else to be doubted than the Royal blood, which being
once quite out, there is none else left to be feard,
none of the others having any credit with the people.
And as the conqueror before the victory could not
hope in them; so after it, ought he not to fear them.
The contrary falls out in Kingdoms governed as is
that of France: for it is easie to be enterd by
the gaining of any Baron in the Kingdom; for there
are alwaies some malecontents to be found, and those
that are glad of innovation. Those for the reasons
alledg’d are able to open thee a way into that
State, and to further thy victory, which afterwards
to make good to thee, draws with it exceeding many
difficulties, as well with those that have ayded thee,
as those thou hast supprest. Nor is it enough
for thee to root out the Princes race: for there
remaine still those Lords who quickly will be the ring-leaders
of new changes; and in case thou art not able to content
these, nor extinguish them, thou losest that State,
whensoever the occasion is offerd. Now if thou
shalt consider what sort of government that of Darius
was, thou shalt find it like to the Turks dominion,
and therefore Alexander was necessitated first to
defeat him utterly, and drive him out of the field;
after which victory Darius being dead, that State was
left secure to Alexander, for the reasons we treated
of before: and his successors, had they continued
in amity, might have enjoy’d it at ease:
nor ever arose there in that Kingdome other tumults,
than those they themselves stir’d up. But
of the States that are order’d and grounded as
that of France, it is impossible to become master at
such ease: and from hence grew the frequent rebellions
of Spain, France, and Greece against the Romans, by
reason of the many Principalities those States had:
whereof while the memory lasted, the Romans were alwayes
doubtfull of the possession of them; but the memory
of them being quite wip’t out, by the power
and continuance of the Empire, at length they enjoy’d
it securely; and they also were able afterwards fighting
one with another, each of one them to draw after them
the greater part of those provinces, according as
their authority had gain’d them credit therein:
and that because the blood of their ancient Lords
was quite spent, they acknowledg’d no other
but the Romans. By the consideration then of these
things, no man will marvaile that Alexander had so
little trouble to keep together the State of Asia;
and that others have had such great difficulties to
maintain their conquest, as Pyrrhus, and many others;
which proceeds not from the small or great valour of
the conquerour, but from the difference of the subject.
CHAP. V
In what manner Cities and Principalities are to be govern’d, which, before they were conquer’d, liv’d under their own Laws.