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
of Constantinople but they pretending that they were admonished in their sleep not to consent therto did earnestly require libertie of return whereupon being put into an old ship which leaked with many chincks they were exposed to the Sea as to their utter destruction who using very dangerous Navigation at the length hardly escaped in safetie and arrived at Lampsacum there changed their ship and returned into the West Nicephorus li. 13. cap. 33. Sozomenus li. 8. cap. ultimo Hormisda Bishop of Rome sent Aemiodius the Bishop with Fortunatus Venantius and Vitalis Legates to Anastatius Emperour of Constantinople to reduce him from Heresie but he labouring to destroy them put them in a ship without Saile Mast or Oare where they had been drowned had they not been saved by the benignitie of God which Emperour willed them to redeliver this Message unto the Pope That it was the propertie of an Emperour to command others and not to obey the Popes Preeepts Wherupon Hormisda did curse him Nauclerus Volu 2. geno 18. Henricus Erphordiensis Gregorie the Seventh otherwise called Hildebrand Bishop of Rome did cast into prison for the hatred he bore unto Caesar the Legates of the Emperour Hen. 4. sent to excuse the four Crimes laid against him by the Saxons who yet thus not contented did miserably vex the Legates with famine thirst and cold and in the end leading them about the Citie did drive them out of the Town Aventium li. 5. Annial Boiors Chilperick King of France when hee had made Venice tributarie unto him the same City sending unto him a Bishop for an Ambassadour upon certain causes touching the State being moved with extreme anger against Law banished the Bishop Aimonius li. 3. de gestis Francorum Emanuel the Emperour of the Greeks after that he found by report that the City of Venice was grievously infected with a plague he made to be held a brazen table red hot with fire before the eyes of Henry Dandalus the Ambassador amongst others by which cruell fact he was almost blinded and ever after lost the force of his sight being stil purblinde Sab. li. 5. en 9. John the Cardinall being at Constantinople and sent by Alexander the high Bishop to Manuell at the request of him endeavouring to reduce the Greeks to the Roman Church was apprehended of Andronicus Corvenus usurping the Tyrannie Alexius being killed and a dog tyed unto him whose taile was thrust into his mouth so drawn through the Citie was headlong cast into a ditch and then buried Cuspinianus Caesar Tregossus of Genua and Antony Rivico of Spain sent from Francis the first King of France Legates to the Emperour of the Turks when they had sailed to Padua to goe to Venice were taken of the Spaniards and killed wherewith the French King being offended did cast into prison in Lyons in France Gregorie of Austria the Bastard of Maximilian the Emperour and Bishop of Valentinia and was the occasion that Laseus the Legate of Ferdinando was apprehended by Solymon the Turk and yet not thus contented he pursued this injurie with extreme war Sleydan li. 14. Paulus Jovius Achomates endevouring by open violence which he could no otherwise according to his mind bring to passe to execute the government of the Turks from his Father Baiazet His father gently sent Ambassadours to him either to revoke him from his madnesse or else to bid him war But how much the more hee did earnestly after the repulse taken thirst after the Empire by so much he judged that he should deale more sharp and bitterly therein And therefore cōmanded the chiefe of the Legates most boldly threatning extremitie unto him to be strangled in his sight and the rest before the evening to depart the Camp The which deed did most of all exasperate the choler of Baiazetes and alienate the mind of many men from him because that he had cruelly against all humanitie and Law without reverence to the person or duty to his Father violated the Legates comming to him to conclude and end the controversie Wherefore being declared an open enemie his father being dead he was taken and strangled of Silinius his brother Sab. li. 4. ex Jovio Tomumbeius the last Soldan of the Egyptians being drawn out of Memphis by Selymon Emperour of the Turks fled into the furthest part of Egypt to recover his force power Selinius sent unto him noble men and such as governed the Region and with them certain Egyptians of great name which should perswade Tomumbeius to lay down his Weapons and at length to acknowledge the fortune of victory who further upon their faith should promise That if he came in humble sort hee should stil retain the kingdome by the humanitie and gift of the Victor which hee could not any way defend by arms But if he did proceed to renew the warre and had forgotten his imbecilitie the fortune of Battell being judge there should thereafter be left no place for him either of life or dignity These Legates passing Nilus and comming into Sarentica were killed before they were heard speak by the mad and barbarous cruelty of certain Mamaluchs which wicked and arrogant men did think to have done an acceptable deed to Tomumbeius looking for no such matter if to declare their good wills minds abhorring peace they had opened by that means all the rage and cruelty of their hearts But that deed being so proud and cruell took away all mercie and patience from Selymon who at length set an end to the bloody warre and these beastly Mamaluchs Sab. supl