Part 2
_Alexandre_ le Grand ayant remporté la Victoire sur l’Armée de _Darius_ Roy de _Perse_, celui-ci lui demanda la Paix, & lui offrit la moitié de l’_Asie_, avec dix mille Talents. _Parmenion_, un de ses Favoris, charmé d’une Proposition si avantageuse, _Seigneur_, dit-il à son Maître, _je vous proteste que si j’ètois_ Alexandre, _j’accepterois ces offres avec joye_; _& moy aussi_, lui répondit _Alexandre_, _si j’ètois_ Parmenion.
10
The same _Alexander_ being at _Delphos_, dragged the Priestess of _Apollo_ to the Temple, in order to make her consult the Oracle upon a forbidden Day: She having resisted him in vain, cried out, _Alexander thou art invincible_. _I desire no other Oracle but this_, reply’d he.
10
Le même _Alexandre_, ètant à _Delphes_, entraina la Pretresse d’_Apollon_ dans le Temple, pour lui faire consulter l’Oracle en un jour deffendu; Elle, s’écria, aprés lui avoir resisté en vain, _Alexandre, tu ès invincible_. _Je ne veux point_, dit-il, _d’autre Oracle que celui-là._
11
_Leo_ the _Bizantine_, a Disciple of _Plato_, and a very famous Philosopher, going to meet _Philip_ King of _Macedon_, who came with a great Army against his Country, told him, _Sir, why do you come to attack our City_; _because_, said _Philip_, _I am in Love with her, and am come to enjoy her_. _Ah! Sir_, reply’d _Leo_, _Lovers don’t come to their Mistresses with Instruments of War, but of Musick._ This agreeable and witty Repartee so pleased _Philip_ that he changed his Resolution, and leaving _Byzantium_ at liberty, passed on to other Conquests.
11
_Leon_ le _Bizantin_, Auditeur de _Platon_, & Philosophe fort fameux, ètant allé au devant de _Philippe_ Roy de _Macedoine_ qui venoit avec une grosse Armée attaquer sa Patrie, il lui dit, _Seigneur, Pourquoy venez vous attaquer nôtre Ville?_ _parce que j’en suis amoureux_, dit _Philippe_, en raillant, _& que je viens pour en jouir_. _Ah! Sire_, reprit _Leon_, _les Amans ne vont point chez leurs Maîtresses avec des instrumens de Guerre, mais avec des instrumens de Musique_. Cette agréable & subtile réponse plût si sort à _Philippe_ qu’il changea de resolution, & laissant _Bizance_ en liberté, il passa à d’autres Conquetes.
12
One asked _Pythagoras_ why he had married his Daughter to one of his Enemies; _because_, answered that Philosopher, _I thought I could do him no greater injury than give him a Wife_.
12
On demandoit a _Pythagore_, pourquoy il avoit marié sa Fille à un de ses Ennemis, ce Philosophe répondit, que c’estoit, _parce qu’il croyait ne pouvoir lui faire un plus grand mal que de lui donner une Femme_.
13
_Diogenes_ seeing an ill Marks-man drawing his Bow, he put himself just before the Mark, and being asked why he did so, _because_, said he, _he’ll be sure not hit me there_.
13
_Diogene_ voyant un Homme que tiroit de l’Arc, & qui en tiroit fort mal, se mit devant le but, on luy demanda, pourquoy il s’en mettoit si prés, _c’est_, répondit-il, _afin qu’il ne me touche point_.
14
_Alexander_ going to see _Diogenes_ the _Cynick_, He found him in a Field basking himself in the Sun; and accosting him, followed by all his Court, he said to him, I am _Alexander_ the Great: And I, answered the Philosopher, am _Diogenes_ the Cynick. _Alexander_ made him several offers, and asked him what he desired of him; nothing, said _Diogenes_, but only that you stand a little aside, and don’t hinder the Sun to shine upon me. The King surprized with his Manners, cried out _were I not_ Alexander, _I could be_ Diogenes.
14
_Alexandre_ allant voir _Diogene_ le Cynique, il le trouva dans un champ expozé au Soleil, & l’abordant suivi de toute sa Cour, il luy dit, je suis le grand _Alexandre_; & moy, répondit le Philosophe, je suis _Diogene_ le Cynique: _Alexandre_ luy fit plusieurs offres, & luy demanda ce qu’il souhaitoit de lui? rien autre chose dit _Diogene_, _si-non que tu te mettes un peu à côté, parce que tu empêches le Soleil de donner sur moy_. Le Roy surpris de ces Manieres, s’êcria, _si je n’ètois point Alexandre je voudrois être_ Diogene.
