Page:Bacons Essays 1908 West.djvu/37

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ESSAY V]
OF ADVERSITIE
13

to the State of a Christian: That Hercules, when hee went to unbinde Prometheus, (by whom Humane Nature is represented) sailed the length of the great Ocean in an Earthen Pot or Pitcher; Lively[1] describing Christian Resolution, that saileth in the fraile Barke of the Flesh thorow the Waves of the World. But to speake in a Meane[2]. The Vertue of Prosperitie is Temperance; The Vertue of Adversity is Fortitude; which in Morals is the more Heroicall Vertue. Prosperity is the Blessing of the Old Testament; Adversity is the Blessing of the New; which carrieth the greater Benediction, and the Clearer Revelation of God's Favour. Yet even in the old Testament, if you Listen to David's Harpe, you shall heare as many Herselike[3] Ayres as Carols[4]; And the Pencill of the holy Ghost hath laboured more in describing the Afflictions of lob then the Felicities of Salomon. Prosperity is not without many Feares and Distastes[5]; And Adversity is not without Comforts and Hopes. Wee see in Needle-workes and Imbroideries, It is more pleasing to have a Lively[6] Worke upon a Sad[7] and Solemne Ground then to have a Darke and Melancholy Worke upon a Lightsome Ground: Iudge, therfore, of the Pleasure of the Heart, by the Pleasure of the Eye. Certainly, Vertue is like pretious Odours, most fragrant, when they are incensed[8], or crushed: For Prosperity doth best discover[9] Vice; but Adversity doth best discover Vertue.


VI

OF SIMULATION AND DISSIMULATION

Dissimulation is but a faint[10] kind of Policy, or Wisdome; For it asketh[11] a strong Wit[12] and a strong Heart, to


  1. vividly
  2. without exaggeration
  3. funeral
  4. lively strains
  5. annoyances
  6. bright
  7. dark
  8. burnt
  9. bring to light
  10. feeble
  11. requires
  12. understanding