Aretina; or, The serious romance Written originally in English. Part first.

The Third Book.

THe next morning Megistus went to to tender his respects to Monanthro∣pus, and at his entry, told him, That it was not too little, but rather too much respect, which had estranged him so from waiting upon his Lordship at his chamber all this while; and that he shunned much to be so sacrilegious, as to rob he State of those hours which would be spent in its service, if they were not mispent by such trifling visits as his were. After this they discoursed of present affairs, and after these, Monanthropus entrea∣ted Megistus to walk some time in the garden, and there to continue the story of the Lacede∣monian War, which Megistus at his entreaty commenced thus.

My Lord, I will not trouble your attention, in making it trace all the tracts of fortunes wheel in that Commonwealth, whose reelings were so many, that it appears she intended to shew the world how often she could turn in a short space; Those who stuck upon her, were in her Circumgirations crusht to pieces, only

those were preserved, who▪ foreseeing her in∣constancy, did leap off, exchangeing necessary ruine with a voluntary fall: and albeit their story resembles your Nilus, the sources of both being unknown; yet I shall acquaint your Lordship with those mysteries which time hath now unmasked: for, albeit Statesmen often gild their greatest cheats with specious pre∣texts, yet time at last wears out that gilding, and then all things appear in their true colours: and as from gray-haired men, so from gray-haired stories, truth is often best learned; Wherefore my Lord, please to know, that La∣cedemon and Athens were enemies as vindictive as old, till at last by the marriage of the King of Lacedemons daughter, with the King of Athens son, the Crowns were both molten in one; or rather the one lined with the other, (the gods making often friendship and amity, the eldest son of such marriages) After Sophus his succession to the Crown of Lacedemon (for he was an Athenian born) he enobled many in Lacedemon, both fearing lest he should lose ma∣ny friends, if these many pretenders losed their suits; as also, because in making them Nobles, he made them friends; and that those who had gotten patents from him, would imploy both their estates and patents for him; knowing that if he fell, their honour behoved to fall

with him: There were others who alleaged, that he intended to make the Nobility lesse powerfull, by making them more numerous; and by dividing this great torrent of popular command in many chanels, he made it foorda∣ble for his wit, even where it was deepest: for, as it is hard to gain one of ten, so it is easie to gain one of twenty: and those plots which might easily have been concealed amongst the Noblemen if they had been few, were easily learned from them when they were many; and forreign Princes, who intend to invade the Countries, may easily gain one Grandee, (who being one of few, might be formidable to his own Prince, and most helpfull to his enemie) whereas it was difficult to gain many, and they were not very dangerous when they were gai∣ned: yet whatever was the reason which did instigate this wise Prince to this, certain it is, that this obfuscated much the resplendent rays of Honour and Nobility; for Nobilities great priviledges, being preference amongst them∣selves, and respect from the people, their pre∣ference must be the lesse worthy, by how much the moe competitors they have; and their respect from the people must be the ebber, that the people is obliged to divide it amongst ma∣nie: This wise Prince likewise, finding what great influence the Priests of that Nation had

upon the people, and perpending how hard (if not impossible) it was for a Prince to gain all their affections, or retain them, when once gai∣ned; resolved to chuse some few to govern the rest, by whom he might govern the others at his pleasure; and to whom he might intimate his thoughts without trouble or fear of disco∣very; and by whom he might antidote the factions, which he foresaw either their own pride, or the factious Nobility might hatch amongst them; as also, that thereby the sons of Noblemen, and possibly his own friends, might have some void Charges and Offices, whereto they might pretend; and wherein be∣ing once installed, they might evidence more loyalty to him, than strangers would do: as also, that the Nobility might be counterpoised and might not share alone in all the Offices of State, in whose hands they were more dange∣rous than in the hands of Ecclesiasticks, whose revenues were not great, nor whose vassals and kinsmen were not numerous: these the other Ecclesiasticks grudged infinitly, not so much be∣cause they thought their promotion illegal, as angry because they were not promoted them∣selves, ambition perswading the soberest amongst them, that the higher they were, they would be the nearer to heaven. Many judged likewise, that he was most ill satisfied

with the Lacedemonian Senate, which was composed ordinarily of the wittiest and turbu∣lentest persons in the Nation, and intended of∣ten to have each City choose, as their Repre∣sentative, some Residenter, who might under∣stand best the necessities of his Town, and would nible lesse at the Royal Prerogative; whereas Lawyers, and others, being often com∣missionated by them, dipped too much in what belonged to the King, and too little in what concerned the place represented by them; and in Athens when it was tabled, whether each County and Town should be licentiate to chuse any they looked upon as fittest, it was con∣cluded by the Nobles there that this choaked their interest; for, if they should be permitted to chuse the Lawyers or Wits of the Nation, the Nobles should be topped by them in all de∣bates, and upon all occasions.

He likewise was most unsatisfied, with the dependences of the Tribes of that Nation up∣on their own Families, and upon the Princes thereof; to whom the King in their affection was but second; for he esteemed these, the storehouses of faction and nurseries of oppres∣sion; none daring either follow the Royall Standard, except under their conduct; nor daring countenance a stranger if not in bloud or affinity with them: and as that wise Prince

often said, these could not be properly thought his subjects, who were so much in subjection to others, nor could not imploy both their hands in upholding the Throne, the one whereof was busied in paling up the Prince of their own Fa∣mily; and so by dividing their hearts betwixt their Prince and him, they made them unser∣viceable for either,

These seemed but dwarf discontentments, when placed beside that gyant prejudice, which was conceived against him, because of his irre∣gular and monster-like affection to Phratus his Minion; who enhanced all the Royal favour, as due to none but to himself; whose mean extraction, when collationed with his top-high preferment, seemed insufferable to those of higher birth, and lower fortunes; but these adverted not, who seing no familiarity nor inti∣macy can be, betwixt those amongst whom there is no equality; that therefore Princes must advance some one above all the rest, to whom he may communicate, and in whose breasts he may pour out his greatest secrets, that so he may not be vexed alwayes, in bow∣ing down to speak to them, or to hear what they would speak to him; and customarily Princes pile out those, whose birth cannot oc∣casion any fears that they will entertain any nimious pretences: These Favourites are the

skreens which defend Kings from popular ma∣lice, and the pack-horses upon whom all enmi∣ty and miscarriages are laid; and their ruine is often the main article of pacification betwixt the King and Subject▪ who to repay their ma∣ny taxations and losses, seek no other requital than their destruction; and whom Princes themselves often suffer, like spunges, to suck in treasure from the people, knowing that when they are filled by them, they will devour lesse of what pertains to the publick cash; as also, that they may wring them when they are full, and so be thanked by the people, for retaking that treasure from the Favourite, which if they had immediatly taken from themselves, they had been most bitterly exclaimed against: this Gentl••man was but meanly born, and ascended to honours parlour, rather by the back-stairs of private affection, than by the publ••ck entry of merit; and ordinarily those thrive best, for all the difficulty of agrandizing ones self at Court, is at the first entry; and commonly those who are well descended, have all the bars of difficul∣ty laid in their way by their competing equals; and many to pull them down, whilst they are mounting, whereas many persons mount these stairs undiscoveredly, without being once leted: Yea, oft-times they imp themselves in some Noblemans train, who in flying high drawes

them after him: Another great mean of his advancement, was his favour amongst the La∣dies, who are more prodigal of their encomions, to those whom they affect than are their wary husbands; and whose sex and charms procure often both countenance and respect, to those whom they once honour with the title of their Favourite; non daring offend such, lest they should be forced to take up the cudgel of en∣mity against a Lady; and all being most ready to signifie their respect to these Ladies in the persons of their Favorite, seing most want the means of engaging themselves: from this grain of mustard-seed did grow up that large stalk, whose fruits did thereafter so bite the mouths of all the Nation, and by this sparkle was kindled that great fire, which did thereafter both scorch his enemies, and warm his friends; and whose flames were the only lights which shew Courtiers the way to preferment. Yet the people ceased not to cry out against him, as the Canicular Star, which made the influence of Court so noxious; all the dayes of his reign being their dogg-dayes; his prodigality was called the occasion of the many taxations, and his pride the reason why all others were dis∣graced: which a zealous friend to his Majesty did one day thus remonstrate to him.

Sir, it is not your own, but your Favourits

prodigality which uncoffereth your treasury; for, all Kings that ever reigned in Lacedemon, have successively lived at the same rate that ye live, yet have their treasuries often grown fat∣ter, whereas yours becomes daily more lean: but the reason why one King spends more than another, is, because their Minions are more or lesse profuse; for, when a King chuseth for his Favourit a lame wit, which needs silver stilts to uphold him, then is the treasure impoverished; he feareth all, and so must bribe many; and his intelligence (I mean not for his Princes maintenance, but for his own) must be main∣tained at the publick charge; as also, the fre∣quency of your Majesties Nobles at Court, is one of the moths which consumes this poor Nation; for, luxury having made lean their purses in an instant, they must be privatly inter∣larded with publick treasure, and the carcase of some Pension or Monopolie, must be pre∣sently thrown to them to feed upon: neither is this the only inconvenience which ensueth upon their constant attendance at Court, for they must, when there, contend with one ano∣ther, whose train shall prove most sumptuous, and so like two stones knocking against one an∣other, both must necessarily lose some of their substance; it is at Court that all their jarring•• are commenced amongst themselves, and it is

there that their plots are hatched against the publick interest; and as a body whilst it is in health, is still amassing humours, which will certainly one day give life to some disease; So your Majesty may expect that their frequent meetings here, will one day occasion some War, which neither ye nor they will be able to quench; their stay at Court occasioneth the misgovernment of their estates at home (it being the masters eye that makes the horse fat) and what was formerly spent at home in hospi∣tality, is now spent at Court in luxury: they bring alongst with them the sons of the Gen∣try, and these return back to their Countrey fraughted with vice and vanity; and so the mony which the poor country men buy with their sweat, must be sold for silks and spices; and we must give forreigners things that are necessary, returning nothing but what is super∣fluous; and by this your enemies War is main∣tained against you with your own money, and your Natives unable themselves to war for you because of their e••••eminate imployments, which they now use: Wherefore it is the wish of all your Subjects, that you would command all your Nobles home till they be called-for, and so pull from them those firebrands of vice and luxury, whereby they enflame the Nation.

That which heightned the popular fury, was,

that he never courted their favour, holding it as a maxime, That seing that which made Sub∣jects formidable to their Prince, was, their too great popularity, (for, seing Kings endeavour so much to enthronize themselves in their Sub∣jects affections, they both do and look upon all such as their rivals, who court the same af∣fection with them) and therefore it was rea∣sonable to believe, That to renounce any share in the peoples affection, was the true way to ingratiate himself with the King; intimating thereby to his Prince, that his favour was the dye, from which they were to expect a good or bad game; and no doubt but this is the su∣rest way of subsistance: for, a Grandee may subsist by the favour of the Prince, without the favour of the people, but cannot subsist by the people without the favour of the Prince; with this proviso, that the Prince, upon whom he depends, be not so silly as to depend upon his people; for else it is not good to depend upon him, lest when the Subject begins to open his mouth against his Prince, the either timerous or facile Prince, throwes his Confident in their mouthes as a lump to stop it.

Whilst these things were upon the file, this excellent Prince dyed, leaving after-ages an evi∣dent proof, that the ocean of affairs hath its own tydes, and fair gales (which are to be ex∣pected,

not commanded) and in which interims the Prince may recreate himself with his law∣full pleasures; for, this Prince was never one who lost his pleasure for his business, nor his business for his pleasure: Some tainted his roy∣al repute with cowardishness; but since Kings, except they be rash, are not tolerated to spend their own bloud, it follows, that his crime was that he was too frugal of the bloud of his sub∣jects; which any sound wit will interpret to be rather love than fear; but to what purpose should he have unsheathed the sword of his courage, seing the sword of his wit conquer∣ed all his enemies; neither is it an imputati∣on to a Physician, that he prevents all diseases so dexterously, as that he suffers not his pati∣ents to fall in any disease. Many did miscon∣strue this worthy Prince in many things, never considering, that it is as unbeseeming a subject to censure the actions of his Prince, as it is ridi∣culous in a patient to find the pulse of his Phy∣sician; for, since Princes are often acted in what they do from principles unknown to us, and have aims which we are strangers to, and seing the motives and ends of the agents, are these things which determine our actions, it follows that it is not only absurd, but even impossible for subjects to discant truly upon the actions of their Princes: and since a Deputy is only an∣swerable

for his carriage or miscarriage to him, by whom he is deputed; and the Gods are those who have commissionated Princes, it must be undeniable that they can be arraigned before no tribunal else, but theirs; but admit, that really they escaped at some times, and up∣on some occasions, that proves only they are men, and who denies that? but if they must be condemned for that, I should desire him who hath spent his life (though private) without an omission, to cast the first stone at them; and if private men who have time to deliberate what is incumbent to them to do, and few to remark what their failings are, cannot notwithstand∣ing plead exemption from infirmities; what may Kings plead, who are over-charged with businesses, mis-informed by Sycophants, and have thousands of eyes to eye the meanest of their escapes.

To him succeeded Anaxagius, a Prince whose perfection taught the world, that all Princes who had devanced him, had their good∣ness allyed with some imperfection when com∣pared with his, and by which future ages may measure the perfection of his successours; him providence sent to the world, fore-seeing that these crooked times would need such a streight patern as was his integrity: and that innocent and vertuous souls (whom that age

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would abominate) needed the patronage of such an accomplished patron: so that it seemed that providence hath casten his soul in a pecu∣liar mould, wherein none had been formed for∣merly; a person whom vertue would have chosen to be, if birth had not already made him a King; and whose innocent life convinced all men, that greatness and goodness were not in∣compatible; in his heart lodged a compleat body of accomplishednesse, only it wanted a splean; and by him all concluded, that good∣nesse as well as vice wanted not its own excess; yet such an excess as, seing it was in him, could not be vicious: Neither was this soul ill lodg∣ed; for, as the soul was a pure diamond, so it was enchassed in a body of pure gold; his face was both a King's face, and the face of a King; and all the other members of his body were such, as suited well with such a face; so that neither could the eye in his body, nor the judg∣ment in his life challenge the least imperfecti∣on.

He stept no sooner up to the Royal Throne, than his enemies began to belch out their ma∣lice against him; considering, that if they per∣swaded not the Nations of those imperfections which they alleaged he was tainted with, pre∣sently, that he would shortly refute them by his admirable integrity; Wherefore an Athe∣nian

Nobleman named Prastus, dispersed many Papers, flush of aspersions against his Majesty, at least, they were after search, found to be in his cabinet: whereupon he is arraigned, and a great Favourite, who was likewise his too great wel-wisher, is pickt out to be one of his Ju••••••••; who finding, that he behoved either to lose his Master, or his Friend, was at first mu••h per∣plexed; but at last (as the worst of inventions are alwayes the readiest) resolved, that as his Judge, he would first condemn him; and then as his intimate, he would intercede for him: which he did effectuate, and procured him a remission for that crime, for which he formerly found him guilty. Whereat a true friend to his Majesty much offended, did remonstrate to the King his errour after this manner.

