Part 7

_Perillus_ having asked of _Alexander_ the Great, who had a Friendship for him, some Money to marry one of his Daughters, _Alexander_ order’d him fifty Talents. _Perillus_ told him that ten were enough: _I believe_, reply’d _Alexander_, _’twould be enough for_ Perillus, _but ’twould be too little for_ Alexander.

173

_Perillus_ ayant demandé à _Alexandre_ le grand, son ami, quelque Argent pour marier une de ses filles, _Alexandre_ lui fit donner cinquante talens; _Perillus_ lui dit, que dix suffisoient, _je croy_, repliqua _Alexandre_, _que ce seroit assez pour_ Perillus, _mais ce seroit trop peu pour_ Alexandre.

174

_Marcus Terentius Varus_ would have the Guests at Feasts to equal the number either of the Muses or of the Graces; that is, that they should not be more than Nine, nor less than three. Upon a certain Day he made a Feast, and a Buffoon coming to it without invitation, the Steward seeing he was supernumerary, would go to turn him out: But the Buffoon told him, _Thou art mistaken, Friend, count over again, and begin with me, thou wilt find I am not above the number_.

174

_Marcus Terentius Varus_ vouloit que les conviez aux Banquets égalassent le nombre des Muses, ou des Graces; c’est à dire, qu’ils ne fussent point plus de neuf, ni moins de trois. faisant donc un jour un festin, un bouffon y survint sans être prié, le Maître d’Hôtel le voyant supernumeraire, le vouloit chasser; mais le bouffon luy dit, _tu t’es trompé mon amy, compte une second fois, & commence par moy, tu verras que je ne suis point de trop_.

175

_Zeno_ the Humorist being a Trader, was told upon a Day, that the Ship on whose bottom he had ventur’d his whole Estate, after having been beaten by a great Storm, perished at last at the entrance of the Haven: But he was so far from being concern’d at this sad News, that he said with a serene Countenance, _I thank you Destiny for taking me from Merchandise, which is a mean and painful Employment, and carrying me back to Philosophy, which is a noble and salutary Exercise_; adding, _that he had rather met with a Port in the Wrack, than with a Wrack in the Port_.

175

_Zenon_ le fantasque faisant commerce de Marchandises, apprit un jour que son Vaisseau sur lequel il avoit chargé tout son bien, aprés avoir été battu d’une grande tempête ètoit enfin peri à l’entrée du Port, mais bien loin de se chagriner à cette triste nouvelle, il-dit, avec un visage serain, _je te remercie Destin de ce que tu me retires du Commerce, qui est un Art bas & penible & que tu me ramenes à la Philosophie qui est un exercice noble & salutaire_, ajoutant, _qu’il avoit plûtot trouvé le Port dans le naufrage, que le naufrage dans le Port_.

176

_Hermon_ was so Covetous, according to _Lucilius_’s Testimony, that dreaming one Night he had spent some Money, he was so troubled at it that he hang’d himself. _Dinarches Philo_ was also such another Miser that he quitted the design he had of hanging himself because he would not be at a Half-peny charge for a Rope, seeking Death at a much cheaper rate. And _Hemocrates_ grew such a Fool by his extreme Avarice, that when he died, he made himself his own Heir to all his Estate: From whence the Philosopher _Bias_ took occasion to say, _That Covetousness is the Mother of the Madness and Malice of Men_.

176

_Hermon_ fut si avare, selon le temoignage de _Lucile_, que revant la nuit qu’il avoit depensé quelque Argent, il en eut tant de douleur, qu’il s’étrangla. _Dinarques Philon_ fut aussi tellement avare, qu’il quitta le dessein de se pendre pour ne pas depenser deux liards à acheter une corde, cherchant la Mort à meilleur marché; & _Hemocrate_ devint si fou par son extreme Avarice, qu’en mourant, il se constitua luy même heritier de tous ses biens. d’où le Philosophe _Bias_ prit sujét de dire, _Que l’Avarice et la Mere de la folie, & de la Malice des Hommes_.

177

Those of _Numantia_, a very warlike People, having been defeated and put to flight by _Scipio_, the old Men reproached them severely with Cowardise, saying, _Are not these the same_ Roman _Sheep which we have so often beaten and drove before us_? _Yes_, answered a young Man, _these are the same Sheep, but they have changed their Shepherd_.

177

Ceux de _Numànce_, gens fort belliquex, ayant été defaits & mis en fuite par _Scipion_, les vieillards, leur reprochoient avec aigreur leur lâcheté, en leur disant, _Ne sont ce pas ces mêmes brebis_ Romaines _que nous avons vaincues, & battues tant de fois_? _Ouï_, répondit un jeune homme, _ce sont à la verité les mêmes brebis; mais elles ont changé de Pasteur_.

178

_Cicero_ said, That as the Swallows appear in Summer, and disappear in Winter, so false Friends crowd about a Man in his good Fortune, but go from him in his Adversity.

178

_Ciceron_ disoit que de la même maniere que les hirondelles paroissent l’Eté, & disparoissent en Hyver, de même les faux Amis se presentent dans la bonne fortune & s’éloignent dans la mauvaise.

179

One asked _Aristotle_ what Liars got by telling lies? He answered, _That the only thing they got by it, was not to be believed even when they spoke Truth_.

179

On demandoit à _Aristote_ ce que gagnoient les Menteurs à debiter leurs mensonges? il répondit, _qu’il ne leur en revenoit autre chose que de n’être point crus, quand même ils disoient la verité_.

180

The Tyrant _Hiero_ having asked _Simonides_ what God was? the Philosopher desir’d a Days Consideration for his Answer; then two, and then four, and so put it off from Day to Day: At last _Hiero_ ask’d him why he did not answer his Question, but always defer’d it to another time? because said _Simonides_ the more I think, the more I’m at a loss to find out this dark and obscure Thing.

180

Le Tyran _Hieron_ ayant demandé à _Simonide_ ce que c’ètoit que Dieu, ce Philosophe prit un jour de delay pour y répondre; puis deux, ensuite il en demanda quatre, & ainsi differoit toûjours. _Hieron_ à la fin luy demanda pourquoy il ne répondoit pas, & qu’il le remettoit toûjours à un autre temps? parce que, répondit _Simonides_, plus j’y pense, plus je m’y perds, & trouve la chose obscure.

181

_Socrates_ advised young Men to look themselves in a Glass, that if they were fine and handsom they might take care not to do any thing unworthy of their Beauty, and if on the contrary they were ugly and deformed, they should endeavour to drown the defects of the Body by the Virtues of the Mind.

181

_Socrate_ conseilloit aux jeunes gens de se regarder dans un miroir, afin que s’ils ètoient beaux & bien-faits, ils prissent garde de ne rien faire qui fut indigne de leur beauté; & qu’au contraire, s’ils étoient laids & difformes ils tâchassent d’effacer les defauts du Corps, par les vertus de l’Esprit.

182

A Man who was never married would persuade _Epictetus_ the Philosopher to take a Wife, shewing him by many Arguments that Marriage was a State both becoming and necessary for a Philosopher: _If it be so, give me then one of your Daughters_, answered _Epictetus_.

182

Un Homme qui ne s’ètoit jamais marié vouloit persuader au Philosophe _Epictete_ de prendre une Femme, lui faisant voir, par plusieurs raisons que le Mariage ètoit bien-seant & necessaire aux Philosophes: _Si cela est, donne-moy donc une de tes Filles_, lui répondit _Epictete_.

183

_Servius Geminus_ going one Day to see _Lucius Mallius_, a very skillful Painter, and seeing his Children who were extreme ugly, he could not forbear telling him that he wondred _he did make so fine Pictures and get such ugly Children_. To which _Mallius_ pleasantly reply’d, _don’t be surpriz’d at it, for I draw the Pictures in the Day, and get the Children in the Night_.

