his counterfeit Consulship a kind of Government like a Mist a fading Triumph and his Off-spring a Sojourner in a strange City 6. But the beginnings of Porcius Cato were searched for out by publick Vote Who render'd his name most famous at Rome which was scarcely known in Tusculum The lasting Monuments of the Latin Tongue were by him adorn'd Military Discipline reform'd the Majesty of the Senate increased his Family establish'd to which the last Cato was no small honour FORRAIGN 1. But to joyn Forraign Examples to the Romans Socrates not onely by common consent of all persons but by the Oracle of Apollo judg'd to be the wisest among men was born of Phanarete a Midwife and Sophroniscus a Stone-cutter yet he came to be one of the most resplendent Lights of Glory and not undeservedly For when the Wits of most learned men were busied in blinde Disputations and endeavoured to set down the prove the measures of the Sun Moon and the rest of the Stars rather by multiplicity of words than certain Arguments for they undertook to tell the compass of the whole World he diverted men from these unlearned and unnecessary questions and taught them to dive into the nature of Man and the secret Affâ—ctions that lay hidden in his breast So that if Vertue be esteem'd for its self much more such a Master as teacheth the best Rules of life 2. What Mother Euripides had or what Father Domesthenes had was unknown to the Age they lived in Yet the most certain opinion of the Learned is That the Mother of the one sold Pot-herbs and the Father of the other dealt in Knives However what can be more famous than the Tragedies of the one and the Orations of the other CHAP. V. Of those who have degenerated being born of Noble Ancestors 1. The Son of Scipio Africanus 2. Q. Fabius the Son of him sirnamed Allobrogicus 3. The Son of Clodius and Fulvia 4. Marcus Hortensius Corbio HEre follows the second part of a double promise to be made good by relating the blemishes in the Coats of Illustrious men Because we are not to relate the stories of those that have degenerated from the glory of their Ancestors 1. For what could be more like a Monster than the Son of the Elder Scipio Africanus who receiving his beginning from so Illustrious a Family could endure to suffer himself to be taken by a small party of King Antiochus when it had been better for him to have died a voluntary death than between two the most famous Sirnames the one obtained by the destruction of Africk and the other got by the Conquest of Asia to suffer his hands to be bound by the Enemy and to be beholding to his mercy for a pitiful life over whom Scipio was to obtain in a small time a Triumph most glorious in the sight of Gods and men Coming to claim the Pretorship he appeared in the field with such a spotted and bedaub'd white Gown that had it not been for the courtesie of Cicereus who was his Father's Secretary he would not have obtain'd the honour Though it had been no great matter whether he had a Repulse or a Pretorship so obtain'd for when the standers by saw what a soul Gaâ—ment he had on they were the occasion that he neithâ—r durst place his Chair not hear Causes Moreover they took a Ring off his finger upon which the head of Alexander was engrav'd Good Gods from what Thunder die ye suffer so much Darkness to proceed 2. Again Q. Fabius Maximus the Son of Q. Fabius Maximus sirnamed Allobrogicus what a luxurious and dissolute life did he lead whose other Vices to obliterate yet might his Manners be seen by one act of disgrace that Q. Pompey the City-Pretor would not let him meddle with his Father's goods Neither was there any person in so great a City that would speak against the Decree For men grived to see that that money which was to maintain the splendour of the Fabian Family should be spent in Riot and Excess Thus he whom his Father's indulgence left his Heir the publick severity dis-inherited 3. Clodius the fair was in great favour with the people yet his Wife Fulvia wearing a Dagger shew'd that he suffered his warlike Spirit to be subject to the commands of a Woman Their Son called also by the name of Clodius the Fair beside that he had led a slothful and effeminate life in his Youth was also infamous for his egregious dotage upon the most common Whores and died a most sâ—ameful death For his belly being eaten up he surrender'd his life to the greedy appetite of his own soul inâ—emperance 4. Hortensius Corbio also the Nephew of Quintus Hortensius who in the greatest plenty of ingenious and illustrious Citizens attain'd the highest degree of Eloquence and Authority led a life more obscure and fordid than all the Strumpets put together At length his Tongue was as common at the pleasure and lust of every one in the Bawdy-houses as his Fathers Oratory was diligently employ'd for the good of his Fellow-Citizens CHAP. VI. Of Illustrious men that delighted more than ordinary in rich Apparel and sumptuous adorning themselves 1. Scipio the Greater 2. Asiatic Scipio 3. Cornelius Sylla 4. C. Duilius 5. C. Papirius Maso 6. C. Marius 7. M. Cato of