EXCELLENCIE I.

LET this be the first dexterity in the Art of those that understand best: to take a right mea­sure of the place by their artifice; it is a Masterpiece to make ones self known, but not to be comprehen­ded, [Page 2] to feed expectation, but not ū deceive it altoge­ther: let the much still pro­mise more, and the best action leave an appetite, and hopes behind it of greater.

If an able man would maintain his respect, he must suffer none to sound his bottom: The flood is formidable till we have found a foard; And a man is had in honour till the li­mits of his capacity be known, because profound­nes unknown, and presu­med on, hath alwaies main­tained a credit by suspiti­on.

It was a hansome pro­priety [Page 3] of speech to say (that which discovers co­wards) (Victory being al­ternative in a moment) If he that comprehends, com­mands, then he that keeps concealed, never renders himself.

A well-advised man must so carry himself that his addresse go alwaies equall with the curiosity of him that attempts to under­stand him: but such a curi­osity, for the most part, useth to overdoe it self, when it gives the first on­set.

He that is dextrous in As in leap­ing or pitch ing the Barre. any exercise of strength, uses not to give over at the [Page 4] first assay, but goes engag­ing himself from one at­tempt to another; every se­cond advancing and men­ding the former.

This advantage belongs to none but an infinite En­tity to vye much upon the stock; reserving a rest of infinity: Observe strictly this first Rule of greatnes, and if thou canst not be infinite, strive to seem so, for it is no common subtilty.

In this sense no man will be nice to applaud the Pa­radox of Mitylene, the half is more than the whole, because one half set to shew, and the other in re­serve [Page 5] is more than the whole in Declaration.

That great King that was the first of the new world, and the last of Aragon, was America. his crafts-master in this, as in all other habilities, in which none of his heroick successors could ever carry their glory so high as he.

This Catholick Mo­nark Ferdinand [...] kept his contempo­rary princes more in breath, by the splendour of those rare qualities which appeared every day in his spirit, than by the addition of all the new Crowns that adorned his Temples.

This Center of the rayes [Page 6] of Prudence; this great re­storer of the Monarchy of the Gothes, never appeared more glorious than when he dazeled the eyes of his Heroick. Consort, and of his Isabella. subtill Courtiers: when they set spies upon his de­portments, to sound the vigour of his spirit, and measure his Valour, which he perceiving, sometimes let fall a discovery of him­self, and then of a suddain shut up himself again, another time abandoning himself to their curiosity, presently after drew a cur­tain before their eyes: ma­naging his spirit with so much conduct, that at last [Page 7] he turned their curiosity into admiration.

O thou that art one of Fame's Candidates! thou that aspirest to greatnes, be vigilant to become ex­cellent; let the world know thee, but let none come aboard thee: By this sub­tiltie, that which is but mo­derate will appear much; the much will be thought infinite; and infinite, more.

EXCELLENCIE II.

THis Art would be of little esteem if while we com­mand a confinement to our capacities, we should not charge our Affections to dissemble their follies.

This piece of subtilty hath gotten so much credit that Tiberius, and Lewis The 11th [...] France. have built the whole frame of their Politicks upon it.

If each excess in secret, be so in reputation, then the concealing our affecti­tions [Page 9] would get a sove­raignty over our selves: The weaknes of our Wills are the Syncopes of Repu­tation, which if once they declare themselves, the o­ther strait perishes.

The first force serves only to suppress them, the second to disguise them: The first hath more of va­lour, and the last of cun­ing.

He that renders himself to the weaknes of his will, descends from a man to a brute: but he that bridles his will, keepes at least a Reputation in appearance.

To penetrate the whole Designes of others, is a [Page 10] mark of eminent capacity; but to be able to conceal a mans own, is an incom­parable superiority: To discover passion to another is all one to open him a wicket to enter the fortress of our capacity: And hence it is that politick spies raise all their battery, and for the most part make all their assaults in Triumph: The Affections being once discovered, the entries and out-gates of the will are all understood, beside a perpetuall power over us at all times.

The inhumanity of the Gentiles hath rank'd di­vers in the number of the [Page 11] Gods, for less than a moi­ety of Alexander's hero­ick actions: denying that predicament to the Laure­at Macedonian of being added to the Deities; Not assigning him a little place in Heaven, that had occu­pyed so much of the World: But why should they have been so sparing, when they had so much to have been liberall of?

Alexander obscured the lustre of his Actions, by his ungovern'd fury, giving himself the lye af­ter so many Triumphs, in rendring himself to the weaknes of his Passions: It avayled him little, to con­quer [Page 12] a World, when he lost the patrimony of a Prince, which was his Re­putation.

Excessive choler, and extreme covetousnes, are the Scylla and Charibdi [...], the two Rocks of Reputa­tion and Excellency.

Let an able man then take good heed to suppress his Passions, or at least to dissemble them, with so much dexterity, that no countermine find a way to uncipher his will.

This quality shews men how to be wise, though they were not, and passes yet further to hide defects, deluding the vigilancy of [Page 13] those that lye sentinell to surprize the careless, daz­lingthe eyes of those Lynx­es that are alwaies busie in discovering the imperfe­ctions of others.

That Chatholick Ama­zonian Isabella, wife of Ferdinand (after whom Spain had no reason to envy ei­ther Zenobia, Semiramis, Tomiris, or Penthesilea) might have bin the Oracle of these subtilties: when she was to be brought to bed she shut her self up in the most retired room, the most withdrawn chamber of the Palace, where her inbred Majesty, jealous of an inseparable gravity, seal'd up her sighes in her [Page 14] Royal bosome, without suffering so much as the least dolorous accent to pas from her, and covered with a veyl of darknes those undecent gestures which the violence of pain might have extorted: But she that in her wisdome made it so nice upon excu­sable pretences, how much more scrupulous was she like to have beene in occa­sions of Honour?

The Cardinal Madruc­cio did not account that man a fool, that acted a Folly: but him that having acted one, knew not how to smother it.

This perfection is only [Page 15] accessible by him that can keep silence, 'tis an incli­nation that's qualified and perfects it self by Art: It is an attribute of a divini­ty▪ [...] Nature, yet at [...] [...]ance.

EXCELLENCIE III.

GReat parts are re­quisite to make up a great entirenes, and great qualities are necessa­ry to raise the Frame of an Heroe.

[Page 16] Passionate men give it in the first place to the un­derstanding to be the ori­ginall of all greatnes: And as they do not admit of a great man without exces­ses of understanding; So neither do they acknow­ledge a man to be of emi­nent understanding, ex­cept he be great.

The most eminent of visible things is a man, in respect of his understand­ing, and consequently his victories are the greatest.

This principall part is composed of two others: a stock of judgment, and an elevation of spirit, which being met together in one [Page 17] subject, form a Prodigy.

Philosophie hath prodi­gally assigned faculties to the memory, and as much [...]o the intellectuall parts: Yet give the politick leave with better reason, to ad­mit a division betwixt [...]udgement and wit, be­twixt the Synderisis and [...]cutenes of spirit.

Only this distinction of [...]telligences, exceedes a [...]crupulous truth: condem­ning so much multiplicati­on of spirits, to make a confusion betwixt the un­derstanding and the will.

The Judgement is the Throne of Prudence, and Wit the spheare of Acute­nes: [Page 18] But to judge whether the eminency of one, or the mediocrity of the o­ther, should have the pre­cedence, will be a plead­ing to be held before the Tribunall of Sense, and of every ones inclination: I shall be of that womans mind, who praying for her son said, Hrjo bios te de entendimiento del bueno.

Courage, and promp­nes, and subtilty of wit, are like the Sun of the world in abridgment; they are like the sparkes, if they be not the very beams of Di­vinity: Every Heroe hath had a share in the excesses of spirit.

[Page 19] The words of Alexan­der gave a lustre to his Actions: Caesar was as prompt in his thoughts, as he was in their Execu­tion.

But when I endeavour to set a true value upon the true Heroes, I find it doubt­full which was more emi­nent in St. Augustine, the Majesty of his stile, or the quicknes of his conceipt: and in that famous Laurel which was given by Hues­ca to make a Crown for the Roman Empire, Con­stancy, and Subtilty, were at strife which should have precedence.

The Promptitudes of [Page 20] the Wit are as happy, as those of the Will are un­fortunate: they serve as wings to fly up to great­nes, wherwith many have rais'd themselves from a Center of dust and base­nes, to the height of splen­dor.

