Proheme of his Hystories doth affirme Will teach vs what ought to be the principall scope of our desires and detestations This which summoneth all creatures of all countries and fashions as to a generall muster imitating his diuine prouidence which in heauenly iustice and bountie bestoweth vpon euerie man according to demerit all vertuous actions are eternized by the penne of Hystorie so farre doth it surpasse the sage counsels and golden sentences of our forefathers and former Philosophers as times continuance comprehendeth more examples than one mans age This is it which maketh young mens iudgements of parill ripenesse with old age grounding aged persons in the depth of wisedome to whome long experience hath alreadie ministered a dayly triall of causes It maketh priuate men fit for Empire and Emperours earnest in vertue for victories heartening souldiours to giue a courageous charge vpon perils for honour of their countries terrifying malefactors propagating Soueraignetie by good example deuising lawes inuenting arts preferring vertuous actions enfranchised from mortalitie declaring it selfe a memorable and perfect marble-register of misdeedes and generally beneuolent This is it which aged time onely nourisheth when it eateth vp all things besides this is the patterne of eloquence the true mirrour of Philosophie the garden of knowledge and hence is it that Aristotle in his Politickes writeth how the skill of actions and Histories of deedes done most import a Counsellor to learne because things future are like their parent which came before them vpon which all euents of actions commonly depend Hee therefore which in noble Hystorie shall contemplate and meditate vpon the life of a good Prince or Counsellor may find somewhat alwayes worth his own obseruation and practise according to that saying of Seneca Aliquis vir bonus elegendus est nobis ac semper ante oculos habendus vt sic viuamus tanquam illo spectanti omnia faciamus tanquam illo videnti We must propose some one good man for our patterne and alwayes looke vpon him with the eyes of our mind that wee may so liue as if hee were looking vpon vs and so deale as if all our actions were performed in his sight Let a souldiour liue fortie yeares in seruice great and of continuall commaund as great Alexander and Caius Caesar escape in many conflicts as Anniball and Cato receiue so many wounds as Scipio and Scaeua triumph in so many victories subuert so many cities deuise so many stratagemes consult vpon so many leagues and truces enterparley with so many princes spending the full glasse of his time during those yeeres in magnificent actions and noble consultations onely like Cirus Themistocles Epaminondas Cimon Fabius Pelopidas and infinite others auncient and late yet shall one moneths reading in Liuie Plutarch Diodorus Thucydides Polybius Xenophon Dion and some few more which haue eternally recorded all the memorable actions and vertues of them all open more vnto him without bloudshead if hee will studiously conferre and reasonably remember than euer the seruice of many more yeeres with the slaughters of Myriads of souldiors could expresse The knowledge of all persons the meaning of all matters the depth of all secrets is locked vp in Hystorie In it wee find that inestimable treasure of the Lawes by which Commonweales were first ordered and instituted in the sentences of sage and prudent men confirming societies in peace and magnifying them by vertues like Physicke which is an hystoricall commemoration or rapsodie of experiments made by Physitions of old by whose Aphorismes and Precepts our Physitions direct their iudgements and medicines it is a methodicall Schoole-master of humane life examplifying the fashions and natures of people a certaine experience of their actions a sound and prudent Counsellor in difficult affaires The cruelties and exceeding lust of Domitian and of Nero which may be read in Tacitus hath power to terrifie princes from those vices which are recorded of them when also they peruse the lamentable stories of Caligula that Fax fex hominum That fire-brand and filth of men When they reuolue the monstrous obscoenities of Heliogabalus who was amongst the people a Cannon by word scorne and obloquie when they shall looke into the leaues of Maximus his life than whom no man was a more cruell slaughter man of his countrey finding what horrible epethites denominations and attributes were worthely throwne or as it were spit into the blacke legend of his bloudie gouernment being called in diuers places Busyris Phalar is Typhon what better precedent can remaine in detestation of vice Contrariwise the blessed and peaceable reigne of Octauian the goodnesse and gracious condition of Traian of Pertinax of Titus and some others are vehement prouocations to confirme and encourage Princes in iustice and honestie For euen as women which curiously fashion and attire their heads and bodies by their glasse which representeth vnto them all vndecent and comely guizes will presently shew themselues abroad amongst the people finding their bodies by that myrrour pleasingly garnished so Princes by the like resemblance find in the glasse of hystories that which giueth spurs to their vertues and policie The case is lamentable and I haue many times with heauinesse thought it how few be the Chronologiers and Historians of our age how doubtfull and vnfaithfull much of their matter how fearefully and vainly seduced by misprizion and affection Sure I am that infinite actions remaine worthie the penne of hystories nay that which men write of their own princes and nation tendeth lesse to truth than vnto vaine-glorie but that which is written by men of forraine princes people such as Mercury Gallobelgicus falsely proclaimed in his Annales of the world is both vncertaine fallacious and strongly sauouring of malice blind zeale and partiall motions of the mind Whereas if men would faithfully search out by the true records and memorials of realmes and Commonweales the vertuous and vicious actions of princes and people how would it instigate and deterre the well and ill affected rulers and commons of the world to take hold and detestation of goodnes euill In reading of them therefore we must carefully quote the map of actions with the times places the causes executions and euents of things wherein some did prosper and others perish with the reasons why those were gracious and these vnwelcome If any glorious matter happened whether it came by chaunce or felicitie by vertue or good counsell what impediments in contrarie did cause it miscarry A Counsellor should also consider by this knowledge what alterations haue formerly beene as in the realmes of England Scotland Fraunce Ireland Spaine Denmarke Italy with other Nations what Families possessed the Crownes of them and by what titles and meanes how long what the causes of those mutations were how many of euery familie did reigne which of the princes was most religious valiant wise and fortunate which not how many battailes euery prince fought against whom at what time where and vpon what occasion what warres
fortitude were scandalized and subuerted by women Howbeit I doe not here intend from all sorts of women and in anie weightie causes of consequence to make a question of foeminine insufficiencie because in other greater causes of right and gouernment according to the auntient lawes priuiledges and customes of diuers Realmes and Countries there is great reason why they should retaine their immunities as Plutarch writeth was sometimes in Fraunce Cum Celtarum mulieres Consilijs publicis interfuissent in quibus de pace bello tract abatur At what time the French women were alwaies present at their publique Counsels in all matters ciuill and militarie For hee saith in the said Treatise how such articles of confederacie were betwixt the Gaules and Hanniball that the Carthaginian Magistrates should order all wrongs done vnto them by the Celtes and that the Celtique women answerably such wrongs as was done vnto the Gaules by the Carthaginians Which auncient custome being odious to diuers princes of that Realme in posteritie might peraduenture haue giuen cause vnto king Pharomonde of his law But sure it is that many women haue worthely gouerned heretofore in diuers places And diuerse very learned and politicke women such as Aspasia whom Pericles loued and with whom Socrates did often consult Howbeit if Counsels of the state in these our dayes should be referred vnto them I thinke neither the time nor date of their continence and experience would permit the same againe in Fraunce But that I may conclude vpon this point of secrecie for by that peculiaritie Counsellors ought to be chosen and cherished It is written in Diodorus Siculus how the Egyptians did ordaine That hee which opened the secrets of that Commonwealth to his trust committed should haue his tongue rooted out Those sixtie learned Areopagites of Athens did carefully prouide against this crime also Moreouer it is instituted by the ciuile lawes that they which diuulge secret Counsels of the publicke state shall bee burnt at a stake or hanged vpon a gibbet It is required in persons of so worthy place and nobilitie that to this faithfulnesse they superadde fortitude and honest constancie towards the defence and maintenance of iustice and truth both in giuing receiuing and in concealing of Counsell as is warned by the example of Sardanapalus the thirtieth and last Monarch of the Assyrians who through his sensualitie pusillanimitie lacke of grace and of true fortitude was within his huge citie Niniuie besieged by Arbaces captaine of the Medians through whose power and in feare of the Oracle which was fulfilled in suddaine falling downe of a large peece of the cities wals that made passage for the Medians and strooke him with such a present terror he thus feebly consulted and resolued with himselfe vpon a flaming pyre destined to that end together with his concubines eunuchs and treasure to cast himselfe leauing all the spoyles and reliques with that Monarchie to the Medians In the Prince therfore principally fortitude is required and next in his secret Counsellors whose vertues should animate him There is one most excellent note of true fortitude remaining vnto such honourable Counsellors by the example of Scauola viuely manifesting a valiant heart fortified with a iust and vnstained conscience hee when Sylla with multitudes of men in armes had entred the Senate implacably thirsting after the destruction of Marius whom hee would haue had by the Senatours then present denounced a common enemie to the state onely Scaeuola refused to giue voice against him euen when Sylla with most truculencie threatened him to the contrarie saying Albeit thou darest mee with these heapes of souldiors with which thou distressest this honourable presence although thou breath forth death against me yet will not I condiscend in loue of my blood which is both aged and little to denounce Marius our enemy through whose valour and honestie my conscience attesteth how the citie Rome and all Italie was preserued In such cases therefore Counsellors truly valiant feare onely the wrath of God threatening iniquitie least as S. Augustine writeth Through feare or affection in concealing the veritie they seeme more to respect the creature than the creator Vnto this faith and fortitude there are opposites to which diuers in their deliberations and resolutions are vehemently subiect viz. feare being a certaine pensiue heauinesse for some mischiefe future or remote and affection which is a partiall respect of certaine persons beyond the lists of reason Such people therefore are not deemed wise and prudent which feare more than is fit considering that indissoluble accord which is betwixt Prudence and Fortitude according to that wise Prouerbe of king Salomon A wise man is valiant and a learned man strong Notwithstanding the weake opinions of diuers which haue argued in my hearing That wise men cannot be valorous for so much as they summe vp with the counters of reason in the audit of prudence all chaunces and perils which may come in by circumstances and deriuations of matters According to that of Salust concerning Iugurth Quod difficilimum imprimis est praelio strenuus erat bonus consilio quorum alterum ex prouidentia timorem alterum ex audacia temeritatem plerunquè afferre solent And that which was most difficult his stoutnesse in warre and his soothfastnesse in Counsell exceeded the last of which commonly by reason of that prouidence which forecasteth perils doth inflict feare the first through exceeding boldnesse breedeth temeritie A rare position as if there had scarcely beene any meane betwixt cowardise and temeritie Actions both glorious and profitable may not be let slip through feare of vncertaine perils yet if we stand betwixt two dangers let vs with firme valour aduenture vpon that which may best emblazon our honour bearing with it true tokens of our true heroicall vertues and spirits We know by good experience that a timerous Counsellor is by desperation being a fearefull and horrible deiection or consternation of a mind base and abiect conuerted into rash courses euen as rash men are by their temeritie Furthermore it is common in the nature of things chiefely to feare dangers most imminent being more appalled at present perils than is requisite but valuing mischiefes future and remote more carelesly than they should because hopes by times or chaunces may promise some redresse for them But this is both sure and notable Vbi bonum publicum usui est id dubitare aggredi socordiae atque ignauiae est It is the part of a slothfull coward when a man shall feare to attempt any thing which may benefit the Commonwealth A prudent Senatour therefore equally respecteth head and foot for after long consultation and leisure had in expence of time he cannot without great shame and difficultie recall matters which haue beene curiously sifted before as it was spoken of Bomilchar Quâ—… cupidus incepta patrandi timore socij anxius omisso veteri Consilio nouum quaerere noluit Who
the fault and therefore is the Prouerbe Cupido irapessimi sunt consultores Lust and wrath are the worst counsellors and specially wrath is to be vehemently suppressed in a Iudge least he staine his hands in innocent blood which is a thing so odious in the sight of God and man as nothing can be more abhominable Hence was that saying of the noble morall Tragoedian Iudex futurus sanguine humano abstine If thou wilt be a Iudge abstaine from humane blood Lenitie then appeareth in a Iudge when by pardoning of wicked persons he suffereth a mischiefe to fall vpon good men and therefore this lentitude is so great a sinne as immanitie neither should any Iudge in the case of his countrey giue any sentence vpon father countrey-men or brethren contratie to iustice least a dangerous example and scandall be taken Lyes calumnies fraud hypocrisie dissimulation and arrogancie stand at defiance with veritie what enemies these be vnto the soule of man and vnto publike gouernement I referre to mens priuate consciences For calumnie praiseth vice rebuketh vertue hypocrisie doth foolishly maliciously and fraudulently dispraise those in their absence whom in presence she commendeth and in like case the rest There is one most pemicious disease ingendred of these humors which being very rise in some princes courts I may not forget The condition is in killing imprisoning and vndoing certaine persons and some of good desert which in the politicke Courtier of Duro di pascolo seemeth commonly to be bent against noble Gentlemen of greatest respect honest innocent and vnconuicted these being brought vnto the pits brinck are many times charged and surcharged with treasonable or nefarious accusations wherein they perish as Petro de Vineis Aluaro de Luna Giacobo Corde Christophoro Colombo Philip de Comynes with other very wise and honourable Counsellors euen of our fathers times and of our memories which did in such cases miscary neither is it safe or behoofefull that I particularize This is a kinde of iniustice and close malice necessarily to be sisted being wholy composed of diabolicall wilynesse Wherefore they cannot be very noble that foster in their rancorous hearts such maliciousnesse and if there rest in any heroycall spirits the least spiracle which should seeme to taste of that contagious humour it is emulation onely for we finde in Cicero that Nobiles sivirtute valent magis aemuli quam inuidi bonorum sunt Noblemen which are possessed of vertue doe rather emulate then maligne good men And albeit this vice of emulation resteth amongst Nobles Paladynes which is most glorious being applied to vertuous and honourable purposes as in contending to become most iust valiant temperate learned actiue or excellent in any such manly qualities then the rest yet to maligne others for their perfections and better properties should seeme most vnnaturall base and brutish and therefore elegantly Cicero citing the same out of Crisippus resembleth them to such as runne together in one race for a wager in these wordes Qui stadium currit eniti contendere debet quà m maximè possit vt vincat supplant are cum quocum certat aut cubito deppellere nullo modo debet Sic in vita sibi quemque petere quod pertineat ad vsum non iniqum est deripere ius non est Hee that runneth a race ought to worke and contend with all possible meanes to winne the wager hee may not in any case supplant him with whom he contendeth or strike him backe with his elbow Semblaby that is not vnfit which a man necessarily craueth for the sustinance or support of his life but forceably to take away from men that which is theirs is meere iniquitie There is a Lesson which Cicero vehemently mooueth and vrgeth and in this case fit to be considered vpon by learned and graue Iudges not to summon or appeale any man in causes criminall if he finde in his heart the parties innocencie so slandered or indited because it cannot bee done without great charge and torture of conscience For what can be found more rigorous and vnmanly then to peruert that eloquence which God with nature hath giuen for the comfort and conseruation of men vnto the shame and ruine of honest persons Which charitable equabilitie hath bin obserued in some worthy Law-fathers of this land and amongst others manie times in one principall minister of his Maiesties pleadings of whom vnnamed I may speake a truth without adulation that it hath seemed doubtfull to wise-men whether he were in Proborum defensitationibus quam in sceleratorum accusationibuâ—… magis acer more vehement in his Apologies for good and honest men in their good causes or earnest in his inuectiues or informations against nefarious and wicked persons For such ought to be the care of iust Iudges as Cicero writeth Vt iuris iudiciorum aequitate suum quisque teneat That through the equitie of iustice and iudgement euery man may retaine his right I speake this as a necessarie caueat or monition against calumnies and enuy which hath bene the deuouring caterpiller of so many vertuous and gallant princes and Commonwealthes men that haue thereby perished because that restlesse hagge malice commonly doth more mischiefe then fortune and therfore if men which are set vpon the stage of honour and reputation can finde out a soueraigne preseruatiue against her venime then doe they shew great wisedome possessing this world in quiet For sure it is that Viuos interdum fortuna saepe inuidia fatigat Fortune some times toyleth liuing creatures but enuy vexeth them often Gratitude being another branch of iustice is vngraciously wounded with vnthankefulnesse nothing vanisheth sooner then the remembrance of benefites receiued for if you multiply them they shall be retributed and retribled to you with infinite malefices considering that he which neither hath heart nor facultie to requite commonly forgetteth or vnderualueth your munificence disdayning in himselfe the very remembrance of that necessitie which being either with your mercie mitigated or delayed in case of iustice or by your charitie supplied in compassion of his pouerty should haue enioyned him to thankefull requitall for such a benefit which people commonly so soone forget as taste This haue I found by good experience both in particular and by some priuate respects of my selfe and others most neere vnto me not doubting but that it is a vulgar proofe wherein this worlds aged malignitie through diuelish continuance hath increased it from a wily serpent to a subtile malicious and murthering old dragon like that which is spoken of in the Reuelation of the blessed Euangelist Iohn being now set free from fetters towards the last times and amongst wise men so detestable and odious that by their often repetion it became a prouerbe generally deliuered if you call me vnthankefull call me what you will for nothing can be more disgracefull or infamous And as it is vsed to men of that vnthankfull nature an vnthankefull dogge for as it is