"they were translated into English, and inserted "into the first part of the Resuscitation." In the few lines upon the character of Augustus Cæsar, there is a maxim well deserving the deep consideration of every young man of sensibility, apt to be 66 66 Misled by fancy's meteor ray, By passion driven : And yet the light that leads astray, Bacon says, "those persons* which are of a tur"bulent nature or appetite, do commonly pass their youth in many errors; and about their middle, "and then and not before, they shew forth their perfections; but those that are of a sedate and "calm nature, may be ripe for great and glorious "actions in their youth." The very same sentiment which he expresses in his Essay on Youth and Age. "Natures that have much heat, and great and "violent desires and perturbations, are not ripe for "action till they have passed the meridian of their years as it was with Julius Cæsar and Septimius 66 Severus; of the latter of whom it is said, 'juven"tutem egit, erroribus, imo furoribus plenam;' and yet he was the ablest emperor, almost, of all the "list: but reposed natures may do well in youth, as "it is seen in Augustus Cæsar, Cosmus, duke of "Florence, Gaston de Foix, and others." * Page 489. |