WE cannot tell whether wee are fallen among Diomedes[984] birdes
or his horses,--the one received some men with sweet notes,[985]
the other bit all men with sharpe teeth. But, as Homer's gods
conveyed them into cloudes whom they would have kept from curses,
and, as Venus, least Adonis should be pricked with the stings of 5
adders, covered his face with the wings of swans, so wee hope,
being shielded with your Highnesse countenance, wee shall, though
heare[986] the neighing, yet not feele the kicking of those jades,
and receive, though no prayse--which we cannot deserve--yet a
pardon, which in all humilitie we desire. As yet we cannot tell
what we should tearme our labours, iron or bullion; only it 10
belongeth to your Majestie to make them fit either for the forge or
the mynt, currant by the stampe or counterfeit by the anvill. For,
as nothing is to be called white unlesse it had beene named white
by the first creator,[987] so can there be nothing thought good
in the opinion of others unlesse it be christened good by the 15
judgement of your selfe. For our selves, againe, we are like these
torches of waxe, of which, being in your Highnesse hands, you may
make doves or vultures, roses or nettles, laurell for a garland or
ealder for a disgrace.[988]