Minister is to be furnished with his Prince's Maxims so also should he be with his Majesty Valour and Magnanimity EMBLEM XXXIV WHoever looks on the Thorns and Prickles of the Roseâ— Tree will hardly be perswaded a Daughter so beautiful as the Rose could proceed from so deform'd a Mother One had need be indued with a great Measure of Faith to water it and wait till it be cloathed with Verdure and blossom into that wonderful pomp of Flowers of so delicate a Smell Yet by Patience and long Expectation we at length find the labour not lost nor that Care ill imployed which has produced such Beauty and Fragrancy The first Branches of Virtue are harsh and thorny to our depraved Nature but after some time its Flower of all other the most beautiful begins to Bloom Let not the first sight of things discourage a Prince for the outside of very few in Government are pleasant they all seem full of Thorns and Difficulties but Experience has found many easy which appeared much otherwise to Sloth The Prince therefore should not be disheartned for in lightly yielding to them he will be overcome by his own Apprehension rather than any thing real Let him endure with Courage and Hope with Patience and Perseverance still keeping the means in his Hand He that hopes has a good and faithful Companion on his side I mean Time Whence Philip the Second used to say I and Time against any two Precipitation is the effect of Madness and generally the occasion of great Perils Theobald Earl of Champagne put his Succession to the Crown of Navarre very much in Question by not having patience to wait for his Uncle King Sancho's Death but underhand conspiring with the Nobles to possess himself of the Kingdom in his Life-time for this put Sancho upon adopting Iames the First of Arragâ—n his Heir Patience obtains many Trophies This was Scipio's Excellency who though he had infinite occasions of Displeasure was yet so patient as never to let â— passionate Word fall from him 1 Vt nullum ferox verbum excideret Tit. liv which thing gave sucess to all his Designs He that suffers with Expectation vanquishes the slights of Fortune and obliges her to take his Part that Confidence among all her Vicissiâ—â—des like Flattery winning upon her Columbus not without great hazard exposes himself to the Ocean 's incertain Waves in quest of new Countries Neither Hâ—rcule's Ne plus ultra at Caspe and Abyla nor the Mountains of Waters that seem to oppose his Enterprize deter him from it he by Sailing tells the Sun's Steps and steals from the Year its Days from the Days their Hours his Needle wants the Pole his Charts the lines his Companions patience all things conspire against him but his Hope and Patience rub through all Difficulties till at length a new World recompences his invincible Constancy Ferendum Sperandum was a saying of Empedocles and afterwards the Emperor Macrinus's Motto whence that of this Emblem is borrowed Some Dangers are more easy to surmount than avoid As Agathocles well knew when being beaten and besieged in Syracuse he did not basely Surrender to the Enemy but leaving a sufficient Body of Men for the Defence of the City marched with the rest of his Army against Carthage and he who could not be victorious in one War by this means obtain'd a double Triumph Rashness frequently overcomes a Danger and despising it often confounds an Enemy When Hannibal saw the Romans after the Battel of Cannae send Succours into Spain he began to fear their Power and Strength No one ought to trust Prosperity too much or despair in Adversity Fortune lies between both as ready to advance as depress Let the Prince therefore keep in the one and the other a Constancy and Strength of Mind prepared to encounter any Accident and not suffer the Threats of the greatest Tempest to disturb him For sometimes the Waves have cast a Man out of one Ship that is to be wreck'd into another that is to be saved A great and generous Soul Heaven it self favours Let not the Prince rashly despair for anothers Dangers or those which Chance brings with it He that observeth the Wind shall not sow and he that regardeth the Clouds shall not reap 2 Eccl. 11. 4. Let him not imagine he obliges any one by his Afflictions Tears are Womanish nor is Fortune appeased with such Sacrifices A great Soul endeavours to give it self Satisfaction or Comfort by some heroick and generous Action Thus Agricola when he heard of his Son's Death took not the Accident as generally Men do ambitiously nor in Tears like Women but by War diverted his Grief 3 Quem casum neque ut plerique fortium virorum ambitiosè neque per lamenta rursus ac terrorem multebrem tuliâ— in lustu bellum inter remedia erat Tac. in Vit. Agr. To be wholly insensible is either Vain-glory or Excess of Consternation In suing for Offices and Honours the Design of this Emblem is very useful He that can bear and hope knows how to get the better of his Fortune Whereas one that impatient of delay thinks it base to be beholding and submit shall be despised and abandon'd by the whole World To look on it as a point of Honour not to obey any is the way to command none The means are to be measured by the end if in obtaining this there be more Honour got than is lost by them certainly they ought to be used Impatience of Sufferings we take for Generosity of Mind when it is imprudent Haughtiness Honour once attain'd the Tracks made in ascending them presently wear out To endure much in order to Advancement is not base Degeneracy but extraordinary Strength of a Mind elevated and aspiring Some Tempers there are which can't abide to wait that would have all things ended in a Moment desiring now to exceed their Equals by and by their Superiors and in a little while even their own Hopes These hurried by this Violence of Ambition despise the most secure means as slow and choose to employ the shortest though most hazardous But it usually fares with them as with Buildings raised in haste before the Materials have had time to dry and settle which immediately fall down again The Master-piece of Government consists in hoping and enduring in that these are the only means to do things in time without which nothing can possibly come to maturity Trees that at the Springs first warmth bear Flowers soon lose them for not waiting till the Winters cold was quite gone He who would ripen Affairs with the Hand cannot have the Satisfaction of tasting the Fruit of them Impatience is the cause of Miscarriages and Dangers 4 Prov. 14. 17. it creates Periâ—s which by being uneasy under and too hasty to escape we augment Therefore for those Evils as well Internal as External which have by our negligence been increas'd in the Commonwealth 't is better to let them
recommend his Religion either to Prince or People We too lately escaped the Snare to be again entangled with the Knaveries or Fooleries to say no worse of the Church or Court of Rome and next under God must own our sole Deliverance to a Branch of that Ancient and Imperial Family our present Gracious Sovereign These Precautions being observed I humbly presume this Book will be of excellent Use to all Ingenuous Persons of what Degree or Quality soever For though by the Title it seems calculated for the Meridian of Kings and Princes only yet it in some measure comprehends all Persons within the Circumference of their Dominions The Statesman and Politician may herein learn what Qualifications they ought to be endowed with for Negotiations either at Home or in Foreign Courts how by avoiding the Vices usually attending their High Stations and embracing the contrary Virtues they may render their Actions meritorious to their Prince or Country The Officers and Soldiers of an Army may here without Danger behold the Methods and Stratagems their Predecessors have used to Conquer their Enemies and learn that their greatest Interest consists in good Order and Discipline and absolute Obedience to their Superiors that Vice is as pernicious in a Camp as a Court and that Bravery and Virtue in Conjunction merit the greatest Reward and Affection from their Prince or Country The Merchants and Seamen may here behold the vast Advantage their Profession is to a Government and how Ships are the Moveable Poles on which the Stability thereof depends In fine all Persons of Learning Sense or Reason may from many excellent Precepts and eminent Examples contain'd therein improve and refine their Talents to the greatest Advantage imaginable remembring always my previous Caution to avoid some few mistaken Aphorisms of his Religion and Country Our Celebrated Author Don Diego Saavedra Faxardo Knight of the Order of St. Jago was Born of a Noble Family of Murcia in Spain He was the Son of Peter de Saavedra and Fabiana Faxardo who was also of Noble Extraction He was Educated in the University of Salamanca in the Profession of the Laws wherein he became very Eminent especially in those Parts thereof which are requisite for the Accomplishment of an Absolute Politician and Compleat Statesman From thence he was chosen Secretary to Cardinal Gaspar Borgia Vice-Roy of Naples and soon after Resident for his Catholick Majesty at Rome where his Conduct gain'd him so great Applause that he was sent on the same Imploy into Switzerland After that he was Plenipotentiary-Ambassador at two Imperial Diets at Ratisbone and then commanded to assist Don Gaspar de Bracamont Count de Pennecranda at the famous Treaty of Munster where he gave signal Demonstration of his great Experience and Dexterity in the Management of the most difficult Affairs of State At his Return he sate in the Supreme Council for the Government of both the Indies in which Imploy he died at Madrid in the Year 1648. All that I know more of him you may find in his own Preface to which for brevity sake I refer you 2 Nic. Antonio's Bibliotheca Scrip. Hispan Miraeuâ—'s Bibliotheca Ecclesiast Moreri ' s Great Dictionary The greatness of his Personal Character and Reputation and of this Book in particular are too well-establish'd in the World to require any Panegyricks on either but if the Reader desire to see how this Work was admired by some of the most Learned of the Age let him read the Epistles prefix'd to the Latin Version thereof His Religious Temper more particularly appears in the great Veneration he always shews for the Holy Scripture and his apt Application thereof and his Politicks no less by being so well read in Tacitus the Great Master thereof Were that Excellent Roman now living he could not but be pleased to see the Roughness and Crabbedness of his Stile so finely polish'd without Diminution to the profoundness of his Sense and Iudgment in our English Version though in the Annotations thereof he would find himself Rivald if not excell'd by a Modern Politician But there is no greater Argument to prove the general Approbation and kind Reception thereof than the various Editions in several Languages besides the Original as Latin French Italian Portugese and High-German To enumerate the particuler Times and Places of each Impression would be superfluous were they all known to us Let it suffice to inform you that the Impression of the Original we chiefly made use of in this Version is the Fourth Edition Printed at Valencia 1660. as being the most Correct we could meet with He wrote also a Book Entituled Corona Gothica Castellanice Austriaca Politicamente Illustrada Printed at Madrid 1650. though as some say be died before he had compleated it And here I cannot but observs how disingenuous to say no worse the Italian and French Translators or rather Corruptors of our Author have been especially the last who not content only to omit whole Pages and Sections very material to the Purpose have foisted in their own fulsome Flatteries instead thereof basely perverting his very Sense and Meaning to comply with the Interest and Ambition of particular Persons or Governments So dangerous a Thing is Truth it s some Nations But we have those rather to draw the Copy after the full Proportion of the Original being satisfied we have the Happiness to live in so well Constituted a Government and under so Excellent a King that Truth and Integrity are now become the great Accomplishments of a Courtier Our Autâ—or taking occasion so often to mention Alphonsus the Wise I presume it will not be thought unnecessary or be unacceptable to some Readers to give a short Account of him â—He was the Tenth of that Name King of Leon and Castile and was also Sirnamed the Astrologer and succeeded his Father Ferdinand the Third 1252. He made the Astronomical Tables still Extant which are called from his Name Tabulae Alphonsinae and 't is certainly affirm'd That he spent 400000 Crowâ—s in the Composition of them He refused the Imperial Crown of Germany which was offered him after the Rejection of Richard Duke of Cornwall contenting himself only with the Title of Emperor which some say he resigned to Pope Gregory the Tenth whereof he repented and would have reassumed the Imperial Title and Arms but was deterred for fear of an Excommunication against him He was successful against the Moors but at length dethron'd by his own Son Sancho and died for Grief in Anno 1284. In a great Sickness after many Remedies used in vain he began to read Quint. Curtius's History of Alexander the Great which he did with so much Delight that he recovered his Health whereupon he said Farewell Avieen Hippocrates and the whole Croud of Doctors give me my Curtius that hath saved my Life He had read the Bible fourteen Times with several Commentaries upon it he was a great Astrologer and after he had deeply considered the Fabrick of the World
so great that some Philosophers have doubted whether it did not participate of Reason Cardan says that it surpasses all Birds in Ingenuity and Quickness of Apprehension and that it not only learns to Speak but also to Meditate with a Desire of Glory 1 Inter aves Ingenio Saâ—â—citateque praestat quod grandi sit câ—pite atque in India coelo sincero 〈◊〉 undè didicit non solum loqui sed etiam meditari meditatur ob stâ—dium Gloriae â—ardan This Bird is very Candid and Ingenuous the Quality of Great Spirits yet is not its Candour exposed to Deceit but she knows how to prevent it and as sly and crafty as the Serpent is it evades his Artifices and to secure its Nest from him it hangs it at the end of the highest and slenderest Twig of a Tree in the manner here represented that when he would pass by them to devour its young ones he falls by his own weight So Artifice must be frustrated by Artifice and Counsel by Counsel In which Case King Ferdinand the Catholick was an Exellent Master for Princes as he sufficiently shewed in all his Designs particularly in his Marriage with Germana de Foix Niece to Lewis XII of France to break the Peace clapt up at Hagenaw between the Emperor and his Son-in-Law King Philip I. without his knowledge and to his prejudice Nor did he use with less Address the Opportunity offer'd by the same King of France 's desiring a League with him to get liberty to Invade the Kingdom of Naples contriving the Matter so that he might recover the Governments of Rousillon and Sardinia And when he saw the French King had already made an Inroad into Italy with that Intent and withal how dangerous a Neighbour he would prove to the Kingdom of Sicily which his Eye was upon he put a stop to his Progress broke the Treaty and denounc'd War against him entring into an Alliance with the Republick of Venice and other Princes And these Weapons are more necessary in War than Peace for their Wit does more than Strength And certainly that Commander deserves no small Praise who despising the Vain-glory of Conquering his Enemy with the Sword steals the Victory and triumphs by Policy and Stratagem whereby the Law of Nations is not the least violated 2 Cum justè Bellum suscipitur ut aperte pugnet quis aut ex Insidiis nihil ad Iustitiam interest D. Aug. For if the War be Just the Methods thereof are so also 3 Dolus an Virtus quis in Hoste requirat Virg. 'Twixt Force and Fraud what Difference in War And indeed what Reason can be given why you may not deceive him whom it is lawful even to kill It is a piece of Magnanimity to preferr the Publick Safety before a Triumph and make sure of Victory without exposing it to the manifest Fortune of War when there 's none in Humane Judgment can appear so certain but it is subject to a thousand Chances In countermining the cunning Designs and Intrigues of an Enemy we must not always regard what a Prudent Man would do in the like case though to have also some Fore-thought of that were adviseable but a Judgment must be formed from the Condition and Capacity of the Person to be dealt with for all Men take not always the most proper and prudent Methods Ferdinand Duke of Alba 's entring Portugal with an Army upon King Sebastian 's Death was Amazing by several blamed as a very Dangerous Enterprise in a Person so eminently versed in the Art of War To whom he reply'd That he was not ignorant of the Danger but he trusted in having to do with a Nation which by a continued Enjoyment of Peace had probably forgot the Affairs of War Even when we have to do with Men eminent for Prudence the Judgment and Conjecture we pass upon their Actions even by the Rule of Reason and Prudence is not infallibly certain for sometimes they suffer themselves to be carry'd away by Passion and the wisest Men are now and then guilty of the greatest Errors Self-conceit rendring them negligent or too much Confidence in their Discretion making them presume that though they have a little lost their Way they can easily find it again Sometimes in Things they presuppose Time and other Events deceive them Wherefore it is the safest way ever to suspend one's Judgment in Things that depend upon another's Pleasure and not to go about to regulate them by our own Private Discretion for every one has his particular Reasons unknown to others and consonant to his Nature which are the Spring of his Actions What to one seems impossible another thinks easie And there be some Genius's that fear not the most hazardous Enterprises some that are guided by Reason others that are utterly averse to it The most secret Artifices of Enemies or those who under colour of Friendship aim wholly at their own Interest are such particularly whereby they make their Proposals with so much Subtilty that they seem to redound to the Prince's Advantage when they really tend to his Ruine a Thing his Integrity is easily deluded in if he want Experience or smell not their Drift It requires therefore no small Prudence and Attention to turn such Counsels to the Destruction of the Authors thereof Into what Precipes will that Government fall which is directed by Foreign Councils contrary to the Advice of the Holy Ghost 4 Receive a stranger into thine house and he will disturb thee and turn thee out of thine own Eccles. 11. 34. But although an Enemy's Designs are usually discoverable by bare Reasoning yet is it convenient to trace them also by Spies the principal Instruments of Government without which a Crown can never be secure or admit of Encrease nor a War be carry'd on with Success 5 Ignarus militiae improvidus conâ—ilii quis ordo Agminis quae cura explorandi quantus urgendo trahendove Bello modus Tac. Hist. l. 3. Vitellius was condemned for being improvident in Council in Warfare ignorant how to draw up an Army what belong'd to Scouts when to prosecute when protract a War And indeed of what ill Consequence this Negligence is Germany can abundantly testifie which has lost several advantageous Opportunities and its Soldiers been oftentimes surprized and cut off in their Quarters for want of Intelligence of the Enemies Designs and Marches 6 And Joshua sent out two men to spy secretly Ios. 2. 1. Ioshua made use of Spies though God himself took care of his Arms 7 And the Angel of God which went before the camp of Israel remov'd and went behind them and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them Exod. 14. 19. Moses never March'd but an Angel carry'd a Pillar of Fire before him to shew where to encamp yet by God's Command he sent out Men to search the Promis'd Land 8 Send thou men that they may search the
Eternal Artificer we cannot suffer any other Adoration to be paid him than what we judge to be true and Orthodox And altho' the Friendship of Infidels were never so good yet Divine Justice permits us not to obtain our Ends by the means of his Enemies nay usually chastises us by the very Infidel's Hand that Sign'd the Treaty The Emperor which Constantine the Great translated into the East was ruin'd by the Alliance of the Palaeologi with the Turk God permitting it to remain to Posterity for an Example of his Correction but not any living Memorial of that Family But if by reason of the Distance of Places or Disposition of Things the Chastisement cannot be inflicted by those very Infidels God uses his own Hand What Calamities has not France suffered since Francis I. more through Emulation of Charles the Fifth's Glory than forced by any Necessity made a League with the Turk and called him into Europe This Fault he acknowledged in the last moments of his Life expressed his utmost Detestation of it in Words which piously we ought to impute to a Christian Compunction though otherwise they seemed to proceed from extreme Despair God pursued his Chastisement in some of his Successors by taking them off with violent and unhappy Deaths Now if this Just Judge be thus severe on Princes who do but ask the Aid of Infidels and Hereticks what will he do to those who assist them against the Catholicks and are the reason of their making such great Progresses The Example of Peter II. of Arragon will tell us 2 Mar. Hist. l. 12. c. 2. This King stuck with all his Forces to the Faction of the Albigenses in France and though he fought at the Head of One hundred thousand Men against the Catholicks who were but Eight hundred Horse and a Thousand Foot lost at once both his Life and the Battel Iudas Machabaeus no sooner joined with the Romans tho' only to defend himself against the Grecian Power but the two Angels that stood by his side left him and he was slain The same Punishment and for the same Cause suffered Ionathan and Simon his Brothers and Successors Nor is the Excuse of Self-Defence always sufficient for all the Conditions and Circumstances that make such Confederacies allowable very rarely concurr and are of greater weight than that universal Scandal and Danger of defiling the true Religion with Errors the Communication of Hereticks being a Poison apt to infect a Gangrene that soon spreads where Minds are enclined to Novelty and Licentiousness 3 And their word will eat as doth a canker 2 Tim. 2. 17. Policy distrusting the Divine Assistance and wholly relying upon Humane Artifices may indeed deceive it self but not God at whose Tribunal meer Appearances of Reason are not received Baasha King of Israel built a Fortress in Ramah the last City of the Tribe of Benjamin in the Kingdom of Asa and so stopt its Avenues that no one could go in or out of it with safety 4 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah 2 Chron. 16. 1. This occasion'd a War between those two Kings and Asa fearing the Alliance of Ben-hadad King of Syria with his Enemy contrived first to break that and then enter'd himself into a Confederacy with Ben-hadad which when Baasha heard he left off building the Fortifications of Ramah 5 And it came to pass when Baasha heard it that he left off building of Ramah and let his work cease 2 Chron. 16. 5. Nevertheless though Asa made this League out of Necessity and only for his own Defence whereof the good Effect soon appeared yet God was displeased that he put more confidence in the King of Syria than in him and sent Hanani the Prophet to represent his fault to him and threaten him with Wars as a Punishment 6 Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria and not relied on the Lord thy God therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand c. Herein thou hast done foolishly therefore from henceforth thou shalâ— have wars 2 Chron. 16. 7 9. which accordingly happened Whence it will be easie to gather how much France has incurred the Divine Displeasure by the Alliances it has now engaged it self in with those of another Religion to oppress the House of Austria Where is no room for the Pretence of Self-Preservation in extreme Necessity since without any Provocation or Reason he has sided with all its Adversaries and made War upon it fomenting it out of their States and enlarging these by the Usurpation of foreign Provinces and assisting the Hereticks and their Allies with Counsel and Arms to conquer the Catholicks no one in the mean time coming thence to the Treaty of Peace at Cologne although the Pope the Emperor and King of Spain had all sent their Plenipotentiaries thither Nor is it unlawful only to make Leagues with Hereticks but even to make use of their Forces The Holy Scriptures give us an illustrious Instance of this in the Person of King Amasiah who having hired an Army of the Sons of Israel was commanded of God to dismiss it and reproved for not rather relying on him 7 O king lâ—t not the army of Israel go with thee for the Lord is not with Israel to wit with all the children of Ephraim But if thou wilt go do it be strong for the battel God shall make thee fall before the enemy for God hath power to help and to cast down 2 Chron. 25. 7 8. And because he presently obeyed without any regard to the Danger or to the hundred Talents he had given them God gave him a signal Victory over his Enemies Confederacy with those of a different Religion is lawful when its End is the Intermission of War and Liberty of Commerce such as that was which Isaac made with Abimelech 8 We sâ—e certainly that the Lord is with thee and we said Let there be now an oatâ— betwixt us even betwixt us and thee and let us make a covenant with thee That thou shalt do us no hurt Gen 26. 28 29. and as now is between Spain and England When any Treaty is made with Hereticks provided it interfere not with Religion or Good Manners and be confirmed by Oath the Publick Faith is by all means to be kept with them for in the Oath God is called to be a Witness to the Agreement and as it were a Surety for the Performance of it both Parties consenting to make him Judge of it to punish the Perjurer And certainly it were a hainous Sin to call him to witness to a Lye Nations have no other Security of the Treaties they make than the Religion of Oaths which if they should make use of to deceive there would be an end of Commerce in
hoping to make himself Master of Casal by the meaâ—â—â— of Espadin whereby as himself wrote to His Majesty the Emperor might with much more ease determine the Controversies on foot in Montferrat and Mantua a Resoâ—lution which obliged His Majesty to suspend a second timeâ— the execution of the Protection promised though contrary to his Design of procuring the Peace of Italy nevertheless to maintain that and cut off all Occasiâ—â— of Jealousie he gave Order to Gonsalvo of Cordoua That if as was supposed he was already possessed of Casaâ— he should keep it in the Name of the Emperor the true Master of it at the same time dispatching Letters to him to that effect to convey in that case to His Imperial Majesty But the Treaty with Espadin not suâ—â—ding Gonsalvo without any Order from His Maâ—â—â—y invested Casal which was the Occasion of the 〈◊〉 of France ' s Journey to Susa and of Spain's being â—xpectedly engaged in the War after having pubâ—ly protested that those Forces were only Auxiâ—ies to the Emperor to the end the Rights of the â—â—enders upon Monâ—ferrat and Mantua might be â—â—ded by way of Justice nor would Gonsalvo accept â—he Term offered him by the Duke of Nevers of â—â—â—ng Casal lest any should think His Majesty engaged â—ese Commotions more out of private Interest than 〈◊〉 the fake of the Publick Quiet This is the very â—th of the Matter which so many have unjustly â—aim'd against so few really known â—et the Prince therefore and Republick of Italy lay â—e the empty Shadows of Jealousies assuring themâ—es that Spain aims at nothing more than to keep up 〈◊〉 Grandeur amongst them not to encrease it and let 〈◊〉 give place to this true piece of Policy if they desire Peace of Italy for these imaginary Emulations tend â—o other end but to promote its Disquiet there â—g no War but what proceeds either from the Ambiâ—â—â— of a powerful Monarch or the Apprehensions of â—â—feriour Prince EMBLEM XCVI VIctory in just Wars aims at no other end 〈◊〉 Peace Hence that is the most Glorious whâ—â—â— is obtained with least Damage and more 〈◊〉 Stratagem than Force which was least covered 〈◊〉 Dust and Blood which Horace calls Dulcis sine pulvere palma * Horat. Lawrels with Ease obtain'd smell always sweet The Romans for bloody Victories sacrificed a 〈◊〉 and an Oxe for those got by Stratagem If by Witâ—â—â— â—nderstanding we are like God but have Force in comâ—on with Brutes undoubtedly there is more Glory in â—â—quering with the former than the latter Tiberius â—s better pleas'd in having quieted the Empire by Pruâ—nce than if he had done it by the Sword 1 Laetiore Tiberio quiâ— pacem sapientiâ— firmaverat quim si bellu◠〈◊〉 aâ—ies consecisses Tac. Annal. l. 2. And Agricola looked on it as Glorious to vanquish the Britains â—â—â—thout the loss of Roman Blood 2 Ingens victoria decâ—◠〈◊〉 a Romanum sanguinem bellants Id. in Vit. Agâ—ic If Victory proâ—oses the Preservation and Encrease of the Common-â—ealth it will succeed much better by Policy or Negoâ—tion than by Arms. The Life of one Citizen is of â—ore account than the Death of many Enemies Whence â—â—pio the African used to say That be had rather save 〈◊〉 Citizen than conquer a thousand Enemies A Sentence â—hich afterwards the Emperor Marcus Antoninus Pius â—ok for his Device For to conquer an Enemy is the 〈◊〉 Work of a General to save a Citizen that of a â—â—triot Vitellius considered not this when having deâ—â—ded Otho he said in passing among the dead Bodies â—â—he smell of dead Enemies is sweet but that of Citizens yet â—â—eter A barbarous Saying unworthy even of a Vulture â— quite different Compassion was seen in Himilcon who â—ving obtained considerable Victories in Sicily because 〈◊〉 had lost most of his Men by Sicknesses which seized 〈◊〉 Army in their Camp entered Carthage not in â—riumph but in Mourning and the Habit of a Slave â—â—d going strait to his Quarters killed himself without â—aking a word to any Cruel Victory seems to be â—â—re the Heat of Revenge than Effect of Courage it has â—â—re of Fierceness than Reason in it When Lewis XII â—ing of France received News that his Army had â—otten the better in the Battel of Ravenna though with 〈◊〉 loss of all his Officers and the best part of his â—â—diers Would to God said he sighing I had lost the â—ay and my brave Captains were now alive May such â—ctories as these be for my Enemies wherein the Conquered 〈◊〉 Conqueror and the Victor vanquished For this Reason the most prudent Commanders decline Engagements and Attacks as much as possible and value themselves more upon obliging the Enemy to yield than upon subduing him by Force 3 Dare in discrimen legiones haud imperatorium ratus Tac. Annal. lib. 2. The Great Captain received Gajeta by Surrender and some thinking he had better since he was now Master of the Field have stormed it and taken the Officers with the Garrison Prisoners to prevent any mischief they might do if let go he answered It would have cost more in Powder and Ball than the Danger would have been worth It is a generous Valour that brings the Enemy to a Surrender without Bloodshed and a happy War that is ended by Mercy and Pardon 4 Bellorum egregios â—ines quoties ignoscendo transigatur Taâ— Annal. l. 12. Valour is for the Enemy but Mercy for the Captive 5 Quanta pervicacia in hostem tanta beneficentia 〈◊〉 versus supplices utendum Id ibid. This Generosity of Mind is very rare now-a-days when War is undertaken more to satisfie Passion than to exert Valour more for Devastation than Conquest It is called Peace to reduce Cities into Ashes and Countries into Desarts 6 Vbi solitudinem faâ—â—â— pacem appellant Tac. in Vit. Agric. to lay waste and burn up Fields as we see in Germany and Burgundy What a barbarous Cruelty how inconsistent with Humane Reason is it thus to wage War with Nature her self and take from her those Means wherewith she nourishes and supports us The Holy Scriptures forbid even the Trees that grow near besieged Cities to be cut down because they are Wood not Men and so cannot encrease the Enemy's Number 7 When thou shalt besiâ—â—â— a city a long time in making war against it to take it thou shalt 〈◊〉 destroy the trees thereof by forcing an are against them for 〈◊〉 mayest eat of them and thou shalt not cut them down for the 〈◊〉 of the field is man's life to employ them in the siege Deut. 20. 19. To that degree does God abhorr Blood spilt in War that though he had made his People take up Arms against the Midianites yet he afterwards enjoined That whosoever had killed any Person or touched any Slain should purifie himself â—â—ven Days out of the Camp 8 And do ye abide without the camp seven days whosoever â—â—th killed any person
Experience of many who establish Wisdom XXX Fulcitur experientiis 214 This will teach him to maintain his Crown with Reputation XXXI Existimatione nixa 225 Not to depend on popular Opinion XXXII Ne requaesiveris extra 234 Nor be discompos'd at Change of Fortune XXXIII Semper Idem 240 To Endure and Hope XXXIV Ferendâ— sperandâ— 250 To draw Felicity from Adversity XXXV Interclusa respirat 255 To Saiâ— with every Wind. XXXVI In contraria ducet 259 Of two Evils to â—huse the Least XXXVII Minimum eligendum 266 How a Prince ought to behave himself towards his Subjects and Strangers LET him make himself belov'd and fear'd by all Men XXXVIII CUM Blandimento rigore 273 Being the Altar to which they flee for Succour XXXIX Omnibus 279 Let his Ability be the Measure of his Liberality XL. Quae tribuunt tribuit 286 Let him avoid Extreams XLI Ne quid nimis 291 Mixing Pleasure with Profit XLII Omne â—ulit punctum 299 That he may know how to reign let him learn to dissâ—mble XLIII Ut sciat regnare 303 And not discover his Designs XLIV Nec à quo nec ad quem 310 Nor rely too much on his Majesty XLV Non Majestate securus 316 But think always he may be deceiv'd XLVI Fallimur opinione 319 By the specious Pretenders to Vertue XLVII Et juvisse nocet 329 No less than Flatterers XLVIII Sub luce lues 337 How a Prince ought to behave himself towards his Ministers of State LET their Authority be only dependent XLIX LUMINE Solis 349 That they may be always subject to his Dâ—spleâ—sure as well as Favour L. Jovi Fulmini 3â—6 LET his Confidence be always Vigilant LI. â—IDE Diffide â—â— For Evil Ministers are most dangerous in the highest Posts LII Magis quam in terra nocâ—â—s 10 Herein they exercise their Avaâ—ice LIII Custodiunt non carpunt 18 And desire rather to depend oâ— themselves than the Prince LIV. A se pendet 23 Counsellors are the Eyes of the Scâ—pter LV. His praevide provide 29 Secretaries are the Compass LVI Qui à secretis ab omnibus 4â— They are both Wheels in the Clock of Government but not the Hand LVII Uni reddatur 49 Then let him give them all sorts of Honour without Prejudice to his own LVIII Sine detrimento lucis siâ—â— 57 How a Prince ought to behave himself in the Government of his States and Kiâ—gdoms COunsel and Strangth are necessary to preserve-them LIX CUM Arte cum manu 65 For let him be assured that if they increase not they will diminish LX. Vel ascendit vel descendit 84 Let him know well all the Strings of his Government and take Care that the greater Strings agree with the less LXI Mâ—jora minoribus consonant 94 Without discovering the Artifice of their Harmony LXII Nulli patet 100 Let him consider the Beginning and End of his Resolutions LXIII Consule utrique 107 Let him be slow in Consultation and quick in Execution LXIV Statuâ— exequere 112 Let him correct Errours before they multiply LXV Ex uno errorâ— multi 116 Let him see that his Countrey be well Peopled and breed up Subjects fiâ— for the Magistracy LXVI Ex fascibus fasces 121 Let him not over-burthen them with Taxes LXVII Amputat non excindit 132 Let him encourage Trade and Commerce which are the Poles of Common-wealths LXVIII His Polis 145 Keeping to himself the Power of War and Peace by his Sword and his Purse LXIX Ferâ—o Auro 1â—â— Let him not divide his State between his Children LXX Dum scinditur frangor 165 Industry overcomes all things LXXI Labor omnia vincit 170 Rest renews Strength LXXII Vires alit 176 How a Prince ought to behave himself in the internal and external Disorders of his States SEditions are appeas'd by Câ—lerity and Division LXXIII COmpressâ— quiescunt 182 War ought to be 〈◊〉 taken to acquire Peace LXXIV In fulcrum pacis 193 Hâ— who sâ—ws Discord reaps Wars LXXV Bellum colligit qui discordiaâ— seminat 199 Which are caused by the ill Intentions of Ministers LXXVI Intrat lux exit flamma 205 And by the Interviews of Princes LXXVII Praesentia noceâ— 209 Let a Prince 〈◊〉 of specious Pretences LXXVIII Formosa superné 212 Which ought to be deludâ—d by others of the same kind LXXIX Consilia consiliis â—rustrantur 219 By being in a Readiness against a Ruptâ—â—â—e LXXX In arena ante arenam 223 And considering his Strength LXXXI Quid valeant vives 230 Plâ—cing his Glory and Bravery in Arms. LXXXII Decus in armis 243 For upon the Exercise of them depends the Preservation of his States LXXXIII Qffendunt defendunt 253 Let him act more by Counsel than Force LXXXIV Plura consilio quam vi 258 Avoiding middle Counsels LXXXV Consilia media fugiâ—da 262 Let him personally assist in the Wars of his State LXXXVI Rebus adest 268 Always remembring that his Arms flourish most when God is of his side LXXXVII Auspice Deo 275 That he ought to adjust his Will to his Divine Decrees LXXXVIII Volentes trahimur 281 That Concord overcomes all things LXXXIX Concordiae cedunt 287 That the best Stratagem is Diversion XC Disjunctis viribus 293 That he ought not to confide in reconciled Friends XCI Solidari non potest 298 That Protection is generally Pernicious XCII Protegunt at destruunt 304 That Leagues with Hereticks are dangerous XCIII Impia foedera 309 That the Mitre ought to sâ—ine equally all the World over XCIV Librata refulget 315 Neutrality neither makes Friends nor gains Enemies XCV Neutri adhaerendum 323 How a Prince ought to behave himself in Victories and Treaties of Peace IN Victory let him be always mindful of Adversity XCVI Memor adversae 334 Making use of the Spoils to augment his own Strength XCVII Fortior Spoliis 343 And concluding Peace under the Shield XCVIII Sub Clypeo 348 For the Pleasures of Peace are the Fruit of War XCIX Merces Belli 354 How a Prince ought to behave himself in his old Age. LET him consider that his last Actions Crown his Government C. QUI legitimè certaverit 360 And Prognosticate what his Successor will be CI. Futurum indicat 374 And that he is equal to the râ—st of â—â—â—kind in the Pâ—ngs of Death CII â—udibria Mortis  OF THE EDUCATION OF A PRINCE EMBLEM I. VAlour is born not acquired 't is an intrinsick Quality of the Soul which is infused with it and immediately exerts it self The very Mothers Womb was a Field of Battel to the Two Brothers Iacob and Esau 1 And the Children â—â—ruggled together within her Gen. 25. 22. Of Thamar's Twins one by Nature more daring when he could not be Born before his Brother broke however the Ligature and thrust out his Hand as if he would snatch the Eldership from him 2 And it came to pass when she travailed that the one put oâ—â—â— his haâ—d first Genes 38. 28. A great
severity did he revenge the Injury King Hamm did to his Ambassadors David had sent them to comfort the King for the Death of his Father but he groundlesly suspecting they came rather to spy out the State of his Kingdom sent them away with the one half of their Beards shaved off and their Garments obscenely cut off in the middle David a Man otherwise very peaceable could not brook this Affront but made War against him and all the Cities of his Kingdom which he took he utterly demolished and the People that were therein to use the Scriptureâ— words he brought forth and put them under Saws and 〈◊〉 Harrows of Iron and under Axes of Iron and 〈◊〉 them pass through the Brick-kiln 12 2 Sam. 12. 31. This may seeâ— to be Cruelty and an Excess of Anger to any oneâ— that knows not that the Wounds injuries make 〈◊〉 fometimes to be so cured as not so much as 〈◊〉 should be left Artaxerxes threatned Fire and Swoâ—â— to some Cities if they obey'd not an Edict he had puâ—â—lished resolving if they refused to make so severe 〈◊〉 Example of their Contempt and Disobedience as shoulâ— extend to Brutes as well as Men 13 Esth. â— 24. The most 〈◊〉 God taught us this piece of Policy when with the 〈◊〉 most Rigour yet without prejudice to his Infinite Mâ—â—cy he punished the Syrians Army for blasphemouâ—â— calling him the God of the Hills 14 Because the Syrians have said the Lord is the God of the Hills but he is not God of the Vallies therefore will I deliver this great multitude into thine hand and ye shall know that I am the Lord 1 Kings 20. 28. The Supreme Authority and Power of Princes makes a part of a Commonwealth so that they can't put up Affronts and Injuries at all times That Anger too is praise-worthy in Princes and profitable to a State which kindled by Incentives of Glory elevates the Mind to difficult and noble Enterprizes for without it nothing extraordinary nothing great can be undertaken much less perfected and accomplished That that is it which nourishes the Heart of generous Spirits and raises it above its self to despise Difficulties The Academicks called it the Whetstone Plutarch the Companion of Virtue But particularly in the beginning of his Reign the Prince ought to lay aside Anger and forget past Injuries as Sancho Sirnamed the Brave did when the Succession of the Crown of Castile fell to him With Government a Prince changes as 't were his Nature why should he not also his Affections and Passions 'T were an Abuse of Government to take Revenge of one who already acknowledges himself your Subject Let the Person offended think he has Satisfaction in having got Authority over him who before injured him Fortune could not give him a nobler kind of Revenge So Lewis XII King of France thought and therefore when some perswaded him to revenge the Injuries he had received while Duke of Orleans he made answer That it did not become the King of France to revenge the Quarrels of the Duke of Orleans Particular Injuries done to his Person not Dignity a Prince ought not to vindicate with his utmost Power for though they seem inseparable yet 't is convenient to make some Distinction between them least Majesty become odious and too formidable To this tended that of Tiberius when he said That if Piso had committed no other Crime but the rejoycing at Germanicus's Death and his grief for it he would revenge those Injuries done him as a private Person not as a Prince and in a publick Capacity 15 Nam si legatus officii terminos obsequium erga Imperatorem exuit ejusdemque morte c. luctu meo laetatus est odero seponamque â— domo meâ privatas inimicitias non Principis ulciscar Tac. 3. Ann. On the other side those done to his Dignity or Publick Station he ought not to vindicate as a private Person so as in a transport of Passion to think his Honour and Reputation lost except he have immediate Satisfaction especially when it were fitter to be deferred for Anger should not be a Motion of the Mind but of the Publick Good and Advantage King Ferdinand the Catholick undoubtedly had this before him when the King of Granada refused to pay him Tribute as his Ancestors had done and withal insolently sent him word that they were long since dead that in his Mints they laboured not to Coin Silver or Gold but Forge Swords and Launces †Marian. Hist. Hisp. lib. 24. cap. 16. Ferdinand concealed his Resentment of this Liberty and Arrogance for a time and made a Truce with him deferring Revenge till his Affairs were more quiet and settled in which he consulted more the Publick Good than his own Particular Affections 16 A Fool 's wrath is presently known but a prudent Man covereth shame Lat. Vers. Injuriam dissimulat Prov. 12. 16. Nor is it less prudent to dissemble Anger when one has reason to presume that a time will come when it will be for our disadvantage to have shown it For that reason King Ferdinand the Catholick though highly affronted by the Grandees of his Kingdom yet when he abdicated that of Castile and retreated into Arragon very discreetly concealed that Indignation of Mind took no notice of the Injuries he had received but shewed himself friendly and affectionate to all as if he then foresaw he should be sometime restored to his Kingdom as indeed it afterwards happened A generous Mind hides its Resentments of Injuries and strives not by the impetuousness of Anger but rather by noble Actions to smother them the best certainly and a truly heroical kind of Revenge When King Ferdinand the Holy besieged Sevil a certain Nobleman reproached Garcias Perez de Vargas for wearing a waved Shield which was not allowed his Family he then pretended to take no notice of the Affront till the Siege of Triana where he fought with so much Valour that he brought his Shield back stuck with Darts then returning to his Rival who was then in a secure Post and shewing him the Shield You have reason says he to think much that I wear this Shield that expose it to so many Dangers without doubt no one deserves it beyond your self who would take so much care to preserve it Those ordinarily bear Affronts most patiently who are the least subject to give them nor is it a less Virtue to Conquer this Passion than an Enemy To kindle a Prince's Anger is no less dangerous than to set Fire to a Mine or Petard and though it be done in our own behalf 't is prudence to moderate it especially if against Persons in Power for such Anger 's generally fall on the Author's own Head This was the reason the Moors of Toledo took so much pains to pacify King Alphonso the Sixth's Wrath against the Archbishop of that place and the Queen who had taken without his Order their Mosque from them