li. 8. ex Jovio With which Historie I finish this Tragicall discourse of injuries offered to Ambassadours as well of the Clergie as of Temporal men by Kings Emperours Dukes Bishops and other persons both Ethnicks Turks and Christians against Law and Justice which doth alwayes will that these Ambassadours should bee courteously used Contrary to which equity they were most cruelly handled As some being burnt some having their eyes pluckt out some blinded by other means some slain some maymed in their ears some in their genitalls some strangled some drowned some left to the mercy of the raging Seas others oppressed with famine thirst and cold And because it is not reason and Justice doth not permit that such cruell deeds should goe unrevenged as partly is shewed in some of these examples whereof I could have produced many more but that I would avoid ostentation of seeming to have read and noted many things in travelling Histories I will in one speciall title for that purpose wherein your Lordship may require more examples of Ambassadours disorderly used lay before your Lordships eyes the revenge of such despight done to forraign Ambassadours CHAP. 8. The revengement of cruelty used to Ambassodours against the Law of Nature TOuching this matter you heard before out of Alexander ab Alexandro how they which offended Ambassadours were delivered to the offended and were sent for the most part
of either part were chosen to be sent to Caius the Emperour Whereof Appion Prince of the Legates for the Alexandrians laied many faults upon the Jewes one of which was this that they did not prosecute the Emperour with Divine honour The chiefe one of the partie of the Jewes was Philo the brother of Alexandor Alabarcha and a skilful Philosopher who preparing to plead the cause of his Nation was repulsed of Caesar and commanded to depart The Emperour scarce for anger abstaining from doing him injurie wherefore he being thus cast out with reproch amongst men fled to the assistance of God and turning to the Jewes his followers said wee must now be of good comfort for when Caius is offended with us God shall work against him for us Leo Bizantius when he was sent Ambassadour to Athens entring into the Assemblie to pacifie a long sedition continuing amongst them provoked laughter to the people for that he appeared so fat in body being furnished with a great paunch or belly but he nothing moved therewith yet knowing the occasion of their jeasting cryed Why doe you laugh to see me thus grosse Assure your selves I have a wife farre fatter than my selfe and yet being such and so monsterous a little bed can hold us being quiet together but being at square and variance the whole house is too little and so went on by this occasion with his Oration inducing the people to concord and quiet Philostratus Ambassadours being dispatched to Pirrhus did come to redeem certain prisoners amongst the which Legates was Caius Fabritius whose fame and name was had in great estimation amongst the Romans being a vertuous man in peace and a noble Souldiour in warre but yet very poor which Cineas declared unto the King Whereupon Pirrhus did privately use him very courteously contending with him to take reward of gold at his hands not for any evill cause but as he said as a pledge of friendship and good entertainment the which Fabritius refusing silence was made thereof for that time The next day to the end he might fear Fabritius who never before had seen an Elephant Pirrhus commanded the great beast as they were in talking to be brought and set behind a skreen which was so done then a sign being given the skreen was removed and the Elephant lifting up his nostrill did hang it over the head of Fabritius sounding up a sharp and terrible noyse whereat Fabritius by little and little turning back said to Pirrhus neither thy gold yesterday nor thy beast to day can move me After at supper when talk was had of the Greeks and of the Philosophers Cineas fell to naming of the Epicures reciting what they thought of the Gods and of the Common-wealth how they placed their chiefest felicitie in pleasure how they avoyded the government of the State as troublesome and hurtfull to good life and how the gods were removed from rewarding from anger and from care of to and over us leading an idle life flowing with all pleasure To whom yet thus speaking Fabritius cryed out O God be these Precepts pleasant to Pirrhus and the Samnites whilest they make warre with us Upon the which Pirrhus marvelling at the mind and gravitie of the man did more earnestly studie by breaking off the wars to joyne friendship with the Romans privately inviting Fabritius if the Peace were performed to remain and live with him offering that he should enjoy the chiefest place amongst his friends and Nobles To whom Fabritius is said to have answered in his eare It will not be for thy profit O King for those that do now worship and follow thee if they had made tryall of me would wish me king to thee With which Pirrhus was no whit offended nor took it with a Tyrannicall mind but did declare to Fabritius friends the noble disposition of the man To whose only credit hee did commit the Captives with this condition that if the Senate did deny Peace after their friends saluted and the Saturnals celebrated to the Gods they should be sent back to him again who in like sort the Festivals ended according to the condition were returned to Pirrhus of whom as many as remained at home