when David his Soveraigne Lord and King fled before Absalon said unto him As the Lord liveth and as the Lord my King liveth in what place my Lord the King shall be whether in death or life even there surely will thy servant be THE SECOND BOOKE Of the Love and Dutie wee all owe to our Native Countrie I Am now to intreate of the second Dutie which everie man oweth to his native Countrie and the Common-wealth wherein hee liveth and inhabiteth But ere I proceed let me expound the meaning of this word Patria or Countrie because there are sundry opinions â—…oncerning this point some affirme that We ought to take this Vniversall world for our true and Nâ—…tive Countrie of which opinion Socrates was for on a time being demanded what Countrie-man hee was made this answer The world is my Countrie and of that opinion were many other considering what small certainety there is in the dwelling of any man in any one place and the often revolution vicissitude or alteration of things and therefore would without naming any place in particular take the wide world for it All the earth is a vertuous mans proper dwelling place as the Sea is of fishes The Philosopher Anaxagoras one the other side being asked what Countrie-man hee was answered pointing up to heavâ—…n with his finger there is my Countrie adding withall as Lactantius reporteth that hee was borne onely to contemplate upon heaven his native Countrie whither he was to returne againe The Ecclesiasticall Historie maketh mention of a man called Sanctus who being brought before a Magistrate for the profession of the Christian Religion and there examined what his name was and of what Countrie I am said he a Christian that is my name my Countrie my parentage and all in all But I must as Plinie adviseth every writer cogitare titulum remember the subject I am in particular to entreate of without exspatiation therefore here I must take a mans Countrie to be the place of his birth not onely in a Kingdome of Province whereon hee depends but also of a Citie or any other particular place of Government where it was the will of God he should be borne yea of the place where hee personally dwelleth and inhabiteth with his wife children and family and where he hath his goods and maintainance for the sustaining of his livelihood for every mans Countrie saith Cicero is where he is best pleased to live and hath his meanes about him according to the French Proverbe Là où sont nos biens là est nostre pays that is where our substance and wealth are there is our Countrie which is most true therefore every man is bound to defend and preserve it against all invasion either of domestike or foâ—…aine foes even as his owne life wife children family or what else is most deare unto him So in briefe I affiâ—…me the place of our aboad as well as of our birth to be rightly called our Coâ—…ntrie which Countrie of ours ought not to have the last place as some would in our affection and love but rather the first Art thou so foolish saith Plato as thou knowest not thaâ—… thy Countrie ought to be preferred before thy parents and kindâ—…d and that thou oughtest to love it more then fathâ—…r or mother The love of our Countrie Common-wealth said Theognis the Poet Is and ought to be no lesse sacred then that â—…hich is 〈◊〉 a father and his child And 〈◊〉 saith If a fâ—…er 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 his oâ—…ne sonne should 〈◊〉 keepâ—…â—…is â—…sell but at the first dissâ—…ade him if he prevailed 〈◊〉 tâ—…en to rebuâ—… hiâ—… if he at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 is neither blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 place 〈◊〉 unto us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to us then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it ought to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 love of our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or affect for in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and if it be wasted 〈◊〉 destroyed who 〈◊〉 have any pleasure in any thing that he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said Pericâ—… Hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ease and plentifully is withall ruined and undone on the contrary when it flourisheth the poorest man feeles no discommodity but fareth the better if a Country or Common-wealth be affrighted and terrified said Caesar there is not any one man therein be hee never so stout or wary of himselfe but hee will stumble and fall with the ruine thereof but in the welfare and flourishing of the same the meanest shall find wherewith to make himselfe merry therefore wee should be wanting in nothing that might redound to the honour land profit of our Country Cato Vticensis well knew how to put this in practise and withall to certifie so much unto Cicero who thanking that grave and wise man for that in the Senate he had defended Fabia Terentia Cicero's wives sister against Pâ—…blius Clodius who had accused her falsely It is not unto me said Cato that you ought to give thankes but rather to the Common-wealth because all that I doe say or câ—…unsell is for the love of the common good of my Countrie Agesilam said as much to the King of Persia which King admiring the vertues of Agesilaus after such time as the peace was concluded betweene him and the Spartanes he sent unto him and requested that he might joyne friendship and amity with him yea and hospitality in living together Agesilaus refused it saying That the love and amity of the Common-wealth of Sparta did both content and suffice him and as long as it would last and endure he had no need to contract with any other for that was enough and the greatest glory