The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Politick Observation.

NO one but a great Captain knows how to manage an enterprize to advantage; It is an effect which proceeds not but from a Prudence raised above the com∣mon pitch, and which is onely proper to an extraordinary courage. The order which ought to be observed in such occasions is, principally to conceal as much as possible may be, the real design under some imaginary apparencies and pretences, which may be thought specious. It will be a difficult thing thus to do, in respect of those many persons, to whom there is a necessity of imparting it, to dispose of things for action; however one may dissemble the time and place of execution untill the very last, and admitting things begin to be ripe, it will nevertheless be expedient to do some such things as may perswade the world, that every thing will not be yet a while concluded on; and when it is, it must be given out to be in other places then those which are designed to be assaulted. This will be a means to take those places unprovided, and those who keep them being unprepared for a defence, will be for∣ced to surrender. The Romans judged this thing to be of so great importance, that they consecrated all their enterprizes to Silence; and in fine, there are few men who have been sorry to have kept their designs private, but many who have received great losses by their making them publick. Perseus King of Macedon, purposing to fall upon the Romans, had not discretion enough to keep his design private; so that the Senate hearing of it, gave such effectual orders for the making a defence, that the Commonalty of Rome, did sooner hear of the Victory against him, then of the beginning of the War. All such as follow his Imprudent example, can ex∣pect no better a success from Fortune; after this once done, he must go seek a new opportunity, and a favourable occasion to put his resolutions into actions: It be∣ing most certain, that opportunities are the greatest weights in affairs, and that

from thence it is, that the good or ill success most frequently doth depend. God hath chosen Times and Seasons which are most proper, for that which he would bring to passe; and a wise man shall make no small advantage by it, if he take time by the Fore-lock, for having once turned his back, it is impossible to effect any thing to advantage. If Trees put forth their Blossomes, either too soon, or too late, it is a great chance if there bee any fruit at all; just thus the good suc∣cesse of a business, is so restrained and dependant upon Opportunity and Time, that a few days will either make or mar the whole design. It was for this reason, that Julius Caesar, as it is delivered by Suetonius did not so much look after those times, in which he had resolved to execute his designs, as after those opportunities which Fortune should present to him, his usual course being to chuse such times as were the most dangerous, and when one would have imagined he would not have taken the Field. Place too, is not of lesse consequence then Time, experience frequently evidencing it for truth to such as are in the Wars, if it be either in a March, in Quarters, or Battel, which are the thrre principal Actions of War. It was place which gave the English the advantage of getting a Victory against King John, and to take him Prisoner, which glory they had never got, had it not been for their seizing upon certain rising grounds and Vineyards, which were near the place of the Battel. But when as time presents a favourable occasion and place too, then it is, that all expedition ought to be used, not to lose them; for the delaying of a business Mines the most hopefull and glorious expectations and designs: whereas diligence gets a thousand advantages and victories. Had the Sieur de Chaumont fu∣riously marched on against Bolognia, he had certainly reduced the Pope to that extremity, that he must of necessity have made a Peace, there being but a very few people in the City; whereas going on but slowly towards the siege, he lost the op∣portunity which Time had presented to him.

It is necessary to accompany this Promptitude with vigour and courage, such as may astonish an enemy, and surprize him; for though Fortune be a friend to the couragious and daring, yet all must make way and give place to the valour of him who attempts with resolution; & this vertue is known for one of the most assured be∣ginnings of a victory. To be short, if a man hath made himself once Master of any place of Importance, he ought not to rest there, but he must prosecute his advan∣tage, and improve it to the very utmost with vigour and strength, that he may reap those fruits which usually attend such actions. If the Christians had done so, after the Battel of Lepanto, they had in reason reduced the Turk to strange extremities, but their defect in that particular, gave him leisure to recruit his forces, and to make himself presently as strong as ever.