The Grand Signior u­sing sometimes for a di­version, to appear rather uppon a Balcone in a gar­den, before ordinary peo­ple, than in a place of pub­lick expectation (the true prisons of Majesty, & irons of greatnes) began one day to read a letter, which the wind, either in sport, or to let him see there was a so­ [...]eraignty [Page 21] above his, blew [...]ut of his hands and carry­ [...]d it among some scattered [...]eaves. The Pages that at­ [...]ended, being emulous to [...]lease so great a Prince, [...]an down the staires to [...]each it up; But one among [...]he rest, a Ganimede of in­ [...]ention that had practised [...]o support himself in the [...]yr, threw himself down [...]rom the Balcone, to re­ [...]over the paper, and sud­ [...]ainly again remounting with it, presented it to the Grand Signior while the rest were but running down to fetch it: And this to speak properly was a right remounting or rai­sing [Page 23] himself to greatnes: For the Prince, sufficienly charm'd and flatter'd by so rare an action, preferr'd the Page to the highest degree of his merit; and so it becomes verified, that subtilty of spirit, if it be not in its own right posses­ed of a Kingdom, deserves to be a compagnion to those that are.

This is that which dis­playes our best abilityes: it cries up reputation, and raises the subject to as great a height as the foun­dation was layd deep.

The ordinary speeches of a King are refin'd and crown'd subtilties: The [Page 22] great treasures of Mo­narchs have often perisht and come to nothing, but their sententious and wise speeches, are kept in the Cabinet and Jewell-house of Fame.

Some Champions have gotten more by a wise par­ley, than by all the swords of their armed squadrons: victory being for the most part an atchievement that waits upon a refined spirit.

It was the touchstone, the trumpet of greatest honor to that King of wise men and wisest of Kings, in that difference which was pleaded before him by the two harlots concer­ning [Page 24] their children: So we see that subtilty contri­butes as much to the repu­tation of Justice.

He that is their Sun of Justice, and sometimes a­sistant at the tribunal of the Barbarians: The viva­city of that great Turke enters in competition with that of Salomon: A Jew pretended to cut an ounce of the flesh of a Christian upon a penalty of Usury; he urged it to the Prince, with as much obstinacy as perfidiousness towards God. The great Judge cōmanded a pair of scales to be brought, threat­ning the Jew with death if [Page 25] he cut either more or less: And this was to give a sharp decision to a malici­ous process, and to the world a miracle of subtil­ty.

Quicknes is an Oracle in the greatest doubts: A Sphynx in Aenigmaes, a golden thred in a Laby­rinth, and corresponds most with the nature of a Lyon, who reserves his greatest force till he be in the greatast danger.

But there are a sort of lost wits, that are as prodi­gall of their spirits as of their fortunes: To high designes they are like ba­stard Falcons; but for base [Page 26] and mean undertakings they are Eagles: If cruell men must be satiate with blood; they must be with poyson, in whom their subtilty abates by a con­trariety of levity, burying them in an Abyssus of scorn by making the world weary of their foo­lery.

Hitherto we have had the favours of Nature, hereafter we expect the perfections of Art: The first is that which begets spirit, the second feeds and seasons it self with the salt of other mens wits; and many times by an antici­pated care and study upon [Page 27] divers Observations.

The words and actions of other men, are to a fer­tile capacity, like Seeds, from whence springs a sharpnes of wit, where­with the spirit being en­richt, multiplies it self into a harvest of promptitudes, with abundance of subtil­ty.

I take not in hand to ad­vocate the cause of judg­ment, since she is able to say enough for her self.

EXCELLENCIE IV.

A Great head belongs to Philosophers, a great tongue to Orators, a great breast for Champi­ons, Armes for Souldiers, Feet for runners, Shoul­ders for them that carry burthens, but a great Heart only for Kings: It is one of Plato's Divinities, and a text, in favour of which many make the heart to contest with the under­standing for a prehemi­nence.

[Page 29] What avayles it that the Understanding go before, if the Heart stay behind? Invention easily conceives that which costs the heart full dear to execute with Honour.

Great effects proceed from great causes, and wonders of action from a Prodigy of heart: The is­sues of a Giants heart are Giants: It presumes all­waies upon Enterprises worthy of its own great­nes, aspiring alwaies to the most eminent Employ­ments.

[...] was the heart of Alexander, it was an arch­ [...], since in one corner [Page 30] of it, the [...] contain [...], leaving [...] for [...]ix [...] [...].

Caesars heart was likewise [...]ut Caesar [...]. va [...], which could find no difference betwixt all and nothing.

The heart is Fortunes stomach, which with equal heat digests the two ex­tremes: A great belly is not cloyed with a great morsell; it is not put out of its way by affectation, nor made sour by ingratitude: That which would starve a Gyant for hunger, will prove a surfet for a Dwarf.

That miracle of valour, the then Dauphine of [Page 31] France, and after Charles the seventh, when they told him of that sentence which was extorted from the Parlament of Paris, by the two Kings, one of France, his father, the o­ther of England and his Adversary, whereby he was declared uncapable of succeeding to the crown of Lillies: He said undaun­tedly, that he appeal'd; his friends wondring at his speech, askt him whither, he answered again, to the greatness of my Heart, and the point of my Sword: And his words were followed with answerable effects.

The Diamant that con­tests [Page 32] with Eternity, spar­cles not more among de­vouring Carbuncles, than a Majestick heart in the middest of the violences of danger.

The Achilles of our time, Charles Emanuel D. of Savoy, made his way with only 4 of his own thorough the midst of four hundred of the Enemies Curiassiers, & satisfyed the admiration of the world by saying, There was no better company in the greatest danger, than that of a great Heart.

Excess of Heart supplies the defect of every thing else (that being ever) the [Page 33] first that arrives at difficul­ties and makes the Con­quest.

They presented on a time to the King of Arabia a Damask Cimitar, A ra­rity to please a warrier. The Grandees that were about him fell to cōmend it, not for ceremonie but with reason. Some for the workmanship, others for the temper: Only some of them thought it was a lit­tle with the shortest. The K. presently sends for the Prince his son, the famous Jacob Almancor, to have his opinion. He came and considerd it, and said, that it was worth a Kingdome. [Page 34] (A prizing worthy of a Prince) The King urgd him to know whether he could find no fault with it. He reply'd that there was nothing in it that was not excellent: why but Prince, said the king, these Cava­liers have censured it to be too short. Then Almanzor laying hand upon his own for Cimitar said, that there was no weapon too short a valiant man, because by moving but one stepp for­ward his sword would be long enough: and what it wanted of iron and steel, would be supplyd in the generositie of his heart.

Magnanimity in injuries [Page 35] serves fitly to crown this subject with laurel. It is the large crest and Character of great Hearts: and Adri­an shew'd us an excellent way to triumph over ene­mies, when he said to the most cruel of his, [...] thou escap'd mee?

There is nothing can hold compare with that saying of Lewis of France, Let not the king of France revenge the injuries done to the Duke of Orleans: These are the miracles of the Courage of an Heroe.

EXCELLENCIE V.

EVery great capaci­tie is ever hard to be pleased: The Gusto must as well be improv'd as the wit. Both rais'd and improv'd are like Twinns begotten by capacity and coheirs of excellency: Ne­ver sublime wit yet bred a flat or abject Gusto. There are perfections like the sun, others like light. The Eagle makes love to the sun. The poor frozen fly [Page 37] destroyes her self in the flames of a Candle. The height of a Capacity is best taken by the elevation of a Gusto.

It is somthing to have it good, but more to have it elevated. By communica­tion Gustoes are linkt toge­ther, and it is a rare thing when two are met that are superlative.

Many esteem it the greatest felicitie to have what they desire, account­ing all others unfortunate, but it returns to be six all, at seaven up: and so wee see the one half of the world Laughing at the o­ther, more or lesse foolish­ly [Page 38] as it happens.

A Critical Gusto, and a palat hard to please, have something in them of no­ble and qualified; the most acomplisht objects live in aw of them, and the secu­rest perfections are afraid of them.

Estimation is most pre­tious, and only wise men can merchand it to profit. All Covetousnes in mo­ney of applause is gene­rous, and contrary, the pro­digalities of estimation de­serve to be punisht with scorn.

Admiration is Comon­ly the superscription of ig­norance: It is not bred so [Page 39] much out of the perfecti­on of objects, as the imper­fection of our conceptions. The perfections of the first magnitude are singular, but in valuing of things there ought to be a great reser­vation.

