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

CHAP. 7.

Whom, when, and how we ought to flat∣ter; the nature of a free and tolerable flattery, and the necessity of it in Court.

THough it be inconsistent with the strictest rules of Morality and Vertue, yet of necessity, if you live in Court, you must sometimes so flatter the Prince as may gain him unto you. But all maner of flattery is not tolerable, a base and servile one was displeasing even to Tiberius himself, of whom it is written by Tacitus, Annal. 3. that go∣ing out of the Senate he was once heard to say of those flattering Senators in Greek; O men born to slavery. There are circum∣stances wherein flattery used, is as prejudici∣all, as when it is wholly omitted; For it happens often, that he whom we flatter too grosly, suspects deceipt. It is requisite still that flattery have something of truth, and some show of liberty mixed with it, (it is the opinion of Aeschines and Plutarch) whereby we may perswade not onely the Prince, that we speak heartily, and as we think, but others also, and so preserve our Credit.

Craesus, who whilest he was a King him∣self, had learnt well the humor of Kings, and what would either please or displease them: When upon a time Cambyses, King of the Per∣sians, demanded of those that were about him, What they thought of him in Comparison of his Father Cyrus: They all affirmed, That he was greater then Cyrus, as who unto his Fathers Kingdoms had added Egypt, and the dominion of the Sea. When Craesus (then a Captive) came to speak, he affirmed, That he was much inferior to his Father, by reason that he had as yet begotten none equal to himself. This answer had some taste of freedom, and therfore was more pleasing to Cambyses vanity, then all the rest had said.

That flattery is very notable of Valerius Messala, recorded by Tacitus Annal. 1. Messa∣la Valerius added, That it was convenient the Oath of Allegiance should every yeer be renewed in Tiberius name; who being demanded by Ti∣berius, whether he had any commandment from him to give that advice, he answered, That he spoke it of his own accord; and that in what concernd the Common-wealth, he would use no mans advice but his own, whatever the offence or danger were: Which was a wonderful un∣practised kinde of flattery.

Like unto this, is that which the same Author relates of Ateius Capito, Annal. 3. Lu∣cius Ennius, a Gentleman of Rome, was accused

of Treason for melting the Image of the Prince, and making it into Plate; Caesar commanded he should not be prosecuted for it: Ateius Ca∣pito, openly complained with a seeming liberty, that the power of determining in such a case ought not to be taken from the Senate, nor so great a Crime pass unpunished; and that he was slow in resenting his own, least he should also punish an injury done to the Common-wealth. It were easie to bring more examples of this kinde, but these are sufficient to instruct those up∣on whom there is imposed a necessity of flattering, that they may take heed, lest their flattery bring upon themselves, or o∣thers, any Private or Publick damage; it is sufficient that it be such as may sometimes satisfie thy Princes vanity.