his counterfeit Consulship a kind of Government like a Mist a fading Triumph and his Off-spring a Sojourner in a strange City 6. But the beginnings of Porcius Cato were searched for out by publick Vote Who render'd his name most famous at Rome which was scarcely known in Tusculum The lasting Monuments of the Latin Tongue were by him adorn'd Military Discipline reform'd the Majesty of the Senate increased his Family establish'd to which the last Cato was no small honour FORRAIGN 1. But to joyn Forraign Examples to the Romans Socrates not onely by common consent of all persons but by the Oracle of Apollo judg'd to be the wisest among men was born of Phanarete a Midwife and Sophroniscus a Stone-cutter yet he came to be one of the most resplendent Lights of Glory and not undeservedly For when the Wits of most learned men were busied in blinde Disputations and endeavoured to set down the prove the measures of the Sun Moon and the rest of the Stars rather by multiplicity of words than certain Arguments for they undertook to tell the compass of the whole World he diverted men from these unlearned and unnecessary questions and taught them to dive into the nature of Man and the secret Affâ—ctions that lay hidden in his breast So that if Vertue be esteem'd for its self much more such a Master as teacheth the best Rules of life 2. What Mother Euripides had or what Father Domesthenes had was unknown to the Age they lived in Yet the most certain opinion of the Learned is That the Mother of the one sold Pot-herbs and the Father of the other dealt in Knives However what can be more famous than the Tragedies of the one and the Orations of the other CHAP. V. Of those who have degenerated being born of Noble Ancestors 1. The Son of Scipio Africanus 2. Q. Fabius the Son of him sirnamed Allobrogicus 3. The Son of Clodius and Fulvia 4. Marcus Hortensius Corbio HEre follows the second part of a double promise to be made good by relating the blemishes in the Coats of Illustrious men Because we are not to relate the stories of those that have degenerated from the glory of their Ancestors 1. For what could be more like a Monster than the Son of the Elder Scipio Africanus who receiving his beginning from so Illustrious a Family could endure to suffer himself to be taken by a small party of King Antiochus when it had been better for him to have died a voluntary death than between two the most famous Sirnames the one obtained by the destruction of Africk and the other got by the Conquest of Asia to suffer his hands to be bound by the Enemy and to be beholding to his mercy for a pitiful life over whom Scipio was to obtain in a small time a Triumph most glorious in the sight of Gods and men Coming to claim the Pretorship he appeared in the field with such a spotted and bedaub'd white Gown that had it not been for the courtesie of Cicereus who was his Father's Secretary he would not have obtain'd the honour Though it had been no great matter whether he had a Repulse or a Pretorship so obtain'd for when the standers by saw what a soul Gaâ—ment he had on they were the occasion that he neithâ—r durst place his Chair not hear Causes Moreover they took a Ring off his finger upon which the head of Alexander was engrav'd Good Gods from what Thunder die ye suffer so much Darkness to proceed 2. Again Q. Fabius Maximus the Son of Q. Fabius Maximus sirnamed Allobrogicus what a luxurious and dissolute life did he lead whose other Vices to obliterate yet might his Manners be seen by one act of disgrace that Q. Pompey the City-Pretor would not let him meddle with his Father's goods Neither was there any person in so great a City that would speak against the Decree For men grived to see that that money which was to maintain the splendour of the Fabian Family should be spent in Riot and Excess Thus he whom his Father's indulgence left his Heir the publick severity dis-inherited 3. Clodius the fair was in great favour with the people yet his Wife Fulvia wearing a Dagger shew'd that he suffered his warlike Spirit to be subject to the commands of a Woman Their Son called also by the name of Clodius the Fair beside that he had led a slothful and effeminate life in his Youth was also infamous for his egregious dotage upon the most common Whores and died a most sâ—ameful death For his belly being eaten up he surrender'd his life to the greedy appetite of his own soul inâ—emperance 4. Hortensius Corbio also the Nephew of Quintus Hortensius who in the greatest plenty of ingenious and illustrious Citizens attain'd the highest degree of Eloquence and Authority led a life more obscure and fordid than all the Strumpets put together At length his Tongue was as common at the pleasure and lust of every one in the Bawdy-houses as his Fathers Oratory was diligently employ'd for the good of his Fellow-Citizens CHAP. VI. Of Illustrious men that delighted more than ordinary in rich Apparel and sumptuous adorning themselves 1. Scipio the Greater 2. Asiatic Scipio 3. Cornelius Sylla 4. C. Duilius 5. C. Papirius Maso 6. C. Marius 7. M. Cato of Utica I Am not ignorant what a dangerous Journey I have undertaken Therefore I will recall my self lest while I continue to pursue the remaining Shipwracks and Miscarriages of the same nature I should intrigue my self in useless Relations I will therefore retreat and suffer those deformed shadows to lie hid in the deep Abyss of their own shame thinking it more to the purpose to declare what illustrious Personages have given themselves an unusual liberty in their Habits and Dresses the Authors of new Customs 1. P. Sciâ—io being in Sicâ—ly there intent upon the reinforcing and transporting his Army into Africa as he that minded nothing more than the ruine of Carthage was at the same time accustomed to the Gymnasium and wore a Pallium or long Mantle and those finer sort of shoes called Crepidae Yet did he handle the Carthaginians never a whit the more softly for that For his Divertisement made him more eager seeing that strong and active Wits the more they use Retirement the more vehement they are in Command Thereby perhaps he also thought to win the favour of the young Gentry while he followed their Customes of Habit and Diet. For to those Exercises he applied himself when he had much and long tired himself and had constrained his other Limbs to prove their Strength by Military Labours wearied with the one recreated with the other 2. We likewise behold the Statue of Lucius Scipio with a Chlamys or a short Cloak about his Shoulders and embroidered Slippers In which Habit as he was wont to wear it alive they cloaâ—hed his Essigies 3. Lucius Cornelius Sylla also when he was Emperour thought it no disgrace to walk the
Life that neglects to return Kindness for Kindness How severely therefore are they to be reprehended who having most just Laws but being very wickedly enclined rather choose to obey their deprav'd manners than their Laws So that if it could happen that those great Persons whose misfortunes I have related could appeal to any other Cities d' ye think they would not quickly have silenced those talkative People as ingenious as they were Marathon glitters with the Persian Trophies Salamis and Artemisium beheld the Ruine of Xerxes Navy Those Walls that were pull'd down rise more glorious from their ruines But what are become of all those great Men that did these great things Answer Athens for thy self Thou hast suffer'd Theseus to be buried in a little Rock Miltiâ—des to die in Prison and Cimon his Son to wear his Fathers â—hains Themistocles a Victor to prostrate himself at the Knees of that very person whom he had vanquished Phocion also Solon and Aristides to forsake their Houshold-gods when at the same time ye give divine Honour to the Bones of Oedipus infamous for the Death of his Father and for marrying his Moâ—her Read therefore thy own Law which thou art bound by oath to observe and since thou wouldst not give due Reward to Vertue make just atonements to their injured Ghosts They are silent but whoever reads the ungrateful acts of the Athenians will be severe and free to eternity to reproach so great a Crime CHAP. IV. Of Piety toward Parents ROMAN Examples 1. Cn. Marcius Coriolanus 2. Scipio Africanus the Great 3. T. Manlius Torquatus 4. M. Aurelius Cotta 5. C. Flaminius Tribune 6. Claudia a Vestal 7. A Daughter that gave her Mother suck in Prison External Examples 1. Pero a Daughter gave her Father suck in Prison 2. Cimon the Athenian 3. Two Brothers Spaniards 4. Cleobis and Bython Amphinomous and Anapus 5. Scythians 6. Croesus 's dumb Son 7. Pulto BUt leave these Ingrates and talk of those that have been accompted pious for honest subjects are more pleasing than Stories of the wicked Let us come then to those who have been so fortunate in their Offspring as never to repent the promotion of Generaâ—ion 1. Coriolanus a person of a vast Courage and deep in Coâ—nsel and well-deserving of his Countrey yet almost ruin'd under the oppression of an unjust Sentence flâ—d to the Volsci who were Enemies to the Romans For Vertue gets esteem wherever it goes So that where he only sought for refuge in a short time he obtain'd the chief command of all things And it hapned that he who was by the Romans refused for their Leader had like to have proved their most fatal Enemy For the Volsci having often overcome our Armies by his Conduct and Valour came up and begirt the very walls of Rome For this reason the People that were so haughty as not to value their own happiness were forced to supplicate an Exile whose offence they would not pardon before Embâ—ssâ—dors were sent to appease him but they could do no good the Priests went in their râ—ligious Habits but returned without obtaining any favour The Senators were at their Wits end the People trembled both Men and Women bewail'd their approaching Calamity But then Veturia Coriolanus's Moâ—her â—aking along with her Volumnia his Wife and Children also went to the Camp of the Volsci whom assoon as hâ—r Son espied O my Countrey thou hast overcome my anger said he by vertue of this Womans tears and for the Wombs sake that bare me I forgive thee though my enemy and immediately he withdrew his Army from the Roman Territories And his â—iâ—ty encountred and overcame all Obstacles as well his revengâ— of the Injury received the hopes of Viâ—tory as the fear of Death upon his return And thus the sight of one Parent changed a most severe War into a timely Peace 2. The same Piety inflam'd the Elder Africanus hardly past the age of Childhood to the sâ—ccour oâ— his Father and arm'd him with many strength in the midst of the Battle For he saved thâ— Consul being despâ—rately wounded in the Battle which he lost to Hannibal upon the River Ticinus nothing terrified either by the weakness of his Age the rawness of skill in War or the event of an unfortunate Fight which would have dauâ—tâ—d an old Soldier he thereby merited a Crown conspicuous for its double Honour he having recover'd from the jaws of death a Father and a Gâ—neral 3. Those famous Examples the City only received by hearsay these they beheld with their eyes Pomponius the Tribune had accused T. Manlius Imperiossus to the People for that he had exceâ—ded his Commission out of hopes of making an end of the War and for sending away his Son which was a person of very great hopâ—s from publick employment to follow his own counâ—rey-affairs Which when Manlius understood he came to the City and went by break of day to Pomponius's House who believing that he came to aggravate his Fathers Crimes by whom he had been ill used commanded all the people out of the Chambâ—r that he might â—he more freely take his Examination The Son having thereby got an opportunity so fit for his turn drew his Sword which he had brought privatâ—ly under his Coat compell'd the threatned and terrified Consul to swear that he would forbear any farther prosecution of his Father So that Imperiossus never came to his Trial. Piety toward mind Parents is commendable But Manlius the more severe to him his Father was the greater praise he merited by the assistance which he gave him being invited by no allurement of Indulgence but only natural Aflection to love him 4. This sort of Piety did M. Cotta imitate the very same day that he put on the Coat of Manhood when assoon as he descended out of the Capitol he accused Carbo who had condemn'd his Father and bâ—ing condemn'd prosecuted him to punishment ennobling his early Youth and first attempt in publick business with a famous action 5. Paternal Authority was equally reverenced by C. Flaminius For when he being a popular Tribune had publish'd a Law for dividing the Gallick Land to every particular man in opposition to the Senate and quite against their wills contemning both their threats and entreaties and not at all terrified with the threats of an Army which they menaced to raise against him if he persisted in his obstinacy was got into the Pulpit for Orations reading his Law to the Peoplâ— yet when his Father pull'd him away he came down obedient to Paternal Command no man murmuring in the least to see him break off in the midst of his Speech 6. These were great effâ—cts of Manly Piety but I cannot tell whether the act of Claudia the Vestal Virgin were not as forcible and as couragious Who when she saw her Father pull'd out of his Triumphal Chariot by the rude hand of a Tribune with a wonderful celerity interposing her self between appeased the highest Authority in the City
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 Common-wealth 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. Seaurus the Light and Ornament of his Countrey when the Roman Cavalry was worsâ—ed by the Cimbrians and deserting the Proconsul Câ—tulâ—â— 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 Oraâ—or 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 to the Censorship when he had almost discovered his Son to be guilty of most â—ainous Crimes as lying with his Mother-in-law and plotting with her to take away his Fathers Life did â—ot 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 acquitâ—ed 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 Horâ—ensius who in his time was â—he 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 Sisters 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 inserted 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 Senaâ—es 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 true-born and truely-begotâ—en Child could ever harbour such lewd and wicked thoughts took his Wife one day aside and asked her very seriously whether the Child were supposititious or whether she had conceived him by another But being assured by her Oaths and Asseverations that he had noâ— 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 wiâ—h 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 possâ—ss'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 Athenian 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 Iupiter 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 himself One of which died four daies before
the Sirname of Rich Yet Poverty afterwards laid upon him the shameful title of a Bankrupt his Goods being sold by his Creditors because he could not pay the principal beside the bitter Sarcasme wherewith every one that met him saluted him calling him still Rich Crassus 13. Q. Caepio excels Crassus in sâ—vâ—rity of Fortunes inconstancy For he having obtain'd the splendour of the Praetorship the renown of a Triumph the dignity of a Consulship the glory of the High-Priesthood insomuch that he was call'd The Patron of the Senate yet died in Jayl and his Body tortur'd and dilacerated by the cruel hand of the Hangman became a spectacle of horror to the Roman People in the publick place of Execution 14. The Life of Marius was a strange contest with Fortune for he withstood all her opposition with a stoutness of mind and body Being thought unworthy the low honours of an Arpinaâ—e for whom it was not lawful to aspire high he ventur'd to stand for the Questorship at Rome And by his patience in bearing repulses he rather broke by force than was admitted into the Senate He had the same repulses when he stood for the Tribuneship and Aedileship in the Field of Mars Standing for the Praetorship he carried the lowest degree which notwithstanding he obtain'd with great difficulty for being accus'd for bribing Voices he was hardly acquitted by the Judges Yet from that Marius so meanly born at Arpinum so despised at Rome and so abhorr'd a Candidate sprung that Marius who subdu'd Africa drove King Iugurth before his Chariot in Triumph who utterly subdued the Armies of the Tentons and Cimbrians whose two Triumphs were beheld in the City and whose seaven Consulships were register'd in the Annal-Books who had the luck to be created Consul returning from Banishment and to proscribe his Proscriber What more mutable or inconstant than his condition Who among the miserable was most miserable yet among the fortunate shall be found most fortunate 15. But Iulius Caesar whose Vertues gave him admission into Heaven at the beginning of his youth going into Asia being taken by Sea-Rovers was forced to redeem himself for fifty Talents For so small a sum as that would Fortune have the brightest Constellation in the world sold in the Pyrats Market Why then should we complain of her when she spares not the associates of her Divinity But the celestial Numen reveng'd his own injury For presently aâ—ter pursuing the slaves and taking them he crucified them every man FORRAIGNERS 1. We have been intent in relating our own let us be more succinct in the repetition of Forreign Examples Polemo a young Athenian Gentleman but infinitely debauch'd and one that gloried in his shame rising from a Banquet not after Sun-set but after Son-rising as he went home saw Xenocrates the Philosopher's door standing wide open Drunk as he was richly perfum'd gayly clad and with his Garland upon his Head he enter'd the School that was full of Grave and Learned Men and nothing asham'd of the manner of his entry he sate down to throw his drunken Jests upon the noble Disputes and wholesom Precepts that were then utter'd The company being offended Xenocrates kept his temper and began to dispute of Modesty and Temperance The Gravity of whose Speech causing Polemo to repent he first threw his Garland to the ground presently after he withdrew his arms a token of Modesty among the Athenians under his Cloak shortly after he left his feasting Mirth and lastly laid aside all his Debauchery and being cur'd with the wholesome Medicine of one Oration of an infamous Glutton became a famous Philosopher For his minde was only a Pilgrim in wickedness not an Inhabitant 2. It troubles me to remember Themistocles in his Youth whether I consider his Father that disinherited him or his Mother that hang'd herself to see the wicked course of life her Son led when he himself afterwards became the most famous person that ever Greece brought forth and was the pledge either of hope or despair between Asia and Europe For the one had him the Patron of her Safety the other entertain'd him as the Surety of Victory 3. Cimon in his youth was look'd upon as a fool but the Athenians found the benefit of his foolish commands Compelling them to condemn themselves of stupidity who had accus'd him of Folly 4. Two distinct Fortunes shar'd Alcibiades between them The one that assign'd him a splendid Nobility vast Wealth Beauty incomparable strength of Body a most piercing Wit and the passionate love of his Countrey-men The other that inflicted upon him Condemnaton Banishment Sale of his Estate Poverty the hatred of his Countrey and a violent Death Neither the one nor the other altogether but by intermission like the ebbing and flowing of the Sea 5. Polycrates the Tyrant of Samos lived in such a prodigality of Fortunes savours that he was admir'd even to Envy not without cause his endeavors all prosper'd his hopes reap'd the fruit of what they desired his wishes were no sooner nam'd than granted To desire and be able to perform was the same thing Once only Fortune chang'd her countenance when he threw a Ring which he highly esteem'd into the Sea that he might not be said to have undergone no misfortune which however he presently recover'd the fish being taken that had swallowed it But he could not always hold this prosperous course of felicity that swell'd his full fails For Orontes one of Darius's Commanders having taken him caus'd him to be crucified upon the highest top of the Mycalensian Mountain From whence the City of Samos long oppressed by his severe Tyranny with the joyful eyes of freemen beheld his â—tinking Arteries his members besmear'd with Blood and that left hand to whom Neptune had restor'd the Ring by the hand of the Fisherman the sad spectacle of Misfortune 6. Dionysius also when he had enter'd upon the Tyranny of Sicily by his Fathers Will the Lord of a vast Wealth a Captain of Armies an Admiral of a Navy potent in Horse yet was forced to teach School at Corinth for his livelihood And at the same time of a Tyrant being now become a School-master he waâ—n'd his Elders by such a change how little they were to trust to Fortune 7. Next to him follows Syphax the King who underwent the same severity of Fortune to whom however at the same time Rome by Scipio Carthage by Asdrubal made their addresses for his Friendship But while he stood thus courted that he seem'd to be an Arbiter of Victory between the greatest and most potent People in the world In a short time after he was brought chain'd by Laelius to Scipio and now lyes prostrate at the feet of him whom he thought it favour enough before as he sate upon his Throne to take by the hand Thus meerly vain and fragil and like the baubles Children play with are those great things which we call Human Power and Wealth On a suddain they abound and
