Politique Observation.

STayedness and discretion in Grandees, who are imployed in treaties of this Na∣ture, is a matter of very great concernment for even by this means, those who are but meanly vers'd in affairs, do discover the others most secret thoughts, and con∣sequentially, are prepared to oppose them and lay rubbs in their way when occasion and time serves. By this means they do as it were besiege and Block up a man by their divers prepared Questions and Artifices, so that if then he be not altogether silent (which will make him passe for an impertinen• man, and render him suspected) it will be impossible for him to tell what he would have himself. There are but few Page  328men who indeed can discuss an affair of State in so reserved a disguisement for any long continuance, but by some means or other they will be discovered, for often∣times the Behaviour and Gesture, speak a man as well as words; so that it is necessary for a States-man to arme himself from head to foot, before he attempt any such Treaties; to be well instructed, advised and prepared not only to keep his thoughts lock't up in his own breast, but also to make such propositions as may not in truth be any whit a kin to his thoughts, but such as all else would conceive to be the main things he drives at: and thus he ought to be complemental, with all kind of Civili∣ties, with an open free discourse, ever referring his resolution upon such new propo∣sals as are made to him unto some other time, and never giving his answer upon the sodaine, upon any occasion whatsoever: For this same prolonging of a Resolve, is a sure hold to every wise man in his negotiation, but it is very difficult, I may say im∣possible for a man to prevent his being snapt and caught, if he shall presume to give an answer in that instant when the Question is first started: Those with whom a man treats have commonly cunning and craft enough, so to addresse themselves, that thereby they may discover that which they pretend, though they appear to be far enough from ever so much as speaking of it: indeed without this referring and delaying of a thing to another time, there is no way to shun the ruining and down∣fall of a whole design. In brief, If a States-man would have his affairs to succeed according to his designs, it were requisite that he got the repute of being a Frank, open, generous person, and a speaker of truth, otherwise his words will not be belie∣lieved, and are look't upon as no way tending to the design he hath, which is in effect to perswade his Enemies, that his Intention are quite contrary to his meaning: He ought also to be secret, not to speak one tittle of his designs. And lastly, he must make himself a Master in the Art of dissimulation, feigning to watch every thing and place, but that which really he doth, and by his discourse slyly indea∣vouring to perswade his designs, to be any thing but what they are.