inflamed with Anger and Malice So that the Father rode in Triumph to the Capitol the Dâ—ughter to the Temple of Vesta Nor could it be righâ—y decided to which most praise was due whether to him whom Victory or her whom Piety attended 7. Pardon me most antient Hearths pardon me eternal Fires if the context of our work lead us from your most sacred Temple to the more necessary rather than magnificent part of the City For no Misfortune no Poverty cheapens the price of Piety Rather the trial of it is more certain by how much thâ— more miserable The Pretor had delivered to the Triumvir a noble Woman to be put to death in Prison ' being condemned for some hainous Crime But the Keeper compassionating her case did not strangle her presently All the while he gave her Daughter liberty to come to her after he had diligently search'd that she carried her no food believing that in a little time she might be starv'd to death But seeing her live many days without any alteration he began to consider with himself by what means she kept herself alive thereupon more diligently watching her Daughter he observ'd her giving her Breast to her Mother and pacifying the rage of her hunger with her Nipples The novelty of which wonderful sight being by him related to the Triumvir by the Triumvir to the Pretor by the Pretor to the Council of the Judges they granted the Woman her pardon What will not Piety invent that for the preservation of a Parent in prison found out so strange a means as this For what more unusual what more unheard-of than that a Mother should be nourished by the Breasts of a Child One would think this were against the course of Nature but that Nature commands us in the first place to love our Parents FORRAIGN Examples 1. The same is to be said of Pero's Piety who preserved her Father Cimon fallen into the same misfortune and in Prison nourishing him like an Infant in his decrepit Age with the Milk of her Breasts Mens eyes are fix'd and in an amaze when they behold this piece of Piety represented in painting 2. Nor can I forget thee Cimon that didst not fear to purchase the Burial of thy Father with a voluntary surrendring thy own person to imprisonment For though afterwards it hapnâ—d that thou wert both a famous Citizen and a renowned Captain yet didst thou get more honour in theprison than in the Council-Chamber For other Vertues deserve admiration but Piety merits Love 3. Nor must I forget the two Brothers whose Courage was more noble than their Birth Who being born of low Parentage in Spain grew famous by their Deaths laying down their Lives for the support of their Family For they having agreed with the Paciaeci â—or twelve thousand Pieces of Money to be paid to their Parents after their Death upon condition that they should kill Epastus Tyrant of that Countrey not only pâ—rformed the exploit but bravely fell in performing it With the same hands revengiâ—g their Countrymen punishing Epastus providing a maintenance for their antient Parents and purchasing renown to themselves Therefore now they live in their Tombs because they chose rather to support their Fathers in their old Age than to preserve their own 4. A more known pair of Brothers were Biton and Cleobis Amphinomus and Anapus The first because they drew their Mothers Chariot to the Temple of Iuno to perform the Ceremonies there The other because they carried their Father and their Mother upon their Shoulders through the midst of Aetna's flames but neither of them lost their Lives 5. Nor do I go about to detract from the honour of the Argives or to cloud the glory of the Sicilians But I hold the light of knowledg to the ignorance of a more obscure Piety which makes me renew the memory of a piece of Scythian Piety For Darius invading their Territories with a mighty Army they retreated before him to the very utmost Solitudes of all Asia Thereupon being by his Embassadours questioned when they would make an end of flying or when they would begin to fight they made answer That they had neither till'd Lands nor any Cities which were worth fighting for but when they came to the Monuments of their Ancestors then be should know how the Scythians were wont to fight By which pious answer that fierce and barbarous Nation redeem'd themselves from the scandal of Savageness Therefore is Nature the first and best Mistress of Piety which neither wanting the help of Speech nor the use of Letters through her own silent and proper Power infuses Charity into the breasts of Children What is then the profit of Learning That their Wits should be more polite but not more honest For true Vertue is rather born than acquired 6. For who taught such People as wander up and down in Carts that shelter their naked Bodies in the Woods and live by destroying Cattle like Dogs to give Darius such an Answer She that taught Croesus's Son that was born dumb to speak for the preservation of his Father For the City of Sardis being taken by Cyrus when one of the Persians not knowing who the person was furiously was going about to have kill'd his Father call'd back the Sword that was just at his Throat by crying out aloud to the Souldier that he should not kill King Croesus So that he who till that time was mute recovered his Speech for the safety of his Father 7. The same Charity arm'd a Youngman of Pinna sirnamed Pulto in the Italian War with the same strength of Body and Mind Who being Governour of the City when it was besieged when the Roman General caused his Father to be brought forth and threatned to put him to death before his face unless he would deliver up the Town made a Sally and recovered his Father out of the Enemies hands Doubly famous for that he preserved his Father and yet did not betray his Countrey CHAP. V. Of Fraternal Benevolence 1. P. Africanus the Great 2. M. Fabius Vibulanus Cs. 3. T. Caesar Augustus 4. A certain Souldier NExt to this kind of Piety follows Fraternal Benevolence For as it may be accompted the first Bond of Friendship to have received many and great Benefits the next tye is that we have received them together For how abundantly pleasant is the remembrance of those things Before I was born I liv'd in the same House My Infancy lay in the same Cradle The same Persons were Parents to both The same Vows were made for both and we enjoy the same â—â—â—our by our extraction A Wife is dear to a Husbaâ—d Children dear to a Parent Friends are acceptable and Acquaintance are delightful but when you have read what follows there is no Benevolence that exceeds Brotherly Loving Kindness 1. And this I speak by the testimony of Scipio Africanus who though he had contracted a most strict Friendship with Laelius yet he besought the Senate that they would not
Romans ready to fly and almost overthrown in the Latin War vowed his own Life for the safety of the Army and presently putting Spurs to his Horse he flew into the midst of his Enemies seeking his own Death and the Safety of the Commonwealth and having made a great slaughter at length orewhelm'd with the multitude of Piles and Darts the Victime fell And from his Blood and Wounds sprang an unlookt for Victory 6. There might have been but one example of such a General had he nor begot a Son answerable to him in courage For he in his fourth Consulship with the same devotion and stoutness in fight with the same event of fortune sustain'd the weak and sinking force of our City And therefore it was a difficult thing to understand whether it were more profitable for the Roman City to have the Decii Commanders or to loose them For living they kept her from being vanquished but by their death it overcame 7. The Elder Scipio did not loose his Life for the Commonwealth but he carefully provided against the destruction of the Commonwealth For when our City after the Battle of Cannae expected nothing else but to be the Victor Hannibal's prey and that therefore by advice of L. Metellus the reliques of the broken Army were consulting to forsake Italy He being a young Tribune and drawing his Sword threatned death to every man that would not take an Oath never to forsake his Countrey And not only shew'd an example of Piety himself but recall'd it back when it was just forsaking the breasts of others 8. To come from particulars to generals How was the City equally divided in their flames and equally inflamed with the Love of their Countrey For the Treasury being emptied in the Second Punic War thát there was not enough for the performance of their divine Ceremonies the Publicans going to the Censors promised to let out their Money in the same abundance as if Money had abounded in the City and not require a Farthing profit till the War was ended The Masters also of the Slaves whom Sempronius Gracchus had made free for fighting so stoutly at Beneventum forbore to ask any Money for their Service In the Camp it self there was not a Knight not a Centurion that desir'd any Pay The Men and Women also brought what Gold and Silver they had nay the Children also brought their Purple Coats and Golden Hearts that hung about their Necks which were the ensignes of their Ingenuitles Nor would any one take advantage of the benefit of the Senates Decree whereby such and such were freed from Taxes For they were not ignorant when Veiâ— was taken when the Gold which Camillus had vowed as the Tenth of their Spoil should have been sent to the Oracle of Apollo but could not be purchased that the Matrons brought in all their Golden Ornaments into the Capitol They had also heard that the Thousand Pound of Gold which was to be paid to the Gauls when they besieged the Capitol was made up by their Liberality And therefore out of their own Goodness and admonished by the Example of Antiquity they thought they were not to be out-done FORREIGN Examples 1. But I will touch upon some few Forreign Examples to the same purpose The King of the Athenians Codrus when he saw his Territories wasted and invaded by vast numbers of his Enemies despairing of humane assistance sent to the Oracle of Apollo and by his Embassadors desired to know which way he might avoid that terrible War The God returned for answer that it would be ended when he fell by his Enemies hand Which was