THE AMBASSADOR.  
Printed at London by V.S. for james shaw. 1603.   

To the Right Honourable, William Earl of Pembroke, Lord Herbert, Cardiff, Marmion, and Saint Quintin, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter.  
Noble Lord,  
I humbly present unto your Lordship, the Ambassador, which the learned Author Hotman first framed, and a Gentleman of quality, translated, for the use of their private friends: which coming to my hands, and being a subject meet for the exercise of Noble spirits, and for these times: I have thought good to present to public view, and publish under your Honourable name: for that herein you may behold, the Idea of those virtues, which heaven and nature have planted in you, fit for the managing of these, and the like high services, for your prince and country, whose eyes and expectations therein are fixed on you. And resting in the assurance of your Lordships honourable favour, I humbly remain (* ⁎ *)  
Your Honours humbly devoted, I. S.   

To the Reader.  
GEntle Reader,  
the learned Author of this Treatise, accounting it a subject fit only for the view of high spirits, and such as already were, or in time might be called to the great affairs of the common wealth: suffered no other copies to be extant than those which he dispersed to his private friends, as himself affirmeth. A Gentleman having recovered one of them, did at the request of some particular friends, turn it into English, supposing that the scribbled copy, which, through haste, and want of leisure, was taken as he read it out of the original, might satisfy his judicious & learned friends. By reason whereof, the Printer following the same, hath committed some errors, through want of the Author's work, and other usual assistance; which he nevertheless hopeth will be excused with the great desire he had to please the worthy learned & noble Readers, to whom as he accounteth the Treatise properly to belong: so he hopeth that his readiness therein will be unto them most acceptable.  
His 

Behaviour,  
Charge,  
Privileges,  
Family.     

THE AMBASSADOR.  
I Know not any of the old Writers that have purposedly handled this Argument. Polybius indeed hath left some collections de Legationibus, but not the Legato. The reason in mine opinion is, that none were called ordinarily to this charge but men of great honour, virtue and experience, attained, by having passed through the goodliest and greatest charges of the Common wealth, as I will after show.  
For, as in old time there was no punishment ordained for Parricides, forasmuch as in those ages of innocency it could not be thought, that a wickedness so monstrous could enter into the heart of any man: even so the learned Politicians of times past, believed not that Princes and Estates would be so indiscreet, as to honour with an embassage (which commonly importeth the whole estate) a person which were not most capable thereof: or that he which were not worthy of it, should be so ill advised as to undertake it. To the former, punishments were afterwards ordained: and the other, have need of good instructions; till when, I will give them in this Treatise, this word of advise.  
And, to begin, I will not stay upon searching out, either the name Ambassador, which is strange and unknown to us, or the antiquity and origine of this charge, the which it is most likely had his beginning with the establishment of society amongst men, and the assembling of people and estates the one with the other. When Princes would not, and Commonwealths could not meet together for to treat thereof. Neither will I spend time in telling that the name Ambassador is not so general as the Latin word Legatus: and is not understood properly, but of those who under the assurance of the public faith, authorized by the law of nations, are employed to negotiate with foreign Princes or Commonwealths the affairs of their Masters, and with dignity to represent their persons and greatness during their embassage.  
They are of two sorts: The one which are not but for a little time, and for one affair only, as, for renewing some alliance, to swear and ratify a treaty, to congratulate, condole, or to do like office in the behalf of their Masters. Those that go to present obedience to the Pope, in the behalf of Christian Princes, are of this number, or which go upon other affairs not ordinary. For which cause they may be named extraordinary Ambassadors, who return assoon as that affair is dispatched. The Romans and other nations in former ages used them in no other manner. The other are ordinary & Ligiers, without having any time limited, but at the pleasure of the Prince which sendeth them. And this is that sort which is now most in use, and which antiquity knew not, fearing lest the long residence of an Ambassador might discover the secrets of the Estate. The Pope hath retained the name of Legate and Nuncio, of which it is not my purpose to speak in particular.  
As touching Agents, to whom, at times, is given the Title of Ligiers: they are in like manner public persons and being once received and admitted, they enjoy the law of nations, but neither have place, nor oftentimes power so ample as Ambassadors have. Such are most commonly employed about Princes which will not yield to that dignity which those by whom they are sent pretend to have: as those that have been about the Emperor of late years for the King, and he that at this present is with the Archduke and the Infanta, which is Monsieur de la Boderie, who much deserveth the Title of Ambassador, sithence he performeth the charge thereof so worthily. Those also are named Agents which manage the affairs of Princes, not sovereign, and such as are much inferior to Monarches and great Commonwealths, for as for those which are sent by the Prince into his own Dominions, and towards his subjects, they are called Commissioners: like as they are named Deputies, whom subjects send unto their Sovereign: who yet do not enjoy this law of nations and privileges of an Ambassador. Ius externo non civi quaesitum est, saith Titus Livius. But indeed Heralds do, whose persons are unviolable, even in the midst of Armies, as well as those of Ambassadors, although that properly and most commonly they are but Messengers, carrying barely some word of mouth or letter, without authority to treat of any matter: as also Drums, Trumpets, and such like persons in time of war, who nevertheless deserve not this title and dignity of Ambassador.  
The Romans had also an other form of embassage, contrary to the ancient law, Ne quis suaerei ergo legatus siet, the which was called Libera legatio, which was to grace persons of quality going towards foreign countries, or into some Provinces of the Empire for their own affairs and particular businesses, to be thereby the more respected, and under the favour of the law of nations: as likewise those were to whom they would not do the uttermost disgrace of an Exile: and this was called Honesta legatio, which Tacitus saith, that Tiberius used towards the miserable Agrippa for to rid him far off from the Court.  
It seemeth also that there may be set in the number of Agents and Ambassadors, the Consuls which oversee the affairs of Merchants, Towns, and Corporations in Argier, Tunis, Tripoli, and other places of Barbary and Turkey. Forasmuch as the Prince alloweth of their nomination, authorizeth and recommendeth them by his letters; & for that for want of Ambassadors they give advises, and sometimes supply their charges, as some have done with very good success, as hath been seen in our time in some places. The Venetians have their consuls in Cairo, at Aleppo, Rosetta, Alexandria, and other towns and havens of importance: Which is a great commodity unto them, for besides the intelligence which they have from time to time of the prices of all sorts of merchandise, they receive also by the same means news from all parts of the world. Wherein they exceed all other Estates and Commonwealths.  

His Behaviour.  
TO come then unto our Ambassador, and principally to that whom we have called Ordinary and Ligier: albeit that the principal most general and ordinary subject of his embassage be for entertainment of alliances and amity with the Prince or the Estate to whom he is sent: yet there are many other occasions of his sending which is needelesle here to articulate, the same being infinite, according to the diversity of treaties and affairs which are between Princes and Commonwealths. In some countries they speak only of money and levying of forces: in others, of sea matters, traffic and commerce, in others of breaches of treaties, of inroads and riots on frontiers. Furthermore, in some Estates there are monarch others are governed by Lords, the last by the people, so that, according to the quality of these governements, and nature of the affairs, it is requisite to make choice of Ambassadors that may be fitting to the place and Prince to whom they are appointed. And not only because of this diversity of Estates and negotiations, but also by reason of the difference of humours, conditions, and religion of Princes and people, towards whom they are employed: it being very certain, that one that is a Protestant should not be so fit to be about the Pope nor the King of Spain: but contrariwise, one of that profession (if the King's service so require) should be more acceptable in England, Scotland, Denmark, and with the protestant Princes of Germany, whereof the Queen of England willed me to carry word to the King, during the siege of Paris, by occasion of a Gentleman of quality which had been sent to the protestant Princes of Germany, and was not welcome unto them. Likewise must they shun the like jest that was made of a Bishop sent to the Grand signor, and of a Gentleman held for a great good Christian, who was appointed Ambassador to the Pope, for it was said that the one would convert the Turk, and the other should be convertedby the Pope. In some Estates they consider much the quality of the Ambassador, and make the less account of him, if he be not a gentleman of nobility, or at least well qualified, liberal and honourable.  
Some other Princes and Estates had rather have one that profesleth the Laws: as at Venice (none hath of long time been there so acceptable as Monsieur de Maisse Hurault one of the chief Counsellors of this Estate. I doubt not but that the Pope would be content to have rather a Biship or some other Churchman near him: Nevertheless I understand that the Spaniards have perceived that it was more necessary for the service of their Master, that the Ambassador were of some other quality, because Ecclesiastical persons make a very strict oath unto the Pope and the Church, which derogateth from the natural fidelity which all subjects own unto their Sovereign.  
Howsoever it be, the Romans sent none for Ambassadors that had not passed through the greatest part of the degrees of honour and magistracy: and sometimes they were the Consuls themselves: not so much for the honour of the Prince to whom they were sent, as for the greatness and majesty of the commonwealth. Philip de Comines complaineth, that his Master King Lewes the eleventh employed therein ordinarily his Barber. Other Princes make no difficulty to send the Grooms of the Chambers, Cloake-bearers, and others of base sort unto the greatest Princes of Christendom. And God knoweth how they handle many times the affairs of their Masters. He therefore that appointeth an Ambassador, aught to look well hereunto, and especially to the sex, to the age, and to the disposition of him to whom he is sent. For he that would give commission to an old and melancholy man to treat of a marriage with a young Princess, and make love unto her in the behalf of his Master (a thing which most commonly amongst the Great is done by an Attorney) it is very certain, that naturally she would not so willingly see or hear him as one that were more youthful and gallant. I have sometime seen the experience thereof. This choice being of greater importance than one would believe, and wherein notwithstanding there is oftenest failing. A neighbour Prince sent a while sithence, a man of an ill grace to a great Lady of France for this purpose: who eflected nothing of consequence therein. Such a one must be a man acceptable, for the better managing the disposition of him with whom he hath to deal.  
But much more in extraordinary Ambassadors, and those which go not but for one affair, as if it be a matter concerning war, it is fit to commit it to a Marshal of France, or some other General of the field, and practised in points of arms. To General Counsels it were ridiculous to send others than Ecclesiastical persons, divines, and men seen in the Laws. And where question should be of the right of succession, of marches, reprisals, of other difficulties of right, there are men meet for the same, and which would better serve their Master therein then either a Churchman or a martial man. But if it be for the renewing of an alliance, conducting of some princess, or any other solemn action consisting most in ceremony and magnificence, it is meetest to commit the charge and honour thereof to a Prince or Lord of quailitie and means.  
Moreover, there are many other things to be considered in the person of an Ambassador, of which I will note some (not to make a perfect Idea of an Ambassador, as Tasso, Magio, Gentilis and some others have laboured to do.) For as once one said of Plato's Commonwealth, that the Idea thereof was in heaven: so the perfect image of an Ambassador, such as they have figured unto us, was never amongst men, for they would have him to be a Divine, ginger, Logician, an excellent Orator, as learned as Aristotle, and as wise as Solomon.  
But for me, I require no more of him than he may attain unto by use and nature. True it is, that I wish he were seen in all, by reason of the diversity of affairs which are handled in his charge. The which he cannot be, if he have not seen and traveled abroad, if he have not some experience, and especially the knowledge of Histories, which I find to be more necessary for him than any other study: and that formerly he have been employed in some other charges or affairs of estate, if it were but only to have more assuredness when he cometh to speak in public: for as it shall appear by the process of the discourse, an embassage is as it were an abridgement of the principalest charges and offices that are exercised in the commonwealth: So also would I have him rich, not only in the goods of the mind, but also in the goods of fortune, at least, in some indifferent sort. For, beside that a great poverty is always suspected, he being so, it is very hard for him to hold that dignity which he ought to represent; their Masters being not always very careful to make them due provision; and the Romans many times refused such persons in the exercise of the chiefest charges of their Commonwealth.  
To speak of Sciences more particularly, I know that many have managed the like and greater charges without any learning, and that unto divers men it hath sorted well. But I maintain that men of learning are much more capable thereof, know how to speak better, and answer every man, to judge of the justness of a war, of the equity of all pretences, and demands, to beware of being deceived in treaties and negotiations of peace, alliance or marriage, whereabouts such men are most commonly emplored,) to weigh their reasons best, to resolve any subtle conclusions sophistications, and to discourse of all things, either grave or familiar: and to speak in a word, he is more to be blamed that cometh unto it without this quality, than he were to be praised, if he brought unto it, all these necessary qualities with him. At least I will counsel him, during the time of his embassage, to furnish himself with as much thereof, as his leisure will permit him: although (to say true) it is very late to dig a well, when one is thirsty, or to make armour, when it is time to fight: Above all, let him not make show that he despiseth men of learning, but still accounting of men of knowledge and experience, which in all well policied estates are cherished.  