the Senate put to execution Plutar in Pirrho Two Legates saith Poggius being sent from the Councell of Constance to Petrus Deluna the false Pope did amongst other bitter chidings and hard speeches which they used together upon the right and title of Pontificialitie after that the Pope had said of himselfe this is the Arke of Noah meaning that all the power of the Apostolique See remained with him answer there were many beasts in the Ark of Noah expressing therby that there were many vices in him the Pope and many wicked men in the Church When Sfortia the great being feared with the weapons and awaites of Paulus Ursinus had departed from Rome and placed his Companie in Algido there came to him from the Pope a Legate the Cardinall of St. Angell being of the familie of Columna and was well received into the Citie To which Cardinall amongst many speeches when he had said Shall Sfortia fear a Beare alluding to Ursinus for Ursus in Latine is a Bear in English When hee shall be in most safetie under a Pillar meaning himselfe discended of Columna which in English signifies a Pillar Sfortia suddenly answered Shall not I seem mad unto thee O Father if whilst in vain I crave aide of a dumb and deaf Pillar that great beast fierce with tooth and nayle making hast oftentimes with the pace of a lively man shall not seem fearfull unto me not unpleasantly noting the absence of the Columnians who were far off and lively depainting the wit of Ursinus Jovius in vita mag Sfortiae with his present strength which was at hand And so my good Lord I knit up this matter with many Ambassadours examples wherein is shewed their wit their government their wise answers their gravitie their magnanimitie policie favour and many other excellent things required in an Ambassadour Of which former examples I shall not need to make any Comment or application to your Lordship who by nature have a ready wit to conceive by experience a sound judgement to understand and by studie a heaped knowledge to judge both my intent in writing them their commendations in speaking them and my friend commoditie in reading them And so to other matter concerning Legats to be confirmed by collected examples found in antient and learned Writers CRAP. 3. Ambassadours that dyed in their Embassie AS you have before heard what good things have been commended in Legates and Ambassadours how they have been rewarded honoured esteemed preferred what privileges what entertainment and how many other good things have been belonging unto them So since there is nothing certain in this world nothing happy on every side but that every commoditie brings its discommoditie these men with all these good matters are subject to as many evils misfortunes losses and hinderances
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
And thereupon was Orpheus feigned by his Musick to draw trees stones mountaines and wilde beasts after him for that by his sweet words he reduced the savage people to civility the want of which utterance gave Moses occasion to excuse himselfe before God that he was unapt by reason of his stammering which he got his mouth being burnt by eating hot coals when he was brought up in Pharaohs house where being then but a boy hee threw down the Crown from Pharaohs head whereby the Divines prophesied that hee should destroy the King of Egypt to bee Gods Ambassadour to the Egyptians for the deliverie of the people of Israel Wherefore to him God chose Aaron as his Assistant by his Eloquence to supply Moses his default and to utter whatsoever Moses should give him in command Such an eloquent person was also Carneades Cyramus whose eloquence was so great that hee could easily in any matter by the strength of his speech draw any man to his opinion And therefore he Prince of the Academians with Diogenes the Stoick and Critolaus the Peripatetick being sent Ambassadours to Rome from the Athenians brought his Legatship in doubt amongst the Romans Marcus Cato saying in the Senate that they should beware of that man who by his eloquence and skill of utterance could obtain whatsoever he would desire Volater Lib. 4. Cap. 2. Anthropo Quintil. li. 2. cap. 1. of whom in like sort Quintilian doth report that in the hearing of Cato the Censor at Rome he did with no lesse force the day following argue against Justice than hee had the day before defended it Gellius li. 7. cap. 14. Crinitus li. 22. cap. 4. de honest Discipl His singular eloquence being also remembred by Gellius and Crinitus Not unlike to whom was Cyneas Thessalus the hearer of Demosthenes and Legate of Pirrhus who when he was sent to any City to require Surrender thereof would use this saying of Euripides That neat and sweet words could doe as much as threatning swords of whom Pirrhus was wont to say that hee had subdued more Cities by the Orations of Cyneas than by the hands of his Army whom as Plutarch saith the King had in great estimation using his help in his chiefest affaires With no less commendation did Scopelianus the Sophist obtain the request of his Embassie for whereas Domitian the Emperour had made Proclamation that no Vines should be growing in Asia because the plenty thereof by drunkennesse might seem to move Sedition Scopelianus being sent to Rome did by his eloquence not only bring so to passe that they might lawfully plant Vines Celius li. 20. cap. 11. but also further obtained that he should be Fyned that would abstain from the setting and planting of the same In