not only spread about among his own People but in the Camp of the Enemy who thereupon commanded that not a man should touch the body of Codrus Which when the King understood he threw off his Royal Robes and in a servile Habit threw himself into the midst of a Squadron of the Enemy that were out a forraging and wounding one of them with a scythe provoked the souldier to kill him by whose Death Athens escaped ruine 2. From the same Fountain of Piety flowed the soul of Thrasybulus For he being desirous to free his Countrey from the oppression of the Thirty Tyrants and was going about the enterprize with a small number of Men one of his Company said to him How much will Athens be indebted to thee if they regain their Liberty by thy means The Gods grant answered he that I may have then paid them what I owe them With which Wish he heap'd a greater honour upon his renowned work of destroying the Tyranny 3. But Themistocles whose Vertue made him Conquerour his Countries injury the General of the Persians that he might not be forced to invade it having instituted a sacrifice he drank up a full Beaker of Bulls Blood and fell before the Altar a renowned Victime of Piety 4. There follows an Example of the same nature When Carthage and Cyrene contended most obstinately for a spot of ground at length it was agreed to send certain Young-men from such a distance and where ever they met that place to be the bound of both their Territories But in this Agreement two Carthaginian Brothers call'd Philaeni were too hard for the other setting out sooner and making more haste which when the Young-men of Cyrene understood they for a long time complain'd of their fallacy but at length they resolv'd to recompence the injury by proposing a severe condition For they proposed to the Carthaginians that that place should be the bounds agreed upon provided the Philaeni would suffer themselves to be buried there But the event disappointed their expectation for they without any delay delivered their bodies to be buried Who because they rather desired large bounds to their Countrey than large limits of Life lye enâ—ombed in honour the Punic Empire being extended by the resignation of their bones Where are now the proud Walls of Carthage Where is the Maritime Glory of that Port Where is tâ—eir Navy so terrible upon every shore Where are all their Armies Where their numerous Squadrons of Horse Where those Souls that were not satisfied with the vast tract of Africa All these things Fortune divided between two Scipio's But the destruction of their Countrey did not abolish the memory of that noble Act perform'd by the Philaeni So that mortal courage or strength can purchase nothing immortal but Vertue alone 5. This Piety was inflamed with youthful Zâ—al But Aristotle hardly able to maintain the reliques of old Age in his wrinkled Members so strongâ—y laboured sor the safety of his Countrey that he snatch'd it out of the hands of the Macedonians almost levell'd with the ground and in their possâ—ssion as he lay in his little Bed in Athens So thaâ— Stagira was no less famous for being subverted by Alexander as for being restor'd by Aristotle Hence it is apparent how kinde nay how profuse in their piety to their Countrey all ages all degrees of men have been
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
that ran out of any Garrison of the Romans and were taken That the sight of their maimed Limbs might breed in others a fear of revolting For those rebellious Hands cut from their Bodies and scatter'd upon the bloody Earth taught others to beware how they committed the like Treasons 12. Nothing could be more milde than the Elder Africanus yet for the establishment of Military Discipline he thought it convenient to borrow something of Severity from his own natural Lenity For having taken Carthage and gotten into his power all those that had fled from the Romans to the Carthaginians he more severely punisht the Roman than the Latin Fugitives For the first as Deserters of their Countrey he nail'd to the Cross the other as perfidious Allies he only beheaded I shall not urge this act any farther both because it was Scipio's and for that it is not fitting that a servile Punishment should insult over Roman blood though deservedly shed especially when we may pass to otâ—er relations not dipt in domestick Gore 13. For the latter Africanus the Carthaginian Power being destroy'd made the Fugitives of other Nations to fight with Beasts in the publick Shews which he made for the people 14. Lu. Emilius Paulus after he had vanquished Perseus caus'd all those that he had taken that were guilty of the same Crime to be thrown to the Elephants that by them they might be trod to death A most profitable Example if we may be permitted modestly to judge of the actions of the greatest men without reproof For Military Discipline requires a severe and quick way of punishment For force consists of Arms which when they grow disobedient will soon oppress others unless they be brought low themselves 15. But it is now time to make mention not of what has been actâ—d by particular men but what order the whole Senate took to preserve and defend their Military Discipline Lucius Marcius Tribune of the People having with wonderful courage got together the remains of the two Armies of P. and Cn. Scipio's which the victorious Carthaginians had almost ruin'd and being by them unanimously made General writing to the Senate a relation of his transactions he thus begins L. Marcius Propretor Which usurp'd Title the Senate would not permit him to take knowing that it was the Custome for the People not the Armies to choose the General Which being a time that the Common-wealth was in great danger and had sustain'd great Losses one would have thought they should have rather flatter'd the Tribune who they saw so fairly acting for the restauration of their former Honour But no Overthrow no Merit could sway the Senate more than their Military Discipline And we may remember what a couragious Severity their Ancestors us'd in the Tarentine War Wherein the Forces of the Common-wealth being very much weakned and broken when they had receiv'd a great number of their Captive Fellow-Citizens which Pyrrhus had sent them of his own accord they decreed that they who had serv'd on Horseback should serve among the Foot and they who had served as Foot should be-listed among the Slingers Moreover that none of um should come within the Camp nor be permitted to forâ—ifie the place assign'd them without the Camp nor that any of um should make use of a Tent made of Skins But they propoundâ—d the Ancient Custome of Military Discipline to all those that took double Spoils from the Enemy These Punishments made them that were late the deformed Gifts of Pyrrhus to be his most eager and fierce Enemies The same rigour did the Senate use toward them that deserted the Common-wealth at Cannae For when by the strictness of their Decree they had reduced them to a worse condition than they who are dead and at the same time had received Letters from Marcellus that they would send um to him to assist him in the storm of Syracuse the Senate wrote bâ—â—k that they were not worthy to be admitted into his Camp But they would send um to him provided he would do with um as befitted the honour of the Common-wealth That they should never be freed from Service that they should never receive any Military Reward nor be permitted to return into Italy while there were any Enemies therein Thus has Vertue alwaies despis'd pusillanimous minds How hainously was the Senate offended that the Souldiers suffâ—r'd Q. Petellius the Consul most couragiously fighting against the Ligurians to be slain For they would neither let the Stipend of the Legion go on nor pay them any Arrears for that they had not offer'd their Bodies to the Darts of their Enemies for the safety of their Emperour And that Decree of so noble an Order remains a glorious and eternal Monument of Petellius same under which his Ashes rest renowned in the Field by his Death in the Senate by their Revenge With the same Courage when Hannibal sent them the liberty to redeem Six Thousand Romans which he had taken and which were Prisoners in his Camp they scorn'd his Kindness well knowing that if Six Thousand Young-men had resolv'd to die bravely they could not have been taken basely So that it was hard to say which redounded most to their Ignominy that their Countrey had so little esteem and care of them or that their Enemies shewed so little fear of them But if at any time the Senate shew'd themselves severe in the maintenance of Military Discipline certainly then they did it in a high measure when they imprison'd the Souldiers that had rebeliously possess'd themselves of Rhegium and Iubellius their Captain being dead had of their own heads chosen M Caesius his Secretary for their Leader and notwithstanding that M. Fulvius Flaccus Tribune of the People declar'd that they proceâ—ded contrary to the Custome of their Ancestors yet persisted in their resolution However that they might act with less envy they order Five Hundred after they had been whipt for several successive daies to be-beheaded ordering their Bodies to be buried and forbidding any Lamentation or Mourning to be made for them FORRAIGN Examples 1. This Conscript Fathers was gentle and full of mildness if we consider the violence of the Carthaginian Senate in ordering their Warlike Affairs whose Captains imprudently managing a War though it proved successful were nevertheless nayl'd to the Cross Imputing what they did well to the assisting Favour of the Gods what they did amiss to their own Miscarriage 2. Clearchus Captain of the Lacedaemonians preserv'd his Military Discipline by a famous and notable Saying continually pealing into the ears of his Souldiers that they ought to fear their General far more than the Enemy Openly declaring that they must expect to suffer the same pains flying which they were fearful to receive in fight Nor did they admire to be thus threatned by their Captain when they call'd to mind their Mothers language who when they went to Battle were wont to admonish um that they should either return alive with their Arms or else be
