Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of Pollicie.

Pollicie is a wise and discreet care, For King, for countrey, and for common good.

POllicie oft religions habit weares. What wants in strength, is holpe by pollicie. Small pollicie hath prowesse learn'd, to spill Much blood abroad, to cut her owne with skill. Small harme, pretending good, is pollicie. Oft times hath reaching pollicie deuisde, A cunning clause which hath himselfe surpriz'd. A wrastlers sl••ights oft counter-checketh force. Strength, wanting wit and pollicie to rule, Is soone cast downe, and prooues himselfe a foole. 'Tis pollicie to feare a powerfull hate. Counsell in any kingdome pollicied, More worthie is than warre, more dignified.

No pollicie where lambes doe lyons lead. It is the summe of perfect pollicie. To worke securely with vulgaritie. Who builds on strength, by pollicie is stript. More worthie 'tis, by wit and pollicie To compasse honour, than by progenie. Pollicie is to prowesse chiefest friend. Where power and pollicie doe often faile, Respect of gold both conquers and commaunds. The very poorest hath his pollicie. Men may in conquest benefit themselues, As much by pollicie as power and might. All pollicie is soone destroy'd by pride. Pollicie oft subdues where valour failes. Courage that hath nor wit nor pollicie, Flyes like a slaue before his enemie. A well-establisht pollicie is best. Societie must be preseru'd by pollicie.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS dull neglect is follies chiefest badge, So quicke conceit is signe of pollicie. As carelesse heads doe soonest harme a state, So pollicie fore-sees before too late. As cunning crafts-men are commended most, So Realmes of polliticke aduisers boast. As subtiltie is slye to helpe it selfe, So pollicie is wise to shield it selfe. As daungers felt are worse than others fear'd, So pollicies not executed, most offend. As counsell is some comfort in distresse, So pollicie employ▪ 〈…〉〈…〉lls wretchednesse.

Examples likewise on the same.

L••curgus by his polliticke aduise, ••eform'd the Lacedae ••on mangled state. Numa Pompilius discreete pollicie, Made Rome to flourish in her royaltie. Deucalions pollicie be••riended Greece, And brought the people to religious awe, Sc••p••oes Lieuten••n•• nam'd Pol••••••us Was highly praised for his pollicie. Byas did much commend the gouernment, Where the chiefe heads were wi••e and polliticke. Plutarch thought, cities could as ably st••nd Without foundation••, as no pollicie.