Sir, your Majesty having once by Law con∣demned Prastus, if ye now absolve him, ye must condemn the Law which found him guil∣••y: for, if he be guiltless, the Law did wrong in sentencing him; and if he be guilty, the Law is wronged in your absolving him. Nei∣ther admire I, to see your Nobles intercede for him; for who knows but these in this plead for their own case? and if either they, or any of them, be already, or shall be hereafter found guilty of those crimes, with which he was charged, then they may alledge for themselves,

not only what they now alledge for him, but likewise may triumph in this precedent; So that in sealing a pardon for him, ye abrogate all the penal Statutes, and layes up remissions for all that shall have the confidence but to seek them: C••••••••der, Sir, that this Nation is naturally fa∣ctious, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being commanded by Nobles, who have the Commons fully at their devotion, and that your absence feeds this humour in them, (the face of a King being able either to charm subjects to a complyance, or to command them to obedience) but what may ye expect, if they be once connived at by those who should pu∣nish them? the Law was the only mastiff which kept the house from robbers, but if his mouth be musled, what security may be expected, the Law should be most rigid and best observed, where vices are most enticing, and to which we are most propense; wherefore, seing nothing lures us so strongly as a nimious desire of liber∣ty, and the desire of self-rule; nothing should be so severely punished as Rebellion, which is the product of both these: and if even when Laws are execute against them, the numbers of such offenders are numberless, what may we expect when the Law prevaricates and sideth with them? Sir, the lesse able men are to resist the wrongs done them, or to foresee them, the more grievously should the offenders be

punished; as poyson is more grievous than murther (so that the horrour of the punish∣ment is the best guard against these) therefore of all treasonable plots, defaming Libels should be most severely punished, because it is most difficult to detect those, and when they are de∣tected, it is impossible almost to refute them, neither is truth, soap sufficient to wash out the spots which Libels make, apprehension being enough to perswade men of what they fear. Sir, after he is released, will not his enemies vaunt, that either in courage ye durst not, or in justice ye could not condemn him? so that either ye must proclaim your self rash in the first, or a coward in the last; And who will as Judge condemn any attached hereafter as a Traitor, knowing that the person so condem∣ed by them will survive their sentence to prove their enemy? And thinks your Majesty, but Prastus will endeavour to revenge this affront? neither will he ever ponder your courtesie in pardoning him, but will rather eye the affront done in once staging him: the wound may be cured, but the cicatrice will remain; and if the children of Traitors are often secured, often banished, and often forfaulted; because the Law presumes that they will yet possibly avenge the death of their fathers: how much more may we conclude, that a peson whilst alive

himself, will resent his own disaster more jea∣lously. Sir, augment not the number of your enemies, by recalling to life Prastus, who is already civilly dead, and remember that ye have thorns enow in the garden of your King∣dom, albeit ye plant none your self; neither can ye expect any thanks from Prastus for this act of superstitious clemency, for your Favou∣rites who have interceded for him, will reap those, and he will say, that ye declared suffi∣ciently your malice against him in his condem∣nation, albeit thereafter ye declared your affe∣ction to those intercessors in his absolution; and, Sir, since the papers were found with him, certainly he must be the leading card in this fa∣••al game, and the ring whereupon all the other keys hung. And I fear, Sir, ye must one day treat with him as your party, whom ye now pardon as your supplicant. But, Sir, seing ye fear the peoples envie on the one hand, and yet dread Prastus loyalty upon the other, to ex∣tricate your self from both these difficulties, keep him in prison, and in suspense, feeding him alwayes with hopes of releasment, providing his friends and dependants carry soberly; by which means ye will secure him, and he will be an hostage to you for the good behaviour of others.

The Court-favourite who bestirred himself

so much for Prastus, was one named Taurus, whose honours were the donative rather of his Prince, than of his birth; for, he was by birth but a Gentleman, rather of great parts than a great fortune; but being of a singular spirit, and accute wit, was commissionated by the Athenian Gentlemen to represent their grie∣vances at Court, and to reside there as their Le∣gier, to manage their employments against the Nobles of their own Nation, with whom they had then some debates: the Courtiers (who study alwayes mens humours as much as their business, knowing that most of men make it their business to satisfie their own humour, and that as men love not others so well as them∣selves, so they endeavour not so much to satis∣fie others as themselves) did smell at last, that if he were created a Nobleman himself, his zeal against the Nobility would cease with his inte∣rest, wherefore finding, that his pulse did beat highly, they perswaded the King to enroll him amongst the Peers, which promotion cooled soon that feaver of respect which he had evi∣denced for those who employed him, so that he wrote home to the remanent Gentlemen, That since he ceased to be what he was when they commissionated him, he behoved likewise not to act now what they had entrusted to him, and that seing he was a Nobleman, he ho∣ped

they would construe it to be no breach of trust, that he antagonisted not the Nobilities interest: for, since we are desired onely to love our neighbours as our selves, it is presup∣poned that self-love will alwayes be the more prevalent; as the square is alwayes streighter then that which is squared by it: and he thought that he did acquit himself sufficiently of his trust, in acquainting them of what had past, and in fore-warning them, that their Re∣sidents charge did now stand empty. The Gentlemen finding themselves thus befooled, resolved thereafter to imploy alwayes two or three, knowing that they could not then be so easily bribed.

This Taurus did thereafter find the King's ear alwayes very open to him; and as he was happy in being his Master's Confident, so each man thought himself happy if he could but once obtain the favour as to be his; yet his Majesty was much mistaken in this choice, for this wit was too subtile to be imployed in such subtile times, and it did afterwards prove so sharp that it cut himself; sharp wits being like sharp razors, which should only be used by very stedfast hands; else, if the hand vary, the razor cannot but make some gash, which was sufficiently verified in Taurus: for he endea∣voured so much to cheat all, and please all, that

he was in fine cheated by all, and pleased none; for, not being able to head one faction himself, he was alwayes zealouzed by both the other factions, who endeavoured both to ruine him, seing neither of them could ensure him; for as winds that changes oft, are hated by all sailers, because they can neither serve those who are to go or come; So these changelings are neg∣lected by all parties, neither can they ever ad∣vance themselves, for whoever gains, they will be still losers, whereas if they did constantly adhere to any faction, they would either gain when their interest were masters, or at least they might secure themselves by their own par∣ties capitulation; neither are ever these chang∣lings admitted to the cabinet-counsels of either, nor know ever more nor what the revealers fear not to divulge.

He was admitted by his Prince to oversee his treasure, wherein it was thought, that his Prince was much misted, and wherein he him∣self did likewise bewray some weaknesse; his Princes errour was, that he should have pro∣moted one whose estate was yet to be founded by the government of his Cash, which was all one as if he would put his full trencher to the mercy of a hungry dog, and especially seing it was notory, that not only his necessity but even his humour poused him too much to these de∣signs;

his own errour was, that he should have begun to reform those errours in the State, which, because of his poverty, and humour, were concluded to be inventions, hatch'd rather to enrich himself than his master: Thus flou∣rished, and thus perished Taurus, whose wit occasioned both his advancement and his ruine, like one thrown down those same stairs, by which he mounted.

Taxes and gabels are as necessary in the poli∣tick body, as the spleen is in the natural, yet in both they engender many diseases; private men thinking that lost which goes from their own privat coffers: and as patients often judge the moneys bestowed upon Physicians ill im∣ployed, after they find themselves re-instated in their former health, attributing their reco∣very more to Nature than to his pains; So subjects, when they are enstated in that peace, which the vigilancy of their Prince, aided by their taxes, hath procured for them, judge their taxes superfluous: never pondring in the scales of prudence what advantage the reap by them (which indeed the meaner sort who com∣plain most, cannot faddom) but ruminate still upon the losse in once paying them; yet this natural aversion they have from them, is oft scrued up to a greater height by the bad choice of those who are by the Court destinated to

collect them, who being avaritious and odious persons, for those alwayes offer most for the farm of them, knowing by their rigidity to re∣pay those vast sums, and so are still preferred; which incites the people to abominate those taxes more than formerly, knowing that not only they go from themselves, but likewayes go to fill the purses of these detestable miscreants; Neither is the unequall distribution of these taxes a small disadvantage to the Prince: for, as it grieves a man to pay any at all, so it grieves him yet more, that they should pay more than others; So that whilst the friends and clients of some Courtiers are spared, others must bear their burdens; and so men being al∣wayes prone to compute their own wrongs by the Arithmetick of comparisons, those who are wronged, judges their injuries so much the greater, that they see their neighbours totally exempted: for, albeit the Prince may satisfie his people, in telling them the true cause of such impositions in general, or hoodwink them in forging reasons where there are none; yet there is no Court-sophister so cunning as to shew a reason why some are exempted, others not; whereupon those who are extortioned, they exclaim first, and then are oft-times se∣conded by those to whom no wrong was done at all, who hope by these vociferations to get

these impositions totally banished; or else do fear, lest the case of their vexed neighbours may one day become their own, seing they have no leases of these favours more than others, and which they know to be mortal, aswell as those who indulge them; but if people would ad∣vert how that twenty or thirty crowns a year, keep off either a forreign war, or prevents a civil, which would moulder away the half of their estates, if not prevented; yea, and rob the wife of her husband, and the father of his children; they would then condemn them∣selves, because they now condemn their Prince: and it is often seen, that those Nations flourish best, and conquer most, whose subjects are poorest, and whose treasures are fullest, the riches of subjects occasioning their luxury, and their luxury kindling a war (that which is fat∣test kindling alwayes soonest) whereas the ri∣ches of the publick cash are a rampart against publick invasions, and forceth strangers not to interrupt the Nationall Commerce, nor to abridge, but rather to enlarge their Privi∣ledges.

These contemptible grievances, were the small Machines which first moved that bulkish body of the popular fury in Lacedemon; not against the King, but against Court-parasites, as they pretended; the mal-contents of that

Nation, who were then members of the Se∣nate, taking occasion of Anaxagius his present necessity, being engaged by a National consent in a forreign war, which, as it tended to the repute of Lacedemon, should have in reason been prosecuted upon their charges; Some thought, that these debates might have been easily reconciled: for, many (at least some) of these taxes, had been granted to some of Anax∣agius his predecessors, for their own life-time only; the subject thinking, that the securest way to preserve his priviledge, and the Prince think∣ing it sufficient to satisfie his present necessity; and considering that if his successors were able, either by love, or power, to command their people, that then he might prorogate that tax for their life-time also; but if contrari∣wise, his successors would be so simple, as ra∣ther to beg, than to acclaim these taxes as due, that then they could never expect to obtain them, albeit they had been granted as appan∣ages of the Crown; wherefore seing the Senat denyed them only as due by succession, they thought, that the King might either have past altogether from the superfluous desire, to de∣rive them to posterity, or at least might have superceded the prosecution of his royal prero∣gative till a more favourable occasion, wherein his treasure might be richer at home, his affairs

in better order obroad, and the grievances of his people fewer; and till he had been more surely fixt himself in his newly mounted throne, and that for the present he might have acqui∣esced to a personal concession of those taxes, which they could not refuse him more than to his predecessors, seing his necessities were as (if not more) urgent than theirs. Others ad∣vised him not to passe from, but to change these taxations, in others as lucrative, and lesse odi∣ous; such as the imposition of a tenth part of all pleas and legal pursuits, as should be found to be calumniatory, and intended to vex litigi∣ously their honest neighbours; which would be both profitable to the treasury, and pleasing to the subject; both because these taxes seem alwayes most tolerable, which are least univer∣sal, and which the subjects may evite; and which if they evite not, not the Prince who is the imposer, but the subjects who are the con∣traveeners are to be blamed; as also, because those taxes are for repressing of vice, and so must be in themselves good, seing they are con∣trary to what is evil. He was likewise desired to change all corporeally-penal Statutes unto pecunial mulcts; as the cutting off of an arm, unto so many crowns: for, by cutting off the arm, in place of satisfying the Commonwealth which is offended by the crime, the Common∣wealth

is yet more wronged by augmenting the number of her beggars (such as those are, who being mutilated of their members, cannot employ them for to gain their bread) and so necessitated in charity, to aliment those, who have wronged her in malice.

There is also another mean, whereby this grievance of levying money by taxes may be averted, and that galling sore cured by an ea∣sier remedy; which is, By heightning the Crown Rents to the true avail, whereby the King's purse may be fed with what growes upon his own ground: but the Officers of State have alwayes opposed this, as an enemy to their ex∣pectations; for, if this were used, then should not Courtiers get Lands, worth five hundred pounds yearly, as if they amounted not to three hundred pounds; nor should they exchange or buy Lands from the Prince at so easie a rate, as now they do. Princes likewise, should hear the meanest grievance of the poorest subject, against Toll-masters, themselves, and not refer the cognizance of such debates to his Courti∣ers, who being pensioners to these money-suc∣kers, cannot but acquit themselves as favoura∣ble Judges, where their interest is debateable: As also, by such Delegations; Customers are encouraged to fleece the poor people, who, like sheep, dare not open their mouthes, and the

Prince is robbed of the right of appellations, which should be accounted one of the chief Jewels of his Crown: besides this, many judge it expedient that the Prince should, after that such taxes are granted to him by the people, as∣sign portions of it to those to whom he is debi∣tor; as to Ambassadors, to Merchants, to his Navie, &c. whereby he may save the expenses of Collectors; as also he may obviate the im∣portunity and avarice of Courtiers, who ab∣sorbes it often in gifts and pensions, before the King receives it in to his coffers. Others al∣ledge, that the Prince should compel those, who having farmed the customs have inriched them∣selves, hereafter to be his Customers, allowing them a petty sallary, and so to inform him how he may inrich himself with his own, as they have inriched themselves with what is his; and in my own judgement I prefer either of these wayes, to that way which hath been formerly practised by the Lacedemonian Senate, in de∣puting some of their number to distribute what is granted: for, either these will condescend through complacency or fear, to follow the cur∣rent of the Kings inclinations, and in that case are superfluous, or else the King and Court will become their implacable enemies, in which case all become factilus. There were many other advices furnished to his Majesty, but his Cour∣tiers

pressed him not to suffer his Royal Prero∣gative to be so obumbrated, and that he who yeelds once ground, is alwayes followed, and is glossed to be of kin to a coward.

This grievance in the State, was seconded by many grievances in the Church; the Church and State being like the soul and body, where∣of the one followeth alwayes the temperament of the other.

Pretended zeal is alwayes the step-mother of true loyalty; and such a crime as treason would seem horrid, if it were not palliated by imagina∣ry Religion; and many Statesmen, perpending how many Religions have been at first hatch't, meerly to tame wild humours, which albeit they have been known to their first founders to be the product of their own brains, yet have thereafter been by their posterity imbraced as sacred truths, and the violaters of them puni∣shed as blasphemers, do therefore conclude, that possibly, if not probably, these truths which they now profess, are come from the same mint-house, since they carry the same impres∣sa; and therefore are meerly subservient to their secular ends: and that seing they cheat others in making profession of their zeal for Religion, when really they have none, nor cares for none, Why may it not be probable, that others have after the same way, hatch'd these

opinions which they and others do in a manner believe; as also these Statists see, that events ordinarily answer their expectation, and are consequential to their designs, which induceth them to believe, that providence and policy dif∣fers only as do two words: as also these two maxims, That all men have more or lesse of im∣plicit faith which obliges them to believe what Ecclesiasticks say; and that other, That we ought not to confine Religion within the nar∣row boundaries of reason: I say, these two in∣duces men oft to anchor their faith upon that which is in it self most unreasonable, and stimu∣lates men to act many things not only without asking a reason why they should do so, but even oft-times when there are many pregnant reasons tendered them why they should not do so, and when men are once engaged in these bigot quarrels, their order is both inexprima∣ble and irresistable; they fear not death, since they expect to be covered by the target of pro∣vidence; or, if they fall under Religions Stan∣dard, they are confident that their cause will canonize them; they respect not friends, nor spare not their relations, as thinking themselves more nearly realted to the gods than to any else: and thus oft-times the gods are made the patrons of rebellion, and their temples, asyles in which the wickedest offender dare sanctuary himself.

This was one of those pretended quarrels, which both the Lacedemonians and Athenians incensed the people by, against Anaxagius; the Nobles in both Nations, finding that the Mufties did enhance all preferments, and were beginning to seek restitution of those Church∣lands which had at first been doted to pious uses, and which were thereafter, because of the debordings of Churchmen, taken by the State, and bestowed upon the Nobles, because else, they had never condescended that old abuses should be reformed, seing they were still dispo∣sers of those Church Revenues themselves be∣fore that innovation; the Nobles therefore re∣solved that they would pull away those Muf∣ties from about the Throne, pretending Reli∣gion, and intending gain; alledging that these were innovators, and did busie themselves on∣ly in State affairs.

