Instructions to a Son, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of the Court.
YOu are not thither bound, and I am not sorry you are forbidden resort thither, as to any employment or traffique; 'tis a place difficult of access, shut up with Rocks, Shallows, and Sands, and not one adventurer in twenty comes off a saver. Besides, 'tis a place of a most incertain air, full of damps and exhalations, spread with clouds and over-cast, and sometimes again scorching hot in the sudden rise and depression of favourites.
But if your curiosity shall invite you to the danger, when time may look with a better aspect upon you, remember these observations of mine own, who both at distance, and at close view have well considered it.
First then, as to the favour of your Prince, which is the most desirable thing in the world; 'tis rather an illustrious care, then a contentful possession; nor do wise men ever busie themselves about it, because the tranquility of spirit, which they seek for, is not to be found amidst the confusions of the Court: and to guard a mans self from the misfortunes there, and the envy which the graces of Princes do contract upon their favourites; there is no way better then privacy and retiredness. You must know that 'tis meer humane weakness, which causeth Princes to raise favourites, to aid and support them in the weight and multitude of affairs, and sometimes in such secrets which are heavier upon the mind then all the rest; the sad effect whereof every age hath given an example.
You must at your entrance, resolve to encounter the accosts of contempt, scorn, discontents and repulses, with a bold forehead, and take no notice of slightings and injuries done you by the great ones. A thing I always judged grievous to a generous mind, and yet these are ordinarily the steps to preferment.
If you shall find favour at Court, beware your covetousness after new boons, make you not forget the old ones; and if then you receive denials, guard your self, that the distaste be not more prevalent to run you into actions of dangerous consequence, then reason can be to keep you in your duty.
Extraordinary diligence and affected assiduity are to no purpose, whereby men think to prevene their advancement; on the contrary, if men neglect and seem careless of promotion, attending when the merit of their actions shall offer it them, Time or fortune seldom fail to conduct them to true and permanent glory.
It hath been an old Adage, a young Courtier, an old Beggar; men spending estates in riot in such consuming places as Cities, in a fruitless expectation, and then carry home nothing but repentance.
A cholerick person is not fit to be a Courtier, for if he should go about to revenge himself of the indignities, bravado's, deceits, and tricks put upon him, he shall suffer more in an hour, then he shall be satisfied for in ten years.
You must do at Rome, what others do there, be sure to fing no other aires then which most please the Prince. 'Twas Solons comparison of Courtiers, who resembled them to Counters, with which men use to cast accounts; for as in changing their places, they stand sometimes for more, sometimes for less; so Princes do the same with them, now advancing them in honour and dignity, and presently debasing them at their pleasure to the scorn and derision of all men, so that it is truly sad, that men have an opportunity of losing themselves at Court, and finding of themselves at Home.
Old Courtiers are like old ships, brought into Harbors and there laid up, never to be put to Sea to any new adventure.
'Tis a tart Sarcasme or Satyrical pass upon the Court that one said; At the Court are Bishops and Priests to Baptise, and change names; for there, the vain-glorious ambitious man, is called honourable; the prodigal, magnificent; the coward, wise; the wise, hypocrite; the malicious, subtle; the adulterous, amorous; the covetous, temperate; and what confidence can any man repose in friends there, whose greatness renders them the more intractable. 'Tis very difficult to find vertue at Court, but it is more difficult to keep it.
He that sins and repents, and returns again to his sin, sins more grosly then at first; so to leave the Court, and return again, is such an errour that is not excusable; save with this, that the return was to sell vertue, and gain wealth, since it is a great kindness of fortune or puissance of vertue, to escape that gulf.
Against the envy of the Court as against the Plague, there is no better preservative, then retreat and eloingment; a remedy practised very often but with different success; it being very dangerous for popular persons, and such as have had great Commands to absent themselves without leave or dismission; for it not only breeds suspicions and jealousies of their disaffection, and consequently of the danger of a Rebellion, but likewise exposeth them to the unobstructed designs and malice of their enemies, which seldome end but in ruin.
This is generally the complaint of Courts, wherein you must understand there is not the least concurrence of the Prince to give any such cause for it, but that by Tradition the Grandees walk by as by a rule; and since Monarchy was, Court arts have been, and can vie precedency with any mystery. I never knew any great Favourite, who practised any new ways of his own: some have been nobler and more magnificent then others, freer in access and more affable, but yet still kept close to their Court-lessons, nor could ever their private vertues gain upon their publick Concerns.
It is possible a man may get an Estate at Court, but it is more probable he may lose one; that which is got there, through how many curses and imprecations it passeth; that which is lost, with how many woos, and tears, and deprecations goes it! so much is a Court worse then a Lottery.
While you can therefore pay your devotion, your Loyalty to your Prince at home, and probably be better accepted; what need have you of a dangerous unnecessary pilgrimage to the shrine, to pay a personal adoration; your oblation there can be nothing less but your quiet and Estate in lieu, whereof they will present you with a trinket or some other bauble, which you will be ashamed to carry home again.
Fear God, Honour the King, Live at Home, and Love your Neighbours.