Caecilus 6. T. Marius 7. Valerius Heptachordus 8. T. Barrulus 9. M. Polilius HAving contented our selves with these Examples of cancell'd Wills let us give a hint upon those that have remain'd confirm'd when there was cause enough for them to have bin cancell'd 1. How publickly and scandalously was Tuditanus noâ—ed for a madman being one that threw his Money among the People and trayl'd his Cloak after him in the Forum as if it had bin the garment of a Tragedian so that he was the laughter of all that beheld him besides many other pranks of the same nature which they beheld He made his Son Heir by his Will which T. Longus by the Judgment of the Centumviri in vain endeavour'd to have disannull'd as being next of kin For the Centumviri thought it more proper to consider what was written in the Will than who had wrote it 2. The conversation of Tuditanus was Frantick but Aebucia who was the wife of L. Menenius Agrippa made a Will that was Madness it self For having two Daughters of equal vertue Plaetoria and Afrania through the inclination of her own minde rather than for any offence or miscarriage she only made Plaetoria her Heir and to the Children of Afrania out of her vast Patrimony she left only twenty thousand pieces of Money However Afrania would not contend by Oath with her Sister rather choosing patiently to honour her Mothers Will than to violate it in Court shewing her self thereby so much the more unworthy the Injury done her by how much the more patiently she bore it 3. Q. Metellus committed a womanish errour less to be admir'd For he though there were several eminent and famous young men of the same name living in our City at the same time and that the Family of the Claudii to whom he was most nearly related were then very numerous left Carinates onely his Heir neither did any one attempt to question his Will 4. Pompeius also Rheginus a Tramontane being by his Brother left out of his Will and that to prove his Injustice he had in a full Assembly of both Orders recited two former Wills made and testified in the publick place of Elections by which this Brother was made Heir of the greatest part only there was premis'd to him the summ of an hundred and fifty Sesterces after he had long complain'd to his Friends that sooth'd his indignation took a resolution not to trouble the ashes of his Brother in a Court of Judicature Yet they whom he had made his Heirs were so far from being so near a kin by the Fathers side that they were not the next to him but strangers and poor So that the Silence seem'd to be wicked and the Pride contumelious 5. Happy in their Impunity but whether these Wills were not worse in offending is the Question Quintus Caecilius by the diligâ—nt endeavour and great Liberalitie of L. Lucullus having attain'd to a handsome degree of Dignity and an ample Patrimony when he had fully resolv'd that he alone should be his Heir and on his Death-bed had given him his Rings from off his Fingers yet by his Will adopted Pomponius Atticus and made him Heir to all his Estate But the Roman People tying a Halter about the neck of the Carcass of that deceiâ—ful and fallacious person dragg'd him along the High-way Thus the wicked wretch had a Son a Heir such as he desir'd but a Funeral and a Grave such as he deserv'd 6. Neither was T. Marius Vrbinas worthy of any other who by the favour of the divine Augustus the Emperour being rais'd from the lowest condition of a common Souldier to the highest commands in the Camp and being by them enrich'd not onely at other times declar'd that he would leave his fortunes to him that had bestow'd them on him and but the day before he died protested the same thing to Augustus himself when as he had not so much as mention'd his name in his Will 7. Lucius Valerius whose sirname was Heptachordus having experienc'd the enmity of Cornelius Balbus in Court as being plagued by his advice and management with several private Suits and at length by a suborned witness being by him accus'd of a Capital Crime leaving out his Advocates and Patrons lest him sole Heir cow'd by such a dread as turn'd his resolutions topsie turvie For he lov'd his Ignominie lov'd the dangers and seem'd to wish he had â—in condemn'd being so kind to the authour of those mischiefs and hating his defenders 8. T. Barrulus upon his Death-bed deliver'd his Rings to Lentulus Spinther whose kindness and friendship he had felt as to his only Heir yet left him nothing at all How strangely at that very moment of time if it be of that force which we believe it to be did Conscience punish that abominable creature For between the very thoughts of his Ingratitude and Fallacy he yielded up his last breath as if some Tormenter had crucified his soul within him For he knew that his passage from life to death was hateful to the Gods and would be detested by the Infernal Spirits 9. Marcus Popilius upon his death-bed beheld Oppius Gallus a Senator with whom he had been familiar from his youth as the Laws of antient friendship requir'd and gave him the most loving words imaginable For he thought him only worthy of all that stood by him of his last embrace and kiss moreover he deliver'd him his Rings to ensure him of that Inheritance which he was never likely to enjoy Which Rings laid up in his Purse and assigned to him by those that were present Oppius a diligent man but a mere mock of his dying friend disinherits himself and returns them diligently to his Heirs What could be more dishonest or more unseasonable at this time and place That a Senator of the Roman people just ready to die not only as a man to the world but also as a publick person to the Senate-house should have such a trick put upon him against all the sacred Laws of friendship when his eyes were set in his head and he drawing his last breath LIB VIII CHAP. I. Of signal Publick Judgments Absolv'd 1. M. Horatius Tergeminus 2. Ser. Sulpitius Galba 3. A. Gabinius 4. P. Claudius Pulcher. 5. Tuccia the Vestal 6. L. Calpurnius Piso 7. Q. Flavius the Augur 8. Cosconius Callidianus 9. Atilius Calatinus 10. M. Aemilius Scaurus jun. 11. Aurelius Cotta 12. Callidius of Bononia 13. The two Cloelii of Tarracinum Condemn'd 1. L. Scipio Asiatick 2. C. Decianus 3. Sex Titius 4. Claudia the daughter of App. the blind 5. M. Mulvius C. Lollius L. Sextilius Triumvirs 6. P. Villius the Triumvir 7. M. Aemilius Porcina 8. A certain Father of a Family Two Burnt 1. A Matricide 2. A Mistress of a Family ABSOLVED NOw that the doubtful motions of Judgments may more easily be endured let us relate for what causes they that laboured under Envy were either acquited or condemned 1. M. Horatius being condemned by
who assembled the Judges preparing to plead he sent to tell him that he died not condemned but guilty and that his estate could not be confiscated and haying 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 an 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 â— Haterius a Roman Knight expir'd at their Venery But what imports it to reprehend the Fate of those whom not their Lust but the condition of humane frailty brought to an end For the end of Life being â—xpos'd to various and occult Causes sometimes certain accidents gain the title of Supreme Fate when they rather happen at the time of Death than any way hasten it FORREIGNERS 1. The Deaths of Strangers are also very remarkable as that of Coma the Brother of Clean 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 and in the sight of the supreme Command Let the miserable torment 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 sound its own way 2. The Death of Aescbylus though not voluntary may be however related for the novelty For walking out of the â—â—wâ— where he liv'd in Sicily he sate down in a conveâ—â—â—â— 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 flesh And by that blow the beginning of a higher Tragedy was stifled in the birth 3. Nor 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 sadâ— 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 being very old and having rehears'd a Tragedy at the publick place for triâ—l 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 then comest so late said he prethee give the Ass some Wine too and prosecuting his Jeast with an intemperancy 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 favour 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 stress 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 strength the shelter which he sought from the shower became the Sepulcher of his own mad fate These Examples may teach 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 Proconsul 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 effeminate 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 he best deserved the Pontic punisshment or the Roman Empire Since he permitted private Ignominy to be the publick Shame 2. Cn. Carbo is a great 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 he delayed till his head was sordidly cut off as he sate The words relating so much Pusillanimity are at variance among themselves neither friendly to silence because they deserve not to be conceal'd nor familiar to rehearsal when the subject nauâ—eates 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 sorth O contemptible delay of fate O stolid and silly Oath But these are thy deliriums out of an immoderate desire of the sweets of Life expelâ—â—ng that measure of Reason 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 Asia of which there would be none remaining in less than an hundred years Who thereby seem'd to me while he
