Nevves from Pernassus The politicall touchstone, taken from Mount Pernassus: whereon the governments of the greatest monarchies of the world are touched.

CHAP. 12. Most of the States of the World are censured in Pernassus for their errors. (Book 12)

APollo carefull of nothing more, then to see that the Princes of the World, should in the vpright gouernment of their States, giue the people such satisfaction as they ought, introduced into Pernassus (ma∣ny ages since) this admirable Custome: That euerie yeare, the names of the chiefest Potentates of the earth, written vpon litle schedules, should be put into an Vrne, and then being drawen foorth one by one, the publicke Censor of Politicall matters should (in the presence of the sacred Colledge of the Learned) record the disorders, which he had obserued in the gouernment of their States; whereupon those Princes were bound either inconti∣nently with satisfying reasons to defend such things as were obiected against them, or els within a Moneth to reforme them.

An institution no doubt very noble, and holy; for it hath effected, that in the progresse of so many ages, since first it was vsed, Princes haue corrected an infinitie of errors: besides, knowing that they are to be called to so strict an accompt, it maketh them endeuour to liue so

vertuously, that in the presence of so many Princes they need not to blush. Vpon the day appointed then, most of the Potentates of the World appeared before Apollo: And Count Baldazar Castiglione the Politicall Censor, said vnto the reuerend Lord Giouanni dalla Casa, Nuntio for the Sea Apostolicall in this State, which was first drawen out of the Vrne; That it seemed vnto him a most scan∣dalous matter, and indeed vnworthy the Greatnesse, and Maiestie of the Popes, that in Rome should be seene some potent Families, vnto whom it served in stead of a rich patrimony to be dependant on forraigne Princes, not ve∣ry well affected to the greatnesse of the Apostolicke Sea, which in euery occasion were apt with the power of their Factions to giue the Popes much trouble; And that he might truly say, how in all his time he had not seene a more foule and execrable thing, then that which the Emperor Charles the fifth did, when with the noble Charge of the Kingdome of Naples he rewarded the cru∣ell seditions, and shamefull treacheries, which the Cardi∣nall Pompeo Colonna vsed against the High Bishop Clement the seuenth. Then the Lord Giouanni demanded of the Count, how long it was, since he had conuersed in the Romane Court; who answering, Some seuenty yeares past: the Nuntio replied, that returning thither now, he should find, how by reason of the abundance of vert∣juice, which the Pompei, Pabritij, Prosperi, Ascanij of the family of Colonna; the Virginij, and other more principall Barons of the House of Orsina had eaten; the teeth of their Nephewes, and Grand-children were so set on edge, that they could hardly chaw ther broth: for the Popes which had tyed those exorbitances about their fingers, knew so excellently how to practise the Tarquinian pre∣cept,

that they haue reduced those Poppies, which here∣tofore were as high as Cedars, to the humble stature of ridiculous dwarffes.

This answere satisfied the Count, who turning to the Romane Empire, next diawen out of the Vrne, he said vn∣to him, That the present disorders, which were seene not only in the great patrimony of the House of Austria, but in all Germany, proceeded from the negligence of the pre∣sent Emperor Rodolphus, and therefore he much desired, that that Maiestie would with more care embrace the go∣vernment of his so many States; remembring, that Prin∣ces, rulers of mankinde, bore vpon their shoulders the heauiest weight, and had in their hands the most labori∣ous worke, that any the painefullest day-labourer what∣soeuer could exercise. The Censor vvas exceedingly than∣ked by the Romane Empire for this aduise; whereunto with much grauitie he answered, That it was a disgrace common with all Princes, to be accused of negligence, when scandals arose in their States, although it notori∣ously appeared, that in regard they were occasioned by the practises of more mighty enemies, they could not possibly be avoyded by an vnderstanding Prince.