He that had the Royall Gusto was the wisest of the Philips of Spain: he was accustomed to miraculous objects, and was never pleas'd with any thing but what was rare in its kind.

A Merchant of Portu­gall presented him one day with a star of the earth (I mean an orientall dia­mant) an epitome of ri­ches, an astonishment for [Page 40] splendour: Every one ex­pected that Philip should admire it; but he beheld it rather with a careless dis­dain: Not that he deligh­ted in discurtesie, but in a kind of gravity, like one that having had his Gusto inur'd to Miracles both of Art and Nature, could not be so vulgarly affected as others. What may this di­amant be worth to a no­ble fancy? (quoth the King) Sir, reply'd the Merchant, the seventy thousand Duckets which I abridged into this rare production of the Sun, need not be an offence to any body; I, but reply'd [Page 41] the King, what didst thou think when thou payedst so dear for it? I thought Sir, said the Merchant, there had bin a second Phi­lip This was Philip the second of Spain in allusion to that great Philip of Macedon. in the world. This an­swer so unexpected, prickt him to the quick more neer than the price; whereupon he commanded the Dia­mant to be paid for, and the Jentilesse of the Por­tugall's answer to be re­warded; shewing thereby the superiority of his Gu­sto both in the price and in the recompence.

Some are of an opinion that he that exceeds not in the commendation of a thing, dispraiseth it; But I [Page 42] would say, that all excesses of praise are from a defect of capacity; And that he that praises any thing be­yond reason, either mocks himself, or those that hear him.

The Greek Agesilaus condemned that man for an ill master of his trade, that would fit the shooe of the Giant Enceladus, to the foot of a Pigmy, and in the matter of praises it is the best skill to take a first measure.

Europe was fill'd with the praise and prowess of that great Duke D'Alva, and yet though they filled the world with his praises, [Page 43] they took not a right mea­sure of his Gusto, which left him unsatisfied; Some of his friends desiring to know a reason, He told them that for forty years wherein he had bin a Con­querour, and having had for his Camp all Europe, and for blason all the Em­presses of his time, yet it seemed nothing to him, because he had never seen one of those prodigious armies of the Turk before him, the defeat whereof had been a tryumph of dexteritie more than of force; And such an exces­sive power subdu'd, would have enhaunst the experi­ence [Page 44] and merit of a Gene­ral: so many things must go to the entire satisfacti­on of the elevated Gusto of an Heroe.

Let not this quality make a perfect Man of a Momus, for that were an unsufferable disorder, but only to be a faithfull Cen­sor of things to their va­lew: Some there are that make their judgement a slave to their wills, pervert­ing the offices of the sun and of darknesse: Let eve­ry thing carry reputation for it self, and not by the subornation of a Gusto.

Only a great knowledge favoured with a great ex­perience [Page 45] arrives at a right understanding of the va­lue of perfections. And where a discreet man can­not give his vote with clearness, let him not pre­cipitate, but retain himself for fear he make a disco­very rather of what him­self wants, than of what o­thers have too much.

EXCELLENCIE VI.

TO contain all per­fection is granted to nothing but to [Page 46] the primum Ens, which because it receives from no other, is therefore it self without limitations.

Some perfections are from heaven, and others are got by industry; One nor both are not able of themselves to raise a sub­ject to eminencie: So much as heaven hath denied o [...] naturall parts, let diligence supply in those of acquisi­tion. The first are the daughters of favour, the o­ther of a laudable industry and are usually not th [...] lesse Noble.

A little is enough for an individual, but a grea [...] deal must be for an uni­versal: [Page 47] and these are so rare that we scarce grant them any other reality than what they Steal from our conceptions.

No one man is equiva­lent to many. It is an excel­lency in one particular subject to be the abridge­ment of an entire Catego­rie, and to possess it in him­self, every Art deservs not estimation, nor all employ­ments gain not credit: we condemn not a generall Nation of all things in one man: but it were a sin against reputation for a man to practise every thing.

To be eminent in an [Page 48] humble and lo [...] professi­on, is to be great in a little, and something in nothing; to containe ones self in a mediocrity, gets an uni­versall approbation, but he that passes on to an Eminency, puts his credit upon hazard.

The 2 Philips, the oue [...] of Spain, the other of Macedon, were of diffe­rent humors. He that was first in all things, and se­cond in name, thought it strange for a Prince to sing or fiddle in his Cabinet. The Macedonian allow'd it in his son Alexander to en­ter the list, and run a mea­sur'd course, in an Olym­pick [Page 49] game. The one was a punctuality in a prudent man, the other a careles­nes that belong'd to great­nes, but Alexander resent­ing it in point of Honor, re­pli'd, That he would have kings to be his Antago­nists.

That which containes most of delectable, hath ordinarily a lesse share of Heroicknes.

A great man must not confine himself to one or two perfections, but push on his ambition to infini­ty, aspiring to a plausible universality; the perfecti­on of knowledges corres­ponding with the excellen­cie [Page 50] of arts.

A slight knowledge is not enough to make a man appear consummate, it is rather a note of vain lo­quacity than of profound science. To attain to an ex­cellency in all things is not the least of impossibilities, not so much by the weak­nesse of our ambition, as of our diligence, and even of life it self: Exercise is a means to obtain a consum­mation of that we profess. But our time failes us in our best employments, and we are soon distasted with the length of a tedious practice.

Many mediocrities are [Page 51] not enough to compose a greatnes. One only Emi­nency hath more than needs to secure a superio­rity above all others.

There was never Here known to be without Emi­nency in some thing, it be­ing the Caracter of great­nes, and by how much the employment is qualified, his applause is more glori­ous. Eminēcy in an advan­tagious subject it is a beam of souveraignty and pre­tends to a kind of venera­tion.

And if to rule a Globe of wind with Eminency be a triumph of admirati­on, what shall it be repu­ted [Page 52] to manage a sword, a pen, a rod, a baston, a scepter, a Crown?

That Castilian Mars from whose valor it be­came a comon saying (Castello for Captains) as Aragon for kings, Don Diego Perez de Vargas, more charg'd with bayes than dayes, forsook the Court to end them in Xe­rez a frontier town: He withdrew himself but not his fame, which extended it self day lie over the The­ater of the universe. Al­fonso the new king, but old in knowing how to valew Eminency, especially in armes, put himself into [Page 53] a disguise, acompani'd with only four Cava­liers to gosee Vargas. (O how Eminencie is an adamant of wills and a Charm of affections) The King being come to his house at Xerez, found him not there, but gone abroad, because Var­gas to deceive his gene­rous inclination us'd to wall [...] into the fields. But the King that thought it not much to come from the Court to Xerez, made it no scruple to goe after him to his farm; And spied him a farr off in his vine­yard with a Hook in his hand, cuting off the Heads [Page 54] of vines, perhaps with more difficultie than at o­ther times he had us'd to do the heads of his ene­mies. Alfonso command­ed the Cavaliers to stay behind and conceal them­selves, while he alighted from his horse, and with a Majestick galantry fell of gathering up the twiggs, which Vargas had lopt, and carelesly left behind him. But Vargas, appre­hending some little noise which the king made, chanc'd to look back, and by a loyall inspiration tak­ing notice that it was the king, threw himself at his feet, and askt him, Sir, what [Page 55] do you do here, proceed Vargas quoth Alfonso, for (A tal podador tal sar­mentador) to such a vine­dresser such a gatherer up of twiggs.

Oh the triumph of an Eminencie! whereat set a brave man strayn to arrive, with this assurance, that whatsoever it shall cost him in travel and pains, shall be repai'd again in money of Honor and re­putation.

It was not therefore un­proper, that the Gentiles consecrated an Oxe to Hercules, to let us under­stand by a mysterie, that laudable travel is the seed [Page 56] of actions which promise a Harvest of fame, applause, and immortalitie.

EXCELLENCIE VII.

THere are some that had been the Phoenix in their employments, if others had not stept before them: It is a great advantage to get be­fore others, and if it be in a way of eminencie the me­rit growes double. He that winns by the hand, may win upon equal termes.

Those that come after [Page 57] are counted but Imitators of them that went before, and whatsoever they do they can hardly cleer themselves from a pre­sumption of imitation.

The first raise them­selves to fame by a right of eldership, while the second like younger brothers must be content with mea­ger portions.

The curiosity of the Gentiles gave not only honor but veneration to the inventors of arts. They chang'd honor into wor­ship. An ordinary Error, but a true expression of the merits of primacy. But the galantry is not in benig the [Page 58] first in time, but the first in Eminencie.

