of_o agathias_n particular_a notice_n be_v to_o be_v take_v not_o only_o of_o what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o follow_a oriental_a monarchy_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o but_o chief_o of_o what_o he_o add_v in_o the_o four_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n since_o artaxares_n who_o restore_v the_o empire_n to_o they_o from_o who_o hand_n the_o parthian_n have_v take_v it_o and_o place_v it_o in_o their_o own_o for_o beside_o his_o care_n and_o industry_n to_o handle_v this_o matter_n well_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o sergius_n a_o interpreter_n be_v of_o great_a weight_n who_o have_v from_o the_o annalist_n and_o library-keeper_n of_o the_o persian_a king_n all_o that_o this_o historian_n deliver_v unto_o we_o wherefore_o doubtless_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o correct_v the_o write_n of_o procopius_n by_o the_o record_n wherewith_o this_o interpreter_n have_v furnish_v he_o and_o to_o prefer_v they_o before_o all_o other_o relation_n because_o they_o that_o describe_v the_o history_n of_o their_o oâ—n_a country_n be_v rather_o to_o be_v believe_v than_o stranger_n especial_o if_o their_o discourse_n be_v ground_v on_o such_o authentic_a piece_n as_o be_v those_o of_o the_o public_a archive_v keep_v which_o be_v communicate_v unto_o sergius_n thus_o we_o have_v finish_v all_o we_o purpose_v on_o the_o first_o part_n of_o our_o enterprise_n and_o shall_v proccee_v to_o the_o second_o which_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o latin_a historian_n which_o remain_v of_o the_o ancient_n the_o second_o part_n be_v reflection_n upon_o the_o write_n of_o the_o latin_n historian_n reflection_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o crispus_n salustius_n the_o same_o reason_n which_o induce_v i_o to_o give_v herodotus_n the_o first_o place_n among_o the_o greek_a historian_n oblige_v i_o to_o allow_v the_o same_o rank_n among_o the_o latin_a to_o crispus_n salustius_n although_o there_o have_v be_v some_o much_o more_o ancient_a than_o he_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o ennius_n have_v write_v eighteen_o annal_n in_o heroic_a verse_n long_o before_o he_o and_o that_o nevius_n in_o the_o same_o age_n describe_v the_o first_o punic_a war_n in_o another_o sort_n of_o verse_n call_v saturnian_a fabius_n pictor_n be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o roman_n as_o vossius_fw-la observe_v that_o compile_v a_o history_n in_o latin_a prose_n posthumius_fw-la albinus_n cassius_n hemina_n and_o c._n fannius_n who_o sallust_n celebrate_v for_o true_a historian_n write_v after_o he_o and_o cato_n with_o his_o origines_fw-la historicae_fw-la sempronius_n vaelerius_fw-la antias_n and_o quadrigarius_n so_o often_o quote_v by_o aulus_n gellius_n may_v be_v all_o say_v to_o have_v precede_v sallust_n in_o this_o sort_n of_o writing_n but_o since_o there_o remain_v to_o we_o nothing_o of_o their_o work_n but_o the_o grief_n for_o the_o loss_n of_o they_o the_o history_n of_o fabius_n cato_n and_o sempronius_n deliver_v unto_o we_o by_o annius_n of_o viterbum_fw-la be_v all_o counterfeit_n by_o a_o imposture_n which_o we_o have_v already_o complain_v of_o more_o than_o once_o be_v it_o not_o just_a to_o begin_v this_o our_o second_o enterprise_n with_o sallust_n from_o who_o we_o have_v entire_a piece_n of_o history_n and_o other_o fragment_n which_o all_o learned_a man_n respect_n i_o know_v that_o julius_n caesar_n be_v as_o ancient_a as_o he_o and_o that_o some_o even_o affirm_v that_o sallust_n though_o elder_a die_v seven_o year_n after_o the_o murder_n of_o this_o emperor_n it_o can_v be_v a_o fault_n to_o give_v precedence_n in_o this_o place_n now_o he_o be_v dead_a to_o one_o that_o he_o can_v never_o endure_v while_o he_o live_v the_o name_n of_o commentary_n rather_o than_o history_n which_o his_o work_n bear_v invite_v i_o to_o it_o and_o the_o language_n of_o sallust_n that_o be_v rax_v with_o the_o air_n of_o antiquity_n and_o affectation_n of_o the_o old_a word_n of_o cato_n may_v be_v another_o motive_n in_o which_o also_o the_o judgement_n of_o martial_a which_o all_o the_o world_n allege_v in_o his_o favour_n very_o plain_o concur_v hic_fw-la erit_fw-la apopâ—_n ut_fw-la perhibent_fw-la doctorum_fw-la corda_fw-la virorum_fw-la crispus_n romanâ_fw-la primus_fw-la in_o historiâ_fw-la beside_o the_o reproach_n make_v he_o by_o asinius_n pollio_n 15._o for_o have_v too_o much_o affect_v that_o old_a way_n of_o writing_n which_o cato_n use_v in_o his_o origines_fw-la the_o quite_o contrary_a vice_n be_v impute_v to_o he_o viz._n of_o make_v too_o many_o new_a word_n audacious_a translation_n as_o suetonius_n call_v they_o and_o phrase_n pure_o greek_n 3._o whereof_o quintilian_n give_v this_o example_n vulgus_fw-la amat_fw-la fieri_fw-la moreover_o he_o be_v accuse_v of_o have_v be_v too_o concise_a in_o his_o expression_n thereby_o render_v his_o style_n obscure_a and_o difficult_a as_o shortness_n ordinary_o confine_v upon_o obscurity_n wherefore_o the_o same_o quintilian_n instruct_v young_a man_n to_o read_v livy_n more_o than_o sallust_n 2._o and_o charge_v they_o to_o avoid_v careful_o that_o break_a and_o contract_a way_n of_o writing_n of_o which_o sallust_n make_v a_o perfection_n and_o which_o be_v true_o very_o agreeable_a in_o he_o but_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o propose_v it_o to_o ourselves_o for_o imitation_n because_o it_o may_v render_v we_o insensible_o less_o intelligible_a which_o be_v very_o contrary_a to_o true_a eloquence_n we_o learn_v also_o from_o divers_a passage_n of_o aulus_n gellius_n 20._o that_o many_o person_n in_o his_o time_n find_v fault_n with_o the_o education_n of_o sallust_n though_o it_o appear_v sufficient_o that_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o displease_v with_o it_o for_o he_o call_v he_o in_o one_o place_n subtilissimum_fw-la brevitatis_fw-la artificem_fw-la and_o in_o another_o proprietatum_fw-la in_o verbis_fw-la retinentissimum_fw-la 1â—4_n seneca_n likewise_o who_o â—tile_a fit_v to_o his_o philosophical_a profession_n be_v wonderful_a short_a and_o interrupt_v do_v not_o forbear_v to_o rail_v at_o the_o affectation_n of_o one_o aruntius_n who_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o punic_a war_n take_v great_a pain_n to_o express_v it_o in_o the_o very_a term_n of_o sallust_n he_o censure_v his_o too_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o the_o word_n hyemare_n and_o of_o famas_fw-la in_o the_o plural_a signify_v fame_n and_o some_o other_o expression_n which_o be_v read_v in_o aruntius_n but_o nevertheless_o he_o write_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o sallust_n obscure_a brevity_n and_o cut_v period_n which_o leave_v man_n to_o guess_v at_o the_o sense_n pass_v for_o a_o ornament_n of_o language_n salustio_n vigente_fw-la amputatae_fw-la sententiae_fw-la 1._o &_o verba_fw-la ante_fw-la expectatum_fw-la cadentia_fw-la &_o obscura_fw-la brevitas_fw-la fuere_fw-la pro_fw-la cultu_fw-la but_o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o macrobius_n many_o age_n after_o