concerning him Esth. 3. 2. No Envy has more danger in it than that between Noblemen care should therefore be taken that Honours and Great Places seem not to be Hereditary to particular Families but be transferr'd from one to another yet so as that the wealthiest of the Nobility be employed in Places that require Pomp and Expence the poorer sort in those by which they may raise their Fortune and maintain the Splendor of their Birth There is some Emulation that is glorious I mean such as envies the Virtue and Merit of another but grieves to want them it self and endeavours by all the Efforts both of Valour and Wit to acquire them this I say is commendable nor is it to be reputed a Vice but a kind of spark of Virtue proceeding from a noble and generous Mind The Honour Miltiades got by his Victory over the Persians kindled such Flames in Themistocles's Breast as immediately consumed all his Vices he like another Man ran about Athens crying The Trophies of Miltiades would not let him Sleep As long as Vitellius had Competitors he abstained from Vices but as soon as he was without them both he and his Army abandon'd themselves to Cruelty Lust Rapine and Licentiousness 16 Tum ipse exercitusque saevitia libidine rapti in extremos moâ—es proruperunt Tac. 2. Hist. This is the Emulation Commonwealths should encourage by proposing Rewards erecting Trophies or Statues for that is the Soul and Spirit by which they are preserved and grow daily more flourishing And this I take to be the Reason the Republick of Switzerland takes so little pains to extend its Limits and why it produces so few famous Men though otherwise Nature has been by no means niggardly of Valour and Strength of Mind to its Inhabitants for their principal Design is to establish a general Equality which puts a stop to all Emulation and consequently all noble and Military Virtues are buried like burning Coals in Ashes But though this Emulation among Ministers may seem useful yet 't is not wholly without Danger in that the People who suffer no Man to be without a Rival are variously affected 17 Scientia militiae rumore populi qui neminem sine 〈◊〉 sinit Tac. 14. Ann. hence while these favour one those applaud another there arises a Contention between both Parties and these Factions breed Tumults and Seditions Besides that the heat of Ambition and desire of advancing themselves above others usually puts them upon unlawful Tricks and Artifices and that which at first was honourable Emulation degenerates at length into Hatred and Envy Metellus offended that Pompey was nominated to be his Successor in Farther Spain and envying the Glory of this Great Commander disbanded the Soldiers weakned the Army and carelesly neglected all Provisions Pompey did afterwards the same when he understood Marcus Pompilius was to succeed him in the Consulship and for fear possibly the Honour of Conquering the Numantines might redound to him made a Peace with them very dishonourable to the Roman Name In our own times Grol was lost upon no other account but a Dispute that arose among the Officers that were sent to relieve it about Preheminence In short nothing is so pernicious to Princes nothing more needs a Remedy Nor is here connivance to be admitted but both are to be punished as well he that seems to be Innocent as the Person in Fault This forgiving the occasion that because he renounced not his Right and let slip an opportunity of managing Affairs to advantage Which Rigour if it seems to any one excessive will be excused by considering the Emolument of the Publick Good and of the Example it will leave to Posterity There 's no great Resolution without some mixture of Injury A Subject ought to look upon the Duty he owes his Prince before his own Honour let him demand Satisfaction for the Injury received afterwards and think he has acquitted himself of his Duty to his Prince in having a little while put it up Patience in such a Case shews extraordinary Courage for a generous Mind ought to prefer the Service of the King before its own Passions and lay aside private Feuds when the Publick Interest is concerned 18 Privata odia publicis uâ—ilitatibus remittere Tac. 1. Ann. Aristides and Themistocles were bitter Enemies yet being both sent on an Embassy together when they came to the City-gate Aristides said Let us here Themistocles leave for a little time our private Grudges and at our return resume them again The same did Henry Guzman Duke of Medina who though otherwise an Enemy to Rodrigo Pontre Marquiss of Cadiz yet out of Love of the Publick Good went to his Assistance at the Siege of Alhama But because 't is much easier to prevent these Dangers than remedy them afterwards the Prince must take care not to put two Ministers of equal Authority in the same Office for 't is very difficult to make Power and Agreement subsist in the same place 19 Arduum eodem loco potentiam concordiam esse Tac. 4. Ann. Tiberius being to send another Minister into Asia of equal Quality with the then Governor of that Province thought that might be of dangerous consequence and therefore chose M. Aletus a Praetor least their equality might breed Emulation and that occasion some Impediment 20 Delectus est M. Aletus è pretoriis ne Consulari obtinente Asiam emulatio inter pares ex eo impedimentum â—riretur Tac. 2. Ann. EMBLEM X. THE Faulcon's no sooner let fly but he strives with his Beak to get off the little Bells that are hung at his Feet knowing them to prejudice his Liberty for their tingling shrill sound is like a Voice which with the least motion raised presently calls the Faulconer and so is the occasion that the poor Bird is brought again to Confinement how far soever it hid it self in the thickest Woods Alas how many Men has the noise of their Virtues and brave Exploits been mischievous to How many has Fame brought into Envy and insupportable Slavery Nor is great or good Fame less dangerous than bad 1 Nec minus periculum exâ—magna fama quam ex mala Tac. in Vir. Agr. Miltiades had never ended his Days so unhappily in Prison had his Valour been conceal'd and unknown or moderating his high Spirit he had been content with a fortune equal to that of other Athenian Citizens But the Reputation of his Victories increasing and the Eyes of Envy being not able to bear Fame's so bright Rays this Republick began to mistrust what merited Esteem and Recompence they feared forsooth their own Necks might at length be obliged to bear the Yoke he had put on that of their Enemies and dreaded more the future and uncertain Danger of Miltiades's Infidelity than that present and far greater one which threatned them from those who openly designed the Ruin and Destruction of their City Suspicion never admits Reason into
rendred suspicious they ought then to be Grave without Moroseness Graceful without Affectation of Force without Roughness lastly Common not Vulgar Even with God Words well ordered seem to have most weight and influence 15 Job 41. 3. But the Tongue and Pen require no where more prudent Moderation than in Promises in which Princes either out of a natural Generosity or to obtain their Ends with more ease or to avoid a Danger are usually extravagant which when they can't perform they lose their Credit and procure themselves Enemies so that it had been better not to have been so lavish of them There have been more Wars occasioned by the Breach of Promises than by Injuries For Interest is seldom in these so much concerned as in them And Princes are generally moved more by their own Advantage than by Injuries received To make large Promises and not keep them is interpreted by a Superior an Affront by an Equal Injustice by an Inferior Tyranny 16 Better is it that thou shouldest noâ— vow tâ—an that thou shouldest vow and noâ— pay Eâ—cles 5. 5. The Tongue therefore should not be too forward to promise without assurance that the Promise can be performed 17 â—e not hasty in thy Tongue and in thy Deeds slâ—ck and remisâ— Eccl. 4. 29. In Threats also the Tongue easily goes beyond its Limits for the Heat of Anger soon puts it in Motion and when Revenge can't equal the Passion of necessity Prudence nay and Supream Power must lâ—se not a little of their Credit 'T is therefore much more adviseable to dissemble Injuries that the Effects of Satisfaction may be considered before the Prince threatens it He that uses Menaces before his Hands designs either to make them the only Instruments of his Revenge or to give his Enemy warning There 's no more terâ—ible threatning than Silence If mine 's already let oâ—â— no one is afraid those are always more formidable that lie still conceal'd under-ground for the Effects of the Imagination are usually greater than those of the Senses Detraction has in it a great mixture of Envy and Ostentation it is always almost of an Inferior towards his Superior and consequently much below a Prince by whose Lips no Man's Honour ought to be brought in question If he sees Vices he should punish them if other small Defects correct or connive at them The praise of brave Actions and Services is a part of their Reward excites the Person commended to as it were an Emulation of himself and is a Spur to others However to commend all Subjects indifferently is not without danger For the Judgment they pass on them being various and uncertain and that Praise a kind of definitive Sentence time may discover to have been rashly given in the mean time the Prince's Honour will oblige him not to retract easily what he has once approved As well therefore for this reason as not to give occasion to Envy great Circumspection is required in praising Persons which is also one of the Holy Spirit 's Oracles Iudge no one blessed before his Death 18 Vid. Lat. Vers. Ante mortem ne laudes hominem quenquam Eccles. 11. 30. It was a principal Maxim among the Stoicks to commend no one rashly because scarce any thing can be aâ—firmed with certainty and we are often deceived in things that appear to us most praise-worthy EMBLEM XII THE Heart of Man Nature that skilful Architect has hid in the most retired part of the Breast however least probably seeing it self thus concealed and without Witnesses it should do any thing against the Law of Reason she has withal given Man that native Colour or Fire of Blood for Modesty to inflame his Countenance withal and accuse his Heart if it deviate from Honour in any thing or think otherwise than the Tongue speaks both which ought always to have the same Motion and a mutual Agreement in all things But Malice by degrees effaces that Mark which is used in Children to shew its self Hence the Romans well-knowing the importance of Truth for the establishment of Society and maintaining Commerce in the Commonwealth and desiring nothing more than to preserve the shame of deserting it among Men hung about their Childrens Neck a Golden Heart which they called Bulla an Hieroglyphick says Ausonius invented by Pythagoras to signify the Ingenuity Men ought to profess in Conversation and the Sincerity they should observe in Truth wearing at their Breast a Heart uncovered as it were and open the Genuine Emblem of that Truth And this we commonly mean when speaking of a Man of Veracity we say he carries his Heart in his Hands or that he is open-hearted The same the Egyptian Priests signified by the Sapphire they put upon their Princes Breasts to represent emblematically the same Truth as their Ministers of Justice also used to wear about them some Figure of it Nor should any one imagine that for the Prince to be so sincere and professed a Lover of Truth would perhaps but give an occasion to Deceit and Cozenage for on the contrary nothing is more effectual in preventing those Cheats and driving away Lyes which never dare look Truth in the face The same Observation I take that advice of Pythagoras to allude to never to speak with one's Back towards the Sun thereby intimating that nothing ought to be uttered repugnant to Truth for a Liar can't bear the bright Rays of Truth signified by the Sun upon a double account both because of the Sun's Unity as for that it disperses Darkness and drives away Shades restoring to all things their true Light and proper Colours as the present Emblem shews where as soon as that Luminary is got above the Horizon the Obscurity of Night immediately flies and the Nocturnal Birds retire to the Woods dark Coverts which in that 's absence and favoured by the Silence of Night use while others sleep to seek their Prey What Confusion is the Owl in if by chance she comes into the Sun's presence In that glittering Light she Staggers to and fro and is confounded that Splendor quite blinds her and frustrates all her Tricks Can any one have so much Subtilty and Craft but they will presently fail him when he comes before an ingenuous Prince and one that is a particular Friend to Sincerity and Truth 1 Magni praesentia veri Virgil. There 's no force able to penetrate into the Designs of a candid Mind if that Candor want not some Retirements for Prudence Is there any thing more open and evident to the Eyes of the World any thing more resplendent more opposed to Shadows and Darkness than the Sun Nevertheless if any one will look stedfast upon its Rays he will discover I know not what Abuses as 't were and Obscurities of Light which so darken the Eyes that what they saw they can't tell Thus Knavery is blinded with the Light of Truth and its Foundations overturned nor can it find any more a way
Ann. Not all Nero's Liberality nor feigned Piety could wash away his Infamy for having set the City on Fire 5 Non ope humana non largitâ—onibus aut Deûm placamentis decedebat infamia quiâ— jussum incendium crederetur Tac. 13. Ann. Flattery 't is true can take care that Slanders come not to the Prince's Ears but can't help but there will be Slanderers A Prince who forbids his Actions to be spoke of renders them suspected and as the Commonalty are apt to presume the worst they are published for bad Those things are least aggravated which are not much valued Vitellius forbad any one to mention his bad Actions hence many who if they had been at liberty would have said otherwise meerly because of the Prohibition spoke more to his disadvantage 6 Prohibiti per civitatem sermones eoque plures ac si liceret vera narraturi quia vetabantur atrociora vulgaverunt 〈…〉 A Prince ought to pass over Commendations and Invectives so as not to be tickled with them nor by these dejected If Praises please him and he give ear to them every one will try to make himself Master of his Mind by Flattery if Murmurers be a disturbance to him he will decline difficult and glorious Enterprises and become sluggish in his Government To be vainly puft up at ones Praises is a sign of a slender Judgment to be offended at every thing is for private Men. To connive at many things is the part of Princes to pardon nothing that of Tyrants This those Great Emperors Theodosius Arcadius and Honorius very well knew when they commanded Ruffinus their Captain of the Guards not presently to punish the Peoples Clamours against them for said they if they proceed from Inconstancy they are to be despised if from Madness or Folly to be pitied if from Malice and a design to injure us to be pardoned 7 Quoniam si id ex levitate processerit contemnendum est si ex insania miseratione dighissimum si ab injâ—ria remittendum L. unica C. si quis imperat Malediâ— Once while the Emperor Charles the V. was at Barcelona an Accusation was brought him in Writing against some who had traduced his Actions in order to consult with him about the Sentence to be passed upon them but he inraged at the Person who presented it threw the Paper immediately into the Fire by which he then accidentally stood and burnt it It belongs I know to a Prince to inform himself of all things but nicely to examine each Word is unworthy a generous Breast 8 Omnia scire non omnia exequi Tac. in Vit. Agr. In the Roman Republick Actions only were punished not Words 9 Facta arguebantur dicta impunè erant Tac. 1. Ann. There 's a wide distance between inconsiderately speaking and maliciously acting 10 Vana à scelestis dicta à maleficiis differunt Tac. 3. Ann. The Crown would be too Thorny did the least thing prick it thus That Injury which the Person against whom it was designed don't look upon as such is very little if at all offensive 'T is too much easiness in the Prince and a sign he has a mean Opinion of himself to be moved at every trifling Report and 't is an ill Conscience that incites Men to punish Detracters a Mind pure and undefiled despises things of that Nature If the Aspersion be true the Prince's Amendment must wipe it off if false it will of its self disappear For Contempt makes such things wear off Resentment iâ— a seeming acknowledgment of them 11 Namque spreta exolescunt si trascare agnita videntur Tac. 4. Ann. The Roman Senate commanded Cremutius's Annals to be burnt which made the People more eager and desirous to read them 'T was the same with the Scurrilous Pamphlets of Vejentus which were eagerly search'd for and frequently read while not to be had without danger but by being licensed soon forgot 12 Conquisites lectitatosque donec cum periculo parabantur 〈◊〉 licentia habendi oblivionem attulit Tac. 4. Ann. Curiosity submits to no Judges fears no Punishment What is most forbid it chiefly engages The very Prohibition inhances the Value of Satyrical Pieces and when Men of Wit are punished their Authority increases 13 Punitis ingeniis gliscit Authoritas Tac. 4. Ann. Noâ— have those Kings who have used such Rigour procured themselves any thing but Disgrace but to the Author's Honour and Esteem 14 Neque aliud externi Reges 〈◊〉 qui eadem saevitia usi sunt nisi dedecus sibi atque illis gloriam peperere Tac. 4. Ann. Now as 't is much for a Prince's advantage to know what Ill others speak of him so it is not a little prejudicial to be too ready to hear Defamers For as we easily believe what is accused in others to be true 't is very obvious for the Prince either to be deceived make some unjust Resolution or err in giving Judgment This is a thing very dangerous especially in Courts where Envy and the gaping after Preferment and the Favour of Princes are Whet-stones to Defamation and Courtiers are usually like those Locusts in the Revelations having Mens Faces but Lions Teeth with which they gnaw and feed on Honour as Ears of Corn 15 Rev. 9. 5. The Holy Spirit compares their Tongues to a sharp Sword 16 Psal. 56. 5. as also to Arrows that privily strike the Innocent 17 Psal. 10. 2. David destroyed them as Enemies 18 Psal. 100. 6. No Court where they are tolerated can be at rest and their Whispers will give the Prince no less trouble than Publick Affairs The Remedy is not to hear them setting two Porters at the Ears Reason and Judgment that they be not opened without considerable occasion A Guard is no less necessary at the Ears than the Palace-Gates and yet Princes are mighty sollicitous about these take little or no care about them He that gives ear too easily to Detracters makes them audacious No one traduces others but before one who loves to hear it It would do well also to bring these Bablers and the Person accused face to face telling him what they say that for the future they may be ashamed to be the Authors of Discord This if I mistake not is meant by the Holy Spirit in these Words Hedge thy Ears about with Thorns 19 Eccl. 27. 23. Lat. Vers. That he that should put his Mouth to them to tell malicious Stories might there find his Punishment The Prince has reason to be jealous of one who dares not publickly speak what he is not afraid to whisper 20 Et hanc velim generalem tibi â—â—â—stituas regulam ut omnem qui palam veretur dicere suspectum habeas S. Bern. 1. 4. de Cons. ad Eug. c. 6. and although this care may conceal abundance of Truths from the Prince which indeed 't is for his advantage there being many Domestick things 't
Vital Warmth which no sooner begins but begins to die too Death is naturally equal to all but is distinguished by the Glory or Oblivion we leave to Posterity Who dying makes Renown a Substitute for Life lives still Strange force of Virtue which even against Nature makes that which is of its self fading and perishable Immortally glorious Tacitus did not think Agricola's Life short though he was snatch'd away in the prime of his Years for his Glory prolong'd his Life 6 Quanquam medio in spatiâ— integrae aetatis ereptus quantum ad gâ—riam longissimum â—evum peregit â—ac in Vir. Agriâ— Let no one despise or slight Posthumous Fame for in as much as the Mind covets it 't is an acknowledgement that one time or other 't is to be enjoyed but they are in the wrong who think it sufficient if they leave it behind them in Statues or in Posterity for in one 't is fading in t'other 't is none of theirs That only is their own which springs from Actions which if not extraordinary Merit no Praise for Fame is the Daughter of Admiration To be Born only to make One in the World is for the Vulgar Rout 't is for Princes to appear perspicuously eminent among others Others study what they think their own Interest but the utmost and only aim of Princes should be Glory 7 Caeteris mortalibus in eo stare consilia quid sibi conducere puteâ—â— Principum diversam esse sortem quibus praecipua rerum ad famam diâ—â—genda Tac. 4. Ann. Avarice and desire of Riches fill their Breasts but a Prince should be inflamed by an Ambition of Fame 8 Argentum quidem pecunia est commoâ—â— omnium possessio at honestum ex eo laus gloria Deorum est 〈◊〉 eorum qui à aiis proximi censentur Polybius A heavenly Heat inspires our Prince's Veins Virg. A generous Spirit knows no mean 't will be either Caesar or no body either a shining Star or a dark Cinder nor will this if honourably extinguished shine less gloriously on Obelisks than t'other Nor indeed is that Soul truly great which like the best Gunpowder fired does not immediately burst the Body that includes it The Breast is too narrow to contain a brisk and active Soul Garci Sancho King of Navarre going to ingage the Enemy trembled all over yet in the Fight behaved himself bravely and couragiously His Body dreaded that great Multitude of Enemies into which his Courage prepared to carry it Let it therefore be the whole Aim of a Prince to live gloriously that he may be a Light in this World 9 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works Matth. 5. 12. All other things will come with ease but Fame not without Assiduity and Application 10 Caeteâ—a Principibus statim aâ—â—esse unum insatiabiliter parandum prosperam sui memoâ—â—am Tac. 4. Ann. But if in the beginning of his Reign he loses his Reputation he will very difficultly recover it for what the People once conceive of him they will never afterwards forget He who sets too great a value upon Life avoids Toils and Dangers without which two Honour can never be attained This Tacitus observed in King Marabodo who quitting his Kingdom lazily and shamefully spent his Days in Italy losing much of his Reputation through a too fond desire of Life 11 Consenuitque multum immatatâ 〈…〉 Tac. 2. Ann. Let a Prince so stere his Course be the Sea Calm or Tempestuous as still to keep his Eye upon that shining Beacon of Glory ever and anon calling to mind that he may admit or think of nothing unworthy himself that History will publish his Fame his Exploits and Glorious Atchievements to all Ages and to all Nations Princes have no other Superior than God and Fame they alone by the fear of Punishment and Infamy oblige them to Act honourably for which reason they often fear Historians more than their Enemies and are more aw'd by the Pen than the Sword King Balthasar though he saw only the Hand and Pen as yet not knowing what they would write was so disorder'd That he quaked all over and the Ioints of his Back were loosened 12 Dan. 5. 6. But if they neither regard God nor Glory nothing Glorious or Honourable can be expected For who e're slights Honour despises Virtue A generous desire of Glory avoids the blemish of Vice or Injustice Nor is there a more Savage Brute than that Prince who is neither moved by remorse of Conscience or desire of Glory Nor is there nevertheless no danger in Glory for its brightness often dazles Princes and leads them headlong into Rashness and Temerity That which seems Honourable and Glorious to them is Vanity or Folly sometimes Pride or Envy and oftentimes Ambition and mere Tyranny They propose great matters egg'd on by the Flatteries of their Ministers who set before them many things under the appearance of Glory concealing in the mean time the unjust and inconvenient Means by which they are to be attained by which being seduced they oftentimes find themselves deluded and ruined That Glory is safe which springs from a generous Spirit and keeps within the Bounds of Reason and Possibility Since therefore Honour and Infamy are the strongest Excitements to good Actions and that both are by History delivered down to Posterity 't would be convenient by Rewards proposed to excite Historians to write and to countenance Typography the true Treasury of Glory where the Rewards of greaâ— Actions are deposited to future Ages EMBLEM XVI 'T IS an old saying Purple is to be judged by Purple by which the Ancients signified that things were then best distinguished when one was compared with the other especially if they were such as could not easily be distinguish'd by themselves Thus Merchants do who compare Colour to Colour that they may shew each other and that a surer Judgment may be given of both In the Temple of Iupiter Capitolinus there was a Cloak a Present of some King from Persia of such an excellent Grain that the Robes of the Roman Ladies nay even of the Emperor Aurelian himself compared with it look'd as faint as Ashes If your Royal Highness when raised to the Crown would exmine and know the true worth of the Royal Purple expose it not to the false Light of Flatterers and fawning Knaves for that will never shew you its true Colour Nor rely too much upon self-love for that is like an Eye that sees all things but its self 'T will be therefore necessary that as Eyes are known by their own Species like Forms represented in a Glass so your Highness would compare the Lustre of your Diadem to that of your Glorious Predecessors seriously reflecting if any Virtues shine more bright in theirs than yours by viewing your self in them as in a Glass 1 Tanquam in speculo ornare comparare vitam tuam ad alienas virtutes
of Mind We see many who seem to be born of themselves as Tiberius used to say of Curtius Rufus 8 Videntur 〈◊〉 ex se nati Tac. 11. Ann. To such as these Claudian's Praise of a good choice of Ministers is well adapted Mirit not Birth he does prefer †Claud. Nor cares he whence but what they are But if the Nobility be corrupted by Ease and Luxury 't were adviseable to reform it by Rewards and Exercise rather than to institute an entire new set Silver and Gold are easily purified and clean'd but to make Gold out of Silver is a vast labour beyond the Art of Chymistry to perform Henry the Fourth was therefore very ill advised by some to ruin all the Grandees of his Kingdom and to promote those of mean Fortune Though the Licentiousness and Disobedience of the Nobility may sometimes require that it be a little humbled for too much Greatness begets Pride and an Aversion to Subjection and Obedience 9 Et revocante Nobilitate cui in pace durius servitium est Tac. 11. Ann. The weakest always seek Justice and Equity but the stronger trouble not themselves with it 10 Nam Imbecilliores semper equum justum quaerunt potentiâ—ribus autem id nihil curae Arist. Pol. 6. C. 2. and the People are generally more quiet when there are no Great Ones to protect them and to foment their Innovations 11 Nihil ausuram plebem principibus amotis Tac. 1. Ann. For this reason the Laws of Castile don 't allow two Great and Noble Families to incorporate that so the Estate might be more divided and that it might not creat Jealousy and Envy among others 12 Commodum est etiam ut haereditates non donatione sed jure agnationis tradantur utque ad eundem una non plures haereditates perveniant Arist. Pol. 5. c. 8. There are ways under the pretext of Honour and Favour to remedy excess of Riches in giving opportunity of employing it to the Service of the Prince and People But Prodigality and Luxury are now grown to that height that there is no occasion for such means for all the Nobility are so much straitned by Debts and necessary Expences that they want means to execute such Thoughts or to attempt Innovation While they would be great beyond what they can they become even less than what they are 'T is certain that the noblest and most renowned Families are ruined by a desire of Grandure and Magnificence 13 Dites elim familiae nobilium aut claritudine insignes studio Magnificentiae prolabehantur Tac. 3. Ann. But as too much Riches are dangerous so also is extream Poverty For when any of these Great Ones have squandred away their Estates they presently set up for Innovation 14 Sed cum ex Primariis aliqui bona dissiparunt hi res novas moliuntur Arist. Pol. 6. c. 12. EMBLEM XVIII VIRTUE has given Empire to many Vice to few In these the Scepter was a violent and dangerous Usurpation in those a just Title and lasting Succession Virtue by a certain occult and secret Force does as 't were compel Men to love and admire it The Elements obey the Heavens for the Perfection and Excellency of them so Men too think none worthy the Sovereign Power but those of Sovereign Justice and Virtue For which cause Cyrus thought no one was fit to govern but he who was better than those he governed 1 Non censebat conveniâ—e cuiquam Impertiâ—m qui non melior esset iis quibus imperaret Xenoph lib. 8. Subjects pay more Reverence to a Prince in whom they discern more than ordinary Endowments of Mind the greater they are the greater is their Respect and Esteem for all believe that to such a Prince God is more propitious and ready to assist him in all things and to direct his Government 'T is this alone made Ioshua's Name celebrated all the World over 2 So the Lord was with Ioshua and his fame was noised throughout all the Country Iosh. 6. 27. All the Actions and Counsels of a good Prince the People receive with Joy and through a certain zealous Confidence promise themselves Success from them but if it fall out otherwise they persuade themselves that for some supernatural and unknown Reasons 't is convenient it should be so For the same cause among some Nations the High Priests were Kings 3 Rex enim Dux erat in beâ—h Iudex in iis quae ad cultum Deorum pertinerent summam potestaâ—â— habebat Arist. Pol. 3. 13. that the People receiving Holy Ceremonies and Divine Worship from them might acknowledge in them a certain more sublime Nature more allied and familiar to God himself which as a Mediatrix they might make use of in their Prayers and against which they durst not attempt any thing 4 Minusque insidiantur iis qui Dâ—â—â— auxiliares habent Arist. Polit. The Crown upon Aaron's Mitre attracted the Eyes and Desires of all 5 He set a Crown of Gold upon the Mitre wherein was engraved Holiness an ornament of Honour a safety-work the desires of the Eyes goodly and beautiful Eccl. 45. 12. Iacob worshipped Ioseph's Scepter on the top of which was a Stork the Emblem of Piety and Religion 6 And he worshipped leaning upon the top of his Staff Vid. Laâ— Vers. Et adoravit fastigium virgae ejus Heb. 11. 21. Let none imagine that the time is lost which a Prince employs in the Exercise of Goodness and Virtue nay God does then chiefly dispose and direct the Events of things Ferdinand Antoline was at his Devotions while Count Garcias Fernandez fought the Moors at the River Duero and an Angel in his likeness supplied his place in the Fight by which he not only escaped the discredit of not being at the Battel but also gained the chiefest Praise of Honour of the Victory Something like this is related of that Renowned General Count Tilly that true Christian Ioshua not less Holy and Religious than Warlike and Brave that while he was at Prayers the Army was drawn up by another in his shape The Emperor Ferdinand the Second had more Standards and Trophies presented to him in the time of Divine Service than many of his Ancestors had gained from the Enemy 7 Fear ye not stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord which he will shew you to day Exod. 14. 13. The Israelites stood still and God wrought Wonders for them 8 And the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel Josh. 10. 42. That Crown which like Ariadne's shines with refulgent Stars of Virtue shall last to Eternity 9 And that turn not aside from the Commandment to the right or to the left to the end that he may prolong his days in his Kingdom he and his Children in the midst of Israel Deut. 17. 20. The Emperor Septimus told his Sons as he was dying That he left them a
liable to who commands other 1 Quam arduum quam subjectum fortunae regendi cuncta onus Tac. 1. Ann. His Fatigues should be the Peoples Rest his Dangers their Security his Vigilance their Sleep But we have here represented the same thing by a Crown fine indeed and charming to â—ight but within full of Thorns and Briars with this Motto of Seneca the Tragedian False good What Cares dost hide Under the appearance of a gay outside Who viewing those Pearls and Diamonds and those Flowers which adorn a Crown would not fancy that the inside was much more fair and beautiful yet is there nothing but sharp Thorns which continually prick and scratch the Head and Breast There is not a Pearl in a Crown but which is Sweat nor a Ruby but which is Blood nor a Diamond without some asperity or roughness 't is a Circumference without a Center of rest a perpetual Motion of Cares * Sâ—rabo for this reason Kings anciently wore a Crown made like a Ship to represent its Inconstancy Trouble and Dangers †Valer. Max. This he well knew who when a Crown was offered him laid it down with these Words Let him take thee up who does not know thee Instead of Crowns they at first us'd Fillets not as a Badge of Majesty but only to bind and preserve the Head 2 Let them set a fair Miâ—re upon his Head Zach. 3. 5. So heavy are the Cares of a Crown'd Head that it had need to be fore-arm'd for to Reign is nothing but three continual Sighs and Toils in preserving acquiring and losing Therefore did the Emperor Mark Anthony say That Empire was the greatest of Troubles Princes are born to labours let them therefore inure themselves thereto The Kings of Persia had a Chamberlain who wak'd them betimes in the Morning with these Words Arise O King to look after the Affairs of your Kingdom Some Princes now-a-days would not endure such disturbance for they perswade themselves that Ease Voluptuousness and Vices are the Rewards of Princes but that the Shame and Disgrace thereof belong to others Whereas some Princes shamefully neglect their Duty it is because as we shall mention elsewhere they take the Kingdom for their Inheritance and Propriety which they may use as they please and think that their Authority and Sovereign Power is subject to no Laws but altogether free to act as it list in which Flattery encourages them insinuating that without that freedom and liberty of living a Kingdom would be the worst of Slavery more intolerable than the meanest Condition of Subjects Whence resigning themselves to Luxury and Pleasure their Strength and Spirits flag and themselves become wholly unfit for Government Hence I believe it is that among so many Princes there are so very few good Governors not that they want Natural Parts for in those they usually exceed others as being born of better Blood but because that through Ease and Luxury they don't make use of them nor do their Courtiers suffer it for they make their Fortunes with more ease under a negligent than careful Prince The Remedy against these Inconveniencies consists chiefly in two Things The first is That a Prince should from his Youth as soon as he has the use of Reason be accustomed to the Management of Affairs even before the Death of his Predecessor thus God did with Ioshua And if in Matters of Concern and Trust it be not convenient for Reasons which I shall shew in the last Emblem but one yet in other things it is that his Mind may be diverted from Debauchery This made the Roman Senate introduce their Youth to their Consultations By the benefit of this many Popes Nephews though they have been admitted very young to the Administration of Affairs have in a few years made experienc'd Statesmen The other is That those that are near the Prince should dexterously endeavour to root out of his Mind certain vain Opinions of his Greatness and let him know that 't is the common Consent of all that gives Power and Authority to the Scepter for Nature made no Kings That his Purple is an Emblem of Blood which he should be ready upon occasion to shed for the People 4 Consulaâ—es fasces praetâ—â—tum curulemque sellam nihil aliud quam pompam funeris putent claris insignibus velut inâ—â—sis velatos ad moâ—t 〈◊〉 destinari Liv. 2. Hist. that it was not given to breed and nourish the Moâ—hâ— of Vices That he is born a Prince by chance that Virtue only is the proper good of Man that his Dominion is Government not absolute Power and that his Vassals are Subjects not Slaves This Document the Emperor Claudius gave to Meherdatus King of Persia 5 Vt non dominationem servos sed rectorem cives cogitaret Tac. 12. Ann. Let them advise the Prince so to do by those whom he Governs as he would be done to were he a Subject so Gaiba instructed Piso when he adopted him his Son 6 Cogitare quid â—ut 〈◊〉 sub alio Principe aut volueris Tac. 1. Hist. No Prince was ever elected only to be so but that being so he might be serviceable to the rest King Antigonus considering this advis'd his Son not to abuse his Power not to be proud or use his Subjects ill Knowest thou not my Son said he that our Kingdom is but a noble Slavery 7 An Ignoras 〈◊〉 mi nostrum Regnum essâ—â— nâ—bilem servitutem Upon this the Woman grounded her Answer to the Emperor Rodolphus who telling her he was not at leasure to hear her Then says she you are no more Emperor Subjects are not born for the King but the King for the Subjects 'T would be too hard a Bargain for them to sell all their Liberty to the King if in return they could not promise themselves Justice and Protection from him to which end they voluntarily submitted themselves to his Command The Romans in their Triumphs were crownâ—d with their own Shields 8 With fâ—vour wilt thou compass him as with a Shield Psalm 5. 〈◊〉 made into the circular Form of a Crown whence were introduc'd the Diadems of the Saints who were Victorious against the Common Enemy A Prince deserves not a Crown unless also he use it as a Shield to ward the Stroaks of adverse Fortune from his Subjects To Reign is rather an Office than a Dignity an Authority of a Father over his Children 9 Vt enim gubernatio patrisfamilias est Regia quaedam potestas domi ita Regia potestas est civitatis gentis unius aut plurium quasi domestica quaedam gubernatio Arist. Polit. 3. cap. 11. and if the Subjects find not that Fatherly Care and Affection in the Prince they owe him no Respect or filial Obedience King Ferdinand the Holy look'd upon his Government as an Office which consisted in protecting his Subjects in administring Justice in chastising Vice and procuring the Enlargement