the former who to the end they might appear the more faithful to the ashes of the slain 〈◊〉 being besieg'd by Pompey having devoured all other creatures in their City fell to feast upon their Wives and Children And to the end the Armed Youth might nourish their Bowels with their own bowels the longer they were not afraid to salt up the unfortunate remainders of the dead bodies Think you it would be an exhortation prevalent enough in the field to exhort such Souldiers to fight for the safety of their Wives and Children It had bin more proper for so great a Captain to have punisht such an Enemy than to seek for Victory For Revenge would have purchased them more Liberty than Victory could win them Honour in comparison of whom Serpents and wild beasts were gentle and merciful creatures For those dear pledges of Life dearer to them than their lives themselves were the Dinners and Suppers of the Catagurritans CHAP. VII Of Wills cancell'd 1. A Father that disinherited his Son 2. M. Anneius Carscolanus 3. C. Tettius 4. Sulpitia the mother of the Trachali 5. Terentius 6. Naevianus 7. Juventius Let us now go to that sort of business which among all the actions of Men is the last thing done and their chiefest care And let us consider what Wills have bin cancell'd after they were legally made or might have bin cancell'd when they stood firm and transferr'd the honour of Inheritance to others than those that expected it 1. Which that I may do according to the order which I have proposed I will begin with the Father of a certain Souldier who hearing a false report of the death of his Son from the Camp made other Heirs in his Will and died The Youngman returning home after the war Was ended found the dores shut against him by the errour of his Father and the impudence of his Friends For how could they shew themselves more shameless than they did The Souldier had spent the flower of his youth in his Countries Service had undergone most dreadful Labours and Dangers shewed the Wounds which he had received in Battle and only begg'd that lazy Drones a very burthen to the very City it self might not possess his Ancestors Inheritance Therefore laying aside his Armes he was forced to commence a Gown-war in the Court of Justice A hard case while he is forc'd to contend for his Fathers estate with wicked Heirs before the Centumviri though they could not choose but give their Opinions for him while the Sentence of the Court gave him the day 2. Marcus Anneius the Son of M. Carseolanus a famous Roman Knight adopted by Sufenas his Uncle cancell'd his Fathers Will who had left him out of it by the Sentence of the Centumviri before whom he tryed the Cause though Tullianus the familiar Friend of Pompey the Great who was a witness to it were made Heir Therefore he had more to do with the power of a person potent in Court than with the ashes of his Father Yet though both did what they could to hinder him he obtain'd his fathers Goods For L. Sextilius and P. Popilius whom M. Anneius as being his nearest Relations had made Heirs of the same part which was given to Tullianus durst not contend by their Otahs with the young man Though they might have bin sent for at that time by the highest Authorities then in being to have defended the Will And it was some pretence of the Heirs that M. Auneius was translated into the Family of Sufenas But the strong tye of procreation overcame both the Fathers Will and the Authority of so great a Personage 3. C. Tettius an Infant born of Petronia the Wife of Tettius as long as he liv'd being disinherited by his Father was restored to his Inheritance by the Decree of the divine Augustus doing like a Father of his Countrey In regard that Tettius had so unjustly abrogated the paternal Name by giving away his estate from a Son so legally born to his own Right 4. Septicia also the Mother of the Trachali of Ariminum being angry with his Sons out of spite when she was now past child-bearing married Publicius an old man and left both her Children out of her Will Who appealing to the divine Augustâ—â— he disapprov'd both the Marriage and disannul'd the Will For he that the Sons should have their Mothers estate and commanded the Husband to restore her Dower because she did not marry out of hopes of having Children Iâ— Justice her self had given sentence in this case could she have pronounc'd a juster Sentence Thou despisest those whom thoâ— hast begot thou marriest past Child-bearing thoâ— breakest the order of Wills out of a violent humoâ—â— and dost not blush to give all thy Patrimony to â— person to whose feeble body thou hast prostituteâ— thy old Age. And therefore while thou thus bâ— havest thy self thou art cast down to Hell by thâ— voice of heavenly Thunder 5. Famous is the Constitution of C. Câ—lpâ—ruiâ— Piso Praetor of the City For when Terentius complain'd before him together with his eight Sons whom he had bred up to be men that one of his Soâ— whom he had parted with in Adoption had disinherited him gave him the poâ—â—â—ssion of the young mans estate and would not suffer the Heirs to go to Law The Paternal Majesty of the man mov'd Calpurnius doubtless together with the gift of Life and the benefit of Education but that which more moved him was the number of his other Children that stood by seeing seven Brothers and a Father disinherited by one Child 6. How prudent was the Decree of Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus the Consul Genucius a certain Priest of Cybele besought the Praetor of the City Cn. Orestes that the goods of Naevianus might be restor'd to him the possâ—ssion whereof he had by Will obtain'd Mamercus being thereupon appeal'd to by Surdinius whose Freed-man had left Genucius his Heir disannull'd the Praetors Sentence saying That Genucius who had of his own accord suffered himself to be gâ—lt for so are all the Priests of Cybele was not to be reckon'd either a man or woman A Decree befitting Mamercus befitting the Prince of the Senate whereby he provided that the Tribunals of Magistrates should not be polluted by the obscene presence and scandalous voice of Eunuchs 7. Q. Metellus was a much more severe Praetor than Orestes Who would not give Vecilius the Pandar the possession of the Goods of Iuventius left him by Will For that noble and grave Personage did not think the condition of a Court of Judicature and a Brothel-house to be the same Neither would he approve the fact of that man who had thrown away his estate upon an unclean stable nor give the same right to one that made a publick profession of Dishonesty as to a Citizen of a good Conversation CHAP. VIII Of Testaments confirm'd and unlookt for Inheritances Of the ROMANS 1. Sempronius Tuditanus 2. Aebucia 3. Q Metellus 4. The Brother of
fields He caused a Record to be made of four thousand seven hundred murder'd upon the dire decree of Proscription Nor content to rage against them who had born Armes against him he added also to the number of the proscribed several peaceable Citizens whose names he collected by the Nomenclator He also drew his Sword against the Women not satisfi'd with the slaughter of the men That was also a signe of incredible Insatiety that he caused the Heads of the miserable creatures newly cut off and as yet retaining their Physiognomies and Breath to be brought into his presence that what he could not devour with his â—eeth he might with his eyes How cruelly did he carry himself toward M. Marius the Praetor who being dragg'd in the sight of the people to the Sepulcher of the Lutatian Family he would not put him to deâ—th till he had digg'd out his eyes and broken the several members of that unfortunate persons Methinks I hardly seem to relate Truths And yet because M. Plaetorius fell into a Swoon upon the Execution of Marius he presently slew him A new Punisher of Pitie with whom to behold wickedness with an averse minde was to commit a Crime But sure he spar'd the shades of the Dead No. For digging up the ashes of C. Marius whose Quaestor once he was though afterwards his Enemy he scatter'd them upon the river Anio Behold by what acts he thought to obtain the name of Happy 2. Of which Cruelty however C. Marius mitigates the envy For he out of an eager desire of prosecuting his Enemies wickedly unsheath'd his Anger with an ignoble Severity dismembring the honoured Body of L. Caesar of the Consular and Censor's Dignity and at the Sepulcher of a most abject and seditious person For that mischief was wanting to the miserable Republique That Caesar should fall a Victime to Varius Hardly were his Victories of equal value which when he forgot he became more criminal home than praise-worthy for his Victories abroad The same person when the Head of M. Anthony cut off was brought him betray'd much insolence both of thought and words as he held it in his joyful hands in the midst of a Banquet suffering the Sacred's of the Table to be contaminated with the Blood of a most famous Commonwealths man and Orator More than that he received P. Annius that brought it reaking with the fresh blood into his Bosome 3. Damasippus had no praise and therefore his memory may be the more severely prosecuted by whose commands the Heads of the principal Men of the City were mingled with the heads of the Sacrifices and the headless Body of Carbo Arvina carried about nail'd to the Gallows So that the Pretorship of a most licentious man could do much or the Authority of the Commonwealth nothing 4. Munatius Flaccus a more stiff than approved defender of Pompey's party when he was besieged by Cesar in Spain within the walls of Attegua he exercis'd his savage Cruelty after a most truculent manner For after he had kill'd all the Citizens which he thought well affected to Caesar he threw them headlong from the Walls He also murder'd the Women calling their Husbands first that were in Caesar's Camp to the walls to the end they might behold the slaughter of their Wives Nor did he spare the Children laid upon their Mothers laps suffering the tender Infants to be some dash'd against the stones others to be thrown up and to fall upon the stakes Which things intolerable to be heard were executed by Lusitanians at the command of a Roman by whose assistance Flaccus well fortified withstood the divine Labours of Caesar with a doting obstinacy STRANGERS 1. Let us pass to those for which though there be the same grief yet there is not the same reason for our City to blush The Carthaginians put Attilius Regulus to death after a doleful manner For having cut off his Eye-brows and shut him up in a little wooden case wherein there was nothing but sharp nails they suffer'd him to linger with continual watching and in a long series of pain A kind of Torment not worthy him that suffer'd but becoming the Authors of it The same Cruelty they used toward our Souldiers whom being taken in a Sea-fight they fasten'd under the bottom of their Ships that being crush'd to death by the weight of the Reel they might satiate their barbarous ferity by an unusual kinde of death 2. Their Captain Hannibal whose chiefest Vertue consisted in Cruelty made a Bridge over the River Vergellus with the bodies of the Romans and so led over his Army that the Earth might experiment the wickedness of the Carthaginian Land-forces as the Sea had beheld the barbarity of their Mariners Those whom he had taken prisoners picking out the nearest of Kin that he could he compell'd to fight by pairs till he made them destroy one another Those that were tir'd he lest upon the Road with the lower part of their Feet cut off Deservedly therefore though too slow the punishment were the Senate forced him when a Suppliant to King Prusias to a voluntary Death 3. As truely had they reason to abominate Mithridates who with one Epistle slew fourscore thousand Roman Citizens dispers'd over Asia as Merchantâ— defiling the hospitable Gods of so large a Province with blood unjustly shed though not unrevenged For which intolerable torment at length he compell'd that Vital Spirit to submit that contended with the poyson Thereby attaining those torments which he had made his own friends to suffer at the beck of Gaurus his Eunuch to whom his obedient Lust could deny nothing 4. Numulizinthis Diogiris the King of Thrace's Daughters Cruelty though not so much to be admir'd considering the Barbarity of the Nation yet the horridness will not let it be pass'd in silence who held it not unlawful to cut living men in two in the middle or for Parents to feed upon the bodies of their Children 5. Again Ptolomey Physcon comes upon the stage a little before a most dreadful Example of lastful Madness now of Cruelty For what more horrid than this He caus'd his own Son Menephites whom he had got upon Cleopatra his Sister and Wife a lovely and hopeful Youth to be kill'd in his presence and sent the Head Feet and Hands cut off and put into a Chest cover'd over with the Child's Garment as a Birth-day Gift to the Mother As if altogether ignorant of the mischief he had done and never the more unfortunate for having render'd Cleopatra miserable in the loss of Children common to both and himself odious to all With so blinde a fury doth the height of Cruelty rage when she thinks to strengthen herself by her own acts For when he understood how he was hated by his people he sought a remedy for his fear in wickedness and that he might raign more safely when the people were murder'd he surrounded the Gymnasium full of young people with fire and sword and slew partly by the
that were stâ—nding 20. Nor did Q. Fulvius Flaccus go unpunished who in his Censorship translated the Marble Tiles from the Temple of Lacinian Iuno to the Fane of Fortuna Equestris which he was then building at Rome for he no sooner had done it but he fell mad and for very grief expired hearing that of his two Sons both Souldiers in Ilâ—yria one oâ— them was dead the other slain by whose mishap the Senate being warned ordered the Tiles to be carried back to Locri. 21. Much after the same manner did they punish the covetousness of Q. Pliminius Legate to Scipio in robbing the Treasure of Proserpina for when he was brought in Fetters to Rome before he could come to his Tryal he died in Prison of a most filthy Disease The Goddess by command of the Senate had not onely her Money restored but double the sum Forraign Examples of Religion observed or neglected 1. As to the Fact of Pleminius it was well punish'd by the Conscript Fathers But against the sorbid Violencies of King Pyrrhus the Goddess her self defended her self well enough for the Locri being compelled to give him money out of her Treasury while he was sailing upon the Sea laden with his impious Prey by force of a mighty Tempest his whole Navy was cast away upon the shoar adjoyning to the said City where the money being found entire was restored to the most sacred Treasury of the Goddess 2. But the Act of Mâ—ssanisa was of another nature whose Admiral having landed in Melita and taken out of the Fane of Iuno certain Ivory-teeth of an immense proportion and given them as a Present to the King Massanisa no â—ooner understood from whence they came but he commanded them to be carried back â—n a Gallâ—y with five Oars and put in the place whence they were taken having caus'd certain Words to he carved upon them signifying that the King had taken them ignorantly and willingly restored them 3. Dionysius born at Syracuse us'd to make Jâ—sts of his Sacriledges of which he committed more than we have now room to recount for having plundered the Temple of Iuno at Locri and sailing upon the Sea with a prosperous gale laughing to his â—riends he said What a pleasant Voyage have the Gods granted to us Sacrilegious Robbers Having taken alâ—o a Cloak of Massie gold from Iupiter Olympian which Hierâ— the Tyrant had dedicated to him out of the spoils of the Carthaginians and throwing over the Statue a Woollen-mantle told his Companions That a Cloak of Gold was too heavy in the Summer too cold in the Winter but a Woollen Cloak would serve for both Seasons The same person commanded the Golden beard of Esculapius to be taken from his Statue in his Temple at Epidaurum saying It was not convenient for Apollo the Father to be without a Beard and the Son to have so large a one He also took away the Silver and Golden Tables out of other Temples where finding certain Inscriptions after the manner of Greece that they belonged to the good Gods then said he Through their goâ—dnâ—ss we will make use of them He also took away the little Statues of Victory Cups and Crowns which they held in their hands being all of Gold saying He did but borrow them not take um quite away saying It was an idle thing when we pray to the Gods for good things not to accept um when they hold um forth to us Who in his own person though he were not rewarded according to his deserts yet in the infamy of his Son he suffâ—red after death what in his life-time he had escaped 4. For the avoiding whereof Timasitheus Prince of the Liparitans by his wisdom provided for his own and his Countries safety for when certain of his Subjects using Pyracy had taken a Golden cup of a very great weight and that the people were gathered together to divide the spoil understanding that is was consecrated to Apollo Pythian in lieu of their Tenths by the Romans he took it from them and carefully sent it to Delphos 5. Milisian Ceres when Miletum was taken by Alexander and that several Souldiers were broken into the Temple to plunder it on a sudden depriv'd them all of their sight 6. The Persians coming to Delos with a Navy of a thousand Ships behaved themselves more irreligiously than rapaciously toward the Temple 7. The Athenians banish'd Diagoras the Philosopher because he adventured to affirm that he knew not whether there were any Gods or no or if there were any of what nature they were They also condemned Socrates because he endeavoured to introduce a new Religion They endured Phidias when he affirmed that it was better to make the Statue of Minerva of Marble rather than of Ivory by reason it was more lasting but when he added that it was also cheaper they commanded him silence 8. Diomedon one of the ten Captains who at Arginusa won a great Victory to the Athenians but to himself the reward of Condemnation being now led to his undeserved Execution spake nothing else but onely that the Vows which he had made for the safety of the Army might be performed CHAP. II. Of Feigned Religion ROMANS 1. Numa Pompilius 2. P. Scip. African the greater 3. L. Cor. Sulla 4. Q. Sertorius FORRAIGNERS 1. Minos King of Crete 2. Pisiâ—tratus Athenian 3. Lycurgus Spartan 4. Zaleuâ—us oâ— Locri. 1. NVma Pompilius that he might oblige his people to the observance of Holy things feigned to have familiarity by night with the Goddess Egeria and that by her direction onely the Worship of the Gods which he propos'd was instituted 2. Scipio sirnamed the African never went about any private or publick business till he had been for some while in the Fane of Iupiter Capitoline and was therefore thought to have been begot by Iove 3. Lucius Sulla when he resolved to give Battel embracing a little Image of Apolâ—o which was taken out of the Temple of Delphos in the sight of all his Souldiers desired the Deity to bring to pass what he had promised 4. Q. Sertorius had a tame white Hart which he taught to follow him over all the cragged Mountains of Lusitania by which he feigned himself instructed what to do or what not FORRAIGN 1. Minos King of Crete was wont to retire himself every ninth year into a deep and antiently-consecrated Den and there staying some time brought forth new Laws which he there feigned were delivered to him by Iupiter 2. Pisistratus to recover the Tyranny of Athens which he had lost made as if Minerva her self had led him into the Castle deceiving the Athenians by shewing an unknown woman who was called Phya in the habit of Minerva 3. Lycurgus perswaded the people that the Laws which he compos'd for the grave City of Lacedaemon were made by the counsel of Apollo 4. Zaleucus in the name of Minerva was accounted the wisest man among the Locrians CHAP. III. Of Forraign Religion rejected 1. By the Roman people 2.
