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  [\"Thosethingsbelongtothegodstodeterminethantothem;letthegods,therefore,takecarethattheirsacredmysterieswerenotprofaned。\"——Livy,x。6。]

  accordingtowhattheoracleansweredtothoseofDelphoswho,fearingtobeinvadedbythePersiansintheMedianwar,inquiredofApollo,howtheyshoulddisposeoftheholytreasureofhistemple;whethertheyshouldhide,orremoveittosomeotherplace?Hereturnedthemanswer,thattheyshouldstirnothingfromthence,andonlytakecareofthemselves,forhewassufficienttolooktowhatbelongedtohim。

  ——[Herodotus,viii。36。]。——

  TheChristianreligionhasallthemarksoftheutmostutilityandjustice:butnonemoremanifestthanthesevereinjunctionitlaysindifferentlyuponalltoyieldabsoluteobediencetothecivilmagistrate,andtomaintainanddefendthelaws。Ofwhich,whatawonderfulexamplehasthedivinewisdomleftus,that,toestablishthesalvationofmankind,andtoconductHisgloriousvictoryoverdeathandsin,woulddoitafternootherway,butatthemercyofourordinaryformsofjusticesubjectingtheprogressandissueofsohighandsosalutiferousaneffect,totheblindnessandinjusticeofourcustomsandobservances;sacrificingtheinnocentbloodofsomanyofHiselect,andsolongalossofsomanyyears,tothematuringofthisinestimablefruit?Thereisavastdifferencebetwixtthecaseofonewhofollowstheformsandlawsofhiscountry,andofanotherwhowillundertaketoregulateandchangethem;ofwhomthefirstpleadssimplicity,obedience,andexampleforhisexcuse,who,whateverheshalldo,itcannotbeimputedtomalice;’tisattheworstbutmisfortune:

  \"Quisestenim,quemnonmoveatclarissimismonumentistestataconsignataqueantiquitas?\"

  [\"Forwhoistherethatantiquity,attestedandconfirmedbythefairestmonuments,cannotmove?\"——Cicero,DeDivin。,i。40。]

  besideswhatIsocratessays,thatdefectisneareralliedtomoderationthanexcess:theotherisamuchmorerufflinggamester;forwhosoevershalltakeuponhimtochooseandalter,usurpstheauthorityofjudging,andshouldlookwellabouthim,andmakeithisbusinesstodiscernclearlythedefectofwhathewouldabolish,andthevirtueofwhatheisabouttointroduce。

  Thissovulgarconsiderationisthatwhichsettledmeinmystation,andkeptevenmymostextravagantandungovernedyouthundertherein,soasnottoburdenmyshoulderswithsogreataweight,astorendermyselfresponsibleforascienceofthatimportance,andinthistodare,whatinmybetterandmorematurejudgment,IdurstnotdointhemosteasyandindifferentthingsIhadbeeninstructedin,andwhereinthetemerityofjudgingisofnoconsequenceatall;itseemingtomeveryunjusttogoabouttosubjectpublicandestablishedcustomsandinstitutions,totheweaknessandinstabilityofaprivateandparticularfancy(forprivatereasonhasbutaprivatejurisdiction),andtoattemptthatuponthedivine,whichnogovernmentwillendureamanshoulddo,uponthecivillaws;withwhich,thoughhumanreasonhasmuchmorecommercethanwiththeother,yetaretheysovereignlyjudgedbytheirownproperjudges,andtheextremesufficiencyservesonlytoexpoundandsetforththelawandcustomreceived,andneithertowrestit,nortointroduceanything,ofinnovation。If,sometimes,thedivineprovidencehasgonebeyondtherulestowhichithasnecessarilyboundandobligedusmen,itisnottogiveusanydispensationtodothesame;thosearemasterstrokesofthedivinehand,whichwearenottoimitate,buttoadmire,andextraordinaryexamples,marksofexpressandparticularpurposes,ofthenatureofmiracles,presentedbeforeusformanifestationsofitsalmightiness,equallyabovebothourrulesandforce,whichitwouldbefollyandimpietytoattempttorepresentandimitate;andthatweoughtnottofollow,buttocontemplatewiththegreatestreverence:actsofHispersonage,andnotforus。Cottaveryopportunelydeclares:

  \"Quumdereligioneagitur,Ti。Coruncanium,P。Scipionem,P。Scaevolam,pontificesmaximos,nonZenonem,autCleanthem,autChrysippum,sequor。\"

  [\"Whenmatterofreligionisinquestion,IfollowthehighpriestsT。Coruncanius,P。Scipio,P。Scaevola,andnotZeno,Cleanthes,orChrysippus。\"——Cicero,DeNaturaDeor。,iii。2。]

