A very briefe and profitable treatise declaring hovve many counsells, and vvhat maner of counselers a prince that will gouerne well ought to haue The book speaketh. ... Consejo i consejeros del principe. English. Abridgments Furio Ceriol, Fadrique, d. 1592. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A01365 of text S105670 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 11488). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 85 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 65 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A01365 STC 11488 ESTC S105670 99841396 99841396 5977 2240888538

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01365) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5977) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 243:08) A very briefe and profitable treatise declaring hovve many counsells, and vvhat maner of counselers a prince that will gouerne well ought to haue The book speaketh. ... Consejo i consejeros del principe. English. Abridgments Furio Ceriol, Fadrique, d. 1592. Blundeville, Thomas, fl. 1561. [128] p. By William Seres, Imprinted at London : [1570] An abridged translation from Alfonso d'Ulloa's "Il concilio et consiglieri del principe", an Italian version of: Furio Ceriol, Fadrique. El concejo i consejeros del principe. Translator's dedication signed and dated by Thomas Blundeville, 1 April 1570. Signatures: A-Q⁴. Running title reads: Of counsells and counselers. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. eng Education of princes -- Early works to 1800. Government consultants -- Early works to 1800. eebo A very briefe and profitable treatise declaring hovve many counsells, and vvhat maner of counselers a prince that will gouerne well ought to haue. The Furio Ceriol, Fadrique, 1570 130 16243 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. 2003-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-05 Sampled and proofread 2003-05 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A very briefe and profitable Treatise declaring howe many counsells , and what maner of Counselers a Prince that will gouerne well ought to haue .

The Booke speaketh .

All you that Honors woulde atcheeue , And Counslers eke desire to bee , Of selfe loue flee the false beleeue , And learne my lore that you may see What worthynesse in you doth reygne , Such worthy state thereby tatteyne .

IMPRINTED at London by William Seres .

Firmo Appoggio .

1570

To the ryght Noble Erle of Leycester , one of hir highnesse most Honorable , wise , and graue Counselers .

FOR LACK OF BETter habilitie , I am bolde after my olde wonte , to present your Honor with Inke and Paper , more to doe my bounde dutie in shewing my selfe thankfull towardes you , for your great benifites bestowed on mee : than for any profite or pleasure , that I know your Honor can reape any waye of my rude wryting . And yet amongst al the tryfles that euer I wrote , there was none in mine opinion that ought to please you better than this little Treatise , representing vnto you as it were in a glasse , manye of those good vertues and qualities that do raigne in you , & ought to raigne in euery other good counseler . Which Treatise was first written in the Spanishe tongue by a Spanyard called FEDERIGO FVRIO , and afterward translated into the Italian tongue by another Spanyard called ALFONSO D'VLLOA , but not with so good grace as I beleeue it had in the Spanishe , which in deede I neuer sawe , and therefore though my very friend May ster Iohn Baptist Castiglion one of the Gromes of hir Highnesse priuie chamber , vpon good zeale he had to profite many , deliuered me the saide booke at my last being at the Court , earnestly requesting me to put the same into our vulgar tong , yet I would not altogither translate it , but thought it best to make a briefe collection of the substance thereof , cutting of all superfluous talke , and yet leauing nothing out ( I trust ) that was necessary to be spoken . But how soeuer it be I most humbly beseech your Honor to take it well in worth , and in pervsing the same to conceyue of my labour bestowed therin , with that fauourable iudgement , which you haue alwayes vsed towardes mee , in all my other doings , and therwith to continue still my good Lord , euen as I think my selfe bounde to continue your faythfull seruant . Thus leauing to trouble your Honor any further : I pray God to graunt you helth & long lyfe , with much prosperitie . From Newton Flotman the first of Aprill . 1570.

Most bounde to your Honor

Thomas Blundeuill .

With what order and methode the Institution of a Prince ought to be written .

WHO so will write the Institution 1 of a Prince , ought to deuide hys worke into fiue partes . The first whereof would containe three Bookes , and the first Booke must shew what a Prince is , how he was first ordained , & to what ende , what power hee hath , who gaue it him , & who may take it from him . The second booke muste declare what Artes and Sciences are required in a Prince that will gouerne well . The thirde booke must shewe what morall vertues a Prince should haue , and how to vse them .

The seconde part must treate 2 of the Princes education , of his Schoolemaysters , gouernours , seruantes , friendes and louers , of his house and householde : and therefore as the Phisitians doe deuide mannes lyfe into seauen ages or times , so this part would be likewise deuided into seauen bookes , the first treating of the Princes infancie , the seconde of his childehood , and all the reast of hys other ages or times .

The thirde part woulde contayne 3 three Bookes , the one whereof must shewe the dutie of the subiect in euerye poynt towardes the Prince , and the other , the dutye of the Prince towards the subiect : whereby it shall plainely appeare , who is a Traytour , and who is a faythfull subiect , and also who is a iust Prince , & who is a tyrant .

The fourth part would shew howe a Prince ought to rule 4 and raigne , so as he may escape and ouercome all diffycultes that may chaunce any maner of waye , which are not easily knowne , by cause they are diuers , according to the diuersitie of the kingdome , or principalitie : which is gotten & possessed by one of these foure waies : That is , either by inheritaunce , by election , by forcyble conquest , or else by pollicye : it is requisite therefore that this part be deuided into foure Bookes , euery one treating of ech of the sayde kindes of possession .

Finallye , bicause the Prince 5 can not heare all , see all , knowe all , and prouide for all , alone of himselfe : the fift part therefore ought to treate of the councell , and counselers of a Prince teaching him howe to make hys counsell , and what maner of counselers to choose , of which part mine Aucthor aboute nine yeares past tooke vppon him to write , deuiding the sayde part into eyght bookes : but as yet he neuer set forth more ( that I knowe ) than the fyrst Booke , the effect whereof hereafter folowith .

What a counsell is , and how many counsells a Prince ought to haue .

A Counsell is an assembly of wise and discreete persons chosen by the Prince to counsell him in all his affayres , both of peace and warre , in such sort as he by their helpe maye gouerne hys Realme wiselye , and foresee all daungers that may bety de , so as in all his doings and enterprises , he maye haue good successe , or at the least , as little euill successe , and as seldome as maye bee . And though that the Counsell and the Prince maketh in deede but one entyere thing , in that it hath but one heade which is the Prince , yet it is necessarye that the saide counsell be deuided into manye partes , which though they haue dyuers offices , yet they shall make but one body , no more than the seuerall partes of mannes bodye , seruing to dyuers purposes . Wherefore it is meete , first to shewe howe manye seuerall counsells a Prince that wil gouerne wel ought to haue . And than to euerye one of those counsells , how many counselers , how manye Presydents , how manye Secretaries , and how many Clarkes be needefull , and also what qualities be requyred in those men , that they may be able and sufficient to serue the turne . Also what prerogatiues , preheminences , and authorities they ought to haue : Againe , how they ought to bee assembled , where , in what tyme , and what houre , then which matters ought to be first propounded , to whom the Bylls of remembraunce for dispatch and al other writings ought to bee delyuered , who ought to solicet the matters , and howe they should be entred into the bookes , and many such lyke things . Furthermore to shewe howe one counsell ought to answere another orderly , to the intent there be no confusion nor mingle mangle of matters . And lastly , to shew them when they haue all determyned vppon some matter , howe and in what sort they shall make relacion thereof vnto the Prince before they make any final resolution or conclusion . Following then this order , mine author sayth , that if the Prince minde to gouerne his state well , and to dispatche manye matters speedilye , hee ought to haue seauen counsells euery one differing from other in affayres , offices , and in authoritie .

And first he beginneth with the counsell of reuenewes , The Eschequer . not for that it is first by worthynesse , but ( as I take it ) for that it is first by order of nature , taking here perhaps the Princes reuenewes to bee the matter , without the which nothing can be done , to which counsel belongeth these points here following .

To gather vp his reuenewes .

To see that they bee not wasted .

To encrease them by all conuenient meanes .

To consider from whence , how and in what tyme extraordinary These thinges belong to our high Courte of Parlament . reuenewes maye bee best leuyed , to appoint taskes , and subsedies , tolles , and customes , and to reforme them when they be eyther to much or to little , without dammaging the weale publique , to abridge superfluous , and to encrease necessary expences .