that he might be sent to deliver the people from their Calamity which he the more readily granted because the mischief was not threatned from Teeth â—ut from Iron But while every one was intent and eagâ—r in killing the wild beast obstinate Destiny pâ—rsisting in her intended violence directed a Spear into his Body which was intended against the Boar and chose particularly that the right hand of him should be only guilty of the Murder to whose charge and tuition the Father had chiefly committed his Son which being contaminated with the blood of Chance-medley fearing his Country-god at the prayer of the person was repurify'd by Sacrifice 5. Neither was Cyrus a small argument of the inevitable necessity of Fate whose Birth to which the Empire of all Asia was promis'd Astyages his Grandfather by the Mothers side sought in vain to hinder by the predictions of a Dream He married his Daughter Mandane for that he had dreamt that she had overwhelm'd all the Nations of Asia with her Urine not to one of the Nobles lest the Right of Dominion might fall to his family but to one of a small fortune among the Persians When Cyrus was born he caus'd him to be expos'd having dreamt that a Vine growing out of the Secret Parts of Mandane should cover all his Dominions But he was frustrated in all his endeavours and humane Counsels not being able to hinder the felicity of his Nephew which the Gods had so fully determined 6. While Dionysius of Syracuse liv'd a private life Himera a woman of no mean pâ—rentage fancied in her Sleep â—hat she ascended into Heaven and having there view'd the Seats of all the Gods that she saw a strong man yellow-hair'd scurfie countenanced bound in Iron Chains to the Throne of Jove and â—ying at his feet and asking a young man who was her guide the meaning thâ—reof she was told that he was the ill fate of Sicily and Italy and when his chains should be taken off many Towns would be ruin'd which Dream she declared the next day Afterwards seeing Dionysius by the help of Fortune an enemy to the Liberty of Syracuse and the lives of the Innocent freed from his Celâ—stial Chains entring the Walls of the Himeraei she cryed out This was he that she had seen in her Dream Which being related to Dionysius he caused her to be put to Death 7. Safer was the Dream of the Mother of the same Dionysius who when she had conceived him fancied that she was brought to bed of a great Satyr and consulting the Interpreter of Prodigies she understood that he should be the greatest and most powerful of all the Greeks of his time 8. But Amilcar General of the Carthaginians while he was besieging Syracuse thought that he heard a voice proclaiming to him that he should Sup the next day in that City With great joy as if victory were promis'd him from Heaven he prepared his Army for the Assault at which time dissention arising between the Carthaginians and Sicilians the Syracusans sallied out took his Camp and brought him bound into the City Thus deluded by his Hope not his Dream he supp'd a Captive in Syracuse not as he had conceiv'd a Victor 9. Alcibiades also beheld his lamentable end in a Dream no way fallacious For being slain and unburied he was covered with the same Apparel of his Concubines which he had seen himself cloathed in in his Sleep 10. The following Dream for its manifelf certainty though somewhat longer craves not to be omitted Two familiar Arcadians travailing together came to Megara one of which went to lye at his Friends house the other at a common Inne He that lay at his Friends house dreamt that he heard his companion intreating his help for that he was abused by the Innkeeper which he might prevent by his speedy presence Leaping out of his Bed he endeavoured to finde the Inne where his friend lay But Fate condemning his humane purpose as needless and believing what he had heard to be but a Dream he went to Bed again and to sleep Then the same person came wounded and beseech'd that since he had neglected to assist him in his life-time he would not delay to revenge his Death for that his body slain by the Inne-keeper was carrying out at the Gate in a Cart cover'd with Dung His friend mov'd by his Prayers made haste to the Gate and stopt the Cart which was described to him in his sleep apprehended the Inne-keeper and brought him to condign punishment CHAP. VIII Of Miracles Among the ROMANS 1. Castor seen in the Latin and Persian Wars 2. Esculapius appearing in the shape of a Serpent 3. Words spoken by Juno Moneta 4. Words spoken by female Fortune 5. Words spoken by a Sylvan in the war of the Veii 6. Mars seen in the Lucan War 7. Penates returning from A ba to Lavinium of their own accord 8. Julius Caesar seen after his death 9. The Sepulchre of Pompey miraculously found 10. The Death of Appius Claudius Pro-Consul foretold by a Miracle 11. The Scepter of Romulus and Statues preserved from fire 12. Men brought to their graves revive FORRAIGN 1. Erus Pamphilius reviving after ten daies 2. An Athenian deprived of his Memory 3. A Woman suddenly struck dumb 4. Egles the Samian dumb suddenly recâ—vering his Speech 5. Gordias the Epirote born after the death of his Mother 6. Jason Pheraeus cured of an Impostume 7. Simonides the Poet escaped the fall of a house 8. The death of Daphidas the Sophister foretold by the Oracle 9. The death of Philip King of Macedom foretold 10. The death of Alexander miraculously foretold 11. The chance of a Rower 12. The strange Teeth of King Prusias his Son 13. Drypetine daughter to Mithridates born with a double order of Teeth 14. The accurate Sight of Strabo Lynceus 15. The hairy Heart of Aristomedes the Messenian 16. The annual Fever of Antipater the Poet. 17. The equality of Polystratus and Hippoclides in fortune 18. Miracles of Nature 19. The Serpent of Regulus MAny Accidents also happen to men awake and by day as well as those which are involved in the clouds of darkness and dreams which because it is hard to understand whence they proceed or upon what reason grounded are deservedly called Miracles 1. Among the great multitude whereof this first occurs When Aulus Posthumius Dictator and Manilius Octavius Captain of the Tuscans were in fight with great forces on both sides at the Lake Regilius and that for some time neither Party gave ground Castor and Pollux taking the Romans side overthrow the forces of the Enemy Also in the Macedonian War P. Vatinius a Magistrate of Reate returning toward the City by Night thought he met two beautiful Men sitting upon white Horses who told him that the day before Perseus was taken by Aemilius Which when he related to the Senate he was by them committed to Prison as a contemner of their Majesty and Power But afterwards when they
by the hands of men they resolv'd to testifie their good Will Wherein I am not ignorant how opinion hesitates in the asserting the truth of the motion and voice of the Immortal Gods However because we do not make a relation of things new but only repeat what has been dâ—liver'd let the first Authors vindicate the truth It is our part not to refuse as vain what the sacred Monuments of Story have consecrated for cerâ—ain 8. Having made mention of that City from whence our own had its first original heavenly Julius the glorious offspring thereof comâ—s into our mind whom C. Cassius never to be named without remembring his publick Parricide while he was labouring couragiously at the Battle of Philippe saw above mortal Stature clad in a Purple Robe and an angry Countâ—nance making toward â—im with full speed at which sight affrighted he fled having first heard these words utter'd What wouldst thou do more if it be too little to have kill'd Didst thou not murther Caesar O Cassius But no Deity can be prevail'd gainst therefore by injuring him whose mortal body still burns thou hast deserved to have a god so much thy enemy 9. Lentulus passing by the shore where the Body of Pompey 〈◊〉 Great murdered by the treachery of King Ptolemy was then at the same time burning altogether ignorant of his fall cryed out to his Souldiers How do we know but that Pompey may be now burning in yonder flame Thâ— Miracle was that he should ignorantly speak so great a truth as it were by inspiration 10. This was only the saying of a man but that which came from the mouth of Apollo himself was more miraculous a clear evidence of the Delphick Presâ—ge