THE Chauncellor Hospitall , and Morvilliers , Bishop of Orleans , Keeper of the Seale , and Aube spine , Bishop of Limousin , three great men of this Age , who had the chiefe care of the Kings affaires , imparted their experiences to him , and enabled him , To admire little , and to know much . Diamonds are weighed against Diamonds , and wits are refined by wits in affaires , which presse forward , and transport the most heavie , and stupid natures , as Torrents carry along , & unloose the weightiest stones . And as to become eloquent , the imitation of the most exact Pieces of auncient Orators should be proposed : so , to prepare a brave Spirit for State-affaires , the shortest way , is , the example of those , who have long practised them . More , men profit by example , and labour , than by precepts and discourse . But as great occasions doe not perpetually happen to exercise the understanding , nor great capacities are still found to handle great affaires ; It is an infinite happines for such as have easie accesse , and familiar conversation with those able men , who being raised upon the highest Spheares of government , see , before other the storme , and calme , at distance , judge of events , and know the source and sequele of affaires : for as one is parched in the Sunne , and perfumed in odours , without much adoe , so such frame their judgement upon all sorts of resolutions .

HE began his endevours upon great workes ; at which time his Spirit , not poorely groveling upon inferiour things , raysed it selfe by strength of wing to the highest , as to its Center . It is fit a States-man know the qualitie of his owne spirit , and extent of it . There are some , who the more they are advanced , the lesse appeare ; and other , who will not admit so much light as to make themselves to be well seene : for charges and businesse discover men . Some would bee thought worthy of a place , if they had it not .

The comparison of the diversitie of Spirits , to that of statues , is not amisse . The Athenians employed two excellent Sculptors , ( Phidias and Alcmenes ) to make the head of Minerva , and beholding them both together , after they were finished , they scoffed at that which Phidias pourtrayed , it being but roughly designed , and admired the other ; which with unspeakeable cunning , layd together all the most delicate & gentle touches .

But when they were raysed upon two high Columnes , that , of Phidias , lessening by distance to its due proportion , appeared to be exactly wrought , and Alcmenes his Piece , without forme , the height so taking away the beauty , that it seemed no other than a Bowle ill rounded .

There likewise are Spirits , which appeare according as they are more or lesse exalted ; some having not vigour enough , unlesse they be perpetually in the supremest region of affaires , other goe not so high , and their ability mounteth but to a certaine degree , past which they are not knowne , and much adoe they have to know themselves . The head turnes , and the eyes dazle in high places .

There were no slight affaires handled by the Kings Councell in those times , all dispatches were most important , and all Counsels tended to battailes , and victories . I have heard him say , that he was present at the making of the Edict of Pacification , in the first troubles in the yeare 1563. The difference of religion , which had divided the French in Gods service , divided them likewise in their service to the King .

Hereupon were two great factions raised , of which religion was the pretext , and government the cause . The Councell of Trent held all the world in Sentinell . The passage of the Duke of Alva into Flanders , gave occasion of feare to the one , and of courage to the other . After Queene-mother had yeelded up the power of Regencie to the King , shee let him see the Provinces of his Kingdome . The enterview of this Prince with the Queen of Spaine at Bayon , and the secret counsels held between Queene-mother , and the Duke of Alva , occasioned great designes . The King being at Meaux , saw the forces of the Prince of Condè so neare , that he was advised to steale to Paris by night , under the conduct of the Switzers . There was a conference at Saint Denis betweene the Kings Deputies , the Chauncellor Hospitall , the Bishop of Orleans , Limousin , Saint Sulpitius , with Mounsieur the Prince of Conde , where Villeroy also was . It was wayted on by the battaile , wherein the Constable dyed ; Mounsieur the Duke of Anjou was declared chiefe , and Lieutenant of the Army , Aube-spine dyed the next day , and Villeroy alone entred into charge , and the times furnished him with more businesse , than was left him .

CHARLES the ninth sent him to the Emperour Maximilian , upon the treaty of his mariage with the Princesse Elizabeth . This third voyage much holpe to dispose and fortifie his judgement ; so fit it is that such as desire to bee employed in great affaires , should see forraigne Countreyes , especially neighbours , which may become enemies . But if the curiositie of seeing , be not accompanied with the affection of judging , and remembring what is seene , all the profit is lost , and vapours away in meere vanitie .