of praise and commendations that ever Antiquity gave or could give to excellent men and the bravest spirits was for that which they did either for the preservation and defence of their Country or else for the enlargement or extension of the bounds and limits thereof and from this generous affection to their native Country have proceeded so many glorious acts and noble atchievements that they have afforded matter to the most learned pens that ever wrot to the admiration of all posterity There was never yet any good and noble spirit that did not love and affect his Country Nature herselfe having impressed in the hearts of such as are well borne a charitable love and a most sweet and deare affection toward it for men naturally love that ayre they first drew and with which Nature first refreshed them at their first comming into the world For hereby Nature hath a great interest in us yea we perceive her forâ—…e in plants herbes and other insensible things as there are plants that cannot endure to be transported out of their owne naturall soyle as Balme will grow no where but in Iudaea or Palestina and
himselfe rather then to encroach upon the liberties of his Countrie for as this Cippus passed through the brasen gate which was called Raduusoulana therehappened unto him a strange prodigious thing which was two hornes upon a suddaine grew out of his forehead whereupon he went presently to consult with Oracles and Southsayers what it should meane they told him that it signified that hee should beare supreme Authoritie over all the rest of his fellow Citizens and that at his returne back to Rome he should be crowned King this good Patriot or friend to his Countrie determined with himselfe to the end that should never come to passe never to returne backe to Rome and therefore chose ever to live in a perpetuall and a voluntarie banishment and to deprive himselfe of such great and eminent glory rather then to rob his Countrie of its freedome and libertie I will now conclude this point of Dutie with some notable examples of valiant men who have willingly hazarded and laid downe their lives for the preservation and safetie of their Countrie as briefely as I may Attilius Regulus a noble Romane being in the warres against Carthage taken prisoner and there a long time detained in the end taking his word and oath to returne backe they sent him to Rome as well to treat of a peace betwixt them and the Senate as to make an exchange of such prisoners as had beene taken betwixt them on either side but being come to Rome in stead of perswading them to peace and to ex change the prisoners he counselled them to the contrarie for regarding more the publike good of his Countrie then the love of his friends kinred and family yea his owne life He in open Senate perswaded them not to accept of the conditions which the Carthagenians offered allâ—…â—…at it would prove unhappy dis-honorable to the Romanes and for his part he was grown old and ready to goe to his grave no way able to doe his Countrie service and how that the Carthaginians which were at Rome were young men able lustie and many in number who if they were sent backe would doe great mischiefe to the Romanes and withall the better to perswade the Senate to follow his advice he told them that the Carthaginians had poysoned him with certaine drugs which had a long or lingring operation to the end he might live untill such time as his men might be released and that in a very short time the poyson would come to his heart and then there could be no other remedy for him but death at last the Senate followed his advice he then with a full resolution to keepe his oath and promise returned backe to Carthage wheâ—…e with most cruell tortures he ended his life Some write that they cut off his eyes lids and layd his face a whole day together in the Sunne others say he was inclosed naked within a great Pipe or Hoggeshead driven full of nayles with the points inward and so tumbled downe an hill or rocke keeping him without sleepe for many dayes together Sous King of Lacedemonia loved his Country so well that he preferred the good of it before his owne life this King upon a time being very straitly besieged by the Clytorians in a very barren place where no water was to be had in the end after hee and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 endured extreme thirst he offered unto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to surrender unto them all the Countries and Territories which formerly he had won from them if so be that he and his people might drinke of a fountaine that was in their possession and not farre from that place the Clytorians accepted of this offer and so the parties were sworne to performe the conditions agreed upon betweene them whereupon Sous having assembled his men togetâ—…er told them that if there was any man among them that would abstaine from drinking of that water he would surrender and give over unto him his Kingdome and Royall dignitie But there was not one that would abstaine from drinking so extreame great was their thirst but they drunke all very greedily except King Sous who comming last of all to the well tooke a little of the water and rubd or coold the out-side of his mouth in the presence of the Clytorians but did not drinke or swallow down one drop at all by meanes whereof he would not performe the agreement formerly made to his enemies saying he was not obliged so to doe because he had not drunke at all and from thenceforth he continued his warres to the great advantage and honour of his Countrie which he preferred before his owne life in so great an extremitie The which Lysimachus one of the successours