Page:Essays of Francis Bacon 1908 Scott.djvu/360

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
250
BACON'S ESSAYS

Seventh of England, King Henry the Fourth of France.[1] In the fourth place are propagatores or propugnatores imperii;[2] such as in honourable wars enlarge their territories, or make noble defence against invaders. And in the last place are patres patriæ,[3] which reign justly, and make the times good wherein they live. Both which last kinds need no examples, they are in such number. Degrees of honour in subjects are, first participes curarum,[4] those upon whom princes do discharge the greatest weight of their affairs; their right hands, as we call them. The next are duces belli,[5] great leaders; such as are princes' lieutenants, and do them notable[6] services in the wars. The third are gratiosi, favourites; such as exceed not this scantling,[7] to be solace to the sovereign, and harmless to the people. And the fourth, negotiis pares;[8] such as have great places under princes, and execute their places with sufficiency. There is an honour, likewise, which may be ranked amongst the greatest, which happeneth

  1. Henry IV., of France, 1553–1610, King of France, 1589–1610. He was the son of Antoine de Bourbon, King of Navarre, and Jeanne d'Albret, and is the Henry of Navarre of song and story.
  2. Propagators or defenders of empire.
  3. Fathers of their country.
  4. Sharers of cares.
  5. Leaders of war.
  6. Notable. Worthy of notice; noteworthy; remarkable. "And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west, on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes." Daniel viii. 5.
  7. Scantling. A small quantity, number, or amount. "The muleteer, as I told you, was a little, joyous, chirping fellow, who thought not of to-morrow, nor of what had gone before, or what was to follow, provided he got but his scantling of Burgundy, and a little chit-chat along with it." Sterne. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gent. VII. 21.
  8. Equal to negotiations. For Bacon's own translation, "able to manage affairs," see Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates.