when the Armies came to engage, they put themselves at the head of the Clusians, to
fight against the French, which being observed by the French, turn'd all their former hatred
to the Tuscans, upon the Romans, which was much encreased after they had sent Embassa∣dors
to complain of it at Rome, and to require that those who had committed that fault,
might be delivered up into their hands, to make satisfaction for their offence. But instead
of granting their demands, or punishing their delinquency themselves, they were created
Tribunes with Consular authority. Which coming afterwards to the Ears of the French,
finding those persons advanced, who ought rather to have been punished, they interpre∣ted
it as done in affront to them, and being enflamed with anger and disdain, they marched
directly to Rome, assaulted and took it, all but the Capitol, which hapned to them for
nothing, but that the Romans (when their Embassadors had contra jus gentium, fought
against the French) had been so far from doing them justice, that the said Embassadors
were advanced and preferred. For which reason, a Prince and Commonwealth is to
take care that no such injury be done, not only to a Nation, or Commonalty, but to any
particular person; for if a man be highly offended either by a State, or private person,
and has not the satisfaction he desires, if it be in a Republick, he ceases not to pursue his
revenge, though with the ruine of the State. If it be under a Monarchy, and he finds
himself touched in point of honour, if he has the least spark of generosity in him, he
will never be quiet till he be revenged, though with never so much prejudice to himself,
of which case we cannot have an apter and truer example, than in Philip of Macedon, the
Father of Alexander the great. Philip had in his Court a young Gentleman of very ex∣quisite
beauty called Pausanias, with whom Attalus (a great favourite of the said Phi∣lips)
was enamoured; having tempted and solicited him many times to satisfie his passion,
and found him always averse, he resolved to do that by force or surprise, which he could
not do otherwise: To this purpose he made a solemn feast, and invited Pausanias, and
several other great persons: when they had filled themselves will with their good cheer,
he caused Pausanias to be taken from the Table, and carried to a private place, and not only
satisfied his own lust, but caused him to be vitiated by several others. Pausanias com∣plained
heavily to King Philip, who having kept him for some time in hopes of doing him
justice, instead of performing, he advanced Attalus to the Government of a Province in
Greece: Which Pausanias resenting; in great anger that his adversary against whom he
had so long, and so earnestly solicited, should now be preferred, he began to turn his in∣dignation
upon the King, who had refused to right him, rather than upon the person who
had done him the wrong: Insomuch that the very morning his Daughter was married to
Alexander of Epirus, as Philip was going to the Temple to celebrate the Nuptiality with
his Son Alexander on one hand of him, and his new Son-in-Law on the other, Pausanias
assaulted and slew him. This example is much like that of the Romans, and is to be ob∣served
by any man that governs; who is never to despise any body so as not to believe but
he who is injured will revenge himself some time or other, though with never so much
danger and detriment to himself.