183

_Servius Geminus_ allant un jour rendre visite à _Lucius Mallius_, Peintre très habile, & voyant ses Enfans qui ètoient fort Laids, il ne se peut empêcher de lui dire _Qu’il s’ètonnoit de ce qu’il faisoit de si beaux Portraits, & des Enfans si laids_. _Mallius_ lui répondit agréablement, _n’en soyez point surpris, je fais les Portraits pendant le jour & les Enfans pendant la Nuit_.

184

King _Antigonus_ retiring from the Presence of the Enemy, who then were more powerful than he, some took his Retreat for a Flight; but he told them he did not fly, but rather followed his Profit and Advantage,

184

Le Roy _Antigonus_ se retirant de la presence des Ennemis, qui pour lors ètoient plus puissans que luy, quelques uns prirent sa retraite pour une fuite; mais il leur dit qu’il ne fuyoit point & qu’il alloit seulement où étoit son profit & son utilité.

185

The same Prince being ask’d how one might overcome his Enemies, answered, by Strength and Policy: _And that if the Lions Skin would not do, it must be ek’d out by the Fox’s Case_.

185

Ce même Prince interrogé de quelle maniere on pouvoit vaincre ses Ennemis, repondit que c’étoit, _par la force & par la ruse_; _& que si la peau du Lion n’étoit pas suffisante, il faloit y coudre celle du Renard_.

186

A young Man, who was a very great Talker, making a Bargain with _Isocrates_ to be taught by him, _Isocrates_ ask’d double the Price his other Scholars gave him; _and the reason_, said he, _is, that I must teach you two Sciences, the one to hold your Tongue, and the other to speak_.

186

Un jeune homme, fort grand parleur, voulant convenir du prix avec _Isocrate_ pour être enseigné; _Isocrate_ lui demanda le double de ce que lui donnoient ses autres Ecoliers: _Et la raison_, dit-il, _est qu’il faut que je t’enseigne deux Sciences, l’une de te taire, & l’autre de parler_.

187

The Philosopher _Anacreon_ having received a Present of ten thousand Crowns of _Policrates_ King of _Samos_, was taken with so great a fear of being robbed, that he could not sleep for three Nights and Days, which made him carry back the Present to that Prince, telling him that he prefer’d his Repose before the Disquiets which attend Riches.

187

Le Philosophe _Anacreon_ ayant receu de _Polycrate_ Roy de _Samos_ un Present de dix mille écus, il entra dans de si grandes apprehensions d’être volé, qu’il fut trois jours & trois nuits sans dormir; ce qui l’obligea à rapporter le Present à ce Prince, lui disant qu’il preferoit son repos aux inquietudes que les Richesses trainent après elles.

188

One asked _Chrisippus_ why he would not apply himself to the Government of the Common-wealth? _Because_, answered he, _if I do ill, I shall displease God, and if I do well, I shall displease Men_. But Sidonius, his Disciple, turned cunningly that Argument upon him, and told him: _You ought on the contrary, by all manner of Reasons, to take upon you the Administration of Affairs_; _for if you do well, you will please God, and if ill, you will please Men_.

188

On demandoit à Chrisippe pourquoi il ne se donnoit pas au gouvernemeur de la Republique? _Parceque_, repondit-il, _si je fais mal je deplairai à Dieu, & si je fais bien je deplairai aux hommes_; mais _Sidonius_ son Disciple retourna finement cêt Argument & lui dit, _vous devez au contraire par toutes sortes de Raisons entrer dans le Ministere, car si vous faites bien vous plairez à Dieu, & si vous faites mal vous plairez aux Hommes._

189

_Solon_ being in Company, and holding his Peace, according to his Custom, there was a young Giddy-brain’d Fellow who told him he was silent because he was a Fool: _Solon_, without any concern, answered him wisely, _That there never was a Fool that could hold his Tongue_.

