matters as that they must be wise and expert c. you shall find plentifull examples thereof under the title of Ambassadours praised for the wise dispatch and worthy doing of their Legation and under the title of Apophthegmes and wise answers of Legates wherefore I here strain my quill to other matters belonging to them as followeth CHAP. 4. What Lawes and privileges were made and allowed for and to Ambassadours ALthough this matter may best by a Civilian be discussed for that the same is most plentifully known unto them and is a thing that I cannot well intreat of for that I have not acquainted my selfe with Justinians Writings and Decrees yet so far-forth as either in History or other Authoritie I have read or collected any thing thereof I shall not refuse to say what I can though not so much as I would though not so much as the matter could bear and though not so much as your Lordship might learn from others to your contentment and my desire And therefore to say what I can I affirm That it is but reason since Ambassadours endanger their persons consume their substance travell their wits toyle their bodyes serve their Countrie and uphold their Prince that they should be Franchised with such liberties as both might be safety for themselves and guerdon for their deserts or else who would willingly discharge that thing the performance whereof shall not so much as defend his life But to leave proofes of reason wee will descend to the writings of others who have treated thereof And first for the order how Ambassadours were received and used Alexander ab Alexandro thus writeth Apud Graecos nisi praeconibus adhibitis Alex. ab Alex. lib. 5. cap. 3. Legatos minimè hostium fines ingredi docebat neque Legationis munere fungi quenquam nisi prius infusa aqua ab eisdem manus abluissent Jovique coronatis poculis propinassent Hi tamen Legati qui cum patriis sacris Olympum aut Pythiam missi erant sacri qui vero foed ra percutiebant quasi pacis arbitri Interpretos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicti sunt Which Alexander further speaking of the time when Ambassadors should be received amongst the Romans and in what language the Legates should speak saith in this order Neque illud praetereundum c. Alex. ab Alex. li. 4. cap. 21. Neither is it to be overpassed that it is remembred that to Legates and forraign Nations admitted into the Senate the Roman Confulls were not accustomed to give any answers but only in Latin who being admitted after the manner of the Fathers the Senate gave them power of that they would have but the Greeks by their Deputies appointed did declare their minds if any body required any thing as the Atrebates and Belonaces did assemble their Councells by the sound of Trumpets But if they would speak any thing in their own Language to those being admitted in the Senate were Interpreters given by whom they did propound what was needfull and receive the agreement and answers of the Senate And although Molo the Rhetorician is first said to have declamed in Greek in the Senate yet so much did Tiberius hate the Greek tongue that endeavouring to speak I well know not what in the Senate in Greek hee first craved pardon therefore And Claudius Caesar did rase out of the Table of the Judges and sent away the Governuur of a Province in Greece for that hee was ignorant in the Latin tongue Further this custome grew in force amongst the Romans that in the month of February stiled the Calends of March by Consuls appointed therefore the Senate did daily apply themselves to hear the requests of Ambassadours and complaints of their fellowes lest they should be deceived in the end by long delay and tedious expectation Thus far he In which is worthily to be noted that the Romans with great reason did use to give answers to Legates in their Mother tongue which was the Latine and that hee which spake in the Senate should have the Latine tongue The which observation if it were at this day used it would judge most allowable that what Prince soever should by his Ambassadours request any thing of us should use our tongue they standing in need of us And so likewise when we are to require of them things necessary for us wee to use their language because the truth of the matter should better be understood thereby than otherwise upon the ambiguitie of the word not known of the Ambassadour ignorant of our tongue might great contention rise As did to Frederick Duke of Saxonie in Sentence given against him by Charles the Fifth in the Dutch tongue where Frederick understanding one word to signifie absolution and pardon of life was by the same word condemned to death that word having double signification M.. Aeâ—odius Titus livius Des. 4. li. 8. Theatrum vitae humanae Vâ—â— 14. 