THE hero, OF LORENZO, OR The way to eminency and PERFECTION.  
A piece of serious SPANISH wit Originally in that language written, and in English.  
By Sir John Skeffington Kt. and baronet.  
London, Printed for John Martin and James Allestrye at the Bell in St. Paul's churchyard. 1652.   

Let this be told the Reader,  
THat Sir John Skeffington (one of his late majesty's servants, and a stranger to no language of Christendom) did about 40 years now past, bring this Hero out of Spain into England.  
There they two kept company together till about 12 months now past: and then, in a retirement of that learned knights (by reason of a sequestration for his Master's cause) a friend coming to visit him, they fell accidentally into a discourse of the wit and gallantry of the Spanish Nation.  
That discourse occasioned an example or two, to be brought out of this Hero: and, those examples (with Sir John's choice language and illustration) were so relished by his friend (a stranger to the Spanish tongue) that he became restless till he got a promise from Sir. John to translate the whole, which he did in a few weeks; and so long as that employment lasted it proved an excellent diversion from his many sad thoughts; But he hath now changed that Condition, to be possessed of that place into which sadness is not capable of entrance.  
And his absence from this world hath occasioned me (who was one of those few that he gave leave to know him, for he was a retired man) to tell the Reader that I heard him say, he had not made the English so short, or few words, as the original; because in that, the Author had expressed himself so enigmatically, that though he endeavoured to translate it plainly; yet, he thought it was not made comprehensible enough for common Readers, therefore he declared to me, that he intended to make it so by a comment on the margin; which he had begun, but (be it spoke with sorrow) he and those thoughts are now buried in the silent Grave, and myself, with those very many that loved him, left to lament that loss.   

His epistle to the Reader.  
BEcause I desire to see thee singular, I have undertaken in a dwarf-book, to set out a Giant, and in short periods, immortal actions. But to set out a man accomplished, and such an one as being by nature no king, is yet more by his qualities, will be a miracle in perfection.  
Seneca would have him endued with prudence, Aesop with subtlety, Homer would have him a warrior, Aristotle a Philosopher and the Count 
Duke de Lerma.  would have him be a Courtier.  
According to this Character, having copied some Perfections out of the works of these great Masters: I intend to present thee with a rough draught of an Heros. To which purpose I have forged this manual mirror made up of other men's crystals and my own errors. Sometimes it will flatter thee, and then give thee counsel: Ano●●er time thou shalt find in it either what thou art, or what thou shouldest be.  
Here thou shalt find neither politics, nor economics, but reason of State concerning thine own particular. A mariner's Card to sail by, till thou arrive at Excellency. An art to become famous with a few rules of discretion.  
I write but short, because thy undërstanding is large, and short for the poverty of mine own thoughts. I will stay thee no longer that thou Mayst pass on.   

THE hero.  

Excellency I.  
That the Heroes practise Incomprehensibilities.  
LET this be the first dexterity in the Art of those that understand best: to take a right measure of the place by their artifice; it is a Masterpiece to make one's self known, but not to be comprehended, to feed expectation, but not un deceive it altogether: let the much still promise more, and the best action leave an appetite, and hopes behind it of greater.  
If an able man would maintain his respect, he must suffer none to sound his bottom: The flood is formidable till we have found a ford; And a man is had in honour till the limits of his capacity be known, because profoundness unknown, and presumed on, hath always maintained a credit by suspicion.  
It was a handsome propriety of speech to say (that which discovers cowards) (Victory being alternative in a moment) If he that comprehends, commands, than he that keeps concealed, never renders himself.  
A well-advised man must so carry himself that his address go always equal with the curiosity of him that attempts to understand him: but such a curiosity, for the most part, useth to overdo itself, when it gives the first onset.  
He that is dextrous in 
As in leaping or pitching the bar.  any exercise of strength, uses not to give over at the first assay, but goes engaging himself from one attempt to another; every second advancing and mending the former.  
This advantage belongs to none but an infinite Entity to vie much upon the stock; reserving a rest of infinity: Observe strictly this first Rule of greatness, and if thou canst not be infinite, strive to seem so, for it is no common subtlety.  
In this sense no man will be nice to applaud the Paradox of Mitylene, the half is more than the whole, because one half set to show, and the other in reserve is more than the whole in Declaration.  
That great King that was the first of the new world, and the last of Aragon, was 
America.  his craftsmaster in this, as in all other habilities, in which none of his heroic successors could ever carry their glory so high as he.  
This Catholic monarch 
Ferdinand●  kept his contemporary princes more in breath, by the splendour of those rare qualities which appeared every day in his spirit, than by the addition of all the new Crowns that adorned his Temples.  
This centre of the rays of Prudence; this great restorer of the Monarchy of the Goths, never appeared more glorious than when he dazzled the eyes of his heroic. Consort, and of his 
Isabel.  subtle Courtiers: when they set spies upon his deportments, to sound the vigour of his spirit, and measure his Valour, which he perceiving, sometimes let fall a discovery of himself, and then of a sudden shut up himself again, another time abandoning himself to their curiosity, presently after drew a curtain before their eyes: managing his spirit with so much conduct, that at last he turned their curiosity into admiration.  
O thou that art one of Fame's Candidates! thou that aspirest to greatness, be vigilant to become excellent; let the world know thee, but let none come aboard thee: By this subtlety, that which is but moderate will appear much; the much will be thought infinite; and infinite, more.   

Excellency II.  
Cifrar la voluntad.  
To cover the Will.  
THis Art would be of little esteem if while we command a confinement to our capacities, we should not charge our Affections to dissemble their follies.  
This piece of subtlety hath gotten so much credit that Tiberius, and Lewis 
The 11th 〈◊〉 France.  have built the whole frame of their politics upon it.  
If each excess in secret, be so in reputation, than the concealing our affectitions would get a sovereignty over ourselves: The weakness of our Wills are the Syncopes of Reputation, which if once they declare themselves, the other straight perishes.  
The first force serves only to suppress them, the second to disguise them: The first hath more of valour, and the last of cunning.  
He that renders himself to the weakness of his will, descends from a man to a brute: but he that bridles his will, keeps at least a Reputation in appearance.  
To penetrate the whole designs of others, is a mark of eminent capacity; but to be able to conceal a man's own, is an incomparable superiority: To discover passion to another is all one to open him a wicket to enter the fortress of our capacity: And hence it is that politic spies raise all their battery, and for the most part make all their assaults in Triumph: The Affections being once discovered, the entries and out-gates of the will are all understood, beside a perpetual power over us at all times.  
The inhumanity of the Gentiles hath ranked divers in the number of the Gods, for less than a moiety of Alexander's heroic actions: denying that predicament to the laureate Macedonian of being added to the Deities; Not assigning him a little place in Heaven, that had occupied so much of the World: But why should they have been so sparing, when they had so much to have been liberal of?  
Alexander obscured the lustre of his Actions, by his ungoverned fury, giving himself the lie after so many Triumphs, in rendering himself to the weakness of his Passions: It availed him little, to conquer a World, when he lost the patrimony of a Prince, which was his Reputation.  
Excessive choler, and extreme covetousness, are the Scylla and Charibdi●, the two Rocks of Reputation and Excellency.  
Let an able man than take good heed to suppress his Passions, or at least to dissemble them, with so much dexterity, that no countermine find a way to uncipher his will.  
This quality shows men how to be wise, though they were not, and passes yet further to hide defects, deluding the vigilancy of those that lie sentinel to surprise the careless, dazlingthe eyes of those Lynxes that are always busy in discovering the imperfections of others.  
That Chatholick Amazonian 
Isabel, wife of Ferdinand  (after whom Spain had no reason to envy either Zenobia, Semiramis, Tomiris, or Penthesilea) might have been the Oracle of these subtleties: when she was to be brought to bed she shut herself up in the most retired room, the most withdrawn chamber of the Palace, where her inbred Majesty, jealous of an inseparable gravity, sealed up her sighs in her Royal bosom, without suffering so much as the least dolorous accent to pass from her, and covered with a veil of darkness those undecent gestures which the violence of pain might have extorted: But she that in her wisdom made it so nice upon excusable pretences, how much more scrupulous was she like to have been in occasions of Honour?  
The Cardinal Madruccio did not account that man a fool, that acted a Folly: but him that having acted one, knew not how to smother it.  
This perfection is only accessible by him that can keep silence, 'tis an inclination that's qualified and perfects itself by Art: It is an attribute of a divinity▪ 〈…〉 Nature, yet at 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ance.   

