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. XIV. (Book 14)

The Argument.

There are four kinds of great ones at Court. How the first sort ought to be honoured, observed, and entreated. How cautiously a man ought to confide in Princes, who are not very constant.

FRom the Prince's familiars, let us come to such as are great at Court, who are of divers kinds: Some are eminent, by the splendour and excellency of their birth and parentage, yet are not in intimate favour with the Prince; others very gratious with him, and yet not mounted to honours; others prevalent with him, both by honour and favour; others both flourish in his favour, and are employed in negotiations.

2. The benevolence and good will of the first sort of these, will little conduce to thy grouth in preferment, who neverthelesse are to be cour∣ted and reverenced, both for their own merits, and also because, that though they may not hurt you themselves, yet may they by their retainers and friends.

3. For men of illustrious and noble Fami∣lies, are highly esteemed, and prevail much with such, and with others, by being obliged by an old kindnesse or good turn with others, by the reverence and esteem of their greatnesse and for∣tunes, (which easily changes the Princes mind) do therefore favour them, and Retainers to their service.

4. Archilaus, King of Cappadocia, had omitted to salute and court Tiberius, when he was Agent at Rhodes, to his great prejudice and mischief; for Tiberius (having got the Empire) out of a de∣sire of revenge, pretending something more spe∣cious, commands him to be called to Rome, where the wretched man dyed an untimely death: Yet the Historian testifieth, that he omitted not that duty through pride, but being admonished by some intimate friends of Augustus, because that while Ca••us Caesar flourished, being em∣ployed in the Orientall affairs, friendships and correspondencies with Tiberius seemed un∣safe.

5. We are here to consider, that great ones of this sort of fortune, as they are oft-times im∣potent and weak in meriting, yet have strength enough to hurt you: These therefore, although they seem burdenous, and suspected to the

Prince, are to be reverenced neverthelesse; and we must make some pretext to restrain their en∣vy, lest they become our enemies.

6. If it happen, that the Prince will put thee into the hands of such, (which is usuall with Ru∣lers) as you may not refuse this kind of contest or combat, so ought it to be managed with great Art, and choice of Occasion and opportunity, that all men may see that thou actest not only by reason, but also givest satisfaction to the Prince. Such an enterprise is full of hazzard, but (if un∣dertaken, as having the Prince for its author) is the way to augmentation and encrease of fa∣vour.

7. One here acts all things, in his own name, although he have many helpers, especially such as are under the degree of Nobility; for fear, lest if they should not do so, they might offend the Prince.

8. Another adheres more closely to the Prince, by the encrease of his fame and renown, if he be prudent, choosing specious occasions, of doing laudable service to his Prince, and to the emolument and advantage of the Publick.

9. But a man must be very cautious, lest he at∣tempt any thing, that thou canst not bring to pass; for, besides that the vulgar judge all things by the event, and believes, that Right and Justice stands in the same station with Fortune, you will wonderfully weaken your fame and favour, wherewith the Prince embraced you, by sinister successe: For he, to abolish the ignominy, and because he fears, lest he should be debased in the eyes of his Subjects, and animate his adversa∣ries,

whom he in vain opposed, will be constrai∣ned to disguise and hide this authority, and the esteem he had of you.

10. Yet take heed that you believ not, that while I speak of contesting with Nobles & great ones, I would have you act any thing, or deal with them by force, since that cannot be done without tu∣mult and noise; nor that you set upon him with contumelies, and calumniations, for that's the part of men of mean fortunes, and base corrupt judgments, and their end is seldom honourable or auspicious. See how it fared with Piso, whom Tibe∣rius had sent into Syria, to restrain the hopes of Germanicus, who carried himself so insolently, that the Prince, having advanced Germanicus, was necessitated to leave Piso to publick odium and hatred.

11. When we perswade you to counterplot the designes and endeavours of great ones, and Nobles, we understand such who are unjust, and undertake something, either against the state of the Common-wealth, Religion, Justice, the go∣vernment of Armies, or publick Treasure; whom you must so meet with, and prevent, that it may appear to all good men, whom it concerns, that you are not acted therein by any private provo∣cation, but by an honest care of the Common∣wealth onely.

12. If you would have an example for your imitation, I shall name Cardinall Ximenes, who was chosen by Isabella Queen of Castile, to op∣pose the Nobility, who then were not so subject to Kingly command, as at this day. From being a Francisean Monk, he was made the Queen's Con∣fessor;

and afterwards, by the counsell of Cardi∣nall Mendoza, Arch-Bishop of Toledo; and lastly Inquisior of the faith; and acted with great Autho∣rity amongst the Spaniards, and (being the chief Commissioner in the raigne of Isabella, after that in the Raigne of Ferdinand, and at last when the Empire descended to Charles the fifth) contested so with the Nobles, that he held both Prince and people ever devoted and addicted to him.

13. It was reported that he died by Poyson, and himselfe was suspected; but the thing could never be proved, and therefore his death may be more rightly imputed to aged nature (for he was very old when he deceased). And nothing hindereth but that he may be believed to have maintained, and kept his owne fortune (which mostly he ought to himselfe and his owne endeavours) in∣tire and flourishing even to the last moment.

14. The same fortune attended not upon Cicho Simoneta, who when Franciscus Sfortia and after him Galeacius his sonne, possessed the City of Millane in Lumbardy under the widow-mo∣ther of Galeacius (who was young and under age) was set to oppose the brothers and heires, in re∣gard of his trust and prudence; and being beloved for his mannagement of affaires.

15. He, that he might preserve the Empire and Command for his pupill, thrust out the bro∣thers of Galeacius, and Robert de. Santo Severino from the citty of M••llane. But imagine what en∣vy he underwent, and also how lewdly he was soon after destituted and forsaken: for the widow-Mother returning into favour with her adversary made Simoneta the price and reward of her amity

and friendship with them; by whom being a long time detained in prison, he perished miserably tortured and quartered by them. Learne hence, how cautelously one ought to trust prīces whom you did not sufficiently know to be constant. Such will prostitute their Ministers for a leight matter, to the lust and will of their very enemies.