Plurality is a discredit to it self, in things which are of high esteeme, and on the contrary, rarity en­haunses the price of indif­ferent perfections.

This is then no comon dexteritie to find out a new way to become famous, to discover an unknown trace to celebrity.

The wayes to fame are multiplyd, but they are not all chalkt out, and the newest being hard to find, have often been an obsta­cle to greatnes.

Salomon, did wisely in choosing the title of paci­ficall, [Page 59] letting his father enjoy that of a warriour: He chang'd the path and, arriv'd with so much lesser difficulty at the predica­ment of Heros.

Tiberius strayn'd him­self to wear that title by Policie, which Augustus had got by Magnanimi­tie.

And our great Philip, from the throne of his pru­dence governd the world, with an admiration to all ages. And if Charles V. his invincible father were a prodigie of courage, He was so of prudence.

The radiant Suns of the of the Church have by [Page 60] this policy ascended up to the Zenith of celebrity: Some by an eminent ho­linesse; Others by rare­nesse of learning; Some by their magnificence in buildings; and some other by knowing how to main­tain his dignitie by the strength of his wit.

By this diversitie of de­signes the wisest have got themselves places and been Matriculated in greatnes.

Wit knows how to de­gage it self from ordinarie tracks without a desection of Art, and how to find in an old profession a new passage to Eminency. Ho­race gave place to Virgil [Page 61] in an Heroick strain, Mar­tial to Horace in the Lyrick, Terence addicted himself to the Comick, and Per­sius to writing of Satyres, each aspiring to a glory of being first in his kind. A generous fancy never be­came a slave to easie imita­tion.

A gallant painter ob­serving that Titian Rafael and some others had won themselves an Honor of primacy, and that every day their fames got advan­tage of their deaths, used an invincible invention, and fell to work in a gros­ser way: Some demanded of him why he did not [Page 62] paint after the manner of Titian and others: He sa­tisfied gallantly with this answer, that he had rather be the first in that gross way, than second in a way of more delicacie.

Let this example extend it self unto all kind of em­ployments, and every rare man understand this kind of addresse, that in a no­veltie of Eminencie, it suf­fiseth to find out some ex­travagant way to great­nes.

EXCELLENCIE VIII.

TWo cities gave birth to two He­roe's; Hercules was born at Thebes, and Cato at Rome: Hercules was applauded by all nati­ous, and Cato was the di­state of Rome. All cun­tries admir'd the one, and the Romans shund and ha­ted the other.

The advantage which [Page 64] Cato had of Hercules, ad­mits no controversie be­cause he exceeded him in prudence: But Hercules went as far beyond him in fame.

Catoes work was more arduous and Honorable, for he engag'd himself to subdue Monsters of passi­ons, as Hercules did of na­ture, yet the Thebans at­tempts had more of fa­mousnes.

The difference was in this, that the enterprises of Hercules were more plau­sible, and those of Cato, more odious.

The plausibilitie the of im­ploymēt carried the fame [Page 65] of Alcides as far as the Confines of the habitable Hercules world, and had gone fur­ther, if it had been more spatious: the severitie of Cato shut up his renown within the walls of Rome.

And yet there are some, and not of the least judge­ment, that prefer a diffi­cult employment before a plausible, and with such, the approbation of a few select persons is more ac­cepted, than applause from the vulgar: plausible em­ployments are called the miracles of the ignorant.

Those that comprehend the excellency of an high employment are but few: [Page 66] yet they are persons of Eminencie, and so their re­putation comes but from a few. The facility of that which is plausible is dis­cern'd by all, and growes common, and so applause is ordinarily more univer­sall.

The approbation of a few Honor'd people, is better than the acclamati­ons of the numerous vul­gar.

Beside it is a peece of dexterity to be alwayes encountred with plausible employments, and a point of good discretion to sub­orn common attention, by the splendor of brave [Page 67] undertakings the Eminen­cie thereof appeares to all, and the reputation is set­led by every mans vote.

Pluralitie of opinions is alwayes to be prefer'd: In such kind of employments Excellencie is ever palpa­ble; and although the other (which being of a higher strain) partakes more of supernaturall and Meta­physicall, and with a plau­sible evidence please them­selves, yet I leave the dif­ference to every mans o­pinion; I call that a plau­sible employment which is executed in the view and to the satisfaction of all, provided that reputation [Page 68] be at the bottome, and ex­cluding those employ­ments which are as empty of Honor, as full of Osten­tation. A stage player lives rich in applause: but dyes poore in reputation.

To be eminent, in a gen­tleman, is an undertaking that's set upon the theater, and must consequently be attended with a large ap­plause.

What princes are those that make up the Cata­logues of fame but warri­ors? To them is properly due the renown of great­nes. They fill the world with applause, the chroni­cles with fame: because the [Page 69] exploits of war have some­thing more of splendor in them than those of peace.

Among judges we as­signe the strictest to im­mortality, because justice without Crueltie, was ever of more acceptance with the vulgar, than remissness of mercy.

In matter of wit, plausi­bilitie hath alwayes tri­umph. The sweetnes of a polish'd discourse hath had a power to charm the soul, and flatter the ears, while the driness of a Metaphy­sical conception puts us upon the rack.

EXCELLENCIE IX.

I Am in some doubt whether to call it wise­dome or a happy encoun­ter in a Heroes that having an elevated perfection in himself, hath also obtain'd this attribute, of being the King of his own capacitie.

In some the Heart reignes, in others the Head: and it would be thought a high peece of foolery for a man of brains to study valor, or for the other to make war [Page 71] with his pen. Let the Pea­cock please himself with [...]he glorious wheel of his [...]rain, Let the Eagle be e­steem'd for the height of [...]er flying. If the Ostrich should aspire to towre into the Ayr, her downfall were inevitable: let her please her self in the beau­ty of her plumes.

There is no man that in something might not have attain'd to be eminent: yet we see how few are ac­counted rare aswell for their paucitie as their ex­cellencie, like the Phoenix whereof the world is in doubt whether there be such a bird. No man thinks [Page 48] himself uncapable of the greatest employment you can offer him, but time (though late) will disa­buse him in that flattery o [...] his own passion.

That man deserves some excuse that is eminent i [...] mediocrities, though h [...] be but mean in eminenci [...] yet he that might hav [...] been chief in sublimities, and contents himself with [...] mediocritie in the lowe [...] things, is never to be ex­cused.

Although he were a po­et, yet he dealt ingenuously with us, [...] nihil in [...], &c. Thou shalt undertake nothing [...] [Page 73] an opposition of thy Geni­us, but there is nothing so hard as to undeceive a man in the confidence of his own capacitie.

Oh that there were as­well looking-glasses for the understanding, as there are for the face. The un­derstanding should be a glass to it self; but it is so easly falsifi'd, Every judge of himself finds presently some text of evasion, or some colour to suborn his passion.

The varietie of inclina­tions is infinite. It is one of natures delightfull prodi­gies: In faces; in voyces, in constitutions. So many [Page 74] fancies; So many employ­ments: The most vile and infamous ones want not their passions, and what the powerfull providence of the most politike Prince, cannot effect; be­comes easie to an inclina­tion.

If a Monarck in his own kingdome were to dispose of all Mechanick offices; Be thou a plowman, Be thou a Mariner, He would presently arrive at an ob­struction. The best em­ployment might be con­fer'd upon such an one that would not like it. And at this day men are blinded in their own elections of [Page 75] things that are but com­mon and ordinary, so much power hath inclina­tion; and if force and pow­er be but joyn'd with it, nothing will be able to make a resistance. But or­dinarily these two faculties of power and inclination meet not in the same sub­ject.

Wherefore a wiseman must cherish his own fan­cie, by drawing it without violences to take a just measure of it's own power, that having found the height of his talent, he may proceed to employ­ment with felicity.

That prodigious Mar­ques [Page 76] Del Valle, Don Fer­nando Cortes, had never attain'd, to be the Alexan­der of Spain, nor a Caesar in America, if he had not sorted his abilities to his employment. His learning was able to place him but in a mean rank: but by Arms he rais'd himself to the top of Eminencie: pa­ralleling himself both to Alexander and Caesar, with whom he divided the con­quest of the world into three parts.

EXCELLENCIE X.