  Godknows,inthepresentquarrelofourcivilwar,wherethereareahundredarticlestodashoutandtoputin,greatandveryconsiderable,howmanytherearewhocantrulyboast,theyhaveexactlyandperfectlyweighedandunderstoodthegroundsandreasonsoftheoneandtheotherparty;’tisanumber,iftheymakeanynumber,thatwouldbeabletogiveusverylittledisturbance。Butwhatbecomesofalltherest,underwhatensignsdotheymarch,inwhatquarterdotheylie?Theirshavethesameeffectwithotherweakandill—appliedmedicines;theyhaveonlysetthehumourstheywouldpurgemoreviolentlyinwork,stirredandexasperatedbytheconflict,andleftthemstillbehind。Thepotionwastooweaktopurge,butstrongenoughtoweakenus;sothatitdoesnotwork,butwekeepitstillinourbodies,andreapnothingfromtheoperationbutintestinegripesanddolours。

  Soitis,nevertheless,thatFortunestillreservingherauthorityindefianceofwhateverweareabletodoorsay,sometimespresentsuswithanecessitysourgent,that’tisrequisitethelawsshouldalittleyieldandgiveway;andwhenoneopposestheincreaseofaninnovationthatthusintrudesitselfbyviolence,tokeepaman’sselfinsodoing,inallplacesandinallthingswithinboundsandrulesagainstthosewhohavethepower,andtowhomallthingsarelawfulthatmayinanywayservetoadvancetheirdesign,whohavenootherlawnorrulebutwhatservesbesttotheirownpurpose,’tisadangerousobligationandanintolerableinequality:

  \"Aditumnocendiperfidopraestatfides,\"

  [\"Puttingfaithinatreacherousperson,opensthedoortoharm。\"——Seneca,OEdip。,actiii。,verse686。]

  forasmuchastheordinarydisciplineofahealthfulstatedoesnotprovideagainsttheseextraordinaryaccidents;itpresupposesabodythatsupportsitselfinitsprincipalmembersandoffices,andacommonconsenttoitsobedienceandobservation。Alegitimateproceedingiscold,heavy,andconstrained,andnotfittomakeheadagainstaheadstrongandunbridledproceeding。’Tisknowntobetothisdaycastinthedishofthosetwogreatmen,OctaviusandCato,inthetwocivilwarsofSyllaandCaesar,thattheywouldrathersuffertheircountrytoundergothelastextremities,thanrelievetheirfellow—citizensattheexpenseofitslaws,orbeguiltyofanyinnovation;forintruth,intheselastnecessities,wherethereisnootherremedy,itwould,peradventure,bemorediscreetlydone,tostoopandyieldalittletoreceivetheblow,than,byopposingwithoutpossibilityofdoinggood,togiveoccasiontoviolencetotrampleallunderfoot;andbettertomakethelawsdowhattheycan,whentheycannotdowhattheywould。

  Afterthismannerdidhe——[Agesilaus。]——whosuspendedthemforfour—and—

  twentyhours,andhewho,foronceshiftedadayinthecalendar,andthatother——[AlexandertheGreat。]——whoofthemonthofJunemadeasecondofMay。TheLacedaemoniansthemselves,whoweresoreligiousobserversofthelawsoftheircountry,beingstraitenedbyoneoftheirownedicts,bywhichitwasexpresslyforbiddentochoosethesamemantwicetobeadmiral;andontheotherside,theiraffairsnecessarilyrequiring,thatLysandershouldagaintakeuponhimthatcommand,theymadeoneAratusadmiral;’tistrue,butwithal,Lysanderwentgeneralofthenavy;and,bythesamesubtlety,oneoftheirambassadorsbeingsenttotheAthenianstoobtaintherevocationofsomedecree,andPericlesremonstratingtohim,thatitwasforbiddentotakeawaythetabletwhereinalawhadoncebeenengrossed,headvisedhimtoturnitonly,thatbeingnotforbidden;andPlutarchcommendsPhilopoemen,thatbeingborntocommand,heknewhowtodoit,notonlyaccordingtothelaws,butalsotooverruleeventhelawsthemselves,whenthepublicnecessitysorequired。