I find then that among the parts of Philosophy, he ought to have knowledge of the Moral and Politic: and if before he have had any taste of the Roman Civil Law, the same would give him more insight and facility to the negotiation of treaty and clearing many matters that fall out in diverse places: as for example, of the right of the succession of Princes, of the difference of the borders, of taking booties of Prisoners, Reprisals, and of Sea matters, whereof most commonly question ariseth in England, Denmark, Holland, and other parts standing on the Sea, or of some obscurity, ambiguity, and difficulty of clauses and articles of a treaty. Above all, he ought not to be ignorant of the Laws, customs & manners of his own country, specially in things concerning the Estate, the rights, titles, and pretences of his masters Crown, and the usurpations that other Princes have made upon his estate. Whereunto the knowledge of histories will greatly help him; which besides the pleasure of it, will bring him also this commodity, that it will increase in him, wisdom and judgement in the affairs of his charge. Will enable him against all chances. Will bring him to the knowledge of the origine, continuance and ruin of kingdoms, countries, and towns, which have no remainder of their glory, but the name only. Will make him that he be not astonished at any thing that he heareth read or spoken, considering that histories will furnish him with many examples of like accidents. It being a shameful thing to a man of his sort to wonder at all that is spoken. For wondering is the daughter of ignorance, and they are always children which know not that which was done before their time.  
Lastly, Eloquence is of such force, and so important in such a charge, that if he be endued therewith, either by art or nature, he will make himself very gracious, be it that he speak unto the Prince, to the Counsel, or in public (as the use is in popular estates) or that he entertain his friends in private. And in many places Ambassadors are called Orators. But to speak well, in good frame, and good terms, it shall be expedient that he first write and polish that which he hath to say in public. (Parato quid unquam defecit?) Yet without servile tying himself, to learn by heart his own speech, lest it befall him, as many times it doth unto school boys. If he know the language of the Country where he is, it will be a great furtherance unto him, to the more perfect understanding of the histories and affairs of that estate. Cicero saith (Sumus surdi omnes in linguis quas non intelligimus.) It is alone to be deaf, and not to understand what is said.) Nevertheless many without this quality have not failed to perform their charge well and worthily. And although he knew the language, I had rather that he should feign, not to understand it: for so hath he the more advantage to speak and negotiate in his own language: or at least in Latin which is common unto all, as they do in Germany, Polonia, and other countries. His speech must be grave, brief, and significant, without employing many allegations, as a Master of Art would do, or of words borrowed, and out of use, whereby I have seen many falter through affectation: And he must, as much as may be, accommodate himself to the fashion of the prince and people to whom he speaketh: for he that would mignionize and paint out his speeches in Suisserland or Holland, should do that which were ridiculous and superfluous. Princes, and almost all Great men and military men love not great speakers, nor long discourses; and an old writer hath very well observed in the disposition of the Frenchman, that he giveth himself chief to the profession of arms, and to a brief & subtle form of speaking, Duas res, saith he, accuratè norunt, rem militarem, & argutè loqui. Even so the King that now is, being tired with the long discourse of a Lord lately come out of Italy, said unto him, I know very well that you come out of the Country of fair words. In a word, if an Ambassador have not this gift of speaking well, and that he stop or stutter in his delivery, besides that happily he shall do no great good in his embassage, he shallbe oftentimes the jest of Courtiers. And if his speeches be too long; he may have such an answer as those of Lacedaemon made to the Samnites. That they had forgotten the beginning, understood not the middle, and disliked the Conclusion.  
These are very nearly the sciences which I judge the most requisite, and which are, in mine opinion, the easiest, and the which, or the greater part of them, he may learn in the places of his charge, if he be resident there for some years, all the other will not be unprofitable for him. But he must have beside these, other virtues and qualities, as well gotten by practice, as borne with him, for better performing his embassage: and which are so much the more necessary for him, in that he representeth the greatness of his prince in a foreign Country, and in the view of the world, and for that the faults which he committeth are many times cause of the contempt of his Master, or of some worse consequence. For first all men agree in this, that he ought to be endued with a good natural understanding, joined with a long experience of the affairs of the world, which makes that a young man is not so capable of this charge, as one of old or middle age. For which cause, Philip de Comines said, it was very hard for a man to be wise that had not been deceived. (Nevertheless sometimes a good spirit disgraceth the age & experience of many others, witness Monsieur de Beaumond Harlay, who doth the King so good service in this charge of Ambassador in England.) Nevertheless an old man is ordinarily melancholy and diseased, and a young man, too humorous, light, and indiscreet. As one that was sent to certain Allies of this Crown, who walked abroad in the evening and part of the night through the streets, with others of his own age, and in his doublet and hose, playing on a Bandore: although otherwise he was a man of a good spirit.  
Touching the wisdom of our Ambassador, it will be discerned, first of all, if he bring with him these requisite qualities whereof I have spoken, and such things as are necessary for the occasions of his charge: unless that the Prince have made him to undertake it on a so deign, and by express commandment, without giving him leisure to advise himself, as many times it falleth out. For, if he have not the goods of fortune, or hath not otherwise provided to cause a good allowance to be made him: he will be accounted indiscreet to have embarked himself in a charge of so great expense. And for the gifts of nature, if he be blear-eyed, crookebackt, lame, or otherwise misshaped, it is certain, that he will not be so acceptable. One of the old writers saith, that in those ill proportioned and vicious bodies, the soul is ill lodged. And the Romans having on a time sent two Ambassadors to one of their Provinces, of which one had upon his head the scars of many wounds, and the other was lame of his feet, it was said in a mockery. Mittit populus R. legationem quae nec caput nec pedes habet. An embassage that hath neither head nor feet. Likewise if it be possible let him not be much inferior in means or quality to him whom he succeed, lest he find at his door. O antic domus. Alas poor house that hast made a change of masters, as it happened (to my knowledge) unto one that succeeded in the house and place of an Ambassador that had been very liberal and bountiful: for there was nothing so cold as his Kitchen, nor so bare as his stable. Farther, that he knew how to make good choice of his train and household servants: whereunto he ought especially to take heed, that he fall not into the inconvenience that some have done, who having sorted themselves with indiscreet and uncivil servants, have themselves paid for their folly. An advice which Monsieur de Bellieure (who having been oft times honoured with this charge, in which he made his first practise among the Grisons, hath at length attained by the steps of honour and desert, to the dignity of Chancellor of France) giveth unto Ambassadors going upon their charges, according to that which Cicero said unto his brother then Governor of Asia in like case, Horum non modo facta sed dicta etiam omnia tibi praestanda sunt. Thou must be the warrant both of their actions, yea and of the very words also. And a little after, Si innocentes existimari volumus non sclum nos abstinentes verumeriam nostris comites praestare debemus. To make our uprightness appear, it is not enough that we be discreet, but even our followers must be so also. And to say truth, for that which is in the choice of a man, he can not impute it to any other, but must lay the blame on himself, if he have not done it well. It fell out ill in this point with the Lord of Camcy sent, on the behalf of the King to the Duke of Burgundy, in the year 1417. through too much confidence in his Secretary, who either of indiscretion, or corruption, had made many copies of his master's instructions, to be seen abroad, and discovered the secrets of his commission: for which cause the master was blamed by the King's counsel, and sent to take up his lodging in the Bastile.  
Amongst the Officers of his house, the most necessary, and in choice of whom he ought to be most careful, are, the Secretaries, and the Steward of the house. The one for to assist and ease him in the businesses of his charge, to dispatch causes that concern the same, and to hold a good register thereof, to keep faithfully the scrolls, ciphers, and other papers of importance, (which nevertheless would be better under the masters lock) the other for the expenses of the house, which ought to be well ordered, and nevertheless honourable in every part thereof, chief at the table and kitchen, whereupon strangers and especially those of the Northern countries look more than upon all other expenses beside. In Spain and Italy the table is more frugal: But there it must appear in horses, coaches, apparel, and train of followers. And I will say this by the way, sithence that the most proper, and most essential virtue of a Prince is to be liberal, he that representeth his greatness amongst strangers, doth him injury, and getteth himself an evil name, if he be sparing and wretched: it seeming incredible to most men, that a great King, or other Sovereign would appoint him to that place without allowing him means sufficient, and are moved to think, that he keepeth up, and turneth to his own uses, the moneys of his allowance. There have been some in our time, who by their sparing and baseness, seemed rather to go to profit themselves, and make a gain; whereas this charge consisteth wholly on honour, and was in times passed given, to honour those which had done good service to the Commonwealth: so that it ought not to be purchased by bribes, nor too much sought after, whereby to avoid the suspicion of covetousness. Nevertheless, in this his liberal expense he must use his discretion in not exceeding too far his ordinary exhibition, and especially that thereby he bely not falsely the occasion of his embassage. For I have seen those which have failed in both, and it hath been told them, that they named themselves the Ambassadors of misery (for they came to crave succours of men and money) and yet were in their expenses as if their master had possessed the Indies. And here it is that an argument from the less to the great may be made: how shall he perform a charge of importance, that knoweth not how to guide his house and order his expense?  
Furthermore, he shall manifest his wisdom in this, if when he hath received order to depart, he take instructions sufficiently ratified for whatsoever he hath to say or negotiate, that he may not be disallowed for any thing that he shall have said, treated, or concluded, as it hath befallen unto some that have after repent it, whereof I will speak a word hereafter. He must also instruct himself by the mouth of him that was next before him in this charge: unless that his predecessor do install him himself, and at his induction do communicate unto him all such treaties, remembrances, and papers as are necessary, and do sufficiently inform him of all. And because Secretaries of Estate give not so often intelligences to the Ambassador, nor always send him advice of that which passeth at Court and in the Estate, so often as he gladly would: and that it should many times be expedient to have advertizement thereof, because of the false rumours which are ordinarily spread by the enemies of an Estate, especially in time of war: and that it is a shame to an Ambassador, that strangers should know the news of his country before him, he shall do very well to have some friend in court which may advertise him often of that which is done, yea, even to the least particularities, by which many times, he may judge of matters of importance.  
The grief wherein I have seen Monsieur de Sillary Brulart in Switzerland, and in England, Monsieur de Beaunoir la Nocle, and many others elsewhere: (Indeed it was in the hottest of the troubles) maketh me to give this advice to those that go on embassage, and that they ought not to spare two or three hundred crowns a year this way, if need require.  
Furthermore that man is undiscreet, that through rashness throweth himself into the danger of his enemy. Neither will I counsel any to go on embassage towards that Prince whom he hath offended in word or deed: for Princes do seldom forget an injury, and are patiented to await a fit time to revenge themselves. At the least, it is very likely, that he shall never perform his masters businesses so well with such a one. Besides, it is not meet to commit this charge to him that hath been spotted with any crime or public reproach: Nor unto him that is the subject of that Prince to whom he is sent: for in this behalf it be fell out ill with the Esquire Merueilles as Milan, of whom Guicciardine and du Bellay make mention: at least Duke Sforza gave his excuse in payment as I will show anon. It being both more commodious and more convenient for the greatness of the master, that he which is sent, be his natural subject, not a stranger, considering that naturally he will use therein more care and more fidelity: and it is a shame to make our want to be known in this behalf, of men able & capable of such a charge: Not but that sometimes it hath well sorted when strangers have been employed. Above all, it is a thing odious and unsavoury to send unto a neighbour Prince a subject of his for Ambassador, to whom he will ever do honour discontentedly, remembering what power and authority a Prince hath over his subjects. True it is, that out of this rule prisoners of war may be excepted either to negotiate the deliverance of themselves and their companions, or to treat of some good means for a peace, truce, or other good occasion; as hath been seen in the wars between the Romans and the Carthaginians, and in those of France and England.  
another point of wisdom is, to arrive in season, and to take occasion commodiously, which I observe, because there are some, who through the hardness of the season, or for the difficulty and dangers of the ways, or for some other light hindrance do defer the departure, or stay by the way: so that at their arrival they find matters altered, and come as a Physician when one is dead. And to this purpose Suetonius recounteth how those of Troy sent the Deputies to Tiberius to condole the death of his sons, seven or eight months after that it happened. And I, said he, am very sorry for the loss which sometime you had of fstanders by to laugh: for countryman Hector, and so made all the standers by to laugh: for Hector died many hundred years before. He must also present himself in due time and place, that there be no suspicion conceived upon the cause of his coming: as Titus Livius declareth of the Mirian Ambassadors. Who kept themselves secret a while at Rome, waiting peradventure, for some new instructions from their Master: which was a cause to make them to be stayed as spies: Whereof they had somewhat to do to purge themselves: mentitur legationem qui nomen legationis non praefert suo tempore: as a Lawyer saith, and an embassage is held suspected which is not done in due time and place. Servius saith, that in old time amongst the Romans this order was kept in receiving strange Ambassadors. Legati si quando incogniti venire nunciarentur; primo quid vellent ab exploratoribus requirebatur, postea ad eos egrediebantur maiestratus minores & tunc demum Senatus: & si ita visum fuisset, admittebantur. But concerning this point of departing in time, in former times the Deputies of the Rhodians were accused for not departing at the prefixed day towards Athens about a matter of importance, whereof grew some inconvenience. They defended and excused themselves through the Treasurer's default who had not given them the money appointed unto them for their voyage, but their reply and reproach was, that for a matter of such importance they ought themselves to have disbursed the money, rather than to lose an occasion which might prejudice the Estate; at least, that in due time they ought to have made their diligence appear, and to have protested against the Treasurer.  
