Epistle XXVII. To Severus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
Advice for his Panegyrick on Trajan.
YOU ask my Opinion, what Compliments you should pay the Emperor, when you take Possession of the Consulate.
In this Affair, the Invention of Matter is easier than the Choice of it:
His Virtues give a large Fund of it, yet I will tall you my Sentiments on this Head,
after I have declar'd one Doubt to you: For I question much, whether I ought to prescribe
the same Advice to you, which I follow'd myself. When I was design'd consul,
I kept clear from all show of Flattery, tho' not from that sort which is really proper to the Occasion;
not with an air of Freedom and Boldness, but as a Man that knew the Emperor,
whose principal Merit is to require no Praise at all. I likewise reflected,
that many Honours were paid to the worst of Princes, and that the Perfection of Ours,
could only be distinguish'd from them, by treating him in a different manner.
This very Circumstance I did not entirely conceal, for fear the Conduct of it should be thought owing,
not to Judgment, but to want of Memory. This was my Method upon the Subject;
but every Man has not the same Relish for every Thing, nor is the Propriety the same.
Besides, the true Decorum of doing, or omitting a Thing, is to be regulated by the State of Affairs,
and of the Prince, give you room to speak upon new, real, and important Topicks;
for which Reason, I am in doubt, as I told you before, whether I
ought to give you the Directions I my self then pursu'd. This I had no scruple of,
that it was my Duty to make my own Management a part of my Counsel to you.
Farewell.
