heads in their eyes to obserue and distinguish so though those report that I leuell not at the letter but at the sense yet these will truly find out that I haue chiefly aimde to strike the sence without extrauagantly straying or impertinently roauing from the letter Neither had I either Defended or Apologisd this my Translation if the Presse which runnes swifter then our thoughts had not made me guilty of many faults whereof my Pen was innocent which I hope the Courteous and Iuditious will winck at though the Captious and Ignorant carpe at and those passe it ouer with a iuditious modesty though these perchance stumble at it with a malitious depâ—auation Howsoeuer my comfort is that if I haue not righted myselfe yet that I haue no way wronged mine Author the preseruation of whose intent candeur and integritie hath been my greatest Ambition and not my least care not that I delight either to prayse him in his Booke or his Booke in him sith that were a take as needles to attempt as vaine to performe especially sith the greatest Courtiers aswell of England as France know that as he gaue life to this his Treatise of the Court so it is so farre from Ingratitude as with a happy exchange and interest it hath returnd him Immortalitie for such a weauing and contexture of matter so great variety of Heads so curiously anotomisd and so concisely and accutely both commented and cymented few Treatises haue and I assure my self none of this nature can iustly Vaunt of The Inke wherewith he wrate it was rather Milke then Vinegar as teaching Courtiers how to preuent their fall in fortifying their subsistance seeming equally ballanced as well in commiserating the deaths of misfortunate Courtiers as prouiding for the prosperitie of the liuing Grace Wit and Fidelitie are the Ornaments wherewith hee striues to adorne his Courtier reputing nothing so inciuil in him as Ignorance nor so execrable as Treason and then resembling himselfe hee with a prayse-worthy Deuotion Zeale though not in expresse tearmes yet in a dependant and necessary consequence wisheth that the Court were by Antithesis opposite to the Athenian Ostracisme that Vertue might not be robbed of her Deserts and Honour by Vice but that Merit Reward might still march hand in hand as Iumeals or else as two destinct Sisters whereof that the Aisne and this the Puisnè which propagates not onely the ioy but the glorie of a Kingdome In a word he hath delineated him in so liuely a shape and depainted him in such rich Colours that when wee find a Common-wealth so gouernd and reformd as that of Plato an Orator so fluent and capable as that of Cicero or a Captaine so Valliant and Ingenious as that of Zenephon then it is possible for vs to meete with the Courtier of Monsieur de Refuges difficultly before And now for mine owne discharge I am to aduertise thee that in the first Book 31. Chapter I found the fifth Section wholly left out of the Originall but whether mine Author did it vnwittingly or the French Printer ignorantly sith I know not I will not define and therefore I haue purposely left a blanke for it as holding it very vnfit for mee to fill it vp with any thing of mine owne And here to shake hands at parting and to part as friendly Enemies if not as louâ—ng Friends if thou wilt not consider this my ensuing conclusion for my sake yet at least remember it for thine owne Some Readers are curteous some ingratefull others iniurious and as it is in thy choyce to be either so it is and shall bee likewise in mine either to care or not to care which thou be Iohn Reynolds THE FRENCH STATIONER TO the Reader Friendly Reader I Hold it a part of my duty to render thee an account of this present Treatise of the Court augmented as thou seest with Summaries Chapters and Sections the better to recreate and fortifie thy Memorie and indeede farre otherwise and withall far richer then it was at the first Printing thereof in Holland or the second in this Citie of Paris hauing had it liberally presented and giuen me purposely by the Friends and familiar acquaintance of the Author after his decease who all now thought it both expedient and conuenient not to pester it either with Marginall quotations or diuersities of Authorities and Authors wherewith it was curiously embelished and adorned more for the sakes of Schâ—llers then Courtiers Pulchra satis vell fine veste placent And now armd with their approbation it againe assumes the light inriched and graced by the last hand of his Author found with many other like pieces of Estate in whose Theorie and Practiâ—e this braue and Nobl Personage was versed and expert thereby to serue as indeed he did as long as he liued his King his Friends and his Country with wise and wholesome Politick counsell of Estate wherein he still most perfectly exceld 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aswell in respect of his deep Learning and Studiâ— as through the great and long experience hee had in the Courts and affaires of Kings Princes Free-Estates and Commonweales wherein our last Kings very profitably imployed him who demeand himselfe so wisely and happily that