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 XCIV. ADVERTISEMENT.

A chief Senator of Poland, whilst he corrects another Sena∣tor, who is a friend of his, is made aware that be himself is he who goes astray, and needs amendment.

THere are at this time in the King of Polands Court, two Senators, who are very great friends; the one of them professeth openly to be ill satisfied with his King, and therefore blameth the manner of his Go∣vernment, and even to the point of malice, censures and cavils at all his acti∣ons. The other Senator was much displeased with this his friends man∣ner of proceeding, and went so counter-bias to this his friend, as he did not only praise such actions of his Kings as deserved blame, but to purchase his favour; stuck not to do unworthy things himself. This man being much scandalized at his friends dangerous way of proceeding, told him one day, that it was not only imprudency, but great rashness, by thus carping at his Princes actions, to irritate his hatred from whom he might expect all good; and that to serve in Court, meerly to demerit the Princes favour, was the greatest folly that could be committed. The o∣ther Courtier answered him thus; Your so free reprehending me, clearly shews the cordial affection you return for the great love I bear you; and I thank you for it: But know that both we aim at the same end of acqui∣ring the highest preferments and dignities in Court, though we take con∣trary courses. You walk the usual and beaten way, but I take a neerer cut, which is only known to the most accomplisht Courtiers; and I fore∣tell you, that I am likely to compass my ends sooner then you. In here∣ditary Monarchies, where the brother, children, and others of the bloud∣royal, do together with the State inherit usually the friendships, enmities, and all the Interests of the deceased Prince, the way you take, and which was first taught you by Tacitus (that the favor of them that rule, must be forced from them even by indignities) is admirable good. But in an e∣lective State, as our Poland is, and particularly under an old King, who may justly be thought not likely to live long; the way I take to seem dis∣pleased at the Court proceedings, is the safer for such a one as I am. And the advertisement given to men, to be either exceeding hot, or passing cold in their actions; and that by all means they should shun lukewarm∣ness, was worthy of him that gave it. The first Court-preferments by which men proceed to the highest dignities, you see they are already pos∣sest by others: So as not able to work my self into the Kings favour by fervency of zeal, I have betaken my self to the other extremity of being all snow, by appearing mal-content. And you, who for what I see, have not the fortune to burn in the favour of our Prince, and do abhor to fly to the other extream of freezing in discontent of the present state, I prog∣nosticate for certain that by being lukewarm, you will part old and gray∣headed from the Court, just in the same condition as you came thither

young and beardless: For in Elective Kingdoms the new comer in, be∣ing usually an enemy, no less to the firiends, then to the actions of his predecessor; those who were friends to the former Government, are ab∣hor'd, as not confiding; those who are lukewarm, are shun'd as foolish; and the malcontents are diligently sought after, and allowed to come un∣der the Cloth of State, as deer friends, and secure instruments to perpe∣tuate their greatness.