Iustice and Iniustice.

THere are Princes which punish vnder a colour of Iustice, and haue Instruments fit for their humours, who of a venialll sinne make it mortall. If they haue no matter, they finde meanes to de∣lay the hearing of the parties and witnesses, to ruine them in expen∣ces, expecting still if any one will complaine of him which is in du∣rance, and whom they hate. If this course will not serue to com∣passe their intention, they haue others more suddaine; saying that it were necessary to make him an example, making his case as they thinke good.

To others that hold of them and are somewhat stronger, they proceede by way of fact, and say: Thou disobaiest or doest contrary to the homage which thou owest me, and so by force they take from him that which he hath, if they can, (at the least they doe their best) and make him to liue miserably. He that is but their Neighbour (if he be strong and resolute) they suffer him not to liue: but if he be weake, he knowes not what course to take. They will say vnto him, he hath supported their enemies, or they will send their men at Armes to liue in his Country, or will buy quar•els, or finde occasions to ruine him, or will maintaine his Neighbour a∣gainst him, and will lend them men. Of their Subiects, they will disgrace such as haue serued their Predecessors well, to raise new men.