The honest man: or, The art to please in court. Written in French by Sieur Faret. Translated into English by E.G.

THE HONEST MAN : OR , The Art to please in Court .

A Table of the Court.

IF Ambition doeth not rayse the whole ●ame of Princes Courts , yet at the least wee may say that she puffes them vp to that boundlesse growth , as many times it makes euen Soueraignes to hate their owne glory , and the pompe which doth enuiron them , proues insupportable vnto them . The naturall desire which all men haue to attaine vnto honor and riches , ingageth them insensibly in this goodly confusion , and there are few found which 〈◊〉 wise enough to auoid 〈◊〉 surprizall of this ●asing disease , amidst many obiects which 〈◊〉 procure it . The King , Princes and great men . Princes 〈◊〉 great men are about ●ing like goodly stars , ●ich receiue all their ●t from him , but it is 〈◊〉 confounded in this ●at light ; and al●ough their brightnes ●th not appeare but ●hen they are remote ●m him , yet it is neuer ●rious , nor full of ●tre , but when as this first fountaine of glo● poures forth it selfe vpon them and distribute● vnto them certain beams of his magnif●cence . The greatest pa● of the meaner sort consume themselues nea● this fire , Meane men . before they ca● be warme , and fortune who takes delight to display vpon this Theater the most remarkable tricks of her malice and lightnesse , makes a sport at the ruine of a thousand ambitious men , to raise one to the top of 〈◊〉 precipice , Fortune and the vices which follow her which she ●pares in a manner 〈◊〉 all those which suf● themselues to bee ●nded with her fauors . ●uy , Auarice , and Am●ion , which alwayes ●end her , raigne par●ularly with her about ●ngs , whither they ●aw an infinite number 〈◊〉 mercenary spirits , ●hom the disorder of ●satiable couetousnes , ●ill not suffer to con●in themselues in a life full of sweetnesse an● tranquillity , to ca● themselues into the t●mults wherewith gre● Courts ( like vnto gre● Seas ) are continual tossed . There these fur● sow hatred and disco● amongst those that a● nearest allied ; they practice treason of all side● and make the seeds 〈◊〉 basenes and cowardiz● to spring vp , euen i● those soules which naturally haue impression of generosity . They in ●re so many ruinous ●signes which arme ●en one against ano●er , and make most ●rishing Monarchies ●esolate , and in the end ●ouble the whole frame ●f humane societie , and ●iolate the most sacred ●awes which are observed in the world . Amidst these pernicious dangers which they procure , in my opinion , such as follow them , cannot bee too well aduised , Necessi● of couns● to preserue himselfe from the misfortunes which do accompany them : and there is not any man setled in so firme a station , whom the authority of those that are more powerfull , or the enuy of his equals , or the malice of those which are vnder him , may not pull down from the top of his greatest prosperities .

The Subiect of this Discourse .

IT is my designe to represent in this Discourse , as in a little table , the most necessary qualities , bee it of minde or body , which hee ought to haue , that desires to make himselfe pleasing in Court . But to imagine that my advice can raise him aboue Fortunes wheele , so as others which haue the like proiects may not stay him in climing , Of Pre●eps , their ●rofit and ●eaknesse or pull him down when he shall be mounted ; it is a proposition too ridiculous to fall into my resonable sense . Precepts serue but as a guide , and execute nothing of themselues , they facilitate the beginning and progresse of those things which you vndertake , but they haue not the power to finish any thing ; and there is nothing but the happy birth , which with these forreine aides , raise a man vnto the height of that perfection , whereof we haue but a grosse Idea .

Of the Birth .

IN the mean time , not to trouble the order which I haue propounded vnto my selfe , to abridge as much as possibly I may , the infinite number of things which may bee written vpon this subiect ; I will first of all say , that I hold it most necessary , that he which will enter into this great commerce of the world , should bee borne a Gentleman , and of a house of some good note . Yet I will not banish all those to whom Nature hath denied this priuiledge . Vertue hath no affected condition , and the examples are frequent enough , of those which from a base birth , haue raised themselues to heroique actions , and to eminent greatnesse . Of the aduantage of Nobility . Yet we must confes , that they which are well borne , haue most commonly , good inclinations , which the others haue but rarely , and it seemes they come vnto these men naturally , but are encountred in the others but by chance . There flowes with the blood , certaine seeds of good and euill , which spring vp with time in our soules , and produce in vs good or bad qualities , which cause vs to be beloued , or make vs odious vnto the whole world . They whose Ancestors haue made themselues famous by their memorable exploits , finde themselues in some sort ingaged to follow the course which is laid open vnto them : And Nobility , which ; as a goodly lamp , giues light to all their actions , excites them to vertue by these domestique examples or retires them from vice by the feare of infamy . And , doubtlesse , as they which are borne among the multitude , do not think themselues bound to exceed those from whom they are extracted ; In like sort a man of a good family will hold himselfe worthy of blame , if at the least hee should not attaine vnto the same degree of estimation wherunto his predecessors had mounted . I adde hereunto the opinion of an excellent Master in this Science , who saies that a good birth is a most powerfull charme to gaine the good conceit of those whom we desire to please : And there is no doubt , but of two men equally well constituted , which shold present themselues in any assembly , hauing giuen no former impression of them , which might make their worths knowne ; when as they should come to vnderstand , that the one is a Gentleman , and the other not , this last must imploy much time , before hee shall purchase that good opinion which the Gentleman hath gotten in a moment by the only know●edge which they haue ●ad of his extraction . Besides these reasons , I ●ay moreouer , that the ●reheminencies which ●re tied to Nobility , are ●o great , as a man of iudgment and courage , which should find himselfe imbarqued with a fauorable wind in Court , without this aduantage , might fall daily into a thousand occasions , which might cause him to blush , and to hold downe his head .

Of the happinesse of the birth . It is true that in all sorts of conditions , there are found some , who by a secret fauour of heauen haue the happinesse to be borne accompanied with so many gifts o● the minde and body , as it seemes that Nature her selfe hath taken a delight to frame them with her owne hands , and to inrich them with all the charming graces , & most capable to gain mens affections . In like sort there are some found so vnfortunate , as a man may say they are cast into the world by force , or that they are not made but to serue for obiects of sport and scorne to other men . As these with all their care and diligence shal hardly make themselues sufferable : so the others haue so great a facilitie to doe well , as with little labour , and in a maner without thinking of it , they become excellent in any thing they vndertake , and make themselues pleasing to any one that hath eyes to looke on them . Betwixt these two extreames , there is found a meane of those which haue not receiued such ●xtraordinary fauors of Nature , neither haue ●hey any remarkable ●mperfections ; & these ●ay , with the helpe of ●recepts , and their con●inuall care , correct their ●efects ; and in the end ●eserue the esteeme of ●hose which giue it . Frō●his esteeme , doeth pre●ently grow that good ●pinion , which wee would haue our honest Man should learne to ●et , wheresoeuer hee comes : But to attaynê to this point , I find that the most assured means is , to preoccupate the opinions of such , by whom we desire to bee beloued . This is one of the highest mysteries of our Art , which shall be discouered in its place when as I haue represented the principall qualities , which hee should haue that pretends to passe for an honest man , before so many eyes which behold him in Court , and amidst so great a number of refined wits , from whom the most secret defects cannot bee long concealed .

Of the profession of a Gentleman .

IT seemes then , that as the good birth is not sufficient , if it be not fortunate , so neither of them wil profit much , if they bee not carefully manured . As there is not any man which doth not make choice of some profession to employ himselfe : so in my opinion there is not any more fitting nor more essentiall for a Gentleman ; then that of Armes . Hee must bee actiue and earnest , and tie himselfe vnto it as to a thing whereof hee ought to make his ordinary practice . The greatest part of other things which are required in him are not held necessary , but so farre forth as they may serue as an ornament to this , & may giue him some lustre , to make him shine with the more grace . Nobility is chiefly gotten by Armes , and must bee preserued by Armes , and opens a way to great reputation , and so to great honors . It seemes then , He ought to bee an honest man . that the strongest ambition which hee can haue that weares a sword , is , to bee esteemed a man of courage and hardy , and consequently to bee held a man of gouernment , and good . They which ioyne malice to valour are most commonly feared and hated , like sauage beasts , for that hauing the power to do euill , they haue also a will : But they whose good courage is accompanied with good intentions , are beloued of all the world , and respected as tutelary Angels , whom God entertains amongst vs , to oppose them against the oppression of the wicked .

In the meane time , He must bee curious of his honour . as there is not any man which is not iealous of his reputation , especially in matters of his profession , how much more ought a Gentleman to bee moued , for that which concernes his Armes , which are the true markes of his Nobility ? Herein hee ought to bee exact without curiosity : for , as the honesty of a woman hauing been once polluted with some blemish , can neuer bee restored to its first purity , so it is impossible that the reputation of a Souldier hauing beene once blemished with some base action , can neuer bee well repaird , but there will remaine something to reproach him : Likewise in occasions of honor , as in great commands at warre , it is not lawfull to erre twice .

But this point is so nice , Of quarrels . as most young men , either for want of experience , or by too much heat ; and others either for want of iudgment , or some capritious humor , lose themselues by this wretched course . Against quarrels . Hereby wee see daily , that diuine lawes are prophaned , that the authority of ordinances is violated , and that the clemency of our victorious Monarch is sometimes forced to yeeld vnto his Iustice . The most healthfull remedy that I can finde for this mischiefe , Of the knowledg of quarrels . which may bee termed incurable hereafter ( if this cure bee not put in the number of the Kings miracles ) is in my opinion to learne the knowledge of quarrels in time , wherof they haue made a kind of Science by their much refining them . Most part of those which precipi●te themselues into ●his brutish fury , doe it most commonly for ●eare they should not ●oe enough , in the ignorance & vncertain●y wherein they finde themselues , whether they be obliged to come to this extremity or ●ot : So being ignorant of the degrees of offen●es which deserue these bloody satisfactions , we see nothing but examples of extrauagancy & humors in these quarrels , and not one beame of true honour which is the most pretious treasure of Nobility . It is one of the most insupportable abuses which hath crept into our age , to imagine , as they doe , that true and heroique valour doth only consist in fighting ; as if this vertue had no exercise , but in the destruction of mankind : It hath more eminent effects , and wee may say that extends it selfe , in a manner , vpon all the most glorious actions of life . I could willingly speake more vpon this matter , but my ●biect cals me back .

I will then say that ●eare vnto this excellent part , Against vanity . there is most commonly found a ●ice which may bee ●eld inseparable from those eminent Qualities , and which doe in a maner spoile the good fruit which they produce . It is that foolish vanity wherewith most men suffer themselues to be abused , losing the vse of reason . This defect is odious , & makes them worthy of contempt , which otherwise might deserue great commendations , if they had the patience to attend vntill they were voluntarily giuen them , and not pull them away , or seeke to obtaine them by force , as they do in a manner daily . Many of our Valiants would imagine that they were not so , if they did not make a thousand sower faces , and as many sauage and ridiculous counten●nces , to terrifie all the world , by whom these silly men imagin , that they are looked o● with feare and ad●ration . All their discourses are vpon the proceedings of Encounters , and combats , and he that should cut off in their entertainment , the termes of assaults & fightings , I beleeue they would be reduced for their greatest knowledge , to the complements of the French tongue . Their bragging is growne to that height of brutishnesse , as they contemne the company of women , which is one of the sweetest and most honest recreations of mans life . Dancing , Musique , and other exercises of a Gentleman , seem vnto them a kinde of effeminacy , and vnlesse it be to fasten a Petard , or to blow vp a Mine , they do not hold themselues worthily employed . This humour , with all words which haue any ●ncture of pride and sufficiency , ought to be ●uoided , as most dangerous rocks , whereas the good esteeme of a man may suffer shipwrack .

Of the disposition of the body .

WIth all these aduantages of a good birth , and of courage , which are required in any man that will cast himself into the Court ; I finde that an able body is most necessary , that hee bee of a goodly stature , rather mean , then to tall , rather slender then too far , his limbs well fashioned , strong , supple , actiue , and easie to accommodate himselfe to all sorts of exercises , either of war or pleasure . Hauing all these gifts of nature , it doth import to imploy them , and not only to learne all that is taught in the Academies and Schooles , Of exercises . but also all the actions of dexterity which are in vse , and fitting for a Gentleman . Not to bee a good horsman , nor to know how to manage Armes , it were not only a great disaduantage , but also a shamefull ignorance , not to know the essentiall principles of his profession . Other exercises , although lesse necessary , are vsefull in a thousand occasions , to gain the esteeme and affection of those by whom wee desire to bee beloued . I doe not only exact , that hee bee expert in all sorts of managing , as to vault , break a Launce , runne at the Ring , and all the combats at Barriers , Tilt and Turney : These actions are too apparent , and are too commendable in the world , to bee vnknowne by him , that will make himselfe to bee looked on with approbation , and deserue glory and praise . I will also ( i● it may be ) that he lear● to play of the Lute , an● Gitterne , and Viall , seeing that our Master and Mistresses are pleased there with ; that he be skilfull in Hunting that hee bee actiue to Dance , play at Tennice , to Wrastle , to Leap , to Swim , to Shoot and in all other sports which are not so simply honest , but they many times proue profitable . The greatest part of these things ●ing diuided , are in ●eth of small moment , but being all vni●ed together , they make a perfect man , who is not look't on , but with some kind of admiration , especially when they are beautif●d with the qualities of the minde , which giues them the last lineaments of perfection . I could desire als● , that hee should not bee ignorant of any games at Hazard which haue course amongst great men , Of games of Hazard . for that thereby hee may sometimes grow familiar in their companies prouided notwithstanding , that hee bee no gamester .

Against Gamsters We must confesse , that of all the vices which are pardoned in honest men , I see none more pernicious , then this vnrestrained heat of Play . They which are onely rich , are not wise if the suffer themselues to bee transported with this passion : There are none but great Princes ( whose condition can ●uer bee miserable ) which may abandon themselues boldly vnto it ; yet most commonly with losse , although they bee the Masters of Fortune . Amongst the rest wee see few but couetous men , idle persons , and such as are desperate , that dare ingage themselues in this folly . They Which burnt with a desire of mony , Couetous men . and care not how to imploy all meanes to get it , imagine that there is not any one more easie then this . Those voluptuous and effeminate souls which know not how to imploy themselues , Idle persons conceiue that there is no any thing more diuerting , then to spend their time in this base exercise . And they whom Fo●une hath reduced 〈◊〉 ●hat extremity , Desperat men . as to 〈◊〉 to day , as if they should die to morrow , ●ke with reason , to ●ch that in hazard , ●ich they durst not ●pe for by their indu● . But not to extend 〈◊〉 selfe farther then 〈◊〉 proiect will allow 〈◊〉 , it shall suffice to 〈◊〉 , that this frenzy ●th not only draw an ●fallible ruine of the ●ods of Fortune , but it tends to the ruine of the mind . The disquietnes & perpetual waywardnesse which accompany those which fall into this precipice , are they not strong reasons to retire any man that hath any remainder of iudgment ? And all the time and care which a man must imploy in this miserable trade , may they not be numbred amongst the greatest losses , which they can make , which are borne to gaine the ●earts of Kings and Princes ?

