ABSTRACT
I have thought oftentimes with myself how many of wealths hath been overthrown by them which would rather have any form of government than the commons. How often the rule of one or the power of few hath been of the commons overthrown. How many attempting tyranny, some forthwith have been deprived, some reigning any time, be in admiration, as men of rare wisdom and felicity: me thought also I had learned that among many matters of private families, some have had many servants, some very few, which few notwithstanding, they could never very well break and have at commandment. I perceive furthermore that neat herds be rulers of neat, and horsekeepers of horses, and that all other, which be called herdmen, be semblably reputed callers of the cattle that they keep. I though also I saw all herds, more willing to obey their keepers, than men their governors. For the herds going whether the keepers driveth, feeding on that pasture, which they appoint, departing from the fame when they compel, and suffering them to take at their pleasures all such profits, as of them ariseth: I never yet heard any herd to be rebellious or disobedient, or denying their keeper the fruit of their increase, but rather to be more untractable to all other, than to them which receiveth profit by them. But men do vie with none so much as them whom they percieve to go about to have dominion over them. When I had thus debated these things, I gave this sentence of them: That it is naturally given to man, to have more easily of all other creatures the sovereignity, than of only man. But when I remembered in my mind, that Cyrus being a Persian, had gotten so many sorts of men, so many sundry cities, and so many diverse nations obedient unto him. I was thereby enforced to forthink the same, because it is neither impossible, nor yet greatly hard, to have sovereignity over man, if a man did it skillfully or wittily. For we know that men willingly have been obedient to Cyrus, whereof some have been distant many days journey, some many months from him, some that never did see him, some that knew certainly they never should see him, yet would become his liege men. So much did he exceed all kings, as well inheritors to their fathers' kingdoms, as them to which by their industry, achieved the same. For the Scythian 10king, albeit the Scythes be in number great, can get dominion over none other nation, but is well apaid if he can govern his own country. And the Thracian, the Thraces, the Egyptian, the Egyptians. And of other nations we hear the like thing. And truly the countries of Europe, be yet as they say, free, and one of them dissevered from the other. But Cyrus beginning his reign after this sort, and invading the nations of Asia, being of separate regiment. With a small army of Persians, rule the Medes, the Hyrcanians, they frankly giving it him. He conquered the Syrians, the Africans, the Arabs, the Cappadocians, both Phiyginas, the Lydes, the Carians, the Phoenicians, the Babylonians. He ruled the Bactrians, the Indes, the Cilicians. Likewise the (Datians), the Paphlagonnyes, and Magadidians with other very many nations, whose names a man could not well reherse. He governed also the Greeks that be in Asia, and making a voyage to the sea side, be subdued the Cyprians, and Egyptians. Thus he had dominion over these nations, which in language, agreed neither with him, or with themselves. Notwithstanding great portions of the earth could be gone throughout, by fear of his prowess, and he ruled all men, and none durst enterprise anything against him. Yet he could imprint so great desire in all men's hearts to be thankful to him, that they thought good evermore to be governed by his pleasure. He got the friendship of so many nations, as were a pain to number, whether so over a man will travail, from his palace either east, west, north, or south. We therefore have considered this man, as worthy estimation what kindred, what natural inclination, what form of bringing up he had, whereby he did which passed so far all other living men in princely dominion. As much then as I have either heard or known of him, so much I propose to declare.
