Cardinal report that his grace cheerfully accepted of the â—…oble charge propounded to him But upon this condition though which by the Spaniards was immediately rejected For he said that when by the authority of holy Scripture by the Doctrine of the holy Fathers by the institutions of the Canons he had made it evident to the Coâ—…nsel-Royal that the results of it disagreed with the Laws of God and man he would then desire but power to hinder the execution of them all to no other end then to let the world know that the Kings Diviâ—…e was in that Counsel only to assist the conscience of his King with knowledge of the will of his Lord God not for a Vizard to settle upon him the Rule of Kingdoms over men for he conceived it would be too shameful an action that such a one as he should be employed to authenticate the diabolical impiety of modern Policy and make silly souls believe that the nastiest Assa foetida that would outstink a Polecat is as pure Musk as ever came from the Levant Apollo detesteth the means that are recommended to him for getting of Monies Extraordinary is the want of money which at this time is in Pernassus for not only his Majesties Exchequer and Treasures and the greatest Princes of this Court but likewise the Gentlemen the Merchants and the Artisans are in great distress for it in so much that many daies since the Commissioners for Apollo's Royal Patrimony and others deputed by his Majesty over this business did a long time consider and consult what course was to be taken for the remedying of this disorder And it was resolved by all to be very expedient that likewise into Pernassus should be introduced that admirable custom observed by many Princes in Italy of selling the publick revenues to private men they which bought them paying the honest Rent of six in the hundred and that it should be lawful also for private men to put out their money to such as had need of it at the return of eight in the hundred by the name of Consideration This course which these Gentlemen so highly approved of as soon as ever it was proposed to Apollo was immediately rejected as most pernicious to all Estates publick and private And his Majesty then said that he would not by any means by the engaging to another the publick Revenues of his Estate give an odious president to other Princes for encumbring in their life times those incomes which as they had received free so they ought to transmit them to their successors For by such inventions as these there was not only a doore opened to the ruine of Estates but the way was levelled for the avarice and malice of those Princes who either because they Reign in States elective or because in hereditary they have no successor of their own race would dismember those publick Rents which are the true Store-houses and the secure Magazines that preserve and aggrandize Kingdoms A disorder which being by the excessive malice of some Princes introduced into their States hath extreamly weakened them And upon the very same subject his Majesty said further that in many States the Taxes and Imposts were now-adaies observed to be much increased because the new-entring Princes have found the publick Revenues mortgaged by their Predecessors and that they themselves to provide for the urgent necessities of their States and the private exigents of their Families were enforced to invent new Taxes and even against their wils with odious Impositions to overload their afflicted and tired subjects Which errors men should so much the more fear that they would one day ruine their States by how much the more Princes not to run the manifest hazard of enkindling great commotions in their jurisdictions and being no longer able to charge the people with new Taxations should at last be constrained to grow desperate and to seize upon the Rents colouring their rapacity with the pretence that it was more then their predecessors could doe to empawn them so prodigally and maliciously to the prejudice of the State and of their successors And that States being subject to the sentence of the sword and the tribunal of violence if it should happen that a Kingdom where the disorder of engaging the publick Revenues was practised should be usurped and taken on him by any Potentates the new Prince by relinquishing the ordinary payments would have if not a just at least a colourable reason to commit that cruel outrage of ruining the Patrimony of infinitely many widows orphans and other poor creatures that had had all their estates laid out upon the purchase of the publick Revenues And that he knew the abuse of alienating the publick Revenues was gone so far that many Princes with unheard of avarice and greediness had either ransacked their own estates or suffered them to run to ruine and this horrid cruelty they would have to be taken for politick wit so to weaken in elective States a hated successor in hereditary a stranger And lastly Apollo said That it was most wickedly resolved upon that private men by the purchase of the publick Revenues and the mischievous bringing in of Consideration-money should fetch gain out of meer and bare money without putting it forth upon any commodities it being a most abominable thing that men born to live by the sweat of their brows to manure the earth and attend upon the multiplication of cattel should be maintained by those Usuries which are got out of a dead heap of money A piece of bruitishness that is good for nothing but to make Industrious men lean and Usurers Fat FINIS
60. A Literato desires of Apollo the Art of Memory for which he is laught at by his Majesty 118 Advert 61 Juvenâ—…l refuseth a challenge given him by Francisco Berni to contend with him in Satyrical Poetry 119 Advert 62. Domitio Corbulone being severely prosecuted by the Quarantia Criminale a Venetian Magistracy consisting of forty men for some words spoken by him in his Government of Pindo which were formerly declared by Apollo's publick Edict to be Tyrannical is at last acâ—…uitted with much praise 121 Advert 63. The Chaire of private Tranquillity being void by Diogenes the Cynicks promotion to a higher degree Apollo offers it to the famous â—…hilosopher Crates who refuseth it 122 Advert 64. Many people having wasted themselves in keeping great Tables and going gloriously attired desire their Princes to make a Pragmatical Law for the moderation of such expences but obtain not their suit 123 Advert 64. Johannes Bodinus presents Apollo with his six Books of his Commonwealth wherein it being found that he approves of Liberty of Conscience he is sentenced to be burn'd 124 Advert 65. Apollo punisheth a Poet severely for having been so desperate as to blaspheme 129 Advert 66. The Vertuosi of Pernassus visit the Temple of Divine Providence whom they thank for the great charity which she hath shewn to mankind 130 Advert 67. The most excellent Paolo Peruta by order from Apollo declares in the publick Politick Schools what the genuine signification is of that Precept in Policy That to Reigne securely the people must be kept under ib. Advert 68. A Noble born Laconick Senator having committed a great fault the Duke of Laconia thinks it wisdom to pass by it 132 Advert 69. Andrea Alciati finding himself injuriously persecuted in his place of Magistracy flies for help to Apollo but finds none 133 Advert 70. â—…he Lady Victoria Colonna begs of Apollo in name of all the Feminine Sex that such married men as are Adulterers may suffer the like infamy as unchast wives do 135 Advert 71. Cesar having taxed Marcus Brutus of ingratitude in a full Assembly of great Personages they challenge one another 136 Advert 72. Certain subjects desire their Princes that the infinite multitude of Laws which they live under