Excellency III.  
La meior prenda de un hero.  
The chief quality of an hero.  
GReat parts are requisite to make up a great entireness, and great qualities are necessary to raise the Frame of an hero.  
Passionate men give it in the first place to the understanding to be the original of all greatness: And as they do not admit of a great man without excesses of understanding; So neither do they acknowledge a man to be of eminent understanding, except he be great.  
The most eminent of visible things is a man, in respect of his understanding, and consequently his victories are the greatest.  
This principal part is composed of two others: a stock of judgement, and an elevation of spirit, which being met together in one subject, form a Prodigy.  
Philosophy hath prodigally assigned faculties to the memory, and as much ●o the intellectual parts: Yet give the politic leave with better reason, to admit a division betwixt ●udgement and wit, betwixt the Synderisis and 〈…〉 cutenes of spirit.  
Only this distinction of 〈…〉 telligences, exceeds a 〈…〉 crupulous truth: condemning so much multiplication of spirits, to make a confusion betwixt the understanding and the will.  
The Judgement is the Throne of Prudence, and Wit the sphere of acuteness: But to judge whether the eminency of one, or the mediocrity of the other, should have the precedence, will be a pleading to be held before the tribunal of Sense, and of every one's inclination: I shall be of that woman's mind, who praying for her son said, Hrjo bios te de entendimiento del bueno.  
Courage, and prompnes, and subtlety of wit, are like the Sun of the world in abridgement; they are like the sparks, if they be not the very beams of Divinity: Every hero hath had a share in the excesses of spirit.  
The words of Alexander gave a lustre to his Actions: Caesar was as prompt in his thoughts, as he was in their Execution.  
But when I endeavour to set a true value upon the true Heroes, I find it doubtful which was more eminent in St. Augustine, the Majesty of his stile, or the quickness of his conceit: and in that famous Laurel which was given by Huesca to make a Crown for the Roman Empire, Constancy, and subtlety, were at strife which should have precedence.  
The Promptitudes of the Wit are as happy, as those of the Will are unfortunate: they serve as wings to fly up to greatness, wherewith many have raised themselves from a centre of dust and baseness, to the height of splendour.  
The Grand Signior using sometimes for a diversion, to appear rather upon a balcony in a garden, before ordinary people, than in a place of public expectation (the true prisons of Majesty, & irons of greatness) began one day to read a letter, which the wind, either in sport, or to let him see there was a so●eraignty above his, blew 〈…〉 ut of his hands and carry●d it among some scattered 〈…〉 eaves. The Pages that at●ended, being emulous to ●lease so great a Prince, 〈…〉 an down the stairs to ●each it up; But one among the rest, a Ganymede of in●ention that had practised 〈…〉 o support himself in the 〈…〉 yr, threw himself down ●rom the balcony, to re●over the paper, and sudden again remounting with it, presented it to the Grand Signior while the rest were but running down to fetch it: And this to speak properly was a right remounting or raising himself to greatness: For the Prince, sufficiently charmed and flattered by so rare an action, preferred the Page to the highest degree of his merit; and so it becomes verified, that subtlety of spirit, if it be not in its own right possesed of a Kingdom, deserves to be a companion to those that are.  
This is that which displays our best abilities: it cries up reputation, and raises the subject to as great a height as the foundation was laid deep.  
The ordinary speeches of a King are refined and crowned subtleties: The great treasures of Monarchs have often perished and come to nothing, but their sententious and wise speeches, are kept in the Cabinet and jewel-house of Fame.  
Some Champions have gotten more by a wise parley, than by all the swords of their armed squadrons: victory being for the most part an achievement that waits upon a refined spirit.  
It was the touchstone, the trumpet of greatest honour to that King of wise men and wisest of Kings, in that difference which was pleaded before him by the two harlots concerning their children: So we see that subtlety contributes as much to the reputation of Justice.  
He that is their Sun of Justice, and sometimes asistant at the tribunal of the Barbarians: The vivacity of that great Turk enters in competition with that of Solomon: A Jew pretended to cut an ounce of the flesh of a Christian upon a penalty of Usury; he urged it to the Prince, with as much obstinacy as perfidiousness towards God. The great Judge commanded a pair of scales to be brought, threatening the Jew with death if he cut either more or less: And this was to give a sharp decision to a malicious process, and to the world a miracle of subtlety.  
Quickness is an Oracle in the greatest doubts: A Sphynx in enigmass, a golden thread in a Labyrinth, and corresponds most with the nature of a lion, who reserves his greatest force till he be in the greatast danger.  
But there are a sort of lost wits, that are as prodigal of their spirits as of their fortunes: To high designs they are like bastard Falcons; but for base and mean undertakings they are Eagles: If cruel men must be satiate with blood; they must be with poison, in whom their subtlety abates by a contrariety of levity, burying them in an Abyssus of scorn by making the world weary of their foolery.  
Hitherto we have had the favours of Nature, hereafter we expect the perfections of Art: The first is that which begets spirit, the second feeds and seasons itself with the salt of other men's wits; and many times by an anticipated care and study upon divers Observations.  
The words and actions of other men, are to a fertile capacity, like Seeds, from whence springs a sharpness of wit, wherewith the spirit being enriched, multiplies itself into a harvest of promptitudes, with abundance of subtlety.  
I take not in hand to advocate the cause of judgement, since she is able to say enough for herself.   

Excellency IV.  
Coracon de Rey.  
Heart of a King.  
A Great head belongs to Philosophers, a great tongue to Orators, a great breast for Champions, arms for soldiers, Feet for runners, Shoulders for them that carry burdens, but a great Heart only for Kings: It is one of Plato's Divinities, and a text, in favour of which many make the heart to contest with the understanding for a pre-eminence.  
What avails it that the Understanding go before, if the Heart stay behind? Invention easily conceives that which costs the heart full dear to execute with Honour.  
Great effects proceed from great causes, and wonders of action from a Prodigy of heart: The issues of a giant's heart are Giants: It presumes always upon Enterprises worthy of its own greatness, aspiring always to the most eminent Employments.  
〈…〉 was the heart of Alexander, it was an arch 〈…〉, since in one corner of it, the 〈…〉 contain 〈…〉, leaving 〈◊〉 for ●ix 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Caesar's heart was likewise 
●ut Caesar 〈◊〉.  va●●, which could find no difference betwixt all and nothing.  
The heart is fortune's stomach, which with equal heat digests the two extremes: A great belly is not cloyed with a great morsel; it is not put out of its way by affectation, nor made sour by ingratitude: That which would starve a giant for hunger, will prove a surfeit for a Dwarf.  
That miracle of valour, the than Dauphine of France, and after Charles the seventh, when they told him of that sentence which was extorted from the parliament of Paris, by the two Kings, one of France, his father, the other of England and his Adversary, whereby he was declared uncapable of succeeding to the crown of lilies: He said undauntedly, that he appealed; his friends wondering at his speech, asked him whither, he answered again, to the greatness of my Heart, and the point of my Sword: And his words were followed with answerable effects.  
The Diamant that contests with Eternity, sparkles not more among devouring Carbuncles, than a majestic heart in the midst of the violences of danger.  
The Achilles of our time, Charles Emanuel D. of Savoy, made his way with only 4 of his own through the midst of four hundred of the enemy's Curiassiers, & satisfied the admiration of the world by saying, There was no better company in the greatest danger, than that of a great Heart.  
Excess of Heart supplies the defect of every thing else (that being ever) the first that arrives at difficulties and makes the Conquest.  
They presented on a time to the King of Arabia a Damask Cimitar, A rarity to please a warrior. The Grandees that were about him fell to commend it, not for ceremony but with reason. Some for the workmanship, others for the temper: Only some of them thought it was a little with the shortest. The K. presently sends for the Prince his son, the famous Jacob Almancor, to have his opinion. He came and considered it, and said, that it was worth a kingdom. (A prizing worthy of a Prince) The King urged him to know whether he could find no fault with it. He replied that there was nothing in it that was not excellent: why but Prince, said the king, these Cavaliers have censured it to be too short. Then Almanzor laying hand upon his own for Cimitar said, that there was no weapon too short a valiant man, because by moving but one step forward his sword would be long enough: and what it wanted of iron and steel, would be supplied in the generosity of his heart.  
Magnanimity in injuries serves fitly to crown this subject with laurel. It is the large crest and Character of great Hearts: and Adrian showed us an excellent way to triumph over enemies, when he said to the most cruel of his, 〈◊〉 thou escaped me?  
There is nothing can hold compare with that saying of Lewis of France, Let not the king of France revenge the injuries done to the Duke of Orleans: These are the miracles of the Courage of an hero.   

