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 LXVII. ADVERTISEMENT.

A Carpenter being cudgeled somewhat severely, for having uttered certain insolent words against the most noble Sca∣liger, to his greater calamity, complains first of him to the Lord chief Iustice, and afterwards appeals to Apollo.

Julius Cesar Scaliger, that famous Literato of Verona, caused some cu∣rious shelves to be made some few daies ago in his Library, by a Car∣penter, which being finished, a dispute arose between them, not so much concerning the price, as the ill workmanship; and whilst they were at variance, the Carpenter being more bold then became him (as is the fashion of Plebeians, who negotiating for the most part with the com∣mon sort of people, weigh not their words, when they have to do with people of quality) said, that Scaliger was subject to the fault of other Noble men, to stand upon hard tearms with poor Artificers. Scaliger was so touched to the quick with this injury, as appearing presently to be very well satisfied with the shelves; and with their price, he caused the money to be forthwith paid unto the Carpenter, which he demand∣ed. The Carpenter answering, that he was fully satisfied, Scaliger re∣ply'd, that it now rested that he must likewise have his satisfaction, which lay in teaching such arrogant fellows as he, how to govern their tongues; which being said, he commanded a servant of his, to take a Cudgel, and therewithall conjure out the fowl fiend of insolence that was in him; wherein he was instantly obeyed. The miserable Carpenter being sound∣ly beaten, presented himself all bleeding before the chief Justice, and complained grievously of Scaliger for having treated him so ill. The Ju∣stice, before he would resolve on any thing, would (as it became him) inform himself fully of the fact; and when he heard the insolent words wherewith the Carpenter had provoked Scaliger, he commanded the Goaler forthwith to give that insolent fellow three sound lashes with a rope; which was done. Whereupon the cudgel'd Carpenter went a∣bout Pernassus crying, and exclaiming more against the Justice, then a∣gainst Scaliger. The Literati of this Court differed in their opinions

touching the chief Justice his Act; some of them blamed him extream∣ly, for that by that action he did too much encourage the Nobility, who were naturally given to deal too injuriously with the common sort of people; and some of these, who bore ill will to the chief Justice, egg'd on the Carpenter to complain to Apollo, both of Scaliger, and of the chief Justice. His Majesty, who had a little before been very par∣ticularly informed of all that had passed in this business, speaking to the Carpenter, & those who were back-friends to the chief Justice, who had egg'd him on to make his appeal, said, That he as much hated the inso∣lent proceedings of his Nobility with the common sort of people, as he was very much distasted that Shop-keepers, and others of the mean∣er sort of men, should by bold speeches injure the reputation of those who live only to purchase honour and renown; and that the common sort of people were much deceived, if they did believe that such Justice was practised in Pernassus, as wrought no other effect then what would make the rabble-rout insolent, and that it was great folly to trouble a Noble man, who having moderately revenged himself for an injury done unto him by a Plebeian, had only deserved punishment if he should have basely put it up, and so much the more, for that it did much misbecome such a personage as Scaliger, to apply himself to Courts of Justice for injuries done unto him by such people, and thereby become the table∣talk of Justices and Notaries. That he much commended the discre∣tion of the Emperor Charls the fifth, who as he was returning with his Emperess from a Turney which was made about Toledo, did not only not resent an action done by the D. of Infantaga, who cut a Provost Marshal soundly over the head, that whipt on his horse, bidding him ride faster, though the action was done against a publique Officer, and in his pre∣sence, but with like Justice as ought to be used to a Noble man injured by a Plebeian, gave the Duke to understand, that if he pleased, he might hang that sawcy fellow; which the Duke would not only not suffer to be done, but with a Castilian magnanimity, beseeched the Emperor to par∣don the Provost Marshal, and accompanied the wound with 500 crowns which he sent the wretch, that he might be the better cured. Then A∣pollo added, that there being three chief felicities which made humane men happy, Peace, Justice, and Plenty, unless Princes who govern the world, were the more circumspect, severe Justice served only to make the rabble-rout proud; universal peace, to make men cowards; and per∣petual plenty, to make people who living formerly by the sweat of their brows, were industrious, idle, of no use, and vagabonds: And that it being very true, that Princes were the Shepherds of mankind, the com∣mon people the Sheep, and the Nobility the Dogs which guard the flocks, and keep them from the Wolves; it was likewise as true, that by all right of good Government, the Nobility ought to be maintain∣ed bold, and to be rather armed with Iron Collars of Generosity, to de∣fend them from the Wolves, then through the fear of equal Justice (so peculiar to ignorant men) be cow'd in such manner, as that the very Sheep with the horns of unsupportable insolence, durst dare to butt at them.