way to his Knowledge and Profession 2. Athens glories in its Arsenal not without cause For it is a work worthy to be seen for its cost and Elegance The Architect whereof Philo is said to have given so eloquent an account in the Theater of his purpose that the most eloquent of people were sway'd as much by his Eloquence as by his Art 3. Wonderfully was it done by that Artist who suffered himself to be corrected by a Cobler as to the Shoes and the Latchets But when he began to talk of the Thigh forbid him to go beyond the Foot CHAP. XIII Of Memorable Old Age. In ROMANS 1. M. Valerius Corvus 2. L. Metellus the High-Priest 3. Q. Fabius Maximus 4. Perpenna the Censor 5. Appius Claudius the blind 6. Women Livia Terentia and Clodia Strangers 1. Hiero King of Sicily Massanissa King of Numidia 2. Gorgias Leontinus 3. Xenophilus of Chalcis 4. Argantinus King of the Gaditans 5. Aethiopians Indians and Epimenides the Cnossian 6. The Epii a people of Aetolia 7. Dantho and two Kings of the Lachnii LEt Old Age prolonged to the utmost have a place in this work among the Examples of Industry but with a particular Title and Chapter That we may not seem to have forgotten those to whom the Gods were principally indulgent Insisting upon which every one may make himself more happy in respect of his antient felicity and may affirm the happiness of our age than which none was ever more happy by prolonging the safety of a wise and great Prince to the longest bounds of humane life 1. M. Vâ—lerius Corvus liv'd out his hundredth year between whose first and sixth Consulship were forty six years compleat Nor did his full strength of body not only not fail him in the highest employments of the Commonwealth but also for the manuring his Land a desireable Example of a Commonwealths man and a Master of a Family 2. Which space of years Metellus equall'd And the fourth year after his Consular Government being created Pontifex Maximus when he was very old he govern'd the Ceremonies of Religion two and twenty years his tongue never tripping in pronouncing the Votes not his hand trembling in preparing the Sacrifices 3. Q. Fabius Maximus threescore and two years held the Priesthood of the Augurship having obtain'd it when he was a strong man Which two times being added together will easily compleat the age of an hundred years 4. What shall I say of M. Perpenna Who out-liv'd all those that he call'd over in the Senate when he was Consul and only saw seven remaining of the Conscript Fathers whom as Censor with Lu. Philippus he had chosen more durable than the greatest Order in the world 5. I might conclude the life of Appius with his misfortune because he lived long after he was blind but that he had five Sons and five Daughters and a multitude of Clients in his Protection and in that condition most stouâ—ly govern'd the Commonwealth At length weary with living he caus'd himself to be carried into the Senate-house in a Litteâ— to hinder peace from beâ—ng made with Pyrthus upon dishonourable Conditions Can this man be thought blinde by whom his Countrey purely discerning that which was honourable was compell'd to open its eyes 6. Several Women have been no less eminent for long Life whom it shall suffice only to name For Livia the wife of Rutilius number'd fourscore and seven Terentia the wife of Cicero a hundred and three and Clodia the wife of Aufilius having outlived fifteen Children an hundred and fifteen years STRANGERS 1. I will adde to these two Kings whose long life was very advantageous to the People of Rome The King of Sicily Hiero numbred ninety years Massanissa King of Numidia reigning threescore years was superior to all men in vigour of age Cicero in his Book of Old Age reports of him that no shower or â—old could compel him to cover his head He was wont also to keep his station for several hours and would never stir from hard labour till he had tired the young men And if it were requisite for him to do any thing sitting he would off-times for a whole day sit in the same posture without moving his bodâ— for ease either one way or other When he led his Army a Horseback by day he never alighted that night omitting none of those labours which youth is wont to endure when he was of that extream age And so vigorous he was in reference to Women that he begâ—t his Son Methymnaius when he was fourscore and six years of age The Countrey also which he sound untill'd by perpetual culture he left very fruitful 2. Gorgiâ—s also of Leoâ—tiuâ—â— the Master of Isocrates â—nd several other great men by his own saying was most happy For when he had lived an hundred and seven years being asked why he would live 〈◊〉 long Because said he I ayle nothing to accuse my Old Agâ— What could be longer or more happy than such a tract of Life For being entered into the second Century of years be neither found any cause of complaint in it nor left any behinde him of it 3. Xenophilus of Chalcis wanted two of his years yet not inferior in enjoyment of health For as Aristoxenus the Musician saies of him Free from all