FOrtune, which is as much renown'd as she is little understood, is no­thing else (to speak with reason and like a Catho­lick) but that great mo­ther of events, and gran­child of supreme provi­dence, which hath alwayes assisted at causes, somtimes with willingnes, and at o­ther [Page 78] times by permission.

This is that so soveraign, so inscrutable, so inexora­ble a Queen, smiling up­on some, and severe to o­thers, sometime like a Mother, then a stepmo­ther, not so much out of passion as an arcanesse of inaccessible judgements.

It is a rule among the greatest politicks, to have a narrow observance upon fortune and her favorites. He that hath found her Successus [...]rgere suos, [...]nstare fa­vori Numi­us: Et so­ [...]itus in [...]aeceps mit­ [...]ere Caesar Fortunam. [...]ucan. like a Mother, let him make use of her favour, and throw himself freely into great actions, for where shee is in love with a man shee gives her self leave to [Page 79] be flatter'd with his con­fidence.

Caesar had taken the true pulse of his fortune, when he was fain to encourage his faint-hearted water­man in a storm, by saying, Be not afraid, for so thou wrong'st the fortunes of Caesar: He found no An­chor so sure as [...], nor did he apprehend any contrarietie of winds while he had in poop the sweet gale of the breath of his fortune.

What danger is it if the Air be troubled, while the Heavens are cleer? If the Sea roar, while the starrs smile?

[Page 80] Such a boldness in ano­ther had been judged rash­nes, but in Caesar it was a dextrousness, that had so truly consider'd the favour of his fortune. Others have lost brave oportunities to celebrate themselves by not comprehending their fortune: Even as low as the blind gamester, there is scarce a man that con­sults not his fortune before he set up his rest.

It is a great talent to be fortunate, and in the opi­nion of most, the fortunate man must wear the gar­land: Some make more account of an ounce of for­tune than of quintalls of [Page 81] valour, or a Magazine of wisedome. Others, of a more Melancholick tem­per, say it is more honora­ble to be unfortunate; and that fortune is th'inheri­tance of fooles, and the re­ward of those that have no other merit.

The wise father re­deemes the defect of beau­ty in his daughter with gold, and good success for the most part gilds o­ver the deformities of the spirit.

Galen desir'd that his Physician, Vegerius that his Captain, and Aristotle that his Monark might be fortunate. True it is that [Page 82] valour and fortune (the 2 godfathers of every Heroe) are also the axletrees of greatnes.

But he that hath had of­ten experience of fortune for a stepdame; let him strick sayl at great em­ployments, and not over­ween of her affection: for where shee disaffects gene­rally, her Armes are lea­den.

Excuse me for stealing once more a saying from the poet of sentences, for I am oblig'd to restore it again, by way of counsell. Tu nihil invita; &c. Thou shalt neither say nor do a­ny thing where thou hast [Page 83] fortune in opposition.

The Benjamin of our felicitie, is at this day by the evidence of his splen­dor that Heroick, uncon­quer'd, most [...]erene Cardi­nal Infant of Spain Don Fer­nando, A name that passes for blason, the nominal Crown of so many Heroes as have worn it.

The whole world being in some suspense, lookt af­ter his fortunes, being as­sur'd of his courage. And that great princess declar'd him for her gaiant, upon the first occasion; I say up­on that occasion, which was as immortall for him and his, as it was mortall [Page 84] to his enemies, the battel of Norlinguen, beside o­ther progressions of Stra­tagemes in France and Flanders, and the remain­der of his honor from Je­rusalem.

It is a considerable part of the Politicks to be able to discern betwixt for­tunate men and such as are unsuccessfull, that when they are met together in competition, they may be resolv'd whether it be bet­ter stand to the shock, or yield.

Solyman shew'd himself a wise man in diverting the felicity of our Catholick Mars, the fift of Charleses, [Page 85] by using all meanes possi­ble that his valour might be confin'd within his own sphere of Europe, He feard that alone more than all the Regiments of the west together: Let this be a sub­ject of contemplation for others whom it may con­cern.

Charles himself strook sayl, in a time when it See St [...] ­daes first book of Decades neatly Eng lisht. serv'd his turn (not for his reputation) for in that he had resign'd his part, but for his crown.

The first Francis of France did not so: He was in love with the ignorance of his fortune, and desired not to understand that of [Page 86] Caesar his adversary: but as a delinquent in prudence he was unfortunate to be At the bat­tel of Pavy taken prisoner.

Good and ill success, adhere alike to those that are of a side: let a wise man take heed, which side he takes and at this game of triumph or (as we call it) trump, let him so take and discard his cards that he may be sure or win.

EXCELLENCIE XI.

ALL things that are subject to mutability have aswell an encrease as a declination: Others al­low them a state like a sol­stice, wherein there is yet no stability.

It is a business of great forefight to be able to stop the revolution of a restles wheel. It is the subtiltie of a cunning gamester, to give over while he wins: [Page 88] where prosperitie it self is but a game, nothing is so certain as ill luck.

It is better sit down with Honor, than attend the Changes of an uncon­stant fortune, which is ac­customed to shew two con­trary faces in a moment.

So much as it hath of woman: so much it wants of constancy, according to an opinion of some choice spirits. When the Emperor young ad­versary Hen 2 the son of France; Fortuna est juvenum. Strada. Charls was in some distress before Metz, and ready to make his retraict, the Mar­ques of Mariguau told him for his comfort, that shee had not only the in­constancy of a woman, but [Page 89] the levity of a girl.

But I say they are not Charls was now grownold and had a the lightnesses of a woman, but the alternative varie­ties of a just prudence.

Let a wiseman shew himself in this: Let him be­take himself to the Sanctu­ary of an honorable re­traict; because a fair retraict is as glorious as a gallant combat.

But there are some that are so hydropsick, alwayes burning in a thirst of Ho­nor, that they have no Prince Ru­pert. power to command them­selves, if fortune once be­gin to flatter them in their passions.

Let that great Charles, [Page 90] be a great example of this Perfection, that eldest son of fortune and of Heroes: This emperor crownd all his actions with a prudent conclusion. He triumph'd over the world by his for­tune, & at last he triumph'd over fortune, by mode­rating himself in his am­bition, which was like the sealing up of all his former prowesses.

But contrary some have put the best part of their reputation (which they had gotten) to arbitre­ment, by the unruliness of their desires. Great begin­nings in felicity have had many times monstrous [Page 91] terminations, which if they had made use of this ad­vise in time might have se­cur'd their Honors.

A ring thrown into the sea, and found in a fishes belly, might give Policra­ [...]es some assurance that he and his fortune were inse­parable: Notwithstanding a little while after The Mountain Micale was the tragicall theater of a di­vorce, betwixt him and her.

Belisario became blind, that others might receive sight. And the Moon of He intends some one of that family De le Lu­nae. Spain fell into an Ecclipse, that it might give light to many.

[Page 92] There is no art can teach to take the pulse of for­tune aright, it beats so uncertain: yet nevertheles [...] some presages of declina­tion serve sometimes for [...] diversion from dangers.

Sudain prosperities and inundatious of successe one upon another have bee [...] alwayes to be suspected [...] because when fortune i [...] most prodigall of her fa­vours, for the most par [...] shee intends no long con­tinuance.

Felicity that's grown old drawes near an end, and extreme ill forttune is not far from a reverse.

The Moor Abul, bro­ther and Heir to the King [Page 93] of Granada, and taken pri­ [...]oner in Salobrenia, to [...]eguile his miserie us'd sometime to play at Checks, (a true represen­ [...]ation of the game of for­ [...]une) He was no sooner set down but in comes a Cor­ [...]yer to tell him he must prepare himself to die. In­ [...]xorable death comes al­wayes post. The Moor de­ [...]ir'd him for a respite of 2 houres. The Commissary [...]hought it too long: but yet granted him leave to play but his game. He plaid and won both his life and the kingdome: for before the game was ended, another Post arriv'd with news of the Kings death, whereby [Page 94] the Citty of Granada pre­sēted him with their crow [...]

There have been as ma­ny that have risen fro [...] the scaffold to the Crown as have descended fro [...] the Crown to the scaffo [...] the good morsells of fo [...] ­tune had never so good relish as when they w [...] Sowre sweet season'd with an Agr [...] dulce of danger.

Fortune is not unli [...] pyrates that wait for ve [...] ­sels at sea till they [...] fraught. The counte [...] plot must be to anticipa [...] and take some port be times.

EXCELLENCIE XII.

