XXIX
To Mr. Henry German, in the beginning of Parliament, 1640.
That it is fit for the King to do something extraordinary at this present, is not only the opinion of the wise, but the expectation. Men observe him more now than at other times: for Majesty in an eclipse, like the Sun, draws eyes, that would not so much as have looked towards it, if it had shined out and appeared like itself. To lie still now would at the best shew but a calmness of mind, not a magnanimity: since in matter of government, to think well at any time (much less in a very active) is little better than to dream well. Nor must he stay to act till his people desire, because 'tis thought nothing relishes else: for therefore hath nothing relished with them, because the King hath for the most part stayed till they have desired; done nothing but what either they have, or were petitioning for. But that the King should do, will not be so much the question, as what he should do. And certainly for a King to have right counsel given him is at all times strange, and at this present impossible. His party for the most part (I would that were modestly said and it were not all) have so much to do for their own preservation, that they cannot (without breaking a law in nature) intend another's. Those that have courage have not perchance innocence, and so dare not shew themselves in the King's business; and if they have innocence, they want parts to make themselves considerable; so consequently the things they undertake. Then in Court, they give much counsel, as they believe the King inclined, determine his good by his desires, which is a kind of setting the Sun by the dial—interest, which cannot err, by passion, which may.
In going about to shew the King a cure, a man should first plainly shew him the disease. But to Kings, as to some kind of patients, it is not always proper to tell how ill they be; and it is too like a country clown, not to shew the way unless he know from whence, and discourse of things before.
Kings may be mistaken, and Counsellors corrupted, but true interest alone (saith Monsieur de Rohan) cannot err. It were not amiss then to find out the interest; for setting down right principles before conclusions is weighing the scales before we deal out the commodity.
Certainly the great interest of the King is a union with his people, and whosoever hath told him otherwise (as the Scrip-