they could no way find any iust cause to taxe his graue and prudent carriage and to speake the truth his manners were so composde that he hath left to Posterity a perfect Parragon of his incomparable Uertues to his Kinsfolks Friends and the whole Kingdome a perpetuall sorrow for his Death and the losse of his sweet and pleasing conuersation Accept therefore in good part Frindly Reader this my labour and care in making thee see the fruits of so rare and accomplished a Wit assuring thee that the rest of his workes will not be detaind thee by his Illustrious Parents and Kinsfolks who haue the care and keeping thereof and of whom I hope to obtaine them through the fauor and promise of their friends thereby futurely to impart them to the Publike when they shall vnderstand that my Care and Diligence in this Impression which indeed is most exact and exquisite hath proficienc'd and profited our French wits and vnderstandings and that thou receiue this rich Treatise according as it deserues with all entire content and applause Farewell To my Noble and Learned Author Monsieur de Refuges vpon my Translation of his Treatise of the Court. A Sixain ALthough my Care hath trac'd thy curious Stile In ecchoing forth the Spirit of thy Booke Yet not my Readers hopes here to beguiâ—e VVhen from thy French he on my English â—ooke May Judge this comes as short of that as â— of thee Thus Arts great'st opposite is Ignorance vveâ—ee Iohn Reynolds Againe to him An Acrostick Sonnet vpon his Name Deepe Mysteries of â—state and Courtship too Enrich'd and grac'd vvith so rich Gracâ— and Art No Head nor Hand but onely thine could doe In Modelling in all and euery part So svveet and so compleate a
away with the wind of a Hat as also the fortune of great men in a small moment of time one turne of a wheele makes that which was aboue beneath and very often from whence we expect our ruin proceedes our securitie and preseruation 10 And so it is in other circumstances ofsearcitie aboundance facilitie difficultie noueltie strangenesse and custome which as we haue formerly said hinders the functions of our Iudgement and whereof we must of necessitie deuest the obiects if we wil iudge according to truth as also our Iudgements and Understandings from all preocupation of opinions and popular errours 11 The third fault is greater then the two former when we perswade our selues that an obiect is profitable and Good which is Euill and noysome and that euill and pernitious which is not This errour comes to passe sith all things as we haue already said haue two handels or hold-fasts and except we be cautious and carefull wee onely take hold of the first that comes to our hand 12 Wherefore before wee iudge of the qualitie of an obiect we must first know the profits and preiudices weigh and consider the consequences of both and compare them one with another and if the profits exceede the preiudices not onely in number but in weight qualitie dependance or importance we may then tearme them Good and profitable or if the contrary we must reiect them as Euill As for Example euery one holds reuenge to be Good and as a pleasing and agreeable thing is desired of all men because of the content it brings with it which notwithstanding is far lesse then distaste and angers who torment and trouble vs in seeking the meanes to accomplish and perpetrate our designes This thought of reuenge is a worme that frets and eates out our hearts prouokes vs by day torments vs by night and most commonly in vaine and whilest we thus afflict our selues our enemy laughes and liues ioccund and merry and when wee are on the point to execute our reuenge thinking to put out one of his eyes wee commonly lose both our owne for the feare of Iustice and punishment surpriseth vs and driues vs to this extremitie either to hide our selues or to flie If then wee ballance all this with a little Content which for the most part lasteth not long and sometime is but meerely imaginarie we shall then find that it doth not match or counterpoyse these our angers and afflictions and so likewise it is in many other matters As for those who imagine they are wronged and iniured when they are not they againe are in a greater errour although they sâ—â—me to be more wise and iudicious as hauing an eye to all things and enquiring after all Matters It is to bee too ingenious to torment and afflict himselfe to seeke that he desires not to find and it is to haue a bad stomack ill to digest good Viands Contrariwise we must in all things seeke the pleasingst interpretation and that which contents vs best if wee will resolue to taste that which is worst Hath not one saluted thee as he ought yet attribute it not to disdaine for if hee bee thy friend it is your great familiaritie that is cause thereof if he bee thine inferiour it is not credible that he thought it so or neglected it either out of folly or indiscretion although it be anothers fault whereby hee makes himselfe more worthy of disdaine then your selfe whose reputation and honour should not depend on people of that ranke and qualitie 13 These ill opinions proceede of three