HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation againt excess of Lavish and Licentious Speech of matters of State.  
ALthough the commixture of Nations, confluence of Ambassadors, and the relation, which the affairs of Our Kingdoms have had towards the business and interests of foreign States, have caused, during Our Regiment, a greater openness, and liberty of discourse, even concerning matters of State, (which are no Themes, or subjects fit for vulgar persons, or common meetings) then hath been in former times, used or permitted; And although in Our own Nature, and judgement, We do well allow of convenient freedom of speech, esteeming any over curious or restrained hand carried in that kind, rather as a weakness, or else over much severity of Government, than other wise: Yet nevertheless, forasmuch as it is come Our ears, by common report, That there is at this time a more licentious passage of lavish discourse, and bold Censure in matters of State, then hath been heretofore, or is fit to be suffered; We have thought it necessary, by the advice of Our Privy Council, to give forewarning unto Our loving Subjects, of this excess and presumption; And straight to command them and every of them, from the highest to the lowest, to take heed, how they intermeddle by Pen, or Speech, with causes of State, and secrets of Empire, either at home, or abroad, but contain themselves within that modest and reverend regard, of matters, above their reach and calling, that to good and dutiful Subjects appertaineth; As also not to give attention, or any manner of applause or entertainment to such discourse, without acquainting some of Our Privy Council, or other principal Officers there withal, respective to the place where such speeches shall be used, within the space of four and twenty hours, under pain of imprisonment, and Our High displeasure.  
And let no man think, after this Our forewarning, to pass away with impunity, in respect of the multitude and generality of Offenders in this kind; but know, that it will light upon some of the first, or forwardst of them, to be severely punished, for example to others.  
And, if we shallbe sensible of this kind of contempt, even towards such of Our loving Subjects, as are obedient to Our Laws, and conformable to Our proceed in Church, and Common wealth, unto whom, we cannot impute it, to proceed otherwise, then out of rashness, evil custom, or too much passion: much more, let them look to it, who in respect, that they are otherwise liable to Our Laws, or of suspected affection toward Our Government, may give us just cause to think, that it proceedeth from the overflow of a worse, or more corrupt fountain.  
Neither let any man mistake Us so much, as to think, that by giving fair, and specious attributes to Our Person, they can cover the scandals, which they otherwise lay upon Our Government, but conceive, that we make no other construction of them, but as fine, and artificial glosses, the better to give passage to the rest of their imputations, and scandals.  
Given at Whitehall, the 24. of December, in the eighteenth year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by JOHN BILL, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. M.DC.XX.