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Del Despeio.
We have no word to ex∣press Despeio, the French call it Entregent, the Chapter gives a definition, and I must use the word Entregent.
THE Entregent is the Soul of every rare quality, the life of all perfection, the vi∣gour of action, the grace of words, the charm of well-born spirits, sweetly flattering the understand∣ing, and sets all expression upon the tenter hooks.
It is an enhaunsment of excellency, It is the beau∣ty of formality; Other parts adorn nature, but this improves those ador••∣ing parts, insomuch as it is the perfection of per∣fection, by a transcendent beauty, and by an univer∣sal grace.
It consists in a certain ayriness, in an unspeaka∣ble cheerfulness, aswell in words as actions, and pas∣ses even into discourse. It receivs the best advan∣tage from nature, al∣though it borrow some∣thing from observation. It was never subject to directions nor to the pre∣cept
of a superior although it were alwayes govern'd by art; when it steales a∣way the fancy, 'tis call'd an allurement; when 'tis not easily discern'd, 'tis call'd an ayriness. If it be put on by courage 'tis ani∣mosity: If out of galantry or Gentiless, 'tis a sweet∣ness of carriage, If it be done with facility 'tis ad∣dresse. All these names have been given it out of a desire and difficultie of expressing it.
They do it wrong that confound it with facility, for it leaves that far be∣hind it, and goes as far be∣fore bravery: and although
all Entregent presuppose freedome, yet it add's to perfection. If actions have any thing of splendor, the obligation is to Entregent, for that sets them to the light.
Without this the best execution is dead, and the greatest perfection unplea∣sing. Neither yet retains it somuch of the nature of accident, that sometimes it stands not for the prin∣cipall. It serves not only for ornament, but for a prop to the most impor∣tant affaires.
Wherefore if it be the soul of beauty, It is the spirit of prudence; If it be
the breath of gentilesse, it is the life of valor.
The Entregent gives asmuch Lustre to a Com∣mander in war, as his cou∣rage, and in the person of a King it parallells pru∣dence.
The freedome of En∣tregent is of no lesse use in the day of a battell, than dextrousness and valor. It makes a generall first master of himself, and then of all that are under him.
The brave assurance of that Conqueror of kings, that contender in honor with Alcides, Don Fernando d'Avalos, is ne∣ver enough magnified:
let same resound his pray∣ses upon the Theater of Pavy.
The Entregent disco∣vers animosity asmuch in him that sits on horsback, as in him that fits under a cloth of state. It add's a∣cuteness to pleading, and graces the Orator in his chair. Most Heroicall was the disengagement of that French Theseus, Henry the fourth, who by the gold∣en threed of his Entregent found a way to free him∣self out of that intricate labyrinth.
The Entregent hath no lesse influence upon the politick. And therefore
upon the credit of that spirituall Monark of the world, I come to ask this question, Whether there be not another world to govern?
He took France prisoner at Pavy bat∣tel.