defects that are in vs Weakenes Credulity Câ—â—â—osiâ—â—e the weaker we are the more easier are our to bee shaken and the more violent we are motions resembling the actions of children and old people who runne when they thinke they walke 14 Wee must then bee couragious and chearefull and through conference and discourse stirre vp in vs the knowledge of that which befalls vs yea we must auoide and slie the loue and delight of these things which most animate and prouoke vs. 15 Also to be credulous and light of beliefe and to permit our selues to be carried away with the first opinion we conceiue either of a man or a businesse or by the perswasion of another doth in the same manner afflict vs. Wherefore wee must shut our eares against the ordinarie reports of the Court yea wee must haue recourse vnto time and giue our selues leisure not onely to see but to consider if the end and dependances of actions answere their beginning or correspond with that which hath been reported vnto vs. 16 Likewise Curiositie in seeking that which may offend and anger vs being preuented by an ill opinion and attended on by doubt makes vs interpret other mens actions in a bad and contrary sense Wee must then slie these two lâ—tter defects and fortifie our selues against the former and also in that which concernes any particular person we must represent to our eyes the common and most frequent imperfections of men in generall 17 Euery one halts of one legge it is much when they doe not of both and if wee will bee moderate in censuring other mens faults let vs by little and little examine our owne and then perhaps wee shall find some of them no lesse defectiue and enormous and it may bee the like and as bad if not worse then theirs but withall let vs lend such excuses to other mens faults as we giue to our owâ—e Thus haue yee the manner how to beare our selues in the estimation of matters CHAP. XXV 1 Consideration of our power to moderate our Passions 2 Wâ—â—rein this power consisteth 3 Why we throw our selues on the Court 4 To consider our abilities by the difficulties wee meete withall 5 6 Fore-sight is a second meanes to moderate our Passions 7 The first effect of this fore-sight is to flie the causes and occasions and not to enter into these Motions 8 9 10 The second effect of this foresight is to prepare our selues against that which we foresee must bâ— fall vs and to attend and expect it with a firne and constant resolution 11 The third effect of this fore-sight is to change and diuert this Euill â—eing befallen vs another way or else to familiarize it to our selfe in our Imaginations 12 Of the diucrsion thereof the third meanes to moderate these Passions 13 Other meares to diuert our Passionat Wit and Conceits 14 15 16 1 THe other consideration that may scrue vs to moderate our Passions is the knowledge of that which we can do limmitting thereby our hopes and desires vnto things certaine neare at hand and casie and accustoming our selues to facility and simplicitie the Mother of peace and tranquillitie we are not deceiued in our desire and hopes but by a false opinion which we conceiue thereby to accomplish it for if by little and little wee examine our selues how farre our power can extend wee shall not then heape vp desire on desire nor hope vpon
giuen to his Prince proues contrary to his expectation 7 8 In vnlawfull matters the bâ—st way is to deferre and to take time to giue Councell 9 An Example hereon 10 How wee must practice the said Example 1 NEither must wee entermeddle to councell a proud Prince although he demaund vs if we can any way well excuse or shift our selues thereof for such Princes commonly aske councell in the same manner as did Xâ—xes who resoluing to passe into Greece to make warre assembled the Princes of Asia vnder colour to deliberate and consult thereof and because quoth he I will not bee seene to vndertake this enterprise of mine owne head I haue heere conuoked yee yet remember notwithstanding that ye ought rather obey then consult Canbyses who raignd before him ouer the Persians being resolued to marry his owne Sister demaunded of his Priuie Councellors if there were any Law in Persia that defended a King to marrie his owne Sister the Councell knowing that this Prâ—nce demanded not this question to bee resolued what hee shouâ—d doe but to sound and discouer if they would approue this his marriage made answere that there was no Law which permitted it but that they had another Law which tollerated their King to doe what he pleased So wee must iudge of the Princes humour and inclination and of the nature of the cause and whether wee ought consult and deliberate on that whereof he but in shew or fo fashion sake demaunds our aduice 2 In our Fathers time a man farre inferiour to the qualitie and dignitie of a King and yet Vice-roy in Spaine made the Grandos of that Countrie know that all which was preposde in Councell must not bee executed The Historie is thus After the Death of King Ferdinand Charles of Austria beeing in Flanders was councelled by the Pope and the Emperour Maximâ—lsaâ— to take vpon him the Title of