The seconde is the counsell The priuie counsell which for worthinesse woulde be first placed . of the state , whose office and dutie consisteth in these points here following . First , to see whether such officers and gouernours as serue vnder the Prince as well in peacible as in warlike affayres , doe their dutye or not . To knowe howe long their tyme of seruice endureth , whyther they ought to be chaunged or not , & who ought to be chosen to serue in their roomes . Moreouer , to see that all charges both ordinary and extraordinarie , as well for matters of peace , as also of warre , be payde in due tyme by vertue of their warrant directed to the counsell of the reuenewes , which haue authoritie to receyue , but not to disburse one penny without speciall warrant from this counsell , which onely hath power to distribute the Princes money . Also to consider wyth whome eyther peace , warre , league , or truce , is to bee made . Agayne , wyth whome the Prince ought to ioyne in true , or fayned friendship , and how farre , howe much , in what sort , and at what time , whither secretelye or openly hee ought to ayde his friends . And therefore this counsell hauing so great matters in charge , deserueth well to bee the heade and chiefe of al the other counsells .

The thyrde counsell is for The counsell of war , whereof Englande hath most neede . matters of warre , and therefore mine author calleth it the counsell of warre , whose office is to see that the Prynces Townes , Portes , & Frontiers , be well fortifyed , and to vnderstande the whole Arte and Discipline of warre , to the intent the Prince and his realme maye not onely bee defended from all forreyne power , but also get the victory of his enimies , with whome he shall hap to ioyne in battayle . And therefore this counsell besides being skilfull in Fortification , in taking of musters , in trayning of Souldiours , and in setting of battayles ought also to haue in prompe memory al the former warres of the Prince and of his predicessors , and to knowe howe and vpon what occasion those warres were first begonne , followed , ended , and what successe they had , and howe those warres differed one from another by reason of tyme , and what condicions of peace haue bene offered or receyued , & vpon what causes . Also to consider as well the force of the enimy and of his allyes and confederates , as of the Prince and his confederates , and to compare them togither , that they may knowe whyther they bee equall in power , or that the one excelleth the other , & wherin , as in men , armor , discipline , vittails , same , credit , money , friends , allyes and such lyke , wythout due consideration of whiche things , he that beginneth anye warre , endeth the same for the most part to his great losse , shame , and reproche , and therfore how necessary this counsell is to a Prince , it is easie ynough to see .

The fourth counsell is for Purueyours prouision of vittailes , and therfore it may be well called of vs the counsell of vittelers , or purueyours , whose charge is to furnishe the whole state with vittailes both in time of peace , and warre . And therefore this counsell had neede to knowc euery part of the Countrie , and what it is able to yeelde and to keepe bookes of remembrances that maye shewe them at all tymes what store of vittaylc there is , and what is lacking , what commeth in , or goeth out by sea or by land , also from whence they are brought and whyther they are caryed , by what waye , by whome , in what sort , how much , and at what tyme , and such like matters appertayning to their office . And to this counsell the Prince shall doe well to referre al matters touching lycences of carying out corne , or other vittayle , graunting lycence to no person to carrye oute of the realme any vittayle , without the consent and aduise of thys counsel , wherby the state shall not onely haue sufficient alwayes for themselues , but also many tymes such aboundance as they may helpe their friends and louing neighbors , in their neede , whereas contrariwise for lacke of this counsell hauing this authority , the realme many times suffereth great famine by meanes that a few couetous persons preferring their owne priuate lucre before the profite of the whole common wealth , by money and friendship doe procure licences of the Prince , to cary out into forrein places that vittayle , whereby the common wealth at home should be susteyned . Yea , and many tymes for vile lucre sake and hope of greater gaine , doe rather relieue the enimies , than the friendes of the state , which through vnkindenesse by them conceyued causeth offence , yea and sometime breach of friendship . Moreouer for lack of this counsell , warres are made many times in Countries , wheras no meate is to be had for man , or beast , so as the armye is no sooner in the fielde , but it suffereth extreeme hunger , and is therby forced to returne immediately home agayne wyth shame ynough , or to make peace , or truce , eyther oute of tyme , or else with such condicions , as are not meete , nor honorable , whereby the Prince loseth his estimation amongest straungers , and getteth the hatred of his owne people . For two thinges makes the people to loue the Prince , that is , to be defended from the oppression of the mightye , and to bee in league wyth those Nations , without whome they can not well traffique .

The fifte counsell is touching matters of lawe , whose The common place . charge is to appoint as manye and as fewe officers as shall seeme requisite to minister iustice These pointes also doe belong to our high Courte of Parlament . in ciuill causes throughout the whole state , and thys counsel must haue authority to make lawes , to repeale lawes , to reforme lawes , and to interprete lawes , for lack of which counsell great wrongs are suffred , and many disorders committed in all common wealths to the great decay of the state , and setting vp and aduauncing of a few Laweyers and aduocates , which in these dayes may boldly rob and spoyle the poore commons , without any feare of punishment or correction .

The sixt counsell is touching The kings bench . cryminall causes , and therefore it may be called the counsell of correction , thys counsell must haue authoritye to iudge and giue sentence of all crymes committed any maner of way , and to punishe the offenders according to the lawes of the countrie .

The seauenth counsell is touching The Whitehal , or court of rewards . rewardes to be giuen by the Prince to such as deserue , and therefore it maye be verye wel called the rewarding counsell , for the office of this counsell is to know who deserueth well , and who doth not , and to enforme the Prince thereof , to the intent the Princes benifites be not euill bestowed : and therefore the Prince shall doe well , not to giue any tewarde wythout the aduice of thys counsell . And for lack of such a counsell , we see for the most part in Princes Courts that the vertuous sort which commonly be no crauers , are sildome or neuer considered , and such as least deserue , are alwayes best rewarded . The Prince being thus furnished with these dyuers counsels shall bee able to dispatch more matters , than when the whole charge lyeth onely vpon two or three persons , by whose long delayes the Princes subiectes are nowe forced to consume themselues in continuall wayting , for dispatch of businesse , and yet as mine author sayth , the ambition and couetousnesse of some counselers is such , as they can not suffer to haue any partiners in their doings , bicause they will haue all the honor , and all the gayne to themselues , esteeming more their owne priuate lucre , than the profite of the common wealth , which kinde of men are vnmete to be counselers , bee they neuer so wise . And to the intent that these seauen counsells before mentioned , may not be reduced all to one , in such sort as two or three persons should rule all , as commonlye is seene in most places now a dayes . It is requisite therefore that no counseler be suffred to be of diuers counsells at once , but to tende one alone , medling with no matters of any other counsell , but onely with those , which appertayneth to that counsell , wherevnto hee is called . But nowe , to order these seauen counsells rightly , it were needefull to wryte seauen Bookes , declaring al the particuler parts and circumstaunces that belong vnto euery one of the said counsells , but for so much as it were a superfluous thing to repeate in euery one of those bokes , all the qualities that be requisite in those counselers that are to bee admytted into any of the foresayde counsells , and speciallye such qualities , not differing verye much one from another . I thought it best therefore to spende this booke in making one discourse of that matter for all , which here followeth .

What a counseler is , and what qualities he ought to haue .

A Counseler is a sufficient person , chosen by the Prince , meete to serue in some one of the foresaide counsels , and able to discharge hys dutie therein . In which definition two thinges are to be considered , that is , the sufficientcie of the manne , and the choyse of the Prince , of both which things we minde to speake : but first of the sufficientcy of the manne , which consisteth in two poynts , that is , in the qualities of the mind , and in the qualities of the bodye .

The qualities of the minde requisite in anye counseler in generall , are in number as mine Author sayth . XV. that is ,

1 To be wise .

2 To be eloquent .

3 To speake dyuers languages .

4 To be a good Hystoriographer .

5 To be a good Morall Philosopher .

6 To be politique .

7 To be a traueler .

8 To knowe the force as well of hys Prince , as of his enymies and neyghbours .

9 To loue hys common wealth , and to preferre the profite , and honor thereof before his owne gaine and estimation .

10 To haue a right iudgement in all thinges without partialitie , esteeming honestie and truthe more than friende or kinsman , and to be no maintainer of any sect or faction ; which be perillous members in anye common wealth .

11 To be iust in correcting the euill without rygour , and in rewarding the good according to their due desertes .

12 To be liberall .

13 To be benificiall towards his common wealth .

14 To be affable , that is to saye , courteous and gentle , in hys speech and behauiour towards all sortes of men , both poore and ryche .

15 And finally , to haue a noble , stowte , couragious , and constant minde , not fearing to lose both lyfe and goodes for the truth sake . All which qualities mine author might easily haue reduced into these fiue generall kindes : that is , Prudence , Scyence , Iustice , Fortytude , and Temperaunce , For vnder Prudence are comprehended the first , the sixt , seauenth , & eyght quality , for there is , PRVDENTIA , MONASTICA , DOMESTICA , and POLITICA . The first wherof , teacheth a man to gouerne himselfe , leading a sole lyfe , the seconde , to gouerne a familye , and the third , to rule a common welth , which requireth suche pollicie and experience as he talketh of . Vnder Science may be comprehended the seconde , the thirde , the fourth , and fift qualitie : and vnder Iustice , the ninth , tenth , leauenth , twelfth , & thirteenth qualitie : vnder Temperaunce , the fourteenth : and vnder Fortitude the fifteenth , and manye others , which mine Author as I suppose leaueth out of purpose , thinking these sufficient ( as I take it ) yea , and perhaps more than are to bee founde in some counselers in these daies , and therefore though I haue a good wyll to treate of these thinges in another order , yet for his sake that delyuered mee the booke , I will follow mine Authors order , briefely declaring the vses of the foresayde fifteene qualityes , and what causes mooued hym to thinke them most necessary for a counseler , & finally how the Prince shall knowe by tryall , and not by relation , whither his counseler hath such qualities or not : Wherby it seemeth that mine Author supposeth , the Prince to bee endued wyth all these qualities hymselfe , for otherwise I see not how he should bee able ryghtlye to iudge of them .

