POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS Upon the fall of SEJANUS.  
Written in Italian by GIO. BAPTISTA MANZINI. And translated into English by Sr. T. H.  JUVENAL. 
— Descendunt statuae, restemque sequuntur.   printer's device? 
LONDON, Printed by Anne Griffin, for Godfrey Emondson. 1634.   

THE AUTHOR to the Reader.  
THe two first Books of the Life of Sejanus, distinguished into three, were casually taken from me; as if Fortune likewise persecuting him on paper, would not suffer any memory of him to survive, but ruin. I could have gathered them together again, had I not feared some might have imagined me ambitious to stand in competition with him, who already hath laboured on the same life. There live many Gentlemen in Florence, who saw mine, before that other passed the Mountains. Notwithstanding I have not proceeded in this undertaking, as well because the work was then the birth of too green an age in me, as for that I supposed this sole remainder (the picture of a perfect Courtier) figured in the fall of this Unhappy Man, might suffice to entertain thee with contentment. Live free, and prejudicated not what my heart conceives of Fortune, for no sooner shall you have led your eyes along to the end of this Book, but will confess, that of this disease of the world, my opinion hath been very sound.   

POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS Upon the fall of SEJANUS.  
MOre cannot a man receive, nor more Fortune give. If she raised not Sejanus to Regality, it was because she thought it a less matter to afford a head for Empire, than to resign the head of Empire over as a prey to one who should tyrannize it. Here either weary, or repentant, she began to forsake Sejanus. Health, Wit, Riches, Incense, and Sceptres, were gifts to have impoverished the giver herself, had she not even whilst she gave them, with a covetous hand, snatched them back again.  
He borne at Vulsinium, (at that time a rich Town of Tuscanie, which was afterward consumed by lightning, heaven always aiming to thunderstrike, where any pretend above humane condition) was advanced by Fortune to Courts, offices, dignities, trust of a Prince, supereminency over all, and lastly to Altars and Incense. He had derogated from the condition of man, and not been tyrannised, but the tyrant of Fate, if he had with equality of fortune concluded the beginning of so ample fortunes. Earthly felicities are not unlike the Ephimera, they die the same day they are borne.  
Many years are required to give growth and height to a great tree, and a short time sufficeth to pull it up. Let jupiter boast his thunder bolts, juno her serenes, Thetis her calms, but Fortune in her kingdom hath things more unstable than any of these. The politic threads spun by Sejanus, to wove the royal purple to himself at this time, are sooner practised than numbered. The tragical story of his end, (become the fable of the multitude) shall now be rehearsed, rather for example than delight. Sejanus is unworthy of compassion, because unjust, but he notwithstanding is to be looked on with an eye of pity, by such as penetrate the misery of humane condition, which hath nothing certain, but the uncertainty of itself, and for amplest matter of its loss, the greatest heap of its gains.  
He riseth to purchase either precipices or thunders from heaven, who without sure foundation of merit, endevoureth to raise for himself that mountain of fortune which is to be aimed at by sole virtue, and guided by the only power of that heaven, which hath reserved to itself the authority of giving and taking away kingdoms.  
Heaven threatened the sinister events of Sejanus, with sinister predictions, willing thereby (as it were) either to sound a retreat to Fortune, or rather to advise Sejanus how little he should confide in these our frail felicities. Ravens observed, Cats enraged, the Bench whereon the Court-waiters sat thrown down, servitors by misfortune precipitated from the Caudine stairs, were horrid prodigies, and Portentous presages of future calamities. Yet was there none, who on these things durst make any evil construction, because the present state considered, it was no easy matter to believe an equal mutation might be made. Sejanus was greater than his betters, less only than his own thoughts, and the world conceived that Fortune could do nothing more in him, or that there was no other Fortune but Sejanus himself. Dion writeth, that such were the foundations of this man's greatness, that had God himself foretold his ruin, he would scarcely have been believed.  
The Citizens so infinitely honoured, observed, reverenced, feared, adored the name of Sejanus, that Tiberius, whose eyes imminent peril had unvailed, began to be jealous of himself, as well as of his Kingdom. The name of that subject is ever perilous to a Prince, who is more often named than himself.  
To ruin so vast a frame in an instant, was to stand in danger to be oppressed: to suffer the increase thereof, was to oppress one's self. Behold to what condition this unfortunate Prince is brought, who forgetting what he himself is, wholly resigns himself to the trust of one man, who being raised to greatness, (the precipice of the greatest) hath no other fidelity, but that wherewith he is trusted.  
Among the people he saw himself despised, but which is more, he knew himself despicable, as he who too basely had suffered all his functions to be possessed by Sejanus, equally favoured and suspected. He began to fear the loss of that authority, which (as the soul) guideth, and governeth all, and which as a huge pile eminenet above the rest, falleth not, but to ruin the Kingdom.  
Combated by a thousand thoughts, nay mastered by unspeakable fear, it behoved him rather to endeavour the meannes how to recover his Empire, then preserve it. He was not ignorant, that Sejanus ascribed the Empire to himself, the government of Capri to Tiberius. Behold how Fortune had hood-winked this miserable man, teaching him to dally with death. Tiberius knew it was neither time to sleep, nor run. Great remedies were needful in so pregnant suspicions; dissimulation was necessary with a man so powerful, but first he must seek for safety, than revenge: Most times the true remedy of treachery, is, to seem not to know it.  