the State were then under the Power of an Enemy For Presidents of Disobedience and Contempt of Authority being conniv'd at or rewarded are dangerous even to Successors Dignity is ever the same being always espoused to him who possesses her Wherefore he defends his own Cause who takes care of his Predecessor's Honour though 't was not wounded in his time A Prince ought not to leave behind him the Memory of one who has been so impudent as to affront Authority unpunish'd for iâ— once Subjects are perswaded that they may raise their Fortunes or satisfy their Passions by the Death or Abuse of the Prince none will be able to live secure The Punishment of Impudence to the Predecessor is the security of the Successor and a warning to all from daring to attempt the like For which reason Vitellius put all those to Death who petition'd him for Rewards for the Murther of Galba 7 Non honore Galbae sed tradito principiâ—â—â— more munimentum ad praesens in posterum ultionem Tac. Hist. lib. 1. Every one is treated as he treats others Iulius Caesar commanding the Statues of Pompey to be erected confirm'd his own If Princes should not unite against Contempt and Treason Authority and Loyalty would be in danger In Cases where the same circumstances concur a Prince ought not to connive at some and punish others for nothing renders them more odious than partiality 8 Cavendum est ne iisdem de caussis alii plectantur alii ne appellantur quidem 〈◊〉 de Off. Whence the Egyptians signified the Equality which should be observ'd in Justice by the Feathers of an Ostrich which are equal on both sides 'T is great Prudence in a Prince to find such sorts of Punishments as will expiate the Offence with the least damage to the Delinquent Certain Noblemen fomented Disturbances in Galicia and though they deserv'd Death King Ferdinand the Fourth callâ—d them to him and gave them employs in the Army where some of them were punish'd by the Enemy others by the Hardships and Toils of War and so that Province was reduc'd to its former Tranquility As in time of Peace Justice and Mercy are very advantageous so in War are Rewards and Punishments because there the Dangers are so great as would not be attempted without great hopes and nothing but fear could restrain the Licentiousness of the Soldiers In so much as without these two things says King Alphonso The Faults which are committedâ—in War are much more dangerous for if Men have so much to do to defend themselves from the Mischief of their Enemies how much more have they from that which accrues from their own Faults For which reason the Romans inflicted divers sorts of Infamy and Punishment upon the Soldiers who fail'd in their Duty or in any dangerous Attempt or Military Affair whence they were less afraid of the Enemy than the Punishment and chose-rather to die bravely in Action than to lose their Honour or Lives afterwards with perpetual Ignominy and Disgrace In those times none durst Desert because he could not shelter himself in any part of the Empire Now-a-days Deserters are not only not punished when they return to their own Country but sculking from Battel they March from Milan to Naples where as if they had serv'd under some other Prince they are again listed into his Majesty's Service to the great detriment thereof In which the Vice-Roys should follow the Example of the Roman Senate who after the Battel of Cannae though they were in extream want of Soldiers could not be induc'd to redeem six thousand Prisoners which Hannibal offered them thinking them not worth Redemption who suffer'd themselves ignominiously to be taken Prisoners when they might have died gloriously The Errors of Generals committed through ignorance ought rather to be conniv'd at than punish'd least the fear of being punished or reprimanded should make them too timorous Besides the greatest Prudence may be confounded in Accidents of War whence they deserve Compassion rather than Punishment Varro lost the Battel of Cannae and at his return the whole Senate went out to receive him thanking him for that in such a total Defeat he had not wholly despair'd of Affairs When connivence is not convenient but the Execution of Justice is required let it be done with readiness and resolution He who does it privately and by stealth is more like an Assassine than a Prince He who checks the Authority which the Crown gives him either doubts his Power or Merit from the Prince's distrust of himself proceeds the Peoples disrespect Whose Opinion of him is answerable to what he has of himself King Alphonso the Wise lost the esteem of his People by doing Justice in private This can be convenient only in troublesome times when greater Dangers may be fear'd if the People don't see the Authors of Seditions punish'd e'er they know they are taken Thus Tiberius acted for fear of this Inconveniency 9 Nec Tiberius poenam ejus palam ausus in secreta palatii parte interfici jussit corpusque clam auferri Tac. 2. Ann. In other Cases let a Prince execute that Office boldly and vigorously which he holds in the Name of God and the People for 't was Justice that at first gave him his Scepter and 't is that which must preserve it 'T is the Will of God the Harmony of Government and the Protection of Majesty If the Laws be once suffer'd to be broken unpunish'd there will be neither Fear nor Modesty and without them no Peace nor Quiet 10 Si prohibita impunè transcenderis neque metus ultrà neque pudor est Tac. 3. Ann. Yet let Princes consider that they are like Masters of Families nay that they really are such in respect to their Subjects and therefore let them temper Justice with Clemency They ought to drink the Sins of the People as God intimated to St. Peter by that Vessel of unclean Animals out of which he commanded him to eat 11 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted Beasts of the Earth and wild Beasts and creeping Things and Fowls of the Air and there came a Voice unto him Rise Peter kill and eat Actâ— 10. 12 13. A Prince should have the Stomach of an Ostrich so hot with Mercy as to digest Iron and should be also an Eagle with the Thunder of Justice which by striking one terrifies all For if all were to be punish'd who transgress'd there would be none left for the Prince to Command for there is scarce any Man so just as not to have one time or other deserved Death 12 Vix enim quisquam adeò mali expers ut non aliquam mortem meyeatur Tac. 2. Ann. The Rigour of Justice is not less dangerous to the Crown Life and Empires than Injustice Of this King Iohn the Second is an Example who for his great Severity became odious to his People And King Peter the Cruel lost thereby his Kingdom and Life too
belong'd to the Church-Building and the Tythes of all other Eccâ—esiastical Incomes These Subsidies ought not to be spent but in Necessities and for the Publick Uses to which they were design'd This Queen Isabella so religiously observ'd That seeing Ninety Millions rais'd by the Croisade she immediately commanded they should be employ'd to the very Uses prescribed by the Apostolick Bulls Those Favours will shine more and produce better Fruit when so expended But Necessities and Danger usually confound all things and easily wrest the Popes meaning to what was not intended EMBLEM XXVI IT was an impious Opinion that of those who impudently asserted the Heathens to have had more Courage than the Christians upon this ground that their Superstition strengthned their Minds and render'd them more fierce and manly by the dismal sight of so many bloody Victims as they offer'd to the Gods in their Sacrifices and held them only to be Men of Courage and Magnanimity who got the better of other Nations rather by force than reason Accusing on the contrary the Institution of our Religion for recommending Humility and Meekness Virtue is good for nothing but to make Men mean spirited What an impious and unreasonable Opinion this The spilling of Blood may indeed make the Mind more barbarous and cruel more valiant it never can Fortitude and Magnanimity enter not at the Eyes but are born within the Breast nor are those the most generous who are most pleas'd with the Blood and Slaughter of Beasts or who live on Man's Flesh. Our Religion does not contemn Magnanimity but rather promotes it not by proposing to us temporary and corruptible Rewards as the Pagan Superstition does but eternal ones never to have an end And if a simple Crown of Lawrel which begins to fade as soon as gathered inspired so much Courage then what won't now that everlasting one of Stars 1 Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incoâ—râ—ptible 1 Cor. 9. 25. Is it that the Heathens have exposed themselves to greater Dangers than the Christians No for if at any time they assaulted a City or forc'd a Camp it was under Shields and Targets Whereas now Christians must make their way through thick Showers of Bullets and the Thunder and Lightning of Gunpowder 'T is a mistake to imagine Humility and Valour incompatible they are rather so closely connected 〈◊〉 without the former this is impracticable nor can true Valour be where there is not Humility Patience and in general all other Virtues For he only is really Valiant that can subdue his Passions and is free from all Perturbation of Mind a Study the Stoicks have bestow'd much labour on and after them the Christians with greater success He makes but a very small progress in it who suffers himself to be transported with Anger and Pride This is truly Heroical to conquer ones Lusts and Appetites The Mind where these Conflicts are is none of the easiest Fields of Battel he who has learnt thus much Submission to bend the Knee to another will upon occasion easily despise Danger and with undaunted Resolution submit his Neck to the Ax. The Heathen Religion 't is true has produced many great Commanders such as were the Caesars Scipios and abundance of others but certainly the Christian has furniâ—ht us with no less conâ—iderable ones in the Persons of the Alphonso's and Ferdiâ—â—â—ds of Castile as well as other Kings of Arragon Navarre and Portugal What Valour could possibly equal that of the Emperor Charles the Fifth What great Generals has Antiquity ever celebrated which have not been equall'd if not been surpass'd by Gonzalâ—z Fâ—â—dinand of Cordova Fernan Cortez Antony de Lieve Ferdinand d'Avalos Marquiss of Pescara Alphonso d'Avalos Marquiss of Guast Alexander Farnese Duke of Pâ—rma Andrâ—w d'Oria Alphonso d'Alb'ouquerque Ferdiâ—â—nd Alvarez of Toledo Duke of Alba the Marquisses of Sancta Cruz the Earl of Fuentes Marquiss Spinola Leâ—is Faâ—ardo and almost infinite others as well Spainards as others never sufficiently to be commended by Fame To whom may deservedly be applied what St. Paul said of those Great Captains Gideon Barak Sampson Iephâ—â—a David and Samuel that by Faith they subdued Kingdoms waxed vaâ—iant in Fight â—urn'd to Flight the Armies of the Aliens 2 Heb. 11. 33 34. If we will compare the Victories of the Heathens to those of the Christians we shall find the latter to have been much the greater In the Battel of Navas were kill'd Two hundred thousand Moors with the loss only of Twenty five on our side finding the Camp so covered with Spears and Darts that though the Victors â—taid there two Days using no other Fewel but the Wood of them they could not consume them even though they endeavourâ—d it There fell more in the Battel of Salado with the loss but of Twenty Christians And in that Naval Victory which Don John of Austria obtain'd over the Turks at Lepanto there were no less than an Hundred and eighty Gallies sunk and taken Which Victories Christians attribute not to their own Valour but to the True God whom they adore An Heart confiding in God as effectually stays an Enemy as a Hand arm'd with a Sword as Iudas Machabaeus found 3 So that fighting with their Hands and praying to God with their Hearts they slew no less than Thirty and five thousand Men 2 Mach. 15. 27. 'T is God who governs the Hearts 't is he that imparts Courage and Strength that grantâ— or denies Victories 4 Least thou say in thine Heart my Power and the might of my Hand hath gotten me this Victory But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that hath given thee power to get wealth Deut. 8. 17 18. He would be an Impostor and could not be clear'd from the Imputation of Fraud were he rather assisting to those who adore false Gods whose Idolatrous Sacrifices all tend to procure their favour But if he sometimes also permit them to be Victorious 't is not to be ascrib'd to their Devotion but to other secret Causes of Divine Providence In the Thirst which the Roman Army suffer'd in the War against the Marcomanni God could not be appeas'd with the Prayers and Sacrifices of the Heathen Legions but when the Tenth compos'd of Christians at last implor'd his aid he sent down plentiful Showers to them but to the Enemy Thunder and Lightning so that they obtain'd an easy Victory whence it was afterwards call'd the Thundring Legion If that Faith were still it would still work the same effects but whether through want of that or for some other secret Ends God does sometimes permit those to be triumph'd over who pay him true Adoration but then the Victory is not a Reward to the Conqueror but a Chastisement to the Conquered Let Princes therefore always hold in their Hands the Flag of the Cross signified by that Sword which Ieremiah gave to Iudas Machabaeus to wound his Adversaries withal 5 Take this
Danger obliged them to enter the Enemy had already cut off his Head and hung it upon their Walls 4 Ibid. Thus it generally happens the Prince first discovers Faults when there 's either no Remedy for them or at least it cannot be applied without great Difficulty His Ministers perswade him all things succeed well which makes him negligently lose all Experience and the Instructions of Necessity the best Mistress of Prudence For although Prosperity proceed from Prudence this does not from Prosperity The principal Office of Prudence in Princes or others concerned with them is to teach them to know expeâ—imentally all Mens Humours which are discernible from the Dress the Looks the Motions of the Eyes and Actions and lastly from the Speech Marks which God Almighty thought so necessary to Human Commerce that he has wrote them visibly upon every one's Forehead 5 Eccl. 19. 26. Without them neither the Prince would know how to Govern nor Men of Affairs obtain their Ends. Mens Minds are as various as their Faces 6 Eccl. 19. 27. and although Reason be in its self one and the same the ways reasoning takeâ— in the research of it are widely different and the Delusions of the Imagination usually are so great that some Men appear as irrational as the very Brutes Wherefore all are not to be treated with in the same Method but this must be varied suitably to the Person 's Nature as they change the Bit according to the Horse's Mouth Some Tempers are generous and exalted with these Reputation and Honour are most prevaising Others mean and abject which are wholly lead by private Interest and Advantage Some are bold and enterprizing these are to be gently turned from the Precipice Others slothful and timorous which should be so lead by Business that they may see the Vanity of Danger Some are naturally servile these Threats and Fear of Punishment has more Influence on than Intreaties Others arrâ—gant and are tamed by Authority being by compliance ruined One is full of Fire and so quick at Business that with the same Expedition he dispatches it he immediately repents this Man 't is hard giving Counsel to Another is slow and irresolute whom time must teach at his own cost Some are ignorant and stupid these are not to be convinced by subtle and refined Arguments but palpable Demonstrations Others sceptically dispute every thing and are guilty of an Excess of Subtilty these must be abandoned to themselves to fly as Hawks till they be â—ired then called to the Lure of Reason and the Busâ—ness in hand Some refuse all Mens Counsel are wholly guided by their own to these you are not to give any but so point as it were to them and give such Hints in a large Discourse upon the Matter that they may of themselves light on them which will make them approved as their own Off-spring and acâ—ordingly executed others know neither how to act nor resolve without Counsel with such as these all the Persuasion in the World is to no purpose so the Business which should have passed through their hands may be better transacted with their Counsellors The same Variety which is visible in Dispositions is found also in Affairs some are easy at first but afterwards increase as Rivers by the Affluence of Rivuleâ—s as it were of divers Inconveniencies and Difficulties these are overcome by Expedition in not giving time to their Increase Others on the contrary like the Winds rise in Storms but end calmly which require Paâ—ience and Constancy The Enterprize of some is full of Uncertainty and Danger in that when one least thinks the Depth of Difficulties appears here one must proceed with Caution and Courage with Care and a Mind provided to encounter any Accident Some require Secrecy these are to be carried on by Mines that the happy Success may break out before one can perceive it Others can't be obtained but at certain Times in these you ought to have all the Means ready immediately to hoist Sail upon the first favourable Blast of Wind. Some take Root gradually and demand Time to come to Maturity here the Seed of Diligence is to be Sowed and the Fruit waited for Others except they succeed presently never do at all which must be taken by Assault by employing all Methods at once Some are so delicate and brittle that like Glasses they are with a Blast formed and broken these are to be tenderly handled the Difficulty of others is inhanced by being too much desired and pursued here the Arts of Lovers are useful whose Passions are inflamed by Slight and Disdain In a word the Management of a few Affairs demands Precipitation in more Force prevails in many Patience and in almost all Reason and Interest Importunity has spoil'd abundance of Affairs but it has also furthered many as St. Ierome said of the Woman of Canaan 7 Quod precibus non potuit tâ—dio impetravit D. Hieron Men are no less weary of refusing than granting Opportunity is the thing contributes most to the good Management of Affairs he who knows how to use this shall scarce ever Miscarry The Husbandman that is well acquainted with the Nature of his Soil and knows the proper Seed-time may expect a plentiful Harvest There 's a time when all things are granted another wherein all are denied according as the Mind shall be disposed in which you may easily see the Increase and Decrease of Business for being lopped like Treâ—s in a proper Month they sprout out the more Some Address in proposing and persuading by Honesty Profit and Ease Prudence in the Choice of Means and some other natural Endowments infinitely conduce to the Succefs of Affairs provided those Gifts of Nature be accompanied with a discreet kind of Complaisance and natural Grace that captivates the Mind for some Mens Looks and Behaviour are so disagreeable and ungenteel that they even shew one how to refuse their Petitions but although these Means â—oyned with good Judgment and Industry have a strange Effect on Business yet too much Confidence ought not to be put in them not yet should they be despaired of Light Affairs sometimes breed great Difficulties and on the other side the lightest Causes often obstruct the most weighty The greatest Prudence is sometimes blind in a Matter as clear as the Sun Divine Providence that has already long ago determined in his eternal Decree what shall become of every thing being thus pleased to sport with Humane Affairs From this Variety of Capacities and Affairs appears of how much Concern it is to the Prince to make Choice of Ministers fit to manage them each Man being no more capable of all manner of Business than every Instrument useful for all Works Persons of a violent Temper the Cowardly and Difâ—ident the Rough and Unpleasant in Conversatioâ— who can never serve the times nor adapt themselves to others Natures and Customs rather spoil Affairs than compose them are readier at making than
the giddy Rabble Contempt of such is Courage and Steddiness in a Prince whose Sovereign Law is the Peoples Safety Tiberius heretoâ—ore gloried in having shewn himself fearless of Affronts and Scandal for the Publick Benefit 1 Offensionem pro utilitate publica non pavidum Tac. 4. Ann. A great and lively Soul is nothing affraid of the uncertain Ruâ—ours of the Multitude and Common Fame He who â—â—spises this imaginary will thereby obtain real and â—â—lid Glory This Fabius Maximus well knew when â—e preferr'd the Publick Safety before the Clamours and Complaints of the People accusing his Delays 〈◊〉 did also the Great Captain in the Captivity of Duke Valentin who though he had surrendered and intrustâ—d himself to his safe Conduct yet for some fresh 〈◊〉 he was inform'd he had laid against his Catholick Majesty kept him Prisoner thinking the Dangers his liberty might cause more to be respected than the Aspersions were thrown upon him for the Breach of 〈◊〉 Parole from which at that time it seem'd by no means proper for him publickly to clear himself King Sâ—â—cho the Brave was a Prince renown'd and warlike 〈◊〉 Deaf to the Calumnies of his Subjects he declin'd the Battel of Xeres †Mar. Hist. Hisp. 'T is better for a Prince to be â—â—red by his Enemies as Prudent than as Rash and Precipitous My Design by this Discourse is not to make the Prince a very Slave to the Commonwealth so that for â—â—y Reason or upon the least appearance of its Inteâ—â—st he should break his Word or run Counter to all Treaties and Agreements For such a Violation can neither be of any advantage to him nor his State but will be rather the Ruin of both what is dishonest being never long secure A remarkable Instance of which we have in the Kingdom of Arragon which has been so often embroiled toss'd with so many Storms of Calamities and eminent Miseries because Peter the Fourth as well in times of Peace as War had more regard to Interest than Credit and Renown Interest and Honour should walk hand in hand and the same pace nor câ—â— I be reconciled to this Opinion That nothing is glorioâ—s but what is safe and that whatever is done to maintain Dominion is honourable 2 Nihil gloriosum nisi tutum omnia retinendae dominationis 〈◊〉 Sallust For what is base can never be a good means to preserve it nor if it were will it be therefore the more honourable or excusable My Design is only to raise the Prince's Mind above the Vulgar Opinion and arm him with Constancy to withstand the vain Murmurs of the Multitude that he may know how to temporize to dissemble Injuries to lay aside Kingly Gravity to despise empty Fame having his Eyes fix'd upon that which is true and well-grounded In a word to take Counsel from the time and necessity if the Conservation of his State require it and not suffer himself to be deluded with vain Shadows of Honour esteeming that more than the Publick Good A Fault blam'd in King Henry the Fourth who refus'd to take their Advice who perswaded him to apprehend Iohn Pachico Marquiss of Villena the Author of the Troubles and Commotions among the Grandees of the Kingdom Saying he had made him a promise of a safe Passage to Madrid which he ought not to violate A frivolous Excuse to prefer an idle Proof of Faith and Clemency to his own Life and the Publick Safety especially towards one who would abuse this his Favour to Plot against his Royal Person which was the source of great Calamities to the King and his whole Kingdom Tiberius was not at all moved that some blamed him for making so long a stay at the 〈◊〉 of Caprea and neither went to aid the Gauls of whom a great part were already lost nor to appease the legions in Germany 3 Tanto impensius in sccuritatem compositus neque loco neque 〈…〉 sed ut sâ—litum per illos dâ—es egit Tac. 3. Ann. Prudent Constancy hears but does not much regard the Sentiments of the ignorant Multitude knowing if things succeed well Murmur will afterwards turn to greater Glory and sensibly vaâ—ish of it self The Army distrusted Saul's Election and in Derision said How shall this Man save us 4 1 Sam. 10. 27. Saul however took no notice of those Words but made as if he did not hear them nor indeed should Princes hear every thing and the Soldiers condemning afterwards their Crime recanted nay and made diligent search for the Author of that Abuse to put him to Death 5 1 Sam. 11. 12. It had not been prudent in Saul to expose 〈◊〉 Election by discovering his knowledge of the Peoâ—â—es Dissatisfaction What Levity were it in a Traâ—eller to be stopp'd by the importunate Noise of every Grasshopper To be guided in ones Resolutions by the â—â—â—ting Mob were folly 6 Non ex rumore statuendum Tac. 3. Ann to fear them and reâ—oke what has been once resolved base and infamous Scarce any Council would be secure did it depend â—pon the Multitude who are incapable of penetrating â—ll the Motives upon which the Prince Acts nor is it 〈◊〉 to make them publick for that were to give them the Authority of the Scepter All the Peoples Power 〈◊〉 included in the Person of the Prince It is his part to Act theirs to Obey with a firm Perswasion of the Equity and Reasonableness of his Commands If every 〈◊〉 bad liberty to ask Reasons of what is injoyned there â—â—uld be an end of Obedience and Empire 7 Si ubi jubeantur quaerere singulis 〈◊〉 pereunte obsequio eâ—â—am 〈◊〉 interciâ—it Tac. 1. Hist. 'T is as necessary for a Subject to be ignorant of these things 〈◊〉 to know others The Sovereign Iurisdiction of things God has given to Princes to Subjects is left the Glory of Obedience The only thing required of a Prince is to acquit himself of his Duty in his Resolutions and Decrees if the Success prove not answerable to his desire he ought not to be discouraged for it is sufficient that he has done nothing imprudently the very best Counsel is weak and liable to abundance of Accidents The greater a Monarchy is the more exposed it is to the unhappy Casualties which Chance brings with it or Humane Understanding is unable to foresee and prevent Gross Bodies usually labour under great Distempers Did not the Prince prosecute Affairs notwithstanding all Obloquy and Detraction with Courage and Constancy he would lead but an unhappy Life If he at any time chance to err Courage is necessary least he be dash'd and become for the future slow and irresolute That Prince who upon no grounds suspects all he does will be disapproved of contracts too much the Limits of his Power and subjects himself to a thousand Terrors of Imagination which generally arise from some private superstitious Perswasion or Excess of Melancholy These Inconveniences David seems to have
afterwards his great Soul to be broken by the contrary Success though he saw his States ruined and the King of Sweden and Frederick Count Palatine in his Palace of Monaca a Fabrick worthy so great a Prince and tho' he found the Duke of Frizeland as much his Enemy as the other two Let Envy and the fickleness of Times divide and dash into never so many pieces the Glass of tates yet in every of them however small Majesty will remain entire Whoever is born to a Scepter ought not to be chang'd at any Event or Accident whatever nor think any so grievous and insupportable as for it to abâ—â—don himself and dissemble the Person he bears King Peter even when he fell into the Hands of his Brother and deadly Enemy conceal'd not who he was may when it was question'd if it were he or not he cried out aloud It is I it is I. This very Constancy in preserving a Grandeur and Majesty in misfortunes 〈◊〉 sometimes the best and only Remedy against them as it was with Porus King of the Indies who being taken Prisoner by Alexander the Great and demanded how he would be treated Made answer Like a King And when Alexander ask'd him whether he desired nothing more He replied That Word comprehends all Which Heroick Answer so affected Alexander that he not only restored his Kingdom but gave him other Countries besides To yield to Adversity is as it were to side with it Valour in the Conquered pleases the Victor either because it renders his Triumph more glorious or because such is the intrinsick Energy of Virtue The Mind is not subject to Violence nor has Fortune any Power over it The Emperor Charles the Fifth used severe Threats to Iohn Frederick Duke of Saxony to oblige him to Surrender the Dutchy of Wirtemburg To which his Answer was His Imperial Majesty may indeed do what he pleases with my Body 〈◊〉 shall never be able to strike fear into this Breast Which he really shew'd on another occasion of much greater Danger for it happened as he was playing at Chess with Ernest Duke of Brunswick he heard Senâ—â—nce of Death was pass'd upon him which he receiv'd with no more Trouble than if the News had not concern'd him but chearfully bid the Duke play on which generous Carriage wiped off in some measure the Infamy of Rebellion and procured him Glory One great Action even upon a forced Death leaves a Luster and Repute to Life As has in our own time â—appned Rodrigo Calderon Marquiss de Sieviglâ—sias or â—â—ven Churches whose truly Christian Valour and Heâ—â—ick Constancy were the whole World's Admiration in so much as to turn Envy and Hatred things comâ—â—on to one of his Fortune into Pity and Commendaâ—â—â— None are delivered from violent Casualties by Timorousness nor does Confusion any way lessen Danger whereas Resolution either overcomes or at least renders it illustrious The People gather what Peril they are in from the Princes Countenance as Mariners do the danger of the Tempest from that of their Pilot. For that Reason ought he to appear equally serene in Prosperity and Adversity least Fear dash or Pride exalt him and others be able to judge of the State of Affairs This made Tiberius take so much care to hide every unsuccessful Accident 5 Haec audita quanquam abstrusum tristissima quoque maxiâ—â— occultantem Tiberium pertuleâ—unt Tac. 1. Ann. All is in Disorder and Confusion when in the Princes Face as that of Heaven the Tempests which threaten the Commons are discernible To change Colour at every Breath of Fortune betrays a light Judgment and mean Spirit Constancy and an even Look inspire Subjects with Courage strike Enemies with Admiration All Men fix their Eyes upon the Prince and if they see Fear there they fear Thus 't was with those who were at Otho's Table 6 Simul Othâ—â— vultum intnâ—eri atque eveâ—t inclinatis ad suspicionem mentibus cum tiâ—â— ret Otho timebatur Tac. 1. Hist. Besides there can be no Fidelity where Fear and Distrust find Entertainment 7 Fides metu infracta Tac. 3. 〈◊〉 Which however I would have understood of those Cases wherein it is convenient to dissemble Dangers and conceal Calamities for in others to join in publick Expressions of Sadness don't ill become the Prince as that which manifests his Love to his Subjects and engages their Hearts The Emperor Charles the Fifth put himself in Mourning and express'd his Sorrow for the Sacking of Rome David upon the news of the Death of Saul and Ionathan took hold of his Cloaths and rent them 8 2 Sam. 1. 11. The same did Ioshua for the loss received by the Men of Ai And he fell to the Earth before the Ark of the Lord 9 Jos. 7. 6. And indeed what can be more just than in a common Calamity thus to submit to God 't is a kind of Rebellion willingly to receive Good only at God's Hands and not Evil also 10 Job 2. 10. He that is humble under Correction moves to Pardon Here it may be disputed whether this Steddiness of Mind be commendable in an Inferior when he needs the Aid of the more Potent the Solution of which Doubt requires a peculiar Distinction He who is under Oppression and craves anothers Assistance should not do it with too much Cringing and Solicitude least he make his Fortune desperate there being no Prince who out of pure Compassion will reach his Hand to a Man fallen or undertake the Defence of one that has already abandon'd all hopes of himself and his Affairs Pompey's Cause lost not a little in the Opinion of Ptolomy when he saw so much Submission in his Ambassadors The King of the Cherusci shewed much more Courage when upon the loss of his Kingdom thinking it his Interest to procure the Favour of Tiberius He wrote to him not like a Fugitive or Beggar but as one who remembred his former Fortune 11 Non ut profugus aut supplex sed ex memoria prioris fortunae Tac. 2. Ann. Nor is the Example of Mithridates les Illustrious who being overthrown by Eunon is said with a Resolution truly Royal to have thus bespoke him Mithriâ—ates so many Years sought by the Romans by Sea and Land here voluntarily Surrenders himself do what you please with the Off-spring of the great Achemenes the only thing my Enemies cannot deprive me of 12 Mithridates terra marique per tot annos Romanis quaesitis sponte adsum utere ut voles prole magni Achemeis quod mihi solum hostes non abstulerunt Tac. 12. Ann. Which Words prevailed with Eunon to intercede with the Emperor Claudius in his behalf 13 Mâ—taâ—â—â—e rerum prece haud degenerare permotus Tac. 12. Ann. Let him who hath faithfully served his Prince speak boldly if he find himself injured as Herman Cortez did to Charles the Fifth and Segestes to Germanicus 14 Simul Segestes ipse ingens
Charles of Navarre call'd the Noble gain'd the Love of all by his Liberality King Henry the Second did thereby wipe out the Murder of his Brother King Peter and established his Right to the Crown What cannot a liberal Prince do What can't a golden Scepter oblige to Even Tyranny 3 Prov. 19. 6. is conniv'd at and born with when the Prince knows how to give especially when it gains the Applause of the people by supplying the publick Necessities and rewarding persons of Merit This vertue in my opinion maintain'd Tiberius in the Empire for this he always practis'd 4 Quam virtutem diu retinuit cum caeteras 〈◊〉 Tac. 1. ann But there is nothing more pernicious to a Prince than Liberality and Goodness for they usually go together if not used with Moderation Liberality says King Alphonso the Wise becomes all men of power but principally a King when he uses it to purpose and as he should Garcias Sancho King of Navarr lost his Subjects affections by the same Liberality with which he hop'd to have gain'd them for to maintain it he opprest them with Taxes and Impositions Prodigality is little distant from Rapine or Tyranny for when the Treasury is drain'd by Ambition it must of necessity be recruited by ill and indirect means 5 Ac velut perfringere aerarium 〈◊〉 si 〈◊〉 exhauserimus per scelera supplendum â—rit Tac. 2. ann He who gives more than he is able says Alphonso the Wise is not liberal but prodigal and when his own stock fails he will be obliged to make use of others so that if on one side he â—â—kes Friends by what he gives he on th' other side makes Eâ—â—mies by what he takes away Diego d' Arias Treasurer to King Henry the Fourth least he should fall into this inconâ—enience represented to him the Extravagance of his Liberality and that 't was convenient that his Retinue should be reduc'd to a lesser number and that the Salaries allow'd to such as did not actually serve or were any ways incapacitated might be taken off to whom the King made this Answer I too were I Arias should more respect my Money thâ—n my Liberality you say well as to your self but as for me I 'll act as becomes a King without fear of poverty or exposing my self to the necessity of raising new Taxes 'T is the duty of a King to give and to measure his Authority by the publick Good not his own particular which is the true fruit of Riches To some we give because they are good to others that they may 〈◊〉 be bad Words truly worthy a King if he had been guided by these considerations but his gifts were always excessive and without order without the least regard to the Merit of the Party as his Brother-in-law King Ferdinand observed in one of his Laws saying That he gave Rewards for Shew not for Merit Whence we may observe the circumspection a Prince ought to observe in his Liberality for fear of giving occasion to his Subjects to acknowledge his Authority only to receive from him not to obey him An extravagant Subject ruins only himself But a Prince himself and State too The Treasury would be soon at an ebb if the Prince should be extravagantly liberal without considering that they are the Magazines for publick Necessities The Mountains don't squander away the Snow which the Vapours of the Fields and Valleys heap upon its top but on the contrary preserve it against Summer and then in gentle Streams returns it upon the same grounds it was attracted from They don't descend all at once for so they would not answer their design and would be slighted as useless for Liberality is the greatest Enemy to Liberality nor do they immediately mix with the Rivers leaving the Plains and Vallies dry as Princes usually do who give to the Rich what ought to be distributed among the Poor and drain the thirsty sands to supply the brimfull Lakes which have no need of it 'T is a great fault to gain the favour of the Rich at the expence of the poor and by vain extravagance to oppress the body of the State whose ruin is always promoted by the pride and vanity of a few The people cannot brook to see that power vainly squander'd away which ought to be employ'd to the preservation of them and the Prince's dignity The rewards of a Prodigal are not esteem'd because they are common and proceed from the vice of Extravagance not the vertue of Liberality and by giving all to a few he offends many that which is given to some particular ones being wanted in general by all He who gives without care or choice enriches indeed but rewards not to give to those who deserve 't is necessary to be sparing to others So that a Prince ought to use great Prudence and Judgment in the Distribution of Rewards 6 Psal. 98. 4. For when they are well distributed though they fall on but few they affect many The Scriptures command all Offerings to be made with Salt which is the same as Prudence 7 Levit. 2. 14. Eccl. 35. 11. equally distant from Prodigality and Avarice But because a Prince ought to be generous to all let him imitate Aurora which as it passes always leaves something tho' but Dew and Flowers Nay often satisfies only with its Beauty and Pleasantness Let him give to all but with such Moderation that without putting it out of his power to give more he may content them Some by Presents some by Words and some by Affability 8 Eccl. 35. 11. for oftentimes the Eyes give more than the Hands Liberality is the only Vertue which should be sometimes in the opinion of others more than in the person of the Prince Experience teaching us that 't is sufficient that he express some Demonstrations with such Address that he may be generally esteem'd liberal so that he must avoid Refusals for 't is a great trouble to receive them from a Prince What he cannot give to day he may give to morrow and if he cannot 't is better to let time discover it than to tell it himself He who refuses either does not distinguish Merit or shews his want of Power or Will and neither of these Declarations become a Prince whose Power and Grandure the Petitioner acknowledges Let a Prince be generous in the Reward of Vertue but let it be with Offices and Imployments and other Revenues already allotted to Liberality not with the Crown-Rents and Treasury reserv'd for greater uses King Ferdinand the Catholick was very liberal but not to the Prejudice of the Crown He was at his first coming to the Crown slow in the Distribution of Offices the better to gain mens minds and to reward those who had followed his Party He knew with great Prudence to mingle Liberality with Frugality Of which he has not only left us an Example but also a Law in these words Kings ought not to be so generous and
3 2 Sam. 9. 3. follow that of some Tyrants as if all were not ruin'd by these pernicious practices and if any one has been preserv'd as we shall observe 't was by changing them for the better Most Kingdoms are augmented by Usurpation and afterwards maintain'd by Justice and legitimated by time Extreme violence is extreme danger Cyrus invaded Lydia and dispossess'd King Croesus But had he had any of our Politicians they would have advis'd him for his greater Security to have taken him off Yet Cyrus restor'd him one City by which he might support his Royal Dignity and 't is certain he had provok'd the Hatred and Arms of all Greece if he had shew'd himself cruel 4 Hec clementia non minus utilis victori quam victo fuit Tac. 2. hist. Tyranny is equally hatefull to God and Man nor are there wanting in such cases some mild means by which the mind may be diverted from shedding Blood from breaking the Line of Succession from diminishing or transferring the greatness of States and taking off those who may aspire to the Crown which had they been observed in Portugal that people had never revolted When the danger is so evident that it obliges to Defence and natural Preservation the Prince ought to strike at the Root that it may not sprout again keeping a watchfull Eye upon it least it should happen as it did to the Philistin Princes who having cut off Sampson's hair wherein lay all his Strength began to ridicule him not considering that it might grow again as it afterwards did 5 Judg 16. 21. when he pull'd the Temple upon their Heads 6 Ibid. killing more Enemies dying than he had done living 7 Ibid. Inordinate Ambition moreover perswades the Oppression of the liberty of the people the humbling of the Nobility the weakning of the potent and rich and the reduction of all to the Royal Prerogative thinking that the more absolute the more firm it is and that the lower the people are reduc'd the higher its Glory rises an error by which Flattery gains the Hearts of Princes and leads them into great dangers 'T is Modesty that preserves Empires so correcting the Prince's Ambition that it may maintain it within the bounds of Reason the power of his Dignity the honour of the Nobility and the liberty of the people for no Monarchy is lasting which is not mixt that is compos'd of Aristocracy and Democracy 8 Quae ex pluribus constat resp melior est Arist. 2 Pol. c. â— Absolute Power is Tyranny Whoever promotes that promotes his own ruin A Prince ought not to govern as the Lord but as the Father the Protector and Governour of his States 9 Huc enim sunt omnia reducenda ut iis qui sub imperio sunt non Tyrannum sed patrem-familias aut regem agere videatur c. Arist. Pol. 5. c. 11. These disorders of Ambition proceed from a long use and abuse of Dominion which covets all for it self in which 't is necessary Princes should conquer themselves and submit to reason however difficult the attempt appear for many can conquer others few themselves This Victory is of Force that of Reason 'T is not Valour to conquer in Battle but to subdue the Passions Obedience and Necessity make Subjects humble and modest Superiority and Power render Princes proud Pride has destroy'd more Kingdoms than the Sword more Princes have ruin'd themselves than have been undone by others The remedy consists in the Prince's knowledge of himself by retiring within himself and considering that though the Scepter distinguishes him from his Subjects they much exceed him in endowments of Mind more noble than his Grandure That if Reason might take place the most accomplish'd man would be King That the hand with which he governs the World is of â—lay and Subject to the Leprosie and all other human Miseries as God gave Moses to understand 10 Exod. 4. 6. that knowing his own Miseries he might pity those of others 11 Hebr. 5. 2. That a Crown is a very unsafe Possession for between the utmost height and the lowest fall there is no Interposition 12 Quod regnum est cui parata non sit ruina proculcatio dominus carâ—fex Nec ista intervallis divisa â—ed horâ—e momentum interest inter soliâ—m aliena genua Senec. That he depends upon the Will of others since if they would not obey he would be but like other men The greater the Prince shall be the more he ought to esteem this Modesty since God himself does not disdain it 13 Modestia fama quae neque summis mortalium spernenda est à diis aestimatur Tac. 15. ann Modesty which hides Greatness under it is like rich Enamel upon Gold which gives it the greater Value and Esteem Tiberius had no Artifice more cunning than to appear modest to gain Esteem He severely reprehended those who call'd his Occupations Divine and him Lord 14 Acerâ—éque increpuit eos qui divinaâ— occupationes ipsumque Dominum dixerunt Tac. 2. ann When he went into the Courts of Justice he would not suffer the President to quit his seat but sat down upon one corner of the Bench 15 Assidâ—bat in cornâ— Tribunalis Tac. 1. ann He who is gotten to the highest step among men cannot rise but by stooping Let all Princes learn Modesty of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second who was so familiar and affable to all that he made himself lov'd rather than reverenc'd In him Goodness and Modesty were conspicuous and Majesty found but by Attention He was not the Imperial Eagle with a sharp Beak and bare Talons threatning all but the tender Pelican continually digging his own Intrails to feed his people as his own young It cost him no pains to humble his Grandure and make himself equal to others He was not the Master but Father of the World and the excess of Modesty often causes Contempt to the ruin of Princes to him it created more Respect and oblig'd all Nations to his Service and Defence See the force of true Goodness and of a greâ—t Soul which triumphs over it self and is superiour to Fortune He has left us in the present Emperour his Son the lively Portraicture of all these qualities with which he steals the Hearts both of Friends and Enemies There is no vertue more agreeable to a Prince than Modesty all others would be foolish in him if that did not adjust his Looks and Actions not permitting them to exceed themselves In Government 't is very convenient not to touch upon Extremes for too great Condescension is not less prejudicial than a haughty Grandure Monastick Communities may perhaps suffer the Rigour of Obedience but not popular ones Such rigid Discipline may keep a few in awe but not many Civil Happiness consists in vertue which consists in the middle as does civil Lâ—fe and the Government of States for the nature