under_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o of_o eusebius_n his_o entertainment_n make_v sallust_n reign_v in_o the_o concise_a way_n of_o writing_n that_o be_v he_o render_v himself_o so_o considerable_a in_o it_o that_o no_o body_n thereupon_o can_v dispute_v the_o first_o rank_n with_o he_o because_o the_o word_n brevity_n be_v equivocal_a and_o many_o person_n speak_v of_o tacitus_n and_o sallust_n as_o of_o author_n equal_o brief_a it_o may_v be_v convenient_a to_o declare_v of_o what_o great_a consequence_n it_o be_v not_o to_o confound_v their_o style_n as_o agree_v when_o they_o be_v very_o different_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o tacitus_n follow_v sallust_n in_o a_o close_a way_n of_o writing_n which_o both_o use_v wherein_o they_o may_v be_v say_v somewhat_o to_o resemble_v one_o another_o and_o in_o this_o all_o those_o agree_v that_o have_v consider_v the_o style_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o even_o tacitus_n himself_o acknowledge_v how_o much_o he_o esteem_v that_o of_o sallust_n hist_o when_o he_o call_v he_o rerum_fw-la romanarum_fw-la florentissimum_fw-la auctorem_fw-la which_o make_v he_o imitate_v he_o but_o it_o can_v be_v affirm_v that_o this_o laconic_a expression_n which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o both_o make_v they_o equal_a in_o the_o rest_n and_o can_v make_v they_o pass_v for_o as_o correct_v historian_n one_o as_o the_o other_o for_o to_o speak_v proper_o a_o succinct_a way_n of_o writing_n do_v not_o so_o much_o contribute_v to_o make_v a_o exact_a brief_a historian_n as_o when_o the_o matter_n whereof_o he_o write_v be_v such_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v take_v from_o it_o without_o a_o prejudice_n to_o his_o subject_n and_o the_o spoil_n of_o his_o work_n tacitus_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o author_n correct_v and_o brief_a in_o his_o phrase_n by_o the_o impossibility_n there_o be_v to_o cut_v of_o the_o least_o word_n of_o his_o composition_n without_o necessary_o diminish_v his_o thought_n and_o do_v a_o notable_a injury_n to_o his_o narration_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o sallust_n who_o though_o he_o straighten_v his_o style_n put_v many_o thing_n into_o
of_o have_v first_o think_v upon_o the_o animation_n of_o history_n that_o be_v before_o a_o body_n languish_v which_o appear_v in_o his_o exact_a oration_n compose_v in_o all_o the_o three_o sort_n of_o oratory_n the_o demonstrative_a the_o deliberative_a and_o the_o judicial_a herodotus_n have_v attempt_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o he_o be_v content_a to_o use_v some_o oblique_a speech_n and_o those_o almost_o ever_o imperfect_a never_o proceed_v so_o far_o as_o thucydides_n who_o in_o this_o way_n of_o writing_n leave_v nothing_o to_o be_v object_v against_o by_o the_o severe_a orator_n and_o it_o be_v say_v that_o demosthenes_n be_v so_o well_o please_v with_o his_o history_n that_o he_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o transcribe_v it_o eight_o time_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o he_o have_v the_o glory_n of_o not_o mingle_v fable_n with_o his_o true_a narration_n if_o he_o be_v constrain_v to_o say_v a_o word_n of_o tereus_n king_n of_o thrace_n and_o progne_n in_o his_o second_o book_n or_o if_o in_o describe_v sicily_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o six_o he_o find_v himself_o oblige_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o cyclops_n and_o laestrigones_n as_o ancient_a inhabitant_n of_o a_o part_n thereof_o it_o be_v so_o light_o that_o the_o dog_n of_o egypt_n touch_v not_o so_o hasty_o the_o water_n of_o nilus_n who_o crocodile_n they_o fear_v as_o he_o pass_v nimble_o over_o a_o fabulous_a circumstance_n to_o avoid_v the_o least_o entrance_n of_o a_o lie_n into_o his_o write_n and_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o be_v so_o happy_a to_o be_v without_o the_o reproach_n of_o not_o have_v always_o speak_v truth_n for_o josephus_n affirm_v that_o he_o be_v tax_v of_o have_v falsify_v his_o history_n in_o many_o place_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o accuse_v all_o the_o grecian_n of_o imposture_n and_o if_o one_o observe_v the_o commendation_n he_o give_v he_o afterward_o of_o have_v be_v the_o most_o exact_a and_o cautious_a of_o all_o his_o countryman_n in_o compile_v a_o history_n it_o will_v appear_v rather_o to_o proceed_v from_o the_o capricious_a humour_n of_o his_o sect_n than_o the_o demerit_n of_o a_o historiographer_n for_o as_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n who_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o discredit_v all_o pagan_a history_n he_o think_v he_o ought_v to_o say_v something_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o thucydides_n when_o he_o have_v spare_v none_o of_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v add_v here_o that_o thucydides_n do_v not_o only_o lay_v down_o in_o his_o history_n all_o sort_n of_o oration_n as_o we_o before_o observe_v but_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o insert_v dialogue_n as_o that_o betwixt_o the_o athenian_a general_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o isle_n of_o melos_n which_o comprehend_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o five_o book_n to_o the_o end_n but_o those_o that_o have_v a_o aversion_n to_o digression_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o hare_n they_o in_o this_o author_n who_o touch_v they_o with_o great_a art_n as_o among_o other_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o harmodius_n and_o aristogiton_n in_o the_o six_o book_n which_o may_v justify_v many_o other_o excursion_n or_o like_a sally_n that_o be_v often_o censure_v with_o two_o little_a reason_n and_o notwithstanding_o all_o his_o defect_n the_o most_o judicious_a of_o the_o learned_a yield_v he_o the_o prize_n of_o eloquence_n and_o not_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n deny_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o have_v second_v pindar_n in_o the_o grandeur_n and_o majesty_n of_o expression_n reflection_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o xenophon_n xenophon_n do_v not_o owe_v the_o fame_n he_o have_v have_v so_o many_o age_n to_o history_n alone_o for_o philosophy_n and_o arm_n have_v contribute_v to_o it_o and_o i_o believe_v that_o for_o these_o three_o qualification_n he_o may_v be_v as_o well_o term_v philosopher_n trismegistus_n as_o hermes_n the_o egyptian_a since_o he_o be_v universal_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v a_o very_a great_a captain_n philosopher_n and_o historiographer_n he_o have_v common_a with_o caesar_n the_o first_o and_o last_o quality_n and_o they_o be_v not_o deceive_v who_o find_v a_o three_o resemblance_n in_o their_o stile_n purity_n eloquence_n and_o sweetness_n be_v equal_o natural_a to_o they_o both_o they_o have_v each_o a_o agreeable_a manner_n of_o expression_n without_o art_n or_o affectation_n though_o no_o art_n or_o affectation_n can_v come_v near_o it_o the_o surname_n of_o ape_n attica_n and_o athenian_a muse_n