I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The LVIII. ADVERTISEMENT.

Apollo erects a new Tribunal in Parnassus, for the punish∣ment of flatterers; but succeeds very unfortunately therein.

THe civil and vertuous life which the Litterati lead in this State of Parnassus, is not so much to be attributed to the severe punishment threatned to such as are vitiously given, as to the great rewards held out to such as are vertuous; nor yet to the good genius which the Litterati are generally of, as to Apollos wisdom, who hath appointed several distinct Tribunals for every vice, for every fault omitted, and Judges thereunto ap∣propriated; for his Majestie hath learnt by the late disorders, that when his Ministers are troubled with but a few affairs, they dispatch them accu∣rately well; whereas those that have great store of business upon their hands, are neither speedy, nor very just in their dispatches. Nor was Apollo aware, till six months since, of the great disorder which reignes in this State, wherein many severe Tribunals being erected against all such principal vices whereinto men do most usually fail, there was no Judge nor punishment set apart for the vice of flattery, which his Majestie doth so much detest, and which is so pernitious both to Princes, and pri∣vat men. So as his Majestie thought that disease was so generally diffused

amongst men, chiefly because there was neither Physitian, nor Apotheca∣ry appropriated thereunto: Wherefore his Majestie who is alwaies vigi∣lant in the extirpation of all vice, and in procuring indempnity to his Ver∣tuosi, thought it very necessary to correct so great an error, and to curb so wicked a vice. He therefore of his own meer motion, erected a Tribu∣nal six months ago in this Court, under severe punishments against flatter∣ers: For his pleasure was, that such as should be found guilty of so foul a fault, should be tied to the infamous Chain which is in the chief Market∣place, and flead live by Marsia, who was very skilful thereat, having learnt it at his own charges: And for the more severe punishment of so enormous a vice, he chose the chief Satirical Poets of the State, as the greatest enemies of flatterers, to be their Judges. Peter Aratine was made Lord Chief Justice, Iuvenal the first Advocate; Ariosto Attor∣ney-General; Francis Berna, chief Notary, who had Nicholas Franco, and Cesar Caporali for his substitutes; and six months being past since the erecting of the Tribunal, in all which time no complaint came in against flatterers, though flattery were seen to be daily used in Parnassus; Apollo, that he might have occasion to punish those wicked persons, made use of a great many Spies, who diligently watching over them, might accuse them before the Tribunal. This remedy wrought good effect▪ for ere long they found Bartolomeo Cavalcanti, who flattering a foolish Prince; given to hunting, wantonness, all sorts of delights, neglecting the Govern∣ment of his State so far, as he had transferred the care thereof into the hands of one that was mercenary, ignorant, and very passionate, he term∣ed him vigilant, indefatigable in taking pains, an enemy to all pastime, which he had wholly placed in following business. Cavalcanti was sud∣denly seased upon; who upon examination, presently confest all that could he desired. Wherefore the Judge using all the mercy to him that could stand with Justice, allowed him three daies to make his defence, and Martia brandisht his knife about, and put all other things in order; when the Judge coming to examin the Prince who was flattered, found, that though he was notoriously known to be what was said of him, he pre∣tended notwithstanding, that Cavalcanti had not only spoke truth, but that in the praise which he with reason gave him, he came short of his de∣serts: So as being asked if he had any thing to alleadg against Caval∣canti, or whether he thought himself offended by his gross flattery, the Prince being much incenst, answered, that he had no reason to complain of one that had said truth, and that he did not esteem those praises which he ought to reward, injuries: and added, that he did very much wonder, and was greatly scandalized at that new Tribunal, which seemed to be in∣vented rather to defame men of honour, then to punish cheaters. Aretin being much moved at this answer, with more freedom then became him, asked with what face he could pretend that Cavalcanti had not lied basely in praising such a blockhead as he was, so notoriously stupid, unfit for Go∣vernment, which he had totally turned over to a vitious favorite of his? The Prince hearing this, advanc'd with unexpressible rage, and told Ara∣tine,

Tune dirai, e farai tante, e tante Lingua Fracida, marcia, senza sale,

Ch'al fin si trovera, pur un pugnale Meglior di quel d'Achille, epiu calzante. Saggio son Io, et tu sei un Fortante Nutrito del pan d'altri, del dir male, Un piede hai in Chiasso, l'altro allo spedale Stropecciato, ignorante, et arrogante.

Thou'lt talk, and do so many sottish things, With that thy rotten, base, unworthy tongue, As that a Dagger will be found ere long, Better then that Achilles with him brings. I'm wise, and thou a rascal underling Bred up at others Tables, men t'abuse, One foot i'th' Hospital, th' other i'th' Stews: Thou art an arrogant sot, Aratine.

The Attorney-General, the Notaries, and all the other Officeres, were so incenst to hear such words given to a Judge, the Court sitting, as they all fell with violent hands upon the Prince, to carry him to prison. But he that was better at his hands than head-piece, did not only defend him∣self, but assisted by his attendance, struck one of Aratines eyes almost out, broke Iuvenals arm, and Berna's jaw-bone; and poor Ariosto, who be∣took himself to his heels, when he saw the scuffle begin, fell down the stairs, and bruised himself terribly. When Apollo heard of this disorder, he was not so much grieved at the affront done to the Tribunal, nor the harm done to his Poets, as for that he now evidently saw, that there was no cure for flattery, nor no punishment to be found for it, since men were become so blind, as they esteemed the fawnings of flatteries, not injuries, but fa∣vours worthy of reward. Whereupon, much to his grief, he abbrogat∣ed the Tribunal, and confest it was impossible to punish a fault which no body would complain of.