To understand the mind of the one and other, Caesar began with strange art to ply both Sejanus and the Senate with Letters, in one day varying a thousand things concerhimselfes; sometimes by declaring to them he had nothing now alive in him but infirmity, he confessed an impotency, which secured Sejanus to lay more lively colours upon his designs; and then with his own hand certifying the Senate of his health recovered, made them sacrifice despite to modesty. By which means the one had a large field to negotiate, the other to fear. One while he praised Sejanus in his letters, and yet sometime writing back he blamed him, magnified other of his favourites, and depressed others: To conclude, the whole Court depended on the uncertainty of his practices, which had nothing regal in them, but doubleness.  
Sejanus was sometime suddenly puffed up with fresh favours, and as suddenly stupefied with these unaccustomed proceed. Conscience assailed him with suspicion; The memory of predictions surcharged his soul with impressions of horror. It fell not into his thought to fear, beholding himself so powerful, yet dared he as little to confide in his power, hearing such novelties.  
Conscience (the scourge of the wicked) permitted not he should know that hour to become, wherein he must either conquer or die. He with all his might vapoured forth the smoke of his greatness. He knew his practices were not unknown to Tiberius, he was therefore to attempt the issue with violence, not expected, though doubted: For great actions should rather be speedily executed, than consulted on. Death was the head of the way, fly it he could not, well might he ennoble it. It was therefore better to meet it than expect it, sell it than suffer it. Who knew, whether Fortune would not (as heretofore) favour sudden Counsels.  
He must seal the conclusion with an act, if not eminent for virtue, yet memorable for hardiness, Dangers many times by encountering them, are avoided. Good Counsels from delay, wicked from violence take force. But who understands not, that heaven corrupteth the counsels of him, to whom the revolution of Fortune is destined.  
In the mean time the multitude (amongst which nothing is more easy than change of affections) perceiving in so short a time, so great alteration of affairs, began to waver.  
They failed not to spread rumours of innovation into the ears of the people, to whom the power of Sejanus was either hateful or suspected. Each motion serveth for reason to just fear; with long expectation every occasion finds favour.  
Offences heretofore tolerated, or dissembled, began to be unmasked. Woe to him who hath fulfilled his felicity. There wanted not those who attributed to Sejanus the blame of all Tiberius his exorbitances, compassionately deploring the memory of Caius Sillius, of Titus Sabinus, and Cremutius Cordus, so unjustly deprived of life.  
He that governeth another, walketh on a rope, which though made of golden threads, is not the more stable, not understanding how well to use the counterpoise of justice; If he put one foot out of the right place, the ordinary success is to remain hanged.  
Many, not to contradict, rather than not to be silent, added probability to truth. Others hoping change of fortune, with alteration of government, seconded the beginning of his ruin, whom themselves acknowledged for their raiser.  
It is very likely he could not have been advanced, without an infinite number of men obliged by his benefits, and yet amongst so many public invectives, there was not any one that defended him. But what! Small benefits are easily forgotten; great, ordinarily surcharge. Some cannot requite a good turn, other know not how. Of the ungrateful, some neglect it, other abhor it. The world is come to that pass, that good turns are thought dangerous. The ungrateful man, loath to repay a benefit, would not there likewise should be any, to whom he may account himself a debtor. Thus hapend it to poor Sejanus. The end of the obligation, and of the obliger was esteemed an advantageous exchange. Good, as evil equally concurreth to the oppression of that unhappy man, who once gins to be distasted.  
All the motions of Sejanus breathed forth sadness. He who heretofore haughty and proud, accustomed arrogantly to vaunt supereminency, now wholly mortified, shown how much he was burdened with weighty cares. His eyes reconcentred with his imaginations, manifested in their wannesse what anxieties tormented him. At which time oppressed with grief, or through distracted thoughts, not rendering salutes, he seemed to despise those who saluted him, so that his proper hurts unhappily conspiring with fortune, he increased the number of the malevolent, and lessened the troops of partial followers.  
Tiberius thus judiciously spinning the web, honoured both Sejanus and his son with the dignity of Priesthood, as it were advising him to stand prepared to sacrifice a victim to Fortune. To these honours he added the Proconsular dignity, rather to augment doubt in the people, than titles for Sejanus; yet much would he have promised himself by his dexterous wit and Genius, if he could have found means to present himself before Caesar, whereupon under pretext to visit a beloved feminine singer of his, afflicted with a certain infirmity, having sought to come to Capri, he was suspended by Tiberius, who would not admit his presence, more for fear of his force, than that he refused the shortest and safest way to give an end to such dangers, affording access for once, to bereave him of it for ever. So, many times it is better to tolerate by dissembling, than precipitate those counsels, which by delay are not wasted, but fortified. In infirmity, there is not any thing more mortal, than unseasonable medicines.  
His eyes were darkened with horror, and mind with terror, seeing upon one side the occasions of bounty taken away, on the other side, those to whom he had been bounteous, now to pay him with ingratitude. The errors committed in prosperous fortune, threatened him with adverse. Those that adhered to him, told him many things variously related from the people, but almost ever against him: Whereupon astonished he lost courage: But hope, which never fails whilst life lasteth, comforted him; these fears were rather objects of conscience, than incentives of prudence. Tiberius by him unburdened from the greater toils of Empire, secured from his greatest enemies, entertained and nuzzled in his chiefest delights: Tiberius, who found no quiet, but in the bosom of his vigilance, would not so soon (said she) precipitate him, whom he so much had heretofore professed to affect. The number of allies, obliged friends, affectionare soldiers, people, who (as yet) adored him, ministered rather matter to lessen sorrow, than fear.  