are occasions when he must put on the Lion's Skin that his Subjects and Enemies may see his Claws and that he may be thought so severe that Fraud may not have the boldness to attack him with Flattery which way it uses to tame the minds of Princes This it seems the Aegyptians would intimate by putting a Lion's Skin upon their Prince's head There is no Respect nor Reverence where there is no fear The People perceiving their Prince can't be angry and that nothing can alter his mild Temper always despise him but this Severity need not immediately come to Execution 'T is not necessary for a Prince to be really angry but only to appear so The Lion without discomposing himself or thinking of hurting any other Animals with his very Looks infuses dread into all such is the Majestick force of his Eyes 5 A Lion which is the strongest among Beasts and turneth not away for any Prov. 30. 30. But because 't is convenient sometimes to gild force with craft and indignation with mildness to dissemble a little and accommodate himself to the times and persons therefore in the present Devise the Lion's head is not crown'd with the little tricks of the Fox which are mean and base and below the Generosity and Magnanimity of a Prince but with Serpents the Emblem of carefull and prudent Majesty and in the sacred Writs the Hieroglyfick of Prudence for their cunning in defending their heads in stopping their Ears against all Inchantments and in other things only tending to their own preservation not the prejudice of others For the same reason and the like accidents I have made use of these words as a Motto to the present Devise that he may know how to reign taken from the Motto of Lewis the Eleventh King of France who knows not how to dissemble knows not how to reign In which the whole art of Government is briefly comprehended but there is need of great Prudence and Circumspection least this Power should turn to Tyranny and this Policy to Fraud These Mediums nearly bordering upon Vices Iustus Lipsius defining Fraud in matters of Policy says 't is shrewd Counsel deviating from Vertue and the Laws for the good of the King and Kingdom by which avoiding the Extremes of Machiavel and finding also that 't is impossible for a Prince to govern without some Fraud and cunning he advises a little tolerates Mediocrity but forbids Extremes bounds very dangerous to a Prince For who can exactly describe them there ought not to be such Rocks so near politick Navigation The malice of Power and ambition of Rule act sufficiently in many if Fraud be vicious 't is vicious in its least parts and therefore unworthy of a Prince The worth and dignity of the Royal Purple disdains the least â—spot The minutest Atom is visible and blemishes the Rays of these terrestrial Suns And how can it be suffer'd that his actions should deviate from Vertue and the Laws who is the very Soul thereof There is no Fraud without a mixture of malice and falshood both opposite to Royal Magnanimity though Plato says That Falshood is superfluous in the Gods they having no need on 't but not in Princes who have great occasion for it and that therefore it may be allow'd them sometimes That which is unlawfull ought not to be allow'd nor ought we to make use of means in their own nature wicked to obtain just and honourable ends Dissimulation and Cunning are then only lawfull when they don't drive to Knavery and prejudice the Authority and Reputation of the Prince in which case I don't esteem them as Vices but Prudence or the Daughters thereof being both advantageous and necessary to a Commander which would be if Prudence respecting its own preservation would make use of Fraud according to the different circumstances of time place and persons so as the Heart and Tongue the Mind and Words may ever agree That Dissimulation ought to be avoided which with fraudulent intentions belyes the things designed That which would make another understand that which is not not that which would make him not understand that which is For this end one may sometimes use indifferent and equivocating words not with a design to cheat but to secure ones self and prevent being cheated and for other lawfull ends Thus we see the Master of truth himself pretended to his Disciples who were going to the City Emmaus that he was going farther 6 And he made as though he would have gone farther Luke 24. 28. The counterfeit folly of David before King Acâ—is 7 And he changed his behaviour before them and feign'd himself mad in their hands and scrâ—bbled on the doors of the gate and let his Spittle fall down upon his Beaâ—â— 1 Sam 21. 13. the pretended Sacrifice of Samuel 8 And the Lord said take a Heifer with thee and say I am come to sacrifice to the Lord 1 Sam 16. 2. the Kids skins fitted to Iacob's hands 9 And he put the skins of the Kids of the Goats upon his 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the smooth of his neck 〈◊〉 27. 16. were all lawfull Dissimulations the intent not being to cheat but only to hide another design nor are they the less allowable because one foresees that another will thereby be deceiv'd for that knowledge proceeds not from malice but a kind of caution And these arts and practices are then chiefly to be made use of when we treat with designing and crafty Princes for in such case Distrust Cunning Hypocrisie ambiguous Replies prudent Equivocation least a Prince should be insâ—ared and give occasion for others Plots and Machinations defending himself with these arts and not offending or violating his publick Faith what is this but being upon his Guard That Ingenuity is foolish which frankly discovers its secret Sentiments and the State would be in danger without some caution 'T is a dangerous sincerity to speak truth always since secrecy is the chief instrument of Government Whatever Prince intrusts a secret to another at the same time intrusts his Sceptre too It does not become a Prince to lye but it does to be silent or to conceal truth not to trust or confide in any one rashly but to be wary and circumspect that he mayn't be cheated This caution is extremely necessary for a Prince without which he would be expos'd to many and great dangers He who knows and sees most believes and trusts least because either Speculation or Practice and Experience renders him cautious Let a Prince's mind therefore be sincere and pure yet skill'd in the arts and practices of others Experience will shew in what cases it becomes a Prince to use these arts that is when he shall observe that the Malice and Stratagems of those with whom he deals requires it In all other actions a Prince ought to discover a Royal Candor sometimes even to those who would deceive him for if they interpret it favourably their designs are broken and begin
to flag besides no Fraud is so generous as Truth of which if they can be sure they make him Master of the most private secrets of their Souls without arming themselves with the like practices for the future What Nets are not spread and what Stratagems contrived for the Cunning and Subtilty of the Fox who ever set snares for the tame innocence of the Swallow Those Princes whom the world admires for their Prudence and Conduct can't make use of this art for none will believe that their actions are guided by chance or sincerity the demonstrations of their truth are taken for counterfeit In them Caution is accounted Malice Prudence Dissimulation and Circumspection Deceit Some charge his Catholick Majesty with these Vices because that by the natural Vivacity of his Judgment and his continual experience in War and Peace he was well acquainted with the treacherous dealing unsincerity of the times defending himself with so great Prudence that his Enemies were either taken in their own Snares or wholly broken by Counsel and Time For this reason some Princes feign Sincerity and Modesty the better to palliate their intentions or that Malice may not so easily trace them So Domitian did 10 Simul simplicitatis ac modestiae imagine conditus studiumque literarum amorem carminum simulans qu◠velaret animum Tac. 4. hist. A Prince who would be thought wise in all things is for that reason not so To know how to be ignorant seasonably is the greatest Prudence there 's nothing more advantageous nothing more difficult than to be wise with Moderation this Tacitus commends in Agricola 11 Retinuitque quod difficillimum est ex sapientia modum Tac in vit Agr. All conspire against the most knowing either through Envy or to defend their own ignorance or perhaps because they suspect that which they cannot comprehend Saul seeing that David was too wise he began to be cautious of him 12 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely he was afraid of him 1. Sam. 18. 15. Other Princes appear diverted in their actions that they may be thought to act casually and without design But such is the Malice of Policy now a days that it not only penetrates those arts but cavils too at the most plain sincerity to the great prejudice of Truth and Publick Tranquility There being nothing that is interpreted rightly and Truth consisting in one point and those in the circumference from whence Malice may take aim being infinite they fall into great errors who will wrest from anothers words and actions a different sense from what they appear and interpreting others Designs in the worst sense cause both parties to arm themselves and so to live in continual Distrust and Jealousie of each other He who is most ingenious in these Suspicions is farthest from Truth for by the acuteness of his wit he penetrates farther than what is generally comprehended and we are often positive of that in others which is only a deceit of our own imagination So to a Sailor the Rocks seem to run when 't is only the Ship that is in motion The shadows of Policy are usually greater than the Body it self and some times this is neglected and this made use of so that there often arises greater Damage from the prevention than could arrive from the thing fear'd How oft has a Prince through a groundless Jealousie declared War against him who never thought of offending him and both taking arms that which was at first but a slight and ill-grounded presumption ends in a bloody War 't is the same with such as with ill built Ships which the more they sally from side to side are the sooner lost I don't blame Diffidence when 't is the Daughter of Prudence as we said elsewhere but a total defect of good faith without which neither Friendship Society nor Covenants can be lasting The Law of Nations would be invalid and all things would be expos'd to Fraud and Deceit All things are not acted with an ill intention The greatest Tyrant sometimes proposes just and honourable ends EMBLEM XLIV UNcertain and dubious is the motion of the Serpent winding it self first one way then another with such uncertainty that its very body knows not where it will erect its head You 'd think it made this way and immediately it moves contrary without leaving any tract of its passage nor can the intention of its motion be discover'd 1 But canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth Ioh. 3. 8. So occult should be the Counsels and Designs of Princes None ought to know whither they tend they should imitate God the great Governour of all things whose ways are past finding out 2 And who is able to discover his ways Eccl. 16. 19. for which reason the Seraphim cover'd his feet with his wings 3 And with twain he covered his feet Isai. 6. 2. Princes ought so carefully to conceal their designs that their Ministers themselves should not penetrate them nay that they should be the first that should believe otherwise and be deceiv'd thereby the more naturally and effectually without the danger of Dissimulation which is easily discover'd to confirm and secure their real intentions instilling the same error into others that so it may pass current and be believed on all sides Thus Tiberius did when some murmur'd that he did not go to pacifie the mutinous Legions in Hungary and Germany he pretended he would go with all speed by which deceiving the prudent he deceiv'd also the People and Provinces 4 Primo prudentes dein vulgum diutissimè Provincias fefellit Tac. 1. ann The same also did King Philip the Second who conceal'd his designs from his own Ambassadors pretending others when 't was convenient for them to believe them and perswade others to do so A Prince can by no means use these arts if his ingenuity be not so cautious and circumspect as not to discover the real motions of his mind by his manner of Government and let his Rivals and Enemies penetrate his heart and thoughts that he may slip out of their hands when they think they have him secure This method by which another is deceiv'd is rather a sort of self defence than malice where it is used according to reason as the greatest Heroes have always done What necessity is there of discovering the heart which nature has on purpose hidden within the breast even in the most slight and frivolous affairs 't is pernicious to divulge them because it gives occasion by way of discourse to discover farther Yet though the heart be hid within the breast its ails and distempers are discover'd by the Arteries Execution loses its force not without loss of the reputation of a Prince's prudence if he divulges his designs to the people Secret and unknown designs threaten all and distract and puzzle an Enemy Secrecy in War is more necessary than in other Affairs Few Enterprises unseasonably detected
succeed well How is he surpriz'd who receives the Wound before he sees the Weapon he who will not stir till he hears the clashing of Arms This I would have understood of Wars against Infidels not of those between Christians which ought to be proclaim'd that there may be time for satisfaction by which the effusion of Blood may be avoided this being required to render a War lawfull and just In this the Romans were to be commended who instituted a College of twenty Priests whom they call'd Heralds whose business it was to proclaim War to make Peace and to establish Alliances These were also Judges in such cases and took care that the party injur'd should receive satisfaction appointing a term of thirty â— three days for an amicable composition in which time if the disputes were not ended they declar'd War by throwing a Spear into the Enemies Country 5 Et baculum intorquens emittit in auras Principium pugnae Virg. from which day commenc'd acts of Hostility and Incursions Of these declarations there are divers examples in the Scriptures Iephtha being chosen Prince of the Israelites did not take up Arms against the Ammonites before by Ambassadors he had enquir'd into the reason which mov'd them to the War 6 And Iephtha sent Messengers unto the King of the Children of Ammon saying What hast thou to do with me that thou art come against me to fight in my Land Iudg. 11. 12. The method of our times is not so humane and generous We experience the effects of War before we know the cause thereof An unexpected and sudden Invasion makes the Injury the greater and renders the minds of the parties implacable this generally springs hence that they take up arms not to satisfie Injuries or atone for Damages receiv'd but only from a blind Ambition to enlarge their Dominions in which without respect to Religion Consanguinity or Friendship they trample upon the most sacred Laws of Nature and Nations If a Prince suspects any of Infidelity let him not immediately change the serenity of his Looks or shew any sign of his suspicion but rather by new Flattery and Honours endeavour to confirm their Minds and oblige them to Fidelity Rigour is not always the best and safest remedy Branches lopt off die and revive not again Thus Marcellus conniv'd at Lucius Bancus of Nola a very rich and withal very factious person and though he well knew he sided with Hannibal he call'd him to him told him how his Vertue and Valour were esteem'd by all particularly by the Roman Generals who were Witnesses of his Bravery at the Battle of Cannae he honour'd him with words supported with hopes and promises gave him at all times free access to his presence and by this courteous usage so oblig'd him that from that time the Roman State had not a more faithfull Friend than he This Dissimulation requires great care and prudence for if the Offender should mistrust it he would interpret it a design to bring him to Punishment and so would sooner fire his Mines or endeavour to preserve himself by other violent means Which is chiefly to be fear'd in Tumults and Crimes of the Multitude Thus Fabius Valens though he would not punish the Authors of a certain Commotion yet did he permit some of them to be tried 7 Ne dissimulans suspectior foret Tac. 2. hist. But since 't is very difficult to purge the mind of Treason once conceiv'd and since such crimes ought not to go unpunished 't is then only fit to connive when greater danger attends the declaration or the number of Offenders makes the punishment impracticable This Iulius Caesar consider'd when he commanded some Letters from Pompey to the Roman Nobility against him which he had intercepted to be burnt unopen'd thinking 't was the mildest method of pardoning not to know the crime A piece of true Generosity and singular Prudence since 't was impossible to punish all not to oblige himself to the inconveniencies of connivance Those of mean condition may be made examples and the great ones conniv'd at till a more convenient opportunity But where the Delinquents may be punished without danger 't is safer by punishing them to consult self-security than to trust to Dissimulation for this often emboldens great Spirits Hannibal plotted to poison the Carthaginian Senate and upon the discovery of the Treason the Senators thought it sufficient to make a Law to regulate the Excels and Expences of Feasts which gave Hannibal occasion to plot afresh against them That Art and Cunning most becomes a Prince and that Dissimulation is most allowable and necessary which so composes and forms the Looks Words and Actions towards him whom it would deceive as that he mayn't mistrust that his designs are discover'd for by that means there will be time to search farther into them and either to punish or elude them while the party is not so sollicitous in the concealment of them but if he once find himself betray'd he begins to tremble and thinks himself not secure till he has put his designs in execution This oblig'd Agrippina to pretend not to understand the Murther which her Son Nero design'd her 8 Solum insidiarum remedium esse si non intelligerentur Tac. 14. ann This Dissimulation or feign'd Simplicity is very necessary for Ministers who â—erve cunning and defigning Princes who make it their care to conceal their intentions in this Tiberius was a great Master 9 Consulto ambiguns Tac. 13. ann The same artifice the Roman Senate us'd when the same Tiberius after the death of Augustus let them know to try their thoughts that he would not accept of the Empire it being a burthen too heavy for him they by a studied ignorance and forc'd tears begg'd he would please to accept it all being afraid to seem to understand his meaning 10 Quibus usus metus si intelligere viderentur Tac. 1. ann Unjust Princes hate those who they think understand their ill practices and take them for Enemies They claim an absolute Authority over mens minds not subject to anothers understanding they will have their Subjects Intellects at as much command as their Bodies esteeming it part of their duty and respect not to understand their designs 11 Intelligebantur artes sed pars obsequii 〈…〉 ne deprehenderentur Tac. 4. hist. Wherefore 't is disallowable and dangerous to pry into the privacies and secret thoughts of Princes 12 Abditos Principis sensus 〈◊〉 quid occultius parat exquirâ—re illicitum anceps nec ideo assequare Tac. 6. ann Tiberius complaining that he was in danger from some of the Roman Senators Asinius Gallus desir'd to know who they were that they might be brought to Justice which Tiberius took very ill that he should desire to know what he had a mind to conceal 13 Eo aegrius accepit recludi quae premeret Tac. 4. ann Germanicus acted more prudently who though he well
Tac. 16. ann EMBLEM XLVI AN Oar under Water appears crooked and broken which is caus'd by the refraction of Species so in many things our opinion deceives us For this reason the Sceptick Philosophers doubted of all things and durst affirm nothing for certain A wary piece of Modesty and prudent Distruct of humane Judgment and not without ground for to a certain knowledge of things there are required two dispositions that which is to know and that which is to be known the first is the Understanding which uses the external and internal Senses to form Imaginations the external are variously chang'd according to the abundance or defect of humours The internal are also subject to changes either from the same cause or from the different Affections of the Organs Whence proceed such different Opinions and Judgments one judging differently of the same things from another and both with equal uncertainty for things change their shape and colour with their places by being near or at a distance or because none are purely simple or because of natural Mixtures and Species which interpose between them and the Senses so that we can't affirm things are so and so but that they seem such forming an Opinion not certain Knowledge Plato found a yet greater incertainty in them when he consider'd that there was nothing of so pure and perfect nature as God and that in this life we could have no perfect knowledge of any thing but saw only things present and those too Reflections and Shadows of others so that 't was impossible to reduce them to a Science Not that I would have a Prince a Sceptick for he who doubts all determines nothing nor is there any thing more pernicious to Government than Hesitation in resolving and executing I only advise that he would not be too positive in his opinions but believe that he may easily be deceiv'd in his Judgment either through Affection or Passion or false Information or Flattery and Insinuation or because he don't care to hear truth which prescribes bounds to his Authority and Will or because of the uncertainty of our own apprehension or lastly because few things are really what they appear especially in Policy which is now a-days nothing but the art of cheating or not being cheated wherefore they ought to be viewed in different lights and a Prince ought carefully to consider and weigh them not slightly to pass them over least he should give credit to appearances and groundless Stories These Cheats and politick Tricks can't be well known unless the nature of man be also known for the knowledge of him is absolutely necessary for a Prince that he may know how to govern and beware of him For tho' Government be an invention of men 't is in no danger but from them for Man has no greater Enemy than Man The Eagle hurts not the Eagle nor the Serpent the Serpent but man is continually plotting against his own kind The Dens of Beasts are open and unguarded but three of the four Elements are not sufficient for the guard of Cities viz. Earth cast up into Walls and Entrenchments Water confin'd to Ditches and Fire enclos'd in Artillery That some may sleep the rest must watch What instruments are there not invented against Life as if it were not of it self short enough and subject to the infirmities of Nature and thoâ— the Seeds of all Vertues and Vices are in man as their proper Subject 't is with this difference that those can't grow and increase without the Dew of celestial and supernatural Grace but these do spontaneously bud out and flourish which is the effect and punishment of man's first Sin and as we always suffer our selves to be led by our Inclinations and Passions which hurry us to ill and as there is not the same danger in Vertue as in Vices we therefore will lay before a Prince a short description of deprav'd human Nature Man is then the most inconstant Animal in the Creation pernicious both to himself and others Changes with his Age Fortune Interest and Passion nor does the Sea vary so oft as his condition He is deluded by empty appearances and through self-conceit persists in his Errour Revenge and Cruelty he esteems praise-worthy and honourable Is well vers'd in Hypocrisâ—e and can dissemble his Passions a great while With Words Laughter and Tears he conceals his Thoughts Veils his Designs with Religion Confirms and maintains Lyes with Oaths Is a Slave to Hope and Fear Favours make him ungratefull Dominion proud Constraint vile and abject Law fearfull Benefits he inscribes on Wax Injuries receiv'd on Marble and those he offers on Brass He is subject to Love not out of Charity but an appearance of good A mere Slave to Anger In Adversity prostrate and cringing In Prosperity arrogant and proud What he commends in himself and affects he wants calls himself a true Friend but knows not what Friendship means Slights his own and covets oâ—hers goods The more he has the more he desires The good Fortune and Prosperity of others kills him with Envy Under shew of Friendship he is the greatest Enemy Loves the Rigour of Justice in others but hates it in himself This is a description of humane nature in general nor are all these Vices in one person but dispers'd in several And though a Prince think that some one is wholly free from them let him not therefore be less cautious of him for there is no certainty in the Judgment which is made of the condition and nature of men Vice often puts on the Mask of Vertue the better to deceive and the best of men may be deficient sometimes either through human frailty or the inconstancy of the times or necessity or interest or appearance of publick or private good or over-sight or want of knowledge whence it happens that the good are not less dangerous than the bad and in case of doubt 't is more prudent for a Prince to avoid the danger remembring not to offend but to defend that as Ezekiel said Briars and Thorns are with him and he dwells among Scorpions 1 Ezek. 2. 6. whose Tails are always ready to strike 2 Semper cauda in ictu est nulloque momento meditari cessat ne quanâ—o desit occasioni Plin. lib. 11. c. 25. Such generally are Courtiers they all advance their own pretensions by deluding the Prince or by removing his best and most deserving Favourites by means of his own power How often have waves of Envy and Jealousie been interpos'd between the Eyes of the Prince and the Minister's actions making those appear crooked and disloyal which are drawn by the rule of Justice and his Service Thus Vertue suffers the Prince loses a good Minister and Malice triumphs in its Practices which that he may practically know and not suffer Innocence to be wrong'd I will here set down the most usual There are some Courtiers so subtle and cunning that while they seem to excuse their Rival's
diligence because 't is either unseasonable or imprudent by which we ruin both our selves and him too This officiousness Thraseas check'd in Rusticus Arulenus though in his own behalf knowing that kindness would be prejudicial to the Intercessor and of no advantage to the criminal 20 Ne vana reo non profitura intercessori exitiosa inciperet Tac. 16 ann Nor is it less imprudent and dangerous to be over zealous for the publick good and welfare of the Prince then especially when without obligation of duty or certain prospect of remedy we intermeddle with their concerns to our own apparent ruin I don't mean that we should be insensible at the sight of others sufferings or that for our own ease and quiet we should basely truckle to the Times and Tyranny But that we should not foolishly ruin our selves and that we should follow the example of Lucius Piso who in difficult and deplorable times knew how to preserve himself with such Prudence that he was never the Author of any servile proposition and upon absolute necessity did it with great Moderation 21 Nullius servilis sententiae sponte author quoties necessitas ingrueret sapiâ—ntèr moderans Tac. 6. ann Oftentimes we are forward in giving our advice in things which don 't concern us perswaded that therein consists the remedy of the publick ills not considering how easily we are deceiv'd with a conceit of our own opinions without particular knowledge of the motives upon which Princes act Nothing is more dangerous than to advise even he who is oblig'd in duty to it ought to avoid it if not ask'd for Advice is judg'd by the event and that depends upon future accidents which no Prudence can foresee and that which falls out ill is attributed to the Counsellor but not that which succeeds well EMBLEM XLVIII HOW are Princes arm'd against foreign Enemies and how unprovided against domestick ones who follow them even through the midst of their Guards yet do they take no notice of them These are Flatterers and Parasites nor is there less danger from their Fawns than from an Enemy's Sword Flattery has ruin'd more Princes than force What Royal Purple has not this Moth eaten What Sceptre has not this Worm gnaw'd It insinuates it self into the tallest Cedars and preying upon the root soon brings them to the ground 'T is a damage not discern'd but by entire ruin the effect is sooner seen than the cause 'T is a false Silk-worm which inhabits the gilded Roofs of Palaces The present Emblem compares it to a Lizzard with a gay staâ—ry back and poison'd Breast It appears to the Prince under the shining Cloak of Zeal the better to conceal its pernicious designs 1 Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light and light for darkness that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isai. 5. 20. Let a Prince know that all brightness does not denote the Excellence of the Subject for in the Scripture it is a sign of a Leprosie 2 When a man shall have in the skin of his Flesh a rising a scab or bright spot Levit. 13. 2. and rotten wood gives a kind of light in the dark There are some glimmerings of good even in the blackest Soul Sometimes in the very bowels of Severity the Assertor of Liberty and Opposer of the Prince Flattery basely discovers it self as when Valerius Mesalla propos'd the administring the Oath of Allegiance to Tiberius each year and being ask'd by whose order he did it he reply'd That 't was from his own proper motive for that in all matters of publick concern he would follow the Dictates of his own reason even though he should offend by it 3 Sponte dixisse Respondit neque in its quae and remp pertinerent consilio nisi suâ—â—surum vel cum periculo offensionis ea sola species adulandi supererat Tac. 1. ann Not unlike this was that of Ateius who when Lucius Ennius was accus'd of having destroy'd the Silver Statue of Tiberius to make house Plate on and Tiberius being willing to wave the Accusation openly oppos'd it saying That the Senators ought not to be depriv'd of the power of judging nor should such a Crime go unpunish'd that he might indeed forgive his own Grievances but should not be prodigal of the Injuries done the State 4 Palam aspernante Atieo Capitone quasi per libertatem Nâ—â— enim debere eripi patribus vim statuendi neque tantum maleficium impune habendum sane lentius in suo dolore esset reipub dolores ne largiretur Tac. 3. ann The Lizzard changes its skin every year so also does Flattery as oft I mean as the Prince changes his mind The Ministers of King Alphonso the Tenth advis'd him to Divorce Queen Violante for Barrenness arguing that the Marriage was void which they afterwards declar'd valid and perswaded the King to retake her to his Bed †Mar. hist. Hisp. There is no Animal more cunning than the Lizzard whence the Lawyers call all false practice Crimen Stellionatus Who uses more cheats than the Flatterer imposing upon the Will the noblest faculty of man so much above the other Senses that without it the rest would be inslav'd The Lizzard does not kill him whom it wounds but only benumbs him and puts him as it were beside himself by raising divers passions in him The proper quality of a Flatterer who with specious pretences charms the Eyes and Ears of Princes and put them so beside themselves that they can't search the truth of things The Lizzard is so inveterate against man that when it casts its skin it eats it up least it should be usefull in the cure of the Falling-sickness A Flatterer desires a Prince may not recover from his errors for Disabuse is the Son of Truth which is an utter Enemy to Flattery Flatterers envy the prosperity of Princes and hate them as those who by their power and a certain necessity oblige them to the Slavery of Dissimulation and Flattery and force them to speak one thing and think another A Prince has need of great Prudence to distinguish Flattery for it consists in Praise which he will find from those who are far from that Vice This is the difference that a Flatterer promiscuously commends all honourable or base good or bad but the other only that which is just and good When therefore a Prince sees things attributed to him which are due to others or which are mere accidents 5 O my People they which lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths Isa. 3. 12. frivolous things commended and extoll'd which don 't deserve it such as tend more to pleasure than Reputation Such as avert his mind from the toil of affairs such as respect more his own advantage than the publick interest and that the person who so commends these things does not rightly govern himself that he does not
mensuram implevimus tu quantum princeps tribuere amico posses ego quantum amicus à principe acciâ—pere caetera invidiam aâ—gent Tac. 14. ann EMBLEM L. THE Mountain looks down with disdain upon the other works of Nature and proudly rises above them so as to have communication with the Skies Let not the Vallies envy it this Glory for though it be nearer the favours of Heaven 't is also more expos'd to the strokes of its Thunder too About its head Clouds gather and Storms prepare their rage and upon it they first exert it 'T is the same in Offices and Imployments more immediately under Princes The Activity of their power is most offensive to those who are nearest it Their Conversation is as venomous as that of a Viper 1 Eccles. 9. 13. Whoever walks among them walks among Snares and the Arms of his offended Enemies 2 Ibid. The favour and disdain of Princes are so immediate that nothing intervenes Their Love knows no Moderation when turn'd to Hatred it leaps from one extreme to th' other from Fire to Frost The same instant sees them love and hate with the effects of Thunder which while the noise is heard or the flash seen reduces the bodies to Ashes The favour of Princes is like flame extinguish'd with the same ease 't was lighted Nay some have thought it absolutely fatal to those on whom it falls 3 Fato potentiâ— raro sempiternae Tac. 3. ann And many examples as well past as present are sufficient evidences of it we have fresh instances of the sudden falls of the most exalted Favourites The Duke of Lerma in Spain the Marshal D' Ancre in France The Duke of Buckingham in England John Olden Barnvelt in Holland Cardinal Clesel in Germany at Rome Cardinal Nazaret yet may this be ascrib'd to divers causes either because the Prince having given all that he could or the Favourite obtain'd all he desir'd he was mounted to the highest step and so must of necessity descend 4 An satius capis â—ut illos cum omnia tribuerunt Aut hos cum jam nihil reliquum est quod capiant Tac. 3. ann But suppose there be moderation in the favours of the one and the ambition of the other yet what constancy can there be in the minds of Princes which the more vehement they are are the more subject to variety and contradiction who can fix the affections of him whose Senses see double and is like the first matter not resting in one form but pleas'd with variety Who can preserve that favour which is liable to so many chances and turns of Humour Who can behave himself with so nice integrity as to maintain the Prince's good opinion of him with the people The Eyes of all are upon the Favourite The Prince's Friends think him an Usurper of their Rewards his Enemies that he incenses the Prince farther against them These if they return to their duty must make the disgrace of the Favourite one of the conditions those if they forsake it lay all the blame upon him Ambition and Envy are always in Arms intent upon every occasion to ruin him The people are so imbitter'd against him that they impute even natural misfortunes and the Prince's Vices all to him Bernardo de Cabrera lost his head for the Tyrannies of mPeter the Fourth King of Arragon whose Favourite he was By the same means that a person endeavours to gain the favour of the Prince he incurs the Odium of the Subjects so that it was truly said by that great Man Alphonso de Albuquerque Governour of the Eâ—st-Indies that a Minister in obliging his Prince offended the People and if he endeavour to gratifie the People he disobliges the Prince If this favour be only founded upon exteriour Adoration fomented by Court-Artifices 't is violent and momentary and the Prince will endeavour to free himself from this impos'd involuntary Slavery If it proceed from a natural propensity of the Mind 't is very subject to second Causes and is effac'd by time or the ingratitude of the Subject when he forgets from whence he took his rise 5 Wisd. 15. 11. If a person's Mein and Carriage do as it were ravish the Prince's favour it either soon fades or is only superficial as in common Friendship If it be from some qualifications of Mind greater than those of the Prince when-ever he knows it there 's an end of his â—avour for none can endure in another Pre-eminency in 〈◊〉 Valour which is usually esteem'd above Power and Authority If it be from assiduity and care in business diligence is not less dangerous than negligence for success does not always correspond to means because of the diversity of accidents and Princes will be disappointed in nothing that they wish and desire Success is attributed to chance or to the fortune of the Prince and not to the prudence of the Favourite 6 Haec est conditio Regum ut casus tantum adversos hominibus tribuant sccundos fortunae suae Aemil. Prob but miscaâ—â—iages to him alone though the fault be anothers for all are willing to father Success but Misfortunes are laid at â—nother's door 7 Prospera omâ—es sibi vendicant adversa uni 〈◊〉 Tac. in vit Agric. that is to the Favourite Even Casualties are imputed to him as the falling of the Amphitheatre and the burning of Mount Caelius were to Sejanus 8 Feralemque annum ferâ—bant omnibus adversis susceptum Principi consilium absentia qui mos vulgò ad culpam fortuita trahentes Tac. 4. ann Nor do they only accuse him in affairs of his own management but also in those of others or in those accidents that depend upon the Prince's Will and Nature Thus Seneca was blam'd for that Nero would have drown'd his Mother 9 Ergo non jam Nero cujus immanitas omnium quâ—stus anteibat sed adverso rumore Seneca erat quod oratione tali confessionem scripsisset Tac. 14. ann Men cannot imagin a wickedness so strange as was not believ'd of Sejanus 10 Sed quia Sejanus â—acinorum ommum repertor habebatur ex nimia charitate in eum Caesaris caeterorum in utrumque odio quamvis fabulosa immania credebantur Tac 4. ann There is no natural death of a great Minister or Relation of the Prince but is immediately reflected upon the Favourite As was that of Prince Philip Emanuel Son to Charles Duke of Savoy to the Duke of Lerma If this favour proceeds from Obligation and from signal Services perform'd the Prince will by degrees grow weary of the burthen and his Love will turn into Hate because he looks upon him as a Creditor and being unable to pay him he seeks pretences to break with him and so strike off the Debt 11 Nam beneficia eo usque laeta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse ubi multum antevenèâ—e pro gratia odium redditur Ibid. Acknowledgment is
