Some procure themselves to be surprised at such times as it is like the party that they work upon will suddenly come upon them; and to be found with a letter in their hand, or doing somewhat which they are not accustomed; to the end they may be apposed[1] of those things which of themselves they are desirous to utter.
It is a point of cunning, to let fall those words in a man's own name, which he would have another man learn and use, and thereupon take advantage. I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place in Queen Elizabeth's time, and yet kept good quarter[2] between themselves; and would confer one with another upon the business; and the one of them said, That to be a secretary in the declination[3] of a monarchy was a ticklish thing, and that he did not affect it: the other straight caught up those words, and discoursed with divers of his friends, that he had no reason to desire to be secretary in the declination of a monarchy. The first man took hold of it, and found means it was told the Queen; who hearing of a declination of a monarchy, took it so ill, as[4] she would never after hear of the other's suit.[5]
- ↑ Appose. To examine; to question.
- ↑ Quarter. Relations with, or conduct towards, another, especially in the phrase to keep good (or fair) quarter with (between).
"So he would keep fair quarter with his bed."
Shakspere. The Comedy of Errors. ii. 1. - ↑ Declination. A gradual falling off from a condition of prosperity or vigor; decline.
- ↑ As. That.
- ↑ In 1597, Sir Robert Cecil was made secretary of state over Sir Thomas Bodley, who was the candidate of the Earl of Essex. Mr. Spedding first suggested that Bacon is here relating a cunning trick played by his cousin, the younger Cecil.