life by his enemies thought to have been punish'd in his own opinion yielding only to common fate 7. But Theramenes receiv'd his Constancy from Learning and Education But the natural Ferity of the people taught Theogenes the Numantine to take the same course For the affairs of Numantium being in a low and lost condition himself excelling all others in Wealth Honour and Nobility getting a great quantity of combustible matter together he set his own Street which was the fairest in the whole City on fire and laying a naked Sword in the midst of it he commanded two persons to fight together that the Head of him that was kill'd might be cast upon the flames and having by this strong engagement consumâ—d every body else at length he threw himself into â—he fire 8. And that I may rehearse the destruction of a City at eqâ—al enmity with ours when Carthage was taken the wife of Asdrubal upbraiding him with Impiety for begging onely his own life at Scipio's hands taking hâ—r Children which she had by him in her right and leâ—t hand willing to die she flung her self into the flaming Ruines of her Country 9. To this Example of Female-fortitude I will adde one stout Casualâ—y of two Virgins Whâ—n through the most pestiferous Sedition of the Syracusans the whole Family of King Gelo afflicted with endless Calamities was reducâ—d to one Virgin-daughter named Harmonia and that the Enemy made several offers of violence upon her Her Nurse took a Childe somewhat like her and hâ—ving dress'd it in royal Apparel exposed her to the fury of her Enemies who when she was about to be slain would not declare her condition Harmonica admiring her condition and not willing to outlive so much Faith called back the Murtherers and confessing who she was was the cause of her own death Thus a covert Lye was the bane of the one the open truth the destruction of the other CHAP. III. Of Patience ROMAN Examples whereof are two 1. C. Mutius Cordus first called Scaevola 2. Pompey Embâ—ssadour to King Gentius FORRAIGN 1. A Macedonian Youth 2. Zeno Eleatean 3. The other Zeno. 4. Anaxarchus Abderite 5. Theodorus of Syracuse 6. The Indians 7. The African slave contemning Death and Torments FOrtitude hath been apparent to the eyes of men by the famous Deeds boâ—h of men and women and by her incitement Pattence appears grounded upon as firm foundations not being endued with a lâ—ss generous Soul but so like the one to the other that she seems to have recâ—ived her birth either with her or from her 1. For what has a greater resemblance to what I have â—ormerly related than the Act of Mutius who grieving to see our City vexed with a long and grievous War by Porsenna King of the Heturians privately got armed into the Camp endeavour'd to have slain him as he was sacrificing before the Altar But sailing in the Enterprize and being laid hold on he neither concealed the cause of his coming and bâ—sides that with a wonderful patience shew'd how little he fear'd any torment they could put him to For as it were out of an enmity to his right hand because he could not use it in the slaughter of the King he held it in the fire enduring it to be burnt off Certainly the Immortal Gods never beheld with more heedful eyes any Offering made them And it forced Porsenna himself forgetful of the danger to turn his Revenge into Admiration Return quoth he to thy own Friends and tell them how I have given thee thy life for seeking mine Whose Clemency Mutius no way flattering more forâ—y to see him live than glad of his own life return'd to the City with a sirname of eternal glory being called Scaevola 2. Most approved also is the Vertue of Pompey who being sent upon an Embassie and taken by the way by King Gentius and commanded to reveral the Counsels of the Senate thrust his finger into a burning Candle which patience of his made the King not onely despair of getting any thing out of him by force but also very desirous of the friendship of the Romans But lest while I strive to enumerate more Domestick Examples of this sort I should be forced to embroyl my self in the relations and stories of our civil Discords which as thâ—y contain the Relation of most famous men so they renew the publick Grief I shall pass to those of Forraign Nations EXTERNAL According to the anciâ—nt Custome of Greece the most eminent Noblemens Sons did always attend upon King Alexander when he sacrificed Among which there was one who while he stood before the King holding the Censer a live cole fell upon his arm which though it burnt his flesh so vehemently that the stink thereof offended the nostrils of all the standers by yet the Lad would by no means discover his pain fearing to disturb the Sacrifice by letting fall the Censer or to offend the Kings ears by complaining The King pleased with the patience of the Youth and willing to make a more certain tryal thereof prolong'd the Sacrifice beyond his wonted time yet nothing would alter the constancy of the Lad. Had Darius cast his eyes upon this wonder he would have known that Souldiers of such a race were not to be overcome while in their tender age he beheld them endu'd with such a strength There is that vehement and constant Discipline of the Minde I mean Philosophy excelling in Learning ruler of the venerable Mysteries of Doctrine which being receiv'd into the breast of men they presently lay aside all dishonest and unworthy affections and being armed with the true weapons of Vertue advance themselves above all fear and thought of pain 2. I will begin from Zeno of Eleas who being a most wise observer of the nature of things and most sedulous to kindle Courage and Vigour in the minds of Youth purchased Credit to his Prâ—cepts by Examples of his own Vertue For departing his Country where he might have lived secure in Libâ—rty he went to Agrigentum then groaning under a most miserable servitude confiding in his Conversation and Manners that he was in good hopes to work the Tyrant though a Phalaris out of the ferity of his rude nature After some time obsâ—rving that the Custome of Dominion was more prevalent than wholsome Counsels he stirr'd up and inflam'd the minds of the most noble Youth with a desire of recovering their Liberty Which being reveal'd to the Tyrant he call'd the People into the Market-place and in their presence began to punish Zeno with most exquisite torments oftentimes asking him who were his Confederates in the Conspiracy Zeno would name none of them but only those that were the Tyrants chiefest Friends and Relations and then upbraiding the Agrigentines with their sloath and â—ear rais'd such a suddain commotion in their minds that they fell upon the Tyrant and stoned him to death It was not the suppliant Voice the miserable Cries of an Old-man upon the Rack but his
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
Candidate 4. L. Licinius Crassus Candidate 5. Pompey the Great 6. C. Julius Caesar Dict. FORRAIGN 1. Spurina the Hetrurian 2. The Spartan Embassadors FRom whence it seems seasasonable to pass away to Bashfulness for this instructed the most just men to neglect their own private Estates and to have regard only to the publick A vertue worthy that to her should be Temples rear'd and consecrated as to a Celestial Numen as being the Parent of all good Counsel the Guardianess of the most solemn Offices the Mistress of Innocency dear to her own acceptable to Strangers and in all places and at all times carrying a favourable Aspect 1. But that we may return from the praises to the actions thereof from the first building of the City to the time that Africanus and T. Longus were Consuls the Senate and People sate at the beholding all Spectacles and shews promiscuously together yet not one of the people would venture to take place before any of the Senate So circumspect was the modesty of our Citizens a most certain experiment whereof appear'd on that day when T. Flaminius being by the Censor removed from the Senate was contended to stand in the hindermost part of the Theater though he had been Consul and was the brother of Flaminius the Vanquisher of Philip King of Macedon Which the people no sooner beheld but they compelled him to take that place which his Dignity required 2. Terentius Varro gave a great wound to the Commonwealth by his rash giving battle at Cannae Yet by his refusing to take upon him the Dictatorship which after that was decreed him by the full consent of the Senate and People by his bashful modesty made satisfaction for the fault of a most fatal overthrow and through his modest behavior made them impute the publick Calamity not to him but to the anger of the Gods 3. Let us behold a more famous piece of Modesty Fortune not without great envy had brought Cn. Scipio the son of the elder Africanus together with Cicereius the Scribe into the Common Hall for Election of Pretors and very much reprehended he was that he had abused the Nobility and authority of so great a person by appearing at such an Assembly But Cicereius turned his crime to his praise For when he saw himself preferr'd by all the Centuries before Scipio he went out of the Temple and throwing off his Candidates Garment came in again and gave his voice for Scipio Being more willing to yield the Pretorship to the memory of Africanus than to Challenge it for himself Nor was the reward of his Modesty small for though Scipio obtained the Pretorship yet Cicereius was more applauded 4. And that we may not presently leave the Common-Hall when L. Crassus stood for the Consulship and was by all perswaded aâ—ter the manner of the Candidates to go â—ound the Forum and bâ—g the voices of the peâ—ple he could by no pâ—rswasions be induced to do it though Q. Scâ—vola his Fathâ—r in law a most wise and grave pâ—â—son werâ— present with him whom he therefore desired to depart as one who proffered his service in vain more regardful of the modesty of his dignity than mindful of the respect oâ— his white Robe 5. Pompey the Great being overthrown at the Battle of Pharsalia when all the people came forth to meet him as he was entring into the City of Larissa Go said He and perform this office to the Victor A person not deserving to be