A philosophicall discourse, entituled, The anatomie of the minde. Nevvlie made and set forth by T.R.

Of Gentlenes. Cap. 46.

FAcilitie or Gentlenes is a vertue méet for all men. It hath a great a∣ffinitie with humanitie, and therfore in the discourse therof we may be the more breef. Which vertue as it becōmeth eue∣ry man, so especially a Prince. For great¦ly are inferiors bent to perfect obedience when they perceiue their Prince gentle and easie to be spokē with all, not scorne∣ful, or ful of disdain. And therfore saith Terence I haue found y^t nothing is bet∣ter for a man then facilitie. And another

said very wel, that a Prince should be for countenāce so amiable, and for behauior so gentle towards his subiects, as none at any time should go from his presence pen¦siue or troubled in minde. Which made Isocrates to counsail prince Demonicus to shewe him selfe milde and gentle to∣wardes his familiars, not loftie or dis∣dainfull: for a disdainfull person no man can abide.

No let vs place before our eyes exam∣ples of Gentlenes, and by them beholde the worthynes therof. Iulius Caesar was wunt to say, that of all miseries, the gre∣test was in olde age▪ to remember his practised cruelties, and therfore to auoide that remembrance he would neuer exer∣cise y^e same. Alexander Magnus did as∣much abhorre crueltie as any man, it ap¦péered in the denying the request of his owne mother, whē she desired him to ex∣ecute an innocent. Sabacus a certaine King of the Aegyptians, did so imbrace this vertue, as he would not put to death (I wil not say the innocent) those which were iustly by the lawes condemned: but would put them to some or other ser∣uile Office in his Rea••••e, that so they might get their sustenaunce and liue.

M. Antonius for his vertue called Pi∣us, was of so good nature, that he would admit into his familiaritie and that of∣tentimes, those which for conditiō were very bace, but yet the wisest men: and would of them secretly demaund what the vulgar sorte of men commonly did think of him: if they had tolde him of his vices, he would amend them: if of his ver¦tues, he would increase them. Ptolomie a king of Aegypt was of y^e same nature: for he would refuse no mans company that was for Iudgement wise, and for behauior vertuous, especially he vsed one Galetes (a yung man for yéeres, but for wisdome ancient) very familiarlie, by reason wherof much good was doon in the countrie. On a time as they were a hunting togither, it fortuned that in their sight did appéere certaine malefa∣ctors (which were condemned) going to execution, those did Galetes first espye, and therupon shewed thē vnto the king, and said thus vnto him: O King sith it hath so hapened that we haue met with these miserable men, if it be your plea∣sure, let vs set spurs to our horse and set them free. The King much delighting in his good nature, obeied his wholesome

counsaile and saued their liues whiche were past all hope of saluation. By which appeereth what good or euil those which are about Princes may doo if they will.

Darius (to end reciting of examples) did much labor to be counted a mercifull Prince: & therfore oftentimes he would call before him his vnder officers, and de∣maund of them what fines & tasks they receiued of his people: which if he percei¦ued to be very much, he wold cut of more then the third parte: if they said it were but reasonable, he would of that forgiue his people the one halfe. Was euer such a Prince hearde of?

Well, I will conclude with Cicero, and say, that to be abstinent, to bridle our affections, to punnish euil dooers, to kéepe and obserue the lawes iustly, to be easye in learning out matters, in hearing and admitting men, is more noble then pain¦ful. For to doo those things dooth consist rather in a willingnes of minde, then in the labor of the body.

Notes

• Facilitie.
• Iulius Cae¦sar.
• Alexan∣der mag∣nus.
• Sabacus.
• M. Anto∣nius Pius.
• Ptolomie
• Galetes.
• Darius.
• Cicero li. 1 epist. ad Q. Fra∣trem.