HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation against excess of lavish and licentious speech of matters of State.  
WHereas We by our Proclamation, given at Whitehall the four and twentieth day of December last, did publish and declare Our Royal pleasure against the licentious passage of lavish, and bold discourse, then grown too frequent; And did thereby forewarn, and straight command all Our loving subjects, from the highest to the lowest, to take heed how they did intermeddle by pen or speech with causes of state, and secrets of government, 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 Counsel, or other principal officers therewithal, respective to the place where such speeches should be used, within the space of four and twenty hours, under pain of imprisonment, and Our High displeasure; And yet We are given understand, that notwithstanding the strictness of Our commandment, the inordinate liberty of unreverent speech, touching matters of high nature, unfit for vulgar discourse, doth daily more and more increase: We have thought it necessary to redouble our Princely Direction, and straight Charge in that behalf; wishing all men to rest assured, that howsoever Our own nature hath been always prone unto mildness and clemency; yet We are, and shall be sensible of such presumption, so highly and directly affronting Us in our Royal commandment.  
And therefore We do by these Presents eftsoons charge and command all manner of persons, of what estate or degree soever, That from henceforth they presume not to offend against Our said former Proclamation, either by licentious and bold Speaking or Writing, or by applauding, entertaining, covering, or concealing such unfitting Discourse, upon pain of Our indignation and displeasure, and whatsoever other punishment shall be meet to inflict upon such Delinquents.  
And We do further charge and command, not only Our Officers and Ministers, but all other our loving Subjects, as they tender Our pleasure, and will answer the contrary, that they use all diligence to discover and bring to justice, all such as shall offend in either kind; letting all men know, that We will extend the like severity towards the remissness of such, who shall conceal, as against the boldness of audacious Pens and Tongues, so unrespective of duty to Government.  
Given at Our Court at Ashbie, the six and twentieth day of july, in the nineteenth year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by BONHAM NORTON, and JOHN BILL, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. M.DC.XXI.