the inconveniencies of old Age he died in the full splendour of consummate Learning 4. Arganthonius the Gaditane reigned so long as would have sufficed another to live For he govern'd his Kingdom fourscore years being forty years of age before he came to the Throne For which there are most certain and credible Authors Asinius Pollio not the least part of Roman Eloquence in the third Book of his History relates him to have lived an hundred and twenty years No mean example of sinewy vigour 5. The Ethiopians render the long life of this King less admirable whom Herodotus writes to have exceeded an hundred and twenty years and the Indians of whom Cresius delivers the same And Epimenides the Gnossian whom Theopompus reports to have lived an hundred fifty and seven years 6. Hellanicus also avers that certain of the Epii who were a people of Aetolia lived two hundred years with whom Damasthes agrees adding this moreover that one Litorius among them of an exceeding great strength and stature compleated three hundred years 7. Alexander in his Volume of the Illyrian Tract affirms that one Dantho lived full out five hundred years without the least complaint of Age. But much more liberal is Xenophon who gives to the King of the Lachnii eight hundred years of Life And that his Father might not take it ill he allows him six hundred CHAP. XIV Of the Desire of Honour Among the Romans 1. P. Africanus the Greater 2. D. Brutus Gallaicus 3. Cn. Pompey the Great 4. Sulla the Happy 5. A certain Knight 6. C. Fabius Pictor STRANGERS 1. Themistocles of Athens 2. Alexander the Great 3. Aristotle the Stagyrite 4. Pausanias of Macedon 5.
believing they should the more easily obtain the sole command of humane things if they were constantly and truly obedient to the Divine power 10. Which resolution hath been also bred up in the breasts of private persons For when the City was taken by the Gauls and that the Quirinal Flamen and the Vestal Virgins were forced to carry the Sacred things taking every one a share of the burthen having now pass'd the Sublician Bridge and ready to descend the Rock that leads to Ianiculum they were spied by Alvanius who was driving a Cart wherein he had put his Wife and Children who no sooner saw them in that condition but regarding publick Religion more than private Charity commanded them to alight and then placing the Holy things and ordering the Vestal to get in he left his own intended Journey and drave them till he came to the Town of Caere where because they were curteously and reverently received we testifie our thanks and honour the memory of their Humanity For thence it came to be instituted that those Sacred Rites were called Ceremonies because the Ceretans worshipped and observed them as well in the low as flourishing state of the Commonwealth And that Mean and Country Cart on a sudden the receptacle of so much Honour came to equal if not out-vie the glory of a Triumphal Chariot 11. About the same time memorable was the Example of observ'd Religion which Caius Fabius Dorso gave us for when the Gauls besieged the Capitol lest the accâ—stomed Sacrifice of the Fabii should be put by clad in a Gabin habit and carrying the Sacred things in his hands and upon his shouldiers he at length pass'd through the midst of the Enemy to the Quirinal-Hill where having performed what was to be done he returned to the Capitol with Divine Adoration of his victorious Atchievement as if he had been a Victor indeed 12. Great also was the care of preserving Religion among our Ancestors where Publius Cornelius and Baebius Tamphilus were Consuls For the Labourers that were digging a Field of Petillius the Scribe at the foot of Ianiculum delving somewhat deeper than ordinary sound two little Stone-chests in one whereof was a Writing declaring That it was the body of Numa Pompilius Son of Pomponius In the other were seven Books in the Latine Tongue treating of the right of the High-Priest and as many in Greek discoursing of Wisdom For the preservation of the Latine Books they took especial care but the Greek one for there seemed to be some things therein prejudicial to their Religion Lucius Petillius the Pretor by decree of Senate caus'd to be burnt in a publick Fire made by the Officers belonging to the Sacrifices for the antient Romans could not endure that any thing should be reserved in the City which might be a means to draw the minds of men from the worship of the Gods 13. Tarquinius the King caus'd Marcus Tullius the Duumvir to be sow'd in a Sack after the ancient manner and to be thrown into the Sea for that he had for a Bribe delivered to Petronius Sabinus a certain Book containing the Mysteries of the Civil Sacred things committed to his keeping Most justly seeing that violation of Trust deserves the same punishment among men as from the Gods 14. But as to those things which concern the Observation of Religion I know not whether Atilius Regulus have not excelled all that ever went before him who of a famous Conquerour being now become a Captive through the wiles and