〈◊〉 5. Now what Privileges and Immunities are further to them belonging Marcus Popilius Lenas being dispatched Legate unto Antiochus Epiphanes who had besieged King Ptolomy Valer. Max. li. 6. cap. 6. friend to the Romans to will him that hee should abstain from molesting the Companions of the people of Rome Livius lib. 45. Valer. Max. Plinius did compasse about Antiochus deferring answer with a circle which hee made with a wand charging Anti chus not to depart out of the same till such time as he had delivered an absolute answer the which Antiochus fearing lest of his war where he doth by manifest error place C. Octavus for Popilius Nicholaus Damastenus being sent of Herod King of the Jewes whose deeds he wrote with more flattery than troth Embassadour to Rome to Augustus did pacifie the Emperour offended with Herod for warres made against the Arabians Joseph li. 6. cap. 17 And so wrought that Syllius the Legate of the Arabians was condemned Agapetus the Roman was sent of Theodorus king of the Goths to Justinian the Emperour to excuse the death of Amalasuenta where the Emperour being pacified and hee attempted by the Emperour to follow the Heresie of Eutiches by his constant denying thereof so wrought that in th' end he enforced the Emperour to return to a sound opinion of Catholique Religion Francis Dandalus the Venetian Orator Volaterâ— li. 12. Anthrop being sent into France to Clement the Pope to pacifie him for that hee was offended with the States of Venice for the receiving of Feraria when he had divers times used many perswasions and yet could not remove the anger of the high Bishop falling groveling upon his hands and feet of his voluntary motion not by compulsion as some affirm with a Chain about his neck in the manner of a Dog did prostrate himselfe at the feet of the Bishop then at Dinner At which strange sight the Pope being astonied Ignatius li. 6. cap. 2. received him into his favour and forgave the injurie of the Venetians Laurence Medices
as they seem to be adorned with many excellencies And therefore having already spoken of the first part I will come to the later part of this Proposition and lay before your eyes their misfortunes how some have died by the way some have been slain some maymed some blinded and some many other wayes misused as the malice of the doer or the will of the Commander gave in charge for the same And therefore first to Ambassadours that have been slain and dyed in their Embassie The Athenians sent Demades the Orator as Legate to Antipater for that Demades seemed very expert in the Macedonian affaires to require of Antipater that as at the beginning he had promised so he would bring forth his aide out of Munichia Antipater at first seemed of good disposition towards Demades but after Perdicea being dead and certain of the Kings Letters found amongst the Kings writings in with Demades did exhort Perdicea that hee should speedily passe into Europe against Antipater the favour of Antipater was alyened from Demade so that hee nourished privily cruelty against him Wherfore Demadess with his Sonne Demea who with his Father was also Ambassadour urging the performance of the promise were both delivered to the Executioner Diodo li. 18. Servius Sulpitius dying in his Legation had a Statue erected to him sitting on horse-back Agapetus the Romane as before you heard comming to the Emperour to excuse the death of Amalasuenta died in his Embassie Porcopius Domatus Accioiolus who wrote the Grammar as I conjecture singularly learned in the Greek and Latine tongue being Ambassadour from the Florentines to Lewis the Eleventh King of France for to joyn in league against Xistus the Fourth Bishop of Rome dyed before he was departed out of the limits of Italy In recompence whereof his Children had many privileges granted and great sums bestowed on them with other money appointed by the Magistrates to the bestowing of his Daughters in Marriage In whose place Guidontanius Vespatius was erected Brutus li. 7. Histor Florenc Claudius Marcellus one of the three Ambassadours sent unto Massinissa into Africa perished by shipwrack a little before the third Punicall warres Livi. li. 50. Volater Livius li. 17. Julianus Caesarius the Cardinall and Ambassadour with Udalislaus King of Polonia sent by Eugenius the Fourth chief Bishop against the Turks was slain Volat. li. 22. Bassarion Cardinall of Nice who wrote the Historie of the Greeks in the beginning of the Popedome of Xistus whilest he went into France to conclude a Peace between Lewis the King of France and Charles Duke of Burgondie as meaning to sacrifice that for his last offer to God being suspected of th' one part and returning without doing any notable thing in the cause with very griefe of mind died at Ravena in his journey Volat. li. 2. Anthrop The Senate of Venice did dispatch in Legation to the King of Spain Domick Frinisanus and Anthony Boldus to procure as there was truce taken for a time a continuall amitie between those Kings and Charles the King of France who taking their journey Antony being a man of singular eloquence and profound judgement overtaken with ficknesse in the way dyed at Genua In recompence whereof the State and Senate of Venice gave to his Son Gabriel Boldns spirituall livings at Patavia after confirmed to the said Gabriel by Alexander the Pope Bemb li. 4. Ven. Histor Thus these examples sufficing for the proofe of this matter although many other might be vouched thereupon as well out of our English Chronicles as out of other Authors I will now since every man is subject to death and it forceth not before God whether hee die an Ambassadour or no shew what injuries aswell in life as limbe with other disorders have been used unto Legates against Law Reason Equitie Friendship and Christianity CHAP. 7. Ambassadours evilly entreated in their Embassie IT is shewed before in the privileges of Ambassadours that their Immunitie should be such as they ought not to be touched for any offence in their Legation no not for conspiracie against another Prince Then since this was the Law called Jus Gentium which