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COntrary to the Opinions of the most experienc'd of the Cen∣turions who would have frankly gi∣ven him their Advice, might they have been Consulted. But the Fa∣vourites of Vitellius would not per∣mit 'em to come near him, besides that the Ears of the Prince were so possess'd, that all things profitable sounded harsh, and nothing would be admitted but what was Grateful and Destructive.
Says D'Ablancourt, Against the Opinion of his most Experienc'd Captains who would have given him their Advice, if he would have requir'd it: But he had been accustom'd for a long time to hear nothing but what was pleasing and prejudicial.
Sycophants understand so well to pos∣sess the Ears of the most part of unwary Princes, that in time they render 'em not much unlike Vitellius; there being very few that will endure to hear Truth spo∣ken without Offence. Therefore it was that one of the Ancients resembl'd Syco∣phants to Thieves, who when they go about to break open a House in the Night time, put out their Candles for fear of being discover'd. For the first thing that Flatterers do in the Courts of Princes, is to remove from about their Persons all Men of sharp and penetrating Appre∣hensions, though bold and able to give wholesome Advice to their Soveraigns, and discover the Artifices which they make use of, to the prejudice of the de∣luded Prince. Thus Nero became a Prey to his Flatterers, when once they re∣mov'd Burrhus and Seneca out of their way, who labour'd by consent, and made it their Business to infuse into him Senti∣ments
becomming a Vertuous and Magna∣nimous Governour.