It is not enough to arrive time. He must, as before I said, present himself and deliver his embassage, if it be of any importance, for the linger of some, hath given opportunity to Spies to discover their secrets, and the occasion of well effecting it, is so lost.  
Alcibiades used like subtility to the Ambassadors of Lacedaemon, who were made a jest of thereby: and many like examples have, to my knowledge, chanced: unless that there be a lawful cause why audience should not be demanded, as if he found the Court in mourning, war proclaimed, or some other accident of importance fallen out in the mean time which was not before thought of.  
Tacitus saith,  initia sunt, spem in extera fore. It is the principal point to begin well, a thing is half done that is well begun. For which cause our Ambassador from his first arrival is to give of himself so good an expectation, as that by his gravity, courtesy affability, requisite expenses, first audience, and establishment in his charge he make all men hope of good to come by his embassage. In like sort is it in war and other affairs of the world, that men judge of the end by the beginning, & he is held wise that can discreetly raise a good opinion of himself from the first entrance into his charge. The which he shall do not only in respect of those of the Country, but also towards his Master by his first letters of advice of the style whereof we will speak a word hereafter. And he shall do most wisely in establishing forthwith his intelligences from all parts following the order of his predecessor, adding thereunto, the correspondency which he can have with his friends, even to the remotest countries: there being no charge whatsoever in the Estate which hath more need to know the occurrents of the world, as I have heard the most sufficient Ambassadors to hold: Considering that this is done with little charge, and oftentimes with much fruit.  
He will make himself held a fit man, if he can make choice of some one to assist & second him in his charge if it be such that he have need thereof, as indeed it is hard to be without one, especially in a Country and a charge, wherein he had not been before as great and able a man as Scipio was, yet took he with him the learned Panaetius (others says Laelius.) True it is, he ought to take good heed to whom he trusts himself, for some from Companions will become Masters and Corrivalls, and having gotten knowledge in the businesses and secrets of the charge, do not often handle the same discreetly. And so bring him more hurt than good, and more discontentment than comfort. But it is much more grievous unto him, whenas for to help his insufficiency, or to have an eye over his doing, there is an assistant joined with him: for in this case he looseth the whole grace, and often times the fruit of his embassage. The which, as I have said, hath no other end than Honour.  
He ought likewise to take heed that he receive not into his family, and amongst his household servants, those of the country where he is resident, it being very certain, that they are so many spies, except those, of whose fidelity he hath had good proof, whereof some such are found (but very seldom.) Cicero in the same Epistle giveth this self same advice, saying that no man ought to communicate himself much unto them, nor discover the affairs of his charge unto them, whatsoever appearance of affection they use: for there hath befallen thereby very great inconveniences: the Ambassador being otherwise sufficiently looked into, & his demeanour sifted; likewise is he in a place so eminent, that his actions cannot be hidden what industry soever he use therein. Much less ought his house to serve for a retreat unto the offenders of that estate wherein he is, or to person that are suspected and odious. I have seen some that have been maligned and ill entreated for this occasion, and it is a very ticklish point especially if they be subjects of that estate where he beareth his charge: considering that in making intercession for them, he putteth himself in hazard of receiving a denial, from whence a greater mischief may arise. I speak not this without cause, and the example thereof is fresh.  
And to return to those of his house, our Ambassador not being always able to have an eye over them, as well by reason of his dignity, as for the affairs of his charge. It shallbe the best way, if he can, to bring his wife with him, whose eye will stop infinite abuses amongst his people, and disorders in his house, unless he can trust therewith some one of his own followers, that may carry an eye and charge over the rest. But if himself be not temperate and stayed, he presently openeth (by his example) a door unto the disorders of his family, who will sooner do evil by seeing him to do evil, than they will do well by imitating of him: besides that, he hath his mouth stopped, if he would reprehend or punish them, Nimium est negotij continere eos quibus praesis, nisi te ipse contineas. It is a hard labour to make those that are under thee to be wise, if thou be not so thyself, saith the same author in the same place. And Tacitus in the life of Agricola saith, Domum suam coercere plaerisque haud minus arduum est, quam provinciam regere. And concerning this point of temperancy, it is requisite that a man placed in such a charge do moderate himself in his pleasures, not only in respect of women, but also for his mouth, and for play, whereby there hath grown many times, both scandal and reproach. There was one such, who being met by night, by the watch of the City, received the shame to be led away prisoner: and when he alleged his quality, it was told him very stoutly, by one that feigned he knew him not: The Ambassador of France is too wise to go so by night, without company or torchlight. A while after, a foreign Ambassador being then at Paris, going by night to visit a woman, attended only with a lackey, was stayed, and put under safe-keeping, till the morning that the king (that last died) was advertised thereof, who sent for him, and turned all the matter into a jest.  
Above all, he ought not to touch the honour of women of good name, for husbands and fathers are impatient of such attempts, for which even kings have been driven from their estates, or slain by their own subjects.  
Concerning Drunkenness, which Seneca caleth a voluntary folly, I maintain, that in Germany, Switzerland, Polonia, Denmark, and other Countries of the North, he must, in some sort, accommodate himself to drink with them, it being very certain, that one is more acceptable unto them thereby: But yet he must withal remember the Emperor Bonosus, who ordinarily made foreign Ambassadors drunken for to learn their secrets. Others have been slain amongst wine and banqueting. Herodotus and josephus recite the stories thereof. And in truth, wine and secrecy, are incompatible things, and this fault is ill befitting the dignity of him that representeth such a majesty, Legatus enim ipsam reipub. faciem suam attulisse videtur: As a certain Author hath learnedly said upon this Argument.  
As for play, I have seen an other that was so earnest unto it, that thereby he forgot the businesses of his charge, making many times his masters messengers to give attendance, fifteen or twenty days for his pleasure. He shall therefore so accommodate himself unto the manners of the country, where he is, that he neither force his natural disposition, neither be perceived to do it purposedly: for the one is ridiculous, and the other suspected and odious.  
another effect of his temperance shallbe, not to receive any gifts and presents, neither of the Prince to whom he is sent, nor of any of his, for any cause whatsoever, unless at such time, as having taken his leave, he is ready to take horse and depart. The Ambassador of England sir Amias Pawlet, would not receive the chain of gold, which the king sent unto him, according to the custom, until he was half a league out of Paris: Gifts do oblige, and those that receive them, become slaves to those that give them: much more if they take a pension, or other benefit, in which case there will be either a stain of avarice, or suspicion of treason, and that is capital in many places.  
But there is nothing more hurtful to his reputation then undiscreet speaking, for there are some seen who at the table and at every word, meddle not only with particular persons, but with the Princes also to whom they are sent: find fault with the form of a popular government: laugh openly at the manners of the nation where they are. This indiscretion cannot be endured from a private man: but it is altogether intolerable from the mouth of an Ambassador, who in doing thereof, doth not any longer remember wherefore he is in that charge: since that the principal and most apparent end thereof is to confirm, as I have said, and to entertain the amity of the Prince or people to whom he is sent: and I should need a resme of paper, to reckon up the inconveniences that have befallen through such indiscretion, & the danger that those have incurred which could not command their tongues. I will only say with an ancient Writer: He that knoweth how to speak well, knoweth also when he must hold his peace. Whereas besides the tediousness of much speaking, the same hindereth him from hearing of others, and gathering, by that means, the truth of such matters as ho aught to know in his charge. The Lord Cecil high Treasurer of England had this dexterity, that he left not one at his table, whom he did not reason with, and hear speak at their turns. And concerning those which speak not the language, the same may and aught to be done by an interpreter, who is present for that effect: especially in popular Estates, where the least will be respected as well as the greatest. Neither can I forbear to speak of those who spare not even their master, and their own nation: these defaults whereof they discover by their talk, and by the same means confirm that opinion which strangers have thereof. Our country is our mother, we ought not to reveal the shame thereof, and we ought to be as jealous thereof as of our own honour: for it is ill befitting to a servant to touch the honour of his master, to publish the secrets of his Court, to control his pleasures, and blame his actions; especially he must take heed, that he speak not in public what he judgeth touching the right of his pretences towards any Estate: for either he must maintain them to be just, or must altogether hold his peace, and discreetly turn his talk to other matter. These are Arcana imperij, whereof Tacitus speaketh.  
Courage also and resolution are very necessary for him, by reason of the hazards, intricate affairs, oppositions and vexations, which are evermore ordinary with those that serve Princes and Commonwealths: And even so the Romans well considering the peril which accompanieth Ambassages, honoured the memory of those that died in that charge with a statue: for which cause an Ambassador of Athens answered so freely King Philip of Macedon, who threatened him, that he would cause his head to be cut off: If thou takest this head from me, my Country will give me another that shall be immortal: Statuam pro capite, pro morte immortalitatem. Nevertheless every one would not like of such a change, and some would rather keep their own: and if the Ambassadors escaped the danger, and had well served the Commonwealth, there were recompenses answerable to the deserts appointed unto them.  
The English Ambassador, Sir Edward Stafford, on the day, or the next day after the Barricadoes of Paris, when a Lord of the faction of the Duke of Guise, that dead is, would have him take a passport or safeguard from the said duke, made him answer: I am under the safeguard of the law of nations, and in the protection of the King, to whom you are but subjects and servants. This proceeded from a generous resolution, even in the furies of a popular commotion, when the most mutinous could do all, and good men feared all. The Lord of Mortfontaine, that dead is, going Ambassador into Switzerland, about five years past, and being to pass through the County of Burgundy, which, at that time, was full of Spanish and Italian Soldiers going into Flaunders, spoke very freely unto those of the parliament of Dole, which would have put him in fear, to the end, that he might not arrive in due time at the assembly of Baden, wherein they had some practice against the King's service. That he was under the assurance of the Law of nations, and of the Neutrality, and in the protection of the Lords of the Cantons, and that they should readily determine to make his passage safe, and this furthered him: albeit that which he alleged of the Law of nations was very disputable: as I told him as soon as we were out of danger. I will speak a word again thereof in his due place.  
Furthermore, these are too common and childish precepts, to admonish him to be patiented, and stayed, if he see any to break out through impatience (as they do most commonly) who think they have right and reason on their sides. Especially, the Swissers and Germans, who are choleric. The sense being distempered, choketh reason: and choler is an enemy to counsel, breeding hatred and contempt, and is ill-befitting to every man much more to a man that manageth the chief affairs of an Estate, which many times he hurteth through his hastiness, collar and impatience. The Frenchman who hath his blood hot, and his spirit more stirring, hath consequently certain quick dispositions, which other Nations do not allow of; at least, they would be more tolerable in martial men, yea, in any other man, than in an Ambassador, and Counsellor of Estate. I wish nevertheless that he would moderate his gravity so, as it be not haughty, as that of the Spaniards oftentimes is, in their speech, countenance, train and gate: One that hath been Ambassador in England since in France, for the last King of Spain was wont to say: Dios es poderoso en el ciel, y, el Rey d'Espagna en la tierra. He had his horses and coach garnished with little bells, and having but three steps from his lodging to the Church, nevertheless, both he and his train would mount on horseback in their litter or coach. The letters of occurrents report, that an other, departing from Rome to follow the Pope went forth with seven litters, six coaches, drawn every one with six horses, two hundred servants, sixty wagons loaden with baggage, and the first day he passed not the first gate. This fashion is held for good amongst them.  
