thewelllivingofScipiohasathousandfashions，thatofDiogenesbutone;thisasmuchexcelstheordinarylivesininnocenceasthemostaccomplishedexceltheminutilityandforce。
CHAPTERXXXIV
OBSERVATIONONTHEMEANSTOCARRYONAWARACCORDINGTOJULIUSCAESAR
’Tisrelatedofmanygreatleadersthattheyhavehadcertainbooksinparticularesteem，asAlexandertheGreat，Homer;ScipioAfricanus，Xenophon;MarcusBrutus，Polybius;CharlesV。，Philip’deComines;and’tissaidthat，inourtimes，Machiavelliiselsewherestillinrepute;
butthelateMarshalStrozzi，whohadtakenCaesarforhisman，doubtlessmadethebestchoice，seeingthatitindeedoughttobethebreviaryofeverysoldier，asbeingthetrueandsovereignpatternofthemilitaryart。And，moreover，Godknowswiththatgraceandbeautyhehasembellishedthatrichmatter，withsopure，delicate，andperfectexpression，that，inmyopinion，therearenowritingsintheworldcomparabletohis，astothatbusiness。
Iwillsetdownsomerareandparticularpassagesofhiswarsthatremaininmymemory。
Hisarmy，beinginsomeconsternationupontherumourthatwasspreadofthegreatforcesthatkingJubawasleadingagainsthim，insteadofabatingtheapprehensionwhichhissoldiershadconceivedatthenewsandoflesseningtothemtheforcesoftheenemy，havingcalledthemalltogethertoencourageandreassurethem，hetookaquitecontrarywaytowhatweareusedtodo，forhetoldthemthattheyneednomoretroublethemselveswithinquiringaftertheenemy’sforces，forthathewascertainlyinformedthereof，andthentoldthemofanumbermuchsurpassingboththetruthandthereportthatwascurrentinhisarmy;
followingtheadviceofCyrusinXenophon，forasmuchasthedeceptionisnotofsogreatimportancetofindanenemyweakerthanweexpected，thantofindhimreallyverystrong，afterhavingbeenmadetobelievethathewasweak。
Itwasalwayshisusetoaccustomhissoldierssimplytoobey，withouttakinguponthemtocontrol，orsomuchastospeakoftheircaptain’sdesigns，whichhenevercommunicatedtothembutuponthepointofexecution;andhetookadelight，iftheydiscoveredanythingofwhatheintended，immediatelytochangehisorderstodeceivethem;andtothatpurpose，wouldoften，whenhehadassignedhisquartersinaplace，passforwardandlengthenhisday’smarch，especiallyifitwasfoulandrainyweather。
TheSwiss，inthebeginningofhiswarsinGaul，havingsenttohimtodemandafreepassageovertheRomanterritories，thoughresolvedtohinderthembyforce，heneverthelessspokekindlytothemessengers，andtooksomerespitetoreturnananswer，tomakeuseofthattimeforthecallinghisarmytogether。Thesesillypeopledidnotknowhowgoodahusbandhewasofhistime:forheoftenrepeatsthatitisthebestpartofacaptaintoknowhowtomakeuseofoccasions，andhisdiligenceinhisexploitsis，intruth，unheardofandincredible。
Ifhewasnotveryconscientiousintakingadvantageofanenemyundercolourofatreatyofagreement，hewasaslittlesointhis，thatherequirednoothervirtueinasoldierbutvalouronly，andseldompunishedanyotherfaultsbutmutinyanddisobedience。Hewouldoftenafterhisvictoriesturnthemloosetoallsortsoflicence，dispensingthemforsometimefromtherulesofmilitarydiscipline，sayingwithalthathehadsoldierssowelltrainedupthat，powderedandperfumed，theywouldrunfuriouslytothefight。Intruth，helovedtohavethemrichlyarmed，andmadethemwearengraved，gilded，anddamaskedarmour，totheendthatthecareofsavingitmightengagethemtoamoreobstinatedefence。Speakingtothem，hecalledthembythenameoffellow—
soldiers，whichweyetuse;whichhissuccessor，Augustus，reformed，supposinghehadonlydoneituponnecessity，andtocajolethosewhomerelyfollowedhimasvolunteers:
\"RhenimihiCaesarinundisDuxerat;hicsocius;facinusquosinquinat，aequat:\"
[\"InthewatersoftheRhineCaesarwasmygeneral;hereatRomeheismyfellow。Crimelevelsthosewhomitpolluted。\"
——Lucan，v。289。]
butthatthiscarriagewastoomeanandlowforthedignityofanemperorandgeneralofanarmy，andthereforebroughtupthecustomofcallingthemsoldiersonly。