of Alexander the Great could never doe for when he was surprized in such a straight in Thrace by King Dromicâ—…ates and reduced to the like extremitie as King Sous was and being not able to endure thirst any longer he yeelded himselfe and his whole Armie to the enemy but when he had drunke and saw himselfe prisoner hee cryed out Oh ye Gods how am I now being a King before become and made a slave for a little pleasure when Sous for his abstinence shall be honoured and had in everlasting remembrance There were two Carthaginian brothers whose sur-names vvere Philaenes the Inhabitants of Carâ—…hage and Cyreni two nigh bordering Cities in Africa vvere for a long time at great debate and variance about the bounds or limits of their Territories and in the end to come to a peacefull accord it was agreed betweene them that certaine young men should at one and the selfe-same houre set out or part some from Carthage and the others from Cyrene and that the one company should goe or run towards the other and in that very same place where they should meet there should be the confines or limits of eithers Territorie whereupon those two brothers of Carthage not performing the Articles vvhich vvere agreed upon betweene them and the Cyrenians departed out of their Citie before the houre appointed purposely to extend their limits and to get ground of the other but the Syrenians having notice of this fraud they complained of their wrong and would not have that place to be the limit unlesse these two brethren would be contented to be buryed both alive in that place where they would have their Citie bounds to be which they imagined would never be accepted of by these young men but in briefe these brothers presented themselves unto the Cyrenians and were presently 〈◊〉 alive in the same place such love they bare to their Countrie and the enlargement of the bounds thereof Scâ—… having taken the City of 〈◊〉 condemned all the Inhabitants thereof to die by the sword his host where hee lay onely excepted but he 〈◊〉 true lover of his Country â—…nne in among therest of his fellow Citizens whom by numbers the Souldiers were hewing in pieces and cryed with a lowd voyce It will
not please God that I should be beholding for my life unto him that murders all the rest of my Country-mâ—…n hereupon hee lost his life among the rest 〈◊〉 that stout Romane Knight being it seemes justly accused for some great 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 committed and having received the senâ—… of dâ—…h â—…ned his face towards the 〈◊〉 which hee could from that place see and from which he had beaten away the enemy that had besieged it with the great danger and perill of his life and so saved his Citie and Coâ—…ie and with a loud voyce cryed out and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Judges pointing at the Capitoll with his finger in this manner How can you my Lords have the hearts to condemne 〈◊〉 how can you in your consciences doe him hurt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to fore most willingly and of his 〈◊〉 accord would have dyed for you who exposed his life to save yours who did hazard it so often in the defence of his Countrie and Commonwealth that Capitoll will tell you more newes those walls will speake for me this pitifull oration so strooke the hearts of the Judges that they could not see him die but set him free and at liberty in regard of his good service formerly done for the good and honor of his Country I might alledge many moe rare examples out of Antique Hâ—…tories for this purpose as of those brothers the Horatii and Curiatii in Livie with those glorious acts of Pompey Metelius Cursius and infinite others as well Latines as Grecians but I willingly passe them over cometo examples neerer our own times which perhaps as neere neighbours or not farre dwellers will become more familiar and please better I will begin with a notable example of a Spaniard Alphonso Perez de Gusâ—…n a Castilian Knight and he that gave the first beginning to the illustrious Family of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in Spaine worthy immortall praise for having preferred the welfare of his Country his duty and fidelity to his King before the life of his onely sonne it was thus Don Sanchez the 4. of that name King of Castile having recovered Tariffa from the Moores who in those dayes possessed a great part of Spaine being a very strong place and of great importance also a frontier Towne made this Knight Governour of the same who was within a while after besieged by Don Iohn King Sanchez his owne brother who had conceived some great indignation against him with a great Army which Aben Iacob King of the Moores who was then King of Granada had given him unto which he was fled upon purpose to annoy and vexe his bother It so fell out that Don Alphonso Peres de Guzmans sonne was taken prisoner by the Moores by whose meanes Don Iohn hop'd to take Tariffa which 〈◊〉 could not obtaine by force of armes and therefore to that end and purpose having gotten assurance to parle with Don Alphonso he brought this young man hard to or by the walls of Tariffa his father Don Alphonso being within the Towne and upon the battlements of the wall whom Don Iohn threatned that if he would not yeeld and surrenderup the Towne unto him he would presently cut off his sonnes head unto whom Don Alphonso made this answer the Towne is the Kings who hath appointed me to keepe and defend it the which I will doe for mine honour and reputations sake and the good of my Country and as for my sonne he is in your power you may doe with him what you please and because you shall not imagine that I will preferre the