Let us return into our way again, for to add unto our Ambassador one of the worthiest qualities which he can purchase unto himself. That is, to be, and to seem, a most discreet man. The which he cannot better do, then by these two virtues, to be Charitable and Veritable. For the former, there are some which repine at that which is given to the poor, and nevertheless, are otherwise at great expenses, as if the one and the other were incompatible things. Our forefathers did say, that Wisdom and Honesty make a discreet man. Then what may a man expect of the honesty of such a one as refuseth the gift of a halfpenny to a beggar, or of his wisdom, if he would be accounted liberal, and nevertheless spareth half a dozen of Crowns in alms every year? This is matter for Preachers, and Ecclesiastes saith, Fili, ne avertas oculos tuos ab egeno. And if one must not turn away his eyes from seeing the miserable, much less is it lawful to reproach and revile them, and to add an injury to a refusal.  
The other mark of discretion, is, to be veritable sparing in promising & religious in observing that once he hath promised: for naturally one is less offended at a refusal then at an unfaithfulness: nothing will so much preserve his reputation, especially amongst merchants and mony-men: There having been such an Ambassador seen, as by his credit alone hath borrowed so notable a sum, and by the same done so worthy service to his Master, that at the last, he hath both deserved, and received a great reward: But the reward which is most pleasing to a good man, is the honour itself which ariseth unto him by his virtue. The Germans and other Nations of that Climate make more account of a promise made, than we do, who most commonly serve our turns therewith to rid our hands of such as are importunate. I have always seen Monsieur de Sillary (who hath been near about eight years Ambassador in Switzerland, and hath there served the King very profitably, during the desperate estate of our affairs) be very sparing in making any promise to the Swissers. For those people, for the most part, do note down, the place, day and hour, that they were spoken with, yea every word of an Ambassador, still seeking to engage him in his promise: and do carefully keep the letters which he writeth unto them: and take hold of the very hopes that are given unto them: and would make the same to stand instead of a bill or obligation: how much more a promise written, or his word given? Let our Ambassador, therefore remember the saying of an aundent Writer: Think an hour before you speak, and a day before you promise.  
And further, one hath time among them to bethink himself and deliberate of that which is to be answered unto them, and they themselves use the same manner. But much more sparing aught he to be to oblige his Master: and although he have full authority to do it, nevertheless he shall do well, if the service of his Master permit it, to give him advice thereof, before the conclusion and contract be passed, for besides that the wills of Princes are subject to changes, that which he shall do, shallbe so much the more authorized, and himself be without reproach. I will add this word by the way upon this point of contracts and treaties, that they ought to be couched in terms plain, not ambiguous, nor captious, and to follow as much as may be, the terms and clauses of precedents. The Ambassador makes the Prince to speak therein, for whom it is unseemly to use ambiguities and subtleties, for fear lest it be told him as it was to the Emperor Charles the fist, by Duke Mauritius, upon the equivocation of these two words: Enig and Enig: Sir, these subtleties are meet for an Advocate, but not for an Emperor.  
True it is, that there is not almost any public charge, wherein there is more lying, and sometimes by the Master's commandment, and for the good of his service, as I will show by and by. I have seen some of them, who through an habitude of lying, have of men of fidelity, become at last very sound liars. Ecclesiasticus also saith, that the use thereof is evil. Noli velle mentiri omne mendacium: assiduitas enim illius non est bona. Others there are, who that they may not lie so apparently, help themselves with ambiguous terms, couched so artificially, that the subtlest heads know not where to find an Yea or a Nay. In these there is least harm: and they escape best when they are summoned and do less wrong to their Masters, and to his reputation: nevertheless this shift is soon smelled out and descried: and the liar gwyneth thus much thereby, that he is not believed, even when he telleth truth. Let him be therefore true in his words, mindful of that which he hath promised, correspondent to himself, holding always agreeable conclusions in his discourses: to the end that the contrary be not imputed to him for folly and unstaidness.  
Here ariseth a question, to wit, If a man, to live civilly, aught to be more inclined to refuse, than to grant: forasmuch as some make all demands and requests that are made unto them so difficult, that they seem to do it of purpose to excuse themselves from them. Others never refuse any thing, for not discontenting any man for the present time Guicciardine seemeth to lean to this opinion, that one ought not to refuse any thing absolutely: because, saith he, if the request be for a thing hereafter to come, or for a matter that dependeth on the will of another: there happen many occasions by which thou mayst be discharged of thy promise, whereas by a flat denial, or in making the matter difficult, thou offendest thy friend. I believe that there is a mean between these two extremities: for the wise Ambassador, by giving other counsel and direction, or testifying a good will by other gracious effects and honest speeches, may mollify the denial which many times he is enforced to use to demands that are made out of time, and without reason. A lesson in particular, for the Ambassadors of Switzerland, and the Grisons, whose affairs are full of such importunities, I mean for those that shall come after Monsieur de Vicque, who having gotten so much reputation in the other charges which he hath managed heretofore, doth in this one surmount himself.  
And to return to our matter, the same Guicciardine saith, that when a Prince would deceive his companion, he first deceiveth his Ambassador, to the intent that his reasons may be the more effectual, and his persuasions may carry weight: for there is less affection used in that which is dissembled.  
But whether must he lie upon his own knowledge for his Master's service, as I said before? Some excuse it upon the masters commandment, saying, that he is sufficiently discharged, in having done or said that which was enjoined him: no more, nor no less than the subject which beareth arms for his Prince, and asketh not whether the war be just or no. But indeed this seemeth hard unto a good man, that doth not willingly wound his conscience, to get the Title of a sufficient man: this is also hard unto a man of a generous and open spirit, who in lying doth violence to his natural disposition: for lying & dissimulation are assured marks of an ignoble heart, and of a man basely borne. So the Satire would no longer converse with the man, after he had seen him blow hot and cold out of one mouth. Considering also, that a good man ought always to set before his eyes, Honour and Conscience, although there were profit in doing evil.   

His charge in General.  
LEt us now speak of the matter of his charge, but generally, forasmuch as the diversity of Estates and affairs require also a diversity of instructions, for otherwise is he to bear himself in a popular estate then with a Sovereign Prince. Solemn speeches and declamations are yet in some use amongst popular Estates and commonwealths: and these they must after deliver unto them in writing, because they will not be mistooken, and will have time to make answer. There are more formalities, and compliments observed in one place than in another. In Switzerland there must be more money than art, more good cheer than fair words. For which cause, some of them prayed me to tell the King, that they had more need of a Treasurer with money, than of an Ambassador with words. In some other Estates Honour swayeth most, together with Compliments, and streams of Rhetoric. The very respect of Religion hath had more force with some Princes than money: hereof in our time, we have had experience. Some instructions are limited, and some at the discretion of him that is sent, as in affairs of secrecy, and such, as whereof no certainty or knowledge can be had, but in the place if self being then represented to the sight.  
Some also are for a time, and for one matter: othersome for a long time, and divers businesses, and by reason to the difference of affairs, the same is infinite, as I have before said. Yet a man may give it this one general rule; That as much as possibly he can, he employ the words, terms, reasons and conclusions that are comprehended in his instructions to be always aiming the will of his Master. Demosthenes' said: We give them not forces or ships of war to manage, but words, days, hours, and moments, and they also are to give an account even to syllables and minutes, if they do any thing to the prejudice of the Commonwealth. Plato in his Commonwealth, would, that those that had done or said one thing for another, should be punished with death. Mandatum i●sdem verbis, quoad eius fieri potuit, perfici debet, as the Law sayeth: Yea, and an Ambassador ought to desire that his commission be given him in writing, when the affair whereabout he goieth to treat, is of great consequence, or that the effect thereof is odious. And in this case he shall be rightly counseled to give up his speech in writing, as those did whom the Senate sent to Anthony, for fear of displeasing him: And as of late an Ambassador of Paris did to a neighbour Princess, to whom he carried a message, with threatening her, if she did not forbear to give succours unto her confederates, and he did well: for it was resolved to detain him, if he had not showed his instructions sufficiently ratified. Yea, and although the affairs for the which he was sent, hath not sorted to good effect, yet shall he be excused for having followed his instructions. And withal, in a limited authority, one is not always admitted to say: I have done better than it was enjoined me, for that is to seem to be wiser than his Master and his counsel. An example whereof in a case of war in Posthumius, Manlius and other Romans, which caused their own sons to be put to death, for having fought with the enemy without leave, although with prosperous success. An example also in him who having received commandment to cause a great mast of a ship, to be brought, Did choose one somewhat lesser, which he said was fit for the purpose: and said truth, nevertheless was blamed for it. And in our father's time, The Mareschall de Thermes being General in Scotland of the King's army, gave a reward to a Soldier that had first mounted upon the bulwark of a fort which he besieged, whereupon ensued the gaining of the fort: and an hour after caused him to be hanged for having been so hardy, as to go thither without commandment. But (not to departed from our present argument) Metrodorus being sent in the behalf of his master Mithridates to King Tigranes, to request him to join his forces with him in the war which he intended against the Romans, was punished for having made this double answer to Tigranes, who asked his advice therein: As being an Ambassador I counsel you unto it: but as being Metrodorus, I am not of that opinion: and he said well, for his Master would gladly have been rid of so dangerous an enterprise.  
It is therefore better, to fail in obeying, than to incur the hazard of being disallowed in well doing: especially in these limited authorities. But Princes sometimes are ill warrants for such things as they have commanded, how much more for those things that they have not commanded? The Athenians caused the Ambassadors which they sent into Arcadia to be put to death, for having token an other way than was commanded them. And it is not very long since that a Secretary of Estate wrote unto an Ambassador, the which had, of his own head, and yet not without good cause, hazarded, certain moneys of the kings, through a dangerous way; His Majesty thinks well of it, since that the matter hath fallen out well. And it doth not often happen, that the Ambassador hath so little time, that he cannot both give and ask advice of his master concerning the same. Which is always the meetest and surest way, to make apparent unto him, both his respectiveness, and diligence.  
Another point is, de libero mandato, and of instructions not signed nor limited: or else of those, to which the Athenians added, Legati praeterea quicquid boni possunt agunto. In this case they had full liberty to threat, do, and conclude that which they judged to be profitable for the service of their Sovereign. There are also some affairs so secret, so important, so urgent, so desperate, that it is expedient to commit all to the wisdom of the Ambassador, as Tacitus saith, speaking of Drusus, who was sent in the behalf of his father Tiberius toward the mutinous Legions: Nullis certis mandatis ex re consulturum mittit: and as in former times when the Commonwealth was in danger, all was committed to the power and will of the Dictator. Nevertheless men placed in great charge are so exposed unto envy and slander, that our Ambassador shall do very discreetly, not to conclude any thing without his Master's commandment, as I have said, out of his due place. Unless, when the matter cannot admit any delay, to communicate it with two or three of the most experienced servants that his Master hath in the Country where he is, for the matter happening to fall out ill, he shall avoid the reproach of having done it alone, and without advice. The which I say also, and chief for him that shall have his remembrances in express words, and signed: to whom nevertheless some new accident might befall, which was neither foreseen, nor comprehended within his commission, for oftentimes the Agents and Ministers of Princes do find at their arrival, matters othertherwise disposed than was before imagined; especially in time of war, and in a country far distant. And there needeth to a new business a new advice: as namely, if he had been commanded to use gentle and gracious terms, it may be peradventure more needful that he spoke roughly and in threatening manner, or to change and omit something enjoined by his instructions. He shall likewise have this advice of me, that through too much diligence and earnestness, he give not or augment the suspicion which might be had of the cause of his coming, and that he do not discover it, through too much art and talking. The great preparation of him that feareth to be surprised, maketh his fear to increase: and his fear augmenteth his enemy's courage: it being otherwise very certain, that all things which are affected, disguised, or augmented, are naturally suspected.  
