to vvealthy men served of times for conclusive proofs and undeniable arguments to enrich Princes Treasury by confiscasions it vvas a blessed thing to live in Italy and have a mans estate in Iapan The LIII ADVERTISEMENT Apollo at last grants admittance into Parnassus to Francisco Sforza Duke of Milan which he had long denyed to do upon a hard condition which he accepted of COunt Fr. Sforza he who by his extraordinary military valor purchast the Dukedom of Millan whereby he rendred his Family as famous and honourable as the like of the greatest Princes Though 140 years be past since at the great desire of the Souldiery and Literati he came to the confines of this State yet he was never suffered by Apollo to enter into Parnassus and though the chiefest Princes of this Court who did always admire the great worth of so gallant a man have perpetually interceded for him his Majestie notwithstanding without ever making the cause known hath always denyed him that favour But being prest thereunto much more then usually eight moneths ago by Lodowick the eleventh King of France Apollo answered resolutely That he infinitely loved Sforza's worth and extraordinary merit but that for good respects he would not admit so scandalous a man into Parnassus To this that King who was so knowing couragiously answered that in respect of the Dukes extraordinary military valour his excellency in councel his singular dexterity his quick dispatch his continually uncorrupted faith and his other heroick vertues wherein he did so abound he thought that the true Patron of worthy Commanders and the Idea of a Prince greatly wise in peace and infinitely valliant in war was rather to be admitted into Parnassus then any thing that was scandalous To this reply Apollo answered That he did not gain-say the Dukes great deserts but that man beginning happily already to discern the false Alchimy of the Militia and the unhappy use of the Souldiers craft he would not by admitting of the Duke into Parnassus renew the reputation of rash and hiddy giddy men and so much the rather for that the foolish sort of men for their greater calamities were more encouraged to despise the danger of Navigation for one onely ship that returned safe into the haven then they were terrified for 1000 that were sunk in the sea Apollo added that he was more desirous to admit the Duke into Parnassus then the Duke was to be there Wherefore he wish'd King Lewis to tell him that he would very willingly grant his request if at his entrance into Parnassus he would onely bring such with him as had come to an unfortunate end in the pay they took from the Sforzeses Militia The Duke thought this condition to be hard and shameful and was long in dispute with him self whether he should accept of it or no for the desire of glory pleaded on the one side but then he was deterd to know that the Militia promising so fairly and coming off so ill he was to bring with him the unfortunate attendance of those that were miserable and much to be bemoned In this so great doubt this Heroes endelss desire of glory got the upperhand wherefore he signified to Apollo by his Secretary Simonetta that he willingly accepted of what was proffered him in his Majesties name and Apollo immediately appointed a day for his entrance which was the 19 of this present moneth When the Princes and famous Commanders of this Court knew this the Dukes resolution they were much troubled thereat and left nothing undone to make him change his resolution which they knew was to bring great prejudice to the whole Militia But the Duke standing still stedfast to his resolution resolutely answered those Princes that he was fully resolved to purchase a place in Parnassus at what rate soever let whatsoever mischief befal the mysterie of war For that Fisher-man was not to be esteemed ungrateful to his occupation who being grown very wealthy by the great gain he had got by Fishing burnt his boat and tore his nets He presently therefore called for such as he did most confide in whom he commanded to muster together all those Souldiers who had miscarryed in the Sforzese Militia which were a very infinite number and the next Wednesday about 6 a clock the Duke all armed made his entrance never was there a sadder nor more woful spectacle beheld For it exceeded all the greatest miseries and made tears to fall even from the hardest hearted men to see an infinite number of young men well provided of fortunes who lived at ease enjoying all delights in their fathers houses dead of hunger and starved in Hospitals some lying dead in ditches many on the high-ways and an infinite number drown'd serving for food to dogs and fishes others all rent with wounds some trod to death by horses others begging their bred by the high-way not having received sufficient recompence from those Princes in whose service they had lost their blood and exposed their lives to a thousand dangers to carry them back to their own houses which they had so unfortunately forgon And every one wept when they saw a yong Gentleman of about twenty years old who being shot into the eye by a cross-bow arrow whereof he dyed and who having been told by Guido Bonati a famous Astrologer that if he would be so wise as to keep in his own Countrey he might assuredly live to be fouscorce year old the same Guido Bonati tenderly imbracing him said O unfortunate young lad Why wert thou so foolish as to sell 60 years of life for sixpence Then fearful curses were heard against the first introducers of war The next day after the Dukes entry the most accomplished Literati came to Apollo and told him he very well knew that there was no difference between the miseries of war and Courtiers unhappiness For if war were miserable Courts were nothing but afflictions if Souldiers were unhappy Courtiers were unfortunate that therefore since the sad spectacle of Duke Sforza's entrance into Parnassus had infused such dread into all the Militia as it was abhorr'd by all men it would be equally advantagious to the world if when any Courtier were admitted into Parnassus who was risen from a mean condition to the supremest dignities he should as the Duke had been be accompanied by all those miserable Courtiers who suffering under the Avarice and ingratitude of several Princes dyed despairing This advice was rejected by Apollo as pernitious who said that men had more need be incouraged to go to Court then terrified from going thither for though but few came by any dignities wealth or honor yet all of them inriched their souls with the purchase of several vertues which was so true as he thought he deserved not the name of a compleat Gentleman who having spent many years in Court had not been Scozzonato had not learnt his lesson well The LIV. ADVERTISEMENT A dangerous contention which arose amongst the Pedagogs in Parnassus upon
saying That a man must eat a peck of salt with another before he can perfectly know him Apollo makes the point be argued in a general Assembly of Learned men which he causeth to be called for that purpose 28 Advert 18. The Hircanians send Ambassadors to Apollo to be resolved by his Majesty in the Important Article Whether it be lawful for the people to kill a Tyrant 29 Advert 19. Nero the Emperor for a very singular commendation given him by Cornelius Tacitus rewards him with a gift of 25 Mules laden with Crowns of Gold 30 Advert 20. The Vertuosi visit the chief Church in Pernassus and begg of God an important favour 31 Advert 21. Apollo to encourage Senators of Free Countries to cultivate Liberty without affecting Tyranny causeth an exceeding wofull spectacle to be shewn in Melpomene's Amphitheatre 32 Advert 22. The Inthroned cademians having admitted the chief she-Poets or Poetesses into Pernassus Apollo commands that they be taken from thence 34 Advert 23. Justus Lipsius being solemnly admitted into Pernassus the next day after his entrance did contrary to all mens expectation accuse Tacitus for being impious and reaps but little credit thereby ib. Advert 24. A mournful day in Pernassus in commemoration of the unhappy Introduction of the Grace-Cup 40 Advert 25. The principal Monarchies abiding in Pernassus ask the Illustrious Venetian Liberty by what means she obtains the benefit of so exquisite secrecy and such exact obedience from her Nobility And received from her their desired satisfaction 41 Advert 26 Francis the first that Potent King of France meeting the Lady Philosophy naked profered her his Royal Mantle which would not be accepted 43 