are the chief promoters of his fall that they may get out of danger themselves all joining some as Friends some as Enemies to push down this falling Wall 53 Psal. 61. 4. The Prince asham'd of himself strives to free himself from this Subjection and to regain his credit by making the Favourite the principal cause of all miscarriages so that he is caught in his own Snares without being able to free himself as Sejanus was 54 Nâ—n tam sâ—leâ—tia quippe iisdem artibus victus est Tac. 4. ann and the more he strives to disengage himself the more he hastens his ruin For when Favour once sickens it must die there being no Medicine can recover it From all that has been said we may evidently see that the greatest danger in Favour is in the methods which Ambition takes to preserve it it being the same with Favourites as with People who are too curious about their Health who thinking to preserve it by abundance of Physick rather destroy it and shorten their days And as in Distempers of the Body there is no better remedy than Abstinence leaving the rest to Nature so when Favour begins to sicken the best Advice is not to tamper too much with Medicines but to serve his Prince with sincerity and integrity without affection or interest leaving the Operation to Merit and Truth more durable than Artifice and using only some Preservatives such as respect the Favourite the Prince or his Ministers or the Court or the People or Strangers As to the Favourite he should preserve the same state of Modesty and Affability that his fortune found him in He should clear his Looks from the dazling Beams of Favour as Moses did when he spoke to the People after he came from communing with God 55 Exod. 34. 35. Daniel though he was a Favourite to many Kings waited with the rest in the Anti-Chambers 56 Dan. 2. 49. Let him refuse those Honours which either belong to the Prince or exceed the Sphere of a Minister and if any would offer them let him advertise both himself and him that he is only a Servant to the Prince to whom alone those Honours are due so the Angel inform'd St. Iohn when he would have worshipped him 57 Revel 19. 1â— Let him not make his Prince's Favour the means whereby to execute his Lusts and Passions Let him hear with Patience and answer calmly 58 Eccles 12. 9. let him not affect others Favour nor fear their Displeasure nor conceal his Favour nor covet Sovereign Power nor arm against Envy nor provide against Emulation for in these Precautions are very dangerous Let him fear God and Infamy The Favourite is also in danger from his Family and Relations for though the Prince and People do approve of his Actions it don't thence follow that they must also those of his Domesticks and Relations whose Disorders Indiscretion Pride Avarice and Ambition render him odious and ruin him Let him not deceive himself by thinking that his own Creatures are the support and strength of his Favour for he who depends on many is in danger of many and therefore 't is better to keep them within remembrance of their former Condition and far from the management of Affairs that others may see they hold no part in the Government nor his Favour or that they are preferr'd meerly for being his Servants But if they are persons of Worth and Merit I would not that their being the Favourites Servants and Relations should prejudice them Christ has taught us this Point giving to his Relations the Dignity of forerunner and Apostle but not that of Teacher of Nations and that of the Pontificate which were due to the Faith of St. Peter and the Learning of St. Paul With the Prince let him observe these Maxims Let him always presuppose that his Favour or Affection is very subject to change and if any such change should happen he enquire not into the Cause thereof nor pretend to take notice of it that the Prince may not suspect him nor his Rivals hope his Fall for he is in danger of it when he but thinks of it Let him not build his Favour upon the inclination and fancy of the Prince but upon his own Merit for if the Gold of Favour be not well tempered with that Allay it can never endure the Hammer of Emulation Let him love more the Dignity than the person of a Prince Let him moderate his Zeal by Prudence and guide his understanding by that of the Prince for none can suffer a a Rival in Sense Let him think himself his Subject not his Companion and being a Creature let him not pretend to equal his Creator 59 â—ccles 2. 12. let him esteem it honourable and glorious to ruin himself to augment his Grandeur Let him advise with a modest agreeable and sincere Freedom 60 Prov. 22. 11. without fear of Danger or Ambition of being accounted zealous and stanch in his Opinion Let him make no Affair his own nor think his Reputation concern'd in its Success nor be disgusted that his Sentiments are rejected or that being admitted they were afterwards altered for such Attempts are very dangerous In Debates and Resolutions let him be neither so hot as to flame nor so cold as to freeze but keep a moderate pace according to time and opportunity Let him be more intent upon his Duty than his Favour but without Affectation or vain Glory for he who serves only for Reputation robs the Prince of his 61 Luk. 17. 10. Let his Silence be a propos and his words close and ready upon occasion which quality King Theodorick commended in one of his Favourites 62 Sub Genii nostri luce intrepidus quidem sed reverenter astabat opportunâ— tacitus necessariè copiosus Cass. lib. â— Ep. 3. Let him prefer his Princes Service to his own interest nay let them be both one Let him pay due Veneration to the Royal Family esteeming their Friendship his greatest Security without fomenting Differences between them and the Prince for Blood is easily reconcil'd to the ruin of the Favourite Let him take care that the Prince has always good Servants and faithful Ministers about him and let him instruct him faithfully in the Art of Government Let him neither shut his Eyes nor stop his Ears but rather take care that he see touch and feel all things himself Let him discreetly inform him of his Errours and Failures without fear of offence if necessity requires For though his Favour may sicken for a time 't will recover again when he finds his Errour as it happen'd to Daniel with the Kings of Babylon 63 Prov. 28 23. When the Prince resolves or determines any thing through Heat or Passion he should endeavour to bend not break those Resolutions waiting while time and the inconveniencies thereof convince him of his Errour Let him not prevent his hearing Peoples Complaints and Satyrs for when they fall
upon Innocence they are as Grains of Salt that preserve Favour and Admonitions not to err or to amend Let him ascribe successful Actions to the Prince but tâ—ke miscarriages upon himself Let him always think his ruin sure and certain waiting for it with Constancy and a free and disinteress'd mind without being over sollicitous to establish his Favour for he falls soonest from a Precipice who fears it most The reflection of the danger disturbs the Brain and we grow giddy with looking from an height Whatever Favourites have been thus giddy have certainly fell when those who have not been so sollicitous have pass'd secure 64 Prov. 10. 9. Among the Ministers of State let him behave himself rather as a Companion than a Master rather as a Defender than Accuser 65 Eccles. 32. 1. Let him encourage the Good and endeavour to reform the Bad. Let him not interpose his Authority in their Preferments or Removals and leave to them their own business Let him not alter the Course of Counsels in Consultations nor deny any access to the Prince If the Prince would have him confer with him let him declare his Sentiments frankly without any other Design than to consult for the best The Court is the most dangerous Rock of Favour and yet all use it to establish and confirm it there is not a stone in it but would strive to fall if in falling it might crush the Statue of the Favourite which is as brittle as that of Nebuchadnezar by reason of the diversity of Metals that compos'd it Not one Courtier is a true Friend to the Favourite if he chooses some he incurs the Hatred and Envy of the rest If he introduces them he is in danger of being supplanted if he does not he makes them his Enemies 'T is thereâ—ore the safest way to walk with indifference to all and not to intermeddle in the Affairs of any one but endeavour to satisfie all and if possible rather to promote than hinder them in their Pretensions and Interest If any one shall have insinuated himself into the Prince's Favour 't will be the best way to keep him there for he who wrestles with another to throw him down usually falls with him and opposition confirms Favour More Favorites have been ruined by striving to displace others than by advancing them Let him slight Accusations or Commendations to the Prince and leave them to Fortune Favour is very subject to the People for if they disapprove the Favourite the Prince can never support him against the common Cry or if he Attempts it the People usually turn his Judges and Executioners we having seen a great many fall by their hands If the People love him to excess he is in danger from thence for that creates Jealousie and Envy in others nay in the Prince himself whence the Peoples Loves are generally short and unlucky 66 Breves infaustos populi Romani amores Tac. 2. ann And so that the Favourite may walk safe between these two Extreams he must avoid all occasions of publick Applause and Acclamations Let him only endeavour to procure to himself a good Esteem by Piety Liberality Complaisance and Affability making it his Care to see Justice duely administred that there may be plenty of all things that the publick Peace be not disturb'd in his time that Privileges be not violated nor Novelties introduced into the Government but above all that there be no Disputes in matters of Religion nor difference among the Clergy For he will soon feel the Peoples Rage if he once incur the name of impious Foreigners who want this natural Love for the Prince depend more upon the Favourite than him whence they pay him most Respect that they may by his means accomplish their Designs to the great dishonour of the Prince and prejudice of his States Nay they often prove the ruin of the Favourite unless he abundantly satisfie them in their Desires and Requests wherefore he ought to beware of their Respect and refuse the incense and worth of Foreigners letting them who would pay him those Honours know that he is only the Curtain before the Image and that 't is the Prince that works the Miracles Ambassadors usually affect the Friendship of the Favourite as the most effectual means to accomplish their Affairs and judging that the disorders which result from Favour will be of Service to them they endeavour to foment it being often introduc'd thereto by the Favourite himself and as they take occasion to commend them in Audiences and seem at first sight free from Interest and Emulation it has often very good Effect yet for all this they are dangerous Friends for the Favourite can't preserve their Friendship without great Detriment to the Prince and State And if in consideration of his Duty he does not abundantly satisfie them they are utter Enemies and leave no stone unturn'd to ruin him 'T is therefore safest not to be more engag'd to them than the Princes Service will permit Endeavouring only to gain the Reputation abroad of a sincere and affable Person and one who would rather preserve the good Correspondences and Alliances of his Prince than break ' em A timely Application of these Preservatives may perhaps prevent a Favourites fall but when he has once incurr'd the Odium and Envy of the people these are look'd upon as Tricks and Artifices and more endanger him As it happened to Seneca who took no method to prevent his Death but endeavouring to moderate his Favour when he found himself persecuted 67 Instituta prioris potentiae commutat proâ—ibet coetus salutantium vâ—tat comitantes rarus per Urbem quasi valetudine infeâ—sa aut sapientiae studiis doâ—◠〈◊〉 Tâ—c 14. ann If notwithstanding the Observation of all these Cautions the Favourite shall fall into Disgrace his fall will be Glorious he having liv'd without the little Fears and the shameful Care of preserving his Favour by methods below a generous Spirit a torment much worse than the disgrace it self If there be any thing valuable in a Princes Favour 't is only the Glory of having merited his Esteem the Continuation of which is full of Cares and Dangers And he is happiest who soonest and with most Reputation quits it I have describ'd Royal Sir the Practices of Favourites but not how a Prince ought to comport himself towards them not supposing that he ought to have any for though he must be allow'd to have more inclination to one than another yet not so as to devolve all his Authority upon one person from whom the people must expect Orders Rewards and Punishments for such Favour is properly an Alienation from the Crown and dangerous to the Government even when Favour succeeds in the Election of the Subject for neither will the people so readily obey nor so awfully respect the Favourite as the Prince nor is he so much concern'd for the welfare of the State nor is he so immediately under the care of
not the Promises of the Lover when she said Our hands are full of eyes what they see they believe and elsewhere she calls the Day quick sighted in which she never traded but for the Ready Blind are Resolves made by Confidence Pythagoras's Motto was Not to shake hands with every Body Credulity to all is very dangerous let a Prince therefore consider well before he ingages himself thinking always that his Friends as well as his Enemies design to cheat him one more the other less one to rob him of his Territories and Riches the other only to reconcile himself to his Favour and Good-will This Pre-supposition should not be deriv'd from Fraud and Villainy giving him the Liberty to forfeit his Word and Promise which would utterly confound the publick Faith and be a great Blot in his Reputation this Caution should be nothing but a prudent Circumspection and piece of Policy That Diffidence the Daughter of Suspicion is then blameable in a Prince when 't is frivolous and vicious which immediately discovers its Effects and proceeds to Execution not that Circumspect and general Distrust which equally regards all without particularizing upon any one until the Circumstances well examined shall dictate otherwise and perhaps you may not sufficiently confide in any one whom you may nevertheless have a good Opinion of for this is not a particular distrusting of him but a general Caution of Prudence there are Forts in the very middle of Kingdoms in which there are Garrisons kept as if on the Enemies Frontiers This Caution is convenient and reflects not upon the Subjects Fidelity A Prince may confide in his Relations Allies Subjects and Ministers yet this Confidence should not be so remiss as to lull him asleep and make him careless of all Accidents by which Ambition Interest or Hatred usually pervert Fidelity breaking the strongest Bars of the Law of Nature and Nations when a Prince had rather chuse to suffer than live in the continual Alarms of so many Cautions and rather let things run on than remedy the Inconveniencies which may happen He makes his Ministers wicked and sometimes treacherous for they imputing his Indulgence to Incapability despise and slight him and each Reigns absolutely in that part of the Government which is allotted him But when the Prince is vigilant and if he does confide in any does it not without Caution when he is always so prepar'd that Treachery shall never find him unprovided when he condemns not without hearing and reprehends not but to preserve Fidelity when 't is in danger he may wear his Crown in safety King Ferdinand the Catholick had no reason to suspect the Fidelity of the great Captain †Gonâ—alez Fernandez of Cordovâ— Mar. Hist. Hisp. nevertheless he kept those people near him who should diligently pry into his Actions that he knowing how narrowly he was watch'd might Act with the more Caution This was not properly an Action of distrust but prudence For all this he must take care that this Suspicion be not groundless and frivolous as was that of the same King Ferdinand to the same great Captain for though after the loss of the Battel of Ravenna he wanted him for the management of Affairs in Italy he would not make use of him when he saw with what eagerness all the people strove to serve and fight under him and so endeavoured by alâ— the means he could to assure himself of Duke Valentine 〈◊〉 that suspecting an experimented Fidelity he exposed himself to one suspected So over jealous Spirits to avoid one Danger fall into a greater though sometimes the refusal of the Services of such great Men may be rather a Princes Envy or Ingratitude than Jealousie or Suspicion It may be also that this wise Prince thought it not convenient to make use of a Man whom he knew to be discontented a Prince must expect little Fidelity from a person of whom he has once shewn a Distrust The more ingenious and generous a Spirit is the more it resents the Suspicion of its Fidelity and so more easily quits it which made Getulius make bold to write to Tiberius That he was Loyal and unless suspected would remain so 4 Sibi fidem integram si nullis infidiis peteretur mansuram Tac. 6. ann A Prince ought to learn by the experience of his own Accidents as well as others how far he ought to confide in his Subjects Amongst the Cautions which King Henry the II. left his Son Don John there was this That he should continue the Rewards given to those who had follow'd his party against King Peter their natural Lord but that he should not put so much Confidence in them as not to have an Eye upon 'em that in Offices and Places of Trust he should make use of those who adher'd to their Master King Peter like true and faithful Subjects and oblige 'em to make amends for past Offences by future Services but that he should not put any Confidence in the Neuters who had shewn themselves more addicted to self Interest than the publick Good Traytors are odious even to those whom they serve by their Treason 5 Quippe proditores etiam iis quos anteponunt invisunt Tac. 1. ann and the Loyal are esteem'd by those against whom they are so upon this ground Otho trusted Celsus who had faithfully served Galba 6 Mansitque Celso velut fat alitâ—r etiam pro Othone fides integrâ— infelix Tac. 1. Hist. 'T is not good to raise a Minister all at once to great Places for it makes other envy him and hate the Prince they taking this sudden Promotion as an Argument of his Levity There is no Minister so modest as not to be affronted nor so zealous as to continue in his Devoir when he sees another so unjustly preferred For one that 's satisfied many are discontented and when the Ministers are disgusted 't is impossible the Government should go well Such Elections are nothing else but abortive Births and Fidelity takes deeper root when it sees that Offices and Imployments are the reward of faithful Services the Prince has in the mean while time to make Tryal of his Minister first in places of small Trust least it should cost him too dear afterwards in places of greater Importance 7 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much Luk. 16. 10. let him examine before he employs him in Affairs of Peace or War what is the most likely to shake his Fidelity what his Birth is what his Reputation and Fortune this Circumspection is particularly necessary in places of Trust which are as 't were the Keys and Security of Governments Augustus would not permit any Senator or Roman Knight to enter Egypt without his special Order because that Province was the Grainary of the Empire and that he who made himself Master of that had the other at Command for the same reason Tiberius sharply reprehended Germanicus for going into
setled upon the Throne shall neglect and think it beneath your Grandeur to stoop to and that your Presence is sufficient without this troublesome Assiduity leaving that to your Ministers I dare averâ— from the excellent Constitution and order of this Government both in its Courts and Counsels your Highness might finish your Course without any considerable Danger but you would be no more than the hand to the Clock wholly govern'd by the Whâ—els nor would there appear any thing conspicuous or glorious in your whole Reign as there will if which God grant your Highness imitating Augustus shall make your Remarks upon each Kingdom distinctly with an Addition of all Garrison'd Towns also of all persons famous for War or Peace with their Qualifications Characters Services and the like particularly inserting all Aâ—fairs of great Concern what has been their Issue in what they succeeded in what fail'd and several other Observations which are instructive in the Art of Government Hence proceeds the Harmony in the Order of the Jesuits which all so much admire for every three years the General has a particular Account of all things that have pass'd together with a private List of those of the Order who because they may in time alter their Nature and Manners these Catalogues are renewed every Year besides he has particular Informations every Year of what ever in necessary for him to know By which they always succeed in their Elections by suiting the Capacity of the Person to the Office not the Office to the Person And if Princes had such Characters of things and persons they would not be so often deceived in their Resolves and Counsels they would be better instructed in the Art of Government and need not depend wholly upon their Ministers and these would serve the Prince with more Care and Circumspection when they knew that he understood and took notice of all things and so these gross Faults which we see at present I mean in not timely providing Necessaries for Peace and War would never be committed in a word the fear of this Catalogue would make Vertue flourish and Vice perish nor would these short Memoirs breed any confusion especially if some were made by the Princes own hands and others by his chief Ministers who are persons of Understanding and whom he can trust to do it sincerely and carefully wherefore if as Cicero says this Knowledge is necessary for a Senatour 27 Est senatori necessarium nosse Rempub. quà m latè pâ—tet quid habeat Militum quid valeat aerarium quoâ— socios Resp. habeat quos amicos quos â—ipendiarios qua quisque sit lege conditione foedere c. Cicero who is but a small Member of the Government how much more is it for a Prince on whom depends the universal welfare of his State And if Philip King of Macedon caus'd the Articles of the Roman League to be read over to him twice every day why should a Prince disdain to read in one Book an Epitome of the whole Body of his Empire viewing in that as in a Map all the parts of which it consists EMBLEM LVIII HONOUR is one of the chiefest Instruments in the Art of Government if it were not the Off-spring of Glory I should think it a politick Invention it is the Prop of Empires without it none could stand long a Prince without it wants a Guard for his Vertues the Spur of Renown and Bond which makes him to be loved and respected a Thirst for Riches is Tyrannick but for Honour Royal 1 Velle pecuniis excellere Tyrannicum Hâ—noribus vero magis Regium Arist. Poâ— lib. 5. nor is Honour less requisite in the Subject than the Prince for without that the Laws would not be able to keep the people in their Devoir it being certain that they are more restrain'd by the fear of Infamy than punishment The Economy of Government would soon be ruined were not Obedience Loyalty Integrity and such like Vertues in esteem Ambition for Honour preserves the Authority of the Laws to attain it we inure our selves to Labour and Vertue That Government is in as much danger where all would be Slaves as that in which aâ—l would be Masters A Nation too abject and base is a prey to every Invader and soon forgets its Duty to its lawful Prince but that which is of a more lofty Spirit and which sets a value upon Honour slights all Toils and Perils nay even despises its own Ruine to remain firm in its Obedience and Loyalty what Wars Calamities and Devastations by Fire and Sword has not the Dutchy of Burgundy felt for preserving their Faith and Allegiance to his Catholick Majesty neither the Tyranny and Barbarity of their Enemies nor the infection of the Elements though all seem'd to conspire against them could shake their Constancy They might indeed take from those Loyal Subjects their Estates their Countrey and their Lives but not their sincere Faith and generous Loyalty to their lawful Prince The usual Remedies against intestine Disorders is to make the People strangers to Honour and Reputation which piece of Policy is us'd in China which is in no danger but from its own Subjects but in other Kingdoms which are exposed to Invasions Glory and Renown is absolutely necessary for the Subjects that they may have Courage to repulse an Enemy â—or where there is no Honour there is no Valour That Prince is not truly Great who does not command great Spirits nor can he ever without such make himself formidable or enlarge his Territories The Subject's Honour obliges them to procure the Prince's for upon his Grandeur depends their's The very shadow and empty appearance of Honour makes 'em assiduous in Labours and valiant in Dangers What Treasures could make sufficient Compensation for the Estates and Blood which Subjects squander away for the Prince's Will and Fancy were it not for this publick Coin of Honour wherewith every one pays himself in his own Opinion 'T is the best Price of worthy and brave Exploits the cheapest Reward that Princes could have found so that if not for their own Grandeur they ought at least for their Conveniency and Interest maintain it among their Subjects by either taking no notice of or lightly punishing the Faults which they commit to defend it and on the contrary by encouraging with Rewards and publick Acknowledgments such Actions as are generous and honourable But they should beware of giving the least Incouragement to that vain fantastical Honour so much in Vogue which depends upon peoples Fancies not true Vertue thence proceed Disputes among the Ministers about Precedence to the prejudice of the Publick and the Prince's Service Hence Duels Affronts and Murthers and from these come Tumults and Seditions This makes Obedience stagger and defiles it with the Prince's blood for if once the Subject shall be perswaded in his own Opinion or by the common Cry that he is a Tyrant and not fit to live he soon contrives his Death
to obtain the Honour of Assertor of his Countrey 's Liberty 2 Itaque Monarchas non ut sibi vendicent Monarchiam invadunt sâ—d ut famam gloriam adipiscantur Arist. Pol. 5. cap. 10. It should therefore be the Princes Care to abolish this Superstition of false Honour and to promote the Worship of the true Let not a Prince disdain to honour Merit either in Subjects or Strangers for this does not derogate from the Prince's Honour no more than the light of a Torch is diminished by the lighting of another by it for which Reason Ennius compares the Charity of a person who instructs a wandring Traveller in his way to a Flame He who t' a wandring Man his way has shewn Lights t'others Torch and never hurts his own * Ennius From whence proceeds Cicero's Advice that whatever kindness can be done another without Detriment to ones self let it be done even to a Stranger 3 Ut quicquid sine detrimento accommodari possit id tribuatur velignoto Cicero From both these Sentences the present Emblem is taken a lighted Candle in a Candlestick the Emblem of Divinity and supream Authority at which two others are lighted to signifie that a Prince may bestow Honour upon those who deserve it without Detriment to his own His Honour is borrowed not his own who is afraid of wanting it when he confers it on others Springs continually flow and are never empty The Fund of Honour in Princes is inexhaustible be they never so profuse All respect them as the only Magazines of Honours from whence every one expects his share so the Earth with its Vapours refreshes the Air which returns them in Dew upon the Earth again And this mutual Correspondence between the Prince and his Subjects King Alphonso the Wise knew when he said that these in Honouring him honour'd themselves because from him they expect Honour and Preferment where this mutual Honour is there Affairs flourish in Peace and War and the Government is established Nor does a Prince shew his Majesty more in any thing than in the Honours he confers All natural Bodies the more noble they are are the more generous and free of their Vertues and Gifts To give Riches is humane but the distribution of Honour belongs to God or his Vicegerents In these Maxims I would perfectly instruct your Highness especially in that of honouring the Nobility who are the main support of Monarchy Let your Highness hearken to your glorious Predecessor King Alphonso the Wise who in laying down Maxims for his Successors speaks to this Effect Furthermore he ought to respect and honour the Nobility for their Riches and for that they are an Honour to his State and he should respect and honour the Gentry as being his Guard and the Bulwark of his Kingdom Without Rewards Services flag but rewarded they flourish and make the Kingdom glorious Under an ungrateful King never any great Action was aâ—chieved nor any glorious Example transmitted to Posterity Those three brave Souldiers who broke through the Enemies Squadrons and fetch'd water from the Cistern scarce did any thing else remarkable because David did not gratifie them A Prince by once rewarding the Merits of a Family binds them to his Service for ever The Nobility is as much urg'd to Glory by the noble Exploits of their Ancestors and by Honours with which they were rewarded as by those which they themselves expect 't was upon this Account that your Royal Highnesses Predecessors bestowed eternal marks of Honour upon the Services of some great Families of Spain So King Iohn II. rewarded those of the Counts Ribadeo by permitting them to eat at the King's Table upon Twâ—lfth-day and to have the same Coat which his Majesty wore that day his Catholick Majesty granted the same Honour to the Marquess of Cadiz And order'd that they should have the Coat which he wore upon the Feast of the Blessed Virgin to the Marquesses of Moya he gave the Cup which the Kings should drink out of upon St. Lucia's Day to the Earls of Roca of the Family of Vera and to all of that House a Grant for each to exempt thirty persons from all Taxes the same King Ferdinand when he met the King of France at Savona invited the great Captain Gonsalvo to Table with him at whose house also he staid at his Entry into Naples and what wonder since he ow'd him his Kingdom and all Spain its Glory and Success †Mar. Hist. Hisp. Of him might well be said what Tacitus says of another brave and valiant General In his Body was all the beauty of the Cherusâ—i and whatever was done with Success was the result of his Counsel 4 Illo in corpore decus owne Cheruscorum illius consilia gesta quae prosperâ— ceâ—idâ—rint testaâ—atur Tac. 2. ann The Valour and Conduct of one Minister is often the Foundation and Rise of a Kingdom That which is founded in America is owing to Herman Cortez and the Pizarrs The single Valour and Industry of the Marquess of Aytona kept the Netherlands from revolting upon the Death of the Infanta Isabella and some of our present Ministers have been the chief Instruments in preserving the Empire in the House of Austria and of the Tranquility which Italy has so long enjoyed whose great Rewards have been a spark to kindle a glorious Emulation in others By recompencing one Service you purchase many more 't is a noble Usury which enriches Princes and enlarges and secures their Estates the Ottoman Empire flourishes because it encourages and prefers Valour in whomsoever it is conspicuous The Fabrick of the Spanish Monarchy arrived at this Perfection because King Ferdinand the Catholick and after him Charles V. and Philip II. knew how to hew out and proportion the Stones to its bigness Princes complain of this Age of being barren and not productive of such great Spirits not considering that the Reason is that they don't look for them or if they do find them that they don't give them sufficient Encouragement but only promote those who are about them which depends more upon Chance than Choice Nature always produces some great Genius's but Princes don't always make use of them How many excellent Genius's and great Spirits are born and die in Obscurity who if they had been imployed and exercis'd in Business had been the Admiration of Mankind Ossat had died Chaplain of St. Lewis in Rome without the Glory of having done so many signal Services to France had not Henry IV. of France observing his great Abilities procur'd him a Cardinals Hat If a Prince suffers a great Soul to herd with the common Rout he will live and die like one of them without performing any thing remarkable or glorious Christ went up to the Mountain Tabur with three of his Disciples only leaving the rest with the multitude upon which their Faith immediately cool'd 5 Nam quod Domino in monte demorante ipsis cum turba
and courageous in Words but cowardly and base in Action They rise upon the least occasion and are soon compos'd Do not lead but follow bear themselves the same to all are sooner forc'd than perswaded In Success arrogant and impious in Adversity timorous and superstitious as prone to Cruelty as Mercy Equally blind in their Favours as their Persecutions they abuse Clemency by Licenciousness and rebel against strict Discipline if they once shall attack the Rich neither Reason nor Shame will reclaim them They raise and are fond of Stories and by their own Credulity enlarge them they follow the Advice of the many not the wise few they attribute ill Success to the Malice of the Magistracy and common Calamities to the Prince's fâ—ult Nothing makes them more supple and obedient than Plenty of Provisions for upon that their Care and Thoughts are fixt Interest and Dishonour soon put them in Commotion Loaden they fall lighten'd they kick back they love hot and rash Spirits and an ambitious and turbulent way of Government they are never content with the present State of Affairs but are always greedy of Change A servile Imitator of the Vertues and Vices of those in Authority They Envy the Rich and Wealthy and plot against them are mighty fond of Plays and Shews nor is there any other way than that to gain their Favour Superstitious in Religion paying more respect to the Priests than their Principles These are the chief Qualities and Affections of the Mob But a Prince may be satisfied that there is no Community or Councel though never so great and grave and of Select Persons in which there is not something of the vulgar and which does not in many things resemble the Popularity The Court makes another part of the strings of this Harp which if a Prince can't touch with great Prudence and Dexterity the whole Harmony of Government is spoil'd wherefore that he many know to tune them well 't is necessary he should know their Nature The Court is presumptuous and inconstant changing its Colour Camelion like each moment according as the Wind of Prosperity or Adversity blows though it all speaks one Language yet all don 't alike understand it it Worships and Adores â—he rising Prince but slights him when declining towards his West it censures and carps at his Actions and yet imitates them it hawks after his Favour with the Nets of Flattery ever bent upon Ambition and Self-interest it lives by Lyes and hates Truth Easily swallowâ— Vice but Vertue not without Difficulty loves Change and Novelty fears every thing and distrusts all Haughty and arrogant in Authority servile and cringing in Obedience Envys even it self as well as others wonderful cunning and dissembling in concealing its Designs it veils its Hatred with Smile and Ceremony Praises and commends in publick and defames privately Is its own Enemy fantastical in its Appearance and unperforming in its Promises This Instrument of Government being known and the Qualities and Sound of each string the Prince ought to touch 'em with that Dexterity that they may all sound Harmoniously without jarring in which he ought to keep time and measure and not favour one String more than another in those which are to make the Consort and wholly forget others for in this Instrument of the Government all have their proper Functions tho' they are unequal and easily jarr which Discord is very dangerous when he shall grant too great Authority to the Magistracy or too much Favour the Commons and slight the Nobility or Administer to some and not to others or confound Offices Military with Civil or does not well know to sustain his Majesty by Authority his Kingdom by Love the Court by Gravity the Nobility by Honour the People by Plenty Justice by Equality the Laws by Fear Arms by Rewards Power by Frugality War by Riches and Peace by Reputation every one of these Instruments are different both in their Nature and the Disposition of the Strings which are the Subjects and so should be manag'd and play'd upon by different ways and a different hand one Kingdom is like a Harp which not only requires the softness of the Fingers ends but also the hardness of the Nails too Another is more like an Organ which requires both Hands to express the Harmony of the Pipes The third is so delicate like a Guitarre that it won't bear the Fingers but must be touch'd with a fine Quill to make it exert its Harmony A Prince ought therefore to be well vers'd in the Knowledge of these Instruments and their Strings to keep 'em always in Tune and to take Care not to strain too hard upon the Notes of Severity or Avarice as St. Chrysostom observ'd in God himself 2 Neque nervum intendit neque remittit ultra modum nè harmiâ—â—iae consensum laedat Chrysost. for even the best String when too much strain'd if it does not break at least spoils the Sweetness of the Consort EMBLEM LXII THE ingenuous and industrious Bee cautiously conceals the Art by which it makes its Combs They are all busie and none can find out their Oeconomy and method of Government And if any one more curious than ordinary shall endeavour to inspect it by means of a Glass Hive they soon plaister it over with Wax that they may have no Spyes nor Witnesses of their Domestick Transactions O prudent Commonwealth Mistress of the World Thou hadst long since extended thy Empire over all Animals had Nature furnish'd thee with Strength equal to thy Prudence Let all others come to thee to learn the importance of Silence and Secrecy in the management of Affairs and the Danger of discovering the Artifice and Maxims of Government Negotiations and Treaties Counsels and Resolutions the Ails and inward Infirmities of States if Drusus the Tribune had duly consider'd this Prudence of Bees when a Builder promised him to make the Windows of his house so that no Body should look in he had not given him this Answer Rather says he so contrive my House if you can that all may see what I do 1 Tu vero inquit siquid in te artis est it a compone doâ—num meam ut quicquid again ab omnibus perspici possit Vell. Pat lib. 2. this was a piece of Pride of an open ingenuous Spirit or the confidence of a private Person not of a publick Minister or a Prince in whose Court there should be some Retirements where they may unseen treat and deliberate of Affairs Counsel is like a Mystery to be communicated but to few 2 Judith 2. 2. Ancient Rome erected Altars to the God whom they called Consus who presided over Counsels but they were Subterraneous ones to intimate that Counsels ought to be private by the benefit of which Secrecy it grew to that Greatness and maintain'd it self so long For Silence is the best and strongest Bond of Government 3 Taciturnitas optimum atque tutissimum rerum administrandarum Vinculum
Val. Max. l. 2. c. 2. Their Senate was so close and trusty that never any of their Debates were publish'd there was not one for many Ages who discover'd ' em They had all Ears to hear but none Tongues to divulge I question whether the same may be said of present Governments That which was yesterday debat'd in Council is to day the Subject of Womens Chat who with ease notwithstanding the Prophet Micah 4 Micah 7. 5. coaks them out of their Husbands and so tell 'em again to others as it was in that Secret which Mâ—ximus told his Wife Martiâ— 5 Quod Maximum uxori Martlae aperuisse illam Liviae Tac. 1. ann and she to Livia By these Channels those Secrets soon come to the Ears of foreign Ambassadours whose inquisitiveness nothing scapes They are publick Spies and Plummets that always search the bottom prudent are those Governments which allow them not continual Residence They are more prejudicial than beneficial to the publick Peace and they oft'ner breed Disturbances than promote Tranquility They are ever making Glass Hives that they may treacherously inspect the Deliberations of Councils Let a Prince therefore attentively indeavour to stop all those Crevises through which inquisitive Curiosity may pry into his Concerns For if any Enemy penetrates them he easily prevents and frustrates them As Germanicus did who understood all the Designs of his Enemies 6 Nihil ex iis Caesari incognitum consilia locos prompta multa noverat astusque hostium in perniciem ipsis vertebat Tac. 2. ann This was the Reason of the Advice which Sallust gave Livia that the Secrets of the Family nor the Counsels of Friends nor the Ministery of the Militia should by no means be divulg'd 7 Ni arcana domus ne consilia amicorum ne ministeriâ— militum vulgarentur Tac. 1. ann Sampson in discovering wherein his Strength lay to Daliâ—h 8 Jud. 16. â— gave his Enemies opportunity of robbing him of it 9 Ibid. Private Designs strike a Fear upon all and create a Veneration for the Prince and though at first they are not well grounded yet may a prudent Judgment afterwards find means to make them Successful The Respect and Esteem which we have for Princes and Common-wealths would all be lost if their private Consultations were made publick They are carv'd Gyants which seem tall and vast to the Eye and which frighten more than hurt but if that Fear shall approach nearer 't will find them govern'd and fram'd by Men of no higher Statuâ—e than themselves States which are close in their Counsels and Actions are respected but otherwise despis'd by all 10 Prov. 20. 5. How smooth and pleasant does a deep River glide along and how rough and uncouth that which discovers the Pebbles and Weeds at the bottom None dare wade that but this every one skips over Those things which Opinion magnifies the Eye shews less Reverence proceeds from distance 11 Major è longinquis reverentia Tac. 1. ann For this Reason God when he conferr'd with Moses upon Mount Sinai about the Laws and Government of his People he veil'd its Top not only with Fire but also with a thick Cloud 12 Exod. 19. 6. least any one should treacherously observe them he also Commanded upon pain of Death that none should approach the very Foot of the Mountain 13 Exod 19. 12. If God himself is so cautious in his Commands and Consultations what then should Man be whose wisest Counsels are Ignorance When their Resolutions are publish'd in due time they seem elaborate and compos'd with profound Judgment they shew the Majesty and Prudence of the Prince and we believe there are Reasons and Considerations which we can't comprehend nay we many times imagine some that the Ministers never so much as thought of But if we were to hear the Debates Grounds and Reasons of their Resolves we should perhaps deservedly ridicule them As upon the Stage the Actors appear Gay and Splendid and move the Respect of all but behind the Scenes is despicable Misery and Confusion 'T is yet more dangerous to entrust the Mysteries of Government to Foreigners these King Henry II. ever suspected * L. 4. tit 3. lib. 1. Reâ—op And though perhaps many would be true yet the safest way is not to admit any of 'em to the management of Affairs especially those of the Treasury chiefly when they are not Subjects or of equal Capacity Least they should dive into the Maxims of the Government 14 Nâ— aliâ—ni Regni quod non convenit scrutentur arcana L. Mâ—rcatoâ—es C de Commer 't is our unhappy Temper to slight and contemn our own and admire all foreign Commodities We think there is no Courage Knowledge or Prudence but is imported not regarding the Advice of the Holy Spirit Admit not a Stranger within thy Door for he will raise a Whirlwind against thee and at last turn thee out of thy own Dwelling If a Prince would have his Counsels kept secret and close let him himself set a good Example of Prudence and Taciturnity Let him imitate Q. Mâ—tellus who we are told us'd to say That if his Shirt knew his Thoughts he would order it to be burnt Let him diligently endeavour to conceal his Mind for he who is Master of his Thoughts has already the main Instrument of Government This Tiberius knew who even in Matters which he had no Design to conceal either naturally or through use always spoke intricately and obscurely but then most of all when 't was discours'd of his succeeding Augustus 15 Tibâ—rioque etiam in rebus quas non occuleret seu natura sive adsuetudine suspensa semper obscurâ— semper tunc vero nitenti ut sensus suos abderet Tac. 1. ann Secrets are not to be communicated to all Ministers though they are never so faithful but only to those to whom they some way belong or those from whom they can't be conceal'd without greater Damage Christ when he desir'd to have one of his Miracles private made only three of his Apostles privy to it thinking it not safe to intrust it to them all 16 Luk. 8. 51. The keeping of a Secret requires great Care for though we can be Silence yet it is not in our Power to Command the interiour Passions 17 Si tam in nostra potestate esset oblivisci quam tacere Tac. in vit Agric. or to suppress that quick Motion of the Blood which betrays the Secrets of the heart by the Face and Eyes 18 Psal. 54. 16. The Mind being like the finest Paper which discovers on the other side what is written within so Britannicus's Death appear'd in Agrippina's Face though she did what she could to stifle it 19 At Agrippinae is Pavor ea consternatio mentis quamvis vultu premeretur emiâ—uit Tac. 13. ann Augustus and Tiberius knew this and because they doubted they could not enough dissemble their Joy for