Yet another advice, which is, that there are some, who at their coming make the affairs of their Master or Commonwealth, to be so feeble, and so desperate, as nothing more, thinking to stir up compassion, and to be the sooner succoured; but many Princes contemn those that are in necessity, and do no good but to those whom they fear, or from whom they expect profit. Yea, there are some that reject the distressed, accounting that they are abandoned of God and Fortune, all at once: as if God had no other their blessing than that of the goods of fortune: but a holy Father of the Church hath holily said, Multa deus negat propicius, quae concedit iratus. God is not always angry when he denieth us any thing. God is not always pleased when he granteth us any thing. He must therefore remember, that oftentimes the countenance carrieth away the game, and that compassion is not lodged, but in a truly human, and christian heart, and seldom indeed in the hearts of the Mighty, and of their Counsellors.  
We said then, that many things ought to be left to the discretion of a wise Ambassador, without binding his tongue and hands. Mitte sapientem & nihildicito. But when he hath carried himself therein like an honest man, it is wickedly done to reward him with a dissalowance, and such Princes deserve not to be served of honest men, especially when they have done well. Industry and Diligence are of ourselves but a happy success is from heaven. Nevertheless there are some things subject to dissallowance, as are the haughty and insolent words which an Ambassador hath used, or else the secret plots and practices, which he worketh in the Estate where he is resident, if it be without commandment, and even populare estates have made a proviso for the same, without expecting a dissallowance.  
Amongst others, there is an express law amongst the Grisons, made in the month of February, MDLXXX by which, all Agentes, Ministers, and Factors of foreign Princes, are prohibited to make any secret or open complotts, or else to spread any new thing among the people, without advertising the general assembly of their three Cantons, upon pain of being held prisoners. This law is closely in all other Estates, if it be not expressed in words: whereof we will anon speak in his place. As for words, it is certain that how absolute soever the Prince, or great the Commonwealth is which he representeth, the respect and the civility which he looketh for, is reciprocal on his part. The more or the less is referred to his discretion the which he ought to have for guide and mistress in all his actions. The kezar or great duke of Muscouie caused an Ambassadors hat to be nailed to his head, for not having done him honour enough. Such a one would rather have cast his hat under his feet.  
The Doctor B. speaking unto the Counsel of the late King, in the behalf of his Master, used so uncivil words, that he offended every man: and it was not believed that his commission warranted such language, nevertheless they would not aggravate matters then. Anthony caused the Ambassador of Augustus to be whipped, for having spoken to Cleopatra with too little respect: and the Greekish Emperor Emanuel caused, for the like occasion, the Venetian Ambassadors eyes to be plucked out, for sometimes Ambassadors bearing themselves bold on the greatness of their Masters, do forget themselves, and especially those that are brought up in popular Estates, and which are accustomed to a liberty of speaking, as the Romans in former times. It is a story worthy to be noted of one of the two Ambassadors which those of Thebes sent unto king Artaxerxes, who seeing the honour which was given unto him, to be great, and very near unto adoration, that he might not be reprehended for doing too much or too little therein, feigned in saluting him, to take up his ring, which he had of purpose let fall upon the ground. Contrariwise Timagoras being sent in the behalf of those of Athens to the same King was reprehended for having done honour unto him, not as a Citizen of Athens, but as a subject of Persia. In like manner, there are great submissions to be done to the grand Signior by all the Ambassadors, to whom, or the greater part of them, he giveth entertainment by mouth, and there is danger in omitting them. For perhaps it would not happen so well with all men, as it did once to an Ambassador of France, that was so jealous of the dignity of his Master, that he handsomely shifted himself out of the hands of two Baschaes, that conducted him according to the custom, and on a sudden presented himself to the Grand Signior, without doing him any other honour than that which is given unto the Princes of Christendom. His freedom and plainness served him for an excuse: but his successor in that charge, which was his Nephew, would not use the like: he ought therefore to hold his degree and the dignity of his Master provided, that it be without contempt of the Prince to whom he is sent, and so Monsieur de la Nove speaketh thereof in this judicious observations upon Guicciardine.  
See yet another advice which is not to be neglected, which is, that he accept no charge or commission from any other than his Master. An embassage and a Comedy are different things; A man cannot therein play diverse parts under divers garments, for fear lest it befall him as it did to an Ambassador sent to the Emperor, who being requested by a Cardinal to do in his name, faith, homage, and submission, for certain lands held held of the Emperor, was admitted to do it, but not without the mockery of those which had seen him the day before in his dignity of an Ambassador, the which he destained by this submission, doing wrong to his own reputation and to the greatness of his master, both at once. Neither at his return from his charge, ought he to bring credence or message from him to whom he had been sent, besides the business which he went to treat of: for that is suspicious and ill befitting, if it be not between Princes that are near of blood and very good friends, and for a matter common between them, and not odious.  
But to return to the matter of his charge, if he have not lessons given him by writing, it is no danger to tell him in general, that he shall do well to learn, what is the form of government of the Country wherein he is, the limits, greatness and largeness thereof, the manners of the people, the number of places of strength, havens and vessels, the storehouses of munition, the forces of war for sea and land, what may be drawn out of the Country without unfurnishing the frontiers and places of importance; the entrances into the Country, the ordinary and extraordinary revenue; the Treasure and mean in ready money; the alliances offensive and defensive with other Princes and Estates near or far off; the traffic, commerce, plenty and fertility thereof: and if it be a Prince, to know the humour and inclination of him, and of those that rule most about him to know the discontentment the people hath of his behaviour, the jealousies and practices of the Great-ones, the factions and particularities in the estate, and whether it be for the state, or for religion, or for any other occasion, his yearly expenses, both for his house, as for his frontiers and garrisons. Above all, let him always have an eye abroad into the country, to discover, if there be any stirring against the service of his Master, or against his confederates. The which he shall much better learn, if he be daily attendant at the Court, unless at such times as the king withdraweth himself for his recreation: (for, in such a case he should make himself to be held suspected and importunate) in popular Estates to be always present at their diets, meetings, and assemblies, or to have some one of his own company there, to the end that there be no evil resolution taken to the prejudice of his master.  
He ought also to visit the princepall Councillors, the Secretaries of Estate, and amongst others, him that Hath the charge of foreign affairs, to entertain them at times with magnificence and affability; but yet seldom. He shall also visit the Ambassadors of other Princes and Common wealths, that are resident in the same Court, but yet sparingly, that he may not give them a shadow of himself. A foreign Ambassador that was of late in our Court, saw no man, nor suffered himself to be seen but once in three months. And God knoweth if his advices were slender and barren. Cyneas being Ambassador for Pyrrhus unto the Romans did much better. He knew all the Senators and saluted them every one by his name. Which made him the more acceptable and favoured. I have seen some Ambassadors of Venice to perform this point with much dexterity: & for the most part they have no need but of this instruction, for the relations which at their return they are accustomed to present to the Signeurie maketh those which succeed them to be sufficiently instructed in that which they ought to know in an Estate.  
Yet must our Ambassador, in this, aswell as in all the other prates of his charge, use great discretion, for that all Princes are naturally jealous of the secrecies of their Estates. There is an express law of Honorius and Theodosius de alieni regni arcanis non scrutandis. I remember that the late Monsieur B. who followed Monsieur the late Duke of Anjou into England, was there maligned for his undiscreet curiosity, although that otherwise he was esteemed for his learning. Being at dinner with an English Lord, he began to speak of the succession (a matter then amongst them odious and capital) and affirmed, that a certain Princess was the presumptive inheritrix thereunto: notwithstanding a certain law which seemed to exclude those that were borne out of the land: and yet, said he, I know not where this law is for all the diligence which I have used to find it out. It was suddenly replied unto him by this Lord: You shall find it on the back side of the Salicque law, a judicious and biting rebound, which instantly stopped the curiosity of this man, which indeed was in all respects out of season: for at that time there was a treaty of marriage between his Master and the Queen of England. Neither doth Plutarch place this discourse of Bodin amongst talk fit for the table. And in truth it was taken in ill part, that this man had written and published some matter of England, upon report of some particular men, without other verification. Therefore in searching out these matters he ought to be wonderfully discreet and considerate. In France all things are exposed to the curiosity of strangers, partly through our natural liberty in speaking of all things, partly by reason of the fashions in the estate, and the divisions in religion, which for the space of forty years have shaken France: but principally, through the greatness and largeness of this Estate, wherein it is more difficult to remedy this mischief, then in alesser Realm, or small Commonwealth, where it is easier to stop private men's mouths.  
Amongst the means how to be informed of the affairs of a Country, besides money which maketh the closest Cabinets of Princes to fly open, there is one more open, and less suspected. Which is, entertainment at the table, which obligeth many people, and especially those, who to have a free recourse thereunto, or to draw from the Ambassador some dozen of crowns, smell out all the news and report them unto him, at his table, or in private. True it is that they are not always of a true stample, and it behoveth a wise man to weigh them well, and learn the truth thereof, before he make use of it, and that, if possibly he can, he await the proceeding and issue of the matter, and the effect of a deliberation that is taken, before he give advise thereof: for that all things in the world are subject to change. A Gentleman (that was otherwise excellently qualified) being at the beginning of these last troubles sent unto the Court, to learn what was in working against his Master, and those of his party, suffered himself to be led on with the fair words of the Court, having forgotten the first secret of his charge. To take heed rather to that which is done, then to that which is spoken. I have seen others to have failed in the like, who for a desire which they had to give fresh intellignences, wrote all things indifferently, were it false or true, and oftentimes at the first answer which they received from the Court, were rewarded for their diligence with some piece of mockery. Others fall into this extremity of writing, even to the least occurrences of a country, the quarrels of particular men, the love of Ladies in Court, the executions of justice, the orders for receiving the treasure, and of the government: or other frivolous matters which no way concern the Estate, much like those advises and occurants of Italy, which are fit for nothing but to make work for idle heads. It is true, that there are some Princes and Ladies would know all: for contenting of whose curiosity, I would make a private letter, which not meddling with the affairs of his charge, should not need to be carried or read unto the Counsel.  
Here ariseth a question, if an Ambassador ought to give advise unto his Master, of all that which is spoken amiss of him: because that advise thereof may come unto him by other means then from himself, who in such cases ought to take good heed that he be not prevented. I remember me, to this effect, of the Agent of a neighbour Princess, who seeing the wrong that such reports would bring unto the service and common cause of the one and the other, did rather choose to conceal the undiscreet speeches which he had heard. I commended and admired his discretion, exhorting him, in the like occasions, to yield unto the public good, the particular offence of some particular drunken or witless fellow. Even so Philip de Comines complaineth that by the report made of a few words, there hath many times a good alliance been broken, or a good and profitable effect hindered. It is an other thing, if in full counsel of the Prince, or in the Pulpit by the Preachers, or on the Theatre by stage players, or by writing or libels, he see the honour of his Master defamed. For he ought forthwith to advertise him of it, and withal to crave justice, and amends for the same, of those that aught to grant it unto him: Yet nevertheless moderating himself, for not making the mischief to be greater than it is; for so it befalleth them as with Women, who many times through too much defending of their Honesty, make it more doubtful and suspected, especially, when they add thereto much affection and fervency, as Tacitus saith, Connicia si irascare, agnita videntur, spreta exolescunt. But what if himself receive any injury for his own particular or any of his followers? It must be distinguished, whether the injury be done unto him in public, of t he Prince or Commonwealth, in which he is resident. As that Ambassador of Rome, on whom in full assembly Thelitizeus of Tarentum threw dirt and piss. I have saith he, more than I demanded, but one day you shall wash my clothes with your blood; and his prophesy fell true, and he ought forthwith to advertise his Master thereof, that he may do therein as he shall judge to be for the best. Or else, whether that the indignity were offered unto him by some particular person: In this case the way of complaint is open unto him, to have right by the ordinary course of justice, which shall unfeignedly be granted unto him, if be not intended to break off with his Master. For it is not denied unto strangers by the same law of Nations, Plato saith, that God hath a particular rate of strangers, & the further off that a stranger is from the succour of his kindred & friends, the more he is in the protection of God. Omnia in Perigrinos' quam in cives peccata graviora sunt & magis ultori Deo curae. And withal, the person of the Prince seemeth to be violated in the person of the Ambassador, who having put himself into the protection, and under the assurance of a public faith, hath received a wrong or an indignity, and is bound to cause true Justice and full amends to be made unto him.  