These were the main hinges of all the Lace∣demonian troubles, yet they were not the sole; for besides these may be numbred the nimious clemency of the Prince, and the depraved facti∣ousness of the subjects: As for the Prince, he was a superstitious adorer of his subjects re∣pose, and desired rather to have his own, than his subjects bloud spilt; and albeit it was oft remonstrated to him, that the surest way to reign, was by the scepter rather of power than

of love: for power and austerity was in his own hand, and depended upon none else; whereas the scepter of love was swayed by the hand of a popular affection, which was as vola∣tile as themselves; and by it he was rather their slave, than their Prince, and that his rigi∣dity (if it were a fault) yet was but personal, and infected none besides himself; but his cle∣mency, was the nursery of all those enormities wherewith the Land swarmed; and seing vi∣cious persons sinned not, more through fear of punishment, than through love to vertue, that Prince who bewrayed too much clemency, did proclaim an im••unity to all vice; and that sub∣jects were like a top which did run the fleetlier that it was sometimes lasht; neither could that Prince expect to be obeyed, who punished not disobedience, notwithstanding of all those Re∣monstrances made to him by his friends, and of all the dangers which were foreseen by his pry∣ing spirit; yet he resolved st••ll, rather to be good than great, and to make the hearts of his sub∣jects the throne whereon he would only sit; saying, that it was the part of a subject to re∣venge, but of a King to pardon; and seing the actions of predecessor Kings, were the register of their successors, he resolved to learn his posterity how to pardon; knowing that re∣venge and corruption would teach them to••

well how to punish; that the gods, whose vice∣gerents they were, gloried more in this attri∣bute than in any else, and that the King of the Bees (which is an hierogliphick of Monarchy) wanted a sting: these were his principles, and proved his bane: and he who was mistaken in nothing else, was mistaken in this; for, albeit the gods arrogate clemency as their special at∣tribute, yet that is because the injuries of mor∣tals cannot reach them; whereas the rebellion of subjects can, and oft doth ruine Princes: and the omnipotent gods can at any time easily both foresee and repair those wrongs which they have suffered, yet a King and his govern∣ment may receive a wound, which none will be able to cure; and he may, by the malice of his adversaries, be thrown into a ditch, out of which none can recover him: And albeit a Prince may pardon those crimes which are committed against his own person, yet he neither can nor should pardon those crimes which are perpe∣trated against his government and authority; which since it is not his property, and to which seing he is only administrator, he can no more delapidate, than a tutor can dispense with those who wrong his pupils estate. As to the per∣versnesse of the subject, it was also one of the cards wherewith this fatal game was played; for, albeit at first the crime resided in few, yet

did thereafter extend it self to all; for, albeit the number of those who disaffected the Royal interest in the Senate was but small, yet those few vexed all, and perverted many of those who were at first but neuters, and those publick Conventions are like Watches, which will not go soundly if but any wheele or pi•• be in dis∣order: for as in the natural, so in the politick body, a sore in any part is able to disquiet all the other members: thus it is here; for those who were dissatisfied, did so by the pestiferous breath of their treasonable discourses, infect others, that they became now as numerous as they were formerly viperous; and at last dared to ventilate those treasonable discourses even in the Senate-house; thinking that the only way to engage the remanent members in their quarrels. Anaxagius challenging these dis∣courses, and desiring the authors should be put in the claws of justice, this was refused him, so that now the cancer of jealousie did begin to spread, and one of the Senators when this de∣bate was tabled, enveighed thus against the Kings suite.

Gentlemen, seing I am to enter the lists of this debate, I am glad I should have Justice for my Client, and you for my Judges, not meer∣ly because I know that ye are interested (albeit that be likewise true) but because I know you

to be both judicious, and experienced; judici∣ous, whereby ye may know what is reasonable, and experienced, whereby ye may know what hath been the uncontroverted priviledge of this House; and albeit all the Lacedemonians were assembled, yet would I appeal by choice to your judgments, to whom I must necessarily now appeal, as being chosen by them to be their Re∣presentatives. Gentlemen, seing Liberty is that by which we are differenced from beasts, it fol∣lows necessarily, that the more free men are, the more they are elevated above a brutal humour, and the more Liberty they lose, the nearer they verge upon brutishnesse: how necessary must Freedom be to subjects, seing without it they are rather slaves than subjects; and of all the Liberty which subjects can contend for, that of debating freely before any Taxation or Law be statuted (which is our case) is the most con∣siderable: for, seing Kings are very apt to im∣pose and exact Taxes, without the assistance of a Law, surely they will be more rigid, when they will have the patronage of a Law to assist their rigidity, and sein•• after any Statute is once made, the subject is not free to controll it, it is necessary that he have some freedom indulged him in controlling it before it be statuted; and who dare use this freedom, when it is hedged∣in on all sides by fear of Treason, and of Court-hatred?

whereby he will certainly risk, and may possibly lose both his life and fortune; and albeit the marches of subject-priviledges be already narrow, yet they will be more narrow when such precipices are the marches; for then none will dare to approach the outmost lines, fearing that fall which may prove irrecoverable; and if it shal be licite to a King (who may prove a Tyrant, for goodnesse was never entailed un∣interruptedly upon any one succession) to challenge what is here debated freely, may he not alwayes forge some quarrel to pick out al∣ternatly, those whom he perceiveth most able to counterpoint him, and so shall leave us like Wine which cannot rellish well when the spi∣rits are once extracted; and albeit ye be all of you eminent, both for wit and experience, yet there are, and shall alwayes be some more emi∣nent than others (for albeit all run well, yet all cannot run equally) whom if the Prince who shall then reign, do remove, their absence, and the terrour injected upon other therethrough, will certainly render this Judicatory altogether useless: Remember, Gentlemen, that ye are the Hedge, planted to defend the Garden of this Nation from all oppressory incursions; if ye be not pointed, and stick not near one another, enemies will either leap over, or break through, and especially where the design is, to steal away

the golden apples of the subjects priviledges, and seing your antcessors, have preserved for you this freedom, as a patrimony, endeavour to derive it to your posterity; neither do ye prove banquerouts, of what your fathers have been so parcimonious; and as ye all endeavour to accumulate riches for them, so endeavour also to secure their priviledges, without which their estates are of small value.

This discourse did stir up those sparkles of rancour, which lay formerly smothered in ma∣ny of their breasts; and they concluded, that it was both fit and just, to owne and intercede for those who were challenged; and at last, finding, that they could not prorogate their sit∣ting themselves, without the Kings special ad∣vice and consent; and finding that their many and great projects could not be perioded with∣out some considerable time, they resolved to buy a lease of some years liberty to sit, with the grant of a taxation; and the rather, because they considered, that they had most unjustly irritated his Majesty already, as also, that these Taxes would in fine be taken, if they were not given; wherupon their seance is continued by the King, and the taxes are immediatly exacted by their special approbation; yet so, that they inform the people every-where under-hand, that their assent was extorted from them, and

that such a small morsel would rather sharpen than satisfie the appetites of the insatiable Courtiers.

Now fear of being punished in some, and mis∣information in others, did alienate their minds fully from their obedience; Loyalty was now accounted slavery, and the meanest act of juris∣diction, tyranny; yet businesses were not so ripened yet, as that the leading men durst yet appear publickly, but the prologue of this tra∣gedie was committed to the people, who in a tumultuary way were sent with extravagant Petitions, sometimes against the Favourits, and at other times against the Mufties, the people being like the Sea, which the Nobles, Priests, and Wits, like so many Winds make stormy or calme at their pleasure: In Athens the women were ordinarily imployed in such expeditions, knowing that both their number and sex would plead immunitie for them from any deserved punishment. And because their simplicity like the straw could kindle soonest; neither could they be repressed, either by harrongues or the sword, the ordinary calmers of such tempests, for as to reason they could not patient so long, as to hear it, nor ponder it so maturely, as to understand it; neither would any man staine the lustre of his sword with the blood of a woman: Yet Autophilus the Vice-roy in

Athens, was desired to punish the husbands of those irregular women, knowing that they in∣stigated them to, or at least connived at their disorders; either of which was a crime which merited incarceration: as also, the husbands punishment would easily tame these reason∣less creatures; Or else, to lay fast some of the plodding Nobles, whom they might keep as hostages for those heteroclite factions. But Autophilus, as we shall hear afterwards, fa∣voured too much their projects, to punish their courses; for he, hating the Mufties secretly, did desire both the King and them to act what might most incense the people, and so made their own actions their burriers. The first mark at which they did shoot those darts of popular fury, was on Basilicus, a Lacedemonian (know∣ing that the way to weaken Anaxagius, was to waste the bloud of his principal veins) upon him they fastened the teeth of their envie, and it must be treason against the people, not to punish him as a traitour; his accusation is founded upon some excerpts gotten from one of his Majesties Secretaries; but what needs proofs, where death is once decreed? His Ma∣jesties rigidity, which could never be exerced against his enemies, must be now burrier to his friends, like an unaturall heat in the body which can consume it self, but cannot consume the

meat which should rather be consumed by it.

When any thing falls to pieces, it is surely near ruine; and when a Nation doth by faction be∣come two, it will probably at last become none at all: wherefore when the Nobility doth like an hair, begin to branch it self; the King, like a skilfull Barber, should crop it in that place, for certainly the hair it self cannot then grow lon∣ger: Factions are those State-convulsions, which can hardly be cured except they be soon adverted to, and after the ring-leaders of fa∣ctions have once engaged many innocent sub∣jects in their quarrel, it is both difficult and dangerous to repress them; and they being the roof under which many poor innocents have retired, ye cannot pull down the roof without smooring those who are under it.

Another great inconvenience in factions (as there is nothing convenient in them) is, That where the Standard is once erected, all the cri∣minal and discontented persons run to it, and must be both received and protected, both to requite their kindness, and to invite others, So that these prove not only the sanctuaries, but even the encouragers of malefactors; and as that person cannot but be concluded distracted, who dashes his one hand or foot against the other; So, that State must be thought demen∣ted, wherein the one half clashes against the

other; Lacedem••n and Athens joyntly, were both disjoynted now by factions in their Church, some adhering to their old rites and ceremonies, whereupon they were called Sa∣turnists; others were perswaded to imbrace the new, were named Iovists; worshiping Iu∣piter, because they conceived him most rational, albeit not so old as Saturn, and who influenced most strongly upon Princes; these last, were both more zealous, and more numberous, and did at last impropriate to themselves all the Of∣fices of the Nations, whereupon many flocked to them, making Religion a mine, out of which they expected to dig gold in abundance.

In the State of Athens there were likewise two factions, who like two twins strugling in the womb of the Commonwealth, tortured vehemently their miserable mother; the one faction was led by Autophilus, a man of a pro∣found prudence, and who had even from his youth suckt the breasts of State-education, and had so familiarized himself with its mysteries, that they were become now no wayes mystical to him; but whose misfortune it was, that his fortune could rise no higher, except it had di∣sputed preference with the Royal Throne; and that is the unhappiness of those happily born subjects, that naturally ambition elevates them alwayes above their own level, and yet their

present state admits of no higher to which they can pretend, without rivalling their Prince. So ordinarily the eminentest of subjects, are born either to be fools or traitors; from which they can hardly be diverted, except some forreign imployment abroad, or formidable Prince at home, either feed or starve that genial humour: This made many alledge, that Autophilus did in thoughts design himself to be Prince of La∣cedemon, intending to marry Anaxagius neece, and by inveighing against the Queen, to get all her children declared bastards; and his sisters other children declared rebels, by engaging them in a war against the Nation: but these projects were so improbable, and so treason∣able, that none could assent thereto, but were rather construed to be forged by his enemies, than to be his own, either wishes or hopes.

The other faction was founded by Phanose∣bus, a man of a deep reach, and one who might have shared in the highest imployment, if he could but have expected it patiently; but he, like many others, did spill, by drawing violent∣ly to him, what he might have had entire, if he had waited till it had been bestowed upon him willingly: Many characterized him to be a man of more wit than vertue, and of more cunning than of either, many followed him (as was said) meerly because they hated the other; so

that he stood more engaged to the others mis∣carriages, than he did to his own abilities: those who adhered to him, were such as could signifie nothing without him, and yet who with his assistance were successfull enough, yea, and too much; like ciphers, which without a figure signifie nothing, yet when joyned to a figure makes the figure signifie more than it could do alone: Some in the body of this faction acted the mouth, and were fitted for nothing else; others the hands, to execute what they had commanded; and some the feet, to run where any thing was to be acted, till at last these ma∣ny parts got adjoyned to them a Nose, which, because of its bignesse, overshadowed the face, and made the rest seem terrible; which, as is rela•••••• in Lacedemon, did thereafter fall by the pox; yet possibly these are but jealousies, and not proofs which can be adduced against him.

Both these factions fomented the increase of the Iovist faction, and were but like small ri∣vers running in to swell up that ocean: for, al∣beit they differed in their aims, yet seing they aimed both at the ruine of the Saturnists, they concurred in that who could concur in nothing else; like two travellers, who albeit their dwel∣lings, or homes, be far separated, do ride toge∣ther whilst the way is the same; Yet the Io∣vists favoured more Phanosebus faction, both

because they were most favoured by them, as also because they jealoused Autophilus to be too subtile.

Amongst the Phanosebists there was one Oranthus, a Gentleman whom hundreds of years cannot parallel, as if Nature needed so much time to bring forth such an Elephantine vertue, and whereof a Nation could lodge but one, as if it were not able to bear two such great burdens of worth; this Gentleman was in affection a Iovist, and persisted so, but hated in the end the Phanosebists, as persons whose interests was their god, and whose godlinesse was their gain: for, finding whom they inten∣ded to share the Provinces amongst themselves, under pretext of regulating abuses, and pre∣venting insurrections, did forsake them, because he found that they had forsaken their duty, and refusing their proffers, refused them also his assistance; thinking it Treason rather than Reason, to assist them who resisted their Prince, and persisted in their Rebellion: Yet did he alwayes love the Iovist interests, albeit he hated some of their darlings, and relinquished not their party, albeit he relinquished their persons; wherefore finding his danger both imminent and eminent, he posted to Anaxagius, and was by him commissionated to command his Army in Athens; but before he went thither, he

assembled his friends, and disclosed thus to them all the mysteries that had past.

Gentlemen, State-designs are like herbs, which cannot be known at their first starting-up; and errours may be pardoned, if they be not continued; especially, where the pretexts are so specious, and the dissimulation so deep: this is both our case, and our misfortune, and I may say our misfortunate case; we have been nose-led by some, whose ends have been to end our loyalty, and to plot the ruine of him who hath kept them and this Nation from ruine ever hitherto; they pretend piety, but who can be so childish as to think that these would open so liberally both their veins and purses for that in publick, for which they would not open their very mouths in private? and how can we think that those who would not bestow scarce a crown in charity, or an hour in prayer, clemen∣cy, and pardoning of others, which are the es∣sentials of Religion, will bestow all their time and estates for the maintenance of what is but ceremonial. Gentlemen, let us not give suck to these bastard projects, nor credit to these im∣probable discourses, but let us both condemn and resist these intentions, let us pay our Prince the tribute of respect, and respect such as will become his tributaries; they have not yet mo∣nopolized the affection of the Nation, let us en∣deavour

to get them disaffected, and let our swords cut the knot of such plots: the design is somewhat practicable, because the people can∣not always be cheated; for time will decipher cheats, and such vast projects cannot be prose∣cuted without vast expences, and many will weary of paying those who are traytors, who would never weary to be traytors themselves; for certainly, all men have, as they are men, some inclinations of being loyal and honest; and if they unpath themselves from it, it is to follow the tract of some golden or gilded vice; which if they misse, they will presently return: and it is impossible that where all seek, that all can find, especially where there is so little to be found by any, and where the Grandees will endeavour to enhance all: They are likewise divided, and the one may help to destroy the other, whilst we are endeavouring to destroy both. Anaxagius, against whom they war, is so good, and his cause so just, that it were an offence against the immortal gods to think that they will not favour him, and blesse it; and albeit they be numerous, and we few, yet let us not be discouraged; for desperat and un∣just exploits flourish alwayes most first, whilst the actors have not time nor conveniency to re∣flect upon what they are doing; but at last when that fervour is abated, their honesty will

encrease; Our cause is honourable, seing it is in defence of him who is the source of honour, and we shall finde our recompence payed us, both by our Consciences and our King; after∣ages shall admire our memories, and erect me∣morials of our loyalty; and what we do by our swords, shall be done over again by the pens of learned Historians. But to what pur∣pose shall I enlarge my self, seing I know you to be Gentlemen, whose ancestors have been the ramperts of this Nation, and loyal subjects to their Prince? Is it possible that ye are heirs to all their estates, and to none of their worth? or, may ye expect obedience from your yeomen, who will not defer it to your Prince, to whom ye are tyed by many oaths, whereas they are tyed by none to you? and under whom your predecessours have lived hundreds of years, whereas theirs have lived under you but since yesterday; Can ye be so rigid exacters from others, who are so bad payers your selves? Let us then hazard our lives before they be taken from us; or at least, lest we live to say, that we have lived too long, as having out-lived the freedom of our Nation, and security of our Prince?

All admired, and the most part allowed this discourse, and condescended to list themselves amongst his followers, and to run the common

hazard with him, knowing that the hazard could be but either small, or at least glorious, where the Conducter was both so skilfull and so generous.