Wherefore it was to be considered, That the mon∣strous felicities, which the most mighty House of Au∣stria haue had by inheriting with their Matches, the States of Flanders, the Kingdomes of Spaine, of Naples, Si∣cilia, Bohemia, Hungarie, and Portugall, haue giuen all the Princes of Germany, of Italy, and of Europe such diabolicall jealousies, that they haue caused both the passed and pre∣sent ruines, now beheld in their ancient patrimony: Whe∣reunto the Emperors, which haue raigned since Maximi∣lian the first of famous memory, albeit they were reputed

most valorous & prudent princes, could neuer after apply any salue, that did not infinitely exasperate the sore of the disorders of Germany, wherein had concurred such a∣bundance of malignant humors, that it might truly be said, it was immedicable. Further, it was to be remem∣bred, what small authoritie, the moderne Emperors haue had in Germany, so that it were not only a discurtesie, but open injustice to will one, that hath his hands fast bound behind him, to performe the acts of Orlando. Moreouer, the qualitie of the Empire was to be regarded, which being electiue, they that serued, had more authori∣tie in it, then they that commanded. Besides, the pre∣sent weaknes of the House of Austria in Germany, from whom (with the seditions of Religion) the hearts of their subiects are stollen; a theft so important, that they may well abandon those States as lost, wherein such dange∣rous seed is sowen. Wherupon the present Emperor seeing himselfe depriued of the obedience of his subiects, desi∣reth euery one to reflect vpon the qualitie of the Cou∣sins, which the House of Austria hath in Spayne, and they shall finde, that the people of Almaine borne for their li∣bertie, to secure themselues from the monstrous power of such a Family, take impious and wrongfull reuenges euen on those, which shall not be free from the servitude of the Spanyards, if for the sinnes of men they euer arriue to that point of commanding ouer the World; from which (by the meere goodnes and mercy of God they are put off as farre, as by their many deuises they haue la∣bored to come neere it. That also it was to be thought vpon, how the first that in Italy, and abroad, disinheri∣ted with all kind of irreuerence, and disrespect the Maje∣stie of the Empire, were those their Cousins of Spayne, as

clearely appeared by the vsurpation of Finale, and other Imperiall feudes by them possessed. All which things, moouing dangerous humors without dissolving them afterwards, do cause the House of Austria in Germany, to be cruelly scourged by most powerfull enemies, whilst the Spaniards with their only menaces seeke to put the whole vvorld into suspition and distaste. And for conclusion, he desired all the sacred Colledge to consider, that to the miserable sterilitie of children, which is seene in the pre∣sent Emperor, is adioyned a lamentable fertilitie of bre∣thren; one of which incited by the most violent spurre of ambition, hath not doubted at last to goe about to ouer∣throw his owne House, vvhich is ready to fall. All acci∣dents so vnhappy, that they vvould make euen Salomon himselfe seeme to the World a very foole.

These replies, which to all the Assistants seemed very vveighty, satisfied the Censor, vvho turning him to the vvarlike French Monarchy, said vnto her, How all the Vertuous of Pernassus much desired of her, that she vvould rule the furious, vnquiet, capricious, and exceeding im∣petuous dispositions of her French, reducing them to those termes of prudence, advisednesse, and stayednesse of minde, which are seene in the noble Italian, and Spanish Nations; & how it much blemished her reputation, that the Kingdome of France, which holdeth a first place a∣mongst the most principall Monarchies of the World, should be inhabited by men so infinitely rash. To this aduert sement the French Monarchy replied, That the Cen∣sor not well informed of the interests of her Kingdome, had censured for defects the chiefest vertues, vvhich she loued in her French. Folly, lightnesse, vnaduisednesse, and a precipitous nature were they, which had made her so

feared, and formidable a Queene, because her French with vnspeakeable alacritie and forwardnesse, would vpon the least nodde of hers, expose themselues to those perils, whereunto other Princes could not with the rope, the cudgell, and the cruellest kinds of punishment compell their wise, aduised, and circumspect subiects: And that in the many warres, which she had held with most valorous Nations, she had learned to know, how an army framed of souldiers, which had litle braine, and much courage, so that they are ledde by a valiant, and discreet Generall, doth carry away the victorie from those people, who professe more circumspection, and wisedome. This answere of the Monarchy of France, was so much the more commended of Castiglione, by how much, regarding the qualitie of a mighty Kingdome, he knew that the French possessed all those endowments and vertues, vvhich vvere requisite in a Nation, for to found, amplify, and maintayne a great Empire.