This verily was the beginning of the knowledge & apprehension that Sejanus had of the instability of those things, which are subject to Fortune. Here began he discoursing with himself, to derive consequences from seeing, that Tiberius hitherto an impenetrable hider of his thoughts, honoured Caius with Priestly dignity, and praised him as one who should succeed him. Here desperation began wholly to tyrannize over those reasons, which in the mind of Sejanus were fed by that most tormenting desire of rule. The certainty of the succession of a Prince, is the oppression of his hopes, who pretendeth to principality.  
Here, as Sejanus openly lost courage, so fortune partial to animosity, began manifestly to persecute him. A powerful enemy of his (Perfect of Spain) was freed from the heavy blame of exorbitant offences, whether they were real, or objected by Sejanus. The exaltation of enemies, is the beginning of proper depresssion. One scale of the balance goes not up, but the other sinks down. Tiberius wrote of the death of Nero to the Senate, and naming Sejanus, did it without usual attributes. He forbade that any man should hereafter dare to sacrifice to a man. Poor is the Godhead, whose Deity rests upon an edict.  
By these ways Tiberius lessened the reputation of the Favourite with the people, which useth to be the first and most grounded foundation of greatness. The troop of attendants to wait on him from his house, was not so frequent, because some, not to be suspected by Tiberius, (whose sly practices were now discovered) certified Sejanus of their leaving him, rather jealous of their own good, than of another's. The smokes, as well of sacrifices on Altars, as of Pride and Ambition in the head of Sejanus, began to decline.  
His favourites were no longer honoured, and were they, it was rather in respect of dignity than person. Injustice despoiled of the mantle of his authority, walked no longer thorough Rome, for Fortune having put guives upon it, it could not freely stir up & down without danger. To these turmoils, so much weighty as they were new, cross omens of predictions were added. A statue of Sejanus smoking, the head taken off, to discover the cause of it, a great serpent was seen suddenly to issue forth, and the head set on again, there was a knot found about the neck of it. A while after he sacrificing to a statue of Fortune, she either not to see him, or because she could not endure him, turned her head away, showing this wretched Courtier how little he should confide in the vanity of that Fortune, which knows not how to be stable, even in marble.  
Among such hateful prodigies, a thousand torments vexed the soul of unhappy Sejanus. Vain, and frustrate was now the thought of commotion, he understanding the aversion of the people from his affairs, and knowing the Senate's love towards Caius. Great attempts are achieved in the increase, not diminution of fortune. We must not hope for stability from this inconstant Lady, whose favours are always so much the more pernicious, by how much the more they render us secure and confident. He watched whole nights with his pains, which could show him nought else but Chimaeras: He knew no other repose, but that alone, which the want of it in the bosom of toilsome weariness begat. The morning air that awakened him were his sighs, which invited him to toil. He thought every day the last, every last would have been dear to him, so it were not delayed; For much more painful is the fear of death, than to die. (Poor Sejanus) the heap of so many crimes never came to deserve, that the punishment should so long be deferred.  
A generous affection (understanding it was necessary either to vanquish evils, or end them) awakened in his soul a purpose to withdraw himself from danger by death; to tell the world, Fortune had been able to exalt, not depress him. But the blind warrioresse, who would not bereave herself of the glory to have ruined him, in such his sad agonies, courted him with news, that Tiberius spoke of conferring the tribunitial power upon him, whereupon afflicting and comforting him at one and the same instant, she armed him with hope, peradventure, because it should not be thought a small glory to her to have cast down a vanquished man, and overcome one who begged mercy. Tiberius nothing ignorant of public affection, and private suspicion, began (not despairing) to have the people and Senate on his part, to manage the conclusion of this affair, which carried in itself as much necessity, as peril. His design was to level the most grounded Fortress of the Empire, and to pluck up the best rooted Plant the Earth hath nourished. The praetorian Cohorts honoured, preferred, united, countenanced, fortified, by him, depended all on his least commands. The greatest men, who governed in the Empire, as Prefects, Questors, Tribunes, Captains, and infinite other officers, all raised by him owed their service, & estate to him. The most inward and nearest servants of Tiberius had been by his means deputed to that service, and intimacy. The principal of the Nobility, enriched with the best places, either as his servants or Allies, were tied to him. Of the multitude some were maintained in his house, some were dependant, some interessed; so that many respectively, and almost all by adherence waited on him. Well might his ruin be commanded by Tiberius, but not expected. Princes are the heart, Subjects the hands. To confide was dangerous, yet necessary. Strangers were nothing fit for so great an affair, which required much knowledge of the fact, and persons. Familiars were to be suspected, as well for the reasons mentioned before, as for that the most and best trusted servants, are those, who soon sell their master. Few were not sufficient for so great a business, in many, secrecy was unsafe. To do it in Rome where Sejanus had the pulse of his power, was to subject himself to sudden commotion of people, which is in prudence, so much to be avoided. To do it out of Rome was impossible, or most difficult. If he should call him to Capri he would not come, but upon sure conditions, bringing along with him more peril for others, than for himself. Every thing was dangerous, and laying private interest aside, no other affection would have advised it. In the end Tiberius excited, put forward, and enraged, peradventure more by Sejanus his unhappiness, than out of his own wisdom, called Nervius Sertorius Macro, and secretly constituting him Captain of his Guard, he gave him the manage of the whole matter, advising him what he was to doubt, what to avoid, what to accelerate, or ponder. He commanded him to confer with Memmius Regulus, whose fidelity was free from suspicion, he being an ancient rival of Sejanus, and shown him the necessity of secrecy with the other Consul, as being one of his enemy's faction. Then, that he should ensnare, and assault minds with a thousand sorts of hopes, and fears, awaking the anger of the offended, the hatred of the reconciled, that he should fight with gold, promise dignities, remove soldiers, secure the army from tumults, and finally the matter not succeeding well, at the first stirs which should oppose their designs, he should introduce Drusus into the Senate for Emperor, by him so declared and pronounced.  