love of my sonne to that of my King and Country there is a sword for you to strike off his head herewith threw his fword unto him from the battlements of the wall and then returned backe unto his house Don Iohn being wonderfully enraged against him caused presently this poore innocent child to be beheaded when the Souldiers that were within the Towne saw that cruell and bloody spectacle they made a great shout and a crie which when Don Alphonso who was then at dinner with Dona Maria de Alphonso de Carvel his wise heard imagining that the Moores had assaulted the Towne ran presently to the walls and perceiving that the noyse and stirre was because that his sonne was executed if it be no other thing said he it is no matter be you carefull and looke well to your charge and then without making any shew of outward sorrow returned backe to his house and sat downe againe at the Table with his Lady not speaking one word of the matter unto her The Moores and their Captaine Don Iohn considering with what a resolute Souldier they had to deale presently raised the siege and returned backe with great shame and confusion to the immortall honour of that stout and gâ—…ous Knight who was so faithfull and true to his King and Country The Towne of Calice in France being besieged by King Edward the third in the yeare 1346. the Inhabitants thereof were reduced to such extremity by long continuance of the siege which endured well â—…igh a whole yeare that they were constrained being not able to hold out any longer to yeeld the Towne and themselves to King Edâ—…rds mercy who being wonderfully incensed against them had formerly sworne to put them all to the sword not sparing any one in the end he was pleased to reduce the number of those who should die onely to 〈◊〉 and those the chiefest of the Townesmen to expiate or in part to save his oath This commandement being brought to the Towne-hall where those miserable Townesmen were gathered together by the Kings permission to give their friends and Country the lasâ—… farewell who beholding one another with heavy and dejected countenances the spirits and blood through the feare of death being 〈◊〉 to the heart and standing all mute one of the chiefest amongst them 〈◊〉 name was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saint Pierre or Eustache of Saint 〈◊〉 brake that pitifull silence speaking cheerefully in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I so often hazarded my life for the good of my Country and shall I 〈◊〉 feare to sacrifice it for the last victimâ—… I will therefore yeeld my head 〈◊〉 fellow countrie-men 〈◊〉 King Edward of England being not 〈◊〉 to live any longer to the damage of my thrice 〈◊〉 Countrie he uttered those words without any teares or the least show of the feare of death but with such a courageous countenance and manly voyce that he perswaded the whole multitude to doe the like then one Ieand ' Aire was the next that seconded him and afterwards all the company cryed out Allons allons à la mort c'est le dernier devoir quenous devons rendre à la nostre pauâ—…re Patrie Let us goe let us goe to our death it is the last duty that we owe to our poore Countrie Now among all the whole multitude that offered their heads willingly unto King Edward to save his oath onely sixe were bound and led
was slaine in a battell in defence of the Thebanes and Thessâ—…ns endeavouring to free themselves from the cruell tyrannie of Alexander Phereus those people shewed the true love and affection that they bare unto him for we read that all those who were at this battell did never put off their Armour unbridle their horses or dresse their wounds untill such time as they were gathered together about him his blood as yet being scaâ—…ce cold and there before him cast downe all the spoyles that they had taken from their 〈◊〉 aâ—… though he had beene alive and understood of their dictory and moreover as in signe of their extreme sorrow they shaved off their owne haire and cut off the maines and 〈◊〉 of their horses and many of them afâ—… their returne backe to their Tents and Paviâ—…s would neither kindle 〈◊〉 light a candle eate or drinke in somuch thâ—…t throughout all the Campe there was great sorrow and a silent moâ—…ing 〈◊〉 one calling 〈◊〉 â—…ther Defender and Master and when his body was to be caâ—…yed to the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and Thessalians were at 〈◊〉 which of them should 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they made a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 in these words All the 〈◊〉 that can be 〈◊〉 be given 〈◊〉 the most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every one of 〈◊〉 accompanying him and 〈◊〉 so the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Crowne Armor of 〈◊〉 gold 〈◊〉 with either who should 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 honour The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be had governed the Empire but a small time 〈◊〉 so well beloved of his Subjects that when his body was laid upon the pile to be burned many of his people slew themselues to be confumed with him The Souldiers of Sertorius did the like over his body and others by whole troupes killed themselves willingly because they would not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 live him moreover they loved him so dearely that they vowed oâ—… dedicated themselves to his shadow or ghost as appeares by an Epitaph which is in Spaine at this day to be seene the inscription whereof 〈◊〉 this effect I have here inserted for the better content of the Reader Here lie enterred many bands of Souldiers who vowed themselves to the ghost of Quintus Sertorius and