Advert 27. Apollo complains bitterly of the muses for that they inspire many mean wits with Poetical fury and they defend themselves excellently well 44 Advert 28. Torquato Tasso presents Apollo with his Poem of Giurusalemme Liberata or Godfrey of Bullen For which Lodovico Castelvetro and Aristotle are severely reprehended by his Majesty 45 Advert 29. Cornelius Tacitus is chosen Prince of Lesbos whither being come his success proves not good 47 Advert 30. Apollo being aware of the great disorder occasioned amongst men by the flight of Fidelity By assistance of the Muses and of the sublimest heroick vertues procures her return to Fernassus 51 Advert 31. In the time of Carneval the Vertuosi in Pernassus run Races anâ—… make other demonstrations of mirth and jollity 52 Advert 32. The Militia of Ianisaries seeing one of their souldiers ill rewarded mutiny in the Ottoman Monarchy and are by Apollo quieted 56 Advert 33. Apollo fâ—…ees Carlo Sigonio and Dionigi Atanigi the first being accused of Ingratitude by Pietro Vittorio and the other by Hanibal Caro. 58 Advert 34. Publius Terentius being by Order from Giasone del Maino an Urban Pretor charged with Fornication is by Apollo freed with much derision to the Pretor 60 Advert 35. Publick Audience is given by Apollo wherein by wise answers he decide many affairs of his Vertuosi 61 Advert 36. Harpocrates being found by Apollo to be ignorant is driven out of Pernassus 73 Advert 37. A Learned Roman desires a Receipt from Apollo to make him forget certain great injuries which he had received at a great Prince his Court His Majesty gives him some of the water of Lethe to drink but with bad succes 74 Advert 38. The Duke of Laconia is accused before Apollo to have Idolatrized a Favorite of his for having advanced a faithful Secretary to the highest State-preferments and he defends his cause excellenâ—…ly well 75 Advert 39. The people of the Island of Mitilene their Prince being dead without issue argue whether it will be better for them to chuse a new Prince or to set up Liberty in their Countrey 78 Advert 40. James Creyton a Scotchman having incenst the Vertuosi in Pernassus by a proud defiance was so shamed by them through a bitter jest as without ending the dispute they forced him to forgo Pernassus 82 Advert 41. After strict examination of such as were to be chosen the List of Governors is filled up in Pernassus 83 Advert 42. Argus makes proffer of himself to the Duke of Venice to guard the Virginity of their Illustrious Commonwealth and his offer is not accâ—…pted 88 Advert 43. The Florentines in their Pastime called the Calcio admit of a spruce â—…orreign Courtier who wins the Prize ib. Advert 44. Batista Platina being bastinadoed by Agustino Niso complains to Apollo little to his reputation of the injury received 90 Advert 45. Apollo knowing what mischief over-much riches causes to Poets exhorts the magnanimous King of France Francis the first to moderate his profuse liberality which he used towards them 91 Advert 46. Apollo having found out the first Inventor of Guns as he is about to punish him severeâ—…y for his fault therein committed the Artificer defends himself very well 92 Advert 47. The Roman Monarchy desire to be resolved by Cornelius Tacitus in a Politick Doubt and receive full satisfaction therein by Melibeus the Mantuan Shepherd who was casually there 94 Advert 48. The Vertuosi of Pernassus in the Assembly of Focide decide the mystery of an Host and find the keeping of an Inn to be a Noble Heroick Vertue 97 Advert 49. A Literato severely punished for saying that Duels were sometâ—… necessary 98 Advert 50. The â—…ukes Marquisses and other Titulati of Pernassus complain grievously to Apollo that their honorable Title of Excellency should be given to Doctors of Law and Physick ib. Advert 51 〈◊〉 Marquiss who caused his Genealogy to be made by Scipio Ammerati found himself so ill dealt with by him as he re-demands the reward he gave hâ—…m 101 Advert 52. A dispute arising amongst the Vertuosi touching the truth of certain sayings and speeches of wisemen their true meanings were argued and resolved in the General Dyet celebrated in Helicon 102 Advert 53. Apollo at last grants admittance into Pernassus to Francisco Sforza Duke of Millan which he had long denied to do upon a hard condition which hâ—… accepted of 105 Advert 54 A dangerous contention which arose amongst the Pedagogs in Pernassus upon a very slight occasion is appeased by Apollo 107 Advert 55. For remedy of many disorders which are found in History a General Assembly of Historians being summoned Apollo publisheth a severe Edict against them and many Historians are reprehended for their errors 107 Advert 56. Apollo to secure the Rivers of his State from Piracy makes Bernardo Capello General of the Ionick Sea an gives him excellent directâ—…ons 112 Advert 57. The Prince of Epire's first son being born he is thereat so afflicted as he forbids that any shews of joy be made for it in his State 113 Advert 58. Apollo erects a new Tribunal in Pernassus for the punishment of flatterers but succeeds very unfortunately therein 114 Advert 59. Apollo being very far in love with Tasso's good conditions creates him Prince-Poet and Lord High-Constable of Italian Poetry 116 Advert
which might ensue thereupon made him aware of his great error which blinded with passion he committed in that his Cause telling him That Princes did then make their Nations great and powerful when they united them to an inferior Nation as the Kings of France had done by the important acquisition of Britany and not to a more numerous and potent Kingdom For in the first case by aggrandizing her Empire men made their Nation Mistriss whereas in the other by lesning her Dominion they made her a slave Whilst King Ferdinando departed the Audience no waies appeased by this his Majesties wise answer to the great admiration of the whole Colledg a Sparrow-Hawk came flying into the Court and lighting upon the publick Chair infused wonder into all the spectators who took it for some prodigious thing which signified some great matter And the Souldiers of the Guard running to drive her out of the Pavillion his Majestie commanded them to let her alone Then the Roman Augures or Southsayers rose up and desired Apollo that they might interpret that Augury Apollo laught at the request of those vain men and told them that futurities were so hidden by immortal God from men as he was a meer fool who pretended he could foretell them by the flying of birds or any such like thing which hapned by chance and that if they would make use of their Art of Augury by their ordinary interessed ends of making ignorant men more obedient and ready in the execution of such things as they desired shewing them that the will of God concurred with mans command they should know that Parnassus was no aboad for such fools as could be whirld about by the holy and sacred pretences of malitious interessed men Apollo having said these things and great silence insuing thereupon the Hawk spake thus That Vertue which is thought to be only peculiar to man is not only known by other Animals but loved by them and greedily imbraced is clearly proved by the aptness which is seen in birds to learn several tunes which they hear sung by others and by their learning to speak like man by the corveting and dancing of four-footed beasts and by other things which they see or are taught the which they do as gracefully imitate as they do easily learn This truth most glorious Prince of the Planets is sufficient to make the wonder cease in all those that hear me why I a savage bird who live by rapine and am therefore thought to have a cruel heart and to be fiercely minded should desire the so happy and blessed aboad of Parnassus To adorn the soul with vertue the desire of good conversation is not only infused by God into men who are indued with an understanding able to know all things but into all sorts and conditions of Creatures And since I very well know that those are only admitted into Parnassus who by their words and acts either have taught or are able to teach holy precepts good doctrine and vertuous things I certainly may with much reason pretend to be thought very worthy to live in these fortunate habitations I know that all these glorious Litterati will grant me that mans subsistence that the good beginnings better progress and best end of all vertuous life depends upon the education which parents give their children this as necessary as badly known