which foretold the Death of Appius He in the Civil War wherein Pompey had separated himself from his friendship with Caesar through advice no less baneful to himself than disadvantageous to the Common-wealth being willing to know the event of so great a Commotion by his power in command for he was Governour of Achaia caus'd the chief President of the Delphick Oracle to descend into the innermost part of the holy Den whence as more certain Answers are demanded so the over-abundance of the divine exhalation becomes more noxious to those that give the Answer The Virgin therefore through the impulse of the inspiring Spirit with a most dreadful tone among other obscure terms and aenigma's thus return'd to Appius The War concerns thee nothing O Roman Thou shalt have for thy lot that part of Euboea call'd Coela He believing that Apollo had forewarned him to avoid the danger of the War retired into that Countrey which lies between Rhamnuns a noble part of the Countrey of Attica and Caristus adjoining to the Chalcidic Bay where consum'd with sickness before the battle of Pharsalia he possessed the place assign'd for his burial 11. These things may also be accompted as Miracles that when the Chappel of the Salii was burnt there was nothing escap'd the fire but the Kings staff of Romulus That the Statue of Servius Tullius remain'd untouch'd when the Temple of Fortune was consum'd by fire That the Statue of Claudia plac'd near the entry into the Temple of the Mother of the Gods that Temple being twice consum'd by fire once when Nasica Scipio and L. Bestia another time when Servilius and Lamia were Consuls stood firm upon its Basis and untouch'd 12. The Funeral Pile of Acilius Aviola brought no small astonishment to our City who being taken for dead both by the Physicians and by his Friends when he had been laid out for some time upon the Ground the Flame no sooner coming near his Body but he rose up and affirmed himself to be alive calling for the assistance of his Schoolmaster who only remain'd with him But being encompass'd with the flames he could not be drawn thence 13. Lucius Lamia also a person of the Pretorian Order is said to have spoken upon his funeral Pile FORRAIGN Examples 1. But the fate of Erus Pamphilus has render'd the foregoing relations less miraculous whom Plato affirm'd that after he was thought to have been slain in Battle and had lain in the field ten days when he came to be taken away and laid upon the funeral Pile he reviv'd and related strange things which he saw while he lay dead 2. And since we are come to Forraign Examples there was a certain learned Man at Athens who having received an unlucky hurt with a Stone upon his Head though he retain'd his Memory as to all other things very perfect yet forgot his Learning which he had follow'd all his life time A dire and fatal Wound in the Soul of him that was wounded as if having of purpose sought out every sense it had pitch'd upon that particularly wherein the Patient most delighted burying the singular Doctrine and Learning of the person in the perpetual grave of Envy To whom if it were not lawful to enjoy those Studies it had been better that he had never obtain'd a taste of them than to want the sweetness of what he once had in possâ—ssion 3. But more lamentable is the narration of the following mischance For the Wise of Nausimenes an Athenian hapning to take her Son and Daughter in the act of Incest struck with horrour of so monstrous a sight became suddenly dumb so that she neither could express her present Indignation nor ever after speak a word They punish'd themselves for their own wicked act with voluntary Death Thus Fortune that in a rage took from her her Speech from them their Lives was therein favourable to the Mother 4. Aegles a Samian Wrastler born mute when he saw the Rewards of a Victory which he had won taken from him out of indignation for the injury done him recover'd his Speech 5. Famous also was the Birth of Gorgias an Epirote a very strong man who coming forth of his Mothers Womb as she was going to be buried with his crying caus'd them that carried the Beer to stand affording a strange Miracle to his Countrey as one that receiv'd his Birth and being from the Funeral-Pile or his Mother For at the same moment she in her Death yields to fate the other is taken into arms alive before he was born 6. A fortunate Wound was that which a certain person gave to Phaerean Jason endeavouring to have slain him For striking at him with his Sword he brake an Impostume in that manner which could neither be broken nor cured by any skill'd in Physick delivering him from an incurable Disease 7. Equally belov'd of the immortal Gods was Simonides who being sav'd from imminent danger was also preserv'd from after-ruine For while he was at Supper with Scopas at Cranon a City of Thessaly news was brought him that two young men were at the door earnestly desiring to spâ—ak with him When he came to the gate he found no body there But at the same momâ—nt the Roof of the Dining-room fell down and kill'd both
their Ornaments and their strange kinde of boldness But who could imagine but that the Gauls now Victors would soon have turn'd their admiration into Laughter and into all manner of Contumely Therefore Caius Attilius would not stay to expect that injury for he fiercely laid his Stick cross the pate of a Gaul that too familiarly stroaked his Beard offering his body freely to the Souldier that out of madness came rushing to kill him Thus Vertue knows not how to be taken and Patience knows no disgrace To yield to Fortune it accompts sadder than any death and it invents new and generous kinds of perishing if he may be said to perish that comes to such an end 8. We are now to give due honour and glory to the Roman Youth who when C. Sempronius Attarinus Consul had sought with ill success at the battel of Verrugo against the Volsci lest our Battel just upon the point of flying should receive a Rout diâ—mounting from their Horses immediately rallied into Foot-companies and broke the Enemies Ranks who being thus forced to retire the Roman Youth possessâ—d themselves of the next Hills and so ordered it that the Volsci turning all their Force upon them were the cause that our Legions got in the mean time a very great refreshment to confirm their Courage And thus while they thought of obtaining the Trophies the night separated born Armies uncertain whether they parted Victors or vanquish'd 9. A noble Flower of the Order of Knighthood was he also by whose wonderful Fortitude Fabius Maximus Rullianus Master of the Horse was acquitted of a Crime which he was like to have fallen into of loosing a Battel to the Samnites For Papyrius Cursor being gone to the City to renew the inspection of Entrails he was left chief Commander in his absence And although he were doubtful of leading the Army out to battel yet at length joyning battel with the Enemy he sought not so unsuccâ—ssfully as rashly For without question he had the worst At which the Young Nobility pulling the bridles off their horses spurr'd them with all their might against the very faces of the Enemy by an obstinate Gallantry restoring a Victory wrung out of the hands of the Enemy and the hope of Rullianus which his Country now conceived of his being the greatest of our Citizens 10. But of what a prodigious strength were those Souldiers who wading the slippery Sea as they had been on firm Land hal'd back the Punick Fleet by main strength to the shore though endeavouring to fly with the labour of all their Oars 11. About the same time and of the same repute was that Souldier who at the Battel of Cannae where Hannibal rather brake the power than the courage of the Romans when his wounded hands were unable to hoâ—d his Arms graspimg a Numidian about the neck that come to srrip him he bit off his Ears and his Nose expiring in the midst of that revenge An odde kinde of Event in fight where the party killed is stronger than he that kills him For the Carthaginian liable to revenge rejoyc'd the dying person and the Roman was his Revenger at the very conclusion of his life 12. Publius Crassus making War in Asia with Aristonicus bâ—ing set upon by the Thracians of which he had a great number for his assistance between Smyrnae and Elea for fear he should come into their power he avoided the shame by resolving to die For he thurst his Riding-rod into the eye of one of the Barbarians who enraged with the pain thereof thrust Crassus into the side with his Cutlace and while he revenges himself freed the Roman Emperour from the shame of having lost his Honour Crassus shewed Fortune that she intended to have punished a person altogether unworthy of so great an Indignity as being one that not onely prudently but couragiously broke the snares which she had laid to entrap his Liberty and restored his own Dignity to himself although now given to Aristonicus 13. The same resolution Scipio made use of who having unsuccessfully