Well then the first qualitie A liuely wytte . is , as he sayth , to haue a quicke and liuely wytte , which is the beginning , meane , and ende of all noble enterprises , without the which all other vertues do little preuayle . For we see by experience that the rude wytte with great labor & dilygence , sildome or neuer , attayneth to that knowledge or iudgement , which the fine wyt getteth in short space , & with little paine . Neyther doe rude wyttes euer attempt anye worthye enterprise : wherefore to haue a fine wyt is a thing most needefull to anye counseler . Whiche , whyther he hath so or not , the Prince ought to knowe by tryall of the manne , and not by information or relation of others . And such tryall is to bee had two maner of wayes , by his wordes , and by his deedes , for the wise man commonlye doth not talke of such matters , nor in such sort as the common sort doth , neyther be his wordes or phrases lyke vnto theirs , his talke is graue and wise , hee is readye in aunswering , and quick of vnderstanding , and easie to bee vnderstoode in declaring any thing . He is pleasaunt in matters of sport , and in earnest causes graue and circumspect . And finally , he is able to vse talke meete for all companyes , wythout breaking the bounds of comelynesse , due to his calling . Nowe as touching his deedes they are knowne by his actiuitie , and by hys dilygence vsed in reading , writing , and conferring with wise and learned men , and in practising wyth men of experience , and with men of dyuers nations . For with suche the wise man will acquaint himselfe , to the intent he may know all things and bee ignoraunt in nothing . But the dull and grosse wytted man doth cleane contrarye , for he giuing himselfe to sloth , to belly cheere , to lewd company and to vaine pastimes , abhorreth the companye of the wise and learned sort & vtterly neglecteth all vertuous exercyses .

The seconde qualitie , meete for a counseler is to be eloquent Eloquence . to the intent he may be able to perswade or diswade , to accuse , or to defende , to prayse , or disprayse , to reioyce or to sorrow with others , to entertaine Ambassadours wyth pleasaunt talke or to doe any message , or Ambassage from the Prince , also in time of tumults and commotions , the eloquent counseler with his authority & good perswasion , maye cause much quietnesse , and profite the common wealth dyuers wayes . Nowe why ther the counseler be eloquent or not , the Prince maye knowe partlye by hys words , and partly by his deeds , for by oft talking with him , he shall know his order of speech , what wordes and phrases hee commonly vseth , and he maye cause hym to tell some tale or Hystorye , marking him howe he beginneth , deuideth , followith , and endeth the same , and with what grace & proprietie of words , also how he delateth or abridgeth the same . Againe , the Prince may know hym by his deeds , by considering what Maysters he had to teache him , also what diligence he vsed , & what time he emploied therin , whyther he made anye worke or not , & to examine the same : or fayning that hee hath some Ambassage of importaunce to sende somewhyther , he maye cause him to endight the same in his owne presence .

The thirde qualitie of the Knowledge of tongues . minde meete for a counseler is to haue dyuers tongues and languages , to the intent that when hee is sent in message to any forreyne Prince , hee shall not neede the helpe of anye trussheman or Interpreter to tell his tale . Which Interpreters many tymes by adding to , or taking fro , doe hynder the same , or else do not tell it with such grace , nor to so good purpose as he hymselfe woulde . Moreouer , by hauing the tong of the countrie , where he serueth , he shall the better vnderstande the maners , rightes , and customes , and all the secretes of the same , and Spies will more gladly conferre with him , and reueale to hym alone , that which they would not wyllingly doe in the presence of a thirde person . And the Prince of the country will delight the more in him , who sometyme shall haue occasion to declare some secret to the Ambassador or messenger , which he would haue no other man to knowe , therefore how needefull thys qualitie is to a counseler , it is easie ynough to see , whiche quality , whither the counseler hath or not , the Prince ought to knowe by tryall , as by making him to wryte or speake some thing in those tongues wherein he should be skilfull . The tongues necessarye for an English counseler in mine opion are these . Latten , Frenche , Spannishe , Flemmishe , highe Dutch , and Italian , for with all these nations wee haue manye tymes to doe .

The fourth qualitie belonging Reading of Hystories . to a counseler , is to bee a good Hystoriographer , that is to saye , to haue seene and redde as well the Hystories of olde tymes as of late dayes , and specially those that appertayne to the state wherein he serueth . And also the Hystories of the friends , neighbors , and enimies to the same state , whereby more knowledge and experience is to bee gotten , than by any thing else , for Hystories be no other thing but a collection of dyuers experiences of all tymes , and of all sortes of men . Wherfore , a dyligent Hystoriographer , which readeth to further his knowledge , and not to please his eares , can be ignorauut in nothing that appertaines to gouernement , be it in time of warre or peace . For he seeth & knoweth al the sleytes & fine pollicies that hath beene vsed in eyther of both tymes . Neyther is it possible for anye man , liue hee neuer so long , to get by hys owne experience , the tenth part of that knowledge which a diligent reader of Hystories shall obtayne in fewe yeres . For whereas the man of experience in his tyme perhaps seeth a small number of battayles , skirmishes , besiegings , sedicions , tumults , breaking vp of warres , leagues , peaces , and such lyke matters , the Hystoriographer knoweth an infinite number of such things , togither with the beginning , proceeding , and ending of the same . Also he knoweth the best waye of gouernment , belonging to a common wealth or kingdome , and howe to maintaine the same , and to encrease the power thereof , by reason that he hath redde of so manye wealthes and kingdomes , and knowne by what meanes they haue increased or decayed , therefore nothing is more necessary for a counseler , than to bee a diligent reader of Hystories , which whither he be so or not , the Prince maye knowe by tryall , as by asking hym suche questions as these are , how many chaunges hath the crown of England , Fraunce or Spayne suffred ? what families hath possessed it ? by what meanes , how long time , and what was the cause of euerye chaunge ? and howe manye of euerye familye raygned , and which of those had most or least fame ? how many warres euery one of them made , for what cause , with whom , and in what time , and howe such warres were first begonne and ended ? also to aske hym what notable battayles hath beene euer since the birth of Christ , eyther in Englande , Fraunce , or Spayne , who hath wonne , & who hath lost , & to shew the cause thereof . Also to aske him what seditions and tumultes hath bene in any of those countries , vpon what cause such seditions were made , what hurt or good they dyd , and howe they were appeased , to which and such like questions , if the counseler can aunswere readily , there is no doubt but he is a good Hystoriographer , and can vse hys knowledge to good purpose , when tyme and occasion shall serue .

The fifte qualitie is to bee a good Morall Phylosopher , to Morall Philosophy . the intent hee maye perfitely knowe the ende and true vse of euery vertue , wherin it consisteth , and howe farre it extendeth , for lack of which knowledge , many doe accompt rudenesse & ignoraunce to be plaine dealing , pride to bee magnanimitie , modestye to be cowardlynesse , and foolishe hardinesse to be fortitude , and to be short , doe take vertue for vice , & vice for vertue . In all counsells and deliberations , the first thing that men doe consult of , is whither the thing they go about , be honest or not , & if the counseler knoweth not wherein honestie consisteth , and howe farre it extendeth , he can neyther make wise deliberation , nor good resolution . Moreouer , in appointing offices to meete persons , & in rewarding euery man according to his deserts , the knowledge of the vertues is so necessary , as a counseler can not bee without it . The Prince maye knowe whyther his counseler hath suche knowledge or not , by demaunding hym such lyke questions as these are . What things bee needefull to the obtaining of the chiefe felicitie in thys lyfe ? what is Prudence ? what is Iustice ? what is Fortytude ? and what partes they haue , whyther it be better for a Prince to be couetous or prodigall , and which of those extreemes drawe nighest to the vertue of liberalitie ? wherein clemency doth consist , & whither it be better to be ouer mercyfull , or to seuere , and howe many wayes a man maye offend against Fortitude ? Againe , wherein magnificencie doth consist , and what contraries it hath . The Prince also maye knowe hys councelers skill in these matters by hys doinges , studies , and trade of lyfe .