Science of breeding up children well is notwithstanding very ill practised by men and very well known by the instinct of nature to bruit animals I if it may stand with your Majesties approbation am come to instruct in Parnassus listen therefore Gentlemen and admire Amongst us birds there is no more immense love then that which children bear to their fathers but I find mans ignorance to be so gross that amongst them the greatest enemies which children have are their fathers For the unbowel'd love which they bear unto them is more prejudicial to them then is their enemies implacable hatred Love even to ones own children hath its bounds and limits which those who exceed occasion ruine to their children and that you may judge of other animals by the example which I shall shew you of us birds we do so affectionately love our young ones as to feed them upon urgent necessity with flesh torne out of our own breasts is not our utmost charity to them but we do notwithstanding as men unfortunately do love them when they are old but by the wise instinct of nature only so long as they must of necessity be fed by us for when we find their claws begin to grow sharp and their wings strong the first fit for prey the other for flying we use the last and most perfect bounds of charity in not loving them any longer not for that that paternal affection which lives in fathers even after their childrens death ceaseth to be amongst birds but because that infinite affection of parents to do what is best and most convenient for their children requires it should be so the love of fathers to their children is not only useful but necessary but only so long as they are not able of themselves to get their living and harmful and directly pernitious if they assist them when they are able by their own labours and industry to live plentifully of themselves For certainly mens children would be very industrious if their parents would only love them till that time which God hath prefixt unto us and that they would do like me who when I see my young ones can fly currantly I shew them hedges full of Sparrows that they may live plentifully So men when their children are become men like themselves should shew them Princes Courts and chief Metropolitan Cities wherein much business is transacted to the end that they might maintain themselves not like idle and unusefull lumps of flesh buried in sloathfulness and total ignorance but by their own vertuous industry Apollo having heard so necessary a lesson for men after having highly praised the Sparrow-hawk and deputed it a safe and honourable place in Parnassus he said Now at last my beloved Vertuosi we find clearly that the immortal God having infused full and perfect wisdom into bruit-beasts for what concerns their preservation and propagation the true Philosophy which makes men wise and to which by continual study and speculation they ought to attend is to observe their natural instincts and diligently to practice them in what concerns themselves for so they might lead their lives happily not by the capriciousness of several sects of Philosophers so far differing in opinion amongst themselves but by living according to holy and prudent natural precepts and as it would be a foul disorder if birds and other bruit animals should feed their children till they grow old in their nests and dens so it must be confest that parents do very ill who taking more care how to accumulate wealth and riches for their children then to leave them the pretious and alwaies permanent patrimony of
him The Duke of Savoâ—… was known to envy this Prince his felicity very much for he being likewise placed as a bar between the French and the Spaniards of Millan as was the Duke of Lorain between the French and the Spaniards of Flanders yet had he received hard usage both from the French when they were his enemies and from the Spaniards when his friends instead of so many good turns and advantages which he found in the Dukes of Lorain so as every one thought the Duke of Savoy did now clearly perceive that the Spaniards had practised pernitiously against him Next the most flourishing State of the great Dukes of Tuscany was brought to the scales by the Otto di Balia very admirable for the excellent condâ—…tions of her inhabitants all of them being fructiferous and who have alwaies taken pains both with their brains and bodies for the exact government perpetual plenty peace and quiet which she enjoyes So as she being altogether substance weighed as much as any whatsoever famous Monarchy And Lorenzo was observed to rejoice very much when he saw that his successors according to the model which the great Cosmo had left them had known how to build strong Cittadels upon the foundations of Churches and Hospitals which he and his Ancestors had laid in their Countrey in the time of the Florentine Liberty Wherefore Lorenzo the more to shew the worth and wisdom of the Princes of his Family put the sound headpiece of Ferdinand the great into the scales which weighed so very much as the scales fell over and over and broke the great chain which governed them and all things went topsey turvey All the Princes were then aware of the Prerogative which the Court of Româ—… hath in producing men of singular wisdom for that all knew so great a Scholar came out of that School The breaking of the scales was the cause why some Italian Princes who were yet to the fore could not be weighed Wherefore it was agreed upon that the Monarchy of Spain being according to antient custom to be weighed against all the Princes and Potentates of Italy the particular weight of every Italian Prince should be calculated by the general weight of them altogether A large and just ballance was therefore brought into the midst of the greater Hall into which on the one side were put all the Kingdoms belonging to the Monarchy of Spain and on the other all the Italian Princes and the scales were found to stand in equal ballance A thing which the Italian Princes were much troubled at who whilst they were in that agony it was observed by all that looked on that the powerfull Monarchy of France by one only loving smile which she cast upon the scale wherein the Italian Princes were placed made it to the great joy of all men suddenly weigh down on their side It must not be forgotten that the Spaniaros when they saw the Duke of Savoy who refused the last fifteenth year to be put into the same scale with the rest of the Italian forces put himself into the scale to counterpoyse the Spanish Forces in a threatning manner bit their fingers at him the which when he saw he with great generosity said unto them You Gentlemen of Spain it is now no longer time to feed men with hopes I have at last clearly discovered all your tricks and do so call to mind your past actions as for the future I will score up my accounts with another cole for yours which till now I have only made use of hath stained and scorched my hands too much Your baits of hope have not brought me yet to be such a fool as to make me forgo the little bit of bread which I have yet in my mouth to snatch at the shadow of the great Spanish Inheritance which I see in the bottom of the water And the Spaniards further complaining that the Dukes of Parma Modena and Urbine the Lord of Mirandola and the famous Roman Barons Gazitani Colonesi and Orsini who have all of them the Golden Fleece and are their Pensioners were weighed together with the Italian Forces whereas by the Orders of that Knighthood and by the Pensions which they received they were bound to adhere to the Spanish Interest and to contribute unto the Spaniards greatness They were by them answered That the Lords and Princes of Italy received the honour of the Golden Fleece and rich Pensions from the Spanish Monarchy just as do those honorable Ladies who receive Presents from their sweet hearts by way of Courtesie not out of any intention to do the foule thing you wot of Why the Monarchy of Spain withdrew her self into her Palace BEcause for many daies past the Monarchy of Spain had not been seen to come abroad nay that not only she had been all this while retired into her own house but had continually kept the gates of her Palace shut the Italian Princes and especially the Venetians who are not only the diligent observers of the actions but the most subtile pryers into the very thoughts of that great Queen began to grow exceeding jealous of such a novelty And because it was still impossible for them to know what might be the meaning