15
_Pompey_ being Sick of a Feaver, one of his Friends came to see him, and as he came into his Room, he spied a handsom Woman Slave, whom _Pompey_ loved, going out, he asked _Pompey_ how it was with him, _the Feaver_, said _Pompey_, _left me but just now_: _Very like_, reply’d his Friend, _for I met her a going from you_.
15
_Pompée_ ètant Malade de la Fievre, un de ses Amis le vint voir, & vit en entrant dans sa chambre une belle Escalve, dont _Pompée_ ètoit amoureux, qui en sortoit: il demanda à _Pompée_ comment il se portoit, _la Fievre vient de me quitter_, lui dit _Pompée_, _je l’ai rencontrée qui sortoit de chez vous_, lui dit son Ami.
16
The Emperour _Augustus_ endeavouring to find the reason of the great likeness which a young _Grecian_ bore to him, asked him whether his Mother was ever at _Rome_: _No, Sir_, answered the _Grecian_, _but my Father has many a time_.
16
L’Empereur _Auguste_ cherchant des Raisons de la grande ressemblance qui ètoit entre lui & un jeune Homme _Grec_, lui demanda si sa Mere avoit jamais êté à _Rome_? _Non, Seigneur_, lui répondit le _Grec_, _mais mon Pere y est venu plusieurs fois_.
17
_Pisistrates_, a Tyrant of _Athens_, having resolved to marry a second Wife, his Children asked him whether he did it out of any discontent he had received from them. _On the contrary_, answered he, _I am so well pleased with you, and find you to be such fine Men, that I have a mind to have other Children like you_.
17
_Pisistrate_, Tyran d’_Athenes_, ayant resolu de se remarier, ses Enfans lui demanderent si c’ètoit à cause de quelque mécontentement qu’il eût receu d’eux. _au contraire_, leur répondit-il, _je suis si content de vous, & je vous trouve si honnêtes Gens, que je veux avoir encore d’autres Enfans qui vous ressemblent_.
18
_Thales_ the _Milesian_, one of the Seven Wise-men of _Greece_, being asked what was the _oldest Thing_? He answered, _God_, because he has been for ever; what was _the handsomest Thing_? he said, _the World_; because it is the Work of God; what _the largest Thing_? _Place_; because it comprehends every thing besides; what the _most convenient_? _Hope_; because when all other Things are lost that remains still; what the _best Thing_? _Virtue_; for without it nothing that is Good can be said or done; what the _quickest_? a _Mans Thoughts_; because in one Moment they run over all the Universe; what the _strongest_? _Necessity_; because it surmounts all other Accidents; what the _easiest_? to give _Councel_; what the _hardest_? to know ones self; what the _wisest Thing_? _Time_; because it brings all Things to pass.
18
_Thales Milesien_, l’un des sept Sages de _Grece_, étant interrogé quelle étoit la chose _la plus ancienne_? répondit que c’étoit _Dieu_; parce qu’il a toûjours été; quelle étoit la chose _la plus belle_? il dit que c’étoit _le Monde_; parce que c’est l’ouvrage de Dieu? quelle étoit la chose _la plus grande_? _le lieu_; parce qu’il comprend toute autre chose; quelle chose étoit la _plus Commode_? _l’Esperance_; parce qu’aprés avoir perdu tous les autres biens, elle reste toûjours; quelle chose ètoit _la Meilleure_? _la vertu_; parce que sans elle, on ne peut rien dire, n’y rien faire de bon; quelle chose ètoit _la plus promte_? _l’esprit de l’homme_; parce qu’en un moment il parcourt tout l’Univers; quelle chose ètoit _la plus forte_? la _Necessité_; parce qu’elle surmonte tous les autres Accidens; quelle chose ètoit la _plus facile_? _de donner conseil_; quelle chose ètoit la plus difficile? _de se connoître soy même_; quelle chose ètoit la _plus Sage_? _le temps_, répondit-il, parce qu’il vient à bout de tout.