Excellency V.  
Gusto relevante.  
A palate to relish no ordinary things.  
EVery great capacity is ever hard to be pleased: The Gusto must as well be improved as the wit. Both raised and improved are like twins begotten by capacity and coheirs of excellency: Never sublime wit yet bred a flat or abject Gusto. There are perfections like the sun, others like light. The Eagle makes love to the sun. The poor frozen fly destroys herself in the flames of a Candle. The height of a Capacity is best taken by the elevation of a Gusto.  
It is something to have it good, but more to have it elevated. By communication Gustoes' are linked together, and it is a rare thing when two are met that are superlative.  
Many esteem it the greatest felicity to have what they desire, accounting all others unfortunate, but it returns to be six all, at seven up: and so we see the one half of the world Laughing at the other, more or less foolishly as it happens.  
A Critical Gusto, and a palate hard to please, have something in them of noble and qualified; the most acomplisht objects live in awe of them, and the securest perfections are afraid of them.  
Estimation is most precious, and only wise men can merchand it to profit. All covetousness in money of applause is generous, and contrary, the prodigalities of estimation deserve to be punished with scorn.  
Admiration is commonly the superscription of ignorance: It is not bred so much out of the perfection of objects, as the imperfection of our conceptions. The perfections of the first magnitude are singular, but in valuing of things there ought to be a great reservation.  
He that had the royal Gusto was the wisest of the Philips of Spain: he was accustomed to miraculous objects, and was never pleased with any thing but what was rare in its kind.  
A Merchant of Portugal presented him one day with a star of the earth (I mean an Oriental diamant) an epitome of riches, an astonishment for splendour: Every one expected that Philip should admire it; but he beheld it rather with a careless disdain: Not that he delighted in discourtesy, but in a kind of gravity, like one that having had his Gusto enured to Miracles both of Art and Nature, could not be so vulgarly affected as others. What may this diamant be worth to a noble fancy? (quoth the King) Sir, replied the Merchant, the seventy thousand ducats which I abridged into this rare production of the Sun, need not be an offence to anybody; I, but replied the King, what didst thou think when thou payedst so dear for it? I thought Sir, said the Merchant, there had been a second Philip 
This was Philip the second of Spain in allusion to that great Philip of Macedon.  in the world. This answer so unexpected, pricked him to the quick more near than the price; whereupon he commanded the Diamant to be paid for, and the Jentilesse of the Portugall's answer to be rewarded; showing thereby the superiority of his Gusto both in the price and in the recompense.  
Some are of an opinion that he that exceeds not in the commendation of a thing, dispraiseth it; But I would say, that all excesses of praise are from a defect of capacity; And that he that praises any thing beyond reason, either mocks himself, or those that hear him.  
The Greek Agesilaus condemned that man for an ill master of his trade, that would fit the shoe of the Giant Enceladus, to the foot of a Pigmy, and in the matter of praises it is the best skill to take a first measure.  
Europe was filled with the praise and prowess of that great Duke D'Alva, and yet though they filled the world with his praises, they took not a right measure of his Gusto, which left him unsatisfied; Some of his friends desiring to know a reason, He told them that for forty years wherein he had been a conqueror, and having had for his Camp all Europe, and for blazon all the Empresses of his time, yet it seemed nothing to him, because he had never seen one of those prodigious armies of the Turk before him, the defeat whereof had been a triumph of dexterity more than of force; And such an excessive power subdued, would have enhanced the experience and merit of a General: so many things must go to the entire satisfaction of the elevated Gusto of an hero.  
Let not this quality make a perfect Man of a Momus, for that were an unsufferable disorder, but only to be a faithful Censor of things to their value: Some there are that make their judgement a slave to their wills, perverting the offices of the sun and of darkness: Let every thing carry reputation for itself, and not by the subornation of a Gusto.  
Only a great knowledge favoured with a great experience arrives at a right understanding of the value of perfections. And where a discreet man cannot give his vote with clearness, let him not precipitate, but retain himself for fear he make a discovery rather of what himself wants, than of what others have too much.   

Excellency VI.  
eminency en lo mejor.  
Eminency in that which is best.  
TO contain all perfection is granted to nothing but to the primum Ens, which because it receives from no other, is therefore itself without limitations.  
Some perfections are from heaven, and others are got by industry; One nor both are not able of themselves to raise a subject to eminency: So much as heaven hath denied o● natural parts, let diligence supply in those of acquisition. The first are the daughters of favour, the other of a laudable industry and are usually not the less Noble.  
A little is enough for an individual, but a grea● deal must be for an universal: and these are so rare that we scarce grant them any other reality than what they Steal from our conceptions.  
No one man is equivalent to many. It is an excellency in one particular subject to be the abridgement of an entire category, and to possess it in himself, every Art deservs not estimation, nor all employments gain not credit: we condemn not a general Nation of all things in one man: but it were a sin against reputation for a man to practise every thing.  
To be eminent in an humble and lo●● profession, is to be great in a little, and something in nothing; to contain one's self in a mediocrity, gets an universal approbation, but he that passes on to an Eminency, puts his credit upon hazard.  
The 2 Philips, the oue● of Spain, the other of Macedon, were of different humours. He that was first in all things, and second in name, thought it strange for a Prince to sing or fiddle in his Cabinet. The Macedonian allowed it in his son Alexander to enter the list, and run a measured course, in an Olympic game. The one was a punctuality in a prudent man, the other a carelessness that belonged to greatness, but Alexander resenting it in point of honour, replied, That he would have kings to be his Antagonists.  
That which contains most of delectable, hath ordinarily a less share of Heroicknes.  
A great man must not confine himself to one or two perfections, but push on his ambition to infinity, aspiring to a plausible universality; the perfection of knowledges corresponding with the excellency of arts.  
A slight knowledge is not enough to make a man appear consummate, it is rather a note of vain loquacity than of profound science. To attain to an excellency in all things is not the least of impossibilities, not so much by the weakness of our ambition, as of our diligence, and even of life itself: Exercise is a means to obtain a consummation of that we profess. But our time fails us in our best employments, and we are soon distasted with the length of a tedious practice.  
Many mediocrities are not enough to compose a greatness. One only Eminency hath more than needs to secure a superiority above all others.  
There was never Here known to be without Eminency in some thing, it being the character of greatness, and by how much the employment is qualified, his applause is more glorious. Eminency in an advantageous subject it is a beam of souveraignty and pretends to a kind of veneration.  
And if to rule a Globe of wind with Eminency be a triumph of admiration, what shall it be reputed to manage a sword, a pen, a rod, a baston, a sceptre, a Crown?  
That Castilian Mars from whose valour it became a common saying (Castello for Captains) as Aragon for kings, Don Diego Perez de Vargas, more charged with bays than days, forsook the Court to end them in Xerez a frontier town: He withdrew himself but not his fame, which extended itself day lie over the theatre of the universe. Alfonso the new king, but old in knowing how to value Eminency, especially in arms, put himself into a disguise, acompani'd with only four Cavaliers to gosee Vargas. (O how eminency is an adamant of wills and a Charm of affections) The King being come to his house at Xerez, found him not there, but gone abroad, because Vargas to deceive his generous inclination used to wall● into the fields. But the King that thought it not much to come from the Court to Xerez, made it no scruple to go after him to his farm; And spied him a far off in his vineyard with a Hook in his hand, cutting off the Heads of vines, perhaps with more difficulty than at other times he had used to do the heads of his enemies. Alfonso commanded the Cavaliers to stay behind and conceal themselves, while he alighted from his horse, and with a majestic gallantry fell of gathering up the twigs, which Vargas had lopped, and carelessly left behind him. But Vargas, apprehending some little noise which the king made, chanced to look back, and by a loyal inspiration taking notice that it was the king, threw himself at his feet, and asked him, Sir, what do you do here, proceed Vargas quoth Alfonso, for (A tall podador tall sarmentador) to such a vine-dresser such a gatherer up of twigs.  
Oh the triumph of an eminency! whereat set a brave man strain to arrive, with this assurance, that whatsoever it shall cost him in travel and pains, shall be repaied again in money of honour and reputation.  
It was not therefore unproper, that the Gentiles consecrated an ox to Hercules, to let us understand by a mystery, that laudable travel is the seed of actions which promise a Harvest of fame, applause, and immortality.   