Macro departing with these instructions, Tiberius, to whom amongst so many vices pusillanimity was not wanting; not trusting to the number of his people, to the situation, and straightness of that Island, easy to be defended for a first assault by the soldiers of his guard, nothing maintaining the majesty of his place, but having prepared many ships, timerously stood expecting opportunity of escape from the first notice, that Sejanus foreknowing his designs might not prevent and oppress him. A bad Conscience is the Mother of Fear, Fear the Father of those ignoble acts, whose indignity is the Tomb of Reputation.  
These were the afflictions of Tiberius, the perils of Sejanus, the endeavours of Macro, who with Tiberius his letters entering full of cares by night into Rome, began the designed practice with Memmius Regulus, and Gracilius Laco.  
The next day the morning being come, to show the last Sun to Sejanus, whilst the Senate sat in the Temple of Apollo, Macro entering in●o the Palace met Sejanus, whose soul, (which felt the stroke of Fate at hand) sad, that Tiberius had not written to him, presaged evil events. He was comforted by Macro's whispering in his ear, that he had brought him the tribunitial dignity; whereat joyful, he entered into the Senate house, by his friends (amongst whom this word quickly ran) honoured, reverenced, saluted, as much as by the malevolent he was feared and flattered.  
Behold how poor mortals are taken in a snare by Fortune, unhappy he, who trusteth her; but more unhappy, who to her commits those treasures that are enriched with nought else, but others wants. Sejanus, could neither enter, nor be received into the Senate with greater applause. Suspicions, doubts passed, were ridiculous entertainments of present alacrity, as if it were humane Condition, that a little sweet should be repaid with much acerbity.  
Those enemies who most hated him, doubtful lest they might be discovered, treated amongst themselves, with a soft murmur, (but which they notwithstanding desired might be heard) to confer some new honour upon him, cloaking their malignity, with seeming courteous; secretly negotiating it, as if they did it not for ostentation; but love. So many time's dissimulation useth to walk shamefast, and reserved, not to hide herself, but that the novelty of habit may be of force to turn the eyes of such as are present, upon her.  
Macro having published the authority received from Tiberius, removed from about the Senate and Sejanus, those praetorian soldiers which were for a guard, and showing certain letters, in which Tiberius expressed he would reward them, leaving here a good number of soldiers of Cesar's guard faithful by ancient service, & encouraged with greater hopes, he led the Praetorians to their stations, that no innovation might be made. In the mean time Tiberius his letter was read, brought by him to the Senate, which verily was long, as being stuffed with a thousand cunning policies. In the beginning it contained diversity of affairs, afterward with a short complaint of Sejanus as with a slight inquisition, he prepared minds to greater matters. Then passing to other affairs, he in a while returned to complain of hi● and commanding that two Senators, the most intimate with Sejanus, should be punished, ordained in the manner of an entreaty, grounded & necessitated upon suspicions, and State-rules, that Sejanus himself should be undercustody. Requiring that one of the Consuls should be assigned to wait on himself, that he might come to Rome in safety.  
Let him measure and argue upon the endeavour of this letter, who from the things said before, understandeth the suspicion of Tiberius. Let that poor Courtier penetrate the sudden effect of it, who knoweth how headlong Fortune is to throw one down from greatness. The descent from height, hath no lesser steps than a leap. Most times no distinction may be made between the supremest, and lowest fortune. It is impossible that the pen should abstain from flattering the eyes, whilst it bewails humane infelicity on these papers. No sooner was the Letter read, but those Senators hastily rose up, who most faithful, most dear sat about Sejanus, detesting him, whom hitherto they had soothed, served, and adored. When Fortune departs, she carries friends away with her. They, who once were of his faction, strove to be the first to forsake him, boasting to be the foremost in seconding the will of Caesar. Out alas, that friends fly the place, where they are tried. Profit and delight are those interests, which gain love: Friendship is that son, who is always buried with his Father. By that which his dearest friends did, may be argued what his enemies endeavoured. They emulously rose up to accuse, calumniate, reproach him, and all the exorbitant excesses, not only of Tiberius, but of the most abject creatures (unknown to Sejanus) were ascribed to him. There was not any, who was silent in his cause, and if there were, it was either to give time, that the multitude of accusations might not be lost, or to recommend themselves to the goddess Memory, to suggest new causes of complaints. The Praetors, and Tribunes encompassed him round about, doubtful, lest he might get out to stir the people to commotion: A wary diligence, but needles, because fear (the sergeant that waitson conscience) had before any other tied up his senses in such knots of dejection, that I suppose lesser were not necessary to hold a proud soul from abandoning manhood in so sudden a change.  
Who will vaunt himself of those greatnesses which as they may be acquired, may consequently be lost. Regulus, and Laco dragged him as guilty out of the Senate, at whose feet justice, and fortune had so long lain prostrate. The people, lovers of novelties, ran together crying out a loud, & cursing Sejanus, to whose house (calling him the companion of Caesar) they but half an hour before hastened to wait on him.  