may be reduced to a lesser number and that the Governors of Provinces may be forbidden to publish every day new Proclamations 139 Advert 73. The Vertuosi of Italy beg of Apollo that Philosophy may be treated on in the Italian Tongue and are denied their request 141 Advert 74. Apollo shews unto his Literati the true meaning of the Latine Sentence Homo longus raro sapiens A tall man is seldom wise Advert 75. The Ruota di Parnasso having decided a Point in difference between the Military men and the Literation the Military mens behalf are aware of their error and withdraw their Sentence 143 Advert 76. Aristotle being besieged in his Countrey-House by many Princes is by them forced to revoke his Definition of a Tyrant 144 Advert 77. By Order from Apollo a general Reformation of the world is published by the seven Wise men of Greece and by the other Literati 146 Advert 78. Apollo hearing of the happy alliance of the two illustrious daughters of Charls Emanuel with the two Noble Princes of Mantua and Modena commands that extraordinary demonstrations of joy be made throâ—…ghout his whole Dominions 162 Advert 79. The antient Commonwealth of Rome and the Modern Veneâ—…ian Liberty argue together wâ—…at the true rewards of honour be by which well ordered Commonwealths do acknowledge the worth of their well-deserving Senators 164 Advert 80. The people of Lesbos after Cornelius Tacitus ran away from them chuse Anna Momorancy by Apollos appointment for their Prince 167 Advert 81. The excellent Bâ—…lognian Physitian Jovanni Zecca sels in Pernassus the true Antidote againâ—… the French Pox. 168 Advert 82. The Literati of Parnassus do with great solemnity celebrate the Holy day dedicated to the laudable Lawrel-Leaves 169 Advert 83. Apollo having highly commended the King of Spains Decree That no Advocates nor Proctor should go into the Indies The Doctors of Law quarrel grievously with his Majesty for it 171 Advert 84. The chiefest Literati of Pernassus desire Apollo that Tacitus may re-compose those Books of his Annals and Histories which are lost 172 Advert 85. Apollo being advertised that ignorant men took up arms against Learning puts himself in posture to defend his Verâ—…uosi 173 Advert 86. Justus Lipsius to make amends for his fault in having accused Tacitus is so intent thereupon as he is accused before Apollo to have idolatrized him for which after a seigned punishment he is at last praised and admired by his Majesty 175 Advert 87. The Queen of Italy being much intreated by her chiefest Princes and by Apollo's self to pardon the injuries done by those Italian Commanders who took up arms against her in assistance of Forreign Nations denies to do it 171 Advert 88. The whole generation of sheep send their publike Ambassadors to Apollo by whom they make their desires known that they may be aâ—…d to have sharp teeth and long horns and their desire is laughed at by his Majesty 173 Advert 89. Nicholas Machiavel being banished Pernassus upon pain of death was found hidden in a friends Library for which his former sentence of being burn'd was executed 175 Advert 90. Apollo visits the Prisons and in his visitation dispatches the causes of many Literati accused of sundry faults and imprisoned for debt 177 Advert 91. A great Prince in discharge of a Vow that he had made carries a rich Vessel to the Temple which the Priest receiving with shew of great sadness the Prince desires the reason thereof and receives satisfaction 188 Advert 92. Apollo forbids the Shepherds of Arcadia to fatten hogs any more and being earnestly intreated to revoke that his Decree denies it 189 Advert 93. It being observed that Pero Trasea in company of his son in Law Elvidius Priseo frequented the houses of the chiefest Poetesses of Pernassus he is severely reprehended for it by Apollo ib. Advert 94. A chief Senator of Poland whilst he corrects another Senator who is a friend of his is made aware that he himself is he who goes astray and needs amendment 191 Advert 95. A controversie arising between the Governors of Pindo and of Libetro in point of Iurisdiction Apollo punisheth them both 192 Advert 96. Apollo sentenceth Hanibal Caro to pay his forfeited security for the wounds which he gave Castelvetro 193 Advert 97. Dante Aligieri being assaulted by night in his Countrey-house and ill used by some disguised Vertuosi is relieved by the great French Ronsard 194 Advert 98. All the Princes of the world beseech Apollo that he will insert into their people the love of their Countrey 195 Advert 99. Apollo makes a general hunting of Pismires and Tortoises as being both of them beasts of evil example to mankind 196 Advert 100. Apollo refuseth to receive a Censure presented
so to have done out of an important reason that it was well known to all men that she took the young sons of her Christian Subjects whereof he made three choices making such as were of best natural parts a Seminary of youths who when they came to years of being imployed they were placed in several services of the Chamber and about the very person of the Ottaman Emperors and to these when they came to more mature years the Government of Provinces was given the care of Armies and the absolute command of his greatest Empire That out of the second choice he made his mighty Horse-Militia and his Gentil husmini della Porta called Spahi And out of the third which was the refuge and those of weakest natural parts he formed his formidable Militia of Janisaries And if it should so fall out that a Spahi should by his worth exceed the expectation which was had of him as was seen in the Spahi who had surprised the Fort of Testis he was admitted into the first rank but if it should happen that any extraordinary worth should be found in a Janisary by which he might have done some act of much merit yet they were never raised to any higher degree by the Ottaman Emperors than to the degree of Spahi And that the reason of this his resolution was ready for that the first Seminary of Bassaes as also the second of the Spahi and the third of the Janisaries every one of them abundantly loving the brethren of their own Classis to give the command of Armies or Government of Provinces to men of the first or second Seraglio who were very few in comparison of the Janisarie Militia was no waies dangerous but that to intrust places of jelousie in the hands of a Captain or other Officer who was come out of the Janisarian body would be an indiscreet and dangerous advice by reason of the great retinue of so dreadfull a Militia that such a Subject would have And so much the more for that whereas the Bassa's and Spahi's being men highly minded and who do not willingly subject themselves to their equals live continually in strife jelousies and emulation by reason of their pretences to the same preferments whereas the Janisaries as being an ignorant sort of people did not only live in greater union but would greatly admire love and even adore those who by their extraordinary worth were got out of their Classis That therefore to advance one to the Supream power of a General who would be followed and beloved by so mighty a Militia would be no better then to nurse up a serpent in ones bosom which did misbecome a wise Prince to do And that the Ottaman Emperors held it for an infallible maxim in Policy That that Militia on which the perpetuity greatness and selicity of an Empire was grounded should be commanded in chief by a foreiner who would be obeyed by the Army or rather out of the reverence which the Souldiers bear unto their Prince then for any merit Valor Nobility or attendance they should find in the reiner When Apollo had heard this justification made by the Ottaman Empire he did so much admire her wisdom as