Excellency VII.  
Excellencia del primero.  
Excellency of primacy.  
THere are some that had been the Phoenix in their employments, if others had not stepped before them: It is a great advantage to get before others, and if it be in a way of eminency the merit grows double. He that wins by the hand, may win upon equal terms.  
Those that come after are counted but Imitators of them that went before, and whatsoever they do they can hardly clear themselves from a presumption of imitation.  
The first raise themselves to fame by a right of eldership, while the second like younger brothers must be content with meager portions.  
The curiosity of the Gentiles gave not only honour but veneration to the inventors of arts. They changed honour into worship. An ordinary Error, but a true expression of the merits of primacy. But the gallantry is not in benig the first in time, but the first in eminency.  
Plurality is a discredit to itself, in things which are of high esteem, and on the contrary, rarity enhaunses the price of indifferent perfections.  
This is then no common dexterity to find out a new way to become famous, to discover an unknown trace to celebrity.  
The ways to fame are multiplyd, but they are not all chalked out, and the newest being hard to find, have often been an obstacle to greatness.  
Solomon, did wisely in choosing the title of pacifical, letting his father enjoy that of a warrior: He changed the path and, arrived with so much lesser difficulty at the predicament of Heros.  
Tiberius strained himself to wear that title by policy, which Augustus had got by magnanimity.  
And our great Philip, from the throne of his prudence governed the world, with an admiration to all ages. And if Charles V. his invincible father were a prodigy of courage, He was so of prudence.  
The radiant Suns of the of the Church have by this policy ascended up to the Zenith of celebrity: Some by an eminent holiness; Others by rareness of learning; Some by their magnificence in buildings; and some other by knowing how to maintain his dignity by the strength of his wit.  
By this diversity of designs the wisest have got themselves places and been Matriculated in greatness.  
Wit knows how to degage itself from ordinary tracks without a desection of Art, and how to find in an old profession a new passage to Eminency. Horace gave place to Virgil in an heroic strain, Martial to Horace in the lyric, Terence addicted himself to the comic, and Persius to writing of satyrs, each aspiring to a glory of being first in his kind. A generous fancy never became a slave to easy imitation.  
A gallant painter observing that Titian Rafael and some others had won themselves an honour of primacy, and that every day their fames got advantage of their deaths, used an invincible invention, and fell to work in a grosser way: Some demanded of him why he did not paint after the manner of Titian and others: He satisfied gallantly with this answer, that he had rather be the first in that gross way, than second in a way of more delicacy.  
Let this example extend itself unto all kind of employments, and every rare man understand this kind of address, that in a novelty of eminency, it sufficeth to find out some extravagant way to greatness.   

Excellency VIII.  
Que el hero prefiera los empenos plausibles.  
That a hero made choice of the most plausible employments.  
TWo cities gave birth to two Heroe's; Hercules was born at Thebes, and Cato at Rome: Hercules was applauded by all natious, and Cato was the distaste of Rome. All countries admired the one, and the Romans shunned and hated the other.  
The advantage which Cato had of Hercules, admits no controversy because he exceeded him in prudence: But Hercules went as far beyond him in fame.  
Cato's work was more arduous and honourable, for he engaged himself to subdue Monsters of passions, as Hercules did of nature, yet the Thebans attempts had more of famousness.  
The difference was in this, that the enterprises of Hercules were more plausible, and those of Cato, more odious.  
The plausibility the of employment carried the fame of Alcides as far as the Confines of the habitable 
Hercules  world, and had gone further, if it had been more spacious: the severity of Cato shut up his renown within the walls of Rome.  
And yet there are some, and not of the least judgement, that prefer a difficult employment before a plausible, and with such, the approbation of a few select persons is more accepted, than applause from the vulgar: plausible employments are called the miracles of the ignorant.  
Those that comprehend the excellency of an high employment are but few: yet they are persons of eminency, and so their reputation comes but from a few. The facility of that which is plausible is discerned by all, and grows common, and so applause is ordinarily more universal.  
The approbation of a few honoured people, is better than the acclamations of the numerous vulgar.  
Beside it is a piece of dexterity to be always encountered with plausible employments, and a point of good discretion to suborn common attention, by the splendour of brave undertakings the eminency thereof appears to all, and the reputation is settled by every man's vote.  
Plurality of opinions is always to be preferred: In such kind of employments excellency is ever palpable; and although the other (which being of a higher strain) partakes more of supernatural and metaphysical, and with a plausible evidence please themselves, yet I leave the difference to every man's opinion; I call that a plausible employment which is executed in the view and to the satisfaction of all, provided that reputation be at the bottom, and excluding those employments which are as empty of honour, as full of Ostentation. A stage player lives rich in applause: but dies poor in reputation.  
To be eminent, in a gentleman, is an undertaking that's set upon the theatre, and must consequently be attended with a large applause.  
What princes are those that make up the Catalogues of fame but warriors? To them is properly due the renown of greatness. They fill the world with applause, the chronicles with fame: because the exploits of war have something more of splendour in them than those of peace.  
Among judges we assign the strictest to immortality, because justice without cruelty, was ever of more acceptance with the vulgar, than remissness of mercy.  
In matter of wit, plausibility hath always triumph. The sweetness of a polished discourse hath had a power to charm the soul, and flatter the ears, while the dryness of a Metaphysical conception puts us upon the rack.   

Excellency ix..  
Del qui late Rey.  
King of his own talon.  
I Am in some doubt whether to call it wisdom or a happy encounter in a Heroes that having an elevated perfection in himself, hath also obtained this attribute, of being the King of his own capacity.  
In some the Heart reigns, in others the Head: and it would be thought a high piece of foolery for a man of brains to study valour, or for the other to make war with his pen. Let the Peacock please himself with the glorious wheel of his ●rain, Let the Eagle be esteemed for the height of ●er flying. If the Ostrich should aspire to tower into the air, her downfall were inevitable: let her please herself in the beauty of her plumes.  
There is no man that in something might not have attained to be eminent: yet we see how few are accounted rare as well for their paucity as their excellency, like the Phoenix whereof the world is in doubt whether there be such a bird. No man thinks himself uncapable of the greatest employment you can offer him, but time (though late) will disabuse him in that flattery o● his own passion.  
That man deserves some excuse that is eminent i● mediocrities, though h● be but mean in eminenci 〈…〉 yet he that might hav● been chief in sublimities, and contents himself with 〈◊〉 mediocrity in the low 〈…〉 things, is never to be excused.  
Although he were a poet, yet he dealt ingenuously with us, 〈◊〉 nihil in 〈◊〉, &c. Thou shalt undertake nothing 〈…〉 an opposition of thy Genius, but there is nothing so hard as to undeceive a man in the confidence of his own capacity.  
Oh that there were as well looking-glasses for the understanding, as there are for the face. The understanding should be a glass to itself; but it is so easily falsified, Every judge of himself finds presently some text of evasion, or some colour to suborn his passion.  
The variety of inclinations is infinite. It is one of natures delightful prodigies: In faces; in voices, in constitutions. So many fancies; So many employments: The most vile and infamous ones want not their passions, and what the powerful providence of the most politic Prince, cannot effect; becomes easy to an inclination.  
If a monarch in his own kingdom were to dispose of all mechanic offices; Be thou a ploughman, Be thou a Mariner, He would presently arrive at an obstruction. The best employment might be conferred upon such an one that would not like it. And at this day men are blinded in their own elections of things that are but common and ordinary, so much power hath inclination; and if force and power be but joined with it, nothing will be able to make a resistance. But ordinarily these two faculties of power and inclination meet not in the same subject.  
Wherefore a wiseman must cherish his own fancy, by drawing it without violences to take a just measure of its own power, that having found the height of his talon, he may proceed to employment with felicity.  
That prodigious marquess Del Valle, Don Fernando Cortes, had never attained, to be the Alexander of Spain, nor a Caesar in America, if he had not sorted his abilities to his employment. His learning was able to place him but in a mean rank: but by Arms he raised himself to the top of eminency: paralleling himself both to Alexander and Caesar, with whom he divided the conquest of the world into three parts.   

