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 LXXV. ADVERTISEMENT.

The Ruota di Parnasso having decided a point in difference between the Military men, and the Litterati on the Milita∣ry means behalf, are aware of their error, and withdraw their sentence.

THe precedency between Arms and Learning is still obstinately dis∣puted on both sides, between the Litterati and Millitary-men in Par∣nassus. And it was resolved in the last Ruota, That the question should be argued, if at least the name of Science and Discipline might be at∣tributed to the exercise of War. Which doubt was of such consequence, as the victory of the whole cause depended thereupon; wherefore both parties were very diligent in informing the Auditors; and Vigetius in particular was not sparing for any pains, in procuring that the sentence might prove favourable on his side. The business was very subtilly can vast and argued, and the Court seemed wholly to incline to the Litte∣rati; but the Princes used such forcible arguments, as it was resolved, That Military men in their exercise of War, might use the honourable names of Science and Discipline. The Litterati were much displeased at this d•…•…cision, who exclaimed all of them, that Learning would be much defiled, if she, who adorns mens minds with good precepts, should be forced to communicate her honourable names with the Mili∣tary Art, which fills the body with wounds, and the soul with the •…•…oulest vices. The Litterati were in this despair, when unexpectedly all the Butchers of the world were seen to appear in Parnassus; which slovenly sort of people, all besmeared with blood, with hatchets and long knives in their hands, infused such fear into the Litterati, as apprehending some general slaughter, and to be cut in pieces, they fled away to their own houses, where they fortified themselves. But they were better pleased when those dreadful people made signs of peace, and desired to be heard. Apollo that he might know what they meant, sent some Deputies to them: To whom those Butchers stoutly said, That hearing that the Court had decided, That the Art of sacking and firing of Cities, of cutting their inhabitants in pieces, and in fine, that the cruel mystery of killing men, and of dispeopling the world, and of calling with sword in hand, mine thine, should be termed a Science and Discipline, they also, who did not profess the killing of men, nor any thing that tended to the destruction of mankind, but the kill•…•…ng of Calves and Muttons to feed men withal, demanded that their Art might be honoured by the same illustrious names. The Military-men appeared as if they had no souls amidst this rabble rout, when they saw so base sort of people should desire that their so opprobrious Trade, should be paralell'd with the Art of Warfaring, which was practised by the greatest Princes, and prime Nobility of the world. And the same Signori Auditori di ru•…•…ta, when they saw the Butchers appear in the Pallace, and heard their de∣mands,

they were aware of the injustice which but a little before they had done to all the Vertuosi by their decision. Wherefore they again propounded the same question, and unanimously agreed, That the myste∣rie of War, though it were sometimes necessary, was notwithstanding so cruel and so in humane, as it was impossible to honest it with civil tearms.