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. XXI. (Book 21)

The Argument.

How ruine is to be avoided, when it is imminent; how it may be handled. Examples of such as have fallen by their power.

1. Hitherto we have dispatched the chief pre∣cepts, which a politique man is to observe. If any remain, every ones prudence and dex∣terity may supply them. And although they serve not only to acquire and get, but also, to keep and maintain Courtly power; yet will it not be use∣lesse, to have in readinesse the examples of such who have fallen by their power and greatnesse; that we may be wise by others perils, and if we cannot shun ruine, at least we may learn to pre∣pare our selves for it. For this last is not lesse necessary then the other. Sithence he who in∣deavoureth a flight, oftimes assayeth in vain; he who prepares for a fall (inevitable to most whom fortune mounteth on high) renders it the more gentle and supportable.

2. Such chances often happen, either by our own default, or by the Arts, and devices of envi∣ous Enemies or Competitors, or by the pervers∣ness of the Princes inclination, or finally, by his death.

3. Since all mens lives are prone to lapse and repleat with errors, chiefly theirs, who live lof∣tily, and by reason of their Authority (by which they who are neer to them, are constrained to ap∣prove

all their Actions, whether good or bad) are set without, and beyond the chance of the Dice, and danger of reprehension.

4. But above all others, that's the basest treason when men rise up against their Prince, the Author of their dignity and honour, a note and charac∣ter of an ungratefull mind and unfaithfulnesse, a filthy crime, and the most just matter and subject of a Prince's Odium and indignati∣on.

5. Let such men as are advanced to great dig∣nity, fly the very shadow and appearance of this wickednesse: and for the end, let them not move the Prince to the least suspition, and let them de∣cline those honours which may seem opportune, and seasonable, by evill endeavours.

6. Paterculus adjudged Sejanus the most pru∣dent of Courtiers; and indeed he ought to have been so, who could flourish in favour un∣der that same crafty, and distrustfull Tiberi∣us.

7. In acting (saith he) he was like one asleep revengefull of nothing done to himself, and so obtaining all things, scruing himselfe into the esteem of others; calme and undisturbed in coun∣tenance and life, but restless in mind. And yet on this crafty and subtill peece had Ambition so got hold, that he aspired to the Empire. For that end first he desired intermarriage with Livia the wid∣dow of Drusus, whereby being allyed to the house of the Casars, he might the more faciliate his de∣sire. And although his request was suspected by Tiberius, as he might guesse by his tergiversation and refusall; he never yet changed his minde: but

because this succeeded not, he attempted another way.

8. He well knew that the City disdained Tibe∣rius, and therefore, while he was wavering, he eg∣geth him forward, and perswades him to betake himself to Caprcas his magnificent Tower neer Naples. Of this matter, Tacitus in the fourth of his Annals, saith thus. Least by driving away the troops which dayly came to his house, he should infringe his power, or by receiving them, give way to criminations, be bent this way, to force Tibe∣rius to live in pleasant and delightfull places, far remote from Rome. He provided many things, he held addresses and accesses in his own hands; he intercepted Letters often which were con∣veyed to and fro by the Souldiers; when as Cae∣sar growing into years, and lying quiet, and at ease in a secret place, would, he thought, ere long, trans∣mit the charge of the Empire to him with more facility. Nor did his hope altogether her deceive him, for in short space, under the shew of helping Tiberius in his old age, he got▪ almost all the strength of the Empire into his owne hands.

9. Nevertheless, that this way which Sejanus tooke had more of hazard in it then expedition, the Sequel will declare: which more exactly to commemorate will be a worke well worthy our labour, to the end that both our Courtiers may be better cautionated, in ruling and governing their own fortunes; and Princes in promoting of others.

10. Sejanus was either more indeered unto, or more endured by Tiberius, when he found his help

usefull in repressing Agrippina, and her sons Ne∣ro and Drusus. In which villany, Sejanus shewed himself very prompt and ready, knowing that thereby he should not only hoise up sayle, and have a speedy voyage to the Prince's favour, but also establish his hopes for future power and greatness, there being none remaining of Caesar's house but those two youths; whose tender Age, if they had accepted the chief Regiment and Government, had left to him the Authority and mannagement of affairs, till opportunity would serve him, to usurpe and possess the Supream style and Title.

