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 XCIX. ADVERTISEMENT.

All the Princes of the world beseech Apollo that he wil insert into their people the love of their Country.

THe Ambossador from all the Princes of the Universe, who came long since to Parnassus, had on Thursday long audience from his Majesty, and the common report is, That in the name of all his Princes, he made a sore complaint, that their people committed every day such shameful ex∣cesses, so inormous actions, as that they had made the art of Reigning much more difficult then it was: That they were so far advanced in their disorders, as a Prince could not now give a City, or any strong Hold in custody to a Souldier, without running evident danger of being in a short time treacherously assassinated; and that they could not be so circumspect nor wary in chusing a Captain-General, or other Officer of War, but that they were soon brought into the sad condition of being forced to fear their servant friend, then their Prince enemy; and that the peoples iniqui∣ty was no less, then the Commanders perfidiousness: For their people were so shamefully given over to a vitious curiosity, as they began in a short time to hate any Prince, how good soever; shewing the same desire and liking to change Princes, as they had to change meat at their tables: That hence it arose, that Princes in their greatest needs were not only not assisted by their people, and defended by them with that affection and cha∣rity as they were bound to do; but it was every day seen how they were shamefully betrayed by them, and for a little money sold to their enemies. And that the Princes had at last learnt, that for certain all these evils were occasioned through the little love which people bore unto their Countries; and that Rome, the Queen of the World, and Mother of Empire, could suc∣cesfully extend the Confines of her Dominion from the East to the West, only by means of the cordial love which her Citizens bore her: That whereas amongst them, banishment was as terrible as death, many modern Princes, that they may not be without Subjects, nor have their Countries unpeopled, were forced to forbid men the forgoing of their Country, upon pain of forfeiting their Estates. That therefore all the Princes of the world did jointly signifie unto his Maj. that all the remedies they could use against this so grievous evil, had proved invalid, and that therefore they humbly intreated him that he would be pleased to insert into the hearts of subjects, that fervent charity, and that immence love unto their Countries, as was seen to be in the Subjects of Commonwealths, and wherein doubtlesly the

chief greatness, and richest treasure lay, of whosoever reigned. Apollo an∣swered the Ambassador, That Princes might make their Subjects love their Countries much better then he could by good Government, and e∣qual Justice, and by liberality, and procuring them perpetual abundance: For that all men, who by natural instinct, bore an excessive love to what∣soever Country they were born in, were easily induced not to love it, when it was made odious to them by incommodious living: For men would ra∣ther be benumn'd with cold, then stand by a fire, which filling the house with smoak, made their eyes water.