  CHAPTERXXIII

  VARIOUSEVENTSFROMTHESAMECOUNSEL

  JacquesAmiot,grandalmonerofFrance,onedayrelatedtomethisstory,muchtothehonourofaprinceofours(andourshewasuponseveralverygoodaccounts,thoughoriginallyofforeignextraction),——[TheDucdeGuise,surnamedLeBalafre。]——thatinthetimeofourfirstcommotions,atthesiegeofRouen,——[In1562]——thisprince,havingbeenadvertisedbythequeen—motherofaconspiracyagainsthislife,andinherlettersparticularnoticebeinggivenhimofthepersonwhowastoexecutethebusiness(whowasagentlemanofAnjouorofMaine,andwhotothiseffectordinarilyfrequentedthisprince’shouse),discoverednotasyllableofthisintelligencetoanyonewhatever;butgoingthenextdaytotheSt。Catherine’sMount,——[AneminenceoutsideRouenoverlookingtheSeine。D。W。]——fromwhichourbatteryplayedagainstthetown(foritwasduringthetimeofthesiege),andhavingincompanywithhimthesaidlordalmoner,andanotherbishop,hesawthisgentleman,whohadbeendenotedtohim,andpresentlysentforhim;towhom,beingcomebeforehim,seeinghimalreadypaleandtremblingwiththeconscienceofhisguilt,hethussaid,\"Monsieur,\"suchanone,\"youguesswhatIhavetosaytoyou;yourcountenancediscoversit;’tisinvaintodisguiseyourpractice,forIamsowellinformedofyourbusiness,thatitwillbutmakeworseforyou,togoabouttoconcealordenyit:youknowverywellsuchandsuchpassages\"(whichwerethemostsecretcircumstancesofhisconspiracy),\"andthereforebesure,asyoutenderyourownlife,toconfesstomethewholetruthofthedesign。\"Thepoormanseeinghimselfthustrappedandconvicted(forthewholebusinesshadbeendiscoveredtothequeenbyoneoftheaccomplices),wasinsuchataking,heknewnotwhattodo;but,foldinghishands,tobegandsueformercy,hethrewhimselfathisprince’sfeet,whotakinghimup,proceededtosay,\"Come,sir;tellme,haveIatanytimedoneyouoffence?orhaveI,throughprivatehatredormalice,offendedanykinsmanorfriendofyours?ItisnotabovethreeweeksthatIhaveknownyou;whatinducement,then,couldmoveyoutoattemptmydeath?\"Towhichthegentlemanwithatremblingvoicereplied,\"Thatitwasnoparticulargrudgehehadtohisperson,butthegeneralinterestandconcernofhisparty,andthathehadbeenputuponitbysomewhohadpersuadedhimitwouldbeameritoriousact,byanymeans,toextirpatesogreatandsopowerfulanenemyoftheirreligion。\"\"Well,\"saidtheprince,\"Iwillnowletyousee,howmuchmorecharitablethereligionisthatI

  maintain,thanthatwhichyouprofess:yourshascounselledyoutokillme,withouthearingmespeak,andwithouteverhavinggivenyouanycauseofoffence;andminecommandsmetoforgiveyou,convictasyouare,byyourownconfession,ofadesigntokillmewithoutreason。——[ImitatedbyVoltaire。SeeNodier,Questions,p。165。]——Getyougone;letmeseeyounomore;and,ifyouarewise,choosehenceforwardhonestermenforyourcounsellorsinyourdesigns。\"——[Dampmartin,LaFortunedelaCoup,liv。

  ii。,p。139]——

  TheEmperorAugustus,——[ThisstoryistakenfromSeneca,DeClementia,i。9。]——beinginGaul,hadcertaininformationofaconspiracyL。Cinnawascontrivingagainsthim;hethereforeresolvedtomakehimanexample;

  and,tothatend,senttosummonhisfriendstomeetthenextmorningincounsel。Butthenightbetweenhepassedingreatunquietnessofmind,consideringthathewasabouttoputtodeathayoungman,ofanillustriousfamily,andnephewtothegreatPompey,andthismadehimbreakoutintoseveralpassionatecomplainings。\"Whatthen,\"saidhe,\"isitpossiblethatIamtoliveinperpetualanxietyandalarm,andsuffermywould—beassassin,meantime,towalkabroadatliberty?Shallhegounpunished,afterhavingconspiredagainstmylife,alifethatI

  havehithertodefendedinsomanycivilwars,insomanybattlesbylandandbysea?Andafterhavingsettledtheuniversalpeaceofthewholeworld,shallthismanbepardoned,whohasconspirednotonlytomurder,buttosacrificeme?\"——fortheconspiracywastokillhimatsacrifice。

  Afterwhich,remainingforsometimesilent,hebeganagain,inloudertones,andexclaimedagainsthimself,saying:\"Whylivestthou,ifitbeforthegoodofsomanythatthoushouldstdie?musttherebenoendofthyrevengesandcruelties?Isthylifeofsogreatvalue,thatsomanymischiefsmustbedonetopreserveit?\"HiswifeLivia,seeinghiminthisperplexity:\"Willyoutakeawoman’scounsel?\"saidshe。\"Doasthephysiciansdo,who,whentheordinaryrecipeswilldonogood,maketrialofthecontrary。Byseverityyouhavehithertoprevailednothing;

