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. V. (Book 5)

The Argument.

Whether or no, and how the affections of Princes are to be seconded and obeyed. How, and wherefore honest men, may undertake Courtship, and publick Fun∣ctions.

1. NOw that they who desire to find accep∣tance with a Prince, ought to serve him in his affections, is a thing not onely very well known, but also experienced, by the daily use of Courtiers.

2. An honest man will admire this, and sup∣pose, that by this rule, he is intercluded and shut out, from any entrance into Court, whereby he is bidden to follow the inclinations of the Prince, since they are oft-times devious and ex∣orbitant, from the path of reason and ho∣nesty.

3. I confesse, for him that would live a life al∣together innocent, and remote from the custom of those, who are addicted to evill Arts, and their own Genius, I esteem it better, that he abstain from Court, because sometimes men are there corrupted, though formerly most innocent and faultlesse.

4. Of such corruptions, let us see an example or two. Festinus, the familiar of Maximinus, in the time of Valentinian the Emperour, had go∣vern'd Asia with much renown, and fame of le∣nity and modesty, being a sharp reprehender of

the violences and cruell facts of Maximinus, and of the calumnies, by which he (for his own ad∣vantage) had circumvented many.

5. But observing, that by such doings, his Companion was made President of the Pretorian Bands, (which Dignity was second to the Empe∣rorship onely) he changed his course of life, and imitating Maximinus, did many things cruelly and unjustly.

6. John Pucius, (mentioned a little before) ad∣ministred in the affairs and treasure of Manuel the Emperour, with great integrity, whereby it came to passe, that the haughtinesse and inhu∣man actings of the Emperour, became more to∣lerable to mens minds: At length, applying his mind (as Nicetas testifieth) to the getting of wealth, fell short of none of the like Office, in covetousnesse; and became also a president to his friends to do the like, many of whom being cor∣rupted by his example, followed his steps: Others, although better, and such as could not be corrupted themselves, yet suffered others to be tainted, for fear of imminent banishment, to such as should dare to oppose themselves.

7. Aristides, just in name and deed, President to the Athenians, of their publick Exchequer, at first, of his own ingenuity, and also to discharge the office of an honest man, was carefull to hin∣der those, who were employed under him, from purloyning and robbing the Treasury. At length they accuse him of pilfering, and exclaim on him, as one of the most rapacious and ravenous thieves, that ever had been; and hardly could he escape condemnation. At length being quit, and

his Office being prorogued and suspended, he was advised to imitate others, who were his pre∣decessors; and to wink at the thefts and leger∣demains of his Colleagues. So by and by he got the name and report of a good man, by the opi∣nion and judgment of all.

8. Such courses are still taken in the Courts of most Princes, either from the malice of such, as are in chief authority, (and look up∣on honest men with disdain) or else by the im∣prudence and stupidity, of the Princes them∣selves.

9. Therefore to retain honesty in Court, is very difficult. Yet, if any one, by the exigency and necessity of his own fortune, or by the splendour and greatnesse of his birth and lineage, or dignity of Office, or by an impulsive desire to serve his Country and friends, or being called thither by the Prince, shall undergo this kind of life, he may persist therein, in my judg∣ment, although a good man; at least, may live there a while; and as opportunity serves, and occasion offers it self, not onely be serviceable to himself, but others also.

10. I speak of the Courts of most harsh and cruell Princes; for to live in the Court of a wise Prince, and one who loves honest men, is far less difficult.

11. Honest men heretofore, undertook pub∣lick functions and employments, not altoge∣ther out of desire to advance the publick, but sometimes also, that they might anticipate and prevent the entrance of evill men into such em∣ployments. For the same causes may they

also, and ought to seek accesse to Tyrants, and Princes given to volupty; that so, if not with open face, yet obliquely, and as much as in them lies, they may either impede and hinder pernici∣ous counsells, by delaying things evilly consul∣ted, objecting some difficulties to them; or ca∣sting in some more mild and plausible.

12. Burrhus and Seneca (considering those times) were accounted not onely good men, but good Courtiers, who being governours of Nero in his youthfull time, observed the ingenie and disposition of the Prince to be leight and slip∣pery, and proclive to lust; lest he should break forth, to the debauching of any of the most il∣lustrious women, granted him to love and court a free woman, whereby in time he restrained his fury, having taken for a cloak of such doings, Se∣neca Annaeus Serenus, who pretending love to her, openly bestowed those largesses, (the words are Tacitus his own, in the 13th. book of his Annalls) which the Prince secretly conferred on her. Thus a good man, not knowing how to hin∣der luxury, licentiousnesse, and perverse coun∣sells, may at least divert them, and bend them to such a course, as from whence lesse hazard may ensue, both to the publick, and the Princes same and renown.