Politique Observation.
••T is expedient after the discovery of a Conspiracy, to wink at those who are guilty, for the better preventing of them, and seising on their chief instruments: The reason is, because they soon draw their necks out of the Collar, if they have the least suspicion of being detected; and sometimes so fortifie themselves, that it becomes almost impossible to hinder the execution of their intentions, or to secure their persons. Lewis the eleventh was very dexterious in this particular, as Philip de Consinus relates in several places of his History, particularly in the reception he gave the Constable of St. Paul, when he came to him near Noyon in the year one thousand four hundred seventy three, he received him with so many endearments, and gave him so many fair words, that the Constable thought himself bound to beleeve him. The King dissembled for two years together, the hatred which hee bore unto him, because his other affairs did not concur with his resolution of cha∣s••ising him; but at last he cut off his head, it is likewise reported, that hee would let his son Charles the eighth, learn any other Latine then the Proverb, Qui nescit dissimulare, nescit regnare, so much did he esteem dissimulation to be a quality ne∣cessary in a Prince, which amongst private men passeth most commonly for a Vice. The wise Fowler spreadeth not his Nets for one or two Birds, but expects until the whole flight, or the greatest part of them light together, that he may take a great many at once; and so a wise Prince who would secure himself of the chief heads of a Conspiracy, knows well how to dissemble with them, till such time as occasion presents it self, that he may snap them all together, or at least those without whom