  LepidushasfollowedSalvidienus;Murena,Lepidus;Caepio,Murena;

  Egnatius,Caepio。Beginnow,andtryhowsweetnessandclemencywillsucceed。Cinnaisconvict;forgivehim,hewillneverhenceforthhavethehearttohurtthee,anditwillbeanacttothyglory。\"Augustuswaswellpleasedthathehadmetwithanadvocateofhisownhumour;

  wherefore,havingthankedhiswife,and,inthemorning,countermandedhisfriendshehadbeforesummonedtocouncil,hecommandedCinnaallalonetobebroughttohim;whobeingaccordinglycome,andachairbyhisappointmentsethim,havingorderedalltherestoutoftheroom,hespaketohimafterthismanner:\"Inthefirstplace,Cinna,Idemandoftheepatientaudience;donotinterruptmeinwhatIamabouttosay,andIwillafterwardsgivetheetimeandleisuretoanswer。Thouknowest,Cinna,——[Thispassage,borrowedfromSeneca,hasbeenparaphrasedinversebyCorneille。SeeNodier,QuestionsdelaLiteraturellgale,1828,pp。7,160。ThemonologueofAugustusinthischapterisalsofromSeneca。Ibid。,164。]——thathavingtakentheeprisonerintheenemy’scamp,andthouanenemy,notonlysobecome,butbornso,Igavetheethylife,restoredtotheeallthygoods,and,finally,puttheeinsogoodaposture,bymybounty,oflivingwellandatthyease,thatthevictoriousenviedtheconquered。Thesacerdotalofficewhichthoumadestsuittomefor,Iconferreduponthee,afterhavingdeniedittoothers,whosefathershaveeverbornearmsinmyservice。Aftersomanyobligations,thouhastundertakentokillme。\"AtwhichCinnacryingoutthathewasveryfarfromentertaininganysowickedathought:\"Thoudostnotkeepthypromise,Cinna,\"continuedAugustus,\"thatthouwouldstnotinterruptme。Yes,thouhastundertakentomurdermeinsuchaplace,onsuchaday,insuchandsuchcompany,andinsuchamanner。\"

  Atwhichwords,seeingCinnaastoundedandsilent,notupontheaccountofhispromisesotobe,butinterdictwiththeweightofhisconscience:

  \"Why,\"proceededAugustus,\"towhatendwouldstthoudoit?Isittobeemperor?Believeme,theRepublicisinveryillcondition,ifIamtheonlymanbetwixttheeandtheempire。Thouartnotablesomuchastodefendthyownhouse,andbutt’otherdaywasbaffledinasuit,bytheopposedinterestofameremanumittedslave。What,hastthouneithermeansnorpowerinanyotherthing,butonlytoundertakeCaesar?Iquitthethrone,iftherebenootherthanItoobstructthyhopes。CanstthoubelievethatPaulus,thatFabius,thattheCossiiandtheServilii,andsomanynobleRomans,notonlysointitle,butwhobytheirvirtuehonourtheirnobility,wouldsufferorendurethee?\"Afterthis,andagreatdealmorethathesaidtohim(forhewastwolonghoursinspeaking),\"Nowgo,Cinna,gothyway:Igivetheethatlifeastraitorandparricide,whichIbeforegavetheeinthequalityofanenemy。Letfriendshipfromthistimeforwardbeginbetwixtus,andletusshowwhetherIhavegiven,orthouhastreceivedthylifewiththebetterfaith\";andsodepartedfromhim。Sometimeafter,hepreferredhimtotheconsulardignity,complainingthathehadnottheconfidencetodemandit;hadhimeverafterforhisverygreatfriend,andwas,atlast,madebyhimsoleheirtoallhisestate。Now,fromthetimeofthisaccidentwhichbefellAugustusinthefortiethyearofhisage,heneverhadanyconspiracyorattemptagainsthim,andsoreapedtheduerewardofthishissogenerousclemency。Butitdidnotsohappenwithourprince,hismoderationandmercynotsosecuringhim,butthatheafterwardsfellintothetoilsoftheliketreason,——[TheDucdeGuisewasassassinatedin1563byPoltrot。]——sovainandfutileathingishumanprudence;throughoutallourprojects,counselsandprecautions,Fortunewillstillbemistressofevents。

