Page 396
CHAP. XXXIIII.
Of the Conditions and Qualities of Fauourites.
SVpposing that that then which hath beene said in the former Chapters, and that Kings are to haue such persons a∣bout them, who with proprietie may hold the name of friends (for such qua∣litie and condition must they be of, who possesse the bosome and soule of their Master by the communication of the greatest and most se∣cret affaires) and performe the office of Fauourites; For, al∣though it be true, that it cannot properly be said, that Kings haue friends, for that all (saue of their owne ranke) are infe∣riour vnto them; yet is it likewise true, that the holy Scrip∣ture (as we shewed you before) stiles Fauourites, friends. For the force of loue is of that great power, that it remoueth and lifteth vp things from their point and center, giuing the name of friend to a seruant and subiect.* 1.1 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum, habebit ami∣cum Regem: He that loueth purenesse of heart, for the grace of his lippes; the King shall bee his friend. Aristotle doth admit betwixt the King and his subiect, a certaine kinde of friendship, howbeit and disparitie and inequalitie bee very great, your Histories doe celebrate the friendships of great Princes, held with their particular subiects. And those which with other their equalls are called faithfull friends; with Kings, carry the name of Loyall-Subiects. Which (for that effect which wee pretend) importeth little this altering or changing of the name. That which most importeth and con∣ueneth most, is, That we giue you some notice of those qua∣lities