Let us speak a word of his advises, because most commonly it is not known what an Ambassador doth in his charge, but by that which himself writeth. It was once forgotten that there was an Ambassador in Denmark, if the late Sieur de Douse a worthy Gentleman, and who hath been there above thirty years, had not at length remembered it himself. For that in so far a Country, and where the affairs were not very great, an Ambassador hath seldom sufficient occasion to make his virtue known, and for that things are worth no more than the value that is made of them, he shall do well to make himself known by his advises which are looked on and considered by the Secretarries of Estate, read unto the Counsel, and represented unto the Prince, according unto the worth of the subject. They must therefore be grave, brief, well compact, containing much in few words, couched in terms, rather ordinary than borrowed, interlaced sometimes with sententious clauses, and points, yet very seldom; and that they may be the better understood, it shall be good to articulate every affair apart: as commonly those of Monsieur de Vileroy (chief and most worthy Secretary of the Commandments) are, and as the use is in the most part of the Chaunceries in Germany. For my part, I cannot allow the manner of writing of such as tie themselves to a continnuate running on, and heaping together of their letters, notwithstanding the difference of affairs which they contain, and it seemeth, as it were a course covering or other like work made of diverse pieces joined together. And if his masters seeruice can admit it, I would rather give no new advise, until I had answer unto the former. Order and Methoode in all things easeth the mind, and augmenteth the memory. Likewise if it fall out that he must write many letters of the same subject, for the same place, as it ordinarily happeneth, he shall do well to use as much difference as he can in the terms & style, that they may not be like to a Notories precedent.  
I must now speak concerning presidency, whereof there are a thousand good points to be spoken, which are for a several discourse. I will only say, that if an Ambassador will reap honour of his charge, it is meet that he do honour unto the same, and that he be jealous of the degree and place which is due unto his Master, without yielding any jot thereof unto an other. Princes and sovereign estates do hold many times more dear, the conservation of their degree and dignity than of their lands and possessions. So Arcases, did put his Ambassador to death: for having surrendered his place unto Sylla, (as Plutarch saith.  
It is true, that always such questions do not arise, because almost every one throughout all places knoweth the degree and place, that is due unto him. In the Court of Rome for these 50. or 60. years, the Ambassador of Spain hath made question of precedency with those of France. There was a great alteration therein at the Council of Trent. At Venice it hath been adjudged to him of France. The late Advocate Pithou affirmeth, that in all the provincials of all the Cathedral Churches of Christendom that have been imprinted at Rome even to this present, the King of France is put the first of all other Kings, being seconded by the King of England, and then by him of Spain. Bodin sayeth, that in the ceremony, of the Order of England, the place of the King of France, is at the right hand of the chief of the Order, and so it was decreed at a Chapter held on the eve of Saint George patron of that Order, in the year 1555 by the knights of the Garter, albeit that the King of Spain had married Mary the elder sister of the late Queen of England, I believe that there would be no less honour done unto him in Scotland, Denmark, & of many princes and potentates of Germany and Italy. But the Emperor being near kinsman, of the same name and arms, that the King of Spain is, giveth the precedency to his Ambassador; and the last Emperor was content that it should go by turns, (as anciently that of the Roman Consuls was, and at present that of the Burghemaisters, and Auoyers in some Cantons of Switzerland is) to the end not to displease th'one nor the other. Nevertheless the King sent word unto Monsieur de la Forrest his Ambassador, that he should not alter any thing in this matter, without his express commandment. The Senate of Polonia, to a like question ordained, than the first come should be the first heard. At an other time, at the Council of Constance the Ambassador of England, debated it with him of France, whose strongest argument was the title which his Master then took of, King of England and France. And he possessed Aquitania and pretended unto Normandy. I have heard reported that an Ambassador of the Kings in Switzerland being in company with the Ambassador of Spain at the assembly of Baden, and seeing that the spaniard always strove for the way, made as if he would buy something at a merchants shop where both of them staying together the French stepped out first and took the advantage. The best is in such occasions, never to meet together, unless that the service of his master do require it. At least he can excuse himself for public places and ceremonies as hath been practised at Rome for these certain years. And if so be our Ambassador chance to be present at such like altercation of other Ambassadors, he must take heed, not to invest himself in the one side or the other, or any way to interpose himself therein without his master's commandment. It is not so for all other differences that many fall out in the country where he is, especially if he perceive his Master to have any interest therein: as when there happeneth any discord amongst the Swissers, or the Grisons, all which have almost as many commonwealths as they have Cities and Corporations. And it is very hard that in that great body so diversly compounded with difference of customs, languages, and religion, (in one only Canton of the Grisons, there are three different languages spoken) there grow not amongst them (as wise as they all are) some occasion of disputation, wherein the wise Ambassador may make the dexterity of his spirit to prevail, by setting them at accord, employing the affection of his Master towards the one side and the other to oblige them both unto him. The which thing the Sieur de Liverdis last Ambassador for the King amongst the Grisons knew how to handle both wisely and profitably, when he saw they were on terms of disagreeing and I can speak for a certainty, that his memory is yet held dear amongst them. The Interest of the King in these two estates is, that during their divisions he can levy no forces, nor be succoured with their people to any purpose, if he should stand in need of them. About the year 1602. the Sieur de Dase by his wise Meditation accorded to two Kings of Denmark & Swethen being ready to enter into war, and both of them made choice of him for Arbitrator of their differences.   

His Privileges.  
IT followeth now to speak of the privileges & immunities of an Ambassador, not only for the respect of his own person, but also of those of his family, & of all that appertaineth unto him: for concerning his person, every man knoweth, that by the laws of God & man, even amongst barbarous nations, and in the midst of the arms and armies of enemies, the person of an Ambassador hath in all ages been adudged holy, sacred, and inviolable: for if besides the peril and inconveniences of a long voyage, to which they expose themselves, they should not be in safety in the place whereunto they go, there would never be any which would undertake the hazard thereof, and consequently there would never any longer be made any truce, peace, or establishment of commerce: finally, we should fall again into that first Chaos, and confusion of all things. And likewise the punishments of those that have done violence unto them, have in all times been very rigorous: this law being grown into a proverb: Legatus neque coeditur neque violatur. And when men have not taken punishment for the same, it hath been observed from age to age, that God hath not suffiered this offence unpunished: witness the subversion of Carthage, of Sirus, of Thebes, and of so many other Cities, yea Provinces, and whole Kingdoms. David fought against, discomfited and brought into bondage the Ammonites for this cause. The histories both sacred and profane do afford us enough and too many examples hereof, King Frances the first denounced war against the Emperor Charles for the murder of Amion and Fregose his Ambassadors. Yea, even a rough and haughty word, a scorn or contempt done unto some Ambassadors hath been oftentimes cause of the beginning of war, as that of Dalmatia, whereof Nasica was General, and a long time after that of Simon King of Bulgarie, against Alexander Emperor of Constantinople. By a much stronger reason therefore if they have been outraged n their persons. Contrariwise this very name of Ambassador hath been in so great reverence with all good men, that some have not so much as touched the persons of those that had been surprised in working some practices at Rome with the rebels: The great Africanus sent home those of Carthage, although that their Masters had violated the law of nations in the persons of the Roman Ambassadors, and the Dictator Posthumius suffered certain spies to depart, who falsely termed themselves Ambassadors, and did no other harm unto them. It is not long since that there was great courtesy showed to an Ambassador of a neighbour Prince, which was discovered to have complotted with the rebels of the Estate, for without more ado he had fear to depart. Yet I avouch that other have dealt herein otherwise. And the three former examples are of mere courtesy and effects of the Roman generosity. King Frances the first having understood that the Emperor had put under custody the Bishop of Tarbis his Ambassador, did the like unto Granuelle, lodging him in the Chastelet without doing him other hurt. And very seldom indeed hath that respect been violated, which the law of Nations (I had thought to have said of Nature) hath imprinted in the minds of men, since the beginning of the world, if it were not peradventure by a Clement the VI a julius the II. or some such other enemy of the name of France, or rather enemy of nature. The one reviled and imprisoned the Ambassadors of Germany and France, which went in their masters behalf to offer him some good means of reconciliation. The other committed to prison and tortured a Bishop being an Ambassador of Savoy, that offered in the behalf of his Master to interpose himself in making peace between him and the King of France. In ancient times the Romans contented themselves to carry upon them certain herbs which they called Sagmina, whereof they were called Sancti, and the Greeks' their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as the Heralds their Caducei. This only mark in those days held them inviolable, and respected even amongst the very Barbarous nations.  
It is true that this respect, freedom and assurance which they have for their masters sakes, giveth them no liberty to do evil. In hoc datumius gentium, non ut laedant alios, sed ne ipsi laedantur: as saith a Writer of our time. For he that hath falsified the public faith, doth not deserve that it should be kept unto him; and a colourable embassage is so much the more to be punished, because oftentimes it concerneth the ruin of an Estate. And all laws ordain, that he which abuseth his privilege, maketh himself unworthy thereof, and looseth it. For if he worketh any plots or practices, either by attempts on the person of the Prince to whom he is sent, or any enterprise upon his Estate, as Mendoza did in that of England, some sixteen or eighteen years past: At other times there was a distinction made, if there were but a counsel simply given, or a conspiracy made without execution, or else if the effect followed thereupon. Afterwards they would know if he were abetted in it by his Master or not. The which the Romans and others did many times put in practice, and those which were found to be disallowed by them, were delivered and given over unto him whom they had offended, or unto his Master. Dedebantur ex iure gentium. In the matter of Mendoza, the Queen of England laid no hand on him, but gave him a Congee to depart out of her Realm. This was not done without consultation taken, whether there were law to stay him and have him punished; saying, that in vain, he putteth himself under the safeguard of nations which violateth the law of nations: and there were many examples thereof, or at least if he should be held in safe keeping until advise had been given, and right required of his Master. They having done me the honour to ask my opinion on herein, I told them that the most requisite and ordinary means, and safest for the Estate, was to advertise his Master thereof, & to expect his allowance or disallowance; but the Gentleman whom they sent thither, was neither seen nor heard by the King of Spain, who made himself to be excused by his weakness of body, that he might avoid answering thereof: Forasmuch as his attempts of long time plotted against England were to manifest, he would never he nor forsake him whom he had set on work. They were also advised that the offence was only plotted, no executed, coeptum non consummatum, as the Lawyers say. But in this last point I would not have been his warrant no more than of all others that make the like attempts, who falling into the hands of Princes or Commonweals that are more patiented to bear a wrong & less stayed, should not escape so good cheap. For if it be granted by both civil and natural laws to resist force with force, if Lex Talionis proceed from the law of nature: Yea, if such an enterprise had not been left unpunished in the very person of his Master, if he had been present as it hath been seen many times: I leave it to be judged of, if there were not good reason to detain him, that I may say no worse. Considering that rule of the Common law. Vbi quis deliquit jurisdictionem eius subijsse intelligigitur cuius in ditione deliquit. He is subject unto the laws of the Estate where the offence is committed, and there is no quality nor privilege that excuseth him. Which I affirm although he had showed his masters commission for the same. And indeed every man useth not in such a matter the patience and prudence of a Roman Senate. For the truth is, that the Ambassador which under the title of amity cometh towards a Prince, that is his Masters alley: to serve him an ill turn, maketh himself culpable and without excuse: Bis peccat qui praetexta pietatis peccat: There being no privilege of the law of nations that can warrant him from the ordinary punishment of all such as trouble the quiet of any Estate. Which I affirm by so much the stronger reason, since that Procopius in his history of the Goths bringeth in Theodeadus saying unto the Ambassador of justinian, that an attempt against the honour of a woman, or an indignity done unto a King by an Ambassador, deserveth punishment. Eatenus hac praerogativa possunt uti, quoad ab officio non recedunt. Nam legatum licet oceidere si in Regem fuit contumeliosus, aut si pudicitiam alienae uxoris contrectavit. The easiest punishment is to expel him, and send him home unto his Master, or to demand justice to be done after that the crime shall be sufficiently averred by letters or witnesses, or that the Ambassador standeth convict, by having entered into the execution and enterprise. Thus many have dealt as I have said before, to show themselves more religious in the preservation of a public and privileged person, or charitable to render good for evil, as the Great Africanus did. Of whom when it was demanded in the open Senate, what should be done unto the Ambassadors of Carthage; are answered, Nihil tale quod Carthaginienses. Let us not commit that fault which we blame in them.  