he commanded that Janisary to be quiet And turning to some Vertuosi that stood by and said that without reading wicked Bodine or mischievous Machiavil he found who was a perfect Polititian since such barbarous Princes and who profess utter enmity to Learning were the Kings of men in the exact understanding how to govern the world and in the exquisite practice of the best State-Reason The XXXIII ADVERTISEMENT Apollo frees Carlo Sigonio and Dionigi Atanigi the first being accused of Ingratitude by Pietro Vittorio and the other by Hannibal Caro. VVHilst Apollo sate this morning in the Tribunal of Gratitude in the company of the other Judges Carlo Sigonio a Learned Noble man of Modena was brought before his Majestie by the Keepers of the Prison fast bound whom Piero Vittorio a Florentine complained against bitterly for that this Sigonio being seased on by the Sargeants who were carrying him to prison for a debt of a thousand Duckets which he ought to Paulo Manutio he to keep his friend from suffering such an affront and from the prejudice of long imprisonment had with such liberality as was more then he could well do disburst the thousand Duckets to Manutio which having afterwards re-demanded of Sigonio he had set several times for the payment of it but Sigonio still broke his word so as finding himself at last abused he was inforced much against his will to imprison him and that seeing his former friendship strengthened by so great a courtesie was turned into hatred he was much grieved that Sigonio in so just a cause should so often falcifie his promise he therefore desired that as an unacknowledging and ungratefull man he might receive condign punishment according to the Laws of Gratitude Apollo did so little value Vittorio's Impeachment as openly taking upon him Sigonios protection he said that they broke their words who did not fulfil such things as were in their power to do but as for the promise of paying of monies upon a prefixt day they were only to blame who coyning monies by the malignity of a lying intention and not by the meer want of coyne did not make good their promise Then turning to Vittorio he said that such a one as he ought to consider that the courtesie he had done to Sigonio was one of those whereof the obligation of Gratitude was lost when all that was rigorously exacted which was known to be deserved by a friend For such courtesies as did exceed the condition of the receiver were done by the Vertuosi only to discover their magnanimous liberal mind and only the more to oblige a man and that great good turns done to such friends as were of ability were sufficiently rewarded by purchase of the fame of being Bountifull and Liberal As Apollo had ended this cause the Impeachment was heard which the Commendador Hannibal Caro made against Dionigi Atonigi wherein it was alleadged That when Mario Molza died for having had to do with too many women he left a little daughter of his to his custody which when she came to be sixteen years old he gave to wife to Atonigi with a Portion of 40000 Crowns In which resolution the violence of his affection to Atonigi had overcome the consideration of his beggerly estate which ought to have kept him from making that alliance And that Atonigi being thus well dealt withall by his dear friend was not ashamed in recompence of so great a good turn to acknowledge it by the beggerly gift of a douzen shirts and four hand-towels And that after so great ingratitude the very marriage day he had very discourteously forbidden him his house he then added with tears in his eies that he having bred up that young woman as if she had been his own beloved daughter she likewise loved him as if
XLIX ADVERTISEMENT A Litterato severely punished for saying that Duels were sometimes necessary THe Argumentation had three daies ago between certain Litterâ—… in the Peripatetick Portico whether his Majestie had done well or no to forbid Duels upon so severe penalties was very remarkable for the mâ—…fortune it occasioned to some For the Disputation was no sooner ended but those who had held that oft-times such differences might arise between souldiers and other persons as not being to be decided but by the sword Duels were necessary were seised upon and condemned to the Gallies The wonder of this so sudden sentence was increased it being clearly seen that even Justice her self which was never known to shew any passion in any whatsoever occasion did not at this time conceal her anger against those that were sentenced Some of the wisest of this Court say that she had much reason to appear so incensed since her reputation was so deeply concern'd by those who had dared to affirm that it was possible for some differences to fall out amongst men as were not to be decided by her Laws without the use of Duels The L. ADVERISEMENT The Dukes Marquisses and other Titulati of Parnassus complain grievously to Apollo that their honorable Title of Excellency should be given to Doctors of Law and Physick THe Duke of Aganippe's wife fell sick the last week of a dangerous Feaver he therefore forthwith called together a Colledg of the best Physitians of this Court wherein for his better satisfaction he would be present himself And it fell out that whilst these Physitians were arguing the business amongst themselves they gave the Title of Excellency to one another Whereat the Duke was so scandalized as not being able to endure that so high a Title and which in this our age is so ambiâ—…ously coveted by great men should be frequently used by those thread-bare Doctors not tarrying to hear their result departed from them and went to find out divers Princes to whom the Title of Excellency is given and told them they must make head and no waies tollerate that so â—…ignal a Title should be abused by Doctors of â—…aw and Physick The Princes were so wel pleased with this motion as â—…y immediately presented themselves before Apollo and complained grievously that the Princely Title of Excellency should be used by those Doctors for whom the Title of Sir or Master was too much Apollo gave them no other answer but that they should send for the parties to appear which was done So as the Doctors of both these professions appeared the next day before Apollo who the Princes their adversaries being present said it was well known to all men that Lawyers and Physitians were in the world long before there were any Dukes or Princes who had their beginnings only since the Goths and other barbarous Nations passing into Italy divided it amongst them into petty Principalities till when the names of Dukes Marquisses and Earls were never heard of and that the Doctors of Law and Physick from the first plantation of Learning had the Title of excellency given them which they had ever since peacefully possest and that those first Titolati which were seen in Italy took upon them the Title of Excellency as being a thing which was highly esteemed of by Lawyers and Physitians and that since the Titolati were of much later standing then Doctors no Justice would permit that the latter should deprive the more ancient of the Title of Excellency and that if the Princes their adversaries thought that that 〈◊〉 was of less repute for being used to Sholars they might leave it and take to themselves one which they should like better but that they were very sorry that in these Modern times the Liberal Sciences should be of so small esteem as it should be accounted a dishonour that Physitians and Doctors of Law should use the Title of excellency which the ancient Dukes took from Doctors as a thing which they did much value And then they added that for the eternal glory of Learning and to incourage men to learn the Liberal Sciences the