I. & II. The Epiftle Dedicatorie. æt. 37-38. Ouing and beloued Brother, I doe nowe like fome that haue an Orcharde ill neighbored, that gather their fruit before it is ripe, to preuent ftealing. These fragments of my conceites were going to print; To labour the staie of them had bin troublesome, and fubiect to interpretation; to let them paffe had beene to aduenture the wrong they mought receiue by vntrue Coppies, or by fome garnishment, which it mought please any that should fet them forth to bestow vpon them. Therefore I helde it beft difcreation to publish them my felfe as they paffed long agoe from my pen, without any further difgrace, then the weakneffe of the Author. And as I did euer hold, there mought be as great a vanitie in retiring and withdrawing mens conceites (except they bee of fome nature) from the world, as in obtruding them: So in these particulars I haue played my felfe the Inquifitor, and find nothing to my vnderstanding in them contrarie or infectious to the state of Religion, or manners, but rather (as I fuppofe) medicinable. Only I difliked now to put them out because they will bee like the late new halfe-pence, which though the Siluer were good, yet the peeces were small. But fince they would not stay with their Mafter, but would needes trauaile abroade, I haue preferred them to you that are next my felfe, Dedicating them, fuch as they are, to our loue, in the depth whereof (I affure you) I fometimes wish your infirmities tranflated vppon my felfe, that her Maieftie mought haue the feruice of fo actiue and able a mind, and I mought be with excufe confined to these contemplations and Studies for which I am fitteft, fo commend I you to the preferuation of the diuine Maieftie. From my Chamber at Graies Inne this 30. of Ianuarie. 1 597. Your entire Louing brother. Fran. Bacon. No variations in Text II. |