was as touching Legates called Divinum for that commonly they fought to maintain godly Peace How much are those persons Kings or others to be blamed that have offered violence to such men which of themselves doe nothing but execute the commandement of their Superiours to resist whom is punishable as well before God as before men Disobedience being such a vice as God abhorreth Man punisheth Reason misliketh and Law condemneth Wherefore as good Princes have been commended to their perpetuall glory for the liberalitie good using and entertainment of Ambassadours So evill Kings to their continuall shame are registred in remembrance for abusing violating and offending such persons And therefore under this Title I will set down both what Ambassadours have been injured in what sort it was done by whom for what cause and to whose despight it hath been practised as followeth First the Ambassadours of Darius requiring in great words Earth and Water to be given them which amongst the Persians was a token of yielding or subjection were soon headlong thrown into Ditches and some into deep Wells and Dungeons Alexander ab Alexandro li. 4. cap. 7. Longius the Legate of Trajane the Emperour as he was talking was circumvented and apprehended Volat. li. 23. Anthrop John the Son of Edward being issued from the noble house of the Romans called Columna which ancient familie continueth at this day of which there did flourish two hundred noble personages and being Cardinall of St. Praxedis was Ambassador in the expedition to Hierusalem which was in the year 1200. where hee did almost suffer Martyrdome for he was of the barbarous Enemies included between two posts readie to be cut in sunder unless the Divine providence and his great constancie had not moved them to relent Volat. li. 22. Anthrop Aurelius Scaurus Legate from the Cymbries the host being overthrown was taken who being called to the Councell by them did put them in fear lest they should passe the Alps and goe into Italy affirming that the Romans could not be subdued upon which hee was killed by Belus the fierce young King Livius li. 67. A. Gabinius the Legate after many things prosperously done against the Lucans and many Towns overthrown was slain at a siege Livius li. 76. Henricus Dandalus the Ambassadour of the Venetians for that he liberally uttered certain things had against the Law of Nations his eyes plucked out by Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople Pantaleon the Tyrant of the Eleans did geld certain Legates comming to him and enforced them to eat their own stones Heraclides in Politiis The Egyptians joyning battell with Cambyses King of the Persians in the end took their flight without any order to whom being withdrawn into Memphis Cambyses sent an Herald his Legate being a Persian in a ship of Mitelena They when they saw the ship arrived at
Memphis in whole troops comming out of the Citie broke the ship and tore the men into small pieces carrying them into the Town Herodot li. 3. In the second year of the Peloponesian warre the Lacedemonians experiencing all devises to overthrow the riches of Athens sent Legates unto Artaxerxes into Asia which should require aid and money to the use of the warre and also should as they made their passage through Thracia attempt Sitalces whether hee would be withdrawn from the societie of the Athenians with which Ambassadours was Aristius Corinthius Trinagoras Togeates and Pollis Argivus in his own name going to the King These repairing into Asia and passing the Sea of Helespont Sadocus the Sonne of Sitalces But Herodotus maketh Sitalces the Son of Tereus Author of this deed by the perswasion of the Legates of Athens by chance being then in Thracia were overthrown and sent bound to Athens by Mymphiodorus Abderitas The Legates thus brought into Attica were by publique Decree slain and cast into Wells and Ditches and so the Athenians revenged the death of their people which were taken in the beginning of the warres by the Lacedemonians and were slain and cast out unburied Sabell li. 7. en 3. ex Herodot When Pacorus the King of the Parthians had taken Hierusalem contending against Hercames to bring the kingdome to Antigonus the Sonne of Aristobolus Hee perswaded Hyrcanus that he with Phalesus the eldest Son to Antipater and brother to Herod should goe in Embassie to Barzapharnez a noble man of Parthia into Galile Hyrcanus obeyed though Herod diswaded him from it and so in the end was taken by Barzapharnez and delivered to Antigonus who cut off the ears of Hyrcanus that hee should thereafter bee unapt for the high Priesthood upon the which Phasaetus knocking his head against a stone was author of his own death Joseph li. 14. cap. 24. 