ambushments of Hannibal and Xantippus the Lacedaemonian he was sent to the Senate and people of Rome to try if hâ— could get himself being but one and old redeâ—med for several young and noble Carthaginians who when he came advised the Senate to the contrary and went back to Carthage well knowing to what cruel and inveterate Enemies he returned but he had sworn so to do if he could not obâ—ain the release of their Captives Surely thâ— Immortal Gods had reason to have mitigated their fury but that the glory of Atilius might be the greater they permitted the Carthagians to take their own inhumane courses As they who in the third Punick War would severely recompence the death of so noble a Soul with the destruction of their City 15. How much more religious toward the Gods did our Senate shew themselves which after the fatal overthrow of Cannae decreed that no women should mourn longer than thirty days to the end the Rites of Ceres might be by them performed For now the greatest part of the men lying slain upon the bloody accursed Earth there was no Family in the City that did not partake of the general Calamity And therefore the Mothers and Daughters Wives and Sisters of the slain were compelled to put off their Mourning-weeds and put on their White-garments and to perform the office of Priests Through which constancy of observing Religion forc'd the Deities themselves to blush and be ashamed of raging any more against such a Nation that could not be drawn from adoring them that with so much cruelty destroy'd them NEGLECTED 16. It is believ'd that the reason why Varro fought with so much ill success at Cannaea against the Carthagiâ—ians was through the wrath of Iuno for when he made publick the Circensian Games being Aedil he set a young Player of extraordinary beauty to watch in the Temple of Iupiter which Fact being call'd to mind after some years was expiated with Sacrifices 17. Hercules also is reportâ—d to have very severely revenged the abuse of his Worship for when the Family of the Potitii had intrusted his Ceremonies the Ministry whereof belonged to them as it were by inheritance to be performed by servants and pâ—rsons of mean dâ—gree of which Appius the Censor was the occasion all the flower oâ— the Family who were above thirty young men di'd withâ—n tâ—e space of one year and the Name of the Pâ—â—itii that was branch'd into twelve Familâ—â—s was almost extinct Appius also the Censor was stricken blinde 18. A sharp Revenger also was Apollo of an injury done to himself who at the Sack of Carthage being spoil'd of his Robe of Gold never ceas'd till the hands of the sacrilegious Souldier were found cut off among the broken pieces of his Image Brennus Captain of the Gauls entering into the Temple of Delphos by Destiny was compelled to lay violent hands upon himself 19. Nor was his Son Aesculâ—pius a less violent Revenger of contemned Religion who not enduring to behold a Wood consecrated to his Temple cut down by Turullius to build Ships for the use of M. Antonie by a strange power so ordered it that Turullius was by the command of Caesar being judged to death while he was in the midst of his business executed in the very Wood And so the God ordain'd it that being there remarkably slain by Caesar's Souldiers that with the same death he expiated the loss of those Trees that were cut down and secured the safety of those
the Sirname of Rich Yet Poverty afterwards laid upon him the shameful title of a Bankrupt his Goods being sold by his Creditors because he could not pay the principal beside the bitter Sarcasme wherewith every one that met him saluted him calling him still Rich Crassus 13. Q. Caepio excels Crassus in sâ—vâ—rity of Fortunes inconstancy For he having obtain'd the splendour of the Praetorship the renown of a Triumph the dignity of a Consulship the glory of the High-Priesthood insomuch that he was call'd The Patron of the Senate yet died in Jayl and his Body tortur'd and dilacerated by the cruel hand of the Hangman became a spectacle of horror to the Roman People in the publick place of Execution 14. The Life of Marius was a strange contest with Fortune for he withstood all her opposition with a stoutness of mind and body Being thought unworthy the low honours of an Arpinaâ—e for whom it was not lawful to aspire high he ventur'd to stand for the Questorship at Rome And by his patience in bearing repulses he rather broke by force than was admitted into the Senate He had the same repulses when he stood for the Tribuneship and Aedileship in the Field of Mars Standing for the Praetorship he carried the lowest degree which notwithstanding he obtain'd with great difficulty for being accus'd for bribing Voices he was hardly acquitted by the Judges Yet from that Marius so meanly born at Arpinum so despised at Rome and so abhorr'd a Candidate sprung that Marius who subdu'd Africa drove King Iugurth before his Chariot in Triumph who utterly subdued the Armies of the Tentons and Cimbrians whose two Triumphs were beheld in the City and whose seaven Consulships