for that outruns the danger, as it is seen in ordnance and muskets. Secondly, the strength of the percussion, wherein likewise ordnance do exceed all arietations and ancient inventions. The third is the commodious use of them, as, that they may serve 5 in all weathers, that the carriage may be light and manageable, and the like.

For the conduct of the war: at the first men rested extremely upon number; they did put the wars likewise upon main force and valour, pointing° 10 days for pitched fields, and so trying it out upon an even match; and they were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battles. After, they grew to rest upon number rather competent than vast; they grew to advantages of place, cunning 15 diversions, and the like; and they grew more skilful in the ordering of their battles.

In the youth of a state, arms do flourish; in the middle age of a state, learning; and then both of them together for a time; in the declining age of 20 a state, mechanical arts and merchandise. Learning hath his infancy, when it is but beginning and almost childish; then his youth, when it is luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and reduced°; and lastly, his old age, 25 when it waxeth dry and exhaust.° But it is not good to look too long upon these turning wheels of vicissitude, lest we become giddy. As for the philology of them, that is but a circle of tales, and therefore not fit for this writing.

30

NOTES

L OF TRUTH

(1625)

1:1. Pilate. See John xviii. 38.

1:4. affecting. Aiming at; desiring. Compare Latin affecto. 1:5. sects of philosophers. The Grecian schools of Sceptics. 1:11. imposeth upon. Understand as object burden' or

'yoke.'

1:13. a natural though corrupt love. Compare Browning's The Ring and the Book, Book X, "The Pope" : —

Of you, me and himself, knowing he lies,

Knowing his fellow knows the same, will think

'He lies, it is the method of a man!'

And yet will speak for answer 'It is truth'

To him who shall rejoin' Again a lie!'"

1:14. One of the later schools of the Grecians. Lucian. 2:13. One of the Fathers. Augustine, in his Confessions. 2:14. vinum dæmonum. The wine of devils.'

3:2. The poet. Lucretius.

3:3. The sect. The Epicureans. See note on page 6, line 4. 3:4. excellently well. Compare the same reference in The Advancement of Learning, end of Book I: "which the poet Lucretius describeth elegantly."

3:20. round. Thorough; plain. Compare Malvolio in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act II, Sc. 3:

"Sir Toby, I must be round with you;"

and Polonius in Hamlet, Act III, Sc. 4:-
:-

66

'Pray you, be round with him."

3:28. Montaigne. A French writer, 1533-1592.

4:9. "He shall not find faith upon the earth." - Luke xviii. 8.

II. OF DEATH

(1612. Enlarged, 1625)

4:18. mortification. Methods of disciplining the body, even of ill-treating it, for religious ends.

4:26. "Pompa," etc.

more than death itself."

"The trappings of death frighten us - SENECA.

5:3. blacks. Mourning garments.

5:12. pre-occupateth. Anticipates,

commits

suicide.

A Stoic.

Otho. The Roman emperor, Salvius Otho, who slew himself after his defeat by Vitellius, his successor, A.D. 69. 5:16. Seneca. Roman philosopher under Nero. 5:17. Cogita," etc. 'Consider how long you have been doing the same things; the longing for death is natural not only to the brave, or the miserable, but also to the sensitive.'

66

5:24. Augustus Cæsar. Roman emperor, B.C. 31-A.D. 14. 5:25. "Livia," etc. 'Farewell, Livia, and remember our married life.'

5:26. Tiberius. Successor to Augustus, A.D. 14-37.

5:27. Tacitus. Roman historian, born A.D. 54.

6

"Jam,"

etc. Tiberius was now losing strength and vitality, but not dissimulation.'

5:28. Vespasian. Roman emperor, A.D. 69–79.

5:29. Ut puto," etc. I think I am becoming a god.' 5:30. Galba. Roman emperor, A.D. 68-69, slain in the capital by rebellious soldiers. "Feri," etc. Strike, if this be for the good of Rome!'

6:2. Septimius Severus. Roman emperor, A.D. 193-211. "Adeste," etc. 'Be quick, if aught remains for me to accomplish.'

6:4. Stoics. One of the four principal Greek schools of philosophy: the Academicians (Plato); the Peripatetics (Aristotle); the Epicureans (Epicurus); and the Stoics (Zeno). The Stoics taught indifference to all ends other than virtue. 6:6. "qui, 29 etc. 'Who regards the end of life as one of nature's blessings.'

Luke ii. 29: "Lord, now lettest thou

6:15. Nunc dimittis. thy servant depart in peace."

A Church of England canticle. 6:18. Extinctus," etc. 'Let him die, and you'll love him

66

to-morrow.'

III OF UNITY IN RELIGION

(1612. Greatly enlarged, 1625)

This essay doubtless grew out of Bacon's strong dislike of theological controversy, as expressed in The Advancement of Learning. It was originally written in 1612, and greatly enlarged in 1625. The air was full of discord during these years, the Puritans being at one extreme and the High Church party at the other.

7:14. solution of continuity. Interruption of bodily harmony.

7:18. "Ecce," etc.

7:19. "Ecce," etc.

'Behold, he is in the desert.'

'Behold, he is in the secret closet.'

7:23. "Nolite exire."Go not out.' See context.

7:24. doctor. Teacher. St. Paul.

8:2. "chair of the scorners."

8:5. a master of scoffing.

1495 (?)-1553.

See Psalm i. 1.

Rabelais, a French humorist,

8:7 morris-dance. An old English festival dance. The