The soldiers, who heretofore used to glory in his service, boasted themselves & grew proud at his captivity. They who before had adored him for a god, & honoured him as a priest, haled him as a victim to sacrifice. And so grievous, and certain was the ignominy imminent over the present peril, that it was rashness to envy one of those Oxen, which were sacrificed to him in the former flourish of Fortune. Oh how little is the affection of the people to be trusted, who so easily adore and murder men, that they cannot learn to pardon their own gods, not reverenced for the power of their thunderbolts; but made, and deified by their proper hands.  
The name of the unfortunate Sejanus, was not only the sport of fortune, but of the people likewise; the souls by him deprived the benefit of this precious light ran up and down, with a thousand whips to excite, and enrage as well his own Conscience, as the multitude, against him. Every one agreed to mock him for those his elevated thoughts, which were to sink at the foot of the Gemonian stairs. His statues were the Centre of Spears and Swords. Let not the Loadstone boast to attract Iron with greater force, then did the marbles inscribed with the name of Sejanus.  
This is that memorable day, wherein the impious barbarism of the people taught him to die, who had never lived. Brazen models were no longer melted with fire, but with wounds, for in the forge of Rome no other fuel burnt, but of indignation, nor any other bellowes were blown, but of Anger.  
For no other cause had fortune raised so many statues to him, but to multiply an infinity of Sejanns'es which should at this instant be the miserable prey of a thousand torments, as though Sejanus were not capable enough of so many punishments, who only sufficed to commit so many crimes. There was not any one who sought not to get some relic of him, to preserve it as the miracle of Fortune.  
Exorbitancies of cruelty reflecting from the eye to the mind, afflicted the poor Sejanus; his soul oppressed with so insupportable accidents, languished, for the grief of dying, yet would death have been the last of all evils, had it not drawn along with it so much ignominy. For finally to go out of life is necessary, but to be driven from it is shameful.  
What may we believe, was the passage of this unhappy man from the Senate to the prison? He endeavoured to cover his head, to descend himself, I know not whether from shame or injury, but as he could not hide himself from his own conscience, so they discovered him to the eyes of others. Fortune scorned to triumph over a man masked, and heaven thought it not a punishment equal for demerit, to hide him from those who had been spectators of his crimes, and were the remainders of his fury.  
They all cried out, stormed, and exclaimed to have him killed; that he should be precipitated, who was the death and ruin of the Empire. The weakest cowards learned courage, from the example of the strongest, the strongest envied the horror of the weakest, finding themselves unable to maintain that fury, which stirred them up to revenge. The breast of Sejanus would have been the sepulchre of a thousand swords, nor would the soldiers who environed him have sufficed to preserve him, had it not been for fortune, who was desirous also to enjoy this last delight, to see a Hangman envied by a hundred Senators; every step was a death, every death was so much the more grievous, as it had the more of life. The passage of dying is a moment; and that which is dispatched in a moment, is no great evil; but this was so much the greater an evil, by how much the more they delayed him that death, which might take him from the ignominy which the eyes saw, and from the torments which sense feared.  
Being come to the prison, either the frozen heart denied passage to the soul, or else the soul oppressed with so many objects, of stupifying pain, found not out the way to liberty, otherwise, if we think how little experienced, he was of sinister fortune, or if we weigh the sorrow of loss, by the value, by the horror of death, and by the fear of conscience, it had been impossible he should have lived a moment.  
Let him not compassionate the misery of this wretched Courtier, who is not exposed to misfortune: And who knoweth not, that the most wretched manner of unhappiness, is, to have once been happy. If he deserve not pity as Sejanus, he deserves it as a man become miserable. Every occasion should serve the just man to exercise his virtue. courtesy, benefits, and clemency, are the three means wherewith he who governeth, aught to oblige the minds and affections of the people, without which, Empire is nought else but a perilous servitude. It is true, that discretion ought to be the distributresse of these treasures; That overmuch courtesy begets contempt; That benefits rather scattered, than placed oblige not, and indulgence not limited is a security in sinning, it being ordinarily the condition of men not to know how to bear all slavery, nor all liberty. The neglect of these bounds, not known or not observed, afflicted the poor Sejanus, the infelicity of whose policy had found more greatness, than safety. Never was that power either stable, or lasting, which was gained by wickedness.  
An Idea cannot be framed in the mind of any mortal man of a more exact statesman, then that, which then in a Chimaera presented itself to the mind of Sejanus, made wise by the unhappiness of his fortune. He abhorred his former pride; it vexed him he had set himself as the scope of Envy. The Ostentation of Tiberius his favour, the violence of emulators, his having arrogated to himself Empire over that world that now refused to support him, were such punishments, as they were not only preambles, but lively touches of the Torments of hell, affording no space either for hope or amendment. Now (although late) he saw how dangerous it was to play with the Lion, who concludeth his dalliances with his paws. Affections so long felt, or to say better, suffered, made themselves understood to be liars. They a little before had the face of hopes, and now were known to be dotages. But what knew he not? Unhappiness taught the miserable man, that which prudence hath written in her books: not at this time to make h●m cautious, but rather so much the more sad. From matters whence felicity draws good, misery derives evil, nor can a greater mischief afflict a miserable man, than to be reduced to that point, that even prudence itself concurreth to render him unhappy.  
In the mean space the Senate seeing none of the innovations, than feared either from the soldiers, who with hopes had been brought by Macro to the Legions, or from the people that followed his misery, to whose Fortune they had tied themselves by an inviolable oath, assembling together in the Temple of Concord, that they might not be reduced to such straits, as to desire that which now the people expected from them, they condemned the miserable Sejanus to punishment.  