overcome had he not been vanquished by Caesar most gentle in Calamity who because he could not use his authority made use of his modesty 6. Which as it often appear'd most eminent in Caius Caesar so most remarkably at his death For being assail'd with the points of many parracidical weapons when his divine Soul was separated from his mortal Body could not be frighted after he had received above twenty three wounds from his obedience to Modesty For he let down the lower part of his Gown with both hands that he might fall with the lower part of his Body covered In this manner not men but the Immortal Gods recover their own habitations FORRAIGNERS That which follows I will ascribe to Forraigners as happening before any City was given to Hetruria There was in that Country one Spurina a young man of surpassing beauty whose lovely aspect alluring the eyes of the most Illustrious Ladies and who therefore believing himself to be suspected of unchastity by the Husbands and Parents of those women with many wounds gash'd and spoyl'd the beauty of his Câ—â—ntenance choosing rather deformity for the Guardian of his fidelity than that his beauty should be the Incitement of others Lust. 2. At Athens a very aged person coming into the Theater when there were none that would rise to give him place he came at length where sate the Embassadors of the Lecedemonians Who being moved with the age of the person not only by rising up shew'd their reverence to his aged years but also gave him leave to sit in the most honourable place among them Which when the people beheld with great applause they approved the modesty of a Forraign City And it is reported that one of the Embassadors should say That the Athenians knew what was well done but neglected to do it themselves CHAP. VI. Of Conjugal Love Among the ROMANS 1. T. Gracchus the Elder 2. C. Plautius Numidian 3. M. Plautius 4. Julia the Daughter of Caesar. 5. Porcia the Daughter of M. Cato FORRAIGN 1. Artemisia wife of Mâ—â—solus 2. Hipsicratea Daughter of Mithridates 3. Lacaena Of the Family of the Minye FRom a gentle and mild Affection I will proceed to another as equally honest yet somewhat more fervent and of a more vehement Nature and offer not without greatest Veneration as it were certain Images of Lawful love to the Contemplation of the Reader effectually relating the actions of established and firm fidelity between married people difficult to imitate but profitable to be known seeing that when a man knows the most excellent Examples it will be a shame to him to follow the meanest 1. Titus Gracchus having caught two snakes in his own house a Male and Female and being told by the Soothsayer that if he let go the Male it portended the death of his Wife if he let go the Female his own suddain decease following that part of the prediction that portended his own rather than the death of his Wife he caused the Female Snake to be â—â—t go and was so hardy as to behold his own destruction in the death of the Snake kill'd before his face And therefore I cannot determine whether Cornelia were more happy that she had such a Husband or more miserable in his loss O Admetus cruel king of Thessalia and by a great Judg condemned of an unpardonable crime who wâ—rt so content to change thy own life for the death of thy Wife and couldst enjoy the comfort of this light after she had voluntarily submitted to
the Companions of Prosperity No man talks of the familiars of Sardanapalus Orestes is better known by his friend Pylades than by Agamemnon his Father For the Friendship of the one consum'd away in the participation of Luxury and Delight but the mutual Society of the other in a sad and hard condition grew famous by the trial of their Miseries But why do I mention Forreigners having first to do with our own Countrymen 1. T. Gracchus was esteem'd to have been an Enemy to his Countrey and not undeservedly because he preferr'd his own Authority before the Welfare thereof Yet in this evil designe of his how faithful a Friend he had of C. Blosius of Cumae will be worth our while to relate An adjudged Enemy suffering the highest Punishment not permitted the honour of Burial wanted not however his kindness For when the Senate commanded Rupilius and Laenax the Consuls to proceed against all those that had been partakers with Gracchus and that Blosius presented himself before Laelius to beg pardon for himself urging his familiarity with Gracchus for an eâ—cuse when Laeliâ—â— demanded of him whether if Gracchus had commaâ—ded him to set fire on the Temple of Iupiter would he have done it That said he Gracchus had never commanded He had done enough and more for he ventur'd to defend those Customes which the Senate condemn'd But that which follows was much more confident and more dangerous for being still prest by Laelius to make an answer to his question he resolutely persisted affirming that if Gracchus had commanded him to burn the Temple he would have done it Who could have thought he had been so wicked had he held his peace Who would not have accounted him wise had he been less free in his speech considering the necessity of the time But Blosius neither with an honest Silence nor with a prudent Answer cared to preserve himself lest he should be thought to have silenced the memory of his unhappy Friendship 2. In the same Family equâ—lly prevalent Examples of Friendship arise For when all the Designeâ— and Counsels of Gracchus were utterly defeated and all his Conspiracy brought to light being deserted of all assistance only his two friends Pomponius and Laetoriâ—â— by interposing their own bodies covered him â—rom the Darts that felâ— round about him And of these two Pomponius that he might more easily escape withstood a whole body of Souldiers that eagerly puâ—sued him at the thrice-double Gate nor could he be moved wâ—ile he lived till at length having received many Wounds he fell and â—hough I am apt to believâ— unwillingly was forced to permit them passage ovâ—r his dead Carcalâ— Laetorius made a stand upon the Sublician Bridge and â—ill Gracchus was pass'd over maintain'd it with the heat of his Courage till at length overpowr'd with the multitude turning his sword upon himself he made a nimble jump into Tiber and so perisht shewing that kindness to the friendship of onâ— person by his voluntary death which Horatius Cocles in the same place had shewn to his whole Country What renowned Souldiers might the Gracchi have had would they have followed the courses which their Fathers or Mothers Father had done With what a couragious fury might Blosius Pomponius and Laetorius have assisted them in the gaining Trophies and Triumphs the stout Associates of such furious enterprizes and taking part with an inauspicious friendship but by how much the more miserable by so much are they the more certain examples of a generous fidelity 3. But L. Rheginus if you examine him as to his sincerity due to the publick was much to be blam'd by Posterity If you look upon the faithful pledg of his fidelity we are to leave him in the safe harbour of an applauded Conscience Who when Caepio Tribune of the people was thrown into Prison by reason that through his fault our Army was dâ—feated by the Cimbrians and Teutons remembring the ancient friendship between them set him at liberty and not content to have shewn himself so much a friend accompanied him also in his flight O great and most invincible Numen friendship when the Common-wealth had seiz'd with one hand to pull him out of the other with thy own arm and when she requires thee to be real thou confin'st thy self to banishment So gentle is thy Dominion to make men prefer punishment before honour 4. Wonderful was this thy work but more praise-worthy that which follows For call to mind how thou hast celebrated the constant love of T. Volumnius to his friend without any dammage to the Common-wealth who being by descent of the order of Knighthood and having an entire kindness for M. Lucullus whom M. Antony slew for taking part with Brutus and Cassius having full Liberty to fly he stuck close to his dead friend giving himself so much over to tears and Lamentations that by his extream Devotion to his friend he was the cause of his own death For by reason of his continued and constant sorrow he was carried before Antony and standing before him Command me said he O Emperour to be carried back to the body of Lucullus and there slain For he being dead I ought not to stay behind being my self the Author of his unhappy going to war What more faithful than so much love He sought to ease his sorrow for his friâ—nds death by the hatred of his Enemy to render him more miserable making himself more envy'd Nor were Antonies Ears shut for being led where he desired having kiss'd the dead body of Lucullus and â—mbrac'd his sever'd head being lifted up to his breast he laid down his own neck to receive the Victors blow Let Greece now boast of Theseus yielding to the unlawful love of Pirithous and for his sake entring into the Dominions of Father Dis. Thâ—y are vain that relate it fools that believe it To see the mingled bloâ—d of friends wounds sticking upon wounds and death sticking upon death these are the true signs of Roman friendship those the stories of a people accustâ—med to fain ridiculous wonders 5. L. Petronius also claims to be a parâ—aker in this praise He by the favour of Caelius being of a very mean Extraction came to be advanc'd into the ordâ—r of Knights and had very considerable military imployments beside For which because he could not pay his thanks when Caelius was in prosperity he shew'd himself nobly grateful to him in his adversity Caelius was made Governour of Placentia by Octavius tâ—e Consul Who after the Town was taken by Cinna's Army being old and sickly and fearing to fall into the hands of the Enemy resolved to dye by Petronius's hand who finding that he could by no perswasions change his resolution according to his desire kill'd him first and then joyned his own death to his that he might not supervive him by whom he had attained to all his Honour So that Magnanimity occasioned the Dâ—ath of the one Piety the Fall of the other 6. We are to joyn Ser.