King of Spaine although that lane his Mother Daughter of Fâ—rdinand were liuing because by reason of her indisposition shee was not capable to commaund and gouerne to approue which proposition the Grandos of the Kingdome assembled to whom the Cardinall Xiâ—enes being Uice-roy opened and dilated his Reasons whereby this new proposition might bee approoued and maintained but the Nobles more icalous of the preseruation of their fundamentall Lawes and of her Honour who was their lawfull Queene as true and faithfull Councellors to him to whom aftâ—r their Quâ—enes decease the Kingdome rightfully and properly appertained openly contradicted and opposde it which made the Cardinall Ximenes arise from his â—eate and tell them in choller that the matter in hand consisted of a businesse which must not be made questionable or doubtfull and which needed not their aduice the consent of subiects being not necessarie to authorise or seate a King in his Estate but that he had onely conuoked them for their ewne profits and good where of he was still careful to the end that by approuing this election they might thereby gaine their Prince his fauour but sith they attributed that to priuiledge and right which was curteouslie both expected and requested of them he was speedily resolued to cause him to be proclaimed King in Madâ—id to the end that other Cities might follow her Example 3 And it is not onely in the like occasions that Princes practise and vse the same but almost in all others for they very seldome aske aduice except it be to haue their owne desires and resolutions approued or to sound their affections and wills of whom they make shew to bee aduised and councelled and this Tiberius commonly practised in the Senat of Rome 4 A Courtier must therfore striue to know the intent and meaning of his Prince and auoid as much as in him lyes to ingage himselfe in any aduise and councell which may be ill construed and mistaken 5 Wherefore doubting of the intent and desire of the Prince his master he must make shew to examine the businesse that is prepos'd him and must present him reasons Pro Con. whereof if possible he can he must leaue him the choice without concluding any thing for if the Prince be not as yet fully resolued seeing these reasons contrary to his designes to be most probable and powerful it may so chance that he wil easily be induced to change his opinion and resolution 6 And this Euill that we tearme Shame which often retaines Great men from changing their resolutions fearing thereby to shew themselues Inferiours to those who counsell them will not withhold them because therein there was nothing fully concluded and resolued on and whereby a Courtier may warrant and secure himselfe from a checke that may be giuen him if his aduise hauing beene followed there had befallen any thing contrary to the will and pleasure of the Prince his Master 7 But if the Prince following his owne first resolution meet not with the fruition of his desires the Courtier hath then this aduantage to haue fore-seene and shewne his Prince the Euill that he might haue auoided by weighing remembring and considering the reasons he formerly gaue him 8 But where we are importuned by our Prince to giue him our aduise in vnlawfull matters there we must finde meanes to deferre it or else humbly request him to call a third man on the place to consult and deliberate thereon to the end that it being maturely considered and debated he may take that resolution which shall be most answerable to his dignitie and securitie 9 Of which first Burâ—hus made vse the first time when Nero resolued to murther his mother Offering himselfe to be executed for this Paracyde if it were found shee had at tempted that whereof shee was accused shewing him that before it were proued and made apparant hee ought not condemne his mother nor to be readyer to punish her then any other particular person to whom hee still permitted and allowed they should haue time and leaue both to defend and answer their accusations whereby it fell out that the time imployed to discouer and finde out this fact not only cooled and appeased Nero's choller but likewise cleered his distrusts and iealousie and so by this delay Burrhus for this first time diuerted the effecting of this his Masters bloody and impious resolution 10 But we must not vse and practise this in all sorts of affaires but rather seldome and sparingly and in these only which are most ambiguous and doubtfull and withall we must consider to what Princes wee make these delaies For some are quicke and ready and so great enemies to delaies protractions and difficulties that those who frequently vse these delaies are commonly cast out of fauour and disgraced CHAP. IX 1 Remedies against the rashnesse and forwardnes of a Prince vpon deferring to counsell him to knowe how to abound in expedieâ—ts 2 Princes doe vsually rather aske Councell to bring their Purposes to passe then to knowe wbat is necessarie and expedient to doe 3 Consideration vpon the meanes taken from