Excellency X.  
Que el hero hu de tener tanteada su fortuna all empenarse.  
The hero must found his fortune to the bottom before he engage himself.  
FOrtune, which is as much renowned as she is little understood, is nothing else (to speak with reason and like a Catholic) but that great mother of events, and granchild of supreme providence, which hath always assisted at causes, sometimes with willingness, and at other times by permission.  
This is that so sovereign, so inscrutable, so inexorable a Queen, smiling upon some, and severe to others, sometime like a Mother, than a stepmother, not so much out of passion as an arcaness of inaccessible judgements.  
It is a rule among the greatest politics, to have a narrow observance upon fortune and her favourites. He that hath found her 
Successus 〈…〉 rgere suos, 〈…〉 nstare favori Numius: Et so 〈…〉 itus in 〈…〉 aeceps mit 〈…〉 ere Caesar Fortunam. 〈…〉 ucan.  like a Mother, let him make use of her favour, and throw himself freely into great actions, for where she is in love with a man she gives herself leave to be flattered with his confidence.  
Caesar had taken the true pulse of his fortune, when he was fain to encourage his faint-hearted waterman in a storm, by saying, Be not afraid, for so thou wrong'st the fortunes of Caesar: He found no Anchor so sure as 〈◊〉, nor did he apprehend any contrariety of winds while he had in poop the sweet gale of the breath of his fortune.  
What danger is it if the Air be troubled, while the Heavens are clear? If the Sea roar, while the stars smile?  
Such a boldness in another had been judged rashness, but in Caesar it was a dextrousness, that had so truly considered the favour of his fortune. Others have lost brave opportunities to celebrate themselves by not comprehending their fortune: Even as low as the blind gamester, there is scarce a man that consults not his fortune before he set up his rest.  
It is a great talon to be fortunate, and in the opinion of most, the fortunate man must wear the garland: Some make more account of an ounce of fortune than of quintals of valour, or a Magazine of wisdom. Others, of a more melancholic temper, say it is more honourable to be unfortunate; and that fortune is th'inheritance of fools, and the reward of those that have no other merit.  
The wise father redeems the defect of beauty in his daughter with gold, and good success for the most part gilds over the deformities of the spirit.  
Galen desired that his Physician, Vegerius that his Captain, and Aristotle that his monarch might be fortunate. True it is that valour and fortune (the 2 godfathers of every hero) are also the axletrees of greatness.  
But he that hath had often experience of fortune for a stepdame; let him strict sail at great employments, and not overween of her affection: for where she disaffects generally, her arms are leaden.  
Excuse me for stealing once more a saying from the poet of sentences, for I am obliged to restore it again, by way of counsel. Tu nihil invita; &c. Thou shalt neither say nor do any thing where thou hast fortune in opposition.  
The Benjamin of our felicity, is at this day by the evidence of his splendour that heroic, unconquered, most ●erene Cardinal Infant of Spain Don Fernando, A name that passes for blazon, the nominal Crown of so many Heroes as have worn it.  
The whole world being in some suspense, looked after his fortunes, being assured of his courage. And that great princess declared him for her gaiant, upon the first occasion; I say upon that occasion, which was as immortal for him and his, as it was mortal to his enemies, the battle of Norlinguen, beside other progressions of stratagems in France and Flanders, and the remainder of his honour from Jerusalem.  
It is a considerable part of the politics to be able to discern betwixt fortunate men and such as are unsuccessful, that when they are met together in competition, they may be resolved whether it be better stand to the shock, or yield.  
Solyman showed himself a wise man in diverting the felicity of our Catholic Mart, the fift of Charles's, by using all means possible that his valour might be confined within his own sphere of Europe, He feared that alone more than all the Regiments of the west together: Let this be a subject of contemplation for others whom it may concern.  
Charles himself struck sail, in a time when it 
See St●●daes first book of Decades neatly Eng lisht.  served his turn (not for his reputation) for in that he had resigned his part, but for his crown.  
The first Francis of France did not so: He was in love with the ignorance of his fortune, and desired not to understand that of Caesar his adversary: but as a delinquent in prudence he was unfortunate to be 
At the battle of Pavy  taken prisoner.  
Good and ill success, adhere alike to those that are of a side: let a wise man take heed, which side he takes and at this game of triumph or (as we call it) trump, let him so take and discard his cards that he may be sure or win.   

Excellency XI.  
Que el hero sepa dexarse ganado con la fortuan.  
To give over before he be a loser.  
ALL things that are subject to mutability have as well an increase as a declination: Others allow them a state like a solstice, wherein there is yet no stability.  
It is a business of great forefight to be able to stop the revolution of a restless wheel. It is the subtlety of a cunning gamester, to give over while he wins: where prosperity itself is but a game, nothing is so certain as ill luck.  
It is better sit down with honour, than attend the Changes of an unconstant fortune, which is accustomed to show two contrary faces in a moment.  
So much as it hath of woman: so much it wants of constancy, according to an opinion of some choice spirits. When the Emperor 
young adversary Hen 2 the son of France; Fortuna est juvenum. Strada.  Charles was in some distress before Metz, and ready to make his retraict, the marquess of Mariguau told him for his comfort, that she had not only the inconstancy of a woman, but the levity of a girl.  
But I say they are not 
Charles was now grownold and had a  the lightnesses of a woman, but the alternative varieties of a just prudence.  
Let a wiseman show himself in this: Let him betake himself to the Sanctuary of an honourable retraict; because a fair retraict is as glorious as a gallant combat.  
But there are some that are so hydropsick, always burning in a thirst of honour, that they have no 
Prince Rupert.  power to command themselves, if fortune once begin to flatter them in their passions.  
Let that great Charles, be a great example of this Perfection, that eldest son of fortune and of Heroes: This emperor crowned all his actions with a prudent conclusion. He triumphed over the world by his fortune, & at last he triumphed over fortune, by moderating himself in his ambition, which was like the sealing up of all his former prowesses.  
But contrary some have put the best part of their reputation (which they had gotten) to arbitrement, by the unruliness of their desires. Great beginnings in felicity have had many times monstrous terminations, which if they had made use of this advice in time might have secured their honours.  
A ring thrown into the sea, and found in a fishes belly, might give Policra●es some assurance that he and his fortune were inseparable: Notwithstanding a little while after The Mountain Micale was the tragical theatre of a divorce, betwixt him and her.  
Belisario became blind, that others might receive sight. And the Moon of 
He intends some one of that family De le Lunae.  Spain fell into an eclipse, that it might give light to many.  
There is no art can teach to take the pulse of fortune aright, it beats so uncertain: yet nevertheles● some presages of declination serve sometimes for 〈◊〉 diversion from dangers.  
Sudden prosperities and inundatious of success one upon another have bee● always to be suspected 〈◊〉 because when fortune i● most prodigal of her favours, for the most par● she intends no long continuance.  
Felicity that's grown old draws near an end, and extreme ill forttune is not far from a reverse.  
The Moor Abul, brother and Heir to the King of Granada, and taken pri●oner in Salobrenia, to ●eguile his misery used sometime to play at Checks, (a true represen●ation of the game of for●une) He was no sooner set down but in comes a Cor 〈…〉 year to tell him he must prepare himself to die. In 〈…〉 xorable death comes always post. The Moor de 〈…〉 ired him for a respite of 2 hours. The Commissary ●hought it too long: but yet granted him leave to play but his game. He played and won both his life and the kingdom: for before the game was ended, another Post arrived with news of the King's death, whereby the city of Granada presented him with their crow●  
There have been as many that have risen fro● the scaffold to the Crown as have descended fro● the Crown to the scaffo 〈…〉 the good morsels of fo●tune had never so good relish as when they which 〈…〉 
sour sweet  seasoned with an Agr 〈…〉 dulce of danger.  
Fortune is not unli 〈…〉 pirates that wait for ve●sels at sea till they 〈◊〉 fraught. The Count 〈…〉 plot must be to anticipa 〈…〉 and take some port be times.   