which number of Eloquent Ambassadours may take his place Eustachius Capadox the Successor of Aedesius in his Country who was of such profound Eloquence being the Disciple of Jambicns the Chaldean as being sent to Sâ—pinus King of Persia did there so inchaunt the King by his speeches that casting away his Tyara which was a kind of Crown or Imperiall Cap foulded with linnen the King would have changed his garment for the cloke of Eustachius which the Courtiers did forbid saying that he was a Magician and wrote by a course of Witcherie as teacheth Eunapius And so concluding this matter your Lordship may easily gather hereby how requisite it is for an Ambassadour to be eloquent in Speech in delivering his Message But to what use shall all this serve if he have not joyned with these estimation and credit and that he be of good account in his Countrie before he be sent For if he be not both he and his Embassie shall bee despised and neglected As well appeareth in this one Historie done in our time And because I will not in this point be tedious unto your Honour I will only shew you here omitting which I could cite concerning the same one Historie thereof for a small thing can give light to a wise man and your Lordship by this one example shall learne that others have told in many Which History is thus When in the year of our Lord as telleth Paulus Jovius Charles the fifth Paulus Jovius lib. 28. the Emperour by Confederacie made with Clement the seventh Bishop of Rome against the Florentines attempting to reduce those of the house of Medices into their Countrie did with continuall Siege oppresse the City of Florence such was the obstinacie of the Citizens favouring the popular government that great cruelty was shewed to them who did freely and truly say that Peace was to bee embraced But at the length by Philip Meliores an honest young man in the Common-wealth preaching often to the Senate and perswading to embrace Peace he Fathers decreed that Ambassadours should be dispatched to the Pope yet such was the malignity of the hinderers that not they whom the waightiness of the cause did require but men otherwise of small credit and common Citizens were sent forth Of whom one Aloysius Soderinus who had not done any thing worthy any grave affaires in ordering any matter other than that hee was called a good house-keeper was one and another was Anderolus Nicolinus rather a continuall and diligent Merchant than a Senator and the third was Robertus Boncius whom by reason of his late neer allyance with Thomas Soderyne who still laboured against this Peace made the Embassie to be the more suspected These men when they were arrived at Bononia the Pope for that they were not of sufficient honour and for that sufficiencie of industrie sinceritie of mind and faith was not found in them did so contemn them that hee greatly laughed to see that in place of worthy Senators they had out of Florence sent Merchants and those not of the best sort And that which did most sound in derogation of their Legation was for that the Ministers of the Customes in Bononia had found in their Coffers for Merchandize sake great store of gold thred to make and weave cloth-of-gold the which they then brought to avoyd further charge of carriage for the same which foolish subtilty in so grave a matter wrapped about with the filthinesse of gain was the more to be jested at Because when they had delivered their Message they had brought no further authoritie to confirm the Peace Wherefore Clement and Caesar also scorning them and stomacking the covetousnesse and unskill of the Merchants did so upbraid them that their pertinacie seemed next unto madnesse and they with open shame rejected were sent home c. Thus far Jovius translated in English In which is to be seen that the basenesse foolishnesse Covetousnesse and want of experience was the cause that these Ambassadours were not only disdained and their Petition rejected but that the poor Florentines were stil oppressed with the said warre And thus much hitherto that an Ambassadour should be learned eloquent and of good calling Now for the other
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
familiar unto him which should revoke and renew Conditions and Covenants between them willing him also to put him in mind of the Marriage of his Neece but this wicked gelding comming to Ibancus did not only not doe any thing belonging to his Message but with his presence did rather confirme him in the continuance of his attempt when he had rashly spewed out unto him that the Greeks out of hand would invade him And therefore counselling him that leaving the champion plains he should for his and the peoples better strength and safetie commit himselfe to the mountains Nicelius li. 3. de Imperio Alex. Ariepertus the Brother of Theudolinda created King of the Lumbards when he had raigned nine years bequeathed the kingdom to Bertanus and Godopertus his Sons The kingdome being divided Bertanus placed his Imperiall leat at Milan and Godopertus at Ticinum after dissention sprang between the two brothers Godopertus sent to Grinidaldus Duke of Beneventa a Legate Garipaldus Captain or Duke of Taureventinus to request speedy aide against his brother in recompence whereof he promised his kinswoman in marriage contrary to which thing the traiterous Legate did perswade Grinidaldus to possesse the kingdome of Lembardie having now apt time therefore the brothers being at warres within themselves