prudently and Act without Discretion Others promise much and perform little some are very valiant in Peace and mere Cowards in War others undertake every thing and do nothing This Disagreement is much below the Majesty of a Prince in whom a firm Constancy should appear in all his Words and Actions The People can never be firm in their Obedience to a Prince who staggers thus himself Wherefore he should attentively consider before he concludes any thing whether in the Executions of his Counsels the middle will be answerable to the Beginning and End as Godfrey advises Let him who does at great Beginâ—â—â—gâ—â—m * Tass. cant 1. Make the Thread even and both Ends the same The Web of Government tho' never so finely wrought cannot be good and strong unless it be even Nor is it sufficient to know how to enter upon an Affair but 't is expedient too to know how to end it By the Head and Stern of a Ship the Ancients represented perfect Counsel duly weigh'd from the beginning to the end 2 Mihi prora puppis ut Grâ—ecorum proverbium est fuit à me tui dimittendi ut rationes meas explicares Prora itaque Puppâ— summam consilii nostri significamus propterea quod à prora puppi tanquam à capite calce pendeat totanâ—vis Cicero Whence I took the Figure of this present Emblem representing prudent Counsel careful of its Beginning and End by a Ship moored between two Anchors one a Head and the other a Stern to preserve it from the violence of Tempests only one at the Bow would be of small effect if the Wind blowing hard a Stern should drive her upon the Rocks There are three things requisite in Resolutions Prudence to deliberate Diligence to dispose and Constancy to proceed All the heat and toil about the beginning of Affairs would be insignificant if as it usually is we are careless about the end 3 Acribus ut ferme taliâ— initiis incuriâ—so fine Tac. 1. ann 't is at each end that Prudence ought to cast Anchor But since Prudence only regards things present and past not future upon which all Affairs depend 't is necessary by Discourse and Reason to conjecture and foresee what such and such means should produce to make use of Deliberation and Counsel which are as the Wise Alphonso says The best Foresight a Man can have in dubious Matters And in those there 's three things to be consider'd the Probability Justice and Profit of the thing propos'd and also the Capacity and Experience of the Minister who gives the Counsels whether he be moved by Interest or private Ends whether he offers himself to the Danger what are the Difficulties of the Enterprize and upon whom the Blame and Honour of the event will fall 4 Omnes qui Magnarum rerum consilia suscipiunt astimare debent an quod inchoatur Reip. utile ipsis gloriosâ—m aut prâ—mptum effectu aut certè non â—rduum sit simul ipse qui â—uadet considerandus est adjiciatne consilio periculum suum Et si fortuna coeptis fuerit cuâ— sâ—mmum decus acquiratur Tac. 2. Hist. These Cautions premis'd and the Matter stated such means ought to be applys'd as are conformable to the above mentioned Qualities for nothing will be just and beneficial which shall be attain'd by indirect or extravagant means In this also should be consider'd four Distinctions of time which occur in all Affairs but especially in Diseases of States as well as those of humane Bodies and these are the Beginning the Growth or Progress the Consistence and Declension by which and a timely Application of proper means the desir'd End is easily obtain'd as on the contrary by transposing these Methods 't is retarded 〈◊〉 the Course of a Ship would be if the Rudder were chang'd to the Head the Art consists in selecting means proper to the Ends design'd using sometimes these and sometimes thoâ—â— those being not less useful and assistant which are omitted than those which are apply'd as in a Consort of Voices where some cease while others Sing and yet all equally make the Harmony Affairs will not move of themselves tho their good Disposition and Justice or common Interest seem to drive 'em and if not guided by Judgment they certainly miscarry 5 Nam saepe honestâ—s rerum causas ni judicium adhibeas pernicâ—â—â— exitus câ—nsequuntur Tac. 1. Hist few Princes would Err if they govern'd with Assiduity and Circumspection but either they tire or else despise these Arts and will obstinately accomplish their Designs by their own methods This is the way of stubborn Ignorance but Prudence uses other means What Force can't subdue is easily obtained by Dexterity adapted to time and circumstance So Caecinus when he could neither by Prayers nor by Threats stop the Flight of the German Legions possess'd by a vain Fear he at last threw himself in the Gate way and by the Horror they conceiv'd of trampling over their Generals Body stopt them 6 Projectus in limine portae miseratione demum quia per corpus Legati eundum erat clausit viam Tac. 2. an The same thing Pompey did in another Case one single word spoken to Purpose has gained the Victory Ferdinando Gonsalez Count of Castile having drawn up his Army against the Moors a certain Person putting Spurs to his Horse rode out of his Rank towards the Enemy and immediately the Earth open'd and swallow'd him the whole Army was in a Consternation at it but the Count turning to 'em Courage Gentlemen says he If the Earth can't bear us much less will our Enemies and instantly joyning Battle he gain'd the Victory That which happen'd at the Battle of Cirniola is not less remarkable an Italian thinking the Spaniards were routed set Fire to two Waggons of Powder the great Captain Gonsalvo readily and cheerfully animated them with these words Courage my Friends these are the Bone-Fires for our Victory which the Event prov'd * Mar. Hist. Hisp. so much it imports a Minister to have a quick ready Wit and address to make use of Opportunities and by proper means to turn Misfortunes to his Advantage If after the Election of good Ministers and the Application of proper means Events don't answer the Prince's Desire let him not be discouraged but rather shew his Constancy for Resolutions should not be measur'd by Chance but Prudence Casualties which can't be foreseen or prevented accuse not the Action and to blame a Man for doing his endeavour is Impudence This usually befalls Princes who either want Judgment or Courage who being oppress'd by ill Success and as it were beside themselves give themselves up to Melancholy and lose that time in vain Reflections upon what has happen'd which should be imploy'd in remedying it quarrelling with themselves that they did not take another method 7 Eccles. 22. 24. and laying all the Fault upon him who was the Author of this not
King is his People when they are well defended according to a saying of the Emperor Iustinian that the Kingdom was always rich and the Exchequer full when the Subjects were wealthy and the Land plentiful * Lib. 15. tit 5. p. 2. When therefore a Prince raises Taxes with this Moderation the Subjects ought chearfully to pay them nor can they without a sort of Rebellion refuse them for Sovereignty has no other Portion nor publick necessity any other Assistance there is no Peace without Soldiers no Soldier without Pay no Pay without Taxes 6 Neque quies gentium sine armis neque arma sine stipendiis neque stipendia sine tributis haberi queunt Tac. 4. Hist. For this Reason when Nero would have remitted the Taxes the Roman Senate oppos'd him saying that without them the Empire would be ruin'd 7 Dissâ—lutionâ—m Imperii docendo si fructus quibus Resp. sustinetur 〈◊〉 Tac. 13. ann Taxes are the Prince of Peace but if they are too heavy and the People not well satisfied of their necessity they soon rebel against their Prince 'T was for no other Reason that King Alphonso Sirnamed the Great grew so odious to the People that after many Troubles and Vexations he was oblig'd to quit his Crown for the same also Garcios King of Galicia lost both his Kingdom and Life too †Mar. Hist. Hisp. lib. 9. cap. 8. K. Henry III. consider'd this Danger when being advised by some to raise new Taxes to defray the Expence of War he answer'd I fear the Discontent of my People more than my Enemies Money collected from unjust Taxes is mingled with the Subjects Blood as was seen to drop from that piece which St. Francis of Padua broke in the Presence of Ferdinand King of Naples and this ever crys for Vengeance against the Prince Great Taxes therefore ought not to be rais'd till the People be well convinced of the Necessity oâ— them for when they are satisfied of that and of the Justice of the Cause they patiently bear the heaviest Impositions as we see in those which were rais'd by K. Ferdinand IVth and in the Grant which the Parliament of Toledo made of a Million in the times of Henry III. permitting him also to raise more of his own accord to carry on the Wars against the Moors For though 't is not for private Persons to examine into the Justice of Taxes though they cannot often apprehend the Causes of Expences nor can they be communicated to them without evident Danger 8 Tibi summum rerum judicium dii dedere nobis obsâ—quii glâ—â—ia relictâ— est Tac. 6. ann yet are there some general Reasons which they may without Damage be inform'd of and though Natural and Divine Reason do allow the Power of levying Impositions to the Prince without the Subjects Consent when they are just and necessary as King Alphonso us'd to say yet will a prudent Prince so manage the matter and dispose the Minds of his Subjects that it may seem to be done with their Approbation Taxes are according to the Scripture the Bridle of the People 9 2 Sam. 8. 1. Vide. they keep them in Obedience and uphold the Prince's Authority Those who are free from all Taxes are ungovernable yet this Bridle should be so easie as not to gall them too much as King Flavius Herwegiâ—s prudently consider'd in the Thirteenth Council of Toledo saying That that Government was best which neither oppress'd the People with too great Taxes nor made them remiss and negligent by too little * Ut nec incauta exactio populos gravet nec indiscreta râ—missio statum gentis fociat deperire Concil Tol xiii The Command which Princes have over the Lives of their Subjects is executed without Danger it being done by Law which punishes some as Examples to the rest but not so that Command which they have over their Goods and Estates for that comprehendâ— all in general and People are more sensible in what concerns their Estates than their Bodies especially when they are got by Sweat and Blood and are to be imployed to supply the Prince's Luxury In which that remarkable Action of K. David ought to be consider'd when he refus'd to drink the water which his three Soldiers brought him from amidst the Enemies Camp least he should seem to drink the Blood of those Men 10 2 Sam. 23. 17. 'T is no good Policy to impoverish the People by Taxes the better to keep them in Obedience for though Poverty whether Original or Accidental debases our Spirits which always rise and fall with our Condition yet does Oppression provoke our Minds and urge us to Rebellion 11 Ferocissimo quoque adsumpto aut quibus ob egestatem ac metum ex Flagitiis maxima peccandi necessitudo Tac. 3. ann All the Israelites that were in Distress and every one that was in Debt and every one that was discontented joyn'd David against Saul 12 1 Sam. 22. 2. The People are always most obedient when they are richest The plenty of Egypt made the People of God though very severely us'd forget their Liberty but afterwards when they came to want in the Wilderness they complain'd heavily of their Slavery and Bondage When a Kingdom is given upon Condition that no Taxes shall be levy'd without its Consent or if this be afterwards provided by some general Decree as was in the Parliament of Madrid in the time of King Alphonso XIth or when it has acquired this Privilege by long Prescription as in Spain and France in such Cases the Prince must wait the Consent of the Parliament least he should expose himself to the same Danger as Charles VIIth of France did formerly when he went to raise a certain Tax without communicating it to his Council 'T is also of great advantage to a Prince to be so well esâ—eem'd of his People that from their Opinion of his Zeal for their Good they may think whatever Taxes he imposes upon them are just and reasonable and blindly agree to whatever he proposes committing themselves wholly to his Prudence and Management as the Egyptians did to Ioseph's when he exacted the fifth part of their Estates 13 Gen. 47. 25. When the People have once this Confidence in the Prince he ought diligently to take Care not to burthen them without sufficient Cause and mature Deliberation But if necessity does require it let him at least take Care that the Taxes be well expended for the People take nothing more hainously than to see no advantage from their Oppressions and to see their Estates squander'd away to no purpose They are also very uneasie to see Taxes continued when the Occasion for which they were rais'd is over As 't was in Vespasian's time when the Taxes rais'd for the necessity of War were continued in time of Peace 14 Necissitate armâ—rum excusorta etiam in pace mauâ—erâ— Tac. 2. ann For afterwards Subjects dread them and grudge to pay
as St. Augustine explains it * St. August lib. 5. de Civ Dei cap. 12. stray'd from their first Institution in which private Persons were Poor but the Publick Rich. Of which Horace complains †Lib. 2. Ode 15. Non it a Romuli Praescriptum intonsi Catonis Auspiciis c. Great Princes relying too much upon their own Power lay aside all Care of laying up Treasure or of preserving what they already have not considering that if the Necessity of their Affairs should require Money they must be oblig'd to oppress their Subjects with Taxes to the great hazard of their Fidelity and the greater the Kingdom is there will be need of greater Expence and Charge Princes are Briareus's who what they receive with fifty Hands spend with a hundred nor is any Kingdom rich enough to supply the Extravagance of one Clouds in one Hour spend all the Vapours which they have been many Days in collecting Those Riches which Nature had for many Ages hoarded up in the close Treasury of the Earth were not sufficient for the extravagant Prodigality of some of the Roman Emperors And this Extravagance is usual to Successors who find the Treasury filled to their Hands For they spend that carelesly and lavishly which they never knew the trouble of acquiring they soon pull down the Banks of the Treasury and drown their State in Pleasure and Luxury In less than three Years time Caligula squander'd away Sixty Six Millions of Gold though then One Crown was as much as Two now Power is self-will'd and foolish and should therefore be corrected by Prudence for without that Empires would soon fall to Ruine that of Rome seem'd to decline from the Time that the Emperors began to squander away its Treasures The World is wholly ruled by Arms and Riches Which is represented in the present Emblem by a Sword and Golden Bough which a Hand holds over a Globe to intimate that by both these the World is govern'd alluding to Virgil's Story of Aeneas who by the help of both these conquer'd even Hell it self and subdued its Monsters and Furies The Sword wounds most whose edge is Gold and Valour without Conduct and Magazines without Treasuries are insignificant A Prince ought therefore to consider before he declares War whether he is sufficiently furnish'd with these Means to prosecute it For which Reason 't will be convenient that the President of the Treasury should be one of the Council that he may give an Account of the State of the Revenue and what Grounds they have to proceed upon Power ought to be cautious and circumspect and diligently consider of what it undertakes Prudence does the same in the Mind as the Eyes do in the Head without that Kingdoms and States would be blind And Polyphemus who having once lost his Eye by the Cunning of Vlysses in vain threw Stones about and storm'd for Revenge so will they vainly squander and throw away their Treasure and Riches What prodigious Summs have we seen spent in our Times upon some vain Fear in countermining Enemies Designs in raising Armies and making War which might have been avoided by a Friendly Composition or by Dissimulation How much in Subsidies and Taxes ill apply'd and in other Necessary Expences by which Princes thinking to make themselves Powerful have found the contrary The Ostentations and Menaces of Gold extravagantly and unseasonably squander'd away render themselves ineffectual and the second are less than the first for one weakens the other Strength lost is soon recruited but Riches once spent are hard to be recover'd They ought not to be us'd but upon absolute Necessity Aeneas did not first shew the Golden Bough but offer'd to force his Passage with his Sword The Chief unsheath'd his shinning Steel prepar'd Though seiz'd with sudden Fear to force the Guard But when he found that neither Force nor Fair Means could oblige Charon to waft him over the Golden Bough was produc'd which had been hitherto conceal'd 8 Prov. 21. 14. At the sight of which the angry God was pacified * Dryden ' s Virgil. If neither Piety nor Heaven's Command Can gain his Passage to the Stygian Strand This fatal Present shall prevail at least Then shew'd the Golden Bough conceal'd within her Vest. No more was needful for the Gloomy God Stood mute with Awe to see the Golden Rod c. Let Princes therefore take Care to keep those Eyes of Prudence upon their Scepters clear and quick-sighted not disdaining Oeconomy which is the Safety and Preservation thereof Princes being as 't were the Fathers of their People The Great Augustus condescended as we have said before for the Good of the Publick to take the Accompts of the Empire with his own Hand Spain had had long since the Universal Empire of the World if it had been less Extravagant in War and more Regular and Methodical in Peace but through a certain Negligence the usual Effect of Grandeur it has suffer'd those Riches which should have render'd it Invincible to be made use of by other Nations We purchase them of the simple Indians for Toys and Baubles and afterwards we our selves as silly as they permit other Nations to Export them leaving us Brass Lead or some such worthless Commodities in their stead 'T was the Kingdom of Castile which by its Valour and Prowess erected our Monarchy yet others triumph and that suffers not knowing how to make good Use of the vast Treasures which are brought to them So Divine Providence in a manner levels and equals States giving to the Great Ones Strength without Industry and to the Little Industry to acquire Strength But lest I should seem only to discover Wounds and not heal them I will prescribe some Remedies not drawn from the Quintessence and Nicety of Speculation which are approv'd at first when new but afterwards rejected by Experience but such as Natural Reason shall suggest and such as Ignorance slights as vulgar The chief Wealth and Riches of Nations are the Fruits of the Earth no Mines in the World being richer than Agriculture This the Aegyptians knew who made the lower End of their Scepters like a Plow-share to intimate that its Power and Grandeur was founded upon that The fertile Sides of Vesuviâ—s are richer than Potosus with all its Gold 'T is not by Chance that Nature has so liberally imparted the Fruits of the Earth to All and hid Gold and Silver in the very Bowels of the Earth It made those common and expos'd them upon the Superficies of the Earth on purpose for Man's Nourishment 9 Maxima pars hominum è terra vivit fructibus Aristor Polit. lib. 1. c. 5. and hid these in the Bowels thereof that they might not easily be dug out and refined knowing they would prove the Bane and Ruine of Mankind Spain was in former times so rich almost only from the Fruits of the Earth that Lewis King of France coming to Toledo in the time of
Abilities and that they penetrate all things report to the Prince for Certainty not that which is but that which they fansie may be they are too prone to Suspicions which they form from the least Shadow and then give credit to them whence proceed great Equivocations and Errors and is the chief cause of Quarrels and Wars among Princes for no Minister but has Power to promote Broils and Discord 2 In turbâ—s discordiâ—s pessâ—mo cuique plurima vis Tac. 4. Hist. Let Princes therefore be cautious of giving Credit to the first Relations of their Ministers but compare them first with those they receive from others And to form a more certain Judgment of what is written to them let them be perfectly acquainted with their Humour and Genius and with their Method of Conceiving Things whether they act by private Interest and Passion for it happens sometimes that the Minister is taken with a Love for the Country or Prince with whom he Treats and thinks all things Right and Just and sometimes suffers himself to be oblig'd by their Favours and Civilities and being naturally Grateful is of their Side and acts their Cause Sometimes is deluded by plain Appearances and by contrary Reports cunningly spread and so easily deceives his Prince for there is none more apt to deceive others than one who has been impos'd upon before Many Ministers are mov'd by slight Reasons or by some Passion or private Aversion which disturbs their Judgments and turn every thing to ill There are some also naturally enclin'd to Misconstrue all Actions and Designs whereas others are so Frank and Generous that they think nothing ill design'd Both the one and the other are dangerous and these last not less so than the others Sometimes the Minister thinking it part of his Duty to discover to the Prince his Enemies and that by that means he shall gain the Character of a Zealous and Understanding Person becomes so nicely suspicious that no one is safe from his Tongue and Pen and to make his Surmises and Apprehensions sure gives occasion by his Distrust to Friends to become Enemies to the great Detriment of the Prince to whom it were much better to have a good Confidence in all or for the Minister to apply Remedies to cure not to infect the Minds and Wills of the Subject Ministers also weary of Embassies that they may retire to enjoy the Conveniencies and Ease of a Domestick Life stick not to promote a Rupture between the Princes they assist or at least to suggest Counsels not less pernicious Princes are much deceived who think their Ministers act always as Ministers and not as Men. If it were so they would be much better served and find less Inconveniencies But they are Men and their Office does not strip 'em of their Inclination to Ease and to the Pleasures of Love Anger Revenge and other Affections and Passions which Zeal nor Duty are not always capable to correct But let Princes be apprized that those who can't seduce Good and Loyal Ministers for that they fathom their Artifices and Counsels and know what is their Prince's Interest what not they traduce them as Distrustful Passionate Perverse and Obstinate and therefore endeavour to remove them from the Management of Affairs and to introduce others less Knowing or to treat immediately with the Prince himself tendring him specious Propositions which oblige him to Resolves more prejudicial He must not give the least grounds to any one to think that he can't change the course of Affairs or displace Ministers for if such Thoughts take place the Prince will be ill served For such Confidence causes Disdain and Disobedience in the Accuser and the Fear of it discourages the Minister The Errors of these are less dangerous than those to admit the Accusations against them especially if they are Foreigners And were they true yet 't is more Prudence to deferr the Remedy till he from whom they came can't ascribe it to himself EMBLEM LXXVII THE farther those two Luminaries of Day and Night are distant from each other the greater their Influence and Light is Below But when they are in Conjunction their being Brethren does not prevent the one from obscuring the other's Rays and such Eclipse creates Shadows and Inconveniencies to the Earth Princes by the benefit of their Ministers and Letters maintain and uphold mutual Correspondence with each other But if they should Conferr Personally with one another their Interview would create shadows of Suspicion and Jealousie which would put all their States in Confusion for that they never find in one another what they promis'd to themselves and that neither measures himself by his own Rule but pretends always to much more than his Due An Interview of two Princes is almost like a Duel in which they fight with Ceremonies each endeavouring to conquer t'other The Families of each assist at the Engagement like two Hostile Troops each being zealous for his Prince's Triumph over the other in Personal Accomplishments or Grandeur and as in such a number all can't be Men of Prudence some light Expression or slight Affront causes Dissatisfaction in the rest So it happen'd in the Interview between King Henry and Lewis XI of France in which the Spaniards exceeding them in Pomp and Greatness and scouting the Meanness and Slovenliness of the French those two Nations departed Enemies who had till then maintain'd a good Correspondence together * Mar. Hist. Hisp. The Hatred between Germanicus and Piso was private till they saw one another 1 Discesserâ—ntque opertis Odiis Tac. 2. Anâ—al The Interview between Ferdinand IV. of Castile and Dionysius his Father-in-Law King of Portugal caused great Disorders as did that of King Philip I. and King Ferdinand And though the Meeting of Iames I. and King Alphonso produced very good Effects yet is it the safest way for Princes to manage their Affairs by Embassadors Sometimes Favourites sow Discord between the Prince and those of the Blood-Royal as we have before observ'd of which there are many Examples in our Histories Don Lopez de Haro procured a Separation between King Sancho the Strong and the Queen his Consort The Domesticks of Queen Catharine Mother to King Iohn II. incens'd her against the Infant Don Ferdinand Don Alvarez de Lara endeavoured thereby to keep the Government in his own Hands to persuade King Henry I. that his Sister Queen Berenguela design'd to poison him Those who were interested in the Quarrels between the Infant Sancho and King Alphonso the Wise his Father took what care they cou'd to prevent their Meeting and Agreement The Grandees of Castile hindred the Reconcilement of King Iohn II. to his Son Henry Don Alvarez de Luna that of King Iohn of Navarre to his Son Prince Carlos of Viana The Favourites of King Philip I. dissuaded him from an Interview with King Ferdinand Such Artifices we have seen us'd in France in these Times to the Detriment of that Kingdom and
that to defend and protect it self One Planet has more Force and Vigour in its own House than another in its Elevation Nor are these Fears of a Neighbouring Power always well grounded on the other side they often turn to its Advantage Italy was under Apprehensions of Slavery from the West when it saw the Kingdom of Sicily united to the Crown of Castile which were not a little augmented when Naples was added and both at once paid Obedience to Castile But when the Emperor Charles V. annexed the State of Milan to the Crown of Spain it seemed absolutely to Despair yet for all this the Princes lost not their Liberty on the contrary have been effectually preserv'd against the Turkish and Transalpine Arms and enjoy'd a whole Age of Peace The Fort de Fuentes built by the Spaniards was a great Eye-sore to many who look'd on it as a Bridle to Italy yet Experience has shew'd its only Design was their Defence But all these Examples are not sufficient to cure the Pannick Fears of that Hypochondria of State-Interest as they call it especially complicated with the ill Humours of Envy and Emulation so as to make it shake off those Melancholy Whimsies His Catholick Majesty lays Siege to Casal to dispossess the French of it and put it into the Hands of the right Owner to promote the Peace of Italy And what do the Envious but immediately enter into a new League to oppose him As if one City more or less were of any moment to so vast a Dominion From this false Apprehension of future Evils and Dangers which perhaps would never have really come to pass proceed other present ones much greater by the Anticipation of their Remedies Let such Persons then as are thus solicitous to poise the Balance of Governments lay aside their Emulations for it cannot be effected without prejudice to the Publick Repose Who can so keep the Globe of the World in this Equinox of Power that some shall not come nearer the Solstices of Grandeur than others Nations would be in perpetual War nothing giving more Disturbance to them than to be once possess'd with such empty Chimera's which never have an end especially since the Union of inferiour Powers against a Greater cannot be of long continuance And should they pull this down who will they find to share the Grandeur among them so that each shall be satisfy'd and not every one desire the Whole Who shall keep them so even that one shall not encrease faster than another Since Man's Body is preserved by the inequality of its Members why should not States as well by the Greatness of one and Mediocrity of another Commonwealth It is the securer Policy to follow the most Powerful and conform to their Fortune than to oppose them Opposition awakenâ— Power and gives a Pretence to Tyranny The Orbâ— of Heaven suffer themselves to be whirled by the Violence of the Primâ—m Mobile which they cannot resist and in following the Motion of that perform their own Course Ferdinand de Medicis Duke of Tuscany learn'd at Rome the Art of Molesting Superior Powers and practised it against Spain by certain new Devices in France England and Holland but he afterwards found the Danger of it and left it as a Lesson to his Successors never to use them which they observe to this day to the great Benefit of the Publick Tranquility EMBLEM LXXXII SOme adorned their Helmets with Swans and Peacocks by the Generosity of these Creatures to animate their Minds and inflame them with a Desire of Glory others with a Bear 's or Lion's Head letting the Skin hang down their Shoulders to strike Terror into their Enemies So that of this Device the Design of which is to shew what a Price the Prince ought to set upon Arms I have chosen for the Crest a Porcupine whose Quills no less agreeable for their Roughness than the Ostrich's Feathers are for their Smoothness at once Defend and Assault There 's no Garb more graceful than Armour adorned with Arms. The Splendour of Purple however sparkling with Gold Pearls and Diamonds is insignificant and the Magnificence of Palaces and Attendance and the Pomp of Courts useless except flaming Swords and the Glittering of Arms contribute to render Princes Illustrious Solomon the wisest of Kings gloried not so much in his costly Wardrobes as in his rich Arsenals which were stored with Shields and Targets of an inestimable Value 1 And King Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold six hundred shecklâ—s of beaten gold went to each target And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold and three hundred sheckles went to one shield 2 Chron. 9. 15 16. The Spaniards of old prized a War-Horse more than their Blood 2 Hispanis militares Eâ—â— sanguine ipsorum cariores erant Trog now that Esteem is sunk by the Convenience of Coaches and Chariots the Use of which was prohibited among the Romans to all but Senators and Ladies of Quality 3 Quibus quidem vehiculi◠〈…〉 spectatae probitatis alià s uti non licuit Alex. ab Alexanâ— l. 8. c. 18. To remedy which Abuses and once more introduce the Custom of Riding the Emperor Charles V. spoke thus in the Assembly of the States of Madrid in the Year 1534 The Natives of these Kingdoms said he have ever been esteemed and honoured both at Home and Abroad for their Skill in Chivalry and it is by this alone they have obtained so many glorious Victories over their Enemies as well Christians as Infidels conquered so many Kingdoms and Dominions as at this day depend on our Crown The Scripture says in the Praise of Men of Courage that their Shields are of Fire 4 And the shield of his mighty men is made red Naâ—um 2. 3. intimating how careful they are to keep them bright and well polish'd and in another place observes that their Rays reflected on neighbouring Mountains were like Lamps of Fire 5 Now when the sun shined upon the shields of gold and brass the mountains glistered therewith and shined like lamps of fire Macchab. 6. 39. David said a Sword added Grace even to the Majesty of God 6 Psal. 44. 4. Hannibal's Habit was mean and modest but in Equipage he surpass'd all others 7 Vestibus nihil inter aequales â—â—ellens arma aâ—que equi inspiciebantur The Emperor Charles V. took more delight in Military Pomp than in Robes embroider'd with Gold Ottocarus King of Bohemia being overcome by the Emperor Rodolphus came with great Splendour to swear Homage to him and as he was exhorted by his Attendance to deck himself as became his Majesty he replied Arm and March in Rank and File and shew these men that you place your Bravery and Gallantry not in Fine Cloaths but in your Arms for they best become both me and you That Majesty begets Princes most Authority which proceeds from Power The People chuse them for their Defence which was intimated by the
Navarrois when in their Coronations they seated the Kings on a Shield This was their Throne and Heaven their Canopy The Prince should be a Buckler to his Subjects armed against all Assaults and exposed to Dangers and Injuries He will never appear more beautiful either to them or Foreigners than when in Armour The first Ornaments and Marks of Honour the ancient Germans gave their Youth was a Sword and Buckler Till then they were part of their Family but afterwards became Members of their Government 8 Scuto Frameaque juvenes â—â—abant Haec apud illos toga hic primus Iuventae honos ante hoc Domus 〈◊〉 videbantur mox Reipublicae Tac. de Mor. Germ. The Prince never looks like himself but when in Arms. There 's no Equipage more splendid than a Troop of Curiassiers no Train more pleasing to the Eye than that of Squadrons whose Sight is then most agreeable when they are Martially equipt with all things necessary for an Attack and want Nothing either for their Defence or Subsistence An Army requires no other Ornament but what is necessary for them Splendid Furniture is but Luggage and Cumber 9 Supellex pretiosa nihil aliud quam onus impedimentum Curt. l. 5. That makes the best Appearance in War which conduces most to the principal End of Victory Hence Scipio the African upon going into Spain commanded each of his Men to carry on his Shoulders Thirty Days Provision and Seven Stakes for Intrenchments Such was then the Equipage of that Warlike Nation so inured to Hardships that they took the City to be built for the Roman Senate and People the Temples for the Gods but thought their Glory was in the Fields under Tents and Pavilions 10 Vrbem Senatui Populo Romano Templa Diis reddita propriâ— esse Militiae decus in Armis Tac. l. 3. Hist. By such Discipline they were able to rule the World Delights Costly Cloaths and Riches are for Courtiers in Soldiers they do but excite the Enemy's Avarice Hence Hannibal had just cause to smile when Antiochus shewing him his Army rather beautiful in Apparel than strong in Arms demanded whether this would be enough for the Romans Yes answer'd he with an African Subtilty certainly enough be they never so Covetous Let not the empty Show and Glittering of Gold and Silver terrifie you which neither Defend nor Wound said Galgacus to the Britains to take away the fear of the Romans 11 Ne terreat vaâ—â— aspectus auri fulgor atque argenti quod neque regit neque vulnerâ—â— Tac. in Vit. Agric. And Solyman going to relieve Ierusalem to encourage his Men tells them Their Glorious Equipage you view from hence Shall be our Plunder ' stead of their Defence * Tass. Can. 9. And tho' Iulius Caesar was for having his Soldiers Rich because he thought fear of losing their Estates would make such Men more Resolute yet large Spoils expose Victory to sale 12 Quod tenaciores eorum iâ— pretio essent metu damni Sueton. and Arms adorned with nothing but their own Strength buy it For the Soldier is generally more solicitous to preserve what he has than even to get the Victory He that goes to fight with a Spirit of Covetousness is desirous to conquer his Enemy only that he may afterwards rifle him Interest and Glory are powerful Incentives to Man's Breast How would Hannibal have laugh'd to have seen the Soldiers of these times so fine and spruce and with such sumptuous Equipages that there are scarce Horses and Carriages enough for them How could he have pass'd the Pyrenaean Hills or open'd a Way over the Snowy Alps with such a number of Chariots They now particularly in Germany look not like Armies but large Colonies of Nations removing from one Place to another with their whole Families and all their Houshold Goods as if they were Instruments of War 13 Quidam luxuriosos apparatus conviviorum irritamenta libidinum 〈◊〉 instrumenta belli mercarentur Tac. l. 1. Hist. The like Remissness in Discipline Tacitus observ'd to be in Otho's Army There is no Prince rich enough no Province plentiful enough to supply them with Provision They are equally injurious to Friends and Enemies The same slackness was introduc'd by Duke Fridland to raise a great number of Soldiers suffering them to Forage whole Countries with a Design as some thought to oppress and weaken them so that they should never after be able to make head against his Forces or else by this Licentiousness to enervate the Army it self following herein the Practice of Caecinna 14 Cui perfidiam 〈◊〉 infringere exercitûs virtutem inter artes erat Tac. l. 2. Hist. This Abuse threatens great Inconveniencies unless a timely Remedy be applied and that one which shall not appear desperate For tho' it costs no less Pains to correct undisciplin'd Soldiers than resist Enemies as Corbulo â—ound in Syria 15 Sed Corbuloni plus molis adversus ignaviam militum quà m contra perâ—â—iam hostium erat Tac. l. 13. Annal. yet this must be understood when the Enemy gives not Time or at least when it is improper to make so sudden a leap from one extreme to the other But if Time allow nothing hinders but an Army may be reduced to Order and Discipline by Exercise Severity and Example without which three it is impossible it should be reformed at least long continue so as Vitellius experimentally found true 16 Degenerabat à labore ac virtute miles assuetudine voluptatum conviviorum Tac. l. 2. Hist. Corbulo was sensible of the same when he was sent into Germany and therefore reduced those slothful disorderly Legions to their ancient Discipline The same he did afterwards with his Army in Syria 17 Legiones operum laboris ignarâ—â— populâ—tionibus laetantes veterem ad morem reduxit Tac. l. 11. Annal. where he found Soldiers so ignorant in the Affairs of War that there were many even Veterans who had never kept Guard or stood Centinel who were utter Strangers to Trenches and Fortifications unarmed but rich and magnificent as having served all their time in good Garrisons 18 Veterani qui non stationem non vigilias inissent vallum fossamque quasi nova mira viserent sine galeis sine loricis nitidi quaestuoâ—â— militiâ— per oppida expietâ Tac. l. 13. Annal. and cashiering such as were unserviceable kept the rest encamped all the Winter to inure them to Cold himself in a thin Habit and his Head uncovered always attending them whether on a March or in their Works commending the Valiant comforting the Weak and giving Example to all 19 â—pse cultu levi capite intecto in agmine in laboribus frequens adesse laudem strenuâ—â— solatium invalidis exemplum omnibus oâ—tendere Ibid. and when he perceiv'd the Inclemency of the Weather made many leave their Colours he remedy'd that by Severity not pardoning as was