WiththiscourtesyCaesarmixedgreatseveritytokeeptheminawe;theninthlegionhavingmutiniednearPlacentia，heignominiouslycashieredthem，thoughPompeywasthenyetonfoot，andreceivedthemnotagaintogracetillaftermanysupplications;hequietedthemmorebyauthorityandboldnessthanbygentleways。
Inthatplacewherehespeaksofhis，passageovertheRhinetoGermany，hesaysthat，thinkingitunworthyofthehonouroftheRomanpeopletowaftoverhisarmyinvessels，hebuiltabridgethattheymightpassoverdry—foot。Thereitwasthathebuiltthatwonderfulbridgeofwhichhegivessoparticularadescription;forhenowheresowillinglydwellsuponhisactionsasinrepresentingtousthesubtletyofhisinventionsinsuchkindofhandiwork。
Ihavealsoobservedthis，thathesetagreatvalueuponhisexhortationstothesoldiersbeforethefight;forwherehewouldshowthathewaseithersurprisedorreducedtoanecessityoffighting，healwaysbringsinthis，thathehadnotsomuchasleisuretoharanguehisarmy。BeforethatgreatbattlewiththoseofTournay，\"Caesar，\"sayshe，\"havinggivenorderforeverythingelse，presentlyranwherefortunecarriedhimtoencouragehispeople，andmeetingwiththetenthlegion，hadnomoretimetosayanythingtothembutthis，thattheyshouldremembertheirwontedvalour;nottobeastonished，butbravelysustaintheenemy’sencounter;andseeingtheenemyhadalreadyapproachedwithinadart’scast，hegavethesignalforbattle;andgoingsuddenlythenceelsewhere，toencourageothers，hefoundthattheywerealreadyengaged。\"
Hereiswhathetellsusinthatplace。Histongue，indeed，didhimnotableserviceuponseveraloccasions，andhismilitaryeloquencewas，inhisowntime，sohighlyreputed，thatmanyofhisarmywrotedownhisharanguesashespokethem，bywhichmeanstherewerevolumesofthemcollectedthatexistedalongtimeafterhim。Hehadsoparticularagraceinspeaking，thathisintimates，andAugustusamongstothers，hearingthoseorationsread，coulddistinguisheventothephrasesandwordsthatwerenothis。
ThefirsttimethathewentoutofRomewithanypubliccommand，hearrivedineightdaysattheriverRhone，havingwithhiminhiscoachasecretaryortwobeforehimwhowerecontinuallywriting，andhimwhocarriedhisswordbehindhim。Andcertainly，thoughamandidnothingbutgoon，hecouldhardlyattainthatpromptitudewithwhich，havingbeeneverywherevictoriousinGaul，heleftit，and，followingPompeytoBrundusium，ineighteendays’timehesubduedallItaly;returnedfromBrundusiumtoRome;fromRomewentintotheveryheartofSpain，wherehesurmountedextremedifficultiesinthewaragainstAfraniusandPetreius，andinthelongsiegeofMarseilles;thencehereturnedintoMacedonia，beattheRomanarmyatPharsalia，passedthenceinpursuitofPompeyintoEgypt，whichhealsosubdued;fromEgypthewentintoSyriaandtheterritoriesofPontus，wherehefoughtPharnaces;thenceintoAfrica，wherehedefeatedScipioandJuba;againreturnedthroughItaly，wherehedefeatedPompey’ssons:
\"Ocyoretcoelifiammis，ettigridefoeta。\"
[\"Swifterthanlightning，orthecub—bearingtigress。\"
——Lucan，v。405]
\"Acvelutimontissaxumde，verticepraecepsCumruitavulsumvento，seuturbidusimberProluit，autannissolvitsublapsavetustas，Ferturinabruptummagnomonsimprobusactu，Exultatquesolo，silvas，armenta，virosque，Involvenssecum。\"
[\"Andasastonetornfromthemountain’stopbythewindorraintorrents，orloosenedbyage，fallsmassivewithmightyforce，boundshereandthere，initscoursesweepsfromtheearthwithitwoods，herds，andmen。\"——AEneid，xii。684。]
SpeakingofthesiegeofAvaricum，hesays，thatit，washiscustomtobenightanddaywiththepioneers。——[Engineers。D。W。]——Inallenterprisesofconsequencehealwaysreconnoitredinperson，andneverbroughthisarmyintoquarterstillhehadfirstviewedtheplace，and，ifwemaybelieveSuetonius，whenheresolvedtopassoverintoEngland，hewasthefirstmanthatsoundedthepassage。