All the good parts which wee haue produced , Of the naturall grace . are most considerable in a Gentleman , but the fulnesse of these things consists in 〈◊〉 certaine Naturall Grace , which in all his exercises , yea , and in his least actions , must shine like a little Beam of Diuinity , which is seen in all those which are borne to please the world . This point is so high , as it is aboue the precepts of Art , and cannot be well taught : All the counsell which may be giuen therein , is , that they which haue a good iudgment , for the conduct of their carriage , if they finde not themselues indued with this great gift of Nature , seek to repaire this defect by the imitation of the most perfect examples , and of those which haue a generall approbation . ●ood education is also 〈◊〉 great force : for as wee haue often seene young Lyons , to leaue their sauage instinct , and to become familiar among men ; euen 〈◊〉 it oftentimes fals ●ut , that men borne of sowre disposition , haue so vanquished their defects with extraordinary care , as they haue done all things by the force of ●eason , as pleasingly as others by the sole bounty of their naturall dispositions . But how happy are they which need not any instructions to please ; and which haue beene , as it were , watred from heauen with this grace , which doth rauish the eyes and hearts of all the world . Of affectation and negligence In the meane time , to make this thing of so great importance a little more plaine , I conceiue that we may say , that as this grace whereof we speake , extends ge●erally to all his actions , and hath an inte●est in his least discour●es ; there is in like sort 〈◊〉 generall rule , which serues , if not to get it , yet neuer to stray from 〈◊〉 . That is , to fly , as from a mortall preci●ice , that wretched and ●mportune affectation , which doth blemish ●nd defile the goodliest ●hings , and to vse a ●ertaine negligence , which doth hide all Art , and doth witnesse that hee doth not any thing but as it were without thought , and without any kind of constraint . This , in my opinion , is the pure spring of a good grace : for euery man knowing the difficulty they finde in doing excellent things well , they admire those with whom they succeed easily ; As on the other side the greatest and most rare , lose their ●ice , when as there ap●eares any constraint . 〈◊〉 effect , the blackest malice whereof enuy ●akes vse to ruine the ●putation of those which are in good e●eeme , is to say , that all their actions are made with a designe , ●nd that all their dis●ourses are premedita●d . And therefore Orators haue no greater Art , then to couer it 〈◊〉 their Orations , the which being on● knowne they lose thei● credit , and are not able by their eloquence to perswade euen the most simple and ridiculous .

Of affected negligence . We must also consider vpon this subiect , that affected negligence , that apparent contempt , which they vse in their least gestures and lookes , a● greater vices then too much care , whereof a● the fault is to doe wel● beyond measure , and ●ceed the ordinary li●its . And in truth as ●ey haue sometimes b●amed certaine Paint●rs , that their works were too perfect , and that they would shew ●emselues more learned then Nature : The ●e we may say of ma●y , who striuing to ●cell , cast themselues ●eyond perfection , and ●atch but the shadow ●f the good which ●ey pursue with too much heat . Euen women ; Against the affectation of beauty . do they not daily lose that which they seeke with so great passion ? There are few seene which desire not to bee faire , or at the least to seeme so . And therefore when nature failes them in this point , they flye vnto Art to succour them : Hence growes so many ridiculous cares to make their complection smooth , that they may seeme yong ; to settle their lookes , to make their eyes plea●ng , to set their haire 〈◊〉 order , to make the ●orhead smooth , to pull ●way the eye-browes , ●o make their counte●ance more pleasing ; ●nd finally to repaire , if ●hey could , the very li●eaments , which are ●mprinted vpon them ●y the hand of God , as caracters which they cannot deface . Thus wee see that this too visible affectation , and this irregular desire which they haue to seeme faire , is the cause why our eyes suffer in looking on them , and shew plainly , that this grace which they study , is a lesson which cannot bee learned but by those which seeme they would bee ignorant of it . Wee cannot deny , that a Lady which after shee hath adorned her self , could doe it so artificially , as they which haue beheld her , were in doubt , ●ether she had only ●eam't to adde some●ng , bee not more p●easing then another , ●ho not content to ●ele her selfe ouer●rthened vnder the ●mp of her apparell , ●re shew her selfe so ●aistered , as it seemes ●ee weares a Maske ●stead of her counte●ance , and dares not ●ugh for feare shee ●hould shew two fa●es . These are the defects of affectation whereby we may easily iudge , how contrary it is to that pleasing simplicity , which shol● shine in all the actions both of body and minde .

Of the qualities of the minde .

AS for those of the minde , they are in a manner infinite , and are alwayes excellent , when as they haue virtue for their guide , ●hich as the light of 〈◊〉 Sunne doth make 〈◊〉 the obiects to which 〈◊〉 doth communicate 〈◊〉 selfe , more beauti●ll and glorious . Cert●inly virtue hath more ●eet and powerfull ●durements , That virtue is more louely , and vice more odious in great men then in others . when as 〈◊〉 meets with a man of 〈◊〉 good fashion and ●uality , then in ano●er that is counterfeit , ●nd of a base conditi●n . But we must al●o confesse , that if hee were the most illustr●ous & goodliest Princ● in the world , if he were found to be vicious , and of a bad constitution , the greatnesse of his birth could no priuiledge him , bu● make him to bee generally hated . They Which will aspire to the conquest of hearts and gaine the loue of the best , and soundest part of men , must first get this inestimable treasure , which hath alwayes been held the ●eraigne good of ●se men . Of the aduantages of virtue . Wee may 〈◊〉 say with truth , that a●ong all the things ●hich wee possesse , ●rtue onely is not sub●ct to the Empire of ●ortune : All the rest ●pend vpon her ty●nny : Sometimes she ●kes delight to ouer●row Thrones , and 〈◊〉 trample vpon Scep●ers and Crownes : ●ometimes shee makes 〈◊〉 sport to blemish the lustre of the most flourishing beauties , to ruine riches , and to deceiue the best aduised by vnexpected accidents . Only virtue is aboue all her outrages , and the fulnesse of her excellency is , that shee giues admiration to vice it selfe , and doth imprint a respect in the hearts of the wicked . In all sorts of conditions of mans life which we can imagine , virtue ought to bee the first obiect which hee can propound : But shee is so essentially the end of all those which desire to bee respected in Court , that although shee bee not seene but with disguises and blemishes , yet euery man will make the world beleeue that he inioyes it purely and without Art . The principall meanes which serue to attaine vnto it , are , Of the meanes in generall to attaine to virtue . in my opinion , good education , diligence & , labour , good custome● the conuersation 〈◊〉 good men , a desire● glory , the example 〈◊〉 his predecessors , an● learning .

Of Learning , and the contempt which Gentlemen make of it .

TO speake with truth , Learning is a great ornament & of inestimable price whosoeuer knowe well how to vse it . In the meane time , I know ●ot by what misfor●une , it seemes that our Nobility can neuer free ●hemselues from the ●lame which forreine Nations haue giuen ●hem for many ages , to contemne so rare a thing and so befitting their profession . It is certaine that the number is not small in Court , of these ill bred spirits , who by a feeling of brutish stupidity , cannot imagine that a Gentleman can bee learned and a Souldier together . Yet I will not deny , but that learning doth many times encounter with sottishnesse and extrauagancy . There are but too many of those , to whom the Greeke and the Latine haue serued to no other vse , but to make them more impertinent and obstinate , and who , instead of bringing from their studies a soule full of wisdome and mildnesse , ●ue beene puft vp ●th Chimeraes and ●ide .

Yet wee must con●sse , Of the excellency of learning , and how fitting it is chiefly for Gentlemen . that when this ●nowledge fals into an exquisite spirit , it ●oth produce such ●onderfull effects , as wee may say that such 〈◊〉 doe professe it , haue ●me things aboue a ●an , and are eleuated 〈◊〉 a condition approa●ing to diuinity . A●oue all it is gracefull and most necessary for those which ar● borne to great fortunes , and it seeme its proper vse is to be● imployed in the gouernment of people , to lead Armies , to practice the friendship of a Prince or forreine Nation , to negotiate treaties betwixt Kings , and in all other eminent actions which assure the authority of Soueraignes , & makes estates to florish . Who doth not see on the o●her side , that shee lo●eth her estimation and grace , in common hands , and that being ●as it is ) of a noble essence , it is a shamefull exercise to see it crawle and languish as it doth at this day in the Schooles of the Vniuersity ; among the suits and tumults of the Palace , and amidst the contestations , whereas Physitians exercise themselues vpon the liues of men . What opinion we ought to haue of learning . But do I not exact a perfect knowledge of the Sciences , which the Ancients called Encyclopaedia , and which certaine spirits , sicke with too much curiosity , haue foolishly admired , as the Soueraigne good of life . I esteeme Bookes in regard of the profit which men may draw from them , and I loue them as one of the sweetest and most innocent pleasures that a virtuous man can choose : But I doe not referre so much vnto them , as to beleeue that their instructions can make vs happy or vnfortunate , nor that our contentment depends upon the opinion of those men , which did not alwayes discourse with more reason then they doe at this day . Whatsoeuer they be●eue , Of the Sciences which an honest man shold learne . I do not hold it necessary , that he shold ●ouble himselfe with all the quarrels of Philosophy , which it may bee would consume ▪ mans whole age vnprofitably . And hee might reap more benefit in studying in the great Booke of the world , then in Aristotle ; Of questions of Philosophy . it is sufficient if hee haue a resonable tas● of the most pleasing questions , which are sometimes propounded in good company . I desire rather that hee should bee passably instructed in many Sciences , then solidly profound in one alone ; seeing that our life is too short to attaine vn● the perfection of the ●ast of those which ●ey propound vnto ●s : And that he which ●n speake but of one ●ing , is bound many ●mes to hold his peace : ●et him bee skilfull in ●e Mathematiques , Of the Mathematiques ●e which is vsefull ●or a Captaine , to for●fie regularly , and to draw plots ; to adde substract , multiply , and diuide , to make the practice easie , to frame Batalions ; let them learne the vpper and lower Spheare , and make his eare capable to iudge of the delicacy of the tunes of Musique : It doth not much import , that hee should pierce into the secrets of Geometry , and the subtilties of Algebre , nor suffer himselfe to be rauished with the wonders of Astrologie . As for the gouernment of a family , Of house gouernment . it is sooner learned by vse then by rea●g , and if the Court ●th furnish a thou●nd examples of pro●sion , it hath also ma● others of good hus●ndry . Of the Politiques and History . The Politicks a●d Morals are his true ●iences , and History ( which hath beene alwaies termed the stu● of Kings ) is not ●uch lesse necessary for those which follow them . It is , doubtlesse the pure fountaine o● ciuill wisdome . All the difficulty is to make choise of good Authors , Of the choice of Histories . wherof the number is not infinite : I wi● make no difficulty to extend my selfe somewhat freely in naming the best , for that I know most of our Gentlemen apply not themselues vnto it , for want of knowledge of those whose reading may profit them . Be●ld the iudgment ●hich an able Critique giues of some of them , 〈◊〉 the which he ads no●ing , but that , which 〈◊〉 my opinion , he shold ●ot haue forgot . A●ong the Grecians , Iudgment of the best Historians . ●erodotus , Thucidides , ●enophon , and Polibius , ●re the most esteemed . Herodotus . The first hath such ●harming graces in his ●anguage , as hee giues ●o Fables the authority ●f a History . The second is graue , abounding in sentences , Thucidides . succinct in his stile ; eloquent in his Orations , and sound in his iudgments . The third is pleasing and faithfull and in his workes , Xenophon subiects may learne to obey , and Princes to reigne . And for the last , good Iudges hold , that hee is not so exact as Thucidides , but he is no lesse profitable . His Maximes agree better with ours , Polibius . hee is very sufficient , & when as he ●mes to stray , it is but to instruct and to make them that reade him more capable . Plutarch ●th not properly writt● a History , Plutarch . but parts of a History ; yet hee is worthy to bee an ordinary companion to ●ose which desire to ●ntertaine great men . His iudgment is so ●eat , as hee casts forth ●ames able to enligh●en the grossest vnder●tandings , and doth open an easie way 〈◊〉 guide a man to wi●dome and virtue . Among the Latines , Tacitus . Tac●tus ( according to th● opinion of all politicians ) holds the firs● ranck , and one of hi● admirers preferres his before Titus Liuius , i● not for eloquence , ye● at the least for instructions , which is the pa● which wee now consider . Who can better comprehend so many things in so few words , then he hath done , and ●midst the thornes of his narration , cause so much grace and maiesty to flourish ? what ●ror is there in man●ers which hee doth not reprehend ? in ●ounsels , which hee ●oth not reueale ; and 〈◊〉 causes , which hee ●oth not teach ? Cer●ainly hee is admirable 〈◊〉 one thing , whereof 〈◊〉 man would say hee ●euer thought , and ●oth that excellently , which it seemes he had no will to doe ; for without troubling the order and course of those truths which hee relates , hee doth not forbeare to adde precepts , with a dexterity like vnto those , which know how to worke Pearles and Diamonds with gold and silke artificially , so as this Book is not only a History , but a fertile field of councell , and a perfect lesson of wisdome . It is true , that as hee is sharp , piercing , and succinct , so they which read him , must haue a quicke and apprehensiue vnderstanding , lest they finde that obscurity wherewith some haue taxed them . Salust , without doubt , Salust . would depriue him of this eminent glory , if we had all that he hath written , but by the little which wee haue remayning , all that wee can say , is to iudge that hee had a genius like vnto Thucidides . Titus Livius for the greatnes and maiesty of the History , Titus Liuius . for the purenesse and copiousnesse of discourses , and for the full eloquence of Orations , is the first of all . But hee is more barren in sentences , and instructs rather by the multitude of examples , then by the abundance of iudgments . It sufficeth to say of Caesar , and of Quintus Curtius , Caesar . that they ought to bee familiar companions to a good Captaine . The one hath words worthy of his memorable exploits , which haue made the whole earth to tremble , and brought vnder the yoake the most proud , and indomable liberty that euer raigned in Commonwealths . And the other might in some sort comfort Alexander , Quintus Curtius . for that hee liued not in the time of Homer ; seeing hee hath by his writing reuiued his glory with so great aduantage . After these there are many others which haue appeared from age to age , Of other Historians in generall . and the which wee may hold to be very good : But wee may likewise say , that they serue rather to content the curiosity of such as loue the diuersity of Histories , then to teach wisdome . Aboue all things I hold it profitable and gracefull , not to be ignorant of the principall things which haue past with vs and with our neighbours in our times , and if it may be , to know the beginning and continuance of so many Realmes estates , and different gouernments which are raised vpon the ruines of one Empire .

Yet I do not beleeue that the knowledge of all these things , Of experience & iudgment is an assured meanes to attaine vnto wisdome they serue but as a ligh● to those which seeke it ▪ Her seat is in the vnderstanding , and no● in the memory , and exprience it selfe ( o● whom they say shee is the daughter ) proues sometimes a stepmother , and doth precipitate rather then guide her . Shee brings a facility to execute speedily , but in doubtfull euents , whereas examples faile , she remaines confounded without the support of this predominant power of the soule , to whom alone is reserued the glory of resoluing . The number of occurents which may happen in the life of man is infinite ; euery day doth produce a multitude , and in the continuance of so many ages past , you shall finde few euents so conformable one vnto the other , but you may obserue some notable difference .

Moreouer you shal hardly finde , that many persons which haue attained to the same end , haue gone one and the same way : as likewise they which haue vsed the same meanes haue not alwayes attained to the same end . Delaies haue sometimes beene the cause of great victories , so haue they beene the losse of famous battels . Whosoeuer is not naturally capable to discerne the times , and to consider of the variety of circumstances in all occasions which are offered , shall neuer reap much fruit by his experience , nor by History : And the Lawes themselues teach vs , that to iudge soundly of occurrents , the example doth not suffice without the rule . I confes , that it is most profitable to haue seene and practised many things , and to know many accidents which are past : not that they serue to dispose well of the present , but for that in the different successes , the vnderstanding is quickned , which doth excite and produce in subtile and piercing spirits , certaine seeds of wisdom , which nature had concealed : so as by the multitude of these examples , wee see in the end that this rule followes , by the meanes whereof the vnderstanding is made capable to iudge .

Besides the Sciences and History , Of writing well in Prose . it is so necessary to frame himselfe to a good stile of writing , bee it for serious matters , or for complements ; bee it for loue , or for so many other subiects , wherof the occasions grow daily in Court , that they which haue not this facility , can neuer expect any great imployments , or hauing them , they must attend an vnfortune successe . To make verses is an exercise more pleasing then necessary , Of Poêsie and which by the malice of ignorant men is fallen into contempt , the which should couer the confusion of our age . In effect , it is a shamefull thing to see that this admirable language , whereof the wise men of antiquity did beleeue , that their gods ●ade vse in heauen , ●ould without reason ●ee so disesteemed , as their Altars are not re●erenced . The chiefe beginning of this abuse ●rodeeds from so ma●y wretched Poets which prophane Poë●ry , in whose hands it ●oseth its estimation and glory . The number is so small of those which may worthily attaine to such high mysteries , as the best ages could hardly produce two or three that were excellent in this diuine perfection , which admits no meane . Of Painting and Musique . Painting and Musicque are so inseparably tied vnto it , as the one passeth for a silent Poeme , and the other for the soule of Poetry . To finish this long repetition of Arts and Sciences , I say that one of the most particular studies of a Courtier ought to bee the knowledge of Languages : And if hee ●ndes the dead too difficult , and those which are liuing and in vse too many in number , ●et at the least , let him vnderstand and speake French , Italian , & Spanish , for that they doe concurre better with ours , and haue more course then any other , both in Europe , and among Infidels .