11. But observe how precipitate and heady Am∣bition makes men! He sees not by that how much the neerer he was to the height, by so much the more was he suspected by the diffidency of the Prince; and that the course he takes would ra∣ther diminish him, then further his progresse. He hunts counter; for when nothing, save the name of Emperour (which yet many were ready to af∣ford him) and the power of a Triune, (which title being the top and Pinacle of Honour and dignity, the Emperours did challenge as due soly to themselves) was wanting to him; not content therewith, he strives to exaggerate and heape up his power, to a greater bulke and breadth; And by this (as he renders himself venerable to all, so) he brought himself under suspect with Tiberius.

12. He therefore, when he perceived that not only the Praetorian bands, but many of the Sena∣tors and Principall Families, (partly by benefits and hope, and partly by fear) were addicted and

devoted to Sejanus; and that his own secrets were carried, and disclosed by his own domesticks to Sejanus, and the like not done to him of the matters of Sejanus; by and by, plotted and con∣trived his ruine and destruction, as of an Emula∣tor, and one contending to outvie him. But be∣fore he would set upon any action, thought fit to try how some stood affected towards him, that so he might distinguish from the rest, who would approve his designe and advise him in it.

13. And lest Sejanus should smell out Cae∣sars intention, he makes him a Consul, and in his presence, and also by Letters to the Statesmen and people, styles him his friend in Labours; at length feigneth himself sick, that so he might sound the affection of Sejanns, and others towards him.

14. Sometimes he writes to the Senate more cheerfully of his health, and that he would come shortly into the City. Sometimes commends and applaudes Sejanus; another while depresseth him▪ receiving some upon his recommendation; spurning at others, that so he might keep him ambiguous, and doubtfull betwixt hope and fear.

15. Who, (whether yet imboldned by favour, or out of fear) determines to act nothing forci∣bly, lest he should hazard all his hopes, hoping that his petty trespasses against the Prince (if any were) would in time be raced and blotted out of memory. Some, mean while hitherto follow∣ing rather Sejanus his fortune then himself, seeing the mutability of Tiberius, begin to act more cau∣tiously

the affection of others towards him by lit∣tle and little, withers and growes ••••ale.

16. Tiberius, having a good while since taken a clear prospect of the proud and lofty mind of Sejanus; and also mistrusting, lest his designe, be∣ing stirred up by contempt, should be frustrated, by running the hazard of fortune and chance, commanded, it should be noised abroad, that he intended to deliver over the Tribunician power and authority to Sejanus. A little while after, by Letters to the Senate, which were car∣ried by Macro, (who was Provost of the Pretorian Bands) he commands him to be committed to prison. Macro having entred the City, before day, acquainted first Memmius Regulus, then a Consul, (for the other Consul was more incli∣ned to Sejanus) with the Prince's mandat, which afterwards he shewes to Grecinus Laco, then Captain of the Watch. From thence going to∣wards the Senate-house, he accidentally acco∣steth Sejanus, who being troubled in his thoughts, enquires whether he had any Letters for him from Tiberius: He whispereth him in the ear, that by and by he must be saluted a Tribune; who be∣ing tickled with secret joy, enters the Court. Macro dismisses the Pretorian Attendants, shews by Letters, that it is the Emperours pleasure it should be so, and that thereby they are promised a donative. Macro having ordained Laco's Band to the Pretorian Attendants, who were now dis∣missed, entring the Senate-house, offers the Let∣ters; and anon, (not expecting the reading of them) charges Laco diligently to watch, lest Se∣janus breaking out of the Court, should raise a

tumult, himself going to the Pretorian Atten∣dants, and prohibites them from attempting any thing.

17. The Letters which were then read being somewhat large, afforded Macro time enough, to provide necessaries, and were wonderfully inter∣laced and contrived. In the beginning, not a word of Sejanus, but of other matters; by and by hee's nipt, but very lightly; after this, (some o∣ther things being interwoven) followes a high accusation; and yet but perfunctorily and sleight∣ly touched. At length, (after many digressions about the publick affairs) two of Sejanus his fa∣miliars are nominated, whom the Senate are commanded to animadvert and consider, with this addition, that he himself should be appre∣hended; no mention was made of any course to be taken for his death, that so, hopes might be left to the accused, to purge him of the crimes, which were therefore objected but as leight matters.

