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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	wonderful_a	write_v	year_n	42	3	4.4233	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64912	Romæ antiquæ descriptio a view of the religion, laws, customs, manners, and dispositions of the ancient Romans, and others : comprehended in their most illustrious acts and sayings agreeable to history / written in Latine by ... Quintus Valerius Maximus ; and now carefully rendred into English ; together with the life of the author.; Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri IX. English	Valerius Maximus.; Speed, Samuel, 1631-1682.	1678 (1678)	Wing V34; ESTC R22311	255,720	462

had not these decayed An expression becoming for-fetch'd Wisdome For had he labour'd more in the manuring his Lands than his Minde he had remained Masters of his family at home but had not returned into his Country the great Anaxagoras 7. I might say that the Industry of Archimedes was very prontable but that it g●ve him life and took if from him again For when Syracuse was taken Marcellus was sensible that his Victory was much delayed by his Engines yet infinitely taken with the Prudence of the person he commanded the Souldiers to spare his Life assuming perhaps almost as much glory in saving Archimedes as in destroying Syracuse But while Archimedes was making Figures with his minde and eyes fixed upon the ground a Souldier that was broken into his house to plunder with his drawn Sword asked him who he was The Philosopher was so intent that he return'd him no direct Answer but parting dust with his finger Have a care said he of spoyling this Circle Thereupon as one that slighted the Victor of the Empire the Souldier cut off his Head and blended his blood with the Lineaments of his Art Thus the same Study gave him his Life and deprived him of it again 8. Most certain it is that Socrates when he was stricken in years began to learn Musick believing it better to learn that Art late than never How little an accession of knowledge was that to Socrates Yet the obstinate Industry of the person to so much wealth and treasure of Learning would also adde the profitable Elements of Musick Thus while he thought poor to learn he made himself rich to teach 9. And that we may reduce the Examples of a long and successful Industry to one head Isocrates compos'd that most noble Book entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he was fourscore and four years of Age yet ● work full of life and spirit By which it appears that the members of learned men growing old yet their Minds by the benefit of Industry retain the full vigour of Youth Nor did he end his days till he had five years enjoyed the fruit of the admiration of his work 10. Lesser bounds terminated the life of Chrysippus yet was not short-liv'd for he left behind him the thirty ninth Book of his Logicks a book of exact nicety begun in the Eightieth Year of his Age. Whose Study in delivering the monuments of his Wit took up so much time and labour that a longer life would be r●quisite to understand the depth of his writings 11. Thee also Cleanthes so industrious in searching after and so laboriously delivering Wisdome the Deity of Industry could not but admire when she beheld thee in thy youth maintaining thy self by carrying water in the Night in the Day a diligent heares of Chrysippus and till the Hundredth year within one with attentive care instructing thy Disciples With a double labour thou hast taken up the space of one Age making it uncertain whether thou wert a better Scholar or a Master 12. Sopholces had also a glorious combat with Nature as liberal of his wonderful Works as she was liberal in giving him long Time to compose them For he lived near an Hundred years his Oedipus Coloneus being written by him just before his death By which one Tragedy he won the honour from all the Poets in that way Which Iophon the Son of Sophocles would not have concealed from Posterity and therefore caused it to be inscribed upon his Fathers Tomb. 13. Simonides the poet at Fourscore years of Age boasts himself that he taught Verses and contended for the prize at those years Nor was it but reason that he should long enjoy the fruit of his own Wit Who was himself to communicate them for the benefit of eternity 14. Now for Solon how industrious he was he has declared in his Verses Wherein he signifies that he grew old always learning something and the last day of his life confirmed it For as his Friends were sitting by him and discoursing among themselves upon some subject or other he lifted up his head then just about to bow to sate and being asked why he did so That when I understand said he what it is you are disputing upon I may dye Certainly Sloath had bin banished from among mankinde if all men should come into the world with the same Spirit that Solon left it 15. How great was the industry of Themistocles ● Who though he had the care of the greatest affairs of his Countrey upon his shoulders yet was able to remember the particular names of all his fellow-Citizens And being through high Injustice