to the Earth the â—…ther of all things who living in sorrow and griefe for him most courageously assaulted one another and joyfully enjoyed the death which they willingly desired Take also another Epitaph of the same nature but of one particular man out of the same generall History of Spaine who shewed the like affection to the same 〈◊〉 I Berrucius Calaguritanus have given my life to the Gods Manes of Quintus Sertorius the sonne of M. being perswaded in my conscience I could not live any longer in the world after him who had all things common with the 〈◊〉 Gods Passenger who readest â—…his farewell and learne after my example to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and faithfull which is acceptable unto the dead who are disroabed of their humane bodies I must not forget nor omit to relate in this place the true and sincere love of one Guyemanus a Frenchman to his King and Soveraigne Childerick King of France Paulus Aemilius calls him Vidomar and not Guymanus this man seeing in a manner the whole Nobility wonderfully offended and â—…nraged against the King because abasing himselfe and his authoritie hee had ravished their wives and daughters gave him counsell to give way to their violence and to depart out of France seing hoe could not resist them promising him his true and faithfull service and assistance in this his extremitie and to use his best indeavour to pacifie the enraged French-men yea and to procure them to send for him backe againe whereupon Childerick fled from thence to Turinge to King Basin his intimate friend and kinsman taking with him one halfe of a peece of gold which was broken betweene him and Guymanus who kept the other halfe as a token to the end to sollicite his affaires as earstly and secretly as he could Guymanus managed his businesse so 〈◊〉 that be got the favour and grace of Gillon a Roman borne whom the French Nobility upon the expulsion of Childerick had chosen to their King and who then kept his Court at Soisson and still keeping his credit with the Nobility became gratious and in favour with both parties and in the end the onely man by whose advice Gillon was guided in tall his affaires wherefore having so good an opportunitie to effect his designes he gave the new King counsell and told him that the only way to maintaine his authority over his Subjects and to keepe them in due obedience was to raise new and great Imposts and Taxations npon them The Romane following this ill and unseasonable advice of Guymanus and being mis-informed of the humours of the French laid great imposts and Taxations upon them contrary to the custome of the Countrey immediatly the people began to murmur and complaine in all parts of the Kingdome and such as were most in favour with the common people cryed out that it was high time for them to shift for themselves and to prevent these and the like future mischiefes and those who had beene chiefest and formost in the banishment and expulsion of Childerick were not the last that began to complaine and cry out against Gillon their new King and in the end most of them were ready to rebell Guymanus perceiving how the game wont gave Gillon in private counsell to crosse and cut off their designes before they came to their full growth and head and to put to death the principall Authours and ring-leaders of that rebellion followed his advise and caused all that had a hand in the deposing of Childerick to be put to death Now by this meanes Guymanus got two strings to his bow first taking 〈◊〉 those who might hinder him to bring his designe to passe then by disposing the heâ—… of the rest of the French to deâ—… and 〈◊〉 after their true antient and naturall King and withall having made Gillon odious to the people this faithfull Subject laying hold upon so good 〈◊〉 occasion shewed unto the French-men their lightnesse and inconstancy in deposing their naturall King and in making choyce of a stranger farre more insupportable then their King was hereupon he â—…sily perswaded them to recall backe Childerick who having notice of their good will and affection and withall receiving that halfe piece of gold which Guymanus had sent unto him as a private to 〈◊〉 or signe that the coast being now cleare he should with all speed returne came backe againe unto France and was received by the French for their lawfull King compelling Gillon by the aid of his true friend and Subject Guymanus to give him place and be content with his former Government and condition which he had over the Gaules at Soyssons And as firme and constant was that love of Zopyrus towards Dariâ—… King of Persia his Soveraigne
there in the valley of Iericho The Assyâ—…ian Apple-tree being transported will beare no fruit the Palme-tree loves no other save her owne territory if it be carryed from thence it will beare no fruite bewayling her transportation in her sterility the Cinamomo tree and the Indian Lavender cannot endure to be remooved out of their owne clymate which Seleucus by experience found to be true If therefore these insensible things seeme to sympathize with the soyle wherein by the Almighty they were first planted and had their being how much more ought men endued with reason love and affect the same yea good Subjects and true to their Countrie I speake not of fugitive Traytors and our home-borne Renegado's though they traveld to the worlds end would still have a longing homeward and most true it is that Ovid saith Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Ducit immemores non finit esse sui Sertorius a Roman borne and one of the most valiant and couragious Captaines of his time being constrained for saving of his life to flie into Spaine where