endeavour'd to defend the cause of Pompey his Son-in-Law in Africa endeavour'd to fly into Spain but understanding that the Ship wherein he was was taken by the Enemy he ran himself through and so falling down upon the Poop when Caesar's Souldiers asked for their Commander he made answer The Commander is well having power only to speak so much as to testifie to his eternal praise the Greatness of his Minde 14. Not less the Moniment of Vtica were thy last breachings mighty Cato out of whose Wounds flowed more Glory than Blood For with a fierce Constancy lying upon the Sword thou wert a most noble Example of Instruction That to all good Men Dignity and Honour without Life is far better than Liâ—e without Honour 15. Whose Daughter had no Womanish Spirit who knowing the resolution that her Husband Brutus had taken to kill Caesar the night before the day wherein that most horrid act was committed assoon as Brutus was gone out of the Chamber she call'd for a Razor pretending to pare her Nails and as if she had let it tall by chance gave her self a Wound therewith Upon the cry of the Maids Brutus coming in began to chide her that she had took the Barber's trade out of his hands To whom she privately whisper'd This is no rash action of mine but as things now stand a most certain proof of my Love towards thee For I was resolv'd to try if thy purpose should not succeed according to thy desire how bravely and patiently I could kill my self 16 More happy in his Offspring was the Elder Cato out of whose Loins sprang the Family of Porcius Who being in battle forely press'd upon by his Enemy his Sword fell out of the Scabbard which though he saw encompass'd with such numbers of his Enemies yet such was his obstinacy to recover it that he would not give over till he had done it so that at length he seem'd not to have wrung it out of the hands of dangâ—r but to take it up in security Which sight so terrified his Enemies that the next day they came to him to bâ—g â—â—r Peace 17. The Fortitude of the Gown may be mixt with Warlike Actions deserving the same honour in Courts of Justice as in the Camp When T. Gracchus having got the favour of the People by his profuseness endeavour'd to oppress the Common-wealth and openly declar'd that the Senate being put to death all things ought to be transacted by the People The Senate being summon'd into the Temple of Faith by Mucius Scaevola Consul began to consult what at such a time to do and all being of opinion that the Consul ought to govern the Common-wealth by force of Arms Scaevola denied that he would do any thing by force Then replyed Scipio Nasica Because saith he the Consul while he follows the course of Law doth that which will bring both the Law and all the Roman Empire in jeopardy I as a
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 aâ— 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 consum'd everybody else at length he threw himself into the fire 8. And that I may rehearse the destruction of a City at equal enmity with ours when Carthage was taken the wife of Asdrubal upbraiding him with Impiety for bâ—gging onely his own life at Scipio's hands taking her Children which she had by him in her right and left hand willing to die the flung her self into the flaming Ruines of her Country 9. To this Example of Female-fortitude I will adde one stout Casualty of two Virgins Whâ—n through the most pestiferous Sedition of the Syracusans the whole Family of King Gelo afflicted with eneless Calamities was reduced 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 having 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 Embassadour 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 both of men and women and by her incitement Patience appears grounded upon as firm foundations not being endued with a less generous Soul but so like the one co the other that she seems to have received her birth either with her or from her 1. For what has a greater resemblance to what I have formerly 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 failing in the Enterprize and being laid hold on he neither concealed the cause of his coming and besides 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 sorry 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 they 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 ancient 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 mere 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 Doctrne 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 Precepts 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 observing 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 fear 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 strong and serious exhortation
opportunity and season of the Gift and rather consider'd from whom the Gift came than to whom it was given 2. Magnificently grateful also was King Mithridates who made an exchange of all his Prisoners taken from the Enemy for one Leonicus a most stout preserver of his own person from eminent danger who was taken in a Sea-fight by the Rhodians accompting it more noble to give his most bitter Enemies an advantage than to be unmindful of one that had so well deserved of him 3. More liberal yet were the People of Rome for they gave all Asia for a Gift to King Attalus Though Attalus was not behinde-hand in the Justice of his last Will and Testament by which he return'd it to them all back again So that the Munificence of the one and the Gratitude of the other cannot be set down in so many words of praise as the vast Cities given in friendship and religiously restor'd 4. Nor can I tell whether the breast of Massanisa were not in as high a measure replete with the pledges of Gratitude For he by the benefit of Scipio's and the Roman friendship being put into the possâ—ssion of a very large Kingdome by a most constant and loyal Amity continued the memory of that noble Gift to the very end of his life which he enjoyed to a very great age Insomuch that not only all Africa but all other Nations knew him to be more faithful to the Family of the Cornelii and the City of Rome than to himself He though he were very hard put to it by the Carthaginians and was hardly able to defend his own Kingdome deliver'd to Scipio Aemilianus Nephew to the other Scipio the greatest part of the Numidian Army when he was sent for into Spain to the assistance of Lucullus preferring former benefits before the present danger He now near his end leaving great Riches and Fifty Sons behind him besought M. V. Manlius then Proconsul in Africa to send Scipio Aemilianus who then was under his command to him believing he should die more happy could he but commit his last words and breath to his Embraces But his death preventing the coming of Scipio he gave in charge to his Wife and Children to acknowledge but one people in the world the Romans and but one Family among the Romans that of the Scipio's That he left all entire to Aemilianus giving him the sole power of making a division and that whatever he ordained they should observe as inviolable as if he had left it by Will Thus died Massanisa having prolong'd his life through many and divers varieties of changes to the hundredth year By these and such other Examples is well-doing increased and continued among men These are the Motives these the Incentives for which we burn with a desire of well-deserving And certainly these are the greatest and the most splendid sort of Riches to be accompted opulent in bestowing Riches The religious regard whereof since we have so far prosecuted let us now shew how it has been contemn'd that we may the better know the difference which is most acceptable and laudable among men CHAP. III. Of Ingratitude 1. The Senate of Rome to Romulus 2. The People of Rome toward Camillus and others 3. Of Sextilius toward C. Caesar the Oratour 4. Of Popilius toward M. Cicero 5. Of Cn. Pompey the Great toward Cn. Carbo FORRAIGN Examples 1. Of the Carthaginians toward Hannibal 2. Of the Spartans toward Lycurgus 3. The Athenians to Theseus 1. THe Senate placed by the Parent of our City in the highest degree of Honour yet miserably tore him in pieces in the Senate-House and thought it no crime to take away his Life who had given life to the Roman Empire That rude and fierce Age contaminated with the Blood of their Founder the known Piety of posterity cannot dissemble 2. This ingrateful errour of a debauch'd minde shortly after caus'd the sad repentance of our City Camillus the most triumphant Enlarger and the most certain Defender of the Roman Power yet could not preserve himself in his own City whose safeguard he had establish'd encreas'd and enlarg'd For being accused by L. Apuleius Tribune of the People for having embezled the Spoils of the Veientines he was by a hard and as I may say Iron Sentence condemn'd and sent into Exilement And at such a time when having lost a most hopeful Son he was rather to have been relieved with Comfort