IT is but a small con­quest to gain the ūder­standing, if the will be not won, and tis a great matter to make a joint conquest of admiration with affection. Many maintain their cre­dits by plausible actions, but they get not benevo­lence.

He must be born under a favorable constellation, that obtains so universal a grace, but the best part proceeds from our own [Page 96] diligence; Others hold a contrary discourse when applause doe's not corres­pond to an equality of me­rits. That which in one mans nature drawes affe­ction like the adamant, a­nother hath it by a conspi­racie or secretnes of pra­ctice? I shall alwayes yeeld the superiority to that fa­cultie that's artificiall.

An Eminencie of per­fections serves not to get the peoples affection, (al­though it be enough) Affe­ctions are easily gotten where the understanding is suborned, because affe­ction follows good opi­nion.

[Page 97] The Duke of Guise, that was as famous in misfor­tune as he was rich in the endowments of nature, did very happily practise the way of gaining com­mon favour. He grew in greatnes by the favour of one King, and grew grea­ter Charles 9th Henry 3. by the emulation of an other, I mean the third of the French Henries; A name fatall to Princes in every Monarchy: For in so great a subject the name deciphers Oracles.

The King one day askt some Lords that were a­bout him, what it was that Guise did to make himself so powerfull to bewitch [Page 98] the people: An ingenuous Courtier, and the chief of those that were present, answered him, Sir by dea­ling curtesies with both hands: Those whom the influences of his curtesies, reach not in a direct line, they have it by reflexion, and where his power ex­tends not into action, there he charms with good words; If they invite him to a wedding, he fails not to be there; If to be a god­father, he never refuses; If to an enterrment, he honors it with his pre­sence; He is Human, cour­teous, liberall, endears all the world to him, and [Page 99] speaks il of none; In con­clusion, He is the king in their affections, as your Majestie is in effect.

A happy grace, if it had been in relation to his Prince, and without which it was of no essence: what­soever the opinion of Ba­jazet were: yet wee find that applause given to the minister cannot but en­jealouse the Soveraign. And to say truth, the Grace of God, and of the king, and of the people, are 3 graces of more beau­ty than those other 3 that were feigned by antiquity. They hold hand in hand, and are so streightly enter­laced [Page 100] that if any of them fayl; let it be able to shew a good cause.

The most powerfull Charm to make ones self beloved, is to love, the vul­gar are as violently car­ried away in their affecti­ons as they are furious in their persecutions. The first thing that gets their love after a good opinion is cur­tesie and generousnes, by Delicias humani ge­neris. means whereof th'Empe­ror Titus was called the delight of mankind.

The favorable word of a superior is as good as an obliging action from an equal, and a curtesie from a Prince, exceeds a rich [Page 101] present from the hands of a Citizen.

By forgeting Majestie but a while the Magnani­mous Don Annoso, lighting King of Naples. from his horse to relieve a country fellow that was in some danger, conquer'd the fortified walls of Ga­ [...], which the battry of his Guns could not have done in many dayes. He made his first entry at their hearts, and presently after, entred in triumph into their citty.

Some over-curious Cri­ticks could find nothing Fernando Gonsales. so eminent among the merits of the great Cap­tain that Giant of Heroes [Page 102] as the love of the people.

And I am of the same opinion, that in a plurali­of perfections, where each deserves a plausible re­nown, this was the happi­est.

There is also the fa­vour of Historians to be had in ambition as much as Immortality; because their pennes are the wings of renown: They set not out so much the favours of Nature, as of the Soul: That Phaenix Corvino, the glory of Hungarie, was us'd to say, and practise it much better, That the greatness of an Heroe con­sisted in two things, by [Page 103] inuring his hand to Glo­rious Actions, and to the Pen, because Characters of Gold bind up Eterni­ty.

EXCELLENCIE XIII.

THE Entregent is the Soul of every rare quality, the life of all perfection, the vi­gour of action, the grace of words, the charm of well-born spirits, sweetly flattering the understand­ing, and sets all expression upon the tenter hooks.

[Page 105] It is an enhaunsment of excellency, It is the beau­ty of formality; Other parts adorn nature, but this improves those ador [...] ­ing parts, insomuch as it is the perfection of per­fection, by a transcendent beauty, and by an univer­sal grace.

It consists in a certain ayriness, in an unspeaka­ble cheerfulness, aswell in words as actions, and pas­ses even into discourse. It receivs the best advan­tage from nature, al­though it borrow some­thing from observation. It was never subject to directions nor to the pre­cept [Page 106] of a superior although it were alwayes govern'd by art; when it steales a­way the fancy, 'tis call'd an allurement; when 'tis not easily discern'd, 'tis call'd an ayriness. If it be put on by courage 'tis ani­mosity: If out of galantry or Gentiless, 'tis a sweet­ness of carriage, If it be done with facility 'tis ad­dresse. All these names have been given it out of a desire and difficultie of expressing it.

They do it wrong that confound it with facility, for it leaves that far be­hind it, and goes as far be­fore bravery: and although [Page 107] all Entregent presuppose freedome, yet it add's to perfection. If actions have any thing of splendor, the obligation is to Entregent, for that sets them to the light.

Without this the best execution is dead, and the greatest perfection unplea­sing. Neither yet retains it somuch of the nature of accident, that sometimes it stands not for the prin­cipall. It serves not only for ornament, but for a prop to the most impor­tant affaires.

Wherefore if it be the soul of beauty, It is the spirit of prudence; If it be [Page 108] the breath of gentilesse, it is the life of valor.

The Entregent gives asmuch Lustre to a Com­mander in war, as his cou­rage, and in the person of a King it parallells pru­dence.

The freedome of En­tregent is of no lesse use in the day of a battell, than dextrousness and valor. It makes a generall first master of himself, and then of all that are under him.

The brave assurance of that Conqueror of kings, that contender in honor with Alcides, Don Fernando d'Avalos, is ne­ver enough magnified: [Page 109] let same resound his pray­ses He took France prisoner at Pavy bat­tel. upon the Theater of Pavy.

The Entregent disco­vers animosity asmuch in him that sits on horsback, as in him that fits under a cloth of state. It add's a­cuteness to pleading, and graces the Orator in his chair. Most Heroicall was the disengagement of that French Theseus, Henry the fourth, who by the gold­en threed of his Entregent found a way to free him­self out of that intricate labyrinth.

The Entregent hath no lesse influence upon the politick. And therefore [Page 110] upon the credit of that spirituall Monark of the world, I come to ask this question, Whether there be not another world to govern?

EXCELLENCIE XIV.

THis primacy is inte­rested in another qua­lity so subtile and separate from Common apprehen­sions, that it were in some hazard to be flung up for a transcendent, if curiosity had not cautioned for it.

Wee see a certain in-born and naturall souveraignty in some men, which seems to spakle in them, and up­on others by a secret in­fluence, a power of domi­nation, which wins it self [Page 112] an obedience without help of exterior precepts or a­ny art of persuasion.

Caesar being taken pri­soner at sea by certain py­rates that were Ilanders, presently became the ma­ster of them. He being conquerd, commanded, and they Conquerors, o­bey'd; By ceremonie he was a Captive, and in rea­lity of soveraigntie be­came their Lord.

One man like him does more execution with one stern look, than others with all their industrie. Their reasons have an oc­cult vigor, which pre­vailes more by sympathie, [Page 113] than by any thing that's visible.

The proudest mind sub­mits to their domination, without knowing why or how, and the freest judge­ment renders it self with­out constraint.

Such persons among men have as great an ad­vantage as Lyons among creatures, because they have a share in the princi­apll quality which is do­mination.

All creatures acknow­ledge the Lyon by instinct of nature, and doe him homage by way of pre­vention before they have examined his valour.

[Page 114] So to those Heroes, other men give them re­spect by way of advance, without staying to take an inventory of their ha­bilities.

This is an Excellency deserving a Crown, and being match'd with a great understanding and height of courage, it can be said to want nothing why it should not form a Primum Mobile in politicks.

This soveraign quali­ty was in the person of Don Hernand Alvarez, (Duke d'Alva) as in a throne: A lord more by privileges of nature than of curtesie: He was great, [Page 115] & born to be greater, for in his ordinary discourse He knew not how to disguise a naturall imperiousness.

It holds great difference from a measur'd and bor­row'd gravity, from an af­fected tone of voyce, which is a very fift essence of odiousness, and though being naturall, it might be born with, yet it comes very neer to tedious impor­tunity.