Terentius with Petronius though it fell out that he did not dye for his friend as was his desire For a noble Intâ—ntion is not to be valued by the issueless Event For he was slain as much as in him lay and Brutus escaped the danger who flying from Mutinâ— and receiving intelligence of certain Souldiers sent by Antonius to kill him endeavoured in a certain place by the benefit of the Night to steal that Life of his which deservâ—d just Punishment There Terentius assayling to break through with a faiâ—hful Lye favoured by Darkness it self feigned himself to be Brutus offering his Body to the â—ury of the Souldiers But bâ—ing known by Furius whose charge it was to execute the office of revenge he could not hinder the punishment of his friend by his own death So that against his will he was compell'd by fortune to live 7. From this dreadful and horrid face of Friendship let us digress to the more sâ—rene and placid countenance of Affection And having brought it forth where all things are full of Tears Lamentation and Slaughter let us place it in the Palace of Prosperity shining with Beauty Honour and abounding Wealth Come forth therefore from those Seats that are believed to be consecrated to the Shades of the Blessâ—d here Decimus Lelius there M. Agrippa having wisely and prosperously chosen the one the greatest Friend of the Gods the other of Men and bring along with thee the whole Society which under your Conduct laden with Praises and Rewards receive the venerable Stipends of sincere Fidelity For succeeding Ages beholding your constant Minds your stout Enterprises your inexpugnable Taciturnity your diligent and watchful care for the dignity and safety of your Friends the publick testimonies of your mutual Love and lastly the most plentiful fruits thereof the more willingly the more religiously shall be busied in exercising and admiring the Laws of Friendship FORRAIGNERS 1. My desire is to continue still in the Examples of my Native Countrey but the candor of the Roman City admonishes me to relate the Gallantry of other Nations Damon and Pythias instructed in the sacred Secrets of Pythagorean Prudence had contracted such a faithful Friendship between themselves that when Dionysius of Syracuse would have put one of them to Death and that he that was so suffer had got leave to go home to his house to settle his affairs the other was not afraid to be Surety to the Tyrant for his return So that now he was free from the peril of Death that had his Neck but now under the Axe and he is now in danger that was free before And therefore all people waited the event of an accident so new and rare The day prefix'd being come and the party not returning and therefore every one condemning him of folly that had so rashly undertaken for the other though he remain'd certain of the Fidelity of his Friend At the very Hour and Moment which Dionysius prefixed the other appeared The Tyrant admiring the Courâ—ge of both gave a full pardon to so much Fidelity farther desiring them to receive him into the Society of their Friendship promising a most strict observance thereof Such is the power of Friendship to beget contempt of Death take away the sweet desire of Life tame Cruelty turn Hatred into Love and to reward Punishment with Kindness to which there is almost as much worship due as to the Ceremonies of the Gods For they are the Links of publick this of private Safety And as the Temples of the Gods are sacred Houses so the faithful Breasts of men are Temples fill'd with a certain holy Spirit 2. Which King Alexander certainly believed to be a truth Who being possess'd of the Camp of Darius where all his Relations and Kindred were he came with Ephestion most of all belov'd by him covering his side to speak to them At whose approach the Mother of Darius taking heart lifting up her Head as she lay prostrate upon the ground saluted Ephestion flattering after the manner of the Persians mistaking him for Alexander because he was more amiable for his Stature and Beauty But being made sensible of her errour in great fear she sought for words to excuse it There is no reason replyed Alexander to be troubled for this for this is another Alexander also Whom shall we congratulate him that said it or him that heard it While the King endued with a great Soul having already grasp'd the whole World either by his Victories or in his thoughts in so few words made so equal a division of it to his Companion O the Gift of a Royal Tongue as fair to the Receiver as to the Giver Which I reverence as a private man having had the experience of the Bounty of a most wise and renowned person toward my self And I do not doubt but it may become me to think my Pompey to be like Alexander while he will have his Ephestion to be another Alexander And therefore I should be lyable to a very great errour to pass over the Example of constant and kind Friendship without any mention of him in whose minde as in the breast of most loving Parents my prosperous condition of Life hath flourish'd my Misfortunes have remain'd contented From whom I have received all increase of profit freely offer'd by whom I have stood more firmly against mishap who by his own prosperous Conduct and good Omens hath render'd our Studies more pleasant and delightful And therefore I fed the envy of some with the loss of my best friend dividing my kindness such as it was to some that knew not how to make use of it But there is no Prosperity so modest that can escape the teeth of Envy But in what retirement are some to be avoided with what allurements of kindness canst thou restrain their inveteracy There is no remedy but they will rejoyce and be tickled at the misfortunes of others as well as at their own good They are rich in the Losses wealthy in the Calamities immortal in the Death of other men But while they insult over the miseries of others unexperienced in their own let them have a care of the best revenger of their Insolency the Variety of Human Condition CHAP. VIII Of Liberality 1. Q. Fabius Maximus 2. Paula Busa of Canusium 3. Q. Considius a Roman Knight 4. The People of Rome to King Attalus 5. The People of Rome to the Greeks FORRAIGN 1. Hiero King of Sicily to the Romans 2. Gillias of Agrigentum to his fellow-Citizens LEt us recal our work that had straid in a pious Digression in exposing our own discontents to its former course and now take Liberality into consideration which hath two probable Fountains true Judgment and honest Benevolence For when it springs from these then only is it duely founded A Gift being acceptable for its greatness but somewhat more efficacious when it is seasonable 1. Beyond the price of the thing we find a most inestimable moment of an opportunity
the fight of their Father though Rhetogenes himself bid him not fear to go on with his Battery for all that he rais'd his Siege By which act of Clemency though he took not one City yet he took the hearts of all the Celtiberians and thereby so far prevailed as not to want many Hostages to keep them faithful to the Roman people 6. Splendidly also did the Humanity of the Elder African appear who having taken the City of Carthage sent to all the Cities of Sicily to fetch the Ornaments of their Temples which the Carthaginians had taken from them and to take care to restore them to their proper places A Kindness acceptable both to Gods and Men. 7. Equal to this was â—he Humanity of his Grandfather His Questor selling the Captives at the Spear sent him a Boy of a very excelling Beauty and very well habited whom when he understood to be lest an Orphan by his Father and educated under the tuition of his Uncle Massanisa and that without his leave he had immaturely takâ—n Arms against the Romans he not only thought it convenient to pardon the errour of the Youth but to give that respect which was due to the Friendship of a Prince so deserving of the Roman People And therefore having bestowed a Ring a Gold Button and a broad emboss'd Tunick a Spanish Jacket and a Horse with all Furniture upon him he sent him to Massanisa with a Convoy to attend him The Romans believing these to be the greatest fruits of Victory to restore the Temples their Ornaments and Kings their Kindred 8. Nor is the Memory of L. Paulus to be forgot who when he heard that Perseus a Captive now before a King was brought before him went to meet him in all the Ornaments of a Roman General and with his right hand rais'd up the King endeavouring to cast himself at his feet and in the Greek tongue bid him be of good chear and bringing him into his Tent caus'd him to sit next him in Council not thinking him below the honour of his Table Range the Army in view which conquer'd Perseus and the Story which I have related it may be doubted which sight would be most delectable For though it be a renowned thing to overcome an Enemy yet is it no less praise-worthy to take compassion of him in misery 9. This Humanity of L. Paulus teaches me not to forget the Clemency of Cn. Pompey Who having overthrown Tigranes King of Armenia who not only made cruel Wars with the Romans himself but also protected Mithridates a most inveterate Enemy to our City would not suffer him to lye prostrate at his feet but giving him words of comfort caus'd him to put the Diadem which he had cast away upon his Head again And having laid certain commands upon him restor'd him to his former Dignity 10. How noble an Example of Clemency afforded was Cn. Pompey how miserable an Example of Pity desired For he that had impal'd the Brows of Tigranes with Regal Ornaments his Head dispoyl'd of Three Triumphal Crowns could not finde a Burial-place in that which was but now his own world But cut from his Body wanting a Funeral Pile was presented as a Gift of Egyptian Perfidie lamentable in the very eyes of the Victor For assoon as Caesar beheld it forgetful of his Enemy he put on the Countenance of a Father-in-law and then as became himself he caus'd the Head of Pompey to be burnt with most pretious Odours and paid his Tears to the memory of him and his Daughter For if the mind of that divine