189

_Solon_ étant en Compagnie, & se taisant, selon sa Coûtume, il y eut un jeune Etourdi qui lui dit qu’il se taisoit parce qu’il ètoit fou; _Solon_, sans s’émouvoir, lui repondit sagement, _qu’il ne s’ètoit jamais trouvé de Fou qui pût se taire_.

190

_Cambyses_ a very severe and rigorous King, caus’d a Judge, tho’ his Friend, to be flead alive, because he took Bribes, and did not administer Justice according to Law and Equity: And having afterwards order’d the Judgment-Seat to be cover’d with his Skin, he placed his Son upon it, to succeed his Father in his Employment.

190

_Cambyse_ Roy fort severe & rigoureux, fit écorcher tout vif un Juge, quoy que son Ami, parce qu’il se laissoit corrompre par Presens, & qu’il n’administroit pas la Justice selon les Loix & l’Equité: Et ayant fait ensuite couvrir le Tribunal de sa Peau, il y fit asseoir son Fils, pour succeder à la charge de son Pere.

191

_Irene_ repairs with great cost and charge to _Epidaurus_, visits _Æsculapius_ in his Temple, and consults with him about all her Ailments. First of all she complains, _That she is weary, and spent with Fatigue_: And the God declares, _This is befallen her by the length of her Journey_. She says, _She has no Stomach at Night_; the Oracle prescribes her, _To eat but little at Dinner_. She asks him, _What makes her so heavy, and what Remedy for it?_ The Oracle answers, _She must rise early in the Morning, and use Exercise_. She tells him, _That Wine is hurtful to her_; so the Oracle bids her, _To drink Water. That she cannot digest what she eats_, and he adds, _she must keep a strict Diet_. _My Sight decays_, says Irene; _use then Spectacles_, says _Æsculapius_. _I grow weak_, says she farther, _neither am I so healthful as I have been_; _the reason of it_, says the God, _is because you grow old_. _But which way shall I recover my self?_ _The best way_, Irene, _is to dye, as did your Mother and Grandmother._ _Is this_, answered _Irene_, _all that Wisdom which Mankind proclaims, and which makes you to be reverenced by all the World? What a rare Mystery you learn me? Did I not know before all those Remedies you prescribe?_ _Why then did not you use them_, answers the God, _Without coming so far to me, and shortning your Days by so long a Journey?_

191

_Irene_ se transporte à grands frais en _Epidaure_, void _Esculape_ dans son Temple, & le consulte sur tous ses maux. D’abord elle se plaint, _Qu’elle est lasse, & recreuë de fatigue_; & le Dieu prononce, _que cela lui arrive par la longueur du Chemin qu’elle vient de faire_. Elle dit, _qu’elle est le soir sans appetit_. L’Oracle lui ordonne, _de diner peu_. Elle lui demande, _pourquoy elle devient pesante, & quel remede?_ L’Oracle repond, _qu’elle doit se lever de bon matin & prendre de l’exercice_. Elle lui declare, _que le Vin lui est nuisible_; & l’Oracle luî dit, _de boire de l’eau_. _Qu’elle a des indigestions_, & il ajoûte, _qu’elle fasse Diete. Ma veuë s’affoiblit_, dit _Irene_, _Prenez donc des Lunettes_, dit _Esculape_. _Je deviens foible_, _continuë-t-elle_, _& je ne suis plus si saine que j’ai été_. _C’est_, dit le Dieu, _que vous vieillissez_. _Mais quel moyen de guerir de cette Langueur?_ _Le plus court_, Irene, _C’est de mourir, comme ont fait vôtre mere, & vôtre ayeule._ _Est ce-là_, repondit _Irene_, _toute cette Science que les hommes publient, & qui vous fait reverer de toute la Terre? que m’apprenez vous de rare & de mysterieux? & ne savois-je pas tous ces remedes que vous m’enseignez?_ _Que n’en usiez vous donc_, repondit le Dieu, _sans venir me chercher de si loin, & abbreger vos jours par un si long voyage?_

The _Ephesian_ Matron.