Then the Censor turning to the powerfull Monarchy of Spayne, sayd vnto her, how it vvas evident, nothing gaue greater satisfaction to all people in generall, but more particularly to those which were subject to strange Na∣tions, then the humanitie, and affable cariage of such as governed them; whereas she sending to the governments of Naples, Milan, and Sicilia, none but her owne Spanyards, they with their ordinary Castilian statelinesse, and insup∣portable Spanish pride, without all comparison farre ex∣ceeding that, which the Kings of Spayne themselves either could, or would haue vsed in those States, did so exaspe∣rate even their good and faithfull subjects, that the Spanish Dominion was growen infinitely odious: And that fur∣ther, both in vveighty, and sleight affayres he desired

more quicke expeditions from her, seeing that by her too much delay, and perplexitie in the deliberation of im∣portant matters, shee had lost many fayre occasions, that had presented themselves vnto her, for the enlarging of her Empire. The Monarchy of Spayne, very much than∣ked the Censor for the advertisements he had given her, and in her excuse answered, how that honorable Gentle∣man, which had a young vvife, beyond all expression fayre, but of a disposition enclyned to lasciviousnesse, should shew himselfe very discreet, if he desired, that a proper handsome servant, whom he kept in his house, should bee rather extreamely hated, then any whit affec∣ted by his wife: and that vnto the delay in the resolution of her affayres, which she knew to be virious and prejudi∣ciall, it lay not in her power to give remedy: for almigh∣ty God having not without important occasions created her Spaniards wholly, and altogether quite different in dis∣position from the French, vvhilst they in the deliberation of businesses were rather precipitous, then executive, she in her beeing so slow, and irresolute, obeyed the will of God, vvho would haue it so.

The next drawen out of the Vrne vvas the Monarchy of Poland; vnto vvhom Count Baldasar sayd, How all the Princes of Europe could haue vvished, that the present King Sigismond had vsed towards those seditious Nobles, which last rebelled against him, some severitie worthy so grievous a fault, onely to the end, that by their example, other Lords might have beene deterred from commit∣ting the like. To this the Polach Monarchy answered, That those chastisements giuen to the Nobility, which in an hereditarie State would be commodious, haue al∣wayes prooved in her electiue Kingdome prejudiciall:

And how that Kingdome, which another receiueth in gift from a Nobility, in whose power is the election of the King, cannot without evident perill of falling from his greatnesse, be governed with that rigour, vvhich in other hereditarie States is necessary; for that Senate, which out of an election of love giveth another a King∣dome, if it be provoked by the powerfull passion of hate, knoweth also how to re-assume it, in regard well∣advised Senators are vvont to reserve vnto themselves those necessary instruments, vvhereby vpon every occa∣sion of evill satisfaction, they may recall their vsed libe∣ralitie: And that the present King Sigismond beeing the first of his House, vvhich had raigned in Poland, he vvas to direct the ayme of all his thoughts to no other scope so much, as by an extraordinary indulgence to vvinne the hearts of the Nobilitie of his State, that so vvith a gratefull memorie of his clemency, he might perpetuate the succession of such a Kingdome in his Bloud. An ad∣vertisement, most necessary for Sigismond his King, by reason the Polachs, although their King be electiue, do ne∣uer defraud the Royall Bloud of the succession, if he that raigneth, can tell how to get the generall loue of the Nobilitie. For the Polonians being a Nation, that know not how to liue in an absolute libertie, do so abhorre all manner of servitude, that that King among them (a matter common to all electiue Princes) shalbe most o∣culatiue, and vigilant in the matters of his State, that least seemeth either to see or know any thing. Not only the Censor, but the whole Colledge of the Vertuous, ad∣mitted the justification of the Polach Monarchy for ex∣cellent.

Hereupon, the Count turning hemselfe to the vast

Ottoman Empire, said vnto him, That the crueltie, which he vsed, onely vpon light suspitions, against his chiefest ministers, was held by all the world to bee a bloudy course; it being a received opinion, that men of extraor∣dinary valour and merit, should not be layd hands on, but for great and prooved offences: And that when the Ottoman Princes did even justly take away the lives of their ministers, the custome of seizing vpon their Estates to their owne vse, and thereof vtterly depriving the chil∣dren, did scandalize all good justice, because it seemed, that with such cruell rigour, the Estates, rather then the faults of the delinquents, were hunted after. To this so open a correction, the Ottoman Empire answered with admirable gravity, That hee was growen to that great∣nesse wherein hee was seene, by the onely two most powerfull meanes of reward without measure, and pu∣nishment vvithout end: And that the sole foundation of he quiet of every State, being placed in the fidelity of the most important ministers, Princes were not to seeke any thing with more care, then with immense rewards to allure them vnto faithfulnesse, and vvith infinite pu∣nishments to terrifie them from trecheries: That those ministers vvhich have in their power the Forces, Com∣mand, and Governments of States, not beeing able to er••e, but in most important matters, it vvere the coun∣sell of a foolish Prince, vpon suspitions of that moment to arraigne, accuse, and heare the justifications of the of∣fendor; but in such a case, the Prince which will runne no danger, ought to indevour to surprise his minister vpon the sudden, and to deale so securely, that the exe∣cution of the punishment may precede even the accu∣sation itselfe: That many times it had fallen out, that