25. Antiquitat The Fideni being a Colonie or people sprang from Rome did revolt to Larte Tollinius King of Vrentines by which occasion Legates were dispatched to demand the cause of their new devise and Counsell which Legates by the Precept of Tolunnius were murdered of which deed there were which did absolve the King for that his Speech was misunderstood the same being uttered in a fortunate cast of the Dyce But whether by error or of purpose they were slain it was in question They that came to the Fidenians were Caius Fulcinius Lullius Tullius Sp. Nuntius c. Boscus to whom after their slaughter Images were erected at Rome Sabell li. 5. en 3. The Tarentines by occasion setting upon the Roman men of warre carried away the same having killed the Captain of the Fleet with many other persons by reason whereof Legates were sent from Rome after the manner of the Citie to demand restitution of their goods whom the Tarentines adding one mischief to another did violate against the Law of Nations Afterwards being urged of the Romans by warre when they found themselves not able to encounter the Roman force and would not for their naturall pride have the warre dissolved they called Pyrrhus into Italy Sab. li. 8. en 4. The Illyrians having gotten a prey upon the Borderers of Italy and robbing their Merchants being intercepted in the high Sea great complaint was thereof made to the Senate of Rome whereupon they sent two of the Cornicans a family of Rome to Teuca the Queen of the Illyrians who succeeded in the kingdome after the death of Argronus her Husband at what time she was besieging the Isle of Issa whether the Ambassadors came to whom uttering the complaint of her sellows she thus concluded saying That shee would endeavour that no injurie should be publiquely offered to the Romans but to prohibit her people that they should not privatly reap the fruit of the Seas it was not the manner of Kings neither would shee forbid it Then one of the Legates in years youngest stoutly but out of time replyed Because said hee O Teuca the Romans by custome doe publiquely revenge private injuries wee will by the assistance of the Gods endevour that whether you will or no this your kingly custome shall bee amended With which bitter answer the Queen grew so offended as that Sex is most impatient in anger that neglecting Jus Gentium she sent out certain which set upon the Ambassadours departed and killed the the younger whose death being declared the Romans raised a power gathered a Navie and made Teuca tributarie with her Dominions in the revenge of the Legates death Sab. li. 9. en 4. Borifrinus li. 6. Decad. 1. who calleth this Queen by the name of Teutana At the beginning of the Jewes warrs Agrippa the King of the Jewes sent Ambassadours to the seditious Jewes within Hierusalem such persons as were best known unto the Jewes which were Borceus and Phebus to move the people to lay down their Armour and be reconciled to the Romans but the seditious fearing lest the people would have gon to Agrippa killed Phebus before ever he spake and Borceus being wounded hardly escaped Joseph li. 2. cap. 24. de Bello Judaior Julianus Apostata so called for that he denyed the Christian faith being Emperour with unspeakable furie raging against the Christians contrarie to all Law and equitie did not at Calordan fear to murder Manuel Sabelles and Ismael because they were Christians and sent Ambassadours to him out of Persia Nicephorus li. 10. cap. 11. The Catholiques remaining in the Citie of Constantinople conceiving a certain hope of the clemencie of Valence the Emperour sent 80 men of holy orders as Legates to him lying at Nichomedia The chiefe whereof were Theodorus Curbaggus and Thenedenus who with the rest together with their shipps he commanded to be burned Suidas John the Scribe or Secretarie after the death of Honorius did invade the Empire and required the dignitie of the East Empire to be confirmed unto him But Theosodius casting his Legates in prison and sending Captain Asparus with his host overcame the Tyrant and Created Valentinian the Sonne of his Aunt Placidia Emperour of the West Paulus Diaconus Innocentius Bishop of Rome being ascertained of the injuries wherewith Iohn Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople was troubled beyond all humanitie by Arcadius the Emperour dispatched certain Ambassadours whose names for brevitie I omit unto the Emperour to Constantinople who at their first arrivall into Greece were traiterously received of the Tribune suborned thereunto by Eudoxia the Empresse the wife of Arcadius who charged them with many reports and said that they came to disturb the Orientall Empire Wherefore divers of them being cast into divers prisons of the suburbs of Constantinople when they could not deliver the Letters they had unto any others than the Emperour Valerius having broken one of his thumbs did forcibly take from them their Letters and their money who after offering them 3000. peeces of gold did tempt them to follow the part of Attichus the usurped Bishop
to the Countrie of such Legates there to receive punishment according to their deserts Here I will collect in examples what revengement and other hatred hath been used and exercised by open warrs to other Princes and Nations for injuries done to their Ambassadours for it is but reason that they who will misuse any by wrong against right should with like violence by Justice be rightly requited And thus to the confirmation thereof by examples When under the conduct of Magabizis whom Darius had made ruler of Hellespont the Thracians were subdued of the Persians the Persians sent Ambassadours into Macedonia to require water and earth of Amyntas the King Amyntas received them with liberall hospitalities and yielding himselfe to Darius at the length through the request of the Persians according to their custome he brought certain Concubines in to the Banquet to the Persians whom when the Persians had handled and kissed Alexander the Son of Amyntas taking the same in disdain sent his Father to bed after the which when free libertie was given to the Persians to have