Utica I Am not ignorant what a dangerous Journey I have undertaken Therefore I will recall my self lest while I continue to pursue the remaining Shipwracks and Miscarriages of the same nature I should intrigue my self in useless Relations I will therefore retreat and suffer those deformed shadows to lie hid in the deep Abyss of their own shame thinking it more to the purpose to declare what illustrious Personages have given themselves an unusual liberty in their Habits and Dresses the Authors of new Customs 1. P. Sciâ—io being in Sicâ—ly there intent upon the reinforcing and transporting his Army into Africa as he that minded nothing more than the ruine of Carthage was at the same time accustomed to the Gymnasium and wore a Pallium or long Mantle and those finer sort of shoes called Crepidae Yet did he handle the Carthaginians never a whit the more softly for that For his Divertisement made him more eager seeing that strong and active Wits the more they use Retirement the more vehement they are in Command Thereby perhaps he also thought to win the favour of the young Gentry while he followed their Customes of Habit and Diet. For to those Exercises he applied himself when he had much and long tired himself and had constrained his other Limbs to prove their Strength by Military Labours wearied with the one recreated with the other 2. We likewise behold the Statue of Lucius Scipio with a Chlamys or a short Cloak about his Shoulders and embroidered Slippers In which Habit as he was wont to wear it alive they cloaâ—hed his Essigies 3. Lucius Cornelius Sylla also when he was Emperour thought it no disgrace to walk the
of the Latine Tongue might be spread with greater veneration among other Nations Not but that they had their Schools of Learning but that they did not hold it convenient that the Gown should in any thing be subject to the Cloak Believing it a poor and low thing that the weight and authority of Government should be tam'd by the charms of Eloquence 3. And therefore Caius Marius thou art not to be condemn'd of clownish Rigour not to let thy old age crown'd with a double Lawrel illustrious with German and Numidian Trophies be softned and overcome by the Eloquence of a vanquish'd Nation Perhaps lest while he appear'd a forrainer in the exercises of his Wit he might seem a Runagate from his native Rites and Customes Who therefore open'd the way to the Greek Pleadings that now deafen our ears Molo the Rhetorician as I am perswaded who likewise sharpned the studies of M. Cicero For he was the first Stranger that was ever heard in the Senate without an Interpreter which Honour he receiv'd not undeservedly having mainly advanc'd the force of the Roman Eloquence Of conspicuous felicity is Arpinum whether you respect the one as a great contemner of Learning or the other as the abounding Fountain thereof 4. With great diligence this Custome also was observed by our Ancestors that no person might walk between the Consul and the last Lictor though he went along by vertue of his Office unless he were a Child and the Son of the Consul Which Custome was so obstinately maintain'd that Q. Fabius Maximus five times Consul and besides in prime Authority and honour'd with Age being râ—quâ—stâ—d to go between him and the Lictor for fear of being overborn by the crowd of Samnites with whom he was going to treat yet refus'd the Courtesie The like did that same Fabius when he was sent by the Senate to his Son Consul at Suessa For as his Son was dispaâ—ching Causes without the City he took his Horse to ride through the prease but his Son seeing him afar off sent a Lictor to him commanding him to alight and come afoot if he had any thing to say to the Consul Whom Fabius readily obeyed saying Son I did not this in contempt of thy Authority but only to try whether thou kneweâ—t how to behave thy self like a Consul or no Nor am I ignorant what is my Duty to my Countrey but I prefer publike Institutions before private Piety 5. Having done with the Fabii Men of an admirable Constancy offer themselves who being sent to Tarentum by the Senate to demand certain things after they had received many Injuries one of them having a Pisspot thrown upon his Cloaths they were brought to the Theater or place of Audience and finished the whole business of the Embassie but as to what they had suffered they uttered not a word lest they might seem to talk more than what they had given them in charge for it was impossible that any vexation at the afâ—ronts which they had received could make them alter the respect which they had to Antient Custome 6. But I will pass from Customes grown obsolete through Vice to the most severe Institutions of our Ancestours before the Senate sate continually in that place which was call'd the Little Senate-House they never were assembled by Edict but bâ—ing cited they came immediatly For they thought â—hâ— praâ—â—e of that Citizen much to be call'd in question that was to be compell'd to shew his Duty to his Country For whatever is forc'd by Compulsion is lookt upon as rather done by Constraint