were register'd in the annal-Annal-Books who had the luck to be created Consul returning from Banishment and to proscribe his Proscriber What more mutable or inconstant than his condition Who among the miserable was most miserable yet among the fortunate shall be found most fortunate 15. But Iulius Caesar whose Vertues gave him admission into Heaven at the beginning of his youth going into Asia being taken by Sea-Rovers was forced to redeem himself for fifty Talents For so small a sum as that would Fortune have the brightest Constellation in the world sold in the Pyrats Market Why then should we complain of her when she spares not the associates of her Divinity But the celestial Numen reveng'd his own injury For presently aâ—ter pursuing the slaves and taking them he crucified them every man FORRAIGNERS 1. We have been intent in relating our own let us be more succinct in the repetition of Forreign Examples Polemo a young Athenian Gentleman but infinitely debauch'd and one that gloried in his shame rising from a Banquet not after Sun-set but after Son-rising as he went home saw Xenocrates the Philosopher's door standing wide open Drunk as he was richly perfum'd gayly clad and with his Garland upon his Head he enter'd the School that was full of Grave and Learned Men and nothing asham'd of the manner of his entry he sate down to throw his drunken Jests upon the noble Disputes and wholesom Precepts that were then utter'd The company being offended Xenocrates kept his temper and began to dispute of Modesty and Temperance The Gravity of whose Speech causing Polemo to repent he first threw his Garland to the ground presently after he withdrew his arms a token of Modesty among the Athenians under his Cloak shortly after he left his feasting Mirth and lastly laid aside all his Debauchery and being cur'd with the wholesome Medicine of one Oration of an infamous Glutton became a famous Philosopher For his minde was only a Pilgrim in wickedness not an Inhabitant 2. It troubles me to remember Themistocles in his Youth whether I consider his Father that disinherited him or his Mother that hang'd herself to see the wicked course of life her Son led when he himself afterwards became the most famous person that ever Greece brought forth and was the pledge either of hope or despair between Asia and Europe For the one had him the Patron of her Safety the other entertain'd him as the Surety of Victory 3. Cimon in his youth was look'd upon as a fool but the Athenians found the benefit of his foolish commands Compelling them to condemn themselves of stupidity who had accus'd him of Folly 4. Two distinct Fortunes shar'd Alcibiades between them The one that assign'd him a splendid Nobility vast Wealth Beauty incomparable strength of Body a most piercing Wit and the passionate love of his Countrey-men The other that inflicted upon him Condemnaton Banishment Sale of his Estate Poverty the hatred of his Countrey and a violent Death Neither the one nor the other altogether but by intermission like the ebbing and flowing of the Sea 5. Polycrates the Tyrant of Samos lived in such a prodigality of Fortunes savours that he was admir'd even to Envy not without cause his endeavors all prosper'd his hopes reap'd the fruit of what they desired his wishes were no sooner nam'd than granted To desire and be able to perform was the same thing Once only Fortune chang'd her countenance when he threw a Ring which he highly esteem'd into the Sea that he might not be said to have undergone no misfortune which however he presently recover'd the fish being taken that had swallowed it But he could not always hold this prosperous course of felicity that swell'd his full fails For Orontes one of Darius's Commanders having taken him caus'd him to be crucified upon the highest top of the Mycalensian Mountain From whence the City of Samos long oppressed by his severe Tyranny with the joyful eyes of freemen beheld his â—tinking Arteries his members besmear'd with Blood and that left hand to whom Neptune had restor'd the Ring by the hand of the Fisherman the sad spectacle of Misfortune 6. Dionysius also when he had enter'd upon the Tyranny of Sicily by his Fathers Will the Lord of a vast Wealth a Captain of Armies an Admiral of a Navy potent in Horse yet was forced to teach School at Corinth for his livelihood And at the same time of a Tyrant being now become a School-master he waâ—n'd his Elders by such a change how little they were to trust to Fortune 7. Next to him follows Syphax the King who underwent the same severity of Fortune to whom however at the same time Rome by Scipio Carthage by Asdrubal made their addresses for his Friendship But while he stood thus courted that he seem'd to be an Arbiter of Victory between the greatest and most potent People in the world In a short time after he was brought chain'd by Laelius to Scipio and now lyes prostrate at the feet of him whom he thought it favour enough before as he sate upon his Throne to take by the hand Thus meerly vain and fragil and like the baubles Children play with are those great things which we call Human Power and Wealth On a suddain they abound and