Excellency XII.  
Gracia de les gentes.  
The love of the people.  
IT is but a small conquest to gain the understanding, if the will be not won, and 'tis a great matter to make a joint conquest of admiration with affection. Many maintain their credits by plausible actions, but they get not benevolence.  
He must be born under a favourable constellation, that obtains so universal a grace, but the best part proceeds from our own diligence; Others hold a contrary discourse when applause does not correspond to an equality of merits. That which in one man's nature draws affection like the adamant, another hath it by a conspiracy or secretness of practice? I shall always yield the superiority to that faculty that's artificial.  
An eminency of perfections serves not to get the people's affection, (although it be enough) Affections are easily gotten where the understanding is suborned, because affection follows good opinion.  
The Duke of Guise, that was as famous in misfortune as he was rich in the endowments of nature, did very happily practise the way of gaining common favour. He grew in greatness by the favour of one King, and grew greater 
Charles 9th Henry 3.  by the emulation of an other, I mean the third of the French Henry's; A name fatal to Princes in every Monarchy: For in so great a subject the name deciphers Oracles.  
The King one day asked some Lords that were about him, what it was that Guise did to make himself so powerful to bewitch the people: An ingenuous Courtier, and the chief of those that were present, answered him, Sir by dealing courtesies with both hands: Those whom the influences of his courtesies, reach not in a direct line, they have it by reflection, and where his power extends not into action, there he charms with good words; If they invite him to a wedding, he fails not to be there; If to be a godfather, he never refuses; If to an interment, he honours it with his presence; He is Human, courteous, liberal, endears all the world to him, and speaks ill of none; In conclusion, He is the king in their affections, as your majesty is in effect.  
A happy grace, if it had been in relation to his Prince, and without which it was of no essence: whatsoever the opinion of Bajazet were: yet we find that applause given to the minister cannot but enjealouse the sovereign. And to say truth, the Grace of God, and of the king, and of the people, are 3 graces of more beauty than those other 3 that were feigned by antiquity. They hold hand in hand, and are so straightly interlaced that if any of them fail; let it be able to show a good cause.  
The most powerful Charm to make one's self beloved, is to love, the vulgar are as violently carried away in their affections as they are furious in their persecutions. The first thing that gets their love after a good opinion is courtesy and generousness, by 
Delicias humani generis.  means whereof th'Emperor Titus was called the delight of mankind.  
The favourable word of a superior is as good as an obliging action from an equal, and a courtesy from a Prince, exceeds a rich present from the hands of a Citizen.  
By forgetting majesty but a while the Magnanimous Don Annoso, lighting 
King of Naples.  from his horse to relieve a country fellow that was in some danger, conquered the fortified walls of Ga 〈…〉, which the battery of his Guns could not have done in many days. He made his first entry at their hearts, and presently after, entered in triumph into their city.  
Some overcurious critics could find nothing 
Fernando Gonsales.  so eminent among the merits of the great Captain that Giant of Heroes as the love of the people.  
And I am of the same opinion, that in a pluraliof perfections, where each deserves a plausible renown, this was the happiest.  
There is also the favour of Historians to be had in ambition as much as Immortality; because their pens are the wings of renown: They set not out so much the favours of Nature, as of the Soul: That phoenix Corvino, the glory of Hungary, was used to say, and practise it much better, That the greatness of an hero consisted in two things, by inuring his hand to Glorious Actions, and to the Pen, because Characters of Gold bind up Eternity.   

Excellency XIII.  
Del Despeio.  
We have no word to express Despeio, the French call it Entregent, the Chapter gives a definition, and I must use the word Entregent.  
THE Entregent is the Soul of every rare quality, the life of all perfection, the vigour of action, the grace of words, the charm of well-born spirits, sweetly flattering the understanding, and sets all expression upon the tenter hooks.  
It is an enhaunsment of excellency, It is the beauty of formality; Other parts adorn nature, but this improves those ador●ing parts, insomuch as it is the perfection of perfection, by a transcendent beauty, and by an universal grace.  
It consists in a certain ayriness, in an unspeakable cheerfulness, as well in words as actions, and passes even into discourse. It receives the best advantage from nature, although it borrow something from observation. It was never subject to directions nor to the precept of a superior although it were always governed by art; when it steals away the fancy, 'tis called an allurement; when 'tis not easily discerned, 'tis called an ayriness. If it be put on by courage 'tis animosity: If out of gallantry or Gentiless, 'tis a sweetness of carriage, If it be done with facility 'tis address. All these names have been given it out of a desire and difficulty of expressing it.  
They do it wrong that confound it with facility, for it leaves that far behind it, and goes as far before bravery: and although all Entregent presuppose freedom, yet it adds to perfection. If actions have any thing of splendour, the obligation is to Entregent, for that sets them to the light.  
Without this the best execution is dead, and the greatest perfection unpleasing. Neither yet retains it somuch of the nature of accident, that sometimes it stands not for the principal. It serves not only for ornament, but for a prop to the most important affairs.  
Wherefore if it be the soul of beauty, It is the spirit of prudence; If it be the breath of gentilesse, it is the life of valour.  
The Entregent gives as much Lustre to a Commander in war, as his courage, and in the person of a King it parallels prudence.  
The freedom of Entregent is of no less use in the day of a battle, than dextrousness and valour. It makes a general first master of himself, and then of all that are under him.  
The brave assurance of that Conqueror of kings, that contender in honour with Alcides, Don Fernando d'Avalos, is never enough magnified: let same resound his praises 
He took France prisoner at Pavy battle.  upon the theatre of Pavy.  
The Entregent discovers animosity as much in him that sits on horseback, as in him that fits under a cloth of state. It adds acuteness to pleading, and graces the Orator in his chair. Most heroical was the disengagement of that French Theseus, Henry the fourth, who by the golden thread of his Entregent found a way to free himself out of that intricate labyrinth.  
The Entregent hath no less influence upon the politic. And therefore upon the credit of that spiritual monarch of the world, I come to ask this question, Whether there be not another world to govern?   

Excellency XIV.  
Deal natural imperio.  
THis primacy is interested in another quality so subtle and separate from Common apprehensions, that it were in some hazard to be flung up for a transcendent, if curiosity had not cautioned for it.  
We see a certain inborn and natural souveraignty in some men, which seems to spakle in them, and upon others by a secret influence, a power of domination, which wins itself an obedience without help of exterior precepts or any art of persuasion.  
Caesar being taken prisoner at sea by certain pirates that were islanders, presently became the master of them. He being conquered, commanded, and they Conquerors, obeyed; By ceremony he was a Captive, and in reality of sovereignty became their Lord.  
One man like him does more execution with one stern look, than others with all their industry. Their reasons have an occult vigour, which prevails more by sympathy, than by any thing that's visible.  
The proudest mind submits to their domination, without knowing why or how, and the freest judgement renders itself without constraint.  
Such persons among men have as great an advantage as lions among creatures, because they have a share in the princiapll quality which is domination.  
All creatures acknowledge the lion by instinct of nature, and do him homage by way of prevention before they have examined his valour.  
So to those Heroes, other men give them respect by way of advance, without staying to take an inventory of their habilities.  
This is an Excellency deserving a Crown, and being matched with a great understanding and height of courage, it can be said to want nothing why it should not form a Primum Mobile in politics.  
This sovereign quality was in the person of Don Hernand Alvarez, (Duke d'Alva) as in a throne: A lord more by privileges of nature than of courtesy: He was great, & born to be greater, for in his ordinary discourse He knew not how to disguise a natural imperiousness.  
It holds great difference from a measured and borrowed gravity, from an affected tone of voice, which is a very fift essence of odiousness, and though being natural, it might be born with, yet it comes very near to tedious importunity.  
The distrust which it hath of itself raises contradictions upon every design. And if once it come but to lose confidence, it falls off to be the scorn of the world. It was th'advise of the great Cato, (and suitable to his severity) that a man should not only respect but be in fear of himself.  
He that loses himself to himself, His fear gives licence to others, and by his own permission he makes himself to be easily abused.   