with_o which_o all_o the_o ancient_n have_v dignify_v xenophon_n be_v not_o only_o a_o witness_n ferâ—â—t_fw-la of_o the_o beauty_n of_o his_o language_n and_o of_o that_o hony-like_a sweetness_n which_o the_o grace_n seem_v to_o have_v pour_v on_o it_o with_o their_o own_o hand_n to_o speak_v like_o quintilian_n but_o it_o be_v a_o particular_a mark_n of_o his_o attic_a dialect_n wherein_o he_o excel_v so_o much_o that_o diogenos_n laertius_n write_v his_o life_n give_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o the_o bad_a intelligence_n that_o be_v between_o he_o and_o plato_n than_o the_o jealousy_n they_o conceive_v one_o against_o the_o other_o upon_o that_o account_n yet_o marcellinus_n who_o attribute_n to_o thucydides_n in_o his_o elegy_n the_o height_n of_o eloquence_n give_v the_o low_a rank_n to_o xenophon_n place_v herodotus_n between_o both_o and_o dionysius_n halicarnasseus_n when_o he_o observe_v that_o xenophon_n have_v often_o imitate_v herodotus_n add_v that_o the_o former_a be_v always_o much_o inferior_a to_o the_o latter_a but_o notwithstanding_o this_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o xenophon_n be_v the_o first_o philosopher_n who_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o compile_n of_o a_o history_n which_o in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o grecian_a affair_n treat_v of_o the_o transaction_n of_o eight_o and_o forty_o year_n and_o begin_v where_o thucydides_n end_v show_v aleibiades_n his_o return_n to_o his_o country_n who_o thucydides_n in_o his_o last_o book_n leave_v meditate_v upon_o that_o retreat_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o small_a glory_n to_o xenophon_n but_o a_o proof_n of_o extraordinary_a honesty_n to_o have_v free_o expose_v to_o the_o public_a the_o write_n of_o thucydides_n which_o he_o may_v have_v suppress_v or_o deliver_v as_o his_o own_o if_o he_o will_v have_v be_v a_o plagiary_n and_o have_v ascribe_v to_o himself_o the_o work_n of_o another_o which_o many_o other_o have_v do_v and_o do_v daily_o practice_v beside_o the_o continuation_n of_o the_o history_n begin_v by_o thucydides_n xenophon_n have_v leave_v we_o that_o of_o the_o enterprise_n of_o young_a cyrus_n against_o his_o brother_n artaxerxes_n and_o the_o memorable_a retreat_n of_o ten_o thousand_o grecian_n from_o the_o extremity_n of_o persia_n to_o their_o own_o country_n in_o which_o he_o have_v almost_o the_o whole_a honour_n as_o well_o for_o his_o council_n and_o discipline_n as_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o conduct_n what_o he_o write_v of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o elder_a fratrem_fw-la cyrus_n be_v not_o a_o historical_a treatise_n but_o pure_o moral_a where_o he_o draw_v the_o figure_n of_o a_o great_a prince_n without_o confine_v himself_o to_o the_o truth_n except_o of_o two_o or_o three_o event_n viz._n the_o take_n of_o babylon_n and_o the_o captivity_n of_o croesus_n all_o the_o rest_n be_v feign_v and_o have_v nothing_o in_o it_o commendable_a but_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o the_o fable_n as_o hermogenes_n have_v well_o observe_v on_o the_o subject_n of_o panthea_n death_n who_o slay_v herself_o with_o three_o eunuch_n upon_o the_o body_n of_o her_o husband_n abradatus_n in_o the_o seven_o book_n of_o that_o institution_n these_o composition_n of_o xenophon_n of_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v be_v such_o that_o as_o they_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o rule_n to_o the_o first_o minister_n of_o state_n in_o all_o the_o extent_n of_o politic_n according_a to_o the_o excellent_a judgement_n which_o dion_n chrysostomus_n make_v of_o they_o so_o likewise_o they_o be_v capable_a to_o form_v great_a captain_n and_o give_v the_o world_n general_n and_o we_o have_v two_o notable_a example_n of_o this_o among_o the_o roman_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o their_o scipio_n quae_fw-la surname_v africanus_n have_v almost_o always_o xenophons_n work_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o that_o nothing_o make_v lucullus_n capable_a to_o oppose_v such_o a_o formidable_a enemy_n as_o king_n mithridatos_n but_o the_o read_v the_o write_n of_o xenophon_n whereof_o lueullus_fw-la make_v so_o good_a use_n by_o sea_n he_o who_o before_o have_v a_o very_a small_a insight_n into_o the_o affair_n of_o war_n that_o he_o know_v enough_o afterward_o to_o gain_v those_o famous_a victory_n which_o few_o of_o the_o learned_a be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o whereby_o the_o most_o considerable_a province_n of_o asia_n become_v tributary_n to_o the_o roman_n xenophon_n have_v write_v upon_o divers_a subject_n and_o it_o seem_v that_o in_o many_o of_o they_o there_o have_v be_v emulation_n between_o he_o and_o plato_n
for_o they_o both_o compose_v a_o defence_n of_o socrates_n and_o many_o other_o moral_n and_o politic_a treatise_n according_a to_o the_o observation_n of_o diogenes_n in_o plato_n life_n without_o any_o mention_v one_o another_o with_o reciprocal_a praise_n whatsoever_o occasion_n present_v itself_o among_o so_o many_o dialogue_n by_o they_o expose_v in_o the_o name_n of_o socrates_n with_o his_o disciple_n some_o will_v have_v it_o that_o xenophon_n represent_v in_o very_o lively_a colour_n the_o defect_n of_o one_o menon_n a_o thessalian_a in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o cyrus_n his_o expedition_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o that_o he_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o plato_n but_o as_o for_o that_o other_o book_n de_fw-fr 5._o aequivocis_fw-la print_v a_o age_n ago_o under_o the_o name_n of_o xenophon_n it_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v one_o of_o the_o imposture_n of_o annius_n viterbius_fw-la in_o like_a manner_n some_o will_v have_v a_o certain_a suppositious_a history_n of_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n to_o pass_v for_o current_n under_o the_o name_n of_o one_o dictys_n cretensis_n a_o companion_n of_o idomeneus_n and_o of_o one_o dare_v a_o phrygian_a and_o that_o it_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o greek_a into_o latin_a by_o cornelius_n nepos_n when_o the_o style_n bewray_v that_o he_o never_o think_v upon_o the_o work_n for_o it_o have_v nothing_o of_o that_o inimitable_a purity_n and_o eloquence_n which_o appear_v in_o his_o life_n of_o the_o greek_a captain_n and_o in_o that_o of_o atticus_n write_v by_o the_o same_o author_n such_o imposture_n be_v offensive_a and_o can_v be_v too_o much_o dere_v by_o the_o lover_n of_o truth_n and_o yet_o some_o there_o be_v so_o lead_v away_o by_o their_o affection_n for_o fable_n that_o they_o feed_v themselves_o with_o such_o trifle_n and_o so_o build_v upon_o those_o idle_a foundation_n as_o thereby_o to_o encourage_v other_o to_o impose_v the_o like_a cheer_v upon_o mankind_n we_o have_v late_o see_v the_o itinerary_n of_o alexander_n geraldin_n bishop_n of_o st._n dominick_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v find_v over_o all_o aethiopia_n on_o this_o and_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o line_n