than Duty 7. We are likewise to remember that it was not lawful for the Tribunes of the people to be admitted into the Senate but being plac'd upon Seats before the Doors there it behov'd 'um diligently to hear and examine the Decrees that were undâ—r Vote that if there were any thing which they misliked they might hinder them from passing And therefore the Letter T was wont to be subscrib'd at the bottome of all the antient Decrees of the Senate by which Mark it was understood that the Tribunes had consentâ—d Who although it were their bâ—siness to lie perdu for the good of the People and to suppress the growth of ambitious attempts yet they suffer'd them to use Silver Vessels and to wear Gold Rings given them at the publick charge by the sight of such things to render the authority of their Magistracy the more conspicuous 8. Whose Authority as it increased so their abstinence was most strictly commanded For the Entrails of the Sacrifices â—ffered by the Tribunes were brought to the Questors of the Treasury The worship of the Gods and humane Continence was shewn in those Sacrifices of the Roman people our Captains learning at those Altars what holy hands they ought to come prepared with And such honour they gave to Continence that many times the Debts of those that had well behaved themselves in the government of the Republick were paid by the Senate For they esteemed it an unworthy thing that the dignity of those men should suffer at home by whose industry the Common-wealth had obtained splendor abroad 9. The Youth of the Order of Knighthood twice every year were wont to shew themselves in a publick Spectacle at the chaâ—ge of some great Person upon the day of the Lupercal Feasts which was the time of the approbation of Knights The Custome of the Lupercals were begâ—â— by Romulus and Remus at such a time as thâ—y were making merry for that their Uâ—cle Namitor had permitted them to build a City in the pâ—ace where they were brâ—d up under Mount Palatine which Evander the Argive had consecrated by advice of Fauâ—tulus their Fostâ—r-father For thereupon they mâ—de â— Sacrifice and having slain several Goats and eat and drank somewhat more largely than ordinary they divided themselves and in their jollity made a sportive Combat together the memory of which Pastime is celebrated with annual succession of Holidaies As for the Knights which were named Trabeati Quintus Fabius appointed their publike Shâ—w upon the Ides of Iuly He also being Censor with Pub. Decius in commemoration of a Sedition which he had appeas'd when the Comitia or publick choice of Magistrates was almost fallen into the hands of the meanest people divided the whole Rout into four Tribes which he called City-Tribes by means of which wholesome act being a man otherwise famous in Warlike Acts he obtain'd the name of Maximus or Greatest CHAP. III. Of Military Institutions 1. Souldiers first tax'd by Pole 2. Military Exercise 3. The first use of the Velites or light-armed THe Modesty of the People is also to be commended who by freely offering themselves to the labours and dangers of War prevented their Commanders from putting those that were tax'd by Pole to their Oaths whose extreme poverty being suspected made them incapable of being trusted with the Publick Arms. 1. This Custome confirm'd by long use C. Marius first brake making Souldiers of those
magnificence of their Ornaments and their strange kinde of boldness But who could imagine but that the Gauls now Victors would soon have turn'd their admiration into Laughter and into all manner of Conâ—umely Thereâ—ore Caius Attilius would not stay to expect that injury for he fiercely laid his Stick cross the pate of a Gaul that too familiarly stroaked his Beard offering his â—ody freely to the Souldier that out of madness câ—me rushing to kill him Thus Vertue knows not how to be taken and Patience knows no disgracâ— To yield to Fortune it accompts sadder than any death and it invents new and generous kinds of perishng if he may be said to perish that comes to such an end 8. We are now to gâ—ve due honour and glory to the Roman Youth who when C. Sempronius Attarinus Consul had sought wiâ—h ill success at the battâ—l oâ— Verrugo against the Volsci lâ—sâ— our Battel just upon the point of flying should receive a Rout diâ—mounting from their Horses immediately rallied into Fooâ—-companies and broke the Enemies Ranks who being thus forced to retire the Roman Youth possessâ—d themsâ—lves of the next Hills and so ordered it that thâ— Volsci turning all their Force upon them wâ—re the cause that our Legions got in the mean â—ime a very great refrâ—shment to confirm their Courage And thus while they thought of obtaining the Trophies the night separated both Armies uncertain whether they parted Victors or vanquish'd 9. A noble Flower of the Order of Knighthood was he also by whose wonderful Fortitude Fabius Maximus Rullianus Master of the Horse was acquitted oâ— a Crime whiâ—h he was like to have fallen into of loosing a Battel to the Samniâ—es For Papyrius Cursor being gone