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 LXXI. ADVERTISEMENT.

Cornelius Tacitus being imprisoned at the complaint of some great Princes, for having made some Politick Spe∣ctacles, which were very prejudicious to their Govern∣ment, is freed by Apollo.

THe whole Colledg of the Literati were much astonished, when they heard that Cornelius Tacitus, one so famous in Pernassus, one so well beloved by Apollo the first Counseller of State, chief Chro∣nicler, and Master of his Majesties Sentences, was seised upon the last night by express Order from the Lords Censors. It was soon after known, that this had hapned by reason of a complaint made by divers great Princes, that Tacitus by his seditious Annals and Histories, had made certain Spectacles which were very pernitious to Princes; for let the simplest person put them on his nose, they would make him so sharp-sighted, as to see into the very hearts of other men, and discover their most secret thoughts: And that which they said they neither could nor would any waies indure, was, that he shewed unto the people, the very essence and quality of Princes-souls, what they were indeed in∣wardly, and not what through the necessary tricks of Government they were forced to make themselves appear to be outwardly. Yesterday morning the Counsel of the chief Monarchs of this State came before the Censors, amongst which, for Tacitus his greater honour, who was to be tryed, Apollo would make one. This Advocate told them, that all the understanding men of the State knew very well that Princes for the peace and quiet of their Kingdoms, were oft times necessitated to do unwarrantable actions, which, to maintain the peoples opinion of their being good Princes (as is fitting for all to do that will govern) they had wont to palliate with specious pretences of good intentions, and great zeal towards the publick good, those pieces of Policy which they would be no longer able to use, if the true meaning of their minds were known to all men; and that if it were possible for people to be governed without submitting themselves to their Jurisdiction, Princes would willingly renounce their Princely •…•…itles, and their power of Command, as having found at last, that Principalities are nothing but unsupportable burthens, affairs so full of difficulty and danger, as they could not taste any one savory bit, at those their plentiful Tables, which

jealous men do so envie, which did not stink of Arsnick; but that if experience had made the world know, that all mankind would soon suf∣fer under sad confusion, were it not for wise Princes who do govern them, it was fitting that they should be permitted to use all those just waies which were requisite for them for the well-governing their Sub∣jects: For, if for cultivating grounds, Husbandmen were not denied Oxen, Ploughs, and Mattocks; if Tailors for the cutting out and making up of clothes, were allowed needle and sheers; and Smiths, hammers and pincers; wherefore should Monarchs be henceforward denied to throw dust in their Subjects eyes, or cast a mist before them, which was the best advantage, and the most necessary Instrument for the right Go∣vernment of States, which any Polititian had ever yet found out in any of the most excellent Reasons of State. All which things Princes, by reason of Tacitus his seditious inventions, should now be no longer able to do; it being clearly seen that the devillish spectacles invented by that alwaies seditious Tacitus, to boot with what hath been said of their ma∣king the people sharp-sighted, had also another pernitious effect, by sticking so close to mens noses, as Princes were now no longer able, as formerly they had with as much ease as advantage done, to throw dust in their Subjects Eyes, though it were most artificial, and super-fine, but that they would be aware of their being abused.

The Complaints made by the Monarchs, seemed to be very just, both to Apollo, and all the Censors; and they therefore thought wor∣thy of mature consideration; and after a long discourse had about so weighty a business, their opinion seemed to prevail; who voted that Tacitus with his scandalous Annals, and seditious Histories, should be banished the company of man. But his Majesty, that he might not disgrace the Prince of Political History, and not to distast gallant men, by depriving them of their delights, was content that Tacitus should be told, he might do well to make as few of those spectacles as possi∣ble he could, which were indeed so pernitious to Princes; and that he should chiefly be sure not to part with any but to choice personages, to the Secretaries, and privy Councel of Princes, to the end that they might know the more easily how to Govern the people; and that above all things, as he valued his Majesties favour, he should keep from com∣municating them to such seditious people, who in troublesom times might serve for Lanterns to the simpler sort of people, who suffered themselves easily to be governed, when not being inlightned by Lear∣ning, they might be said to be blind, and want a guide.