he with a suddaine chastisement had preuented the con∣summation of most foule treasons: Which resolution, though he acknowledged to be most seuere, yet he knew it had so wrought, that there vvere neuer seene in his State any Counts St Paul, Princes of Orange, Dukes of Guise, d' Aumale, du Maine, de Mercure, and other foule monsters of disloyaltie, vvhich, vvith the shame of those Princes, that vvith halters, poynards, and axes knew not how to preuent such dangerous offences, haue beene seene otherwhere: It being a rule in matters of State as common, as secure, That that minister, which giveth to his Prince the least shadow of suspicion of his faith, in∣curreth a capitall paine, because those Captaines which haue the care of Armies in their power, are bound, like the wives of Honorable personages, to liue with such puritie of minde, that they be free not only from blame, but from the least suspicion of a blame-worthy thought. That touching the seazure of his Basshawes estates after their death, he thought he might truly say, that the en∣tertainements, gifts, and wealth, wherewithall other Princes rewarded their ministers, in comparison of those inexhaustible riches which he bestowed on his well-de∣seruing Officers, were vile, and poore, as those Royall Treasures, which Ruften, Mahomet, Ibrahin, and infinite others left behinde them after their decease, haue fully testified: That the greatest regard, which a Prince ought to haue in rewarding his ministers, consisteth in proui∣ding, that the vnmeasurable riches, wherewith he bought of them infinite fidelitie, may not possibly at any time be conuerted to the prejudice of him, that vsed the libe∣ralitie: That from the grieuous disorders fallen out in the States of other Potentates he had found it to be a

matter most pernicious vnto Princes, that the extraor∣dinary riches left by a deseruing minister should passe vnto his children, not hauing first deserved it (by their vertue, valour, and fathers said fidelitie) of the Prince: That he had not out of couetousnesse, as many mis∣judged, confiscated the great inheritances of his Basshawes, but that by the cōmoditie thereof, those subjects should not be idle, & consequently vicious, which being descen∣ded of fathers of notable valour, gaue the Prince assured hope they would imitate the vertues of their Progeni∣tors: That the gate of his Treasure stood perpetually open to the heyres of his ministers, to restore them their fathers enheritances twice doubled, when they with their fidelitie, and valour should deserue them; and how much the riches of men vicious, and subject to ambition were apt to disturbe the peace of any Kingdome how great soeuer, well appeared by the fresh examples, which he had seene both in France and Flanders.

Whilst the Ottoman Empire spake in this manner, he obserued that the renowned French Monarchy with the shaking of her head, seemed to declare, that she no way approued those reasons, whereupon somewhat the more moued, he said thus: Mighty Queene, my custome in sei∣zing vpon the estates of my Basshawes, is profitable for the greatnesse, and quiet of my State; and in regard of the friendship that is betwixt vs, I would to God, the same course were obserued in your France; for you know full well, to what vse Henry the Duke of Guize conuerted the exceeding riches, wherewithall the liberall Kings Francis the first, and Henry the second rewarded the merits of Duke Francis his father. You, and I, and all those that raigne do know, how the sweetest bayte that can allure