their Opinions and Judgments by the potent and happy salaries of his Eloquence Prince of the Court of Judicature as the other of the Senate Yet when he shot a Thunderbolt of Testimony against Marcellus it fell heavy indeed but vanished in smoak 4. Again there was Q. Metellus the holy the Luculli the Hortensii M. Lepidus what weight did they not onely lay upon the lite of C. Cornelius accused of Treason but also denied that the Commonwealth could stand so long as he were safe All which Ornaments of the City it shames me to relate it were all kept off by the shield of Justice 5. What! M. Cicero who by the warfare of the Law attained to the highest Honours and the noblest place of Dignity was he not as a witness thrown out of the very Camp of his Eloquence while he swore that Clodius was at his house in Rome for by that one argument of his absence the Prisoner fended off the villany which he had committed And so the Judges rather chose to acquit Clodius of the Incest than Cicero of the Infamy of Perjury 6. Among so many Witnesses of high degree I will relate one whose authority is confirmed by a new manner of reasoning in Court Publius Servilius a Consul a Censor a Triumpher who added the name of Isauricus to that of his Ancestors when walking by the Court he saw several Witnesses produced against a Criminal he placed himself among the Witnesses and to the great admiration of the Parties Friends and Accusers thus began This person said he most reverend Iudges that pleads what Countrey be is of or what course of life he leads or whether he be deservedly or wrongfully accused I know not But this I know that meeting me once in the Laurentine Way as I was travelling along in a very narrow passage he would not alight from his horse which whether it belong to your cognizance I know not do you consider that I thought it not sit to conceal this matter Presently the Judges condemned the Party scarce hearing any other Witnesses For the Grandeur of the Speaker prevailed with them and his Indignation at the contempt of his neglected Dignity believing that he that scorn'd to reverence Princes would not stick to run into any wickedness CHAP. VI. Of those who committed themselves what they revenged in others 1. C. Lic Hoplomachus 2. C. Marius six times Consul 3. C. Licinius Calvus Stolo 4. Q. Varius Ibrida NOr must we pass over in silence those who committed themselves what they condemned in others 1. C. Licinius sirnamed Hoplomachus desired of the Praetor that his Father might be deprived of his estate as one that consumed it What he requested he obtained But he himself in a short time after when the Old-man was dead presently wasted a great sum of Money and several Farms left him by his Father Worthy that vicissitude of punishment as one that rather chose to consume his estate than take it as an Heir 2. C. Marius had acted the part of a great and faithful Citizen in ruining of L. Saturninus who held forth a Cap to the Slaves like an Ensigne inviting them to take up Armes But when Sylla invaded the City with his Army he himself fled to the assistance of the Slaves by holding forth the Cap as the other had done Therefore while he imitates a fact which he had punished he found another Marius to ruine him himself 3. But Cains Licinius Stolo by whom the Plebeians were empowred to sue for the Consulship when he had made a Law that no man should possess above five hundred Acres of Land he purchas'd a thousand himself and to cover the matter made over the halâ— to his Son For which reason being prosecuted by Popilius Laenas he was the first that fell by his own Law And taught us that nothing ought to be imposed but what every one first imposes upon himself 4. Q. Varius because of the obscurity of the place where he was born sirnamed Ibrida or half-Citizen being a Tribune of the People made a Law against the Intercession of the Colledge of Tribunes wherein there was a command to â—nquire by whose â—reachery the Allies were stirr'd to take up Armes to the great detriment of the Commonwealth For first he stirred up the War of the Allies and then the Civil War But while he acts the part of pestiferous Tribune before that of a certain Citizen his own Law cut him off entangled in his own domestick snares CHAP. VII Of Study and Industry Among the ROMANS 1. M. Cato the Greater 2. Cato of Utica 3. M. Terentius Varro 4. C. Livius Drusus 5. Paulus the Senator and Pontius Lupus 6. Crassus Mutianus 7. Q. Roscius the Comedian FORREIGNERS 1. Demosthenes of Athens 2. Pythagoras of Samos 3. Plato of Athens 4. Democritus of Abdera 5. Carneades the Cyrenaean 6. Anaxagoras the Clazomenian 7. Archimedes of Syracuse 8. Socrates the Athenian 9. Isocrates the Athenian 10. Chrysippus of Tarsus 11. Cleanthes of Assium 12. Sophocles of Athens 13. Simonides of Ceji. 14. Solon of Athens 15. Themistocles of Athens WHerefore do I delay to commemorate the force of Industry By whose active spirit the