders or rushes ; but after a time let him practise with 

 disadvantages, as dancers do with thick shoes. For it 

 breeds great perfection, if the practice be harder than the 

 use. Where nature is mighty, and therefore the victory 

 hard, the degrees had need be, first to stay and arrest 

 nature in time ; like to him that would say over the four 

 and twenty letters when he was angry; then to go less in 

 quantity; as if one should, in forbearing wine, come 

 from drinking healths to a draught at a meal ; and lastly, 