Excellency XV.  
De la sympathia sublime.  
IT is a perfection in one Heros to hold sympaphye with another. If a plant sympathize with the sun, it grows among others to a Giantlik● height, and the flower of it is the Crown of the garden.  
Sympathy is one of those prodigious things which nature hath sealed up: but th'effects of it are matter of astonishment, and subject of admiration.  
It consists in a parentage and kindred of hearts, as all Antipathy is in a divorce of wills: Some give it the original from a correspondence of tempers, others from a supernal alliance in the stars.  
The first aspires as high as doing of miracles, the other produces monstrosities. They are but the wonders of sympathy those which common ignorance calls charms, and vulgar spirits will have them to be enchantments.  
The most accomplished perfection suffers scorn from antipathy, and the most deformed foulness is thought a perfection with sympathy.  
Even betwixt father and son it pretends a jurisdiction, and exeqcutes every day something of power, trampling upon laws, and defeating the privileges of nature and policy. The antipathy of a father takes away a kingdom, and a sympathy gives one.  
There is nothing which the merits of a sympathy cannot obtain, it persuades without eloquence, it compasses whatsoever it desires, by presenting the symptoms of natural Harmony.  
An eminent sympathy is the Character, it is the star that inclines to Heroicity: although some be of the nature of adamant that maintains antipathy with the diamant, and holds sympathy with Iron: It is a monstrosity in nature to be in love with dross, and to hate things of splendour.  
Lewis the 11th was a Monster among kings. He had an antipathy to greatness, more by nature than art. He was so wedded to his own principles that he lost himself in the dregs of the Category of policy.  
Active sympathy, if it have any thing of sublimity, raises the subject: but the passive more, if it be heroical.  
It is more precious than the great stone in the ring of Gyges'; and in power it is stronger than the chains of the Theban. 
Hercul.   
It is easy to have an inclination in observance of great men, but it is not so easy to be like them in a Correlation. The Heart sighs and speaks aloud many times when it is not answered with an echo of correspondency. In the School of Love this is the A. B. C. where the first lesson is of sympathy; let it then be a dexterity of discretion to know and comprehend perfectly the passive sympathy; make use of this natural Charm, and let Art supply the defects of Nature; it is an obstinacy as undiscreet as unprofitable, to pretend to do any thing without this favour of Nature, or to seek to conquer Wills without the munition of sympathy.  
But if it be in a King, it may be called a Queen of all perfections: It exceeds the terms of a prodigy; It is a Basis that hath served to raise a Statue of immortality, upon the foundations of a good Fortune.  
This so vast a perfection lies sometimes in a Lethargy, if it be not relieved by the sweet breath of Favour. The Adamant draws not iron beyond the limits of his attraction: Nor can a sympathy work beyond the sphere of his activity. The principal condition is to be within distance; but take heed of in terposition.  
You that aspire to the qualities of Heroes, rouse up your attentions, for with him that attains to this perfection, the morning sun arises in a glorious light.   

Excellency XVI.  
Renovacon de Grandeza.  
THe first employments are a trial of worth, and a setting forth of credit and capacity to the view of the world. Miracles by accident which fall out in progression, are not sufficient to enhance ordinary beginings; and what a man strives to do afterwards, scarce makes amends for what he should have done before.  
A gallant beginning hath this in advantage, that beside what it gets of applause from the World, it engages still to higher attempts.  
Suspicion in matter of reputation, at the beginning is of the nature of Predestinaon, which if once it enter into contempt, it never gets out again.  
Let the Heroes raise himself like the Sun in his East, affecting great enterprises; but the greatest at the beginning.  
A common employment can never get an extraordinary credit; no more than a pygmy can pass for a Giant.  
Advantageous beginings are affianced to good opinion, and those of an Heroes, must take their mark a hundred Furlongs beyond the projects of the vulgar.  
That Sun of captains, and general of Heroes, that heroic Count Fuentes, was born to be applauded.  
In one days march of the sun, which appears like a Giant in his Orient, he begun and finished his Masterpiece.  
His first attempt might have been a Barricado to th'ambition of the God of War: He never made his Novitiat in Fame, but past the first day to immortality.  
He besieged Cambray, against the opinion of all the other Commanders, his comprehension being as extravagant as his courage. He was sooner known for a hero than for a soldier.  
To disengage with honour from a great expectation, is no ordinary business. He that is but a looker on conceives highly, because it costs him less to imagine great actions, than another to put them in execution: an exploit unlooked for, shows more than a prodigy that was prevented by expectation  
The Cedar grows more in his first morning, than Hisop in an age: because the first fruits being vigorous, the second threaten a gigantic growth.  
A maxim in the Antecedent draws a mighty consequence, the power of Fortune declares itself: the greatness of a capacity, universal applause, and common grace attend it.  
But vigorous beginnings are not enough, where it fails in the progress: Nero began his Reign with the applause of a Phoenix, but ended it with the horror of a Basilisk.  
If disproportionable extremes come to be joined together, there can be no production but monstrosity.  
It is a hard matter to keep credit always growing, and as hard as it was to give it a beginning; Reputation grows old, and applause is perishable as all other things, because the laws of time know no exception.  
The Philosophers say, that the Sun, the greatest of Lights, hath lost much of that splendour and heat which it had at the Creation.  
But it is of an eagle's nature as well as of a Phoenix to grow young in Fame, to renew greatness, and to bring applause to a second birth.  
The sun every day changes his orisons, and removes his fires to new Theaters: to this end, that a privation in the one, and a newness in the other, may perpetuate admiration and desire.  
When the Caesars returned from illustrating the rest of the world with their victories, they came always back to their Orient of Rome, where they were received like newborn Monarchs.  
The King of metals passing from one world to an other, hath also past from an extremity of contempt to another of 
from America where it grows to Europe.  estimation.  
The greatest perfection loses of his worth by being every day in sight: the object cloys desire, and distastes Appetite.   

Excellency XVII.  
Toda prienda son affectation.  
Every perfection without affectation.  
EVery perfection, every excellency, must serve to adorn the Heros, but he must affect none, for affectation is the Conterpoids of greatness.  
Affectation is a tacit praising of one's self, and for a man to commend himself is the surest way to be exposed to scorn. Perfection must be in a man's self, but praise in others: and 'tis a deserved punishment, that he that so foolishly remembers himself, should be as discreetly forgotten by others.  
There is nothing so free from servitude as estimation, it is subject to no artifice, much less to violence. It yields itself sooner to a dumb eloquence of deserts, than to a vanity of ostentation.  
A little esteem of one's self hinders a great deal of applause from others.  
All wise men judge every affected quality rather to be violent than natural, rather apparent than real, and so it abates much of estimation.  
All Narcissuses are fools, but those that are so in their minds are incurable, because their disease lies in the remedy.  
So then, if to affect perfections be a folly of 
royal of reald de 〈◊〉 is the hig●est coin of Silver in Spain.  eight, what degree shall be left for them that affect imperfections? By avoiding affectation, some fall into the very centre of it, while they affect not to affect.  
Tiberius loved dissimulation, but he knew not how to dissemble his dissimulation. The perfection of an art consists in the well disguising of it: and the greatest artifice must be covered with a greater than itself.  
He that partaking of many perfections, seems to have none in estimation, is of a double greatness, for by a generous disdain he awakens the common attention, and seeming to be blind in his own virtues, He makes others open Argus' eyes upon him.  
This may be called a miracle of dexterities, for if others rise to greatness by other ways, this guides him to a throne of fame by a contrary way, setting him under a Canopy of immortality.   