  Wereputephysiciansfortunatewhentheyhituponaluckycure,asiftherewasnootherartbuttheirsthatcouldnotstanduponitsownlegs,andwhosefoundationsaretooweaktosupportitselfuponitsownbasis;

  asifnootherartstoodinneedofFortune’shandtohelpit。Formypart,Ithinkofphysicasmuchgoodorillasanyonewouldhaveme:

  for,thanksbetoGod,wehavenotraffictogether。Iamofaquitecontraryhumourtoothermen,forIalwaysdespiseit;butwhenIamsick,insteadofrecanting,orenteringintocompositionwithit,I

  begin,moreover,tohateandfearit,tellingthemwhoimportunemetotakephysic,thatatalleventstheymustgivemetimetorecovermystrengthandhealth,thatImaybethebetterabletosupportandencountertheviolenceanddangeroftheirpotions。Iletnaturework,supposinghertobesufficientlyarmedwithteethandclawstodefendherselffromtheassaultsofinfirmity,andtoupholdthatcontexture,thedissolutionofwhichshefliesandabhors。Iamafraid,lest,insteadofassistingherwhenclosegrappledandstrugglingwithdisease,Ishouldassistheradversary,andburdenherstillmorewithworktodo。

  Now,Isay,thatnotinphysiconly,butinothermorecertainarts,fortunehasaverygreatpart。

  Thepoeticraptures,theflightsoffancy,thatravishandtransporttheauthoroutofhimself,whyshouldwenotattributethemtohisgoodfortune,sincehehimselfconfessesthattheyexceedhissufficiencyandforce,andacknowledgesthemtoproceedfromsomethingelsethanhimself,andthathehasthemnomoreinhispowerthantheoratorssaytheyhavethoseextraordinarymotionsandagitationsthatsometimespushthembeyondtheirdesign。Itisthesameinpainting,wheretouchesshallsometimesslipfromthehandofthepainter,sosurpassingbothhisconceptionandhisart,astobegethisownadmirationandastonishment。

  ButFortunedoesyetmoreevidentlymanifesttheshareshehasinallthingsofthiskind,bythegracesandeleganceswefindinthem,notonlybeyondtheintention,butevenwithouttheknowledgeoftheworkman:

  acompetentreaderoftendiscoversinothermen’swritingsotherperfectionsthantheauthorhimselfeitherintendedorperceived,arichersenseandmorequaintexpression。

  Astomilitaryenterprises,everyoneseeshowgreatahandFortunehasinthem。Eveninourcounselsanddeliberationstheremust,certainly,besomethingofchanceandgood—luckmixedwithhumanprudence;forallthatourwisdomcandoaloneisnogreatmatter;themorepiercing,quick,andapprehensiveitis,theweakeritfindsitself,andisbysomuchmoreapttomistrustitself。IamofSylla’sopinion;——[\"Whofreedhisgreatdeedsfromenvybyeverattributingthemtohisgoodfortune,andfinallybysurnaminghimselfFaustus,theLucky。——Plutarch,HowfaraManmaypraiseHimself,c。9。]——andwhenIcloselyexaminethemostgloriousexploitsofwar,Iperceive,methinks,thatthosewhocarrythemonmakeuseofcounselanddebateonlyforcustom’ssake,andleavethebestpartoftheenterprisetoFortune,andrelyinguponheraid,transgress,ateveryturn,theboundsofmilitaryconductandtherulesofwar。Therehappen,sometimes,fortuitousalacritiesandstrangefuriesintheirdeliberations,thatforthemostpartpromptthemtofollowtheworstgroundedcounsels,andswelltheircouragebeyondthelimitsofreason。Whenceithappenedthatseveralofthegreatcaptainsofold,tojustifythoserashresolutions,havebeenfaintotelltheirsoldiersthattheywereinvitedtosuchattemptsbysomeinspiration,somesignandprognostic。

  Wherefore,inthisdoubtanduncertainty,thattheshortsightednessofhumanwisdomtoseeandchoosethebest(byreasonofthedifficultiesthatthevariousaccidentsandcircumstancesofthingsbringalongwiththem)perplexesuswithal,thesurestway,inmyopinion,didnootherconsiderationinviteustoit,istopitchuponthatwhereinisthegreatestappearanceofhonestyandjustice;andnot,beingcertainoftheshortest,tokeepthestraightestandmostdirectway;asinthetwoexamplesIhavejustgiven,thereisnoquestionbutitwasmorenobleandgenerousinhimwhohadreceivedtheoffence,topardonit,thantodootherwise。Iftheformer——[TheDucdeGuise。]——miscarriedinit,heisnot,nevertheless,tobeblamedforhisgoodintention;neitherdoesanyoneknowifhehadproceededotherwise,whetherbythatmeanshehadavoidedtheendhisdestinyhadappointedforhim;andhehad,moreover,lostthegloryofsohumaneanact。

