BATTLE OF NEWARK (June 16, 1487). The Earl of Lincoln and counterfeit Concerning this battle, the relations that are left unto us are fo naked and negligent (though it be an action of fo recent memory) as they rather declare the fuccefs of the day than the manner of the fight. They fay that the King divided his army into three battails, whereof the vanguard only, well ftrengthened with wings, came to fight: that the fight was fierce and obftinate, and lafted three hours before the victory inclined either way; fave that judgment might be made by that, the King's van - guard of itself maintained fight against the whole power of the enemies (the other two battails remaining out of action) what the fuccefs was like to be in the end that Martin Swart with his Germans performed bravely, and fo did those few English that were on that fide; neither did the Irish fail in courage or fiercenefs, but being almost naked men, only armed with darts and skenes, it was rather an execution than : a fight upon them; infomuch as the furious flaughter of them was a great difcouragement and appallment to the reft: that there died upon the place all the chieftains; that is, the Earl of Lincoln, the Earl of Kildare, Francis Lord Lovell, Martin Swart, and Sir Thomas Broughton, all making good fight without any ground given. . . . The number that was flain in the field was of the enemies' part 4,000 at the least, and of the King's part one-half of his van-gard, befides many hurt, but none of name. (Ibid.) ANCIENT NOBILITY. As for nobility in particular persons : it is a reverend thing to see an ancient castle or building not in decay; or to fee a fair timber tree found and perfect. How much more to behold an ancient noble family, which hath ftood against the waves and weathers of Time. new nobility is but the act of power, but ancient nobility is the act of Time. Those that are first raised to nobility are For commonly more virtuous, but lefs innocent, than their defcendants; for there is rarely any rifing but by a commixture of good and evil arts. But it is reason the memory of their virtues remain to their pofterity, and their faults die with themselves. (Essays, 1625, xiv.) ONE MORE THAN MANYTALE OF A FRENCH KING. When the emperor's ambaffador had recited his mafter's ftyle at large, which confifteth of many countries and dominions, the French king willed his chancellor or other minister to repeat and fay over France as many times as the other had recited the feveral dominions; intending it was equivalent with them all, and befides more compacted and united. (Colours, No. V.) ORNAMENTA RATIONALIA; OR, ELEGANT SENTENCES. Some made, others collected by the Lord Bacon; and by him put under the abovefaid title. (See the Latin in 'Remains.") 1. A gamefter, the greater mafter he is in his art, the worse man he is. 2. Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending, the mind. 3. He conquers twice, who upon victory overcomes himself. 4. He fleeps well, who feels not that he fleeps ill. 5. To deliberate about useful things is the fafeft delay. 6. Pain [the rack] makes even the innocent man a liar. 7. The smallest hair cafts a shadow. 8. He that has lost his faith, what has he left to live on? 9. A beautiful face is a filent commendation. 10. Fortune makes him a fool whom she makes her darling. 11. The fortune which nobody fees makes a man happy and unenvied. 12. O! what a miserable thing it is to be hurt by fuch a one of whom it is vain to complain [e.g., the king]. 13. The tears of an heir are laughter under a vizard. 14. In taking revenge, the very hafte we make is criminal. 15. When men are in calamity, if we do but laugh we offend. 16. An ill man is always ill; but he is then worst of all when he pretends to be a faint. 17. It is part of the gift if you deny genteelly what is asked of you. 18. The coward calls himself a wary man; and the mifer fays he is frugal. 19. O life! an age to him that is in mifery; and to him that is happy, a moment. (From the Mimi of Publius.) DEBTORS TO OUR PRO- I hold every man a debtor to his profeffion; from the which as men of courfe do feek to receive countenance and profit, fo ought they of duty to endeavour themselves, by way of amends, |