19
A certain Soldier came in a great Fright to _Leonidas_ and told him, Captain, the Enemy are very near us; then we are very near them too, said _Leonidas_. There was another that came to tell him that the Enemy were so numerous that one could hardly see the Sun for the quantity of their Arrows; to whom he answered very pleasantly, _will it not be a great Pleasure to fight in the shade?_
19
Vn certain Soldat fort épouvanté, se presenta devant _Leonidas_, & luy dit, mon Capitaine les Ennemis sont fort prez de nous; & bien, nous sommes donc aussi fort prés d’eux, répondit _Leonidas_. Il y en eut un autre qui luy rapporta que le nombre des Ennemis ètoit si grand, qu’à grand peine pouvoit on voir le Soleil par la quantité de leurs dards; il luy répondit fort agréablement, _ne sera-ce pas un grand plaisir de combatre à l’ombre?_
20
_Alexander_ the Great asked _Dionides_, a famous Pirate, who was brought Prisoner to him, why he was so bold as to rob and plunder in his Seas, he answered, that he did it for his Profit, and as _Alexander_ himself was used to do; _but because I do it_, added he, _with one single Gally, I am called a Pirate: But you Sir, Who do it with a great Army are called a King._ That bold Answer so pleased _Alexander_ that he gave him his Liberty, at that very instant.
20
_Alexandre_ le grand demandoit â _Dionides_ fameux Corsaire qui luy avoit été amené prisonnier, pour quelle raison il avoir été si hardy que de pirater & de faire des courses sur ses Mers; il répondit, que c’ètoit pour son profit, & comme _Alexandre_ avoit coûtume de faire lui même, _mais parce que je le fais_, ajouta-til, _avec une seule Galere, l’on m’appelle Corsaire; mais vous, Seigneur, qui le faites avec une grande Armée, l’on vous appelle Roy_. Cette réponse hardie plût tant à _Alexandre_, qu’il lui donna aussi tôt la liberté.
21
_Darius_ King of _Persia_ sent great Presents to _Epaminondas_, General of the _Thebans_, with design to tamper with him: If _Darius_, said this great Captain to those that brought those Presents to him, _has a mind to be Friends with the_ Thebans, _he need not buy my Friendship; and if he has other Thoughts, he has not Riches enough to corrupt me_; and so he sent them back.
21
_Darius_ Roy de _Perse_, envoya de grands Presents à _Epaminondas_, Chef des _Thebains_, pour tâcher de le corrompre: _Si_ Darius _veut être Ami des_ Thebains, dit ce grand Capitaine à ceux qui les lui portoient, _il n’est pas nécessaire qu’il achete mon amitié; & s’il a d’autres sentiments, il n’est pas assez riche pour me corrompre_. _Et ainsi il les renvoya._
22
_Corax_ promised _Tisias_ to teach him Rhetorick, and _Tisias_ on his side engaged to give him a Reward for it; but when he had learnt it, he refused to satisfy him: _Corax_ therefore called him before the Judge; _Tisias_ trusting to the subtilty of his Rhetorick, asked him _what Rhetorick consisted in_: _Corax_ answered _in the Art of Perswading_. Then said _Tisias_, _If I can perswade the Judge that I ought to give you nothing, I’ll pay you nothing, because you will be cast; and if I do not perswade them, I shan’t pay you neither; because I have not learnt how to perswade; therefore your best way is to relinquish your enterprize_. But _Corax_, who was more subtle than he, resumed the Argument in this Manner, _if you perswade the Judges you ought to pay me; because you have learnt Rhetorick; if you do not perswade them, you must pay me likewise, because you will be cast; so let it be how it will you ought to satisfy me_.
22
_Corax_ promit à _Tisias_ de luy enseigner la Rhétorique, & _Tisias_ de son côté s’engagea de lui en payer le Salaire; mais l’ayant apprise, il ne vouloit point le satisfaire, c’est pourquoy _Corax_ l’appella en justice. _Tisias_ se fiant sur la subtilité de sa Rhétorique lui demanda, _en quoy consistoit la Rhétorique_: Corax repondit, _qu’elle consistoit dans l’art de persuader_. donc dit _Tisias_, _si je persuade les juges, que je ne te dois rien donner, je ne te payeray aucune chose, parce que je gagneray le procez; & si je ne les persuade pas, je ne te payeray pas non plus, parce que je n’auray pas appris à persuader; ainsi tu feras mieux d’abandonner l’entreprise_. Mais _Corax_ qui ètoit plus fin que luy, reprit l’argument de cette maniere; _si tu persuades les juges, tu me dois payer, parce que tu auras appris la Rhétorique, si tu ne les persuader pas, tu me dois payer de même; parce que tu perdras ton procez, ainsi de quelle façon que ce soit tu dois me satisfaire_.
23
_Mecenas_, _Augustus_’s Favourite, being entertained at Dinner by a Roman Knight, towards the end of the Meal, began to take some Liberties with his Wife; the Knight, to make his court to him, instead of shewing any jealousy of it, counterfeited Sleep; but seeing one of his Slaves going to take away something from the Cup board, _Sirrah_, says he, _doest thou not see that I only sleep for_ Mecenas?
