CHAP. II.
BVt these things shall more fitly be decided in another place:* 1.1 for the present I will diuide this matter into three parts. The first shall serue for a Preface or Induction. The second shall expresse the nature and habitude of Clemencie: for whereas there are vices that counterfeit vertues, they cannot be diistnguished ex∣cept thou set downe some markes whereby they may be knowne. Thirdly, we will enquire how the minde attaineth to this vertue, how he fortifieth him∣selfe thereby, and by vse maketh her his owne. But it must needes appeare that of all other vertues there is none more conuenient for man, because there is none more humane then it: and not onely amongst vs Stoicks, who maintaine that a man is a sociable creature, and is made for the common good of others; but also amongst those that giue m••n ouer to pleasure, all whose speeches and a∣ctions tend to their particular profite. For if a man seeke for repose and idle∣nes, he hath found in Clemencie a vertue agreeable to his nature which loueth peace and restrain••th the hand. But of all others Clemenci•• becommeth no man more then it doth a Prince: for so is great power honourable and full of glorie in great Potentates, if they vse it for the comfort of many; as contrari∣wise force is pernicious that serueth to no other end but to offend others. A man cannot sufficiently expresse how firme and well grounded his greatnesse is, whom all men ••now ••o b•• as much for th••m, a•• he is more highly raised a∣boue them, whom th••y obserue to k••••pe continuall watch; for the safetie of them all in common, and of euery one in particular•• vpon whose approach they runne not away•• as if any euill ne••red ••hem, or that some cruell beast broke out from his denne, but they flooke and ••••n vnto him, as to a gracious and shi∣ning sunne, readie and addressed to adu••••ture vpon their weapons who haue plotted treasons against him, and to make a bridge of their bodies for him, if for the conseruation of hi•• life it w••r•• n••edfull for him to march vpon the bodies of men that were m••ngled and ••ut in p••ec••s. They which about him during the time that he sleepeth, by day th•••• they in••l•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this•• person on euery side, and lest any one should hurt him they expose themselues to all dangers for him, whatsoeuer they be that present themselues. This consent of Nations and Citties, in louing and maintayning their Kings, and employing their bodie and goods in defence of a Princes life, is grounded vpon good reason. Neyther is this basenesse and madnesse in them for one man, yea, and he sometimes olde and decrepit, in so many thousands to attempt vpon the points of their enemies