Politics & government > Life of Sir Walter Raleigh

IN THE TOWER TO HIS EXECUTION.
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travelled after men’s opinions when I might have made the
best use of them ; and I have now too few days remaining
to imitate those that, either out of extreme ambition or
extreme cowardice, or both, do yet (when death hath
them on his shoulders) flatter the world between the
bed and the grave. It is enough for me (being in that
state I am) to write of the eldest times; wherein also,
why may it not be said, that, in speaking of the past, I
point at the present, and tax the vices of those that are
yet living, in their persons that are long since dead ; and
have it laid to my charge. But this I cannot help,
though innocent. And certainly, if there be any, that,
finding themselves spotted like the tigers of old time,
shall find fault with me for painting them over anew, they
shall therein accuse themselves justly, and me falsely.
For I protest before the majesty of God that I malice no
man under the sun. Impossible I know it is to please
all, seeing few or none are so pleased with themselves, or
so assured of themselves, by reason of their subjection
to their private passions, but that they seem diverse
persons in one and the same day. Seneca hath said it,
and so do I: Unus mihi pro populo erat; and to the same
effect Epicurus, Hoc ego non multis, sed tibi; or (as it
hath since lamentably fallen out) I may borrow the
resolution of an ancient philosopher, Satis est unus, satis
est nullus. For it was for the service of that inestimable
Prince Henry, the successive hope, and one of the greatest
of the Christian world, that I undertook this work. It
pleased him to peruse some part thereof, and to pardon
what was amiss. It is now left to the world without a
master ; from which all that is presented hath received
both blows and thanks. * * But these discourses are
idle. I know that as the charitable will judge charitably,
so against those qui gloriantur in malitia, my present
adversity hath disarmed me. I am on the ground
already, and therefore have not far to fall. * * For
conclusion ; all the hope I have lies in this, that I have
already found more ungentle and uncourteous readers of
my love towards them, and well-deserving, than ever I