roman_a inscription_n and_o antiquity_n of_o such_o value_n that_o all_o other_o which_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o earth_n afford_v will_v be_v despicable_a if_o the_o worst_a of_o his_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o none_o before_o or_o after_o he_o ever_o see_v they_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o scholar_n so_o unexperienced_a in_o this_o sort_n of_o read_v that_o can_v easy_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o his_o observation_n so_o unlikely_a they_o be_v be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a impertinence_n to_o raise_v pillar_n to_o testify_v the_o conquest_n and_o absolute_a dominion_n of_o the_o roman_n in_o place_n where_o apparent_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o set_v foot_n and_o in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o all_o we_o have_v from_o their_o own_o history_n the_o same_o judgement_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o those_o hetruscian_a or_o tuscan_a antiquity_n which_o we_o have_v of_o a_o fresh_a date_n from_o one_o inghiramius_n who_o impudence_n be_v unpardonable_a for_o deceive_v the_o world_n at_o such_o a_o rate_n and_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o unfit_a to_o have_v punishment_n establish_v to_o signalise_v the_o infamy_n of_o those_o that_o dare_v expose_v to_o the_o public_a spiritual_a aliment_n so_o corrupt_v and_o mortal_a as_o those_o be_v for_o no_o poison_n operate_v with_o more_o violence_n and_o bad_a effect_n upon_o the_o body_n than_o error_n and_o imposture_n upon_o our_o mind_n xenoph._n when_o we_o be_v infect_v with_o they_o a_o author_n of_o the_o last_o age_n accuse_v xenophon_n of_o have_v love_v agesilaus_n so_o passionate_o filium_fw-la that_o not_o only_o in_o his_o book_n which_o he_o write_v of_o his_o praise_n but_o likewise_o in_o his_o history_n he_o make_v rash_a judgement_n in_o his_o favour_n and_o extol_v his_o victory_n much_o more_o than_o the_o law_n of_o history_n will_v permit_v but_o this_o capricio_n of_o a_o italian_a will_v be_v approve_v of_o by_o very_a few_o because_o it_o arraign_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o antiquity_n which_o never_o speak_v so_o much_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o xenophon_n and_o tully_n who_o mention_n his_o praise_n of_o that_o prince_n do_v not_o accuse_v he_o of_o any_o indecency_n in_o it_o as_o for_o his_o style_n one_o may_v see_v what_o hermogenes_n write_v of_o it_o who_o commend_v it_o especial_o for_o its_o sweetness_n and_o simplicity_n which_o he_o make_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a ornament_n of_o language_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n he_o by_o much_o prefer_v xenophon_n to_o plato_n he_o be_v by_o birth_n a_o athenian_a and_o the_o son_n of_o one_o grillus_n and_o live_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ._n reflection_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o polybius_n as_o xenophon_n be_v the_o first_o philosopher_n that_o apply_v himself_o to_o write_v history_n so_o polybius_n have_v the_o advantage_n to_o have_v give_v we_o the_o most_o considerable_a one_o extant_a and_o make_v it_o appear_v more_o clear_o than_o any_o other_o historiographer_n that_o history_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o metropolitan_a of_o philosophy_n 1._o to_o use_v the_o term_n of_o the_o historian_n of_o who_o we_o shall_v write_v in_o the_o chapter_n follow_v but_o what_o be_v say_v of_o polybius_n may_v be_v more_o reasonable_o admit_v if_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o his_o work_n be_v now_o extant_a of_o which_o only_o the_o least_o part_n remain_v since_o of_o forty_o book_n which_o he_o compose_v there_o be_v but_o the_o five_o first_o entire_a with_o the_o epitome_n of_o the_o follow_v twelve_o which_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o eighteen_o many_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o this_o epitome_n be_v write_v by_o the_o great_a assertour_n of_o roman_a liberty_n marcus_n brutus_n because_o it_o be_v know_v that_o he_o delight_v in_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o in_o read_v history_n be_v a_o man_n so_o difficult_a to_o please_v that_o cicero_n work_n do_v not_o affect_v he_o and_o therefore_o he_o employ_v his_o leisure_n in_o epitomise_v the_o history_n of_o polybius_n find_v therein_o beside_o that_o instruction_n wherewith_o it_o abound_v the_o consolation_n he_o need_v in_o the_o last_o and_o most_o unfortunate_a day_n of_o his_o life_n the_o subject_a of_o this_o history_n be_v all_o the_o most_o considerable_a action_n in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o punic_a war_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o which_o terminate_v the_o difference_n of_o the_o roman_n with_o the_o macedonian_a king_n by_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o their_o monarchy_n this_o include_v the_o space_n of_o three_o and_o fifty_o year_n the_o event_n of_o which_o polybius_n show_v in_o the_o last_o eight_o and_o thirty_o book_n for_o the_o two_o first_o be_v not_o so_o much_o of_o the_o body_n of_o his_o history_n as_o they_o serve_v for_o a_o preparative_n in_o a_o summary_n narration_n of_o the_o take_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o gaul_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o brannus_n and_o of_o that_o which_o follow_v until_o the_o first_o year_n of_o the_o second_o war_n against_o the_o carthaginian_n but_o though_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v much_o more_o exact_o describe_v by_o he_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o that_o write_v of_o that_o subject_a because_o his_o chief_a aim_n be_v to_o omit_v nothing_o that_o may_v give_v a_o perfect_a information_n of_o they_o yet_o he_o neglect_v not_o also_o to_o represent_v the_o concern_v of_o all_o the_o other_o power_n of_o the_o universe_n unsold_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n egypt_n macedon_n pontus_n cappadocia_n and_o persia_n with_o those_o of_o all_o the_o different_a dynasty_n which_o be_v then_o in_o greece_n and_o therefore_o he_o give_v the_o name_n of_o catholic_n or_o universal_a to_o his_o history_n as_o inform_v we_o of_o the_o destiny_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o at_o that_o time_n which_o have_v not_o some_o difference_n with_o or_o dependence_n on_o the_o roman_n he_o receive_v at_o his_o birth_n great_a gift_n from_o nature_n which_o favour_v his_o enterprise_n and_o that_o chance_v of_o fortune_n which_o make_v he_o come_v to_o rome_n be_v no_o small_a advantage_n to_o he_o since_o he_o be_v indebt_v to_o it_o not_o only_o for_o the_o best_a part_n of_o his_o learning_n but_o the_o important_a friendship_n he_o contract_v with_o scipio_n and_o lelius_n which_o contribute_v much_o to_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o history_n to_o posterity_n but_o the_o pain_n he_o take_v in_o the_o acquisition_n of_o all_o that_o can_v put_v he_o in_o a_o capacity_n of_o write_v it_o well_o and_o labour_v for_o eternity_n seem_v worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v