Of the ornaments of the soule .

WIth these aduantages of the body and minde , wherof wee haue hitherto discoursed , I desire hee should be indued with the true ornaments of the soule , that is to say , with christian virtue , which comprehend all the morall . The foundation of all is religion , Of Religion and faith . which , in my opinion , is no other thing , but a true feeling wee haue of God , and a firme beleefe of the mysteries of our fayth . Without this principall there is no integrity , and without integrity no man can bee pleasing , no , not to the wicked : let vs then beleeue that God is , and that hee is an eternall wisdome , an infinite bounty , and an incomprehensible virtue , whose definition is not to haue any ; who hath neither beginning no● ending , and of whom the most perfect knowledge that we can haue is to confesse that wee cannot know enough . It is true , that it it a dangerous presumption to speake the truth . But how abhominable is the weaknesse of that new and proud sect of frantique spirits , Against Atheists . who hauing not submission nor reuerence enough to humble their weak and blinde vnderstandings , before this grea● and immortall Light and finding no proportion betwixt their grosse and ignorant discourses & the wonders of this holy and first essence , dare exceed so farre in their impiety , as to deny ●●thing which the Birds ●ublish , brute Beasts ●cknowledge , the most ●nsensible things proue , ●ll nature doth confesse , & before whom the Angels tremble , and the Deuils ben● their knees .

Of the other virtues in generall . Vpon this great an● firme support of Religion all the other virtues must be grounded which after they hau● made vs agreeable vnto God , they make vs pleasing vnto men , and giue vs a certaine secret satisfaction to our selues , Of the feare of God . which makes vs to enioy a solid peace in the midst of the distractions of the Court It is the feare of God which is the beginning of this true wisdome , which comprehends all the precepts which Philosophy hath giuen us to liue well : It is this feare which makes vs hardy in dangers , which fortifies our ●ope , which guides our ●esignes , which orders our maners , and makes vs to bee cherished by good men , and feared by the wicked . By her we appeare good without hypocrisie , deuout without superstition discreet without malice , modest and humble without basenesse and generous withou● arrogancy . Whosoeue● feeles himselfe furnished with this treasure and with the qualities which wee haue represented , and moreouer supported by a good naturall understanding , to assure his carriage , may boldly expose himselfe in Court , and pretend to bee respected with esteeme and approbation .

Of a Courtiers life .

●T is true , that there ●are an infinite number of reasons which might diuert any man that knowes the miseries ; and it had beene better for many to haue had but one vnknown virtue , then a life so full of lustre and danger . Euery man sees , that the corruption is in a manner generall , and that the good which is done , is without any designe , and the euill as it were by profession . Of seruitude . Seruitude is so necessary , as it seemes that the liberty which a man reserues to himselfe , is an usurpation which he makes vpon the Soueraignes authority , who hath for his noblest obiect the glory to extend his Empire vpon the wils as well as ouer the liues and fortunes of his subiects . And what can be more vnworthy of the condition of a wise man , then to subiect his reason to that of another , whose ( it may be ) is dazled with the splendor of his glory and pompe ? Of toiles . To this troublesome condition are tied a thousand paines & toiles , which spring from this furious heat , which they haue to testifie their affection to great men , & to giue them proofe of their perfect seruitude : Of disquietnesse so as they hold themselues the most vnfortunate , whose sweatings they spare , and whose quiet they do not disquiet . If to the toyle of the body they did not adde that of the minde , the best part would faile to accomplish his misery , that is engaged in this kinde of life . Of ambition . Ambition which consumes him , and the insatiable desire of wealth and honour which torture him , make him to conceiue a thousand proiects aboue his strength . The body in the end vanquished by weaknesse and wearinesse , yeelds , the spirit only ( to its losse ) is infatigable , and whilest the members rest , it afflicts it selfe with a thousand cares which deuoure it . Feare assaults it , and makes it to sinke , Of feare and hope . and hope supports it and releeues it , to giue it in prey to this first feare ; and in this intestine warre , are stirred vp all the other passions , which nourish a secret hell in our souls , whose torments cannot be expressed . Of the cares of ambitious men . In an instant wee must thinke of the means to preserue that which wee enioy , to attaine to that which wee want , to frustrate the attempts of those which crosse vs , to surmount hatred and en●y , to keepe back such ●s will goe before vs , 〈◊〉 hinder those which ●ollow vs , and it seemes ●hat euery mans health ●oth not so much con●st in his owne preser●ation , as in the ruine of others . Of the tranquillity of wise men . How much more sweet and calme is the life of wise men , who haue peace with themselues , and know how to entertaine it with all the world ? These , saith Aristotle , are gods among men ; and if it bee lawfull to speak boldly in words , we may say , that God is an Eternall Wiseman , and that a wiseman is a god for a time . A good man may liue in the corruption of the Court without blemish . In the meane time , mauger all these reasons and difficulties , a wise man may in the middest of vices and corruptions , preserue his virtue pure and without blemish . There is nothing required but good designes , and although the hell of the damned bee not full but of good intentions , yet that of the Court being accompanied with lawfull and resonable thoughts , it will haue no troubles but they will be easie to support . Of all the errors of the minde , there is none so dangerous as not to see the end that is propounded vnto vs ; and commonly they see , that of the true knowledge , and wise election of a good end , depends the conduct and successe of those things wee vndertake . Wherefore their most profitable knowledge that will liue in Court , is to vnderstand what may be the most worthiest subiect of so dangerous a commerce .

Of the end a good man should propound to himselfe in Court. When as men vnite their desires and willes in any one thing , there is great likelihood that they hope for support and aduantage , and those things which they desire by a common consent are most comōnly such as they beleeue to bee most noble , most perfect , and most profitable . The consent they bring to obey one alone , is a signe that they hold this kinde of gouernment more excellent then all others : As in effect the true and lawfull power of Soueraignes is nothing but the tying and vniting of Authority and Iustice for the preseruation of the publique good . And consequently all they which haue subiected themselues to this power , aspire to approach neare vnto it , and seek to maintain it with the hazard of their liues & fortunes . And therfore the good of the Prince is not separated from that of the State , whereof hee is the soule and heart aswell as the head : and the good of priuate men is not considerable in the generall , but so farre forth as it is profitable to the Princes person , from whom alone they expect all the good and euill which is dispersed in the body of the Monarchy . This being true , and it being likewise true , that euery thing tends to an end , as to the fulnesse of its perfection ; what more worthy obiect can a wise Courtier haue , then the honor to serue his Prince well , and to loue his interests more then his owne . It is the onely marke hee should propound vnto himselfe : All the rest are false and deceitfull : and degenerate either into basenesse or malice : and what end soeuer they shall make choice of , it will not only be vncertaine , but also full of disquietnes and discontents , wherof the occasions grow hourely by multitudes , ●n this great confusion of men , which aspire all to one end , which ●s the fauour of their Master . The course of nature and Iustice is easie , safe , and inno●ent , and euery proiect which strayes from the ●ules of Reason , hath error for its guide , and punishment doth fol●ow it . Whosoeuer seeks a good thing contrary ●o his duty , deserues to encounter a certaine euill , or a dangerous good : But the fault is only in him which indures the paine , and it is not so much the condition and nature of the Court , which drawes these misfortunes after it , as it is a iust punishment to doe euill in Court . I know well that the couetous and ambitious will finde this maxime very rigorous , but what law can bee both iust and pleasing vnto them ? Let them only consider ( if they haue any remainder of virtue and iudgment ) that they bely their professions , and betray the Princes desire , who respects no other thing of them , but that they should loue the good of the estate , more then theire owne priuate aduantages ; and that in doing the contrary , they ouerthrow the order of reason , which requires that the interest of priuate men , should yeild to that of the publique . Let them also consider , that Iustice and nature , preferre the preseruation of the head and heart , before all the other members , and that the Prince himselfe is obliged to this law which they finde so hard , seeing that the health , of his people , ought to be as deare vnto him as that of his person . When as honours and fauors are offred them 〈◊〉 this kinde , they will ●nde them so much ●he more sweete and ●leasing , for that they ●aue sought them and ●otten them by lawfull ●eanes : and if they ●nfortunately faile of ●em , they will beare 〈◊〉 without murmuring , & comfort themselues , ●nowing that they had ●eserued them , and ●at it was onely For●nes fault that they ●id not enioy them .

Of action and idlenesse . All these great aduantages both of min● and body , which h●therto I haue represented , are in trueth of ● difficult acquisition , & of a painefull practice ▪ But in the course of mans life , the knowledge of things , how perfect soeuer it bee , i● but a fruitlesse treasure ▪ if it be not accompanied with action and practice . A Gentlema● which shall be endue● with all the gifts ca●pable to please , and to ●urchase estimation , ●hould make himselfe ●nworthy to enioy ●hem , if instead of ex●osing them to this ●reat light of the Court , ●e should go and hide ●hem in his village , & communicate them ●nly to rude and igno●ant people . Action a●one doth distinguish ●ower and weaknesse , ●nd we cannot obserue ●he difference that is ●ound betwixt a great Minister of State , and a poore wretched Artificer , whilest they are both asleepe . Rest in great men is a crime , and Idlenes doth make equall the valour of good Captaines , and the wisdome of Philosophers , to the basenes of Cowards , and to the folly of ignorant men . If virtue were a barren good , and without fruit , she had reason to seeke darknesse and solitarinesse ; but seeing shee is naturally incli●ed to ingender in o●er minds a dispositi●n like vnto her owne , ●nd that her most wor●y exercise is to communicate her selfe , who ●an without iniustice mother the seeds in fa●age places , remote ●rom the commerce of men ? To make this ●ruth more apparent , doe wee not see that those bodies which approch nerest to the seat of diuinity , haue the least rest ? The heauens , as the nearest to the fountaine of all perfection , moue with an infatigable swiftnesse ; the earth on the other side , as a dull and heauy masse , and which doth participate lesse of that celestiall vigor , remaines immoueable , and in a manner without action . Whatsoeuer any thing hath good , it is discerned by action , and this fain● and effeminate idlenes , which is obserued , is ●o other thing but the ●ecessity of a defectiue ●ature . That euery good man is bound to follow the Court. This being ●ue , euery man whose ●ondition seemes to in●ite him to follow great men , and who feeles ●is soule full of good ●ntentions , is hee not ●ound to goe and supply a place , which , it may be , a wicked man will get , whose counsell , without doubt , would proue pernicious to the whole estate , if he had meanes to ge● the Princes eare open vnto him ? Here an honest man ( whom I do not distinguish from a good man ) must endeuour to be profitable to his country , and making himselfe pleasing to all the world , hee is bound not to benefit himselfe onely , but the publique in like manner , and particularly his friends , which shall be all virtuous .

By the purchase of ●●ch friends , Of the entry into Court. I desire ●●at they which will ●●e pleasing , should ●●ake their first entry ●●to the Court . When 〈◊〉 any one comes new ●nd vnknowne , I hold 〈◊〉 most necessary , that ●ee stay some time to ●onsider the estate of ●o tempestuous a sea , ●efore hee imbarque ●imselfe , to the end hee may haue leasure to ●ake his distances , and ●o make his proiects with discretion and dexterity . Of the choice of a friend . The most intricate difficulty which is found at this entry is to know how to make choice of a friend which is faithfull , iudicious , and of experience , who may giue vs good directions , and let vs see , as in a table , the customes which are obserued , the powers which reigne , the factions and parties which are in credit , the men which are esteemed , the women which are honored , the man●ers & fashions which ●re in course , and ge●erally all the things which cannot be lear●ed but vpon the place . These instructions are ●o much the more necessary , for that the er●ours which are committed in the beginning , are in a manner irreparable , and leaue an opinion of vs , which many times is not forgotten vntill wee bee ready to retire both from the Court an● world . Of estimation , and how it is gotten . The first an● most profitable lesso● which they can practice , is , at their entrance , to gaine the opinion of great men , and honest men , and to striue to deserue the fauour of those women which haue the reputation to giue estimation vnto men , and to make them passe for such as they please , as there are some found , that haue gotten this prerogatiue , the solid ●ndation of this opi●n is virtue and me● but if it bee not a ●pinesse neare ap●aching vnto a mi●le , we should many ●es haue leasure to ●w old before wee ●uld make our worth ●own , if we were not ●sted by the esteeme 〈◊〉 those that loue vs , ●o are likewise them●ues esteemed . Wher●re the assistants of ●s first and faithfull friend , whereof we haue spoken , may eas●ly purchase vs the fauour of many other● friendship being as it 〈◊〉 a good which take delight to communicate it selfe among virtuous persons , and which like to a burning torch , kindles as many as they please ▪ So as in this multitude of different iudgments and of spirits busied with such variety of obiects , who doe not trouble themselues much 〈◊〉 examine strictly the ●erit of those which ●esent themselues , we ●ay say , that they are ●hers which giue vs ●his esteeme , and that ●e only are to preserue 〈◊〉 . Of the meanes to purchase friends : But seeing that these friends are so necessary 〈◊〉 good , it is fitting they should know by what meanes they may bee gotten . And not to ●nsist vpon the infinite number of Elogies and Phrases , which all wise men haue giuen to the noble passion , by t● which our wils and interests are vnited , 〈◊〉 not busying my 〈◊〉 with so many pleas● questions which 〈◊〉 made vpon this subiect● I will say in a wor● that to make himself worthy of loue , he must know how 〈◊〉 loue . This is the 〈◊〉 and abridgment of 〈◊〉 the precepts ; and 〈◊〉 this Science doth no● fall into vulgar spirits so it belongs onely to those which are full of 〈◊〉 noble generosity , to produce the effects , and to frame a perfect Idaea . The extreme liberty , ●he iust pleasing , the ●ound fidelity , the true confidence , the facility to oblige , and the feare to displease , are apparent tokens : But the motion of the heart is the true Iudge , and the soueraigne Arbitrator . They which deceiue vnder these shewes ; Again dissembling . and haue nothing but their vanity , for the obiect of the good office which they doe , and who dazle the eye of the credulous wit● these illusions , of friendship and counterfei● imbracings , they do● soone or late disgrace themselues , and draw vpon them a publique hatred . Contrariwise , they which loue without art , are most commonly beloued in the like manner , and as i● is an effect of virtue to produce her selfe , so this treasure of friendship multiplies infinitely when it is in its purity .

A diuision of life into actions and words .