men, is a Crowne, and there beeing no man, which for to taste neuer so litle of it, but would hold it a great plea∣sure for to expose euen his life to manifest danger of lo∣sing it, Princes ought to be most vigilant in keeping with extreamest severitie the passages thereunto closed vp against all men: nay, they ought to accomodate their aff••••••es in such sort, that no priuate man whatsouer should once hope to taste of so sweet a thing: And I tell you freely, that if your Duke of Guize had in my State but only thought that, which with such publike scandall he boldly put in execution in your Kingdome of France, I wold the very first day haue given him that blow, wher∣vnto your King Henry the third, although hee were in∣cited vnto it by the greater part of the Princes of Italy, could neuer be drawen, vntill the very last hower of his shamefull disgraces, and euen at that instant, when the sore of the French vprores vvas become an incurable vl∣cer; for where ambition raigneth among Nobles, Prin∣ces are constrained to shew themselues all severitie, con∣tinually keeping scaffalds in readinesse, and prepared, to punish the seditious, and rebellious; and their Treasury open, to reward the quiet, and the loyall; that Prince beeing vnworthy to command, that hath not the vnder∣standing how to make himselfe be obeyed; neither can there be a more scandalous matter seene, or met withall in a State, then that the Prince should liue in jealousy of an Officer, which ought to tremble before him. But it is the propertie of you the Princes of Christendome, making profession of Learning, and directing your selues by rules of Policie, to call me Barbarous, and my secure way of proceeding, Tyrannicall, whilst in the meane time yee suffer your selues to be reduced by your heroicall

vertues of clemency, and gentlenesse, to shamefull termes of enduring vnworthy things.

It is not possible to deliver, how much the Ottoman Empire offended all the Vertuous of the sacred Colledge with his discourse, who standing vp, told him in great dis∣daine, how they could proove vvith present reasons, that all which he had said, were most wicked conceipts, vn∣worthy to be spoken by any person that had a soule, or to be heard of men, that made profession of honour. Whereunto the Ottoman Empire answered smiling, That others in the gouernment of Kingdomes might haue re∣gard to Vertue, and I know not what, but for his part he would neuer be perswaded, but that the quiet and peace of States ought to be preferred before all other humane interests whatsoeuer.

Then the Censor, to cut off so odious a dispute, turning to the great Dutchy of Moscovy, said vnto him, That the most noble prerogatiue of raigning ouer people, which vvere louers of Learning, and excellently Vertuous, vvas the second amongst the greatnesses of a Prince: Whereas hee by so endevouring to bring vp his sub∣jects in a grosse ignorance, reaped no small blame, if not much disreputation; because euery one skorned him, for that, expelling the famous liberall Arts out of his State, he had only permitted his people to learne the benefite of vvriting and reading. To this Censure the Dutchy of Moscovy answered, That the dreadfull fire, vvhich he had obserued, Learning had euer kindled in those States, where it had beene admitted, had made him resolue not to suffer in any sort, that so scandalous a a Cockle should be sowed in his Dutchy; for men beeing the heards of Princes, as sheepe the flocks of priuate per∣sons,

it vvere extreame folly to arme those gentle sheepe their subjects with the malice, which Learning engraf∣teth into their dispositions, that attaine vnto it; whereas otherwise, in regard of that harmelesse simplicitie, where∣with Almighty God hath creared them, they may be comodiously ruled and gouerned, be they never so many in number, by one Prince alone: And how he held for infallible truth, that if the Germanes, and Hollanders had beene maintained by their Princes in the simplicitie of their ancient ignorance, and withall it had beene prohi∣bited, that the pure minde of those Nations might not haue beene contaminated with the plague of Greeke and Latin learning, without all doubt they had neuer had the judgement, with such a ruine of their old religion, and destruction of many Princes, that before ruled ouer those Prouinces, to know how to frame those perfect formes of Commonweales in their Countries, where∣vnto neither the vvit of Solon, the vvisedome of Plato, nor all the Philosophy of Aristotle could euer arriue.

This answere so mooued the Censor, and all the sacred Colledge of the Learned, that with threatning lookes they said, how the reasons alledged by the Great Dut∣chy of Moscouy, were open blasphemies; and it seemed the Learned were ready to make good their vvords with deeds, when the greater part of the mightiest Monar∣chies were seene to betake themselues to their vveapons, for defence of the Moscouite; vvho growing more auda∣cious vpon the forward assistance of so many Potentates, boldly said, If any one would deny, that Learning did not infinitly disturbe the quiet, and good gouernment of States; and that a Prince might not with more facilitie rule a million of ignorants, then an hundreth learned,

that were made to command, and not to obey, he lied in his throate. The Vertuous vpon this daring defiance grew extremely incensed, and stoutly replied, That the Mos∣covite had spoken with an insolence, worthy of an igno∣rant, and how they could also proue vnto him, that men without Learning were asses and calues with two legges.