than to have been laden with Calamities But his Countrey unmindful of the extraordinary Merits of so great a Person heap'd the affliction of Exilement upon the loss of his Son Poorly done for Fifteen thousand Pence a pitiful Sum to deprive themselves of so great a Prince The Elder African when Rome was almost quite broken by the Arms of the Carthaginians when she lay bleeding to death and bleeding out the very last drop restored her again and made her Mistress of all Africa in recompence whereof his Countrey-men confined him to a poor Village near a stinking Lake of which he seem'd to be sensible to his death causing this Inscription to be put upon his Tomb INGRATEFVL COVNTREY THOV HAST NOT SO MVCH AS MY BONES What more unworthy the necessity which they put him to what more just than his complaint or more moderate than his revenge He denied his ashes to a City which he had preserved from being reduced to ashes Therefore was this revenge a greater unkindness to ungrateful Rome than the violence which Coriolanus offer'd to it For he onely affrighted Rome this man made Rome ashamed not being willing such was his piety to complain of their Severity till after his Death For no question it was a kind of comfort to him that his Brother had suffered the same before who after he had overthrown Antiochus and reduced Asia under the subjection of the People of Rome was by the People accused of converting the publick Money to his own private use and thrown into prison No less inferiour in Vertue was the Younger Africanus nor yet more fortunate in his end For after he had quite reduced to nothing two Cities Numantia and Carthage both threatning destruction to the Roman Empire met with his murtherer at home but not with one to revenge his death in all the Forum Who can be ignorant that Scipio Nasica was as famous for Counsel as the other two Scipio's were for War Who kept T. Gracchus from strangling the Common-wealth with his pestiferous hands yet he because of the low esteem which his Citizens had of his Virtue under the specious pretence of an Embassie went into a voluntary Exilement as far as Pergamus and there spent the remainder of his days never sought after by his ungrateful Countrey I still keep in the same name not having yet done with the complaints of the Cornelian Family For P. Lentulus a most famous Citizen and eminent Lover of his Countrey after he had overthrown C. Gracchus in a pitched field in the Countrey of Aventinum
as a reward of that Victory whereby he preserved the Laws Peace and Liberty of his Countrey was not permitted to live in the City and therefore weaâ—iâ—d with envy and slaunder he begg'd a Lieutâ—nancy of the Senate and having made a set Speech wherein he prayed to the Immortal Gods that his ingratetul Countrey might never have occasion to use him again he went into Sicily and there spent the remainder of his days 3. But what Satyr can be sharp enough what words severe enough to express the Ingratitude of P. Sextilius who being defended and fairly brought off from an Accusation highly Criminal by C. Caesar yet betrayed and delivered him up to the cruelty of his enemy coming to his house tor shelter in the time of Cinna's proscription Had his accuser implored the same kindness upon his knees it had bin inhumane to have denied him For those that injuries do cause us to hate misery makes us to compassionate But Sextilius betrayed not his Accuser but his Protector to the cut-throat hand of his most inveterate adversary if for fear of death unworthy of life if for hope of reward most worthy of death 4. To repeat another Example of the same nature M. Cicero had defended C. Popilius Lenas of the Countrey of Picena with no less Care than Eloquence when his Cause was very doubtful This Popilius afterwards being neither in word or deed injur'd by Cicero of his own accord begg'd of M. Antonius that he might be the person to be sent by him to cut his Throat in his Banishment and having obtain'd that detestable Commission away he flew over-joy'd to Cajeta and that very person I need not say who was the author of his dignity and safety but also one who ought to have been respected by him to the utmost that very person did he command patiently to lie down and have his head struck off And thus laden with the head of the Roman Eloquence and the most famous right hand of Peace he return'd with joy to the City as if he had brought along with him the Spoils of some Enemy Letters are too imperfect to set forth this Monster seeing there is not another Cicero living to bewail his unhappy fate 5. What shall I say of thee Great Pompey I know not While I consider the vastness of thy great Fortune and Renown that once orespread the Sea as well as the Land But though we should be silent the Death of Cn. Carbo by whom thou wert protected in thy youth when contesting in the Forum for thy estate slain by thy command will never be forgotten by which ingrateful fact thou didst seem to stand more in awe of Sylla's Power than to consult thine own Honour FORRAIGNERS 1. But lest other Cities should insult after we have confess'd our own Infirmities we finde that the Carthaginians had an intention to have kill'd or banish'd Hannibal after that for their honour and for the enlargement of their Empire he had slain so many of our Generals and cut to pieces so many of our Armies that had he but slain so many common Souldiers of his Enemies it had won him renown sufficient 2. Lacedaemon never bred a greater or more profitable Citizen than Lycurgus being a person that the Pythian Apollo did not disdain to speak to when he consulted the Oracle and told him He knew not whether he were to be accompted a Man or a God Yet neither the Integrity of his Life nor the constant Love which he bare his Countrey nor all the wholesome Laws which he had made could preserve him from the hatred of his Citizens For sometimes they threw stones at him in the Streets they put out one of his Eyes and at last utterly banish'd him out of his Countrey What may we think of other Cities when a City so famous as this for Constancy Moderation and Gravity proved so ungrateful against a Citizen so well deserving 3. Take Theseus from Athens and either there would have been no such thing as Athens or else not half so famous For he reduced his scatter'd Countreymen into one City and gave the shape and form of a City to a wild and clownish People before When he was but a Youth he quelâ—'d the usurping Tyranny of Minos He tam'd the boundless insolency of the Thebans He assisted the Sons of Hercules and where-ever Enormity was grown headstrong and monstrous he overcame it by his Vertue and his Power Yet was he banished by the Athenians and the Island Scyros less than the Exile became only famous for his Tomb. Solon also that made such wholesome Laws and so famous withal that had the Athenians used them still they had been still the Lords of great Territories Who took Salamine a strong Fortress that threatned their ruine and was but a little distance from them Who foresaw the Tyranny of Pisistratus and was the first that durst advise the People to resist him by force of Arms in his old age lived an Exile in Cyprus Nor was it his hap to be buried in his own Countrey of which he had so well deserved The Athenians had dealt well by Miltiades had they after the Battle of Marathon wherein he overcame the Persians with their loss of three hundred thousand Men sent him presently into Exile and not kept him in prison till he died Nay more than that they would not suffer his Body to be buried till Cimon his Son had surrender'd himself into the same place A sad Inheritance for the Son of so great a Captain who was himself afterwards one of the greatest Captains of that Age. Aristides also who was the Rule of Justice all over Greece and the greatest example of Continence that ever was was commanded to depart his Countrey Happy Athens could they have found out any one that had been either a Good Man or a Lover of his Countrey after this man was gone with whom Sanctity itself seem'd to go along Themistocles was a notable example of all that had experience of the Ingratitude of their Countrey For when he had setled Athens in Peace and raised it to be the most famous the most wealthy the Mistriss of all Greece he found his Countrey-men so incens'd against him that he was forc'd to flie to the mercy of Xerxes whom he had ruin'd before Phocion who was endow'd with two qualities which are the best to appease Wrath and Fury I mean Eloquence and Integrity was forced by the Athenians to fly his Countrey and when he was dead he was not permitted so much as one turf of Athenian land to cover his bones Certainly then it must be lookt upon as a publick piece of Madness by common consent to punish the greatest Vertues as the greatest Crimes which not being to be any where endured ought to have been more especially exploded and abominated in Athens where there is a Law against Ingratitude And not without reason because he looses and abolishes the commerce of doing and receiving Benefits which is the
