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entitle myself to an examination of Minos。
〃At length I was destined once more to play a considerable part
on the stage。 I was born in England； in the reign of Ethelred
II。 My father's name was Ulnoth： he was earl or thane of
Sussex。 I was afterwards known by the name of earl Goodwin； and
began to make a considerable figure in the world in the time of
Harold Harefoot； whom I procured to be made king of Wessex； or
the West Saxons； in prejudice of Hardicanute； whose mother Emma
endeavored afterwards to set another of her sons on the throne；
but I circumvented her； and； communicating her design to the
king； at the same time acquainted him with a project which I had
formed for the murder of these two young princes。 Emma had sent
for these her sons from Normandy； with the king's leave； whom she
had deceived by her religious behavior； and pretended neglect of
all worldly affairs； but I prevailed with Harold to invite these
princes to his court； and put them to death。 The prudent mother
sent only Alfred； retaining Edward to herself； as she suspected
my ill designs； and thought I should not venture to execute them
on one of her sons； while she secured the other； but she was
deceived； for I had no sooner Alfred in my possession than I
caused him to be conducted to Ely； where I ordered his eyes to be
put out； and afterwards to be confined in a monastery。
〃This was one of those cruel expedients which great men satisfy
themselves well in executing； by concluding them to be necessary
to the service of their prince； who is the support of their
ambition。
〃Edward； the other son of Emma； escaped again to Normandy；
whence； after the death of Harold and Hardicanute； he made no
scruple of applying to my protection and favor； though he had
before prosecuted me with all the vengeance he was able； for
the murder of his brother； but in all great affairs private
relation must yield to public interest。 Having therefore
concluded very advantageous terms for myself with him； I made no
scruple of patronizing his cause； and soon placed him on the
throne。 Nor did I conceive the least apprehension from his
resentment； as I knew my power was too great for him to
encounter。
〃Among other stipulated conditions； one was to marry my daughter
Editha。 This Edward consented to with great reluctance； and I
had afterwards no reason to be pleased with it； for it raised
her； who had been my favorite child； to such an opinion of
greatness； that； instead of paying me the usual respect； she
frequently threw in my teeth （as often at least as I gave her any
admonition）； that she was now a queen； and that the character and
title of father merged in that of subject。 This behavior；
however； did not cure me of my affection towards her； nor lessen
the uneasiness which I afterwards bore on Edward's dismissing her
from his bed。
〃One thing which principally induced me to labor the promotion of
Edward was the simplicity or weakness of that prince； under whom
I promised myself absolute dominion under another name。 Nor did
this opinion deceive me； for； during his whole reign； my
administration was in the highest degree despotic： I had
everything of royalty but the outward ensigns； no man ever
applying for a place； or any kind of preferment； but to me only。
A circumstance which； as it greatly enriched my coffers； so it no
less pampered my ambition； and satisfied my vanity with a
numerous attendance； and I had the pleasure of seeing those who
only bowed to the king prostrating themselves before me。
〃Edward the Confessor； or St。 Edward； as some have called him；
in derision I suppose； being a very silly fellow； had all the
faults incident； and almost inseparable； to fools。 He married my
daughter Editha from his fear of disobliging me； and afterwards；
out of hatred to me； refused even to consummate his marriage；
though she was one of the most beautiful women of her age。 He
was likewise guilty of the basest ingratitude to his mother （a
vice to which fools are chiefly； if not only； liable）； and； in
return for her endeavors to procure him a throne in his youth；
confined her in a loathsome prison in her old age。 This； it is
true； he did by my advice； but as to her walking over nine
plowshares red…hot； and giving nine manors； when she had not one
in her possession； there is not a syllable of veracity in it。
〃The first great perplexity I fell into was on the account of my
son Swane； who had deflowered the abbess of Leon； since called
Leominster； in Herefordshire。 After this fact he retired into
Denmark； whence he sent to me to obtain his pardon。 The king at
first refused it； being moved thereto； as I afterwards found； by
some churchmen； particularly by one of his chaplains； whom I had
prevented from obtaining a bishopric。 Upon this my son Swane
invaded the coasts with several ships； and committed many
outrageous cruelties； which； indeed； did his business； as they
served me to apply to the fear of this king； which I had long
since discovered to be his predominant passion。 And； at last； he
who had refused pardon to his first offense submitted to give it
him after he had committed many other more monstrous crimes； by
which his pardon lost all grace to the offended； and received
double censure from all others。
〃The king was greatly inclined to the Normans； had created a
Norman archbishop of Canterbury； and had heaped extraordinary
favors on him。 I had no other objection to this man than that he
rose without my assistance； a cause of dislike which； in the
reign of great and powerful favorites； hath often proved fatal to
the persons who have given it； as the persons thus raised inspire
us constantly with jealousies and apprehensions。 For when we
promote any one ourselves； we take effectual care to preserve
such an ascendant over him； that we can at any time reduce him to
his former degree； should he dare to act in opposition to our
wills； for which reason we never suffer any to come near the
prince but such as we are assured it is impossible should be
capable of engaging or improving his affection； no prime
minister； as I apprehend； esteeming himself to be safe while any
other shares the ear of his prince； of whom we are as jealous as
the fondest husband can be of his wife。 Whoever； therefore； can
approach him by any other channel than that of ourselves； is； in
our opinion； a declared enemy； and one whom the first principles
of policy oblige us to demolish with the utmost expedition。 For
the affection of kings is as precarious as that of women； and the
only way to secure either to ourselves is to keep all others from
them。
〃But the archbishop did not let matters rest on suspicion。 He
soon gave open proofs of his interest with the Confessor in
procuring an office of some importance for one Rollo； a Roman of
mean extraction and very despicable parts。 When I represented to
the king the indecency of conferring such an honor on such a
fellow； he answered me that he was the archbishop's relation。
'Then； sir；' replied I； 'he is related to your enemy。' Nothing
more passed at that time； but I soon perceived； by the
archbishop's behavior； that the king had acquainted him with our
private discourse； a sufficient assurance of his confidence in
him and neglect of me。
〃The favor of princes； when once lost； is recoverable only by the
gaining a situation which may make you terrible to them。 As I
had no doubt of having lost all credit with this king； which
indeed had been originally founded and constantly supported by
his fear； so I took the method of terror to regain it。
〃The earl of Boulogne coming over to visit the king gave me an
opportunity of breaking out into open opposition； for； as the
earl was on his return to France； one of his servants； who was
sent before to procure lodgings at Dover； and insisted on having
them in the house of a private man in spite of the owner's teeth；
was； in a fray which ensued； killed on the spot； and the earl
himself； arriving there soon after； very narrowly escaped with
his life。 The earl； enraged at this affront； returned to the
king at Gloucester with loud complaints and demands of
satisfaction。 Edward consented to his demands； and ordered me to
chastise the rioters； who were under my government as earl of
Kent： but； instead of obeying these orders； I answered； with
some warmth； that the English were not used to punish people
unheard； nor ought their rights and privileges to be violated；
that the accused should be first summonedif guilty； should make
satisfaction both with body and estate； but； if innocent； should
be discharged。 Adding； with great ferocity； that as earl of Kent
it was my duty to protect those under my government against the
insults of foreigners。
〃This accident was extremely lucky； as it gave my quarrel with
the king a popular color； and so ingratiated me with the