Now were they almost ready to goe together by the eares, when the Censor cryed out, Forbeare, and carry due respect to this place, where we are assembled to amend disorders, and not to commit scandals; vvhereupon such vvas the reuerence euery one bare to the Maiestie of the Censor, that both the Princes, and the Learned, although they were transported with anger and disdaine, became suddainly pacified.

All being quiet, then the Censor said vnto the famous Venetian Libertie, which next was drawen out of the Vrne, That the hardest matter to be found in an Aristo∣cracie, as she well knew, was to restraine the young No∣bilitie, who vvith their licentiousnesse distasting the bet∣ter sort of Citizens, had many times occasioned the ruine of most famous Commonweales; And that he to his great griefe had heard, how the young Nobilitie of Venice vvith their proud demeanour had offended many honorable Citizens of that State; who exceedingly com∣plained, that vvhilst the insolency of the Nobilitie en∣creased, the chastisements for it decreased; And that therefore he remembred her, that it vvas a dangerous point in an Aristocracie, when those vvhich vvere to glory for that they were farre from those dangers, vvher∣unto such are subiect, as are to obey the humor of a Prince, be heard to complaine, that they are oppressed by many Tyrants. Hereunto the Venetian Libertie answe∣red,

That the disorder recounted by the Censor vvas true, and vvithall dangerous; but that the authoritie of com∣manding, vvas so annexed to pride and insolencie, that they seemed to be borne both at one birth: And that the licentiousnesse, vvhich the Nobilitie of all Aristo∣cracies vseth towards the Citizens, vvas by all the grea∣test men, that haue discoursed of Commonweales, re∣puted a desperate cure; for although it vvas most necessa∣ry, that insolencies should be restrained vvith seuere paines, yet on the other side, an Aristocracie vvas to ab∣staine as much as possibly might be from publike pu∣nishments of Noble men, albeit seditious; to the end that their shamefull suffering might not be an occasion to disinherit the vvhole Nobilitie it selfe of that respect vvhich is due to them from the people; for hauing the gouernment of the State in their hands, the interest of the publike conservation thereof requireth, that they be held in highest reputation: And although in her Ve∣nice, disobedient, and insolent Noblemen vvere not seene to be so often punished, betweene the two pillars in the Piazza of S^t. Marke, as it seemeth many desired, yet by the great Councell, the Pregadi, the Colledge, and other supremer Magistrates, that dispence the publike Charges, those seditious Noblemen, vvhich vvere dis∣covered to carry a tyrannicall, mind, were cruelly afflicted vvith the torment of shamefull repulses: And that ma∣ny subiects of most noble Houses are seene in Venice, vvhose ancient reputation for their demerits vvas may∣med by Arquebuses charged vvith bullets of paper; and that beeing strucken downe vvith such kinde of shot, they could neuer rise since to honors and dignities; things vvherein consisteth the life of the Noblemen of

an Aristocracie: And that to excruciate a body, a grea∣ter torture could not be devised, no not by Perillus him∣selfe, then that vvhich once a Nobleman of Venice expe∣rienced, vvhen in a concurrence of the Honorablest Charges, he saw one younger then himselfe passe before him, only because he vvas knowen to the Senate to be more deseruing. Castiglione did not only admit the justifi∣cation of the Venctian Libertie, but also did infinitely commend the circumspection, and severitie, which she vsed in punishing her Nobilitie vpon occasion of any demerit, or defect.

Then the Censor said vnto the Dutchy of Savoy, That his State beeing seated in the Confines of France and Italy, he vvas necessited with all carefulnesse to main∣taine himselfe neutrall betweene those Princes, vvith whom he confined; but in those last rumors of France, by discovering himselfe openly to be wholly Spanish, he had put, not only his owne, but the States of all the Princes of Italie in great trouble: And that whilst vvith the bel∣lowes of his forces he blew the fire of the French vprores, kindled by the Spanyards ambition, he ought to beleeve, that that flame vvas to burne vp friends and kin••ed, be∣fore ever it could get to the other Italian Potentates that vvere enemies. The Dutchy of Savoy answered the Cen∣sor very readily, That the adherence of his last Duke to the Spaniards, vvas true, but the faire occasion he had of three seuens in his hand, euen forced him to set vp his rest, hoping to encounter the most famous Primiera, that euer any other Prince vvhatsoever had at Cards; to vvhich venture he vvas the rather carried, because he vvas assored he could lose but that mony, which at that game he had wonne before: That afterwards, though by