This good cause was followed with good success; for, the Athenians considering, that the raising of an Army was requisite, if not ne∣cessary, seing that which is unnatural cannot be maintained without violence, and thinking, that the only way to make themselves formi∣dable to their Prince (those capitulations being most favourable which are written with the point of the sword) and most fit, seing it would remunerate their friends and dependances, as being a mean to afford them salaries and em∣ployments, did raise a numerous Army well equipped: For horse-courses which had been alwayes much frequented, both out of pleasure and policy in that Nation, had stored them with excellent horses: And surely that Nation is happy, where trains consist most in gallant men and able horses, which may serve aswell in war as in peace; rather than in laquies, who are both roguish and undiscreet; and in coaches, which are both expensive, effeminate and use∣less; and which habituate men so, that they can neither ride, nor suffer themselves to be exposed to the fa••igues of wind or rain: that Nation was likew••se well armed, each mans

house being an arsenal, and each arsenal able to arm numbers of men; which some keeped for pleasure, but the most part for intestine dis∣cords; for to be neighbours, and to be at va∣riance, were alwayes joyned: Peace having thus prepared the materials, it was easie for war to arm it self, which did afterwards like the prodigal, spend totally that great stock which its predecessor had laid up for it. Nei∣ther was their Courage wanting more than Arms; for none was so niggard of his life, as to spare it at this occasion: Yet this chariot of war had other wheels besides that of cou∣rage; for, young men went out of gallantry, old men out of zeal, and both out of avarice; knowing that Lacedemon, where they were to march, was a rich meadow, where they might all feed abundantly, leaving their host nothing but their leanness to pay their reckoning; so that they seemed like bees to go out of their barren hive, to suck honey from the flowers of the neighbouring gardens; this was the gol∣den whistle wherewith their cunning hunts∣men called these grayhounds to the prey; and it is oft the greatness of the prize which makes the goodnesse of the cause. After these were all marched, Oranthus entereth the Athenian bounds, backt by none but by the Royal Com∣mission, which made his cause good, but not

his party strong; Yet at last some from all corners flocked to him, the Royal Standard being an Orator eloquent enough, to perswade those who could hear with loyal ears, and who reverenced not their estates as their King, thinking gold the prince of hearts as it is of mettals: It was reported by some, that the Iovists had placed domestick Priests in each family, for the service of their houshold gods, to remark mens actions, and to convince them∣selves, or at least to tutor the wives, by whom they might thereafter know the husbands; and that this restrained somewhat the confluencing of the subjects to Or••nthus: but these were rather personall prejudices, than true conje∣ctures. Others alledged, that Oranthus pride deterred others from joyning with him, as be∣ing a person, who as he was in worth equalled by none, so who in pride surpassed all: But that likewise was a mistake, for what was cal∣led in him pride, was really prudence; for he considered prudently, that those who kept a distance with all, will be tempted to reveal their secrets to none, and will have time and convenience to canvasse fully what is fittest to be done upon every emergent; However, if this was his fault, he was happy in being taint∣ed with no other fault but this; and his ex∣cess in his carriage to his equals, was compen∣sed

with the moderation used by him to his in∣feriours; for, as they branded him with the one, so they could not but allow him the other: It was admirable how a body inured to much ease, could endure so much trouble: for, in spight of his former custom, he accustomed himself to dispense with what pleasure he en∣joyed formerly, shewing the world, that as his spirit was of gold, so his body was of brasse, and it appeared that he had changed his body as well as his opinion; or rather, that his body resolved rather to suffer the hardest of hardships, before it would suffer so rare a soul as his was to change its dwelling, and quit its imbracements; grasse was his best bed, stones his ordinary pillows, and the heavens his con∣tinual cannopy; his drink was water, and his diet opportunity; his counsellors few, and his enemies many, and yet it appeared that provi∣dence kept those from him, meerly to shew that without these he could conquer, and that Oranthns alone was strong enough for these many.

The Senate of Athens resolved to fight him before he became stronger, whereupon they dispatch'd some Forces under the conduct of Phanosebus, who was no sooner seen than vanquish'd; as if he had come not to fight, but to render only, he himself whose leggs was

armed with swiftness, did run as if he had pawned his life against death, who should run fastest: After this many followed the Con∣querour who would not have followed Oran∣thus, and seing fortune came to encamp with him, many came to incamp with fortune. It was thought folly in Phanosebus, whose strength lay mainly in his wit, to hazard in those im∣ployments, where rather strength than wit was requisite; for, as some said, it was an unbe∣seeming a Statesman to act the Souldier, as it was to a Physician to practise in Law, and espe∣cially where the adversaries valour was redou∣bled, and that by so doing he wronged himself without wronging his enemies; for thereafter many said, that he was neither stout nor fortu∣nate: whereas if he had stayed at home, he might have salved his repute in both, and might have kept himself as a Reserve, making his friends, after they should have been often beat without him, hope that they should conquer when he went alongst with them; and seing fortune is half play-maker in all humane acti∣ons, it is a great disadvantage for a great un∣dertaker to be thought misfortunate: but surely his motive was, that he feared lest Oran∣thus should flourish too much, and that it would be too late resisting him when he would become both more skilful, and more famous.

This victory was seconded by many others, so that he conquered as oft as he fought; yea, rather he could not fight without conquering; all his actions were maturely deliberated, and speedily executed, and so could not be but suc∣cessfull: His Army consisted partly of natives, partly of forreigners, the one whereof did emulate the other in courage, and so could not both but act gallantly, seing gallantry was their motive: The forreigners behoved to fight, knowing that else they had not any where else to ••refuge themselves, in having neither their own homes, nor the houses of their friends to shelter them, and would not flee because they knew not where. The natives were assured of the gallows, if they ensured not themselves by their courage; and their quarter was no par∣don, but a respit from death; not a preserving them from the sword, but a reserving them for the block, that so ignominy might be put up∣on themselves, and terrour left upon their wel∣wishers.

Many of that Nation exclaimed against the cruelty used by his Souldiers, and their other exorbitances; but these adverted not when his Army wanted pay, and so he was necessi∣tated to allow them plunder; neither should they have so exclaimed against him upon that account, seing their relenting in coming in to

him did oblige him to imploy strangers, whose enormities were the only crime of his well-dis∣ciplined Army: neither was it strange to see those who were starved in the hils and deserts, eating oft nothing but roots, and drinking no∣thing but water, drink and feed somewhat libe∣rally when they came where they might have it, and even exerce some cruelty towards those who caused those their many miseries; how∣ever, a General may govern men, yet cannot he make men, not alter their inclinations•• and as they relate at Athens, never General 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so reconcile different humours, nor govern so pru∣dently rash and impudent Souldiers, as he did; his Army was divided in factions, and opposed by factions, yet did salve the inconveniency of the one, and guard wise against the inconve∣niency of the other, making himself an arbiter when they were at variance amongst them∣selves, and a target when they were assaulted by their enemies.

The Phanosebeans and the Autophilists, were vying all this while for precedency, the Clergy and Cities adhering to the Phanosebeans, many of both being stipendiated by him, the Nobi∣lity and Gentry following Autophilus; their main aim being to repress the Mufties, thinking to stop there; but it is hard for any who tum∣bles down the hill of vice, to stop till he have

once run down to its root; for vice is none of those manageable horses who can be stopped in the midst of their carrier; and since man is naturally so depraved, as that he cannot abstain from what is ill; what may we expect of him when his depraved humour is fortified by these depraved habits? and many have gone aside from their way, intending presently to return, who having once strayed, were never able to return to it; and the immortal gods deal most justly with mortal men in this: for, to think that men can be good at pleasure (much more then, to think that he is able to exchange vice for vertue in an instant) is to exalt man upon the pinacle of arrogances temple; and if the event answered the expectation, besides the original depravednesse of mans humour, man should likewise be invited both to be wicked, and to continue in his wickedness by this hap∣pie and succes••full encouragement; neither should goodnesse be taken as a donative from heaven, but should be esteemed such a flower is might grow in the baddest soil upon earth.

Albeit then the Autophilists intended not to spin out the threed of their opposition to their Prince to such a length as the Phanosebeans did▪ yet, being once engaged, the hatred they bore some privatly-well-affected persons, and their desire to overreach the Phanosebeans, did oblige

them both to act and suffer what did really run crosse to their humour.

Yet in spig•••• of all endeavours used by the Autophilists, the other faction were the dar∣lings of the Iovist Clergie, which Cletus, bro∣ther to Autophilus, perceiving, he resolved to defeat them with their own weapons, and to pretend as much zeal as the others could; whereupon knowing, that all extraordinary changes must be effectuated by extraordinary means, he alledgeth that he is pang'd by his conscience for his but luke-warm affection to the Iovist faction; and sending for some of their Grandees, he entreated them to suffer him to appear in sackcloth before the Altars, to hear sacrifice offered there for himself to atone this sin; they thinking his remorse to be heart-deep, agree to the motion; So that Cli∣tus is now admitted to prostrate himself before the Altar, in the presence of many thousands, whom the extraordinarinesse of the action, as a bell, had called hither, where with all pomp and solemnity imaginable, he is absolved from that crime; and is permitted to harrangue the by-standers, whose hearts, like good ground; were soon softned by those showres of tears, which deluged from his eyes, and were per∣swaded that he was now, because of his piety, incantonized amongst the gods, so that now

the Iovists (glad to bridle the one faction with the fear of the other, and willing that they should emulate one another, hoping thereby to aggrandize their own respect) did carress both almost equally.

Phanosebus would never imbrace any charge himself from the Senate, knowing that there∣by he would be obliged to appear always him∣self, and to subscrive Papers, wherein the act∣ings of these times should be preserved, and reserved as monuments of their madnesse: as also he should be necessitated thereby to re∣main alwayes at Athens, and should want the conveniency of retiring himself at inconvenient occasions, but he caused prefer these, who be∣ing his creatures, he was confident would be at his devotion.

At last Ora••tbus, oppressed by their num∣bers, and deserted by his money-less Souldiers, becomes their prisoner; betrayed by an igno∣minious rascal, who sold that pricelesse Gentle∣man to the Athenian Senate, buying with his price perpetual infamy to himself and his po∣sterity; and is by them condemned to be han∣ged publickly, and his legs and arms to be fixt upon publick poles: who being brought to the Scaffold, delivered this Speech.

Gentlemen,

I Regrate not so much my own fall, as I do the fall of the Royal Standard, and that mine enemies should use my ruine as an argu∣ment to prove the goodnesse of their quarrel: I know they deck my death with their inhu∣mane triumphs, to make death seem the more terrible to me, and my cause seem the more undesirable to others: But as for me, seing the cause for which I suffer is just, the more I suffer, the more the immortal gods and my kind prince are my debtors; and the more re∣markable they make it, the more famous shall it prove to posterity. I have alwayes esteemed them happy who lye upon the brinks of times impetu••••s river, remarking how it glides away swiftly, bubling up bells here and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (whereof the greatest are alwayes the least du∣rable) and dissolving them instantly, whereof two or three somtimes joyn together and shortly ruine each other; and in other places, foam∣ing through rage and spight, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some rock or stone retards its violent course; but unhappy are th••se who delights too much to swim in it, and as it were by way of compliment, to run alongst with its streams: yet seing happinesse consists in action, and since it is unnatural in any man, to be a willing (or at least an idle spectator of his Countries miseries (for to be

idle, is in some wayes to be willing in things commanded by duty) I admire him most who acts most for it, and who, like the bees, will sting him who intends either to remove or to wrong their hive, I am condem••ed as guilty of treason, because I obeyed my Prince, against whom treason only can be committed; and see∣ing it had been treason if I had disobeyed, how can my obedience make me a traitor? I am accounted cr••el, but can truly be no more re∣puted such, than he who endeavours with re∣bukes and lashes to reduce a run••agate and runaway servant to the obedience of his kind and condescending master: Neither I hope shall others be frighted by these my sufferings, s••ing misfortun's balls can••••t hit alwayes the same mark; and I hope others shall be ad∣mitted to build that pallace to which we have only served as Quarriers; and albeit they should meet death either in the Camp, or up•••• a Scaffold, why should that terrifie them? seing to die so is to die in the arms of honour▪ after which they may expect to have a Monu∣ment of Fame erected for them: Whereas those who put the hour-glasse of their life in the trembling hand of fear, will oft-times have it broken un••xpectedly, by a fall both dis∣honourable and irrecoverable.

This discourse being ended, the Executioner first hanged, and then quartered him; and the very Scaffold, dyed with his blood, seemed to blush at the cruelty of his Judges; all con∣demning their cruelty, and admiring his cou∣rage, so that Sampson-like (as Christians use to say) he overcame moe at his death than he did in his life: teaching Statesmen never to execute publickly, those who are loved general∣ly; and thus was extinguished by the puddle of faction and malice, that lamp which was kindled by the hand of providence.

Anaxagius affairs in Lacedemon were by this time wholly ruined; for, the specious pre∣text of liberty being displayed as a banner by the Senate, all the Commons rendezvouzed themselves under it; and albeit their consci∣ences, and experience did therafter inform them sufficiently of their errour, yet fear of being punished, obliged them to continue in their crime, telling them in the ear, that albeit their cause was bad, yet their danger was inevit∣able.

Anaxagius own servants likewise did sing their own parts in this treasonable song; for they (as they pretended, when challenged by their friends) fore-seeing their masters ruine, which they were not able to resist, resolved rather to stand without him, than fall with

him; like those who having sailed long in a pretty ship, finding that she is like to split, do break away a piece off her, whereon they may come ashoare in safety. But it is no wonder to see the Devil, who cheated the judgement before the commission of the sin, cheat the conscience after it is once committed; and by such impious sophistry, defend his cheats against the just accusations of piety and duty. These miscreants did pick nightly his Majesties poc∣kets, and send doubles of his Letters to his enemies, whereby both his plots were disco∣vered, his friends laid open to his enemies ma∣lice, and likewise his own repute hugely tashed; for, some finding their correspondence with him, and only known (as they thought) to him, thus revealed; concluded that he beho∣••ved himself to be the revealer: And certainly, ••his scarred even his most loyal friends from corresponding with him, who albeit they durst ••ot harbour such disparaging thoughts of him ••s that was, Yet shunned to throw themselves 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that snare, wherein they saw others both ••atched and murdered.

Another cardinal errour in Anaxagius, was, That upon the tumults and insolencies of the ••••ulgar sort in the City of Lacedemon, he re∣••••quished the City, fearing that these fat••l ••omets did animate some signal alteration: But

by his flight, he rather encreased their jealou∣sie, than evited their clamourous malice, which was so swift-footed as to pursue him where••ever he went; for, in his absence the author•• of these seditions, did not now fear to be re∣vealed, nor, when revealed, to be so sharp•••• punished as formerly: Whereas if he had stay∣ed at Lacedemon, his generous and modest ••••∣portment would have refuted most of thes•• malicious and groundlesse discourses whic•• were now openly ventilated against him; th•• City likewise finding, that he misconstrue•• them so far, as to think himself not secur•• whilst amongst them, did now joyn with th•• Senate, cordially advancing them money, wher•• by both Army and Navie was maintained, an•• whereby those who followed Anaxagius wer•• entised to cantone themselves in the Senat•• faction; neither could the Senate comman•• the Navie without the Navie from whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 its materials could only be expected. Where••upon a Gentleman said to his Majesty one mor••ning, That a King was like the heart, whic•• when it is by any unnatural motion remove•• from its wonted seat, that certainly its disso∣lution must ensue shortly.

It is likewise firmly believed by many in th•• Nation, that the Senate fearing lest the K•••• of Egypt, brother to their Queen, should se••••

some auxiliary Forces against them, did by their Ambassadors buy with considerable sums Sophander's friendship, representing likewise covertly, that such a War would pick his Ma∣sters purse, leaving little or nothing to his friends and favourites, who otherwise might expect largely; and that it was the interest of Egypt, to see Lacedemon in such a hubbub. They likewise treated with the Common∣wealth of Corinth, to advance them Arms, promising that they should have liberty of fishing in their Seas, without any toll: a privi∣ledge which the Corinthians feared Anaxagius would both question and recall.

The Sun of Anaxagius power was begin∣ning to set, the Nobles, of whom his Army consisted mostly in Lacedemon, were, like flies, returning in the cool of the evening; and many attributed his ruine to their military disorders, and unskilfulness: for, each of them behoved to be preferred to some command in the Army, which occasioned, that those who had followed martial imployments abroad formerly, were constrained to sue for imployments from the Senate; as also the jars and emulations which were amongst themselves, destroyed the com∣mon unity, and made the Souldiery fear, that the house which had so many rents, would one ••••y fall; and that those would prove in end

wisest, who retired soonest: But contrariwise the Senate governed their Army most prudent∣ly, preferring experienced Souldiers to the most eminent charges, and proveanting them most opportunely upon all occasions; for, having the City at their devotion, it did suppediate them both with money, pitch, cordage, and other materials for their Fleet, and by the as∣sistance of the Fleet they victualled their Army in all places: whereas Anaxagius Army desti∣tute of such necessaries, were constrained to prey upon the Country, and thereby lost total∣ly their affections. The Senate likewise doted their Army with all priviledges imagi••able; for they licensed the Apprentices of all Cities, and of all Trades, to serve in their Army, and there to fulfil those years for which they were bound to their Masters; As also they recompensed with Offices in the State all such as had merit∣ed well of the State in the Army, and received their lame Souldiers in hospitals, and pensioned some others who were more eminent, and erected tombs for those who were killed in their service; punishing severely all who either openly or covertly promoted or favoured An∣axagius interest.