  Youwillreadinhistory,ofmanywhohavebeeninsuchapprehension,thatthemostparthavetakenthecoursetomeetandanticipateconspiraciesagainstthembypunishmentandrevenge;butIfindveryfewwhohavereapedanyadvantagebythisproceeding;witnesssomanyRomanemperors。Whoeverfindshimselfinthisdanger,oughtnottoexpectmucheitherfromhisvigilanceorpower;forhowhardathingisitforamantosecurehimselffromanenemy,wholiesconcealedunderthecountenanceofthemostassiduousfriendwehave,andtodiscoverandknowthewillsandinwardthoughtsofthosewhoareinourpersonalservice。’Tistomuchpurposetohaveaguardofforeignersaboutone,andtobealwaysfencedaboutwithapaleofarmedmen;whosoeverdespiseshisownlife,isalwaysmasterofthatofanotherman。——[Seneca,Ep。,4。]——Andmoreover,thiscontinualsuspicion,thatmakesaprincejealousofalltheworld,mustofnecessitybeastrangetormenttohim。Thereforeitwas,thatDion,beingadvertisedthatCallippuswatchedallopportunitiestotakeawayhislife,hadneverthehearttoinquiremoreparticularlyintoit,saying,thathehadratherdiethanliveinthatmisery,thathemustcontinuallystanduponhisguard,notonlyagainsthisenemies,buthisfriendsalso;——[Plutarch,Apothegms。]——whichAlexandermuchmorevividlyandmoreroundlymanifestedineffect,when,havingnoticebyaletterfromParmenio,thatPhilip,hismostbelovedphysician,wasbyDarius’moneycorruptedtopoisonhim,atthesametimehegavethelettertoPhiliptoread,drankoffthepotionhehadbroughthim。Wasnotthistoexpressaresolution,thatifhisfriendshadamindtodespatchhimoutoftheworld,hewaswillingtogivethemopportunitytodoit?Thisprinceis,indeed,thesovereignpatternofhazardousactions;butIdonotknowwhethertherebeanotherpassageinhislifewhereinthereissomuchfirmcourageasinthis,norsoillustriousanimageofthebeautyandgreatnessofhismind。

  Thosewhopreachtoprincessocircumspectandvigilantajealousyanddistrust,undercolourofsecurity,preachtothemruinanddishonour:

  nothingnoblecanbeperformedwithoutdanger。Iknowaperson,naturallyofaverygreatdaringandenterprisingcourage,whosegoodfortuneiscontinuallymarredbysuchpersuasions,thathekeephimselfclosesurroundedbyhisfriends,thathemustnothearkentoanyreconciliationwithhisancientenemies,thathemuststandaloof,andnottrusthispersoninhandsstrongerthanhisown,whatpromisesorofferssoevertheymaymakehim,orwhatadvantagessoeverhemayseebeforehim。AndIknowanother,whohasunexpectedlyadvancedhisfortunesbyfollowingaclearcontraryadvice。

  Courage,thereputationandgloryofwhichmenseekwithsogreedyanappetite,presentsitself,whenneedrequires,asmagnificentlyincuerpo,asinfullarmour;inacloset,asinacamp;witharmspendant,aswitharmsraised。

  Thisover—circumspectandwaryprudenceisamortalenemytoallhighandgenerousexploits。Scipio,tosoundSyphax’sintention,leavinghisarmy,abandoningSpain,notyetsecurenorwellsettledinhisnewconquest,couldpassoverintoAfricaintwosmallships,tocommithimself,inanenemy’scountry,tothepowerofabarbarianking,toafaithuntriedandunknown,withoutobligation,withouthostage,underthesolesecurityofthegrandeurofhisowncourage,hisgoodfortune,andthepromiseofhishighhopes。——[Livy,xxviii。17。]

  \"Habitafidesipsamplerumquefidemobligat。\"

  [\"Trustoftenobligesfidelity。\"——Livy,xxii。22。]

  Inalifeofambitionandglory,itisnecessarytoholdastiffreinuponsuspicion:fearanddistrustinviteanddrawonoffence。Themostmistrustfulofourkings——[LouisXI。]——establishedhisaffairsprincipallybyvoluntarilycommittinghislifeandlibertyintohisenemies’hands,bythatactionmanifestingthathehadabsoluteconfidenceinthem,totheendtheymightreposeasgreatanassuranceinhim。Caesaronlyopposedtheauthorityofhiscountenanceandthehaughtysharpnessofhisrebukestohismutinouslegionsinarmsagainsthim:

  \"StetitaggerefultiCespitis,intrepidusvultu:meruitquetimeri,Nilmetuens。\"

  [\"Hestoodonamound,hiscountenanceintrepid,andmeritedtobefeared,hefearingnothing。\"——Lucan,v。316。]

  Butitistrue,withal,thatthisundauntedassuranceisnottoberepresentedinitssimpleandentireform,butbysuchwhomtheapprehensionofdeath,andtheworstthatcanhappen,doesnotterrifyandaffright;fortorepresentapretendedresolutionwithapaleanddoubtfulcountenanceandtremblinglimbs,fortheserviceofanimportantreconciliation,willeffectnothingtopurpose。’Tisanexcellentwaytogaintheheartandwillofanother,tosubmitandintrustone’sselftohim,provideditappeartobefreelydone,andwithouttheconstraintofnecessity,andinsuchacondition,thatamanmanifestlydoesitoutofapureandentireconfidenceintheparty,atleast,withacountenanceclearfromanycloudofsuspicion。Isaw,whenIwasaboy,agentleman,whowasgovernorofagreatcity,uponoccasionofapopularcommotionandfury,notknowingwhatothercoursetotake,gooutofaplaceofverygreatstrengthandsecurity,andcommithimselftothemercyoftheseditiousrabble,inhopesbythatmeanstoappeasethetumultbeforeitgrewtoamoreformidablehead;butitwasillforhimthathedidso,forhewastheremiserablyslain。ButIamnot,nevertheless,ofopinion,thathecommittedsogreatanerroringoingout,asmencommonlyreproachhismemorywithal,ashedidinchoosingagentleandsubmissivewayfortheeffectinghispurpose,andinendeavouringtoquietthisstorm,ratherbyobeyingthancommanding,andbyentreatyratherthanremonstrance;andIaminclinedtobelieve,thatagraciousseverity,withasoldierlikewayofcommanding,fullofsecurityandconfidence,suitabletothequalityofhisperson,andthedignityofhiscommand,wouldhavesucceededbetterwithhim;atleast,hehadperishedwithgreaterdecencyand,reputation。Thereisnothingsolittletobeexpectedorhopedforfromthismany—headedmonster,initsfury,ashumanityandgoodnature;itismuchmorecapableofreverenceandfear。

  Ishouldalsoreproachhim,thathavingtakenaresolution(inmyjudgmentratherbravethanrash)toexposehimself,weakandnaked,inthistempestuousseaofenragedmadmen,heoughttohavestucktohistext,andnotforaninstanttohaveabandonedthehighparthehadundertaken;whereas,comingtodiscoverhisdangernearerhand,andhisnosehappeningtobleed,heagainchangedthatdemissandfawningcountenancehehadatfirstputon,intoanotheroffearandamazement,fillinghisvoicewithentreatiesandhiseyeswithtears,and,endeavouringsotowithdrawandsecurehisperson,thatcarriagemoreinflamedtheirfury,andsoonbroughttheeffectsofituponhim。

  Itwasuponatimeintendedthatthereshouldbeageneralmusterofseveraltroopsinarms(andthatisthemostproperoccasionofsecretrevenges,andthereisnoplacewheretheycanbeexecutedwithgreatersafety),andtherewerepublicandmanifestappearances,thattherewasnosafecomingforsome,whoseprincipalandnecessaryofficeitwastoreviewthem。Whereuponaconsultationwasheld,andseveralcounselswereproposed,asinacasethatwasveryniceandofgreatdifficulty;

  andmoreoverofgraveconsequence。Mine,amongsttherest,was,thattheyshouldbyallmeansavoidgivinganysignofsuspicion,butthattheofficerswhoweremostindangershouldboldlygo,andwithcheerfulanderectcountenancesrideboldlyandconfidentlythroughtheranks,andthatinsteadofsparingfire(whichthecounselsofthemajorparttendedto)theyshouldentreatthecaptainstocommandthesoldierstogiveroundandfullvolleysinhonourofthespectators,andnottosparetheirpowder。Thiswasaccordinglydone,andservedsogooduse,astopleaseandgratifythesuspectedtroops,andthenceforwardtobegetamutualandwholesomeconfidenceandintelligenceamongstthem。

  IlookuponJuliusCaesar’swayofwinningmentohimasthebestandfinestthatcanbeputinpractice。First,hetriedbyclemencytomakehimselfbelovedevenbyhisveryenemies,contentinghimself,indetectedconspiracies,onlypubliclytodeclare,thathewaspre—acquaintedwiththem;whichbeingdone,hetookanobleresolutiontoawaitwithoutsolicitudeorfear,whatevermightbetheevent,whollyresigninghimselftotheprotectionofthegodsandfortune:for,questionless,inthisstatehewasatthetimewhenhewaskilled。