It is not enough to admire rarities abroad , or to bee delighted with things pleasing , it importeth to consider , how they are governed in peace , and warre , how the Prince is served , in what his forces consist , what hee wanteth , how his fortresses are built , how provided with munition , and defended , how he entertaines his men of Armes , which way he may be assayled , or surprized ; Whether he have more wood to heat his Oven , than Corne to send to the Mill .

Young men easily observe the vices of nations , and sow the seeds of quarrels , when they upbrayd such with them who passionately strive to maintain the honour of those nations , and who believe their owne is still exempted from ordinary vices .

Ignorance of affaires both forraigne and domestique , is no lesse shamefull in a Statesman , than in a Physitian , who nothing feares the temperature of mans body . An ignorance which many times leades Princes along into lost designes , with such blindnesse , that they often make warre against those , of whom they should aske peace .

THE King foreseeing the course of of his owne life would not bee long , recommended him to his brother , when hee was going into Poland . He died at Bois S. Vincent , and the affection he bare him , reduced him into his memory at that time , when hee had none at all for worldly matters . If this Prince made use of violent counsels , Villeroy gave them not , for he many times told him , that the Prince who had more care to make himselfe to bee feared than beloved , was sure in the end to bee more hated than feared . Feare is an ill Schoole of dutie . This cruell , and abhominable word ( Let them hate , so they feare ) is not Christian like ; the very Romans knew it not but in the time of Sylla .

VILLEROYS service was presently so necessary , that after the death of his first Master , hee was no lesse favoured by the second . Discovering the black clowd , which brake into a prodige of revolt and sedition , he gave the King this just counsell , to reunite the Royall stock in one and the same beliefe , and designe , and not to divide Catholiques , that they might not acknowledge any other Prince for head but the lawfull .

Hee employed him , to get two men to come into the Court , who were most deare unto him , the Duke of Allencon , and the King of Navarre . Ambition , which more considereth the scope of desire , than dutie , had taken from him the affection of the one , and novell opinions , contrary to ancient beliefe , had debaushed the conscience of the other . He sent Queen-mother to them , and would have her to be assisted by Villeroy in this negotiation . It is a great happinesse for a servant , when hee is employed to make an accord betweene the children of the family .

HE was the first who had notice of the purpose of creating a new order of Knighthood . Perhaps he might have done beter to have restored , that , of S. Michael into grace , as the Emperour Maximilian hath been praysed , to have raysed , that , of the Golden Fleece . This Prince having other thoughts , instituted that , of the Holy Ghost , and believed Villeroy , who told him , that communicating it to few , it thereby should bee the more illustrious . A Prince ought to bee very retentive in conferring titles of honour , which are the true rewards of merit . There was no reason to deny Themistocles the Crowne , who vanquished the Persians in the battell of Salamina , and give it to Demosthenes , who fled out of the field .

IT is well knowne , how passions swayed , and overflowed against this Prince , and how many writings insolently free , were published against him ; he caused the authors to be punished , but it was contrary to Villeroy's advice , who had learned from the wise , that Paper suffers all , and that , the more Satyrs and Pasquils are forbidden , the more they are sought after .

It is not the duty of a States-man to wound the minde of his Prince with all manner of bruites , nor to inflame his anger against those , who invent or spread them to the prejudice of his reputation . There is no kinde of offence ought more to bee dissembled , than that of Tongues , Pennes , and Impressions .

Generous soules account themselves sufficiently revenged by letting it appeare they can be revenged . Alexander mocked at them , Augustus recompensed them , Tiberius dissembled them , Titus scorned them . It onely is for great Kings to doe well , and heare evill . Three good Emperours , Theodosius , Arcadius , and Honorius , father and sonnes , have on this left so divine a law , that it seemeth to have beene dictated by heaven . See it in French , as it is in Latine , in the seventh Title of the ninth Code . If any one through want of modestie , and excesse of impudence , believes hee is permitted to invade our reputation , by maligne and insolent slanders , and ( drunke ) with passion , becomes a detractor of our government , we will that hee for it bee not liable to any punishment , nor suffer any thing rough or rigorous : For if it proceed from levitie , hee is to bee pardoned ; if from fury , he is to bee pittied . If from injury , it is to bee forgiven : and therefore wee will , that the entire knowledge thereof bee preserved , to the end , that considering the qualitie of words by the persons , wee may advise whether wee should pursue or dissemble them .