The Senate weary at last of being either authors or spectators of these bloudy conflicts, which hapned daily betwixt Anaxagius Ar∣mies

and theirs, resolved to patch up these differences, and to seek now by treaty what they formerly would have extorted by war; perceiving that they expended more treasure in the pursuit of their priviledges, than they could gain by them, albeit granted: and that Anax∣agius successors would re-assume what Anax∣agius would be obliged now to concede; which the Army perceiving, and concluding that their gain would be hereby totally drained; for the intended peace behoved to infer a dis∣banding of their Forces: and albeit an Act of Amnesty would lull them asleep in a promised security, yet old quarrels would be one day wakened by the malice of those, whose friends and kinsmen they have cut down; or by the avarice of Courtiers, who would endeavour to render them criminal, because their estates were opulent: Wherefore they concluded, that it was fit to possess themselves of Anaxagius person, that so a peace should not be concluded but at their pleasur••, or at least if it were con∣cluded, that it should be to their advantage; and that any courtesie should be conferred up∣on him, might be taken as a donative bestowed by them. These were the pretexts which Au∣tarchus, General of the Lacedemonian Forces, used, to induce his Souldiers to an assent in this particular, but his thoughts levelled at

another mark; for he was at this time laying the foundations of his future greatness, a stru∣cture which his subtility and boldness did af∣terwards rear to an unspeakable height.

Autophilus did now finde by the designs broached, that he and his adherents would be smothered under the ruine of Anaxagius go∣vernment, if it did once fall; and that those Merculiasts (for so were they termed who owned the Army, because they worshipped Mercury) intended to pluck up the branches of Nobility, with the root of Monarchy, did now condemn his first projects as disloyal in themselves, and, as prejudicial to his own sub∣sistance; whereupon he addresseth himself to Anaxagius, and gets a Commission from him to levy thirty thousand men in Athens, which he effectuated accordingly; for, his faction, which was numerous in it self, was swelled up greater by the concourse of those who affecti∣onated Oranthus; and who found that Pha∣nosebus would have massacred them, if they had not refuged themselves at this Altar. But both the one and the other were animated by the horrid usage which their Prince did meet with from the Mercurialists: those who had been loyal formerly continuing so still; and those who had been disloyal, thinking their zeal for him now, the only way to deprecate

his wrath, and satisfie their own consciences.

This Army marches, carrying alongst with it both all the warriours and warlike furniture of the Nation; and, as providence had taugh•• that Nation formerly, that few, assisted by it, might beat many; So it taught them now, that many, when resisted by it, might be beat by few; teaching in both, that it useth numbers rather as a shadow than a sword, imploying sometimes those, lest ordinary means should altogether be neglected, and vanquishing often without these, lest ordinary means should be too much relyed upon; and least, in both, di∣vine patience should be omitted. But these proved like the Witches, who can do ill, but cannot do good; and albeit they had raised the Devil of Rebellion, yet could they never lay him again, the heavens disdaining that any of its infant projects should de nursed by those who were once its enemies.

Phanosebus had all this while opposed this design, not but that he wished the releasment and enlargement of his Prince; but hating that he should be released by the Autophilists, estee∣ming every thing lawfull or unlawfull, accor∣dingly as it could advance or rebute that inte∣rest. Wherefore after the Autophilists were marched, he levyes some inconsiderable per∣sons, who had lyen at home, like some chaff in

the corner of a barn, after the wheat is all carried away. These were with much cunning trysted to the fields, not out of any intention to fight (for if they had dreamed of that, they had never moved) but as if it had been only to recreate themselves; yet then they were once mustered, they mustered all their courage in their faces, which they were necessitated to do, because their hearts refused to lodge such an unruly guest; and seing their breasts were already filled with golden hopes, they judged it folly to fill them with thoughts of steel: thus they resolved to conquer all, because they saw none to be conquered; and cartelled by their eyes all who would swear that they had nei∣ther arms nor courage: Here stood one in arms, complaining that his iron coat was too stiffe; and besides him stood his fellow, whose armour was armed with rust, which desired to be left at home to recruit the plough as former∣ly, pleading exemption, as not being betwixt sixty and sixteen, and so not obliged to go to the fields, but by twenty years older than both; telling him how they had fifty years since hin∣dered his fathers flight, who because thereof had vowed never to bring them abroad again: and withall that the bearing armour was too weighty an imployment for a clown, but whilst they are thus busied, an old wife, or rather one

so old as that it could not be known whither she was a wife; complained to a Captain, that her son had stollen away from her, a thing wherein her hens hatched their eggs, which he called a steel-cap, and which was at that present upon his head; which the young Cap∣tain slighted, calling her old hagg, and telling her that they were vexed in defending her and such others from their enemies: whereat she became inraged, and commanding her old hands by a young heart, pulls him from his saddle, from which the least pull could easily have invited him, the saddle it self disdaining to serve such a childish master: The field where∣in they mustered appeared a comedy, wherein cowards acted gallantry; but that gallantry was defectively monstruous, because it wanted hands, yet they seemed Basilisks, who could kill with their eyes, which seemed granades, from which they did shoot thousands of mur∣dering looks, their mouthes were the Arsenals where they kept all their arms, yet their safe∣ty lodged in their legs, which had proven their trusty friends in many other occasions: When they were all thus convocated, the trumpet breathes them out a march, but, alas, their unexperienced horses begun to dance at such musick (where those danced best who had learned least) and did instantly send their ma∣sters

to the ground, as if they wished them to dance there also, seing they could not dance on horseback: their Commanders thought, that they had lighted to kisse hands with the ground their old acquaintance, with which these clowns had spent most of their time; but alas, they, poor creatures, did lie there, perswaded by fear, that they had been overthrown by their enemies, and like assaulted travellours, who throw away to the robbers their purses before they should be violently taken from them, were breathing out their souls willingly to death, fearing lest it would open another passage than their mouth to facilitate their esc••pe. But amongst those many, who were all remarkable, there was one whom fear had marked for its own head-quarter; this fellow had gotten from his wife a linen bag, with some raw flesh, which had sealed its impressa in bloud upon the outside of the bag; which the coward percei∣ving in this twilight of fear, imagined that it had been tinctured with his own bloud, which occasioned his present death: here lay one opening his eyes, and presently closing them again, fearing, lest fear should wound them, if they were not armed with his eye-lids: only in this playing the gallant, that he could not endure to see either himself, or his friends wronged: over him crosse-wayes, did lie ano∣ther,

crossed extreamly by his own timer••usnesse, crying. misericorde, misericorde, imagi∣ning firmly, that his enemies was searching i•• his bowels where his life was hid: Not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from them was a third, who had covered his face with a mask of paleness, desiring not to be known, and hoping that none could expect to find life, where no bloud was to be seen, and had given order to his looks, to tell those who had searcht for his life, that it was gone to the other world to complain of their hard usage▪ yet at last, time perswaded them to believe thei•• eyes, witnesses, which they had formerly de∣clined as suspect; so that now they re-assem∣bled themselves, like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who had formerly fled from a shower, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 met, did conclude that trumpets were unlawfull instruments, and as being musick, were to be abominated, as con∣trary to the rites of their Church; and deter∣mined also, that they would to convocate them use a bell, a conceit which as it suited wel with their Ecclesiastick ceremonies, so fit for such a flock of sheep: But the great debat•• was, what they should carry in their standard yet at last they agreed to carry a sheep in it, to testifie the innocency of their cause, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bell about its neck: but to testifie that thei•• innocency was armed, they were perswade•• by their General to give the sheep horns; al

things thus prepared, they take their horses, and are advised by him to make them observe Lent, in not giving them flesh for fourty dayes, as a punishment for dismounting their masters: and now these bastard sons of Mars, upon whom he had bestowed rodomantade words and looks; being ready to march, they, by the help of a stone, mount their weak horses, being sadled with straw, and bridled with hair, and seemed at every step to have wagered, whether their horses did rise higher from the ground, or they from their saddles; resembling a young Gentleman, who at his first setting to Sea, is deserted by his feet, and tossed by the merciless waves, looking on horseback like patients on a close-stool: thus ••••••••grech fruit were flou∣rishing in their march, tumbled up and down by their unskilfulness in horsmanship, like the young bud of tender branches by a gentle gale of Northern wind; the more the horses vaul∣ted, the nearer they clapt their spurs to them, but the poor beasts who understood no more such imbracements, than their beastly masters did understand the Art of Horsemanship, did, by kicking and flinging, show their displeasure: whereupon a witty fellow told some of them, That it was no wonder that their irrational beasts could not abide to be spurred cruelly by their masters, seing the masters themselves

could not endure (though rational) to be spur∣red gently to their duty by their Prince: Which observe touched them so nearly, that they vowed never to fight any till that fellow were removed; which behoved to be obeyed, albeit their General entreated them to permit him to stay, to learn them how to sit on horseback: which was refused, whereof the Gentleman seemed very glad, fearing that if ever they did engage with their enemies, they should either leave him, else he behoved to leave his cou∣rage. But before I leave this discourse, I must tell you a pretty jest of a Gentleman, who be∣ing appointed an Officer in the Army, was as dejected thereat as if they had condemned him to fight, albeit in the justest of quarrels, a pu∣nishment which he judged too great for any crime; yet home he comes, and imparts the whole matter to his wife, who entreats him not to accept it, telling him how unfit he was for that charge, having fewed out his courage to his tenants, and that his complexion was so sweet, that he would not abide to stand where blood was shed. Notwithstanding whereof, he entreated her to let him see a calf killed, which she denyed him, swearing that it would make such a noise, that few were so stout as not to tremble at it; but that to experiment his cou∣rage, she was willing to let him see a chicken

murdered; yet, to satisfie his desire, he beho∣ved to see a calf killed: so the poor beast (I mean the calf) was brought to the utter court, where the Gentleman stood beholding it, and there seeing the knife in its throat, and hear∣ing the poor beast bellow so sadly, the compas∣sionate Gentleman, seemed to die for comrad∣ship with it.

By this time the Athenian Army in Lacede∣mon, under the conduct of Autophilus, was advanced as far as the heart of the Country, but their discipline was as bad as their courage was great: for, some by drinking, others by plundering, lost both the affection of the La∣cedemonians, and their own senses, which seemed to leave them, because they were so disorderly masters, who, to satisfie their plea∣sures, drowned them at all occasions, and think∣ing Anaxagius sufficiently obliged by them, if they drank his health; And surely he had been so, if they had thirsted as much for Blood as for Wine, and imployed their hands as well as their cups, bestowing that health in his quar∣rel, which they debauched in the tavern, and which ominated to the Lacedemonians their extirpation, and deterred them from joyning with them; they intended not to fight that season, expecting that Anaxagius wel-wishers would adjoyn themselves as limbe•• to their

body: they marched slowly, and at a great di∣stance one B••igade from another, pr••tending that they would not over-charge the Country by their vast numbers: but as this was their mistake, so it proved their bane; for Autar∣chus hearing of this sol••cism in discipline, falls upon them unexpectedly, and routs them be∣fore they heard that he was upon his march: sending the one half running back to tell the other half that they were beat; So that report routed more than he, albeit he routed all those who came in his way, and they were scattered like sheep pursu••d by a lion, and abandoned by their shepherd, thinking their capitulation good enough if their life was pardoned; yet those who were together, fought so generously, as that they evidenced sufficiently, that it was ra∣ther want of officers than of courage which made their companions fl••e: Those who fought, were commanded by o••e Milet••••, a Gentleman of a well tempered courage, whose prodigal hands did deal death liberally, and wounds freely, till his veins denied him b••oud, and his arms strength, both challenging him for having already banque••rupted too much of his stock, and thus overpowered by ••ultitudes, and fainting through exces••, he becomes their prisoner; who judged themselves happy when become masters of that sword, which had ma∣stered

them so oft formerly, and were over∣joyed to see it in their own hands, which they feared so much whilst it was in his.

We may perceive by this defeat, how nimi∣ous confidence is alwayes waited upon by tra∣gick disasters, and how the gods disappoint those who appoint for themselves boundlesse honours, which they assure themselves so of, as that they think that fate cannot rob them of them; and it is just that prudence minde them who will not minde it, and thinks it deroga∣tory to their valour to fight under its colours, scorning deliberation as superfluous, where the conquest is certain, and thinking it cowardise to doubt, where courage concludes the project infallible: this is that vice which makes youth madness, and one Statesman worth twenty Souldiers, and causeth the look of a wise man conquer more than the sword of a fool; and he who wears not his sword in the sheath of prudence, but keeps it alwayes naked, will doubtless one day cut himself by it; and will, when conquered, be hung up as a trophee of deliberations true worth, in fames immortal temple. Prudence is courage's eye, without which it is blinde, and so may be easily over∣come by what is weaker, and will stumble where there is no difficulty; this was partly the cause of their total ruine, for they wen••

rather to triumph than to fight; but because they did not fight, they lost the triumph.

Autarchus who had long been hovering, whether to aspire to the chief (if not the sole command) of the Nations, did now resolve to set up for it: for, he found that all the old factions had weakned one another, and would still continue so, and that by picking quarrels against the members of the Lacedemonian Se∣nate he had expunged those who were most loy•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anaxagius, installing some of his fa∣vourites in their vice, only he found the Army planted with many who favoured excessively the Senate, as being members in both, and so tyed too narrowly his actings, and informed too opportunely anent what passed there; to remedy which, he entreats the Senate to advert how dangerous it was for the Nation, to suffer any person to command in both, whereby he might one day command both, and how su∣perfluous it was, seing one enhanced the sala∣ries and imployments which might entertain many, especially now when they stood in need of many servants, and stood in fear of some few masters; as also, that their charge in both was neglected by their retaining both: In or∣der to which the Senate declares, That no per∣son shall be member of both Senate and Ar∣my; which made many choose rather to aban∣don

their offices in the Army, than in the Se∣nate, hoping that the Army should be soon disbanded, and finding that its members were already hated by the people, and might pro∣bably be punished by the Prince; and that from the Senate they might expect a civil im∣ployment more lucrative, and of lesse danger; and that the Army were but servants to the Senate, whose members they might cashier at pleasure, and who could never know the my∣steries of what was commanded; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Autarchus became sole Arbitrator of the whole Army.

There was one thing yet wanting to settle him, which was an association with the Athe∣nians; wherefore he goes in person thither, as if he went to root up the remainders of the Autophilist faction; but his intent truly was, to ensure the Phanosebeans to his interest, whom he knew would close with him upon his own terms, to have the Autophilists destroy∣ed, whereas he feared that after Autophilus were once destroyed, and his faction extingui∣shed, they would not so willingly associate with him, and here the event answered his expecta∣tion; for, at his coming to Athens, and his meeting with Phanosebus, they after some previous treaty, agreed in these Articles; That Autophilus who was then prisoner in Lacede∣mon,

should be beheaded; and that Phanose∣bus, in requital of this, should destroy all who opposed the Lacedemonian Senate in Athens; and that none should be admitted to any pub∣lick office in Athens who had served in that war, except such as the Senate of Lacedemon should approve: this they did, fearing lest else each Nobleman should bring in his friends, which those Athenians who were there could scarce hinder. This Treaty ended, Autarchus stayes with them till all uproars were setled, all suspect persons secured, and all the Judicato∣ries filled with those of Phanosebus faction, and in testimony of their respects to him, they court him, feast him, and present him with some rich Jewels.

After Autarchus return to Lacedemon, he endeavours to weaken the Country musters, pretending that they were too obsequious to the Nobility, and those too much devoted to Anaxagius; and albeit the continual custom of Lacedemon might plead for their continu∣ance, they being only at first instituted, and since continued to supply the want of Armies, could not be now either necessary, or conve∣nient, where the Senate were served by a du∣tifull and potent Army: By which means, he obtains from the Senate, that these should be discharged; Yet whilst this was a doing, he

causeth prorogate the treaties betwixt the King and Senate, purposly that he might afford An∣axagius well-wishers some hope, and so keep them quiet, till his own faction were well fea∣thered, that they might flee abroad upon their own wings.

Yet the carreer of his ambition stops not here, but he prevails with the Senate, threat∣ning some, and alluring others, to execute Au∣tophilus; and thereafter his fury flies at so high a pitch as to stage Anaxagius, and after some formalities of process, O horror, or some∣thing more horrible than horror! they con∣demn him as a traitour, and even those who were traitors to him; and as in all furious and desperate exploits, this is no sooner intended than executed.

That fatall day being come wherein wicked∣ness was to shew to the world its masterpiece, the Army is made to approach near the City, and those whose humour was known to be barbarous, and whose crimes were by them∣selves judged unpardonable, were chosen to be upon the guard, where about ten a clock An∣axagius comes forth upon a scaffold, which was all covered and hung with black, wearing Majesty in his looks, albeit they had devested him of its robes; his very face might have vin∣dicated him from more probable crimes than

those they could charge him with, and it see∣med that he came rather to take up, than to lay down a Crown: After he had setled himself a little and beckened for silence, he gave the by∣standers this farewell.