The fixt qualitie is to be pollitike , that is to say , to be practised Pollicie . in gouernement , both in time of peace and warre , for the office of the Prince , is not onely to gouerne well his people , but also to defende them from all violence . And therefore the counseler had neede to be skilfull as well in martiall affayres , as in cyuill gouernement . And first as touching cyuill gouernment , he must know that euerye common wealth consisteth of two parts , which I maye call here for difference sake , the body and the soule . By the body I meane the habitations or dwelling places , wherin the aire first is to be considered , as whyther it bee hote , colde , or temperate , then the scyte thereof , as whyther it be neare to some Sea , running streame , or standing water , also whyther such scyte be high , or low , dry , or moyst , in fruitfull soyle or barren grounde , nighe to , or farre fro the enimie . Also to what windes it is most subiect , for according to these considerations , the streetes in Cities or townes ought to bee made , wyde , or strayte , open to one winde , and shut to another , according as they be good or hurtfull , the market places aptly placed , and the houses built in such order , and hauing such shape , as is most necessary and conuenient to serue al purposes . Wherby it seemeth by my Authors wordes , that the counseler had neede to be skilfull in Architecture , which in deede is a noble Scyence , and necessary to all men , but speciallye to counselers and Magistrates . By the sowle of the common wealth , is ment the gouernmét of the same , wherin first is to bee considered , of what maner of forme it is , as whither it be gouerned by one onely King or Prince , as the Kingdome of Spayne , Portugale , and Castyll : or by noble men onely , as Venice nowe , or as Sparta in olde tyme past : or by the common people , as now in oure dayes the Cyties of Swyzerland , called the Cantownes : or by the king and his nobles , as the Kyngdome of Denmarke , and as Rome when it had kings : or by the king and his commons , as for a certayne tyme the Empire of Persia was gouerned : or by Nobles and commons togyther , as Rome after they had put downe there kings and chosen Consulls and Trybunes : & the lyke gouernment was in Lacedemony and Athens , & in our tyme in Floraunce and Seane , and dyuers other common wealths in Italie : or whither it be gouerned by a king , his nobles , and commons , all three togither , as the Empire of Almanie , the kingdome of Pollonia , of Arragon in Spayne , and also of Englande , and in euerye one of these gouernments , the counseler ought to knowe howe , and by what meanes the state may be preserued , augmented , or decayed , what perilles maye happe , and how the same may be remedyed with lest trouble , coste , and expences . What lawes and Magistrats are most meete and necessary for euerye gouernment . For it is vnpossible for the counseler that is ignoraunt in these thinges , to remedy all such disorders as may chaunce . Neyther can he counsell his Prince howe to behaue himselfe wyth this friende , or that confederate , with this or that foe , nor know how much the one may further hym , and the other hynder hym . Thus muche of cyuill gouernment . Nowe as touching Marshall affayres or warlyke pollicye , the counseler ought to knowe such circumstaunces as doe belong to a good Souldiour , Captaine , or generall , as how Souldyours are to be leauied , mustred , and armed , howe they should Marche , how to be encamped , how to fight , howe to retire , how a Campe should be fortified , and how a towne should be besieged or defended , and finally , all such thinges as doe appertayne to the Arte of warre . But nowe to knowe whyther the counseler be thus pollitike or not , the prince may trye hym , by asking these or such like questions here following . As whyther it be better to builde a Citie in a fertyll or barren soyle ? which winds are to be barred from an habitation or dwelling place ? how manye wayes a state or kingdome is woont to bee lost ? by what meanes the good gouernement of anye common wealth is decayed ? of what causes seditions and rebellions doe spring ? how they may be oppressed ? wherin the power of a Prince doth consist ? whyther in riches , or in good Souldiers ? how manye waies one Prince wythout slaunder may make warre vppon another Prince , that hath giuen no iust occasion therevnto ? whyther it be better to tarie the enimye at our owne home , or to seeke him at his home , how manye things a Prince hath to consider before he enter into warre ? and being entred , howe many before he fight anye battayle ? and hauing fought , how many things he hath to consider after he hath wonne or lost the victorie . To which and such like questions , if he can rightly and readily answere , he is worthy to bee called a pollitike counseler .

The seauenth qualitie belonging to a counseler is to bee a Traueling of Countries . traueler and to haue seene not onely all the terretories of hys Prince , but also manye other Countries , and specially those that bee eyther friendes or enimies to his prince , so as he may vnderstande their gouernment both in time of peace & warre , and their reuenewes as well ordinary as extraordinary : also how the Princes and the subiects of those countries do like one of another , and how they agree or disagree amongest themselues , of what power they be , what Forts & Holdes they haue , how they are maintayned and kept , what trade of lyfe and trasfique the common people vseth , of what nature , disposition and manners they be , and such like things necessarie to be knowne . Wythout consideration of which things , who so traueleth into straunge countries spendeth his tyme in vayne , as the yong Napolitan that had beene at Rome , and at hys returne , coulde render no good accompt of his trauelle to the Prince that gaue him leaue to go abroade , but onely how he had seene walles , towers , cvties , townes , hvlles , dales , floudes , trees , and busshes , of all which things he had plenty at home , and therefore was commaunded by the Prince from thencefoorth to tarye styll at home . But the wise traueiler obserueth such profitable thinges as are before tolde , and many more very diligently , & by comparing the straunge countries first one with another , & then all those with his owne , is able to iudge of the gouernment of hys owne countrie , howe good or euill it is , and knoweth how to roote out all abuses and euill customes , and to plant good in their stead . He knoweth howe to entertayne straungers , be they friends , foes , or newtralls , by reason that he is acquainted with their manners and conditions , & can apply his wordes , wryting , and deedes , according as the condition of the men , of the matter , of the tyme , and of the Prince shall require , knowing both the commodities and discommodities of tymes and places , wherby the Prince or his counsell can neuer bee deceyued in any thing , by wrong or false information of straungers , neyther shall hee neede to depende vppon their iudgement . The Prince to knowe why ther his counseler bee a traueiler , and what profite hee hath reaped thereby , maye question wyth him in this wise . How many myles contayneth the length of Fraunce , and how many in breadth , and also how manye in circute , what notable cities , townes , and Vniuersities it hath ? & specially what holdes and Fortes ? And on what side the countrie is most easie to be inuaded , what floudes and streames it hath that bee not wádable , what vertue or vice is most proper or peculyer to the French men , and in what thing they most delyght ? also wherin the nobilitie of Fraunce differeth from the nobilitie of Englande ? and wherein their people differ from oures ? how much their buildings differ from oures ? which of the two kings of Fraunce and Englande hath most absolute power ? vppon what occasions and howe the people of Fraunce is wont to withstande their prince ? And wherein their seruitude differeth from the seruitude of our people ? how the king of France leauyeth his Souldiours ? how they are exercised and trayned ? And in marching through the countrie , what order is taken and what prouision is made , that the poore countriemen be not spoyled nor molested by them ? The like questions may bee demaunded of anye other countrie , or wythout asking these questions it is easie to perceyue by his owne talke of the countries where he hath bene , what profite he hath gathered . For if he be alwayes ready eyther to condemne straunge countries and their customes or gouernment and to prayse hys owne , or else contrary wise to prayse the others & to dispraise his owne , without due consideration or comparison had : it is an euident signe that hee maketh no distinction of things , and whereas is no distinction , there can be no choyse or election , and where election wanteth , there is no wisedome nor iudgement , and where wisedome and iudgement fayleth , all things fayle .

The eyght qualitie requisite in a counseler , is to knowe as Knowledge of the Princes power . well the strength and power of his Prince , as also of his allyes , friendes , neyghbours and enimies , for want of which knowledge , manye tymes the Prince is counseled to warre with those , with whome he ought to lyue in peace , and to make peace with those wyth whome he should rather haue warres . And the Prince maye try the knowledge of his counseler in thys behalfe , by asking him these or suche lyke questions . As what ordinary or extraordinarye reuenewes hys friendes or foes haue ? wherof such reuenewes do rise ? what Souldyours they are able to make ? howe they are leauyed , armed , trayned , and exercysed ? what Captaines they haue ? of what thinges necessarye to maintaine warre , their countries haue eyther plentye or lack ? and such lyke .

The ninth qualitie requisite in a counseler , is to loue hys The zeale and true loue of the Counseler towardes his country . common wealth , so well as he doth alwayes regarde the profite and honour thereof , more than his owne , esteeming in respecte thereof , neyther hys goodes , dignitie , lyfe , nor fame , without which loue , he can neuer bee so carefull , for the preseruation of hys common wealth , nor so diligent in doing his duetie , as hee ought to be , which loue or zeale , whyther the counseler hath or not , the Prince may knowe , partly by hearing his opinion in such matters as doe redownde more to the Princes peculier profite , than eyther to his honor , or to to the profite of the common wealth . As whyther vppon some fained cause , it be good to breake a league or truce made wyth some Prince ? or to depryue Cyties or townes of their liberties ? or to charge the commons with some extreme subsedie , taske , loane , beneuolence and such like . And partly he may know him by his conditions . For if he be eyther an hipocrite or dissembler , a couetous person or a flatterer , ready to vpholde the Princes wordes with yea and naye , affirming alwayes that the Prince maye doe what him lysteth , and that he can not erre : it is vnpossible that such one can loue his common wealth , but must needes be a great enimy thervnto .