we read that thou the same day thou sat'st in the Golden Seat clothed with Purple that thou might'st not seem to have despised the honours which the Senate had with so much diligence designed and with so much duty offered before thou would'st publickly shew thy wish'd-for presence to the people didst spend some time in that religious worship which was shortly to be given to thee and offering a fat Ox which wanted a heart the Southsayer told thee the Omen concern'd thy life and care of thy own preservation Then was that Murther committed by those persons who while they soughâ— to ravish thee from the number of Men translated thee to the number of the Gods FORRAIGN Let us conclude the Domestick Relation of such Prodigies with this Example lest by dilating farther upon those of the Romans I should seem to transfer disagreeing Customs from the Temâ—les of the Gods to private Habitations I shall therefore touch upon Forraign Presidents which being related in Latine as they are of less authority yet they bring with them something of a grateful variety 1. In the Army of Xerxes which he had amassed up against Greece a Mare is said to have brought forth a Hare bâ—fore the Army had yet pass'd the Mountain Athos by which kind of montrous birth the event of such vast preparations was plainly shewed For he that had covered the Sea with his Fleets the Land with his Armies was forc'd like the most â—imorous Animal with shameful flight to recover his own Kingdom Before he had ruin'd Athens while he was advising how to invade Lacedaemon a most wonderful Prodigy hapned while he was at supper For the Wine being poured forth into the Cup more than once twice or thrice nay a fourth time was changed into Blood Whereupon the Magi being consulted advised him to desist from his purpose And had he had the least footstep of Reason in his vain breast he might have prevented his ruine being so often warn'd to take heed of Leouidas and the Spartans 2. While Midas to whose Scepter all Phrygia once was subject was a child a company of Ants laid a heap of Wheat in his mouth as he lay asleep His Parents desiring to know what the meaning of the Prodigy should be the Augurs answered That he should be the richest of all men Nor was the Prediction vain for Midas exceeded all the Princes of his time in plenty of Gold and Silver 3. I should have by right and deservedly preferr'd Plato's Bees before Midas's Emmets for they were onely Prognostications of frail and fading these of solid and eternal Felicity while they brought Honey and laid it upon the lips of the little Infant sleeping in his Cradle Which thing being reported the Interpreters of Prodigies declared That a most singular grace of Vltâ—rance should hereafter drop from his mouth But to me those Bees not bred upon Hymettus cover'd with fragrant flowers of Thyme but on the verdant Hiliconian Hills of the Muses flourishing with all sorts of learning seem'd to distil into his mouth the sweetest nourishment of Eloquence CHAP. VII of Dreams Of the ROMANS 1. Artorious Physician to Augustus 2. Calpurnia 3. P. Decii T. Manlii Consul 4. Of T. Atinius 5. Cicero in Exile 6. C. Sempronius Gracchus 7. Cassius Parmensis 8. Arterius Rufus a Roman Knight FORRAIGN 1. Annibal 2. Alexander 3. Simonides 4. Croesus 5. Cyrus 6. Himera 7. The Mother of Dion Tyrant 8. Amilcar 9. Alcibiades 10. An Arcadian NOw because I have touched upon the Riches of Midas and the Eloquence of Plato I will shew you how the quiet and safety of many men has been shadowed out under several representations 1. And where shall I sooner begin than from the most sacred memory of Divine Augustus His Physician Artorius being asleep the night before the day wherein the Romans fought one against the other in the fields of Philippi the appearance of Minerva admonish'd him to warn Augustus then lying very ill that notwithstanding his sickness he should not abstain from the Battel Which Caesar hearing caus'd himself to be carried in a Litter into the Field where while he laboured above his strength for the Victory his Camp was taken by Brutus What other 〈◊〉 we think then but the Divine Benevolence so ordain'd it that a personage destined to immortality should not be subject to a Fate unworthy his Divinity 2. Nor was it onely the Dream of Artorius that gave warning to Augustus who had a natural perspicacity and vigour to judge of every thing as a fresh and domestick President For he had heard that Calpurnia the Wife of his Parent Iulius the last night that he lived upon earth dream'd that she saw her Husband lie stabbed and bleeding in her bosom and being affrighted with the strangeness of the Dream was an earnest suiter to him to abstain from going to the Senate the next day but he lest he should have been thought to have been mov'd with a womans dream went the rather to the Senate-house where the Murtherers quickly laid violent hands upon him It is not needful to make any comparison between the Father and the Son both equal in their Divinity for the one had made way for himself to Heaven by his own works the other was to let the world enjoy his Vertues a long time Therefore the Gods were onely willing that the first should know the approaching change which the other was to defer it being enough that one Honour should be given to Heaven and another promised 3. Admirable also was that Dream and famous in the Event which the two Consuls Decius Mus and Monlius Torquatus dream'd when they lay incamped not far from the foot of the Mountain Vesuvius at the time of the Latin War which was very sharp and dangerous For a certain person foretold to both of them that the Manes and Terra Mater claim'd as their due the General of one side and the whole Army on the other But that which Captain soever should assail the forces of the Enemy and devote himself a Victim for the good of his Army should obtain the Victory This the Entrails of the Sacrifices confirmed the next moâ—ning to both Consuls who endeavoured either to expiate the misfortune if it might be averted or else resolv'd to undergo the determination of the Gods Therefore they agreed that which Wing should begin to faint the other should with his own life appease the Fates which while both undauntedly ventâ—red to perform Decius hapned to be the person whom the Gods required 4. The Dream which follows seems to concern publick Religion A certain Master of a Family having caused his Servant to be whipped and brought him to the punishment of the Fork in the Flaminian Circus at the time of the Plebeian Plays a little before the Show was about to begin Iupiter in a Dream commanded Titus Atinius one of the Vulgar to tell the Consuls That he that had done'd before the last Circensian Games did no way please
leave 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 but from Iron But while every one was intent and eager in killing the wild beast obstinate Destiny pâ—rsisting in her intended violence directed a Spear inâ—o 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 left 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 womâ—n of no mean parentage fancied in her Sleep that 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 Iove and lying at his feet and asking a young man who was her guide the meaning thereof she was told that he was the ill fate of Sicily and Italy and when his chains should â—e 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 Celestial 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 shâ— 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 fallied oâ—t 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 manifest certainty though somewhat longer craves not to be omitted Two familiar Arcadians travailing togetheâ— 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 fâ—male 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 recovering his Speech 5. Gordiâ—s 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 Macedon 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 Mithâ—idates 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. Mirâ—cles 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 Regillus and that for some time neither Party gave ground Castor and Pollux taking the Romans side overthrew 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
Scopas and all his Guests What greater wealth than so much felicity which neither the rage of the Sea or Land could take from him 8 I am not unwilling to adde to this the Story of Daphidas that men may understand how profitable it is to â—ing the praises oâ— the Gods and obey the Divine Power He being of their profession who are call'd Sophists resolving to ask a frivolous question of the Oracle of Apollo in derision demanded Whether he should finde the Horse he had lost when in truth he had none at all To which the Oracle answer'd That he should finde his Horse but be kill'd with a â—all off his back Bâ—ing upon his return merry and laughing at the trick he had put upon the Oracle he fell into the hands of Attalus the King whom he had often abus'd with his scurrilous Verses being out of his reach And being by his command thrown headlong down a Rock which was call'd The Horse he receiv'd the just reward due to one that would go about to cavil with the gods 9. Philip K. of Macedon being also admonisht by the same Oracle to have a care of the violence of a Chariot caused all the Chariots in his Kingdom to be cut to pieces and alwaies carefully shun'd that place in Boeotia which is call'd The Chariot and yet he could not avoid that kind of death which was foretold him for Pansanias that slew him had a Chariot engraven in the Hilt of his Sword 10. And this fatal Necessity which the Father could not avoid was a severe to his Son Alexander For Calanus the Indian being about to throw himself of his own accord upon his Funeral-Pile being ask'd by him whether he had any thing to command or tell him made no other reply but I shall shortly see thee Nor was his answer in vain for the violent Death of Alexandâ—r speedily follow'd his violent decease 11. These Royal Funerals are â—qual'd in Miracle by the fortune of a Rower in a Galley who standing at the Pump in a small Tyrian Vessel and by the violence of a Wave thrown out of the same the force of a contrary Wave wash'd him into the Vessel again congratulating and bewailing at one time his miserable and happy condition 12. What more Are we not to believe that there are certain Mockeries of Nature in the Bodies of Men tolerable indeed because not horrid yeâ— no less miraculous because unusual The Son of Prusias King of Bithynia bearing the same name with his Father instead of an upper row of Teeth had one continued Bone though neither deformed nor unfit for use 13. Dripetine also the Daughter of Mithridates born of Laâ—dice the Queen having her mouth deformed with a double row of Teeth above and bâ—low was her Fathers Companion when he fled from Pompey 14. No less admirable were the Eyes of that person who is reported to have had so sharp a sight that he was able to discover the Ships going out of the Poâ—t of Carthage from the Promontory of Lilybaeum in Sicily 15. More admirabâ—e than his Eyes was the Heart of Aristomenes the Messenian which the Athenians by reason of his admirable subtlety causing to be cut out for they had often taken him yet still by his cunning he escaped them found to be all over hairy 16. The Poet Antipater the Sidonian every year on the very day of his Birth had a Fever and having lived to a great age upon his Birth day died of a Fever 17. Here we may very conveniently take notice of Polystraâ—us and Hippoclides Philosophers who were boâ—n thâ— same day â—ollowed the Precepts of the same Master Epicurus possess'd the same Revenues went to the same School and living long Friends together at length both died the same day So equal was the fortune and friendship of their Society that who would not think them born bred and deceas'd in the very bosome of divine Concord her self 18. Why all this should come to pass either to the Children of Kings or to a most famous King himself to a Prophet of a flourishing Wit or be so remarkable in the Lives of Learned Men or among the Vulgar sort Nature it self so fruitful in good or evil hath never given a reason No more than why among the wild Goats which are bred in Crete being wounded with darts should fly for present help to the Herb Dittany which being eaten immediately forceth the Dart and Poyson out of their Wounds Or how it comes to pass that in the Island of Cephalenia whereas all other beasts in other places are reâ—resh'd with drinking water in that place they are wont to quench their thirsts by receiving the wind into their mouths Or why at Crotona in the Temple of Laâ—inian Iuno the ashes should remain undisturb'd and not to be remov'd what Wind soever blow Or why one Fountain in Macedonia another in the Countrey of Calenum should have so much the property of Wine as to intoxicate men These things we do not so much admire as think worthy of remembrance â—eing well ascertain'd that Naâ—ure may well assume to herself the greatest share of knowledg who has the painfâ—l charge of begetting all things 19. And now seeing we are â—alking of things that exceed common reason let us give a relation of that Serpent which Livie has so elegantly described For he saith that upon the Banks of the River Bagrada in Africk so great a Serpent appear'd as hindred the whole Army of Attilius Regulus from the use of the wateâ— Many Souldiers she swallowed down her filthy widâ— Mouth many killed with the hideous bangs of her Taâ—â— and when they could pierce her with no Dart or Spear at length they were forced to plant their Engins of Battery against and bruise her to pieces with huge Stones and Flints of massie weighâ— and to all both Horse and Foot seemed more terrible than Carthage it self At what time the stream being defiled with her Blood and the air infected with the stench of her Body the Roman Camp was forced to remove The Skin of this Monster he saith was 120 foot long and sent to Rome LIB II. CHAP. I. Of Matrimonial Ceremonies and Duty of Relations 1. Good Signes precâ—ding Marriage 2. Marriage-Feasts 3. Women praised for living Widows 4. First Divorce 5. Matrimonial liberty and decency 6. Conjugal Love 7. Modest Consanguinity 8. The Feast of Charistia or Love 9. Age honoured 10. Youth observed and instructed by example WHile we are searching into the rich and potent kingdom of Nature it will not be unseasonable to take notice of the antient and memorable Institutions as well of our own City as of other Nations For it is worth our while to know the first original of those happy Manners and that way of living which we now enjoy under the best of Princes seeing that the consideration of them may perhaps be profitable to the present Customes 1. Among the Antients there was nothing either publickly or privately
undertaken unless they had first observed the signe from which Custome the Southsayers were alwaies consulted before Marriages And though they have left off the marking of Birds or bodings of good or bad luck yet nominally they follow the footâ—â—eps of the old Custome 2. The Women supp'd with the Men sitting but the Men lay down which Custome among men was observed in Heaven For Iupiter is said to sup lying on his Couch while Iuno and Minerva are invited to sit Which kind of severe Custome our Age more diligently observes in the Capitol than in their Houses It being more proper to adhere to the Discipline of Goddesses than Women 3. They that were content to be married but once were honoured with a Crown of Chastity For they believed that Matron to have an incorrupted mind and sincere Loyalty that would not leave the Chamber where she had first deposited her Virginity and esteemed the experience of many Matrimonies to be a signe of some Incontinency 4. There was no Divorce between Man and Wife till Five Hundred and Twenty Years after the City was built The first was Spurius Carâ—ilius who divorced his Wife for being barren Who though he appeared to have a good excuse for what he did yet there were that blamed him enough being such as believed that Conjugal Loyalty was to be preferred before desire of Children 5. But that the Honour and Modesty of Matrons might be more sacred when they were call'd into Court no man was permitted to touch them that their Garments might not be defiled by the contact of a strange hand The use of Wine was formerly unknown to the Roman Women for fear it might bring them to any disgrace because the first degree to forbidden Vâ—nus is from father Bacchus Yet that their Chastity might not alway occasion undecent retirement but that they might appear in a comely Garb of converse through the Indulgence of their Husbands they wore Purple and ornaments of Gold For then Corrupters of Marriages were not feaâ—'d but Women might modestly behold and chastly be beheld 6. When there was any diffâ—rence between Husband and Wife they went to the Chappel of the Goddess Viriplaca which is in the Palace and having liberâ—y to talk what they had a minde to after the heat was over they returned home very good friends This Goddess had her name from appealing of men worthy of adoration and to be worshipped not with choice but exquisite Sacrifices as being the Keeper of dayly and Family-peace rendring to men and women under the same yoak of Peace what is due to the Majesty of men and the Honour of women 7. This Modesty among Wives is it not necessary among other Relations for that I may by a small example set forth the great â—orce thereoâ— formerly neither Father us'd to wash with his Son at age noâ— Father-in-law with Son-in-law Whence it appears there was as much Religion attributed to Kindred and Consanguinity as to the Immortal Gods while among those that were thus ti'd it was no more lawful to strip themselves than it was in the Temple 8. Our Ancestors also instituted a sacrâ—d Feast which was called Charistia where none wâ—re admitted but Kindred that iâ— there were any difference among Relations there might be a reconcilâ—ation by the help of Friends in the midst of their sacrâ—d Rites and holy Mirâ—h 9. Yâ—uth gave to Old Age such circumspect and maniâ—old Honour as if the elder were the common Father of the younger There upon Council-day if any young man waâ—ted upon any Senator Relation or Friend oâ— his Father to the Senate they stay without door till the other came to perâ—orm the same duty home again By which voluntary attendance they â—ccustom'd their bodies and minds to undergo publick Offices and in a short time became more experienced in labour and meditation Being invited to a Feast they diligently inquired who was to be there that they might not be forced to rise to give way to their Elder and when the Cloth was taken away they always rose and went away first and all the time of Supper they were very sparing and modest in their discourse 10. The Elder were wont to sing the famous deeds of their Ancestors in Verse at their Festivals thereby to stir up Youth by imitation thereof What mâ—re splendid or more profitable than this kind of Combat Youth honour'd Gray Hairs and superannuated Age encourag'd those who were ready to enter into Action with the nourishment of their favour What Athens what School what forraign Education may I prâ—â—er to this Domestick Discipline This raised the Camilli Scipio's Fabricii Marcelli and Fabii and that I may not be tedious in recounting all the lights of our noble Empire thus the most glorious part of Heaven the sacred Caesars obtained their same CHAP. II. Of the Offices of Magistrates and Orders 1. The Roman Fidelity and Taciturnity 2. Authority of Magistrates and observance of the Latin Tongue 3. C. Marius despising Eloquence 4. Consular Majesty 5. Constancy of the Roman Embassadours 6. Vigilancy of the Senate 7. Diligence of the Tribunes 8. Abstinence of the Magistrates 9. The Tryal of the Roman Knights and Lupercalia 1. SO high a Love had all our Ancestors for their Countrey that there was not a Senator who for many Ages would reveal the Transactions of the Fathers Q. Fabius Maximus onely and he also through imprudence going into the Countrey and meeting P. Crassus by the way told him what was done in order to proclaiming the Second Punick War remembring that he had been Questor three years before and not knowing tâ—at he was not yet put into the Senate by the Censors who were the only persons that gave admittance to those that had born Honours in that Assembly However though this were but a harmless errour in Fabius yet he was severely reprehended for it by the Consuls For they would by no means suffer Taciturnity the best and safest bond of Government to be violated in the least And therefore when Eumenes King of Asia gave intelligence to the Senate that Perseus was preparing to make War it could not be known either what Eumenes said or what the Father 's answered till Perseus was taken The Court was the faithful and deep breast of the Commonwealth environ'd and fortifi'd with Silence which they that enter'd soon cast off private Love cloathing themselves with publick Zeal So that I may say that one would have thought that no man heard what was committed to the ears of so many 2. But our antient Magistrates how they behaved themselves in bearing up the Majesty of the Roman People from hence may be observed that among all their other marks of Gravity this they punctually maintain'd not to talk with the Greeks but in the Latine Tongue And also causing them to lay aside the volubility of their own language forc'd them to speak by an Interpreter not only in our own City but in Greece and Asia That the honour