to the City to renew the inspection of Entrails he was left chief Commander in his absence And although he were doubtful of leading the Army out to battel yet at length joyning battel with the Enemy he fought not so unsuccessâ—ully as rashly For without question he had the worst At which the Young Nobility pulling the bridles off their horses spurr'd them with all their might against the very â—aces of the Enemy by an obstinate Gallantry restoring a Victory wrung out of the hands of the Enemy and the hope of Rulliâ—nus which his Country now conceived of â—is being the greatest of our Citizens 10. But of what a prodigious strength were those Souldiers who wading the slippery Sea as they had been on firm Land hal'd back the Punick Fleet by main strength to the shore though endeavouring to fly with the labour of all their Oars 11. About the same time and of the same repute was that Souldier who at the Battel of Cannae where Hannibal rather brake the power than the courage of the Romans when his wounded hands were unable to hold his Arms graspimg a Numidian about the neck that came to strip him he bit off his Ears and his Nose expiring in the midst of that revenge An odde kinde of Event in fight where the party killed is stronger than he that kills him For the Carthaginian liable to revenge rejoyc'd the dying person and the Roman was his Revenger at the very conclusion of his life 12. Publius Crassus making War in Asia with Aristonicus bâ—ing set upon by the Thracians of which he had a great number for his assistance between Smyrna and Elea for fear he should come into their power he avoided the shame by resolving to die For he thurst his Riding-rod into the eye of one of the Barbarians who enraged with the pain thereof thrust Crassus into the side with his Cutlace and while he revenges himself freed the Roman Emperour from the shame of having lost his Honour Crassus shewed Fortune that she intended to have punished a person altogether unworthy of so great an Indignity as being one that not onely prudently but couragiously broke the snares which she had laid to entrap his Liberty and restored his own Dignity to himself although now given to Aristonicus 13. The same resolution Scipio made use of who having unsuccessfully endeavour'd to defend the cause of Pompey his Son-in-Law in Africa endeavour'd to fly into Spain but understanding that the Shâ—p wherein he was was taken by the Enemy he ran himself through and so â—alling down upon the Poop when Caesar's Souldiers asked for their Commander he made answer The Commander is well having power only to speak so much as to testifie to his eternal praise the Greatness of his Minde 14. Not less the Moniment of Vtica were thy last breathings mighty Cato out of whose Wounds flowed more Glory than Blood For with a fierce Constancy lying upon the Sword thou wert a most noble Example of Instruction That to all good Men Dignity and Honour without Life is far better than Life without Honour 15. Whose Daughter had no Womanish Spirit Who knowing the resolution that her Husband Brutus had taken to kill Caesar the night before the day wherein that most horrid act was committed assoon as Brutus was gone out of the Chamber she call'd for a Razor pretending to pare her Nails and as if she had let it fall by chance gave her self a Wound therewith Upon the cry of the Maids Brutus coming in began to chide her that she had took the Barber's trade out of his hands To whom she privately whisper'd This is no rash action of mine but as things now stand a most certain proof of my Love towards thee For I was resolv'd to try if thy purpose should not succeed according to thy desire how bravely and patiently I could kill my self 16. More happy in his Offspring was the Elder Cato out of whose Loins sprang the Family of Porcius Who being in battle sorely press'd upon by his Enemy his Sword fell out of the Scabbard which though he saw encompass'd with such numbers of his Enemies yet such was his obstinacy to recover it that he would not give ovâ—r tiâ—l he had done it so that at length he seem'd not to have wrung it out of the hands of daâ—gâ—r but to take it up in security Which fight so teâ—rified his Enemies that the next day they came to him to bâ—g for Peace 17. The Forritude of the Gown may be mixt with Warlik Actions deserving the same honour in Courts of Juâ—â—ice as in the Camp When T. Gracchus having got the favour of the People by his profuseness endeavour'd to oppress the Common-wealth and openly declar'd that the Senate being put to death all things oughâ— to be transacted by the People The Senate being summon'd into the Temple of Faith by Mucius Scaevola Consul began to consult what at such a time â—o do and all being of opinion that the Consul ought to govern the Common-wealth by force of Arms Scaevola denied that he would do any thing by force Then replyed Scipio Nasica Because saith he the Consul while he follows the course of Law doth that which will bring both the Law and all the Roman Empire in
