The accomplish'd courtier consisting of institutions and examples, by which courtiers and officers of state may square their transactions prudently, and in good order and method / by H.W. Gent.

CHAP. IX. (Book 9)

The Argument.

The suddain Motions of Princes, which are either to be pruned and taken away, or to be mod••∣rated.

HE that hath to do with such kind of Princes, ought to be skilful and expeditious in exe∣cuting subitanious and haste-requiring Com∣mands.

2. Sith that (as it oftentimes happens) we may be put to it, not to advise, but to find out a way to execute designes, if these seem to oppose both Reason and honesty, wayes are to be propo∣sed as remote and at as much distance as is possi∣ble, & such as may be wound about with the shew of Facility, or Equity, or Security: moreover it must be offered to consideration, that suddain undertakings are discriminous, and full of diffi∣culties.

3. Unlesse the Prince be hasty and impatient, I doubt not but he will follow that which he shall judge to be most facile and safe. But if (through impatience) he will not hear such coun∣sels as tend to protraction, or stay; neverthelesse, such a kind of anxiety of prudence, or affection towards the Prince may excuse him that per∣swades; who had rather things were done slowly with security then prematurely and sud∣denly with destruction to their Master.

4. But if in such precipitate Course as the

Prince shall choose, some difficulties shall oc∣cur, much more then will he perceive the pru∣dence and discretion of him, that perswaded the contrary course. If he shall give ear to those, who propound slower waies; such interstice or pau∣sing time, will administer many things, which may restrain the will and cupidity of the Prince; and himself may observe, that what he had de∣sign'd, could not have been done, or, at least, not without absurdity.

5. But oftentimes, that which the Prince propounds to himself, is brought to that passe, that even in its first rise, it may be acknowledg∣ed very difficult; but in its progresse, ••lainly unatchievable, and not to be accomplished. You may not at all animate the Prince, to undertake such things; rather with venerable silence ad∣mit, that he observe his own mind, lest while you disswade, and difficulties arise, he seek an easier way to fulfill his desire, which otherwise (spen∣ding his force amongst those obstacles) would of its own accord vanish, and be asswaged.

6. Sometimes it so falls out, that the Prince demands the execution of some wicked things, from a good man; in which case, I suppose, no man can be so well fortified with restraining reason, but that he may be sometimes tainted with such defilements, especially if opportunity, and the reason of the thing, take away all place for excuse, or substituting another to the office and administration. This course therefore was made us: of by Burrhus, when Nero consulted the killing of his mother, where no other effect followed his dissembled silence, and the strait

wherein he was, then; that a woman (though otherwise alwaies weak and impotent) should, after an injury, be more sharpened and imbit∣tered.

7. For Burrhus and Seneca being sent for, stuck for some time both doubtfull and fearfull: Tacitus, in the 14th. of his Annals, saith, They were both a long time silent, lest being provoked, and put to it, they should disswade him. After∣wards Seneca (till this time more prompt and ready) looks upon Burrhus, as if the question should be put, whether or no the murther should be committed, and put in execution by the Souldiery. Burrhus answers, That the Preto∣rians were obliged to the House of the Caesars, and (being mindfull of Germanicus) durst not act any bloody thing against his progeny. Let Anicetus fulfill his engagement. Thus Burrhus freed both himself and his Souldiers, from exe∣cuting a very great villany.

8. I confesse, thou canst not merit at the hands of such a one, whom thou employest and en∣tanglest in such commissions. But as the case stands, I think it more conducible, and of greater avail, that such as are like Anicetus, should ra∣ther execute such things, then thou.

9. Most safe it is, to foresee in ones mind and thought, the desires of a Prince; and before they break out, or take too deep root, to grub them up, or prune them.

10. There are very many, who have experi∣enced the great force and strength, of kind and flattering entreaties, and (as Parysatio called them) those silken words, which some use about

such businesses as these. But such as desire to use this kind of remedy, need be in great autho∣rity with the Prince, and to have audience from him, as one speaking (which is very rare) not more from affection, then from reason. To con∣clude, in some one or other, this course may succeed, but not in all things nor cases.

11. Their way seems best to me, who by their genius, being facetious, and apt for witty con∣ceits, and upon that account, in favour with the Prince, may represent to him the danger and turpitude, of such counsells, as the Prince is feared to encline to, by some opposite and pithy Narrative of Comedy, and such as may seem to aime at something else.

12. To this, as we have shewed, a great dex∣terity and readinesse of wit, and pleasantnesse of speech, is very requisite: And also he must take heed, lest the Prince smell out and per∣ceive, that himself is the argument of such mi∣micall discourses, or comicall representations and shews: As Tiberius, of his fratricide, and killing of his brother, in a Tragedy, composed by Scau••us, which he named Atreus; and Domi∣tian of his divorce, in that of Helvidius, concer∣ning Paris and C••no, believed themselves to be ••pbraided. To this it is also necessary, that this narration be fitly and trimly interwoven with other things, lesse squaring and agreeing with the Prince; and that which principally furthers the businesse, is, that it ought not to be incul∣cated, and repeated seriously; and yet, lest it should slip by his ear, it may be iterated by a

casuall repetition. The pleasant conceitednesse of the Narrative, makes a deeper impression of those things which are spoken, and because they appear spoken, as not studied-for, but ex tempore, and according to a present occasion and subject, they will not offend the disdainfull ears of the Prince.

13. Other waies there are of this Moderation, whereby you neither foment and bring aid to the Prince's lusts, nor in vain wrestle with them, are fetcht from Occasion, and the very nick and junctures of times; and from Accidents, such as even the approach and suddain comming in of one of the Prince's Pages or Lacquies, may pro∣duce to you.

14. If the case wholly require, that you must oppugne some one of the Prince's affections, then ought you to assail and set upon another affecti∣on, equally valid and prevalent in him, and so cause a kind of reluctancy and wrastling in the Prince's mind. And first demonstrate, and care∣fully shew, that whatever we speak, proceeds from that veneration and duty, which we owe unto him. By this means, Mutianus held Domi∣tian to his businesse, and kept him from acting that to Cerialio, which (prompted by what hope, I know not) he endeavoured to have effected.