Stipends of Warfare are corroboraetd and the glory of the Forum is enflamed all Studies are cherished in her faithful breast Whatever is performed by the Hand by the Minde by the Tongue by her is added to the heap of applause which being an admirable vertue strengthens her self yet more by her own Constancy 1. Cato in the fourscore and sixth year of his age while he persists with a youthful vigour in defending the Commonwealth accused of a Capital Crime by his Enemies pleaded his own Cause Yet no man ever observed so large a Memory a greater strength of Body or less hesitation of Speech Because he kept all those things in equal condition and perpetually exercised by Industry And at the very conclusion of his laborious life he opposed his own most eloquent Defence to the Accusation of Galba touching Spain The same person desired to learn the Greek Language How late we may thence guess in that he was an old man before he learnt to read Latine But when he had won great Honour by his Eloquence he did it to make himself skilful in the Civil Law 2. Whose wonderful Offspring nearer to our age Cato also burn't with such a desire of learning that in the very Court it self before the Senate fill'd he would be reading Greek Books By which Industry he shewed that some want time others have more than they need 3. But Terentius Varro an Example of Humane Life and one that might be truly call'd A space of years not so much for his years which were equal to an Age of Time as for the vivacity of his Style For in the same Bed his Breath and the course of his egregious Works expired 4. Livius Drusus a man of the fame perseverance who defective in vigour of Age and Eye-sight most bountifully interpreted the
had not these decayed An expression becoming for-fetch'd Wisdome For had he labour'd more in the manuring his Lands than his Minde he had remained Masters of his family at home but had not returned into his Country the great Anaxagoras 7. I might say that the Industry of Archimedes was very prontable but that it gâ—ve him life and took if from him again For when Syracuse was taken Marcellus was sensible that his Victory was much delayed by his Engines yet infinitely taken with the Prudence of the person he commanded the Souldiers to spare his Life assuming perhaps almost as much glory in saving Archimedes as in destroying Syracuse But while Archimedes was making Figures with his minde and eyes fixed upon the ground a Souldier that was broken into his house to plunder with his drawn Sword asked him who he was The Philosopher was so intent that he return'd him no direct Answer but parting dust with his finger Have a care said he of spoyling this Circle Thereupon as one that slighted the Victor of the Empire the Souldier cut off his Head and blended his blood with the Lineaments of his Art Thus the same Study gave him his Life and deprived him of it again 8. Most certain it is that Socrates when he was stricken in years began to learn Musick believing it better to learn that Art late than never How little an accession of knowledge was that to Socrates Yet the obstinate Industry of the person to so much wealth and treasure of Learning would also adde the profitable Elements of Musick Thus while he thought poor to learn he made himself rich to teach 9. And that we may reduce the Examples of a long and successful Industry to one head Isocrates compos'd that most noble Book entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he was fourscore and four years of Age yet â— work full of life and spirit By which it appears that the members of learned men growing old yet their Minds by the benefit of Industry retain the full vigour of Youth Nor did he end his days till he had five years enjoyed the fruit of the admiration of his work 10. Lesser bounds terminated the life of Chrysippus yet was not short-liv'd for he left behind him the thirty ninth Book of his Logicks a book of exact nicety begun in the Eightieth Year of his Age. Whose Study in delivering the monuments of his Wit took up so much time and labour that a longer life would be râ—quisite to understand the depth of his writings 11. Thee also Cleanthes so industrious in searching after and so laboriously delivering Wisdome the Deity of Industry could not but admire when she beheld thee in thy youth maintaining thy self by carrying water in the Night in the Day a diligent heares of Chrysippus and till the Hundredth year within one with attentive care instructing thy Disciples With a double labour thou hast taken up the space of one Age making it uncertain whether thou wert a better Scholar or a Master 12. Sopholces had also a glorious combat with Nature as liberal of his wonderful Works as she was liberal in giving him long Time to compose them For he lived near an Hundred years his Oedipus Coloneus being written by him just before his death By which one Tragedy he won the honour from all the Poets in that way Which Iophon the Son of Sophocles would not have concealed from Posterity and therefore caused it to be inscribed