COMPLACENCE is so familiar with Princes , that one had need to have a soule very religious , not to love better to please with Truth , than to be acceptable by flattery . There is nothing in Kings Palaces so rare as simple truth . An Archbishop of France sayd one day to Queen-mother , during the assembly of the generall States of Paris , That it was now fiftie yeares that truth had not gone through the doore of her Cabinet And another Bishop preaching in the Louure last yeare , sayd to the King , That it entred not into Kings houses , but by stealth , and through the windowes . The Prince is much bound to a faithfull servant , who tells it him with confidence and discretion , and to be well served it is fit he ordaine honours , and rewards tyed to the Truths told him , in doubtfull and important cases , the concealing whereof would be prejudiciall .

Queene Katherine loved a certaine Lord of her owne Nation , Villeroy perceiving the Princes , and prime men of the Kingdome did complaine of it , and that such complaints are ever the seeds of partialities , had the boldnesse to beseech her to moderate this affection , which she did ; and he whom she affected , used such modesty & good discretion therein , That his fortune was never subject to ill adventures , which alwayes meet with those , who abuse favour .

King Henry the third after his returne out of Poland , was quickly weary of military exercises , suffering this his warlike humour to dissolve in the delights and vanities , which peace bringeth . Hee instituted divers companies of saeculars , who lived , not alwayes , but for certaine houres , regularly . His principall retreat was at Bois S. Vincent , whither he drew the Nobility : and for that affaires followed him every where , hee would that , Villeroy who had the care of those , which could hardly bee put over to the next day , should take the habit as other , and should have a peculiar place , as it were a parlour , to receive packets , and heare Courriers . But perceiving expeditions were retarded , hee sayd to him as truly , as generously , ( Sir ) Duties and obligations are considered according to time , and that is the cause why old debts should be payd before new : you have beene King of France before you were head of this Companie , your conscience obligeth you to render to regality , what you owe it , before you grant to the congregation , what you have promised it . You may dispense with your selfe in the one , not in the other : you weare not Sackcloth , but when you list , but you have the Crowne on your head perpetually : and no lesse weighty is it in this retirement , than in affaires . This is to speake .

A Prince cannot give too much time to pietie , but hee must sometime leave God for God , who permits himselfe to bee found in affaires , and contents himselfe with a good intention . Let heaven bee of brasse for France ; while pietie lives in the heart of its Kings , it shall need no other raine ; no more than Egypt , which cares not since it hath the water of Nilus that fattens and refresheth it .

But they ought to desire it may be most pure , without art or inforcement , walking with head erected , without laying it on this or that side . It avoy deth these two extreames , Impietie and Superstition . Many Princes by the one have braved God , and have thought ill of him by the other . Impietie blindeth the soule , Superstition maketh it dull-sighted . Piety loves God , impiety contemnes him , as if he were a man : Superstition feares him as if he were not a God .

SEEING this Prince loved solitude , and made his ordinary abode at Paris , he gave him counsell to send some principall Lords of his Councell throughout the Provinces , that his Majestie might there be seene by the effects of his justice , since they were deprived of the contentment of his presence , imitating the Sun , who stirring not out of heaven , sendeth his rayes thoroughout the world . If they be good men , and of quality , they every where advance the service of the Prince , their words are so many flaming arrowes , which with their heat melt the Ice contracted in distant places .

A Prince cannot better preserve the good will of his people , than by employing men , who onely affect a generall good . Of all the precepts which the Emperour Charles left to his ion Philip the second , this is observed to be the best . That not being able to be in so many remote and distant places , he should handle the matter so , as daily he might bee seene by his authority and justice , disposing them in the hands of persons of great innocencie and vertue , that his subjects might not have occasion to bee sory for his absence .