his Brother ouâ— of the Senate for that he had prâ—sumed to send home a Cohort of the Legion wherein he was a Tribune without the leave of the Consul What more difficult for a man to do than to send back with ignomihy to his Country a person nearly related by Family and Marriage or to use the severity of Stripes to a person allied in a long series of Blood and Kindred or to beed his Censors â—rown upon the dear Relation of a Brother 6. But our City which hath fill'd the world with wonderful Examples of all sorts with a double face beholds her Axes reeking with the Blood of her Commanders lest the disturbance of Military Disciplinâ— should go unpunish'd pompous abroad but the cause of private grief enough uncertain whether to perform the office of congratulating or comforting And therefore with doubtful thoughts have I coupled you two together most severe observers of Warlike Discâ—pline Posthumus Tubertus and Manlius Torquatus For I apprehend a fear of sinking under that weight of Praise which ye have merited and discovering the weakness of my Wit while I presume to represeâ—â— your Vertue as it should be For thou O Posthuâ—â—s Dictator didst cause thy victorious Son Aulus Pâ—â—â—humus to be beheaded thy Son whom thou didst beget to propagate the succession of thy renowned Race and the secret instructions of thy most sacred traditions the allurements of whose infancy thou hadst cherish'd in thy Bosome and with thy Kisses whom a Child thou hadst instructed in Learning a Man in Arms good couragious and obedient both to thee and to his Countrey only because without thy command without thy leave he had overthrown his enemies thy fatherly command was the Executioner For I am certain thine eyes orewhelm'd with darkness in the brightest light could not behold the great work of thy mind But thou Manlius Torquatus Consul in the Latine War didst command thy Son to be carried away by the Officer and to be slain like a Sacrifice though he obtain'd a noble Victory for that he had presum'd to fight with Geminius Metius Captain of the Tuscans when provoked to the Combat by him Esteeming it better that a Father should want a couragious Son than thy Countrey want Military Discipline 7. Again of what spirit think ye was Quintus Cincinnatus the Dictator at that time when the Aequi being vanquished he compelled Minutius to lay down the Consulship because the Enemies had besieged his Camp For he thought him unworthy the greatest command whom not his Virtue but his Trenches and his Breast works secur'd and who was not ashamed to see the Roman Arms trembling for fear shut up in their Turn-pikes Thus the most commanding twelve Fasces with whom remain'd the chief honour of the Senate of the Order of Knighthood of all the People with whose Nod all Latium and all strength of Italy was govern'd now shatter'd and broken submitted to the punishing authority of the Dictatorship And lest the breach of Military Honour should go unpunish'd the Consul punisher of all Crimes must himself be punished By these Propitiatory Sacrifices as I may so say O Mars the Father of our Empire when we degenerated from thy auspicious Discipline thy Deity was appeas'd By the infamy of Kindred Relations and Brothers by the murder of Sons and the ignominious degrading of Consuls 8. To the same purpose is that which follows Papirius Cursor Dictator when Q. Fabius Rullianus Master of the Horse had contrary to his command brought forth the Army to Battle though he return'd a Victor over the Samnites yet neither mov'd with his Virtue with his Success nor with his Nobility he caus'd the Rods to be made ready and the Conquerour to be stript A spectacle of wonder to behold Rullianus Master of the Horse and a victorious General his Cloaths pull'd off his Body naked to be lacerated with the stripes of an Executioner to no other end than to sprinkle the glorious honour of his Victories so lately obtain'd with the fresh Blood of those Wounds which he had received in the Field drawn from his Body by the knotted stripes of the Lictor At length the Army mov'd by his Prayers gave him the opportunity of flying into the City where in vain he implored the aid of the Senate for Papirius notwithstanding persever'd in requiring his punishment Wherefore his Father after having been Dictator and three times Consul was compell'd to appeal to the People and upon his Knees to beg the assistance of the Tribunes in the behalf of his Son Neither by this means could the Severity of Papirius be restain'd but being intreated by the whole City and by the Tribunes themselves made a protestation that he forgave the Punishment not to Fabius but to the City of Rome and the Authority of the Tribunes 9. L. Calpurnius Piso also being Consul being in Sicily making war against the Fugiâ—ives when C. Titius Commander of the Horse being environ'd and oppress'd by the multitude of the Enemy had with the rest of his Souldiers deliver'd their Arms to the Enemy he punisht him wiâ—h several marks of Ignominy He commanded him to march barefoot in the first Ranks from Morning till Night with a Jacket the skirts whereof were cut off and his Cloak slit from top to bottom he forbad him also the converse of Men and use of the Baths and the Troops which he commanded having taken away their Horses he divided them among the Slingers Thus to his great honour did Piso revenge the great dishonour of his Countrey having brought it so to pass that they who out of a desire of Life and deserving to be hanged had suffer'd their Arms to become the Trophies of Fugitives and were not ashamed to permit the ignominious yoak of Servitude to be laid upon their Liberty by the hands of Slaves might experience the bitter enjoymâ—nt of Life and covet that Death which they had so effeminately avoided 10. Not less than that of Piso was the proceeding of Q. Metelius who at the Battle of Contrebia having placed five Cohorts in a certain station and seeing them retire through the multitude of their Enemies he commanded them immediately to endeavour to recover their ground again withal severely adding that if any of them flying were found in the Camp he should be used as an Enemy not hoping by this means to regain what they had lost but to punish them with the manifest hazards of the ensuing Combat Yet they having received this check weary as they were having no other encouragement but Despair renewed the fight and with the slaughter of their Enemies recover'd their station So that there is nothing like Necessity to harden humane Imbâ—cillity 11. In the same Province Q. Fabius the Great being desirous to bring down the fierce pride of a most haughty People forcâ—d his gentle disposition for a time to lay aside all Clemency and to use himself to utmost Rigoul and Severity For he cut off the hands of all those
by one half and of his own accord took Lucretius to be his Colleague in Authority before whom because he was the Elder he caused the Fasces to be carried first He also enacted a Law in the Assemblies of the Hundreds That no Magistrate should strike or kill a Roman Citizen so that the freer the Condition of the City was the more he by little and little extenuated his own Authority He also pulled down his own house because that being seated in a higher part of the City it seemed to have the resemblance of a Castle Thus lower in his house did he not appear higher in his glory 2. I can no sooner forsake Poblicola but I am pleas'd in coming to Furius Camillus Whose Translation and change from great Ignominies to highest Command was so moderate that when his Fellow-Citizens after that Rome was taken by the Gauls required his assistance being then an Exile in Ardea he had no sooner began his Journey to Veii there to take charge of the Army but that he understood all things were confirmed in most solemn manner in relation to his being made Dictator Magnificent was the Veientine Triumph of Camillus famous was his Victory over the Gauls but much more admirable that his Pause for it was a harder labour for him to overcome himself than the Enemy neither avoiding adversity with too much haste nor meeting adversity with too much joy 3. Equal to Furius in Moderation was Marcius Rutilius Censorinus For being a second time created Censor he called the people together to an Assembly and in a Speech most sharply reprehended them that they had twice conferred that Office upon him seeing that their Ancestors thought rather fit to abridge and confine the time of holding the same as being too great for one man Both did well boâ—h Censorinus and the people for the one instructed them to bestow their high Honour with Moderation the other intrusted themselves in the hands of a moderate person 4. Go to L. Quinctius Cincinnaâ—us what a Consul was he whose honour when the Conscript Fathers would have continued not onely for his egregious acts but because the people intended to continue the same Tribunes again the next year neither of which could be legally done he hindered the endeavours of both not onely restraining the endeavours of the Senate but constraining the Tribunes to follow the Example of his own Modesty 5. But Fabius Maximus having observ'd that himself had been Consul five times and oftner by his Father Grandfather and Great-Grandfather at the Assembly of the People where his Son was created Consul pleaded very hard with the people That they would permit a vacation of Honour to the Family of the Fabii Not that he did mistrust the Vertues of his Son for he was a person of great Honour but that the supream Honour of the Commonwealth should not remain in one Family What more powerful than this Moderation that could so overcome his Fatherly affections which are generally so strong in Parents 6. There was no Gratitude wanting among our Ancestors to give the rewards due to the Elder African seeing that they have endeavoured to adorn his greatest Enterprizes with equal Honours Willing they were to place his Statue in the great Halls of Justice and Publick Assemblies over the Rostra in the Court and in the Temple of Iupiter himself they were willing to adorn his Statue with Triumphal Habits and lay it upon the Cushions or Beds of the Gods in the Capitol They would have given him the Consulship as long as he lived or a perpetual Dictatorship But he not enduring any Act of the People nor Edict of the Senate to pass in his behalf carried himself with more Honour in refusing those Honours than he had got in obtaining them With the same strength of mind he defended the Cause of Hannibal in the Senate when his own Citizens by their Ambassadors accused him of raising Sedition among um Adding that it did not become the Conscript Fathers to meddle in the affairs of the Carthaginians with a most high moderation consulting the safety of the one and the dignity of the other which amounted to a Victory while both seemed to act the parts of an Enemy 7. But Marcus Marcellus who was the first that taught that the Carthaginians could be vanquished and Syracuse taken when in the time of his Consulship the Syracusans came into the City to complain against him he would not permit the Senate to hear the Cause because his Colleague was by chance absent lest the Sicilians should grow fearful or remiss in their Accusation But assoon as his Partner returned he himself was the first that put the Senate in mind of calling in the Syracusans and patiently heard them while they made their Complaints And though they were commanded by Levinus to depart yet he caused them to stay that they might be present at his defence Afterwards when both parties had been heard he followed them going out of the Court that the Senate might be the more free in passing their Sentence And when their Accusations were rejected he courteously embraced â—hem suppliantly entreating him to receive them into his protection Moreover having drawn Sicily by Lot he yielded that Province to his Colleague And indeed so often may the Praises of Marcellus be varied as he made use of various degrees of Moderation toward his Associates 8. How admirable did Tiberius Gracchus render himself For being Tribune of the People though he bare a profess'd hatred to the Scipio's both African and Asiatic yet when the Asiatic Scipio not being able to pay the Money wherein he was condemn'd was therefore by the Consul commanded to be carried to Prison upon his appeal to the Colledge of Tribunes when no man would intercede for him he dissenting and departing from the Colledge made a Decree And when every one thought that in the writing thereof he would have us'd the words and expressions of an angry enemy In the first place he swore that he was not friends with Scipio and then recited this Decree of his own framing That whereas Cornelius Scipio had cast into Prison the Captains of the Enemy led before his Chariot on the day of his Triumph it was unworthy and unbecoming the Majesty of the Roman People that he should be led thither himself And therefore he would not suffer it to be done Then willingly the Roman People saw how Gracchus had deceived them in their opinion and extoll'd his Moderation with deserved Praise 9. Claudius Nero is also to be number'd among the choice Examples of principal Moderation He was partner in glory with Livius Salinator in the defeat of Asdrubal Yet he chose rather to follow him triumphing on Horseback than to accept of that honour of Triumph which the Senate had equally decreed to him because the action was perform'd in Salinator's Province Wherefore he triumph'd without a Chariot so much the more renownedly because only the Victory of the one but the
Candidate 4. L. Licinius Crassus Candidate 5. Pompey the Great 6. C. Julius Caesar Dict. FORRAIGN 1. Spurina the Hetrurian 2. The Spartan Embassadors FRom whence it seems seasasonable to pass away to Bashfulness for this instructed the most just men to neglect their own private Estates and to have regard only to the publick A vertue worthy that to her should be Temples rear'd and consecrated as to a Celestial Numen as being the Parent of all good Counsel the Guardianess of the most solemn Offices the Mistress of Innocency dear to her own acceptable to Strangers and in all places and at all times carrying a favourable Aspect 1. But that we may return from the praises to the actions thereof from the first building of the City to the time that Africanus and T. Longus were Consuls the Senate and People sate at the beholding all Spectacles and shews promiscuously together yet not one of the people would venture to take place before any of the Senate So circumspect was the modesty of our Citizens a most certain experiment whereof appear'd on that day when T. Flaminius being by the Censor removed from the Senate was contended to stand in the hindermost part of the Theater though he had been Consul and was the brother of Flaminius the Vanquisher of Philip King of Macedon Which the people no sooner beheld but they compelled him to take that place which his Dignity required 2. Terentius Varro gave a great wound to the Commonwealth by his rash giving battle at Cannae Yet by his refusing to take upon him the Dictatorship which after that was decreed him by the full consent of the Senate and People by his bashful modesty made satisfaction for the fault of a most fatal overthrow and through his modest behavior made them impute the publick Calamity not to him but to the anger of the Gods 3. Let us behold a more famous piece of Modesty Fortune not without great envy had brought Cn. Scipio the son of the elder Africanus together with Cicereius the Scribe into the Common Hall for Election of Pretors and very much reprehended he was that he had abused the Nobility and authority of so great a person by appearing at such an Assembly But Cicereius turned his crime to his praise For when he saw himself preferr'd by all the Centuries before Scipio he went out of the Temple and throwing off his Candidates Garment came in again and gave his voice for Scipio Being more willing to yield the Pretorship to the memory of Africanus than to Challenge it for himself Nor was the reward of his Modesty small for though Scipio obtained the Pretorship yet Cicereius was more applauded 4. And that we may not presently leave the Common-Hall when L. Crassus stood for the Consulship and was by all perswaded aâ—ter the manner of the Candidates to go â—ound the Forum and bâ—g the voices of the peâ—ple he could by no pâ—rswasions be induced to do it though Q. Scâ—vola his Fathâ—r in law a most wise and grave pâ—â—pâ—â—son werâ— present with him whom he therefore desired to depart as one who proffered his service in vain more regardful of the modesty of his dignity than mindful of the respect oâ— his white Robe 5. Pompey the Great being overthrown at the Battle of Pharsalia when all the people came forth to meet him as he was entring into the City of Larissa Go said He and perform this office to the Victor A person not deserving to be overcome had he not been vanquished by Caesar most gentle in Calamity who because he could not use his authority made use of his modesty 6. Which as it often appear'd most eminent in Caius Caesar so most remarkably at his death For being assail'd with the points of many parracidical weapons when his divine Soul was separated from his mortal Body could not be frighted after he had received above twenty three wounds from his obedience to Modesty For he let down the lower part of his Gown with both hands that he might fall with the lower part of his Body covered In this manner not men but the Immortal Gods recover their own habitations FORRAIGNERS That which follows I will ascribe to Forraigners as happening before any City was given to Hetruria There was in that Country one Spurina a young man of surpassing beauty whose lovely aspect alluring the eyes of the most Illustrious Ladies and who therefore believing himself to be suspected of unchastity by the Husbands and Parents of those women with many wounds gash'd and spoyl'd the beauty of his Câ—â—ntenance choosing rather deformity for the Guardian of his fidelity than that his beauty should be the Incitement of others Lust. 2. At Athens a very aged person coming into the Theater when there were none that would rise to give him place he came at length where sate the Embassadors of the Lecedemonians Who being moved with the age of the person not only by rising up shew'd their reverence to his aged years but also gave him leave to sit in the most honourable place among them Which when the people beheld with great applause they approved the modesty of a Forraign City And it is reported that one of the Embassadors should say That the Athenians knew what was well done but neglected to do it themselves CHAP. VI. Of Conjugal Love Among the ROMANS 1. T. Gracchus the Elder 2. C. Plautius Numidian 3. M. Plautius 4. Julia the Daughter of Caesar. 5. Porcia the Daughter of M. Cato FORRAIGN 1. Artemisia wife of Mâ—â—solus 2. Hipsicratea Daughter of Mithridates 3. Lacaena Of the Family of the Minye FRom a gentle and mild Affection I will proceed to another as equally honest yet somewhat more fervent and of a more vehement Nature and offer not without greatest Veneration as it were certain Images of Lawful love to the Contemplation of the Reader effectually relating the actions of established and firm fidelity between married people difficult to imitate but profitable to be known seeing that when a man knows the most excellent Examples it will be a shame to him to follow the meanest 1. Titus Gracchus having caught two snakes in his own house a Male and Female and being told by the Soothsayer that if he let go the Male it portended the death of his Wife if he let go the Female his own suddain decease following that part of the prediction that portended his own rather than the death of his Wife he caused the Female Snake to be â—â—t go and was so hardy as to behold his own destruction in the death of the Snake kill'd before his face And therefore I cannot determine whether Cornelia were more happy that she had such a Husband or more miserable in his loss O Admetus cruel king of Thessalia and by a great Judg condemned of an unpardonable crime who wâ—rt so content to change thy own life for the death of thy Wife and couldst enjoy the comfort of this light after she had voluntarily submitted to
the third in doubtful Fortune Now when we know not which to esteem best yet the commendation of that seems to crave precedency which takes its denomination from the Godhead it self 1. I will begin with the most humane and merciful Acts of the Senate Who when the Embassadors of the Carthaginians came to the City about the Redemption of Captives immediately without receiving their Money restor'd them above two thousand seven hundred and fourty young men I may well think that the Ambassadours themselves were amazed to see such an Army of Enemies set at Liberty so much Money despised and so many Carthaginian Injuries forgiven and that they thus said to themselves O Munificâ—nce â—qual to the favour of the Gods of the Romans and happy our Embassie beyond our wishes For we hâ—ve received a kindness which we never deserved Nor was this a smaller testimony of the Senate who when Syphax formerly a most opulent Kâ—ng of Numidia their Captive was dead in the Prison of Tibur oâ—der'd him to be inteâ—d at the Publick Expence that to whom they had given Life they might also adde the honour of Burial The same Clemency thâ—y us'd toward Persâ—us who dying at Alba where he was kept in safe custody sent down a Questor to bury him at the Publick Charge not permitting his Royal Reliques to lye dishonour'd These things they perform'd to Enemies and Captives after their Death The nâ—xt were their Favours shewn to their Friends in prosperity and living After the end of the Macedonian War Musicrates Massinissa's Son being sent back to Paulus with those Horsemen which which he had brought to the assistance of the Romans to his Father his Flâ—et being scatter'd by Tempest and himself putting in sick at Brundusium The Senate no sooner had news thereof but they sent a Queâ—â—or thither not only to defray the Expences of him and his Retinue but also to take care for the providing all things necessary for the restoration of his Health and that they might not want Ships to carry them safe and well into Africa they ordered to be given to each Horseman a Poâ—nd weight of Silver and to every Footman five Hundred Sesterâ—es Which so ready and compleat Humanity of the Conscript Fatheâ—s might perhaps have so far prevail'd upon Massinissa that had his Son died in the Expedition he had the less grieved for it The same Senate when they heard that Prusias King of Bitbynia was come to congratulate their Victory over Perseus sent Cornelius Scipio then Questor to meet him as far as Capua and ordered that the best House in Rome should be hired for him and that he and his Retinue should be entertain'd the Publick Charge And indeed in the reception of that great King the whole City seem'd to have the countenance but of one entire Friend So that he who came an entire friend to our City return'd with a double affection for us Neither was Egypt ignorant of the Roman Clemency For King Ptolomy being thrown out of his Kingdom by his younger Brother and coming to Rome with a small Attendance and in a mean Habit to crave aid of the Senate tooke a Lodging in the house of an Alexandrian Painter Which when the Senate understood sending for the Young man they made a very great excuse for not having sent the Questor to meet him after the antient Custome and for not providing entertainment for him as not happening through their negligence but through his suddain and private Entry After which they accompanied him to a publick House desiring him to lay by his mean Habit and fix them a day to wait on him They also took care to send him Gifts by the Questor every day and by these degrees of kindness advanced him from Expulsion to the Royal Throne So that he had more hope in the assistance of the Roman People than fear of his own Misfortune 2. To come now from the Conscript Fathers in general to particular Senators Lucius Cornelius the Consul in the first Punic War when he had taken the City Olbia for the relief of which Anno Captain of the Carthaginians valiantly fighting was slain buried his Body out of his own Tent bestowing a noble Funeral upon it Nor was he asham'd to appear at the Exequies of an Enemy believing that his Victory would be the less envied both by Gods and Men when there was so much of Humanity mix'd with it 3. What shall I say of Quinctius Crispinus whose Gentleness and mild Disposition the potent Affections of Anger and Glory could not disturb He had entertain'd with great civility Badius of Campania at his house and with great care recovered him from a dangerous Sickness Who after the revolt of the Campanians provoking Crispinus to fâ—ght with him at the head of the Army Crispinus who knew himself to be above him both in Strength and Courage chose rather to give him good councel than to overcome him What dost thou go about to do Madman said he Or whither do thy foolish desires carry thee Must thou needs rage with a publick Impiety that art fallen from private Charity Couldst thou finde none among all the Romans upon whom to exercise thy villanous arms but only Quinctius to whose Houshold-gods thou owest both a return of honour and safety The League of Friendship and our Hospitable Gods with us sacred Pledges though with you of no accompt will not suffer me to combat with thee Nay if in the shock of both Armies I should have known thee overturned by the force of my Buckler I would have recalled my Sword from thy Neck And therefore it is thy crime that thou didst intend to kill a Guest but the Death of a Guest shall not be mine And therefore seek out some body else for the courage of thy right hand for mine has learnt to save But Heaven gave to both a deserved Issue for Badius was slain in the fight Quinctius valiantly fighting came safe off with honour 4. And now the Clemency of M. Marcellus how famous and how memorable an Example ought we to accompt it Who after he had taken Syracuse from the Castle took a view of the City below once flourishing now almost ruin'd in Misery he beholding the miserable state thereof could not refrain from Tears So that if some person that knew him not had beheld him he might have been thought the Looser not the Victor This consolation hadst thou in thy calamity fair City that though it was not lawful for thee to stand safe yet thy fall was gentle under such a Conquerour 5. Quintus Metelluâ— warring in Spain against the Celtiberians lying at the Siege of Centohricum when the Engine was fix'd and he was just ready to beat down that part of the Wall which was fittest to be batter'd preferr'd Clemency before an approaching Victory For when the Gentobricenses had opposed the Sons of Rhetogenes who had fled to him against all the shot of the Engine lest the Children should be cruelly kill'd in