Wherupon Grinivalde with a chosen Companie went to Ticinum where being honourablie received because of his marriage as was thought into the Kings Palace did kill Godopertus and enjoyed the kingdom Bertarius which was at Milan hearing thereof for fear fled into Panonia or Hungarie to Cacanus King of the Araries a people of Panonia leaving behind Rodolinda his wife and Camipertus his Son whom Grinivaldus sent to Benevenventa not long after which Domus Gariopaldus the Legate was in the Temple killed by the Servant of Godopertus who feared not to be murdered for the revenge of his Masters injurie Bonsinius li. 8. Deca 1. Edgarus King of England by sicknesse losing the Queen his wife Elfreda on whom he had gotten Edward his Sonne at what time Fame had blown abroad that Horgerius Duke of Cornwall had a fair Daughter named Alfreda he sent Ethelwold his familiar companion as his Ambassadour to see the beauty of the Maid and with his words and in his name to demand her in marriage if her beauty did answer the report Ethelwold when he had seen the beautie of the Maid unmindfull of the Kings commandement did earnestly desire to have her for Wife who returning to the King said That she was not such a person as was convenient to be espoused to the King but a little after perceiving by this device that the Kings mind was changed from her love he began with little and little to work with the King to obtain license that hee might take her by his consent the which the King having now despised her beauty did easily grant Afterwards the rumour of the beauty of Alfreda did more and more increase which moved the King desirous to see her to take occasion to visit the Town of Ethelwold as hee went in hunting Ethelwold when hee understood that the King would come thither discovering the whole matter to his wife prayed her for the safetie of them both that she would attyre her selfe more carelesly and shew her selfe lesse beautifull than shee was accustomed to the young and lusty King But the woman forgetting matrimoniall love and the Children born to Ethelwold as richly attyred as she could came forth to meet the King where casting off all shame she gave the occasion of her Husbands destruction for he was after slain and the King shortly married her of whom he begat many Children Than which deed nothing did more blemish the fame of that worthy King Edgar as well for that hee had taken away the Husband as for that he had espoused the unchast Wife Polydor li. 6. Ranulphus li. 6. cap. 11. Will ' mus Malmes li. 2. cap. 46. Francis Sabarella the Cardinall whose writings are highly commended and allowed being holden in great authoritie amongst the Civill Lawyers sent Ambassadour by John the 23. Bishop of Rome unto the Councel of Constance to excuse his fact and keep him in the Popedome was author and occasion of the Popes utter overthrow in hope that himselfe afterwards by the consent of the Councell should have supplied the place of Pope John But being prevented by death he at one time did satisfie both his Tyrannicall ambition and unchristian treacherie Garmibertus li. 5. de vitis Pontificum And so with one Historie more delivered in Latine as Guicchardine hath written it I will set end to these trayterous and unfaithfull Ambassadours The which matter I have purposely delivered in Latine as the course of the style leadeth word for word and as the Author writ the same for that not reading the Historie in any other place I could not so fitly set it forth as mee thinks both such a matter and the Authors meaning doth require And yet loth to leave out a thing done in our remembrance I thought best rather so to doe than utterly to defraud your Lordship therof The matter is this Constans fuit multorum opinio Albertum Pium Carpensem Galliae Regis Lodovici duodecimi apud Julium 2. Papam de controversia inter Pontificem Ferariae Ducem Alfonsum Atestinum salinis Cerine Comactii orta componenda Legatum legationis munere non bona fide functum ut Pontificem Ferariensium Ducem contetaret operam dedisse Ad idque ardentissimo desiderio in quo ad mortem usque permansit impulsum ut Alfonsus Ferariensi principatu spoliaretur Quum Hercules Alfonsi pater ante paucos annos à Gilberto Pio dimidiam Carpensem ditionem accepisset eique Saxuli castellum cum nonnullis aliis oppidis permutationem dedisset Albertus ne tandem ut saepe necesse eum minus potentem potentioris vicini cupiditate cedere ei alteram partem quae ad se spectaret concedere cogeretur metuebat Guicchard li. 2. With which Latine Historie concluding and uttering what I have read concerning such unfaithfull Legates who without better government may be drawn into Treason one of the most wicked evills which by their own occasion and folly they may rashly fall into I will finish up the enlarging of this proposition concerning trayterous Ambassadours with their manner of treacherie And take upon me briefly in like order with like manner of examples to treat of one other mischiefe that followeth such Ambassadours For as there is no Body but hath its shadow no Corn but hath its chaffe no Wine but hath its lees nor any man that at all times in all places in all matters and to all persons doth shew himselfe alike perfect wise So since these Legates hereafter may as before time they have by words by writings by deeds by gestures shew some folly in them though otherwise perhaps not to bee discommended I will now discourse of foolish Ambassadours to give light to others