Politique Observation.
THere is no better way to prevent Civil Wars, then by disabling those who are dis∣contented from fomenting a party, or at least to make sure of their Loyalties. And when once a Revolt is on foot, no surer way to dissipate it, then by winning those who are the Leading men amongst them. There ought to be great care had, that such men grow not great in the State, or if they be already, then ought they to be tied to their Princes Interests by sure and strong obligations; when things are once at this pass, there is no danger; well may the people grumble and stir, but all will soon end in nothing. They are then like Ivy, which indeed grows close together, but yet creeps on the ground, or like the Boughs of Trees, newly cut off, which bear no fruit, and in two or three days wither to nothing; or like a Ship, which though it have a Mast, Cords, and Sails, yet without a skilfull Pilot, she runs at randome where-ever the Winds will carry her, and at last dashes upon some Rock, and is there split in peeces. Or I may well compare them, to those lofty raging storms, which for a time seem to threaten Heaven, but at last weary out themselves upon the sides of the Rocks which are not moved at it; or to those thick black Clouds which hang in the Ayr, and are driven by the Winds this way and that way, but are soon dissipated by the weakest Rays of the Summers Sun.
The Chief is the Head amongst a mutinous rabble, who if once he leave them, they have no more life or motion then a Carkasse. He is the Primum mobile, who draweth them after him, like so many little Stars, and he is called their Head; one∣ly in consideration that as the parts of the body are without motion or life, if that be ••••ken off, so are they without him unable to go or stand.