Excellency XVIII.  
Emulation de ideas  
THe greatest part of Heroes left no sons behind them, and though they did, yet they proved not Heroes: but yet they wanted not imitators. Heaven rather exposed them for examples of valour, than for propagators of nature.  
Eminent men are the living texts of reputation, from whom an able man may take lessons of greatness by repeating their actions, and interpreting their exploits.  
They must still set before them such as are the first in every predicament, not so much for Imitation as Emulation, not to follow but to get before them.  
Achilles was the heroic wakener of Alexander, who sleeping in his sepulchre, awakened him by the Emulation of his fame; The generous Macedonian opened his eyes, as much to weep, as to behold him, and wept not to see Achilles in his to●mb, but to see himself so far behind him in renown.  
Alexander engaged Caesar in the very same kind, & look what Achilles was to Alexander, Alexander was the same to Caesar. It pricked him to the quick in the generosity of his heart, and thrust him on so far, that he put fame into the balance, and greatness into comparison: because if Alexander made the Orient to be the large theatre of his prowesses, Caesar made the Occident to be so of his.  
The Magnanimous Don Alonso of Aragon and Naples, used to say, that a courageous Horse, was not more moved by the sound of the trumpet, than he felt himself inflamed by the trump of Caesar's fame.  
And it is worth observation to see how these Heroes go inheriting each others greatness, by their emulation, and by their greatness, their fame.  
In every employment there are some that occupy the first class, and others the lowest: Some are the miracles of excellency, and others the Antipodes of miracles, let a wise man graduate them as they deserve, and make himself perfect in the category of Heroes, and in the catalogue of fame.  
Plutark in his parallels made a table of the Heroes of former ages, and Paulus Jovius in his eulogies, a list of the modern.  
Now it is desired perhaps to have an absolute Chrysis, but what wit shall presume to make one?  
It is easy to assign them a place in time, but it is hard to set a right value upon them. It might have been an universal idea: if it had not past to be a miracle, leaving all imitation in idleness, and only taking up admiration.  
That monarch of Heroes, the first of the worlds inanimated wonders and 4th of Spanish Philips, to whom as to the sun of the House of Austria, they owe their four sphere, Let him be a general looking glass that represents not only magnitudes but maximities. Let him be called the common object of emulation for Heroes, being the centre of all his own prowesses, and let applause equivocate itself into blasons, with Eminent, ph 〈…〉 ies: of sense. He that for his felicity 
See how this excessive commendation agrees with the 5 excellence. He calls him fortunate for losing Portugal and Catalgo nia.  may be called the fortunate, for his courage the valiant, for his wisdom the discreet, for his zeal the most Catholic, for his airiness the most entregented, and in all things the universal.   

Excellency XIX.  
Paradoxa Critica.  
ALthough our hero may be secure from the Ostracism of Athens, yet he will be in some danger of the criticisms of Spain. The extravagancy of those may make him an exile at home; but he can be banished but to the precincts of Fame, and to the confines of immortality.  
This Paradox condems him to be peccant for not sinning: It is a critical primacy of a venial falling into Prudence and Valour, only to entertain Envy, and to feed Malignity.  
These critics conclude it impossible for any man to escape their censure, although he had resplendent perfections; because they are so like the hungry Harpies, which when they fail of finding a prey that's base enough for them, fall upon some better.  
There are intentions compounded of so subtle and metaphysical poison, that they can transform the best qualities, and make the best perfections abortive, giving a sinister inpretation to the most justified pretences.  
So it must pass for a slight of Policy to consent to some venial sins, that Envy may have something to gnaw on, and the poison of Emulation may be diverted.  
Let it pass for a politic treacle, for a counterpoison of Prudence; since being bred out of an infirmity, it is attended with Health: It secures the heart by exposing itself to detraction, and drawing the venom to itself.  
Beside we see sometimes a little defect in Nature, adds a perfection in other parts: a Naeve, or Mole upon the Face raises the 
Or blac patch  lustre of a beauty.  
There are defects without defect: Alcibiades affected some in Valour, Ovid allowed some in the highest Wits, and called them cauterizing for healths sake.  
But this perfection seems an idle one, and is rather a curiosity of a man conceited of himself, than any point of discretion.  
But who can be that Sun without an eclipse, that Diamant without a cloud or a flaw, that Rose without a prick?  
There needs no artifice where Nature is sufficient, and all affectation is superfluous where neglect is becoming.   

Excellency the last.  
ALL Light descends from him that is the Father of Lights, and if from the Father, then to his sons: Virtue is the daughter of auxiliant light and hath an inheritance of splendour.  
Sin is a monster, whereof blindness hath made abortion, and therefore it is the heir of darkness.  
Every hero partakes as much of Felicity and greatness, as he does of Virtue; because from the hour of birth, to that of death, they run parallel lines. In Saul they were both eclipsed, and in David they appeared like the dawning of the day.  
Constantine was the first among the Caesars that was called the Great, and he was also the first Christian Emperor: He was that Oracle that declared the first alliance betwixt Christian virtues & greatness.  
Charles the first Emperor of the house of France, obtained the same renown by being called Charlemagne, and aspired to be a Saint.  
Lewis that most glorious King of France, was the flower of Saints and of Kings by the name of Saint Lovys.  
In Spain Ferdinand, commonly called the Holy, in Castille was one of the great men of the world.  
The conqueror of Aragon consecrated as many Temples to the Empress of Heaven, as he won Castles.  
The two Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabella, were the non plus ultra, I mean the columns of the Faith.  
The Good, the Great, the Pious, the Zealous of Philips of Spain, without 
Phil. 3.  losing one hand-breadth of Earth, won Heaven by els, and subdued more Monsters by his virtues, than Alcides with his club.  
Among captain's Godfrey of Bullion, George Castriot, the great Captain Gonzalo Fernandez the first Knight of Sanctacruz, and that terror of Turk's Don Juan of Austria, have been mirors of virtue, and Temples of Christian piety.  
Among the Heroes of the Church, the two first to whom greatness gave a furname, Gregory and Leo, have had their greatest lustre from their Sanctity.  
Saint Augustine (that Sun of spirits) reduces all the greatness of the Gentills and of infidels to a foundation of moral virtues.  
The greatness of Alexander was never confined till his virtues began to decline, and Hercules gave not over conquering Monsters of strength, until he yielded himself to the weakness of incontinency.  
The justice of. Fortune grew to be as cruel to the two nero's, as they had showed themselves tyrannous to their vassals.  
Sardanapalus, Caligula, and Rodrigo, were the Monsters of lasciviousness, and baseness of courage, and after became examples of horrible punishment.  
In Monarchies the same Divine Justice is observable; That Nation which deserved to be called the Flower of kingdoms, 
France.  maintained greatness while Piety and Religion flourished: as soon as heresy sprung up, she withered as fast.  
The Phoenix of Provinces found a tomb in the 
●●●in.  ashes of Rodrigo, and was born again in the Piety of Pelagius, or in the zeal of Ferdinand.  
The great house of Austria made herself the wonder of Families, by founding her greatness in that which is the Cipher and Epitome of God's Miracles, and set her imperial blood in the Rubick, by a religious devotion to that blood of our Lord which is in the holy Sacrament of the Altar.  
Now you judicious spirits that pretend to Heroicity, observe this most important quality, make this your most constant piece of Policy.  
No greatness can lay a foundation in sin (which is nothing) but in God who is all in all.  
If mortal Excellency be to be desired, eternal Excellency is to be ambitionated.  
To be a Heros of the World is very little (or rather nothing) but to be an Heros of Heaven is something; To whose great monarch be praise and honour and Glory.   
FINIS.