Let
us begin with him by break of day, for by that time he is besieged
by two or three hundred suitors, and the hall and anti-chambers (all
the outworks) possessed by the enemy; as soon as his chamber opens,
they are ready to break into that, or to corrupt the guards for
entrance. This is so essential a part of greatness, that whosoever
is without it looks like a fallen favourite, like a person
disgraced, and condemned to do what he please all the morning.
There are some who, rather than want this, are contented to have
their rooms filled up every day with murmuring and cursing
creditors, and to charge bravely through a body of them to get to
their coach. Now I would fain know which is the worst duty, that of
any one particular person who waits to speak with the great man, or
the great man's, who waits every day to speak with all the company.
Aliena negotia centum Per caput et circum saliunt latus: A hundred
businesses of other men (many unjust and most impertinent) fly
continually about his head and ears, and strike him in the face like
dors. Let us contemplate him a little at another special scene of
glory, and that is his table.
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