18. The Letters being read, many of those who had brought him into the Senate-house, (when they perceived the businesse to be far otherwise, then that Sejanus should receive the power of a Tribune) began to rise up, and encompassed Se∣janus, lest he should slink away, which was thought he would have done, if the beginning of the Letters had thundred more sharply against him. But contemning those petty and sleight nips and twinges, he stirrs not from his place; and being called upon twice or thrice by Mem∣mi••s the Consul, he scarcely submitted; so inso∣lent and haughty was he grown.

19. When he was risen up, Laco first followes him; afterwards Regulus, accompanied with other of the Senators, brought him out of the Court into the Prison, where afterwards he was condemned by the Senate, ad scalas Gemonias, which was a place appointed, from whence con∣demned men were thrown down.

20. Behold here the end and destruction of a Courtier, who had scarce his peer within the me∣mory of man, for craftinesse and power; whose structure and building, although as to the whole, and continuance of it, seems to be due to Tiberi∣us, yet may rather be ascribed to the destiny of such power, as commonly, by reason of its own heap and bignesse, falls so much the lower, by how much the higher and loftier it thrusts up it self; according to that saying, Tolluntur in altum & lapsu gravioreruant.

21. This may be learnt from the example of Peren∣nius, whom (striving to get up to this height by Seianus his Arts and devices) Commod••s, al∣though farre inferiour to Tiberius in ingenuity and witt, subverted and overthrew.

22. Perhaps these relations may not move ma∣ny men, because they seeme to themselves to bee wiser then others, and to know some things which was unknown to those whose chances are here related; And truly, there have been some in these latter Ages, to whom this businesse hath succeeded not altogether so unhappily, such as Boyla was, (of whom we may reade in the History of Constantinople) who being found to have con∣spired against Constantine, Monomachus the Empe∣rour, suffered not such exquisite, and heavy pu∣nishment

as others in like cases had done, because he fell into the hands of a mild and placable Prince.

23. But we are willing here briefly to recite that story, from which may be understood, That Coun∣sells even the most secret, and such as to humane eyes are not passable, oftimes by divine Provi∣dence, and even by unhoped for meanes are de∣tected and discovered, and cannot avoid their pu∣nishment, although handled with never so much craftinesse and subtilty.

24. No mortall could have beleeved, that this Boyla had had, either aptitude and fitnes, or sub∣sequent cause for such a villany. The greatnesse of the benefits wherewith hee had adorned and beautified him, had wrought an opinion in the Prince of his fidelity, for otherwise he seemed simple to any great matters; for he was not only borne in a low and meane place, but also was of such a buffling, sumbling, and cumbred speech, that he could scarce be understood, and when he perceived that it delighted the Emperor, he afterwards industriously affected it.

25. By this assentation and soothing, he so far insinuated into the Prince's familiarity, that he had admittance even to the privy, and bed-cham∣ber of Constantine. At length, being enriched by the Prince, and elected into the number of the Senators, he began to shute out his hopes to a higher flight, and went so far, that he thought, by the ruine and destruction of the Prince, he might find a way to the Scepter it self. He first opens himself to those, whom he knew were offended with the Prince, and promiseth largely to those,

who approve and associate their aids, commen∣ding the refusers for their good-will to their Prince, and made shew, as if he were but an ex∣plorator, and private spy, to try their faithfulness and loyalty.

26. While these things were in agitation, he shunned the conscience of all men, save those whom he feared not; and had done the bloody act, had he not been discovered by one of his own comerades and counsellors, and by his art depre∣hended, having the very weapon in his hand, which he had sharpned to kill the Prince withall. The Emperour bore the injury so mildly, that he accounted it enough, that some of the conspira∣tors were put to death; but the Ring-leader and Captain he onely banished.

27. It would be too tedious, to bring in here all those, who in Courts have been shipwrackt; such, I say, as by such offences have merited pu∣nishment; and which have hepned, not onely to the manifest authors of such wickednesse, but even to such, as have been suspected of the thoughts thereof. But we'l content our selves, with producing these, and onely add this, That all Pride, whether it offend the Prince by ambition, or boasting, upbraiding, malediction, or revile∣ing; by splendour, or too great a retinue, is the high road to destruction and ruine.