The distruct which it hath of it self rayses con­tradictions upon every de­sign. And if once it come but to lose confidence, it falls off to be the skorn of [Page 116] the world. It was th'ad­vise of the great Cato, (and suitable to his severity) that a man should not on­ly respect but be in fear of himself.

He that loses himself to himself, His fear gives li­cence to others, and by his own permission he makes himself to be easily abused.

EXCELLENCIE XV.

IT is a perfection in one Heros to hold sympa­phye with another. If a plant sympathize with the sun, it grows among others to a Giantlik [...] height, and the flower of it is the Crown of the garden.

Sympathie is one of those prodigious things which nature hath seald up: but th'effects of it are matter of astonishment, and subject of admirati­on.

[Page 118] It consists in a paren­tage and kinred of hearts, as all Antipathy is in a di­vorce of wills: Some give it the originall from a cor­respondence of tempers, others from a supernall alliance in the stars.

The first aspires as high as doing of miracles, the other produces monstru­osities. They are but the wonders of sympathie those which common ig­norance calls charms, and vulgar spirits will have them to be enchant­ments.

The most accomplisht perfection suffers scorn from antipathie, and the [Page 119] most deformed fowlnes is thought a perfection with sympathie.

Even betwixt father and son it pretends a ju­risdiction, and exeqcutes every day something of power, trampling upon laws, and defeating the privileges of nature and policy. The antipathy of a father takes away a king­dome, and a sympathie gives one.

There is nothing which the merits of a sympathie cannot obtain, it perswads without eloquence, it com­passes whatsoever it de­sires, by presenting the [Page 120] symptomes of naturall Harmony.

An eminent sympathie is the Character, it is the starr that inclines to Hero­icity: although some be of the nature of adamant that maintains antipathy with the diamant, and holds sympathie with Iron: It is a monstruosity in nature to be in love with dross, and to hate things of splendor.

Lewis the 11th was a Monster among kings. He had an antipathie to great­nesse, more by nature than art. He was so wedded to his own principles that he lost himself in the [Page 121] dreggs of the Category of Policie.

Active sympathy, if it have any thing of subli­mity, raises the subject: but the passive more, if it be Heroicall.

It is more precious than the great stone in the ring of Giges; and in power it is stronger than the chains of the Thebane. Hercul.

It is easy to have an in­clination in observance of great men, but it is not so easy to be like them in a Correlation. The Heart sighes and speakes alowd many times when it is not answered with an Eccho of correspondency. In the [Page 122] School of Love this is the A. B. C. where the first lesson is of sympathy; let it then be a dexterity of discretion to know and comprehend perfectly the passive sympathie; make use of this naturall Charm, and let Art supply the de­fects of Nature; it is an obstinacy as undiscreet as unprofitable, to pretend to do any thing without this favour of Nature, or to seek to conquer Wills without the munition of sympathy.

But if it be in a King, it may be called a Queen of all perfections: It exceeds the termes of a Prodigie; [Page 123] It is a Basis that hath ser­ved to raise a Statue of im­mortality, upon the foun­dations of a good For­tune.

This so vast a perfecti­on lies somtimes in a Le­thargy, if it be not relie­ved by the sweet breath of Favour. The Adamant drawes not iron beyond the limits of his attraction: Nor can a sympathy work beyond the spheare of his activity. The principall condition is to be within distance; but take heed of in terposition.

You that aspire to the qualities of Heroes, rowse up your attentions, for [Page 124] with him that attaines to this perfection, the mor­ning Sunne arises in a glo­rious light.

EXCELLENCIE XVI.

THe first imployments are a tryall of worth, and a setting forth of cre­dit and capacity to the view of the world. Mira­cles by accident which fall out in progression, are not sufficient to enhanse ordi­nary beginings; and what a man strives to do after­wards, scarce makes a­mends for what he should have done before.

A gallant begining hath this in advantage, that be­side [Page 126] what it gets of ap­plause from the World, it engages still to higher at­tempts.

Suspition in matter of re­putation, at the begining is of the nature of Predesti­naon, which if once it enter into contempt, it never gets out again.

Let the Heroes raise himself like the Sun in his East, affecting great enterprises; but the grea­test at the begining.

A common employment can never get an extraor­dinary credit; no more than a Pygmie can pass for a Giant.

Advantagious begin­ings [Page 127] are affianc'd to good opinion, and those of an Heroes, must take their mark a hundred Furlongs beyond the projects of the vulgar.

That Sun of Captaines, and Generall of Heroes, that Heroick Count Fu­entes, was born to be ap­plauded.

In one daies march of the Sunne, which appeares like a Giant in his Orient, he begun and finisht his Masterpiece.

His first attempt might have been a Barricado to th'ambition of the God of War: He never made his Novitiat in Fame, but past [Page 128] the first day to immortali­ty.

He besieged Cam­bray, against the opinion of all the other Com­manders, his compre­hension being as extra­vagant as his courage. He was sooner known for a Heroe than for a souldier.

To disingage with Honor from a great expectation, is no ordinary busines. He that is but a looker on con­ceives highly, because it costs him less to imagin great actions, than another to put them in execution: an exploit unlookt for, shews more than a Prodigie that was prevented by expecta­tion

[Page 129] The Cedar growes more in his first morning, than Hisop in an age: because the first fruites being vigo­rous, the second threaten a gigantick growth.

A maxim in the An­tecedent drawes a migh­ty consequence, the pow­er of Fortune declares it self: the greatnes of a ca­pacity, universall applause, and common grace at­tend it.

But vigorous begin­nings are not enough, where it failes in the pro­gress: Nero began his Reign with the applause of a Phoenix, but ended it with the horrour of a Basilisk.

[Page 130] If disproportionable extremes come to be joy­ned together, there can be no production but mon­struosity.

It is a hard matter to keep credit alwaies grow­ing, and as hard as it was to give it a beginning; Reputation growes old, and applause is perishable as all other things, because the Lawes of time know no exception.

The Philosophers say, that the Sun, the grea­test of Lights, hath lost much of that splendour and heat which it had at the Creation.

But it is of an Eagles na­ture [Page 131] as well as of a Phoenix to grow young in Fame, to renew greatnes, and to bring applause to a se­cond birth.

The Sunne every day changes his Horizons, and removes his fires to new Theaters: to this end, that a privation in the one, and a newness in the other, may perpetuate admirati­on and desire.

When the Caesars retur­ned from illustrating the rest of the world with their victories, they came alwaies back to their O­rient of Rome, where they were received like new­born Monarchs.

[Page 132] The King of Metalls passing from one world to an other, hath also past from an extremity of contempt to another of from Ame­rica where it growes to Europ. estimation.

The greatest perfecti­on loses of his worth by being every day in sight: the object cloyes desire, and distasts Appetite.

EXCELLENCIE XVII.

EVery perfection, eve­ry excellency, must serve to adorn the Heros, but he must affect none, for affectation is the Con­terpoids of greatnes.

Affectation is a tacit praysing of ones self, and for a man to com­mend himself is the su­rest way to be expos'd to scorn. Perfection must be in a mans self, but praise in [Page 134] others: and 'tis a deserv'd punishment, that he that so foolishly remembers himself, should be as dis­creetly forgotten by o­thers.

There is nothing so free from servitude as estima­tion, it is subject to no ar­tifice, much lesse to vio­lence. It yeelds it self soo­ner to a dumb eloquence of deserts, than to a vanity of ostentation.

A little esteem of ones self hinders a great deal of applause from others.

All wise men judge eve­ry affected quality rather to be violent than natu­rall, rather apparent than [Page 135] reall, and so it abates much of estimation.

All Narcissuses are fooles, but those that are so in their minds are incu­rable, because their dis­ease lyes in the remedie.

So then, if to affect per­fections be a folly of Royall of reald de [...] is the hig [...]est coyn of Silver in Spain. eight, what degree shall be left for them that affect imperfections? By avoyd­ing affectation, some fall into the very center of it, while they affect not to affect.

Tiberius lov'd dissimu­lation, but he knew not how to dissemble his dis­simulation. The perfecti­on of an art consists in the [Page 136] well disguising of it: and the greatest artifice must be cover'd with a greater than it self.

He that partaking of many perfections, seemes to have none in estimati­on, is of a double greatnes, for by a generous disdain he awakens the common attention, and seeming to be blind in his own vir­tues, He makes others o­pen Argus's eyes upon him.

This may be call'd a miracle of dexterities, for if others rise to greatnes by other wayes, this guides him to a throne of fame by a contrary way, seting him [Page 137] under a Canopy of immor­talitie.

