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第25章

the commonwealth of oceana-第25章

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 assemblies or musters; the like for this part exactly is done by the youth in their discipline (to be hereafter shown) wherefore the lists of the parishes; youth and elders; being summed up; give the whole number of the people able to bear arms; and the lists of the tribes; youth and elders; being summed up; give the whole number of the people bearing arms。 This account; being annually recorded by the master of the rolls; is called the 〃Pillar of Nilus;〃 because the people; being the riches of the commonwealth; as they are found to rise or fall by the degrees of this pillar; like that river; give an account of the public harvest。     Thus much for the description of the first day's work at the muster; which happened (as has been shown) to be done as soon as said; for as in practice it is of small difficulty; so requires it not much time; seeing the great Council of Venice; consisting of a like number; begins at twelve of the clock; and elects nine magistrates in one afternoon。 But the tribe being dismissed for this night; repaired to their quarters; under the conduct of their new magistrates。 The next morning returning to the field very early; the orator proceeded to      The twelfth order; 〃Directing the muster of the tribe in the second day's election; being that of the list called the galaxy; in which the censors shall prepare the urns according to the directions given in the ninth order for the second ballot; that is to say; with thirty…six gold balls in the middle urn; making four orders; and nine electors in every order; according to the number of the magistrates in the list of the galaxy; which is as follows:

1。 Knight 2。 Knight     To be chosen out of the horse。 3。 Deputy 4。 Deputy 5。 Deputy     To be chosen out of the horse。 6。 Deputy 7。 Deputy 8。 Deputy 9。 Deputy     To be chosen out of the foot。


    〃The rest of the ballot shall proceed exactly according to that of the first day。 But; forasmuch as the commonwealth demands as well the fruits of a man's body as of his mind; he that has not been married shall not be capable of these magistracies till he be married。 If a deputy already chosen to be an officer in the parish; in the hundred; or in the tribe; be afterward chosen of the galaxy; it shall be lawful for him to delegate his office in the parish; in the hundred; or in the tribe; to any one of his own order being not already chosen into office。 The knights and deputies being chosen; shall he brought to the head of the tribe by the lord high sheriff; who shall administer to them this oath: 'Ye shall well and truly observe and keep the orders and customs of this commonwealth which the people have chosen。' And if any of them shall refuse the oath; he shall be rejected; and that competitor which had the most voices next shall be called in his place; who; if he takes the oath; shall be entered in the list; but if he also refuses the oath; he who had most voices next shall be called; and so till the number of nine out of those competitors which had most voices be sworn knights and deputies of the galaxy。 (This clause; in regard to the late divisions; and to the end that no violence be offered to any man's conscience; to be of force but for the first three years only。) The knights of the galaxy being elected and sworn; are to repair; by the Monday next ensuing to the last of March; to the Pantheon or palace of justice; situated in the metropolis of this commonwealth (except the Parliament; by reason of a contagious sickness; or some other occasion; has adjourned to another part of the nation); where they are to take their places in the Senate; and continue in full power and commission as senators for the full term of three years next ensuing the date of their election。 The deputies of the galaxy are to repair by the same day (except as before excepted) to the halo situated in Emporium; where they are to be listed of the prerogative tribe; or equal representative of the people; and to continue in full power and commission as their deputies for the full term of three years next ensuing their election。 But; forasmuch as the term of every magistracy or office in this commonwealth requires an equal vacation; a knight or deputy of the galaxy; having fulfilled his term of three years; shall not be re…elected into the same galaxy or any other; till he has also fulfilled his three years' vacation。〃     Whoever shall rightly consider the foregoing orders; will be as little able to find how it is possible that a worshipful knight should declare himself in ale and beef worthy to serve his country; as how my lord high sheriff's honor; in case he were protected from the law; could play the knave。 But though the foregoing orders; so far as they regard the constitution of the

Senate and the people; requiring no more as to an ordinary election than is therein explained; that is but one…third part of their knights and deputies; are perfect; yet must we in this place; and as to the institution; of necessity erect a scaffold。 For the commonwealth to the first creation of her councils in full number; required thrice as many as are eligible by the foregoing orders。 Wherefore the orator whose aid in this place was most necessary; rightly informing the people of the reason; stayed them two days longer at the muster; and took this course。 One list; containing two knights and seven deputies; he caused to be chosen upon the second day; which list being called the first galaxy; qualified the parties elected of it with power for the term of one year; and no longer: another list; containing two knights and seven deputies more; he caused to be chosen the third day; which list being called the second galaxy; qualified the parties elected of it with power for the term of two years; and no longer。 And upon the fourth day he chose the third galaxy; according as it is directed by the order; empowered for three years; which lists successively falling (like the signs or constellations of one hemisphere; which setting; cause those of the other to rise) cast the great orbs of this commonwealth into an annual; triennial; and perpetual revolution。     The business of the muster being thus happily finished; Hermes de Caduceo; lord orator of the tribe of Nubia; being now put into her first rapture; caused one of the censor's pulpits to be planted in front of the squadron; and ascending into the same; spake after this manner:

〃MY LORDS; THE MAGISTRATES AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TRIBE OF NUBIA:     〃We have this day solemnized the happy nuptials of the two greatest princes that are upon the earth or in nature; arms and councils; in the mutual embraces whereof consists your whole commonwealth; whose councils upon their perpetual wheelings; marches; and countermarches; create her armies; and whose armies with the golden volleys of the ballot at once create and salute her councils。 There be those (such is the world at present) that think it ridiculous to see a nation exercising its civil functions in military discipline; while they; committing their buff to their servants; come themselves to hold trenchards。 For what avails it such as are unarmed; or (which is all one) whose education acquaints them not with the proper use of their swords; to be called citizens? What were 2;000 or 3;000 of you; though never so well affected to your country; but naked; to one troop of mercenary soldiers? If they should come upon the field and say; 'Gentlemen; it is thought fit that such and such men should be chosen by you;' where were your liberty? or; 'Gentlemen; parliaments are exceeding good; but you are to have a little patience; these times are not so fit for them;' where were your commonwealth? What causes the monarchy of the Turks but servants in arms? What was it that begot the glorious Commonwealth of Rome but the sword in the hands of her citizens? Wherefore my glad eyes salute the serenity and brightness of this day with a shower that shall not cloud it。     〃Behold the army of Israel become a commonwealth; and the Commonwealth of Israel remaining an army; with her rulers of tens and of fifties; her rulers of hundreds and thousands; drawing near (as this day throughout our happy fields) to the lot by her tribes; increased above threefold; and led up by her phylarchs or p

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