of so much solitariness they all concluded that there must needs be some great mystery in it The Venetians out of a jealousie for their States becoming impatient of any delay with ladders set against the Palace of the said Monarchy got in at the windows and saw her hard at work and with a State-Minister of hers called the Conte di Fuentes and some other sturdy fellows very busie in stopping up all the holes in her house Whereupon the witty Venetians very well foreseeing to what end all this pains was taken advised their friends to arm themselves for the Spaniards as soon as ever they had stopped up the holes of supplies would be sure to fall a hunting of the Rats to make a great massacre of them The Duke of Alva being arrived at Pernassus in complementing with Prospero Colonna he falls to cuffs with him about Titles whereof he had defrauded the Colonnesi DOn Fernando di Toledo Duke of Alva some few daies ago came to Pernassus and according to an express Order from Apollo diligent examination having been made of his actions was by the Military men found worthy to be admitted into Pernassus amongst those famous Captains who fighting with patience and art knew rather how to overcome their enemies without bloudshed then with open force and desperateness to hazard the fortune of Kingdoms in the doubtfull chance of a set battel But because Lodovick Guicchiardin a very judicious Writer of the Affairs of Flanders gave in a complaint That for some distastful things which he had written of the Duke he had been evil intreated by him he was fain to wait yet a good while to clear himself of that foule imputation For in Pernassus there is yet in force an Edict very strictly observed by
him by a Literato which was made upon the Poem of an Italian Vertuosi A TABLE Of the CONTENTS of the Second CENTURY of ADVERTISEMENTS ADVERT 1. THe Province of Phosides doth by her Ambassadors complain to Apollo that his Majesties Officers do not any whit observe their priviledges and are not only not listened to in what they do say but receive a harsh answer 199 Advert 2. Apollo makes use of the unfortunate Count St Paul to frighten the Nobility in Kingdoms from rebelling against their natural Lords at the pressure of forreign Princes 200 Advert 3. Great Euclid for having distasted some powerfull men is cruelly beaten by their Bravoes 201 Advert 4. In a Duel which hapned between an Italian Poet and a Vertuosi of Spain the Spaniard being wounded to death did so gallant an action before he expired as Apollo gave order that he should be solemnly buried at the publick charge ibid. Advert 5. Apollo having used great diligence to come by any of the Idols of Princes proceeds with severity against one who fell inâ—… the Iudges power 203 Advert 6. All the Monarchies of the world affrighted at the over-great power and successful proceedings of the German Commonwealths consult in a general Diet how to keep themselves from being in time oppressed by them 205 Advert 7 The people of Phosides treating how they might rise in Rebellion by reason of the Relation which their Ambassadors made unto them who were formerly sent to Apollo to pray hat their priviledges might be observed the remedy fittest to be applyed to such a disorder is discussed in his Majesties Council 219 Adver 8. A great controversie arising in point of precedency between the Prince of Bisagnano and Dr. Juliano Corbelli of St Marino Apollo refers the consideration thereof to the Congregation of Ceremonies by which it is decided 220 Advert 9. Apollo publisheth a very severe Edict against some Literati who under a cloke of feigned picty cover downright avarice 221 Advert 10. The City Pretor or chief Iustice of Pernassus complains bitterly before Apollo of the Triumviri a Magistracy newly instituted by his Majesty that in an Edict of theirs published against Minius and other Ministers of Princes obscenities they have violated his Iurisdiction 222 Advert 11. The Inhabitants of Phocides fall into open rebellion by reason that the Priviledges of their Country â—…re not observed by Apollo's Officers they are pacified by a Senator and send new Ambassadors to his Majesty 223 Advert 12. Whilst some Poets paralleld the greatness of Rome with that of Naples a dangerous dispute arose between them Apollo to the end that his Vertuosi might know what to say and believe in a business of such importance commits the cause to the Rota of Pernassus who decide it 226 Advert 13. Theodoricus that famous King of Italy having oft-times prest very much to be admitted into Pernassus is a waies denied by Apollo for a very important reason 227 Advert 14. Apollo according to his usual custom of the first day of every month hears the Petitions of such as desire to be admitted into Pernassus 228 Advert 15. At a publick meeting Force contrary to the custom of the Plebeian Court pretending to take place of Reputation that beautiful Lady with excellent resolution finds a remedy for her reputation which was in great hazard 246 Advert 16. Giovan Francisco Pico Count of Mirandola that he might the more quietly attend his studies entreats Monsignor Dino da Mugello Auditor of the Exchequer in Pernassus that the Reformers by reason of the too great noise which they alwaies make in their profession may be removed further from his neighbourhood and is not heard in his desire 247 Advert 17. Tacitus being excluded from out of the most famous Commonwealths of Europe makes a grievous complaint to Apollo and is by them with much honour received again and much made of 249 Advert 18. The blindman of Forli that famous Italian Mountebank being to the wonder of all the Senat of Vertuosi admitted by Apollo into Pernassus is by his Majesty put upon an imployment of importance 250 Advert 19. Luigi Alemanni having in an elegant Oration set forth the praises of the French Nation repented that his action afterward and desired leave of Apollo to make his Recantation but was not permitted so to do 252 Advert 20. Corbulone having with much honour ended his prefixt time of Government in Pindo a Patent to continue the same Iurisdiction for one year longer is graciously sent him by Apollo which he refuseth to accept of 253 Advert 21 Sebastian Veneri Duke of Venice after his admittance into Pernassus desires Apollo that he may have the precedency given him before Hereditary Kings and Monarchs and obtains a favourable Decree from his Majesty 254 Advert 22. Apollo being greatly moved to compassion by seeing a poor souldier who had lost both his hands in the Wars go a begging doth sharply reprehend Princes for their ingratitude to Military men 256 Advert 23. Apollo greatly compassionating the lamentable shipwrack which his Vertuosi make in great Princes Courts to secure their Navigation commands some of the chief Literati of his State to make a Card whereby men may sail by land 257 Advert 24. Ariadeno Barbarossa being driven by a sudden storm splits upon the Scogli Cursolari and Maturino Romagasso Captain of the Guard of the Gulf of Lepanto endeavours his escape when he might have taken him prisoner 262 Advert 25. Epictetus a Stoick Philosopher who finding his Sect to grow much deformed asks leave of Apollo to ground a new Sect of Reformed Stoicks and is rather reprehended by his Majesty then commended 263 Advert 26. The Nobility of the Commonwealth of Achaia not being able any longer to indure the insolency of the Commons who Governed the State send Ambassadors to Apollo to obtain a Prince who may Govern them and receive a gracious answer 265 Advert 27. Apollo having for a just cause removed Gulielmo Budeo from the Lord Treasures place confers the aforesaid place upon Diego Covarruvia a Noble Spanish Literato and Dean of the College of the Grand Sages of this Court though he was much gainsaid therein by the French Monarchy 266 Advert 28. Monsieur Jovanni de la Casa having presented Apollo with his most useful Galateo meets with great difficulties in many Nations in having it observed 269 Advert 29. Apollo finding that wicked men by making use of the sword of Iustice to injure honest men do make his Tribunals become very hatefull to remedy so great a disorder institutes a Committee of the greatest subjects of this State but hath but bad success therein 272 Advert 30. Marcus Brutus desires Lucius Brutus to shew him the perfections of the Conspiracy which he so happily brought to pass against the Tarquins and the Imperfections of that Conspiracy which he so miserably executed upon Cesar. And receives desired satisfaction from him 273 Advert 31. Marcus Cato having to the infinite dislike of Princes writ