EXCELLENCIE XVIII.

THe greatest part of Heroes left no sons behind them, and though they did, yet they prov'd not Heroes: but yet they wanted not imitators. Heaven rather expos'd them for examples of va­lour, than for propagators of nature.

Eminent men are the living texts of reputation, from whom an able man may take lessons of great­nesse [Page 138] by repeating their actions, and interpreting their exployts.

They must still set be­fore them such as are the first in every predicament, not so much for Imitation as Emulation, not to fol­low but to get before them.

Achilles was the Hero­ick wakener of Alexan­der, who sleeping in his sepulchre, awakened him by the Emulation of his fame; The generous Ma­cedonian open'd his eyes, asmuch to weep, as to be­hold him, and wept not to see Achilles in his to [...]mb, but to see himself [Page 139] so farr behind him in re­nown.

Alexander engaged Cae­sar in the very same kind, & look what Achilles was to Alexander, Alexander was the same to Caesar. It prickt him to the quick in the generositie of his heart, and thrust him on so farr, that he put fame into the balance, and greatnesse into comparison: because if Alexander made the Orient to be the large the­ater of his prowesses, Caesar made the Occident to be so of his.

The Magnanimous Don Alonso of Aragon and [Page 140] Naples, us'd to say, that a couragious Horse, was not more moov'd by the sound of the trumpet, than he felt himself enflam'd by the trump of Caesar's fame.

And it is worth obser­vation to see how these Heroes go inheriting each others greatnes, by their emulation, and by their greatnesse, their fame.

In every employment there are some that occu­py the first classe, and o­thers the lowest: Some are the miracles of excel­lency, and others the An­tipodes of miracles, let a wise man graduate them as [Page 141] they deserve, and make himself perfect in the ca­tegorie of Heroes, and in the catalogue of fame.

Plutark in his parallels made a table of the Heroes of former ages, and Pau­lus Jovius in his elogies, a list of the modern.

Now it is desir'd per­haps to have an absolute Chrysis, but what wit shall presume to make one?

It is easie to assigne them a place in time, but it is hard to set a right va­lew upon them. It might have been an universall Idaea: if it had not past to be a miracle, leaving all [Page 142] imitation in idleness, and only taking up admira­tion.

That Monarck of He­roes, the first of the worlds inanimated wonders and 4th of Spanish Philips, to whom as to the sun of the House of Austria, they owe their foure sphere, Let him be a generall looking glasse that repre­sents not only magnitudes but maximities. Let him be call'd the common ob­ject of emulation for He­roes, being the center of all his own prowesses, and let applause equivocate it self into blasons, with Eminent, ph [...]ies: of [Page 143] sense. He that for his fe­licity See how this exces­sive comen­dation a­grees with the 5 ex­cellence. He calls him fortu­nate for lo­sing Portu­gall and Catalgo nia. may be call'd the fortunate, for his courage the valiant, for his wise­dome the discreet, for his zeal the most catholick, for his ayrinesse the most entregented, and in all things the universall.

EXCELLENCIE XIX.

ALthough our Heroe may be secure from the Ostracism of Athens, yet he will be in some danger of the Criticismes of Spain. The extrava­gancie of those may make him an exile at home; but he can be banished but to the precincts of Fame, and to the confines of immor­tality.

This Paradox condems him to be peccant for not sinning: It is a criticall primacy of a veniall fall­ing [Page 145] into Prudence and Valour, only to entertain Envy, and to feed Malig­nity.

These Criticks conclude it impossible for any man to escape their censure, al­though he had resplen­dent perfections; because they are so like the hungry Harpies, which when they fail of finding a prey that's base enough for them, fall upon some better.

There are intentions compounded of so subtle and Metaphysicall poyson, that they can transform the best qualities, and make the best perfections abor­tive, giving a sinister in­pretation [Page 146] to the most justi­fied pretences.

So it must pass for a sleight of Policy to con­sent to some veniall sinns, that Envy may have som­thing to gnaw on, and the poyson of Emulation may be diverted.

Let it pass for a politick treacle, for a counterpoy­son of Prudence; since being bred out of an infir­mity, it is attended with Health: It secures the heart by exposing it self to detraction, and draw­ing the venom to it self.

Beside we see somtimes a little defect in Nature, adds a perfection in other [Page 147] parts: a Naeve, or Mole upon the Face raises the Or blac patch lustre of a beauty.

There are defects with­out defect: Alcibiades af­fected some in Valour, O­vid alowed some in the highest Wits, and call'd them cauterizing for healths sake.

But this perfection seems an idle one, and is rather a curiosity of a man concei­ted of himself, than any point of discretion.

But who can be that Sun without an Ecclips, that Diamant without a cloud or a flaw, that Rose without a prick?

There needs no artifice [Page 148] where Nature is sufficient, and all affectation is super­fluous where neglect is be­coming.

EXCELLENCIE the last.

ALL Light descends from him that is the Father of Lights, and if from the Father, then to his Sonnes: Virtue is the daughter of auxiliant light and hath an inheritance of splendor.

Sin is a monster, wherof blindnes hath made abor­tion, and therefore it is the heir of darknes.

Every Heroe partakes as [Page 149] much of Felicity and Greatnes, as he does of Virtue; because from the hour of birth, to that of death, they run parallell lines. In Saul they were both ecclipst, and in Da­vid they appeard like the dawning of the day.

Constantine was the first among the Caesars that was called the Great, and he was also the first Christian Emperour: He was that Oracle that declared the first aliance betwixt Chri­stian virtues & greatness.

Charles the first Empe­rour of the house of France, obtained the same renown by being called [Page 150] Charlemain, and aspired to be a Saint.

Lewis that most glori­ous King of France, was the flower of Saints and of Kings by the name of Saint Louys.

In Spain Ferdinand, commonly called the Ho­ly, in Castile was one of the great men of the world.

The Conquerour of A­ragon consecrated as many Temples to the Empress of Heaven, as he won Ca­stles.

The two Catholick Kings Ferdinand and Isabell, were the non plus ultra, I mean the Columnes of the Faith.

[Page 151] The Good, the Great, the Pious, the Zealous of Philips of Spain, without Phil. 3. losing one hand-breadth of Earth, won Heaven by ells, and subdued more Monsters by his virtues, than Alcides with his club.

Among Captaines God­frey of Bullion, George Ca­striot, the great Captain Gonzalo Fernandez the first Knight of Sanctacruz, and that terror of Turkes Don Juan of Austria, have been mirors of virtue, and Temples of Christian pi­ety.

Among the Heroes of the Church, the two first to whom greatness gave a [Page 154] furname, Gregory and Leo, have had their greatest lu­stre from their Sanctity.

Saint Augustine (that Sun of spirits) reduces all the greatnes of the Gen­tills and of Infidells to a foundation of Morall vir­tues.

The greatness of A­lexander was never con­fin'd till his virtues began to decline, and Hercules gave not over conquering Monsters of strength, un­till he yielded himself to the weaknes of incontinen­cy.

The justice of. Fortune grew to be as cruell to the two Neroes, as they had [Page 153] shew'd themselves tyran­nous to their Vassalls.

Sardanapalus, Caligula, and Rodrigo, were the Monsters of lasciviousness, and basenes of courage, and after became exam­ples of horrible punish­ment.

In Monarchies the same Divine Justice is observa­ble; That Nation which deserved to be called the Flower of Kingdomes, France. maintained greatnes while Piety and Religion flo­risht: as soon as Heresie sprung up, she withered as fast.

The Phoenix of Provin­ces found a Tombe in the [...]in. [Page 154] ashes of Rodrigo, and was born again in the Piety of Pelagius, or in the zeal of Ferdinand.

The great house of Au­stria made her self the wonder of Families, by founding her greatnes in that which is the Cipher and Epitome of Gods Mi­racles, and set her Imperi­all blood in the Rubick, by a religious devotion to that blood of our Lord which is in the holy Sa­crament of the Altar.

Now you judicious spi­rits that pretend to Heroi­city, observe this most important quality, make this your most constant piece of Policy.

[Page 155] No greatnes can lay a foundation in sin (which is nothing) but in God who is all in all.

If mortall Excellency be to be desired, eternall Ex­cellency is to be ambitio­nated.

To be a Heros of the World is very little (or rather nothing) but to be an Heros of Heaven is somthing; To whose great Monark be praise and Ho­nor and Glory.