sides, they are like strangers; more admired and less favoured. All this is true, if time stood still; which contrariwise moveth so round,[1] that a froward retention of custom is as turbulent a thing as an innovation; and they that reverence too much old times, are but a scorn to the new. It were good therefore that men in their innovations would follow the example of time itself; which indeed innovateth greatly, but quietly, and by degrees scarce to be perceived. For otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlooked for; and ever it mends some, and pairs[2] other; and he that is holpen[3] takes it for a fortune, and thanks the time; and he that is hurt, for a wrong, and imputeth it to the author. It is good also not to try experiments in states, except the necessity be urgent, or the utility evident; and well to beware that it be the reformation that draweth on the change, and not the desire of change that pretendeth the reformation. And lastly, that the novelty, though it be not rejected, yet be held for a suspect;[4] and, as the Scrip-
- ↑ Round, flat adverb, quick, swift; the idea is of an easy, smooth, brisk motion, like that of a wheel.
"Round was their pace at first, but slacken'd soon."
Tennyson. Geraint and Enid.
- ↑ Pairs. Impairs, injures.
"No faith so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire.
Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire."
Spenser. The Faery Queene. Book I. Canto vii. Stanza 41. - ↑ Holpen. Strong past participle of help.
"The holy blisful martir for to seeke,
That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke."
Chaucer. The Prologue. II. 17–18.
- ↑ Suspect. Suspicion.
"My Lord of Gloster, 't is my special hope,
That you will clear yourself from all suspect."
Shakspere. II. King Henry VI. iii. 1.