unworthy to live either in the Commonwealth or in my House and I command him forthwith to get out of my sight Silanus struck with the sharp and cruel Sentence of his Father would not endure to live any longer but the next night hang'd himself Now had Torquatus done the part of a severe Judge he had made satisfaction to the Commonâ—â—â—th the Macedonians had their revenge and one would have thought that the Fathers rigour might have bin mollified by the unfortunate end of his Son But he would neither be present at his Funeral nor listen to them that came to consult him about his Burial 4. But M. Scaurus the Light and Ornament of his Countrey when the Roman Cavaâ—ty was worsted by the Cimbrians and deserting the Proconsul Catulus took their flight toward the City sent one to tell his Son who was one of those that fled that he had rather meet with his carcass slain in the field than see him guilty of such a shameful flight And therefore if there were any shame remaining in his breast degenerate as he was he should shun the sight of his enraged Father For by the remembrance of his youth he was admonish'd what kind of Son was to be owned or contemned by such a Father as Scaurus Which message being deliver'd him the young man was forced to make a more fatal use of his Sword against himself than against his enemies 5. No less imperiously did A. Fulvius one of the Senatorian Order keep back his Son from going into the field than Scaurus chid his for running away For he caus'd his Son eminent among his equals for his Wit Learning and Beauty to be put to death because he took part with Catiline being seduced by ill counsel having brought him back by force as he was going to Catiline's Army and uttering these words before his death That he did not beget him to join with Catiline against his Countrey but to serve his Countrey against Catiline He might have kept him in till the heat of the War had been over but that would have bin only the act of a cautious this was the deed of a severe Father CHAP. IX Of those that us'd Moderation toward their suspected Children 1. L. Gellius Publicola 2. Q. Hortensius the Orator 3. One Fulvius 4. A certain Parent BUt to temper this incensed and sharp Severity with a mixture of Clemency let us joyn acts of Pardon to exactness of Punishment 1. L. Gellius a person that had gone through all the Offices of Honour even tot he Censorship when he had almost discovered his Son to be guilty of most hainous Crimes as lying with his Mother-in-law and plotting with her to take away his Fathers Life did not presently run to revenge himself but after he had consulted almost the whole Senate after he had charged him gave him the liberty to speak for himself and after a strict Examination and Trial he acquitted him Had he hasted to cruelty out of the motions of Anger he had committed a greater crime than that which he sought to punish 2. Quintus Hortensius who in his time was the Ornament of the Roman Eloquence shew'd a singular example of Patience to his Son For when he knew him to be so debauch'd that he could not endure his impiety and for that reason being about to make Messala his Sistâ—rs Son his Heir he told the Senate while he was defending him from an accusation of bribing the Peoples voices that if they condemn'd him he should have nothing left but the Kiss of his Nephews Intimating by those words which he inferted in his Oration that he reserv'd his Son rather in the torment of his minde than among his pleasures Yet that he might not invert the order of Nature he left his Estate to his Son and not to his Nephews Moderately using his Affections For that in his life he gave an impartial testimony of his manners and being dead he did him the honour which was due to his blood 3. The same thing did Fulvius a man of great Fame and Dignity For when he had besought the Senate that his Son being suspected of Parricide might be sought for by the Triumvir and apprehended by the Senates Warrant he not only surceas'd to prosecute him but also left him all his Estate after his decease Constituting the person whom he had begot not the person whose wickedness he had experienc'd for his Heir 4. To these merciful Acts of great men I will adde one new and unusual Example of an unknown Parent Who finding that his Son lay in wait for his life and not believing that any â—rue-born and truely-begotten Child could ever harbour such lewd and wicked thoughts took hâ—â— Wife one day aside and asked her very seriously whether he Child were supposititious or whether she had conceived him by another But being assured by her Oaths and Asseverations that he had not any reason to be in that manner jealous he at length took his Son with him into a private place deliver'd him a Sword which he had secretly brought along with him and bid him cut his throat telling him withal that he needed make use neither of Poyson nor Thieves to compleat his Parricide The immediate thought of which act not by degrees but so suddainly possess'd the breast of the young man that flinging away his Sword Live Father said he live and if you are so dutiful as to permit such a Son to pray may you excel me in length of days But I beseech you withal let not this my Love seem the more ignoble because it proceeds from penitence O Solitude more sacred than Bloodshed O Woods more free from cruelty than home it self O Sword more kinde than nourishment O more happy benefit of Death offer'd than of Life bestow'd CHAP. X. Of those who have couragiously born the Death of their Children ROMANS 1. M. Horatius Pulvillus Cos 2. 2. L. Aemilius Paulus 3. Q. Marcius Rex FORREIGNERS 1. Pericles the Arhenian 2. Xenophon 3. Anaxagoras HAving made a relation of such Parents as patiently brooked the Injuries of their Children let us speak of such as have born their Death couragiously 1. Horatius Pulvillus being to dedicate a Temple in the Capitol of Jupiter as he was holding the post and ready to pronounce certain solemn words news was brought him that his Son was dead But he neither took his hand off the post nor made the least interruption in the Dedication of the Temple nor altered his countenance from the publick Ceremony to his private Grief lest he might seem rather to have acted the part of a Father than a High-priest Bury the carcass then said he 2. A great Example and no less renowned than the former is that which follows Aemilius Paulus the pattern of a most happy yet a most unfortunate Father of four Sons which he had all hopeful and beautiful youths had translated two into the Cornelian Family by right of Adoption and only reserved two to
Accuser Thou tellest no untruth Pompey said he I come from the infernal shades to accuse Libo But when I was there I saw Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus all bloody and weeping for that being of a noble Extraction of an upright Life and Conversation and a great Lover of his Countrey he was put to death in the flower of his youth at thy command I saw there also Brutus famous in the same degree hack'd and hew'd complaining that the same calamity befel him first through thy perfidy and then by thy cruelty I saw Cn. Carbo a zealous defender of thy youth and of thy paternal estate in his third Consulship laden with those chains which thou didst cause to be put upon him and upbraiding thee that contrary to all equity and justice he was slain by thee a private Roman Knight when he was the greatest Officer in the Commonwealth I saw in the same habit and condition a person of the Pretorian Order Perpenna cursing thy Cruelty and all with one consent bewailing their hard fate that they should fall uncondemn'd under such a young hangman as thou It was lawful for a Member of a Municipal Town that still had a twang of his Fathers servitude with an unbridled rashness and an unsufferable malice to recal to minde the wide wounds which he had receiv'd in the Civil War now grown dry with age And therefore at that time he was in the strongest condition to reproach Pompey as well as in the safest 9. Diphilus the Tragedian when in the Apollinary Plays he came to that Verse wherein there is this Sentence Our misery is Magnus he pronounced the words pointing full upon Pompey And being rebuk'd by the People immediately fell to act him as a person that carried himself too great and busie in Authority With the same petulancy he repeated those other words The time shall come when thou shalt bewail that vertue 10. The mind of Marcus Castricius was also inflam'd with Liberty who being the chief Magistrâ—â—e at Placentia at what time Cn. Corbo the Consul caâ—â—â— a Decree to be made that the Placentines should gâ—â—â— Hostages neither obey'd his Authority nor subâ—â—â—ted to Greater Men. And to one that told him Hâ— had many Swords he answer'd And I years The Legions were amaz'd to behold such stout Reliques of Old