The tenth qualitie is to haue a right iudgement in all things , Vpright iudgement . and to heare al men indifferentlye , wythout partialitie or respect of persons , and to thinke hymselfe more bounde to right and Iustice , than to Lorde or Duke , to friend or kinsman . For the counseler is a publique person , and therefore ought to bee voyde of all priuate affection , louing in general all good men for their vertue , and hating the euil in like maner for their vice , of what countrie or nation soeuer they be . For though there be many nations , yet there bee but two sortes of people , that is eyther good or euil . Notwithstanding of those that be good , wee are bounde both by Gods lawe and mans lawe , to preferre in some respectes , our Parents , kinsmen , and countrymen before others . The Prince may know whither his counseler hath this qualitie or not , by obseruing his doings , and marking whyther he be a procurer of fauour , lyuing , office , or dignitie for his kinsmen , or others that bee not worthye therof . Agayne , whyther he be factious , that is to saye , fauouring and maintayning one part of the state more than another , as the Nobles more than the commons or contrarywise . And whyther he vpholdeth the Ecclesiasticall power , more than the lay power , which kinde of men are perillous in all common wealthes . For so as their faction may stande , be it by right , or by wrong , they care not what mischiefe they doe , hauing no regarde to the common wealth at al. Neither is it good for a Prince to admyt into hys counsell , anye man that hath beene knowne to bee an open enimie to any dominion , Prouince , Citie , or towne , that is subiect to the Prince , or to suffer any such to beare rule in any of those places . For man being naturallye vindicatiue , hauing once gotten power to execute his desire , will vndoubtedly when he seeth his tyme , vnder the colour of Iustice , reuenge his priuate wrong , with the publicke sworde . Neyther is it good to put anye man that is the heade of any faction , in authoritie , or to make more accompt of hym , than of the contrarye part : for that breedeth disdayne and hatred in that part , not onely against the partie so promoted , but also against the Princes owne persó , for his partialitie shewed therin , which thing hath brought many Princes to their destruction .

The leauenth qualitie belonging to a counseler , is to bee a Iustice . iust man , wylling to giue euery man his owne , according to his desartes , that is to saye , to chastice the euill without crueltie , and to rewarde the good with such rewarde as is due to their vertue . The iust manne is faythfull and perfite in all hys doings , and therfore is beloued of both yong and olde , of rich and poore , and all men dare boldly commyt to hym themselues , their wyues , their children , their goods , their honor , and their lyues . The Prince may knowe whyther his counseler be a iust man or not , partly by his wordes , and partly by his deeds , for his talke is graue , wise , and full of truth , he alwaves speaketh plainely , euen as his heart thinketh , he is no tatler , no tale teller , nor carryer ▪ of newes , no euyll reporter , slaunderer , or backbyter of the absent . For to carry tales proceedeth of a vile and base courage , and they that vse it , are neuer faythfull . He is no hypocrite or dissembler , nor double of hys tongue , speaking one thing in presence , and another thing in absence , neyther will he report anye thing out of the mouth of hearesay , that lying Author , but onely that which he hath seene or felt , he reprooueth the euill courteously , and praiseth the good without flatterie , for he will neyther flatter nor be flattered , yea rather hee louing nothing but truth , hateth all lyers , flatterers , scoffers , iesters , & raylers . Now as touching the deedes of the iust man , they are easily knowne . For hee lyueth quietly contented wyth hys owne , seeking neyther honour nor ryches by any other meanes than by vertuous trauell : Whereby if he did not seeke preferment , hee should shewe hymselfe to bee vniust . For as it is ambition in him that is vnworthy to seeke honour or dignitie by fauour , money , or by anye other vnlawful meanes , so is it cowardlynesse of courage in hym that well deserueth , not to seeke by vertuous meane hys due reward . Moreouer , the iust mans house and family is well ordered , and his seruaunts are modest , he dealeth with all men iustly , he payeth his dettes truly , he is no maintainer of busie bodies , nor byer of other mens dettes or doubtfull tytles , he is no wrangler in the lawe , but fleeth all occasion of sute , contention , quarrell , stryfe , & sedition , and finallye he is louing , kinde , faythfull , friendly , charitable , and thankefull . Which vertues togither with the rest before mentioned , who so hath not , is no perfite iust man .

The twelth qualitie requisite in a counseler is to bee liberall , Liberalitie . that is neyther to be couetous , nor yet prodigall , but to vse the meane betwixt them bothe , whereby hee shall procure the loue and good will of the people , whereas the couetous counseler is hated of all men . For he hath al things to be solde , in so much as hee will neyther heare suters nor speake for suters without rewarde , & such one with money is easily corrupted , to betraye both Prince and Countrie , so as he maye doe it couertly and safely , he is also readie at all times , to agree to the confiscation of another mans goodes , be it by right or by wrong , bicause his parte is therein . Againe , the prody gall counseler on the other side with wastfull spending , by little and little consumeth himselfe , and so looseth his reputation , and at length becommeth as euill or woorse than the couetous counseler . The Prince maye knowe whyther his counseler be liberall , couetous , or prodygall by his doings , for if he bee lyberall , he keepeth good hospitalitie , and he is good to the poore , and readie to relieue the necessitie of such as want , as in helping wyth hys money and friendship to bestowe honest maydes in mariage , to redeeme poore prisoners and captyues , and also to pay the dettes of his honest friendes , that are falne into decaye , and to helpe such as are like to deserue well of the common wealth . But if he be couetous he doth none of these thinges , for all is little ynough for himselfe , hath he neuer so much , he lyueth miserablye scratching all to himselfe , and in any seruice of the Prince seeketh his owne gaine , & not the honor of his Prince , or the profite of the common wealth , he is euer crauing of the Prince and putting in billes of remembraunce eyther for himselfe , or for some of hys . Agayne , the prodigall counseler wasteth his substaunce in making superfluous bankets , in gaye and costly apparel , in Iustings , Torneis , in Musike , dauncing , on Hawkes and Howndes , on flatterers , iesters , and scoffers , and in keeping a rable of ydle seruauntes without any purpose , which things when hee is no lenger able to maintayne with his own goods , then he is ready to take of other mens , and spareth not to rob both Prince & common wealth , so as he may haue wherewith to feede his vaine delightes . Whereby it appeareth that both the couetous & prodigall counseler haue regard onely to themselues , and not to the Prince , or to the common wealth . But the lyberall counseler contrarywise regardeth onely the profite and honor of his Prince , and therefore it is the Princes part to make much of such , and to enriche them by giuing them both lands , fees , & offices , to the intent that they hauing sufficient to maintaine their callings , neede not to feke any bie meanes to enrich themselues , and thereby fayle in doing their dutie eyther towards him , or the common wealth .

The thirteenth quality requisite in a counseler , is to be beneficiall Beneficialnesse . to his countrie , which vertue diffreth from liberality , for liberallitie consisteth in gyuing money or moneys worth as it ought to be giuen . But beneficialnesse , called in Latten BENEFICENTIA , consisteth in doing good turnes and friendly pleasures , as in helping the comon wealth and all the members thereof with his good aduise and counsell , by procuring the profite thereof , by comforting the afflicted , by praysing the good , and reproouing the euill , by defending , helping , and furthering wyth hys fauour , power , and authoritie suche as deserue well , whyther they require it or not : finally , hee is alwaies ready to traueile with the Prince & his officers about anye thing that is needefull to the common wealth , & therefore he is well worthy to bee called a father of the common wealth . Thys man is easely knowne to the Prince by hys doings , and therfore there needeth no further tryall to bee made of him .

The fourteenth quality requisite in a counseler , is to be affable , Affability . that is to saye , gentle and courteous both of speeche and behauiour . For such one is easie to be spoken with , and receyueth both poore and riche with a chearefull countenance , ready at all times to heare their sutes with a pacient and attentyue eare , vsing no frowning lookes , nor froward answers , he will not be offended with euery worde that shall be vnaduisedly spoken by the suter , or by his inferior . Neyther is he captious , taunting , disdainefull , scornefull , or ouer seuere in his speeche , he commendeth without flatterie , and reprooueth without villanye , he promiseth with grauitie , and denyeth with such curtesie , as the suter departeth therwith well satysfied . The Prince shall knowe him by his conditions and behauiour in this sort . For the courteous man is alwayes merrie and pleasaunt , watchfull , diligent and circumspect , he goeth cleanly apparelled and loueth good companye , hee is not factious or partial , but vniuersall and friendly to all men , he is free of speech , and a great enimy to all dissimulation and hypocrisie , he is neyther coloricke nor prowde , for the colericke man is whote and hastie , and wil be offended with euery little trifle , and in his fuerie wyll neyther heare reason , nor speake reason . Againe , the prowde man is spitefull , and full of disdayne , esteeming no man but himselfe : wherefore neyther of these men can be affable or courteous , and therfore vnmeete to be counselers .

