1. They seldome lose the field, but often win,
That end their wars, before their wars begin.
2. Their Cause is oft the worst, that first begin,
And they may lose the field, the field that win:[3]
3. In Civill warrs, 'twixt Subjects and their King,
There is no conquest got, by conquering.
4. Warre ill begun, the onely way to mend,
Is t' end the warre before the warre doe end.
5. They that will end ill warrs, must have the skill,
To make an end by Rule, and not by Will.
6. In ending warrs 'tween Subjects and their Kings,
Great things are sav'd, by losing little things.
[3] Victrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni. Lucan.
Wee heare that Majestas Imperii hath challenged Salus Populi into the field; the one fighting for Prerogatives, the other defending Liberties: Were I a Constable bigge enough, I would set one of them by the heeles to keep both their hands quiet; I meane onely in a paire of stocks, made of sound reason, handsomely fitted for the legges of their Understanding.
If Salus Populi began, surely it was not that Salus Populi which I left in England: That Salus Populi was as mannerly a Salus Populi as need bee: if I bee not much deceived, that Salus Populi suffer'd its nose to be held to the Grindstone, till it was almost ground to the grisles; and yet grew never the sharper for ought I could discerne; What was, before the world was made, I leave to better Antiquaries then myselfe; but I thinke, since the world began, it was never storied that Salus Populi began with Majestas Imperii, unlesse Majestas Imperii first unharbour'd it, and hunted it to a stand, and then it must either turne head and live, or turn taile and die: but more have been storyed on the other hand than Majestas Imperii is willing to heare: I doubt not but Majestas Imperii knows, that Common-wealths cost as much the making as Crownes; and if they bee well made, would yet outsell an ill-fashioned Crown, in any Market overt, even in Smithfield, if they could be well vouched.