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. XXXVII.

The Argument.

A judgment touching the Constancy and mutations and changes of Princely love and Benevolence. Felicity inexplicable and intricate; The Court starr.

THat a Courtier may rightly judge of the con∣stancy and permanency of the Prince's good will, towards him, it is not enough that he be knowing of the Princes Genius and disposition, and the Authority and power both of his friends and foes; he ought first throughly to weigh and consider the cause, which enkindled this love of the Prince towards him. For if that which was the cause should cease in us, or be found more valid and strong in another; doubtlesse the Prin∣ces affection towards us, will altogether cool; or at least be lessened.

2. It's sometimes difficult to divine, what the cause is for which thou art beloved; and as Auso∣nius sayes, This is a felicity, the reason whereof we cannot render. But ordinarily, this love of Prin∣ces ariseth, either from a similitude and likeness

of disposition; or from the grace and comelinesse of our deportment and behaviour, or from some duty and offices performed; or some other ver∣tue and aptitude to obey their will.

3. That love, which that externall and out∣ward grace and likenesse of manners produceth; although it seeme most firme and stable, doth soonest of all wax old and decay; both because as we have said, the Genius and inclinations of men is changed according to age, and the variety and change of intervening and accidentall affaires; and also for that it is a rare thing for two such like dispositions to be found, which may not in some thing differ and disagree. Oftimes also, that con∣trary thing which they have, is more prevalent to discord and division, then the things wherein they resemble each other, are to Concord and agree∣ment.

4. Notwithstanding, I know not what starre or constellation, by an unusuall manner and way, doth so attemperate and season some men to the Prince; that he can not easily in any thing depart from, nor leave such a ones fashions and tem∣perature. And these are they, (I deny not) who reape a plentifull crop of good things before all others; especially if they know how, wittily and trimly to serve the time; and before a Tempest to furl up their sailes.