THE King who to bee revenged , purposed tragically to end the Assembly of the States of Blois , sent him a Ticket of Retreat , for no other reason but for feare , lest he and Belieure might divert him from his precipice ; and lest much depending on the Queene-mothers dispose , they might give her some notice of it . For greatly hee feared the spirit of this mother , who had a great power over his , besides , he saw not clearly into her practises . The Spirit of Man is very hard to be knowne , but that of a woman never . Hee thought the bloud of these two Princes would quench the fire they had enkindled ; but he more redoubled the flame . For a while after , there was almost a generall revolt . The Saturniall feasts were renewed , wherein servants became Masters , and Gally-slaves no sooner loft the Oare at the signall given by the Captaine , but that the most obliged fell off from their duty . He then offered the King the continuation of his service , which his principall servants forsooke ; but hee , not understanding the weaknesse of his own Counsels , imagined , hee might slip over a man so necessarie , and confident .

A Prince diggeth out his owne eyes , when hee inconsiderately riddes himselfe of a servant , who knoweth his affaires . Almost all Poland had conceived an implacable hatred against Gavaric the Kings most faithfull Counsellor , Lescus , and Blanc threatning him to choose another King , if he banished him not . Garvaric was content , and besought the King to throw him into the sea , since he was the cause of the Tempest , protesting that hee not onely would willingly lose his Countrey , but his life also for the safety of his Prince , and the Peace of his Countrey . Lescus declared , he had rather retire , and live as a private person , than stay in a kingdome under so unjust , and unreasonable a condition .

VILLEROY then , hoping neither for safety , nor protection , that way , cast himselfe on the side wherein his Father , his Sonne , his Wife , his Family , and his goods were . He much desired to expect in one of his houses till those stormes might fall , but being unable to abide there , but at the discretion of the violence of the times , he was constrained to forsake the way of lustice for the way of Prudence . In intestine broyles , the worst side is to be of none : In particular quarrels it is a poynt of wisedome to stand neuter . Who onely respecteth the place , goeth off when he will ; who is of a faction is not so admitted , that he can leave it , without ruining it .

And yet notwithstanding hee was in such account with both , that although discretion and equity appeared not in these confusions , but by the light of Harguebusses , all , which belonged to him was regarded , his family felt not the miseries of the siege of Paris , his friends caused him to keepe victuals secretly , and sometimes in drummes , his house at Conflans was preserved by a Lord who honoured the Father , and had beene bred with the Sonne . At the taking of Pontoise , a great man of this kingdome had the care to cause all the moveables of his house of Halincourt to bee brought into a strong Citie of his government , and when the peace was concluded , hee sent them backe to him in Carts , as it were by Inventary , there being not perceived the losse of any the least parcel . It was an admirable providence of God to see , that against all likelihood , it should be restored him , and that his charge of Secretary of State , should likewise be rendred him .

How rigorous usage soever hee received from his king , his affection towards his memory was no whit exasperated . Henry the Great told me one day the strange resolution this Prince had had against the Duke of Alencon his brother , and commanded me not to forget it in his history , saying : It was necessary to observe the faults of Princes , to the end that such as come after them may not wander in that way , wherein they lost themselves . I framed a discourse upon it , and shewed it to Mounsieur Villeroy , to submit it to his judgement . He assured me he had never heard of it . The King hearing this answere , sayd : You ought to beleeve me , because I speake the truth , and you cannot but prayse Mounsieur Villeroy , who would not speake it to prejudice the honour of his master . To this may bee referred his answere made to Tinteville , saying unto him , that none but be was able to write the history of that time , I am ( sayth he ) too much bound to the memory of Henry the third to undertake it .

After the dreadfull , and tragicall death of this Prince , and on the next day after , hee sent to one of the most trusty servants of his successor , an expresse messenger , who represented unto him , that the harshnesse of warre would be the destruction of the state , and dissembled not with the Duke de Maine , that it would ruine Religion , and advance their faction , who went about to reforme it .

This desire of peace rendred him odious to such as sought to profit by warre ; the Spaniards decryed his good intentions ; bad French called him the Politician , & although the Cities in this desperate liberty felt many miseries by warre , and created many more by their partialities , yet the name of Peace was so odious amongst them , that quiet spirits were accounted turbulent innovators .

It was through the constancie of his judgement , and of one other of much courage , and great understanding , that the Duke de Mayne found it to be the best , and most adventurous counsell which was ever given to a Prince , to cause foure of sixteene to bee taken , who through a furious act of injustice , had dishonoured this royall Parliament . By the like advice he drave away a petty tyrant from the Bastile , which hee had made the store-house of his thests , and lastly , gave the government to a noble spirit , whose constancie , and unshaken fidelity Henry the Great applauded , for he esteemed an honest man , on what side soever he were .