Therefore a wise Ambassador will not thrust himself into these perils, Nevertheless if he have a Commandment from his Master to do it as we spoke before, concerning deceit and lies, Shall he be admitted to excuse himself thereby to judge of the justness of his masters intentions and of the equity of his commandments? Is it for him to dive into the secrets or to control the pleasure of his Prince? Hear a good man doth again find himself in great doubts what to do, for if an Ambassador ought to set before his eyes, the honour, greatness, profit, and service of his Lord, and that by these practices ', some special service may be effected for him: I seemeth that it is not lawful for him to refuse his commandment. This question, me thinks, may be resolved by the solution of such as are made by Philosophers, Lawyers, and Divines, concerning the obedience that the child is bound to render to his father, the servant unto his Master, the Subject unto his Prince, and the Vassal to his liege Lord. For all are of accord that this obedience extendeth not unto that which is against God, Nature, and Reason. But to lie, deceive, betray, to attempt the life of a Sovereign prince, to make his subjects to revolt from him, to weaken and trouble his Estate, especially in time of peace, and under colour of amity & alliance is directly against the Commandment of God, against the Laws of Nature, and of Nations; It is a violating of the public faith, without which, human society, and finally the frame of the world would be dissolved. And the Ambassador which serveth his Master in such an affair, committeth a double offence, both for that he serveth him in the enterprise and execution of so ill an action; and for that he doth not give him better counsel which he is bound to do by the duty of his charge, which charge comprehendeth the quality of a Counsellor of Estate for time of his embassage, although he had not the honour to be accounted so before. The History of France mentioneth that the Sieur de Flavij Governor of Compisque for King Charles the seventh, seeing that his Master suffered himself to be abused by the Duke of Burgundy, caused the Inhabitants to interpose themselves, and by humble demonstrations refused to give over the place unto the Duke, notwithstanding a second Commandment from this King, and inhonestly refusing that unto his master which was prejudicial unto him, he discharged the duty of a faithful servant. Surely it is a good service to deny one's Master when he commandeth to his hurt: as the one that would ask a sword to hill himself, Non dare, sed eripere telum irato, pium est.) But let us speak the truth, the most part of the practices that are made upon adjoining estates, take such beginning as the Ambassadors & Agents themselves do give thereof unto their Master, they themselves laving open the means thereunto, and offering themselves voluntarily to put them in execution. I have observed it ten times in my life, neither are they to complain when they fall into this labyrinth.  
Thus much for the public: but, what if the Ambassador himself hath offered violence to any particular person? I know not whether there be any thing determined or specified by the Laws therein: Yet if extremity be used, he cannot escape the rigour of the Laws of the Country where he committed the fault. His master himself, according to the rule aforegoeing, should in like case be ordered by justice. For there is a difference to be made between the dignity of a Prince and his Authority. Within the dominions of another Sovereign, he retaineth but his dignity: And what honour soever is done unto his Person, yet there is no authority given him, to make grants, to pronounce decrees, to establish Laws, to stamp money of his own coin, and such like things which carry the mark of Soverainetie. A neighbour King being fled for refuge into France, did, or suffered to be done, some violence to a Sergeant, which went to do an exploit in his lodging. Had it not been in respect of his dignity, and other reasons of Estate, he had possibly been otherwise spoken withal then he was. The like, and so much the stronger reason is, for an Ambassador, who is but the Minister, and subject of his Prince. But the safest and fittest course is, before you require reason of him, to demand it of his Master, who in such a case will not deny it so soon as in a matter of estate.  
Here falleth out place for a question which some men make, to wit, If by the Law of Nations an Ambassador hath jurisdiction over those of his house and family. For which I see no likelihood, for the reason which I here give, That the authority of a Prince, and all marks of sovereignty, do cease in an others dominions. But punishment by death is the Sovereign mark of sovereignty; and to come from the great to the lesser, the Ambassador hath not more right than his Prince or other Sovereign. An Ambassador (I never name any that I may not wrong his reputation) did run a hazard in a near Country. One of his household servants had forced his Daughter, being of the age of five or six years, he himself caused punishment to be done, causing the servant to be strangled. In France the just cause of giefe might possibly have excused a man of quality, for not having addressed himself to the ordinary course of justice, according to the sense of the Law, julia de adulteries in the behalf of fathers and husbands that found the adulterers in this act: at least, a pardon or a remission had yielded reason for the same. But these people made much work about it, saying that no man of what quality soever could exercise justice, but he to whom the Sovereign committeth it, and they said true: for no Prince, Lord, or gentleman, exerciseth supreme justice in that Country: and the stood upon it, that process ought to be made against the Ambassador for having dared to cause a man to be put to death, of his own private authority. Nevertheless, the foul offence committed by the servant which was a frenchman and the considerations of estate, but much more the authority of the prince did stop their mouths. The King of Denmark's Ambassador used altogether an other course in England: for he demanded justice of the Queen, for a Murder committed in his house, by one of his own servants upon an other of them. She of favour would not meddle therewith, but permitted him to carry him back into Denmark to have him there ordered by justice. Neither can I allow of the doing of a Spanish Ambassador at Venice, who caused a servant of his, to be hanged at his Chamber window for some great offence, as it was said, although the Seigneurie made no show nor pursuit therein: to whom he could and ought to have addressed himself  
That ancient rule therefore aught to take place, Nulla manus ferrum tractat, nisi quae sceptram, unless that both the Princes had so agreed between themseluesas the same might & aught to be done in Estates that are far one from the other. For otherwise the punishment of a crime should oftentimes be deferred, and consequently be neglected, through such a distance of place. No otherwise than as Captains upon the Sea, have ordinarily authority from their sovereigns to punish the crimes that are committed aboard their ships, as other commanders of the field, have authority to punish offenders in their Armies, although they be in the dominions of other sovereigns. And I have since observed, that this is the opinion of Monsieur Paschall, a most learned Counsellor of Estate, in his book de Legato.  
And if so be an Ambassador hath no jurisdiction over those of his own household, he hath less over the other subjects of his Master: The king's Ambassador in Switzerland at the beginning of the last troubles being advertised of the practises which were intended against the service of the king would cause one of the debtor therein to be stayed, who was passing to Soleure, and pretended the law of Nations, and the freedom of the passage. But who doubteth that within his house he had not sufficient authority to seize on him, and out of his house, to use the authority of the Magistrate unto the same effect? I say simply, to seize on him, & not to proceed in justice against him, but to send him to his Master, or to hold him until he understand his pleasure.  
We have before spoken of Spies that come under the name of Ambassadors, or of Ambassadors which under colour of negotiating some affair, or entertainment of amity, do spy out the secrets of the estate to an ill intent, but with those it fareth otherwise than with common spies, and of such as come without allowance. For being once accepted for Ambassadors they are infallibly within the sanctuary of the Law of Nations, and the consequence would be most dangerous, if a door were opened unto such near inquirets, and few men, and meddlers in foreign affairs, would be assured in their charges, the most part of them being in effect employed therein, but to learn that which is done amongst others. And some call them also honourable Spies alleging that saying of Chabrias, He is an excellent commander for the war that knoweth all that is done amongst his enemies. And in truth he cannot be accounted for a true friend which is mistrusted, and whose secrets & designs a man is constrained to espy. And to this effect the History of England, sayeth that Henry the seventh, (a wise and discreet Prince, and Grandfather to the late Queen) was about to have dismissed all resident and ledger Ambassadors, and to have kept none with any other, but death prevented him. We have also said before, that Antiquity knew them not, and the History of France noteth that Lewis the eleventh did neur send the same Ambassador twice unto him whom he would entertain with words, to the end, that if the former had by chance treated of any matter, where of the effect did not follow, the latter should not know what to answer thereunto, and that the ignorance of the matter, might serve him for an excuse whereby to gain time. But we are gone from our matter, we must therefore distinguish if they be deputies in the behalf of some Provinces that are in subjection to a greater Empire, or under the protection of an other as those quae populi Romani Maiestatem colere dicebantur. Or else, if they be sent from a sovereign Prince to his equal form of the first case they should stand more at the mercy of him whom they have offended. Nec à subditis, nec subditos rectè mittuntur legati. Those are not properly Ambassadors whom the Subjects send unto their prince, or he to them, whereof I spoke before. I will only add a good note that is in Plutarch of one of Sparta sent to the General of their enemy's army, who being asked in what quality he presented himself. If, saith he, I obtain that which I demand I come as an Ambassador, If not as one private, and without charge: I could not forget this wise speech, although it be not to our matter.  
Let us now see whether the Ambassador which passeth through the Country of a Prince to whom he is not sent, may allege the law of Nations. I have before spoken of the Sieur de Mortefontaine Hotman, and of his passage through the Country of Burgundy, there was then open war between France and Spain, those of the Country subjects of the Spaniard, therefore there was no assurance for him by that taking course; Yea, a third man is not bound to receive and acknowledge him for an Ambassador that passeth through his Country, to execute his charge in an other place, and if he doth it, it is but of courtesy and humanity, which is used in the behalf of passengers, to whom in time of peace all ways are open. One thing helpeth him, to wit, neutrality, which notwithstanding all the wars of former times hath been entertained and renewed between the King and those of the said Country, in favour and at the request of the Lords of the Cantons, who term themselves mediators and protectors of the said neutrality, whosoever therefore is to pass through the Country of another, aught to inquire whether the Prince be his masters friend or enemy, if the Country be in peace or in war, and howsoever it be, yet to crave passage, and to procure a good passport sufficiently ratified for the same, or else a good and safe conduct. But if notwithstanding the prohibition that hath been made him to enter into the Country where he goeth to execute his charge, he would pass on further. We ask if he can shield himself with the law of nations, whereunto we answer, that seeing by the same law of Nations, and of Nature, every Collier is master in his own house, as the saying is, and every Sovereign in his own estate. Surely he hath full power and liberty to forbid the entrance into his Country to such as he disliketh, and holdeth for suspected. Nevertheless if he come towards the same as a suppliant, as the Roman Ladies came unto Coriolanus: Plato saith, Omnium tum in cives tum in peregrinos maximum est peccatum cum peccaturus supplices, Deus enim afflicti supplicis custos eximius. This humanity ought in like manner to take place in the behalf of rebellious and seditious subjects, at such times as they ordain any amongst them to make submission and crave pardon for them, or to work some way of reconciliation, following the clause and condition of the Roman Senate to those of Ascolie: Sifactorum poentteat, liciturum ipsis mittere legatos, sui mimes, minime. But if the number be great, as that in France lately was, and that the Estate be divided into two Factions, and each side fallen into an open war. Seeing that by martial laws even amongst strange and barbarous nations.  
Heralds and Ambassadors are in safety, surely this law ought to prevail aswell for divided subjects, as for strangers that are enemies unto the Estate. I dare affirm the like for such as are fugitives, outlaws, or pirates, when they make a head and join themselves together, as sometimes those under the conduct of Spartacus, Sertorius Viriatus, Tacfarinas, and such like: for the assurance that is granted unto such persons as they ordain to treat for them, is not for their sakes, but in consideration of the Common good, and to reduce them to their obedience, to the end that the troubles of the Estate may refuse. Quod est necesse, turpe non est. Necessity hath neither law nor shame And here it is that that notable and ancient Maxim of estate ought to take place. Salus populi suprema lex. The good of the Estate goeth above all laws, and all respects: true it is that they shall do well, not to present themselves, but with a sufficient passport from the General of the Army, with whom they have to handle. And in this case to go about to attach their persons, or to do them other displeasure, were to violate the faith that hath been given them, whatsoever Alber. Gent. in his treatise de Legationibus saith thereof, contrary to the opinion of my late father in his book of Notable questions.  
