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. XVI. (Book 16)

The Argument.

Who those Courtiers are, which are under the degree of Nobility, and what is to be done with them first: what is to be done with enemies which hate us for our friends sakes, because offended by them.

1. THere are others in Court, who (being set below the ranck of Nobles) are either our superiors equalls or inferiours. And these are of two sorts; some more apt and ready to benefit us, others to prejudice us. The Authority and power of both is diligently to be waighed and considered, as that, which may either promote, or impede, and hinder what we affect and sue for. Their friend∣ships and affinities also are to be pondered, ne∣cessity of times requiring that we act with them, by their owne servants and followers rather then by our selves, using their Counters to reckon our Game by; at least, by them, deprecate and turne a∣way envy from us.

2. But first we must take heed, that we do not then onely seek their friendship, when we just need it; we ought to have it already prepared, and knit fast by the pledges of ancient benevolence and good will.

3. There are three sorts of those who may hurt and hinder us; for they are either such as are ene∣mies, or envious persons, or else Competitors and Emulators.

4. They who are enemies, hate us either for

our own sakes, or for some of our friends sakes who have offended them; but this last odium and hatred is for the most part lesse sharp then the o∣ther, and may be allayed, and mitigated, by some good office, whereby we may witness that we love our friends; but cannot forthwith hate all their Enemies.

5. But for the most part the friendships of Courtiers are factious, and cruell; and they will wish and advise you to abjure all familiarities which themselves envy.

6. For this cause, some openly preferring the friendship of one party, have neverthelesse not failed to imbrace the other party secretly: not that so they might to betray their friend, but in in case he should faile, provide a refuge for him.

7. Such prudence is not only happily and successfully used in Court-contests, but also in Empires. Syenneses being Vice-roy of Tarcis when the warre began between Cyrus and Artaxerxes, fearing to oppugne and fight against Cyrus, imbra∣ced his party, but sent his Son to Artaxerxes to be a refuge to his father, in case Cyrus were con∣quered.

8. Bardas Durus, having escaped from the im∣prisonment of the Saracens, seeing that Bardas Phocas was created Emperour against Basilius sought the amity of Phocas being as yet his enemy but sent his Son (feigning that he fled away a∣gainst his will) to follow Basilius, and to inter∣cede for his father in case Phocas were conquered: which also came to pass.

9. Solon when the Common-wealth discorded.

ordained that none should be permitted Adiaphory or neutrality; nor do I think that 'twas his mind that friends imbracing contrary parties should not send and return a message to a private friend; but rather that he hoped, that friends following and pursuing divers ends, would then la∣bour more greedily and happily for publique peace.

10. After the same manner in Courts, although you be of a contrary faction, yet may you keep friendship with one that is of another faction, both to the end you may have a receptacle in a changed fortune, and also that you may be the fitter to reconcile minds inclining to milder things. There is no safer nor honester means and way to ingratiate your self with either con∣tending party, amongst those discords, and contentions that arise amongst great Ones.