Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

opens the globe of earth: so the sense doth obscure heavenly things, and reveals earthly things.

155. Alexander, after the battle of Granicum, had very great offers made him by Darius: consulting with his captains concerning them, Parmenio said; sure I would accept of these offers, if I were as Alexander. Alexander answered; so

would I, if I were as Parmenio.

156. Alexander was wont to say, he knew himself to be mortal, chiefly by two things; sleep, and lust.

157. Augustus Cæsar would say, that he wonder'd that Alexander feared he should want work, having no more worlds to conquer: as if it were not as hard a matter to keep as to conquer.

158. Antigonus, when it was told him that the enemy had such volleys of arrows that they did hide the sun, said; that falls out well, for it is hot weather, and so we shall fight in the shade.

159. Cato the elder being aged, buried his wife, and married a young woman. His son came to him, and said; sir, what have I offended, that you have brought a step-mother into your house? The old man answered; nay, quite contrary, son; thou pleasest me so well, as I should be glad to

have more such.

160. Crassus the orator had a fish which the Romans call Muraena, that he made very tame

[ocr errors]

and fond of him; the fish died, and Crassus wept for it. One day falling in contention with Domitius in the senate, Domitius said, foolish Crassus, you wept for your Muraena, Crassus replied, that's more than you did for both your wives.

161. Philip, Alexander's father, gave sentence against a prisoner what time he was drowsy, and seemed to give small attention. The prisoner after sentence was pronounced, said, I appeal. The king somewhat stirred, said; to whom do you appeal? The prisoner answered; from Philip when he gave no ear, to Philip when he shall give ear.

162. There was a philosopher that disputed with Adrian the emperor, and did it but weakly. One of his friends that stood by, afterwards said unto him methinks you were not like yourself last day, in argument with the emperor; I could have answered better myself. Why, said the philosopher, would you have me contend with him that commands thirty legions.

163. When Alexander passed into Asia, he gave large donatives to his captains and other principal men of virtue; insomuch as Parmenio asked him; sir, what do you keep for yourself? He answered, hope.

164. There was one that found a great mass of money digged under ground in his grandfather's house; and being somewhat doubtful of the case,

signified it to the emperor, that he had found such treasure. The emperor made a rescript thus; use it. He writ back again; that the sum was greater than his state or condition could use.

peror writ a new rescript, thus: abuse it.

The em

165. Julius Cæsar, as he passed by, was by acclamation of some that stood in the way, termed king, to try how the people would take it. The people shewed great murmur and distaste at it. Cæsar finding where the wind stood, slighted it, and said; I am not king, but Cæsar; as if they had mistaken his name. For rex was a surname amongst the Romans, as king is with us.

166. When Croesus, for his glory, shewed Solon his great treasures of gold, Solon said to him; if another king come that hath better iron than you, he will be master of all this gold.

167. Aristippus being reprehended of luxury, by one that was not rich, for that he gave six crowns for a small fish, answered; why, what would you have given? the other said, some twelve pence. Aristippus said again; and six crowns is no more with me.

168. Plato reprehended severely a young man for entering into a dissolute house. The young man said to him; why do you reprehend so sharply for so small a matter? Plato replied, but custom is no small matter.

169. Archidamus, king of Lacedaemon, having received from Philip king of Macedon (after Philip had won the victory of Chaeronea, upon the Athenians) proud letters, writ back to him; that if he measured his own shadow, he would find it no longer than it was before his victory.

170. Pyrrhus, when his friends congratulated to him his victory over the Romans, under the conduct of Fabricius, but with great slaughter of his own side, said to them again; yes, but if we have such another victory, we are undone.

[ocr errors]

171. Plato was wont to say of his master Socrates, that he was like the apothecaries gally-pots; that had on the out-sides apes, owls, and satyrs; but within, precious drugs.

172. Alexander sent to Phocion a great present of money. Phocion said to the messenger; why doth the king send to me, and to none else? The messenger answered; because he takes you to be the only good man in Athens. Phocion replied; if he think so, pray let him suffer me to be so still.

173. At a banquet, where those that were called the seven wise men of Greece, were invited by the ambassador of a barbarous king; the ambassador related, that there was a neighbour mightier than his master, pick'd quarrels with him, by making impossible demands; otherwise threatening war; and now at that present had demanded of

E

him, to drink up the sea. Whereunto one of the wise men said, I would have him undertake it. Why, saith the ambassador, how shall he come off? Thus, (saith the wise man,) let that king first stop the rivers which run into the sea, which are no part of the bargain, and then your master will perform it.

174. At the same banquet, the ambassador desired the seven, and some other wise men that were at the banquet, to deliver every one of them some sentence or parable, that he might report to his king the wisdom of Grecia, which they did ; only one was silent; which the ambassador perceiving, said to him; sir, let it not displease you; why do not you say somewhat, that I may report? He answered, report to your lord, that there are of the Grecians that can hold their peace.

175. The Lacedamonians had in custom to speak very short, which being an empire, they might do at pleasure but after their defeat at Leuctra, in an assembly of the Grecians, they made a long invective against Epaminondas: who stood up, and said no more than this; I am glad we have brought you to speak long.

176. Fabius Maximus being resolved to draw the war in length, still waited upon Hannibal's progress to curb him; and for that purpose he encamped upon the high ground: but Terentius his

« AnteriorContinuar »