The Contents of "The Political Touchstone (Lapis Lydius politicus)" and Continuation of "Advices from Parnassus" by Trajano Boccalini with Appendix

The Political Touchstone

1. Why the Neapolitans are heavily oppress'd and ill treated by the Spaniards

2. Genoa being accus'd of too much Familiarity with Spain, justifies herself in Parnassus.

3. The Spanish Monarchy is griev'd that her Treacherys are discover'd.

4. The Spanish Monarchy arrives in Parnassus, and begs a Cure of Apollo for her Issue, but is dismist by the Political Physicians.

5. The Duke of Guise's Secretary is punish'd for an Offence of his Tongue.

6. The Spaniards endeavor the Subjection of Sabionetta, but fail in their attempt.

7. Sir Thomas More asks Apollo when Heresys will cease.

8. The French endeavor to find out the Secret of the Spanish Perfume for Gloves.

9. The Spanish Monarchy goes to Delphos, to enquire whether she shall ever obtain Universal Monarchy, and receives an negative Answer.

10. Apollo orders an Edict to be publish'd against the Virtuosi of Parnassus.

11. Philip II. King of Spain, after some Dispute concerning his Title, makes a magnificent Entry into Parnassus.

12. All the Princes, Republicks and States, are exactly weigh'd in a Ballance by Lorenzo Medici.

13. Why the Monarchy of Spain keeps her self shut up in her Palace.

14. The Duke of Alva being arriv'd in Parnassus, pays a Visit to Prospero Colonna, who falls out with him concerning a Title, of which he had defrauded the Family of Colonna.

15. Boccace is assassinated by Salvlati.

16. Embassadors from Sicily are refus'd Audience of Apollo, and disgracefully driven away.

17. Sigismundo Battori very Iate learns the Latin Tongue.

18. The French are discharg'd from the Hospital of Madmen, by means of the Spaniards.

19. A Discovery that the Spanish Ministers are wholly imploy'd in their private lnterest.

20. Maximilian the Emperor receives Advice of the Troubles sprung up among his children.

21. The Dogs of the Indys are turn'd into Wolves.

22. The Monarchy of Spain visits the Queen of Italy and great Compliments pass betwixt 'em.

23. The Monarchy of Spain throws her Physician out of the Window.

24. The Card. of Toledo's Summary is refus'd Admission into the Library of Parnassus.

25. Almanzor, formerly King of the Moors, meets with the Kingdom of Naples, and they bewail their Miserys thro the Oppression of the Spaniards.

26. The Count di Fuentes is admitted into Parnassus.

27. All the States in the World are censur'd in Parnassus for their Faults.

28. The Monarchy of Spain offers to make the Cardinal of Toledo her Secretary of State, who refuses to accept of it, but upon a Condition which cannot be granted.

29. Apollo detests a Project propos'd to him for the raising of Mony.

Appendix to the Political Touchstone

A Discourse made to Italy by an Italian Gentleman, concerning the Actions and Designs of the King of Spain.
His Majesty's Declaration, refusing to admit Lucretia into Parnassus, till he has first seen what Opinion the World has of her.
His Majesty's Admonition to Tirelli concerning his Book de usu Vini in Infirmitate.
His Majesty's Commendation of the Turks for not admitting Advocates in their Courts of Justice.