end to the Intestine Commotions in Spain That Theater of War or rather that School of Mars where so many Military Arts have been taught and exercised has been very much to the Advantage of this Monarchy Though 't is true this Military Exercise and Discipline has been common to its Enemies and Rivals almost all the Princes of Europe having learn'd the Use of Arms there although it is a prodigious Charge to make War in Countries so disturb'd and remote with so much Bloodshed and Extortion so much Advantage on the Enemies side and so little on ours that it may reasonably be question'd whether it were better to conquer or be conquered or if it would not be more expedient to apply some Remedy whereby to quench or at least damp for a time that ardent Thirst after Blood and Riches to the end that what is thrown away there might be laid out upon a a Fleet for the Establishment of the Empire of the Ocean and Mediterranean and the carrying on a War in Africa the successful Progress of which by reason of the nearness of Spain and Italy would the more unite this Monarchy However Love of those so Ancient and Loyal Subjects join'd with a Desire to see them redeemed from that vile Slavery they are under the Notion of Liberty miserably oppress'd with and to reduce them to the true Worship of God have more Influence on us than State-Interest Now as the Encouragement of Valour and Military Glory in a Monarchy is the Security thereof so is it not without Danger when the Supreme Power is lodg'd in many as in Commonwealths their greatest Hazard being in their own Arms while they intrust the Power of the Army to one that very Hand which they first arm'd usually laying the Yoke on them those Forces themselves gave oppressing their Liberty Thus it was with the Roman Republick and from thence Tyranny pass'd to almost all other Nations However requisite therefore it be to keep Armies always ready and in Exercise yet the Arts of Peace are still more secure especially if the People be corrupted and separated in distant Places For the Fierceness of War does but render them more Insolent and it is better to keep them in view of Danger than secure from it if you expect they should unite for their Conservation The Liberty of the Republick of Genoua was not less safe when its Mountains were not regularly fortified than now that through singular Industry and Labour they are made as Impregnable Walls to the State For too much Security breeds ill Humours divides the People into Factions begets Presumptuous Spirits and despises External Means In a word In Commonwealths harrass'd with Intestine Broils Wars are more dangerous than useful and consequently then only will be of advantage to Genoua when that prudent Senate shall act as if they had never built them EMBLEM LXXXIV IT has been the Opinion of some That Nature was rather a Step-Mother to Man than his own and that she had shewed her self more liberal to other Creatures in giving them a clearer Instinct and Notice of the Means necessary for their Defence and Conservation But these Persons did not sufficiently consider their own Excellency their Power and Dominion over Sublunary Things Nature having bestowed on them a swift Understanding in a Moment penetrating both the Earth and Heavens a Memory wherein without the least confusion or disorder are reposited the Idea's of Things so various a Reason which Distinguisheth Collects and Concludes a Judgment that Comprehends Weighs and Determines Gifts whereby Man is intitled to the Sovereignty of all Created Beings and a Liberty to dispose of them according to his Pleasure having Hands framed with such Skill and Wisdom that they are Tools fit for all Arts so that although he comes into the World naked and without Arms yet he forges them according to his Fancy either to defend himself or assault others The Earth to that end furnishes him with Iron and Steel the Water as you see in this Device turns the Mill that strikes them Thus all the Elements obey his Will With any slight Plank Boat he tames the Sea's Pride and gathers the Winds into a small piece of Canvas to make them serve him for Wings to fly from one Place to another confines all the Fire's Violence within Brazen Pipes call'd Guns and thence shoots Thunderbolts no less terrible than those of Iupiter himself By Wit and Art he facilitates many Things impossible to Nature By these he improves Nature 1 Multa quae natura impedita erant câ—nsiâ—io expediebat Livy Dec. 2. he tempers Breast-Plates and sharpens Iron into Lances It behoves the Prince to use Industry more than Force Wisdom than Arms 2 Wisd. 6. 1. the Pen rather than the Sword 3 Eccl. 9 18. For to attempt every thing with one's utmost Power is the Folly of the Gyants who heaped Mountains upon Mountains It is not the greatest Strength that always Triumphs the little Remora stops the Course of a Ship That one City Numantia fatigu'd the whole Roman Empire for fourteen Years Nor did the Conquest of those vast Countries of Asia cost it so much Pains as the Taking of Saguntum * A City of Spain now call'd Morvedre Strength decays by degrees and is consumed but Wisdom and Ingenuity endures for ever and except War be managed by this Victory is never obtained by that A War carry'd on by Policy is secure that which relies wholly upon Strength hazardous and uncertain One Wise Head is worth Twenty Hands †Eurip. Tiberius writing to Germanicus boasts that in the nine times he was sent by Augustus into Germany he had done more by Stratagem than by Force 4 Se novies à Divo Augusto in Germaniam missum pluâ—a consilio quâ—â— vi perfeâ—isse Tacit. l. 6. Annal. Nor did he use to take any other Measures when Emperor especially to maintain the remote Provinces and would frequently say That Foreign Affairs should be managed by Wisdom and Policy and Armies kept as far off as possible 5 Consiliis astu exterâ—as res â—â—liendâ—s arma procul habenda All things are not surmounted by Strength and Expedition but many by Policy and Deliberation 6 Non omnia viribus superantur non velacitate non celeritate sed corilio sententia Câ—cero Mar. Hist. Hisp. The Low-Countries were ruin'd amidst their continual Victories because they confided in Strength more than Prudence Let Force submit to Policy for that will conquer where the other cannot When the Moorish Armies annoyed Spain in the time of King Roderick the Governor of Murcia was defeated in a Battel where all the Nobility of this City lost their Lives and the Women having Intelligence of it placed themselves along the Walls in Mens Habit and all in Armour Upon which the Conquerors thinking by this they were still very Numerous consented to Honourable Terms Edward IV. King of England used to say
and Constellations and though he be not positively assured whether the thing be really so he hath however acquired this Glory that he can now conceive how this World is or at least how it might have been created Neither does the Mind stay here but restless and venturesom in its Researches has imagin'd another quite different Hypothesis and would persuade others that the Sun is the Center of those Orbs which move round it and have their Light from it An Hypothesis impious and directly contrary to Natural Reason which gives Rest to heavy Bodies repugnant to Holy Writ which says the Earth stands for ever 1 Eccles. 1. 4. lastly inconsistent with the Dignity of Man as if he must be moved to enjoy the Sun's Rays and not the Sun to bring them him when yet this as all other Creatures was made only for his Service 2 This Opinion was embraced and maintâ—iâ—ed by Copernicus Rheticus Rothmannus Kepler Galilaeus Des Cartes and Gassendus by whom all Arguments to the contrary are fully answer'd It is certain then that this Prince of Light who has in Charge the Empire of all Things here below illuminates and by his Presence informs them by going without intermission from one Tropick to the other with a Contrivance so wonderful that all Parts of the Earth receive from him if not an equal Heat at least an equal Light whereby the Divine Wisdom has prevented the Evil that would unavoidably ensue if the Sun should never leave the Aequator for then its Rays would utterly burn up some Countries while others would freeze and be involved in perpetual Darkness This Natural Example teaches Princes how much it advances the Publick Utility for Them like that Swiftest of the Planets continually to move about their States to warm the Affection of their Subjects and give Life to their Affairs 3 Velocissimi sideris more omnia invisere omnia auâ—ire Plin. Jun. This is what the Royal Prophet would intimate when he says God has placed his Tabernacle upon the Sun 4 Psal. 19 4. which never stands still but is present on all Occasions King Ferdinand the Catholick and the Emperor Charles V. kept not their Courts in one certain Place by which means they atchieved many Notable Things which they could not possibly have done by Ministers who although dexterous and careful enough yet never perform what the Prince would were he present in Person because they want either Orders or Power Our Saviour Christ no sooner came to the Sheep-pool but he healed the Paralytick 5 Rise take up thy bed and walk Iohn 5. 8. which the Angel could not do in Eight and thirty Years whose Commission being only to trouble the Water he as a Minister could not go beyond it 6 For an Angel went down at a certain season and troubled the water Ibid. 4. 'T is impossible for States to be well govern'd by the bare Relations of others and therefore Solomon advises Kings to give â—ar to their Subjects themselves 7 Give ear you that rule the people c. Wisd. 6. 2. ibid. ver 4. for this is a part of their Office and to them not to their Ministers is given of the Lord that Power and Vertue which accompanies the Scepter only wherein it infuses the Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel of Courage and Piety nay I may say a kind of Divinity enabling the Prince to foresee Things to come so as that he cannot be put upon either in what he sees or hears 8 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of counsel and might the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isai. 11. 2. Nevertheless in Time of Peace some fix'd Place of Residence seems by no means inconvenient and it will be sufficient by going a Progress round each Country to have once visited his States Nor indeed are any Treasuries capable of defraying the Expences frequent Removals of a Court will require nor can they be made without considerable Detriment to the Subject without disturbing the Order of Councils and Tribunals and retarding the Proceedings of Government and Justice King Philip II. throughout his whole Reign scarce ever went a step out of Madrid But in Occasions of War it appears more adviseable for the Prince to be himself present and to Head his Subjects For 't is for that Reason the Scared Writings call him Shepherd and Captain 9 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them and they shall fear no more c. Jer. 23. 4. Thus God commanding Samuel to anoint Saul does not say to be King but to be Captain over Israel 10 And thou â—â—alt anoint him to be a Captain over my people Iâ—rael 1 Sam. 9. 16. intimating that this was his principal Office and in effect that this was the Practice of all Kings in former Ages Upon this it was that the People grounded their Petition for a King that they might have one to go out before them and fight their Battels 11 Rex enim Dux erat in Bello Arist. l. 3. Pol. c. 11. Nothing encourages Soldiers more in War than their Prince's Presence 12 Nay but we will have a King over us That we also may be like all the â—â—tions and that our King may judge us and go out before us and â—â—ght our battels 1 Sam. 8. 19 20. The Lacedaemonians thought theirs even while in their Cradles had the same Power and therefore carry'd them in their Infancy into the Field Antigonus the Son of Demetrius took his Presence in a Sea-fight to be equivalent to a great many Ships of the Enemy 13 Mevero inquit praesentem 〈◊〉 multis navibus comparas Plut. in Epâ—ph Alexander the Great animated his Men by representing to them that he first exposed himself to Dangers When the Prince in such a case is upon the Place great Exploits are often performed which no one in his absence would dare to undertake Nor is there need to wait for Orders from Court whence they generally come too late after the Opportunity is gone and always full of vain Apprehensions and impracticable Circumstances a Thing we have often experienc'd in Germany not without great Prejudice of the Publick There 's nothing kindles Spirits so generously nothing that inspires such Lofty Thoughts in the Minds of Soldiers as to have the Prince in whose Hand is Reward an Eye-witness of their Bravery 14 Ego qui nihil 〈◊〉 unquam praecepi quin primus me periculis obtulerim qui saepe cive◠〈◊〉 clâ—peo texi Curt. l 8. This Argument Hannibal made use of to inflame the Courage of his Men There 's none of you said he whom I am not a Witness and Spectator of and cannot too in convenient Time and Place requite where I observe Merit 15 Nemo vestrum est cujus non idem ego spectator testis notata
upon this Division so moderating it that it shall neither come on the one hand to absolute Rupture nor on the other to unlawful Combinations The same thing should be done between Ministers that some kind of Emulation and Diffidence one of another may make them more attentive of their Duty for if once through a neglect of this they Dissemble and conceal one another's Faults or with one consent join the pursuit of their own Interests there will be an end of the Prince and the State without the possibility of a Remedy in that none can be apply'd but by their Hands But if this Honest and Generous Emulation should degenerate into Aversion and Enmity it will create the same Inconveniencies for they will then be more intent on contradicting and thwarting one another more solicitous to overthrow each others Counsels and Actions than to promote the Publick Good and their Prince's Service Every one has his Friends and Creatures and the Common sort of People are apt to be â—ead into Factions whence generally arise Tumults and Dissentions For this Reason Drusus and Germanicus â—oined themselves lest the Flame of the Differences â—indled in Tiberius's Palace should be encreased by the â—last of their Favour Whence it is apparent how â—â—roneous the Judgment of Lycurgus was who sowed Dissentions among the Kings of Lacedaemon and ordained that when Embassadors were to be sent afar off such Persons should be made choice of as had some grudge to each other We have not a few Examples in this Age of Publick Losses occasion'd by the clashing of Ministers joined in one Commission upon a Supposition that this very Emulation would incite them to execute it carefully The Prince's Service is One and cannot be perform'd but by Persons Unanimous Whence Tacitus commends Agricola for one who was far from envying his Colleagues 8 Procul ab aemulatione adversus collegas Tac. in Vit. Agric. And certainly it is less dangerous for an Affair to be managed by one Bad than by two Good Ministers if they don't agree which rarely happens The Nobility is the Prince's greatest Security or greatest Hazard being a Powerful Body that draws most of the People after it Spain and France furnish us with many Bloody Instances of this Truth that in former Ages this in all The best Remedies are by the means of Emulation to keep them divided from the Commons and themselves yet with the Moderation above-mention'd To multiply and level the Titles and Dignities of the Nobles to spend their Estates upon Publick Ostentations and their Great Souls in the Toils and Dangers of War to divert their Thoughts by Employments of Peace and humble their Exalted Spirits by the servile Offices of the Court. EMBLEM XC KINGS in Holy Scripture are compared to Rivers for so the Prophet Habakkuk is to be understood when he says God would cleave the Rivers of the Earth 1 Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers Habaâ— 3. 9. meaning that God would divide the Forces of those who took up Arms against his People As David actually found he did in his Defeat of the Philistines and therefore openly confessed that the Lord had divided his Enemies before him as Waters are divided 2 The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me as the breach of waters 2 Sam. 5. 20. Division is the most effectual means to pull down any Power the very greatest if divided being uncapable of making any further Resistance How impetuously does a River stream down the midst of its Channel breaking through its very Banks to open it self new Passages yet if parted into several Rivulets it loses its strength and becomes passable to all Thus it happened to the River Gyndes where a beloved Horse of Cyrus's having been drowned it so enraged him that he immediately commanded it to be cut into an Hundred and sixty Canals by which means it lost both its Name and Greatness and that which before would scarce bear Bridges might afterwards be easily forded This the Counsel had regard to which some gave the Roman Senate to weaken the River Tiber by turning the Course of the Lakes and Brooks that discharged themselves into it 3 Siamnis Nar id enim parabatur in Rivos diductus supernavigasset Tac. Annal. l. 1. to rid the City of continual Fear and Danger of its Inundations But the Senate refused to do it as unwilling to deprive the Tiber of its Glory 4 Quin ipsum Tiberim noâ—â—e prorsus accolis fluvâ—s â—â—batum minori gloria fluere Ibid. All these things have given occasion to the present â—mblem which by a River parted into several Branches shews of what consequence it is to distract the Forces of Puissant Princes For the greater the Power is the more Forces and Expence its Defence requires nor is it hardly possible to find Officers and Soldiers enough for it or to prevent all Mischances Courage and Prudence are confounded when Dangers threaten thus on all sides Besides this is the most secure and the cheapest Method that can be taken inasmuch as a Trumpet on a sudden sounding an Alarm in several Parts of a Kingdom has abundantly greater Effects than a War solemnly denounced It is always the best and securest way to divide Enemies Forces and sow seeds of Dissention within their States 5 Prudentis est Ducis inter bostes discordiâ—e causas serere Veget. Nothing so much exposing to Plots and Invasions as Discord and Sedition 6 Discordia Seditio omnia facit opportuniora insidiantibus Livy By these Artifices the Phoenicians established their Dominion in Spain dividing it into various Factions The same did the Carthaginians against them Therefore the Counsel of the Marquess of Cadiz was not at all imprudent when having taken Boabdili King of Grenada he moved Ferdinand the Catholick to set him at liberty that his Presence might foment the Factions a foot between him and his Father about the Crown which had distracted the Kingdom into a great many Parties When the Roman Empire says Tacitus began to decline and hasten to decay nothing greater could be desired of Fortune than the Discord of its Enemies 7 Vrgentibus Imperii Romani fatis nihil jam praesâ—are fortuna majus â—â—tuit quam hostium discordiam Tac. de Mor. Germ. No Money is laid out to more Advantage none with less Bloodshed or Danger than that which is employed in encouraging the Dissentions of an Enemy's Kingdom or in getting another Prince to make War upon it for the Charges and Damage become hereby much more inconsiderable But this matter demandeth extraordinary Advertency for sometimes upon a mis-grounded Apprehension Money is expended to no purpose and the Discovery of the ill Intention begets open Hostility A thing we have many Instances of in those who without any Provocation or the least Prospect of Advantage have countenanced the Adversaries of the House of Austria to keep its Hands full by continual Wars in the mean
time unprofitably exhausting their Treasuries without considering that if they should once be attack'd by those of this House it would be much better to have still by them for their own Defence what they had laid out upon the Diversion of their Forces And this whole Doctrine has place without any scruple in Policy in an open War where the Reason of Self-Preservation is more cogent than other Considerations less solid and the same Cause that makes the War lawful justifies also this Discord But when the case is nothing but an invidious Emulation of Grandeur these Artifices are not warrantable for he who stirs up the Subjects of another Prince to Rebellion at the same time teaches his own to be Traitors The Emulation should be between the Persons not the Offices Dignity is of the same kind in all its parts that which wounds one wounds all Passions and Hatreds are transient but Bad Examples remain for ever It is the Interest and Concern of every Prince not to suffer the Dignity of another to be injured by Contempt or Disobedience or his Person by Treason 'T is an Action unworthy of a Prince to conquer by Poison not by the Sword It was ever accounted base among the Romans 8 Non fraude neque occultis sed palam armatum populum Romanum bostes suos ulcisci Tac. Hist. l. 2. and is to this day with the Spaniards who have been so far from making use of such secret Practices against their Enemies that they have often been assisting to them A remarkable Example of which our Catholick King left your Highness when he sent an Army to aid the French King against the English who had possess'd themselves of the Isle of Rhea not regarding the Duke of Roan's Advice which was to divide the Kingdom into several Governments And another time when His Majesty offered by Monsieur de Maximi the Pope's Nuncio to assist the same King in Person to subdue the Hugonots of Montauban and drive them out of his Country Which Signal and Heroick Kindness had no other Return but Ingratitude leaving a Lesson to Reason not to let it self be too easily touch'd with Compassion towards a Foreign State From what hath been said it is obvious to deduce how much the Agreement of Subjects Minds and the Union of States contribute to their Common Defence If I say every particular Person did look on the Danger of his Neighbour as his own be it at never so remote a distance and accordingly endeavour all ways both with Men and Money to relieve him that the whole Body may be preserved But not a few are deceived in this Point they who are far off flattering themselves with the Thoughts that the Danger will never reach them or that they are no way obliged to anticipate such Expences and that it is greater Prudence to keep their Forces entire till the Enemy come nigher But alas then all the Difficulties being surmounted and those States taken which served them for Out-works the rest will never be able to hold out This was the Fate of the Britains of whom thus Tacitus Heretofore they were under Kings now are by petty Princes distracted into Factions nor does any thing further our Designs against the strongest Nations than their not consulting the Common Good Seldom above two or three Cities associate to repell the Common Danger Thus while every one fights single all are overcome 9 Olim Regibus parebant nunc per Principes factionibus studiis trabantur nec aliud adversus validissâ—mas gentes pro nobis â—â—ilius quam quod in commune non consulunt Rarus duabus tribusve civitatibus ad propulsandum commune periculuâ— conventus ita dum singuli puâ—nant universi vincuntur Tac. in Viâ— Agric. The Kingdoms of Spain and Provinces of Italy Burgundy and Flanders are sensible of this Danger with a greater Prudence a more eminent and exemplary Piety Zeal and Affection towards their Lawful Lord in that with a generous Emulation they voluntarily offer His Majesty their Lives and Fortunes to protect them from their Enemies who with joint-Forces conspire the Overthrow of the Catholick Religion and that Monarchy Let Your Highness ingrave these Services on your tender Breast and let the Gratitude and Esteem due to Subjects so Loyal encrease with your Glorious Years Then you will judge which is most excellent To Rule the World or such a Government * Cam. Lus. EMBLEM XCI FRiendship seems to restrain a Government more and to have been more considered by Law-Givers than Iustice. For if all Men were Friends there would be no need of Justice but though all were Just yet would they want the Protection of Friendship 1 Videtur amicitia magis continere majore quam justitia in studio fuisse Legislatoribus Nam si amicitia inter omnes esset niâ—il esset quod justitiam desiderarent at si justi essent tamen amicitiae praesidium requirerent Arist. Ethic. l. 1. Friendship is the greatest good Mankind enjoys a sure Sword always by one's side both in Peace and War a faithful Companion in both Fortunes With this Prosperity is crown'd and Adversity becomes more easie For it neither is diminished by one or encreased by the other In one it is guided by Modesty in the other by Constancy in the one and the other always at hand as if by both it were like to gain Consanguinity may be without Kindness and Affection Friendship cannot This comes from our own Choice that from Chance That may be without the Bond of Communication and Mutual Assistance this cannot forasmuch as there are three things which as constituent parts of its Being unite it Nature by the means of Resemblance the Will by that of Good Humour and Reason by that of Honour Hereunto certainly King Alphonsus the Wise alludes when he accuseth a certain Person of Cruelty and Injustice for carrying away Prisoner one of two Persons who were endeared to each other by Consanguinity and Friendship 2 L. 19. Tit. 2. p. 2. The more tried therefore and sincere the Friendship has been so much the less valuable will it be when once violated A Crystal crackt is good for nothing The Diamond loses all its Worth when divided into Pieces A Sword once broken can never be solder'd again Whoever trusts to reconciled Friendship will find himself deceived for upon the first Blow of Adversity or Prospect of Advantage it will presently relapse again Neither David's Mercy in sparing Saul's Life nor the Acknowledgments and fair Protestations of Saul confirmed by Oath were sufficient to make the first think himself e'er the safer for this Reconcilement or the last to cease Plotting against him 3 And Saul went home but David and his men gat them up unto the hold 1 Sam. 24. 22. Esau with Embraces and Tears in his Eyes tried to regain the Favour of his Brother Iacob and though there passed great Signs and Expressions of Friendship on both
whereon Life depends If what Timorousness and Solicitude spends Abroad to keep the Monarchy in Security Prudence would lay out at Home in maintaining Forces both by Sea and Land in Fortifying and Garrisoning Strong Holds Forts and Cities the remote Provinces would be abundantly more safe and if any one should be lost it might easily be recovered by the Forces within Rome was able to defend it self and even to retake all that Hannibal had gotten from them nay even to overthrow Carthage it self by keeping all its Wealth and Strength within the Bowels of the Commonwealth Not that I say this with a desire to persuade Princes always to refuse their Money to their Friends and Neighbours but only that they might be very careful how they lay it out and rather assist them with Men than Money for this stays with them that receiv'd it whereas those return to him who sent them And this is to be understood when there is no danger of engaging themselves in the War by drawing it into their own States or of getting their Friend greater Enemies as also when it is more Expensive and liable to more Inconveniences to aid with Money than Arms For one of the two ways State-Interest absolutely requires us to defend a neighbouring Prince as often as our Fortune is inseparably joined with his it being prudenter to carry on a War in another's State than to feed it in the very Heart of our own Thus of old it was the peculiar way of the Romans to make War far from Home and by the Fortresses of the Empire to defend the Fortunes of their Allies 11 Fuit proprium populi Romani longè à domo bellare proâ—ugnaculiâ— Imperii sociorum fortunas non sua tecta defendere Cic. pro leg Man not their own Houses And this we ought to have learn'd from that Government that we might not be forced to lament at this day so many Calamities 'T is this Policy rather than Ambition that has moved the Swiss-Cantons to undertake the Protection of some People for though they were sensible this could not be done without great Charges and the running the Risque of their own Defence yet they thought it more their Interest to keep the War out of their own Territories The Confines of a neighbouring State are the Walls of our own and as such to be guarded with all the Care imaginable EMBLEM XCII EVen the Feathers of Birds are in danger when too near those of the Eagle in that these by that natural Antipathy surviving in them which is between the Eagle and the other Birds corrode and destroy them 1 Plin. l. 10. c. 3. Ael l. 9. c. 11. de Animal Thus Protection changes into Tyranny A Superiour Power observes no Laws Ambition no Respect What was committed to its Trust it afterwards detains as its own under colour of Self-Preservation Petty Princes think to secure their States by Foreign Aids and utterly ruine them They fall a Prey both to Friend and Enemy the former being no less dangerous from Confidence than the latter from Hatred With a Friend we live secure without the least Fear or Precaution so that he may easily strike us without any Danger on his side Upon this Reason I conceive was founded that Law which commanded the Oxe that had gored any one to be stoned 2 If an oxe gore a man or a woman and they die the oxe shall be sâ—rely stoned Exod. 21. 28. but says nothing of the Bull because we trust the Oxe more as being a Domestick Animal we every day make use of Ambition creeps in under the pretext of Friendship and Protection and that by their means is easily obtained which never could have been by Force With what specious Names did the Romans mask their Tyranny when they received the People of other Nations for Citizens Friends and Allies They admitted the Albani into their Common-wealth peopling it with those who before were Enemies The Sabines they made Free of their City and abundance of Countries called them to their Aid against their Enemies as the Protectors of their Liberties and Privileges and the Universal Arbitrators of Justice Thus they who of themselves could not have 〈◊〉 one Foot of Ground by the Ignorance of others extended their Dominions far and near At first they exacted but moderate Tributes of those Nations thus disguising their Treachery under the Appearance of Morality But when that Imperial Eagle had spread its Wings wider over the three Parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa she whet her Beak upon Ambition and discovered the Claws of her Tyranny The People then found their Confidence was miserably deluded and the Feathers of their Power destroyed under those of the Oppression of Taxes and the loss of their Liberty and Privileges and now the Tyranny was grown powerful could neither recover themselves again nor re-establish their Forces And to the end the Venom might turn into Nature the Romans invented Colonies and introduced the Latin Tongue thus to efface the Distinction of Nations and leave the Romans alone to enjoy the Empire of all This was that Eagle in Ezekiel's Vision with great Wings and many Feathers 3 And there was also another Eagle with great wings and many feathers c. Ezek. 17. 7. or as the Septuagint has it many Talons because such were its Feathers How often do Men think they stand under the one when they are really under the other How often do they think themselves covered with the Lily when stuck so fast amidst Thorns and Briars that they can't escape without tearing their Cloaths The City of Pisa put their Rights and Pretensions against the Republick of Florence under the Protection of Ferdinand the Catholick and the King of France and both agreed to deliver it to the Florentines under the pretence of the Repose of Italy Lewis Sforza employed the Assistance of the French against his Nephew Iohn Galeas and they having divested him of the Dutchy of Milan carried him Prisoner into France But what need is there to look so far for Examples Let the Duke of Mantua 〈◊〉 how dear another's Protection has cost him Let 〈◊〉 Elector of Treves and the Grisons say whether they have â—â—eserved their Liberty by admitting Foreign Armies into their States for their Defence and Protection Let Germany tell us how it finds it self under the Patronage of Sweden now the noble Circles of its Provinces heretofore the Splendour and Support of the Imperial Diadem are divided and broken now those sparkling Diamonds the Cities of the Empire its ancient Ornament are sullied and unset the Orders of its States overthrown and confounded the Harmony of its Politick Government destroyed its ancient Nobility stript and impoverished that of all its Provinces which knew best how to assert its Liberty now without the least appearance of it is trampled under foot and laid waste by the Fire and Sword of Foreign Nations and exposed to the Will of a thousand
Tyrants all living Pictures of the King of Sweden in a word a Slave both to Friends and Enemies and so stupified by its Misfortunes that 't is render'd incapable of discerning its Interest or Disadvantage This is the Fate of all People at variance with themselves of all Princes who make use of Foreign Forces especially if he who sends does not also pay them Thus it happened to the Cities of Greece when Philip King of Macedon contriving to ensnare the Liberty of all fomented their Contentions and by fiding with the Weaker made both the Victors and Vanquished submit to one Yoke 4 Philippus Rex Maâ—edonum libertati â—â—â—ium insidiatus dum contentiones civitatum alit auxilium inserioribus ferendo victos pariter victoresque subire regiam sâ—rvitutem coëgit Justin. Glory at first prompts to the Defence but in the end Ambition seizes all Whoever employs his Forces for another expects some Amends for it The Country always loves the Power that protects it the Subjects imagining they shall live more secure and happy under his Government freed from the Fear and Danger of Wars and the severe Taxes inferiour Princes are wont to impose and from those Grievances they generally suffer at their Hands The Nobles too think it more Honourable to serve a greater Master who has larger Rewards to give and greater Preferments to confer upon them All these Considerations make way for Tyranny and Usurpation Auxiliary Troops always obey him who sends them or in whose Pay they are and treat those Countries they serve in as Foreign so that when the War is ended with the Enemy they must begin with the Friend Therefore I think it better and less hazardous and expensive for the weaker Prince to come to a Composition upon any Terms with the more powerful than even to conquer him with Foreign Arms What cannot be obtained but by them can much less be preserved without them after they shall be withdrawn This Danger of Auxiliary Forces is yet more to be feared when the Prince who sends them is of a different Religion or has or at least pretends to some Right to that State or else if it be of any considerable Advantage for him to be possessed of it for the opening a Passage to his own or obstructing that of an Enemy These Apprehensions should be measured by Necessity the Condition and Manners of the Prince being well examined for if he be open and generous Publick Faith and Reputation will have more Influence on him than Interest and Reasons of State as has been experienced in all the Princes of the House of Austria represented by that powerful protecting Cherub to which Ezekiel 5 Thou art the anointed Cherub that governeth Ezek. 28. 14. compares the King of Tyre before he failed in his Duty of whose Friendship no one can justly complain Piedmont Savoy Cologne Constance and Brisac all Places defended by the Spanish Arms and afterwards restored without so much as a Garrison left in them are everlasting Witnesses of this Truth Nor can Genoua deny it for when oppressed by France and Savoy it put its Liberty into the Hands of the Spaniards these People most faithfully preserved it as esteeming more their Friendship and the Glory of Publick Faith than Dominion But if Necessity at any time oblige the Prince to have recourse to a Foreigner he may avoid the Dangers mentioned by these two or three Cautions If he take care that the Foreign Forces be not greater than his own That his own Officers Command them That they be not put in Garrisons That they be mixed or divided and immediately drawn out against the Enemy EMBLEM XCIII OFten has the Tyrrhene Sea felt the Danger of the Neighbourhood of Mount Vesuvius But we learn not always to profit by our Misfortunes being out of a vain confidence apt to persuade our selves they will never happen a second time The World had long since been at the height of Wisdom had it known how to improve by its Experiences But Time we see effaces them as it did in the Ruines the late Conflagrations had left upon the skirts of that Mountain covering it with a prodigious quantity of Ashes which but a few Years afterwards the Plough cultivated and reduced again to Soil The Remembrance of the Losses sustained was lost or rather no one would retain it when yet they ought to have ever kept Humane Caution upon its Guard The treacherous Mountain conceal'd under its green Garment the Heat and Drought of its Entrails and the Sea suspecting no harm made an Alliance with it and embraced it with its Waters not regarding the contrariety of those two Natures But the treacherous Mountain kept its Intention so close that not the least Smoke gave any sign of what was plotting within Their Communication encreased by secret ways Nor coâ—ld the Sea imagine this pretended Friend was raising Fortifications against it and preparing Mines with divers sulphurous Metals which being afterwards filled and that in our Age was set fire to There open'd on the top of it a wide and deep Mouth breathing out Flames which at first seem'd to be no more than Pâ—â—mes as I may say of Sparks or Bonfires but in a few hours proved tragical Prodigies This heavy Body several times shook and amidst its dreadful Thunder vomited up the liquid Flames of those indigested Matters of melted Metals which boiled in its Stomach like Torrents of Fire they streamed down it into the Plains adjacent burning the Trees and carrying the Houses along with them till at length they run into the Sea which astonish'd at so sudden an Hostility retired with its Waters to the very Center whether out of Fear or Policy to raise a greater Body of Waves to defend it self withal for now the old League was violated it was obliged to prepare for its Defence The two Elements engaged not without the trembling of Nature her â—elf afraid of seeing this beautiful Fabrick of the Universe on Fire The very Waves conquered by a superiour Enemy burned and the Fish swimming in the Flames were drowned For the Fire as Solomon 1 For earthly things were turned into watry and the things that before swam in the water now went upon the ground Wisd. 19. 9. speaks had power in the Water forgetting his own Vertue and the Water forgot his own quenching Nature Such will be the Effects of all the like Alliances of contrary Natures Let not the Catholick Prince who enters into a Confederacy with Infidels expect less Evils For there being no more inveterate Animosities than those which arise from the Difference of Religions the present Necessity may indeed dissemble them but it is impossible that Time should not discover them And how is it to be imagined that Amity can ever be maintained between them when the one cannot trust the other when the Ruine of this is the Interest of that They who differ in Opinions differ also in Minds and as Creatures of that
to leave Arms barren It is as easie for a Fortune raised to fall as it is to lift up again one fallen Tiberius considering this Uncertainty of Things endeavoured with many Arguments to persuade the Senate not to be so quick in executing the Honours decreed to Germanicus for his Victories in Germany 19 Cuncta mortal um incerta quanâ—â—â—â— plus adâ—ptus forat tanto se magis in lubrico dictans Tac. Annal. l. â— Although Victories should be pursued yet it ought not to be with a Heat so secure and careless as to slight Dangers Let Expedition consult with Prudence with regard to Time Place and Occasion Let the Prince use his Victories with Moderation not with a Bloody and Inhumane Tyranny always having before him that Counsel of Theodorick King of the Ostrogoths in a Letter to his Father-in-Law Clovis about the Germaâ— Victories In such Cases let him be heard who has most Experience No Wars have been more successful to me than those I have ended with Moderation for he comes oftenest off Conqueror who best uses his Victory and Fortune ever favours them most who are least puft up * Cassiod The French follow not this prudent Advice but rather have imposed a heavier Yoke on Germany than it ever yet bore and hastened the Ruine of that Empire The Piety and Modesty of Marcellus made a greater Shew when he wept to see the Ruine of the beautiful Buildings of Syracuse than his Valour and Glory in having stormed it and made a Triumphant Entry at the Breach Count Tilly struck the Hearts of several more by the Tears he shed for the burning of Magdeburg than by his Sword And though Ioshua commanded the Officers of his Army to put their Feet upon the Necks of the Kings taken in the Battel of Gibaon 20 Come near put your feet upon the necks of these kings â—osh 10. 24. yet this was not done out of Pride or Vain-glory but to animate his Soldiers and to remove the Fear they had conceived of the Giants of Canaan 21 Fear not nor be dismayed be strong and â—f good courage for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight Iosh. 10. 25. To treat those one has subdued with Humanity to maintain their Privileges and Nobility and to ease them of Taxes is twice to conquer them once by Arms and afterwards by Kindness and in the mean while to prepare a Chain for other Nations no fewer yielding to Generosity than to Force Expugnat nostram clementia gentem Mars gravior sub pace latet * Claud. By these Artifices the Romans made themselves Masters of the whole World and if ever they forgot them their Victories were the more difficult Despair it self arms against a bloody Conqueror Vna salus victis nullam sperare salutem †Virg. The Wretch's only Comfort is Despair There are some Men who with more Impiety than Reason advise for greater Security to extirpate the hostile Nation as the Romans did in demolishing Carthage Numantia and Corinth or else to oblige it to seek a new Habitation which is a barbarous and inhumane Counsel Others are for extinguishing the Nobility building Forts and disarming the Inhabitants But this Tyranny is practicable only in servile Nations not among People of â— more generous Nature Cato the Consul to secure himself from some People of Spain near the â—iver â—berus took away their Arms but was soon obliged to return them they being so exasperated to see themselves without them that they killed one another they despised a Life destitute of Instruments to defend their Honour and acquire Glory 22 Mar. Hist. Hisp. EMBLEM XCVII HERCVLES having master'd the Lion knew how to enjoy his Victory in covering his Shoulders with its Skin in order the more easily to tame other Monsters Thus the Spoils of a Triumph arm the Conqueror and encrease his Power Thus ought Princes to use their Victories augmenting their Forces by the Prisoners and advancing the Grandeur of their States by the Places they take All Kingdoms in their Original were small and if they encreased it was by getting and preserving The same Reasons that make the War lawful justifie also the detaining of what it brings To spoil only that you may restore again is a foolish and extravagant Levity That Man holds not himself at all obliged who to day receives what was yesterday wrested from him with Bloodshed Princes by Restitution barter for Peace and buy its contrary 〈…〉 render them Formidable what they 〈…〉 contemptible this being generally 〈…〉 and if after upon 〈…〉 they go about to recover it 〈…〉 Difficulties His Majesty 〈…〉 put the Valtaline in 〈…〉 and the French 〈…〉 the State of Milan in 〈…〉 and Arms. By holding 〈…〉 is check'd 〈…〉 by so many Pawns 〈…〉 Necessity Time and 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 in what Cases it is 〈…〉 to prevent greater 〈…〉 however must be 〈…〉 whose blind appetite 〈…〉 by those very means it 〈…〉 Princes 〈…〉 let several considerable Forts 〈…〉 in War they are sorry for but too late Present Necessity accuses past Liberality No Power should be so confident of it self as to think it stands not in need of every one of them for its Defence The Eagle parts not with her Tallons which if she did she would become the Jeâ—â— of other Birds They respect her not as their Queen for her Beauty since in that the Peacock much exceeds but for the Strength of her Pounces The Grandeur of His Majesty would now be in far more Veneration and Security had he still kept the State of Siena the Garrison of Placentia and in general all those Places which he has left in other Hands Even Restitution of a State is not to be made when it cannot be without Prejudice to another There is no less Inconveniencies in making War upon another than in using Arms negligently To take them 〈◊〉 only to offer Blows is a dangerous way of fighting â— Sword drawn without being dyed in Blood returns â—â—amed into the Scabbard if it wounds not our Enemy â— does our Honour Fire is the Instrument of War â—â—oever holds it up in his Hand will be burnt by it â—he Army if not kept in the Enemy's Country wasts â—s own nay is wasted it self Courage grows cold â—ithout Occasions to exercise and Spoils to inflame it â—ence Vocula quartered his Men in the Enemies Land 1 Vt praeda ad virtutem incenderentur Tac. Hist. l. 4. 〈◊〉 David went out of his own Realms to meet the Philistines 2 And â—avid caâ—e to Baal-perazim and David smote them there 2 Sam. â— 20. The same did Iehoash King of Israel â—hen he heard that Amaziah King of Iudah was â—â—ming against him 3 Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up and he and Amaziah king of Judah loâ—ked one another in the face at Bethshemeth â—â—ich belongeth to Judah And Judah was put to the worst before Israel 2 King 14. 11 12.