Cornelius Scylla the Happy 7. T. Aufidius 8. P. Rupilius 9. P. Ventidius Bassus 10. L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus 11. Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina 12. Licinius Crassus the Rich. 13. Q. Servilius Caepio 14. C. Marius 15. C. Julius Caesar. FORRAIGNERS 1. Polemon the Athenian 2. Themistocles the Athenian 3. Conon the Athenian 4. Aleibâ—ades 5. Polycrates 6. Dionysius of Syracuse 7. Syphax King of the Numidians A Considerate Change can either adde much to the Trust or diminish the Care of worthy men whether we consider our own condition or the nature of others For when we perceive some to have risen from low and contemptible beginnings why should we not then have better thoughts of our selves Knowing that it is a foolish thing to forejudge ones self of perpetual infelicity and to change our hope which sometimes rightly favouâ—s uncertain things into certain desperation 1. Manlius Torquatus when he was a Youth was look'd upon to be of so dull and heavy a disposition that he was sent into the Countrey by his Father Lucius Manlius a person of great worth to follow the Plow as being unfit either for publick or private business Afterwards he pleaded for his Father being accus'd for some misdeameanour and carried the Cause for him He cut off his Sons head though a Victor because he had fought against his command with the Enemy and with a most splendid Triumph he reviv'd his Countrey groaning under the Latin War Thus his adverse Fortune clouded him in his Youth that he might shine more glorious in his Elder Years 2. Scipio Africanus the Elder whom the Immortal Gods decreed â—o be born that there might be a person in whom Vertue might shew it self in all its variety is reported to have led a debauch'd life in his younger years remote from the crime of Luxury yet more soft and idle than his Punic Trophies or his yoaking the conquer'd Carthaginians 3. C. Valerius Placcus also in the time of the Second Punic War began with a lewd course of life But being chosen Flamen by P. Licinius the High-Priest to the end he might reclaim him applying himself to the care of the sacred things and the observation of the religious Rites and guided by Religion it self the Captain of Frugality he became as great an Example of Sobriety and Piety as he was before of Luxury 4. No person led a more debauch'd Life than Q. Fabius Maximus who afterwards by the signal Victory which he obtain'd against the Gauls purchas'd to himself and his posterity the Simaâ—e of Allobrogicus Yet in his elder years our City could boast of no such Ornament as he was noâ— was any person so renowned as he 5. Who is ignorant how highly the Authority of Q. Gatulus was advanc'd at that very time when there was a crowd of famous men living Whose younger years you will finde to have been guilty of much Luxury and Softness Which however was no impediment to him but that he became the Prince of his Countrey had the honour to have his name shine in the Capitol and by his own courage to bury a Civil War that was rising with a mighty force to seize the Commonwealth 6. But L. Sylla till he came to be Questor led â— life infamous for his Whoring Gaming and Drinking Whereupon it was reported that Marius being engag'd in a very smart War in Africa complain'd that they had sent him such an effeminate Questor But his Vertue having as it were broken down the fences of wickedness made a shift to chain the hands of Iugurth quell Mithridates withstand the billows of the War of our Allies break the power of Cinâ—â— and compel him that had despis'd him when his Questor in Africa to fly a proscrib'd Exile into the same Province for safety Which so various and so conâ—â—â—ry acts he that shall with a serious minde consider would believe there were two Sylla's in one man I would have call'd him a vicious youth but a brave man had he not himself assum'd the title of Happy 7. And as we have admonish'd Nobility to regard itself by the benefit of repentance let us adde a few Examples of those that dar'd aspire from meaner beginnings T. Aufidius who once had the gathering but of a small pittance of the Asiatic Tribute afterwards rul'd all Asia as Consul Nor did our Allies disdain to obey his Fasces whom they had seen flattering the Tribunals of Forreigners For he behavd himself faithfully and nobly plainly demonstrating that his former way of living was only the effect of Fortune but that the presâ—nt advancement of his Dignity was to be attributed to the greatness of his parts 8. Publius Rupilius was no Toll-gatherer in Sicilia but only a mean Officer under them so miserable poor that he had nothing to keep Life and Soul together but a small Office that depended upon the leave of the vanquish'd Yet from him Consul afterwards all Sicilia receiv'd their Laws after he had freed them from the terrors of a smart War of the Pirats and Fugitives I believe that the very Ports themselves if there be any sence in mute things admir'd the wonderful change in the Condition of that man For the same person that they had seen exacting the dayly Customs the same person they saw