rewards of honorable Studies ought rather to be increased then diminished To this the Princes answered That the first foundation laid by the Doctors that the Titolati had taken the Title of Excellency from them was false for that the most of them had purchast it at deer rates from Supream Princes To this the Doctors reply'd That if to enjoy the Title of Excellency at dear rates made for any advantage in this dispute the Doctors of both these professions might say that they had paid dearly for the degree of Doctor which brought with it the â—…itle of Excellency to the Colledg which had given them that Degree The Princes reply'd with a great deal of contempt and derision that it was very strange that Doctors should pretend to parallel their excellencies which might cost them 50 crowns with that of Dukes and Princes which required many thousands and that the difference between the one and the others excellency was easily discerned by the difference of the price It appeared strange to Apollo that the Princes should presume to enjoy the name of Excellency at a dear rate and he told them that they by their monies had purchased the substance of the Estate which they possest not the vain-glorious Title But that Doctors who did first possess the substance of learning by their perpetual labour and watchings might justly say that they had purchast the Title of Excellency when they parted with their monies for the Degree of Doctor To this the Princes answered with a deep sigh fetcht even from the bottom of their heart that his Majestie was in the wrong for many of them had purchast the Title without any State when to a Castle or place whâ—… they had enjoy'd from their Supreme Prince with the Title of Baron or Lord they had purchast the Title of Duke or Prince only that they might be honoured with the Title of Excellency Apollo was so much distasted hereat as he presently made an Edict whereby he commanded all Kings and Emperors that for the future they should abstain from such like Mercandize as from a thing unlawfull and granted all Priviledges and Prerogatives which the Law by way of charity doth afford to Widows Orphans Idiots and other miserable people in demanding full restitution ex capite enormissimae saesionis to those silly people who would throw away their money to buy smoak without roast-meat Then to rid himself of this troublesom controversie between the Princes and Doctors he referred it to the Tribunal of the sage Grandees of the Liberal Sciences who upon hearing of the fact were to determin it Before whom when the Dukes and Doctors appeared after two hours dispute those Judges gave sentence that though the Title of Excellency which was used by Doctors and given to Princes was of the same matter quality and substance yet it was the goods of Fortune which was honoured
to live and die what they were born For if it should so fall out that any one to better his condition should presume to make himself head of any Heresie the power of all the other free Towns who were joyntly interessed in Liberty with that City where factions began to arise would presently assist with arms in hand to beat down that faction Moreover that though the diversity of religions occasioned in those Cities by the Liberty of Conscience were less dangerous in them yet could it not be said that they were totally free nor that the humor was not pernitious and apt to occasion deadly evils and that no father of a family was ever induced to set his own house one fire for having the means of quickly quenching it by a neighbouring River But that in Empires and great Kingdoms it fared otherwise for in them there were oft-times brothers to him who Governed in Chief and other Princes of the bloud and there were alwaies therein great store of particular privat men eminent for birth riches and adherents who were all of them ambitious and out of a thirst of reigning thought any enterprize how desperate soever easie And that to boot with these they had potent forreign enemies upon whom they confined who were more then ready to foment such heads of faction as should appear to arise as had lately been seen in France and in Flanders and that as well the lay Princes Electors as every other Prince of the Empire who had imbraced the present Heresies did not live with liberty of conscience but with a particular thirst accommodated to human Interest As appeared clearly in the Lutheran impiety which taking its beginning in the Dukedom of Saxony to the end that he who declared himself to be Head thereof might not grow too great the rest of the Heretick Princes had introduced the new Sects of Calvin Zwinglius and of others in their States with such confusion to sacred things as it might be truely said that there was as many Heresies in Germany as Princes and Potentates that did rule there And that which made me wonder most was to hear that some Subjects in Germany were forced to alter their Religion at their Princes pleasure an inconvenience which was seen to happen so often amongst them as some Cities have past sundry times from one Heresie to another in less then one months space All which are things of very bad example and an excellent means to introduce that Atheism amongst men which I said I thought was not to be found amongst beasts Wherefore Bodin as a horse which is long suffered to go without a bridle becomes fierce and unserviceable to man so people when they have the Reyns of Religion let loose in their necks grow wild seditious unruly and no longer apt to be governed or ruled by a Prince For he who is not taught by a sound and well regulated religion to love honor and fear God cannot obey honor nor fear man So great a truth as it is the nature of all people who alwaies err in the extreams to despise Humane Laws when they are miss-led in those that are Divine for the freedom which they have to offend the Majestie of God provokes them against their Prince who gave them that liberty This truth which I tell you is apparently seen in those who seduced the Flemmish to change their religion and to rebell against their natural Prince who to bring them to so wicked an enterprize permitted them to plunder Churches and Church-men and when at last they would have refrained and regulated them in their highest Towring Tumults they found that when God is despised men are so likewise The Government of people is a weighty affair for any Prince how wise soever nor is it possible for him alone to support so heavy a burthen but being assisted by Religion it becomes so easie unto him as one Prince may govern many millions of men for very many are so ill conditioned as they despise human Laws yet do they often fear divine ones and many who little esteem the anger of an earthly Prince dread the King of heaven and live peaceably Bodin was sorely cast down when he heard the Ottaman Emperor speak so solidly of the care which Princes ought to have of the unity of Religion and was then more grieved when the Judges told him that it was wicked ignorance to maintain that Princes are Lords of mens bodies and not fit to rule their souls as if the Allegiance which by Gods command Subjects owe their Princes be not as well a duty of the soul as of the body and that God hath constituted the most Christian Kings of France and other earthly Princes only that they might feed their ambition by reigning and pass away their time in delight wallowing in the plenty of so many earthly blessings and had not made them his Lieutenants on earth to the end that they may observe his holy Law for these reasons all the Lords of Parliament ordered that he might be immediately punished by fire who had publisht a Tenet fit only to set the world on fire The LXV ADVERTISEMENT Apollo punisheth