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 LXXVII.

PIso's Oration was modest and civil; nor did he want the Fa∣vour of the Father's; many out of pure good will and affection; more vehemently they that least desired it; the Middle sort, and the Moderate party were the most, all meditating private Interest, while obviously ob∣sequious without Care of the Public.

Says D'Ablancourt; Piso's Oration was very modest, and receiv'd with applause by the Flattery of some, and the Affection of others. They who had the least desire, testi∣fy'd the most, and every one suffer'd himself to be busy'd by his particular Interest, without any Care of the Republic.

A new Prince always occasions the growth of new Interests, new Expecta∣tions, and new Sycophants. And Flat∣tery was the more excessive toward Piso, while every one believ'd that Sycophan∣try could not choose but be acceptable to

a Person who had always been the Mark of Adverse Fortune. For there is nothing so lulling to the Sences, as to be Flatter'd, Caress'd and Honour'd, after a Man has been a long time Unfortunate. And for that reason it was that Galba, putting him in mind of his former condition, Hi∣therto (said he) thou hast only experimented the Cruelties of Fortune; now she begins to look upon thee with a favourable Eye: How∣ever be sure to stand upon thy Guard, for it is more easie constantly to undergo Adversity, as thou hast done, then to resist Allurements of Prosperity, so ingenious in depraving our In∣clinations. 'Tis not to be question'd but that thou art a Person of great Vertue, but if once thou giv'st admision to Flattery, she will soon impair thy Vertue. These and such like were Galba's Expressions (says Tacitus) to Piso, as to a Private Person, whom he was about to make an Absolute Prince, but all the rest he spoke as to a Prince al∣ready Enthron'd. To let us understand that Galba spoke to the Person of the Prince, whereas Sycophants make their Addresses only to his Fortune: That the first Ad∣monish'd him, as a Father and a Prince; but that others Flatter'd him, as the Per∣son that already was their Lord and Ma∣ster: That Subjects are only capable of

Flattery, because they only seek to please; whereas the Prince who makes his Choice of a Successor, bespeaks him cordially and sincerely, and gives him no other then only the best of Counsel.