The fiftenth quality requisite in a counseler is Fortytude , or valyaunt courage , whereby he is made stowte and constant in the defence of right , & truth , esteeming in respect thereof , neyther goods , lyfe nor honor . Againe , he is able to beare both prosperitie & aduersitie , with a contented quiet minde , so as he will not be puffed vp with the one , nor oppressed with the other . For hee contynueth alwayes one , and is Lorde of himselfe , and therfore the more able to prouide a ready remedy for a soden mischiefe , as well in his owne behalfe , as also in the behalfe of his Prince and common wealth in tyme of seruice , and to encourage both Prince and people when neede requyreth . The Prince shall know him by tryal in this maner . For the valyant man is alwayes an earnest louer of the truth , and a cruell enimie to all lyers , flatterers , scoffers , & tell tales , which are the corruption and plague of all Courts , for by their meanes , the Prince syldome or neuer heareth the truth , whereas contrariwise , this man letteth not to speake the truth to the Prince at all tymes wythout respect of fauour , or feare of displeasure , & boldly reprooueth the abhominable lyes of the false flatterers , for this man is no hypocrite or dissembler , but free of hys speech , and iust in his dealings . Let the Prince therefore chose suche a man to be of his counsell , and vtterly refuse him that is a friend to flatterers , and iesters , or that will hide the truth from him , let him also beware of the couetous man that loueth money , for he in hope of gaine will sell both his owne freedome and other mens . And finally let him neuer admyt into his counsell a cowarde , or faynt hearted man , that is not able to suffer the losse of things transitory , as of wyfe , children , friendes , ryches , or suche lyke , but will mourne and sorrowe without measure . For suche one is an effeminate and chyldishe person , and not worthy to serue in that place .

Hauing hytherto treated sufficiently Qualities of the body . of the qualities of the minde that bee requyred in a counseler , wee come nowe to speake somewhat of the qualities of his body , not of all , but of those that be most needefull , to bee considered . Which as mine Author sayth be in number fiue , hys age , complexion , stature , making , and countenance , which some call fauour or feawter of the face .

And first as touching his age , Age . as he had neede to bee no lesse then thirtie yeres olde , so is it not good , that he be more than three score , for before thirtie yeres of age , mans wytte for the most part is not stayed , his experience is small , and his presumption great , he is hote and high minded . Againe , hee can not be so graue as he ought to be , neither wil the people haue any great credit in hym , yea , rather they will mourmour against him , and saye that hee is a verye yonge counseler . And therefore suche had more neede to go to schoole , and to follow their learning , and to traueile countries to get languages , to followe Campes and Courtes , and to see the diuersitie of customes , lawes , and gouernments , that they may haue knowledge , iudgement , and good experience of things , before they bee made gouernours or rulers . Againe , when a man passeth three fcore , then his memory faileth , his wyttes wander , and through his experience hee becommeth wylfull frowarde and obstinate , he is also colde in all his doings , and taketh not occasion when it is offered . Also his body is weake and feeble , and not able to traueile in the Princes causes , and to be short , he is rather a burden and trouble to the Court , than otherwise . And therefore it is meete for such one to bee discharged of all seruice , and to be sent home rewarded by the Prince according to his deserts , to the intent he maye quietly spend the rest of his olde yeres at his owne home in the seruice of God . And yet I wyll not denye , but that there bee some of greater age , whiche haue both liuely wyttes and strong bodies , and that there be yong men also not arryuing to thirty yeres , that be both graue , wise , and of good experience . But I speake of the most part , wishing the Prince alwaies to chose those that be of a meane age betwixt both , which being neyther to greene nor yet to drye , are the stronger and the more stayed , and the better able to serue the Prince , both with spirit & body at al assayes , yea , and the people also wyll conceiue the better opinion of them , and haue them in the more reuerence .

The complexion of the counseler , is a thing not lightly to be Complexion , regarged , for most commonly as men bee eyther well or evill complexioned , so are they wel or euill conditioned , of complexions there be foure kindes , that is , sanguyne , colerique , flegmatique , and melancolique , of which mine Author only praiseth the sanguyne & colorique , affirming suche as bee of that temperature , to bee most seruiceable , eyther with spirite , or body . For in such do naturally raigne great gifts of the minde , as wytte , memory , discourse , iudgement , iustice , loue , affabilitie , fidelitie , bounty fulnesse , magnanimitie , and fortytude . Againe , their bodies are healthfull , liuely , nymble and strong , and able to endure traueile and payne , which kynde of men as they are partly knowne by their doings : so mine Author would haue the Prince also to consult wyth his learned Physitians touching that matter . For to iudge wel of complextions is a thing chiefely appertaining to their Arte. And as for the flegmatique and melancolique persó he vtterly reiecteth , saying , that the flegmatique man is rude , dull , heauie , and ignorant , and as for the melancolique man he is worst of all the rest , for he according to the nature of the humor , which chiefely raineth in him , is cold , drie , and earthly , and therefore base and vile of courage heauy , sorowful , miserable and vaine , an enimye to all noble deuises and worthy enterprises and so superstitious as those which haue beene of that complexion haue with their dreames , false visions and foolishe fantasies , confounded all the religions of the world . And besides all this , the melancolique man is superstitious out of measure , and very enuie it selfe . For hee is a member of the frowarde Planet Saturnus , whereof suche complexioned men are called Saturnij , whiche bee most abhorred of the Astrologers , in so muche as Apolonius Tianeus did not let to wryte , that hee once founde in the Citie of Ephesus a melancolique manne , who with his presence corrupted the whole Citie in suche sort , as there grewe thereof a most terrible pestilence : wherfore suche complexioned men are farre vnmeete to bee of a Princes counsell .

The meane stature in a counseler is most laudable , that is to Stature . say , to be neyther to highe , nor yet to lowe , to fatte , nor yet to leane , for the long and leane man , and speciallye if he haue therewith a long neck , is vtterly condemned of the Phylosophers , and iudged to bee some great lowte and good for nothing Againe , to be ouer low , is as great a deformitie , for the lowe men bee they neuer so wise , yet the people will haue them in no reuerence at all , but ieast of them , and call them dwarffes . And most commonly such little men be also hasty , prowde , and presumptuous ▪ wherefore it is good that the Prince chose for his counselers men of a meane stature , and therewith neyther to fatte , nor yet to leane . For the ouer fatte man bellyed lyke a barrell , and likewise the ouer leane man shaped like a dried Congre , besides gyuing wyth their presence cause of laughter , are therwith sildome seene to be seruiceable .

The body of a counseler ought to bee well proportioned , hauing Proportion of body . all his partes and members aunswerable one to another in due proportion , so as there be no lack nor superfluitie in any part , as for example hys head maye not be to great , nor to small for his bodye , or one shoulder hier than another , nor one arme longer than another , nor he maye not by defect of nature be crooke backte , splaye footed , squynt eyde , or lacke an eye , an arme , a hande , a legge , or foote , or any other part , nor likewise haue more than hee ought to haue , for such defects of the bodye as come not by misfortune , but proceede eyther of the want or superfluitie of nature , do betoken great imperfections of the minde , which hath bene so much obserued of the naturall Phylosophers , as thys Prouerbe Cauc , asignatis did rise thereof , and is obserued of al men euen at this daye , in so much as no man almost wyll take a common seruaunt with anye suche defect , howe much more then ought a Prince to beware howe he chooseth any such to be of hys counsell .