of superfluous expenses which not onely equalled but exceeded that of many Princes 8 But if this forme of Hippocriticall proceeding may serue at the first rising of a mans fortune yet it cannot alwaies shelter him from enuie who hath formerly discouered in his inclination and behauiour more Ambition then Simplicitie no more then it did in one Constantine a Mesopolitane who being first expelled the Court of Isaacius Aâ—gelus and since that of Alexius Emperours of Constantinople and returning with the Empresse Euphrosina made shew that he would no more entermeddle with matters of the Estate and to the end to insinuate and perswade it more easily and smoothly he made himselfe a Deacon thereby to haue some pretext and colour to excuse himselfe and to make himselfe to be importuned and prayed yea he so â—unningly acted his part that the Emperour himselfe sought a Dispensation for him from Xiphlin Patriarke of Coâ—stantinoplâ— whereby hee was againe permitted and authorised to remaine at Court and to mannage the affaires of the Estate as before notwithstanding the Decrees and Canons which forbad him and then he introduced two of his brothers who were alwaies nailed to the Emperours eares whilest hee was dispatching of affaires but hauing heretofore discouered and bewrayed his Ambitious Nature this his hypocrisie serued him not long for hee was againe banished and after dyed farre from Court CHAP. XX. 1 Of Competitors or Emulators who are lesse malitions then the enuious 2 That they are wonne and purchased either through Honour or Vanitie 3 How to beare our selues with them 4 5 Publike sutes are odious 6 Sure councell and meaneâ— one these sutes 7 8 We must not be an Emulator or Contendant with one more fauourâ—d then our selues Example of Lepidus and Seianus hereon 9 That Iustice vsually is oflesse power in Court then fauour 1 THe same course which we obserue to secure our selues against the effects of Enâ—y we may likewise keep to defend vs against Emulation which hath lesse then Enâ—y but more sharpnes of Ambition which produceth no lesse crosses and oppositions 2 Neuerthelesse those who are possessed hereof are somtimes gaind by vaine respect and honour which we yeeld them and to deuert them from running the same race that we do it wil not be amisse or impertinent to giue wings to their hopes to obserue serue them and to imploy our selues with our best skill to imprint in their thoughts that that which wee pursue is a thing vnworthy of their deserts and yet such whereby wee are constraind to begin sith the wealnes of our power can attaine and reach no higher and withal contrariwise to eleuate extol their power sufficiency merits as those who may both hope and deserue a farre higher forture 3 But if wee feare they will ourstrip and get the wind of vs in any thing we seeke we must then entertaine them with doubts and distrusts of that they enterprise alleaging reasons Pro Con so as neuerthelesse that those things which are opposite to their designes may still be most preualent and beare the greatest sway 4 But if we can conceale or desemble out sute and so make it sure before our competitors know thereof and thereby seeke to crosse and preuent vs it will be the very best and shortest way 5 Those ambitious sutes that are publikely followed doe sometimes offend vs who would aide and assist vs if we proceeded otherwise who thereby proue more strange and the issue thereof being more incertaine and attended and waited on by Enâ—ie if it fall out according to our desires or if the contrary the refusall is more shamefull 6 It is therefore the surest way to immitate Rowers or Whirry-men who turne their backs to the place where they desire to ariue as feigning quite contrary thoughts 7 I hose likewise who haue ambitiously pursued places of Command haue steered the same course as seeming to be more desirous of rest then Honour as Euripides his Agamemnon and hereby haue secured themselues against the crosses and oppositions which might haue befallen theÌ„ in their sutes if they had been discouered yea they thereby haue warranted themselues from shame which is often incident to those who are deceiued and come short of their hopes and the issue coresponding their desires and wishes hath been rather attributed to their merrits then their industrie 8 But of one thing we must be very carefull not to concurre and meete in one and the same sute with a greater and more eminent man then our selues vnder colour of hoping to beare it before him but rather herein to immitate M. Lapidus whoÌ„ as I haue said was held by Tacitus for a most iuditious and discreet Courtier who being nominated by Tibâ—rius with Iunius Blessus Vnkle to Seianus that one of them should by the Senat be elected Proconsull of Africa excused himselfe by reason of his age indisposition and children and especially by reason that one of his daughters was shortly to be espoused refusing herein to contend and wrestle with the power and greatnesse of Seianus who vndoubtedly would haue proued his enemy if he had borne this dignitie from his Vnkle Blessus as hee might haue done had hee not wisely excused himselfe 9 And we should bee farre lesse importunate and obstinate