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 LIX. ADVERTISEMENT.

The Prince of the Laconicks Nephew, being after his Uncles death, to return to a private Fortune, shews no well compo∣sed minde in making so dangerous a passage.

THe Prince of the Laconicks Nephew, who during his Uncles life of famous memory, did with extraordinary Authority govern that State; by reason of the choice which was made some few days a∣go, of a new Prince, was two days since to return to a private life. And because the parting from Authority after the sweet thereof hath been a while tasted, is a thing much more fearful then the parting of the soul from the body; and it having formerly hapned in Parnassus, that the too great ambition of Government hath so suffocated the vertue of hu∣mility and those vital spirits of the minds moderation, which keep a well composed heart alive, as so great a passage is not to be made with∣out reluctaney; Apollo compassionating such sad cases, that he might provide for the saving of so great mens honors, in that time of terror, In∣stituted in Parnassus many years ago, the charitable company of commi∣seration, whereof the chief Moral Philosophers of this State are mem∣bers. The night preceding the day, wherein this Prince was to make so sore a change of condition, Reverend petrarch made him a v•…•…si with his book De remedi is utriusque Fortunae, as also learned Giorolimo Car∣dano, with his work De utilitate capienda ex adversis: and Annaeus Se∣neca the worthy President of the Company, with the precious writings of Boetius Severinus de Consolatione Philosophiae: whom after a long preamble of fair words, they acquainted with the sad return he was to make the next morning to a private life. Certainly most unwelcom news; and which he heard with such impatiency and disturbance, as with exclamations which deafened all that heard him, and howl∣ings which reacht Heaven, he began to lament and bewail his perverse fortune, by which he said he was assassinated: crying out that she had hardly suffered him to tast the sweet of Government, the suavity of Command, when she hurryed him down to the miseries of a private life, making him to swallow down the unpleasant potion of changing Com∣mand, for Obedience; oft recommending his honor in this his Agony to these his comforters, and earnestly desiring that they would not aban∣don him in this his urgent necessity. Then both Seneca, Cardano, and Petrarch, did with unspeakable Charity imbrace this Prince, intreat∣ing him couragiously to undergo this his adversity, and the more to comfort him, they alleadged all they could in praise of a privat life, let∣ting him know how great a happiness men found in knowing how to govern themselves and their affairs, and making him often repeat those words of the Master of the Politick sayings; Quam Arduum, quam sub ectum Fortunae, regendi Cuncta Onus. Tacit. lib. 1. Annal. Excellent words, which being chewed by a Palat that knows truly how to taste

them, are of such efficacy, as they had the power to make the great Em∣peror Charles the fift, (who had been more ambitious of government then any other) to withdraw himself into a Monastery, and become an Hermit. But these consolations wrought so little upon this Lord, as he said more then once to those Reverend Comforters, that to prefer a private life before Reigning, was a most odious Paradox; a thing which, was uttered by the mouth, but not believed by the heart: a Doctrine which they did mainly hate, who went about to make others believe it. The next morning this Gentleman was stript of all his jurisdiction, which caused such a passion of the heart in him, as the Comforters not being able to keep alive the spirits of his Patience, he swowned three times in their hands, wherefore the unfortunate Gentleman was carryed half dead out of the Palace; who when he saw his own private House, fell into yet greater Agonies; so as these Comforters laboured very much to make him use in so dangerous a nick of time the vertue of a well-com∣posed minde, which men of strong complexions can shew in cases of Adversity, when they seem to do that cheerfully, of meer choice, which they are forc'd unto by inevitable necessity. But this Gentleman de∣spairing every hour more and more in his misfortune, grew so horn-mad as to call every man ungrateful; and it was cleerly seen that the new Prince his happiness, the Grandetsa of his Nephews, and the prosperi∣ty of his more intimate servants and friends, did vex him more then his own Calamity. When he was come to his Paternal House, he had not heart enough to look upon it, but still kept his eye fixt upon the place where he had been. Wherefore the Comforters to do the very utmost that they could, to save this Gentlemans reputation; which was in so evident danger of being lost, blind-folded him: he was no sooner come into the Hall, (so drunk are men with the thought of rule, when they have once tasted it) but he called for the Agents, and Princes Embassadors, as if he had been under the cloth of State in the Palace, and would negotiate with them, having no business at all, and seemed as if he would still govern the world, though he had no Authority; en∣tertaining himself continually with grave Affairs, not having any thing to do. By which Actions this ill advised Gentleman made every one know, that the being in greatness, with absolute power of Command, makes men seem wise •…•…olomons to others; who when they return to their private Fortunes, are found to have no more Brains then a Goose: