But with how much prudence, is serenity attributed amongst the titles of Princes, and the beams of the sun to irradiate their Crowns; That the Scepter bears a Flower; since as that glorious planet produces, so does it also wither them; and there is nothing lasting, save their vertues, which are indeed their essential parts, and only immortal; For even yet did the clouds intercept our day with the continuance of so dismall a storm, as it obnubilated all those hopes of ours. It is an infinite adventure, if in a Princes Family [HW: Firmament] (once overcast) it ever grow fair weather again, but by a singular and extraordinary providence. I mention this to increase the wonder, and reinforce your felicity. Empires passe, Kingdomes are translated, and dominions cease: The _Cecropides_ of old, the _Arsacides_, the _Theban_, _Corinthian_, _Syracusian_, and sundry more lasted nor to the fourth Age without strange and prodigious tragedies; but why go we so far back, when a few Centuries present us with so many fresh Revolutions? How many nests has the _Roman_ Eagle changed? _Bulgarian_, _Saracen_, _Latine_; In the _Comneni_, _Isaaci_, _Paleologi_, &c. even till it dash'd it self in pieces against the _Oetoman_ rock. What mutations have been in the house of _Arragon_? How many Riders has the _Parthenopean_ horse unsaddl'd and flung? How many _Sicily_? What changes have been in _Italy_, What in _France_, and indeed through all _Europe_ by _Vandals_, _Saxons_, _Danes_, _Normans_, by external invasion, internal Faction, Envy, Ambition, treachery and violence? The _Consulate_ degenerated into _Oligarchy_, which occasion'd the _Aventine_ sedition; Democraty into _Ochlocraty_ under the _Tribunes_ and wicked _Gracchi_; and _Monarchy_ it self, (the very best of Governments) into Tyranny.