Proteus redivivus, or, The art of wheedling or insinuation obtain'd by general conversation and extracted from the several humours, inclinations, and passions of both sexes, respecting their several ages, and suiting each profession or occupation / collected and methodized by the author of the first part of the English rogue.

Of ANGER.

THere are few errors which men commit, but have their excuses attending them, and perrsist in the disorders, not only for the esteem they place upon them, but like wise for the Rati∣onality which seems to back, and justify them: thus the Angry, and Cholerick prosecutes his re∣venge, because it is sweet in the exceution, though bitter afterwards, and he thinks it both Reason and Justice to right himself when wrong'd: the Incontinent excuse themselves upon their weakness, and call their continual active Leache∣ry, an Infirmity. Detractors have their pretences too, for what opprobriums, and calumnies they utter against others: now Revenge and Choler, believing themselves to be grounded upon Reason, demean themselves insolently, and would per∣swade us that all their excursions are as just, as couragious and valiant: This he confidently be∣lieves, and he cannot be his friend that disswades him out of that opinion; he hugs himself in it, and our Wheedle comes, and embraceth them both therein; there is no way for him to bring about his end, but floating with him in that Torrent, which is to no boot to oppose; for it bears down all before it. He subtlely insinuates into his Ear the gallantry, and legality of this un∣just passion: because it is used, and too too much

practised, among Great Ones: he tells him fur∣ther, that it cannot but be noble and generous; be∣cause it frequently dwels in the Breasts of Dukes, Earls, Kings, and Emperours; and then slily commends Alexander, for being so Passionate, and revengful, as not to spare his dearest friends when in his wrath, and imputes all his Victories to that rash Passion; inferring further, that though some condemn him for rashness, yet none can deny, but that he was fortunate in it: these things so tickle that humour, which he can't but follow, that no man pleaseth him more than he that sug∣gests them.

Such like flatteries, and insinuations with great Men make them require from their Inferiours such shameful obsequiousness to their inordi∣nate desires, that they become offended with a just liberty among their Equals. They take good advice for neglect, and rational Counsels for an undermining of their Authority. Fortune hath made them so tender, as Suspitions serve them for proofs to condemn the Innocent. O what excellent work doth the Wheedle make with such a Person; he knows that the truth is odious to him, and he cannot bear with fidelity in his Domesticks; he will not swallow down a Truth unless corrupted, which the Wheedle prepares according to his fancy; and the temper of his mind is so low, and weak, that sincerity in a servant is

able to offend him; for he thinks there is some design against his Honour, when his faults are reprehended, and though it be done in the most circumspect and mildest manner imaginable, yet it is always taken by him for an injury, or affront. To please him in the removal of these faithful Tel-troths, and to serve himself in his future de∣signs, the Wheedle inveighs against them, accu∣seth them of sauciness, ambition, indiscretion, and what not, till he hath rooted them out of the family, in whose places he introduceth flattering insinuating Rascals, who will say, and swear any thing, and are more his Creatures, than their Ma∣sters: thus working on that Choler, which trans∣ports him, he makes him know (it may be when it is too late) that his Greatness, is meet Weak∣ness, and that at length the Man's the Master.

Here by the way, give me leave to tell how the She Wheedle operates, and kneads this Passion, (where know that there are as many female Whee∣dles in their several Functions, and Occupation as Male.)

When she meets with any, who subject them∣selves to her power, and patiently suffer them∣selves to be born away by her motions, she then takes the liberty, and freedom to fly at all, and believes she may promise her self any thing from a Slave, who can refuse her nothing: If she pos∣sess the Soul of a Great Man, or a Man of a great

Estate, who hath neither Resolution nor Courage sufficient to defend himself against her Tyranny, she makes use of the weakness of his mind and the strength of his purse, to execute her designs; the subtlety of her wit penetrates the grossness of his, and makes the Dung-hill of his little understand∣ing manure and fatten her barren Land, and seiz∣ing on his head, she takes Possession of the whole man, and converts him and his appurtenances (as much as she can) to her own proper use and benefit.

Much more might be spoken of such like in∣trigues, which I relate not, as I approve, or would have any imitate the Wheedles endeavours, but condemn their designs; for if he that commits a fault is not innocent, he that provokes one to it, must be faulty; the one commences the Crime, and the other finishes it, and both are alike guilty: the one makes a Challenge (as in this case) and the other Accepts it; the second is not more just, than the first, save that the injury he hath receiv∣ed serves for a pretence to another.