Age. And Carbo's anger surceas'd of it self having so little matter to rage upon knowing how small a part of his life he should deprive him of 11. But the Accusation of Ser. Galba was strangely presumptuous Who forbore not to tax the sacred Julius himself after all his Victories as he sate in the Seat of Judicature Caius Julius Caesar said he I took up money upon my bail for Pompey the Great thy Son-in-Law in his third Consulship What shall I do Must I suffer He deserv'd to have been turn'd out of the Court for upbraiding him so openly with the sale of Pompey's Goods But he more mild than Clemency it self caus'd Pompey's Debt to be paid him out of his own Treasury 12. A. Caesellius a famous Civilian yet how sawcie and impertinent For no Favour no Authority could compel him to make a Bill of sale of those Goods which the Triumviri had given away By that Judgment of his excluding the purchases of Victory out of all course and form of Law The same person when he had spoken many things against Caesar's Faction and that his Friends admonish'd him to be silent There were two things he answered most bitter to most men that gave him the boldness which he took that was to say old Age and want of Children FORRAIGNERS 1. A Woman of another Countrey intrudes among so many Men who being undeservedly condemned by King Philip in his drink I would appeal to Philip said she but it must be when he is sober The smart sentence rows'd him and by her present courage she compell'd the King to examine the business more strictly and to give a juster Sentence So that she extorted that Justice which she could not get by fair means borrowing her assistance rather from her frankness of Speech than from her Innocence 2. The next now is not only a stout but a lepid and witty liberty of speech A very antient Woman when all the Syracusans pray'd for the Death of Dionysius the Tyrant by reason of his Cruelty and Oppression on pray'd every day to the Gods for his life and safety Which when the Tyrant understood admiring her undeserved kindness he sent for her and enquired of her what merit of his made her so careful of him Then Truely Sir said she the reason of my designe is very well grounded For when I was a Girl and that a very severe Tyrant ruled over us I desired his death he being slain one more cruel came in his place then I prayed that he might be taken out of the way after whom we began to feel thee worse than all the rest And therefore fearing lest if thou shouldst die a worse than thee should succeed I pray to the Gods for thy safety Which facetious boldness Dionysius himself had not the face to punish 3. Between these and Theodorus the Cyrenean there might be a kind of match made for stoutness of mind as vertuous though not so fortunate For when Lysimachus threatned to put him to death Truely said he You think you have a great purchase because you understand the vertue of Cantharides But when the King being incens'd at his Answer commanded him to be nail'd to the Cross Fright your Courtiers said he with that Sentence for 't is all one to me whether I stink under ground or above CHAP. III. Of Severity ROMANS 1 The Roman People 2. P. Mutius Scaevola Tribune of the People 3. The Senate of Rome 4. M. Curius Dentatus Cos 5. L. Domitius Ahenobarbus 6. M. Horat. Tergeminus 7. The Senate of Rome against Incest 8. The Kinsmen against Witches 9. Egnatius Metellus 10. C. Sulpitius Gallus 11. Q. Antistius the Old 12. P. Sempronius Sophus FORRAIGNERS 1. Lacedaemonians 2. Athenians 3. Cambyses King of Persia IT is necessary we should arm our selves with Cruelty while we treat of the terrible and horrid acts of Severity that having laid our more humane thoughts aside we may be at leasure to give ear to Rigour For such inexorable Revenge such several sorts of Chastisement will come to be known as though they may be accounted the fortresses of the Law yet should hardly be inserted into the number of peaceful Pages 1. M. Manlius was thrown headlong from the place from whence he had repulsed the Gauls Because he endeavour'd wickedly to have opprest that Liberty which he had so couragiously defended Of which sharp Sentence this was the Preface I lookt upon thee as Manlius when thou dravest the Senones headlong down the Rock when thou he camest a Changeling I lookt upon thee as one of the Senones themselves There is a Character of eternal Memory fix'd upon his punishment For for his sake it
reed between his legs laugh'd at him for playing with his little Children 2. Homer a Poet of a Celestial Wit seem'd to be of the same minde when he fitted the soft Harp to the Martial fingers of Achilles to ease their Military pain with the soft recreations of Peace CHAP. IX Of the force of Eloquence In ROMANS 1. Mu. Valerius Maximus Dictator 2. Marcus Antonius the Orator 3. C. Aurelius Cotta STRANGERS 1. Pisistratus of Athens 2. Pericles of Athens 3. Hegesias of Cyrene THough it be certain that the force of Eloquence is infinitely prevalent yet is it convenient that it should be displayed under proper Examples to the end the power thereof may be the better testified 1. The Kings being ejected the Common-people in dissention with the Fathers betook themselves to Armes and pitch'd upon the Banks of the River Anio upon the holy Hill So that the state of the Common wealth was not only bad but in a most miserable condition the rest of the body being divided from the head And unless Eloquence had befriended Valerius the hopes of so great an Empire had bin ruin'd in its Infancy For he by an Oration reduc'd the people glorying in a new and unwonted freedome to their obedience to the Senate brought them to take sober counsels and joyn'd the City to the City Therefore to eloquent words Wrath Consternation and Armes gave way 2. Which also restrain'd the Swords of Marius and Cinna raging with an impetuous desire of shedding Civil blood For certain Souldiers being sent by their Captains to take off the Head of M. Antonius stupified with his language they return'd their drawn Swords unstain'd with blood into their Scabbards Who being gone P. Antronius who had not heard the voice of Mar. Antonius to the Souldiers performed the severe command barbarously obsequious to his Masters How eloquent therefore may we think him to be whom none of his Enemies durst adventure to kill who would but admit his charming language to his ears 3. Divine Julius the perfect Pillar as well of the celestial Deities as of humane Wit demonstrated the force of his own Eloquence saying in his Accusation of Cn. Dolabella whom he convicted of Bribery that the best cause in the world had been extorted from him by the Patronage of C. Cotta For then the greatest force of Eloquence complain'd Of which having made mention because I can bring no greater Example at home we must travel abroad STRANGERS 1. Pisistratus is reported to have prevail'd so far by speaking that the Athenians taken only with his Oration permitted him the Regal Sway And which was more when Solon the greatest Lover of his Countrey endeavoured all he could to the contrary 2. But Pericles together with his happy endowments of Nature carefully polish'd and instructed by his Master Anaxageras laid the yoak of Servitude upon the free necks of the Athenians For he swayed the City and carried affairs which way he pleas'd And when he spoke against the Will of the People his language nevertheless was pleasing and popular and therefore the calumniating Wit of the Old Comedy though it would be snarling at his Power yet consess'd that there was an Elequence sweeter than Honey that hung upon his Lips and that it left certain stings in the mindes of them that heard it It is reported that a certain person who being very old chanc'd to hear the very first Oration of Pericles a young man who at the same time had heard Pisistratus then decrepit with age could not contain himself from crying out That that Citizen ought to be lookt after because his Oration was most like to the Oration of Pisistratus Neither did the man sail in his judgment of the Speech nor the presage of his disposition For what was the difference between Pisistratus and Pericles but that the first held the Government by force of Armes the other governed without force 3. What may we think of the Eloquence of Hegesias the Cyrenian Who so represented the miseries of Life that his words taking deep root in the hearts of his hearers begot a desire in many to seek a voluntary Death And therefore he was forbid by King Ptolomie to dispure any farther upon that subject CHAP. X. Of Pronuntiation and apt Motion of the Body In ROMANS 1. C. Gracchus 2. Q. Hortensius 3. M. Tullius STRANGERS 1. Demosthenes the Athenian BUt the Ornaments of Eloquence consist in apt Motion of the Body and due Pronuntiation Wherewith when she has furnished her self she assails men three ways by invading their Mindes and delivering up the ears of the one and the eyes of the other to over-persuasion 1. But to make this good