in a sute against one who is back'd by a Prince or Great Man that is in fauour and credit and therefore of great power and reputation although wee haue Law and Right of our side because in the solicitation of this sute Law commonly prooues the weaker as it fell out in the like which Germanicus and Drusus made to haue Platerius Aggrippa Prator who preuailed and bore it in Senate against the Law CHAP. XXI 1 The deuison of this second Booke containing considerations upon the examples of those who have been disgraced at Court 2 The câ—â—â—seâ— of our fairâ—â—r and of the deminishing of our reputation in Court 3 Offâ—â—â—r proceeding from a Courtiers owne default 4 Enterprises attempted by Fauorits against their Prince being the true and first cause of their ruine 5 Aduice and precaution for a Fauorite to support himselfe 6 The description of Courtier in the Example of Seianus 7 8 The issue of Seianush Ambition 9 Considerations of his Ambition and of Tiberius his proceedings being â—ore subtill them himselfe 10 11 Ambition is commoâ—ly rash and impudent 12 Tiberius sounded the affections of his great ones before he eâ—terprised any thing against Seianus 13 The subtiltie of Tiberius to intrappe Seianus 14 15 Those who stand betwixt Hope and Feare are more irresolute and easie to be surprisde 16 The policy of Tiberius to ruine Seianus 17 18 19 The downefall and ruine of Seianus 20 21 Another Example of the downefall and ruine of Perrinis being fauorits to the Emperor Commodus 22 The designes and machinations of a Subiect against his Prince very seldome take effect how cuâ—ningly soeuer compacted 23 The example of Boylas being fauorito to the Emperours of
nor repine at their aduancement 2 It was the aduise and Councell which Germanicus on his death-bed gaue Aggripina not to prouoke those Great men who are in Credit and fauour the which shee not following occasioned the ruine of her selfe and children 3 Wherefore it is most necessary for a Courtier to know in what degree of fauour he is with his Prince in comparison of others and not to iudge so much of exteriour shewes as by the causes of their fauour 4 Craterus and Hephestion for a time seemed to be equally in Credit with Alexander who tearmed Craterus the Kings friend and Hephestion Alexanders wherein notwithstanding Craterus might well obserue that Princes most commonly are more subiect to their wils and inclinations then they are for that which is requisite for the Dignitie of their Office and Greatnesse that he likewise who affects his Dignitie if he be beloued of the Prince is yet lesse beloued of him then he who doth affect wholly tie himselfe to his Person which more neerly concerneth the Prince then his Dignitie and if in the quarell of Craterus Hephestion which diuided al the Court Alexander bare himself as a Neutre reprouing sharply both the one and the other and equally threatning to punish them if hereafter they continued their contentions it was rather a point of his Wisedome and Iudgement to quench this quarrell and the slames which this diuision would haue enkindled if it had continued then any way a witnesse of his equall affection towards them publikely reprouing Hephestion to diminish the Enuse was conceiued against him and Craterus priuately to auoid that the greatest part of the Macydonians who were for him mought not be incensed and offended which indeede is the true rule and order that Princes should obserue in the like accidents 5 But to come to the consideration of the degree of fauour which we are in vnder our Prince in comparison of others it is obserued it was one of the first saults which Antoâ—â—ius Primus committed whereof wee haue formerly spoken to emulate and contest against Mucianus without considering and obseruing that he was more in fauour and reputation with Uespasian and whom Tacitus reporteth it was more dangerous to disdaine and discontent then Vâ—spasian himselfe 6 And it is a matter apparantly knowne in all Courts that contempt conceiued against the Fauorites of Princes are commonly more reuenged then those we offer the Prince himselfe whereof Dion giues reason and instance speaking of Seâ—anuâ— 7 For as those saith he who enioy some Dignitie through their owâ—e vertues and merits they do not curiously affect hunt after those vaine respects and cerimonies which are commonly vsed and yeelded in Court towards Great Personages so those who hunt after honours to ouer vaile their low descent and condition doe very impatiently beare and esteeme it an inâ—urie offered them whâ—n that respect is not giuen them which the rancke of the Prinâ—es fauour towards them deserueth From whence it followes that it is more difficult to entertaine and maintaine friendship with these then with the Prince himselfe who in pardoning iniuries may increase and augment his reputation whereas these beleeue that in doing the like it will bee reputed and attributed to bee feare and weakenesse in them and that there is no better meanes to demonstrate and settle their power then to pursue and chastice those who forget themselues and their duties CHAP. XXIV 1 Pride