OVR whole life is imployed and consumed in actions and words , let our friends haue alwayes the best ; and those which are indifferent will suffice for the common sort . But vpon this diuision , it is necessary to ground the discourse of that which remaines for him to doe , who wee conceiue hath not any other need , but to preserue the estimation which they haue gotten him , which haue commended him in Court . Wee will come to words , when we haue discoursed of effects . Among the greatest actions , which make ●e life of a Gentleman ●orious , those of va●r are , without doubt , ●e most eminent and ●ommendable . This ●irtue holds the first ●●nck in the opinion of ●ur Nobility , and as ●hey are naturally war●ke , and the exercise ●f Armes being their ●ue and essentiall pro●ession , so they haue ●mposed vpon it so eminent a name , as it ●omprehends all the ●ther virtues . He must , without doubt , Of actions of valour and the conduct of courage . haue resolute courage , and firme resolution to dy● a thousand times rathe● then to yeeld to an● basenesse . But if thi● foundation by not supported by conduct an● dexterity , he wil hardly purchase that esteeme by the meanes whereo● he may winne the inclination of those which know how to value merit . He which find himselfe in occasions either of a battell , or o● an assault , or in a skirmish , or in any other ●ke encounters , must ●unningly seeke to se●arate himselfe from ●he multitude , and per●orme his great and ●ard exploits in the ●east company that may be , wherewith he ●esires to make his ●ourage famous . Let ●im endeauour aboue ●ll things , to doe well ●n the view of the chief ●f the Army , and if it ●ay bee , in the Kings eye . How many heroique actions , and worthy of memory haue beene smothered in the presse and multitude of simple souldiers , and how vnfortunate is their valor who haue none but mercenary men for spectatours , who fight lesse for honour then for booty . Of modesty in speaking of himself and freedome in The fulnesse of this virtue is his modesty , to speak discreetly of his owne actions , and his freedome in highly commending ●hose which haue made ●hemselues worthy . commending others . Hereby wee suppresse ●heir enuy which oppose themselues against our glory : And as this manner of proceeding as generous , so the commendations which we giue vnto another haue this aduantage , as they procure vs the acclamations and praises of those whom our deeds haue obliged . Let vs then bind vnto vs as many as we may by good words , and by solid effects . Of good offices . This is the second part of actions which makes vs to bee esteemed and cherished by all the world . They which are officious can neuer wan● friends , & they which want no friends can neuer faile of good fortune . They are not regarded but as men borne for good , and they finde something defectiue in their condition which haue not ●he happinesse to bee ●nowne . It is a sweet ●atisfaction to a minde well bred , neuer to bee wanting to doe seruice where it is needfull , and they are happy which hauing a will haue also the power : To succour the miserable , to beare a part with the sorrowes of an afflicted man , to assist the weaknesse of those which are opprest by an vniust power , to preuent by our seruices the praiers of such as haue need of our assistance , to protect the innocent , to second the designes of good men , to reconcile quarrels , to pacifie differences , to smother the bad affaires of the obstinate and weake , and finally , wholly to imploy his minde , authority , and industry , not to doe any thing but what is good : Are not these actions , if not diuine , yet at the least more then humane , especially in an age wheras humanity seems to bee banished out of the world ? Whosoeuer hath an inclination to these things , is , without doubt , affected to liberality . Of Liberality . This virtue holds a great ranck among the principall actions of life , and they which can , and haue a will to practice it , cannot faile to please : Seeing there are few men 〈…〉 , but it doth tame and winne . It must haue discretion for a guide , for otherwise it would degenerate into profusion , and so ruine it selfe , and consume the matter which should entertain it . It must be without art or vanity , but without good gouernment it cannot long subsist . Shee must know her owne forces , and contain her selfe in so pure a mediocrity , as neither avarice nor prodigality may euer blemish ●r : for as Valor tem●rs that heat of courage which makes dan●rs seeme lesse then ●ey are , and disperseth ●are , which makes them to seeme greater ; ●o Liberality brings a moderation betwixt the insatiable desire of ●etting , and the blinde contentment of giuing . The couetous man is pleased to bury his gold ●n his coffers , The couetous man . and to hide it from the Sunne , which doth produce it his vnmeasured heat to gather riches cannot be satisfied , and it is like vnto fire , which the more matter it encounters , the more it deuoures . The prodigal man on the other side poures forth his good● vnprofitably in idle expences , The Prodigall . and doth not impart it to any , but to vicious persons , and such as are most riotous : So as the subtile Stoicks had reason to compare his riches to ●ose fruits which grow on precipices , and ●me to bee onely for 〈◊〉 vse of rauening ●ds , and wild beasts . ●t he that is truely li●rall , knowes how to ●ue without losing ●at which he giues , & ●e vnto those goodly ●rings , which neuer ●ying vp , furnish the ●owers & herbes with much water as shall ●ee needfull to keepe ●em fresh and in vigour , so hee knowes how to imploy his bounty vpon honest men , and not to draw the bottome of his liberality dry . Hee will learne the art to make his presents in good sort , Of presents . and to accompany them with iudgment , so as nothing shall seem● little that hee giues . And doubtlesse , the rarenesse is many times more considerable then the magnificence : In winter a Nosegay of Roses well preserued , of inestimable price ●o a curious Lady ; and ●n the spring , a ripe A●ricock is worthy to be serued to a Queenes ●able . Wherefore wee must obserue the things which may please him whom we desire to ob●ige ; and seeing it is in our choice to giue what we please , let vs haue a care that the thing which wee desire they should receiue from vs may last long , to the end that our present may bee in some so● immortall . In this so ingratefull persons an● forced not to forget them , for that their memory is often refreshe● by the obiects which their eyes represent vnto them . But aboue all things , he must haue a speciall care , not to present any thing that may be vnprofitable or vnseemely : as to present monsters to a woman great with child , Looking-glasses to a ●ule creature , Gloues a religious person , ●ooks to an ignorant ●an , and Armes to a ●hilosopher , who loues ●othing but his books , ●ally not to faile in ●is practice , it doth ●waies import to con●der the rancke , the ●ge , the reputation , the ●eanes , and the birth ●f those to whom wee will shew our libera●ty .

But not to insist longer to examine al● the kinds of actions , Of other actions in generall . i● shall suffice to say vpon this subiect , that it is most necessary , that he which aspires to make himselfe pleasing in the Cabinets of the Court , and in all other good assemblies , must accompany all his actions with great discretion . He must be aduised and actiue in all his doings , and he must not only be carefull to attaine vnto all the good conditions which haue propounded vn●o him , but the course ●nd order of his life must be regulated with ●uch a disposition as ●he whole may be answerable to euery part . Let them bee equall in all things , and neuer contradicting himselfe ; ●et him frame a perfect and solid body of these goodly qualities , so as ●his least actions , may seeme to bee quickned with a spirit of wisdome and virtue . Let him be ready without rashnesse , vigilant without disquietnesse , hardy without insolency ; let him bee modest without melancholly ; respectiue without fear , let him bee pleasing without flattery , let him be sufficient without intricatenes , and aboue all let him be iust without dissembling . Of words , which make the second part of the diuision of life .

After actions come words , which makes the second part of our diuision , and are the greatest and most ordinary commerce of mans life . Here memory doth reigne particularly , for that besides , that this pleasing facility , to expresse , depends of her , the which wee obserue in many persons , and admire in women , in whom it doth chiefly abound ; she doth also furnish suddainly an infinite number of things , which serue as a nourishment to entertainment . It is impossible to prescribe certaine rules how a man should vse his words , That iudgment serues for a guide . by reason of the infinite diuersity of encounters which are in the world , where wee shall hardly finde two spirits that are altogether like . Wherefore he that will accommodate himselfe to the conuersation of many , must make vse of his owne iudgment for a guide , to the end that knowing the difference of one another , he may at euery instant change his language and his maxime , according to the humour of those with whom chance or his designes haue ingaged him .

Of the Entertainment of the Prince .

THE most glorious and most profitable obiect that he can make choice of to employ his entertainment worthily , is , without doubt , towards his Soueraigne . The first thing that is necessary for him to attaine vnto this honour , is to bee well knowne ; but I would haue it in the best manner . Of the first entrance of an honest man to the King , and how it should be made . I find nothing so flat nor cold , as those dry reuerences which so many impudent persons presume to make vnto the King , when as they haue nothing to say vnto him , nor any man hath any cause to speak of them . A gallant man will neuer be infected with this vanity , if his reputation hath not past before him , to make his accesse the more easie : or if he which presents him hath not a long subiect to entertain the Prince , with the famous seruices which this new man hath done him , or may doe him hereafter , of the occasions of honour where he hath been an actor , of the good qualities which hee doth possesse ; and finally , if hee hath not in him wherewith to giue a pleasing subiect , to court him , who in bringing him in shall be bound vnto him , for that hee had made choice of him to doe this office . Being setled in this manner , in his Masters conceipt , I would haue him imploy all his thoughts , and all the forces of his soule to make him to know his worth : let him at the least loue his person aswell as his dignity , and that all his actions , desires , & words , may tend to please him without flattery . Hereby in profiting one alone , hee makes himselfe profitable at the same instant to the whole Monarchy , and his knowledge and wisdome , like noble and vigorous seeds , produce in the soule of Princes , flowers , whose fruits are imparted to all their subiects . So as hee which shall loue his Country , will bee prest with a desire to bee beloued of great powers , and will loue those which are seated in the Throne , to watch ouer the publique good . He will striue to plant in their mindes the liuely seeds of virtue : hee will bee ready to obey them , & wisely obserue time , place , and other circumstances . Of silence & words neare the King . His silence likewise aswell as his discourses will depend vpon the motion and will of his master , and hee will bee alwaies so circumspect in speaking vnto him , as he will neuer bee held importune , nor indiscreet . That which is spoken to purpose is alwayes good , as likwise those things which are out of season , are neuer pleasing . The cause of this vice , to desire to seeme eloquent vpon all occasions , proceeds from a foolish and ridiculous vanity , to be esteemed sufficient , which most commonly hath nothing but shame , not to be hearkened vnto , besides , the blame of lightnesse , and extrauagancy , which doth accompany it . Hee must obserue the Princes inclination . They which haue the happinesse to haue an easie accesse to Kings , and which may present their words with confidence vnto their eares , will first of all , obserue his humour whom they serue , and seek to conforme themselues to the best and strongest of his inclinations . If he loues war , The Prince a warrier . they must entertaine him with hardy designes , with the means to make great Armies subsist , of the good order and discipline that must bee obserued , of the knowledg he ought to haue of his troopes , of his sufficiency to command them , of the marks of a good souldier , of the qualities of an excellent Captaine , and generally of all the secrets of military wisdome . If contrariwise he bee peaceable , A peacefull Prince they shall not propound vnto him but the meanes to make iustice reigne , and to maintaine the publique tranquillity , to settle his authority , to ease his subiects , to husband his treasure ; to make trade to flourish , to preserue friendship with his neighbours , to purchase the loue of his owne subiects , and to be feared of strangers , and finally to make himselfe Arbitrator of the differences of all the Princes of the earth . The Prince that loue learning and exercises . If hee take delight in learning , let him that will please him , obserue to what Science hee is most addicted , and apply himself particularly to that study . If he loues honest recreations , let him be diligent to serue him , and to follow him in all his exercises . That he must be carefull not to displease the Prince . But let him haue a speciall care neuer to make any shew of way wardnesse , or that hee doth any thing by constraint , in doing that wherevnto hee thinks hee is not bound , but by his own free will . There is nothing that doth more ●rosse the spirits of great men , then this forced obedience , which ●hey obserue somtimes ●n the seruice of those which do besiege them rather then follow them . There are some so ill aduised , as they neuer present themselues before them , but with so sad and discontented a countenance , as they alwayes seeme to make them some reproch . Others to play the good souldiers , are alwayes in a posture of ostentation and braging , and make their looks and gesture so sauage , as a man would say , they came to quarrell with their Master , There are others so familiar , from their first entry into the Court , as they approach vnto the King with a smiling and familiar countenance , as if they would imbrace their equall , or doe some fauour vnto ●n inferiour person . These men should doe more wisely , to go and ●ide their impertinen●ies in the village , Of respects and impudency . then ●o come and consume ●heir estates in Court , ●nd to serue tor obiects ●f scorne and con●●mpt . It is therefore ●ost important in all ●he parts of entertain●ent , to bee alwayes ●odest and respectiue , ●e it in exteriall gestures 〈◊〉 in words ; and they ●●nnot long subsist , which thinke to purchase credit with great men by impudency . This course may well succeed with some , but it ruines more then it doth aduance . Important precepts for the entertainment of Princes Certainly wee must confesse , that this familiar haunting with the Soueraigne , is one of the most dangerous honours , wherewith they are intoxicated in Court : And if hee bee not of an excellent disposition , it is a difficult ●hing to attempt to en●ertaine him often , but ●here will escape some●hing that will displease him . For if hee once perswades himself that ●hee is more sufficient ●hen he that giues him counsell , or that enter●aines him , he will presently contemne him , and if he finds himselfe lesse able , he wil hardly endure him . Naturally all men are vexed to bee of lesse worth then they that obey them , but especially they that are bound vnto them by the greatnesse of their condition , seeing there is nothing wherin they yeeld more vnwillingly , then to acknowledge themselues to be of lesse iudgment then another . Wherefore the most subtile Politicians aduise all men , Of the submission that must bee vsed in councelling great Princes . neuer to seeme too wise with their Masters , and teach neuer to giue him counsell , but such as are timorous and doubtfull ; ●hat is to say , to speake ●nto him in an accent ●ull of submission , and which seemes rather to ●ropound his aduice ●hen to approue it , to ●he end that hee may now thereby that hee ●hakes his opinion to ●eeld vnto his iudgement . Whosoeuer shall ●o in this manner , shall ●iuert from him the ●atred and complaints which follow sinister e●ents , which are so hard for great Princes to endure , for that they imagine that Fortune should obey them as well as men . Wee obserue in effect , that they haue in a manner all this weaknesse , to impute the misfortunes which befall them , to the bad conduct of those which are about them . And hence growes that common precept amongst refined Courtiers , that the counsell which they ●iue vnto Kings , must ●ee slow and conside●ate , and the seruice they ●eeld them quick and ●ctiue . Aboue all , they ●old it for a maxime , Of obsequiousnes to Princes ●euer to contradict ●hem : for his extreme ●ower is most commonly accompanied with so sensible an apprehension , as the least word that doth contradict him , wounds him , and it seemes he would make his opinions a part of his authority , yet for all this hee must not proue a flatterer . Against flatterers . This vice is too base to fall into the thoughts of an honest man , besides , hee is no sooner discouered , but it ruines his credit and reputation , which thinkes to raise his fortune vpon so bad a foundation . O how vnfortunate is a Prince , The misfortunes which grow by flattery . who instead of faithfull seruants , findes himselfe enuironed with these publique plagues , who infect their mindes with a thousand vaine and foolish imaginations , whereof the subiects do afterwards feele the fatall effects . This misery is the more to bee feared for them , being in a manner ineuitable to their condition ; for that being forced , as they are , to heare all the world , and to make vse of many persons ; and flattery couering her selfe with a maske of fidelity and true loue to them as she doth , i● is in a manner impossible for him to auoid the deceipt . Let a good man flye the reproach of such pernicious malice , being notoriously infamous , and let him not speake any thing that may breed the least iealousie . I will admit that he be cunning and witty , but I cannot endure a seruile obsequiousnesse , and vnworthy of a man of honour . Let him neuer disallow of his Ma●ters opinion with pre●umption , but with a constant modesty , and let him propound his ●pprehensions as desi●ing to seeke the best , ●nd not as beleeuing he had found it . What is to be obserued in begging from his Master . If hee would demand any benefit or fauour from him , for himselfe or for any other , let him represent it so full of iustice , as hee may not seeme to haue obtained ●t by force and vnwillingly ; for that such a grace is worse then an absolute deniall . Let him neuer presse it in such sort , as if hee happen to be refused , they may not thinke that they had disobliged him : for that wee often see , that when as Princes haue not granted some fauor to a suitor , they iudge that hee which demanded it , with much instance , hath desired it with great heat ; so as hauing no meanes to obtaine it ; it seemes hee should conceiue some secret hatred against him from whom hee had expe●●ed it . Then the Prince upon this imagination begins to hate them , so as many times hee cannot endure their presence . He must not be importune at his Princes pleasures . Hee must also carefully auoid to bee present at his Soueraignes priuate pleasures , vnlesse hee haue ●he honor to be called : ●or that there are times and places where they are glad to bee at liberty , to say and do whatsoeuer shall please their fancies , and there wil● not bee seene nor hear● of any man that ma● censure them and kee● them in awe . If b● chance hee findes him selfe surprized and ingaged , let him seeke t● free himselfe as wittily and as speedily as h● can . And thereby w● may conceiue , that th● time and the place 〈◊〉 no lesse considerable , then the person in this painfull kinde of conuersation .

Of the conuersation of equals .