driv'n from his Countrey and compell'd to fly to Xerxes whom a little before he had vanquish'd in battle before he come into his presence he accustom'd himself to the Persian language that having purcha●●d commendation by labour he might render the Tone of his voice familiar and customary to the Kings ear 16. The Applause of both which sorts of Industry two Kings divided between them Cyrus remembring all the names of his Souldiers Mithridates learning two and twenty several Tongues spoken within his Dominions The first that he might address himself to his Army without a Director the other that he might discourse to the people whom he govern'd without an Interpreter CHAP. VIII Of Ease praised ROMANS 1. P. Aemilianus and C. Laelius 2. Mu●ius Scaevola Augur FORRAIGNERS 1. Socrates of Athens 2. Achilles in Homer EAse because it seems to be contrary to Industry but chiefly to Labour ought to be briefly touch'd upon Not that which extinguishes but which recreates Vertue For the sloathful ought to avoid the one and the brave and stout may desire the other They that they may not live like Drones these that by a seasonable intermission from toyl they may be the fitter for Labour 1. The famous pair of Friends Scipio and Laelius united together not only by the bond of Love but by an association of all other Vertues as they perform'd the journey of a painful life with equal steps so they generally relax'd from business by consent For it is certain that at Caieta and Lourenium they used to gather up Shells and little Stones upon the Shoar And this L. Crassus often reported from the mouth of Q. Scaevola who was Son-in-Law to Laelius 2. As for Scaevola as he was the most certain witness of their Relaxation so he himself was wont to play at Ball having us'd to delight himself in that sort of exercise when the weight of his business was over Sometimes he was wont to spend his time at Chess and Tables after he had bin long ordering the Rights of his Citizens and the Ceremonies of his Gods For as he acted Scaevola in serious things so he shewed himself but only Man in his Sports and Recreations as whom Nature will not suffer to abide continual Labour FORRAIGNERS 1. This Socra●es saw to whom no part of Wisdom was obscure which made him that he did not blush when

Cornelius Scylla the Happy 7. T. Aufidius 8. P. Rupilius 9. P. Ventidius Bassus 10. L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus 11. Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina 12. Licinius Crassus the Rich. 13. Q. Servilius Caepio 14. C. Marius 15. C. Julius Caesar. FORRAIGNERS 1. Polemon the Athenian 2. Themistocles the Athenian 3. Conon the Athenian 4. Aleib●ades 5. Polycrates 6. Dionysius of Syracuse 7. Syphax King of the Numidians A Considerate Change can either adde much to the Trust or diminish the Care of worthy men whether we consider our own condition or the nature of others For when we perceive some to have risen from low and contemptible beginnings why should we not then have better thoughts of our selves Knowing that it is a foolish thing to forejudge ones self of perpetual infelicity and to change our hope which sometimes rightly favou●s uncertain things into certain desperation 1. Manlius Torquatus when he was a Youth was look'd upon to be of so dull and heavy a disposition that he was sent into the Countrey by his Father Lucius Manlius a person of great worth to follow the Plow as being unfit either for publick or private business Afterwards he pleaded for his Father being accus'd for some misdeameanour and carried the Cause for him He cut off his Sons head though a Victor because he had fought against his command with the Enemy and with a most splendid Triumph he reviv'd his Countrey groaning under the Latin War Thus his adverse Fortune clouded him in his Youth that he might shine more glorious in his Elder Years 2. Scipio Africanus the Elder whom the Immortal Gods decreed ●o be born that there might be a person in whom Vertue might shew it self in all its variety is reported to have led a debauch'd life in his younger years remote from the crime of Luxury yet more soft and idle than his Punic Trophies or his yoaking the conquer'd Carthaginians 3. C. Valerius Placcus also in the time of the Second Punic War began with a lewd course of life But being chosen Flamen by P. Licinius the High-Priest to the end he might reclaim him applying himself to the care of the sacred things and the observation of the religious Rites and guided by Religion it self the Captain of Frugality he became as great an Example of Sobriety and Piety as he was before of Luxury 4. No person led a more debauch'd Life than Q. Fabius Maximus who afterwards by the signal Victory which he obtain'd against the Gauls purchas'd to himself and his posterity the Sima●e of Allobrogicus Yet in his elder years our City could boast of no such Ornament as he was no● was any person so renowned as he 5. Who is ignorant how highly the Authority of Q. Gatulus was advanc'd at that very time when there was a crowd of famous men living Whose younger years you will finde to have been guilty of