The accomplish'd courtier.: Consisting of institutions and examples. By which, courtiers and officers of state may square their transactions prudently and in good order and method. / By H.W. Gent.

CHAP. XX.

The Argument.

Emulation is the sister of Envy. The Remedies against it.

1. THe same remedies which do change Envy into the better, do also prevaile against Emulation which indeed hath lesse malignity in it then Envy hath, but more ambition; and is not lesse treacherous against the gro••th and thrivings of others.

2. But we may avest and turne aside those who are inflamed with ambition, by a specious shew of veneration, and allure and delight them with vain honours; lest they become Competitiours with us, scruing up their hopes to higher things and assisting them as far as is lawfull. On the contrary,

undervaluing the things we affect and aime at, as below their Merits, yet sufficient for us to en∣terprize, as not having equall Hopes with them of greater.

3. If there be any feare that they should get before us, they may be stopt by injecting a doubt, which may be done, if (arguments being proposed on both sides,) the greater species and shew be added to those things, which are most apt to stop, and retard their ambitious courses.

4. But of all courses, that were best, if we could conceal our designes till the Emulous, or offen∣ded parties have clapsed their time, wherein they could have stopped and hindred us.

5. The suite of such as solicite too openly, is often odious to those, who acting more modestly take time to turne themselves in, and to consider they also have a conflict with greater difficulties, and are exposed to more Envy if they overcome; but if otherwise, to more reproach.

6. Farr safer is it (as is said in number 4.) to suppresse and conceale advisements, and like water∣men rowing in a boat to turne the back upon the place they strive to land at.

7. They who have canvassed for the greatest Empires, have steered this Course, nothing being more usuall with them, than that (in Euripides his Tragedy) example of Agamemnon, to boast that his desires tended rather to peace, then hon∣ours. And many have been sensible, that this hath been the most wholesome remedy, and Antidote, in turning aside the plots of adversaries, and avoid∣ing the Infamy, which abides these frustrated, and earnest Suitors. And at last they have attained

that glory, that their honour seemeth rather to be conferred on them by their own merits, then by flattering suffrages and votes of others.

8. Lastly, in atchieving honours; this chiefly must we take heed to, that we strive not with any one who is greater then our selves, and more po∣tent then they, under whom we shelter our selves. Manilius Lepidus a man in the judgment of Tacitus most wise, will then be worthy our imi∣tation, who being brought into the Senate by Tiberius with Junius Blesus, Uncle to Sejanus, that one of them might be chosen Proconsul of Africa, excuseth himself with his owne unheal∣thiness, the age of his Children, & that his daugh∣ter was marriageable, fearing doubtless that Seja∣nus would become his Enemy, if the Pro∣vince had been taken before hand from Blesus. Annal 3.

9. Neither may we strive too obstinately with one, whom the Prince more propitiously favou∣ring goeth about to advance, although the law favoureth us against him. For the Law doubtless is overcome by favour, as the Historian tells us, was formerly done, when Germanicus and Drusus created Haterus Agrippa, the kinsman of Germa∣nicus, Praetor, non obst••nate Lege, the law notwith∣standing. Annal 2.