carnall company with which of these women every one would choose Alexander sent forth those young dames to wash and clense themselves for more delicacie to content the Persians and forthwith brought in neat young men unbearded clad in the same apparell and privily weaponed with daggers with whom as soon as the Persians began to dallie in amorous sort they drawing forth their weapons killed the Persians which slaughter Alexander did redeem partly for a great summe of money and partly by giving his Sister Gygia in marriage to Bubirus the Persian who was one of the Inquisitors of the murther Herod li. 4. Thirtie Legates of the Cratonians comming to the Siberites were all killed and unburied cast before the walls of the Citie to be devoured of wild beasts which deed was the beginning of all those evils to them which the Oracle did before signifie For all their noble men a few dayes being between did seem to see the same monstrous act in the same manner for they beheld Juno comming into the Market-place spewing forth her choler In whose Chappell also burst forth a fountain of blood and yet with all this did not their arrogancie cease untill they were wholly destroyed by the Cratonians Athen. li. 12. cap. 6. Which Historie Heraclides Ponticus in libro de Justitia although in substance of matter all one yet in forme and names doth seem otherwise to repeat King David sent Legates to Hanno the Son of Nalia the King of the Ammonites to comfort him of the death of his Father with whom David had joyned friendship and they had promised it should be confirmed But Hanno taking the Legates as Spies shaved halfe of their beards and curtayling their garments by the buttocks did after in that manner send them away With which injurie David being offended willed the Legates to remain at Hiercunt untill their haire was again grown And sending Joab with an Armie against the Ammonites hee grievously afflicted them and the Syrians comming in their aide with bitter slaughter wherewith the Syrians being further molested there were to the number of 40000 Horsemen killed at Helam by David himselfe and the rest after were made tributarie 2 Reg. cap. 10. The Arabians having overcome Herod the King of the Jewes by subtiltie and Juda being miserably shaken with an earthquake killed the Legates of the Jewes requiring Peace but not long after they being again grieved by Herod with most bitter slaughter Joseph ci 15. cap. 18. Antiquicat and in the end subdued received worthy punishment for their wicked act Certain persons of the Families of Tatius Sabinus after the manner of theeves and robbers entring the fields of the Laurentines drove the beasts from thence and spoiled many people whom they met Whereupon Romulus judging the guiltie worthy to be punished sent Legates unto Tatius with whom the favour of his people did more prevaile than the Law of the Countries insomuch that he did not only deny the request of the Messengers but as they were departing permitted them to be violated of his people which punishment of the offendor Tatius procured to himself who a little while after comming to Lavinius to the solemn Feast there holden was by privie conspiracie in an assault made upon him miserablie slain by the kindred of them who before were violated of the Tatians Theatrum Vit. human vol. 14. li. 5. The Corinthians being under the government of Philip raised dissention against him and bore themselves so proudly against the Romans that certain Corinthians did presume to cast urine and other filth upon the Roman Ambassadour passing by the houses of the street for which fact and other like offences they received revengement out of hand for a great Armie being sent thither Corinth was made LEvell with the ground by Lucius Muminius Achaius and the rest of the Dominions even to the parts of Macedonia fell to the Roman government Strabo li. 8. The Legate of the King of Persia sent to Aquisgrave to Charles the Great being very hardly received of the Frenchmen complained to Charles that the authority of Legates was greater amongst the Persians than the French upon which to pacifie the Persian King to redeem such injurie as to revenge the fact Charles removed all the Magistrates and Captains of every Province through which they came reduced them to a private estate losing their office Amerced also the Bishops in a great masse of money and provided that the Legates with all care dutie and pietie should be conveyed to their Countries And yet deeming this not sufficient he presented the King of Persia with horses Spanish Mules and costly garments of the German fashion and noble doggs to hunt which Germanie bringeth forth excelling in swiftnesse and cruelty Avent li. 4. Annalium Boiorum And thus hitherto of the tragicall murthers following the injuries offered to Ambassadours which hath been the overthrow of many States and Conquest of many Countries For no greater villany can be offered to any absent than to misuse his present Deputie representing the Majestie of his King and Master CHAP. 9. Ambassadours evilly rewarded at their return into their Countries AMongst the other mischiefs that hang over the heads of Ambassadours besides their charge death by the way misusing in their Legation and bloody warrs that follow thereon This also is not the least evill that accompanieth them That at his return into his Countrie when he hopeth for great reward honourable title glorious receiving by the people and credit with his Prince in recompence of his toyled body his great expences his endangered life that hee is not only deceived therein but in place thereof receiveth either imprisonment the Princes displeasure losse of life confiscation of goods discredit in his Countrie disdain of his equalls rebuke of his Superiours and evill report of his Inferiours if in dispatch of his Legation the event falleth not to his Princes