Ah poor condition of man, Bears, and Lions are fed for Gladiators, and men are fattened for the  of death. Tiberius, durst not command the death of Sejanus, and his servants durst execute it. The people stormed at retardation, finding more punishment in delay, than the delinquent was to feel in the execution. Every thing submits to fortune, which never embraceth man, but to strangle him.  
One sole hour sufficed to accuse, arraign, condemn, and execute a monarch so much greater than others, by how much they had commanded over an Empire, he over the Emperor.  
Among so many his allies, friends, soldiers, followers, dependants, ministers, there was not one stirred a foot for him, nay, there was not one who stirred not against him. Every one runs for wood to the tree, which the wind or hatchet hath laid along. At this time there could be no greater offence, nor peril, than fidelity; He was a true servant, who most speedily hastened the death of his Master, to free him from those miseries, which were not to move mercy in any other Deity, than death.  
Concord was ashamed to be at odds with Fortune, and lent her, her own Temple to be a Theatre, where the Sentence of this man's death should be pronounced, and consequently the monitory of humane infelicity. Between the condemnation, and execution, nothing interposed, but the distance, which was betwixt the prison, and those stairs, from whence the condemned must dismount in a leap, from supremest exaltation, to the lowest misery. He was taken from prison with such fury, that we may rather say he flew thence. They dragged him to the precipice, and threw him headlong from the top. Let him imagine the manner, who hath the heart to think of it. No injury, or possible cruelty was omitted to be used, nay rather, that was made possible, which was not; for to see the ally, the obliged, the servant, the friend to lead triumphantly to death, his greater, his benefactor, his Lord, is a spectacle more true than likely. They that were nearest were ambitious to have the opportunity to abuse him, the most distant followed him, sorry they could not have a hand in this action. Some cursed him, some upbraided him with his acts, and both the one and the other shown him his punishment, to increase the sorrow with the terror, and augment the manner, although not the numbers of his death. Oh people, alike cruel in punishing, and in having so long deferred the chastisement.  
Behold to what this man is reduced, whose favour men no longer desired, to whom stars afforded no gracious influences, nor Fortune gave blessings. That man, with whose revenges hell was increased, and to whose statues the gods envied the best sacrifices. Oh how much more secure is the poverty of Irus, than the riches of Croesus. That Engine, which more than other is raised toward Heaven, more than the rest approacheth thunders. Let him avoid the ascent, who fears the precicipice. He that will enjoy the Court, let him not pretend to greatness with a Prince. He, who would know what greatness with a Prince is, let him make his last Will, for it is nought else but sudden ruin.  
These are Aphorisms subscribed by a caitiff, whose body could never find repose, not so much as in the bosom of death. The earth denied burial to the corpse of him who had filled so many Sepulchers with his cruelty. Friends defrauded it of that sepulture, to which for the sakes of the living, rather than of the dead, enemies themselves use to be courteous. Poor Sejanus, for an eternal refuge, found not two yards of that land, whose vast Continent he had both commanded and governed.  
Scarcely arrived he to the end of the last leap, rent, torn, and dismembered, but that the people for three whole days dragged him throughout Rome, bathing the stones with his blood, who had stained them with the blood of poor Citizens. After this, they on the fourth day threw him into the River, either that he should not return to infect Rome, or that Tiber might begin to be more fertile in monsters than the Sea. Behold the continued course of Fate, water was ever the Supulcher of Icarus'es and Phaeton's.  
Fortune permitted not it should come into the people's minds, to waste the remainders of this miserable carcase with fire, because having exposed it to the cruelty of men, she would likewise reserve it to the shames of nature, to exercise its corruptions upon him. He, who had been fed with the blood and wealth of poor Citizens, was reserved to feed fishes in the water, worms in the earth, and birds in the air. Oh never enough adored divine Providence!  
The funerals celebrated for this unhappy creature, ought rather to be abbreviated, than enlarged for writing them, there is not any one will believe them, and to credit them is hardly in man, for the impiety thereof surpassed the inhumanity of man.  
The Orators were curses and reproaches. The sacrificers, cruelty and fury. The children and friends of Sejanus were the victims. The houses of the dead were purged from crimes with fire; The fires were quenched with the blood of his faction. The diversity of times made it equally dangerous to have offended, and to have loved Sejanus. There is not any sacrifice of a worse condition, then that of envy.  
Mercy appeared not in the Palace that day, for innocence was a crime, and he was not without crime, who became not an enemy to Sejanus. Behold how unsound is the friendship of an unjust Favourite.  
There burned nothing of pity to the soul of that unhappy man, but some fire of revenge, since under the title of Sejanus his friends, private enemies were pursued. In popular commotion, it is always the surest way to retire. The Praetorian soldiers mutined, that the night-guards were preferred before them in matter of fidelity. Many Citizens were accused and condemned for his friendship, some of which (Marcus Terentius excepted, whom Courage, justice, and Fortune assisted) unfortunately stood upon their defence, which nought availed them, unless it were to give time, that the other Complices might be thrown headlong from the Capitol; and because one kind of death could not serve so great a number of proscribed, many slew themselves.  
Tiberius not confiscating the goods of him who prevented the Hangman (to avoid the imputation of cruelty, which others executed) barbarously enforced men, who were desirous to leave rich heirs, to kill themselves.  
Behold death reduced to be the utmost, not of things terrible, but of men's goods; wherein so much was gained in an instant, as was possessed through the whole course of life. See how true it is, that among mortal things there is not any more fading, than that power, which hath not support from itself. Thus was the whole day spent in wickednesses, the last of which was the general joy that was made. This was a day dedicated to cruelty, in which the miserable Sejanus saw, nay felt the setting of his greatness, to be the chastisement of his crimes.  