though_o his_o language_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o adjust_v according_a to_o art_n yet_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o little_o labour_v that_o the_o reader_n do_v in_o no_o wise_a perceive_v the_o care_n that_o have_v be_v take_v in_o it_o because_o it_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o intelligible_a that_o every_o one_o presuppose_n as_o much_o facility_n in_o the_o composition_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o read_n he_o seem_v to_o have_v imitate_v thucydides_n who_o he_o follow_v especial_o in_o his_o narrative_n and_o oration_n but_o he_o have_v the_o advantage_n over_o he_o not_o to_o be_v reproach_v with_o obscurity_n in_o all_o else_o thucydides_n be_v the_o pattern_n by_o which_o he_o copy_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o circumspection_n this_o be_v the_o judgement_n photius_n give_v of_o he_o who_o be_v much_o more_o creditable_a in_o this_o point_n than_o sigonius_n that_o to_o say_v something_o of_o his_o own_o long_o since_o think_v on_o accuse_v dio_n of_o be_v too_o asiatick_n and_o so_o prolix_a in_o his_o oration_n that_o he_o be_v troublesome_a to_o his_o reader_n the_o world_n must_v be_v leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n of_o think_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_n populo_fw-la libera_fw-la sunto_fw-la suffragia_fw-la yet_o i_o conceive_v for_o what_o relate_v to_o language_n the_o sure_a way_n be_v to_o leave_v that_o to_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o who_o have_v suck_v it_o with_o their_o milk_n rather_o than_o to_o stranger_n who_o be_v much_o more_o subject_a to_o be_v mistake_v beside_o dio_n history_n and_o his_o little_a treatise_n before_o mention_v it_o seem_v that_o suidas_n ascribe_v to_o he_o some_o other_o composition_n as_o the_o life_n of_o the_o philosopher_n arrianus_n the_o action_n of_o trajan_n and_o certain_a itineraries_n raphael_n volaterranus_n make_v he_o beside_o author_n of_o three_o book_n entitle_v de_fw-la principe_fw-la and_o some_o small_a treatise_n of_o morality_n we_o must_v also_o observe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v many_o dio_n of_o great_a repute_n and_o one_o among_o the_o rest_n who_o live_v a_o age_n before_o dio_n cassius_n in_o the_o same_o emperor_n trajan's_n time_n this_o be_v he_o who_o for_o his_o eloquence_n have_v the_o surname_n of_o chrysostomus_n who_o be_v of_o prussia_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o bythinia_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o for_o who_o trajan_n have_v so_o particular_a a_o love_n that_o he_o often_o honour_v he_o with_o a_o place_n by_o he_o in_o his_o châ—riot_n these_o two_o dion_n be_v distinguish_v by_o their_o profession_n as_o well_o as_o their_o surname_n the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o be_v a_o orator_n and_o phisopher_n the_o second_o a_o historian_n and_o statesman_n such_o as_o we_o have_v represent_v he_o in_o this_o section_n reflection_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o herodian_a the_o history_n of_o herodian_a as_o most_o of_o those_o we_o have_v already_o mention_v receive_v its_o commendation_n from_o the_o merit_n of_o its_o author_n he_o declare_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o first_o book_n that_o he_o will_v only_o write_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o time_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v see_v or_o understand_v from_o creditable_a person_n for_o which_o he_o be_v very_o competent_a because_o of_o the_o public_a employment_n that_o he_o exercise_v for_o he_o may_v just_o boast_v to_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o principal_a charge_n of_o the_o state_n about_o the_o end_n of_o his_o second_o book_n he_o acquaint_v we_o before_o he_o begin_v to_o write_v of_o the_o life_n of_o septimius_n severus_n which_o contain_v all_o the_o three_o book_n that_o his_o history_n in_o general_n shall_v comprehend_v the_o space_n of_o seventy_o year_n and_o treat_v of_o the_o government_n of_o all_o the_o emperor_n which_o succeed_v one_o another_o during_o that_o time_n that_o be_v from_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n antoninus_n the_o philosopher_n to_o that_o of_o the_o young_a gordianus_n grandchild_n of_o the_o former_a historian_n which_o some_o with_o julius_n capitolinus_n reckon_v to_o be_v the_o three_o of_o that_o name_n his_o eight_o book_n which_o be_v the_o last_o of_o his_o work_n 237._o end_v with_o the_o unworthy_a slaughter_n of_o the_o two_o old_a man_n balbinus_n and_o pupienus_n who_o he_o call_v maximus_n commit_v on_o they_o by_o the_o praetorian_a soldier_n to_o advance_v the_o forementioned_a gordianus_n junior_n to_o the_o throne_n photius_n write_v of_o his_o style_n that_o he_o have_v write_v in_o a_o air_n so_o much_o the_o more_o clear_a and_o agreeable_a in_o that_o he_o have_v not_o too_o much_o affect_v the_o attic_a term_n but_o so_o temper_v his_o phrase_n that_o his_o discourse_n be_v heighten_v above_o the_o low_a form_n of_o oration_n and_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o superfluous_a in_o his_o write_n so_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o he_o have_v omit_v thing_n necessary_a or_o useful_a to_o be_v know_v and_o he_o add_v to_o complete_a his_o elogium_fw-la of_o he_o that_o consider_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o historian_n there_o be_v few_o author_n to_o who_o herodian_a ought_v to_o subscribe_v we_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o precede_a section_n that_o he_o have_v as_o well_o as_o dion_n cassius_n inform_v we_o of_o the_o pagan_a ceremony_n use_v at_o the_o consecration_n of_o their_o emperor_n it_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o four_o book_n where_o he_o so_o well_o represent_v to_o we_o all_o the_o funeral_n honour_n render_v to_o the_o ash_n of_o severus_n which_o his_o child_n have_v transport_v from_o england_n in_o a_o alabaster_n chest_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o see_v any_o where_o any_o thing_n more_o exact_a and_o more_o instructive_a he_o tell_v we_o how_o they_o be_v put_v into_o a_o urn_n with_o the_o general_a adoration_n of_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o people_n and_o carry_v by_o the_o consul_n to_o the_o temple_n where_o the_o sacred_a monument_n of_o their_o emperor_n be_v preserve_v and_o then_o proceed_v to_o describe_v the_o funeral_n pomp_n he_o inform_v we_o that_o his_o effigy_n in_o wax_n all_o clothe_v in_o robe_n of_o gold_n be_v place_v at_o the_o gate_n of_o his_o palace_n on_o a_o ivory_a bed_n elevate_v from_o the_o ground_n and_o magnificent_o adorn_v where_o seven_o day_n together_o the_o senator_n clothe_v in_o black_a and_o the_o roman_a lady_n all_o in_o white_a without_o any_o other_o ornament_n come_v to_o pay_v their_o respect_n take_v their_o place_n the_o woman_n on_o the_o right_n and_o the_o man_n on_o the_o left_a side_n of_o the_o bed_n all_o appear_v with_o very_o mournful_a countenance_n he_o