And their Faults die with themselves. Nobility of Birth commonly abateth[1] Industry; And he that is not industrious envieth him that is. Besides, Noble persons cannot goe much higher; And he that standeth at a stay[2], when others rise, can hardly avoid Motions[3] of Envy. On the other side, Nobility extinguisheth the passive Envy from others towards them[4], Because they are in possession of Honour. Certainly Kings, that have Able men of[5] their Nobility, shall finde ease in imploying them, And a better Slide into their Businesse[6]; For People naturally bend to them, as born in some sort to Command.
XV
OF SEDITIONS AND TROUBLES
Shepheards of People had need know the Kalenders[7] of Tempests in State, which are commonly greatest, when Things grow to Equality; As Naturall Tempests are greatest about the Æquinoctia. And as there are certaine hollow Blasts of Winde and secret Swellings of Seas before a Tempest, so are there in States:
—Ille etiam cæcos instare Tumultus
Sæpe monet, Fraudesque, et operta tumescere Bella[8]
Libels and licentious Discourses against the State, when they are frequent and open, And in like sort false Newes, often running up and downe, to the disadvantage of the State, and hastily embraced, are amongst the Signes of Troubles. Virgil, giving the Pedegre of Fame[9], saith, She was sister to the Giants.
- ↑ checks
- ↑ remains where he is
- ↑ impulses
- ↑ nobility preserves those who possess it from being envied by others
- ↑ amongst
- ↑ less friction in their affairs
- ↑ accurate forecasts
- ↑ The Sun it is who often betrays the stealthy approach of battle alarms, the heavings of treason and concealed rebellion.
- ↑ Rumour