a Poet severely for having been so desperate as to blaspheme APollo doth so abhor Blasphemy above all other vices as two daies ago he caused a Poets tongue to be struck through with a naile in the Delfick Temples Porch who had presumed to say that Nature had dealt injuriously with him in having indowed him with a Princely soul and allotted him but a beggarly fortune And though many Litterati earnestly beseeched his Majesty that he would in some sort mittigate this punishment he did not only deny to do it but in a great rage said that such wits deserved the severest punishments who being born to a poor fortune consumed all their time in afflicting themselves by seeking out new conceits which might make poverty appear unto them more shamefull and insupportable which they should imploy in seeking out such Instructions as might make it appear less shamefull and more tollerable and that he would teach men of but mean fortunes by this example how to accommodate their minds to their means it being a hatefull piece of petulancy to envy great Princes fortunes whilst others in tattered clothes died of hunger The LXVI ADVERTISEMENT The Vertuosi of Parnassus visit the Temple of Divine Providence whom they thank for the great Charity which she hath shewn to mankind THis morning according to the ancient custom of this Court all the Prince-Poets and the Litterati-Lords of Parnassus went to visit the Temple of Divine Providence to whom Giovan Ioviano Pontano made a learned Oration wherein he highly praised the infinite Charity and immence love which she had shewed to mankind in creating frogs without teeth For it would have been of no advantage to man that this world canopied by so many heavens full of so many stars should not only abound in all things necessary but even be fully fraught
revenge he came to Apollo and with bitter words exaggerated the injury done him by Martial and did so incense Apollo against him as his Majesty banished him for ever out of Parnassus and the Precincts thereof and the Sentence was ready to be put in execution when Martials Advocate produced a Motu Propriae which had been published many years before by his Majesty wherein it was ordained that a Jest though it were bitter provided it were witty eloquent quick facetious and that it had salt in it and that it were not spoken out of premeditated mischief but had escaped from a lively and ready wit suddenly at unawares deserved praise rather then punishment as a fault which sprung rather from the vivacity of wit then from the malice of mind for that even the wisest men could not forbear breaking a witty and facetious jest which proceeded from a ready sharp wit and that though for many respects it ought neither to have been written nor said yet it deserved to be listned unto and read by men given to curiosity for the quick vivacity thereof The LXXXIII ADVERTISEMENT Apollo having highly commended the King of Spains Decree That no Advocates nor Proctors should go into the Indies The Doctors of Law quarrel grievously with his Majesty for it THe abode of Parnassus owes not its happiness only to Apollos excellent Government nor to its being inhabited by the prime select Wits of the world but to the vertuous living of her inhabitants the perfection of their manners and to the exquisiteness of all the best Laws which cul'd from out the whole world are diligently introduced and observed in that State For those who live there are bound to bring with them the best Customs of their Countries A thing which hath been so advantagious to every privat man and hath brought so great reputation to the Publick as it appears evidently that the Country is to be esteemed happy which lives not only by her own Laws but by choice Laws pickt out from all other civil Nations Wherefore Apollo being informed that the Potent Kings of Spain have upon several penalties prohibited the passing of any Proctors or Advocates into the Indies intituled it a most holy Edict and highly praised the piety of those Monarchs who have shewed such charity to the new world as to preserve it from that disease which hath filled the old world with so many sad controversies His Majestie moreover gave present order that so excellent an Edict should be registred in a Table of Brass which should to eternal memory be fixt in the chief Market-place next to the twelve Tables of the famous Roman Laws I must not forget to let you know that the Doctors of Law were mightily scandalized hereat who earnestly recommended unto his Majesty the indempnity of their reputations saying that if they might not obtain so much favour as that this Law might not be published it would afford occasion to many to imitate the Anconitans Norcinans Recanetesans and others who with no little dishonor to Learning had banished those professers of Law who were held in so great admiration by other people as they verily believed nothing could be well said or done without the liking of a learned-Lawyer And that they did the more earnestly beseech his Majesty to consider their case for that the indempnity of the sacred Liberal Sciences wherein the Students of Law had spent so much time and monies was therein likewise concern'd Apollo contrary to the opinion of all men was strangely offended at this their pressure and in great anger answered those Doctors That he could not but very much wonder at their boldness who durst affirm in his presence that they had spent both time and monies in learning the Liberal Sciences as if the Delfick Law were not sufficiently known to the whole world wherein the study of the Law was declared to be no Liberal Science but a meer mechanical mystery introduced in the world to afflict manking studied without any delectation of the soul or speculation of the understanding and without the assistance of the sacred Muses which was so necessary in all good Sciences and only practised for meer avarice of gain to fatten a fowl filthy beast with monies who though he wholly wanted that vivacity of wit which is so much loved by learning it was sufficient to become a great Advocate if he had but an Oxes brain and a Porters complexion The LXXXIV ADVERTISEMENT The chiefest Litterati of Parnassus desire Apollo that Tacitus may re-compose those Books of his Annals and Histories which are lost YEsterday the chiefest Litterati of Parnassus met together in the publick Schools and after having discoursed long together they all of them presented themselves unanimously before Apollo to whom the learned Florentine Pietro Vittorio in the name of all the rest said That those Vertuosi whom his Majesty saw there did most humbly desire a favour of him which would be the greatest and most acceptable that he could ever grant to his Litterati who bitterly bewailing the infinite loss which Learning hath had of the greatest part of the Annals and Histories of that Father of human wisdom and true inventer of modern Policy Cornelius Tacitus did humbly beseech his Majesty to command that so excellent Personage that he would amend the wrong which the injury of time had done to his honour and to the publick profit of the Vertuosi by re-making whatsoever is now found wanting of those his most excellent labours Apollo contrary to expectation startled at this request which appeared so reasonable and with an appearance of dislike answered O my ignorant Litterati do not you think that the Princes of the world are sufficiently known in State-affairs that you would have them more learned in that Science in which to your misery be it spoken they already know too much Since t is clearly seen that some of them by practising a devilish and infernal reason of State have brought both sacred and profane things to utmost confusion Hath not the common miseries and scandals occasioned by the severe and wretched Government of some Princes made you see that modern Policy wholly framed by your so beloved Tacitus hath like a contagious disease infected the world Do not you already sufficiently know that the now practised reason of State by which the people are rather flead then shoarn rather suckt dry then milkt rather opprest then govern'd is now grown so exorbitant as it is great folly to desire it should rage yet more Think you not that some moderate Princes have learnt precepts enough to pill and poll their people from Tiberius his cruel Government and Nero's ravenous life so exactly written by your Tacitus that you would have them see whether they could pick out some conceal'd precept to imbitter the fifth Act of your sorrowful servitude in the lives of Caligula and Domitian which God out of his great goodness to you hath raced out of the world only that
