The Holy State, Book 4 · Chapter 19
CHAP. 19. The Prince or Heir apparent to the Crown.
HE is the best pawn of the future felicity of a kingdome. His Fathers Subjects conceive they take a further estate of happinesse in the hopes of his Succession.
Maxime 1In his infancy he gives presages of his future worth. Some first-fruits are dispatch'd before, to bring news to the world of the harvest of virtues which are ripening in him: his own Royall spirit prompts him to some speeches and actions wherein the standers by will scarce believe their own eares and eyes, that such things can proceed from him: And yet no wonder if they have light the soonest, who live nearest the East, seeing Princes have the advantage of the best birth and breeding. The Gregorian account goes ten dayes before the computation of the English calendar: but the capacity of Princes goes as many years before private mens of the same age.
Antevenit sortem meritis, virtutibus, annos.
His worth above his wealth appears,
And virtues go beyond his years.
He is neither kept too long from the knowledge, 2nor brought too soon to the acquaintance with his own Greatnesse. To be kept too long in distance from himself, would breed in him a soul too narrow for his place: On the other side, he needs not to be taught his Greatnesse too soon, who will meet with it everywhere. The best of all is when his Governours open him to himself by degrees, that his soul may spread according to his age.
He playeth himself into Learning before he is aware of it. 3Herein much is to be ascribed to the wisdome of his Teachers, who alwayes present Learning unto him (as Angels are painted) smiling, and candy over his sourest studies with pleasure and delight, observing seasonable time, and fit method. Not like many countrey Schoolmasters, who in their instructions spill more then they fill, by their overhasty pouring of it in.
He sympathizeth with him that by a Proxie is corrected for his offense:4 yea sometimes goeth further, and (above his age) considereth, that it is but an Embleme, how hereafter his people may be punished for his own fault. He hath read how the Israelites, the second of Sam. 24.17. were plagued for Davids numbring of them. And yet withall he remembreth how in the first verse of the same chapter, The wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he (by permitting of Satan the instrument 1. Chron. 21.1.) moved David to number them. And as the stomach and vitall parts of a man are often corroded with a rheume falling from the head, yet so that the disaffection of the stomach first caused the breeding of the same offensive distillation; so our young Prince takes notice of a reciprocation of faults and punishments betwixt King and Kingdome (both making up the same body) yea that sometimes the King is corrected for the peoples offenses, and so è contra: Indeed in Relatives neither can be well, if both be not.
5He is most carefull in reading, and attentive in hearing Gods word. King Edward the sixth (who, though a Sovereigne, might still in age passe for a Prince) accurately noted the dayes, Texts, and names of Ministers, that preached before him. Next to Gods word, our Prince studies Basilicon Doron, that Royall gift, which onelyonly King James was able to give, and onelyonly King James his sonne worthy to receive.
6He is carefull in chusing and using his recreations, refusing such which in their very posture and situation are too low for a Prince. In all his exercises he affects comlinesse, or rather a kind of carelesnesse in shew, to make his activities seem the more naturall, & avoids a toyling and laborious industry, especially seeing each drop of a Princes sweat is a pearl, and not to be thrown away for no cause. And Princes are not to reach, but to trample on recreations, making them their footstool to heighten their souls for seriousnesse, taking them in passage thereunto.
7His clothes are such as may beseem his Greatnesse: especially when he solemnly appears, or presents himself to forrein Embassadours. Yet he disdains not to be plain at ordinary times. The late *Sr. Fr. Nethersol, in the fun. orat. of him, pag. 16.Henrie, Prince of Wales, being tax'd by some for his too long wearing of a plain sute of Welch frize; Would (said he) my countrey cloth would last for ever.
8He begins to study his own countrey, and the people therein: what places are, what may be fortified; which can withstand a long siege, and which onelyonly can make head against a present insurrection. If his land accosteth the sea, he considereth what Havens therein are barr'd, whose dangerous chanells fence themselves, and their rocks are their blockhouses; what Keys are rusty with sands and shelves, and what are scoured with a free and open tide, with what serviceable ships belong thereunto. He takes notice also of the men in the land, and disdains his soul should be blurred with unjust prejudices, but fairly therein writes every one in order, as they are ranked by their own deserts.