in the heat of his drink spit all in his face and yet he could not move him to revenge He pull'd away his Sons also desiring to intercede for the abuses of him that was their Father The next morning when Thrasippus intended to punish himself with a violent death the Tyrant came to him and giving him his faith that he should still remain in the same degree of favour with him kept him from the execution of his purpose Had he done nothing else worthy of honour or memory yet by these very acts of his he had sufficiently recommended himself to Posterity 3. Patient and gentle also was the mind of King Pyrrhus Who hearing that some of the Tarentines at a great Feast has spoken largely in his disgrace he call'd for those that were present and demanded of them if they had spoken those things which he had been told Whereupon one of them made answer If our Wine had not fail'd us those things which we spoke of thee would have been but baubles and trifles to what we should have said This so pleasant excuse of their Drunkenness and simple confession of the truth turn'd the Kings Anger into laughter by which Clemency of his he so far prevailed that the sober Tarentines gave him thanks and those that had been drunk wish'd him well The same height of Humanity caused him to send Mico with a Convoy for the greater safety of the Roman Ambassadours whom he heard were coming toward him for the redemption of Captives And for their more honourable reception he himself with a Body of Horse richly attired went out of the Camp to meet them Not so much corrupted with the success of Prosperity as to hinder all prospect of respect from them with whom he was at greatest Enmity 4. Of which mild temper he received the due reward at the last hour of his death For when he had invaded the City of Argos with most dismal Omens and that Alcyoneus the Son of King Antigonus had brought his head cut off with great joy as a most happy act of Victory to his Father labouring in the defence of the City Antigonus rebuking his Son for insulting over the ruine of so great a man forgetful of humane Calamity took up his Head from the ground and cover'd it with the Hood wherewith his own head was cover'd after the manner of the Macedonians and caused it being return'd to the body to be honourably burnt And when his Son Helenus was brought a prisoner to him he commanded him to bear a Royal Minde and to continue his Regal Habit and moreover gave him the bones of Pyrrhus inclosed in a Golden Chest to carry into his Countrey of Epirus to his Brother Alexander 5. The Campanians also when our Army was compell'd by the Samnites to pass under Gallowses at Caudium entring their City not only unarmed but naked received them as kindly as if they had enter'd in Triumph bearing the Spoils of their enemies before them Immediately presenting the Consul with all the Ensignes of his Honour and bestowing upon the Souldiers Cloaths Arms Horses and Provision taking away the want and deformity of the Roman overthrow Had they been as constant against Hannibal for the Roman Empire they had not given an occasion for the rage of the cruel Axes 6. Having made mention of a most bitter Enemy with those actions of kindness which he performed to the Romans I shall make an end of the subject in hand For Hannibal having sought the body of Aemilius Paulus slain at Cannae with all diligence as much as in him lay would not permit it to lye unburied He also caused the body of T. Gracchus who fell unhappily into the ambushment of the Lucans to be honourably buried and deliver'd his bones to be carried into his own Countrey to our Souldiers When Marcellus was slain in the Countrey of the Brutii while with more eagerness than consideration he endeavoured to spy the actions of the Carthaginians he sought him out and laid him upon the Funeral Pile clad in a Carthaginian Jacket and adorn'd with a Crown of Gold And therefore the sweetness of Humanity penetrates into the very breasts of rude Barbarians mollifies the cruel and severe eyes of Enemies and bends the most insolent pride of Victory Nor is it a difficult thing for Clemency to finde an easie passage through hostile Weapons and Swords drawn hand to hand It overcomes Anger throws down Rage and mingles hostile Blood with hostile Tears Which produced that admirable Speech of Hannibal delivering his judgment at the Funerals of the Roman Captains Wherefore Paulus Marcellus and Gracchus brought him more honour by their Funerals than by their Deaths For he deceived them with his Punic subtilty but honoured them with his Roman Clemency And you brave and pious Souls have enjoyed Obsequies not to be repented oâ— for as you fell more desirably in your Countrey more nobly for your Countrey so ye recover'd the honour of that last office due to ye which by misfortune ye had lost CHAP. II. Of Gratitude Among the ROMANS 1. The Roman Senate 2. The Roman Youth 3. The Roman People 4. M. Minutius Rufus Master of the Horse 5. Q. Terentius Culeo 6. Citizens redeem'd in Greece 7 Q. Metellus Pius Cos. 8. Caius Marius Cos. IV. 9. L. Sylla Dictator 10. The Libitines Of Forreign Kings 1. Darius of Persia. 2. Mithridates of Pontus 3. Attalus of Asia 4. Massanisa of Numidia NExt let us take a view of the grateful and ingrateful effects and actions of the Minde that Vertue and Vice may receive their due reward from a due estimate of the value of either However because they are distinguished by contrary ends and designes we also intend to separate them in writing And therefore let us begin with those things that rather deserve praise than reprehension 1. And that we may take our rise from publick Acts let us take into our consideration Marcius Coriolanus who invading his own Country and having brought a very great Army of the Volsci to the very Gates of the City threatning the utter destruction of the Roman Empire yet at the intercession of his Mother Vituria and his Wife Volumnia he was perswaded to give over his violent Enterprise In memory whereof the Senate gave very great Priviledges to the Order of Matrons For they order'd that men should give the upper hand to Women in the street as acknowledging the Womens Garment to have been a greater safety to their City than their Arms They added also a new distinction of Coiss to the adornments of their Ears they also permitted them to wear Purple and Gold Laces and more then all this they erected a Temple and an Altar to Womens Fortune just in the same place where Coriolanus's wrath was appeased to testifie their grateful acknowledgment of so great a benefit by their religious respect and reverence that they had of it For which the Senate was no less famous at the time of the Second
And how the truth os wonderâ—ul Examples evident to the world hath subscribed to the Laws of Nature CHAP. VII Of the Love and Indulgence of Fathers to their Children Among the ROMANS 1. Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus 2. Caesetius Flavus 3. Octavius Balbus FORREIGN Kings 1. Seleucus of Syâ—ia 2. Ariobarâ—anes of Cappadocia LEt the Indulgence of pious and dear Affection of Parents toward their Children set sail and carried with a fair gale return home laden with a grateful portion of sweetness 1. Fabius Rullianus after he had been Five times Consul and every time honourably discharged his Office admir'd for all the Vâ—rtues and Merits of his Life did not disdain to go Lieutenant to his Son Fabius Gurges then marching to put an end to a diffâ—cult and dangerous War going into the Field as it were with a Soul without a Body His old age being more proper for the ease of a Bed than the labour of Combats He also followed the Triumphets Chariot whom he had formerly carried in his own and appeared not the Companion but the Author of the Triumph 2. Caesetius the Roman Knights sate was not altogether so glorious yet his Indulgence to his Son was no less who being commanded by Caesar now Victor over all his forreign and domestick Enemies to disinherit and abjure his Son because that he being Tribune of the People had accused Caesar to the People of affecting the Empire ventur'd to give him this Answer Thou shalt rather take from me O Caesar all my Sons than compel me to disinherit this one by my own act But he had two sons besides that were hopeful Young-men to whom Cesar had largely promised great Preferment However he preserv'd the other safe through the Clemency of the divine Prince Yet who would not think but that he did more than humane Wit durst do that would not stoop to him who had subdued all the World under his command 3. But I cannot tell whether Octavius Balbus were not more kind and ardently affectionate toward his Son For he being proscribed by the Triumvirs and being got out of a Back-door of his House hearing a false report that his son was kill'd at home he return'd to the slaughter which he had avoided and delivered himself up to be murthered by the souldiers The moment wherein he saw his son safe being of more value to him than his own security Oh unfortunate eyes of that Young-man with which he could not avoid beholding a most loving Father expiring for his sake FORREIGN Examples 1. But let us come to things more pleasant to the â—ar Antiochus the son of King Seleucus distractedly in love with his Mother-in-law Sâ—ratonice considering wiâ—h what unlawful flames he burnt cover'd the impious wound of his breast with a pious dissimulation Thereupon different Affections being included in the same Marrow and Bowels unlimited Dâ—sires and excâ—ssive Modesâ—y had consumed his Body to nothing He kâ—pt his bed like one ready to expire His Relations mourn'd the Father was overwheâ—m'd with sadness lamenting â—he loss of his only son and the want of succession and the face of the whole Court was rather Funest than Royal. But this cloud of sadness was soon dispell'd by the foresight of Leptines the Mathematician or as others say of Erasistratus the Physician who sitting upon Antiochus's Bed-side observing him to blush when Stratonice entered the Chamber and that his Pulses beat with more life but that he waxed pale and fetch'd deep sighs when she departed again At length sound out the truth and declared it to Seleucus Who without any more ado parted with his dearest Wife to his son attributing his Love to Chance but the concealing it to death to his Modesty Let us now consider Seleucus as a King an Old Man and a Lover and then it will appear how many and how difficult obstacles did Paternal Indulgence overcome 2. Seleucus parted only with his Wife but Ariobarzanes parted with the Kingdom of Cappadocia to his son in Pompey's presence whose Triâ—unal when he ascended and by him invited sate down also in the Running-Chair he beheld his son fitting by the Secretâ—â—y in a seat below his Dignity Thereupon he presently descended from the Running-Chair and taking his Diadem from his own put it upon his sons head and began to urge him to ascend to the place from whence he came The Young-man wept his Body trembled the Diadem fell out of his hand nor could he go any further And which was almost incredible he that parted with a Kingdom was glad he that was to accept it sad and sorrowful Nor had that famous contest had an end had not Pompey interposed his Authority For he called the Prince King commanded him to take the Diadem and constrainâ—d him to sit down by him in the Running-Chair CHAP. VIII Persons severe towards their Children 1. L. Junius Brutus first Consul 2. Cassius Viscellinus 3. Titus Manlius Torquatus the Lawyer 4. M. Aemilius Scaurus 5. A Fulvius 1. THe Leâ—ity of the foregoing Parents was Comical the Sâ—verity of these that follow Tragical Lucius Brutus that equall'd Romulus in honour for he sounded Rome and this the Roman Liberty He coming to the Supreme Power and understanding that his Sons endeavour'd to restore Tarquin caus'd them to be apprehended and to be whipt with Rods before the Tribuna â—nd after thaâ— caus'd â—hem to be tied to a stake and then ordered the Serjeant â—o cut off their Heads He put off the relation of a Father that he might act like a Consul and rather chose to live Childless than to be remiss in publick revenge 2. Cassius following his Example though his Son were a Tribune of the People and were the first that had promulgated the Agrarian Law and by many other Popular Acts had won the hearts of the people when he had laid down his command by advice of his Kindred and Friends condemn'd him in his own house for affecting the Kingdom and after he was whipt commanded him to be put to death and consecrated his estate to Ceres 3. Titus Manlius Torquatus famous for his many great Dignities and a person of rare experience in the Civil Law and the Pontifical Ceremonies did not think it necessary to consult his Friend in an act of the same nature For when the Macedonians had by their Embassadours complain'd to the Senate of D. Silanus his Son who was Governour of that Province he besought the Senate that they would determine nothing in that affair till he had heard the difference betwixt his Son and the Macedonians Then with the general consent of the Conscript Fathers and of them that came to complain he sate and heard the cause in his own House wherein he spent two whole days alone and the third day after he had diligently examin'd the testimonies on both sides he pronounced this Sentence Whereas it hath been proved that Silanus my Son has taken Money of our Alâ—ies I think him unworthy to live either in the Commonwealth
Cornelius Scylla the Happy 7. T. Aufidius 8. P. Rupilius 9. P. Ventidius Bassus 10. L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus 11. Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina 12. Licinius Crassus the Rich. 13. Q. Servilius Caepio 14. C. Marius 15. C. Julius Caesar. FORRAIGNERS 1. Polemon the Athenian 2. Themistocles the Athenian 3. Conon the Athenian 4. Aleibâ—ades 5. Polycrates 6. Dionysius of Syracuse 7. Syphax King of the Numidians A Considerate Change can either adde much to the Trust or diminish the Care of worthy men whether we consider our own condition or the nature of others For when we perceive some to have risen from low and contemptible beginnings why should we not then have better thoughts of our selves Knowing that it is a foolish thing to forejudge ones self of perpetual infelicity and to change our hope which sometimes rightly favouâ—s uncertain things into certain desperation 1. Manlius Torquatus when he was a Youth was look'd upon to be of so dull and heavy a disposition that he was sent into the Countrey by his Father Lucius Manlius a person of great worth to follow the Plow as being unfit either for publick or private business Afterwards he pleaded for his Father being accus'd for some misdeameanour and carried the Cause for him He cut off his Sons head though a Victor because he had fought against his command with the Enemy and with a most splendid Triumph he reviv'd his Countrey groaning under the Latin War Thus his adverse Fortune clouded him in his Youth that he might shine more glorious in his Elder Years 2. Scipio Africanus the Elder whom the Immortal Gods decreed â—o be born that there might be a person in whom Vertue might shew it self in all its variety is reported to have led a debauch'd life in his younger years remote from the crime of Luxury yet more soft and idle than his Punic Trophies or his yoaking the conquer'd Carthaginians 3. C. Valerius Placcus also in the time of the Second Punic War began with a lewd course of life But being chosen Flamen by P. Licinius the High-Priest to the end he might reclaim him applying himself to the care of the sacred things and the observation of the religious Rites and guided by Religion it self the Captain of Frugality he became as great an Example of Sobriety and Piety as he was before of Luxury 4. No person led a more debauch'd Life than Q. Fabius Maximus who afterwards by the signal Victory which he obtain'd against the Gauls purchas'd to himself and his posterity the Simaâ—e of Allobrogicus Yet in his elder years our City could boast of no such Ornament as he was noâ— was any person so renowned as he 5. Who is ignorant how highly the Authority of Q. Gatulus was advanc'd at that very time when there was a crowd of famous men living Whose younger years you will finde to have been guilty of much Luxury and Softness Which however was no impediment to him but that he became the Prince of his Countrey had the honour to have his name shine in the Capitol and by his own courage to bury a Civil War that was rising with a mighty force to seize the Commonwealth 6. But L. Sylla till he came to be Questor led â— life infamous for his Whoring Gaming and Drinking Whereupon it was reported that Marius being engag'd in a very smart War in Africa complain'd that they had sent him such an effeminate Questor But his Vertue having as it were broken down the fences of wickedness made a shift to chain the hands of Iugurth quell Mithridates withstand the billows of the War of our Allies break the power of Cinâ—â— and compel him that had despis'd him when his Questor in Africa to fly a proscrib'd Exile into the same Province for safety Which so various and so conâ—â—â—ry acts he that shall with a serious minde consider would believe there were two Sylla's in one man I would have call'd him a vicious youth but a brave man had he not himself assum'd the title of Happy 7. And as we have admonish'd Nobility to regard itself by the benefit of repentance let us adde a few Examples of those that dar'd aspire from meaner beginnings T. Aufidius who once had the gathering but of a small pittance of the Asiatic Tribute afterwards rul'd all Asia as Consul Nor did our Allies disdain to obey his Fasces whom they had seen flattering the Tribunals of Forreigners For he behavd himself faithfully and nobly plainly demonstrating that his former way of living was only the effect of Fortune but that the presâ—nt advancement of his Dignity was to be attributed to the greatness of his parts 8. Publius Rupilius was no Toll-gatherer in Sicilia but only a mean Officer under them so miserable poor that he had nothing to keep Life and Soul together but a small Office that depended upon the leave of the vanquish'd Yet from him Consul afterwards all Sicilia receiv'd their Laws after he had freed them from the terrors of a smart War of the Pirats and Fugitives I believe that the very Ports themselves if there be any sence in mute things admir'd the wonderful change in the Condition of that man For the same person that they had seen exacting the dayly Customs the same person they saw giving Laws to Navies and Armies 9. To this increase of Dignity I will adde a greater When Asculum was taken Cn. Pompeius the Father of Pompey the Great prostituted to the eyes of the People P. Ventidius a beardless Youth in the Triumph that he had obtain'd Yet this was that Ventidius who afterwards triumph'd at Rome over the Parthians and reveng'd the death of Crassus miserably foyl'd in a strange Countrey Thus he that a Captive dreaded imprisonment now a Victor crowns the Capitol with his success And this is farther remarkable of the same person that he was made Pretor and Consul both in one and the same year 10. Now let us consider the diversities of Chance L. Lentulus was depos'd by the Caecilian Law of his Consulship being convicted of Bribery and yet was created Censor with L. Censorinus Thus Fortune shuffl'd him between Honour and Disgrace condemning him in his Consulship and honouring him with the Office of Censor when he was condemn'd neither suffering him to enjoy a lasting happiness nor long to abide in a miserable condition 11. Thus Fortune shew'd her power also in Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina Who when he was Consul being taken by the Carthaginians at Liparae and had lost all by the right of War yet by the favour of Fortune recovered all and was again created Consul Who would have thought he should have been brought from the Fasces to the Fetters of the Carthaginians Who would have thought again that from the Punic chains he should have advanc'd himself to the highest degrees of Honour But yet he was from a Consul made a Captive and from a Captive became Consul 12. What Did not the vaâ—â—ness of Crassus Wealth give him