much Luxury and Softness Which however was no impediment to him but that he became the Prince of his Countrey had the honour to have his name shine in the Capitol and by his own courage to bury a Civil War that was rising with a mighty force to seize the Commonwealth 6. But L. Sylla till he came to be Questor led ● life infamous for his Whoring Gaming and Drinking Whereupon it was reported that Marius being engag'd in a very smart War in Africa complain'd that they had sent him such an effeminate Questor But his Vertue having as it were broken down the fences of wickedness made a shift to chain the hands of Iugurth quell Mithridates withstand the billows of the War of our Allies break the power of Cin●● and compel him that had despis'd him when his Questor in Africa to fly a proscrib'd Exile into the same Province for safety Which so various and so con●●●ry acts he that shall with a serious minde consider would believe there were two Sylla's in one man I would have call'd him a vicious youth but a brave man had he not himself assum'd the title of Happy 7. And as we have admonish'd Nobility to regard itself by the benefit of repentance let us adde a few Examples of those that dar'd aspire from meaner beginnings T. Aufidius who once had the gathering but of a small pittance of the Asiatic Tribute afterwards rul'd all Asia as Consul Nor did our Allies disdain to obey his Fasces whom they had seen flattering the Tribunals of Forreigners For he behavd himself faithfully and nobly plainly demonstrating that his former way of living was only the effect of Fortune but that the pres●nt advancement of his Dignity was to be attributed to the greatness of his parts 8. Publius Rupilius was no Toll-gatherer in Sicilia but only a mean Officer under them so miserable poor that he had nothing to keep Life and Soul together but a small Office that depended upon the leave of the vanquish'd Yet from him Consul afterwards all Sicilia receiv'd their Laws after he had freed them from the terrors of a smart War of the Pirats and Fugitives I believe that the very Ports themselves if there be any sence in mute things admir'd the wonderful change in the Condition of that man For the same person that they had seen exacting the dayly Customs the same person they saw giving Laws to Navies and Armies 9. To this increase of Dignity I will adde a greater When Asculum was taken Cn. Pompeius the Father of Pompey the Great prostituted to the eyes of the People P. Ventidius a beardless Youth in the Triumph that he had obtain'd Yet this was that Ventidius who afterwards triumph'd at Rome over the Parthians and reveng'd the death of Crassus miserably foyl'd in a strange Countrey Thus he that a Captive dreaded imprisonment now a Victor crowns the Capitol with his success And this is farther remarkable of the same person that he was made Pretor and Consul both in one and the same year 10. Now let us consider the diversities of Chance L. Lentulus was depos'd by the Caecilian Law of his Consulship being convicted of Bribery and yet was created Censor with L. Censorinus Thus Fortune shuffl'd him between Honour and Disgrace condemning him in his Consulship and honouring him with the Office of Censor when he was condemn'd neither suffering him to enjoy a lasting happiness nor long to abide in a miserable condition 11. Thus Fortune shew'd her power also in Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina Who when he was Consul being taken by the Carthaginians at Liparae and had lost all by the right of War yet by the favour of Fortune recovered all and was again created Consul Who would have thought he should have been brought from the Fasces to the Fetters of the Carthaginians Who would have thought again that from the Punic chains he should have advanc'd himself to the highest degrees of Honour But yet he was from a Consul made a Captive and from a Captive became Consul 12. What Did not the va●●ness of Crassus Wealth give him

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. Ha●erius a Roman Knight expir'd at their Ven●ry But what imports it to reprehend the Fate of those whom not their Lust but the condition of human● frailty brought to an end For the end of Li●e being expos'd to various and occult Causes sometimes certain accidents g●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 si●●● of the supreme Command Let the miserable ●●●en● 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 fl●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 b●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 in●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 s●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 streng●h the shelter which he sought from the shower b●●●me the Sepulch●r of his own mad ●ate These Examples may te●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 grea● 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 Pus●●lanimi●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 th●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 Asi● of which there would be none remaining in less than an hundred years Who thereby seem'd to me