192

There was at _Ephesus_ a Lady in so great repute for Chastity, that the Women of the neighbouring Parts flock’d thither out of curiosity to see her. This discreet Lady upon the Death of her Husband, was not contented to assist at the Funeral, according to Custom, with dishevelled Hair, and beating her Breast before the Assistants, but she must needs follow the deceas’d to the very Monument, and having laid him in a Sepulcher according to the _Grecian_ Manner, watch’d the Corps; and wept over it Night and Day, she was in such Desolation, and so fully resolved to starve her self, that neither Relations nor Friends could persuade her from it. The Magistrates themselves us’d also their endeavours to no purpose, and so gave her over. And now so illustrious a Woman lamented by all, as one that’s dead and gone, had been five Days without tasting any Food. A faithful and affectionate Maid waited still upon this wretched Creature, mingling her Tears with hers, and repairing the light of a Lamp, as often as it happen’d to go out. She was therefore the only Discourse of the City, and every Body confest that this was the greatest instance of Love and Chastity that ever they heard of.

_La Matrone d’_Ephese.

192

Il y avoit une Dame à _Ephese_ en si grande reputation de Chasteté, que les Femmes mêmes des Païs Voisins venoient en foule la voir par curiosité. Cette prude ayant perdu son mary ne se contenta pas, selon la coûtume, d’assister au convoy toute échevelée, & de se battre la Poitrine devant le Peuple, elle voulut suivre le défunt jusqu’au Monument, & après l’avoir mis dans un Sepulcre, à la maniere des _Grecs_, gardé le Corps, & pleuré Nuit & jour auprès de lui, se desolant de la sorte, & resoluë à se laisser mourir de Faim, les Parens ni les Amis ne l’en purent detourner: Les Magistrats rebutez les derniers l’abandonnerent: Et une Femme si illustre, pleurée de tous comme une Personne morte passoit déja le cinquieme jour sans manger. Une Servante fidelle & affectionnée ètoit toûjours auprés de la miserable, meloit ses larmes aux siennes, & renouvelloit la lumiere d’une Lampe toutes les fois qu’elle venoit à s’éteindre. On ne parloit donc d’autre chose dans la Ville, & tout le Monde demeuroit d’accord que c’ètoit le plus grand Exemple d’Amour & de Chasteté qu’on eût jamais veu.

It happened at that very time that the Governour of the Province caus’d certain Thieves to be crucified near that Vault where the virtuous Lady kept such desperate Mourning over the Corps of her dear Husband. The Night following a Soldier who was set to guard the Crosses, for fear the Bodies should be stollen away, having seen a light in the Tomb, and hearing the Sighs and Complaints of one in Sorrow, out of a curiosity incident to all Men, grew desirous to know what this might be, and what passed there; thereupon he descends into the Monument, and beholding a very beautiful Woman, he stood both amaz’d and frighted, as if it had been a Phantom: But then viewing a dead Body stretched before her, and observing her Face bathed with Tears, and injured by her Nails, with all the other marks of solemn Woe, he judged of the Matter as it was, that an afflicted and disconsolate Woman that was not able to bear her loss, had abandoned her self to Grief and Despair. A moment after he brought his small Supper to the Tomb, and begins to exhort her not to persevere any longer in fruitless Groans and an unprofitable Sorrow; adding withal, that all Men have one common Exit; that we must all come at last to that long Home, and such other Reasons with which we generally use to cure the most distempered Minds. But she still more exasperated by so unexpected a Consolation, redoubles her Grief; tears her Breast with more violence, and pulls off her Hair, which she throws on that woeful Corps. The Soldier is not in the least discouraged by all this, but repeats still the same Exhortations, and endeavours to perswade her to take some Meat, till the Waiting-woman wrought upon, as ’tis probable, as much by the smell of the Wine, as by his Discourse, reach’d her Hand to him who so obligingly invited them, and having recovered some strength with Meat and Drink, began her self to attempt upon her Mistresses obstinacy. And what will your Ladiship get, said she, by starving your self to Death, burying your self alive, and giving up to Destiny that Breath which she does not demand from you?

