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. XXVI. (Book 26)

The Argument.

A Polititian may not be the Author of ambiguous Counsels: After what sort Consults of underta∣king Warre, and breaking Leagues may be insti∣tuted. How great a variety there is of those errors: for which Courtiers fall away from their reputa∣tion, and favour with the Prince.

1. FIrst also, our Polititian whom we instruct, must beware, that he be not the Author of ambiguous Counsels; the unhappy issue of these, will be imputed to the Adviser, but the prospe∣rous

successe, to the fortune and good hap of the Prince, not only by the vulgar who judge o•• all things by their event; but by the Prince him∣self; who will be glad that he hath one, on whom he may derive the Envy of unhappy Coun∣sell.

2. While Scilico was living, and after his dea••h, there was but one Argument and subject matter of wailing and complaining amongst the people, to wit, the peace which he had made with the Goths. Olympius who had procured the Ruine of Stilico, striving to be famous by contrary wayes, broke off the League of peace, Alaricus in vain objecting Right and Equity; War being begun, for sometime contrary to Augury and d••vination; he being accounted in the judgment of the vul∣gar the Author of all their Evills was at length accused by the Eunuches, who were very grati∣ous with the Emperour, and leaving the Court fled into Dalmatia.

3. When the businesse was of undertaking a Warre or breaking the League, the Ministers and furtherers in this businesse are made parties; they only bring arguments on both sides, and leave the choice of either to the arbirrement of the Prince: not with standing, if they were constrained to de∣liver their opinions they would conclude it safer to incline to peace, unless very Necessity or ma∣nifest and apparent Utility, perswaded the con∣trary.

4. Jovius, the Successor of Olympius, of whom we have spoken, wisely prosecutes the businesse: for he being more prone to War, that so he might be more necessary to the Prince, did neverthelesse

as the Politick custome of some is, prefer the love of Peace. Meeting at Rhemes to parly with Alari∣cus he sends those conditions which Alaricus had proposed to Honorius, perswading him a∣part by other Letters, to offer the command of the Armies to Alaricus, by which he might be made more equall and indifferent for other things. The Emperour denying that it was besides his bu∣sinesse to commit the ••••resse thereof to a forrain∣er, and one who was yet an Enemy, answered that he had rather consent to became tributary.

5. These Letters when Jovius had read before Alaricus, he being wroth, that himself, and his, were contemned by Honorius, broke off this uncertain web and worke of the Paction and A∣greement: Jovius returnes to Honorius, who himself being offended with the insolency of his Enemy, sweares not to have peace with Alari∣cas, and with the same Oath binds all his party. Thus Jovius by the same subtilty and craftinesse, both removes the envy of the Truce-breakings from himself, and obliges Alaricus by the restifi∣cation of his good will; whereby he would have had him been made the Tribune of Caesars Ar∣mies; but infolded Honorius in War: which thing wonderfully established the Authority and Pow∣er of Jovius.

6. There is such great variety in Histories, of those Errors and faults, for which Courtiers fall into disfavour with Princes, that no man by any diligence can so collect them all, but that when he hath quoted many, he will yet seem to have omitted more. Wherefore the most principall only being tasted, we will leave the rest to every ones industry and prudence.