observe_v also_o that_o the_o physician_n come_v due_o to_o visit_v this_o representation_n of_o the_o emperor_n make_v formal_a approach_n to_o the_o bed_n as_o if_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o declare_v that_o his_o sickness_n grow_v daily_o worse_a and_o worse_o so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o this_o world_n be_v a_o continual_a comedy_n sea_n after_o this_o time_n be_v pass_v over_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o youth_n and_o the_o knight_n carried_z the_o same_o bed_n on_o their_o shoulder_n first_o to_o the_o great_a market_n place_n where_o the_o magistrate_n of_o rome_n use_v to_o surrender_v their_o charge_n and_o there_o a_o chorus_n of_o young_a man_n on_o one_o side_n and_o virgin_n on_o the_o other_o sing_v hymn_n to_o the_o praise_n of_o the_o dead_a emperor_n from_o thence_o they_o proceed_v to_o the_o campus_n martius_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o town_n where_o the_o bed_n and_o effigy_n be_v place_v in_o a_o large_a square_a tabernacle_n of_o wood_n resemble_v and_o elevate_v dict_z to_o the_o height_n of_o one_o of_o those_o tower_n upon_o which_o light_n be_v place_v on_o the_o sea_n coast_n to_o direct_v mariner_n to_o avoid_v the_o danger_n of_o rocky_a shore_n whereof_o he_o make_v such_o exact_a description_n both_o as_o to_o the_o exterior_a and_o interior_a ornament_n and_o the_o several_a story_n of_o it_o that_o any_o one_o may_v easy_o thereby_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o structure_n in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o write_v that_o the_o roman_a knight_n make_v their_o horse_n run_v round_o about_o the_o tabernacle_n in_o certain_a orderly_a motion_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n call_v motus_fw-la pyrrhichii_n and_o in_o orbicular_a revolution_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a number_n of_o chariot_n fill_v with_o person_n which_o represent_v the_o most_o qualify_a man_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o also_o go_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o procession_n round_o the_o great_a machine_n till_o the_o next_o successor_n of_o the_o emperor_n first_o take_v a_o torch_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o with_o it_o kindle_v some_o combustible_a matter_n make_v for_o that_o purpose_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o and_o then_o
several_a other_o the_o prince_n who_o they_o affect_v to_o oblige_v at_o the_o expense_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o procopius_n never_o speak_v but_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o belisarius_n he_o illustrate_v all_o his_o action_n and_o rather_o choose_v to_o suppress_v a_o part_n of_o the_o success_n which_o he_o recite_v 58._o than_o to_o write_v any_o thing_n which_o may_v any_o way_n blemish_v the_o reputation_n of_o his_o hero_n i_o shall_v produce_v one_o single_a instance_n and_o such_o a_o one_o that_o i_o think_v be_v not_o to_o be_v march_v in_o any_o other_o historian_n the_o place_n be_v in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o vandal_n where_o after_o the_o oration_n of_o belisarius_n to_o his_o soldier_n and_o two_o other_o of_o his_o adversary_n stozas_n procopius_n write_v that_o the_o troop_n of_o the_o former_a revolt_n force_v their_o chief_n to_o retire_v into_o a_o temple_n where_o they_o be_v all_o kill_v he_o be_v oblige_v in_o reason_n to_o signify_v thereupon_o what_o become_v of_o belisarius_n who_o one_o will_v think_v be_v massacre_v with_o the_o rest_n but_o because_o it_o be_v a_o unhappy_a event_n without_o tell_v how_o he_o come_v off_o procopius_n add_v only_o that_o justinian_n upon_o this_o ill_a news_n dispatch_v away_o his_o nephew_n germanus_n who_o come_v and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o command_n of_o the_o army_n in_o africa_n and_o not_o say_v the_o least_o word_n of_o belisarius_n he_o make_v his_o narration_n so_o lame_a that_o the_o reader_n know_v not_o where_o he_o be_v the_o latin_a text_n be_v a_o little_a deffective_a here_o have_v not_o all_o which_o be_v read_v in_o the_o greek_a yet_o this_o fault_n we_o speak_v of_o appear_v also_o in_o that_o version_n this_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o another_o place_n in_o the_o second_o book_n also_o of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o goth_n where_o upon_o a_o mere_a letter_n of_o belisarius_n to_o theodebert_n king_n of_o france_n he_o quit_v the_o pursuit_n of_o his_o victory_n in_o italy_n and_o return_v hasty_o into_o his_o country_n he_o acknowledge_v his_o fault_n say_v he_o and_o his_o temerity_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v read_v the_o letter_n of_o belisarius_n return_v with_o all_o speed_n to_o france_n as_o if_o this_o powerful_a monarch_n come_v thither_o like_o a_o raw_a scholar_n without_o have_v well_o consider_v what_o he_o do_v and_o the_o rhetoric_n of_o belisarius_n have_v oblige_v he_o and_o all_o his_o council_n to_o absent_v themselves_o for_o want_n of_o a_o reply_n certain_o there_o be_v a_o great_a defect_n of_o judgement_n in_o this_o passage_n and_o aretin_n have_v reason_n to_o supply_v something_o of_o his_o own_o in_o this_o place_n say_v that_o hunger_n and_o want_n of_o victual_n make_v the_o victorious_a french_a return_n into_o their_o country_n he_o may_v have_v add_v sickness_n according_a to_o the_o relation_n of_o gregory_n of_o tours_n who_o speak_v of_o this_o retreat_n i_o find_v moreover_o 32._o that_o our_o historian_n make_v theodebert_n author_n of_o a_o action_n which_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o what_o he_o have_v say_v a_o little_a before_o of_o he_o namely_o that_o the_o french_a be_v the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n who_o violate_v their_o faith_n the_o most_o when_o the_o letter_n of_o belisarius_n which_o upbraid_v that_o prince_n with_o nothing_o else_o but_o not_o observe_v treaty_n have_v nevertheless_o such_o power_n over_o he_o a_o author_n of_o more_o judgement_n will_v not_o have_v say_v so_o nor_o have_v rash_o offend_v a_o whole_a nation_n with_o the_o like_a animosity_n wherewith_o the_o roman_n declaim_v against_o the_o greek_a and_o punic_a faith_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o they_o themselves_o be_v the_o most_o unfaithful_a that_o ever_o have_v be_v to_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o must_v before_o i_o leave_v that_o place_n where_o procopius_n speak_v so_o ill_o of_o the_o french_a do_v the_o nation_n reason_n by_o remark_v with_o how_o much_o malice_n and_o absurdity_n he_o make_v they_o in_o the_o same_o place_n become_v master_n of_o the_o camp_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o of_o that_o of_o the_o grecian_n romanize_v as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o surprise_n although_o they_o exceed_v the_o number_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o as_o if_o their_o army_n descend_v from_o heaven_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o italy_n like_o grasshopper_n which_o a_o boisterous_a tempest_n of_o