THat of inferiors and equals , or of those that have no other thing aboue vs , but some title depending of that supreme power , is not so strict , nor so difficult as that of the Master . But it is more dangerous to commit errors then in the other , wheras his spirit is alwayes attentiue to those thing● whereof he vndertake● the discourse . This i● especially obserued among priuate friends whereas our mindes finding themselus freed from that constraint , which holds them in suspence in other companies , then giue way to all their naturall motions , with such negligence as it many times makes vs vnlike that which we seeme in publique , Yet this liberty must neuer bee so neglected , but it must bee restrained within the rules of a sweet and honest respect , Of errors committed in the conuersation of friends . without offering violence to the minde , which suffers him to reape the contents of this pleasing kind of entertainment in their purity , and without any mixture or bitternesse . But this temper is more difficult then it seemes and many cause the● to bee admired i● Court , and in famou● assemblies , which cannot learne the art t● liue as they ought with those which are mo●● confident and familiar with them . The reason here of is , that they doe not loue those we●● by whom they are beloued , and from the vanity they haue to thinke , that being honest enough , not to lose any of those which they haue once gotten , they doe not labor but faintly to preserue them . They doe not expose their good humours , but where they hope ●o extend their conquests , and they reserue ●hemselues to act the best parts which they haue learned vpon great Theaters . In the meane time , what in●ustice doe wee vnto those which loue vs , to afford them onely the defects of our spirits , and to giue vnto those vnto whom we are scarce knowne , whatsoeuer wee haue excellent to please them ? This shewes our ignorance of that precept of wisdome which teacheth vs , that the estimation of the mind doth not consist in aduancing it selfe , but to march regularly and equally . And , doubtlesse , her true greatnesse is not so much obserued in great and extraordinary things , as in those which bee meane and common . Let them which desire to attaine to a solid esteeme , seek to auoid this humour , which is properly that of dissembling , which is so generally disgraced in Court . Misfortunes tha● follow cou●t●ng 〈◊〉 Hereby many haue lost themselues , who after they had liued long disguised , haue in the end found ( being discouered ) that what they aduanced on the one side , they spoyled on the other , and that the ruines of their first friendships drew after them the fall of all the rest , which they had built vpon such bad foundations . And in truth a small matter is able to disgrace a man in the like things , & cause him to be held treacherous & a bad friend , or any thing else that is worse , for that these vices being tied vnto the soule , which is hidden from vs , we are glad ( amidst so great a multitude of persons which carry a good shew in Court ) that they teach vs which are good , and which are bad : And when as our imagination is once wonne , we must haue very apparent proofes to the contrary , and many to call it back againe : besides , it doth seldome happen , that wee take any paines to disabuse our selues . In the meane time , the report of these things multiplying infinitely , as it is vsuall in those which are not good , these politick and refined Courtiers find , that by little and little euery man retires from their conuersation , Of estimation , and of the meanes to get it . and that they are vtterly ruined in their esteeme , for that they sought rather to bee great then good . Wherfore all our cares ought to be imployed to win speedily and by good courses the opinion of honest men , seeing that all the world knowes how much it doth import to shorten the way which may guide vs to an eminent esteeme . One man alone in a great Court like vnto ours , cannot doe all himselfe , and if he bee not assisted by many , hee will many times find himselfe opprest with age before hee shall bee well knowne by his equals : Judicious spirits haue lesse lustre then they which abound in imagination and memory . It is not sufficient to haue merit , he must know how to expose it to view . Industry helps much to make virtue glorious , and it is a strange thing , that they which are most iudicious , haue most commonly need of this assistance : for that the effects of iudgment are so slow in regard of those which spring from the viuacity of imagination , and from the qiucknesse of memory , that if good Iudges did not take the paines to plead the cause of these iudicious spirits , aswell as to iudge it , they should be many times in danger to lose it . I would therefore for this reason especially , that whensoeuer our honest man shall make his first entry into any great mans house , or meet in any assembly , whereas all their countenances shall be vnknowne vnto him , as well as the humors of the persons which are present , he should cause a good opinion to be conceiued of his spirit , before hee doth produce his person . The difference of opinion which they conceiue of intellectuall things , and those which fall under the exteriall senses . And wee may not feare in this point that which is seene in many others , where it many times fals out , that by hearing the excellency of some thing to bee much commended , they frame so perfect an Idea in the imagination , and conceiue it to bee so admirable , that when they come to measure it with the originall , how great and rare souer they find it , yet in comparison of ●hat which they had ●onceiued , it seemes lit●le and defectiue . We must consider here , that those things which are thus ruined by their owne reputation , are such as the eye can ●udge of at the first sight : As they which haue neuer been at Paris , and heare so many wonders spoken of it , may well imagine that it is greater and better peopled , then they will finde it when they see it . But in the good quality which men possesse , it is not so , for they see the least part of them outwardly : so a● the first day wee begin to conuerse with any man , although we find nothing appaching vnto that which wee had expected , yet for all that wee doe not abandon the good opinion which wee had conceiued : But attend to discouer daily some hidden virtues ; retayning constantly that first impression which was framed in his mind by the testimony of many sufficient men . These first impressions are so powerfull , Of opinion , her blindnesse and tyranny . or rather so tyrannous , as although they 〈◊〉 no solid foundation , bu● common reports , ye● they vsurpe vpon reason the authority of a Iudge , and doth so blinde the vnderstanding , as it cannot discerne truth from falshood , nor good from bad . The Italians haue a certaine tale which doth not vnfitly proue● the force of opinion But for that of late yeeres it hath beene renewed in France , with the same circumstances , it were better to deliuer it as wee know it happened , then to ●ly vnto strange names . ●t is of a Gentleman very well bred , An example to proue the force of opinion . & of excellent merit , who being happily borne to Poe●●ry , shewd good proofs of his genius , and of the force of his iudgment , to make him hope for the approbation of those which do not looke so narrowly ●nto it , and to make him merit a good reputation . Yet as fortune busies her selfe in the distribution , as well as of riches and dignities . This man was so vnfortunate , as nothing that hee did could giue any taste to those men whom he desired principally to please . Hee saw well that this distast , grew from a preiudicate opinion , and iudging soundly of his works , as he did , they might find that if they deserued not extreme praises , yet they did not merit any contempt ; he makes vse of a pleasant policy , to shew them the iniustice which they did him . He had first of all a care to recouer a peece of Malherbes works , which the curious had long expected , and whereof hee had the first copy , the which hee had promised to shew vnto them whom hee would surprise . Going vnto them to keepe his word , and to deceiue them with all , as he did , instead of the verses which they expected , he presented them with others , which hee himselfe had composed vpon the same subiect . He had of purpose , caused them to be Printed with the name of Malherbe in the beginning , to the end hee might giue the more authority to his inuention . These men whom the reuerence of that Name had already disposed to the admiration of his verses , in the end of euery Stanze these began to make exclamation , and to testifie such extraordinary rauishments , as it seemed to bee some worke that had fallen from heauen , they held it so diuine . Hauing giuen them leasure to returne from this profound extasie into the which it seemes admiration had plunged them , he intreted them to peruse certain others that were written , which he said were his owne , and were in truth those of Malhrbe , & besought them to iudge , that as the subiect was the same , so the manner of disposing it would bee found diuers . What an effect of imagination ? In a manner all of them by a common consent , staied to crosse the first verse , with a thousand impertinent and ridiculous reprehensions : euery word made three or foure faults , not any one was French , nor lodged in its place , there was nothing but roughnesse and transpositions , neither were the commaes well placed , and to see them make the anatomy of these verses , you would haue said , that they were come from ●uisserland , and not from France . The second nor the third were no better intreated then the first ; and if night had not surpr●sed them vpon the fourth , without thinking of it they would haue concluded at the end of the Stanze , that Malherbe wanted common sense : I leaue yo● to think what the con●fusion might be of the good Iudges , when a● they knew the true authors of both peeces I will onely insist to consider , the strange effects of Opinion , the which although it bee ●considerate & blind , makes the minde of man to yeeld at her pleasure , and gouernes he will with such an absolute command , as ●f shee had reason for her guide . If it be lawfull for me to speake of mine owne interest without any impertinency , you shall see , that it is not without cause , that I terme her power tyrannous , seeing she is able to make men to bee esteemed in the world for what she pleaseth : an able man for a Sot , a wise man for an extrauagant , a stayed man for one that is deboist , and generally ouerthrow all the order , which reason and nature haue setled in the world . Another example vpon the same subiect . I haue no great humor to sell my selfe for other then I am ; neither haue I any desire to make my selfe to passe for a man that is very regular in his life : And certainly the toiles and disorders , in the which all they are ingaged which follow the Court , will not suffer them to practice these goodly virtues which require that sweet and peaceable estate of life , after which I sigh so heartily . Yet I may say with truth , and of this truth all they can be witnesses , which haue conuersed familiarly with mee , that I haue neuer exposed . my reason to hazard , to bee surprized with any excesse : If the loue of honest men , and of their conuersation hath made mee to passe , with them which I haue knowne , a part of my life in honest recreations , and amidst innocent pleasures , I haue cause to commend my good fortune , to haue liued in that sort , rather then to be sorry , to haue beene in such companies . In the meane time , I know not how it happens , that my name by misfortune rimes so fitly to Cabaret , as both good and bad Poets , my friends and strangers confusedly , and with the same liberty , haue made vse of this rime , which they found so fitting , and haue made it so publique , as most part ot those which know mee not well , imagine I am some Tauerne Bush , or a perpetuall drunkard . In like manner , The third example vpon the same subiect . in one of the assemblies of France , whereas they gaue to euery man an Epithet , which did expresse some defect or some virtue that was in them , I had that of Old giuen me , for that by my looks I seemed to haue ten yeeres more then I had in effect : Since that time my friends , and many men of quality haue accustomed themselues to call mee so , so as it hath befallen me more then once , that I haue had some difficulty to make my selfe passe for my selfe , with some men that had neuer seen me , for that I had not a long white beard , nor any other mark of an old man . As for this point of age , it is indifferent to me what they say or think ; I doe only alledge this to approoue what opinion might doe . But as for the other example which concernes good manners , The Authors excuse vpon the two last examples . wherein euery man is bound to preserue his reputation , I confesse , that I should be glad that they would take me for what I am , and that they would rather know mee by my actions , then by their iests which they sing in the streets . But seeing that my actions are too common to haue any lustre , I assure my selfe , that they will not hold it strange if I ●●ew my selfe what I am , and if I make vse of the occasion of this discourse , to make this declaration .

Of the conuersation of great men .

IT is most necessary then to auoid bad reports , and to purchase a good opinion in the imagination of euery man , if it may be . But particularly it doth import , as I haue often said , to preuent that of great men : for that the esteem which they make of any one giues a certaine authority to his reputation , which doth dispose the spirits of all the world to beleeue great things of him so powerfully , as in a moment he findes himselfe on the top of this esteeme ; whereas I would haue an honest man to place himselfe and to maintaine it by the excellency of his actions and conduct He that can come vnto his degree , to deserue that men of eminent condition shall make ●ccompt of his virtue , it is easie for him to attaine vnto that fauour , to be receiued into their familiar acquaintance . I would hee should begin thereby to display the good qualities of his minde , to conuerse well & pleasingly with them ; for that it alone , to bee familiar with such men , may rayse him higher , and make him pretend to great matters . Of the courtesie of great men in our Court , and what esteeme they make of good men . I may boldly say , that our Courts haue this aduantage aboue all others in the world , that an honest man , although he were but meanly borne , and durst not approach neere vnto great men but with seruile submission , so as if he can once make his worth to be knowne , he shall see them striue , and take delight to admit him to their familiar confe●ence . In effect , there are few of our Princes which stand so strictly vpon the high points of their rancks , that if man haue made himselfe remarkable by some excellent part , they will not hold it a glory to cherish him . Their receptions are at the least binding with the virtuous , and in a manner all men testifie , that they are more glad ●o be visited and entertayned by them , then by many persons of great condition , who being admitted into good houses , but only in regard of their qualities , they neuer enter , but they are troubled to finde out some honest excuse not to see them . When as hee which hath nothing but his virtue for a guide and support , hath attained to this high degree of glory to see himselfe as it were a companion to those whom he might with honour terme his Masters ; he must learn to vse so notable an advantage so discreetly , as hee may neuer faile in any of the respects which they are accustomed to yeeld to such eminent persons :

Of honest respects , and those which are importune He must also be carefull not to fall into the other extremity of those which continually seeke occasions to practice their ciuility ; for in the end by their ouer much honesty , they might grow importune . Great me● in truth looke for that which is due vnto their condition , but they feare nothing so much as to meet with those troublesome person● which are alwayes in ambush to draw from them some bad complements , or to accommodate them with some vnprofitable seruice . And to speak● plainly , I do not wonder if those persons for whom alone it seemes that pleasing things ●aue beene made , find ●ese honors rude and troublesome , seeing there is not any one of those which are vnder ●em , but doth finde them insupportable . This defect is one of the greatest in conuer●●tion , Against the obstinate makers of complements . and there are ●ew seene , which doe not abandon themselus other to entertaine an extrauagant man or a quarreller , then one of these wilfull makers of complements . Abou● all to a free minde● which beleeues that euery word hee speakes in his discourse binde his faith : It is a tyrannous torment to encounter with the kinds of troublesome spirits . There are i● truth occasions wher● it is impossible to auoid these thornes , but honest men know how 〈◊〉 passe them ouer , an● not be moued . So there are none but new commers , and such as are naturally inclined to swaggering , that will take offence . So as it seems this odious kind of entertaynment is now left for a portion to some wretched hang-bies , who would not imagine they were of the Court , if in their common entertaynments they should not finde something fit to bee infected with their impertinent ceremonies . If that bee true which is said , that there are some spirits so sick , as to make a priuate study of this ridiculous science , I wonder truly that they do not chase them out of all common-wealths , and punish him with the same penalties which the lawes did ordaine against the troublers of the peace of the state : seeing there is not any which so much trouble humane societie as this importune kinde of ●en . An honest man will neuer abuse him●fe , neither in his words nor in his actions , especially in the ●●mpany of great persons , who would bee ●●sently distasted with 〈◊〉 superfluous ceremonies wherewith he ●●ould thinke to oblige ●●m .

But hee must consi● , Of the quality of humours . when he returnes ●m this great world , hee must haue a strong iudgment to carry himselfe among his equals and inferiours without making any shew that his head were surprized with these fumes : for if he were so weak , as to suffer himselfe to bee intoxicated , hee would soone become the contempt & scorne of all men . This equality liuing in the same course with his friends and priuate persons , comming from the cloth of estate and greatnesse , is a wonderfull charme to rauish generous hearts : for that as there is nothing more insupportable , then the insolency of those whose iudgment the fauor of great men doth ouerthrow : In like sort , there is nothing so pleasing vnto them , nor which is a more true presage of a solid virtue , then not to bee dazled with the lustre of such great magnificence . Of the knowledg of honest & shamefull customes . Yet hee which inioyes this honour must obserue , not to make his conuersation & friendship common to all sorts of persons , lest in the end it grow in bad repute with those which will thinke theirs is much imbased in being familiar with him . An able and sufficient man may not , for many resons , mingle himself among the base multitude , nor haue any conuersation with infamous persons . It will require much time to accommodate a familiar salutation which some famous Bawd or a lewd woman , or some other infamous person hath giuen him in the presence of many men of quality . And if some one of the company , or he himselfe doth not put off this acquaintance with a iest , it is to bee feared , there will remaine some bad impression in their minds , which haue made a particular reflection . It doth therefore import to haue none but good customs , for the which hee may not blush before such persons , whose iealousies are so much the more to bee feared , for that they seldome take any paines to search out the truth . Whosoeuer can part with a good grace from these great assemblies , may easily hope to find entry in all others , and to be desired and receiued with ioy and applause . Of the aduantages to be known of great men . One of the greatest benefits which can come vnto him to bee thus knowne , is , that the wicked feare to assault him , and the enuious dare not but with trembling practice their malice against him . They know not how with safety to poure foorth their poyson against his life ; for that as they see , hee hath many which approue his actions , they imagine they are so many protectors of his virtue . So as euen they that hate his glory , are forced to publish it with others , to the end that in commending one , they may reserue a power the better to blemish some other ouer whom they haue greater aduantage .

Generall maximes of Conuersation .

IN the meane time , be it with great men or with meane , bee it with familiars or with strangers and vnknowne , and generally with all sorts of different conditions , there are principall maximes to bee obserued , faults to be auoided , and certaine directions to bee practised , whereof if a man which thinkes to saile with a prosperous wind , takes not heed , hee will hardly auoid shipwracke . He must vanquish his passions , and subdue his humours . One of most important & generall maximes which he ought to follow in this commerce , is to moderate his passions , especially those which do most commonly inflame in conuersation , as choler , emulation , intemperance in discourse , the vanity in striuing to carry himselfe aboue other men : And after these , indiscretion , wilfulnesse , bitternes , despight , impatience , rashnesse , and a thousand other defects , which , like filthy streames , flow from these villanous springs . And , doubtlesse , when as a spirit is infected with these venemous seedes , what hope is there it should produce any other then bitter fruits , and that they which haue knowne him , will fly from him , as from a man surprized with some contagious disease . Let vs then be Masters of our selues , and know how to command our owne affections , if we desire to gaine those of another man : for it were not iust to pretend the conquest of the wils of so many honest men which are in Court , if wee haue not first learned to surmount our owne will , and to prescribe it lawes able to restraine it within the center of reason .