Prince had not been so tender He that a little before was accompted the Pillar of the Roman Empire so Fortune turns the scales of Humane Affairs had lain uninterr'd Caesar also hearing of the Death of Cato was heard to say That he envied Cato's glory as Cato had envied his giving his Estate safe and whole to his Children And certainly it would have been no small part of Caesar's divine endeavours to have been the safety of Cato 11. And certainly the Soul of Mark Antonie did not want the knowledg of equal Humanity For he gave the Body of Mar. Brutus to his Freeman to bury And that he might be the more honourably burnt caused him to be covered with his own Imperial Robe believing him as he lay not an Enemy but a Citizen all hatred now forgotten And when he understood the Freeman had taken away the Imperial Garment in great anger he commanded him to be punished using first this Speech Didst thou not know said he the Funeral of how great a man I committed to thy charge His stout and pious Victory at Philippi the Gods willingly beheld nor could they stop their ears at these words of generous Indignation FORRAIGNERS 1. From commemorating Roman Examples being carried into Macedon I am compell'd to set forth the Manners of Alexander Whose Fortitude in War as it deserved infinite renown so his Clemency merited high respect and love He while he visits all Nations with an indefatigable swiftness being overtaken at a certain place with a storm of Snow observ'd a Macedonian Souldier decrepit with age almost nummed with Cold himself sitting in a high Chair near the fire Who therefore considering not the quality but the age of both descends from his seat and with those hands with which he had subdued the wealth of Darius takes the benumm'd Souldier and leads him to his oâ—n â—â—at saying That that would be wholesome to him which was Capital among the Persians to sit in the Kings Chair What wonder then if they thought it a pleasure to serve such a Captain so many years to whom the safety of a Common Souldier was more dear than the grandeur of his own Person The same Personage also yielding not to any Mortal but to Nature and Fortune though faint with the violence of his distemper yet leaning upon his Elbow he reacht out his right Hand to all that would take their leaves of him Who would not run to embrace that hand which now opprest by Fate sufficed to embrace an Army with an Humanity as vivacious as his Courage 2. Humanity is of no robust nature yet we may declare the Clemency of Pisistratus Tyrant of Athens Who when a Youngman inflamed with the Love of his Daughter meeting her in the Street kist her and being therefore desired by his Wife to punish him made answer If we punish those that love us what must we do to those that hate us A worthy Saying to which we must adde that it came out of the mouth of a Tyrant Thus he took the affront offered his Daughter thus the injury done to himself more commendably For being incessantly taunted and reviled by his friend Thrasippus at Table he so restrained his anger and his tongue as if he had been one of the Guard reviled by the Tyrant and as he went away thinking he had retired sooner than ordinary for fear he kindly invited him to stay Thrasippus being
in the heat of his drink spit all in his face and yet he could not move him to revenge He pull'd away his Sons also desiring to intercede for the abuses of him that was their Father The next morning when Thrasippus intended to punish himself with a violent death the Tyrant came to him and giving him his faith that he should still remain in the same degree of favour with him kept him from the execution of his purpose Had he done nothing else worthy of honour or memory yet by these very acts of his he had sufficiently recommended himself to Posterity 3. Patient and gentle also was the mind of King Pyrrhus Who hearing that some of the Tarentines at a great Feast has spoken largely in his disgrace he call'd for those that were present and demanded of them if they had spoken those things which he had been told Whereupon one of them made answer If our Wine had not fail'd us those things which we spoke of thee would have been but baubles and trifles to what we should have said This so pleasant excuse of their Drunkenness and simple confession of the truth turn'd the Kings Anger into laughter by which Clemency of his he so far prevailed that the sober Tarentines gave him thanks and those that had been drunk wish'd him well The same height of Humanity caused him to send Mico with a Convoy for the greater safety of the Roman Ambassadours whom he heard were coming toward him for the redemption of Captives And for their more honourable reception he himself with a Body of Horse richly attired went out of the Camp to meet them Not so much corrupted with the success of Prosperity as to hinder all prospect of respect from them with whom he was at greatest Enmity 4. Of which mild temper he received the due reward at the last hour of his death For when he had invaded the City of Argos with most dismal Omens and that Alcyoneus the Son of King Antigonus had brought his head cut off with great joy as a most happy act of Victory to his Father labouring in the defence of the City Antigonus rebuking his Son for insulting over the ruine of so great a man forgetful of humane Calamity took up his Head from the ground and cover'd it with the Hood wherewith his own head was cover'd after the manner of the Macedonians and caused it being return'd to the body to be honourably burnt And when his Son Helenus was brought a prisoner to him he commanded him to bear a Royal Minde and to continue his Regal Habit and moreover gave him the bones of Pyrrhus inclosed in a Golden Chest to carry into his Countrey of Epirus to his Brother Alexander 5. The Campanians also when our Army was compell'd by the Samnites to pass under Gallowses at Caudium entring their City not only unarmed but naked received them as kindly as if they had enter'd in Triumph bearing the Spoils of their enemies before them Immediately presenting the Consul with all the Ensignes of his Honour and bestowing upon the Souldiers Cloaths Arms Horses and Provision taking away the want and deformity of the Roman overthrow Had they been as constant against Hannibal for the Roman Empire they had not given an occasion for the rage of the cruel Axes 6. Having made mention of a most bitter Enemy with those actions of kindness which he performed to the Romans I shall make an end of the subject in hand For Hannibal having sought the body of Aemilius Paulus slain at Cannae with all diligence as much as in him lay would not permit it to lye unburied He also caused the body of T. Gracchus who fell unhappily into the ambushment of the Lucans to be honourably buried and deliver'd his bones to be carried into his own Countrey to our Souldiers When Marcellus was slain in the Countrey of the Brutii while with more eagerness than consideration he endeavoured to spy the actions of the Carthaginians he sought him out and laid him upon the Funeral Pile clad in a Carthaginian Jacket and adorn'd with a Crown of Gold And therefore the sweetness of Humanity penetrates into the very breasts of rude Barbarians mollifies the cruel and severe eyes of Enemies and bends the most insolent pride of Victory Nor is it a difficult thing for Clemency to finde an easie passage through hostile Weapons and Swords drawn hand to hand It overcomes Anger throws down Rage and mingles hostile Blood with hostile Tears Which produced that admirable Speech of Hannibal delivering his judgment at the Funerals of the Roman Captains Wherefore Paulus Marcellus and Gracchus brought him more honour by their Funerals than by their Deaths For he deceived them with his Punic subtilty but honoured them with his Roman Clemency And you brave and pious Souls have enjoyed Obsequies not to be repented oâ— for as you fell more desirably in your Countrey more nobly for your Countrey so ye recover'd the honour of that last office due to ye which by misfortune ye had lost CHAP. II. Of Gratitude Among the ROMANS 1. The Roman Senate 2. The Roman Youth 3. The Roman People 4. M. Minutius Rufus Master of the Horse 5. Q. Terentius Culeo 6. Citizens redeem'd in Greece 7 Q. Metellus Pius Cos. 8. Caius Marius Cos. IV. 9. L. Sylla Dictator 10. The Libitines Of Forreign Kings 1. Darius of Persia. 2. Mithridates of Pontus 3. Attalus of Asia 4. Massanisa of Numidia NExt let us take a view of the grateful and ingrateful effects and actions of the Minde that Vertue and Vice may receive their due reward from a due estimate of the value of either However because they are distinguished by contrary ends and designes we also intend to separate them in writing And therefore let us begin with those things that rather deserve praise than reprehension 1. And that we may take our rise from publick Acts let us take into our consideration Marcius Coriolanus who invading his own Country and having brought a very great Army of the Volsci to the very Gates of the City threatning the utter destruction of the Roman Empire yet at the intercession of his Mother Vituria and his Wife Volumnia he was perswaded to give over his violent Enterprise In memory whereof the Senate gave very great Priviledges to the Order of Matrons For they order'd that men should give the upper hand to Women in the street as acknowledging the Womens Garment to have been a greater safety to their City than their Arms They added also a new distinction of Coiss to the adornments of their Ears they also permitted them to wear Purple and Gold Laces and more then all this they erected a Temple and an Altar to Womens Fortune just in the same place where Coriolanus's wrath was appeased to testifie their grateful acknowledgment of so great a benefit by their religious respect and reverence that they had of it For which the Senate was no less famous at the time of the Second
