"But here will be the objection now. How shall such a revenue
be compassed? Fifty pounds a year in every hundred is a great
deal, not so easily raised; men will not part with their money,
nor would the sum, as it is proposed by the order of Pompey, rise
in many years. These are difficulties that fit our genius
exactly, and yet ?1,000 in each hundred, once levied, establishes
the revenue forever. Now the hundreds one with another are worth
?10,000 a year dry-rent, over and above personal estates, which
bring it to twice the value, so that a twentieth part of one
year's revenue of the hundred does it. if you cannot afford this
while you pay taxes, though from henceforth they will be but
small ones, do it when you pay none. if it be then too much for
one year, do it in two; if it be too much for two years, do it in
four. What husbands have we hitherto been? what is become of
greater sums? My lords, if you should thus cast your bread upon
the waters, after many days you shall find it; stand not huckling
when you are offered corn and your money again in the mouth of
the sack.
"But to proceed: the first essay being officered at the
hundreds, and mustered at the tribes (where they are entertained
with other sports, which will be very fine ones), proceeds to the
election of the second essay, or standing army of this nation,
consisting of 30,000 foot and 10,000 horse; and these, upon a war
decreed, being delivered at the rendezvous of Oceana to the
strategus, are the third essay, which answers to the Roman
legions.
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