wind_n transport_v sometime_o from_o one_o region_n to_o another_o but_o since_o we_o reprove_v he_o of_o have_v be_v too_o partial_a let_v we_o stop_v here_o the_o course_n of_o the_o zeal_n which_o we_o have_v for_o our_o ancestor_n french_a that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v judge_v excessive_a to_o conclude_v i_o think_v that_o procopius_n deserve_v to_o be_v read_v attentive_o especial_o in_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o alone_o treat_v of_o with_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n and_o that_o beside_o a_o great_a discretion_n be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o read_v of_o he_o to_o discern_v the_o good_a thing_n from_o the_o bad_a and_o the_o defect_n whereof_o we_o have_v produce_v example_n from_o what_o he_o have_v write_v more_o judicious_o he_o be_v of_o caesarea_n in_o palestine_n from_o whence_o he_o come_v to_o constantinople_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o emperor_n anastasius_n who_o esteem_n he_o obtain_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o justin_n the_o first_o and_o justinian_n suidas_n after_o he_o have_v give_v he_o the_o surname_n of_o ilustrious_a call_v he_o rhetorician_n and_o sophister_n as_o true_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v to_o much_o for_o a_o historian_n he_o be_v diffuse_v but_o with_o a_o copiousness_n more_o asiatick_n than_o athenian_a which_o have_v often_o in_o it_o more_o superfluity_n than_o true_a ornament_n photius_n only_o insert_v in_o his_o library_n as_o be_v before_o mention_v a_o abstract_n of_o the_o two_o book_n of_o the_o war_n against_o the_o persian_n 160._o although_o he_o make_v some_o mention_n of_o the_o rest_n he_o distinguish_v he_o elsewhere_o from_o another_o procopius_n surname_v gazeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n of_o justinian_n and_o who_o also_o be_v a_o rhetorician_n by_o profession_n if_o i_o dare_v follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o one_o of_o the_o man_n of_o this_o age_n gueit_n who_o have_v the_o great_a insight_n into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n i_o shall_v willing_o be_v of_o his_o mind_n that_o the_o book_n of_o anecdota_n be_v a_o suppose_a work_n and_o false_o ascribe_v to_o the_o historian_n procopius_n for_o that_o which_o be_v real_o he_o be_v write_v in_o a_o style_n much_o different_a from_o that_o of_o this_o satyr_n and_o have_v much_o more_o of_o the_o air_n of_o ancient_n greece_n but_o because_o even_o they_o who_o have_v write_v against_o the_o anecdota_n seem_v to_o agree_v that_o they_o be_v his_o to_o who_o they_o be_v impute_v i_o be_v oblige_v to_o make_v the_o precedent_a reflection_n and_o to_o treat_v procopius_n upon_o this_o foundation_n more_o to_o his_o disadvantage_n than_o i_o have_v otherwise_o do_v it_o be_v true_a that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o end_v this_o section_n a_o epistle_n of_o balthasar_n boniface_n to_o the_o clarissimo_fw-it molini_n which_o i_o read_v even_o now_o hinder_v i_o from_o repent_v of_o what_o i_o do_v it_o be_v print_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o judgement_n upon_o those_o who_o write_v the_o roman_a history_n and_o because_o they_o do_v not_o mention_v the_o anecdota_n in_o the_o chapter_n of_o procopius_n he_o take_v occasion_n to_o declare_v his_o opinion_n to_o that_o noble_a venetian_a in_o the_o say_a letter_n he_o appear_v to_o be_v no_o less_o concern_v than_o i_o at_o such_o a_o insolent_a invective_n and_o wonder_n as_o i_o do_v that_o rivius_n and_o they_o who_o undertake_v to_o answer_v it_o never_o think_v of_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o suppose_a piece_n although_o he_o himself_o come_v to_o no_o determination_n therein_o be_v only_o content_a to_o declare_v how_o much_o he_o suspect_v it_o reflection_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o agathias_n i_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o religion_n of_o agathias_n as_o i_o have_v of_o that_o of_o procopius_n for_o when_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o history_n of_o the_o french_a of_o his_o time_n he_o praise_v they_o among_o other_o thing_n for_o be_v all_o christian_n and_o because_o they_o entertain_v as_o he_o add_v very_o good_a thought_n of_o god_n but_o when_o he_o give_v a_o reason_n in_o his_o three_o book_n why_o the_o fortress_n of_o onogoris_n situate_v in_o colchis_n be_v call_v in_o his_o time_n the_o fort_n of_o s_o t_o stephen_n he_o report_v that_o this_o protomartyr_n be_v stone_v to_o death_n in_o that_o place_n use_v the_o term_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o they_o say_v or_o as_o it_o
produce_v so_o many_o excellent_a person_n and_o few_o be_v ignorant_a how_o all_o the_o follow_a age_n have_v honour_v his_o endeavour_n whereof_o we_o shall_v give_v some_o more_o testimony_n before_o we_o finish_v this_o section_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o any_o shall_v be_v so_o barbarous_a as_o alciat_a and_o ferret_n and_o contradictory_n to_o all_o the_o ancient_a roman_n to_o maintain_v that_o so_o considerable_a a_o author_n can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o speak_v his_o mother-tongue_n one_o must_v certain_o have_v a_o brazen_a face_n and_o a_o very_a empty_a head_n to_o advance_v such_o proposition_n for_o my_o part_n shall_v i_o see_v a_o thousand_o thing_n that_o displease_v i_o i_o shall_v rather_o accuse_v my_o own_o weak_a understanding_n or_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o copy_n or_o some_o other_o defect_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o than_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o all_o antiquity_n by_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o imaginary_a imputation_n there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o tacitus_n his_o accuser_n who_o tax_v he_o of_o speak_v untruth_n vopiscus_n be_v of_o that_o number_n aurel._n but_o because_o he_o only_a arraigns_n he_o to_o excuse_v himself_o in_o this_o general_a proposition_n that_o the_o best_a historian_n of_o the_o world_n can_v avoid_v the_o mixture_n of_o lie_n in_o their_o true_a narration_n tacitus_n his_o reputation_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v much_o concern_v therein_o we_o have_v show_v elsewhere_o that_o several_a person_n take_v delight_n to_o maintain_v this_o thesis_fw-la 11._o and_o i_o remember_v dion_n chrysostome_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o one_o of_o his_o oration_n that_o one_o never_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n be_v not_o content_a to_o say_v that_o the_o take_n of_o troy_n by_o the_o grecian_n be_v a_o mere_a fable_n and_o that_o the_o persian_n deliver_v a_o very_a different_a account_n of_o the_o war_n of_o xerxes_n and_o darius_n against_o greece_n than_o the_o grecian_n themselves_o but_o he_o add_v as_o a_o note_n of_o the_o small_a certainty_n there_o be_v in_o history_n that_o among_o the_o most_o famous_a of_o the_o greek_a historian_n some_o hold_v that_o the_o naval_a victory_n of_o salamin_a precede_v that_o of_o plataea_n