A moderate spirit , Note . which will not suffer it selfe to bee easily transported in all its designes , bee it for affaires or for pleasure , will know how to take his time , to presse and deferre to purpose , to yeeld and accommodate himselfe to occasions , so as nothing that doth crosse him shall be able to wound him . If he will , and if his reputation be not wronged , hee knowes how to dissemble , and when one expedient shall fail him , hee will alwayes finde his spirit settled and quiet , to inuent a thousand others able to furnish that which hee pursues . Of the obstinacy of the minde . A turbulent spirit on the other side , which suffers it selfe to bee vanquished by the first motion which assailes him confounds his carriage in such sort , as hee becomes a burthen to all the world , and makes himselfe insupportable vnto himselfe . He doth nothing but by violence , and as there is neither order nor rule which serue him for a guide , so all his counsels , and all his enterprizes sauour of the confusion which reigns in his soule . He neuer knowes how to yeeld to purpose , and hee is so subiect to his humours and obstinacy , as hee imagines that whatsoeuer doth crosse them , cannot bee conformable to sense . These poore people haue much to suffer . So a sufficient man carries himselfe in another kind , and will be carefull not to make himselfe such a slaue to his inclinations , as he cannot at all times make them to yeeld vnto that mans , to whom hee hath a desire to make himselfe pleasing . Of pleasing . This suplenesse is one of the soueraigne precepts of our Art ; whosoeuer knowes how to obserue , may boldly hope to please : and truly one of the most infallible marks of a minde well bred , is to be thus vniuersall , and susceptible of many formes , so as it bee with reason , and not through lightnesse nor weaknesse . There is a rusticity and stupidity , to be so tied to his owne complexions , as hee can neuer yeeld in any point . A spirit well made , addes to all that hee encounters , and as it was said of Alcibiades , he was so apt , & did all things in such sort , as it seemed he had a particular inclination to al those things which he vndertooke . An honest man knowes how to liue with fantastick & violent humors . There are no humours so extrauagant , with whom hee cannot liue without contention , nor so fantastique , with whom hee findes not some meanes to agree . If hee encounters any man that is transported with choler , he knows cunningly how to yeeld to the first violence of this passion , which draws all after it which makes resistance , and will insensibly coole this blinde heat of reuenge , and by little and little , cause the Armes to fall out of his hands , who not long before , had no other thoughts but of blood and fury . When on the other side , With milde & cold humours . he findes himselfe with those milde and cold humours which neuer abandon one station , and whom no iniury is able to moue , or rather which dare not put themselues in choler , lest they should ingage themselues in some bound of reuenge ; he will neuer produce any but examples of wisdome and moderation of the minde , and not playing the coward in his discourses , hee will learne to carry himselfe so discreetly , as he will neuer crosse his ●pprehensions , whose affection hee desires to gaine . With amorous humours . With an amorous man he shall haue good sport , for there being few Gallants in Court which haue not beene troubled with his sweete folly , hee shall learne by his own experience , all those things which please them that are sick . He will daily discouer new graces and beauties in the party beloued which it may be the louer himselfe had neuer perceiued . There shall be no allurement in the minde which hee shall not commend , nor any lineaments in the countenance , which he shall not examine with admiration . And to make his pleasing perfect ; h● may , in this point only , incline a little to flattery , with some kind of lawfull excuse , and especially if the end be good . She shall haue no defect , but hee shall disguise it with some terme of sweetning . If her complexion bee blacke , hee shall say it is browne , and that such was the greatest part of the beauties which antiquity did admire . If she had red hayre , hee will allow of the iudgment of the Italians and other Nations which loue them so , and that of the most dainty and amorous Poets , who neuer brag of any hayre but of this colour . If shee be too leane or too little , she will be so much the more actiue and nimble ; if too fat , it will be gracefull : the excesse in height will passe for the stature of a Queen or Amazon ; and in the end hee will couer euery imperfection with the perfection that is nearest vnto it . The principall precept of pleasing . The principall thing wherof he must bee carefull , is , that hee shew no dissembling in his discourse , and that his countenance doe not bely his tongue , nor ruine that in a moment which his spirit had some difficulty to inuent . Without doubt ●t is a troublesome constraint for a free minde to be often among such different humours , and so contrary to his own , and how sufficient and pleasing soeuer he be , it is a difficult thing , but in the end it will ingender way wardnesse , to counterfeit himselfe in this manner , and to torture himselfe so often . Of the liberty which is found among honest men . But when he finds himselfe in the company of honest men , who , like himselfe , shal haue all the parts of generosity , he may fully recompence his bad houres . He may there with all liberty suffer his inclination to work , and open his minde vnto the bottome , without any feare that his apprehensions should be crossed : for that virtue being generally equall , it makes the opinions of those which follow it conformable . O what a pleasure doth a good minde feele , when he encounters others of the same temper ; and how imperfect are all other ioyes in regard of his , which is so much the more pure and sweet , for that he knowes better then any man , that the contentment which he inioyes , is the soueraigne good of life . Against great talkers . But wee must leaue this humour of pleasing , to contradict those which talke too much . Truly this defect is one of the greatest in conuersation , and one of the most pernicious in mans life ; as likewise the power to hold his peace , is one of the most profitable Sciences . Whosoeuer hath not this command ouer himselfe , must be very circumspect not to hazard his fortune in Court . It seemes there is no virtue so easie to attaine vnto as this ; Of the difficulty of keeping silence . and yet wee may say , there is not any more difficult nor more rare . There are found more valiant persons , more liberall , more chaste , and more moderate , in their most violent passions , then wee see o● those , which know how to obserue silene as they ought . I doe not know any proof more euident of ou● weaknesse and indiscretion then this ; to say that all wise men and in all ages , haue proclaimed that the tongue was the mos● profitable , and the mos● pernicious part tha● was in man , according to the good or bad vsage : They haue all ●●ught vs , that it was ●ot so tied with so ma●y naturall chains , nor ●●uironed with so ma●y obstacles and ram●iers , but to aduertise ●s , that the speech , like pretious treasure , ●s contained therein , wherof the conduct is so delicate , as it cannot ●ow out abundantly without some notable danger . And yet wee see in a manner all the world to abuse it in such sort , as wee say , that whosoeuer hath a tongue in his mouth , carries with him his most cruell and fearfull enemy . Of the discommodity of great talkers . Wee may well say with truth , that they which at no time , nor for any consideration , cannot stay this excesse of words , are enemies to the sweetnes of conuersation . What an insupportable paine is it for any man , especially if he be alone , and and prest with some designe , to encounter with such men who will neuer leaue him vntill they haue murthered him with the report of all their affaires , and with all the suits of their kinsfolkes & neighbours ? In companies where they meet there is scarce any man speaks but they , or if any person of authority and iudgment begins a serious discourse , they are so impudent as to interupt him to deliuer their owne fooleries : for their spirits hauing not the force to argue iudiciously , haue presently recourse vnto their babling , and doe like those lame men , who being forced to take their horses , dare glory to gallop before those who being a foot , they could not follow with a simple pace They haue alwaies the most pleasant , Ordinary impertinences of great talkers . or th● most strange , or the most admirable thing in the world to tell , and yet they haue neuer but the same part to play , and they are so flat and stale , that at the first word , they begin to wound the attention of the most patient : Their most pleasing discourses , & most ordinary , are of the goodly exploits of the deceased Monsier Biron , or of some other Captaine of another age : And when as they will vndertake to relate newes , they haue so little iudgment to choose those which be good , whereof men are curious , as they busie themselues rather to expose some gazette of things which haue past at Mexico , or at Goa , for that it is farre from vs , and they haue no care to informe themselues of the siege of Cazal , or of the progresse which the Hollanders make in the Low-Countryes , for that it is at our doore . Finally , all their discourses are so out of season , as good things become bad in their mouthes , and those which are pleasing lose their grace . They only which can bee silent with iudgment , know how to speake in the like manner . Thersites whom Homer had a designe to represent , as the most impertinent and vitious man which was in all the Grecians Army at the siege of Troy , doth not describe any of his defects with greater care , then that hee had beene a great and insupportable talker ; and in one place he makes King Agamemnon to strike him on the head with his Scepter , to teach those to hold their peace , which haue not learned to speake . Ordinary vices of great talkers . They which are possest with this talking spirit , are not onely importune , and tire the eares of all the world with their ridiculous fables , but they also obserue , that they are most commonly vaine , blasphemers , detracters , notable lyars , and vnreasonably curious of another mans secrets , Of the difficulty which men haue to keepe the secrets which are committed vnto them . that they may haue the content to entertaine the first commer , that will giue them the hearing . This last vice , is one of the most malicious and the blackest , which defiles the soule of the wicked . I will speake of the rest which l haue mentioned , when it shall be time : Now I cannot in a manner but grow into choler , generally against all men who are so little faithfull , as you shall hardly find any one , that is able to conceale another mans secrets , but he will suffer him . selfe to bee carried away by this pressing temptation , to impart it at the last , to his confident and discreet friend . An example vpon this subiect . The example a of Midas , although it be fabulous , doth pleasantly proue this verity . This poore King desiring to hide his Asses eares which Apollo had in despight caused to grow instead of his own , had an vnspeakable care to hide them with the great Ornaments of purple which he did vsually weare ; but hee could not preuent it , but in the end his Barber discouered them . This man not daring to reueale this secret to any man , lest hee should ruine himselfe , and not able to conceale it any longer , by this shamefull lightnesse , which is in a manner naturall to all the world : In the end finding himselfe violently prest , and hauing no power to retaine his tongue , which was stopt with a thing ●hich hee might not ●eak vnlesse he would ●aw his life into appa●●nt danger , hee resol●ed to go and discharg ●●mselfe a farre off in ●e fields , of this im●ortune burthen , which ●id so much disquiet ●im . Hauing looked ●ound about him , and ●●nding himselfe alone , ●ee began to make a ●eep hole in the earth ; ●fter hee had cast him●elfe into it , and bent himselfe down against the bottome of t● hole , he began to sa● with as low a voy● as possibly hee coul● King Midas hath Ass●● eares . Being thus i● some sort eased , he couered the place again with earth , left the secret , it may be , should escape . Yet hauing no filled it well , there remained a little ris● whereas the raine water hauing fallen lon● into it , in the end i● made a small marish , i● the which by succession of time there grew many Reeds : These Reeds with their nourishment , drew vnto them by degrees ( saith the fable ) the words which the Barber had deliuered in that place , so as vpon the least wind which did blow , they did whistle out he same words : King Midas hath Asses eares . How many doe wee finde at this day like vnto this Barber , to whom they haue no sooner let fall a secret in their eare , but as if it were some violent poyson , their hearts worke vntill they haue cast it vp ? It seemes ( said an Ancient ) they they haue their tongns pierced , and cannot retaine any thing : whatsoeuer their thoughts conceiue flowes out , and their indiscreet and rash words ( like an arrow shot right vp ) fals as soone vpon themselues as vpon others . It is one of the greatest misfortunes of this vice of speaking much , that it is not only ridiculous , but most commonly fatall to all those which haue their soules and tongues sicke of that disease .

Of commendation of honest men .

TRuly I doe not wonder , if they which are able to discerne and iudge of this kinde of men , which by a word of excellency , they vsually terme honest men , countenance , cherish , and imbrace them as they doe ; seeing that they alone ( amidst the corruptions of the vices which I haue blamed in this discourse , and an infinite number of others ; whereon I dare not insist , either for their beastlinesse or their basenes ) preserue as an image amongst them those pure & in●ocent maners , wherof , ●hey say , the delights of ●he paradise of our first ●athers were compo●ed . But there are so ●ew found , as we need not to multiply the number of the Phenix much to make it equall ●o that of these admirable persons . Of their wisdome . How wonderfull is it to see them amidst so many rocks whereof the Court is ●ull , somtimes to auoid one , somtimes to resist the force of some contrary wind , sometimes to yeeld to the violence of the waues , and in those places where as others dare not approach for feare of perishing , to passe freely without any shew to haue beene in the least danger ? Of the gouernment of their tongues . Their conduct is accompanied with so much iudgment , as there is not any darknesse so obscure , that can make them to stay ; and particularly , that o● their tongue is so certaine , as it neuer precipitates it selfe . Their iudgment keepes it alwayes within the bounds of reason , and retaines the rashnesse of its motion with more force then a well fortified Banck can stay the violence of a riuer , or the ouerflowing of a torrent . They haue so well applied their soules to good , Of their facility t● do good and haue so accustomed them to fly from vices which corrupt conuersation , as it seems they naturally practice all the virtues , which euen the wise themselus by the force of their discourses , had some difficulty to put in practice . Of their courtesie . They are ciuill and courteous without study , not only to serue & respect those which are aboue their condition , and to honour their equals , but also to deferre many things to those which are their inferiours : And these things succeed with the greater approbation , for that they doe them without any art ●or constraint . Their accesse of their familiar communication . Their accesse is so easie and pleasing , as there is not any man but desires their company , and when as they haue conuersed with them , finde so much sweetnesse in their spirits , so much integrity in their soules , and so much iudgment in their discourses , as they hold themselus happy which may spend their whole liues in their company . If any one speaks vnto them , Of the mildnesse of their spirits . they are attentiue without interruption , and when it is time to answere , they doe it with order and iudgment . If the propositions which are made before them are so absurd , as they cannot endure them , they shew them the absurdities with so much ●weetnesse and mode●●y , as they hold them●●lues more bound that ●re reprehended , then ●f they had the appro●ation of many others . They are seldome seen ●ngry , or moued with ●ny foolery or lightnes ●hat is done in their presence : for they haue accustomed their tast , not to reiect euery ●hing that is not plea●ing vnto them . Being ●hus iudicious , the infinite diuersity of formes whereof the minde of man is capable , there is not any opinion so ridiculous , nor so contrary to their sense , that doth wound them ; neither are there any that seeme so resonable vnto them to deserue wel , as they grow amorous and obstinate to maintain them . Of their manner of exposing what they know That which they know , they doe not poure it forth indifferently vpon all occasions . And if they haue not place to speake to purpose in company , they had rather stay a whole day without speaking , then to deliuer the goodliest things ●n the world out of season ; Of their modesty to iudge and speak of themselues . yet in those things which they deliuer , how sound soeuer they seeme to bee , they neuer pronounce them with authority , nor in an accent which may testify any satisfaction of their mindes : But withall the tempers that may sweeten this imperious time , and free them from all suspition of their owne sufficiency . They are neuer heard speake o● their predecessors , no● of themselues ; they know well that such discourses are nor pleasing , but to such as vse them , and that there are few men so modest , but they seeme to haue some touch of vanity . And who will beleeue a man speaking of himselfe in so corrupted a season , saith an excel●ent Philosopher of our ●atter ages , seeing there are so few to whom we ●an giue credit , speak●ng of another man , wherein he hath much lesse interest . In their sports and entertainments , which are lesse serious , they doe alwayes obserue the effects of their excellent iudgment . When they will busie themselues to tell any tales , they make none but such as are pleasant : they are neuer troubled to seeke any occasion of laughter , and they are so new and so familiar vnto them , as they which heare them are neuer troubled to see the end , for that they haue formerly heard them . Of their integrity . One of their virtues , which I loue and esteeme most , is that they are alwaies iust in their words , as they are religious to hold that which they promise . Against lyars and periured persons . Lying seems ●o them a crime as ●lack as murther , and ●hey hold none more ●eruile nor vnworthy of a man of honour : vnlesse it may bee that ●inde of periury which ●fter they haue engaged their faith to keepe ●he secret of a friend , or of some other person , ( not considering that ●hey violate all diuine ●nd humane lawes ) ●are reueale it , and somtimes sell it to the totall ruine of him from whom they haue receiued it . A man of a bold spirit saith , that this kinde of treachery is in some sense more odious and more execrable then Atheisme : for the Atheists who beleeue not in God , doe him not so much iniury , conceiuing that there is not any , as hee which knowes it , beleeues it , and forswear● his holy name in mockery . It is a lesse harm ●o misbeleeue in God , ●hen to mock him , and ●hey mock him eui●ently , which doe not ●weare by him but to ●eceiue . But the hor●or of this vice cannot ●ee more shamfully de●cribed , then it hath ●eene by an Ancient , who saith , that to vio●●te his faith , is a testimony that he contemns ●od , and stands in fear ●f men : And can there ●e any thing imagined ●ore odious , then to seeme a coward towards men , & to shew himselfe hardy against God . The great inconuenience which grows by this first disorder , is that our vnderstanding guiding it selfe by our words , hee that doth falsify , it betrayes publique society . It is the onely meanes by the which wee communicate our thoughts an● wils , if it failes vs , w● are no more vnited one vnto another , neither doe wee know one another : If any one de●eiue vs , it troubles ●ur conuersation , and ●issolues all the bonds ●f our commerce : and ●nally , this conuersa●●on whereof wee now ●eat , is but an infamous and sordid traf●que of malice . But to ●ontinue our discourse , 〈◊〉 is time to proceed to ●●at part of entertain●ent which concernes ●sting and pleasant ●●eeches .