AMongst the many miseries wherewith miserable mans life is chequered, it is none of the least, that man should be mans tor∣turer: but amongst those afflictions which spring to men from one anothers malice, those are most insupportable, which are caused by near relations, seing it is a double affliction both to themselves afflicted, and to be afflicted by friends, from whom else they might expect some assistance; and what stranger will not condemn him as horridly guilty, to whom his relations are willing to be bourriers? It is not the fear of death (for my life hath not been so sweet of a long time, that my death needs to prove bitter) No, it is the fear of what dis∣orders will ensue upon my death which thus appales me; Neither would I grieve, if I judged that the one might prevent the other: but why should I not grieve, when I see that the one will occasion the other? And seing I fear that these Leeches will find the blo•••• of a King so fat and sweet, that it Will 〈…〉〈…〉 them to suck out greedily that of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

for, since neither the priviledge of my person, nor the justnesse of my cause, was able to re∣strain the hand of injustice from stretching it self out against me, what subject (in none of whom either of these is to be found in a more eminent way) can expect exemption? or, if he be exeemed, he owes that more to his fortune, than his innocence; And what a misery is it to live, where both life and fortune depends up∣on a may be? and to live where vertue can neither expect preferment, nor evite punish∣ment, the one being now the price of perjury, and the other the effect of hazard: As for my crime, it is such, as the worst of Kings cannot be guilty of, seing it can only be admitted against Kings: And so, seing not any one per∣son can be both accuser and defender, no King can be accounted a Traitour. It is true, some Lawyers do alleage, that a King, selling his Kingdom to a stranger, or betraying it to an enemy, commits Treason; but the reason in both these, is, because after he hath sold his Crown, or willing by treachery to convey it to another, he ceaseth of his own consent to be King, and so being a private person, may be guilty of that publick crime; but to sit upon the bench of ••ustice, and there ma••ked with the ••••••••ard of Law, is condemn a King, is a pr••••tice never hitherto attempted by the worst

of men, and so must be judged most horrid; for, if it had not been so, sure some one of those many Traitors (who have been both ma∣ny and malicious in all ages) would have ex∣cogitated this expeciency, to varnish the ••gli∣n••sse of their crime: for there is no evil which is judged practical by hellish persons, but histories swarm with instances of it, only this the worst of men have deferred to perpetrate, as being the worst of actions, till Iustice should in the end become so old and weak, as that it was not able to defend it self against even the highest of injuries: And as to those who were my Iudges, they had either no power; else if they had any, they derived it from me: for, if they condemned me as members of the Lacedemonian Senate, then they derived their authority from me, who only did establish it, and it was in obedience to my command, that the respective Counties elected them to be their Representatives: and consequently, when I was staged by them, they annulled their own au∣thority, even then when they exerced it against me: but if they pannelled me not, as commis∣sionated by that Senate, how could they be said to represent the Lacedemonian State, more than any other did; and so they judged me, without being constituted Iudges themselves: But no wonder to see those who neglect the

main, slight likewise particulars. As for me, I pardon these wrongs they have done me, judg∣ing it the prerogative of a King to pardon, whereas it is the part of a subject only to re∣venge; which since it argues parity, suits ill with royal Majesty. Neither value I any injury they can do me; for, seing they make me exchange earth for heaven, misery for in∣finite felicity, I account their wrongs, favours, but I grieve for those grievous wrongs which I fear will be exercised to you wards; for, se∣ing happinesse consisteth in being vertuous, and since patience is one of the cardinal vertues, I can in being patient without their permission make my self happy in spight of their malice; for surely, since the gods will remunerate men according to the pains taken in their service (a piece of justice which the most unjust among men could hardly decline) Certainly, there is no vertue can expect a greater reward than patience, seing there is no vertue which toils so much for it: Neither is there any vertue which is not acted in acting patience; for, in not grieving too much, we act temperance; in resisting the assaults of rage, we evidence true fortitude; and in submitting to the heavenly powers, we manifest our justice: but my soul is troubled, at the trouble which I fear is a preparing against you; and as the preserva∣tion

of your priviledges was my main care whilst I lived (esteeming the repose of the subject the only patrimony of the Prince) so now, nothing vexes me more at my death, than to foresee how these miscreants will glut their malice with your bloud, and their avarice with your estates; for, how can these love other mens children, who have murthered their own father? and how can they fear murder, who are guilty of parritide? Yet be not totally dis∣couraged; for certain••y, those who cannot suffer a superiour in the beginning, will not in the end suffer a competitor; and this Scepter which they have screwed out of my hand, will prove a bone, for which these mastiffs will one day fight amongst themselves; and after that this Land hath raged in this feaver of rebelli∣on for some space, it will at last recall its ba∣nished judgment, and judge it expedient to call home its banished Prince: and I am confi∣dent, that this disaster shall prove to my family but like a potion of physick, which may pro∣cure some sicknesse at first, but will perpetuate its health for the future; for when ye ponder how ye owe the conquest of your sweet Country to the courage of my Antcestors, who without them durst never have attempted it; and how ye owe your pure Religion to their zeal, with∣out whom none of you would have dared its

Reformation; as likewise, how hundreds, yea, thousands of years, joyned to the experience of your antcestors, may be adduced as witnesses to depone in its favours, when ye advert how your Taxes and Gabels will augment, and your Iu∣stice diminish daily; when you see your streets dyed with bloud, and your faces with paleness, oppression your Legislatour, and pride and vio∣lence the executors of these Laws, then your consciences will upbrade you with your defe∣ction, and torture you for your injustice.

After this discourse was ended, the Execu∣tioner (acknowledging the wickednesse of his imployment by the masking of his face) did end his unparallel'd life.

Pity it was, to behold how pity by its iron mace of sorrow broke the hearts of the be∣holders; for not a face there was scarleted by one drop of bloud, as if all their bloud had been transubstantiate in water, to suppeditate tears to their prodigal eyes, which stood like clouds, first darkned with sorrow, and there∣after distilling in showres of tears, which did trickle down, as if they would bury themselves also in that ground wherein his princely body was to be intombed; neither was those eyes judged fit to behold heaven, who had not first washen themselves with tears shed for him▪

or if any weeped not, it was, because they re∣sembled those vessels which are so full, that they can drop none; or else, because their souls sick of an appoplexy of grief, had forfaulted all its senses and faculties; but amongst many others, there was one, whom grief had enra∣ged, and whom rage had so grieved, that reti∣ring to his chamber, he quivered out these dol∣full notes.

O distracted heart! why borrowest thou not wings from dispair to flee after thy peer∣lesse Prince? if thou stay in the dark dungeon of my cloudy breast, thou shalt be fed with sorrow and drowned with tears. O super∣nal powers! (if I may call you powers who suffer your selves to be overpowered by in∣justice) must we term you both good, and gods, seing ye permit such innocent souls to be ballated upon earth by violence and oppressi∣on? is it not enough, that ye should send us a barren and heavie age of iron, but that ye must likewise edge it with steel, that it may the better cut to pieces our grieved souls? Was not the treasure of mans misery great enough before, but that ye behoved to aug∣ment it with their new coined afflictions? O earth! why swallow ye not such miscreants? is it, because ye fear to contaminate your pure bowels with such contagious carcasses? if so,

vomit up your flames of fire, to cleanse your surface of that pest. O heavens, ye are most wronged! wherefore the punishment belongs to you; scorn ye to be bourriers to such vile persons: if so, commissionate frogs and ser∣pents to devour them. O Pluto, why re∣callest thou not thy brethren? and hell, why suffer ye your vice-gerents alwayes to roam abroad? is it because ye fear that they would extinguish your flames with their fruitless tears? or is it, because ye fear that they would deserve your scepter better than your self, as being more expert in the art of wickednesse than ye are? or, intend ye that they live up∣on earth to the end they may imbitter the lives of those who are in it?

With that he rises all in fury and cryes,

Vp Lacedemon, arm thy self with rage, And all those miscreants banish from the stage; Lest neighbouring Nations, with the finger of scorn, Point out that Rose that chang'd is in a Thorn.

After this he would have killed himself, but prudence whispered him iu the ear, that it was fitter to live and see the fatal period of those

Regicides; to which resolution he acquiesced, washing his hands in innocencie with his streams of tears.

The heavens likewise gloomed at what past, and Phoebus looking sullen and posting by, seemed to bestow no more light upon Lacede∣mon than he glanced to them over his shoul∣der, disdaining to look streight to those, who were not streight themselves, and the clouds keeping up their rain, darkned the face of hea∣ven, either unwilling to fatten the earth, which was by its fruits to fatten those Traitours; or fearing to let its drops fall in a Country where Kings were murthered; the air likewise (each attome whereof seemed swell'd with rage) be∣cause so grosse, as that the grossest lungs could not breath it, nor the sharpest eye pierce it. Thus Nature seemed to clothe all her houshold in mourning for the losse of her dearest darling, and she became enraged at these villains, for breaking that Tableau which she had distinated as a remembrance of her exquisit skill to all ages.

Theopemptus, eldest son to Anaxagius, succeeded to him, a Gentleman of a noble spi∣rit, and well limb'd eloquence, who knew well by the bridle of cunning, to govern the fierce monster of popular fury, and whose genius (quadrant-like) was able to measure the height

of the highest imployment to which it was ap∣plyed, and who by the art of patience, could make the rarest flowers of vertue and genero∣sity, grow in the cold and barren soil of afflicti∣on, which did continually yeeld so abundantly the seeds of precepts and example, as that thereby in short time he stored therewith the gardens both of Court and Country, which was formerly judged impossible, because of the largeness of the one, and weediness of the other: yet providence judged fit to enamel this golden spirit with the black colour of ad∣versity, giving him an opportunity thereby to evidence, that chance did not share with him in his vertue, but that he could be vertuous, not only without the assistance, but even in spight of the resistance of that blind (though ordinary) helper: or, if chance played ever in his game, it was because it knew none could be a loser who was associated to such a gamester: and so, that to which all thers were debtors, was a debtor to him, who thought it more princely to give, than to receive. The Synod had pained themselves oft, to draw him to be their Leader, thinking it easie to perswade a young Prince to be an absolute King, and fore-seeing that he would be very helpfull to them, seing the sons presence would impatron their defection from the father; and seing

the father behoved either to condescend to their overtures, fearing lest the people might uphold the Crown upon his tender head, which was not yet strong enough to bear it; else, if that framed not according to their wishes, they might keep the son, as an hostage for the fa∣thers obedience, intending to cut him off how soon the father cut off their hopes: these were the endeavours of wicked Autarchus, who as he was wicked in this, so was blind in not per∣ceiving that providence perceived his bloudy designs.

The Mercurialists, who had a long time ped∣led under the Jovists, did now begin to trade for themselves, these were persons whose zeal was so hot, as that it burnt their charity, and whose charity was so cold as that it did frieze their natural affection, interesting themselves in all businesses, and busying themselves with all interests; who sighed not so much out of piety (albeit that was pretended) as because they saw their faction crossed, or themselves not advanced; and whose tears gushed out, fearing that if they stayed within, they should be contaminated by their pestiferous breasts, which the dullest of men might by the breath of their words know to be infected: these had in their hearts abjured their Prince, and per∣jured themselves (perjuring themselves in so

far as they had abjured their Prince) and by tolerating all sects, and slagitious persons, had almost possessed all the Offices of the Army; and who were perswaded to desert the Jovist faction, when they resolved to desert their Prince, knowing that these two justled one against the other, whereupon they proclaim immunity to all crimes, providing the criminals be willing to associate with them in the crime of treason, when any thing was to be agitated in the Senate, they sent abroad those members who were of the Jovist faction, imploying them either in levying men or monies in the Coun∣try, or in transactions of small importance up and down the City, and under pretext of guar∣ding the Senate; they placed alwayes guards of their own cabel (for all the Souldiers fol∣lowed their principles, as those which licensed them most to satisfie their own irrational ap∣petites) and by that means hindred all the Se∣nators, who were not of their judgment, from entring to give their judgments in subjects de∣batable; and this cheat they used when An∣axagius was declared by the Senate guilty of treason, as we related formerly; yea, at that time they caused some of the Guards call them out of the House, pretending some particulars with them, whom when they came they pulled away, not suffering them to enter till the de∣bate

was ended, and hurrying away others to prison, alledging an order from the Senate for what they did, which none durst challenge, seing they dared once to alledge it: But after Anaxagius death, all the Jovist faction re∣moved themselves, abhorring by their presence to authorise such illegal actings: as also Cyrus Generall of the Army, resigned his batton, finding that Autarchus endeavoured both to defame and ruine him in the Army.

Meetings amongst subjects have alwayes been esteemed unmeet by the Prince, as being the nests wherein the Cockatrices of Rebellion are oft hatcht; and seing in them treasonable projects are oft, at least may be easily ventila∣ted, the Prince hath reason to advert to them, and may justly prohibite them: for, since they resemble Incorporations, they should aswell as those be authorized by his permission, but especially such Conventicles as dare not ad∣mit light to be a member; wherfore Law just∣ly presumes that to be done illegally which is done secretly: for, if the actors might avow publickly their meetings, it is not probable that they would be at the pains to hunt for priva∣cies, especially, seing ambition prompts the least vain amongst men, to act what they think al∣lowable before witnesses: In these Conventi∣cles all the cheats of that faction were hatched;

for, whilst they perswaded men that they were sacrificing at these times to the immortal gods, they were really but borrowing the seal of de∣votion, that they might affix it to the forged writs of their own capricious and rebellious fancies, and were afterwards inhibited by Au∣tarchus, when sole Governour; who know∣ing best by what means he had cheated the people himself, knew best how to close those back-passages upon others; and who by con∣demning it in others, acknowledge it damnable in himself.

The Athenians perceived now their errour, in believing the Lacedemonian Senate; and Phanosebus did now conclude, that since Auto∣philus and Oranthus were removed, he would monopolize his Princes affection; wherefore he moves the Senate of Athens to send to Co∣rinth, where their Prince lived in exile, to bring him home, which is done instantly, and Theo∣pemptus is brought home privatly, lest the La∣cedemonian Fleet should have ensnared him at Sea: but all who had served Oranthus, or stuck by Autophilus, were banished from Court, and Theopemptus is necessitated to submit to all the determinations of the Pha∣nosebean faction, who vex him daily with new suits, and fill his Court with new favourites, whose clownishnesse dissatisfied his noble and

courtly spirit; and whose ignorance tortured his accute wit and vast experience: all affairs were chewed by the rotten teeth of these dolts, who determined all things in their private con∣claves before they came to the Council-table, studying rather how to crosse, than how to serve their Prince; yet shunned that wise Prince, either to offend them, or to seem to be offended at them; for albeit he was so judici∣ous, as to discern their follies, yet was he so prudent as to dissemble his resentments, know∣ing that cheats are like flowers and herbs, which are best discerned when they flourish most, and most hated when best discerned.

The Lacedemonian Senate, hearing that the Athenians had refuged Theopemptus, resolved to send an Army against them, under the con∣duct of Autarchus, who assured the Senate that he was confident of many friends there, and their factiousness would prove his intimate well wisher; as also, that it was surest game to fight Theopemptus in Athens, lest if he marched into Lacedemon, his Army might prove like a ball of snow, which the further it rouls, grows alwayes the greater; and that possibly the command of a King, joyned to his diligence, might piece up those differences, which did like wedges, for the present, cleave assunder that rent Nation. Besides these, Au∣tarchus

design was, to engage further the La∣cedemonian Senate in that rebellious quarrel, and to imbrew so their hands in the Bloud-Royal, as that no capitulation might be able to wash it off; and by this new imployment, to acquire new respect to himself from the Army, and to render the Army necessary in the Com∣monwealth, fearing lest they should come to want respect, if they come once to want im∣ployment. He marcheth to Athens with a well equipaged and long-experienced Army; having exact intelligence from his Army of all that passed there. The Phanosebeans who on∣ly commanded both Church and State, made head against him, but their Army was so mis∣govern'd by a Committee from whom they re∣ceived all their Orders, that Autarchus needed none to conquer them besides their own un∣skilfulness and confusion. Sometimes in mat∣ters of greatest expedition, they could not be convocated, and when they were assembled, their opinions fought each one against another, whilst all should have imployed themselves in fighting against the common enemy: thus they continued to distract that poor Nation by their distracted fancies, till at last Autarchus falls upon their Camp privately, and cuts them▪ all to pieces.

That old Army being beat, a new Army is

ordered to be levied; and now Cletus who succeeded to his brother Autophilus, gains to his party, some of those who owned Phan••∣sebus interest formerly, and by their assistance obtains (after many and long debates at the Council-table) that all those who had followed Autophilus and Oranthus faction, should be re-admitted to their old charge, and admitted in others then vacant, alledging, that else the Counties who were much enclined their way, would never engage cordially in his Majesties quarrel; for, who would be so mad as to fight in that Army, where they feared their own Commanders more than their enemies; or, who would strengthen that Army by new Levies, who would be imployed to assist their inveterate enemies at home, after they were once victorious abroad? Adding, that who could hinder any man to quench that fire which was burning his own house? or, who could hinder a son to defend his mother?