Il arriva qu’en ce même tems le Gouverneur de la Province fit attacher en croix quelques voleurs tout proche de cette même Cave, où la vertueuse Dame se desoloit sur le Corps de son cher Epoux. La Nuit suivante, comme un Soldat qui gardoit les Croix de peur que les Corps ne fussent enlevez, eût apperceu de la lumiere dans le Monument, & entendu les soupirs & les Plaintes d’une Personne affligée, par un esprit de curiosité commun à tous les hommes, il voulut savoir ce que ce pouvoit être, & ce qu’on y faisoit. Il descend donc au Sepulcre, & surpris de la veüe d’une fort belle Femme, il demeure d’abord épouvanté, comme si c’eût été un Fantôme: Puis ayant veu un Corps mort étendu devant ses yeux, consideré ses larmes, un visage dechiré avec les ongles, & toutes les autres marques de desolation, il s’imagina à la fin ce que c’ètoit; qu’une paure affligée s’abandonnoit aux regrets, & ne pouvoit souffrir sans desespoir la Mort de celui qu’elle avoit perdu. Un Moment après il apporte son petit Souper au Monument, & commence à l’exhorter de ne perseverer pas davantage dans une douleur inutile & des gemissemens superflus; que la sortie de ce Monde ètoit la même pour tous les Hommes; qu’il falloit tous aller en même lieu; & les autres raisons dont on a de coûtume de guerir les Esprits les plus Malades. Mais elle, irritée encore par une consolation si peu attenduë, redouble son deuil: se dechire l’estomac avec plus de violence, & s’arrache les Cheveux qu’elle jette sur ce miserable Corps. Le Soldat ne se rebute point pour cela, & avec les mêmes exhortations il essaye de lui faire prendre quelque nourriture, jusqu’à ce que la Suivante gagnée sans doute par l’odeur du Vin, autant que par son discours, tendit la main à celui qui les invitoit si obligeamment, & comme elle eût repris quelque vigueur par le boire & le manger, elle vint à combattre elle même l’opiniatreté de sa Maitresse. Et que vous servira, dit-elle, de vous laisser mourir de faim, de vous ensevelir toute vive, & de rendre à la Destinée un Ame qu’elle ne redemande pas encore.

_Think you the Ghosts or Ashes of the Dead, Regard what Tears their Supervivers shed?_

What! Do you expect to restore a dead Body to life again, contrary to the Decrees of Nature? Believe me, give over a weakness which Women alone are capable of, and enjoy the sweets of Life as long as you can. This Corps that lies here before you, shews you too too well how precious Life is, and bids you to be more tender of it: Every Body is willing to lend an Ear to one that presses him to eat upon such occasions; and so this Woman, faint and weak by so long an Abstinence, suffer’d her obstinacy to be prevail’d upon, and filled her self with Meat with as greedy an Appetite as the Waiting-woman, who had yielded before. Now, you know that Temptations come generally upon a full Stomach, and those Arms which the Soldier had employ’d to combate her Despair, the same he us’d to attack her Chastity: And the young Widow seeing he was neither disagreeable nor without Wit, the Waiting-woman still playing her Part to further his design, and then repeating to her Mistress ever and anon,

_What will you still a pleasing Love withstand?_

What makes me keep you any longer in suspence? The good Lady us’d the same Abstinence as to the other Part of her Body, and the Soldier fully satisfied, remained conquerour of both. Thus they continued together not only the first Night, but also the next Day, and the Day after that; the entrance of the Tomb being all this while so well closed, that had any body come to it, they must needs have supposed that the most honest Woman in the World had expired over her dear Husband.

_Pensez vous que des Morts les insensibles Cendres, Vous demandent des Pleurs & des Regrets si tendres?_