mind and his Countries benefit And yet hee doing asmuch as wit by nature will give him leave and judgement by experience hath taught him is rather in my opinion to be pardoned for the overthwart successe than to be punished for those defaults which himselfe cannot remedie God having dealt no more liberally with him in imparting great wit learning or experience unto him For in truth if his Legation be not well performed the lack is rather to be imputed to the Prince that would not make better choyce than to the subject that of force must obey or else runne into further inconveniencie of his King whose displeasure saith Solomon is death But because my intent is not in any of these matters fully to say my mind and to utter what reasons I can produce to confirme any such thing depending on the shoulders of Legates but only to warrantize my assertion with authoritie of examples Therefore leaving all other ordinarie proofes I will descend to my former course and only will with one example or two for that I mean not to be tedious and intend but to give your Lordship a taste that many other examples might be vouched thereon display sufficient authoritie in that point In which Ambassadours have been evilly rewarded at their return into their Countrie as followeth Amasis the Legate being sent of King Apris to those people that were revolted afterwards became King of the Revolters upon the which there was another Legate called Paterbenus sent to Amasis who returning without doing any good in the matter was cruelly handled of King Apris Theatrum Vol. 18. li. 4. Alexander the Son of Amyntas King of Macedonia was of Mordonius whom Xerxes had left in Greece to subdue it sent Ambassadour to the Athenians to conclude a Peace between them but he departed without bringing any thing to success whereupon he was afterwards forbidden to come to Athens and so banished the Town Herodot li. 8. In both which examples what cause was there why either Paterbenus of Apris or Alexander of the Athenians should bee so cruelly handled doing what in them lay for when the obstinacie of the other party with whom they must conferre is so much that neither reason can move eloquence perswade gentle usage make willing or threatnings fear to yield unto their Ambassie what shall the poor Legates doe and if they bring not their message to effect they shall be sharply punished at their return as either faithlesse to their Masters or partiall to the enemie For mee thinks I hear some Sycophant flattering the Prince and maligning the Ambassadour either before his going for some private grudge or after his departure for his open honour in that he is advanced to his place of Legation and yet setting his own commoditie thereby doth say that if the matter come not to effect it is by the negligence of the partie Ambassadour who if hee carry not sufficient authoritie to conclude or answer all things done on the adverse part may send home for a larger Commission the which if hee doe not if thereby hee might have brought it to conclusion is to be deemed as a trayterous person to his Prince and Countrie and therefore at his return to be punished The which thing if he doe as I would not excuse it where open and not surmised negligence is found in the cause I say he is worthy therefore of double revenge at his home comming and to receive torment in place of liberalitie reproach for credit losse of life for advancement and dis-inheritance in recompence of his deserved reward And here since now I am fallen into the mention of treacherous Ambassadours it shall not be unfitting in this place to shew what persons to the shame of them and of their posteritie are registred in the everlasting Records of Trayterous Ambassadors towards their Prince and Province CHAP. 10. Trayterous Ambassadours towards their Masters and Princes AS all injuries which tend to the subversion of a Common-wealth are to bee punished because not one Citie but a Province not a part of the body but the whole body not the King alone but the subject is grieved thereby so the same wrong being injustice is not only to be avoyded by all good men as chiefe enemy to vertue but also they are to be hated and sharply punished which contrary to naturall dutie to the Prince to equity to his Countrie to good disposition towards himselfe to vertue to good men and contrary to Justice to all men in matter of trust wherin all truth is to be used do falsly and injuriously betray their Children their Parents their Friends their King their Countrie And as in all men such treason is to be abhorred so especially in Ambassadours who are the doors and gates of the Common-wealth by which Peace or Warre quiet or dissention profit or discōmoditie are brought into the same This vilde fault is most abhorred and worthy to be rewarded with death a thing which in all ages amongst all men in all places and in all matters hath been misliked hated condemned and revenged Because no greater injurie can any wayes be