A good visage and comblye countenaunce is verye requisite Vysage . also in a counseler . For that maketh him to bee both loued and reuerenced . His head therfore woulde be rounde and of meane bignesse , and hys face would be somewhat long , rather than altogither round , and therewith neyther to blowghtye , nor yet to shrympe , his forhead would be high , large and playne without any wrincles , his eyes neither to great nor to little , but in a meane betwixt both , and therewith not heauye or dull , nor yet wanton or often rolling to and fro , but quick , liuely , and steadie , hys nose neyther to long nor to short , to great nor to small , nor ouer flat , or turned vpward , but playne and smooth , and to bee somewhat hooked is no euill grace , for it betokeneth wisedome and stowtnesse of courage , his lippes would be neyther to thick nor to thinne , nor hang ouer lowe downwarde . And to be short , all the parts of his face would be so proportioned , as his countenaunce may bee alwayes both graue and amiable . And thus wee ende with the qualities of the body requisite in a counseler , wherin wee maye seeme perhappes to some folkes to be more curious than is needefull , thinking manye of those thinges that wee haue spoken , to be but tryfles and thinges of small waight , and yet suche tryfles are not to be passed ouer with silence : For truely whosoeuer will treate of any matter absolutely , must leaue nothing out , but must expresse euery little part . And we daylie see that if any man bieth a house , hee wyll not onely vewe the bewtiful places therof , as Hall , Parlour , chambers , and such lyke , but also all the houses of offices , yea euen those that are not meete to be named . Againe , if a Prince be desirous to buye a horse , hee will thorowly vewe euerye parte and member of him , yea , and will not let to open his mouth with his mouth , wyth his owne handes , to see his teeth , and to knowe his age , howe much more carefull then ought he to be in choosing of his counseler , into whose handes hee must commit both his goodes , hys lyfe , and his honor .

Of the Princes choyse .

WE sayde in the beginning , when we defined what a counseler was , that two things in that definition were to bee considered , that is to saye , the sufficientcy of the man , and the choyse of the Prince , and that suche sufficientcy did consist in the qualities of the minde , and in the qualities of the bodye , of both which qualyties hauing hytherto sufficientlye treated , we minde therefore nowe to speake somewhat of the Princes choyse . Touching which matter mine Author hath set foorth nine remembraunces or aduertisementes to be obserued by the Prince when he choseth a counseler , whereof bicause some bee rather confirmations of those that go before , than newe precepts : And againe , bycause some are to be considered by the Prince before hee choseth , and some to be obserued after he hath chosen : I thought good therefore to reduce them into a lesser number , and to make no more seuerall precepts but sixe , declaring those first that are first to be considred , and then the others consequentlye , wherein though I shall somewhat differ from mine Author in order , yet in matter nothing at all .

First , then the Prince hath to The first aduertisement . consider , that all the honor , and dishonour , fame , and infamye , profite and losse , preseruation and destruction , as well of himselfe , as of all his people , wholy dependeth vppon the good or euill choyse , of his counselers , for if they be well chosen , the Prince is iudged as well of straungers as of his owne subjectes to be wise and carefull of his common wealth , and for that , they extoll him with infinite prayses , and his subiectes are readye at all tymes to obey both him & his counsell , thinking themselues to bee in great safetie , whilste they are gouerned by suche wise counselers , assuring themselues that all things must needes prosper that they take in hande . But contrariwise if the counselers be euill chosen , then they condemne the Prince of great follye , they bee vnquiet and alwayes murmuring against the counsel , saying , that all wyll come to naught . And if there be anye noyse or likelyhood of warre , they tremble and quake for feare , bicause they mistrust the wisedome , manhoode , and pollicie of their gouernours , saying , that they haue not one man able to defende them , and if anye thing succeede well , contrarie to the peoples expectation , they impute it rather to chaunce , than to anye wisedome or foresight of the counsell : whereas on the other side , if the counselers be wise men , the people conceyueth such an opinion of them , as they will not beleeue that they erre , when they erre in deede , for wise men sildome erre . Wherefore , sith so many euils doe rise of the euil choise , and so many good things of the good choyse , the Prince therefore in mine opinion can not be to choyse in his choyse , and so let this suffice , for the first aduertisement .

Secondly , the Prince to the The second aduertisement , intent he may haue a plentyfull choyse of men meete to serue his turne had neede not onely to consider of suche as keepe in his Court , and be nigh about him : but also to seeke to be informed of so manye as hee can besides , giuing charge and commission to his Lieutenants and chiefe officers abroade in euery Sheere , to learne by diligent inquirie , which men in their lymittes , be knowne to be most sufficient to such purpose , and to sende vp Kalenders of their names vnto the Prince , to the intent that hee maye sende for such as hee shall thinke good , pretending onlye to knowe them & to be acquainted with them himselfe : appointing some reasonable allowance to beare their charges in iorneying to & fro . By this meanes the Prince shall haue choyse of many , amongst whom it is more likely to finde out some one excellent man , than amongst a few . And besides that , he shal winne great loue , and fame of his people , and encourage all estates , to endeuour themselues , to get wisdome and knowledge , and to folowe such vertuous exercises , as they may deserue therby to be named and numbred amongst those , that are thought meete for such purpose . And by this meanes also , the Prince shall knowe what able men he hath within his realme , of what skill they be , and wherin they are most meete to serue hym , at any time that he shall haue neede to employe them . And though hee shall sildome haue neede to chose aboue one , or two , to serue him as counselers : yet he must shew himselfe courteous towards all the rest , & praise their well doing , exhorting them to contynue still therein , and therewith put them in good hope of preferment in tyme to come , rewarding some with offices , some with fees , and some with money , and some he maye retaine in his Court , and discharge the reast , vsing himselfe in such sort towardes them all , as they all may haue cause to bee satisfied and contented .

Thirdly , if the Prince bee a Lorde of dyuers countries and The thirde aduertisement . nations , I woulde not wishe him to bee altogyther wedded vnto his owne natiue countrimen , but rather to choose some of euery one of those countries to be of his counsell . For the Prince is a publique person , and therefore ought to be without priuate affection and respect , or partialitie , yea he ought to bee a naturall father to all his true subiectes , of what countrie soeuer they be , and stepfather to none , to whose counsell , if any of the subiects be wronged or grieued , they haue onely to repaire for redresse . But if none of their owne countriemen be of the counsell : how or when I pray you shall they bee harde ? for who knoweth their customes , their humors , desires , commodities , discommodities , gaynes , and losses so well as they ? or who will be so ready to heare their causes , sutes , and complaints as their owne countrymen , which are forced by lawe of nature to loue them , and to tender them . Besides this if the Prince shoulde haue no counselers , but of hys owne countrymen , all the other countries would thinke that eyther hee did not esteeme them , or counted them as slaues , or at the least did not truste them . Wherof the first would breed hatred in them towardes the Prince and the counsell , the seconde woulde cause them to seeke libertie , and to make conspiracies and rebellions , and the thirde woulde make them to become vnfaythfull , disobedient , and obstinate subiectes . Wherefore these things being well wayed and considered , I beleeue the Prince shall finde it muche better to choose hys counselers out of all such domynions as are subiect vnto him , then out of one , or two onely .

Fourrhly , the Prince maye not be to hastie , but take good The fourth aduertisement . deliberation in making hys choyse of suche men as are named vnto him , resoluing vpon none of them all , vntill he hath thorowly tryed them , as well by report of the counttye from whence they come , as also by his owne examination . And first as touching the report of the countrie , it shall be necessarie for the Prince , as well to auoyde the fauourable , as slaunderous tales that maye be tolde hym , to giue euerye man leaue to accuse the persons whome he mindes to make his counselers , subpenatalionis , that is to say , that the accuser shall suffer the payne or penaltie of the cryme , wherof he accuseth the partie , if hee can not duely prooue it . And the Prince on the other side must take such order as the defendant may not hinder , or stop by his authoritye , power , or friendship , anye accusation that may be made against him . And sith all men are subiect to affects , the blinders of all truth : I woulde wishe the Prince in these causes , before due try all had , to giue no credit to the report of anye man , be he noble , or vnnoble , spiritual or temporall . By this meanes the Prince shall be sure to haue none but good men to bee of his counsell , for the cuill will not bee ouer hastie in seeking aduancement by suche kinde of try all . Truely the Romaines in olde tyme did verie straightly execute this kinde of discypline in choosing theyr Magistrates , whereby as theyr common wealth greatly then florished : so afterwarde for lack thereof , it quickly decayed and came to naught . Nowe as touching the Princes examination to bee made by hymselfe , I saye by himselfe , and not by his Deputie , he hath to examine what sufficientcie is in the person to be elected , by considering and measuring euery part of hym , both soule & body . To which ende mine Author hath made and discribed vnto him heretofore two apt measures to measure withall , the one of fiftene partes , & the other of fiue , that of fiftene partes serueth to measure the soule , and the other of fiue parts to measure the body . To which measures thoughe very fewe are to he found , that are aunswerable in euery condition : yet let those that are more aunswerable be alwayes chosen before those that be lesse aunswerable , and let those that haue more giftes of the minde and lesse of the body , be preferred before those that haue more of the bodye , and lesse of the minde . And if anye two that stande to be elected , be equall in both giftes , and yet be not of like birth , power , and authoritie , or if the Prince perhaps fauoreth the one more then the other vpon some affection , or for some seruice done , then it is good reason that suche person bee chosen before the other . Wherfore sith such things are to be considered , when comparison is made , mee thinkes mine author should haue done very orderly , to haue added also vnto his two measures before descrybed . A thirde measure , briefly contayning some of the chiefe giftes of Fortune , as noble lynage , honors , ryches , fauoure of the Prince , and suche lyke . Which kinde of measure mine Author left out as I suppose , bicause hee thought that such as were aunswerable to the two first measures , ought of duty to be promooted by the Prince to honours and lyuing , and that they deserue to bee loued as wel of the noble men , as to be honored of the common people . But sith noble birth , is a gifte that hath beene alwayes much esteemed , and that wofthily , so long as the successors doe not degenerate from their Predicessors : And that suche giftes comes not immediately from the Prince , but requyreth contynuaunce of time , to bee perfite in his kinde : ( for it is an olde saying , that the Prince may make a noble manne , but not a Gentle man ) : Also sith there be manye other giftes of Fortune which man maye obtayne , without the Prince : as honors gyuen by straunge Princes , ryches , goodlucke in anye thinge that he taketh in hande , be it in seruice of the Prince or otherwise , also friendship , loue and fauour , as well in straunge countries as in his owne , and many such like : It had bene necessary , I say to haue added also this thirde measure , to the intent that the Prince might haue a trinitie of measures to measure both the length ; breadth , and deapth of hys counseler . whiche three measures , if the Prince do righly vse in making his choyse it shall well appere that hee chooseth with judgement , and not for fauour or vpon any wyll or power . For all offices , as mine author saith , are woont to bee giuen but three maner of wayes , that is eyther for the deserts & sufficientcy of the receyuer , or for tho fauour & affection of the Prince borne towards the partie , or else for that the Prince of his owne power will haue it so whereof the first belongeth to the iust prince , and the other two to the vniust tirant . And truely he did very wel in saying that offices bee gyuen but three manner of wayes , for otherwise it might haue beene obiected , that offices manye times doe passe by a fourth waye , woorser than all the rest , and that is , by way of sale for filthy lucre sake , wherby for the most parte , iustice is bought & sold , the Prince euill serued , & the poore people pilde and povvld . Thus then hauing shewed howe the Prince should choose no man to be of hys counsell , before due try all had , and also howe such try all is to be made , I leaue to speake anye further , touching this aduertisement , the last of those that are to be considered by the Prince , before he chooseth any man to be of his counsell : for the other two aduertisements here following , are to be put in execution after he hath chosen .