the second King of Spain being offended at what the Duke of Alva had told Apollo concerning his Government of Flanders whilst he seeks to revenge himself upon that his Minister of State is sent for by Apollo who was acquainted with what had past and is by him pacified 389 Advert 97. Pompey the great having invited many noble Lords of Rome to be present at the dedication of the magnificent Theatre which he had built in Pernassus they refuse to come 391 Advert 98. Peter Aretine being again assaulted Apollo in respect of the lewd conditions of that Satyrical vitious Poet commanded that no process should be made upon that Riot ib. Advert 99. Apollo having received news by an express Poet whereas he was much rejoyced communicates it to his Literati with great Iubile 392 Advert 100. A more then usual sweet Odor issuing from the Delphick Library Apollo goes himself in person thither to discover the miracle and soon finds the occasion of so great a novelty 394 A TABLE of the CONTENTS of the POLITICK TOUCHSTONE Why the Neapolitans are so strangely opprest and hardly treated by the Spaniards 395 Genua excuses her freedom in Pernassus 396 The Spanish Monarchy complains that her falshoods are discovered 398 The Spanish Monarchy comes to Pernassus and desires Apollo to be cured of an Issue but is dismist by the Politick Physitians 400 A Secretary of Monsieur de Guise is punished for having spoken amiss 405 The Spaniards endeavour the getting of Savioneda but in vain ib. Sir Tho. Moore an Englishman asks Apollo when Heresies will cease 406 The French desire Apollo that he will teach them the true Spanish Perfume for Gloves ibid. The Spanish Monarchy goes to the Oracle of Delphos to know whether she shall ever obtain the Universal Monarchy of the whole world and receives a negative answer 407 Philip the second King of Spain after some dispute concerning his Title enters in great state into Pernassus 409 All Princes Commonwealths and States are justly weighed in the scales by Lorenzo de Medici 410 Why the Monarchy of Spain withdrew her self into her Palace 417 The Duke of Alva being arrived at Pernassus in complementing with Prospero Colonna he falls to cuffs with him about Titles whereof he had defrauded the Colonnesi 418 Boccace is assassinaâ—…ed by Salviati 422 The Sicilian Ambassadors cannot obtain audience from Apollo but are disgracefully driven away by his Majesty ib. Sigismondo Battori hath learne the Latine Tongue 424 The French are freed out of the mad mens Hospital by the Spaniards 425 Some for examples sake are made a spectacle to the people ib. A discovery made that the Spanish Officers are wholly concern'd in their own profits 426 Maximilian the Emperor is advertised of the tumults sprung up amongst his sons 427 The Dogs in the Indies are grown Wolves ib. The Spanish Monarchy visits the Queen of Italy and there pass between them Complements full of kindness 429 The Monarchy of Spain throws her Physician out of the window 430 The Cardinal of Toledo's Summa is not admitted into the Library of Pernassus 431 Almansor that was King of the Moors meeting with the Kingdom of Naples they two fall a weeping and rehearse their miseries brought upon them by the oppression of the Spaniards 432 The Conte di Fuentes is admitted into Pernassus 437 All the States of the world are censur'd in Pernassus for their errors 439 The Spanish Monarchy invites the Cardinal of Toledo to be Secretary of State who refuseth and why 450 Apollo detesteth the means that are recommended to him for getting of monies 451 THE FIRST INFORMATION The Society of Polititians open a Ware-House in Parnassus Wherein are sold divers sorts of Merchandize very usefull for the vertuous living of those that are Learned THe Business so many Moneths in Agitation between the Society of Polititians and the Ministri Camerali touching the opening of a Publick Ware house in Parnassus with large Priviledges for Polititians was the last Week fully concluded and they yesterday made a Glorious Shew in the Piazza of all such things as men stand most in need of Wherefore Menante thinks not much to acquaint you here with the chiefest of them firmly believing that all gallant men will be pleased with the notice thereof In the first place great store of Stuffing or Bombast not prized by the meaner sort of men but highly esteemed by understanding Courtiers is sold in this Ware-house For those of great capacity know that the shavings of those finest Clothes which wise men weave with the superfine Wool of forbearance serves to stuff up the Pack-Saddles of Slavery to the end that they may sit the more easily upon the backs of those wretched Courtiers and not gall their lean sides so horribly as the sides of some are seen to be who though they be known to detest labour are perswaded notwithstanding to go to Court with assured hopes of spending their time there merrily and to command others though they themselves serve It is very observable that some young men though they live at home in the. Fathers houses have bought good store of this pretious Stuffing to bolster up some smal Pack saddles which they make use of in private houses to the end that they may not come like raw Colts unto the Court and that when they shall first undergo that weighty Pack-saddle of Court servitude they may not commit those senceless absurdities which cause the Court Colt-breakers to lash them with bitter distastes the better to inure them to that toilsom slavery There is likewise sold in the same Ware-house store of Pensils which are very excellent for those Princes who upon urgent occasions are forced to paint white for black unto the people And although this be a Merchandize proper onely for Princes yet do these false Cheaters provide themselves thereof who setting their best leg forward mind only mocking and cosenage and to feed the silly multitude with fair words and foul deeds They have also abundance of Spectacles very wonderfull and of great use Some of them serve to give light to those libidinous men who amidst their goatish lusts grow so short sighted as they cannot discern between honour and shame not know a friend from an enemy a meer stranger from a Kinsman nor any thing else to which respect ought to be given So great is the riddance which these Polititians make of these kind of Spectacles as it is evidently known that few men see well in carnal affairs There are other Spectacles of a clear contrary operation which keep men from seeing the light and the Polititians affirm that though they be generally good for all men yet are they particularly more useful for Courtiers then those which enlarge the sight For many loathsom things present themselves often to the sight of worthy men upon which if you shall turn your back you may peradventure draw upon you the ill will of Potent men and to behold them is to martyrize
a dagger it would have much indangered the publike liberty The same Politicians affirm for certain that the Sancsi introduced the famous Gioco della pugna in their Commonwealth and the Venesians the assaulting of the bridge in theirs for no other end but this But it hapned that a spruce Courtier who was a Spectator at this sport being asked by that famous Pietro Caponi who by the bold answer he gave to a King of France won eternal fame how he liked their Calcio who answered The sport was very pleasant but that those Florentines did not play well And the Game of Calcio being particular to the Florentine Nation and altogether unknown in â—…ther parts Caponi thought the Courtier had said amiss wherefore he asked him Whether he thought he could play better The Courtier answered freely that if they would permit him to play with them he would teach those Florentine Gentlemen the true art how to take the ball how to â—…un with it how to repulse the wrastlers dextrously who would take it away and other excellent master like tricks Caponi laught to hear the Courtier boast thus and having acquainted all the Florentine Gamesters with what he said they joyntly invited him to play The Courtier made himself ready and entred the lists where the Florentines promising themselvs much pastime in buffetting and abusing him made him a round and presently the Ball was thrown up in the ayr by men appointed thereunto which came no sooner to the ground but that the nimble Courtier ran towards it and having taken it up clap it under his left arm those of the contrary