Attilius Philiscus who suffered his body to be made use of by his Master for gain prov'd so severe a Father afterwards For he slew his Daughter because she play'd the whore How sacred then ought we to think Chastity was in our City where the Procurers of Lust did so cruelly chastise it 7. The Example of a most excellent person and a memorable act follows M. Claudius Marcellus one of the Aedils that rode in the moving Chair of State accus'd Scantinius a Tribune and summon'd him to answer before the People because he had given out that his Son had been abus'd in his Body But he averring that he could not be compell'd â—o appear because he was priviledg'd and calling the Tribunal power to his assistance the whole Colledge of Tribunes denied to inteâ—cede in a cause where Chastiâ—y was call'd in question Scantinius therefore being cited was condemn'd by that very witness who was accus'd by himself For it is said that the Young-man being produc'd before the Judgment-seat with his eyes fixed upon the ground observ'd a most resolute silence by which modest silence he most of all prevail'd in his revenge 8. Metellus Celer also was a most severe chastiser of Libidinous Intent summoning Cn. Sergius Silus to answer before the People for only proffering a sum of Money to the Mistriss of the Family and condemning him for that single Crime For then not the deed alone but the very intention was brought into question and it was more harm to have willed an errour than it was profitable not to offend 9. Thus far the Juridical Gravity here follows the extrajudicial T. Veturius son of that Veturius who was delivered bound to the Samnites for making a dishonourable Truce with them when by reason of the ruine of his Estate and the great Debts of his family he was forc'd to yield himself in his youth bound to Plotius and was by him severely whipp'd because he would not permit him to make use of his Body complain'd thereof to the Consuls Who acquainting the Senate with the matter sent Plotius to prison For they endeavour'd to preserve the Chastiâ—y of the Roman blood safe in what state or condition soever 10. And what wonder if all the Conscript-Fathers made this decree C. Pescennius in Capital matters Triumvir loaded with the publick chains Cornelius a most noted souldier and one that had been â—our times advanc'd to be a Centurion of the Triarii or old Souldiers because he had had private familiariâ—y with a Youth born of free Parents From whence appealing to the Tribunes when he spoke nothing oâ— the Fact but only said That he was ready to put in bail and to make it out that the Boy had made a publick prostitution of his body for Money they absolutely refused to take any cognizance of the matter Insomuch that Cornelius died in prison For the Tribunes thought it too mean a thing for our Commonwealth to make bargains with men how stout soever and to sell Domestick pleasure at the price of Forraign danger 11. After the punishment of a lustful Centurion the severe usage of Mar. Laetorius Mergus a Military Tribune and his ignominious Death is next to be related who was cited before the People by Cominius one of their Tribunes being accus'd by his Muster-master for a force upon his body Nor would Laetorius abide the Tryal but first of all privately fled before Judgement and then slew himself Yet though he had satisfiâ—d Natures debt by his Death yet was he by the People condemn'd for the crime of Unchastity the severe Discipline of the Camp which was the most certain Guardian of the consâ—crated Eagle and of the Roman Empire prosecuâ—ing him even to his Tomb. Because he had committed a force upon the body of him whose Master and Commander he was 12. This mov'd Caius Marius then when he pronounced C. Luscius his Sisters son and a Tribune of the People to be legally slam by C. Plotius a common Souldiers because he durst impeach him before the people upon an accusation of abusing his Body 13. But to give a slight account of those who have made use of their own instead of the publick Law in the vindication of their Chastity Sempronius Muses caus'd C. Gallius to be whipp'd for being taken in the act C. Memmius also caus'd L. Octavius to be handled after the same manner for the same fact Carbo Accienus was gelt by Vibienus Pontius by P. Cernius being both taken in the Act. A certain person also took Cn. Furius Brochus in the fact and deliver'd him over to be abus'd by the whole Family who counted it no detriment to indulge their own Anger FORRAIGNERS 1. And that I may adde Forraign to Domestick Examples a Grecian woman named Hippo being taken by the Enemies Fleet flung herself into the Sea that she might preserve her Châ—stity whose body wasting to the Erechtean shore was buried by the Sea-side and lies cover'd with a little hiâ—ock to this day But Greece having committed to eternal memory the honour of her Sanctity makes her every day more famous 2. A more vehement this that which follows a more considerate Example of Chastity The Army of the Gallâ—-Graeci being all defeaâ—ed and taken by Cn. Mâ—nlius upon the Mountain Olympus the wife of Orgiâ—gon a woman of extraordinary Beauty was taken likewise and forc'd by the Centurion to whose custody she was committed When she came to that place where by the Coâ—sulâ— command the Centurion had sent to the friends of the Woman to bring her Ransome while the Centurion was weighing the Gold with his eyes fix'd upon the quantity the Gallo-Greciaâ— in hâ—r own lâ—ngâ—â—gâ— commanded those of her own Nation to kill him and then with the Head cut off in her hand shâ— went to her Husband and casting it â—t her feet she râ—lated the injury done her and her own revenge Wâ—at put of this Woman can any one say was in the powâ—r of the Enemy but hâ—r Body for neither could her Minde be vanquished nor her Chastity taken 3. But the Wives of the Teutâ—us besought Mâ—rius their Conquerour that they might be sent by him as a Present to the Vestal Virgins affirming that they would abstain from the company of mâ—n aâ— sacredly as they should But that râ—quest not being granted them the next night they all hang'd themselves 'T was well the Gods did not inâ—use the same Courage into their Husbands in the field For had they imitated the Vertue of their Wives they had question'd the Triumphs of the Teutonic Victory CHAP. II. What things were freely said or done Among the Romans 1. The Embassadors of the Privernâ—tes 2. Lucius Marcius Philippus Cos. 3. Scipio Aemilianus 4. Cn. Calpuroius Piso. 5. M. Cato of Utica 6. Cn. Lentulus Marcellinus 7. M. Favonius 8. Helvius Mancia Fermianus 9. Dâ—lphilus the Tragedian 10. Marcus Castricius the Placentine 11. Servius Sulpitius Galba 12. A. Casellius the Lawyer Forraigners 1. Machaera a Macedonian woman 2. A
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-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
flame and partly by sword every individual person of the whole multitude 6. But Ochus who was afterwards call'd Darius bound to the Persians by a most bloody Oath that he should not put to Death either by Sword Poyson Starving or any other manner of violente any of those that had conspir'd with him against the Seven Magi found out a way of Death by which means he might rid himself of those persons that were burthensome to him and yet save his Oath For he fill'd a place made up with high walls full of Ashes and putting a leaning rafter underneath he placed them in it after he had highly feasted them so that when sleep should seize them they might fall into that insidiary heap 7. More open but more horrid was the Cruelty of Ochus Artaxerxes who buried his Sister and Mother-in-Law Ocha alive and stab'd his Uncle to Death with Darts after he had deprived him of an hundred Sons and Nephews for not the least injury done him but because they had the highest applause among the Persians for Probiâ—y and Fortitude 8. Guided by the same wicked Suspition the Citizens of Athens by a Decree unworthy their Honour cut off the Thumbs of the Aeginensian Youth that a People potent in Shipping might not be able to contend with them at Sea I cannot pardon the Athenians borrowing â— remedy for their fear from Cruelty 9. Cruel also was that Inventor of the Brazen Bull wherein when poor Creatures were lock'd and fire put under it they seem'd in the midst of their long and tedious torments to low like the beast that their lamentations and howlings express'd in Humane Sounds might not reach the ears of Phalaris the Tyrant to move his compassion Which because he would be wanting to the miserable the first Authour deservedly experimented the torment of his own Invention 10. Nor were the Hetrurians a little cruel in the Invention of Punishment who tying the bodies of the living back to back and face to face together so that part might answer part suffer'd them to lye till they were putrified to Death Most bitter Tormenters of Life and Death at once 11. Like those Barbarians who are reported to set men in heaps of the Bowels and Entrails of kill'd beasts and there to feed and keep them alive till being putrified within they might be eaten up by the Vermine that breed in putrified bodies Can we complain of Nature for having made us lyable to many and dire inconveniencies of Sickness or take it ill that Celestial Strength should be denied to humane condition when Mortality hath invented so many Torments to ruine it self by the impulse of Cruelty CHAP. III. Of Anger and Hatred 1. M. Livius Salinator 2. C. Marcius Figulus a Lawyer 3. Patricians 4. Roman Youth 5. Roman Army 6. Roman People 7. Q. Metellus Proconsul of Macedon 8. L. Cor. Sylla FORRAIGNERS 1. Alexander the Great 2. Amilcar Son of Barchas the Carthaginian 3. Aâ—nibal Son of Barchas the Carthaginian 4. Semiramis Queen of Assyria ANger and Hatred stir up great Commotions in the breasts of Men. This swifter in its motion the other more obstinate in the desire of Mischief Both affections full of Consternation and never without the violent torment of themselves For it suffers pain to inflict misâ—ry anxious with a bitter cure lest revenge should happen to miss But there are most certain images of their propriety which the gods would have conspicuous in great men by some