Maximus Verrucossus 8. M. Volasius Saturninus Aedil 9. Sentius Saturninus 10. A certain Father FORRAIGNERS 1. Alexander the Great and an Ass-driver 2. King Darius 's Groom 3. Bias of Priene 4. Anaximenes 5. Demosthenes the Orator 6. A certain Athenian 7. Annibal the son of Gisgo the Carthaginian 8. Annibal the son of Amilcar 9. The Tusculans 10. Tullius Attius Captain of the Volsci THere is another sort of saying and doing declining from Wisdome to the name of Cunning which would not meet with the credit of what is propounded did it not assume the force of Craâ—t and seeks for applause rather in a hidden path than in an open way 1. In the reign of Servius Tullius a certain Landlord in the Sabine Territories had a Cow of an extraordinary bigness and beauty Which certain Authors of the Oracles said was sent into the world by the Immortal Gods to the end that whoever offer'd it to Diana of Aventinum his Countrey should obtain the Empire over the whole World The Master rejoycing to hear such tydings drave the beast with all speed and presented it before the Altar of Diana in Aventinum desirous to give the Honour of Supreme Empire to the Sabines Of which the President of the Temple having notice put it into the Owner's head that before he slew the Sacrifice he should wash himself in the water of the next River who for that reason hastening to Tybur while he was gone the chief Priest offer'd the beast and by a pious theâ—t oâ— the Sacrifice render'd our City the Mistress of so many Cities and Nations 2. For which sharpness of Wit Iunius Brutus is in the first place to be commended For when he found all the Promising Nobility to be cut off by King Tarquinius his Uncle and that his Brother was by him put to death because of the forwardness of his Wit counterfeited himself to be a Fool and by that fallacy conceal'd his own vast parts Going also to the Oracle of Delphos with the Sons of Tarquin whom their Father sent thither with rich Presents and Sacrifices in honour of Pythian Apollo he carri'd Gold as a Present to the Deity hid in a hollow sâ—ick fearing that it was not safe to worship the Celestial Deity with an open Liberality After that the Young-men having performed their Father's commands consulted Apollo which among them all should be the person that should reign in Rome The God made answer That he should obtain the Sovereignty that gave his Mother of the first kiss Then Brutus threw himself so down as if he had fallen by chance and kiss'd the Earth the common Mother of all things Which crafty Kiss given to the Earth gave Liberty to our City and the first place in our Annals to Brutus 3. Scipio also the Elder embrac'd the aid of Craft For as he was to sayl from Sicily into Africa finding it necessary to compleat a Body of Three Hundred Horse out of the stoutest of the Roman Foot though he had not time to exercise them what the streitness of Time denied him he attained by the Sagacity of his Counsel For of all the young Gentlemen which were the noblest and the richest that he carried with him out of Sicily unarm'd he choose out Three Hundred whom he order'd to furnish themselves with gay Weapons and select Horses as if he intended to carry them along with him to the storming of Carthage Who obeying his command â—s well in reference to the speed as in respect of a far distant and dangerous War Scipio told them he would release them from the Expedition upon condition they would deliver up their Weapons and Horses to his Souldiers The Young-men effeminate and fearful greedily accepted the Condition and willingly deliver'd up their preparations to our Souldiers Whereby the Subtilety of the Captain provided that what was out of hand commanded though sâ—vere ar first should be lookt upon as a greater benefit the fear of service being remitted 4. That which follows is also to be related Q. Fabius Lubeo being by the Senate appointed an Arbitrator to settle the Bounds between the Nolans and the Neapolitans when they came to the business admonish'd both apart that laying aside all Covetousness they should rather abate than pretend â—o too much Which when both sides had consented to mov'd thereto by the authority of the person there was some ground left Thereupon the Bounds being seâ— as they had agreed to that which was left he adjudged to the People of Rome But though neither the Nâ—lans nor Neapolitans could in Justice complain Sentence being given by their own consent yet by a new kind of mental reservation it brought a new Tribute to our City The same person being according to Articles to have half the Navy of King Antiochuâ— whom he had overthrown in Battle cut all the Ships in two and so depriv'd him of his whole Navy 5. Now are we to excuse Marcus Antonius who said That he never publish'd any Oration to the end that if any Iudgment of his formerly given should chance to hinder him that he should next defend be might aver that he never spake it Which seem'd a reasonable excuse for a fact hardly allowable For he was still ready not only to make use of his Eloquence but to injure his Modesty to save his Client 6. But Sertorius upon whom Nature had with an equal indulgence bestow'd both strength of Body and sagacity in Counsel being compell'd to be Captain of the Lusitanians by the proscription of Sylla when he could by no means perswade them but that they would fight with the whole Army of the Romans by his crafty Counsel brought them to do as he intended For he place in the sight of all the Lusitanians two Horses one a stouâ— beaâ—t thâ— other weak and infirm After that he caus'd the Tail of the strong Horse to be pull'd hair by hair from him by a weak old man and the Tail of the weak Horse â—o be torâ— all at once from him by a young fellow of an egregious strength His commands were obey'd But while the Young-man toyl'd himself in vain the decrepit old-man did his business Then to let the Barbarous Assembly understand the meaning of his project he added That the Roman Army was like the tail of the Horse which might be easily overcome in parts but that whoever assail'd the body entire should sooner loose than gain the Victory Thus the Barbarous rough-hewn Nation rushing on to their own destruction saw with their Eyes the advantages which their Eaâ—s had refus'd 7. Fabius Maximus whose business it was to overcome by abstaining from fight having in his Camp a Nolan Footman of prodigious strength yet suspected for his Fidelity and a Lucan Horseman of equal stoutness both captivated with the same Curtezan to the end he might not loose the advantage of two such Souldiers dissembled his suspicion to the one and as to the other he somewhat surpassed the bounds of true
wise men were loath it should be thought that his Condemnation had bin because his Accuser was so great a person And therefore I believe they reason'd thus amongst themselves We must not admit him that seeks the life of another to bring Triumphs Trophies and Spoils to the seat of Judgment Let him be terrible to his Enemy but let not a Citizen trusting to his high Merits and great Honour prosecute a Citizen 12. Not more eager were those Judges against a most noble Accuser than these were mild toward a Criminal of a far lower degree Callidius of Bononia being taken by night in the Husbands Bed chamber being brought to answer for the Adultery he buoyed himself up among the greatest and most violent waves of Infamy swimming like corn in a Shipwrack laying hold upon a very flight kind of defence For he pleaded that he was carried thither for the Love of a Servant-boy The place was suspected the time suspitious the Mistress of the house was suspected and his Youth suspected But the confession of a more intemperate Lust freed him from the Crime of Adultery 13. The next is an example of more concernment When the two Brothers of Cloelius were brought to answer for Parricide whose Father was kill'd in his bed while the Sons lay asleep in the same Chamber and neither Servant nor Freed-man could be found upon whom to fasten the suspicion of the Murther They were both acquitted only for this reason that it was made appear to the Judges that they were both found fast asleep with the door open Sleep the certain mark of innocent security sav'd the unfortunate For it was adjudg'd impossible that having murthered their Father they could have slept so securely over his wounds and blood PERSONS Condemned 1. Now we will briefly touch upon those to whom things beside the question did more harm than their own Innocency did good L. Scipio after a most noble Triumph over King Antiochus was condemned for taking Money of him Not that I think he was brib'd to remove beyond the Mountain Taurus him that was lately Lord of all Asia and just going to lay his victorious hands upon Europe But being otherwise a man of a most upright lâ—â—e and free far enough from any such suspicion he could nor resist the envy that haunted the two famous Sirnames of the two Brothers 2. Scipio was a person of high splendour But Decianuâ— a person of unspotted Integrity was ruin'd by his own tongue For when he accused P. Furius a man of a lewd life because that in some part of his Declamation he ventured to complain of the Death of Saturninus did not only not condemn the Guilty but suffered the Punishment appointed for him 3. The same case overthrew C. Titius He was innocent and in favour with the People for the Agrarian Law But because he had the statue of Saturninus in his house the whole College of Magistrates with one general consent ruined him 4. We may to these adde Claudâ—a whom though innocent of a crime an impious Imprecaâ—ion ruined For being crowded by the multitude as she returned home from the Playes she wished that her Brother by whom we had the greatest loss of our Naval Forces were alive again that being made often Consul he might by his ill conduct rid the City of the pesterment of the People 5. We may pass to those whom the violence of Condemnation snatched away for flight causes M. Mulvius Cn. Lollius L. Sextilius Triumvirs because they did not come so quickly as they ought to quench a Fire that happend in the Holy way being cited before the People at a prefixed day by the Tribune were condemned 6. Publius Villius also Nocturnal Triumviâ— being accused by Aquilius the Tribune fell by the Sentence of the People because he was negligent in going his watch 7. Very severe was that Sentence of the People when they deeply fin'd M. Aemilius Porcina bâ—ing accused by L. Cassius for having built his House in the Village of Alsium a little too high 8. Nor is that Condemnation to be supprest of one who being over-fond of his little Boy and being by him desir'd to buy him some Chitterlings for Supper because there were none to be got in the Countrey kill'd a Plough-Ox to satisfie the Boys desire For which reason he was brought to publick Trial Innocent had he not lived in the antient times Neither Quitted nor Condemned 1. Now to say something of those that being quâ—stioned for their Lives were neither quitted not condemned There was a Womâ—n brought before Popilius Lenaâ— the Praetor for haviâ—g beaten her Mother to Death with a Club. But he Praetor adjudged nothing agâ—inst her neiâ—her on way nor other For it was plain that she did it to revenge the death of her Children whom the Grand-mother angry with her Daughter had poysonâ—d 2. The same dâ—mur made Dolabella Proconsul of Asia A woman of Smyrna killed her Husband and her Son understanding that they had killed another Son of hers a hopeful young man which she had by a former Husband Dolabella wâ—uâ—d not take cognizance of the Cause but sent it to be determined by the Arâ—opagi at Athens Unwilling to set a woman at liberty defiled with two Murthers nor to punish her whom a just Grief had mov'd to do it Considerately and mildly did the Roman Magistrate nor did the Areopagite act less wisely who examining the cause bound the Accuser and the Criminal to appear an hundred years after upon the same ground as Dolabella acted Only he by transmitting the Trial they by deferring delay'd the difficult Sentence or Condemnation or Acquittal CHAP II. Of remarkable private Iudgments whereby were condemned 1. T. Claud. Centumalus 2. Octacilia Laterensis 3. C. Titinius Minturnensis 4. A certain person for riding a horse farther than hired for TO Publick Judgments I will adde private ones the Equity whereof in the Complainants will more delight than a great number offend the Reader 1. Claudius Centumalus being commanded by the Augurs to pull down some of the height of his House which he had built upon the Caelian Mount because it hindered them from observing their Auguries from the Tower sold it to Calpurnius Lanatius concealing the command of the Augurs By whom Calpurnius being compelled to pluck down his House brought Marcâ— Porcius Cato father of the famous Cato to Claudius as an Arbitrator and the form of Writing Whatever he ought to give him or do in good Equity Cato understanding that Claudius had for the nonce supprest the Augurs Edict presently condemned him to Calpurnius with all the Justice in the world For they that fell according to Conscience and Equity ought neither to enhance the hopes of the Bargain nor conceal the Inconveniencies 2. I have recited a Judgment famous in those times Yet what I am about to relate is not quite buried in silence C. Visellius Varro being taken with a great fit of Sickness suffered a Judgment of three thousand pieces of
way to his Knowledge and Profession 2. Athens glories in its Arsenal not without cause For it is a work worthy to be seen for its cost and Elegance The Architect whereof Philo is said to have given so eloquent an account in the Theater of his purpose that the most eloquent of people were sway'd as much by his Eloquence as by his Art 3. Wonderfully was it done by that Artist who suffered himself to be corrected by a Cobler as to the Shoes and the Latchets But when he began to talk of the Thigh forbid him to go beyond the Foot CHAP. XIII Of Memorable Old Age. In ROMANS 1. M. Valerius Corvus 2. L. Metellus the High-Priest 3. Q. Fabius Maximus 4. Perpenna the Censor 5. Appius Claudius the blind 6. Women Livia Terentia and Clodia Strangers 1. Hiero King of Sicily Massanissa King of Numidia 2. Gorgias Leontinus 3. Xenophilus of Chalcis 4. Argantinus King of the Gaditans 5. Aethiopians Indians and Epimenides the Cnossian 6. The Epii a people of Aetolia 7. Dantho and two Kings of the Lachnii LEt Old Age prolonged to the utmost have a place in this work among the Examples of Industry but with a particular Title and Chapter That we may not seem to have forgotten those to whom the Gods were principally indulgent Insisting upon which every one may make himself more happy in respect of his antient felicity and may affirm the happiness of our age than which none was ever more happy by prolonging the safety of a wise and great Prince to the longest bounds of humane life 1. M. Vâ—lerius Corvus liv'd out his hundredth year between whose first and sixth Consulship were forty six years compleat Nor did his full strength of body not only not fail him in the highest employments of the Commonwealth but also for the manuring his Land a desireable Example of a Commonwealths man and a Master of a Family 2. Which space of years Metellus equall'd And the fourth year after his Consular Government being created Pontifex Maximus when he was very old he govern'd the Ceremonies of Religion two and twenty years his tongue never tripping in pronouncing the Votes not his hand trembling in preparing the Sacrifices 3. Q. Fabius Maximus threescore and two years held the Priesthood of the Augurship having obtain'd it when he was a strong man Which two times being added together will easily compleat the age of an hundred years 4. What shall I say of M. Perpenna Who out-liv'd all those that he call'd over in the Senate when he was Consul and only saw seven remaining of the Conscript Fathers whom as Censor with Lu. Philippus he had chosen more durable than the greatest Order in the world 5. I might conclude the life of Appius with his misfortune because he lived long after he was blind but that he had five Sons and five Daughters and a multitude of Clients in his Protection and in that condition most stouâ—ly govern'd the Commonwealth At length weary with living he caus'd himself to be carried into the Senate-house in a Litteâ— to hinder peace from beâ—ng made with Pyrthus upon dishonourable Conditions Can this man be thought blinde by whom his Countrey purely discerning that which was honourable was compell'd to open its eyes 6. Several Women have been no less eminent for long Life whom it shall suffice only to name For Livia the wife of Rutilius number'd fourscore and seven Terentia the wife of Cicero a hundred and three and Clodia the wife of Aufilius having outlived fifteen Children an hundred and fifteen years STRANGERS 1. I will adde to these two Kings whose long life was very advantageous to the People of Rome The King of Sicily Hiero numbred ninety years Massanissa King of Numidia reigning threescore years was superior to all men in vigour of age Cicero in his Book of Old Age reports of him that no shower or â—old could compel him to cover his head He was wont also to keep his station for several hours and would never stir from hard labour till he had tired the young men And if it were requisite for him to do any thing sitting he would off-times for a whole day sit in the same posture without moving his bodâ— for ease either one way or other When he led his Army a Horseback by day he never alighted that night omitting none of those labours which youth is wont to endure when he was of that extream age And so vigorous he was in reference to Women that he begâ—t his Son Methymnaius when he was fourscore and six years of age The Countrey also which he sound untill'd by perpetual culture he left very fruitful 2. Gorgiâ—s also of Leoâ—tiuâ—â— the Master of Isocrates â—nd several other great men by his own saying was most happy For when he had lived an hundred and seven years being asked why he would live 〈◊〉 long Because said he I ayle nothing to accuse my Old Agâ— What could be longer or more happy than such a tract of Life For being entered into the second Century of years be neither found any cause of complaint in it nor left any behinde him of it 3. Xenophilus of Chalcis wanted two of his years yet not inferior in enjoyment of health For as Aristoxenus the Musician saies of him Free from all the inconveniencies of old Age he died in the full splendour of consummate Learning 4. Arganthonius the Gaditane reigned so long as would have sufficed another to live For he govern'd his Kingdom fourscore years being forty years of age before he came to the Throne For which there are most certain and credible Authors Asinius Pollio not the least part of Roman Eloquence in the third Book of his History relates him to have lived an hundred and twenty years No mean example of sinewy vigour 5. The Ethiopians render the long life of this King less admirable whom Herodotus writes to have exceeded an hundred and twenty years and the Indians of whom Cresius delivers the same And Epimenides the Gnossian whom Theopompus reports to have lived an hundred fifty and seven years 6. Hellanicus also avers that certain of the Epii who were a people of Aetolia lived two hundred years with whom Damasthes agrees adding this moreover that one Litorius among them of an exceeding great strength and stature compleated three hundred years 7. Alexander in his Volume of the Illyrian Tract affirms that one Dantho lived full out five hundred years without the least complaint of Age. But much more liberal is Xenophon who gives to the King of the Lachnii eight hundred years of Life And that his Father might not take it ill he allows him six hundred CHAP. XIV Of the Desire of Honour Among the Romans 1. P. Africanus the Greater 2. D. Brutus Gallaicus 3. Cn. Pompey the Great 4. Sulla the Happy 5. A certain Knight 6. C. Fabius Pictor STRANGERS 1. Themistocles of Athens 2. Alexander the Great 3. Aristotle the Stagyrite 4. Pausanias of Macedon 5.
Minde is carried here immediately to a splendid House the bountiful and most honoured Temple it will be better restrain'd For to him to whom the ascent to Heaven is free though the greatest yet they are less than what are due which are bestowed on Earth 1. To Scipio Africanus the Consulship was granted long before his time To whom what was assign'd him in his life-time would be too long to relate because they are many and not necessary as being in part already related And therefore I will adde what is at this day eminent He has an Image placed in Great Iupiters Temple which when there is any Funeral of the Cornelian Family is fetch'd from thence So that to that onely Image is the Capitol like a Porch or place where those Images are usually placed 2. As truly as was the Senate-House it self to the Elder Cato's Image from whence it is brought forth upon the same occasions of that Family A Grateful Order that would have so profitable a Member always dwell with them wealthy in all the Gifts of Vertue and great rather by his own Merit than by the benefit of Fortune by whose counsel Carthage was ruin'd before it was laid waste by the Sword of Scipio 3. A rare Example of Honour arises also from Scipio Nasica For by his Hands and into his House before he was yet a Questor the Senate by the command of Pythian Apollo would have the Mother of the gods received and entertained when recalled â—rom Pessinuntes Because the same Oracle ordered those Offices to be done to the Mother of the gods by a most holy man Unfold all the Fasti set all the Triumphal Chariots together and you shall finde nothing more spâ—endid than such a preeminency in Manners 4. The Scipio's often produce their Ornaments â—o be remembred by us For Aemilianus was made a Consul by the People when but a Candidate for the Aedil-ship Which the Army advised the Senate ought to be done So that it is hard to know whether the Authority of the Conscript Fathers or the Counsel of the Souldiers added most Honour to him For the Gown made Scipio Consul against the Carthaginians but the Sword desired him And again when he went into the field to the Election of the Questors to give his voice for Q. Fabius the Son of Maximus's Brother they brought him home a Consul To the same person the Senate gave a Province without Lot first Africa then Spain And these things neither to an ambitious Senator nor Citizen as the most severe course of his Life and his clandestine Death being slain by treachery declaâ—'d 5. As â—or M. Valerius the Gods as well as his Fellow-Citizens made him famous for two things The first by sending a Crow for his defence when he fought hand to hand with the Gaul the other giving him the Consulship at three and twenty years of Age. The Valerian Family assumes the name of Corvinus The other is added as an Ornament glorying as well in the earliness of the Consulship as in the priority of being made so 6. Nor was the Glory of Q. Scaevola whom L. Crassus had for his Colleague leâ—s illustâ—ious who obtain'd Asia and so stoutly and so justly held it that the Senate by their Decree propounded Scaevola as a President and Example for others that were to go into the several Provinces of the Empire 7. Those words of the Younger Africanus pruduced the seven Consulships and two Triumphs of â— Marius for he was full of joy to his dying day Who when he served on Horseback under that Captain Scipio being asked at Supper if any thing cross should befal him whom the Commonwealth would have equally great with him the General looking upon Marius sitting a little below him Even thâ—â— man answered he By which Augury it cannot be well conjectured whether the most perfect Vertue more certainly foresaw a Rising vertue or whether he more efficaciously inflamed him to it For that Military Supper portended to Marius the most splendid future Suppers in the whole City For when the Messenger brought the News at the beginning of the Night that the Cimbrians were overthrown there was no man that offer'd not at his Table as it had been the Altar of the Immortal Gods 8. Now what large and new Honours were heap'â— upon Pompey partly by the flattery of Favour partly by the noise of Envy Being a Roman Knight he was sent Consul into Spain with equal command to Pius Metellus Prince of the City Before he had stood for any Honour he triumph'd twice The beginnings of Magistracy he took from the chief Command The Third Coâ—sulship he sway'd alone by the Decâ—ee of the Senate He triumph'd at once over Methridates Tigranes and several other Kings Nations Cities and the Pirats 9. Q. Catulus also was by the voice of the People of Rome within a little advanc'd to the Stars For being asâ—'d by him in the Common-hall whether they persever'd to repose the whole management of all things in one Pompey they cried out with one voice In thee The great force of a judgment of Reputation which equall'd Catulus included in the space of two Syllables to the great Pompey with all the Ornaments that I have related 10. The reception of M. Cato returning out of Cyprus with the Royal Money may seem wonderful To whom at his lâ—nding thâ— Consuls and other Magistâ—ates the Senate and all the People of Rome attendeâ— ouâ— of duty Rejoycing not at the vast weight of Gold and Silver but for that Cato hâ—d brought back the Navy safe 11. But I cannot tell whether the Example of the unusual Honour done to L. Marcius be not one of the chief whom the two Armies upon the death of P. and Cn. Scipio torn and shattered by the Victory of Hannibal chose him their General when their sâ—feâ—y was reduced to the last gasp leaving no place for Ambition 12. Deservedly Sulpitia deserves to be remembred after the Men the Daughter of Serviâ—s â—â—â—â—â—â—dus and the Wife of Fulvius Flaccus Who when the Senate upon the Decemvirs inspection into the Sibylls Books had decreed that the Image of Venus Turn-heart should be consecrated whereby the minds of the women might be changed from Lust to Chastily and that of all the Matrons an hundred out of an hundred ten were chosen by Lot to give judgment concerning the most châ—st Women she was preferr'd before all the rest STRANGERS 1. But because Forraign Honours may be related without any diminution of our Roman Majesty let us pass over to them The Hearers of Pythagoras gave him so much Veneration that they accompted it a Crime to question what they had received from him And being asked the reason they onely answered that He had said it A great Man but no farther than his School hitherto However the same veneration was given him by Cities The Crotoniates earnestly desired of him that their Senate which consisted of a Thousand People might take advice of him And