party ran to take it away from him but he with great strength justled one and thrust away another and whereas the Florentines who were masters of the sport thought to have thrown him down they were thrown down themselves for the sturdy Courtier did so freely lay about him on all sides with his arm shoulders head and every part of him as he made all keep aloof so as the greatest part of the Florentines of the adverse part were thrown to the ground and some of them received such blows on their breasts as they could hardly breathe for a good while after And the Courtier having overcome all that withstood him threw the ball over the lists and won the Prize At which he Florentines were so astonished as they took a solemn oath never to admit of any Courtier more to play with them as those who in running had winged heels and are rather Devils then men in justling thrusting making men keep back and making room for themselves in croudes and making way there where people flock most in the art of never suffering the ball to fall to the ground when they have gotten it nor ever to be taken from them and in giving their adversaries such deadly squelches as they shall never rise again The XLIV ADVERTISEMENT Batista Platina being bastenado'd by Agustino Niso complains to Apollo little to his reputation of the injury received BAtista Platina who keeps the Pastrey shop in the corner of the Herb-market as he the other day was raising a piece of dainty Paste Agustino Niso da Sessa that famous Neapolitan Philosopher entred his shop and took up the rowling pin wherewith Platina made his Paste and did so cudgel him with it as certainly he would have slain him had not some of the Vertuosi who heard the noise run in and hindred him Platina being thus ill dealt withal caused himself to be brought before Apollo to whom he sorely complained of Niso and said That he was not so much grieved at the blows he had received as that he had never deserved to be so foully affronted by that Philosopher whom he had always so deerly loved Apollo did with much grief rescent Niso's extravagancy and gave order for him to be forthwith sent for who when he appeared was ask'd by his Majestie what had moved him so to dishonour such a Vertuoso as Platina Niso boldly replyed That by reason of Platina's evil proceeding with him he was forced so to revenge a shameful slash which he had given him over the face from one ear to another Platina with tears said to Niso I have always admired your worth Agustino and loved you as dearly as my own soul and you without any cause have offended your friend whom you were bound to love and reward Niso turned then to Apollo and told him That he being desirous some few days before to give a private supper to some Neapolitan Vertuosi had sent to Platina's shop for a Veal Pye for which he was presently paid and that Platina whom he had never offend had to no end placed his Arms over his shop door whereby he had published him throughout Parnassus to be one of those useless persons who delighting in Gluttony study nothing but how to eat vvell Platina excused himself and said that he had placed his arms over his door to honour him not out of any infamy to him Apollo then bad Platina hold his peace for you said he have well deserved the mischief vvhich hath befallen you for the arms of men of honor and of such a Philolosophers as is my beloved Niso ought to be seen in Libraries noâ—… iâ—… Cooks shops vvhere none but those of smell feasts ought to haâ—…g for there is no fouller defect nor vice then to study hovv to please the pallat and to make the base and shameful profession to hunt after good victuals The XLV ADVERTISEMENT Apollo knowing what mischief over-much riches causes to Poets exhorts the Magnanimous King of France Francis the first to moderate his profuse liberallity which he used towards them THe Illustrious King of France Francis the first he who whilst he lived did not onely place learning on his right hand but always saluted the Litterati by taking off his hat whom he so loved as that he enriched many of them so as by authentick faith made to Apollo it appears that so great a King was the first who by his profuse liberality to the Vertuosi of that his Noble Kingdom of France had planted such learning there as taking deep root afterwards hath brought forth infinite volumes of the labours of the learned French which have much enriched the Delphick Library and that using still the same bounty to such as lovelearning he feeds a great many of the Litterati very plentifully in his Royal Palace in Parnassus to whom he pays very liberal provisions A magnanimity and Splendor which till now was very pleasing to Apollo who much to his discontentment is come at last to the knowledge that this Kings munificence towards the Litterati produces bad effects for that over-much riches according to their custom begins to blemish the souls of many Vertuosi with such vices as luxury and ease bring with them which have so produced the Moth of idleness even amongst the Vertuosi of this State as that many famous Poets have so far given over their studies as
more to say but declared that though Iuvinal baulked the quarrel he suffered not in his honour nor did he do any thing misbecoming an honourable Cavalier Poet for it was not Bernis wit that he feared but his corrupt times too unequal to those of Iuvinals The LXII ADVERTISEMENT Domitio Corbulone being severely prosecuted by the Quarantia Criminale a Venetian Magistracy consisting of forty men for some words spoken by him in his Government of Pindo which were formerly declared by Apollo's publick Edict to be Tyrannical Is at last acquited with much praise THe City of Pindo and all its large Territories being filled by great store of Murderers and dangerous factions by the too much lenity of some of its late Governors which did greatly anoy the peace of good men Apollo to curb the licentiousness of his most seditious Subjects by exemplary punishment sent severe Domitio Corbulone some two months ago to that Government Who so carried himself as in a short space the people of that State were reduced from mighty seditions into a peaceful condition And enquiring of some of his Confidents what the people thought of him they freely told him that his rigorous proceedings against many had so affrighted the Uuniversality as he was hated by all of them Corbulone was overjoyed at this answer and replyed to those his beloved friends in the well-known saying Oderint dum Metuant Let them hate provided they fear This was suddenly reported to Apollo as a capital fault His Majesty liked not this accusation and committed the examination thereof to the Quarantia Criminale for it had been long before published by a Decree from his Majesty That whatsoever Prince were he either legitimate natural or hereditary who should dare to use such insolent and rash words should be held and reputed an abominable Tyrant and that if any Officer should though at unawares let them escape his mouth he should suffer capital punishment Corbulone was therefore cited to appear before the Court which he did the next day where the cause was severely canvast by the Judges And whilst all the people of Parnassus expected to see some rigorous sentence pass upon Corbulone he was by his Majesties approbation gratiously absolved and sent back to his Government with more plenary Aurhority then before For the Judges declared That such words were abominable and altogether Tyrannical in Princes which have the means to be gratious but very honorable in an Officers mouth who hath nothing in his power but the detested lash of Justice That Prince being truely to be admired who could make himself be beloved by his Subjects and reverenced That Officer to be reputed very sufficient who had the genius to make himself be feared and obeyed The LXIII ADVERTISEMENT The Chair of privat Tranquillity being void by Diogenes the Cynicks promotion to a higher degree Apollo offers it to the famous Philosopher Crates who refuseth it THe Cynick Diogenes he who for so many years to the general advantage and his own particular glory had the publick Chair in these Schools wherein his Office was to praise Poverty Solitariness and Peace of mind By whose perswasion Atalus the very King of Treasures put on that admirable resolution of forgoing all his riches and become a Stoick in Parnassus was by reason of his great deserts exalted two months ago to the sublime Dignity of the Muses Arch-Flamming so as so noble a place