affection lead a man to favour the less worthy in desert, let him do it without depraving[1] or disabling the better deserver. In suits which a man doth not well understand, it is good to refer[2] them to some friend of trust and judgment, that may report whether he may deal in them with honour: but let him choose well his referendaries,[3] for else he may be led by the nose. Suitors are so distasted[4] with delays and abuses,[5] that plain dealing in denying to deal in suits at first, and reporting the success barely, and in challenging no more thanks than one hath deserved, is grown not only honourable but also gracious. In suits of favour, the first coming ought to take little place:[6] so far forth[7] consideration may be had of his trust, that if intelligence of the matter could not otherwise have been had but by him, advantage be not taken of the note,[8] but the party left to his other means; and in some
- ↑ Deprave. To defame; decry; disparage. So, Italian "depravare, to backbite." Florio.
"Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name
Of servitude to serve whom God ordains,
Or Nature."
Milton. Paradise Lost. VI. 174–176.
- ↑ Refer. To apply or appeal to.
- ↑ Referendary. One to whose decision anything is referred; a referee.
- ↑ Distaste. To be displeased, or offended.
- ↑ Abuse. Deception; imposture; delusion.
"What should this mean? Are all the rest come back?
Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?"
Shakspere. Hamlet. iv. 4.
- ↑ To take place. To take effect; to avail.
- ↑ So far forth. To the specified extent and no more.
- ↑ Note. Notice; information; knowledge.
"Sir, I do know you;
And dare, upon the warrant of my note,
Commend a dear thing to you."
Shakspere. King Lear. iii. 1.