The Phanosebeans finding themselves beat from all these bulwa••ks, did at last retire (as their custom was) to the Citadel of Religion, alledging that their consciences could not allow them to associat themselves to those, whose sins would prove like so many bosome enemies; and that to contract friendship with such, was to declare war against the immortal gods: yet

Theopemptus had so cunningly insinuated him∣self with the Jovist Priests, that the greatest and wisest part of them, did not only tolerate, but likewise approve that association, by which the Phanosebeans became enraged, and devoted themselves to the Lacedemonian faction, albeit many thought that Phanosebus self continued loyal.

Cletus (a singularly well accomplisht Gen∣tleman) became by this means Theopemptus darling, and promotes exceedingly their new Levies, so that in a short space an excellent Ar∣my is drawn to the fields; yet they were so wearied by delayes, and starved with hunger by the Phanosebean Officers, that many dropt away, being near home, and many were affa∣mished; occasions of fighting were neglected, and the loyallest persons sent upon desperat ex∣ploits: which Theopemptus perceiving, and fearing that the continuance of this evil should prove an irremediable evil in the end, resolved to march to Lacedemon, having assurance from some, and well-grounded hopes from others in that Nation, that they would assist him: but at his entry, the Athenians, who wanted pay, and feared both the tediousness of the journy, and treachery of their Officers, did like Nor∣thern Ice, drop away before the Southern Sun, and were at last overtaken by Autarchus

(to whom those fresh forces whom he left be∣hind did joyn incontinently) and so did dissi∣pate that poor handfull, whom the tediousness of the journey had left alive; yet in spight of all enquiry, providence so mudded the eyes of those who enquired after him, that he escaped their hands, and blows a gentle gale out of its mouth, which conveys him over to Corinth.

Autarchus hoises up now the sails of his ambition, which were instantly ••illed with the smiling gales of success, and placing confidence at the helm, steers streight for the haven of Su∣premacie. He marries his daughters to the most eminent Officers of the Army, and diggs deeply in the secrets of the wives, that he might learn the secrets of the husbands: he bribes the Astrologues to foretel his conquests, making his wishes the heavenly houses by which they foretold his successe, and instigates a great many Enthusiastick persons to prophe∣sie his happiness, authorizing themselves by revelations, by which means he animates his own, and terrifies his adversaries, wringing new pay and priviledges to the Army from the Senate, by which he both fortifies the Ar∣my, and brings a masse of odium upon the Se∣nate.

The door whereby he was to enter Supre∣macies parlour, was now bolted by no other

bar, than by his jealousie of Anarchus interest in the Army; who in all this war being his colleague, he feared he might become his com∣petitor; wherefore he perswaded him, to suit for the Government of the Isle of Patmos, and perswaded him, that if he would lay down his charge in the Lacedemonian Army, that he would procure it for him from the Lacedemo∣nian Senate; for in the present scarsity of Of∣fices, none could enjoy two at once, especially of two so eminent as those were: Anarchus imbraces the proffer, choosing rather to be first in the Army of Patmos, then second in the Ar∣my of Lacedemon, and demits his charge, which he no sooner demits, than the Senate by Au∣tarchus instigation, presently accepts, and ther∣after slights him; whereupon he is constrained to retire home, byting his lip because he had condescended to that unfortunate transaction.

The stage being thus cleared of all incum∣brances, Autarchus begins to act his chief scene, and endeavoureth to irritate the Army against the Senate; which he might the more easily effectuate, by reason that the Senate did now begin to discover his roguery, and the Armies tyranny, and were endeavouring to re∣duce some of their Regiments, and affront some of their Officers; which Autarchus adverting to, ordered all the nearest lying Regiments to

march up unexpectedly to the City; and co∣ming one morning to the Court of the Palace where the Senate did then sit, he closes the gate, lest any of the number should escape; and turning him to the Souldiery, opening his mind thus to them.

Fellow Souldiers, your bleeding wounds and wounded bodies, deserve better requital from this Senate than frowns or threats; and albeit ye be not actually in service against their enemies, yet that is no more a reason why ye should not be paid and cherished as formerly, than a Mariner who hath served his Master in a storm at Sea, should be shaken off and refused maintenance when he comes a shoar: Ye have abandoned your houses, and renounced your trades, that ye might make their Army your house, and their ser∣vice your trade: And must these, in whose hands ye have put the sword, take your swords from you, and ruine you after that ye have ruined their enemies? What may this Nation expect from these Masters, who refuse maintenance to the best and loyallest of their servants? and seing they disoblige us so much, who have so much obliged them, what shall the rest of the Nation expect, who have never obliged them at all? And may we not see that their quarrel against us, is our just

pay, which otherwise they might coffer up themselves? What shall the world say of us, if that after we have banisht Monarchy, we establish Tyranny? and to counterpoise the antiquity of the former Government, should not we endeavour to evidence as much wis∣dom and moderation in this, which we are to establish, as the former could alledge anti∣quity or prescription? Remember that cou∣rage and prudence have so strict an alliance, that valour without prudence, is no valour, but rather temerity: wherefore if ye shew not prudence after these many victories, wherewith fame hath crowned you as with so many lawrels, your former victories will be attributed either to blind chance, or to your enemies imprudence; and how can ye be termed prudent, if ye suffer your selves to be trampled upon by the feet of Tyranny? Wherefore make the world witnesses of your gallantry, in refusing to serve those, who could neither prize nor reward your services, and settle in your own persons that Govern∣ment which ye have suffered so much for.

All condescended to this overture, and Aut∣archus dismisses that ignorant rabble, who had formerly by his assistance thrown out those worthy patriots, who had been their former colleagues, and by this means, he who had been

in appearence so much an enemy to Arbitrary Government in the person of Theopemptus, became an affecter of it in his own; and was declared by the Army Governour of Lacede∣mon and Athens in this interim; promising to render up his power to the first Senate which should be legally conveened, by the Authority of the People; Proclamations are immediatly issued out, to remonstrate to the People the reasons of raising the Senate, and of establish∣ing the Government for the interim in the person of Autarchus: but both these actions were so black that they could receive no other tincture, and the faces of their cheats so large that no vizard could be found big enough to cover them.

Autarchus endeavours to retain by cheats, that power which he had gotten by force; and because he perceived that the Church had been an occasion of many great alterations in the State formerly, by reason that the Ecclesiasticks debated every thing, and retarded most of what was resolved by the State; he therefore re∣solves to moddel such an Ecclesiastick Govern∣ment, as might wholly be subordinate to the Civil; for which cause amongst those many Religions which were at that time professed in Lacedemon, he chooses one, which allow no publick Conventions amongst Ecclesiasticks;

which being once setled, he sets himself to crush the faction of Theopemptus, which he doth by inhibiting all publick Conventions, wherein mutinies might be hatched, such as horse-matches, feastivals, &c. he carresses some of all factions, shewing thereby that all might, if they pleased bring favour; and supports the weakest faction, that so it might by his as∣sistance counterpoise the other, knowing that by these, all joynt Insurrections would be re∣tarded, and that the one in odium of the other, would unseale one anothers mysteries, and countermine one anothers projects: He dis∣armed the people, whereby he both disabled them to act any thing to his prejudice for the present, and weaned their spirits from all mar∣tial imployments for the future; and likewise filling his own Arsenal richly, he made himself seem terrible to all that wisht his ruine. Being thus secured against foreign Incursions, he en∣deavours to secure himself against intestine broils; lest else he might prove like to one of those theeves, who leaves their own door open whilst they go abroad to steal from their neigh∣bours; to obviate which, he imploys the most eminent amongst the Officers, as Counsellor•• of State; both, lest they should repine at his being the sole Arbitrator in all affairs, and tha•• they might bear an equal share in the odium o••

what was done by him to displease the people; yet lest they should twist themselves too far in the Government, he appointed alwayes some festival dayes of worship for the gods, where∣with to busie them, whilst he himself is busied in dispatching matters of the greatest moment; and lest those who were Governours of Cities, and Countries, should insinuate themselves too far in the affection either of Soldiers or Coun∣trymen, he transplanted them oft from one place to another; and to prevent the idleness of the Soldiers, (which might have given them both leisure and opportunity to fall by th'ears amongst themselves) as also to have some pre∣text to levie moneys from the people (which poor people he fleeced like a sheep at his plea∣sure) he warred continually against some neighbouring Prince, buying to himself repute with the bloud of the Souldiers, and money of the people.

Amongst his many other State-sophismes, this was one most remarkable, because oft re∣iterated. When Autarchus had notice given him by his Spies, of any Royallist who had more avarice than money, and who could be no longer honest, than he was rich; he pre∣sently sent for them, and after he had con∣vinced them, that he was master of their life and fortunes; and of their ••olly in adhering so

pertinaciously to Theopemptus faction, he prof∣fered them considerable sums to owne his in∣terest; and to seem to draw a faction for Theo∣pemptus, pretending Commissions for that ef∣fect, and getting a great many hands to sub∣scrive some Remonstrance, and especially the hands of those whom he suspected to be loyal, or knew to be rich: which being gotten, that he should acquaint him with the Rendevouze appointed, or suffer himself and the Papers to be apprehended by some of the Souldiery: by which means he rid himself of the most emi∣nent, and enriched his treasury by the alledged treason of his most considerable enemies, and made his own wit to be admired, and brought his adversaries to that passe, that they could not trust one another.

Another stratagem which he used to ensnare that generous Prince, was this: He had notice given him of one called Asebus, whose pover∣ty behoved to have some bone to gnaw upon, albeit he should have drawn it out of the devil•• side; him Autarchus sent for, hearing that he was an Agent for the Royal faction, and after many allurements (it being easie to perswade where avarice opens the ear, and necessity play•• the Oratour) he prevails with him to go to Theopemptus, and carry alongst with him six thousand crowns, and assure him of the like sum

yearly, in pension from some friends in Lace∣demon (whose purses loyal compassion had opened) Theopemptus desires to know their names; but Asebus pretended that he was sworn not to tell that, wherewith he rests sa∣tisfied; but perswades himself that the senders were his friends, and that Asebus was a confi∣dent of theirs, else they had never trusted him, and a friend of his, else he had never underta∣ken the imployment; and thus he acquaints him with all his designs, which the other no sooner know than he reveals them to Au∣tarchus. Yet the gods (who are not idle spe∣ctators, but just judges of mens knavery) de∣ciphers h••m at last; for having one day seen some dispatches which were sent to Lacede∣mon by Theopemptus, he acquaints Autarchus, who apprehends and executes the Gentlemen who were entrusted: whereat Theopemptus extreamly enraged, accuses a Nobleman, who had only seen those Letters besides Asebus, the Nobleman vindicates himself, but not being believed by his Prince, he runs in fury to Asebus his Cabinet, and there finding some Letters of correspondence from Autarchus to him, he causeth him to be presently appre∣hended.

Amidst these triumphs, triumphing death cuts his treacherous dayes, and hurries him to

eternal torment, who tormented others here; And thus died the most hatefull Tyrant who ever lived, leaving behind him a son, in whose simplicity the gods punished the fathers cheat∣ing prudence; this was that Ephemerus of whom I spoke formerly, who being nominated by his father his successor, was admitted by the Souldiery, not so much out of any respect they bore him, as fearing that if the charge were de∣clared vacant, emulation should cut the throat of their quiet. It was thought that Epheme∣rus (finding his own insufficiency) resolved to recal Theopemptus, but his design was choaked by timorousness, fearing least the Army per∣ceiving his design, should ruine him, and dis∣appoint his project: Others thought, that his enemies used only this, as an argument to per∣swade the Army to relinquish him, as they did afterwards. However, he was induced by some who favoured the Royal faction, especially by Monus General of the Athenian Forces, to convocate a Senate, whereby they expected to establish Monarchy. Anarchus all this while, like a boyling liquor could not contain himself in a private condition, without running over, and like the children, chose rather to be burnt in the sunshine of a publick imployment, tha•• stay in the shade of privacy; wherefore he deals with some Officers to recall him, and en∣tering

in a confederacy among themselves, they deal with Morus General of the Lacedemoni∣an Forces, to concur with them in perswading Ephemerus to set the Senate a packing; which Morus (poor fool) assents to, and whereof Ephemerus is simply perswaded, the one in∣duced by the glory of governing the Army, who was to govern all; and the other terrified by fear, concluding that the Army would as∣sume by force, what was denyed in favour. Thus we see glory makes men too credulous, because it ponders danger too little; and fear makes men too credulous, because it ponders danger too much; the one not seeing what is, and the other seeing more than is: which are the two ordinary diseases both in the eyes of body and mind. And as in things corporeal, so also in spiritual productions, we see monsters both in defect and excesse engendred; pru∣dence missing its mark in the one, as nature misseth hers in the other: for, as hot-spurr'd ambition will not suffer prudence to stand to hear its errand; so leaden-footed fear suffers the occasion to slip before it brings prudence up to the place where it should act; and as one who runneth can never see any object which he posts by exactly; so one may dull his sight after such a fashion in looking too long upon one object, that he may come to see nothing,

because he hath looked too much: And pre∣meditation is like the fire, whose flames shew equally little light at first when it is kindled, and at last when it hath burnt too long. But Ephemerus was hugely misted by his own folly in this (fear being alwayes like a mist, which makes the object appear greater than it is) for, seing there are only two wayes, either to acquire or retain Supremacy, the one by a pretended authority, such as the Senate was; and the other by irresistable force, such as the Army was: and since he was confident that Anarchus had debauch'd the Army from his obedience, he should never have abandoned the Senate. Neither did Morus evidence lesse folly in colluding with Anarchus, for he might have seen (if the eyes of his reason had been open) that since Anarchus was able to dissolve the Senate by the assistance of the Army, that he might in time by their assistance ruine him far more easily, who was but a single person; and seing many of those who commanded, had been under Anarchus his charge, when they were Morus his competitors and equals, he might have concluded that they would far more wil∣lingly obey an old master, than one but late equal; as also, that the Souldiery who had been victorious under his conduct (and so were confident of his courage and prudence) would

more cordially follow him than any else; and by Autarchus eying him as his competitor, Morus might have feared to take him in to be his colleague. No sooner is the Senate dis∣solved, than the Army establishes that old Se∣nate which Autarchus had at first dissolved; for seing they found that the Nation could not be satisfied without a Senate, they resolved to establish that wherein many of themselves were members, and whom because of their paucity they might easily command. Yet many judged that they recalled these fools, not out of any affection, but meerly because they were not able themselves to settle their own differences in so short a time; which conjecture was ap∣proven by the event: for, these Officers of the Army, finding that the Senate consulted them not in all particulars, nor called them to fill up the vacant places which were many amongst them, did endeavour to re-assume that power with which they had invested those ingrate fellows formerly; who look'd upon their re∣storers, as if they had only been their servants, which they perceiving, ordered the casheering of these daring Officers, and especially of Mo∣rus and Anarchus; but being hated by the people, as those Leeches who had suckt the Bloud Royal, and as those burriers who had strangled the tranquillity of the Nation, and

being jealoused by the Army, as the persons who endeavoured to wrest the power out of their hands, they were turned out by Anar∣chus, and the whole power was retained by the Army; who resolved to subject themselves to none, and to make all subjects to them: Hereupon Monus, whom the late Senate eying as a Royallist, had called to bear charge in La∣cedemon, intending really to have laid him fast by the heels, did refuse alwayes, pretending that he was bound by promise to the Army of Athens, not to remove thence till they were compleatly satisfied of their Arrears; whereby he found a pretext to excuse his stay (seing he knew that they could not advance so much money) and endeared himself to the Souldiery, and did fully engage them to him; and now perceiving, that the Commonwealth would one day perish by their convulsion fits of schism, to which it was so subject; and knowing by its change of colour, that it did begin to faint, re∣solved to lay hold on this occasion, and to purge away these malignant humours out of the bo∣dy of the State, whilst they were thus com∣moved; wherefore he declareth War against the Council, because they had banisht the Se∣nate; yet covertly he hated the Senate as much as them, but resolved by helping the weakest, and by ruining the Army, to re-establish Theo∣pemptus:

