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Nero could tune the harp well, but in government he did always wind up the strings too high, or let them down too low.

133. Diogenes, one terrible frosty morning, came into the market-place, and stood naked, shaking, to shew his tolerance. Many of the people came about him pitying him: Plato passing by, and knowing he did it to be seen, said to the people as he went by; if you pity him indeed, let him alone to himself.

134. Mr. Marbury the preacher would say, that God was fain to do with wicked men, as men do with frisking jades in a pasture, that cannot take them up, till they get them at a gate. So wicked men will not be taken up till the hour of death.

135. Pope Sixtus the fifth, who was a very poor man's son, and his father's house ill-thatched, so that the sun came in, in many places, would sport with his ignobility, and say; that he was, nato di casa illustre, son of an illustrious house.

136. Cæsar, when he first possessed Rome, Pompey being fled, offered to enter the sacred treasury to take the monies that were there stored: and Mettellus, tribune of the people, did forbid him and when Metellus was violent in it, and would not desist, Cæsar turned to him, and said; presume no farther, or I will lay you dead. And when Metellus was with those words somewhat

astonished, Cæsar added; young man, it had been easier for me to do this, than to speak it.

137. Caius Marius was general of the Romans against the Cimbers, who came with such a sea of people upon Italy. In the fight there was a band of the Cadurcians of a thousand, that did notable service; whereupon, after the fight, Marius did denison them all for citizens of Rome, though there was no law to warrant it. One of his friends did present it unto him; that he had transgressed the law, because that privilege was not to be granted, but by the people. Whereunto Marius answered; that for the noise of arms he could not hear the laws.

138. Pompey did consummate the war against Sertorius, when Metellus had brought the enemy somewhat low. He did also consummate the war against the fugitives, whom Crassus had before defeated in a great battle. So when Lucullus had had great and glorious victories against Mithridates and Tigranes; yet Pompey, by means his friends made, was sent to put an end to that war. Whereupon Lucullus taking indignation, as a disgrace offered to himself, said; that Pompey was a carrion crow, when others had strucken down the bodies, then Pompey came and preyed upon them.

139. Antisthenes being asked of one what learning was most necessary for man's life? Answered, to unlearn that which is nought.

140. Diogenes, when mice came about him, as he was eating, said; I see, that even Diogenes nourisheth parasites.

141. Hiero visited by Pythagoras, ask'd him; of what condition he was? Pythagoras answered; sir, I know you have been at the Olympian games : yes, saith Hiero. Thither (saith Pythagoras) come some to win the prizes. Some come to sell their merchandize, because it is a kind of mart of all Greece. Some come to meet their friends, and to make merry because of the great confluence of all sorts. Others come only to look on. I am ́one of them that come to look on; meaning it, of philosophy, and the contemplative life.

142. Heraclitus the obscure said; the dry light is the best soul: meaning, when the faculties intellectual are in vigour, not drenched, or as it were blooded by the affections.

143. One of the philosophers was asked; what a wise man differ'd from a fool? He answered, send them both naked to those that know them not, and you shall perceive.

144. There was a law made by the Romans, against the bribery and extortion of the governors of provinces. Cicero saith in a speech of his to the people; that he thought the provinces would petition to the state of Rome to have that law repealed. For (saith he) before the governors did

bribe and extort, as much as was sufficient for themselves: but now they bribe and extort as much, as may be enough, not only for themselves, but for the judges, and jurors, and magistrates.

145. Aristippus sailing in a tempest, shewed signs of fear. One of the seamen said to him, in an insulting manner; we that are plebeians are not troubled; you that are a philosopher, are afraid. Aristippus answered; that there is not the like wager upon it, for you to perish and for

me.

146. There was an orator that defended a cause of Aristippus, and prevailed. Afterwards he asked Aristippus; now, in your distress, what, did Socrates do you good? Aristippus answered; thus, in making that which you said of me to be true.

147. It fell out so, that as Livia went abroad in Rome, there met her naked young men that were sporting in the streets, which Augustus went about severely to punish in them: but Livia spake for them, and said; .it was no more to chaste women, than so many statues.

148. Philip of Macedon was wished to banish one for speaking ill of him. But Philip answered; better he speak where we are both known, than where we are both unknown.

149. Lucullus entertained Pompey in one of his magnificent houses; Pompey said, this is a mar

vellous fair and stately house for the summer; but methinks it should be very cold for winter. Lucullus answered; do you not think me as wise as divers fowls are, to change my habitation in the winter season?

150. Plato entertained some of his friends at a dinner, and had in the chamber a bed, or couch, neatly and costly furnished. Diogenes came in, and got up upon the bed, and trampled it, saying; I trample upon the pride of Plato. Plato mildly answered, but with greater pride, Diogenes.

151. Pompey being commissioner for sending grain to Rome in time of dearth, when he came to the sea, found it very tempestuous and dangerous; insomuch as those about him advised him by no means to embark; but Pompey said, it is of necessity that I go, not that I live.

152. Demosthenes was upbraided by Eschines that his speeches did smell of the lamp. But Demosthenes said; indeed there is a great deal of difference between that which you and I do by lamp-light.

153. Demades the orator, in his age was talkative, and would eat hard: Antipater would say of him, that he was like a sacrifice, that nothing was left of it but the tongue and the paunch.

154. Philo Judæus saith, that the sense is like the sun; for the sun seals up the globe of heaven, and

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