in the execution of an Office is odious to a Prince who often punisheth it the Example of Aluaro de Luna bereon 2 The sixth cause of a Courtiers disgrace is the hatred of the Commons and the enuie of Great men against him 3 The examples of vnfortunate Fauorites who haue beene put to death 4 5 6 Insidelitie is the seuenth cause of a Courtiers disgrace 7 It is very difficult to know the secrets of a Prince 8 The censure of Phillipides on those who reueale their Princes secrets 9 The opinion of Hieron Prince of Syracush hereon 1 PRide is not only insupportable towards Great men but also it very often ouerthrowes these who practise it towards those of a meaner rancke and condition Aluaro de Luna bastard of Arragon was so highly beloued and fauoured of Iohn King of Arragon that this King out of his owne free will and pleasure stole out of the hands of his Grandos purposely to commit his Person and Affaires soly to him in the managing and conduction whereof he bore himselfe so imperiously and insolently that he caused a Gentleman to be throwne out at window who from the King spake some thing to him which hee distasted in recompence whereof the King afterwards caused him to bee beheaded and so chastised the pride of this Ambitious Prince 2 Another cause of a Courtiers disgrace is when through his loftie carriage he incurres the hatred of the Commons or of the Nobles either against himselfe or the Prince his Mâ—ster for then either his Master is resolued to bee ridde of him or other Courtiers to ruine and ouerthrow him 3 Commodus was constrained to put Cleander to death who gouerned all his affaires vnder him to appease the fury of the Citizens of Name against whom Cleander had armed the Emperours guard 4 Eutropius the Fauorite of Arcadius being the cause of the reuolt of Tribigildus was by his Master abandoned to his enâ—mies thereby to pacifice them 5 Commodus being hated for excessiuely louing aâ—fecting Aternus the Emperours chiesest seruants resolued one night when this young man was retourning to his lodging to surprise and kill him as they did 6 Infidelitie in bewraying the secrets of our Prince and to be of intelligence with his enemies is also one of the most iust and infalliable causes of a Courtiers ruine and yet oâ—e of the most common delicts and faults that is committed aswell through Leuitie Indiscretion and Vanitie as through Treacherie 7 For the first I say that the greatest point of Wisdome in a Courtier is not to insorme himselfe of his Princes secrets and not to intruâ—e himselfe or to be too busie to vnderstand them except in presence of others because if it happen we are alone when the Prince acquainteth vs therewith and that through discourse drawne from the Condition or Estate of affaires there runne a report which in many points come neer it presently the â—â—â—â— will suspect ye to haue reuealed it and to be the Authour thereof or it may also happen that the Prince hauing disclosed the same matter to another either whether he remember it or whether he esteeme the other to be more secret then your selfe although he I say doe reueale it yet the Prince may suspect you to be guiltie thereof rather then the other 8 Phillipides the Comicke Poet being more fauoured and beloued of King Lyssimachuâ— then any of his Courtiers being on a time demanded by the said King whereof he was desirous to haue any part made this answere Of any thing you please
thereof Fol. 77 CHAP. XVIII 1. Our first remedie against iniuries offered vs by great men is to conferre very respectiuely with them 2. The second to desemble patiently 3 4. Considerations hereon 5. Of those who are our enemies because wee haue formerly offended them 6 7. Aduice hereon with consideration and meanes how to beare our selues herein 8. That commonly feare rather then reuenge more violently exasperates our enemies against vs. 9. How to appease his passion and violence 10. Another way is to assist our enemies in their affaires that thereby they may become our friends Example of Agesilaus herein 11. A common subtiltie of Courtiers in this cause 12. Another fetch and subtiltie of Eutrapelus and what it was 13. Another fetch against our enemie is to second him in his euill intents thereby to ruine him 14. That wee must assist our enemy if wee cannot hinder or â—nnoy him 15. An excellent example hereon 16. Another example and expedient to preuent that hee wrong vs not 17. Another meanes for vs in plaguing our enemy is to oppose one that is a greater enemy to him then our selfe with a very pertinent example hereon to the same effect of Gerlac Archbishop and Elector of Mentz vpon the election of Adolphus Earle of Naslaw to the Empire Fol. 81 CHAP. XIX 1. Of enuious people the eighth part of this Booke and how to beare our selues towaâ—ds them 2 3. Remedies against enuie to make common that which is desired or enuied â— Another remedie to â—â—oyde vanitie and superstition and that which accompanieth it 5. Considerations thereon 6 7. To make our selues intreated to receiue that we wish and desire Example hereof in Cardinall X menes 8. Considerations vpon this example