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NICHOLAS MACHIAVEL'S

PRINCE

TRANSLATED
OUT OF ITALIAN INTO ENGLISH BY

E.D.

WITH SOME ANIMADVERSIONS
NOTING AND TAXING
HIS ERRORS

1640

TO THE MOST
NOBLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS,
JAMES Duke of Lenox, Earle of March, Baron of Setrington, Darnly,
Terbanten, and Methuen, Lord Great Chamberlain and Admiral of Scotland,
Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and one of his Majesties
most honourable Privy Counsel in both kingdomes.

Poysons are not all of that malignant and noxious quality, that as
destructives of Nature, they are utterly to be abhord; but we find many,
nay most of them have their medicinal uses. This book carries its poyson
and malice in it; yet mee thinks the judicious peruser may honestly make
use of it in the actions of his life, with advantage. The Lamprey, they
say, hath a venemous string runs all along the back of it; take that
out, and it is serv'd in for a choyce dish to dainty palates; Epictetus
the Philosopher, sayes, Every thing hath two handles, as the fire brand,
it may be taken up at one end in the bare hand without hurt: the other
being laid hold on, will cleave to the very flesh, and the smart of it
will pierce even to the heart. Sin hath the condition of the fiery end;
the touch of it is wounding with griefe unto the soule: nay it is worse;
one sin goes not alone but hath many consequences. Your Grace may find
the truth of this in your perusal of this Author: your judgement shall
easily direct you in finding out the good uses of him: I have pointed at
his chiefest errors with my best endeavors, and have devoted them to
your Graces service: which if you shall accept and protect, I shall
remain

Your Graces humble and devoted servant,

EDWARD DACRES.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Questionless some men will blame me for making this Author speak in our
vulgar tongue. For his Maximes and Tenents are condemnd of all, as
pernicious to all Christian States, and hurtfull to all humane
Societies. Herein I shall answer for my self with the Comoedian,
_P