26o            OF FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS.

say little to them, and that which they least look
for-. In all negotiations of difficulty, a man may
not look to sow and reap at once ; but must prepare
business, and so ripen it by degrees.
 

XLVIII.

OF FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS.

Costly followers are not to be liked ; lest while a
man maketh his train longer, he make his wings
shorter. I reckon to be costly, not them alone
which charge the purse, but which are wearisome
and importune in suits. Ordinary followers ought
to challenge no higher conditions then countenance,
recommendation, and protection from wrongs.
Factious followers are worse to be liked, which
follow not upon affection to him with whom they
range themselves, but upon discontentment con¬
ceived  against  some other ;  whereupon  commonly