being void his Majestie bestowed it upon the famous Crates who went yesterday to Apollo and contrary to all mens expectation refused so noble a Chaire saying that the charge of poverty and of the souls peace being greatly injured by Diogenes his promotion to that immense dignity he could not discharge his duty with that fervency with that purity and integrity of heart as the place required For the very first day that he should undertake the imployment he should necessarily be so puft up with ambition and should have so great a desire to obtain the same dignity which his Predecessor had obtained as would drive from out his mind though never so well composed that sincerity which makes an Orator speak from his heart not from his mouth and that the necessity of his ambition and his violent desire arose not from any vice but from that laudable zeal of reputation which is most intense in even the most mortified Vertuosi of Parnassus For if in process of time he should not receive the same honor from his Majsty as Diogenes had done the world would think that the whole had happened not by reason of his humility not for that he preferred a privat life before publick Magistracy quiet before business or poverty before riches but because his Majestie had not found such deserts in him as he had done in Diogenes So as having his soul perturbed by the violence of ambition he could not hope to reap any advantage by exagerating the praises of Humility the contempt of Riches and of the vanity of worldly Greatness it being impossible that any man should be so efficatiously eloquent as to be able to perswade others to that sort of life which the standers by must needs say was abhor'd by the perswader The LXIV ADVERTISEMENT Many people having wasted themselves in keeping great Tables and going gloriously attired desire their Princes to make a Pragmatical Law for the Moderation of such expences but obtain not their suit PEople subject to Princes who live in Parnassus learning by experience that luxury and vanity in apparel are so much increased as that there is no patrimony how great soever which may not be quite consumed in a short time by womens vanity and mens ambition and plainly seeing that bravery was grown to so great a height as a whole portion though very great was not sufficient to buy Jewels for a young maid that was to be married which was the cause why parents could not marry off their daughters It being likewise known that delicacies for the pallat were oflate years so prodigiously doted on as modern gormandizing hath quite ruined those Families which were made great by antient Parcemony They by joynt consent presented themselves all some few daies ago before their several Princes whom they earnestly desired that some remedy might be found out to prevent this their so apparent ruine All the Princes were very well pleased with this their peoples Petition and then it was that they knew it to be true what many have written That peremptory or pragmatical Laws ought only then to be published to the people when they themselves desire them For if they be inacted against their wils they seldom produce good effects the reason is because prodigality never frightens scapethrifts till they have been acquainted with the hideous and dreadful face of poverty All the Princes therefore by common consent caused many excellent pragmatical Laws to be made by understanding men wherein luxuriousness and superfluity being abridged nothing but decency was seen in apparel and men did eat
the Poets and other Literati of whatsoever Science are but dim-fighted in the art of discovering the true ends of those wary resolutions which great Princes take they made their recourse to the University of the Politicians whose peculiar profession it is by the light of that knowledge which they have of all Potentates interests to know how to penetrate into the abditos Principâ—…m recessus quicquid occultius habent From whom they received this answer That the Queen of Italy to secure her Liberty from the Arms of so potent a Nation was inforced to joyn with the Spanish Monarchy but that perceiving how she also having gotten into her hands the Kingdom of Naples and the Dutchy of Millan did with more earnest ambition with more profound artifices and with more fraudulent machinations than the French themselves put in for the Soveraignty of all Italy and that to compass this end in the minority of Henry the second 's Sons she endeavoured to embroil France and how for the base Panders of her vast ambition and for Agents for the common bondage of Italy she made use of some principal but indiscreet Italian Princes she began to hate her so extreamly that by every sort of flight the one sought the ruine of the other but that since by the unfortunate end which at last the business of Savioneda came to the Monarchy of Spain plainly perceived that the purchase of all Italy was not feasible and a business utterly to be despaired of she gave over that ambition of being Mistress of it all to whâ—…h she was before wholly addicted and observing that the greater part of her troubles in Flanders and elsewhere had sprung from those ambitious thoughts she perceived there was no better way for the setling of her own affairs then to let others live in quiet And because she palpably found that without the friendship the favour and aid of the Italian Princes it was not possible for her quietly to possess the Kingdom of Naples and the Dutchy of Millan she was desirous with that visit to pacify the troubled mind of that Queen A Policy which the â—…oliticians called a very good one For what manner of men would begin to rouse up themselves if the Spaniards should but make as if they would fall upon Brescia Bâ—…rgamo Turino and Genoua when for offering to take in that poor petty Town of Savioneda there were contrived against them and that by those from whom it was least expected such machinations that the Quail â—…ad bin caught in the Trammelli and could not have avoided falling into the Spaniels mouth had she not couragiously resolved to make a breach in the net and so to save her life by getting out at a torne mesh The Monarchy of Spain throws her Physician out of the window THis morning the Monarchy of Spain having sent for her Physician in ordinary presently after she her self with her own hands threw him out of the window of her Royal Palace So that the poor wretch having all his bones broken to fitters died immediately An accident which seemed so much the stranger in that the Physician was held by all the Court to be a very honest man and in the exercise of his profession admirable Diverse were the discourses made upon so notorious a novelty But Apollo desiring to know the true cause of this hideous resentment from the Spanish Monarchy her self she told him how about forty years ago by some fittes that she had and by other signes which were discovered she was afraid that in process of time she should catch some dangerous French disease or other of the Royal House of Bourbon and to provide agaâ—…nst the mischief she foresaw she ask'd counsel of her Physician who prescribed her a tedious fulsom and chargeable Purge of divers Oyles of holy Leagues of insurrections of people of Rebellions of Nobles of Cauteries and other very painfull Medicines in which she had wasted her stomack weakened her strength and quite lost her appetite And that the infinite store of Syrops and the many Medicines taken with so much anguish had procured nothing but the acceleration of the malady which had it not been for that unlucky and unseasonable Purge would perhaps never have come Besides that the continual and ravenous leeches which were applyed to many parts of her body had so suck'd out the best vital bloud of hâ—…r Spanish Gold that by reason of her weakness of constitution she was not able to evacuate those bad humours of Flanders which have so much oppressed her For which disorders all occasioned by the exceeding bad counsel of that indiscreet Doctor she was so vex'd at him that she seriously swore to him that if to free her from future infirmities he ever prescribed her a purge again she would throw him out of the window And that perceiving the Low-Countrey Ach which at this present she feels in her shoulders to be an absolute French Pox she had asked counsel of the same Doctor how she might be rid of it Who unmindfull of his former errors very simply prescribed her the other purge for all the world just like the first and that hereupon overcome with