Of Iesting .

IEsting is a kind of discourse , a little more free then the ordinary , and which hath something bitter mixt with it , the vse whereof is common among the most gallant , and it is banished at this day amongst the most inward friends of the Court. If the vse thereof be reasonable or not , it is a doubtfull question in my o●inion , and imports ●ur subiect , and re●uires to be examined . 〈◊〉 it true that Iesting when as it can be con●ained in an honest moderation , That honest iesting giues life to conuersation . is a sweet ●ourishment of con●ersation , the which would grow cold and ●edious without these ●leasing mixtures of ●ontrarieties , wherewith it is diuersified , the which it seems do quic●en it , to giue it new vigour & grace . Mos● part of men doe rathe● seek that which doth diuert them with some kind of ioy , then that which entertains them seriously : And as naturally that which prouokes mirth pleaseth , so they are easily distasted with those companies which haue alwayes one equall entertainment , to follow those where they find these recreations . This is particularly obserued ●mong a certain num●er of persons which ●all asleepe in the idle●esse of Paris , amidst ●he vse of the Court : ●or if this exercise did ●ot keepe their spirits ●n breath , and quicken ●hem from time to ●●me , it were to be fea●ed they would in the ●nd fall into a sense●esse lethargy . This ●ind of entertainment ●ignes properly in ●ch companies : so as 〈◊〉 seemes that honest men falling by chance amongst them , they should discharge their duties ill , and should faile in the viuacity of their spirits , if they did not imploy themselues to returne iests , which are neuer so milde in the beginning , but they leaue some bitternesse in the minde , which is not easily pulled out . Of all the Iests which I haue heard , That wilful iesting is dangerous . I did neuer obserue any so modest , but if they came to a second reply , there escapes some word of the one or the other side which had some tincture of choler , or at least of despight . And although they dissemble their apprehension , it is the greater , and there is nothing but vanity that doth suppresse it : for it seemes that it is a law in this sport , to the end that the liberty of biting to the quick may be more insolent , that the first which is discontented to loose the party . Whatsoeuer it be , he which made the coldest reply , hath not onely the shame to see himselfe vanquished in a thing wherein they seldome yeeld , which is the spirit : But moreouer , there doth in a manner alwaies remain in his minde the bitternesse of those iests wherewith his aduersary hath prest him . I therefore leaue you to iudge which is most ●itting and most safe , for any one that desires to please , either not to vse any at all , or if hee will break iests with the hazard of the losse of a friend , or to make himselfe an enemy .

Of pleasant words .

PLeasant words are not so dangerous , so as the Imagination that conceiues them , consult first with iudgement before hee deliuers them : and they haue this eminence in particular , that they not only please such as hear● them , as al good things doe , but they make him that speakes them to bee regarded with extraordinary admiration . Of the excellency of pleasant words . It seemes that they which haue thi● gift , to encounter thu● vpon many subiects haue something diuin● in them , or some particular Genius , which doth often raise vp their spirits aboue the matter . And doubtlesse , although there be somtimes a happinesse , and that fortune hath a hand in this kinde of sport , which a man would say , is wholly exempt from her iurisdiction : yet wee doe vsually see , that they which haue the ability to make vse of it , are adorned likewise with the most rare qualities of the minde . There are few great personages of antiquity which haue not left vs some Apothegmes to this day , and our age may produce some , who besides this faculty of the imagination , they haue also the other parts of the mind of so perfect a temper , as they haue beene held capable of all sorts of difficult imployments : some in Armies , others in forreigne negotiations , and generally in the most important affaires of the State . Of these things which h● must obserue . But to make a pleasing vse of so rare a thing , as pleasant words are , he must obserue certaine rules , and contain himselfe within diuers considerations , without the which they many times lose their grace . Wee must consider what we are , and what ranck he holds vpon whom hee will breake a iest , of what nature the thing is whereon wee will exercise our wits , vpon what occasion , in what company , and finally , what the thing is which we will speake , and whether it be likely it will passe for currant . That he must auoid iesting . What excellency and beauty soeuer wee admire in this kinde of speeches , yet it is not fit for an honest man , any time to tell any tale , or to make and encounter vpon any subiect , how pleasing soeuer , whose grace cannot be exprest without ill lookes or ridiculous iestures . The least action wherein there is any shew of Buffone●y , is vnworthy of the person which he ought to play , and as he must haue a care to vary his entertainment by these pleasing deuices ; so he must bee curious , they may not haue a conceit that he doth affect them : wherfore whensoeuer hee shall feele these sharp speeches a● his tongues end , he shall not alwayes ven● them and giue them scope ; but rather los● them , then to diminish any thing of his estimation , or of that which is seemely . Hee must neuer iest vpon miserable men nor wicked persons . He must particularly obserue , neuer to break his iests vpon miserable persons nor wicked men : for that the natural inclination which in a manner all me● haue to bee affecte● with pitty at the pres●ing calamities wherewith they see miserable when afflicted , will not suffer them to laugh at them , and wicked men reserue a more seuere punishment then that of bare words . There are none but glorious persons , whom they doe not spare , in the most wretched estate that they can fall into , ●o odious presumption ●s , vnder what habite soeuer it bee hidden . Nor honest men . The persons which he must carefully spare are those which haue a publique estimation and are generally beloued of all the world for that it may sometimes happen , that in thinking to crosse them in some word of iest hee shall find lesse approbation then the who by a secret indignation shall take par● in the apprehension o● this iest . Hee must also consider , Nor officers . neuer to wound great powers with the like iests , who giue order and motion to the state ; nor persons of an eminent condition , Nor great men . for the one is capitall , and the other is not much lesse dangerous . There is nothing that doth so outragiously offend the feeling of this kinde of men , who haue their soules tender and apprehensiue of the least iniuries , then doth contempt , wherof it seems the most modest iests haue some mixture . Neither may yee in their presence , make a scoffe at a third mans vices , whereunto they themselues are subiect , for that they presently imagine that they are silent reproches , which are not cast forth against another , but to strike them . ●or himselfe . I need not aduertise any one whatsoeuer , neuer to make a iest of his owne defects . As for our friends , Nor his friends . they ought to be so sacred vnto vs , as wee should not dare to violate them by any biting words : And he must be very rude , Nor honest women . and more brutish then Beares , not to intreat honest woemen with the like reuerence and respect , and to forbeare ( not only against them but also before them ) to let slip any word , or any thought whose sense may bee wrested to some filthy interpretation . The excellency of pleasant speeches consists principally in being short , Principal rules of pleasant ●●heeches . quick , plain , deliuered with a good grace , and so fitly , as they may not sauour of study , nor that hee hath brought them from home : And this is the cause why they which reply , are more esteemed then they which assaile , for they are lesse suspected to haue premeditated . As for the diuers kinds , i● 〈◊〉 a subiect something intricate , whereof , it may be , I will one day treat at large , as well as of the places from whence they may bee drawne . But at this present it is too long for the little liberty which I haue taken in his Discourse . I will produce no examples , for that the Ancients are common , and those of our time ( not to lose any thing of their grace ) it would require wee should daily na●● persons whom w● must respect .

Of the difference of age● manners , and conditions which must be obserued .

IT remaines now to consider of the difference of ages manners , and conditions which are found amongst so great ● number of men , int● whose conuersation ●●uers encounters may ●aw vs : We entertain our selues otherwise with yong men , then with old persons , and the discourses which are pleasing to the one and the other , doe not agree well with those , in whom age ●ath tempered the vi●es , of these two ex●reames : Neither doe we liue in like manner with the good as with ●he bad , if by chance wee are forced to bee amongst them : n● with such as are our familiars , as with other that are scarce know● vnto vs : nor with persons that loue ioy and mirth , as with those that are melancholy and seuere : nor yet with the glorious , a● with those that are ciuill and honest . Amidst this confusion of humours , so contrary one to another , hee must haue a sound iudgment , to free himselfe in good sort ; but hee ●ust bee very circum●ect to distinguish those that are interessed from others which are not , lest hee deceiue himselfe . They which are borne gentile , and with all the qualities which should accompany Nobility , doe principally affect matters of honour . And they which haue nothing more commendable then their riches , are glad that men should admire the wealth . Persons constituted in great place will haue extraordinary submissions , and generally all they which are happy , are willingly imperious , and desi● that men should bow to their great fortune ▪ An honestman , How an honest should carry himselfe amidst these different conditions amidst all these conditions doth iudge of that which his owne ma● with honesty permit him , and knowes how to yeeld or retaine so much of his courtesie is necessary , not to be anything vnworthy of the person which ●e represents . His iudgment is so fit to finde ●mpers in all things , ●hat without flattery 〈◊〉 obsequiousnesse , hee will obserue that rule of Epictetus , who doth ●duise vs to yeeld with●ut resistance , to the opinions and wils of ●reat men , to consent as much as may bee to those of our equals , and to perswade those wit● mildnesse that are ou● inferiours . The last precept in the conuersation of equals . To thes● three maximes I will adde for the last generall precept , that he must neuer attempt to entertaine any man to please him , vnlesse hee hath first duly considered of his humour , his inclinations , & of wha● temper his spirit is ; to the end he goe not lower nor higher then he ought , but to accompany him so neare , a● all his discourses may be fitted to his carriage . If hee encounter with as able men as I presuppose hee is , I onely recommend vnto him a firme attention to that which is spoken before him , and to that which he speakes himselfe , to the end that he may not only make his answeres to the purpose , but also pleasing , and may tie his imagination to adorne them with all the graces of speech and exteriour action .

Of conuersation with women .

HAuing now treted of the entertainment of the Prince , and of the conuersation with equals , it remaines to speak of that of women , whereof we may say , that as it is the sweetest and most pleasing , so it is the most difficult and nice of all others . That of men is more vigorous and free , and therfore for that it is commonly fild with more ●lid and serious matters , they doe lesse ob●erue the faults which are committid , then women , who hauing more actiue spirits , and not charged with so many things , do pre●ently discouer the least ●rrours , and are more ready to lay hold of ●hem . There is no place where as this kind of conuersation is seene with more shew and lustre , Description of a Circle . then in the Court ; when as the Queenes hold the Circle , or rather when they display , as an abridgment of all that which hath been glorious and perfect in the world ▪ Whosoeuer hath read in Poets the magnificence of these famous assemblies which were made in heauen , whe● as Iuno sent to call a● the Goddesses to assist at the pomp of some extraordinary reioycing : Or whosoeuer hath taken delight in a cleare night to contemplate the Moone among a million of Starres , to glister with such brightnesse , and to poure forth so cleare a light , that it seemes that all those Starres which accompany her are so many beames which shee casts forth , or rather so many sparcles of her fire , which shee lets fall in heauen . The Queenes and princesses . Hee that can represent vnto himselfe , at least imperfectly , the accesse of so many illustrious and beautifull Ladies before these Queenes , to whom they come , as it were to yeeld the homage of all that which they haue most charming and admirable . Not to lye , when as a man findes himselfe before these great lights , there is not any heart of so little courage , which doth not feele it selfe secretly tempted with a desire to bee an honest man , to merit the honour to approach , and to bee regarded , as of fauourable Planets , which make our inclinations and our fortunes happy , by the sole bounty of their aspects . About this diuine Circle , The Ladyes in the which we may say is found the true center of all the perfections of the minde and body we see the other Ladies as lesse lights , shining in a spheare inferious to the first , which giues soule and motion to all the rest . Not far from thence , as in a heauen a part , The maids of honour . appeares a troop of young Nymphes which , like vnto wandring fires , take such places as they please in this stately Circuit : And whilst the Queens display their glory vpon their Thrones , to the eyes of all the Court , these faire Virgins , or rather these yong Starres on the other side , cause their beauties to be admired , and subiect vnto their Empire the highest and most indomptible liberties of the earth . This , without doubt , Of the conuersation of the Louver and of i● discommodity . is the great Theater of the conuersation of women ; but the confusion which is found there is strange , especially at these stately houres at night , the which is so importune , as the best entertainments are tired . A good company is no sooner drawne together , but it is presently disturbed by the accesse of some troublesome person , o● its sweetnesse is interupted by the presence of some person of great quality , or is altogether disquieted by the nearnesse of some spies o● the Court , who haue mercenary eares , and are imployed as Physi●ians do their Horse-●eeches , so as in this place it is rather by ha●ard or by force , then by election , that they are ingaged in conuersation ; and many times wee are forced to fixe vpon such a person whose encounter out of that place we would fly , as from a pestiferous person . Of the choice must be made in the Go● We must then descend vnto the City , and obserue who are those amongst the women of quality which are esteemed the most honest women and where are the best assemblies , and if i● may be , draw himself into their companies to the end they may haue an interest to do vs good offices , with all those that come to visite them . Of small precepts . Heere haue reserued my self to speak of some sma●● precepts which in she● seeme more fit to be practised among the● then with men : As also most part of those which wee haue formerly examined , fall ●nto practice daily amongst women . And wee must confesse that ●hey hold so neare one vnto another , as they goe in a manner daily ●ogether , & they make a perfect vnion and knitting as of Sciences and virtues .

Of the exterior presence The first care that ●e must haue that will ●requent the Cabinets and companies , and accustome himselfe to the entertainment of women , is to make his presence pleasing . For the first thing which they consider in a man , is his countenance and outward gesture , which Cicero cals the eloquence of the body . He hath diuided it but into two parts , the gesture and the voyce : But in the subiect whereof wee treat , we must adde the habit , and the composition of the body it selfe , which must bee of a structure well fashioned and proportionable , or at the least that hee may haue nothing that at his first entrance might distast the eyes of those which looke on him . Of apparrell .. As for his apparrell , it is better to bee neat and handsome , then gorgious , and all they which haue any good relish , had rather see those which are neatly attyred , then other which are richly couered . Yet the more man can bestow without imparing his estate is the better , and it 〈◊〉 one of the most prof●table expences that ca● bee made in Court . 〈◊〉 is in a manner the only thing which followe those which know ho● to make vse of it , an● it opens them tho●● doores which are many times shut to me● of great quality , and more often to virtue . To be well apparelled , ●e must carry nothing ●hat is particular nor ●xtrauagant , and the ●abites must bee well ●orted , and with iudgment . Of the manner of the fashion of apparrell , & of the suting of it . Many women ●udge of the spirits of men by the fashion of ●heir apparrell , and they cannot imagine , but if ●hey bee fantastique in ●he forme of their hats or doublets , they are likewise so in their humours . The age is als● to be considered in tha● point : for an old ma● will bee ridiculous in carnation or green veluet cloak , and a youn● man will haue no goo● grace to bee alwaye● attired in black , or i● some other obscure colours . Aboue all thing he must bee curious o● the fashion ; I doe no● mean that of some humorous people , among the young men of the Court , who , to seem● resolute , drowne halfe ●heir stature in great ●●ots , sometimes they ●unge themselus from ●e armepits to the ●celes in their breeches , ●nd sometimes they ●rowne all the fashion ●f their faces in the ●immes of their hats , ●eing as broad as the arasolo of Italy . But meane that fashion , ●hich being allowed ●y the most sufficient ●mongst great and ho●est men , serues as a law to all others . I hol● them fantastick , which grow obstinate to contradict those thing which are in vse , what●soeuer it be , but principally in a thing so in different as apparrel Let an honest man be carefull not to fall int● such capritious humours ; as likewise no● to bee the originall inuenter of new fashion● vnlesse hee findes himselfe very capable to make them succed ●owsoeuer , Of the apparrelling of men . hee must ●eware , lest they ob●rue in him too much are in his attire , and 〈◊〉 effect , a man that is ●oo curious , is worse ●en he that is too carelesse . This kind of care is not seemely but among women , and a man is neuer comely , ●ut when hee beleeues ●t not . So as a man bee neatly attired , it doth not import to bee gorgious . Small precept . It is sufficient if he haue alwayes clean linnen and white , th●● he be well shod : as fo● his apparrell , if it be not rich , yet , at the lea● it must not bee old no● filthy , let his hat be new , and of the newest fashion ; let him alwayes haue his hea● dried , and his hayre i● order as they wea● them ; let him keep his beard carefully i● order , by reason of the discommodity he shold otherwise receiue in speaking and eating , and particularly let him alwayes haue his ●eeth and mouth so ●leane , as they whom he shall entertain , may neuer receiue any annoyance by his breath . An art more studied serues lesse , then it doth hurt : and ye shall many times see one that seemes more pleasing to the eyes of a troope of Ladyes , all Sun-burnt , and couered with sweat and dust , that is returned from the war , or from hunting , the● these men of wax which dare neuer shew themselues in the Sun nor approch neare the fire for feare they should melt .

