Politique Observation.
AS all Womankind hath by birth received certain qualities contrary to the good conduct of a Kingdome; so it is very dangerous for them who govern, to lend an ear to their charms. I cannot more fitly compare them to any thing, then to the Sun in the Spring-time, who hath then power to raise and attract vapors into the ayr, but not to allay or dissipate them: Just thus it is with them, many are the broyls which they raise and foment in a State; but the remedying of any one of them lieth not in their power. It should seem that whatever is proper to trou∣ble the repose of a State, is naturally imprinted in them; every one knoweth what disorders violence breedeth, and who can be ignorant that the heats and emotions of their Passions, are like impetuous torrents, which pull up Rocks, root up Trees, overthrow whatever standeth in their way? they do nothing by halfs, all their de∣sires are accompanied with fire, and although few of their resolutions are grounded upon any consideration or foresight yet there is not any obstacle which they will not force themselves to overcome, in the executing of their Wills and Inclinations. Imprudence too carrieth no lesse broyls where it goeth; this is natural to them, and dayly experience sheweth us, that they have in all their actions more rashnesse then discretion. Pallas her self, the Goddesse of Prudence, was born of J••piters brain, to let us know (saith Lucian) that this virtue is hard to be met with in any wo∣men, who are born the usual way. The spirit of revenge where it is Lord Para∣mount, is enough to set a State on fire; for whilest they who are possessed with it, indeavour to execute their wills upon persons in power, upon the least resistance they she out into extremities, and by force attempt to repel force; but who are more prone to revenge then women? their natural fearfulnesse doth the more ea∣sily ingage them, because they attribute the most part of their faults, unto some neglect or dis-esteem. They have not wit enough to dissemble those many defects which are in them, though it were most for their advantage, especially in such mis∣carriages as happen more by their weaknesse then malice. Their Soul is offended at the least touch, whereas great personages ought to know, that it is more glorious to pardon then to punish; Briefly, the irresolution which they discover in all their actions, and which they cannot for their lives hide, is the cause of a thousand disorders, especially when any one ingageth to follow their advices and directions; now they counsel one thing, and by and by another, then they know not what to resolve, and the least difficulty they meet with, maketh them change a thousand times over. Not but that they have a reasonable Soul▪ as well as the greatest Prin∣ces that have governed on the earth; but are, as it is said of the Flowers of Aegypt, alwaies soaked with the vapours of Nile, which being grosse and earthy, are the cause that they do not yeeld such fragrant smels as those in other Countries; just so their Souls being troubled with a thousand Passions, which proceed from their weaknesse and violence, are unable to produce such generous Counsels as those of men, who are endued with a stronger and more vigorous constitution. I could al∣ledge several other reasons; but I shall content my self with that saying of God himself, speaking by the mouth of Isaiah the Prophet: The Government of wo∣men (saith he) is one of those afflictions wherewith heaven punisheth Mankind: and that other amongst the Verses of the Sybils. A Womans Reign shall be esteem∣ed as the overthrow of the whole world.