that opulent City so frequently venerating his House after his death made it a Chappel to Ceres And while that City flourished a Goddess was worshipped in the remembrance of Man and a Man in the remembrance of a Goddess 2. Gorgias of Leontium so far excelled all persons of that Age in Learning that at all Assemblies he was wont to ask what subject they would hear him dispute upon and for that reason all Greece set him up a Statue of massie Gold in the Temple of Apollo when the rest of his time had only gilded Images 3. The same Nation by consent strove to honour Amphiaraus by reducing the place where he was buried into the form and state of a Temple and ordering Oracles to be there taken Whose Ashes possess the same Honour as the Pythian Den Dodona's Brazen Dove or the Fountain of Hammon 4. Nor was that a vulgar Honour done to Phereâ—iâ—e to whom alone of all women it was permitted to be present at the sight of Wrastling when she brought to the Olympic Games her Son Euclea begot by Olympionices while his Brothers having obtained the same Lawrels sare by her sides LIB IX CHAP. I. Of Luxury and Lust. Roman Examples 1. C. Sergius Orata 2. Clodius the Son of Aesopus the Tragedian 3. Women opposers of the Oppian Law 4. Cn. Domitius and L. Crassus Consuls 5. Q. Metellus Pius 6. C. Scribonius Son of Curius 7. P. Clodius his judgment 8. Gemellus a Tribunician Traveller 9. L. Catiline STRANGERS 1. Hannibal Son of Amilcar 2. Vulsinians 3. Xerxes the Persian King 4. Antiochus the Syrian King 5. Ptolomey King of Egypt 6. The Egyptians 7. The Cyprians LEt Luxury a flattering Crime more easie to accuse than shun be inserted into this Work of ours Not to receive any Honour but that coming to know her self she may be compelled so Penitence Let Lust be joyn'd with her because it arises from the same Principles of Vice Nor let them be separated from reprehension or amendment that are â—yed together by a double errour of the Minde 1. C. Sergius Orata was the first that made hanging 〈◊〉 which cost having but a slight beginning extended it self almost to Seas of Hot-water The same person because he would not have his Palace subject to the power of Neptune invented peculiar Seas to himself and separated sholes of divers sorts of Fish within the large circuits of vast Moles to the end no Tempest whatever should deprive his Table of his desired Dainties He also burden'd the till then desert Banks of the Lake Lucrinus with stately and high Buildings that he might keep his Shell-fish fresh Where while he plunges himself too deep into the publick Water he was hurried to the Judgment Seat by Considius the Publican Where L. Crassus pleading against him said That his friend Considius err'd if he thought that Orata being removed from the Lake would want Oysters for if he could not have them there he would finde them upon the Tiles 2. To this man Aesopus the Tragedian ought rather to have given his Son in Adoption than to have lest him the Heir of his Goods a young man not only for a desperate but a most furious Luxury Of whom it is reported that he gave vast prices for Birds that could sing or talk to have them served up at his Table instead of Fig-peckers and that he used to put Pearls of high value dissolv'd in Vinegar into his drinks as if he had strain'd to throw away a most famous Patrimony like some burthen too heavy for his shoulders Since some in imitation of the Father others of the Son have extended their hands farther For no Vice ends where it begins This it is that fâ—tches out Fish from the various shoares of the Sea and spreads our Kitchins with Oysters For the pleasure of eating and drinking was found out by Art and Cost 3. But the end of the second Puâ—iâ— War and the overcoming of Philip King of Macedon made us with more confidence addict our selves so Luxury At what time the Matrons were so bold as to beset the House of the Bruâ—ii who by the abrogation of the Oppian Law were prepar'd to intercede for that which the women desir'd should be taken away because it did not permit them to wear a coloured Garment nor to have about them above half an Ounce of Gold nor to ride in a Chariot to any place within a Mile from the City unless it were to the Sacrifices and they obtain'd that the Law kept for above twenty years should be abolished For the men of that Age did not foresee whither the obstinate Plots of Women would tend nor how far a boldness that had vanquish'd the Law would tend For could they have look'd into the contrivances of female cunning that brings in something of sumptuous Novelty every day they had stopped the progress of Luxuy at its first entrance 4. But what do I talk any more of Women whom weakness of Minde and the affectation of greater employments denied them incites them to bestow all their time in trimming up themselves wheâ— I finde Men fallen into this dâ—vertisement unknown to the antient Continence And let it appear to their reproach Cneus Domitius upon a quarrel with L. Crassus his Colleague objected to him that he had Hymettian Pillars in his House Whom Crassus immediately ask'd what he valued his own House at When he answer'd Threescore Sesterces And how much think you said the other if I should cut teâ— little shrâ—bs out of it Thirty Sesterces said the other Which thou is the most Luxurious of the two replied Crassus I thâ—t bought ten Pillars for an hundred thousand pieces of Money or thou that valuest the shadow of ten small Trees at thirty Sesterces An expression forgetful of Pyrrhus unmindful of Hannibal and yawning with the abundance of Forreign Luxury because thâ—y had rather bequeath the Daintiness and curiosity which they themselves had bâ—gun to their Posterity than retain the Continence which their Fore-fathers had left them 5. For what meant that Prince of his time Metellus Pius when he suffer'd himself to be received at his first coming with Altars and Frankincense When he behâ—ld the walls of the Rooms spread with Attalican Tapestry as a sight that pleased him When he permitted long Plays at tedious Festivals When he wore his Triumphal Garment at the celebration of great Banquets and contentedly received Crowns let down from open places as it were from Heaven upon his celestial Head And where were these things Not in Greece or Asia where Severity itself might be corrupted with Luxury but in a wild and warlike Province when a formidable Enemy Sertoriâ—s would not let the Roman Armies lie quiet but goar'd them continually with the Lusitanian Darts So much had he forgot the Numidian Camp of his father Whence it appears how swiftly Luxury insinuates it self For he that in his Youth beheld the antient Customes in his old Age introduced new 6. The same
change was in the House of the Curii while our City and Judgment-Seat beheld the rigid Brow of the Father and the high Debt of six hundred Sesterces of the Son contracted by the ignominious Injury done to the Noble Youth of Româ— Therefore at the same Time and under the same Roof two several Ages lived the one of Frugality the other of vitious Prodigality 7. By the Sentence against P. Clodius what strange Luxury appeared in him what a savage Lust Who though guilty of Incest that he might be acquitted bought whole nights of the Matrons and noble Youth at vast rates to pleasure his Judges withal In which horrid and abominable Crime I know not which first to detest whether him that first invented that way of Corruption or they that suffer'd their Chastity â—o mediate to Perjury or they that valued Adultery beyond Justice 8. Equally abominable was that Banquet which Gemellus a Tribunitian Traveller of good Parents but one that had betaken himself to a Servile employment prepar'd for Metellus Scipio Consul and the Tribuneâ— of the People to the great scandal of the City For having set up a Stew in his own House he prostituted therein Mucia and Fulvia both taken away from Father and Mother and Saturninus a Youth of a Noble Family Bodies of infamous suffering brought to be the scorn of drunken Lust Banquets not to be celebrated by Consuls and Tribunes but to have been punish'd 9. But enormous was the Lust of Catiline For being mad in love with Aurelia Orestilla when he saw one Impediment to hinder him from being married to her poyson'd his own and only Son almost of age and presently kindled the Nuptial Torch at his Funeral-Pile bequeathing his want of Children as a gift to his new Bride But behaving himself at length with the same minde as a Citizen as he had shewed himself a Father he fell a just Sacrifice to the Ghost of his Son and his impiously-invaded Country STRANGERS 1. But the Campanian Luxury how profitable was it to our Country For embracing invincible Hannibal in the arms of her Allurements she fitted him to be vanquished by the Roman Souldiers She called forth a vigilant Captain she invited a couragious Army to long Banquets and with plenty of Wine the fragrancy of Oyntments and the lascivious soâ—â—ness of Venery inveagl'd them to Sleep and Pleasure And then was the Punic fierceness broken when it lay encamped among the Persumâ—rs of Capuâ— What then more ignominious than these Vices what more hurtful by which Vertue is worn out Victories languish Honour stupified is turn'd to Inâ—amy and the vigour of Body and Minde quite weakned and brokâ—n So that it is hard to say which is worst to be subdued by them or by the Enemy 2. Which inâ—ested the City of the Volsinians with sad and direful slaughters It was rich it was adoâ—n'd with Customes and Laws it was the Head and Metropolis of Hâ—truriâ— But when once Luxury crept in it fell into an Abyss of Injuries and Infaâ—â—y â—ill she became subjected to the insolent power of her Servants Who at first in a small number daâ—ing to enter the Senate House in a short time overturn'd and master'd the whole Commonwealth They order'd Wills to be made at their own pleasure They forbad the Meetings and Feastings of the Free-men and married their Masters Daughters Lastly they made a Law that their Adulteries committed with Widows and Married-women should go unpunished and that no Virgin should marry a Freeman unless some of them before had had her Virginity 3. Xerxes out of the proud imitation of his vasâ— wealth grew to that height of Luxury that he propounded Rewards to them that should invent any new Pleasure What a ruine befel a most wide Empire too deeply plunged in Pleasure and Voluptuousness 4. Antiochâ—â— the King not a whit the morâ— conâ—inent whose blinde and mad Luxury the Army imitating had most of them Golden Nails under the soles of their Shoes and bought Silver Dishes for their Kitchins and had their Tents of Tapestry-work adorn'd with Gold and Silver A booty more desireable by a needy Enemy than any delay to a stout Souldier from Victory 5. Ptolomey the King liv'd by the accession of his Vices and was therefore call'd Physâ—on Than whose Wickedness there could be nothing more wicked He married his eldeâ—t Sister married before to theiâ— common Brother then having viâ—iated her Daughter he divorced the Sister that he might marry the Daughter 6. Like to their Kings were the People of Egypt who under the command of Archelaus sallying out of their City against A. Gabinius when they were commanded to entrench themselves cry'd out That that was a work to be done at the publick Châ—rge And therefore their Courages weakned with the softnesâ— of Pleasures could not stand the sury of our Army 7. But more effeminate were the Cyprians who suffer'd their Women to lye upon the grouâ—d for their Queens to tread upon when they ascended into their Chariots For for men if men they were it had been better not have lived at all than to live obedient to such a soft Command CHAP. II. Of Cruelty In ROMANS 1. Cor. Sylla Dicâ—ator 2. C. Marius seven times Consul 3. L. Junius Damasippus 4. Munatius Fla us STRANGERS 1. Carthaginians 2. Hannibal 3. Mithridates 4. Numulizinthes King of Thrace 5. Ptolomey Physcon 6. Darius Ochus 7. Artaxerxes Ochus 8. The Aâ—henians 9. Perilluâ— of Sicily 10. Hetrurians 11. Certain Barbarians THis last Society of men carried a lascivious Countenance Eyes greedly after Novelty of delight and a Minde transported through all the allurements of Pleasure But the horrid habit of Cruelty is of another nature savage Countenance violent Minds terrible Utterance Mouths full of Threats and bloody Commands to which being silent is but to increase its fury For how shall she set bounds to her self unless she were recall'd by the bridle of reprehension In short since it is her business to make herself dreaded let it be ours to have her in abomination 1. L. Sylla whom no man can either sufficiently praise or dispraise who while he seeks after Victory represents himself a Scipio to the Roman People while he exercises Cruelty a meer Hannibal For having egregiously defended the cause of the Nobility â—ruelly he overflow'd the whole City and every part of Italy with rivers of Civil Blood Four Legions of the adverse party â—rusting to his Faith and following his Banners in a publick Village in vain imploring the compassion of his faithless arm he caused to be cut in pieces Whose lamentable cries pierc'd the ears of the trembling City and Tibur was compelled to waâ—t away their memberless Bodies impatient of so heavy a burthen Five thousand Praenestines hope of safety being granted them by Cethegus being call'd sorth without the Walls of the Free-town after they had thrown away their Armes and lay prostrate upon the ground he caus'd to be slain and their Bodies to be thrown about the
Q. Metellus first as Consul then for the Consul had subdued almost all Spain and understood that Pompey the Consul his enemy would be sent to succeed him he dismissed all that pretended to be acquitted from service gave licence to the Souldiers to go take their pleasure heyer setting any time for their coming again He left the Magazines upon the Borders free to the plunder of the Enemy He ordered the Cretans Bows and Arrows to be broken and thrown into the River He sorbid any Victuals to be given to the Elephants By which acts as he gratified his Passion so he sufficiently sullied the glory of his great Deeds and lost the honour he had won being a greater Vanquisher of the Enemy than of his own Passion 8. What became of Sylla too obedient to this Vice After he had shed the blood of others did he not shed his own For burning with indignation at Puâ—oli becâ—use that Granius Prince of the Colony did not pay in so quickly the Money to the Decurio's which he had promis'd for the repair of the Capitol with a concitâ—â—ion of minde more than ordinary and an immoderate force of speaking he vomited up his last breath mixed with blood and threats Not sailing by old Age as not being above threescore but raging with an Impotency nourished by the miseries of the Commonwealth So that it is a doubt whether Syllâ— or Sylla's Anger were first extinguished FORRAIGNERS Now it behoves us to fetch Examples from unknown persons yet there is something of shame in reproâ—ching the Vices of great men But since the faith of our designe admonishes us to comprehend every thing the Will must give way to the Work that the Conscience of declaring necessary things may not be wanting while we justifie the proof of gâ—eat things 1. Alexaâ—der was kept from Heav'n by his own Anger For what hinder'd but thâ—t he might have risen thither had not Lysimâ—â—hus thrown to a Lion Clytus run through with a Speat Callâ—â—henes put to death lost him the fame of three of his greatest Victories by the unjust slaughter of so many friends 2. How excessive the Hatred of Amiloar toward the Roman People For beholding four Sons of tender Age and the same number of Lions whelps He bred them he said to the ruine of our Empire Fairly brought up as it hapned to the ruine of their own Country 3. Of which Sons Hannibal so followed his Fatherâ— steps that when he was about to cross the Army over into Spain and sacrificing for good success the Son then but nine years of age holding his hand upon the Altar swore that assoon as his Age would permit him he would be a most bitter Enemy to the Romans that he might express to his father how willingly he accompanied him in the War then â—foot The same person that he might shew the Hatred between Rome and Carthage happening to stumble and raise the dust with his foot Then said he there will be an end of the War between these two Cities when one of them is reduced into dust as this is 4. In the breast of a Boy the Force of Hatred was not so prevalent but that it equally prevailed in a Womans breast For Semiramis Queen of the Assyrians when it was related to her as she was combing her hair that Babylon was revolted with one part of her hair loose and distievell'd she hasted to its recovery nor would she bring her hair till she had reduced the City into order And therefore her Statue is placed in Babylon in the same posture as she hasten'd to her Revenge CHAP. IV. Of Covetousness ROMANS 1. M. Crassus and Q. Hortensius 2. Q. Cassius Longinus 3. L. Septimuleius FORRAIGNERS 1. Ptolomey King of Cyprus LEt Avarice be brought forth that lurks in hidden places but a devourer of oâ—en prey unhappy in enjoyment but most through Insatiability 1. When certain persons had suborn'd a false testimony against Minucius Basilius in Greece who was very rich to confirm it they put into his Will as Heirs two of the most potent men of ouâ— City M. Crassus and Q. Hortensius to whom Minutius was altogether unknown Though the fraud were evident yet both covetous after the Estate neither refus'd the giâ—t of a Forreign Crime How great an offence have I slightly related The Lights of the Court and Ornaments of the Seat of Judicature what they ought to have punish'd invited by the baâ—t of dishonest gain they protected by their Authority 2. But it was of greateâ— force in Q. Cassius who let go M. Silius and A. Calpurnius being apprehended in Spain with daggers on purpose to have kill'd him having agreed with the one for fifty with the other for sixty Sesterces It may be a question whether if they had given him as much more he would not have offer'd them his throat also 3. But above all the Avarice of L. Septimuleius was most notorious Who being a familiar Friend of Gracchus not only cut off his Head but carried it fix'd upon a pole through the City because Opimius the Consul had promis'd a reward in Gold to him that should do it Some report that he filled the hollow part of his Scull with melted Lead that it might be the heavier Whether he were seditious or died for a good Example yet the wicked hunger of his friend should not have bin so greedy after such injuries to the dead FORREIGNERS 1. The Covetousness of Septimuleius deserved hatred but the Avarice of Ptolomey King of the Cyprians is to be laught at For having by mean devices scrap'd together great Riches and saw that he was like to perish for their sake and for that reason having shipped all his Wealth was got out to Sea that by bulging the Vessels he might perish at his own leasure and frustrate his Enemies hopes could not endure the sinking of his Gold and Silver but carried back the future reward of his own Death Surely he did not possess but was possess'd by Wealth being in his minde a miseâ—able slave to Money CHAP. V. Of Pride and excess of Power ROMANS 1. M. Fulvius Flaccus Cos. 2. M. Livius Drusus Tribune of the People 3. C. Pompey the Great three times Consul 4. M. Antonie Triumvir FORREIGNERS 1. Alexander the Great 2. Xerxes King of Persia. 3. Hannibal the Carthaginian 4. The Carthaginian and Campanian Seâ—ate 1. NOw that Pride and Excess in Power may be brought upon the Stage Fulvius Flaccus Consul Colleague with M. Plautius Hypsaeus being about to make Laws very pernicious to the Common-wealth of making free Citizens of Rome and citing such before the People who would not change their City could hardly be perswaded to come into Court Then when the Senate partly admonish'd him partly bâ—sought him to desist he gave them no answer He might be accompted a Tyrannical Consul who had thus carried himself against one Senator as Flaccus did against the whole Body of so Majestick an Assembly 2. Whose Majesty was no less