Of Action , which is the soule of words .

ACtion which is a part of the diuision of this eloquence of the body , whereof we haue spoken , must also bee duly ●onsidered of , being as ●t is the soule of all the discourses which wee make . In effect , our words languish if they be not supported , and wee see many men , in whose mouthes the goodliest things seeme dead , or at the least , so cold as they moue not ; and others know how ●o giue life vnto the ●east , with such grace , as they delight all those ●hat heare them . Of the accent 〈◊〉 the voyc● But to vanquish two senses at one instant , and equally to besiege mens spirits , by their eyes & eares , hee must haue an exact care , that the accent of his voyce may haue nothing in it that is rough , nor sharp , nor confused , nor too regular . The other parts assist those much that speake ; but wee may say in some sort of the hands that they speake themselus . For by them in a manner as often as with the tongue , we demand , wee promise , wee call vnto vs , wee send away , we question , and we deny : and finally wee expresse in ●o great a number of different things , that in his strange diuersity of Languages of so many Nations where with the ●arth is inhabited , it ●eemes that nature hath ●eserued that of the ●ands alone , to make ●t common among all men .

And of all these cares which man hath to make the outward action pleasing , That they must respect women . the first and principall precept which hee must obserue that will please women , is to honour them with all the respects and submissions that are possible and fitting . It is an effect of their weaknesse to be of an imperious humour as they are , and it seemes to them that in vsurping this authority ouer men , which they arrogate vnto themselus , they repaire in some sort the naturall defect of their little force . Wherefore we see , that all the actions which shew obedience and respect , are pleasing vnto them , and they are most commonly in their greatest fauour , which know best how to bend , and submit themselues before them . Of pleasing am● women . Hee that hath the ability , should neuer bring into this commerce , any but smooth and silken words wherewith they entertaine Kings . And all they which ( as they say ) can neuer speake but on horse-backe , should proceed on their way , to goe vnto the warre , and not stay among women . This sex is too mild & quiet to endure any harshnes or quarrels . Whatsouer is any thing rough amazeth them , and the least thing that doth crosse them , discontents them . The most sufficient among them , haue such tender spirits , as they are moued with the least contestations which oppose their apprehensions , and crosse their mindes : so as they which are not forced to yeeld easily vnto their wils and opinions , can neuer bee in bad termes with them , nor want estimation . Finally , in this point all the rules of pleasing should bee put in practice , and the most humble submissions are gracefull to any whatsoeuer . Reasons why they should humour women . And doubtlesse it is not onely for the reasons which are ordinarily alleaged , that women are so honoured by honest men ▪ for if that were not , but for the pleasure which they receiue in their companies , to whom they ascribe so much , the most brutish would bee the per●ons that would make most account of them . ●f it were not also but 〈◊〉 consideration that ●hey preserue our kind , ●here would bee few ●ut Philosophers , and ●uch as meditate vpon ●he principles , and vni●ersall causes of things , ●hat would esteeme ●hem . Or else if it were ●ot , that to acknow●edge the paines which ●hey endure in carrying vs nine moneths in their wombs , in bring●ing vs into the light , in nourishing vs and in assisting the defects of our infancy and sometimes of our whole ages . It seeme that we should not ow● these homages which we yeeld vnto all the sex , but to our mother in particular . That the virtue of women is equall to that of men . But it i● their own virtue which we respect , the which hath the greater charm to make it selfe to be admired , for that it i● accompanied with graces , and as it were inlightned with the beames of beauty . In effect , it differs nothing from that of men : And Plutarch had reason obstinately to maintain that it is the same ; and to proue it , as hee doth , by a great number of examples , where it seemes he would draw into comparison the most eminent actions of men , with those of women , and conferre their liues , as of tables drawne with the same hand vpon the same originall . And after all , if the magnificence ( saith hee ) of Queene Semiramis bee as glorious as that of King Sesostris ; if the wisdom of Tanaquill bee no lesse then that of King Servius ; if Porcia equals the force of Brutus courage ; or if that of Tymoclea yeelds nothing to the magnanimity of Pelopidas , why should wee not reue●ence them in the like ●ort , and recompence ●hem with the same honours ? If there bee ●ound any difference , ●t is not in the nature of the virtue , but in that of the persons which doe exercise it , who be●ng not of the same humour , practice it after a different manner . Achilles was valiant in one sort , and Aiax after another : the wisdome of Vlysses was not like to that of Nestor , an● Cato was not iust lik● vnto Agesilaus . Iren● did not loue her husband in the same sor● as Alcestis loued hers neither was Corneli● generous in the sam● manner like to Olympi● yet this doth not conclude , that there ar● many valours , nor many wisdomes , nor many iustices , nor that euery one of these virtues can bee multiplied into different kindes ▪ But wee may draw from all this wee haue deliuered , that the generosity of women is the same with that of men , and that the difference of their sexes makes not any of their virtues . How necessary women are in Court . To this we must ad , that without them the goodliest Courts in the world would bee mournfull & languishing , without splendor , without ioy , and without any kinde of gallantnesse ; and we must confesse , that their presence alone quicken● mens mindes , and incites the generosity o● all those which haue any feelings and apprehensions . This being true , as vndoubtedly 〈◊〉 is , what men can be so stupid and dull , as to refuse respects and honours to those which giue them glory , or a● the least , inspire them with a desire to get it ▪ These respects consis● in a certaine expression of humility and reue●●nce by gestures or by ●ords , which testifie 〈◊〉 extraordinary e●eem which we make 〈◊〉 those persons to ●hom wee vse them . ●hey are also exprest ●y actions ; Of seruices that are to bee done to women . and by a ●●ousand obseruations ●● petty seruices which ●●e to bee done to women , which being per●ormed in time , and of●●n reiterated , work in ●●e end stronger im●ressions , then those which are more important , whereof th● occasions fall out se●dome . They which a● amorous haue no nee● of my precepts , seein● they haue so many pe●nicious Masters in th● art , & are themselus b● too inuentiue to impro●● their folly . But ho● much is an honest woman to be pittied , who● beauty hath been sov● fortunate , as to stirv● this passion in an i● composed soule , full o● indiscretion and vani● , which are at this ●y the two greatest ●agues , wherwith the ●●e of the Court is in●●cted . The eyes of ●●e Basiliske are lesse ●●ngerous , and lesse 〈◊〉 be feared , for the life 〈◊〉 men , then the looks 〈◊〉 vaine and indiscreet ●en are to bee appre●nded for the honour 〈◊〉 honest women . That the most chast are many times most subiect to slanders . That ●hich I find most per●cious , is , that the most ●aste , are sometimes soonest lost by this l●mentable course , f● reputation consisting as it doth , but in opin●on , which doth eas● turne good into ba● and being the prope●ty of vaine spirits a● wayes to attempt th● things that are most ●●minent : when as 〈◊〉 faire woman who ha● the repute to bee virt●ous , hath let fall ( and may be by chance ) h● eyes vpon them , th● conceiue that it shou● touch their reputation , if they should not make all the world beleeue that they haue receiued some particular fauours from her : so making a kind of reioycing of their idle imaginations , to perswade that which is not , they imploy so much art , as they which are least credulous and least susceptible of scandalous impressions , are many times forced to conceiue bad suspitions . They which are of this humour , thus to defame women , are themselues disgraced with them , and they must neuer expect any thing but contempt , although they had all the louely qualities that can be imagined . There are many other defects whereof some in truth are lesse malicious , and of lesse consequence then those wherof we haue spoken , but they keepe them no lesse from the fauours of ●is pleasing sex . Vice is odious in the conuersation of women . Ge●●rally all vices dis●ease those that loue ●●rtue , but particularly ●●ey cannot indure ●●nderers nor blasphe●ers , nor those which ●e obstinate , nor fan●●stick , nor humorous ; 〈◊〉 any other of those ●●perfections , which ●ew a rudenesse of the ●ind . Of slanderers . And to speake ●●ē truth , what can they ●xpect from ill tongu'd ●●en but slanders , and an vsage so much th● more rigorous , as the virtue shall bee em●nent ? Of blasphemers . And what respect can they hope fo● from such , who co●temning heauen it sel● dare vpon all occasion by execrable oathes violate the honour o● the sacred name o● God , and prophane th● glory of that holy , pur● and admirable essence ▪ If they loue the sweetnesse of entertainment and pleasant diuerting humours , as vndoub●edly they doe , The obstinate & dull . what ●an they finde in obsti●ate and dull spirits , ●ut contrarieties and ●elancholy , which are ●dious and difficult to ●o them to endure ? The proud . They doe as willingly ●uffer the pride of those ●pirits which are puft vp with presumption ●nd false glory , whose ●outhes are neuer o●en but for their owne praises , and to publish ●heir goodly actions . A Gentleman is ver● ridiculous that hath n● other thing to speake and they are to be pittied , which are force● to heare him often . wil allow that he mak● good vse of that whic● he knowes , and whe●in he is excellent ; b● it must be by effects rather then by word and by hazard ( if it may be ) rather then of purpose . Although hee b● an excellent good dancer , yet he shall not alwayes send for the Musicque , nor draw the company together : But without pressing forward , or making himselfe to bee entreated , he shall goe with the rest , as to a sport wherein hee shall not imagine to haue more aduantage then in any other whereunto they would draw him . If thre bee a party made to fight at Barriers , or to runne at the Ring , or if any other occasion be offered , to shew how excellent he is in all exercises ; how good a horsman soeuer he bee , and how actiue soeuer hee finds himselfe , hee will be alwayes of that pleasing temper , and will content himselfe to do well without making any shew to haue satisfied himselfe . The most sufficient man in in the world , if hee brags of it , is but a sot . All that hee saith or doth , doe not please , and the greater care he hath to giue a lustre to his good qualities , and to make them seeme pleasing , doth not only obscure them , but also make them importune . Vanity hath this common with rashnes , that as it is foolish and blinde , so it is vnfortunate . Modesty , in my opinion , is the most necessary of all the virtues which are in vse with the conuersation of women : most of the others get but their esteeme , but this gaines the heart , and doth finish that which so many subtill directions haue only begun .

That ●gment ●es or● to the ●duct ●ife . After so many different obseruations , for the last and most certaine of all other , wee must say that iudgment is the master of this art ; and from its good or bad conduct , depends chiefly the successe of that which wee haue ●ropounded . All the best maximes fall into confusion , if they receiue not order from it , and in those things which are most euident , wee must not leaue to consult with it , as well as in those which are difficult . But especially among women , it is in a manner impossible , without the helpe of Iudgment , that our esteeme should gaine any aduantage ; for being of a spirit somwhat vnequall vnto them , if Iudgment goes not before to distinguish them , or if we doe not learne from themselus the things which dislike them , and those which content them , it is a difficult thing euer to finde the secret of their pleasure . So as wee cannnot giue any certain rules vpon this subiect , by reason of the great difference of encounters , and of the infinite diuersity of spirits . It sufficeth to say , ●hat the precepts which goe to the structure of ●his Art , are common ●o all the world , like vnto publique places and fountaines : But ●he wise know how ●o make vse of them , and to imploy them to their owne particular , euery man according to his capacity , and the profession wherein he imployes himselfe . And finally , to end this Discourse , I conclude , that to make a perfect honest man , he must haue so many eminent perfections , as those things which are most difficult , may be easie vnto him , and that making him in some sort admirable to all the world he may haue no cau● to admire any man .

Diuers Aduertisement vpon the designe of this Treaty .

BEhold the feeling and sense of the worst Courtier in the world vpon this subtill and nice subiect . And when I consider who I am , what my humour is , my carriage , my profession , and the contempt I make of the Court , I can hardly conceiue how it could fall into my imagination to write vpon this subiect . If I were of some illustrious birth , and greedy to produce my selfe , to purchase some esteeme : If I suffered my selfe to bee tempted with this foolish vanity , to enter often into great mens houses , where they do me the honour to open their doores : If I were delighted to entangle my selfe in their intricate businesse , and finally , If I did loue the tumult of this great world , and that I had wherewithall to make my selfe pleasing by some of those virtues , whereof I would haue others to haue the full possession , my designe , it may be , might finde some approbation . But seeing mine owne defects , and knowing that I haue but the least of those qualities which I haue described , I know not with what apparent reason I can colour my attempt , to make it appeare resonable . I had rather confesse freely , that the fault which I haue committed in taking this paines , is worse then to haue remained idle . But after all that which pleaseth mee most , and which makes mee thus bold to publish my conceptions in this manner , is , that wee haue not yet , any lawes against bad Authors , and that the crime of writing ill hath remained hitherto among vs without any example of punishment . My designe is onely to represent a good man , more brief●y then others haue done , rather then one of these nimble Cour●iers of this age , whose most virtuous maximes are not alwayes innocent . If he be insufficient , it is as I am : and if they finde I haue not giuen him good councell enough , I doe not see that I am bound to teach them more then I haue learned . Yet I propound vnto him sufficient imployment for a part of his life and I assure my selfe , that hee shall not imploy many of his houres vnprofitably , 〈◊〉 he will addict himselfe to all the exercises which I haue shewe● him to bee fitting to hi● profession . This is ra●ther an Idaea of tha● which is possible , the● an example of a thin● which is commonl● seene . Hee that hat● not sufficiency to attain to all these good qualities , let him hold himselfe to that which hee may , and endeauour , at the least , to haue a part of the most necessary , and not giue them ouer . They which would haue mee giue full and particular precepts of euery thing which I haue onely mentioned in passing , make a proposition which shewes a weaknesse of iudgment worthy of comparison . When I say that a Gentleman should bee a good horseman , and that hee should know how to handle his weapon ; is it not to aduertise him to go vnto the Academy , and to frequent the Schooles , or to haue good Masters in his house , to learne from them that which hee should not bee ignorant of ? So when I aduise him to study the Politiques ▪ or the Morals , or the Mathematiques ; is i● not to tell him , that he should carefully reade the best Authors which haue written of these goodly Sciences , or that hee should confer with learned men ? Would they haue me stuffe my Booke with the royall Mannage , and of the noble Art of Defence ; and that I should set down common places of all the History , and the figures of al the instruments of Geometry ? In like manner , when I bring them i● vnto the King , and great men , must I mak● these Orations and di●●courses for euery day in the weeke , with a little treaty of childish ciuility ; to the end they may bee furnished wherewith to cour● them ? Is it not suffici●ent that I haue enga●ged my selfe to shew them the way , but the will binde mee to go● it ? Howsoeuer , I haue ●nserted in this little booke what I thought most necessary , and haue cut off what I held superfluous . I haue mingled my opinions with those of the ancient and moderne , and indeauored to fixe my selfe vpon the soundest and most conformable to reason . If I were now to restore that which I haue taken from them , I confesse , that I haue so confounded them with mine owne , as I could not know them to make a separation . Bu● this paines would be so vnprofitable , and i● imports mee so little , whether they beleeue that I haue inuented , or that I imitate , that rather then I will endure the question , I am ready to confesse , that the good things which they shall obserue in this Discourse , are ( if they please ) mere thefts ; that the indifferent ●aue beene ill coppied but of good originals ; and that the bad ; ( if they shall finde a greater number then of good ) are all of mine owne groweth , and of my inuention . Let censors teare it in peeces , if they be not sufficient to blame it , I promise them I will be no more moued , then when I see my cloathes beaten to get out the dust .

FINIS .