passion throwing him out of the window she was desirous to punish him for his first fault in his second And she conceived that he had deserved the misfortune because he had not learn'd by that case which had proved so unlucky to her Spaniards to know that purges made before the time for evils that are but feared work not those good effects which the Physician believes and the Patient desires The Cardinal of Toledo's Summa is not admitted into the Library of Pernassus THe most Illustrious and right reverend Francisco Cordouese Cardinal of Toledo a Personage of exemplary life an exquisite Divine and a prime Philosopher one that while he lived did more honour to Gods word in the Pulpit than any other Preacher whatsoever appeared some few daies agone in Pernssus being met at the borders of this State by Alexander de Hales and by Monsignor Cornelio Musso Bishop of Bitonto and entertained all the way at his Majesties charge This honoured Literato presented his Writings to the reverend College of the Vertuosi and those which treated of Philosophy were not only praised but admired as likewise the Commentaries which he had made upon the Subjects of Divinity were received by all the sacred Wrâ—…rs with extraordinary applause and presently they were carried in a sumptuous Urne under a Canopy into the Delphick Library and with the name of so great an Author consecrated to Eternity Only his Summa though very learned was not received by those Vertuosi who plainly said there was such a multitude of these kinds of Summaries and Collections in his Majesties Library that some of them seemed superfluous For an infinite number of the greatest Divines had with such diligence handled matters appertaining to private mens câ—…nsciences that they had put to arbitrement the salvation of mens souls
ambition that remainder of Liberty which is yet left in Italy For those glorious Kings for the interest of their own greatness will not endure it that the Soveraignty of all Italy should fall into the power of the ambitious Spaniard who hath not been able to quench his vehement thirst of Reigning with the Purchase of all the new World which he hath discovered and so much of the old as he doth possess Besides that the Italian Princes who know in how shrewd danger of a mischievous and most wretched slavery they stand are so united together that although they be many in number yet make they up but one body and the Spaniards which have used and still do use all possible artifices to disunite them perceive that they were as good let it alone But as for the State of Millan you must know it was judged safer for the publick Liberty of Italy that the said Dutchy should fall into the power of the Spaniards then if it had remained in the hands of the French who bordering upon Italy if once they had possession of never so little a part in it 't is a thousand to one but they would make themselves absolute Masters of all But in the Spaniards the case was clean contrary For their forces though very great yet lie so far off that with a great deal of difficulty can any be transported such a long way by Sea out of Spain into Italy for the making good of what they have gotten there already much less such as would be sufficient for subduing of the whole You say true quoth Almansor but go on in your relation to me of the prejudices which your falling into the Spaniards hands hath brought to the Popes Know reply'd the Kingdom of Naples that whereas formerly the Popes were a terror to my Kings now the case is clean otherwise for they live in extream torment lest one day there should happen to be an union of Naples with Millan which they perceive to be the scope of all the Spaniards intentions Whereupon the Spaniards whose proper nature it is to reap singular profit from the fear in which they perceive they have put their neighbouring Princes have arrogated to themselves such high Authority in the Court of Rome that they boastingly give themselves out for the true Arbitrators of all important matters that are handled therein Besides what I have told you there is this more When the Kings of Naples were not Kings of Spain the Popes with every slight threatning to deny the Investiture got from my Kings Principalities Dukedoms Marquissates and other great Estates by way of Present besides that the Kings bought their friendship with Alliances and every other sort of Liberality But that fear being now over if the Popes will aggrandize their Kinsmen with the Titles of Important States they must pay for them with ready money And the subtile Kings of Spain over and above the precious Gold of Intreaties which they will have howsoever for the first payment sell afterwards at dear rates Important Interests and grievous disorders quoth Almansor are these you have told me but how comes it to pass that you Kingdom of Naples who are the Magazine of Silks the Granary of Italy go so ragged and are so lean As long as the Spaniards answered the Kingdom of Naples that come naked out of Spain will within four daies after they are arrived at my house be covered all over with Gold needs must I strip my self to cloath so many and such pittifull tatter-de-Mallions Moreover did you but behold the greediness of the Vice-Roys that are sent to my house to repair their fortunes and did you know the rapines of the Secretaries of a thousand Officers and other Courtiers whom every Viceroy brings with him all thirsting after my bloud you would extreamly wonder how it were possible for me to satisfie the ravenous and dog-like unsatiableness of such a company of starvelings As for that small store of flesh you see about me the Spaniards say they find it written in a certain Book of a Florentine which hath given out rules of the cruel and desperate modern Policy that being a conquer'd Kingdom I must like those Barbary-horses which are employed only in running of Races be kept low And how added then Almansor are the Millanois handled Why they too reply'd the Kingdom of Naples are bathed in the same water wherewith you see me so wet Only this difference there is betwixt us that at Millan it drops in and in my house it powres in amain The true causes of this diversity of usage are the qualities of the Lombards inclinations very much unlike to those of my Neapolitans For the Nobility of the State of Millan is naturally humorous free resolute and far from those vices that are most proper to my Neapolitans of flattery and affectation But so ready to lay about them and of that wavering disposition as I dare say were there but one head-piece of Cremona amongst my Barons it would be sufficient to obstruct that on-forced Donative that hath brought me to live upon bread and onions Which though it had been often demanded by the Spaniards in Millan and that in very high tearms they were told again that they should mind their own livelihoods Besides that the neighbourhood of the Grisons of the Duke of Savoy and of the Venetians are some cause why the Kings of Spain proceed in Millan with more discretion When the Popes stood to their arms I was then for their sakes much respected too But withdraw good Almansor for I see my most capital enemy Don Pietro di Toledo coming this way and I would not by any means he should perceive that I make my moan to you And certainly even for this may my slavery be tearmed most unhappy that I am enforced to call this miserable condition which you see hath brought me to the last gasp a most happy Golden Age. The Conte di Fuentes is admitted into Pernassus DOn Pietro Enriquez Gusman Count of Fuentes was admitted the last Consistory into Pernassus but with a very severe censure because Apollo would be exactly resolved whether in the time that for many years he had governed the Dutchy of Millan he had given any distast to those Italian Vertuosi who for the admirable fruitfulness of their wits born to the invention of elegant things are deservedly called by his Majesty The first born Sons of Learning And albeit that among other Objections made against that truely famous man that accusation did him most prejudice wherein he was â—…axed for giving his mind to that mischievous husbandry of sowing jealousies and planting contentions by which he had made those Italian Potentates whose friendship he should have procured with all the skill he had to be suspected by his King more then to the Government of the people yet were the difficulties of the heaviest accusations taken off by the conclusive proof of his having been in Italy a prodigy of nature