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THe same remedies that are good against Envy, prevail also against Emulation, which hath less malignity in it truly, then Envy hath; but more of Ambition, and the treachery of self-concernments. But these Competitors of ours, are to be stroked with a
a certain specious respect, and ceremonious veneration, which will powerfully divert these kinde of humors; especially, if we feed their hopes with higher thigns then those we aim at, and seem to contribute our Votes and assistance to them; on the other side, vilifying that which we seek for, as below them to stoop unto, and fitter for our selves; whose merits as they are less, so our pretences ought not to be so high. If we fear that they will smell our drift, we are to hol•• them in suspence, and seem to discourse the case with Arguments on both sides; yet giving the greatest weight to those, which we intend should divert their ambitions. But the surest and best course of all, is to conceal, if it be possible, what we aim after, till it be out o•• the power of our Enemies, or Competitors 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hinder us.
A too great eagerness in our pretences, i•• sometime odious, even to those that would if it were more modest, contribute thei•• assistance to us; pulling with it besides, othe•• greater inconveniencies upon us, as if we succeed, more envy, and if we fail, a great•••• disgrace: It is much more safe, as I said eve•• now, to hide our designs, and as Rowers do•• turn our backs upon the place we are goin•• unto. Those that look after the greate•••• Commands, have taken this way; nothin•• hath been more usual unto them, then afte••
the example Agamemnon in Euripides, to ex∣press a greater desire of rest and retirement, then of honor or imployment. And many have found this a singular remedy, to divert the wiles of those that would oppose them, and to escape the disgrace which attends those fierce pretenders; nay, they have had hereby the glory, to have it often thought, That this honor or imployment was cast upon them, meerly for their merits, and not ob∣tained by begging or buying of voices, as it too often falls out.
Last of all, in our pretences we must take heed, that we clash with no rival, that is greater or more powerful in Friends and Dependants, then our selves. In this case we must imitate Marcus Lepidus, a man in Taci∣tus his opinion, of great wisdom; who being drawn, as it were, into the Senate by Tiberius, to stand with Junius Blaesus, Sejanus his Un∣cle, whether of them should be chosen Pr••consul of Africk, pretended presently against himself, want of health, the tender years of most of his Children, and the mar∣riage of a Daughter, that he was to take care of; fearing doubtlesly to make Sejanus his Enemy, if he carried away the Province from Blaesus. Neither must we obstinately contend with him, whom some great man is about to advance, although the Law favor us against him; for without doubt, Favor
weighs down the Law, as Tacitus instances in Germanicus and Drusus, creating Haterius Agrippa Praetor, notwithstanding the ex∣press contradiction of a Law; But let the Historian speak himself. There arose a dispute of substituting a Praetor in the place of Vipsa∣nius Gallus lately dead; Germanicus and Drusus favored Haterius Agrippa, Germani∣cus his Kinsman; others on the contrary side, did contend, That the number of Children should carry it, according to the Law. Tiberius was glad to see his Sons, and the Laws of the Senate, clash together; without doubt the Law was overcome, but yet not easily, nor by many voices: By which means, when they were in their great∣est vigor, they were wont to be overborn.