Fiftly , then the Prince hauing made his choyse in suche The fift aduertisment . sorte as is before taught , shall doe well within two or three dayes after , to call the newe elect vnto hym , and in open presence of his Court & housholde , briefly to tell him how hee hath chosen him onely for his vertues and good desertes , and what credit both hee himselfe and all his people hath in him , & what shame it would be vnto him , if he shoulde not with his doings answere both his and their expectation . That done , he must commende vnto him both the honor and profite of his state , friendly requiring him , yea , and straightlye charging him to admonishe hym , and with all due reuerence to correct him , when hee seeth it needefull , and in anye wise to be playne with him , and to tell him the truth without all flatterie or dissimulation , bicause he was chosen chiefely for that purpose . For as it is not meete that euery man should tell the Prince of his faults : so is it requisite that some should admonish him when he erreth . For otherwise , Princes should be in woorse case than all men , being vtterly destitute of faythfull friendes , whose office is to speake the truth , & to tell their friends friendly of their faultes at times conuenient , and not to flatter at any tyme . Neyther let the Prince bee vnwylling to heare the truth modestly tolde , and in due tyme , at his counselers handes : Yea rather let him encorage him thervnto though it be against the stomake , for otherwise he shal be ouerwhelmed with lies , and forged tales , and neuer heare the truth . Frnallye , as the Prince must put him in feare of harde punishment , if he shal leaue to doe his duetie so must hee lykewise put him in hope of due reward , if he contynue in his well doing . Wherby the Prince shall both wynne to hymselfe the prayse and loue of his people , and also make his newe chosen counseler , the more careful and diligent in his vocation .

That done , let him be solemly The sixt aduertisment . sworne to be true and faythfull to the Prince , and to promise before God to be diligent and carefull in procuring the wealth , profire , and honour of hys Prince , and of the common wealth , and to deale truely and iustly with all estates , vsing indifferencie without corruption , swaruing from iustice at no time , either for meede or dreed , for loue or hate , for friende , or foe . Moreouer , neuer to haue priuie conference with the Ambassadors or messengers of forreyne Princes , without speciall commission from the Prince , nor to receyue rewarde , fee , or yerely pention , of any forraine Prince . For by such meanes the princes secretes are many times reuealed , and the causes of forraine princes more fauoured , than the princes owne causes , or those of the common wealth . The counseler being thus sworne the prince shal be assured of him and may the better trust hym . And if the counseler shoulde chaunce to fayle in his dutye , after he hath taken his othe , the Prince maye the more iustly punish him as a contempnor of God & of his soueraine . Again , the counseler will be the more circumspect in his doings , & the lesse bolde to commit any treachery . Furthermore , by meanes of his oth he may the more safely & boldly denie the vnrightfull & vnreasonable requests , of his parentes , kinsfolkes , friends , and seruaunts : yea , rather both they , and all others knowing him to be sworne , will be afrayde to make anye sute vnto him , that is not iust or reasonable . And here endeth the sixt and laste aduertisement , the which togither with the other fiue before declared , doe comprehende the full effect of the nine aduertisements or memorialles set foorth by myne Author .

The effect of my Authors Peroration or conclusion .

THus you haue heard what a counsell is , and how the Prince that wil gouerne well , ought to haue seauen counsels , differing one from another in offices , officers , and in authoritie . You haue heard also what a counseler is , and wherein his sufficientcy consisteth , that is to say , in hauing fifteene qualities of the minde , and fiue of the body . Finally , there haue bene declared vnto you certaine necessary aduertisments to be obserued by the Prince , when he chooseth his counseler . And this is the somme and effect of all that mine Author thought meete to treate of in this his firste of those eyght Bookes , which he hath promised to set foorth touching thys matter , who wisheth that he had bene as able to frame such a counsell in deede , as hee hath heare descrybed in wryting , for then he woulde haue set foorth to the worlde a visible example of the goodnesse thereof , to bee seene and felt , rather than this imagined patterne , to be considered onely with the minde . And bicause he doubteth not but that some wyll bee readye to finde faultes with this his worke : he briefely aunfwereth to such obiections as maye be layde against him . And first whereas it maye bee obiected , that it is not a meete thing for a Prince to take such paine , and to trouble himselfe in making so precyse a choyse . He aunswereth that it is no trouble or paine at all , in respect of the great ease , rest , and quietnesse , that he shall thereby purchase to hymselfe , when he shall haue to deale in great affayres , and matters of wayte : be it eyther in time of peace or warre , for be they neuer so troublous or waytie of themselues : yet to him hauing such counsells and counselers , they shall seeme very easie and light . Some againe will obiect that the Prince is free , & that he maye giue & dispose his offices as him pleaseth best . Whervnto mine author answereth that the freedome or libertie of the Prince is no freedome , when it passeth the bounds of reason , and that in preferring will before reason , he ought rather to be called a tyrant than a Prince . Thirdly , it may be sayde , that it behooueth Noble men & Gentlemen , to bee rewarded according to their birth and calling , which mine Author denyeth not , and yet therewith sayth , that it is not al one thing to rewarde a noble man & to make him a counseler , sith there bee meanes ynough to reward him wythout that , vnlesse he bee meete for it . Fourthly , it may be obiected , that there are no such counselers as he hath descrybed , to hee founde in all the worlde . Wherevnto he aunswereth , that there are a number of good men and verie sufficient in all conditions to bee had , if the Prince choose them for their vertue and deserts , and not by his owne affection , fauour , or power . And thoughe there were not , yet if the Prince would doe as he ought to doe , he might make men of stones . For to what soeuer the Prince is giuen , be it to vice , or to vertue , all men will followe the same . And therfore if the Prince delight in wise , learned , and vertuóus counselers , mine Author sayth , that he dare aduenture his heade that a number of Barrons and Knightes in fewe yeres , woulde become most sufficient counselers . And for proofe thereof , wisheth that some Prince woulde put these his preceptes in vre , not doubting , but that in so doing , hee should quickly see such an alteration in his Courte , as those that doe now leawdely spende their tyme in ydlenesse , vayne pastymes , and in wantonnesse of life , would giue themselues to lawdable exercises , and therby make the Court to become a schoole of vertue , and knowledge . Which should be to the great honour of the Prince , to the profite of the common wealth , and to the glorye of God , who giue grace to all Christian Princes , so to order their courtes , and to giue such ensample themselues , as the common people may learne therby , to liue in the feare of God , & to doe that which is acceptable in his sight , and thus I ende thys treatise .

FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div iabf-e10270
Notes for div iabf-e10400
Notes for div iabf-e10630
Notes for div iabf-e11280