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C. Iulius Caesar did in his youtha 1.1 sparkle and radiat forth, the beams of Ma∣jesty: who, avoiding the rage of Sylla, and then falling into the hands of the Cilician Pyrats; contemn'd those barbarous Sea-Rovers: who asking a poor sum for Caesars Ransome, francly pro∣mised twice as much as they de∣manded, and being detained until his Ransome was paid; boldly com∣manded the slaves to silence: and
not to dare to interrupt their Pri∣soners rest with noise. When they vilifyed verses and orations of Cae∣sars own Composure, he called them dull and stupid barbarians; and was so incensed & highly displeased, that he did threaten the villains with the Gallows, which decree and reso∣lution, was in a short time, most puissantly effected. And as Caesar; so Alexander did suffer no thought to rise from his magnanimous soul; but what was truly Great and No∣bleb 1.2 It is from the stemm, and Root of Royalty, that Princely Actions bud and Germinate; and such an action and endeavour, became Lewis, (at this juncture and glorious opportunity,) which did carry with it, much of generosity, as well as prudence, and did not so much sa∣vour of fierceness and the impetuo∣sity of youth: as of the sage and no∣ble Conduct of a truly Generous and magnanimous Prince. Yet
some may object, and politickly urge, what state, prudence, coun∣selled this young Monarch to speak to his Subjects so high, when he was so low? and having scarce got well on horsback, thus to salute his Subjects; who had there Arms in their hands? Rebels, Subjects, who had lately tumbled his Father from the Throne, who had torn the Crown from of his Sacred Head, changed his Scepter into chains, and his Pallace into a prison? might not this bold entrance to the Throne have rather provoked them to desperation then obedience? and raised a new tempest, which could not be appeased without much dif∣ficulty? might not this noise have served to awaken them to fresh jea∣lousies and fears, which their own prudence should have taught them? Certainly this objection (at the first view) seems invincible, that Lewis did not appear so discreet and judi∣cious
as his condition required, notwithstanding he failed not in his kingly craft, for whosoever shall examine this great Action from the bottom, and weigh the arguments maturely, will be convinced of this opinion, and neither con∣demn the Generosity, nor the reso∣lution of Lewis in this eminent action. The Counsels of prudence prove different, according to seve∣ral conjunctures of occasions, and ought to change their counte∣nances according to the present di∣versities, and important alterations of affairs. And, as hardy and bold resolutions are not alwayes seasona∣ble, so neither are timorous and fearfull proceedings ever wise and safe: that Polititian who trembles, and is not confident, who dares do nothing generously and stoutly, for fear he may prove too rash and in∣considerate, shall be seldome fortu∣nate, he is too speculative a Contem∣plator,
and proves rarely quick, and active. And whiles he amuseth him∣self with curious Considerations, whether he should, or should not undertake the enterprise, whether he should speak or be silent; be an industrious actor, or a dull flegma∣tick spectator, the opportunity (by this time) may be well lost, the stars change their situations; Aspects alter, & so the fatal moment, where∣on depended the good or ill success of a grand design, slip clean away without advantage. The Philoso∣pher (whom some censured over∣wise) found that his tedious doating on too much consideration brought forth no fruit but folly, and that his most subtile conclusions were no better then fancies and dreams, of one newly awaked out of sleep, The Augurs telling an old Captain that the pullets would not eat; he quickly discern'd the mystery, and answered, if they would not eat ex∣cept
they drank, they should have their fill, and so caused them to be flung into the Sea; at which sum∣mons he gave battail to his enemies and gain'd the day, An old souldier told his General, that their enemies were twenty times more then they; but he replyed gallantly, and for how many then dost thou account me? Another told his General that the enemies darted Arrowes like showres of hail; he replyed instant∣ly, 'tis so much the better for us, we shall fight against empty quivers, and but shadows of men. The Poli∣cyc 1.3 of high born Heroes, and low∣hearted peasants is not the same. The mariners dispute in one fashion aboard their ships, and the Com∣manders and souldiers after another in their Trenches. And as these per∣sons are very distinct, and different in their qualities, so are they in their
Counsels, and agitations. Those who walk in dangerous precipices ought to march boldly, if they in∣tend to pass securely. And in those attempts, he who stayes to measure the depth of peril in his way, either will prove so fearful as not to ad∣venture, or else will be in great dan∣ger of a ruinous fall. To judge then of the Action of Lewis the fourth, a man ought to consider, what this Prince preponderated, how his Fathers gentleness and civility was his ruine, that he spoke to the same Rebels, who had ravisht his Fathers Crown from his head, and deptiv'd his person of his liberty: And that by the same capricious humour they recall'd the Son: who had de∣stroyed the father, and lest that sore might ranckle and swell again, and so infect and destroy the Son as it had the Father, it concerned him to let them know, that he came now to inherit his Fathers Kingdom, and
not his infirmities: That, though first impressions may exchange, or obliterate ill humours, yet it is with great hazard and difficulty. Where∣fore it was more important to his purpose to strike deeper at the root at first, to gain advantages. If Lewis his feet had been seen to tremble, when he was to ascend the Throne, he must have then discovered a ca∣pacity to fall again. If he had re∣ceived the Crown with a dull and phlegmatick deportment, he had been rather made a King by his Lords and Masters then his Sub∣jects, and he would have unfolded to his people the passion of coward∣ly fear, rather then have procured due regard from them. We may conclude then, that this Prince was wise, in being stout and Gallant in this occasion, that his Policy was not indiscreet, and (coping with souldiers, and men of armes and valour) his discourse was not im∣proper,
as containing nothing that might give the shock to Soveraign prudence: but rather, on the contra∣ry; what well became the Grandeur, and Majesty of a King.
C. Iulius Caesar quam Syl∣lam fuge∣ret etiam∣num ado∣lescens in∣cidit in Piratas Cilices: de∣risit praedo∣nes vilut quē ignaros cepissent; seque du∣plum dare pollicitus est; impera∣vit illis ut silerent nec sibi dor∣mienti ob streperent. Stupidos ac barbaros appellabat, cumque risu minitabatur se illos acturum in crucem, quod & perfecit.
Plutarch. An non hie statimagne∣scis indo∣lem A∣lexandri Magni? cui nihil mediocre satis esse posset? idem in vitâ.
Caesar quum ma∣ximi Ponti∣ficis ambi∣ret digni∣tatem (com∣petitore Qu. Catis∣lo.) ô mater aut inquit, Pontificen•••• habebis filium; aut exulem: ex∣celsa indo∣les omnis que repulse impatiens. Erasmus Apo de Casare. Plutarch, in vita I. Caesar.