There is also a doubt made concerning those, that are sent by Heretics, Schismatics, and excommunicated persons. This false principal, that faith ought not to be kept with heretics, which was hatched in the Counsel of Constance, and practised against some particular persons that were caused to come thither under the public faith, hath given occasion to this question. For which cause it is, that never since none would trust the faith of Popes nor of Counsels: the only or principal reason of schism which continueth in the Church since almost an hundred years. But this doubt may be cleared as the former, by the consideration of the weal public: for that it is impossible that we can abide without those things which are in other Countries and Lands, and much less with that which is amongst our neighbours, of what religion and belief soever they be. Christian Princes and Estates make no difficulty to hold their Agents and Factors with the Turks when they have occasion, and the king keepeth an ordinary & resident with him. The grand signor hath his with the Persian, and so reciprocally: nevertheless the Turk and the Persian, hold each other for heretics. In former times, and very often, the Latin church sent unto the Greek, which nevertheless it accounted for schismatic. At an other time, the Church, being assembled in a Counsel of Africa sent the Deputies unto the donatists. The Catholics have them with the Protestants, and the Pope would once have sent some into England, and yet would unto other Protestant Estates, if he thought they should be received and be suffered to manage his affairs among them. And if they were admitted, they should be without doubt under the safeguard of Nations: as well as these which should be sent unto him in their behalf.  
Concerning these that are subjects of the Prince or Estate to whom they go in embassage, it is another matter: for although they have put themselves under another Master, or have gotten though freedom of Denizens in other places, yet are they thereby nothing less the subjects of their natural Lord, nor any thing less to be ordered by justice by him, if haply they have gone out of his dominions without his leave, or for some offence or rebellion. King Perceus sent unto Gentius King of Illyria, one that was natural borne subject of Illyria. A Lieutenant of the Popes, in some part of the jurisdiction of the Church, held prisoner the Duke of Urbin's Ambassador; because, said he, the Ambassador was the Pope's subject. And in our Father's days, Frances Sforza Duke of Milan caused the Esquire Merueilles, a subject of Milan, who having retired himself into France, was sent Ambassador to the Duke, by King Frances, to be beheaded, as before I noted. It was indiscretion in these three Princes, to employ such men in that charge, and folly in the men to accept the same, for to all three it fell out ill. Nevertheless the King had reason to complain, and to require right to be done him therein: for Sforza having once admitted and received Merucilies' for Ambassador of France, as the King sufficiently verified it by a letter of the said Sforza's, it was no longer lawful for him to handle him as his subject, and did therein against the law of Nations. In like manner was it with two others, under Charles the sixth, the Constable Clisson subject to the duke of Britain, trusting thereunto, went unto him in an ill season, and thought to have lost both life and liberty together: the Duke having afterwards set him at liberty, purged and rustified himself upon the quality of the said Clisson, which he affirmed was a Britton by birth, and his natural subject. And beside he would that the King should owe him a like requital, for the respect which he had of one of his officers seeing that otherwise he pretended to have had good reason to put him to death. But Philip the Fair sent back those whom the Earl Guy of Flanders had sent unto him, to offer him choice of peace or war: although that their Master and themselves were his subjects, as the said King did not forget to tell them.  
I will speak nothing here of the grand signor, who not long since offered himself to put to death the Ambassador of a Christian Prince, for to do that Prince a pleasure, as he said: because the said Ambassador had done his Master some ill offices, and had correspondency with his enemies. Neither was the offer accepted because it might have brought much prejudice by the consequence thereof.   

His Family.  
AND because we have comprehended his servants under his privileges, we will speak a word thereof. In former times the number of those that accompanied him in his embassage was certain and prefixed, and their names registered upon his provision, or set on a list for to have recourse thereunto. These aught to enjoy their master's privilege as those that in time of war are comprehended within one passport or safe conduct. But it being now left to the discretion of the Ambassador, to take as many as he will, it is demanded, if all aught to participate thereof; I make no doubt of it, forasmuch as concerneth the assurance of their persons, Quod ad legatos comitésue attinet, si quis corum, quem pulsisse, sive iniuriam fecisse arguitur, lege julia, de vi publica tenetur, as saith a Law of the digests, the which extendeth the punishment unto those that have outraged the servants of the Ambassador, as if they had done it to his own person. And in truth the privilege of an Ambassador were very slender, if it did not comprehend the persons of those of his family. I say of his family. For there are some that pass many times under the favour and pass port of the Ambassador, which would not be in any great assurance, if they were discovered, although they were advouched by him, especially if they be of another Nation than himself, or the subjects of that Prince unto whom he goeth.  
Besides it ought not to be doubted that the house of an Ambassador is a sanctuary and place of retreat to his servants and followers, against all injuries and violences: provided that they do nothing against the laws of the Country where they are, and against public honesty. For that which is not permitted to the Master, much less is unto his servants. And yet nevertheless I think not that without the permission of the Ambassador it is lawful for a Sergeant or other officer of justice, to lay hands on, cease upon, or to use any other course of justice upon any of those of his house, unless that they be token in the very act and out of his house. For which cause the Ambassador of Spain had reason to complain of the officers of Tunis, which were come to carry away by force a servant of his being accused of Sodomitry, alleging that they had no jurisdiction upon him or any of his: and added, that that crime was not capital in all countries, for if the Tunisians had taken his servant they would have proceeded against him and caused him to be burned quick, according to the laws of their Country.  
And concerning taxes, impositions, and other charges and contributions: I doubt not but they are exempted from them aswell as their Master in the Country where he is resident, and as long as they are his servants; I mean, in respect of their horses, apparel, and baggage, Previded, they do not abuse this privilege to make Merchandise, or to make other men's goods to pass under the colour of their privilege, as Guicciardin saith, was done by certain Deputies of Florence, sent to the Emperor Charles the fift; being then at Bologne with the pope who received therefore both shame and punishment all at once. And the law of the Digests willeth that for that which they bring out of their country besides their movables, they should pay the impost thereof. Nevertheless in this whole privilege they must order themselves according to the particular use and custom of the places. For if it were said that none should be exempted, of what condition or quality soever he were, certainly neither he nor his servants, should be more privileged than others: it being beside sufficiently known that Ambassadors and other foreign personages are more favourably in treated in one place than in an other.  
Thus much for the country, wherein their Master is resident, and only during the time of his embassage, and which is generally of the Law of Nations, and common unto all Ambassadors, and their servants. But concerning the exemptions, immunities, privileges, & prerogatives which an Ambassador enjoyeth in his own Country, by the consent of his Prince or of the chief Magistrate: the same cometh from the Law Civil and that of the place itself: and it is not of one sort in all places, and stretcheth not so far as unto servants. For I think it not reason to grant unto them, letters of Estate (as they are termed) and of respite against their Creditors, and to cause any actions or process that hath been commenced against them, since their departure, and in respect of their absence, to cease, or be adjourned as unto their Master himself: neither is there like consideration for it. No otherwise than the servant of an officer, or one of the King's house, or of the chief Prince of the blood who hath his causes committed unto the masters of the Requests hath no part in the privilege of his Master. The like I affirm concerning all other exemptions, as taxes and such like charges, which are privileges granted unto the persion of the Ambassador, and not to his servants and followers, who are, or aught to be paid and rewarded with their masters purse, and whom he may either leave or change at his pleasure.  
Nevertheless reason requireth that I take out of this number, those that are adjoined unto him by the Prince, or such other persons of quality whom himself hath chosen for to accompany him, and serve him in the affairs of his embassage, and without whom he cannot sufficiently perform the same. Unto them I also add the Secretary and the Interpreter, which are necessary Instruments unto him, and which serve rather the embassage than the Ambassador, as amongst the Swisers and Grisons, where the said Secretaries and Interpreters are enrolled in the account of the pensions of that Nation, and receive the ordinary wages of a crown by the day. But yet to give assurance of their actual service, they shall do well to take a certificate or attestation of the Ambassador, signed with his hand, that it may stand them in stead when time and place shall require.  
All this is founded on natural reason, and on the rule of that common equity, which even children know by heart: That absence ought not to prejudice him which is employed out of his Country for the service of his Prince or Commonwealth. Absens reip: causa praesens esse censetur.  
And by the same equity, and to the end also, that the Ambassador might not be withdrawn from his charge, and constrained to return into his Country about his suits of law, no man can commence any new action, either Real or Personal against him, and a cessation was granted unless the cause had been before declared against him, in which case he appointed an Advocate to plead for him.  
Concerning his Horses, Movables, and utensels: they are, by the same rule, comprehended under this privilege, and I do not believe that it is lawful, by reason of any debt or obligation to enter into the Ambassador's house, and to make an attachment or sale of his Movables and Horses, since that I have before showed that even in criminal causes there ought to be used herein both respect and discretion. The accident which lately befell in Spain, in the French Ambassadors house, giveth us a proof thereof, which in a more doubtful time had been the occasion of a greater trouble. And for Civil respects, it behoveth those which bargain with them to take good heed thereunto, forasmuch as most commonly they are constrained to attend until the embassage be expired; & it happeneth unto them, as unto at others that have bargained with one that is in his noneage, or with some privileged person, of whose estate & condition, they ought not to be ignorant. It is true that the Civil law distinguisheth between contracts made before, or during the time of their embassage, & that which he had promised to pay in the place of his residence, and at the time of his continuance there, which they called Constituta pecunia. I speak of Contracts for money and payments; for it doth not often happen that an Ambassador maketh any purchase of house, lands, and possessions, in the Country where he is, or that he there contracteth himself in Marriage: Even as it was not permitted unto those whom the Romans sent for governors into their Provinces, to make purchases there, or to marry themselves. For thereby they might be suspected of the one and the other. A French Gentleman that would have married the Queen of Walachia, did put himself into great danger, for he went about it without acquainting his Master, and without leave of the grand signor, who was much offended therewith. And to return to the matter of debts and obligations, the Creditors must only address themselves by petition unto the Prince or Soeraine Magistrate, without whose permission, in such causes nothing can be effected. Manus regia ius facit in omni legatorum negotio. For if the Ambassadors or his followers might not be ordered by law, no man would ever lend unto them, neither would any man have any longer to do with them: the Master himself would find the hurt thereof when his service should be left undone for this occasion. And farther, it is without reason that they should make their profit of an other man's harm. Which would so be if they were not bound to render and to make payment. Therefore in bargaining they ought to be subject to the jurisdiction of the place where they are, which I have before said, taketh place in the crimes and offences which an Ambassador or his servants do commit.  
I have observed two other ancient privileges: the one, that the chains of gold and other gifts and prcesents that had been given unto them in regard of their embassage should remain unto themselves, and I believe that no man would now make any question thereof, provided that it be without suspicion, and in such sort as I have before showed. For the incivility & barbarousness of the Duke of Moscow is not to be approved, who taketh away, not only the habits and ornaments which he giveth them at their departure, but also the gifts and presents which have been bestowed upon them in their embassage, which he converteth to his own profit. It is true that the Muscovites are not simply subjects, (as those which were in England in the behalf of their Prince about 18. years past did show unto me) but slaves unto their Prince. The other ancient advantage of Ambassadors is that it was permitted unto them to repose themselves after their return without being constrained to be charged with any business or office of the Commonwealth. For as for the charge of wardship, and such like, A man is discharged of it upon a less occasion.  
Finally, he gins to enjoy his privileges, not only from the day of his arrival, but even from the day of his nomis nation to the charge, as also his return was not counted at the prefixed instant but after he had made his report & cum laxamento temporis, as they use to say: because that as odious matters are restrained, even so favourable matters are favourably extended, and for that also it is for the good of the Estate to be fully informed of the negotiation of an Ambassador. And this his return doth no longer depend upon his will, but on the revocation, a Commandment of his Master, if he would not be accounted one that forsaketh his place, as a soldier that departeth from the sentinel without being relieved or that leaveth his colours without his captains permission. And such Ambassadors in ancient times, were deprived of their wages, privileges and allowances: and with all, hazarded their lives. Nor know I any sufficient excuse for him that leaveth his charge without having had commandment therefore, if he happen to stand in danger of his life thereby, as it many times falleth out: unless he were driven away by force, or by the authority of him, about whom he executed his charge: or that there chanced such and so sudden trouble or alteration in the Estate that he could no longer remain; or that the Prince, with whom he was resident should on a sudden denounce open war against his Master, in which case the law forbids them to receive any gifts or presents. Yet I would have him, if possibly he could, to make stay on the frontiers, whereby to take time to advertise his Master thereof that he may not suddenly surprise him, or give him an unexpected alarm of his return, which is a rash attempt, that all Princes take not in sport. In a popular Estate or under a severe and sharp Prince, they are in danger of punishment for the same. But as soon as he is revoked, his authority is at an end. For which cause Monsieur de Granuelle refused to read the letter of defiance which King Francis the first had underwritten, to be sent to his Master the Emperor Charles, alleging for excuse that he was no longer Ambassador, for that he had received commandment to take leave and to departed.   
FINIS.