affronted by the contumely of M. Drusus a Tribune of the People who made nothing because Philip the Consul interrupted him in his Speech to take him by the throat and to hale him to Prison not by the hands of an Officer but of a Client with that violence that the Blood gush'd out of his Mouth Also when the Senate sent to him to come into Court Rather said he why doth not the Senate come to the Hostilia to me I am ashamed to adde the rest The Tribune despis'd the Authority of the Senate the Senate obey'd the Tribunes words 3. How insolently Pompey who coming out of the Bath left Hypsaeus prostrate at his feet accused of bribing for Voices a Nobleman and his Friend upbraiding him withal with a contumelious Scoff telling him that he came to spoil his Supper Yet he was not ashamed to require Scipio his Sons Father-in-law condemned by certain Laws which he had made himself to the ruine of many Noblemen governing the Commonwealth according to the caresses of his Nuptial Bed 4. Vile was the Scoff of M. Antonie both in word and deed For when the Head of Caesetius Rufus a Senator was brought him being a Triumvir the rest turning aside he caus'd it to be brought near and diligently viewed it And when all the standers by listned to hear what he would say This fellow saies he I never knew A haughty scorn of a Senator but the excess of pride toward a man slain FORREIGNERS 1. Enough of our own now for Forreigners The Vertue and Felicity of Alexander the Great wâ—s eclips'd by three most evident degrees of Insolence For contemning his Father Philip he acknowledged none but Iupiter Ammon for his Father Laying aside the Customes and Manners of the Macedonians he assumed the Garments and Laws of the Persians despising Mortals he emulated to be a God Nor was he ashamed to deny himself to be a Son a â—ellow-Countryman and a Mortal 2. Xerxes in whose name Pride and Impotency inhabit how insolently did he use his own power when being to proclaim War against the Grecians and calling the Princes of Asia together That I might not seem said he to take my own advice I have assembled you But remember thaâ— it is your part rather to obey than to give Counsel Arrogantly said had he return'd a Victor to his Countrey But so shamefully beaten I know not whether more insolently or arrogantly 3. Hannibal puft up with the success of the Battle of Cannae neither admitted any of his Country-men into his Tents nor gave answer to any but by an Interpreter and despis'd Maâ—arbal affirming with a loud voice before his Tent that he saw a way how he might sup in a few days in the Capitol So unusual a thing it is for Happiness and Moderation to lodge together 4. There was a kind of emulation between the Carthaginian and Campanian Senate for Insolencie For the one wash'd in a Bath apart from the Vulgar the other made use of a different Judgment-Seat Which Custome retain'd in Capua is evident in an Epistle of G. Gracchus written to Plautius CHAP. VI. Of Perfidiousness ROMANS 1. T. Tatius King of the Sabines 2. Ser. Sulpitius Galba 3. Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus 4. Q. Servilius Caepio Cos. FORREIGNERS 1. The Carthaginians 2. Hannibal the Carthaginian LEt Perfidiousness a close and crafty Mischief be fetch'd out of its lurking holes Whose most efficacious properties are to lye and deceive the fruit it reaps from some crime committed then certain when it holds Cruelty in bonds bringing as much mischief to Mankinde as Faith and Truth afford quiet and safety Therefore let it be as much dispraised as the other praised 2. In the reign of Romulus Sp. Tarpeius was Governour of the Tower whose Daughter a Virgin going to fetch Water for the Ceremonies without the Walls Tatius corrupted with Money to let in his armed Sabines into the Castle promising as a Reward what they woreupon their left hands which were Bracelets and Rings of Gold of a considerable weight The Sabines having got into the place when the Virgin demanded her reward they killed her with the weight of their Armes As it were performing their promise in regard they also carried their Armes on their left hand Let there be no blame while impious Treason was reveng'd with a quick Punishment 2. Servius Galba was a man highly perfidious For having assembled together the people of several Cities of Portugal upon pretence of treating for their good he partly kill'd and partly sold seven thousand of them among which were the flower of their Youth after he had pickt them out and disarmed them Thus the greatness of his Crâ—me exceeded the Calamity of the Barbarians 3. Too great a desire of Glory made Cn. Domitius a person of Noble Extraction and Merit to become perfidious For being offended at Beâ—ultus King of the Arverni for that he had perswaded both his own people and the Allobroges while he was in the Province to flie to the Protection of Fabius his Successor Sending for him under pretence of speaking with him and having received him under his roof he caus'd him to be setter'd and sent him away by Sea to Rome Which act of his the Senate could neither approve nor disannul lest Besultus being sent back into his Countrey should raise a new War Therefore they sent him to Alba to be secur'd 4. The slaughter of Viriatus admits a double accusation of Perjury as to his friends because he was killed in their hands in Q. Servilius Caepio the Consul because he was the Author of the fact and promis'd impunity not deserving but buying his Victory FORREIGNERS 1. But that we may take a view of the Fountain of Perfidie it selâ— The Carthaginians pretending to send Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian home who had served them and by whose assistance they had taken Atilius Regulus sunk him in the midst of the Sea What was the aim of so much Villany That the companion of their Victory should not live He lives however to their reproach whom they might have leâ—t untouch'd without any loss of their Honour 2. Hannibal also by strangling in the smoak and steam of Baths the Nucerini who upon his Faith given came out of an impregnable City and by throwing the Senate of the Acerrani into Wells while he profess'd War against the People of Rome and Italy did he not wage a more severe war against Faith and Honesty making use of lies and deceits as of famous and noble Arts. By which means though he might have otherwise left a real fame behinde him it is now to be question'd which was most eminent his Greatness or his Wickedness CHAP. VII Of Seditions The Roman People against 1. C. Marius 6 times Cos. 2. Q. Metellus the Censor 3. A. Numius the Candidate 4. A. Sempronius Asellio The Roman Souldiers against 1. Gratidius the Legate 2. Q. Pompey the Consul 3. C. Carbo the Lâ—gate BUt let the Acts of violent Sedition among
Cassius therefore believing him to have been taken by the Enemy and that they were absolute Masters of the field hasten'd to end his life when Brutus's forces were in part safe and Masters of the Enemies Camp But the Courage of Titinius is not to be forgot who stood a while astonish'd at the unexpected sight of his Captain wallowing in his own blood then bursting into tears Though imprudenâ—ly General said he I was the cause of thy death this imprudence shall not go unpunish'd receive me a companion to thy fate and do saying threw himself upon the liveless trunk with his Sword up to the Hilts in his own Body And intermixing blood with blood they lay a double sacrifice the one of Piety the other of Errour 3. But certainly Mistake did a great injury to the family of Lartis Talumnius King of the Veieâ—tâ—s who after he had through a lucky cast at Dice cried to his Play-mate Kill the Guard mistaking the word fell upon the Roman Embassadours and slew them as they were just entring the Room interpreting Play as a Command CHAP. X. Of Revenge In ROMANS 1. Of the Papyrian Tribe of the Tusculans against Polias 2. Of the people of Utica against Fabius Adrianus FORRAIGNERS 1. Thamyâ—is and Berenices Queens 2. Certain Youths of Thessaly THe Stings of Revenge as they are sharp so they are just while they meditate to repay received Injuries Of which a few Examples will serve 1. M. Flavius Tribune of the People reported to the People against the Tusculans that by their advice the Privernates and Veliterni would rebel Who when they came to Rome in a most miserable and supplianâ— manner with their Wives and Children it hapned that all the rest of the Tribes being Mercy the Polian Tribe alone gave judgment that they should be first whipp'd and then put to death and the multitude of Women and Children to be sold for Slaves For which reason the Papyrian Tribe in which the Tusculans being received into the City had a strong Vote never made afterwards any Candidate of the Polian Tribe a Magistrate that no Honour might â—ome to that Tribe which as much as in them lay had endeavoured to deprive them of their Lives and Liberty 2. But this Revenge both the Senate and the consent of all men approved For when Adrianus had sordidly tyrannized over the Roman Citizens at Uâ—ica and was therefore by them burâ—t alive the matter was never question'd in the City nor any complaint made against it FORREIGNERS 1. Famous Examples of Revenge were both Queens Thamyris who having caused the Head of Cyrus to be cut off commanded it to be thrown into a Tub of humane Blood upbraiding him with his insatiable thirst after Blood and revenging upon him the Death of her Son who waâ— slain by him And Berenice who taking heavily the loss of her Son entrapped by the snares of Laodice got arm'd into her Chariot and following the King Life-guard-man that had done the Mischief after she had miss'd him with her Spear she â—elâ—'d him with a Stone and driving her Horses over his Body rid directly through the bands of the adverse party to the house where she thought the body of the slain Child lay 2. It is a hard thing to judge whether a just Revenge or not were the ruine of Iason of Thessaly preparing to make war against the King of Persia. For he gave leave to Taxillus the Master of his Games complaining that he had been abused by certain young men that he should either require thirty Drachma's from them or to give them ten Stripes Which last revenge when he used they that were lash'd kill'd Iason valuing the measure of the punishment by the pain of the Minde and not of the Body Thus by a small provocation of ingenious Shame a great Undertaking was subverted Because that in the opinion of Greece there was as much expected from Iason as from Alexander CHAP. XI Of things naughtily said and wickedly done ROMANS 1. Tullia Servilia 2. C. Fimbria Tribune of the People 3. L. Catiline 4. Magius Chilo 5. C. Toranius 6. Villius Annalis 7. The wife of Vettius Salassus FORREIGNERS 1. Two Spanish Brothers 2. Mithridates the King 3. Sariaster the Son of Tigranes 4. L. Aelius Sejanus NOw because we pursue the good and bad things of humane Life let us go on with what hath been naughtily said and wickedly done 1. But where shall I better begin than from Tullia as being he ancientest in time the wickedest and most monstrous Example of Impiety Who when her Charioteer as she was riding in her Chariot stopp'd his Horses upon her enquiry finding that the dead body of her Father Servius Tullius lay in the way caus'd the Charioteer to drive over it that she might hasten to the embraces of Tarquinius who had slain him By which impious and shameful haste she not only stain'd herself with eternal Infamy but also the very Village it self which was called The wicked Village after that 2. Not so horrible was the Act and Saying of C. Fimbria though consider'd by themselves both very abominable He had order'd it that Scavola should be killed at the Funeral of C. Marius whom after he found to be recovered of his Wound He resolv'd â—o accuse to the People Being then ask'd what he could say truely of him whose conversation was not to 〈◊〉 blamed answered that he would accuse him Fâ—â— not receiving the Dart any further into his Body 3. L. Catiline Cicero saying in the Senate that there was a great fire kindled by him I perceive iâ— said he and if I could not â—uench it with Water I would with Ruine What can we think but that the stings of his Conscience moved him to finish the act of Parricide which he began 4. The Breast of Magius Chilo was deeply troubled with Madness Who with his own hand snatch'd away Marcellus's Life that Caesar had given him For being an old Souldier under Pompey he took it ill that any of Pompey's friends should be preferr'd before him For as he was upon his return from Mitylene to thâ— City he stabb'd him with a Dagger in the Port of Athens An Enemy of Friendship an Intercepter of divine Favour and the Ignominy of publick Faith which had promis'd the Life of so great a person 5. To this Cruelty to which there seems no addition to be made C. Caius â—oranius exceeds in heinousness of Parricide For adhering to the Faction â—f the Triumviri he described to the Centurions the marks the age and lurking places of his proscrib'd Father a famous person and of the Praetorian Order to thâ— end they might finde him out The Old-man moâ—â— concerned for the life and advancement of his Son than for the remainder of his days enquired of the Centurions whether his Son were safe and whether he pleas'd his Generals One of which made answer Being shewed by him said he whom thou so 〈◊〉 lovest we are come to be thy Execâ—tioneâ—s and preseâ—tly
ran him through This fell that unhappy man more miserable in the author of his Death than in his Death it self 6. Which was the bitter Loâ— of L. Villius Annolis Who coming into the Field to the choice of his Son for Quaestor and knowing himself to be proscrib'd flew to his Protection But the wickedness of the Youngman was the 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. Vetâ—ius 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 hands 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 more famous Them when Scipio admonish'd rather to contend in words than blows who should râ—ign and that the elder submitted to his advice the younger trusting to his strength persisted in his Madness But the issue of the Combat was that the more obstinate Impiety was punished with Death 2. Mithridates much more 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 Sarlaâ—ter 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 stay 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 faith of Friendship being exâ—inct can finde words enough to sâ—nd to the Abyss of due execration the person that endeavoured the subversion of all Mankinde Couldst thou more cruel than the Cruelty of Barbarism 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 be 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 Bedâ— 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 Defendeâ— 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 iâ— Hell if he deserve to be there CHAP. XII Of Deaths not Vulgar ROMANS 1. Tullus Hostilius King 2. The two Mothers 3. Mâ— Juvenâ—ius Thalna 4. Q. Lutelius Catulus 5. L. Cornelius Merula 6. Herennius Siculus 7. Licinius Macer 8. Coâ—nelius Gallâ—s and T. Haâ—erius FORRAIGNEâ—S 1. Coma the Brother of Cleon Captain of the Fugitives 2. Aeâ—chylus the Poet. 3. Homer 4. Euripides 5. Sophocles 6. Philemon 7. Pindaâ—us 8. Anacâ—â—on 9. Milo the Croâ—oniate 10. Polydamas of Syracuse THe first and last day contain the condition of humane Life for it is so 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 calâ— 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 1. Tullus Hostilius the king was struck with Thunder and burnt together with his whole Palace A singular Lot of Faâ—e by which it happen'd that the Pillar of the City taâ—en 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 fitting 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 Iuventius Thalna Colleague with T. Gracchus the Consul sacrificing in Corsica which he had newly subdued and receiving Letters that Supplications weâ—â— 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 dâ—â—â—vâ—r'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 commandâ—d to deâ—â—â— 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 Iupiter that he might not be a scorn to the Insolency of the Victors opening his Veins in the Temple of Iove avoided the denunciation of his Death 6. A sharp and stout end was that of Herennius the Sicilian who was both a Frieâ—d 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
while he bewail'd others to deplore his own condition Happy rather in the multitude of his Riches than in the deep Reflexion of his thoughts For who but meanly prudent would bewail that he was born mortal 2. I will relate others now who having others in suspicion sought to have a more exquisite care of themselves Nor will I begin from the most misserable but one that was accompted the most happy among a few Massinissâ— the King reposing but little faith in Men secur'd himself with a guard of Dogs What meant so large an Empire What so great a number of Children What the Roman Friendship so strictly allied to him If to secure all these he thought nothing more powerful than the barking and biting of Dogs 3. Alexander was more unhappy than this King whose minde on the one side Love on the other Fear tormented For being infinitely enamour'd of his Wife Thebe going to her from a Banquet into her Chamber he caus'd a Barbarian Fugitive to go before him with his Sword drawn Nor did he put himself to bed till he was diligently search'd by those about him A mix'd Punishment through the anger of the Gods that he could neitheâ— command his Lust noâ— his Fear Of Whose Fear the cause and end was the same For Thebe slew Alexander provoked by his Adultery 4. Dionysius Tyrant of Syracuse how long a story might he make of this fear Who prolonged a Tyranny of two and forty years in this manner He removed his Friends and substituted in their places men brought from the most fierce of Nations and stout Servants pick'd out of wealthy Families for his Guard and out of fear of a Barber taught his Daughters to shave into whose hands when they came to ripe Age not daring to commit Iron he order'd his Beard and Hair to be burnt off with the flame of the skins of Walnuts Nor was he a more secure Husband than he was a Father For having married at the same â—ime Aristomache of Syracuse and Cloris of Locris he never lay with either till they were searched And he entrench'd his Bed like a Camp into which he went over a wooden Bridge leaving the outward Chamber-door open to his Guards and carefully locking the inner himself CHAP. XIV Of Similitude of Form ROMANS 1. Cn. Pompey the Great with Vibius and Publicius 2. Cn. Pompey Strabo with Menogenes the Cook 3. P. Scipio Nasica with Serapius 4. P. Lentulus and Qu. Metellus Consuls with Spinther and Pamphilus the Players 5. M. Mâ—ssila and C. Curio with Menoges and Bubulâ—ius Scenics FORREIGNERS 1. Antiochus King of Syria with Artemon 2. Hybras the Orator with a Servant of the Cymaeaus 3. A Sicilian Fisher with a Roman Praetor COncerning the likeness of Countenance and Proportion the more Learned dispute subâ—ily And some are of opinion that it answers to the original and composition of the blood Nor do they draw a mean Argument from other Creatures which are like those that beget them Others deny this to be the Constitution of Nature but an Accidental Chance of Conception And therefore many times the beautiful bring forth deformed the strong produce weak Children But because the Question is doubtful let us produce a few Examples of noted Likeness 1. Vibius of a good Family and Publicius the Freed-man were so like Pompey the Grâ—at that changing their condition they might have been saluted for him and he for them Certainly wherever Vibius or Publicius came all mens eyes were upon them every one remarking the form of a mighty Citizen iâ— persons of mean degree Which kind of Mockery became almost hereditary to him 2. For his Father also was so exceeding like Menâ—genes his Cook that a man fierce in Courage and potent in Arms could not avoid that sordid name upon himself 3. Cornelâ—us Scipio a young man illustrious for his Nobility abounding in many â—amous Sirnames of his Family could not scape the servile Appellation of Serâ—pio being so like a Killer of the Sacrifices who was of that Name Nor could the Probity of his Life nor the Antiquity of his Family any way prevail against the Scandal 4. A most generous Colleagueship was that of Lentulus and Metellus Yet both were look'd upon as Players so like they were to two Histâ—io's upon the Stage For the one got the sirname of Spinthâ—r an Actor of the Second Parts and if the other had not had the sirname of Nepos â—rom his Anceâ—tors he had had the sirname of Pamphilus an Actor of Third Parts whom he so much resembled 5. But M. Messala of Consular Dignity was forced to receive the sirname of Menogenes and Curio abounding in wealth that of Barbuleius the one by reason of the likeness of their Faces the other because of the likeness of their Gate FORREIGNERS 1. These are enough for Domesticks because they are particularly remarkable in reference to the persons and not obscure in relation to common knowlâ—dge There was one Artemon by name and related to the Royal Family who was affirm'd to be very like to King Antiochus Whom Laodice having murder'd her Husband to conceal the fact laid in her Husbands Bed to counterfeit the King as sick And by his Countenance and Voice deceived all people that were admitted to see him and believed that Laodice and her Children were recommended by dying Antiochus to their care 2. Hybreas of Mylasa an Oratour of a smart and copious Eloquence was so like a Servant of the Cymeanâ— that swept the Wrastling-School that all the eyes of Asia took him for his own Brother so like he was in all the Lineaments of Face and Members 3. But he that was â—n Sicily so like the Praetor was of a petulant disposition For the Proconsul saying That he wonder'd how he should come to be so like him when his Father had never been in that Countrey But mine answered the other went frequently to Rome Revenging by that means the injury done to his Mothers Chastity by a Suspition thrown upon the Mother of the Proconsul yet more boldly than become a man that was under the Lash and Axe of Authority CHAP. XV. Of those who by lying have thrust themselves into Families which they never belong'd â—o 1. L. Equitius Firmanus 2. Erophilus the Farrier 3. The false son of Octavia Augustus's Sister 4. The false son of Sertorius 5. Trebellius Calca 6. C. Asinius Dio false FORREIGNERS 1. Rubria of Millain false 2. Ariarathes the false King of Cappadocia THe former was a tolerable piece of Impudence and â—nly dangerous to himself Thaâ— which follows is no way to be endur'd and not only privately but publickly dangerous 1. For that I my not omit Equitiâ— a Monster out of Firmum in Piceni whose manifest lye in counterfeiting himself the Son of T. Gracchus by the turbulent mistake of the Vulgar was defended by the power of the Tribune 2. Herophilus the Farrier by claiming Marius seven times Consul for his Grandfather so set himself-forth that most of the Colonies of the Veterane Souldiers and noble free Towns â—dopted him for their Patâ—on Nay when Caesar having overcome young Pompey in Spain had admitted the people into his Garden he was saluted in the next space between the Pillars by the Multitude And had not Caesar prudently prevented the storm the Commonwealth had suffer'd as much by him as by Equitius But being banished out of Italy by him after he was taken into Heavâ—â— the other return'd into the City and durst aâ—â—â—â—pt to plot the killing of â—he Senate For which reâ—son being by the command of the Fathers put to Death iâ— Prison he had the late reward of a quick intention to do mischief 3. Neither was the Deity of the World Augustus himself ruling the world exempt from this kinde of Imposture There being a certain person that durst to affirm himself born of the womb of his most dear Sister Octaviâ— saying that for the infirmity of his body he was put out to the person that bred him and his Son taken in it his stead Thus at the same time endeavouring to dâ—prive a most sacred Family of the Memory of their â—rue Blood and to contaminate it with the contagion of a Lye But while he soar'd to the utmost degree of boldness he was by Caesar condemn'd to the Gallies 4. There was also one who affirm'd himself to be the Son of Q. Sertorius whose Wife would by no means be compell'd to acknowledge him 5. Tubellius Calâ—s how stedsâ—stly did he justifie himself to be Clodius And while he contended for his Estate was so favourably receiv'd by the Court of Judicature that the tumult oâ— the people would hardly give way for a just and legal Sentence However the Constancy of the judges would not give way either to the Calumnies of the Claimer nor the fury of the People 6. Much more stoutly was that done by him who when L. Sylla rul'd in chief brâ—ke into the house of Asiuius Dio and expell'd his Son out of doors clamouring that it was he that was Dio's Son But when Caesar's Equity had freed the Commonwealth from Sylla's Tyranny a juster Prince steering the helm of Government the Impostor died in Jail FORREIGNERS 1. While the same Prince governed the Rashness of a Woman was punish'd at Milan upon account of the same Imposture For attesting herself to be one Rubria and claiming by that means an Estate that belong'd not to her though she wanted neither favour nor Witnesses yet the invincible Constancy of Caesar disappointed heâ— of her hopes 2. The same person compell'd to just punishment a Barbâ—rian affecting the Kingdom of Cappadocia and affirming himself to be Ariarathes who was certainly known to have been slain by Mark Antony thâ—ugh at the same time he had deluded most of the Cities and People of the East FINIS