Hence he looks abroad to see how his countrey stands in relation to forrein Kingdomes;9 how it is friended with Confederates, how oppos'd with Enemies. His little eyes can cast a soure glance on the suspicious greatnesse of any near borderer; for he conceives others weakned by their own distance. He considers forrein Kingdomes, and States, whether they stand on their own strength, or lean on the favour of friends, or onelyonly hang by a Politicall Geometry, equally poysing themselves betwixt their neighbours, like Lucca and Geneva, the multitude of enemies mouthes keeping them from being swallowed up. He quickly perceives that Kings, how nearly soever allied, are most of kinne to their own interest; and though the same Religion be the best bond of forrein affection, yet even this breaks too often: and States when wonded, will cure themselves with a plaister made of the heart-blood of their best friends.
He tunes his soul in consort to the disposition of his King-father. 10Whatsoever his desire be, the least word, countenance, or signe given, of his fathers disallowance makes him instantly desist from further pursuit thereof with satisfaction, in regard he understands it disagreeing to his Majesties pleasure, and with a resolution not to have the least semblance of being discontented: He hath read how such Princes which were undutifull to their Parents either had no children, or children worse then none, which repai'd their disobedience. He is also kind to his Brothers, and Sisters, whose love and affection he counteth the bulwarks and redouts for his own safety and security.
11When grown to keep a Court by himself, he is carefull in well ordering it. The foresaid Prince Henries Court consisted of few lesse then five hundred persons, and yet his grave and Princely aspect gave temper to them all, so that in so numerous a familie, not so much as any *Sr. William Cornwallis in the life of Prince Henry.blows were given.
12With a frowning countenance he brusheth off from his soul all Court-mothes of flattery: especially he is deaf to such as would advise him, without any, or any just grounds, when he comes to the Crown, to runne counter to the practice of his Father; and who knowing that muddy water makes the strongest beere, may conceive the troubling and embroyling of the State will be most advantagious for their active spirits. Indeed seldome two successive Kings tread in the same path: if the former be Martiall, though the warre be just, honourable, and profitable, yet some will quarrell with the time present,foreign. not because it is bad, but because it is, and put a Prince forward to an alteration. If the former King were peaceable, yet happinesse it self is unhappy in being too common, and many will desire warre (conceited sweet to every palate which never tasted it) and urge a Prince thereunto. But our Prince knows to estimate things by their true worth and value, and will not take them upon the credit, whereon others present them unto him.
13He conceives they will be most loving to the branch, which were most loyall to the root, and most honour'd his father. We reade how Henry the fifth (as yet Prince of Wales) intending to bear out one of his servants for a misdemeanour, reviled Sr William Gascoine Lord chief Justice of the Kings Bench to his face in open court. The aged Judge considered how this his action would beget an immortall example, and the echo of his words (if unpunished) would be resounded for ever to the disgrace of Majesty, which is never more on its throne, then when either in person, or in his substitutes, sitting on the bench of Justice; and thereupon commanded the Prince to the prison, till he had given satisfaction to his father for the affront offered. Instantly down fell the heart of great Prince Henry, which (though as hard as rock) the breath of Justice did easily shake, being first undermin'd with an apprehension of his own guiltinesse: And King Henry the fourth his father is reported greatly to rejoyce, that he had a Judge who knew how to command by, and a Sonne who knew how to submit to his Laws. And afterward this Prince when King (first conquering himself, and afterwards the French) reduced his Court from being a forrest of wild trees, to be an orchard of sweet fruit, banishing away his bad companions, and appointing and countenancing those to keep the key of his honour, who had lock'd up his fathers most faithfully.
He shews himself to the people on fit occasions. 14It is hard to say whether he sees or is seen with more love and delight. Every one that brings an eye to gaze on him, brings also an heart to pray for him. But his subjects in reversion most rejoyce to see him in his military exercises, wishing him as much skill to know them, as little need to use them, seeing peace is as farre to be preferred before victory it self, as the end is better then the means.
He values his future sovereignty, not by impunity in doing evil, 15but by power to do good. What now his desire is, then his ability shall be▪ and he more joyes, that he is a member of the true Church, then the second in the land. OnelyOnly he fears to have a Crown too quickly, and therefore lengthens out his fathers dayes with his prayers for him, and obedience to him. And thus we leave Solomon to delight in David, David in Solomon, their people in both.