AS it is not hard to guide a ship which sayles before the winde , so it is not difficult to give counsell where there is neither maine impediment , nor perill ; but rough stormes try good Pilots , & great affaires strong judgements . Such appeared , that , of Villeroy in this over-whelming tempest , where it was dangerous both to give counsell , and to refuse .

Hee freely told the Duke de Maine , that there was but one of these three wayes to pacifie the kingdome , either to accord with the King , or to reunite all the Catholiques under one head against him ; or to submit themselves to the protection of the Spaniard . The third being perillous , as contrarie to the lawes of the kingdome , and the humours of the French : and the second very difficult ( the Princes of the bloud being straightly united for the interest of their houses ) hee advised the first under this condition , that the King should re-enter into the Catholique Church , and that hee who had the keyes of it , would open the doore . That his Majestie should be sought unto therein by a notable & celebrious embassage ; and publiquely , to justifie their Armes in case hee would not hearken to this just meanes of peace . The times have made it appeare , how many miseries have beene avoyded by following this counsell . Those rivers of bloud drawne from all the veines of the Body of France , would have served to ciment together great Bulwarkes , to defend it against its enemies . It were to write a history to represent what was done in that time , it sufficeth to tell you that the fruit of his negotiation was the conference of Surenne , which advanced the Kings conversion , after the truce , which was waited on by peace , as by the daughter on the mother . The people having tasted the sweetnesse of repose , would have no more troubles , the faction of the Duke de Maine found it selfe weake , and succour failing , every one provided for himselfe .

AFTER the conversion of the King , he entred into the Kings service , and as Aeneas going from the sack of Troy , carried along with him his Father , his Sonne , and an important place , which served for the reduction of the rest . The wisest condemned the obstinate , which shut up their eyes against this growing light , and required more ceremony to returne to their duty , than they had used in their separation .

The King gave him his charge of Principal Secretary of State , & from the very day he entred into it , he perceived , order returned to affaires , to the great comfort of his heart . Hee spared not to say , I have dispatched more businesse to day with Mounsieur Villeroy , than I did with other in six moneths . He never spake to him upon any occasion , how strange or unexpected soever it were , that he delivered not his opinion , grounded either upon reason , or example . He wondred that such a head knew so much , without acquiring in youth ought which is learned by study , or which is gained by bookes ; most certaine it is , that had this so vigorous and sprightly a judgement been cultivated by Art and Science , he would have arrived to much more perfection , and say what we can , Theory walkes more solidly than practise , and bookes shew in a little time , what experience teacheth not , but with the expence of many yeares .

HE never negotiated with any man , that he was not too hard for him . There have beene forraigne Embassadors , who were held in their owne countrey to bee Intelligencies and spirits in the discovery and discussion of affaires , who talking with him , found their subtilties were but like beards or eares of corne , encountring with the solidity of such a judgement : their discourse but capritches , their skill but formalities .

They who mannage affaires , doe all of them propose one same marke , but they goe to it by different wayes , and some sooner than other . The Italians by profound discourse penetrate farre into the future : The Spaniards derive their best resolutions from passed examples : the French stick upon the present : but Prudence regardeth all three time , and ever grounds its reasons upon the necessitie of the present , the profit or losse of the passed , and the foresight of the future . They who were but his halfe friends , affirme his parts were not ordinary ; a great integritie free from avarice , a great modesty , an exquisite ingenuitie , an incredible vigilancie , opposite to profusion , innovation and disorder . He read all was presented to him , hee put not businesses over to the next day , Hee cleared the Table every day , and dayes and nights are not more equal under the Equinoctiall , than were his words and actions . He carried in the most embroyled confusions , the same countenance which hee shewed in the greatest contentments of the Court . Bruit affrighted not him , who bent not his apprehension , but to just and apparant feares . To feare all , is cowardice ; to feare nothing is stupiditie ; with the same hand with which he presented the evill , hee gave the remedy . The King considering this his goodnesse and dexteritie , often sayd , I must needs say , Mounsieur Villeroy is a good and gracious servant .