he was chosen to be Generall of an Army against his owne Country being then at mortall enmity with Spaine who having overcome the Romanes in many battel 's conducted by Pompey and Metellus and albeit all his affaires prospered so well that hee could not in any mans judgement wish to have better successe yet he offered the Romanes his Countrie-men that if they would be pleased to accept of his service although it were but as a private Souldier hee would serve them in that meane calling rather then to governe and command a great Army of their enemies in a strange Country Aristides going out of Athens being exiled thence into the I le of Aegina whither his ingratefull Citizens had prescribed him in recompence of all the good service hee had done toward their Common-wealth loved his Country so well that looking backe towards Athâ—…ns hee prayed heartily that his Country might never have need of his helpe inferring withall that his banishment would then be so much the more tollerable unto him if his native Country did flourish and prosper Callistratus also going out of Athens from whence he was banished together with some other Citizens hearing one of his company wish that the Athenians might be reduced to that extremity as to be constrain'd to recall home againe all those whom they had banished hee detested and abhorred his wicked and uncharitable wishes as one unworthy the name of a good Patriot Rutilius another Romane loved also his Country so well that when one told him when he lived in exile there would be shortly Civill warres in his Country and all that were banished should be called back what hurt have I done vnto thee my friend said hee to wish me a more grievous sorrowfull returne then my departure was from Rome for I had râ—…ther that my Country should be ashamed to have banished me then to see it to mourne and waile her miseries at my returne Cimon an Athenian Captaine being banished his Country by his ingratefull fellow Citizens did neverthelesse help his Country when hee saw it in great danger for when the Lacedemonians made warre against it hee came armed into the Campe of the Athenians purposely to ayde them and to fight against their enemies Thrasibulus in like manner declared what affection he bare unto his Country as by this answer may appeare which hee made on a time unto one of his Countrie-men he advising with himselfe and some friends how to deliver the Athenians from the hands of those thirty Tyrants that did so sore oppresse them one asked him what benefit or thankes hee should reape thereby if thou freest them of their bondage wherein they now are I beseech the immortall Gods said Thrasibulus that I may be able to yeeld Athens my deare Country that duty and service which I am obliged to do meaning hereby a man cannot doe too much for his Country yea in those times it was a very absurd thing to bewaile or weepe for those who were slaine fighting valiantly in their Countries defence saying they did them great wrong for that they dyed gloriously in their Countries defence And certainely if our Country wherein wee now live be anyway injured or oppressed by forreigne enemies or domesticke and home-bred Traytors and Rebels the Common-wealth is in great hazard and danger because the enemy laboureth to winne to himselfe by Libels and leters as many friends and abettors as he can besides we commonly I hope not many that will be very cold in affording their assistance and these in the meane time deserve to be banished and expelled their Country As that good Emperour Antoninus did who tooke away the stipends of certaine Pensioners who did the Common-wealth no service or good at all saying there were no greater villaines then those that did devoure and consume the Common-wealth and would never comfort and assist the same as they were both by nature and conscience obliged it shall not be amisse in this place to recite some certaine verses of Sophocles which may teach every man how to carry himselfe towards his Country which ought to be preferred above all things they are these in effect He who doth's Countrie or his Citie see By casuall meanes brought to extremitie And able for to yeeld the same reliefe And will not doo 't he 's worser then a theefe And he that for base feare or some reward His Countries good will not at all regard Is a false Traytor a degenerate slave Deserving a rope worthily to have Th' immortall Gods to witnesse here I call When need and just occasion doth befall My native soyle to helpe ayd and assist And Rebels or a forraine foe resist In deed and word Ile dothe best I can Without reward or feare of any man Yea howsoever we had private quarrels and suits and discontentments with in our selves we ought to forget and forgive at the arrivall of a common enemy or when a whole Army or the Common-wealth liâ—…s at the stake and bleeding all differences emulation for place or command private grudges and the like as being no time to fall out among our selves so did those two brave Generals at the Battell of Lepanto in the yeare 157â—… and so we read of Aristides and Theâ—…cles who though through a secret kind of Envie did 〈◊〉 contradict and oppose one another in all affaires yet when Xerxes King of Persia came with his huge Army consisting of a million of men with a resolution to conquer all Greece Aristides being a man wondrous carefull of the welfare of his Country casting away all former malice and envy departed the I le of Aegina whither hee had beene banished and very boldly traversed the Army of the enemy unto the Campe of Themistocles who was elected Captaine Generall of the Athénians and being arrived in the night time athis Tent called him forth and