was asked of Demosthenes, what was the chief
part of an orator? he answered, action; what next?
action; what next again? action. He said it, that
knew it best, and had, by nature, himself no ad-
vantage in that he commended. A strange thing,
that that part of an orator, which is but superficial,
and rather the virtue of a player, should be placed
so high, above those other noble parts, of invention,
elocution, and the rest; nay, almost alone, as if it
were all in all. But the reason is plain. There is in
human nature generally, more of the fool than of
the wise; and therefore those faculties, by which
the foolish part of men's minds is taken, are most
potent. Wonderful like is the case of boldness in
civil business: what first? boldness; what second
and third? boldness. And yet boldness is a child of
ignorance and baseness, far inferior to other parts.
But nevertheless it doth fascinate, and bind hand
and foot, those that are either shallow in judg-
ment, or weak in courage, which are the greatest
part; yea and prevaileth with wise men at weak
times. Therefore we see it hath done wonders, in
popular states; but with senates, and princes less;
and more ever upon the first entrance of bold per-
sons into action, than soon after; for boldness is an
ill keeper of promise. Surely, as there are mounte-
banks for the natural body, so are there mounte-
banks for the politic body; men that undertake
great cures, and perhaps have been lucky, in two
or three experiments, but want the grounds of