hearing of this foolish request broke forth into loud laughter and told Tressino He vvas sorry to see him still pursue ridiculous novelties Tressino replied That his request was no nevv invention but a thing much used and that the famous Roman Republique and after them many great Lords vvho might very vvell have paid their Creditors vvith ready money paid the obligations of blood and debts due for long and costly service with Lavvrel and the Order of Knighthood Then Apollo smiled again and told Trissino that he built Castles in the arte for he must be another manner of man then he that would sell meer smoak for good Merchandize Tressino being dispatcht Process was read against a base humerous Doctor of the Law whose name the higher Powers will have concealed where it was said That in Governments which he had had he would often in publick audiences with great pride and surquedry behave himself insolently even with noble and honorably conditioned personages saying that he would send them to the Gallies would have their heads taken off and make them be hanged before the Palace Gate The Doctor said in excuse of this his error that he did this to make himself terrible to the people and to make himself be obeyed Apollo after he had put him in mind that good Officers and men of honor made themselves dreadful to the people by an equally rigorous and uncorrupt Justice and not by insolent threats gave order that that Doctor whose genius appeared fitter to command slaves then men of honor should be sent to be Auditor of the Gallies Immediately after Beneventano's cause was heard who shooting at a great Wolf with a gun charged with small hail-shot the Wolf being lightly hurt flew upon him according to his custom and with his teeth tore his left thigh Those that were present at the Visitation wondred very much why he should be questioned who deserved rather to be comforted for the danger he had run and cured of the wounds he had received But Apollo who was not well pleased that one of his Litterati should have committed so great a piece of folly since he had alwaies told his Vertuosi that they must take off their hats to cruel and dangerous beasts and suffer them to pass by quietly or else shoot at them with a musket loaded with ram'd bullets and so lay him flat on his back condemned the Litterato to the usual punishment of imprudency that none should excuse his error none should pitty him and that all men should laugh at him This cause was no sooner ended but Cratippus the Athenian Philosopher appeared at the visitation and the Information against him was That the Duke of Ephesus had given to him his only son to be brought up by him to whom when he came to mature years he relinquisht the Government of his State wherein the young Prince proved as unapt as he proved famous for Philosophy for he was timerous in the handling of arms and incapable of State-affairs and the singular goodness and honesty which he had learnt of Cratippus which would have been greatly admired in a privat man was in him interpreted want of wit That therefore the Philosopher not having instructed that young Prince in such things as were to be known by one who was to govern so numerous a people the Duke of Ephesus re-demanded the sallary he had given him Apollo was mightily displeased with Cratippus his imprisonment and turning to the Duke who was there present told him that he should not blame Cratippus for his sons unapâ—…ss to Government but his own bad choice for that Vertuoso having taught his Pâ—…pel the Science which he did publickly profess had fully discharged his duty And that such a one as he ought to know that Arsenals Armories and State-Councels were Schools for Princes children and that the Scholarship which they ought to learn was the Philosophy the Poetry which was several times every week read in the wise Senat of Venice that Captains Counsellers and Secretaries of State were the best instructers of Princes children and the memory of their Ancesters the glorious actions of such Princes as both in peace and war had done things worthy to be admired and imitated the rods wherewith they ought to be whipt Constantius Albicini was next brought before Apollo whom his Majesty did mightily abominate as one who was publickly known to be a prime finder out of vexatious inventions His process said That he being requested by an avaritious Prince to invent some new way for him how to raise money from his Subjects without offending or angring them advised him to give out that he was likely to be unexpectedly assaulted by his enemies who would possess themselves of his State that therefore it was necessary to fortifie the Metropolitan City to effect the which so requisite work he must proclaim a new Tax which would be easily granted by them who apprehended the danger of their lives goods and honors that then he should in all haste begin the works which he must continue for one year that the second year he should proceed therein more slowly and that the third year he should give it quite over for that the people being accustomed for those two years space to pay such an Imposition would willingly continue the payment of it And because the chief Magistrate of the City had a rich revennue worth forty thousand crowns a year which this covetous Prince did much thirst after he told him that to make himself Master thereof and to invite the Citizens to make a free gift thereof unto him he was only to provide two friends the one of which should stand up in a publick Councel and should advise that it were good and fit to reward the Prince for his excellent Government with freely parting with two years revennue unto him and that the other friend whilst the Proposition was discussing should say openly That to give their suffrages in secret was an action misbecoming a faithful people towards their Prince where the ungrateful and disloyal had opportunity to obscure the fidelity of Loyal Subjects That therefore men should speak their mind alowd and the Votes be so decided for the rabble-rout allured by the shortness of the time would grant that for a few years which they should never regain It was aver'd in the same process that this same Constanso had confest that he had told the same Prince that an exeellent way to get money of his Subjects was to inhibit somewhat which was greatly desired and much used in his State as the extravagancy in aparrel costly Jewels and too exorbitant portions that if any one should afterward desire a dispensation therein it might be granted him but upon a good acknowledgment and upon paying well for the Seals Apollo having heard this wicked mans so great iniquity and wondring that so much rascallity could be found in any one man brake forth into these words Puniendos rerum atrocium Ministros Tacit.
