The compleat courtier: or, The morals of the famous historian Cornelius Tacitus concerning flattery, &c. In above one hundred essays. Paraphras'd and illustrated with useful observations by the Sieur Amelo de la Houssaie and M. D'Ablancourt. Done out of French.

ESSAY. XIV.

HE nam'd Manias Lepiodus, and Junius Blesus, to choose which of the two they pleas'd to be sent Proconsul into Africa. Lepidus ex∣cus'd himself by reason of the Cra∣zie Constitution of his Body, and for that he had a Daughter ready to be Marry'd: But there was another Reason which was Conjectur'd at by all, tho' by him not so much as mention'd, which was, that Blesus was Uncle to Sejanus, and therefore assur'd of the Preferment: Blesus al∣so refus'd the Proffer, but not with that Fervency and Sincerity as the other did, nor was he so much Ap∣plauded by his Flatterers, who were also the same that flatter'd Sejanus.

D'Ablancourt says, That Lepidus ground∣ed his refusal upon his Indisposition of Body, alledging besides, that he had a Daughter to Marry; but that there was another Rea∣son

which he durst not discover; because his Rival was Ʋncle to Sejanus, and therefore would be sure to be preferr'd before him. Blesus also made a refusal; but not with half that Earnestness, nor so loudly Applauded by those that flatter'd him.

When Tiberius propos'd Lepidus and Blesus to the Senate, he propounded a Choice between Merit and Favour. Lepi∣dus was a Person of Merit, as being a Person whom Augustus had adjudg'd wor∣thy and fit to Govern the Empire. But Blesus was the Favourite, as being Uncle to Sejanus. Tiberius nam'd Lepidus in the first place, seemingly designing to give the Precedency to Merit; but he knew well, that Flattery would bequeath it to Favour. The excuses which Lepi∣dus alledg'd were receiv'd with Applause and Acclamation, as being no less grate∣ful to Tiberius, then to Sejanus and Ble∣sus. But the excuses which Blesus pro∣duc'd could not be heard; while every one knew there was a willing force de∣sign'd to engage him to acceptance. For Favour and Flattery go hand in hand to∣gether; they never part Company, at∣tended by Injustice that follows close at their Heels.