CHAP. XX.
Two good Princes, immediately succeeding, may do great things; and well-grounded Common-wealths having always a virtuous succession, their Con∣quests and Acquisitions must of necessity be according.
WHen Monarchy was banished by the Romans, their dangers were banished with them, and they lay under no fear of either weak Prince or Tyrant; for the com∣mand of the Empire was put into the hands of the Consuls, who came to that authority, not by inheritance, or any indirect or violent ambition, but by the suffrage of the people, and were always excellent persons. The City of Rome enjoying from time to time the benefit of their fortune and virtue, might without much difficulty arrive at the highest top of greatness and dignity, (as it did) in the same number of years as it was under the Govern∣ment of Kings. For we see in the examples of Philip of Macedon, and his Son Alexander the great, that a succession of two martial Princes (without a peaceable interposed) is sufficient to conquer the World. And if it were possible in a Monarchy, 'tis easie in a Commonwealth, in whose power it is to elect, not only two, but an infinite and continu∣ed succession of virtuous persons; so that in a well-ordered Commonwealth, the succession is constantly good.