spairing of publike moneys to unworthy personages prodigal to such as did deserve well for that they being so hardly drawn from the subjects every Prince who would deserve the name of a good shepherd was bound to give them so much satisfaction as to see that their moneys were not prodigally wasted in hunting tilting feasting in inriching Bawds Buffoons and Flatterers but that they were judiciously laid out for the advantage of publike peace V. That they should for the future confer Dignities and Magistracy to such as were most worthy having respect onely to the merit of the desirer not to any affection of the recommender for that he did truly deserve to be accounted a fool who to honor or advantage another shamed himself and disparaged his own gifts VI. That they should bury their own odd conceits and for ever banish their private passions And to the end that they might put on that excellent resolution which makes Princes so happy and Kingdoms so flourishing of absolutely submitting themselves to the good and publike interest of their people they should totally abandon their own wilful opinion VII That they should appear to be absolute Monarchs of their States in executing the results of their most important affairs but in consulting thereupon onely the heads of a well ordered Aristocracy being sure that four fools who did advise together made better resolves then any the best greatest wit could do alone VIII That making God their example whose Lieutenants Princes were on earth they should pardon Homecide onely out of compassion born to minority in yerrs to the greatness of the offence received more in honor then in life to certain sudden furies which makes a man not master of himself bereaving him of all judgement and reason but not for greediness of money for that Princes could not introduce a more wicked Traffick in their Tribunals then to make merchandize of mens blood That therefore fraudulent Homicides committed out of premiditated malice should by no means be forgiven not onely for not drawing down Gods anger upon them but for the administration of that right justice which they were bound to give unto their subjects for that Princes by pardoning hainous offences purchased onely the praise of being avaritiously and wickedly merciful IX That they should firmly believe themselves to be absolute Lords and Masters of their subjects not as shepherds are of their sheep who may sell them to the shambles but onely utendo not abutendo by using not by abusing them for people imbittered by bad usuage could not live long with that ill satisfaction which is the fruitful mother of bad resolutions X. That they should think the true heaping up of riches consisted in giving content unto their people and in making them of subjects brothers and children and that the excellent art of taking Sturgions with Pilchards was nothing else then to purchase the rich treasure of mens hearts by a wise liberality and to cheapen love by clemency for to fill their coffers with gold raised out of the taxes and exactions as some Princes do was not onely to swell that spleen which did so impare the health of a sound body but did oft times serve as sharp spurs and loud sounding Trumpets to make Foreigners arm themselves that they may make themselves masters of so great wealth XI That in their insolences and extravagancies they should by no means relie upon their subjects love which was as soon lost by using an impertinancy or by a distaste given as it was won by a courteous or liberal action Neither should they build upon their peoples former patience for that the minds and humors of men did change and vary with Times Places ' and Persons That therefore they should not wax proud of their peoples being grosly ignorant or that they were altogether unarmed nor should they presume too much upon them for there was never any Kingdom yet which was not very full of such unquiet ambitious and male-content Nobility as would serve for sure guides to blind people and for learned School-masters who would teach ignorant people the important precept and the seditious doctrine that to come out of the laborinth of the slavery of Monarchy which was governed only by insolency and the irregular fancy of a hair-brained Prince like These 's they must follow the clew of arms which was more dangerous to a Prince for that despair caused in people by such proceedings though they were weak unarmed and ignorant would make them find arms courage and judgement in every corner XII That they should wear the powerful Militia of boundless Empire which the Laws will have Princes to have even over the lives of men for terror of the wicked by their side for the security of such as good but that they should never make use of it that they should freely deliver up such as were guilty to the power of sacred Justice for the ranker of hatred and revenge was never a whit lessened by inflicting cruel torments upon the guilty That therefore to the end that Delinquents might appease their so incensed souls even at the bitter point of death they should let all favour in criminal causes proceed from themselves and that the sword of justice should be onely exercised by their Magistrates XIII That in laying on of Taxes as great caution as could be should be had to such things as tended to the feeding and cloathing of the poor who live out of the sweat of their brows and that they should lay the heavier impositions upon such things as belonged to the delights luxuries and superfluities of the wealthy who living idly upon their rents minded nothing but great gaming and inventing new vices XIV That above all things they should be very careful that all publike provisions should be modestly exacted and by discret parsonages for it hapned oft times that people were more troubled with the condition of him that gathered the taxes and the violent manner of gathering it then with the tax it self XV. That they should use all possible industry in feeding the common people with bred the Nobility with degrees of honour and that to arrive at so happy ends they should suffer free commerce amongst their subjects of selling and buying the fruits and incomes of their lands and the gain of their Traffick but that they should be very careful to fill their State-Magazines with corn and all things necessary for the life of man bought and brought in from foreign parts which was a rich and happy Traffick which paid Princes the use of a hundred for one when by the great plenty occasioned thereby they had lost their principal XVI That for the better content of their Nobility who always thirst after glory and honor they should confer places of Magistracy and other chief dignities onely upon the Noble subjects of their States And that they should keep as from fire from giving them that mortal wound which had caused woful subversions in the greatest Kingdoms