upon his Fathers Tomb. 13. Simonides the poet at Fourscore years of Age boasts himself that he taught Verses and contended for the prize at those years Nor was it but reason that he should long enjoy the fruit of his own Wit Who was himself to communicate them for the benefit of eternity 14. Now for Solon how industrious he was he has declared in his Verses Wherein he signifies that he grew old always learning something and the last day of his life confirmed it For as his Friends were sitting by him and discoursing among themselves upon some subject or other he lifted up his head then just about to bow to sate and being asked why he did so That when I understand said he what it is you are disputing upon I may dye Certainly Sloath had bin banished from among mankinde if all men should come into the world with the same Spirit that Solon left it 15. How great was the industry of Themistocles â— Who though he had the care of the greatest affairs of his Countrey upon his shoulders yet was able to remember the particular names of all his fellow-Citizens And being through high Injustice driv'n from his Countrey and compell'd to fly to Xerxes whom a little before he had vanquish'd in battle before he come into his presence he accustom'd himself to the Persian language that having purchaâ—â—d commendation by labour he might render the Tone of his voice familiar and customary to the Kings ear 16. The Applause of both which sorts of Industry two Kings divided between them Cyrus remembring all the names of his Souldiers Mithridates learning two and twenty several Tongues spoken within his Dominions The first that he might address himself to his Army without a Director the other that he might discourse to the people whom he govern'd without an Interpreter CHAP. VIII Of Ease praised ROMANS 1. P. Aemilianus and C. Laelius 2. Muâ—ius Scaevola Augur FORRAIGNERS 1. Socrates of Athens 2. Achilles in Homer EAse because it seems to be contrary to Industry but chiefly to Labour ought to be briefly touch'd upon Not that which extinguishes but which recreates Vertue For the sloathful ought to avoid the one and the brave and stout may desire the other They that they may not live like Drones these that by a seasonable intermission from toyl they may be the fitter for Labour 1. The famous pair of Friends Scipio and Laelius united together not only by the bond of Love but by an association of all other Vertues as they perform'd the journey of a painful life with equal steps so they generally relax'd from business by consent For it is certain that at Caieta and Lourenium they used to gather up Shells and little Stones upon the Shoar And this L. Crassus often reported from the mouth of Q. Scaevola who was Son-in-Law to Laelius 2. As for Scaevola as he was the most certain witness of their Relaxation so he himself was wont to play at Ball having us'd to delight himself in that sort of exercise when the weight of his business was over Sometimes he was wont to spend his time at Chess and Tables after he had bin long ordering the Rights of his Citizens and the Ceremonies of his Gods For as he acted Scaevola in serious things so he shewed himself but only Man in his Sports and Recreations as whom Nature will not suffer to abide continual Labour FORRAIGNERS 1. This Socraâ—es saw to whom no part of Wisdom was obscure which made him that he did not blush when
Herostratus HOnour whence it arises or of whatsoever it may be the Habit or how it ought to be purchas'd and whether it may not be neglected by vertue as unnecessary let them take care that employ their Contemplations upon these things and who are able eloquently to express what they have prudently observed I in this work being content to finde out Authors for deeds and deeds for Authors shall endeavour to finde out by proper Examples how great the desâ—â—e of it is wont to be 1. The Elder Africanus would have the Effigies of Ennius placed among the Monuments of the Cornâ—liaâ— Family because he thought his Acts illustrated by his Wit Not ignorant that as long as the Roman Empire might flourish and Africa lay captive at the feet of Italy and that the Capitol possess'd the Pillar of the whole World their Remembrance could not be extinguished especially enlightned by the Beams of Learning A man more worthy of Homer's than a rude and unpolish'd Eulogy 2. The same was the honorable minde of D. Brutus a famous Captain in his time toward Accius the Poet With whose familiar Courtship and acute applauses being mainly delighted he adorn'd the Entries of the Temples which he had consecrated out of his Spoils with his Verses 3. Neither was Pompey averse from this affectation of Glory who bestowed upon Theophanes the Mytelenian a Writer of his Acts a whole City in a Harangue before the Souldiers Prosecuting the Grandeur of his Gift with an accurate and approved Oration 4. L. Sulla though he minded no Writer yet he so vehemently assum'd to himself the honour of Iugurth's being brought to Marius by King Bocchus that he wore that Delivery in his Seal Ring