The Suppliants

when freeborn men, having to advise the public, may speak free, which he who can and will deserves high praise, who neither can nor will may hold his peace.

What can be juster in a state than this? Euripides, The Suppliants.

They who to states and governors of the Commonwealth direct their speech, High Court of Parliament, or wanting such access, in a private condition, right that which they foresee may advance the public good, I suppose them as at the beginning of no mean endeavor not a little altered and moved inwardly in their minds, some with doubt of what will be the success, others with fear of what will be the censure, some with hope, others with confidence of what they have to speak.

and me perhaps each of these dispositions as the subject was whereon i entered may have at other times variously affected and likely might in these foremost expressions now also disclose which of them swayed most but that the very attempt of this address thus made and the thought of whom it hath recourse to hath got the power within me to a passion far more