for effectuating whereof he cashiers instantly all such in his Army, as he feared did encline too much to Anarchus, and morgages all his Plate and Jewels for money to pay his Army, making the Athenians advance the su∣perplus; for they were perswaded, that if An∣archus gained, that all their goods should be confiscated, and their lives, if not endangered, at least imbittered: As also, he advances one degree all his Officers, obliging them to fight for their own dignities, if they would not in his quarrel. Many judged Monus a fool in this attempt, like those who seeing only the first draughts of a pencile, though never so curious, yet thinks the face deformed, whereas the skil∣ful Painter himself, or any exquisit Artist, knows that it will prove well: for, he considered wisely, that all the Senates faction, and which was more, all the Royal faction, would owne him, and that possibly he might gain some of theirs (expecting pardons for their crimes) but that doubtlesse they could never debauch any of his; that the Cash being in the Senates hands, and at their disposal (none being in a ca∣pacity to levie money except a Senate) and the Cash being the breasts by whose milk the Ar∣my was kept alive; he knew they could not long subsist without it; likewise he found by his well founded intelligence, that dispair was

arming all men, in all the corners of the Nation. Yet to encourage his souldiers, he convocats all the nobility of Athens, and communicats to the wittiest amongst them, his design, to re-establish Monarchy, and desired them not to startle at any publick protestations to the contrary, which necessity might wring from him; and desires them to be ready waiting his call, and for that effect he fills up all the vacant places in his Ar∣my with Athenians, and author••zes the rest to wear Arms as formerly. But the Mercurialists in Athens endeavoured to oppose his designs, alleaging that he desired a convocation of the Nobility, only to ensnare them, and laboured to impede the payment of those taxes which he required, pretending that Anarchus would cause them be payed over again, and not only so, but would likewise impute the first payment of them to the Nation, as an unpardonable crime: by this means they thought to have hindered the payment of the Souldiers, and without that, they knew that Monus could not subsist; As also they endeavoured to set the Nobility and Citizens by the ears, alleag••ng that the Nobility laboured to cry down usury, and to necessitate their Creditors to accept Lands for their Money, which would ruine Trade. But such was the zeal of the Nation, for the re-establishment of Theopemptus, and

such was their affection to Monus, that these Fanaticks gained nothing by all their pains but ignominy to themselves, and a curse to their posterity: Anarchus Army hearing that the Athenians were all in Arms covertly, and fea∣ring ambushes in a Country where they were both unaquainted, and hated; and know∣ing that Anarchus wanted money to pay their Arrears, whereas Monus had paid those who served him, they refuse to advance to Athens, whereas it was thought, that if he had advanced immediately, that most of the Souldiery enclining his way, that they had de∣serted Monus and followed him. Whilst An∣archus is upon his march from Athens, the Se∣nate is setled in safety at Lacedemon, by some Officers, whom the Council had disobliged, and whom the Senate had bribed with promi∣ses of future preferment; which necessitated Anarchus to return; but in his return, all his Souldiers either dropped away privatly, or re∣volted openly; which for••ed him to make his capitulation, but robbed him of the means of capitulating handsomly: Monus follows, and marches straight to Lacedemon, and in his march, is welcomed by the applauses of the people, and addresses of the Gentry, and found an unanimous desire in all men to have Theo∣pemptus called home. At his entry to Lace∣demon,

he is carressed by the Senate at first, yet afterwards they conjecture that he byasseth Theopemptus way; wherefore to try him, and to make him odious to the people, they imploy him in razing down the gates of the City; which he obeyes, fearing to be discovered too soon; but obeyes so wittily, as that he makes the odium rebound upon themselves; malice being a ball, which, if thrown violently, bolts up presently upon the thrower; and in stead of making the City his enemies, he gains them to be his friends; whereat the Senate shewes themselves dissatisfied, fearing that such an ho∣nest servant would never satisfie such roguish masters. Monus resolves joyntly with the City, to procure the re-admission of those, who being Colleagues with their present Sena∣tors, were excluded because of their adherance to Anaxagius; which he effectuates happily, and thereby puts a bridle in the head of that unruly beast the Senate: yet, albeit those who were re-entred were the more numerous, the old members so perplext them by debates, and so oft discovered their secrets, that they brake up the present Senate, and called a new one.

In this Senate Theopemptus is called home; not limited by conditions, as some desired; for how could Subjects give Law to a King? and possibly these conditions would have been by

the next ensuing Senate, declared T••reason, and the Treaters declared Traitors, but absolutely each endeavouring who should strengthen his prerogative most.

At his Proclamation the people kindled in∣numerable bonfires, as if by them they intend∣ed to purge the air of these Nations, which had been polluted with blasphemy against the gods, and rebellion against the King formerly; or else, as if they intended to bury in these graves, and burn to ashes those cares, wherewith they had been formerly afflicted; Their flames mounted so high, that one might have thought that they intended to carry news of those So∣lemnities to heaven; and the smoke covered the T••owns pend-ways, lest heaven should have discerned the extravagancies whereof the In∣habitants were guilty; for gravity was banish∣ed as an enemy to their duty, and madnesse was judged true loyalty; the trumpets were ecchoed by the vociferations of the people, and those vociferations seemed to obey the sum∣mons of the trumpets; the bells likewise kept a part with the singing multitude, so that both bells and people did both sing and dance all at once; and the air no sooner received these news, but it dispersed them to all the corners of the City, and ears of the Citizens; it being no crime to be in this a ••ale-bearer; and the

bullets did flee out of the Cannons, as if they intended to meet him half way: wine was sent in abundance to the earth, that it might drink his Majesties health also, and the glasses capreo∣led in the air, for joy to hear his name: some danced through the fire, knowing that the wine had so much m••dified them, that they needed not fear burning; and others had bonfires kin∣dled in their faces by the wine which they had drunk.

And as Theopemptus was remembred, so Monus was not forgot, some admiring his loyalty, some his prudence, and many both: for, he finding that the Army was the Ram∣parts which defended the late Tyrannie, did macerate it as much as was possible: for the old Senate by his connivance, did levie their County Bands, which served as a counterpoise to the Armies weight; those Officers who shewed themselves dissatisfied, were reduced, and their Regiments disbanded: but lest the Souldiery should repine and mutiny, they were instantly received into the County Bands; and those Regiments which were continued, were either given to loyal persons, or those who were disloyal were gained by a certain expecta∣tion of pardon, and future imployment; for which cause it was surmised, that Theopemptus intended for his own safety, to keep a standing

Army, whom he was to pay; as also, the Se∣nate caused rumour, that they were to appre∣hend such persons as they jealoused, where∣upon if they were guilty, they presently either fled, or drew a faction, in both which cases they afforded certain proofs of their knavery, and furnish'd the Senate the means to ruine them. And because their presence over-awed alwayes the Senate, it was ordered, that the City Bands should guard the City, and the Army should remove from it, So that the ve∣nom being once removed from the heart, the cure of the body was thereby much facilitated; the Companies likewise of every Regiment, were dispersed into all the corners of the coun∣try, under pretext of preventing Insurrections; But really their design was to impede their mu∣tinies, and to make them the more conquerable, if they should dare to oppose that royal design, some of them were sent unto Athens, because the Revolution was to begin in Lacedemon; and others were sent to assist forreign Allies, at the suggested request of their Ambassadors.

All things being thus prepared, Theopemptus enters the City of Lacedemon, in the greatest pomp that loyalty, or luxury could invent: Above him at the Gates stood clouds, as they seemed, which rained down Wines of all sorts, and at each side of the Gates stood a large

Glass, the one whereof afforded a perspective of a Country, where all the trees were dis∣mantled of their leaves, and all the flowers blasted by the winde; wherein widows were bathing their starving babes in their compassio∣nate tears, and where tax-masters were beating the peasants, who declared upon their knees, that they could not pay their taxes: In the other Glass was to be seen, a pleasant Spring in the ruffe of its pride, and a Prince sighting against a Tyrant with one hand, and sowing gold and money with the other. These and many other expressions of joy were presented to him, whose recital might be as tedious as the view was pleasant. At the same Gate stood all the Senators and Citizens in robes, amongst whom one delivered his Majesty this harangue.

Most gracious Soveraign,

ALbeit your Return hath effaced these sad impressions which our miseries had en∣graven upon our spirits, yet duty hath reser∣ved an idea of them, that by comparing them with the happy condition wherein we are like to live under your Government, we may find what a vast difference there is betwixt Mon∣archy and Anarchy, betwixt slavery and sub∣jection: We know now what a silly carcass a body is without a head, and what a mad∣nesse it is for a body to brain its head against

the rocks of danger and rebellion. Your Ma∣jesty is our head, and nature teacheth all men to guard that, even with the hazard of their other members; and Physicians prescribe moe maxims for its conservation, and moe medi∣caments for its cure, than for the cure of any part beside. Ye may be confident, Sir, that we who have had our purses robbed so oft by Tyrants, will not now refuse some part of them to our lawfull Prince; and who should command the childrens purses more freely than the father? Our refusing to defray your necessary charges, may procure to us national affronts, and lose us our forreign interests: and herein consists our mutual happiness, that as our Nation hath a Prince who will require lesse than they would willingly contribute, so our Prince hath now a people, who upon all honourable emergents will cordially contri∣bute more than he will demand. And we who have been flung in heaps, that Tyrants might over our bellies and upon our shoulders mount their unjustly acquired thrones, will doubt∣lesse willingly lend our hands to help our born Prince to ascend that Throne, which his birth, and our prescribed consent, hath built for him; and as a company of Mer∣chants who are linked together in one society, cannot be accounted the lesse rich, that their

gold lies not in their private coffers, but in the common cash; So Subjects are not to be lookt upon as the lesse powerful, that their strength lies in the hands of their Prince. Princes de∣sire only to be powerfull, either to restrain the insolencies of Forreigners, or to suppress the insurrections of mutinous Subjects; So that seing we are protected by the first, and but justly corrected by the last, we can never in justice repine at the powerfulnesse of our Prince. Sir, seing man desires to sway Domi∣nions Scepter, and hates to stoop to the shrine of anothers power, doubtlesse they had never willingly subjected themselves to Monarchy, if they had not been convinced by their rea∣son, of its signal advantages. It is that Go∣vernment which preventeth the emulation of competitors, which concealeth what is to be acted, and is able to remedy those evils which delay might make insuperable: neither of which advantages can be expected, or hath ever been perceived in a Commonwealth: and as amongst figures the pyramide stands most firmly; so amongst Governments, Monarchy (which in the geometry of policy, may be called the pyramide) is of all others the most sure-footed: whereas that round figure, the Commonwealth, is globe-like always rolling; And as it is reasonable, that the gods should

govern men, because they are more rational than men, and that man should goven bruits, because he is more rational than those; So amongst men, it is rational and just, that be∣cause some are more ingenious than others, and one yet more ingenious than these some; that therefore those few (such as are Nobles) should govern the rest of the people; and that one Monarch should govern those few Nobles. Neither is it fit, that those who un∣derstand once the mysteries of State-affairs, and who have their Intelligence setled once with Forreign Princes and Ministers of State, should then be removed (as we see is, yea and must be done in Commonwealths) for that were to remove one from a trade when he hath past his apprentisage, and if these be not removed, they will prove Monarchs at last; so that in shunning one, we shall have many; and those many, because of their factions and treacheries (for all can neither be honest nor concordant) shall be more insupportable, and lesse usefull than that one. Sir, our rambling to and fro, tasting all Governments, evidences our folly, but addeth to your glory; for none can alleage now that it is only your birth, which hath entitled your Majesty to these Crowns, which is the ordinary opprobrie wherewith other Princes are upbraided; no

Sir, for now the hand of our reason hath sub∣scribed your election; and if there be any thing more desirable in elective Monarchy, than there is in hereditary, your Majesty may justly pretend to both; we have nothing to excuse our defection, but over-powering ne∣cessity, so that we may be compared to a stone which violence may take from its place, and throw up in the air, but its natural inclina∣tion will draw it presently to its former cen∣ter; for no sooner did occasion acquaint us with the possibility of your Majesties return, but immediatly our acclamations and bonfires joyned hand in hand to testifie the ardour of our desires, and height of our zeal for your re-establishment: and for the future, our chearfull obedience shall attone our former obstinacy, for which we shall ever stand in the sackcloath of repentance: And since all good is desirable, and is desirable, because it is good; the more desired any thing is, the better it may be judged to be; and I am confident, never Nation desired more passionatly, nor expressed more vehemently their desires than we at this time, whereby we have according to our small abilities, witnessed what high thoughts and great expectations we have of your Majesties incomparable goodness: and as both our wishes and expectations of your goodness are

great, we hope your Majesties endeavours to satisfie both, will be as great as either: and that since injustice hath made our former Ty∣rants abominable, that ye will by justice make your Reign amiable; remember, Sir, that as the contests and litigiousness of private per∣sons, together with the desire to have them terminated, was the first motive which in∣vited men to bow to Monarchy; So it will be now, that which will endear Monarchy to all. Remember, Sir, that all your noble ornaments are badges of that noble vertue; your Scep∣ter is given you, to shew your Legislative power, your Sword is given you to punish those who disobey it, and your Crown as a reward for acting in obedience to it. That is the vertue which Moralists esteem so much, that they think it can have excess; a quality which is attributed to no other vertue, besides these that are divine; such as the love of God, and such others. Your Courts of Ju∣stice are the stomack of your Kingdom, which first digests truth and equity, and then diffu∣seth it to the remotest parts of that politick body; But, Sir, if the stomach be corrupted by depraved or flegmatick humours, what a languishing condition will the body be re∣dacted to? as to war against neighbouring States, and such like martial imployments;

they are not necessary, but as they defend Ju∣stice; and may justly be compared to a hedge about a garden, which bears no fruit them∣selves, but defends these trees which do bear; whereas Justice is that fruit-tree which bears the golden apples of peace, plenty and vertue, and under whose shade your subjects may rest securely. All we can do is, to submit to your Decrees, and to pray to the eternal and omni∣potent gods, to accumulate your Majesty with all prosperity and happiness.

The Nation did now begin to look like a bo∣dy reconvalescing after a feaver, which grows more fat than it was formerly, and like a wo∣man brought to bed, did forget its former mi∣series: and I remember that being in a barg•• of pleasure, which was covered with gold and cristal; after we were weary with musick, we fell a discoursing of the poverty of these Na∣tions; for seing the mines did every year cast a golden fleece, and seing forreigners had never forraged the Country, it was strange to see such an ebb of treasure, where there used for∣merly to be so many spring-tydes of wealth: To this another Gentleman answered, That in all nations, there was much of the substance of gold lost in gildings, laces, and embroideries much treasured up by misers, and lost by thei••

unexpected deaths; That fires in towns, and shipwrack and sights at Sea, sunk much of it; and that the low value which was daily put upon it, lower than formerly, made it seem more scarce. But besides these, there were some reasons peculiar to this same Nation; such as its being cashed up by those who hid it, fearing to be called rich, and fearing publick borrowings (which was the ordinary practice of those Rebels) or, because those who bor∣rowed, payed but small usery for it, and ban∣krupted often with it, so that the danger was great, and the profit small: As also the money formerly was in Noblemens hands, who be∣cause of other exigences were alwayes using it; whereas those wretches who had it now, did lay it in coffers, living rather conform to their low births than their rich fortunes; Likewise neighboring Nations by raising the value of it, drew it to them; neither did any coin passe here, but what carried the impressa of the Na∣tion, which made no Nation send in money to it.

After this discourse, we did begin to debate, whether in these times wherein the Country swarmed with Traitors, a kinsman or friend could in reason intercede for his friend or kins∣man who was a Rebel? which one Philanax alleaged was unlawfull; for else (said he) man

being naturally enclined to rebellion, (sparkling ambition flying naturally upwards) if the fear of punishment did not deter them, their num∣bers should increase immeasurably; and who would fear, if friends would interceed for them, and if intercession could ransom them? and what Rebel wants some friend or kinsman? but rather loyal persons should be ashamed of such relations. Likewise men are born sub∣jects to their Prince, aswell as kinsmen to their relations, and so nature requires subjection to their Prince, as much as affection to their friends: And as for friends, there can be no friendship where there is no vertue, and there can be no vertue where there is no loyalty, and much perjury; and seing a kinsmans intercessi∣on may make him guilty of all the blood that a spared Traitor may spill, thereafter no man can be obliged to interceed for a Traitor, though a friend, no more than he can be obliged to comit murder upon his accompt. And since it is pro∣blematick in Law, whether a father ought to dilate his son, who hatcheth rebellion, or shel∣ter him after it is once committed, doubtless it will determine, that a friend (whose relation is remoter than that of a father) should not interceed (seing to interceed is to shelter) for a notorious Rebel.

My Lord, this discourse hath (I fear) ra∣ther racked your patience, than satisfied your judgment, except your patience be as great as my discourse hath been tedious, which is mo∣rally impossible, your soul being a vessell, which can hold no more than is measured by the true standart of vertue. Yet I expect your Lordships pardon, since the excrescency of my Narration flows from a conceit which I have, that I can never serve your Lordship enough; and this makes me desire, that if I be any wayes criminable, my crime may be too much service.

Notes

• A Rose is the Arms of Lace∣demon.