Page:The Works of Francis Bacon (1884) Volume 1.djvu/533

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THE PRAISE OF IIKNUV, PRINCE OF WALES.

ruling. Bui whoerer diligently observed vli;it IVI tlic prince some things obscure, :IM<] not to be dis- { nun liim, cither by way of question or remark, saw it to be full to the purpose, and expressive of no common genius. So that under that slowness and infre|uency of discourse, his Judgment had more the appearance of suspense and solicitude to determine rightly, than of weakness and want of apprehension. In the mean time he was wonder fully patient in hearing, even in business of the OOTeied by tin- MgKity of any prrs<m, but liy time only, which was denied him; but what ap peared were excellent, which is Kutlicirnt for his fame. He died in the 19th year of his age of an ob stinate fever, which during the summer, through the excessive heat and dryness of the season, un- isual to islands, had been epidemical, though not j i greatest length; and this with unwearied atten- fatal, but in autumn became more mortal. Fame tion, so that his mind seldom wandered from the 1 which, as Tacitus says, is more tragical with re- subject, or seemed fatigued, but he applied him- spect to the deaths of princes, added a suspicion self wholly to what was said or done : which (if his life had been lengthened) promised a very su perior degree of prudence. There were indeed in of poison : but as no signs of this appeared, espe cially in his stomach, which uses to be chiefly affected by poison, this report soon vanished.