to impose In the Heat of Arms when Success is yet dubious to shew a Desire of Peace betrays weakness and gives Heart to the Enemy He that is too passionate for it at such a time never obtains it Valour and Resolutions are much better Persuasives to it Let the Prince then love Peace yet not to that degree as to commit Inâ—ustice or suffer Indignities for the sake of it Let â—im not look on that he has made with a Neighbour superiour in Strength to be safe for it can never be where the one is powerful the other weak 11 Quia inter innocentes validos â—also quâ—escunt Tac. de Mor. â—â—rm Ambition knows not how to contain it self where â—here is a prospect of Usurping any thing and specious Names and Pretexts of Moderation and Justice are never wanting to him that seeks to enlarge his Doâ—inions and aspires to be a Monarch For one who is so already aims at nothing more than the Enjoyment of his own Grandeur without going to intrench â—pon that of another or designing any thing against it 12 Vbi manu agitur modestia ac probitas nomina 〈◊〉 sunt Tac. ibid. EMBLEM XCIX HE knows not how to value the Quietness of the Harbour who has not felt the Storm nor is he sensible of the sweetness of Peace that has never tasted the bitterness of War Then first this wild Beast the sworn Enemy of Life appears in its true Colours when it is tamed To that agrees Samson 's Riddle of the dead Lion in whose Mouth Bees swarmed and wrought their Honey-Combs 1 And behold there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carkass of the lion Iudg. 14. 8. For when War is ended Peace opens the Doors of Commerce brings the Hand to the Plough re-establishes the Exercise of Arts the effect of which is Plenty as of that Riches which freed from the Fears that drove them away then begin to circulate Peace then as Isaiah the Prophet speaks 2 Lord thou wilâ— ordain Peace â—or us for thou hast wrought all our works in us Isai. 26. 12. is the greatest Good that God has bestowed on Mankind as War the greatest Evil. Hence the Egyptians to describe Peace represented Pluto the God of Riches as a Boy crowned with Ears of Corn Laurel and Roses to signifie all the Happiness it brings along with it God has given it the Name of Beauty in Isaiah saying his People should take their Rest in it as upon a Bed of Flowers 3 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Isai. 32. 18. Et sedebit popâ—lâ—s 〈◊〉 in pulcâ—ritudine pacis Vulg. Even the most insensible Beings rejoyce at Peace How chearful how fertile do the Fields look which that cultivates How beautiful the Cities adorned and enriched by its Calmness On the other side what Desarts what ruinous Countries are not those where the Fury of War has ranged Scarce can one know now the fair Cities and Castles of Germany by those disfigured Carkasses Burgundy sees its Verdant Perriwig as I may call it dy'd in Blood and its Cloaths once so gay and fine now ragged and scorch'd up with amazement at so wonderful a Change Nature has no greater Enemy than War He who was the Author of the whole Creation was at the same time Author of Peace Justice gives it self up to its Embraces 4 Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other Psal. 85. 10. Laws tremble hide themselves and are dumb at the frightful sight of Weapons Hence Marius excuses himself for having done something against the Laws of the Country by saying he could not hear them for the Noise of Arms. In War it is equally unfortunate to good Men to kill and to be kill'd 5 Aequè apud bonos miserum est occidere quam perire Tac. Hist. l. 1. In War Fathers by a subversion of the Order of Mortality bury their Children whereas in Peace these bury them Here every one's Merit is considered and Causes examined In War Innocence and Malice run the same Fortune 6 Nam iâ— pace causas merita spectari ubi bellum ingruaâ— innocentes a noxios juxta caâ—dere Tac. Annal. l. 1. In Peace Nobility is distinguisht from Populacy In War they are confounded the Weaker obeying the Stronger In that Religion is 〈◊〉 in this lost that maintains this usurps Dominions the one breaks the haughty Spirits of Subjects and renders them Submissive and Loyal 7 Sed longa pax ad 〈◊〉 servitium fregerat Tac. Hist. l. 2. the other makes them haughty and rebellious This made Tiberius fear nothing so much as disturbing the Repose Augustus had left in the Empire 8 Niâ—il aque Tiberium 〈◊〉 habebat quam ne composita turbarentur Tac. Annal. l. 2. With Peace Delights and Pleasures encrease and the greater these are the weaker are Subjects and more secure 9 Quantâ pecuniâ dites voluptatibus opulentos tanto magis imbelles Tac. Annal. l. 3. In Peace all depends on the Prince himself in War on him that has the Command of the Armies Hence Tiberius dissembled all Occasions of War that he might not commit it to the Management of another 10 Dissimulante Tiberio damna ne cui bellum permitteret Tac. Annal. l. 4. Pomponius Laetus well knew all these Inconveniencies when he said That while the Prince could live in Peace he should by no means kindle War The Emperor Marcianus used this Motto Pax bello potior and certainly not without Reason forasmuch as War can never be convenient unless carried on to maintain Peace This is the only Good that Infernal Monster brings with it That of the Emperor Aurelius Caracalla Omnis in ferro salus was a Tyrannical Saying and fit for that Prince only who cannot maintain himself but by Force That Empire is of a short continuance whose support is War 11 Violentia nemo imperia continuit diu â—â—derata durant Seneca As long as the Sword is by the Side Danger is so too and though Victory be in one's Power yet Peace is rather to be embraced for there is none so happy but the Damage that attends it is greater Peace is the greatest Treasure Man e'er knew A Thousand Triumphs to it seem but few * Sil. Ital. No Victory can make amends for the Expences of it So mischievous is War that even when triumphant it throws down Walls as it was the Custom among the Romans Now then we have conducted our Prince amidst Dust and Blood and thus seated him in the quiet happy state of Peace our next Advice is That he do his utmost to preserve it and enjoy the happiness thereof without imbittering it with the Perils and Calamities of War David never took up Arms but when indispensibly obliged The Emperor Theodosius did not seek but rather found War It is a Glorious and Princely Care that of procuring
their Faces the colour of Shame which none but Flatterers Liars and in general all profligate Persons ought to be stained with and for them so to forget themselves as to be governed and cozen'd by others Whatever is asked they voluntarily offer and give without any respect to Merit vanquished meerly by Petitions They readily subscribe to others Counsels and Opinions though they don't approve them and had rather seem Conquer'd than Victors which is the foundation of the most considerable Miscarriages in a Commonwealth shamefacedness by no means becomes Princes who should always appear with a serene and steady Aspect 11 Quorundam parum idonea est verecundia rebus civilibus quae firmam frontem desiderant Seneca Princes therefore should make it their whole business to correct this Passion and moderate their natural Bashfulness with Valour and Constancy with a Resolution not only of Mind but outward Demeanour to resist Flatteries Lyes Frauds and Malice that they may correct and amend them and preserve a Royal Integrity in their Words as well as Actions Which the Two Kings Iohn the Second and Henry the Fourth having neglected to do what wonder if their Authority and Crowns were brought into such dangers Farther in curing this Passion no small Discretion is necessary for whereas other Vices like Thorns are to be utterly extirpated this is rather to be pruned and the superfluity cut off that part of Shame left which guards Virtues and regulates Mens Manners and Actions for without this restraint the Prince's Mind will be quite unruly and except he now and then reflects upon Infamy and Indecency he will follow the force of his Passions and precipitate himself especially when there 's Power to countenance them If by good Arts modesty is scarce to be preserved what will be the consequence if we wholly abandon that 12 Vix artibus honestis retinetur pudor Tac. 14. Ann. 'T was then Tiberius gave himself to all manner of Vice and Tyranny when he had cast off Shame and Fear and followed only his own Humour 13 Postremo in scelera sâ—â—ul ac dedecoâ—a prorupit postquam remoto pudore â—etu suo tantum â—ngento utebatâ—r Tac. 6. Ann. Hence Plato said That Jupiter if at any time apprehensive of the Ruin of Mankind dispatch'd Mercury for the Earth to distribute Iustice and Modesty among Mâ—n by which they might prevent their Destruction Commiseration and Pity is a Passion not less dangerous in Princes than the other for when it has once prevailed in the Mind neither Reason nor Justice perform their Offices For out of an extravagant fear of disobliging any by Reprehension or Correction they neglect to apply Remedies to their Subjects Crimes and suffer many to go unpunished They are deaf to the Peoples Clamours nor do Publick Calamities affect them while at the same time they are sensibly touch'd with pity for three or four Men who were the Promoters of them They feel themselves disordered at other Mens Crimes and accordingly for fear of any trouble upon their account chuse to connive at or pardon rather than punish them This is a weakness of Judgment and defect of Prudence to be remedied with time but that with the same Moderation as we mentioned of Bashfulness that part only of Commiseration is to be retrenched which so enfeebles the Mind that it can't act with Vigour and Constancy Reserving that compassionate Affection peculiar to Princes 14 Principatuâ— enim proprium est miseâ—eri St. Chrys. where right Reason without hazarding the publick Security perswades Both these Passions as well that of Bashfulness as Commiseration are corrigible and to be subdued by some contrary Actions which may remove that too great tenderness and imbecillity of Mind and delivering it from those servile Fears render it capable of more masculine Actions If a Prince now and then endeavours though in matters of the least consequence to keep his Mind firm and resolute and considers his Power and Quality he will easily afterwards be able to do the same in Affairs of greater moment All 's done if he can but once acquit himself generously in it and make himself fearâ—d and respected There remain two other Passions considerably prejudicial to Youth Fear and Obstinacy Fear when a Prince is so timorous and in all things diffident of himself that he dares neither act nor speak Never approves any Action of his own â—ears to appear in publick and Love 's rather solitude and retirement This proceeds generally from an effeminate and retired Education as also for want of Experience the only Remedy for this Distemper that is the Prince should use himself to give Audience to his Subjects as well as Foreigners often appear in Publick that he may learn to know Men and in general all other things as in themselves they are not as his Imagination or Master has painted them Let there be always free access to his Apartments for those worthy Persons that are his Father's Chamberlains and all other Courtiers that are eminent for Valour Ingenuity and Experience Which Custom was observed in Spain till the time of Philip the Second who cautious of his Son Charles's underhand-dealings abolished that Custom of free Access and Communication and so declining one Inconvenience fell into another equally dangerous to Princes for so is it to be too much abstracted from Conversation for this usually prompts them to rely too much upon some particular Favourite Lastly Obstinacy arises partly from Fear partly from natural Slothfulness when a Prince won't Act at all but resolutely rejects all Instructions that are given him That Coldness of Mind is to be cured by the Fire of Glory and Incentives to it as faults in Horses are usually corrected by the Spur. The Prince therefore is to be led gradually into the way and the Progress he makes to be commended though at first those Commendations be above his merit and only for forms sake EMBLEM VIII IN the Unicorn Nature hath shewn a piece of admirable Skill and Providence in placing Anger 's Weapon exactly between the Eyes 'T is absolutely necessary to have both Eyes intent upon that Passion which so imperiously tyrannizes over our Actions and the Motions of the Mind The same Flame that lights it blinds it and 't is differenced only by its short continuance from Fury and Madness A Man in a Passion is not the same as before for he is thereby as it were put beside himself 1 Non desiderat fortitudo advocatam iram Cicero Valour has no need of it for what were more silly than for this to require Aid from Anger a thing stable from one inconstant faithful from one false sound from one diseased 2 Quid enim â—â—â—ltuis est quam hanc ab iâ— acundia petere praesidium rem stabilem ab inâ—ertâ fidelem ab infidâ sanam ab aegra Senec. 'T is not this fickle pettish Passion obtains Victories triumphs over Enemies nor is that really
Courage that is without Reason provoked In a word no Vice is more unbecoming a Prince than that for to be angry supposes contempt or an injury received nor is any thing so disagreable to his Place and Office in as much as nothing so obscures the Judgment which should in a Governor be serene and clear A Prince that is exasperated and passionate upon any slight occasion gives his Heart into the Hands of the Person who provokes him and is subject to his pleasure If not a wrinkle in a King's Coat can be disordered without offence what will it be if he suffer any one to disturb his Mind Anger is a kind of Moth which Purple breeds and nourishes Pomp engenders Pride Pride Passion and Impatience is as it were a Propriety of Power The Sense of Princes is something too delicate a Looking Glass which the least breath sullies a Heaven that with the least Vapour is clouded and breaks out into Thunder A Vice that generally seizes great and generous Spirits as the Sea however vast and powerful is with the least blast of Wind raised into horrid Disorders and Tempests with this only difference that they are of much longer continuance in Princes Minds than in the Sea especially if their Honour be concerned which they imagine 't is impossible to retrieve without Revenge What a trifling piece of incivility was that Sancho King of Navarre put upon Alphonsus the Third after the Battel of Arcos in returning without taking leave of him Which however this so highly resented that he could never forget it or rest till he had got him out of his Kingdom The Anger of Princes is like Gun-powder which no sooner takes Fire but has its effect the Holy Spirit calls it the Messenger of Death 3 The Wâ—ath of Kings is as Messengers of Death Prov. 16. 14. and barely on this account 't were sufficiently reasonable to curb and restrain it 'T is very indecent for one in Authority to submit to this Passion Let Princes remember that nothing is put in their Hands for a Scepter with which they can hurt And if sometimes a naked Sword is carried before Kings 't is in token of Justice not Revenge and then 't is carried in another's hand to intimate that between Anger and Execution there ought to intercede a Command The publick Safety depends on Princes which will easily be in danger if they hearken to so rash a Counsellor as Anger Who can escape its hands For 't is like a Thunder-bolt when it comes from Supreme Power And because says King Alphonso Anger is stronger in a King and more dangerous than in others in that he can more readily satisfy it he ought to be more prepar'd to curb and correct it †L. 10. tit p 2. If Princes in a Passion could look upon themselves they would find a Countenance unbecoming such Majesty whose Tranquility and agreeable Harmony both of Words and Actions ought to please rather than terrify to acquire Love rather than Fear A Prince therefore should quench the Heat and Violence of Anger if he can't do so at least to defer the Fury and Execution of it for some time For as the same King Alphonso has said A King ought to keep in his Anger till it is over this will be of great advantage to him for so he will be able to judge truly and act justly in all things * L. tit 5 p. 2. The Emperor Theodosius experienced this in himself and for this reason enacted a Law That Capital Punishments should not be executed till thirty Days after Sentence passed Which Tiberius had before him decreed though for only ten Days and without giving the Senate power to revoke the Sentence once pronounced 4 Idque vitae spatium damnatis prorogaretur sed non senatui libertas ad poenitendum erat Tac. 3. Ann. Which indeed had been commendable if his design had been to make room for Pardon or give time for a second hearing of the Cause But Tiberius was a Man of too much Cruelty and Rigor to give that Indulgence 5 Nâ—que Tiberius interjectu temporis mitigabatur Tac. 3. Ann. It was the Counsel of Athenodorus to Augustus Caesar to determine nothing in a Passion till he had repeated the Twenty four Letters of the Greek Alphabet Since then Anger is a short Madness directly opposite to mature Deliberation there is no better Antidote against it than prudent Reflection that the Prince be not too hasty in Execution before he has had Council to examine a matter throughly King Ahasuerus when his Queen Vashti refused to come at his Command though he had reason to think himself contemned and highly resented the Affront yet would not be revenged till he had first called a Council and taken the Advice of his Noblemen 6 Esth. 1. 2. To talk of an Injury received inflames Anger more hence that of Pythagoras Stir not Fire with a Sword for Motion increases the Flame nor is there any more effectual Remedy for Anger than Silence and Solitude By its self it insensibly consumes and wears off whereas the most softning Discourse is often like the Water Smiths use to make their Fire burn fiercer Farther Anger has its seat in the Ears or at least keeps watch there these therefore a Prince is to secure that they be not too ready to hear ill Reports that may enrage him 7 Let every man be swift to hear slow to â—â—ak flow to wrath Iames 1. 19. This I imagine was the reason the Statue of Iupiter Cretensis had no Ears because they do more mischief to Governors than good However I think them necessary for Princes provided they be cautious and ruled by Prudence and let not themselves be moved at the first hearing of every trifling Story Anger is to be commended when kindâ—ed by Reason and moderated by Discretion without such as that there can be no Justice 8 Nunc Irasâ—i â—onvenâ— justitiae 〈◊〉 Sâ—ob Serm. 20. Too much Indulgence gives license to offend and makes Obedience bold To endure all things with content is igâ—orance or shews a servile Temper of one who has a â—ean Opinion of himself To continue in Anger when 't is to punish Offences or make Examples of such as affront Regal Authority is no Vice but a Virtue and by no means derogates from Mildness and Clemency Was any one more meek than David 9 Lord remember David and all his Afflictions Lat. Vers. 〈◊〉 suetudinis ejus Psal. 131. 1. a Man after God'â— own Heart 10 I have found David the Soâ— Iesse a Man after mine own heart Acts 13. 22. So mild in Vengeance in Anger so moderate that when he had Saul his greatest Enemy in his power was satisfied with cutting off the Skirt of his Robe and even that afterward repented of 11 And it 〈◊〉 to pass afterwards that David's heart smote him because he had 〈◊〉 off Saul's Skirt 1 Sam. 24. 5. Nevertheless with
usual in other Armies the first and second Transgression of that nature but whoever Deserted was immediately put to Death And that was found to be of more use than Clemency for fewer deserted his Camp than did those where it was pardoned 20 Remediuâ— severitate quaeâ—iâ—um est Nec enim ut in aliis exercitibus primum alterumquâ— venia prosequebatur sed qui signa reliqâ—erat sâ—atim capite poenas luebat Idque usu salubre misericordia melius apparuit Quippe pauciores castrâ— deseruâ—re quam ea in quibus ignoscebatur Ibid. The Soldier could never be brought to undergo those great Fatigues and expose himself to the present Hazards of War without some other Severity or some Reward to equal those two Princes by Honours and Recompences make good Generals and these good Soldiers by Example Rigour and Liberality Godfrey well knew Courage to be encreased by Glory and Hopes of Advantage when upon the point of giving Battel He clears the Doubts and elevates the Hopes Of those whose Bravery deserves Reward Some he with Wealth with Honour some excites And diff'ring Genius's as each delights * Tass. Can. 20. I dare affirm no Soldiers can be good unless their Commanders be something enclin'd to Prodigality and Severity And 't is probably on this account the Germans call a Regiment and all that belongs to it the Colonel's Staff den Regiment oder Colonelstah for with that Soldiers are to be ruled Moses kept his in such strict Discipline that suing once for Passage through the King of Edom's Country he withal engaged that none of them should drink of the Water of his Wells or pass through any one's Fields or Vineyards 21 We will not pass through the fields nor through the vineyards neither will we drink of the water of the wells Numb 20. 19. Antiquity has left us an illustrious Example of the Re-establishment of decayed Military Discipline in the Person of Metellus when he was in Africa where he found the Roman Army so corrupted that the Soldiers would not stir out of their Quarters deserted their Colours and dispersing themselves over the Province Ravag'd and Plunder'd where-ever they came being guilty of all the Extravagancies that Avarice and Luxury are capable of inspiring Yet all these he insensibly remedied by Exercising them in Military Arts. He first order'd that no Bread or any other Meat dress'd should be sold in the Camp forbad the Sutlers to follow the Army suffer'd not any Common Soldier upon a March to have a Servant or Mule And thus correcting the other Abuses he restor'd them to their former Courage and Strength The effect of which Care was so great as of it self to terrifie Iugurtha and oblig'd him by Embassadors to beg his Life and the Lives of his Children of him and to promise the Delivery of all besides to the Romans Arms are Vital Spirits which cherish and give motion to the Body of a Government the Surety of Publick Tranquility wherein the Preservation and Encrease of the same consists provided they be well ordered and admit of Discipline This the Emperor Alexander Severus well knew when he said Ancient Discipline was the Support of the Commonwealth the Fall of which would be the Ruine of the Roman Name and Empire 22 Disciplinam majorum Rempublicam tenet quae si dilabatur nomen Romanum Imperium amissum iri Alex. Sever. apud Lamprid. Since then it is of so great Importance to have good Soldiers it is the Duty of Princes to conferr Favours and Honours upon them Saul loved a brave Soldier so well that he would not suffer him out of his sight Reward and Honour find and Exercise makes them For Nature produces few Valiant Men but Industry with good Instruction brings up many 23 Paucos viros fortes natura procreat bona institutione plures reddit industria Veget. This ought to be the care of the Captains Colonels and Generals as it was of Sopher the Chief of the Host who exercised his Fresh-water Soldiers 24 And the principal scribe of the army who mustered the people of the land c. 2 King 25. 9. And thus the Holy Scriptures call Commanders Masters of Soldiers 25 Gen. 37. 36. it being their business to teach and instruct them such were Potiphar and Nebuzaradan 26 Ierem. 39. 9. But because this through the excessive Indulgence and Carelesness of Officers and upon account of other Impediments in War is not easily reduc'd to Practice the Evil of it ought rather to be timely prevented a Thing which Princes and Commonwealths are strangely negligent in Upon the Study of Literature are founded Colleges for Religion Convents and Monasteries The Church Militant has its Nurseries for the Edification of Spiritual Soldiers to defend it for Temporal ones there is none The Turk alone regards this who to that end gathers Children of all Nations into certain Seraglio's and sees them brought up in the Exercise of Arms whence afterwards is formed the Body of his Janizaries who knowing no other Father or Lord but the Grand Signior are the chiefest Strength and Defence of his Empire Christian Princes ought to do the same in all great Cities by taking Orphans Foundlings and all other of that nature into Seminaries for that purpose there to be instructed in Military Exercises taught to forge Arms twist Ropes make Gun-powder and all other Ammunition to prepare them for War-Service There might also be some educated in Sea-Port Towns where they might have an early insight into Navigation and see the manner of Building Ships of making Sails and Cables which would be a means to cleanse the Commonwealth from those Dregs of Vagabonds and furnish it with Persons that would be useful in Military Arts which might be kept out of what they daily earn or if that would not suffice a Law might be made to assign such Seminaries the Third of all Pious Gifts or Legacies For assuredly they deserve no less who defend the Altars than those that offer Incense at them It would be also a very good way for the Subsistence of an Army to endow the Treasury of War with certain stated Revenues to be employed to no other uses As Augustus did who setled the Tenth of all Hereditaments and Legacies and the Hundredth part of all Commodities sold upon it Which Tax Tiberius would not afterwards take off even though the Senate requested it because it was the Support of the Military Treasury 27 Centesimam rerum venalium post bella civilia institutam deprecante populo edixit Tiberius militare â—rarium eo subsidio niti Tacit. â— 1. Annal. Thus Peter Count de Lemos endowed that of Nâ—ples but Envy afterwards overthrew all that his Zeal and Prudence had establish'd Neither should this Care be taken for Soldiers only but also in Erecting Fortresses and Garrisoning them forasmuch as that Charge may prevent many greater The Weakness of a Place invites an Enemy whereas
scarce any one Attacks a State he thinks able to Defend it self If all that is lavishly squander'd away in Gaming Shows and Building were expended upon this Princes would live abundantly more Secure and the whole World enjoy more Peace and Tranquility The Emperors Dioclesian and Maximilian took it as a signal piece of Service of a certain Governor of a Province who laid out a Summ of Money design'd for the Structure of an Amphitheater upon the Repair of a Citadel 28 Ita enim tutelae civitatis instructae murorum praesidio providebitur instaurandi agonis voluptas confirmatis his qua ad securitatis cautionem spectant in secuti temporis circuitus circuitione repraesentabit L. Unica C. de Expen Publ. l. 11. EMBLEM LXXXIII THE very Ground whereon Fortresses are built is their greatest Enemy It is upon the Surface of that with the Shovel and Pick-Axe Weapons of this Age Trenches and Approaches are made to begin a Storm 'T is within the Bowels of the same that Mines are secretly sprung under the Foundations of the Walls and Bulwarks which taking Fire blow them all up That Castle only is Impregnable which situated in the midst of Waters is on all sides surrounded with the Fury of Foaming Billows which although they beat against it yet do at the same time also defend it by not admitting of a Naval Siege and all the Danger would be in a Calm if it should continue long Thus Governments while engaged in War are generally safe 1 Civitates magna ex parte bellum gerentes conservantur caedem Iâ—perâ—o potitae corrumpuntur Aristot. l. 7. Polit. c. 14. Then are they industriously Vigilant providently forewarn'd Glory animates Exercise redoubles their Courage Emulation prompts to great Enterprizes and Common Danger unites Mens Affections and purges off the State 's ill Humours Fear of an Enemy keeps a People Regular and under Laws 2 Metus hostilis in bonis artibus civitatem retinebat Salust The Romans were never more Valiant nor their Subjects more Quiet and Obedient to the Magistrates than when Pyrrhus first and after him Hannibal came up to the very Gates of their City A great Monarchy is in more Danger upon the account of its Power than others are from their Weakness for that through too much confidence in its Strength neglects to provide against future Casualties 3 Whose arrows are sharp and all their bows bent their horses hoofs shall be counted like â—lints Isai. 5. 28. whereas on the contrary Fear puts this always upon its Guard If Military Discipline cease and be not kept in continual Exercise Sloth effeminates Minds weakens and throws down Walls rusts Swords and gnaws the Straps of Shields Debaucheries by degrees encrease with it and Ambition reigns whence arise Dissentions and from them Civil Wars so that there is not one Intestine Malady or Infirmity ingender'd by Laziness but the whole State suffers by it Nothing grows or is preserved without Motion Q. Metellus upon the News of the Loss of Carthage said openly in the Senate That he now apprehended that of Rome would follow when he saw that Rival Republick destroyed Pub. Nasica hearing one say This Success put Affairs in a better Posture answer'd Nay rather they are now in greater Danger This wise Man well knew those Hostile Forces were like Surges which indeed shook the City but withal added Strength and Courage to it and therefore exhorts them to beware of their Ruine as knowing weak Minds to have no greater Enemy than Security and 〈◊〉 Fear was a necessary Tutor to this Pupil People 4 Timens infirmis animis hostem securitatem tanquam pupilli◠〈◊〉 idoneum tutorem necessarium videns eâ—se terrorem Mar. Hist. Hisp. â—â—inthila King of the Goths was great in Spain and â—â—quired Renown by his Atchievements while he was engag'd in War when that ceas'd he abandon'd himâ—elf to Luxury and was ruin'd King Alphonsus VI. reâ—lecting upon the Losses he had receiv'd from the Moors â—â—k'd the reason of it and was answer'd It was the Sloth and Looseness of his Men upon which he immediately forbad Bathing and all other Wantonnesses that impair Strength The Oscitancy and Drowsiness of the two Kings Roderick and Vitiza made almost all Spain fall a Prey to the Africans till the times of Pelagius and his Successors when Warfare beginning to flourish again Valour and the Glory of Arms encreased by constant Emulation and not only deliver'd Spain from that heavy Yoke but render'd it Head of a Puissant Monarchy The Emulation between the Military Orders of Castile produced abundance of Great Men who â—trove more to surpass each other in Military Glory than to conquer an Enemy The House of Austria had never ascended to this Pitch of Grandeur had it always been given up to Idleness The same means Envy takes to pull it down by strengthen and render it more glorious For they who live in Peace like Iron not used lose their Brightness and become rusty 5 Nam pacem agentes tanquam ferrum splendorem amittunt Arist. l. 7. Polit. c. 14. Lesser Powers may indeed be preserv'd without Arms but not great ones For it is not so difficult to keep Fortune equal in them as in these out of which if Arms be â—ot sent abroad War is kindled at Home As it befell the Roman Monarchy with whose Grandeur Ambition that old inbred Vice encreased and broke out For when Affairs were in a low Condition it was easie to keep an Equality but after the Conquest of the World when their Rival Cities and Kings were destroyed and they at leisure to share their Riches then it was that the Senators and Common People first began to fall out 6 Vetus 〈◊〉 jam pridem inâ—ita mortalibus potentiae cupido cum 〈◊〉 perâ—i magnitudine adolevit erupitque Nam rebus modicis aequalitas faâ—â—â— habebâ—tur sed ubi subacto orbe aemulis Vrbibus Regibusque excisiâ— sâ— cuâ—as opes concupiscere vacuum fuit prima inter Patres Plebemque 〈◊〉 mina exarsere Arist. l. 7. Pol. c. 14. The Emulation of Valour which is exercised against Enemies when there is any is usually inflamed between Country-men when there is none This the Germans had Experience of when upon the Romans leaving them and their being exempt from Foreign Fear out of Emulation turn'd their Arms upon one another 7 Decessu Romanorum 〈◊〉 vacui externo metu gentis assuetudine tum aemulatione gloriae arma in se verterant Tac. l. 2. Hist The Peace of the Roman Empire was very bloody it being the Source of all their Civil Wars 8 Pacem sine dubio post haec verum cruentâ—â— Tac. l. 1. Annal. Long Peace was agreeable to the Cherusci but of no advantage 9 Cherusci nimiam ac marcentem diu pacem illacessui nutrierunt idque juâ—undius quam tutius fuit Tac. de Mor. Roman The Wars of the Low-Countries put an