23
Mécéne Favori d’_Auguste_, étant regalé par un Chevalier Romain, sur la fin du repas il commença à prendre quelque libertez avec sa Femme. le Chevalier pour lui faire sa Cour, au lieu d’en paroitre jaloux, fit semblant de dormir; mais voyant qu’un de ses Esclaves alloit emporter quelque chose du Buffet, _Coquin_, lui dit-il, _ne vois tu pas que je ne dors que pour_ Mécéne?
24
There was at _Rome_, in the Time of the Emperour _Augustus_, a poor _Greek_ Poet who from time to time, when the Emperour went out of his Palace, presented him with a Greek Epigram; and though the Emperour took it, yet he never gave him any thing; on the contrary, having a mind one Day to ridicule him and shake him off, assoon as he saw him coming to present him with his Verses, the Emperour sent him a _Greek_ Epigram of his own Composing, and writ with his own Hand. The Poet received it with joy, and as he was reading of it, he shewed by his Face and Gestures that he was mightily pleased with it. After he had read it, he pulled out his Purse, and coming up to _Augustus_, gave him some few Pence, saying, _take this Money_, Cesar, _I give it you, not according to your great Fortune, but according to my poor Ability; had I more, my liberality would be greater_. The whole company fell a laughing, and the Emperour more than the rest, who ordered him a hundred thousand Crowns.
24
Il y avoit à _Rome_, du tems de l’Empereur _Auguste_, un pauvre Poëte _Grec_ qui de temps en temps, lors que l’Empereur sortoit du Palais, lui presentoit une épigramme Grecque, mais quoy que l’Empereur la prit, il ne luy donnoit pourtant jamais rien; au contraire, voulant un jour se moquer de lui, & le congedier, lors qu’il le vit venir pour presenter ses Vers, l’Empereur lui envoya une épigramme en _Grec_ de sa composition, & écrite de sa main; le Poëte la receut avec joye, la leut, & fit voir en la lisant par son Visage & par les gestes qu’elle lui plaisoit beaucoup: l’ayant leüe, il tira sa bourse, & s’approchant d’_Auguste_, il lui donna quelques Sols, lui disant, _prenez cét argent_ Cesar, _je vous le donne, non selon vôtre haute fortune, mais selon mon petit pouvoir, si j’en avois davantage ma liberalité seroit plus grande_; tout le monde se mit à rire, l’Empereur lui même plus que les autres, & lui fit donner cent mille écus.
25
Young _Scipio_ was at four and twenty Years of Age a Man of consummate Wisdom; and altho his warlike Atchievements terrified his Enemies, yet he made still greater Conquests by his Virtue than by his Valour. For as they brought to him the Wife of _Mando_ a _Spanish_ Prince, with two of her Nieces extream Beautiful, he sent them back with these fine Words, _That it not only became his own, and the_ Roman _Peoples integrity not to violate any thing that’s Sacred; but besides the regard he had for them, obliged him to do them Justice; since in their Misfortune they had neither forgot themselves, nor their Honour_. And having done the same to another _Spanish_ Prince, whose Wife, (a Woman still more accomplisht in her Beauty than the other) had been presented to him, he sent her back to her Husband with a great Sum of Money which was offered him for her Ransom. This Prince highly pleased with this Favour, proclaimed through all the Land, _That a God-like young_ Roman _was come into Spain, who made himself Master of all not so much by the Power of his Arms, as of his Virtue and obliging Nature_.
25
Le jeune _Scipion_ à l’âge de vingt quatre ans ètoit déja d’une Sagesse consommée: & quoy qu’il fit des Exploits d’Armes qui ètonnoient ses Ennemis, il fit encore de plus grandes Conquêtes par sa Vertu, que par sa Valeur. Car lors qu’on lui eût amené la Femme de _Mandon_, Prince _Espagnol_, & deux des ses Nieces d’une excellente Beauté, il les renvoya avec ces belles Paroles: _Qu’outre qu’il ètoit de son integrité, & de celle du Peuple_ Romain _de ne rien violer de saint, leur propre consideration l’obligeoit encore à leur faire justice: puis que dans leur malheur, elles ne s’ètoient pas oubliées d’elles, ni de leur Vertu_. Et ayant fait la même chose à un autre Prince _Espagnol_, dont on lui avoit presentê la Femme, d’une Beauté encore plus accomplie que l’autre, il la renvoya à son mary avec une grande somme d’Argent qu’on lui offroit pour sa rançon. Ce Prince charmé de cette Grace publia dans le Païs, _qu’il ètoit venu en_ Espagne _un jeune_ Romain _semblable aux Dieux, qui se rendoit Maître de tout, moins par la force de ses Armes que par celle de sa Vertu & de son humeur bienfaisante_.
