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 XXX.

LEpidus for the most part, devi∣ated for the better, from the severe Adulations of others; and yet he carry'd himself so exactly poys'd that he flourish'd under Tibe∣rius with an equal share of Autho∣rity and his Princes Favour. So that I am constrain'd to doubt whi∣ther the Inclination of Princes to some, and their Aversion to others, be not guided as many other things are by fate and the ruling Con∣stellations at our Birth: And whi∣ther it be in our power to walk in a Path free from Ambition and Dan-

between untractable Contumacy, and deformed Servility.

Says D'Ablancourt, Many times he al∣lay'd the over-rigorous advice of others, not failing nevertheless in his Respect to his Prince, and by that means preserv'd two things most difficult to be preserv'd; the Ho∣nour of his Employment, and his Majesties Favour. Which makes me frequently doubt whither the Favour of Great Men, and their Hatred, be not rather the effects of Destiny, and the Stars that governour Nativities, as are all other Accidents that happen in the World, then of Human Prudence, that so much pretends to have a share therein.

The Moderation of Lepidus, is a re∣markable Testimony, that rhere may be some great Personages, impenetrable to Flattery and Injustice under the Domini∣on even of the most wicked Princes, and that there never was any Age so barren of Vertuous Courage, but has offer'd us Examples of such a noble Generosity. Prudence understands to choose out such a way that leads neither to the Precipice of Liberty, nor the Abyss of Servitude. She is neither Libertine nor Slave, but observes an equal Temper, so as neither

to be offensive to Majesty nor Justice. Sh•• gives to Caesar, that which belongs to Caesar; that is to say, Obedience and Duty: To God, that which is Gods, or whatever is required by a sincere Consci∣ence. If at any time she Flatters, (for she cannot always avoid it) she makes use of such a sort of Flattery, that ra∣ther informs then misleads the Prince, and serves as an Incitement to provoke him to some Generous Act, which other∣wise perhaps he might not think of. For example, Lepidus to save the Life of Lutorius Priscus, whom Haterius Agrippa had sentenc'd to Death, for a certain Elegie made upon Drusus, makes it his business to applaud the Moderation of Tiberius; telling him, That after he had several times heard him complain of those that had prevented his Clemency, he could not believe so just a Prince would ever confirm so rigorous a Sentence. In short, when Ti∣berius, (who was then in the Country) understood that Drusus was Executed, he blam'd the Senate, tho' the Reprimand were very gentle, and commended the Prudence of Lepidus, tho' on the other side, he did not rebuke Agrippa for his severity. Now it is certain, that if Pris∣cus had been repreiv'd, Tiberius would

never have taken away his Life, Lepidus so well understood to make him sensible of Honour.

In Nero's time, the President was quite the contrary. For the Pretor, Antistius, who had made a bloody Lampoon against him, was sav'd by Thrasea, who after he had spoken of Nero, as it is Customary to speak of a good Prince, and had bit∣terly enveigh'd against the Insolence of the Pretor, further added that the cruelty of preceding Reigns was out of date; that without putting the Criminal to those Torments which he deserv'd, he might be Punish'd in such a manner, that he should have no reason to object against his Judges; and lastly, That his Life would be a solemn Testimonial of Pub∣lic Clemency. This Advice was no less prudent nor less respectful, then that of Lepidus; but it was as ill receiv'd by Nero, as the other was well receiv'd by Tiberius. Thrasea incurr'd the Hatred of Nero, and in a few years after lost his Life, for having sav'd Antistius, whom the Prince would fain have put to death. Tiberius and Nero, resembl'd each other in Cruelty; Lepidus and Thrasea were Competitors in Vertue, Priscus and An∣tistius equall'd each other in Arrogance

and Sawciness; for the one had the va∣nity to repeat his Elegy to a company of Ladies, and the other to read his Lam∣poon at a Public Feast. Thrasea pleaded for Antistius, as Lepidus had done for Priscus; and yet that which made for Le∣pidus's Honour, turn'd to the perdition of Thrasea. And thus you see the diffe∣rent effects of that Fatality, which Taci∣tus attributes to that same natural Incli∣nation which Princes have for some, and that natural Antipathy which they have for others. But if we more narrowly pry into the real Character of Lepidus, and Thrasea's Genius, we shall easily per∣ceive, that tho' they were both highly Prudent, and equally averse to Flattery, yet there was a Remarkable difference between 'em; for assur'dly, Lepidus was the more prudent of the two. Lepidus was Feasible and Complaisant, yet without any thing of low-spirited Meanness, or abject Condescention: Thrasea prided himself altogether in his Stedfastness and Constancy. Lepidus shap'd himself ac∣cording to the Times he was born in, and the Humour of the Reigning Prince, as it is the duty of every good Subject so to do. Thrasea was a little too obstinate and hardy in what he thought Just and

Reasonable, which occasion'd that saying of Nero, That he wish'd Thrasea lov'd but him, as well as he did Justice. The latter was the better Man, the other the better Subject. By which Parallel it is apparent, that Prudence has a great share in the Conduct of Human Affairs, and that the Favour and Aversion of Princes, are not always the Effects of their Fancies.