Unhappy he who confides in his own greatness. Poor is that power which rests in the breast of one man. Unfortunate is that man who dependeth on another. Let the Courtier learn true politic arts, from the History of this wretched forlorn creature. Happy he, who studieth prudence on another's books.  
Let the Favourite of a Prince fly violence, as a thing which cannot continue. Let him fly Envy, against which none can long persist. Let him not raise his greatness on terror and cruelty, for they afford a great man more fear than power, more peril than safety. Let him rule with a slack hand, who would be loved; but yet with that temper, without which virtue concludes in vice. Terror and fear are too weak bands to tie minds; when once they are lose, who leave to fear thee, they will begin to hate thee. Fly ostentation, as the mother of Envy, as the daughter of Vanity. He who cannot in himself contain the favour of his Lord, shows himself to be incapable, and consequently undeserving. Let him suffer himself to be honoured, as enforced, not as pretending it, ascribing honours to his office, not to merit. Let him carry himself towards a Prince with reverence, and this is a flattery without vice. These are the Brokers of favour, because the common defects of great ones is pride, as those who measure themselves by their fortune, not by their merit. Let him esteem the favour of a Prince, as a thing which may be lost. Let him not run to honours, but expect them, not as one who seeks them, but deserves them; not as a necessary servant, but as a good. Of every thing that succeeds well with him, acknowledging none from proper prudence, let him ascribe all to the virtue, to merit, to the fortune of the Prince. Let him not labour for vanity, but justice, for merit consisteth not in well dissembling, but well doing. Very ill can vice cloak itself with the habits of virtue, neither doth the Ass dance to the Harp, nor the Lion's skin teach us to roar.  
Let him not abuse the favour of his Patron, which would be either to despise it, or not to know it. Let him acknowledge it, as a gift, not as a reward: so doing, other will endeavour to deserve it that they may obtain it, and he will likewise deserve it, whilst he obtains it. In the affairs of a Prince let him use diligence, solicitude, and counsel; In Counsels, sincerity, and secrecy. No less is secrecy necessary, than good counsel.  
Let him not be perpetually by his Lord's side for profit, and riches. With many to have heaped riches, hath not been the end of evils, but the mutation. When the Prince hath given all, and the Favourite can desire no more, they quickly grow weary one of another. Let him rather beg modestly, than importunately. Let him rest satisfied with conveniency, and not pretend to overmuch; for he knows not how to begin to enjoy, who cannot tell where to make an end of having. Vomiting is the Physician of Repletion. Let the Favourite be content with what he may have, for when the Prince hath given all he hath, to take it back again, it is necessary he should resume that which he before gave, and because to resume is shameful, many times he is taken out of his sight, who makes him ashamed.  
Let Papinian, Let Seneca speak, for whom it was a thing impossible to avoid riches, because they showered upon them; It was not lawful to refuse them, for they were the gifts of a Prince. What Felicity then is this, where he who hath it, fears, who would have it, is unsafe, and who would refuse it, cannot?  
Let him profess himself to be less with his equals, To be courteous, and affable: for they who are such, have had of their enemies greater friends, than the other of their Citizens. Sometimes let him participate the favours of his lord with them, not as a man who gives them, but begs them. To go about to give them, is a profession of superiority; a matter odious among equals: Proud favours reap contempt, & ingratitude in stead of thanks. In the manage of State-affairs, where secrecy is not enjoined, let him communicate with them, as well to avoid the note of one who arrogateth all to his own authority, as to err, rather with the opinion of many, than by himself alone. The success of an affair provideth protectors for him, who consulteth it with others. To ask counsel, is to honour him of whom it is required, yet is not liberty taken away from a man to do as he pleaseth. It is true, the quality of the person is to be observed. For to ask counsel of ones better, is to be tied to performance. In a business whereon thou hast consulted, good success will be thy glory, evil thy excuse, having followed the advice of others.  
Profess equality with inferiors, not of manners, that it become not baseness, but of pretensions. In commands be discreet, for be who, seldom or never commands, is always obeyed. Let the manner of commanding bee by way of entreaty, for although his entreaty who hath authority to command contain violence, let him notwithstanding do it, for he shall be obeyed with promptness, which he may make use of for good manners, not obligation. Let him be mild, that too much severity keep not inferiors so distant that he cannot afterward employ them in his need. Let him be liberal in words, for the gifts of poor Princes are favours, which cost nothing. Let him be free of his deeds, if he be able, for a benefit is the father of a benefit, and love is a fortress to defend greatness.  
Let him use a lenitive with detractors of his honour, and the malevolent to his person. Let his scope be the end of the ill will, not of the ill willer. Exercising power against him, no place will remain to exercise virtue. There is no enemy whom benefits will not gain. Thou mayst have great hopes of his friendship, whose enmity hath found thee doing favours. To kill a competitor in State-affairs, is too full of danger. Suddenly the Prince beginneth to suspect an excess of imaginations in thy mind. Little can the head confide in him, who hath not borne respect to its members. The people begin to fear, and hate thy greatness; and for that virtue borders near upon vice, thy solicitous care is judged interest, reverence, adulation, and justice, severity: Besides, power grounded upon mischief, was never long. Let him fly affairs odious to the people, for there is no force against hatred, which can avail: If he cannot decline them, let him show himself to be the servant, not the superior, a disswader, not a counsellor. Let him be the first to stand exposed to hurt. Let him execute his office with charity, not predominancy. Let him give time, expect time, comfort, encourage, assist; for promptness overcommeth every difficulty, and the glory will not be unworthy the danger.  
