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OUr Courtier ought to beware how he engages himself (though called) in the Counsel of a Proud and Violent Prince; for such as those do ask Counsel in no other sort, then as Xerxes did when he went to invade Greece: He called together the Prin∣ces of Asia, as it were to deliberate with
them about the Conduct of the War; b•••• they being come before him, he said, Le•• I should seem without your advice to a•• all things according to my own will; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have called you my Lords to Counsel: ye•• I would have you know, that I expect here from you obedient minds, and not trouble∣some debates. Cambyses, the Predecessor o•• Xerxes, being about to Marry his Sister, de∣manded of his Counsellors, whether any Law of the Persians prohibited such a Mar∣riage; They perceiving the King did no•• ask this question, so much to resolve himsel•• of any doubt, as to sound the dispositions o•• the Nobles, answered, That truly there wa•• no love that warranted expresly this tha•• the King was about to do, but there wa•• one that affirmed, that whatever the King thought fit to do, was lawful. Thus out of the Humor of the Prince, and the Nature of the affair, we must first make a judgement, whether it be fit, or safe, when he asks ou•• Counsel, to deliver freely our opinions; o•• to humor him in his inclinations.
You have Royall examples of this already, I wil now bring you one of a man, who though he were not a King, yet bore the Office of a King; not above an Age agoe in Spain: Ferdinand being dead, the Pope and Maximi∣lian the Emperor, exhorted, Charls of Austria then in Flanders to take upon him the title
of King of Spain; although his Mother Ione, Ferdinands daughter were still living, but wholly unfit for Government, by reason of her want of health. The States were here∣upon assembled, and before them Cardinal Ximenes, to excuse the novelty of the thing, discoursed excellently of the reasons of what was done. The Grandees more obser∣vant of ancient customes, and the Queen, then was fit against a King that was short∣ly to succeed of Course; Protested very ob∣stinately against it. Ximenes being angry, rises up and tels them, the thing that was trea∣ted of, was not to be called in queston; neither was there any need of their ndvice in the case: That Kings being to enter upon their Kingdoms, are not to expect the consent of their Subjects; that they who were assembled, were not called out of any necessity, but that they might have ••ccasion by the Promptitude of their suffrages to endear their Prince unto them. But since they inter∣preted that as a due, which was onely a favor, they should see that without their approbation he would proclaim King Charls at Madrid; which example all the rest of the Cities quickly followed.
Such a maner of proceeding, not onely in these cases, but in all others in a maner do Princes use; scarce asking any mans ad∣vice, but either to the end they may Coun∣tenance their own resolutions with the con∣sent
of many, or else to discover the dispo∣sition of the person they advise withal, as Tacitus witnesseth that Tiberius oft did. The Courtier must therefore sollicitously sift into the Princes Mind, lest otherwise he should chance to give offensive Counsel. If the Princes inclination in the thing debated be doubtful unto him, let him seem to discuss the matter, and so laying down arguments both for the one, and the other side, let him leave the Prince to his own election: Who (if the thing advised of, be not unalterably resolved upon already) having heard the reasons that may be brought against it, if he be discreet, will change his Minde.
Neither in this case will there be any ground for that bashfulness (of blushing, to seem so much inferior to any body, as to fol∣low their Counsel) which though it be ve∣ry hurtful and unbecoming unto them, is ve∣ry familiar amongst great men; for having said what you can, you leave the freedom of determining all to the Princes prudence, whereby you will also avoid the danger that many times Counsellors are obnoxious unto, if their advices succeed ill. And if the Prince following his first resolutions meet not with success, he will by so much the more acknowledge and esteem the prudence of that Courtier, who foresaw the approaching misfortune, when it was yet avoidable.
If you be prest to deliver your opinion in ••n unlawful matter, either seek some pre∣••ence of delay, or else intreat that some third person may be called for the better discussing of the business; whereby the case being more maturely weighed, it may appear what is most for the dignity and safety of the Prince. By this means Burrhus defeated Neroes first attempt against his Mo∣thers life; Promising that himself would kill her if she were found guilty; But since it was afforded unto every other person, a trial could not be denied unto his Mother. Whilest the ex∣aminations are taking, Nero's fury asswages, and his fears grow less, so that his determi∣nation, though it was not quite altered, yet it was laid aside to another time.
But this manner of proceeding takes not place upon all occasions, being proper only in desperate and ambiguous cases. More∣over, before we adventure upon it, we ought to know, whether the nature of the Prince is compatible with delays: for there are some so headlong and impatient, that there is no means more certain of incur∣ring their displeasure, then by using de∣lays.