more than ordinary Act or Saying 1. When Livius Salicator waging war with Asdrubal was about to leave the City being admonish'd by Fabius Maximum that he should not fight before he understood the courage and force of the Enemy made answer that He would not refuse the first opportunity of fighting And being ask'd by the same person why he would needs be so hasty That assoon as may be said he I may either win honour by the overthrow of the Enemy or rejoyce in the ruine of my Fellow-Citizens Anger and Vertue divided his speech between them The one remembring an unjust rebuke the other intent upon the honour of Triumph But I cannot tell whether it were the same thing to say this and to overcome in the same manner 2. Thus far Passion carried a man of a fierce Soul and accustom'd to War But C. Figulus a most milde man famous for his learning in the Civil Law was thereby render'd forgetful both of Prudence and Moderation For being provok'd by being repuls'd from the Consulship so much the rather because it had been twice given his Father when many came to him the next day for counsel turn 'em all out a doors Are ye ready at asking Counsel said he and know not how to make a Consul Smartly and deservedly spoken Yet it had been better not spoken For what wise men could be angry with the People of Rome 3. Nor are they to be approved though protected by the splendour of their Nobility who being oftended because that Cn. Flavius a man of mean extract was made Praetor took off their Gold Rings and Trappings from their Horses and threw them away shewing the impotency not the strife of vexation 4. These were the motions of Anger in single or but few persons against a Commonwealth There are also the same in the Multitude against the Princes and Captains Manlius Torquatus returning after a most râ—nowned and compleat Victory over the Latines and Campanians when all the Old-people went forth to meet him the Youth never stirr'd because he had put his Son to death for fighting successfully against the Enemy His equals compassionated his too severe punishment Nor do I defend the Act but onely shew the force of Anger that could divide the Ages and Affections of a whole City 5. So much could it prevail that it detain'd and kept back all the foot of the Roman People sent by Fabius the Consul to pursue the Enemy when they might easily have ruin'd and cut them off when they call'd to minde thaâ— he had put a stop to the Agrarian Law The same passion rendring the Army offended with Appius their Captain useless whose Father standing for the Nobility oppos'd the conveniences of the Commonalty by a voluntarily flight they turn'd their back to the Enemy because they would not suffer their Captain to triumph How often the vanquisher of Victory despising its congratulation in Torquatus in Fabius omitting the greatest part in Appius preferring shameful flight besore it 6. How violently it carried it self in the breast of the Roman People at that time when the Dedication of the Temple of Mercury was granted to M. Plaetorius a Centurion by their Suffrages The Consuls being also terrified Claudius because he withstood the relief of his Debts and Servilius because he had but weakly defended their cause which he undertook Can Anger be denied to be of force when it sets the Souldier above the General 7. It hath not only pull'd down Authority but commanded as disorderly For when
seeing M. Cicero who assembled the Judges preparing to plead he sent to tell him the he died not condemned but guilty and that his estate could not be confiscated and having so said stopping his Mouth and Nostrils with his Handkerchief and holding his Breath he prevented his punishment by Death Which being known Cicero forbore to pronounce Sentence Thus Illustrious person freed himself from an unusual sort of Death from the shame of Condemnation and his Family from Want 8. This a stout Death the next ridiculous For Cornelius Gallus and T. Haâ—erius a Roman Knight expir'd at their Venâ—ry But what imports it to reprehend the Fate of those whom not their Lust but the condition of humanâ— frailty brought to an end For the end of Liâ—e being expos'd to various and occult Causes sometimes certain accidents gâ—in the title of Supreme Fate when they rather happen at the time of Death than any was hasten it FORREIGNERS 1. The Deaths of Strangers are also very remarkable as that of Coma the Brother of Cleon the greatest Captain of Thieves in his time For he being brought to Rupilius the Consul after the taking of Enna which the Thieves kept being examined touching the force and designes of the Fugitives resuming time to collect himself he covered his Head with his Knees bent and holding his Breath he expir'd in the hands of his Keepers an in the siâ—â—â— of the supreme Command Let the miserable â—â—â—enâ— themselves to whom it is more profitable to dye than live with timorous and dubious counsel how to end their Lives Let them sharpen their Knives temper Poysons take Halters view Precipices as if it required some preparation or exact method to separate the strict society of Soul and Body Coma made use of none of these but his Soul being shut up in his breast found its own way 2. The Death of Aescbylus though not voluntary may be however related for the novelty For walking out of the Town where he liv'd in Sicily he sate down in a convenient place upon whom an Eagle bearing a Tortoise deceived by the baldness of his head let fall the Tortoise to break it that he might come at the flâ—sh And by that blow the beginning of a higher Tragedy was stifled in the birth 3. Now was the cause of Homer's Death vulgar Who is said to have died for grief because he could not answer a question which the Fishers put to him 4. More sad was the destiny of Euripides For returning to the house where he lay in Macedonia from supping with King Archelaus he was torn to pieces by Dogs A fate too severe for so great a Wit 5. Sophocles bâ—ing very old and having rehears'd a Tragedy at the publick place for trial of Wit after a long dispute remaining at length Victor by one voice died for joy that he had won 6. Philemon was carried off by immoderate laughter For an Ass eating certain Figs that were prepared for him and set before him he call'd the boy to drive him away who not coming till the Ass had eaten them all up Because thou comest so late said he prethee give the Ass some Wine too and prosecuting his Jeast with a inâ—emperancy of Laughter stopp'd up the passages of the Spirits 7. But Pindarus laying his head in the School on a Boy 's lap who was his only delight and composing himself for rest was not known to be dead till the Master of the Exercising-place where he lay going to shut the doors sought in vain to wake him Certainly the same savour of the Gods granted him his Poetic Eloquence and such an easie Death 8. As happen'd also to Anacreon though he had outlived the age of man whom cherishing his old age with the juice of Raisins the more thick moisture of one Grape sticking in his Throat carried off 9. I will adde those whose Exit and Intent were alike Milo the Crotoniate as he was travelling seeing an Oak clest with Wedges trusting to his strength went to the Oak and thought with his hands to pull one from the other But the Wedges falling out the Oak closed again and there kept him till with all the Palms and Victories he had won the wild beasts came and devoured him 10. Polydamas also the Wrastler being forced by sâ—ress of weather to shelter himself in a Cave which being weakned and ready to fall while his Companions ran away he only stood still thinking to have upheld the weight with his Shoulders But being opprest with a weight more powerful than humane strengâ—h the shelter which he sought from the shower bâ—â—â—me the Sepulchâ—r of his own mad â—ate These Examples may teâ—ch us that Vigour of Minde and vast Strength of Body are not always companions Nature not affording two such great Benefits together that the same person should at once be the most strong and the most wise CHAP. XIII Of Desire of Life ROMANS 1. Mu. Aquilius Consular Legate 2. Cn. Carbo thrice Consul 3. D. Junius Brutus Procensul FORRAIGNERS 1. Xerxes King of Persia. 2. Massinissa King of the Numidians 3. Alexander King of the Phereans 4. Dionysius the Tyrant NOw because we have touch'd upon some casual some couragious some rash terminations of Life we may now adde some that are low-spirited and esseminate That by the comparison it may appear how Death may be sometimes not only more stoutly but more prudently desired 1. Mu. Aquilius when he might have bravely died chose rather to be an ignominious slave to Mithridates Whether shall we say the best deserved the Pontic punishment or the Roman Empire Since he permitted private Ignominy to be the publick Shame 2. Cn. Carbo is a greaâ— blot to the Latine Annals who in his third Consulship being sent to be put to death in Sicily by Pompey humbly and with tears in his eyes begg'd of the Souldiers that he might have time to ease himself before he suffered that he might enjoy that miserable moment of a pitiful Life and so long be delayed till his head was sordidly cut off as he sate The words relating so much Pusâ—â—lanimiâ—y are at variance among themselves neither friendly to silence because they deserve not to be conceal'd nor familiar to rehearsal when the subject nauseates 2. Brutus with how much shame did he buy an unhappy and small moment of Life For being taken by Furius whom Antonius had sent to apprehend him not only withdrew his Neck from the Sword but being admonish'd to hold still he swore in these words As I live I will hold it forth O contemptible delay of fate O stolid and silly Oath But thâ—se are thy deliriums out of an immoderate desire of the sweets of Life expelling that measure of Reasons which teaches to love Life yet not to fear Death FORREIGNERS 1. Thou the same sweetness of Life didst compel Xerxes to shed tears for the armed Youth of all Asiâ— of which there would be none remaining in less than an hundred years Who thereby seem'd to me