Let him remember, that the life of great men is nought else but a perpetual censure, and where censure is in continual use, greatness is not lasting.  
Finally, let him be that within himself, which he would be accounted by other. Let him endeavour to be virtuous, for virtue is it's own reward.  
Every man can envy the prosperity of fortune; in virtue even fortune herself finds what to envy. This alone adds a strain of immortality to him, who is mortal. He is not happy on whom treasures shower; but that man whose good rests in the mind. Well may fortune prick him, not wound him; strike him, not overthrow him. Adversity, losses, injuries; can do that against virtue, which clouds may against the Sun. It is true, that the Courtier (being perfectly such) will come to be (as it were) no Courtier; for the Court is the receptacle of all fraud and vice; Let him therefore seek to accost the best what he may; for the virtuous man knows how to tread the paths of vice with an upright foot, and verily honest men can, and understand how to live, even under bad Princes. There is no other means to overcome Fortune, but by sole virtue; and although the just man is not free from the effects, yet is he exempt from the occasions; For if he be afflicted, he is afflicted as a man, not as wicked, nay rather he is exercised, as virtuous. Attalus the Stoic said, I rather choose Fortune should entertain me in her toils than in her delights. I am tormented, but I bear it courageously; I am killed, but I die valiantly. This goeth well; unhappiness is the fire which purifieth this gold. Fortune trusteth no man more than him who despiseth her, none despise her but the virtuous, and although every fortune fail us, it is no mean fortune to be virtuous.  
But what said I of Fortune? Man hath no other fortune but himself. Who is so simple as not to know it, who so wicked as to deny it.  
That Sejanus was in one instant adored and precipitated; raised to eminent height, depressed to lowest abjectness; environed by so many friends, besieged by so many enemies; not defended by any, persecuted by all, I confess to be no small matter, yea such, that not injuriously men sought to cover it with supernatural power, constituting an imaginary Deity, to predominate over these exorbitances of motion.  
But what should a Prince do, (speaking naturally) seeing himself oppressed, betrayed, entrapped by a force, which takes all force from his favour; which in stead of gratefully acknowledging him, seeks perfidiously to ruin him? If the chastisement of so great a disorder be committed to fortune, what assuredness of strength defends him? If a great one depose not a lesser, who offends him, what is this greatness? And if this be not natural, to what purpose did nature put into us, that motion of anger towards revenge?  
That friends in these calamities abandon the deposed, is not accidental, but necessary. The preservation of the Individuum, is the most principal among all the effects of nature. Who seethe not, that a private man following the adherence to a Rebel against a Prince, of necessity is a companion of his crimes and fortune? He wrongs no man, who virtuously maketh use of his Reason; It is the natural reason of every one who is borne, what he can to aid, preserve, and defend his own life; and even thus much is granted, which sometimes hath happened, that to preserve it without any fault, men have been killed; and this thelawes admit (under the care of which is the preservation of each mortal) how much more lawful than is it, without offence to any for a good Courtier to abandon a friend, not friendship; and to retire from peril, not from love?  
That in one and the same time a thousand are discovered to be enemies, who have flattered thee, is no wonder; man being promptly disposed to arrive by what meanssoever to his own ends. The place, thou emptiest hath need to be replenished. That the subject flatters his Prince, is not against nature. That revenge expects occasion, is not unusual. They, who now are thy enemies, were never thy friends; Virtue admits no change. That enemies offend thee, is no mervell, it were strange if they help thee. That Sejanus was precipitated from so exalted a Condition of felicity into so deep a dungeon of misery, is not to be called an effect of fortune; for if the causes (as we saw before) be of nature, how can the effects be supernatural? Man is that silk worm, which hath woven a prison, and bands for itself, and when crimes cometo incorrigible terms, they incur by divine permission those chasticements, which naturally follow bad beginnings. Who sees not, that ruin waiteth on him, who plays over it. Every Autumn concludeth in Winter. Mirth endeth in tears. The Soldier is reserved to the Sword, the Mariner to the waves. It is not ascribed to Fortune, that a Butterfly, bold to dally with the fire, at last is wasted in the flame, and is it to be called an accident of fortune, that that man, who is not able to govern himself, falls oppressed under the weight of the government of a whole world, and that which is more considerable, of another man's world? As if it were less natural to return back, then to departed from, to descend than to climb.  
Fortunate is that Courtier, who to gain the favour of his Lord, makes virtue the instrument. Happy he, who having obtained it, retires, that he may not lose it. The end attained, he who further pretendeth, provoketh misery. He commits himself to airy vanity, to gain the certainty of a Centre, who descendeth from a height, not expecting to be thrown headlong. The measure of the foot is more safe than of the eye. Favour is not inaccessible, but to preserve it is impossible, or difficult. The prize is gotten at the end, not at the beginning of the race. The end of good events, is the beginning of bad. He who trusteth to himself is rash, who confideth in the favour of another, is merely mad. The last day of servitude, is the first of liberty. Liberty in a generous and virtuous mind, is a pledge which assureth thee that such shall be thy fortune, as thou canst make it or desire it.  
This is as much as I can say to thee (O Courtier.) The favour of great men is an alluring Siren, which hath poison on the tongue, and a sword in hand. Let Sejanus be thy master, not thy guide, for very fond is he, who walketh on ruins, and remembers not he may fall.  JUVENAL. 
— Qui nimios optabat honores  
Etnimias poscebat opes, numero sa parabat  
Excelsae turris tabulata, unde altior esset  
Casus, & impulsae praeceps immane ruinae.  
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