A Continuation of the Advices from Parnassus

1. Antonio Gabrielli, Doctor of Laws, having Compos'd a Volume of Conclusios, repents of it, and tells Apollo the reason.
2. Paulus Jovius being accus'd before Apollo of Lying, is defended by Cicero.
3. His Majesty having discover'd many Faults and Defects in several Historians, appoints Caesar the Dictator to examine their Dictions.
4. Petrarch complains to Apollo of Puota of Modena, for not rewarding the Labours of the Divine Molza as they deserv'd.
5. A Virtuoso, in presence of many Barons and Gentlemen assembl'd in Apollo' s Court, having extremely commended Nicolo Piccinino, is blam'd for it by an ill-natur'd Person; upon which the Muses are desir'd to give their Opinion in the Case.
6. The Roman Consuls desire Apollo to reform their Republick.
7. The Virtuosi ask Apollo wherein the Good and Safety of a Prince consists, and receive a satisfactory Answer.
8. Apollo, foreseeing the dangerous motions of the Ottoman Forces, provides for the safety of his Empire, by the choice of some famous Captains.
9. The chast Lucretia being freed by Apollo from the melancholy thoughts of having stain'd her Husband's Honor, is plac'd among the number of the most virtuous Ladys, and to the shame of Sextus Tarquinius, his Majesty pronounces a solemn and terrible Sentence against such as shall hereafter be guilty of the like Violence.
10. The Virtuosi determine this Question, Whether 'tis better to preserve ones own State, or to acquire another.
11. Savorgnano inquires of Cardinal Sadoletti the Condition of the Court of Rome.
12. Apollo invites Puota of Modena to his Court, and discovering him to be a Man of Worth and virtue, authorizes him to restore the practice that admirable Rule, Nosce teipsum.
13. Apollo having heard several Opinions concerning Reason of State, resolves to put an end to the Controversy by the underwritten Decision.
14. Apollo blames such who ruin their Affairs by rash and precipitate Management.
15. Apollo declares against the Folly of those who know not bow to preserve their Power.
16. Apollo shows how a Man, who finds himself inferior to his Enemy in power, ought to resent an Affront.
17. Mastino dalla Scala repairs to Apollo for Advice.
18. Apollo satisfys Antonio Tagliacantono in his request.
19. Cane dalla Scala petitions Apollo for leave to tyrannize over his Subjects.
20. Puota of Modena desires Apollo's Opinion and Advice concerning the Title of Dominus Dominantium.
21. Apollo is highly incens'd against the Society of Proctors.
22. A Spanish Gentleman having run away from his Enemy, is reproach'd with it by an Italian.
23. A Spaniard discourses with Apollo concerning the diversity of Customs, and of Government.
24. Bentivoglio justifys himself for not returning into his Country by the favor of the People of Bologna.
25. The Platonicks debate concerning the Condition of such as being born in a low fortune, rise to the Dignity of commanding others.
26. Lottino and Count Alphonso Fontanelli make a Comparison between the Government and Manners of Julius Caesar and Marcus Cato.
27. Count John Baptista Laderchi, Secretary to the Prince of Modena, declares in presence of Apollo the true method of Government.
28. Apollo asserts his own Worth against the Imputation of his Enemys.
29. A Discourse before Apollo of the Bounds of Clemency and of Severity in a Prince.
30. Apollo being extremely displeas'd at the invidious Censures of the Labors of his Virtuosi, makes a Discourse concerning Anger.
31. Julius Caesar is commended for his Mercy; and some short Explications of human State are made by Lottini and Doctor Zocchi.
32. Paolo Paruta, a noble Venetian, and Alessandro Piccolomini, make a Discourse concerning the active and contemplative Life, and the true use of Riches.
33. Bartolomeo Carandini Doctor of Laws, and Alessandro Piccolomini, make an instructive Discourse concerning the Favor of the People.
34. Battista Guarini and Count Paolo Brusantini hold a Discourse concerning Ambition.
35. A short Discourse recited by Furio Carandini in Apollo's Presence concerning the active Life, and in dispraise of Idleness.
36. Doctor Pacciano and Guicciardin, by Apollo's consent, argue concerning the Duty of a Counsellor, and the condition of a Prince.
37. Trajano Boccalini, at Apollo's Request, makes a short Discourse concerning Envy.
38. Apollo gives the care of all the moral Virtues to the great Seneca, and the noble Venetian Paolo Paruta.
39. The Queen of Italy in deep mourning bewails the Misery to which she was reduc'd in the time of Totila King of the Goths.
40. The Conspiracy of Decius Brutus against Julius Caesar comes to Apollo's knowledge.
41. Petrarch is declar'd by Apollo General of the Italian Poets.
42. Apollo declares Count Guido Rangoni General of the Italian Forces against the Mahometans.
43. While Apollo, with the Italian Historiographers, is calling to mind those who had endeavor'd to defend Italy from the barbarous Nations, he takes particular notice of Menappo King of Aquileia, and Foresto Prince of Este.
44. The Emperor Nero in the beginning of his Reign was thought to be full of Clemency, but very cruel in the end.
45. Apollo gives orders for the Harvest of the Year 1615.
46. Cornelius Tacitus obtains of Nero a great Sum of Gold, without altering in the least his Character.
47. Apollo expels from the Temple of the Muses the Poetesses who had been admitted by the means of Puota of Modena.
48. The Master of Silence having discover'd that a Footman of Ferrara was wont to make Reflections, and play the Critick in his Office, gave him to know, that in the Courts of Princes Men shou'd have Eyes to see, and Mouths to hold their Peace.
A Solemn Banquet and Conversation in Parnassus.