Aphorismes ciuill and militarie amplified with authorities, and exemplified with historie, out of the first quarterne of Fr. Guicciardine.

APHORISME IIII.

VIces 1 1.1 are stronger in the Aduerbe, then in the Adie∣ctiue: and so be vertues. To do that is well, is better then to do that is good: for, a man may do what is honest sometimes, against his will: where as in all vertuous actions, there is a free election. 2 1.2 That Iudge therefore, who giueth sentence before both Parties be heard, may iudge the right, but not aright. A greater iniu∣stice it is, to heare the equitie of the Defendants cause, and yet doome for the Plaintiffe: for this man doth neither iustly, nor iustice.

The case betweene Pisa and Florence, is heard before the French king. Burgundio Lolo pleadeth for the Plaintiffes; shew∣eth, that his citie hath eightie eightyeares endured an vniust seruitude: that she which had bene one of the noblest cities of Italie, and extended her command euen to the East, was now by the crueltie and auarice of the Florentines, brought to extreme desolation. That many of her chiefe citizens, rather then to be eye-witnesses of the tyrannous vexation of the State-publik, and insolent oppressions of priuate men, had abandoned their na∣tiue country, and preferred a voluntary exile. That they were depriued their ancient trade of Merchandize, and onely per∣mitted to vse mechanicall occupations. That they were debar∣red the executing of any publicke office, euen of those which strangers might enjoy. That the Florentine tyrannie extended euen to their liues, whom they sought to suffocate and poison, with vnwholsome fogs, and dampes of infectious aire, by giuing no order for the keeping of their banks, and draining the dit∣ches of their marishes. That nothing remained to the Floren∣tines crueltie and inhumanitie, wherein they might farther plague the poore oppressed and distressed Pisans: and therefore they humbly flie to his Maiestie for redresse. Francesco Soderi∣ni, Bishop of Volterra, answers for the Defendants: declares the

right of their title to Pisa, from Gabriel-Maria Visconti, the true owner, of whom they bought the towne, and territories there∣unto belonging: prooues, that they were no sooner in peace∣able possession, but the Pisans by rebellious violence depriued them thereof. That by a long and chargeable warre, they were forced to fight for their right: wanne it by fine force, being al∣most famished: and brought in more victuals then armes, to re∣couer their hunger-starued bodies. That Pisa was neuer of po∣wer to enlarge her territories by land, so farre as Lucca, a towne within ten miles: and for her power at sea, it lasted not long: nay, by her owne ciuill discords, and seditious mutinies (before Vis∣conti had possession) she was brought to so low an ebbe, as Ser Iacopo Appiano, a base petti-fogging Notary, made himselfe Lord of the towne, and left the commaund thereof to his posteritie. That Pisa was no way beneficiall to Florence, but by the fitnesse of the scite, and nearnesse of the sea: as for the exactions layd vpon her, they were so small, as they did little more then defray the charge. That they were no more debarred the trading in merchandize, then other subiects of their State, who all notwith∣standing acknowledged to liue vnder a lawfull and moderate gouernment, and desired not to change their Lord: because they were not so obstinately and insolently perfidious as the Pi∣sans, whose seditious rebellion was now growne to a common by-word through all Italie. That they were so farre from depo∣pulating the towne, as they had there planted a Vniuersitie, and recouered her Ligorne, without which Port she could not sub∣sist. That all possible care was yearely taken for the maintenance of her bankes, and cleansing of her ditches. So that finally, their lamentations are fained, their obiections calumnious, and their accusations false aspersions. And therefore he humbly intreates his royall Maiestie to tender the right of their cause, and force of his owne oath in that behalfe. The King, notwithstanding all these reasons, inclines to the Pisans, and will not restore the Florentines to their right: onely he declares not present∣ly, vntill hee had got into his hands the seuentie thousand

Duckats yet behinde, and due, by the articles of the late treatie.

Notes

• 1 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. Iniustè quidem agit, & iustè aliquis, cum ea sponte agit: cum verò non sponte, nec iniustè quidem, nec iustè agit, nisi per acci∣dens.
• * 1.1.1

  Arist. eth. l. 5. cap. 8.
• 2 1.2

  Qui statuit aliquid, parte inaudita altera,

  Aequum licet statuerit, haud aequus fuit.

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. Iudicare noli, nisi parte vtraque audita.

  Vicissim audi, & deinde re cognita, iudica.

  In auditi at que indefensi, tanquam innocentes pereunt.

  Si iudicas, cognosce: Siregnas, iube.

  Legem Nocens veretur, Fortunam innocens.

  Malè verum examinat omnis—corruptus Index.

  Nemo erit innocens, si accusasse sufficiat.

  —Il magnanimo suole,

  Sempre prima che dannar la gente,

  Vederla in faccia, & vdir le ragion' ch'vsa,

  Differir anco e giorni, e mesi, e anni

  Prima che giudicar ne gl'altrui danni.
• * 1.3

  Senec. Med.
• * 1.4

  Aristoph.
• * 1.5

  Sophocl. Tac. hist. l. 1. Senec. Med. Pub. Mim. Horat. In Aut.
• * 1.6

  Ariost. cant. 18.