giving Laws to Navies and Armies 9. To this increase of Dignity I will adde a greater When Asculum was taken Cn. Pompeius the Father of Pompey the Great prostituted to the eyes of the People P. Ventidius a beardless Youth in the Triumph that he had obtain'd Yet this was that Ventidius who afterwards triumph'd at Rome over the Parthians and reveng'd the death of Crassus miserably foyl'd in a strange Countrey Thus he that a Captive dreaded imprisonment now a Victor crowns the Capitol with his success And this is farther remarkable of the same person that he was made Pretor and Consul both in one and the same year 10. Now let us consider the diversities of Chance L. Lentulus was depos'd by the Caecilian Law of his Consulship being convicted of Bribery and yet was created Censor with L. Censorinus Thus Fortune shuffl'd him between Honour and Disgrace condemning him in his Consulship and honouring him with the Office of Censor when he was condemn'd neither suffering him to enjoy a lasting happiness nor long to abide in a miserable condition 11. Thus Fortune shew'd her power also in Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina Who when he was Consul being taken by the Carthaginians at Liparae and had lost all by the right of War yet by the favour of Fortune recovered all and was again created Consul Who would have thought he should have been brought from the Fasces to the Fetters of the Carthaginians Who would have thought again that from the Punic chains he should have advanc'd himself to the highest degrees of Honour But yet he was from a Consul made a Captive and from a Captive became Consul 12. What Did not the vaâ—â—ness of Crassus Wealth give him
condemned 1. M. Horatius being condemned by Tullus the King for having slain his Sister was acquitted by appealing to the people The one was incens'd by thâ— Cruelty of the Murther the other by the reason of the fact enclin'd to Mercy believing the immature love of the Virgin more severely than impiously punish'd And thus the brothers arm being sav'd by so stout a correction reap'd as much honour from the blood of his near relation as from the blood of an enemy 2. Before the Roman people shewed themselves fierce preservers of Chastity afterwards more mild Judges than Justice it self required For when Servius Galba was severely accused by Libo a Tribune of the People for that being a Praetor in Spain he had put to death a great number of the Luftâ—anians contrary to his Faith given them and that Cato at that time very aged in an Oration upon publick Record had made good what the Tribune had done so that the party accused had not a word to say for his own defence yet when with tears in his eyes he only recommended to the Assembly his little Children and the young Son of Sulpitius Gallus neerly related to him he so appeas'd the wrath of his Judges that he who was but just now ready to be condemn'd by the Vote of all had hardly in an instant one Vote to his prejudice Pitie not Equity rul'd that Inditement since that Absolution that could not be granted to Innocency was given out of respect to the Children 3. Like to this was that which follows Aulus Gabinius in the height of Infamy being by the accusation of C. Memmius expos'd to the suffrages of the People seem'd to be past all hope For the Inditement was full the Defence weak and his Judges such as with a precipitate malice desired his punishment The Officers and Imprisonment hovered before his eyes and yet all vanished away by the interposition of propitious Fortune For Sisenna the Son of Gabinius by an impulse of consternation throwing himself a Suppliant at the feet of Memmius besought there some asswagement of the Tempest where the whole fury of the Storm first arose Whom the Victor beholding with a stern countenance and tearing his Ring from his finger suffer'd for some time to lye groveling upon the ground Which sad spectacle wrought that effect that Laelius the Tribune by a general consent order'd the prisoner to be set at liberty Teaching us that no man ought insolently to abuse the successes of Prosperity nor over-weakly to be cast down by Adversity 4. Which is made manifeâ—t by the next Example Publius Claudius I cannot tell whether to the greater detriment of Religion or his Countrey in regard he contemn'd the antient Customes of the one and lost a noble Navy of â—other being expos'd to the anger of the People when it was thought he could no way avoid the punishment that he deserv'd saved himself from Condemnation by the benefit of a suddain storm By which means the Trial being laid aside it pleased the People never to bring it on again as if the Gods themselves had forbid it Thus was he saved by a Land-storm whom a Sea-tempest had like to have brought to condemnation 5. By the same sort of assistance the Chastity of Tuccia a Vetal Virgin and accuâ—'d of Incest escaped out of a black cloud of Infamy Who trusting to the fincerity of her Innocency ventur'd the hope of her safety upon a doubtful argument For snatching up a sieve Vesta said she If I have always attended thy