his ill luck the fourth Card, vvhich was dealt him, proued to be a Coa••e of affront, vvherewith he had made the vvorst hit, that could be encountred on the whole packe of Cards, neuerthelesse he knew, that the brauest mindes vvould confesse, that albeit the resolution was very dan∣gerous, yet not to vvrong the Cards, they vvould haue played no otherwise themselues. The Censor apprehen∣ding the Metaphor, very much commended the mag∣nanimous resolution of that Duke; vvho, for that he might from a small feaver haue received in gift the Em∣pire of the greater part of the World, not only without any note of imprudence, but to his infinite glory, at such time as so resolutely he cast the Dye of all the great∣nesse of his fortune vpon the table of Chance, he might well speake those famous vvords anew, Or Caesar, or no∣thing.

Then the Censor turned him to the noble Great Dut∣chy of Toscan, and sharpely reprehending him, for going vvith his Galleys, at it vvere prouoking of Waspes, he re∣corded vnto him, the miserie and calamities, vvhich the Kinghts of S^t. Iohn suffered at Rhodes, at Tripoli, and the great danger, that lastly they ranne at Malta, only because they vvould imprudently haue tyed squibbes to the Buls taile; And that euery vvise Christian Prince ought rather to favour the present carelesnese of the Turks, then to waken them with injuries of litle profit; nay, such as brought others much damage, and necessite them to ap∣ply their mindes anew vnto maritime affaires, which in these times they had euen abandoned: Also he remem∣bred him, how infinite people daily complained, for that, by his hindering Italy of the trade of the commodi∣ties of the Levant, all Drugges, that came from beyond

the Seas, were growen to an excessive rate. To this cor∣rection the great Dutchy of Toscan answered, That the power of a Prince could not be termed perfect, which with a number of armed Vessels had not some Domini∣on on the Sea: And that his Gallies vvere not only very necessary for the Toscan greatnesse, but also for the secu∣ritie of the Libertie of all Italy, as scruing for a Schoole of Mariners, for a Seminary of Captaines, and souldiers at Sea: That he confessed the dammage, which they did to the trade of merchandise, but vvithall, he desired it might be considered, that the mysterie of Warre, either by Land, or Sea, could not be learned by souldiers, nor exercised by Princes without prejudice to others: And that Toscan breeding much filthinesse of fantasticall vn∣quiet braines, and extravagant humors, he had therefore great occasion for those Gallies, that might serve, as it were, to carry forth all the filth of his State, and thereby keepe it cleane, employing such only for gally-slaues in them, as had done euill before, and that in regard of their vnquiet nature, vvere like to doe worse after.

This excuse of the Great Dutchy of Toscan vvas ap∣proved both by the Censor, and all the sacred Colledge. Whereupon the Count said vnto the Libertie of Genoua, vvho was last drawen out of the Vrne, That the excessiue vse of exchanges, which she permitted vnto her Nobi∣litie, caused that great disorder of enriching the priuate, and vvithall of empouerishing the publike, vvhose re∣vennues vvould haue risen to huge summes of Gold, if the reall riches of her Nobilitie had beene employed in a just trade of merchandise.

The Genouese Libertie with a readinesse, that gaue a particular gust to all the Learned, answered, How it was

true, that exchanges doe vvorke that effect, vvhich the Censor had mentioned, and therefore vvere most pernici∣ous in any Monarchy vvhatsoeuer; howbeit that not∣withstanding they might be permitted in a well-ordered Commonwealth vvithout any prejudice of the publike interests; because the richest, and securest Treasures of a free State, are the riches of the Nobilitie, and Citizens together; a matter, which falleth not out in a Monarchy, where betweene the commings in of the Prince, and the meanes of private men, there runneth a long wall of eight stories high built by Mine, and Thine: Further, that in a Monarchy the mutation of the State commonly followeth vvith litle, or no prejudice to the people, only changing the name of Mathew, to that of Martin; but in the subversions of Commonweales, where libertie is changed into servitude, there the proper substance of private men is the publike treasure; for then will they profusely spend all that ever they haue, for to defend their owne liber∣tie euen to the last gaspe.