Arcana aulica, or, Walsingham's manual of prudential maxims for the states-man and the courtier

CHAP. 14.

Four kindes of Noble Courtiers; how to be handled, and made use of; how warily we ought to deal with inconstant Princes.

FRom the Princes Servants, we come to the Nobles of the Court, which are of sundry kindes: There are some illustrious for their birth, but destitute of the Princes favor; others in favor with the Prince, but not laden with honors; a third sort, that have honors and offices, far exceeding their Interest and Favor; and lastly, Those who flourish both in Favor, and great Imployments. The friendship of the first of these, will perhaps avail our Courtier very little, who are nevertheless to be honor∣ed and respected, according to their quality; least, though they cannot hurt you them∣selves, by their friends and followers, they should do it: For in such Trains of defen∣dancies and followers, great Families are often very powerful, either by reason of old benefits, or reverence to their greatness; or lastly, (since Princes mindes are mutable) out of respect to the Fortune and Favor these great men may yet chance to come into; with this, or the succeeding Prince.

Archelaus, King of Cappadocia, to his great

disadvantage, did neglect to Honor and Court Tiberius, when he came to Rhodes; for Tiberius afterwards meditating revenge, but pretending another cause, called him to Rome, where he perished miserably: Which respect nevertheless the Historian says, He omitted not out of pride, but for that he was warned by some of Augustus his Favorites, That whilst Cajus Caesar flourished, and was sent into the East, the Friendship of Tiberius seemed unsafe. We must look therefore up∣on these great men of Fortune, though not able to deserve well of us, yet powerful enough to hurt us: And though they be un∣acceptable and suspected by the Prince, we must yet reverence them, to avoid the blam of others, and their emnity.

If it chance, that the Prince will oppose you to one of these great ones, as it is usual with Princes to do; as you must not refuse the task, so you must with great art, dexteri∣ty, and choice of occasions, undertake it; taking care, that you may both satisfie the Prince, and justifie your endeavors to other men: It is an enterprize full of danger, but if at the Princes instance, it be taken in hand, it is the way to rise.

Yet after you are once ingaged in one of these Brigues, there are the choice of two ways to be taken, according to the nature of the Prince you act for, the persons you have

to do with, and the times you are in: Some men act all these things in their own name so boldly, and with so high a hand, That all kinde of men, except those that are great indeed, strike easily sail unto them, for fear of offending the Prince; who approves (as they believe) all these men say or do. There are others yet, that take another course more safe and sweet, by continually waiting upon the Prince, their interest, in whom they will make no shew of, but upon the best opportunities; neither will they take any occasion for these contentions, but such as with great choice they have selected, as both likely to succeed; and having took effect, to redound much to the advantage of the Prince and Publike.

For you must take great heed you under∣take nothing you cannot go through with; for besides that, the common people judge of all things by the event, believing still, that Justice and Prudence, are on the side that Fortune is; by ill successes, you will soon di∣minish the esteem and favor, you have with the Prince. For he to take away the dis∣grace received, and by reason, That he fears either to be despised of his Subjects, or con∣temned by his Enemies, whom he hath oppo∣sed in vain, will be compelled to remove his favor from, and abandon you.

Beware, that when I speak of your con∣tention

with these great persons, that you understand not, that I wish you to inter∣meddle, when you see it cannot be done without tumult, or that you should provoke them with contumelies and reproaches, for that becomes onely a base soul, whose judge∣ment is corrupted by Fortune: The end of which kinde of men is seldom happy; as is to be observed in Piso, whom Tiberius sent into Syria, to cross the hopes and designs of Germanicus; against whom, he carried him∣self so insolent••y, that when Prince Germani∣cus was dead, Caesar was compelled to sacri∣fice and abandon Piso to the publike hate.

When I advise you to oppose these great men, it is in cases onely, wherein they are to do something that is unjust, or against the Publike good, or Religion, or that is prejudi∣cial to the Government of the Army, or the Treasures of the Kingdom: In which occa∣sions, you must so comport your self with Prudence and Modesty, that all others that are concerned, and all honest men may per∣ceive, that what you do proceeds not out of any private emnity, but onely from your zeal to the Publike good. If you demand an example to imitate, behold Cardinal Xime∣nes, chosen by Isabelia, Queen of Castile, on purpose to tug with those Grandees, that were not so subject to the Kings pleasure, as they are now: Of a Franciscan Frier, he

was first made the Queens Confessor, after∣wards by the advice of Cardinal Mendoza, Archbishop of Toledo, and Inquisitor Gene∣ral of Spain; which Offices he bore with great authority, being there during the whole Reign of Isabella, and Ferdinand, and was even to the time of Charls the Fift, the sole Arbiter and Moderator of all Affairs; ever contending with the great ones, but so discreetly, That he always held both the Prince and people fast unto him.

It is reported that he was poysoned, and he himself suspected it, but the fact could never be proved. Wherefore it is better to attribute so late a death as his (for he was very old) to age and nature; and not with∣out reason, since he preserved his fortune and authority (both which he owed prin∣cipally to his own industry) entire unto his end. Chico Simoneta had not so good suc∣cess, who whilst Francis Sfortia ruled in Milan, was called to the helm of business, and afterwards chosen by yong Galeacius Mother, by reason of his known fidelity, and experience in Publike Affairs, to con∣tend with his Masters Brethren. He to pre∣serve the Dukedom for Galeacius, banished Galeacius Brothers, and Robert de St. Seve∣rin out of Milan, with how much envy you may imagine: Yet see how wickedly he was afterwards deserted, for the Widow,

Galeacius his Mother, reconciling her self with her adversaries, sacrificed Simoneta to their new friendship; by whom being cast into prison, and there flayed alive, he died miserably. Learn hence, how warily we must trust Princes, of whose steadiness we are not assured; for often upon a light oc∣casion, they are wont to prostitute their Servants to the will of their Enemies.