Rites with clean and chast hands grant that I may take up water out of Tiber in this and carry it to thy Temple Nature gave way to the â—ash ' and bold Imprecation of the Priestess 6. Lucius Piso also being accused by Claudius Pulcher â—or having done great and intolerable injuries to the Roman Alties by a lucky chance escaped the fear of an unquestioned ruine For at the same time that they were about to give severe Judgment against him there fell a sudden shower which filled his mouth full of duâ—t as he lay prostrate at the feet of his Judges Which Spectacle changed the whole Trial from Severity into Pity and Clemency For they believ'd he had given full satisfaction to their Allies by being compell'd to prostrate himself so submissively and rise again with so much deformity 7. I will adde two that escaped by their Accusers own fault Quintus Flavius the Augur was accused by Valerius the Aedil and proved guilty to the People and being condemn'd by the Votes of fourteen Tribes cryed out he was innocently condemn'd To whom Valerius made answer with a loud voice that he car'd not whether he werâ— put to death Guilty or Innocent so he were put to death Which violent speech brought over the rest of the Tribes to his Adversaries side He had cast his enemy when he certainly thought him ruin'd he restor'd him and lost the victory even in the victory it self 8. C. Cosconius sound guilty by the Servilian Law and for many evident and notorious crimes condemned was sav'd by one Verse recited in the Sessions-House by Valâ—â—ius Valenâ—inus his Adversary signifying by a Poetical Joke that he had defil'd a noble Youth and a free Virgin For they thought it unjust that he should go away Victor who rather deserv'd to give the Palm from himself than to take it from another Therefore was Valerius rather condemn'd by the Absolution of Cosconius than Coseonius freed at his Trial. 9. I will touch upon those also whose Crimes having ruin'd all their hopes have been pardon'd for the renown of their Relations A. Attilius Calatinus being condemn'd for having betrayed the Town of Sora and a person otherwise infamous only a few words of Q. Maximus his Father-in-law sav'd from the threatning danger wherein he affirmed that if he sound him guilty of that crime he would break off his affinity Presently the People yielded up their own to the judgment of one man believing it an unworthy thing not to believe his Testimony whom they had entrusted in the greatest Dangers of the Commonwealth 10. M. Aemilius Scourus also guilty of Bribery made so lame and pitiful defence at his Trial that his Accuser said openly that he should have liberty to name an hundred and twenty witnesses for himself and that he would be content to have the prisoner acquitted if he could produce so many in the Province from whom he had never taken any thing Yet though he could not make use of so fair a condition he was freed for the sake of his Nobility and the fresh memory of his Father 11. But as the Fame of Great men has prevailed to protect the Guilty so has it as little avail'd to oppress them rather it has bin a safeguard to them in the height of Prosecution P. Scipio Aemilianus accused L. Cotta to the Praetor whose cause though it were full of deep crimes was seven times delayed and the eighth judgment acquitted him For those
Money as borrowed of Otacilia Laterensis with whom he had lived as her Gallant With this designe that if he died she might claim that sum of the Heirs colouring the Liberality of his Lust under the title of a Debt After that Visellius contrary to Otacilia's wishes recovers Who offended that she had lost her prey by his recovery from a close Friend began to act like an open Usurer challenging the Money which as shamelesly as vainly she gap'd for by a void contract Which Aquillius a man of great authority and knowledge in the Civil Law being chosen to be Judge of consulting with the Principal Men of the City by his Prudence and good Conscience foyled the woman And if by the same form Varro might have been condemned and the adversary absolved no question but he would have willingly punish'd his soul and unwarrantable folly Now he stifled the calumny of a private Action and left the crime of Adultery to publick Justice 3. Much more stoutly and with a souldierlike Gallantry did Marius behave himself in a Judgment of the same nature For when T. Titinius of Minturnum married Fannia his wife because he knew her to be unchast and having divorc'd her for the same crime would have kept her Dower he bâ—ing chosen Judge â—nd having examined the business took Titinius aside and perswaded him to proceed no farther but to return the woman her Dower but finding that all his perswasions were in vain and being forced to pronounce Sentence he fin'd the woman for Adultery a Sesterce and Titinius the whole summ of the Portion Telling them that therefore he had observed that method of judgment because it seemâ—d to him apparent that he had married Fannia whom he knew to be a lewd woman that he might cheat her of her estate This Fannia was she who afterwards when Marius was proclaimed an Enemy received him into her house at Minturnum all bedaubed with mud and durt and assisted him what lay in her power remembring that he had adjudged her for Unchastity out of his rigorous manner of life but that he had saved her Dower out of his Religion and Piety 4. That Judgment was also much talked of by which a certain person was condemned for their because having borrowed a Horse to carry him to Aricia he rode him to the furthermost cliff of that City What can we do here but praise the Modesty of that Age wherein such minute excesses from Honesty were punished CHAP. III. Of Women that pleaded Causes before Magistrates 1. Amasia Sentia 2. Afrania the wife of Licinius Buccio 3. Hortensia Q.F. NOr must we omit those Women whom the condition of their Sex and the Garments of Modesty could not hinder from appearing and speaking in publick Courts of Judicature 1. Amaesia Sentia being guilty before a great concourse of people pleaded her own cause Titius the Praetor then sitting in Court and observing all the parts and elegancies of a true Defence not onely diligently but stoutly was quitted in her first Action by the sentences of all And because that under the shape of a woman she carried a manly resolution they called her Androgynon 2. Afrania the wife of Licinius Buccia the Senator being extremely affected with Law-suits always pleaded for herself before the Praetor Not that she wanted Advocates but because she abounded in Impudence So that for her perpetual vexing the Tribunal with her bawling to which the Court was â—naccustomed she grew to be a noted Example of Female Calumnie So that the name of Afrania was given to all contentious Women She dyed when Caesar was Consul with Servilius For it is better to remember when such a Monster went out of the world than when she came in 3. Hortensia the daughter of Q. Hortensius when the order of Matrons was too heavily taxed by the Triumvirs and that none of the Men durst undertake to speak in their behalfs she pleaded the Matrons cause before the Triumvirs not only with boldness but with success For the image of her fathers Eloquence obtained that the greatest part of the Imposition was remitted Q. Hortensius then revived in the Female Sex and breath'd in the words of his Daughter Whose force and vigour if his Posterity of the Male Sex would follow so great an inheritance of Hortensian Eloquence would not be cut-off by one action of a woman CHAP. IV. Of Rackings Endured by 1. The Servant of M. Agrius 2. Alexander the Servant of Fannius 3. Philip Servant to Ful. Flaccus ANd that we may finish all sorts of Judgments let us recite those Tortures to which either no credit all was given or else rashly too much faith 1. The Servant of M. Agrius was accused to have murthered the servant of C. Fannius and for that reason being rack'd by his Master he constantly affirmed that he did commit the fact Thereupon being delivered up to Fannius he was put to death In a little while after he that was thought to be slain returned home 2. On the other side Alexander the Servant of Fannius being suspected to have murthered C. Fl. a Roman Knight being six times tortur'd denied that he was any way concerned in it But as if he had confessed it he was condemned by the Judges and by Calpurnius the Triumvir crucified 3. Fulvius Flaccus the Consul pleading Philip his Servant upon whom the whole testimony lay being eight times tortur'd would not utter a word to his Masters prejudice And yet he was condemned as guilty when one eight times tortur'd had given a more certain argument of Innocence than eight once tormented had afforded CHAP. V. Of Testimonies void or confirmed 1. Of the Caepio 's and Metelli's against Q. Pompey 2. Of Aemilius Scaurus against several 3. Of L. Crassus against M. Marcellus 4. Of Q. Metellus the Luculli Hortensii and Lepeius against Gracchus 5. Of M. Cicero against P. Clodius 6. Of P. Servilius Isauricus against a certain person 1. IT follows that I relate pertinent Examples concerning Witnesses Cneus and Servilius Caepio born both of the same Parents and having mounted through all the degrees of Honour to the height of Greatness Also the two Brothers Q. and L. Metellus of the Consular and Censors Dignity and the other that had triumphed giving in severe testimony against Q. Pompey A. F. who stood accused of Bribery the credit of their testimony was not quite abrogated by the acquittal of Pompey but it was done so that an Enemy might not seem to be oppressed by power 2. M. Aemilius Scaurus Prince of the Senate prosecuted C. Memmius for Bribery with smart testimony He followed Flavius accused by the same Law with the same fierceness he profestly endeavoured to ruine C. Norbanus for Treason put to the publick rack yet neither by his Authority which was very great nor by his Piety of which no man doubted could he do any of them any harm 3. L. Crassus also as great among the Judges as Scaurus among the Conscript Fathers For he governed
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.