'Now as much as decency permits,' continues the other, anticipating _here_ that speech which he might be supposed to have been anxious to make in defence of his posthumous reputation, could he have spoken when he was dying, and forestalling that criticism which he foresaw--that odious criticism of posterity on the discrepancy between _his life_ and _his judgment_--'Now as much as decency permits, I _here_ discover my inclinations and affections. _If any observe_, he will find that _I have either told or designed to tell_ ALL. _What I cannot express I point out with my finger_. 'There was never greater circumspection and _military prudence_ than sometimes is seen among US; can it be that men are afraid to lose themselves by the way, _that they reserve themselves to the end of the game_?' 'There needs no more but to see a man promoted to dignity, though we knew him but three days before a man of no mark, yet an image of grandeur and ability insensibly steals into our opinion, and we persuade ourselves that growing in reputation and attendants, he is also increased in merit':-- _Hamlet_. Do the boys carry it away? _Ros_. Ay, that they do, my lord. Hercules and his load too. _Hamlet_. It is not very strange; for my uncle is king of Denmark, and those that would make mouths at him while my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little. 'Sblood, there is something _in this, more_ than _natural_ [talking of the _super_natural], _if philosophy could find it out_. 'But,' our prose philosopher, whose mind is running much on the same subjects, continues 'if it happens so that he [this favourite of fortune] falls again, and is mixed with the common crowd, every one inquires with wonder into the _cause_ of his having been hoisted so high. _Is it he_? say they: did he know no more than this _when he was in_ PLACE?' ['change _places_ ... robes and furred gowns hide all.'] Do _princes_ satisfy _themselves_ with so little? _Truly we were in good hands_! That which I myself adore in kings, is [note it] _the crowd of the adorers_. All reverence and submission is due to them, _except that of the understanding_; my _reason_ is not to bow and bend, 'tis my _knees_' 'I will not do't' says another, who is in this one's counsels, I will not do't Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth, And by my body's action, teach my mind A most inherent baseness. _Coriolanus_. 'Antisthenes one day entreated _the Athenians to give orders that their asses might be employed in tilling the ground_,--to which it was answered, "that _those animals were not destined to such a service_." "That's all one," replied he; "it only sticks at your command; for the most ignorant and incapable men you employ _in your commands of war_, immediately become worthy enough _because_--YOU EMPLOY THEM."' There mightst thou behold the great image of authority. A dog's obeyed in office.--Lear.