offered than that hee who is in credit with the life with the commoditie with the honour with the state of his Prince or Countrie with the benefit of his friend or familiar should under the colour of assured dutie and friendship overthrow such State or person as giveth such fidelity unto him But what spend I many words to confirm a thing so manifestly known to be evil I will not doe it but by example set out such wicked persons as have wrought against their own head in such a villanous sort as the blott thereof will never be wiped away which examples for he is happy that can beware by the harm of others I have set down as condemning that evill fact in them and as a warning for others to beware which may fall into the like inconveniencie if fear of God discourse of reason duty to the Prince love to his Countrie and fidelity to his friends and Allies do not restrain the evill mind of mens naturall inclination alwayes of it selfe by disposition bent to the worst and ready to yield to his basest part The examples be these Labienus the Legate of Caesar in France having performed great exploits under Caesar at the length in the Civill warres traiterously fled from Caesar to Pompey of whom doth Lucan write Dux fortis in armis Caesareis Labienus erat nunc transfuga vilis The which Historie is more to be seen at large in Volater li. 16. Urban can Amasis as you heard before being the Legate of King Apris who sent him to the Egyptians revolted from him became most traiterously King of the Revolters Ibancus falling from the part of Alexius Angelus Emperour of Constantinople did defend and make strong with Castles the places adjoyning to Mount Hemo for the reconciliation of which Ibancus to become again subject the Emperour did send an Ambassadour Eunuch very
Emperour two faire Barbara Goates with which proud answer they confirmed the suspition this Emperour conceived of their folly Aegidius Cororetus de dictis factis memor And here winding up the Clue of my raw thred spun and woven to make the mournfull garment for unfit Ambassadours to wear that is to cloth them with reproch to posteritie for that they were foolish Traytors proud disdainfull unfit for so honourable a place I will only now adde to this matter one title more being a badge of their office and so set end to this unorderly discourse of matters belonging to Ambassadours for both shortnesse of time and tediousnesse of the matter and indigestion in the method doe will mee with speed remembring Solomons divine Speech That in multiloquio non deest peccatum to draw to my journeys end lest my weary hand and my tyred Pen thinking to reach to a further place doe break their wind and cast their Master into the myre whose end is then farre worse than his hastie beginning And thus to the last title CHAP. 12. Of Persons sent divers times in Embassie AS the end for every thing maketh the same happy or evill as the Proverb is Bonus exitus omnia probat so of a good beginning by grace continued for vertue attempted with order executed by good mindes performed of necessitie there must ensue a good end no lesse worthy such a beginning For as the good life is cause of a good and quiet death So the milde and godly death declare the former good life of the Person And therefore since my beginning by intent was good the continuance for matter not unprofitable for order not altogether confused and for the commoditie that may ensue not to bee rejected since this benefit commeth thereby that although it bee not worthy the reading of your honour and although it bring no great learning to others yet to mee who travell my wit and hand my studie and pen therewith it bringeth advantage I hope a good end and conclusion of matter will follow For as the beginning of this ' Treatise was in the commendation of the wise learned and worthy Ambassadours So with like end in praise of them and their travell I will finish this simple Treatise And for that there is nothing can beautifie their person increase their honour augment their substance win love of their Countrie gain credit amongst strangers favour of their Prince and friendship amongst all men than oftentimes to supply the place of so weightie and honourable a charge Therefore I will say somewhat of divers persons who divers times to divers Princes and in divers matters have won singular commendations therefore committing all other matters to silence which I could speak of them and their office Since these Messengers of Princes to Princes had their first originall from the Angellicall Order of Archangells who are made the Ambassadours of God to great Personages in great matters either of Revelation of the successe of Kingdomes as Gabriel was to Daniel or of opening some rare and strange thing as hee was also to the Virgin of the Conception of the Saviour of our Souls and Redeemer of us from our Sinnes For this is certain that there is no order or government in this world as well Ecclesiasticall as Temporall but it is had from the pattern of the Celestiall Hierarchie Since God Created the world and appointed the government thereof according to the Architype chiefe pattern or Ideall forme of the same conceived in the divine mind and ordered in the Celestiall Hierarchy But enough of this and perchance to some cavelling heads who as yet have not tasted the sweet kernell of the hard Nut too much to bee discovered And so once again to my Ambassadours which divers