26
The same _Scipio_ being accused before the _Roman_ People, by _Q. Petilius_, for embezling part of the Spoils of King _Antiochus_, he made his appearance at the Day appointed by his Accuser. But this great Man no less admirable by his Virtue than by his Courage, instead of clearing himself from the Charge, and proud of his own Innocence, he made a Speech to the People assembled to condemn him, and told them with a bold and undaunted Look, and the Tone of a Conquerour, _’Twas upon such a day as this is I took Carthage, defeated_ Hannibal, _and vanquished the_ Carthaginians; _let’s march to the Capitol, and return the Gods Thanks for it_. The People surprised by this Magnanimity left the Informer, followed _Scipio_, and that Day got him a thousand times more Honour than that on which he triumphed over King _Siphax_, and the _Carthaginians_.
26
Le même _Scipion_ ètant accusé devant le Peuple _Romain_ par _Q. Petilius_, d’avoir distrait une partie des depouilles du Roy _Antiochus_ à son profit, parut au jour marqué par son Accusateur. Mais ce grand Homme, admirable par sa vertu & par sa valeur, au lieu de se justifier de ce qu’on l’accusoit, fier qu’il ètoit de son innocence, parlant au Peuple assemblé pour le condamner, dit d’un air hardi & intrepide, & d’un ton de vainqueur. _C’est à tel jour qu’aujourd’huy, que j’ay pris_ Carthage, _que j’ay défait_ Hannibal, _& vaincu les_ Carthaginois, _allons au Capitole en remercier les Dieux_. Le Peuple surpris de cette Magnanimité, quitta l’accusateur, suivit _Scipion_, & ce jour lui fut mille fois plus glorieux, que celui auquel il triompha du Roy _Siphax_, & des _Carthaginois_.
27
_Plato_ invited one Day to Supper _Diogenes_ the Cynick with some _Sicilians_ his Friends, and caused the Banqueting Room to be adorned, out of respect to those Strangers. _Diogenes_ who was displeased with the finery of _Plato_, began to trample upon the Carpets and other Goods, and said very brutishly, _I trample upon the Pride of_ Plato: But _Plato_ answered wisely, _True_, Diogenes, _but you trample upon it through a greater Pride_.
27
_Platon_ invita un jour à souper _Diogene_ le _Cynique_ avec quelques _Siciliens_ de ses Amis, & fit orner la sale du Banquet pour faire honneur à ces Etrangers. _Diogene_ qui ne pouvoit souffrir la propreté de _Platon_, commenta à fouler aux Pieds les Tapis & les autres meubles, & dit fort brutalement: _je foule aux Pieds l’orgueil de_ Platon: & _Platon_ lui répondit sagement, _il est vray_, Diogene, _mais vous le foulez par un plus grand orgueil_.
28
_Cineas_ was in great Honour with _Pyrrhus_ King of _Epirus_, who made use of him in all his weighty Affairs, and profest that he had won more Cities by the Charms of his Eloquence, than he had taken himself by the strength of his own Arms. He perceiving the King earnestly bent upon his Expedition into _Italy_, told him in private, Sir, the _Romans_ have the Reputation of a Warlike People, and command divers Nations that are so, but suppose we overcome them, What Fruit shall we reap by the Victory? That’s a plain thing, said _Pyrrhus_; for then added he, No City will presume to oppose us, and we shall speedily be Masters of all _Italy_. And having made _Italy_ our own, return’d _Cineas_, what shall we then do? _Sicily_, said he, is near, reaching out her Hand to us, a rich and populous Island, and easily to be taken. It is probable, said _Cineas_; but having subdued _Sicily_, will that put an end to the War? If God, said _Pyrrhus_ gives us this success, these will be but the Flourish to greater Matters; for who can refrain from _Africa_ and _Carthage_, which will be soon at our beck? And these overcome, you will easily grant that none of those that now provoke us, will dare to resist us: That’s true, said _Cineas_; for ’its easiy to believe that with such Forces we may recover _Macedon_, and give Law to all _Greece_. But being thus become Lords of all, what then? Then dear _Cineas_, said _Pyrrhus_ smiling, _we will live at our ease, and enjoy our selves_. When _Cineas_ had brought him thus far; and what hinders, replied he, but that we may now do all this, seeing it is in our Power, without the expence of so much sweat and Blood?
28