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

CHAP. 4.

The humor and inclinations of the Prince, and his familiars are to be known.

OUr yong Courtier, who desires to be known and loved by the Prince, must observe well the maners and conditions, not onely of the Prince himself, but also of such of his fol∣lowers, as he most trusts, and relies upon; to∣gether with the Peers, and all those others who may either afford him any help, or coun∣tenance; or else on the contrary stirred up either with emulation, fear, envy, hate, their own, or their Friends concernments, work him any prejudice. It is chiefly necessary that he make a full discovery of the inclinations and customs of the Prince, that for the most part follow the temperature of his body;

which though by wary Princes, they be much concealed, and smothered, yet it seldom happens but that sometimes they break out, and as it were laying aside disguises, show themselves. Since all their actions are so exposed to the eyes of men, it cannot be, but some one or other, must observe whereun∣to their inclinations tend. Sometimes they are so opprest and vext with the weight of bu∣siness, that forgetting their Artifices, they be∣tray their dispositions; Tiberius himself al∣though a most skilful Master in dissembling, could not set so good a face upon it, but that time would by little and little, bring all his Arts to light.

But since those of other men are so many, the propensions of Princes must needs be di∣verse, and almost infinite; yet they may be reduced to two heads. The one of which, in∣cludes all that tends to the greatness of his State, The other his personal pleasures; His greatness consists either in his Fame and Au∣thority, or in Riches; the duty of his Subjects; or lastly, in the strength and faithfulness of his Armies. In these things he ought to ac∣commodate his endevors to the nature, and disposition of the Princes affairs; which he that shall with Dexterity and Skill perform, provided he be neither suspected nor hated for other Reasons, cannot fail of becom∣ing acceptable unto the Prince.

Make the same judgement of the pleasures, and vitious affections of the Prince. If he be diffident and of a fearful disposition, believe that a bold informer will be grateful unto him, who sticks not at the displeasure of the great ones, and is ready to execute the Princes commands, whatsoever they be; as Tacitus ascribes Sejanus. He had a body (says he, Annals 4.) patient of toyl, a bold minde; he was a close concealer of himself, and a rash ac∣cuser of others: Composed he was of a mixture of flattery, and pride, with an exterior face of modesty; and yet inwardly fraught with an ex∣cess of ambition.

If the Prince delight in Drunkenness, he will all also take pleasure in men addicted to the same vice; for which cause Tiberius loved Pomponius, and Lucius Piso, of whom Suetonius, Cap. 24. de Tiberio. After this, the Prince to the corruption of publique Maners, spent two whole days and nights, eating and drinking with Pomponius Flaccus, and Piso; to one of which, he gave immediately the Pro∣vince of Syria, and to the other the Government of the City, calling them in his Letters, his most pleasant and familiar Friends. The same Tiberius, as Suetonius relates, preferred a most ignoble Fellow to the Questorship, before many Noble pretenders, because at a Banquet, where himself was drinking, he drunk of Nine Gallons of Wine.

Their society in their lust, did indear Ti∣gellinus to Nero. Tigellinus was more power∣ful (saith Tacitus, Annal. 14) in the bosom of the Prince, as being admitted to his most private lusts. So Petronius, that Master of elegance (for those are the Historians words, Annal. 16.) was taken in, amongst few, to the familiari∣ty of Nero; who thought nothing pleasant or sweet, but what Petronius approved of. And according to this example, did Commodus and Heliogabalus, confer all the dignities of the Empire upon men for lust and licencious∣ness, most like unto themselves.

Mutianus was not beloved by Vespasian so much for his fidelity, duty, and the merit of his passed services; as that, because he was more dexterous then others, in feeding his avarice. To Isacius Angelus, who after the death of Theodorus, got the Empire; the same avarice endeared a certain Boy, who though he scarce knew how to write, kept the Accounts of his Exohequer, out of hope onely of sharing in the Bribes, which were given him largely, from all those that used his assistance.

Manuel Comnenus, also Emperor, seeking some rough exactor and crafty raiser of his Tributes, that might supply his prodigality with money, chose John Pucius, a rude un∣sufferable man, difficult of access, and in∣tolerable harsh.

Whose language, and his looks did well His nature and his office tell.

And not content with this, lifted him up to that Authority, that he did not onely excel all others in dignity, but also would dare to violate the Edicts of the Prince, and Or∣ders of the Senate; abrogating, under pre∣tence of encreasing the Treasury, some of the greatest and most necessary Offices of the Empire: Such as was the Commander of the Gallies, the chief strength and defence of that Imperial Monarchy.