banish'd out of the Territories of all Princes who fear God and covet their peoples welfare is for the final infelicity of man become a dreadful and mortal Merchandize of unprofitable men who whilst they suck the vital bloud out of Artificers husbandmen Merchants and others that are of service for Commerce and waste all their wealth nothing is so much magnified in the world as the great incomes left by Advocates Notaries Sergeants Proctors and Judges His Majesty having said this he went accompanied by an infinite company of Vertuosi who had heard him to the chief Temple of Pernassus whither being come he beseeched God that he would grant many years of long life to Francisco Mario for the universal good that he would fill the world with Princes of like conditions and that he would awake the like honorable and holy thoughts in other earthly Potentates as so wise a Prince had put in execution in his happy Patrimony for it was a misery and affliction not to be indured by the best composed minds to sea the administration of Justice reduced to that confusion as the common more common nay most common opinions of privat Doctors being more alleadged at the bar then the Authority of the Law it self Suits were grown so chargeable and so eternal as it were better for men to part with their patrimonies then to defend it with much anguish of mind before such cruel Harpyes The C. ADVERTISEMENT A more then usual sweet Odor issuing from the Delphick Library Apollo goes himself in person thither to discover the Miracle and soon finds the occasion of so great a novelty SOme six daies since an extraordinary and miraculous sweet Odor proceeded from the Delphick Library which increasing every day more and more did very much astonish the Vertuosi of this State And not being able to guess at the reason of so strange an accident they earnestly requested Apollo that he would discover it unto them His Majesty being likewise moved at the novelty went the next morning early to the Library and though the perfume of that Odor came so generally dispers'd from all parts of the Library as the Literati could not discern any particular place from which it proceeded yet Apollo immediately found out the very Fountains head from whence such Fragrancy did flow And going directly to the place where in an Urn of purest Oriental Christal beset with Pearls and Rubies the little less then divine writings of Seneca the Morallist are kept he first honoured those happy Writings took up the Urn with both his hands and then turning towards his Vertuosi who thinking themselves unworthy to behold Writing so exquisitely excellent were on their knees with head bowed towards the ground My dearest Literati said he learn from this strange fragrancy which you find doth proceed from the immortal labours of my beloved Anneus Seneca that if by your late watchings you will make your sanctified precepts savour well in the world and will perfume your persons with glorious Fame you must as Seneca did at last live answerable to your Writings and do as you say The End of the Second Century THE Politick Touchstone CHAP. I. Why the Neapolitans are so strangely opprest and hardly treated by the Spaniard EVer since it pleased Almighty God to give the Neapolitans into the power of Pharaoh as a severe punishment for their great treachery used to their former Kings the wary Kings of Spain did ordain by a Law which hath been ever punctually observed since that that unbridled horse which the State bears for her Ensign boasting that he can indure neither saddle nor bridle should be brought once every six months into the publick Market-place and that exact diligence should be used in chusing a formal Colledg of Politick Farriers who should order whatsoever was thought necessary to tame so fierce so inconstant and so seditious an animal which hath often chosen rather to be ridden by two Kings at one and the same time then by one This unfortunate Steed was yesterday led out of the Stable by the Spaniards who had the looking to him and because he was so consumed as he could not well stand upon his legs he was drawn with ropes into the Market-place It was a sad spectacle to see that Steed which was formerly so glorious become now so lean as you might count his bones he was cruelly crest-fallen and broken-winded by reason of the many blows he had given him his nose was slit yet the jealous Spaniards keep shackles day and night upon his feet a caveson upon his nose a bit in his mouth a spectacle on his eyes as if they were afraid of him and certain to receive quickly some great damage by him These wise Farriers did diligently consider this horses condition and after having advised long about him not without much dispute at last they concluded unanimously that his rack should be raised up a handful higher then ordinary and that the third part of his allowance of corn should be taken from him Some moral Philosophers and therefore good men hapned to be present when this severe resolution was taken who being greatly moved to pitty to see him so extenuated they asked the Farriers why they were so cruel as to diminish the food of that macerated horse which was reduced to such weakness as he had nothing left but skin and bone and a little spirit which could only keep him alive for some few weeks The wisest of these Farriers turning towards the Philosophers told them in a shameful manner that they might have done much better in attending their disputations about Entitie and Quidditie then to reason of those politick affairs whereof they were so very ignorant That if it had fallen to their share to have the government of this capricious beast they would have found their charity rewarded with kicking and biting wherewith he had ofttimes very unthankfully rewarded some of his most bountifull Masters and would have been thrown all broken and bruised into ditches For it was the custom of that fickle and seditious beast to vex his Masters with all sorts of unruliness yea though they were never so good unto him unless he were hardly used by them and brought by fasting to that weak condition which they saw he was in And that to make right judgement of that horse and how he ought to be governed they must not consider his lean sides and weak legs but the lewdness of his genius which was more phantastical seditious and capricious now and more given to love novelty then ever And they further said Wo to the Spaniards if the fierce Neapolitan horse had power and means to do that mischief which he did phancy both night and day in that his paltery pate which was alwaies naturally an enemy to the present Government All which things did make it appear clearly unto the world that the present Neapolitan oppressions proceed not from the cruelty of the Spanish Nations nor from the avarice of the