by another of Constantine the Mesopolitanâ— Fol. â—â— CHAP. XX. 1 Of Competitors or Emulators who are lesse malitious then the enuious 2. That they are wonne and purchased either through honour or vanitie 3 4. How to beare ourselues with them 5. Publike sutes are odious 6 7. Sure Councell and meanes on these sutes 8. Wee must not be an Emulator or Contendant with one more fauoured then ourselues Example of Lepidus and Seianus hereon 9. That Iustice vsually is of lesse power in Court then fauour Fol. 92 CHAP. XXI 1. The ninth deuision of this second Booke containing considerations vpon the examples of those who haue bin disgraced at Court 2. The causes of our fauour and of the deminishing of our repuâ—ation in Court 3. Of fauour proceeding from a Courtiers owne default 4. Enterprises attempted by Fauorites against their Prince being the true and first cause of their ruine 5. Aduice and precaution for a Fauorite to support himselfe 6. 7. The description of a Courtier in the Example of Seianus 8. The issue of Seianus his ambition 9 10. Considerations of hiâ— Ambition and of Tiberius his proceedings being more subtill then himselfe 11. Ambition is commonly rash and impudent 12. Tiberius founded the affections of his great ones before he enterprised any thing against Seianus 13 14. The subtiltie of Tiberius to intrappe Seianus 15. Those who stand betwixt hope and feare are more irresolute and easie to be surprisde 16 17 18. The policie of Tiberius to ruine Seianus 19 20. The downefall and ruine of Seianus 21 Another example of the downefall and ruine of Perrinis being fauorites to the Emperour Commodus 22. The designes and machynations of a subiect against his Prince very seldome take effect how cunningly soeuer compacted 23 24 25 26. The example of Boylas being fauorite to the Emperours of Constantinople and his designes c. 27. A subiects pride is alwaies odious to his Prince Fol. 96 CHAP. XXII 1. The tenth deuision of this Booke containing the causes of disgrace neare the Prince 2 3. The first cause is of boasting and reproaching our seruices done with Examples hereon 4. The second cause is to reproue or complaine of the Prince his Actions 5. The third cause is to reueale and abuse secrefie and to desire wee make knowne we gouerâ—e the Prince Example of Thurinus a seller of smoake vnder the Emperour Heliogabalus 6 The fourth cause is not to contend with Nobles or great men either through pride or vanitie Example hereon of Plan tianus 7. Example of Enguerrand of Marigny 8. The fifth cause is to be an Instrument of deuision among the Nobles with an example thereon Fol. 110 CHAP. XXIII 1. That we must not contend with those who are more fauoured in Court then ourselues 2. The councell of Germanicus to Aggrippina hereon 3. A Courtier must know in what degree of fauour hee is with hâ— Prince â— The Courtier who is lincked to the will of his Prince is better beloued then he who is wedded to his interest dignitie reputation Example hereof in the quarrell of Craterus and Hephestion and the wisdome of Alexander in reconciling them 5. Considerations vpon the degrees of fauor which the Courtier hath in his Prince 6. Our contempt of Fauorites is more reuenged then towards the Prince 7. The reason of this consideration yeelded by Dion the Historiographer Fol. 114 CHAP. XXIV 1. Bride in the execution of an Office is odious to a Prince who after punishâ—th it the Example of Aluaro de Luna hereon 2. The sixth cause of a Courtiers disgrace is the hatred of the Commons and the enuy of great men against him 3 4 5. The examples of vnfortunate Fauorites who haue been put to death 6. Infidelitie is the seuenth cause of a Courtiers disgrace 7. It is very difficult to know the secrets of a Prince 8. The censure of Phil lippides on those who reueale their Princes secrets 9 The opinion of Hieron Prince of Syracusa hereon Fol 11â— CHAP. XXV 1. Inteligence with his Masters enemies is the eighth cause of a Courtiers disgrace 2. Example of Cardinall Balue hereon his descent and aduancement 3. Example of Cardinall Du Prat and his subtiltie 4. Example of a Cardinall of the Emperour Frederick 5. Another example of Stilica Fol. 121 CHAP. XXVI 1. The ninth cause of a Courtiers disgrace is when hee is the Author of pernitious counsell 2. The examples of Stilica and Olympius 3. The Court Fauorite should rather councell Peace then Warre 4. Examples hereon and the subtiltie of Jouius to ingage his Master in Warre and yet to free himselfe from enuy Fol. 124 CHAP. XXVII 1. The eighth deuision of this Booke containing a Courtiers disgrace procured and occasioned three manner of waies by our Enemies Enuiers or Emulators 2. By absenting him whom we would disgrace which is effected many waies 3. To auoide quarrels without pretext of an honourable Commission Example on this pretext 4. To auoyde enuie and iealousie Example of Tiberius who withdrew himselfe to Rhodes 5. Or of our selues by the command of our Prince 6. Or when wee will withdraw one from an Office who is farre off 7 8. Examples hereon 9. To cause him to be sent farre off thereby more easily to callumniate