and_o other_o assert_v the_o contrary_a it_o be_v sufficient_a then_o to_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v untruth_n which_o our_o humanity_n bear_v with_o when_o they_o be_v relate_v by_o report_n and_o without_o lie_v but_o when_o tertullian_n reproach_n tacitus_n with_o imposture_n and_o budaeus_fw-la call_v he_o one_o of_o the_o most_o vile_a and_o impious_a author_n we_o have_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o mean_v something_o more_o than_o that_o sort_n of_o misreport_n which_o ignorance_n may_v excuse_v and_o which_o one_o may_v retort_v upon_o error_n authorize_v by_o common_a belief_n for_o they_o be_v offend_v at_o what_o he_o impious_o speak_v of_o christian_n &_o in_o derision_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n who_o he_o assault_v even_o in_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n deride_v the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o reproach_v the_o jew_n with_o adore_v the_o effigy_n of_o a_o wild_a ass_n i_o confess_v that_o one_o can_v too_o much_o condemn_v what_o he_o write_v on_o that_o subject_n as_o he_o be_v a_o pagan_a but_o nevertheless_o we_o must_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o if_o he_o must_v be_v total_o renounce_v for_o what_o he_o write_v against_o the_o true_a god_n and_o our_o altar_n we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o burn_v with_o his_o book_n almost_o all_o those_o of_o the_o gentile_n very_o few_o of_o they_o have_v abstain_v from_o the_o like_a calumny_n i_o say_v the_o same_o thing_n against_o the_o judgement_n which_o casaubon_n in_o his_o preface_n pass_v upon_o polybius_n where_o he_o pretend_v that_o prince_n can_v read_v a_o more_o dangerous_a book_n than_o tacitus_n because_o of_o the_o bad_a example_n which_o be_v see_v in_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o ill_a custom_n that_o casaubon_n have_v follow_v never_o to_o write_v upon_o a_o author_n without_o blame_v all_o other_o to_o give_v that_o the_o great_a authority_n and_o we_o know_v that_o he_o have_v praise_v tacitus_n elsewhere_o as_o much_o as_o any_o one_o can_v do_v it_o be_v true_a his_o history_n have_v represent_v unto_o we_o the_o action_n of_o the_o most_o wicked_a prince_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o that_o by_o misfortune_n those_o book_n which_o contain_v the_o best_a emperor_n reign_v as_o of_o vespasian_n titus_n nerva_n and_o trajan_n be_v lose_v yet_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o censure_v all_o the_o history_n we_o have_v in_o the_o world_n even_o without_o except_v the_o holy_a writ_n to_o make_v that_o of_o tacitus_n responsible_a for_o the_o bad_a example_n it_o contain_v there_o be_v none_o find_v that_o have_v not_o some_o very_a dangerous_a in_o they_o and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o distinguish_v with_o judgement_n the_o good_a and_o the_o bad_a of_o every_o narration_n but_o perhaps_o heretofore_o as_o even_o in_o tertullia_n time_n the_o pagan_n invective_n against_o we_o may_v be_v apprehend_v because_o the_o world_n be_v not_o then_o purge_v of_o their_o error_n as_o it_o be_v at_o present_a by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n i_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o person_n can_v be_v find_v at_o this_o day_n that_o will_v let_v himself_o be_v seduce_v by_o the_o calumny_n of_o the_o ethnic_n or_o by_o all_o that_o the_o infidelity_n they_o live_v in_o can_v make_v they_o write_v against_o our_o evangelical_n truth_n the_o general_a esteem_n the_o work_n of_o tacitus_n have_v gain_v may_v suffice_v alone_o against_o the_o authority_n we_o have_v examine_v though_o we_o want_v reason_n to_o refute_v they_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o weaken_v they_o by_o other_o contrary_a authority_n i_o can_v produce_v two_o beside_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o learned_a man_n which_o be_v so_o weighty_a that_o they_o will_v always_o turn_v the_o scale_n on_o their_o side_n the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o the_o emperor_n tacitus_n who_o though_o invest_v in_o the_o supreme_a dignity_n of_o the_o world_n do_v not_o forbear_v near_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o historian_n to_o glory_n in_o that_o name_n common_a to_o they_o esteem_v it_o as_o a_o honour_n to_o have_v have_v such_o a_o ancestor_n and_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v one_o of_o his_o posterity_n he_o cause_v his_o statue_n to_o be_v place_v in_o all_o library_n and_o all_o his_o book_n to_o be_v write_v over_o ten_o time_n every_o year_n that_o they_o may_v pass_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n and_o from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o they_o have_v do_v unto_o we_o the_o second_o authority_n shall_v be_v that_o of_o the_o great_a duke_n cosmo_n di_fw-fr medicis_n who_o memory_n will_v never_o want_v veneration_n as_o long_o as_o the_o science_n of_o polity_n or_o good_a government_n as_o his_o countryman_n term_v it_o shall_v be_v cultivate_v that_o prince_n choose_v tacitus_n among_o all_o the_o historian_n as_o one_o from_o who_o his_o mind_n can_v receive_v the_o most_o instruction_n and_o solid_a satisfaction_n add_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o prince_n and_o emperor_n that_o the_o translation_n of_o this_o author_n into_o all_o tongue_n give_v a_o certain_a proof_n of_o the_o value_n of_o he_o in_o all_o nation_n beside_o his_o commentary_n &_o history_n he_o write_v a_o treatise_n of_o divers_a people_n who_o inhabit_v germany_n in_o his_o time_n and_o of_o their_o different_a manner_n with_o another_o book_n of_o the_o life_n of_o his_o father_n in_o law_n agricola_n some_o moreover_o ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o book_n entitle_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o latin_a eloquence_n which_o other_o attribute_v to_o quintilian_n and_o which_o possible_o belong_v to_o neither_o of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o probable_a conjecture_n of_o lipsius_n as_o for_o the_o collection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o pleasant_a say_n of_o tacitus_n facetiae_fw-la which_o fulgentius_n planciades_n mention_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a counterfeit_n which_o never_o deceive_v any_o one_o but_o that_o grammarian_n the_o true_a composition_n of_o tacitus_n be_v discernible_a enough_o 1._o either_o by_o their_o form_n or_o matter_n take_v as_o scaliger_n do_v the_o word_n of_o the_o history_n for_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o thing_n it_o unfold_v for_o the_o form_n he_o scatter_v here_o and_o there_o throughout_o the_o whole_a oblique_a and_o direct_a oration_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o time_n place_n and_o person_n require_v but_o as_o concise_a as_o he_o be_v in_o his_o style_n he_o fly_v out_o into_o digression_n in_o many_o place_n witness_v that_o of_o the_o god_n sarapis_n among_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o history_n and_o that_o other_o wonderful_a one_o in_o the_o five_o which_o we_o