times have enjoyed that Function whereof I although I might produce many good and present examples both of our own Countrie in our own remembrance and living in our present dayes As of your Lordship of whom for modesty I will forbear to speak who have now twice been Ambassadour And of Master Doctor Nicholas Wootton who being Counsellour to four Princes was also divers times Ambassadour of Sir Johu Mason likewise and many other our Countrie-men yet I will only here powre out of the small store of my Collections such as in times past in forraign Nations have enjoyed such high and honourable title Caius Lelius Ambassadour to Africa going into Spain was Governour in the expugnation of New Carthage as Livie witnesseth who also being sent Ambassadour from Scipio to Syphaces for conclusion of friendship did lead with him certain Tribunes expert in the feats of Arms under the form of Servants to the intent to descrie the manner of the Countrie as writeth Frontinus in which Legation hee wisely wrought that Syphaces became friend to the Romans Volat. li. 16. Urb. Com. Aâ—gidius Carilla was sent from Innocent the sixth high Bishop to conclude the matters of Italy who being by birth a Spaniard of the Nation of Carilla was so singular wise in the despatch of his affaires in the absence of the Bishop that he pacified the State of the Church at that time miserably vexed with many and great tumults which man also of Urban the sixth being again sent into Italy brought under the obedience of Count Barnabas molesting the quiet of the Bishop who likewise before of Urban the Fifth was sent Legate into Italy Volat. li. 22. Anthropo Quintus Cicero the brother of Marcus Tullius Cicero the Legate of Caesar in France was the chiefe in 14. Embassies Volat. 29. Epiphanius the most holy Bishop did execute the office of many Legations for Theodericus King of the Goths and for many others who alwayes returned most happy in that every thing in those severall causes succeeded well according to his mind Ennodius in ejus vita And so concluding this Title of such persons as have divers times supplied the office of an Ambassador with the number of foure Forraigne examples thinking the same number in Arithmetick to possesse vertue As all the Divines both Latines Greeks and Hebrews aswell Cabalists as others doe fully agree and not without great reason most learnedly and Christianly do maintain against unlearned and foolish opinions of such as doe grossly judge such hidden mysteries of numbers to be superstitious contrary to Scripture which voucheth that God made the world in waight number and measure which three doe signifie Musick Arithmetique and Geometry of which number of Four I referre the Discourse to another more convenient time I will in few words set end unto this my unorderly but well meaning Discourse of Ambassadours in a short Epilogue by way of recapitulation knitting up the summe of all that which before in those Examples have been so hudled up together in hotch-poch Wherefore first it appeareth that Ambassadours having their example from Heaven and their originall upon earth were used in all Ages in all matters amongst all men of sundrie Nations of the Jewes Gentiles Greeks Barbarians Latines and other people Secondly that he who in honour should furnish the place of such a person must be free born no bond man stout and valiant not dastard-like or a coward that he must be learned not ignorant wise not foolish quick of wit not blockish and dull faithfull no traytor that he must be rewarded not suffered to consume his substance That hee must in his Embassie bee well intreated not abused murthered or have any villanie or injury permitted to be done unto him and that hee must be of good calling and estimation in his Countrie before hee be sent not a Crafts-man a Serving-man a common Citizen a mean Priest an Advocate or a defamed person either for Perjurie Simonie Treacherie or any other kind of evill life For if he be unfurnished with these vertues and garnished with these vices hee is not only not worthy to supply the place of Embassie in a Forraign Nation where hee shall doe his Countrie good his Prince honour and himselfe good and credit But hee rather well deserveth as a wicked and hatefull person to be banished into some other Countrie there to rid his Common-wealth of such an evill member to become opprobrious to other Nations and in all places of the world to receive due punishment for his evill deservings Thus having ended my Christmasse work done in the middest of my Christmasse plaies as may appear by the Christmasly handling thereof I after Christmasse consecrate the same to your honourable acceptance not as a thing worthy your desert and judgement but as a thing that answereth my desire and good meaning The which I beseech your Lordship to accept as lovingly from mee as it is presented willingly by mee unto you with whom as soon as by leasure I might and as by learning I was able and as a body born out of time but yet thinking it better late than never I deemed it my dutie to congratulate your return with some such poor gift as the Reliques of my spoyled Librarie in the time of mine impoverishing and infortunate trouble would yield mee abilitie to bestow And thus most humbly commending me to your Honourable liking committing you to the Almighties protection I dutifully take my leave this eighth of Januarie 1578. at Longleate Yours FINIS