in famous men C. Gracchus more happy in his Eloquence than his Designes because he strove with a turbulent Wit rather to disturb than defend the Commonwealth as often as he spoke to the People had a Servant that understood Music behinde him who with an Ivory Pipe regulated the tone of his Voice raising the note when it was too low and pitching it lower when it was too high and eager Because heat and violence of action did not suffer him to be a true Judge of the equality 2. Quintus Hortensius thinking there was very much to be ascribed to a decent and comly motion of the Body spent more time in practising that than in studying for Eloquence So that it was hard to know whether the Concourse were greater to hear or see him So mutually did his Aspect serve his words and his words his Aspect And therefore it is certain that Roscius and Aesopus the most skilful Actors in the world would be always in Court when Hortensius pleaded to carry away his postures to the Stage 3. Now as for M. Cicero he has himself declar'd how great a value he set upon both these things of which we have discours'd in his Oration for Gallius reproaching Callidius the Accuser that when he affirm'd that he would prove by Witnesses Writings and Examinations that the Party accus'd had prepared poyson for him he did it with a smooth Countenance a faint Voice and a calm manner of speaking whereby he detected as well the fault of the Orator as the argument of his weak cause concluding thus Couldst thou do thus M. Calidus unless thou didst but counterfeit STRANGERS 1. Consentaneous to this was the judgment of Demosthenes who being ask'd what was the most efficacious part that belong'd to speaking answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or dissimulation of Speech and Gesture Being again and a third time asked the same question he gave the same answer confessing that he owed almost all to it Therefore was it rightly said of Aeschines who leaving Athens because of the Judicial Ignominy put upon him and going to Rhodes when he had there repeated his own Oration against Ctesiphon and the Oration of Demosthenes for him with a loud and pleasing voice and that all admir'd the Eloquence of both but somewhat more that of Demosthenes What
through Thus fell that unhappy man more miserable in the author of his Death then in his Death it self 6. Which was the bitter Lot of L. Villius Annlis Who coming into the Field to the choice of his Son for Quâ—â—â— and knowing himself to be proscrib'd flew to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ion But the wickedness of the Youngman was thâ— cause that he was not safe in his Protection For he deliver'd him up to the Souldiers that followed his steps to be slain in his presence Twice a Parricide by Counsel and beholding the slaughter 7. Vettius Sallassus proscrib'd had an end no less bitter whom being hidden what shall I say whether his Wife delivered him to be slain or slew him her self For how can we think the Crime less where the hand is only absent FORRAIGNERS 1. But this fact because Forraign shall be more calmly deliver'd Scipio Africanus celebrating the Memory of his Father and his Uncle at New Carthage with a Gladiatory gift two Kings Sons their Father being dead enter'd upon the Sand promising there to fight for the Kingdom that their Combat might make the spectacle mere famous Them when Scipio admonish'd rather to contend in words than blows who should reign and that the elder submitted to his advice the younger trusting to his strength persissed in his Madness But the issue of the Combat was that the more obstinate Impiety was punished with Death 2. Mithridates much move wickedly who not only made war with his Brother but with his own Father himself for the Kingdom Wherein how he got assistants to help him or durst invoke the gods is to me a wonder 3. But why should we wonder at a thing as not usual with those people When Sariaster so conspir'd with his friends against Tigranes his Father King of Armenia that all of them let themselves blood in their right hands and drank it up Hardly were such a bloody Conspiracy to be endur'd for the safety of a Parent 4. But why do I slay upon these Examples when I see all Villanies exceeded by the thought of one Parricide And therefore I am transported to dilacerate it with a pious rather than strong affection For who the saith of Friendship being extinct can finde words enough to send to the Abyss of due execration the person that endeavoured the subversion of all Mankinde Couldst thou more cruel than the Cruelty of Barâ—arism it self have rul'd the reins of the Roman Empire which our Prince and Parent governs with his protecting Arm Or while thou wert so mad could the world have remained steady Thy purpose was to have represented the mad intentions of thy fury and to have outdone the City taken by the Gauls the slaughter of the three hundred Noblemen the Battle of Allia the Scipio's ruined in Spain Thrasymene Cannae and Aemathia reaking with Civil Blood But the Eyes of the Gods were awake the Stars were also watchful the Altars Beds and Temples were full of the present Numen There was nothing permitted to grow drowsie that was to watch over the head and safety of Augustus And in the first place the Author and Defender of our safety by his divine wisdome provided lest his famous works should have been buried in the ruine of the whole world Therefore Peace remains the Laws are in force and the order of publick and private Duty stands fast For he that endeavoured to subvert all these by violating the bonds of Friendship trod under foot with all his Family by the Roman People hath now his punishment in Hell if he deserve to be there CHAP. XII Of Deaths not Vulgar ROMANS 1. Tullus Hostilius King 2. The two Mothers 3. Mu. Juventius Thalna 4. Q. Lutelius Catulus 5. L. Cornelius Merula 6. Herennius Siculus 7. Licinius Macer 8. Cornelius Gallus and T. Haterius FORRAIGNERS 1. Coma the Brother of Cleon Captain of the Fugitives 2. Aeâ—chylus the Poet. 3. Homer 4. Euripides 5. Sophocles 6. Philemon 7. Pindarus 8. Anacrcon 9. Milo the Crotoniate 10. Polydamas of Syracuse THe first and last day contain the condition of humane Life for it is of great concern with what lucky Omens it begins and how it ends And therefore we accompt him happy that begins his Life with prosperity and ends it with quietness The middle course of time is sometimes rugged sometimes calm always deceiving hope while we wish it long and yet idly consume it For by using it well a short time becomes long exceeding the multitude of years in the number of famous actions But not to wander farther let us mention those that have died no Vulgar Deaths Tullus Hostilius the King was struck with Thunder and burnt together with his whole Palace A singular Lot of Fate by which it happen'd that the Pillar of the City taken away in the City it self was reduced into that condition by the flame of Heaven that the Citizens might not have the honour of bestowing the last Funeral Rites upon it the Palace being both Funeral-Pile and Sepulcher 2. 'T is a strange thing that Joy should do the same as Thunder and yet it did For news being brought of the slaughter at Thrasymene One Mother meeting her Son safe in the Gate expir'd in his arms another upon the false news of her Sons death sitting melancholy at home at the first sight of him when he return'd fell down dead An unusual accident that they whom Grief could not Joy should kill 3. But I wonder the less because they were Women Juventius Thalna Colleague with T. Graccbus the Consul sacrificing in Corsica which he had newly subdued and receiving Letters that Supplications were decreed by the Senate as he was intently reading them a mist rose before his eyes and he fell down dead before the hearth What can we think but that too much Joy was the cause of his Death What if Numantia or Carthage had been deliver'd to him 4. C. Catulus a Captain of a greater Spirit and Partaker with Marius in the Cimbrian Triumph by order of the Senate had an end more violent For by the same Marius afterwards commanded to death covered himself up in his Bed heated vehemently hot and daub'd with new Lime and so stifled himself 5. At which time also L. Cornelius Merula of Consular Dignity and Priest of Jupiter that he might not be a scorn to the Insolency of the Victors opening his Veins in the Temple of Jove avoided the denunciation of his Death 6. A sharp and stout end was that of Herennius the Sicilian who was both a Friend and Southsayer to C. Gracchus For being for that reason carried to Prison at the very threshold of Ignominy he knock'd out his own Brains against the post of the door and there died One degree more swift than Publick Justice or the hand of the Executioner 7. As violent was the. End of C. Licinius Macer a Praetorian the Father of Calvus being guilty of Bribery while the Suffrages were separating went into the place of Judgment and seeing M. Cicero