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How to Manage the Counsels of a Prince.
OUr Courtier ought to beware how he engages himself (though called) in the Counsel of a Proud and Violent Prince; for such as those do ask Counsel in no other sort, than as Xerxes did when he went to invade Greece: He called together the Prin∣ces of Asia, as it were to deliberate with
them about the Conduct of the War; but they being come before him, he said, Lest I should seem without your advice to act all things according to my own will; I have called you my Lords to Counsel: yet I would have you know, that I expect here from you obedient minds, and not trouble∣some debates. Cambyses, the Predecessor of Xerxes, being about to Marry his Sister, de∣manded of his Counsellors, whether any Law of the Persians prohibited such a Mar∣riage; They perceiving the King did not ask this question, so much to resolve him∣self of any doubt, as to Sound the disposi∣tions of the Nobles, answered, That truly there was no Law that warranted expresly this that the King was about to do; but there was one that affirmed, that whatever the King thought fit to do, was Lawful. Thus out of the Humour of the Prince, and the Nature of the affair, we must first make a judgment, whether it be fit, or safe, when he asks our Counsel, to deliver freely our opinions; or to humour him in his in∣clinations.
You have Royal examples of this already, I will now bring you one of a man, who though he were not a King, yet bore the Office of a King; not above an Age ago in Spain: Ferdinand being dead, the Pope and Maximi∣lian the Emperour, exhorted Charles of Austria, then in Flanders, to take upon him the title
of King of Spain; although his Mother Joan, Ferdinand's daughter, were still living, but wholly unfit for Government, by reason of her want of health. The States were here∣upon assembled, and before them Cardinal Ximenes, to excuse the novelty of the thing, discoursed excellently of the reasons of what was done. The Grandees more obser∣vant of ancient customs, and the Queen, than was fit against a King that was short∣ly to succeed of Course; Protested very obstinately against it. Ximenes being an∣gry, rises up and tells them, the thing that was treated of, was not to be called in question; neither was there any need of their advice in the case: That Kings being to enter upon their Kingdoms, are not to expect the consent of their Subjects; that they who were assembled, were not called out of any necessity, but that they might have occasion by the Promptitude of their suffrages to endear their Prince unto them. But since they interpreted that as a due, which was only a favour, they should see that without their approbation he would proclaim King Charles at Madrid; which exam∣ple all the rest of the Cities quickly follow∣ed.
Such a manner of proceeding, not only in these cases, but mostly in all others do Princes use; scarce asking any mans ad∣vice, but either to the end they may Coun∣tenance their own resolutions with the con∣sent
of many, or else to discover the dis∣position of the person they advise with∣al, as Tacitus witnesseth that Tiberius oft did. The Courtier must therefore Sol∣licitously sift into the Prince's mind, lest o∣therwise he should chance to give offen∣sive Counsel. If the Prince's inclination in the thing debated be doubtful unto him, let him seem to discuss the matter, and so laying down arguments both for the one, and the other side, let him leave the Prince to his own election: Who (if the thing advised of, be not unalterably resol∣ved upon already) having heard the rea∣sons that may be brought against it, if he be discreet, will change his Mind.
Neither in this case will there be any ground for that bashfulness (of blushing, to seem so much inferior to any body, as to follow their Counsel) which though it be very hurtful and unbecoming unto them, is very familiar amongst Great Men; for having said what you can, you leave the freedom of determining all to the Prince's Prudence, whereby you will also avoid the danger that many times Counsellors are ob∣noxious unto, if their Advices succeed ill. And if the Prince following his first resolutions meet not with success, he will, by so much the more acknowledge and esteem the prudence of that Courtier, who foresaw the Approach∣ing misfortune, when it was yet avoidable.
If you be Prest to deliver your opinion in an unlawful matter, either seek some pre∣tence of delay, or else intreat that some third person may be called for the better discussing of the business; whereby the case being more maturely weighed, it may appear what is most for the dignity and safety of the Prince. By this means Burrhus defeated Nero's first attempt against his Mother's life; Promising that himself would kill her if she were found guilty; But since it was afforded unto every other person, a trial could not be denied unto his Mother. Whilst the examinations are taking, Nero's fury asswages, and his Fears grows less, so that his determination, though it was not quite altered, yet it was laid aside to another time.
But this manner of proceeding takes not place upon all occasions, being proper on∣ly in desperate and ambiguous cases. More∣over, before we adventure upon it, we ought to know, whether the Nature of the Prince is compatible with delays: for there are some so headstrong and impatient, that there is no means more certain of incur∣ring their displeasure, than by using de∣lays.