A Harmony of the Essays, Etc. of Francis Bacon

doth make the Bodies hardeft, and the Courages war.net.41

Vpon the Breaking and Shiuering of a great State 42 and Empire, you may be fure to haue Warres. For great Empires, while they ftand, doe eneruate and deftroy the Forces of the Natiues, which they haue fubdued, resting vpon their owne Protecting Forces: And then when they faile also, all goes to ruine, and they become a Prey. So was it, in the Decay of the Roman Empire; And likewife, in the Empire of Almaigne, after Charles the Great, euery Bird taking a Fether; And were not unlike to befall to Spaine, if it fhould break. The great Accefsions and Vnions of Kingdomes, doe likewise stirre vp Warres. For when a State growes to an Ouer-power, it is like a great Floud, that will be sure to ouerflow. As it hath been seene, in the States of Rome, Turky, Spaine, and others. Looke when the World hath feweft Barbarous Peoples, but fuch as commonly will not marry or generate, except they know meanes to liue 48 (As it is almost euery where at this day, except Tartary) there is no Danger of Inundations19 of People: But when there be great Shoales of People, which goe on to populate, without foreseeing50 Meanes of Life51 and Suftentation, it is of Neceffity, that once in an Age or

41 After Warmest. Ut liquet in Populo Araucensi; Qui ad ulteriora Austri positi, omnibus Peruviensibus, Fortitudine longe præcellunt, as is seen in the people of Arauco, who seated at the farthest east, far surpass the Peruvians in courage.

42 State. Omitted in the Latin.

48 Prey. Aliis Gentibus in prædam, a prey to other nations.'

44 Break. Viribus decideret, fail in strength.'

45 Accessions. Accessiones Ditionum, accessions of dominion.'

46 Great Floud. Fluvio intumescenti, 'a swelling flood.'

all

47 After Barbarous Peoples. Sed Civiliores fere sunt, but are mostly more civilized.'

+8 Liue. Familiam alendi, aut saltem Victum parandi, ‘raise a family or at least get food.'

49 Inundations. Inundationibus aut Migrationibus, 'inundations or migrations.'

50 Without foreseeing. In futurum minime solliciti, 'not careful for the

future.'

51 Meanes of Life. Fortunis, 'fortunes.

1625.

æt. 65.

two, they discharge a Portion of their People vpon other Nations :52 Which the ancient Northern People, were wont to doe by Lot: Cafting Lots, what Part should stay at home, and what should seeke their Fortunes. 53 When a Warre-like State growes Soft and Effeminate, they may be fure of a Warre.54 For commonly fuch States are growne rich, in the time of their Degenerating; And fo the Prey inuiteth, and their Decay in Valour encourageth a Warre.

As for the Weapons,55 it56 hardly falleth vnder Rule and Obferuation: yet we see, euen they haue Returnes and Vicifsitudes. For certain it is, that Ordnance57 was known 58 in the Citty of the Oxidrakes in India; And was that, which the Macedonians called59 Thunder and Lightning, and Magicke. And it is well knowne, that the vse of Ordnance60 hath been in China, aboue 2000. yeares. The Conditions of Weapons, and their Improuement are; First, the Fetching a farre of:61 For that outruns the Danger:62 As it is feene in Ordnance and Muskets. Secondly, the Strength of the Percuffion; wherin likewise Ordnance doe exceed all Arietations,63 and ancient Inuentions. The third is, the commodious64 vse of them: As that they may

52 Discharge

nations. Exonerent, et novas Sedes quærant; et sic alias Nationes invadant, 'discharge, and seek new settlements, and so invade other nations.'

53 Seeke their Fortunes. Alio migraret, 'migrate elsewhere.'

54 A Warre. Gentes alias, ad eosdem invadendos, 'other nations to invade them.'

55 Weapons. Armorum et TelorumGenus, 'the kind of arms and missile

weapons.

56 It. Illorum Mutationes,' their changes.'

57 Ordnance. Tormenta Ænea, brass ordnance.'

58 Known. Tempore Alexandri Magni, cognita, 'known in the time of Alexander the Great.'

59 Called. Habita et appellata, 'considered and called.'

60 Ordnance. Pulveris Pyrii, et Tormentorum igneorum, 'gunpowder

and fire-arms.'

61 Fetching a farre off. Ad Distantiam majorem feriant, 'striking at a greater distance.'

62 Danger. Periculum, ab Hostili parte, 'danger from the enemy.'

68 Arietations. Arietationes. 'battering-rams'

64 Commodious. Commodior et facilior sit; Id quod etiam Tormentis Igneis Majoribus competit, 'more commodious and easy; which also belongs to ordnance.'