  Astrangerhavingpubliclysaid,thathecouldteachDionysius,thetyrantofSyracuse,aninfalliblewaytofindoutanddiscoveralltheconspiracieshissubjectscouldcontriveagainsthim,ifhewouldgivehimagoodsumofmoneyforhispains,Dionysiushearingofit,causedthemantobebroughttohim,thathemightlearnanartsonecessarytohispreservation。Themanmadeanswer,thatalltheartheknew,was,thatheshouldgivehimatalent,andafterwardsboastthathehadobtainedasingularsecretfromhim。Dionysiuslikedtheinvention,andaccordinglycausedsixhundredcrownstobecountedouttohim。

  ——[Plutarch,Apothegms。]——Itwasnotlikelyheshouldgivesogreatasumtoapersonunknown,butupontheaccountofsomeextraordinarydiscovery,andthebeliefofthisservedtokeephisenemiesinawe。

  Princes,however,dowiselytopublishtheinformationstheyreceiveofallthepracticesagainsttheirlives,topossessmenwithanopiniontheyhavesogoodintelligencethatnothingcanbeplottedagainstthem,buttheyhavepresentnoticeofit。TheDukeofAthensdidagreatmanyfoolishthingsintheestablishmentofhisnewtyrannyoverFlorence:

  butthisespeciallywasmostnotable,thathavingreceivedthefirstintimationoftheconspiraciesthepeoplewerehatchingagainsthim,fromMatteodiMorozzo,oneoftheconspirators,hepresentlyputhimtodeath,tosuppressthatrumour,thatitmightnotbethoughtanyofthecitydislikedhisgovernment。

  IrememberIhaveformerlyreadastory——[InAppian’sCivilWars,bookiv……]——ofsomeRomanofgreatqualitywho,flyingthetyrannyoftheTriumvirate,hadathousandtimesbythesubtletyofasmanyinventionsescapedfromfallingintothehandsofthosethatpursuedhim。Ithappenedonedaythatatroopofhorse,whichwassentouttotakehim,passedclosebyabrakewherehewassquat,andmissedverynarrowlyofspyinghim:butheconsidering,atthispoint,thepainsanddifficultieswhereinhehadsolongcontinuedtoevadethestrictandincessantsearchesthatwereeverydaymadeforhim,thelittlepleasurehecouldhopeforinsuchakindoflife,andhowmuchbetteritwasforhimtodieonceforall,thantobeperpetuallyatthispass,hestartedfromhisseat,calledthemback,showedthemhisform,——[asofasquattinghare。]——andvoluntarilydeliveredhimselfuptotheircruelty,bythatmeanstofreebothhimselfandthemfromfurthertrouble。Toinviteaman’senemiestocomeandcuthisthroat,seemsaresolutionalittleextravagantandodd;andyetIthinkhedidbettertotakethatcourse,thantoliveincontinualfeverishfearofanaccidentforwhichtherewasnocure。Butseeingalltheremediesamancanapplytosuchadisease,arefullofunquietnessanduncertainty,’tisbetterwithamanlycouragetoprepareone’sselffortheworstthatcanhappen,andtoextractsomeconsolationfromthis,thatwearenotcertainthethingwefearwillevercometopass。

  CHAPTERXXIV

  OFPEDANTRY

  Iwasoften,whenaboy,wonderfullyconcernedtosee,intheItalianfarces,apedantalwaysbroughtinforthefooloftheplay,andthatthetitleofMagisterwasinnogreaterreverenceamongstus:forbeingdelivereduptotheirtuition,whatcouldIdolessthanbejealousoftheirhonourandreputation?Isoughtindeedtoexcusethembythenaturalincompatibilitybetwixtthevulgarsortandmenofafinerthread,bothinjudgmentandknowledge,forasmuchastheygoaquitecontrarywaytooneanother:butinthis,thethingImoststumbledatwas,thatthefinestgentlemenwerethosewhomostdespisedthem;witnessourfamouspoetDuBellay——

  \"Maisjehayparsurtoutunscavoirpedantesque。\"

  [OfallthingsIhatepedanticlearning。\"——DuBellay]

  And’twassoinformertimes;forPlutarchsaysthatGreekandScholarweretermsofreproachandcontemptamongsttheRomans。Butsince,withthebetterexperienceofage,Ifindtheyhadverygreatreasonsotodo,andthat——

  \"Magismagnosclericosnonsuntmagismagnossapientes。\"]

  [\"Thegreatestclerksarenotthewisestmen。\"AproverbgiveninRabelais’Gargantua,i。39。]

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