Afterwards how great an admirer of Honour the slightest footstep whereof he ador'd 5. And that I may adde to Generals the noble minde of a Souldier When Scipio was dividing the Military gifts to those that had done bravely T. Labienus putting him iâ— minde of giving a Golden Bracelet to an eminent and stout Knâ—ght which the General resufing to do that the honour of the field might not be â—solated in him who hâ—d serv'd but a little before he gave the Knight Gold himself out of the Gallie plunder Neither did Scipio put it up silently For said he to the Knight thou hast the Gift of a rich man Which when he had taken casting the Gold at Labienus feet he held down his Countenance But when Scipio said to him The General gives thee Silver Bracelets he went away with a chearful Countenance So that there is no Humility so great which is not touched wiâ—h a desire of Glory 6. It is also sought sometimes out of the lowest things For what meant C. Fabius that most noble Commonwealths man For when he painted the walls of the Temple of Safety which C. Iunius Bubulcus had consecrated he inscribed his Name upon them For that only Ornament was wanting to a Family most famous for Consulships Priesthoods and Triumphâ— And though he stoopt to a mercenary Art yet he would not have his labours obliterated how mean soever they were following the example of Phidias who included his own face upon the Shield of Minerva in such manner that if it were pull'd away the whole work would be quite spoiled STRANGERS 1. But better had he done to have imitated Themistocles had he bin taken with forraign Examples who is reported to have bin so prick'd with the sting of Honour that he could not sleep a nights and being ask'd what he did abroad at that time of the night made answer That he could not sleep for the Trophies of Miltiades For Marathon rous'd up his noble Minde to ennoble Artemisium and Salamis with Naval Glory The same person going to the Theater and being ask'd whose voice was most pleasing to his ears made answer His that shall sing my acts â—he best and loudest He added as it were an honourable sweetness to Honour it self 2. The Breast of Alexander was insatiable of Applause who when Anaxarchus his Companion by the authority of Democritus affirm'd that there were innumerable worlds How miserable then said he am I that have not conquered one Man thought his Honour too much confin'd that had not all that which suffices for the Habitation of the Gods 3. I will adde the thirst of Aristotle after Honour as great as that of a King and a young man For he had given certain Books of Oratory to Theodectes his Disciple to put forth in his own name and being afterwards vex'd that he had let go the Title to another insisting upon some things in his own Volume he addes that he had discoursed more plainly of them in the Books of Theodectes Did not the Modesty of so great and so diffusive a Science withhold me I would say he was a Philosopher whose great parts ought to have been delivered to a Philosopher of a nobler Soul But Honour is not contemn'd by thosâ— that desire to introduce the Contempt of it For to those very Volumes they diligently set their Names that what they take away by Profession they may attain by Usurpation of Memory But this dissimulation of theirs whatever it be is more to be endur'd than the purpose of those who while they labour for eternal Memories strive to become famous by wickedness 4. Among which I know not whether Pausanias may not be first mentioned for when he had ask'd Hermocrates how he might suddenly become famous and that the other had answered By killing some great person presently went and slew Philip. And indeed what he covered he had for he render'd himself as infamously famous for the Murther as Philip was eminent for his Vertue to Posterity 5. But this desire of Glory was sacrilegious For there was one sound out who would set on fire the Temple of Diana at Ephesus tâ—at by the destruction of that lovely Pile his name might be known to the whole world Which fury of his minde he discovered upon the Rack Yet the Ephesians had taken care by a Decree to abolish the memory of the worst of men had not the eloquent Wit of Theopompus comprehended the fact in his History CHAP. XV. What Magnificent things befel to every one To ROMANS 1. P. Africanus the Greater 2. M. Cato the Censor 3. P. Scipio Nasica 4. P. Scipio Aemilianus 5. M. Valerius Corvus 6. Q. Mutius Scaevola 7. C. Marius 8. Cn. Pompey the Great 9. Q. Lutatius Catulus 10. Cato of Utica 11. L. Marcius a Roman Knight 12. Sulpitia Ser. daughter of Q. Flaccus STRANGERS 1. Pythagoras Samian 2. Gorgias the Leontine 3. Amphiaraus the Prophet 4. Pherenica a Gâ—ecian Woman WHat Magnificent things have deservedly beâ—aln every one being put to publick view will afford delight to ingenious minds because the value and force of the Rewards and the contemplaâ—ion of Honours is equally to be considered Nature affording us a kind of pleasure when we see Honour industriously coveted and gratefully â—epaid But though the