Hewaswonttosaythathemorevaluedavictoryobtainedbycounselthanbyforce，andinthewaragainstPetreiusandAfranius，fortunepresentinghimwithanoccasionofmanifestadvantage，hedeclinedit，saying，thathehoped，withalittlemoretime，butlesshazard，tooverthrowhisenemies。Hetherealsoplayedanotablepartincommandinghiswholearmytopasstheriverbyswimming，withoutanymannerofnecessity:
\"Rapuitqueruensinpraeliamiles，Quodfugienstimuisset，iter;moxudareceptisMembrafoventarmis，gelidosqueagurgite，cursuRestituuntartus。\"
[\"Thesoldierrushingthroughawaytofightwhichhewouldhavebeenafraidtohavetakeninflight:thenwiththeirarmourtheycoverwetlimbs，andbyrunningrestorewarmthtotheirnumbedjoints。\"——Lucan，iv。151。]
IfindhimalittlemoretemperateandconsiderateinhisenterprisesthanAlexander，forthismanseemstoseekandrunheadlongupondangerslikeanimpetuoustorrentwhichattacksandrushesagainsteverythingitmeets，withoutchoiceordiscretion;
\"SictauriformisvolviturAufidus;
QuiregnaDauniperfluitAppuli，Dumsaevit，horrendamquecultisDiluviemmeditaturagris;\"
[\"SothebiforkedAufidus，whichflowsthroughtherealmoftheApulianDaunus，whenraging，threatensafearfuldelugetothetilledground。\"——Horat。，Od。，iv。14，25。]
and，indeed，hewasageneralintheflowerandfirstheatofhisyouth，whereasCaesartookupthetradeataripeandwelladvancedage;towhichmaybeaddedthatAlexanderwasofamoresanguine，hot，andcholericconstitution，whichhealsoinflamedwithwine，fromwhichCaesarwasveryabstinent。
Butwherenecessaryoccasionrequired，neverdidanymanventurehispersonmorethanhe:somuchso，thatformypart，methinksIreadinmanyofhisexploitsadeterminateresolutiontothrowhimselfawaytoavoidtheshameofbeingovercome。InhisgreatbattlewiththoseofTournay，hechargeduptotheheadoftheenemieswithouthisshield，justashewasseeingthevanofhisownarmybeginningtogiveground’;
whichalsoseveralothertimesbefellhim。Hearingthathispeoplewerebesieged，hepassedthroughtheenemy’sarmyindisguisetogoandencouragethemwithhispresence。HavingcrossedovertoDyrrachiumwithveryslenderforces，andseeingtheremainderofhisarmywhichhehadlefttoAntony’sconductslowinfollowinghim，heundertookalonetorepasstheseainaverygreatstormsandprivatelystoleawaytofetchtherestofhisforces，theportsontheothersidebeingseizedbyPompey，andthewholeseabeinginhispossession。Andastowhatheperformedbyforceofhand，therearemanyexploitsthatinhazardexceedalltherulesofwar;forwithhowsmallmeansdidheundertaketosubduethekingdomofEgypt，andafterwardstoattacktheforcesofScipioandJuba，tentimesgreaterthanhisown？Thesepeoplehad，Iknownotwhat，morethanhumanconfidenceintheirfortune;andhewaswonttosaythatmenmustembark，andnotdeliberate，uponhighenterprises。AfterthebattleofPharsalia，whenhehadsenthisarmyawaybeforehimintoAsia，andwaspassinginonesinglevesselthestraitoftheHellespont，hemetLuciusCassiusatseawithtentallmen—of—war，whenhehadthecouragenotonlytostayhiscoming，buttosailuptohimandsummonhimtoyield，whichhedid。
HavingundertakenthatfurioussiegeofAlexia，wheretherewerefourscorethousandmeningarrison，allGaulbeinginarmstoraisethesiegeandhavingsetanarmyonfootofahundredandninethousandhorse，andoftwohundredandfortythousandfoot，whataboldnessandvehementconfidencewasitinhimthathewouldnotgiveoverhisattempt，butresolvedupontwosogreatdifficulties——whichneverthelessheovercame;and，afterhavingwonthatgreatbattleagainstthosewithout，soonreducedthosewithintohismercy。ThesamehappenedtoLucullusatthesiegeofTigranocertaagainstKingTigranes，buttheconditionoftheenemywasnotthesame，consideringtheeffeminacyofthosewithwhomLucullushadtodeal。IwillheresetdowntworareandextraordinaryeventsconcerningthissiegeofAlexia;one，thattheGaulshavingdrawntheirpowerstogethertoencounterCaesar，aftertheyhadmadeageneralmusterofalltheirforces，resolvedintheircouncilofwartodismissagoodpartofthisgreatmultitude，thattheymightnotfallintoconfusion。Thisexampleoffearingtobetoomanyisnew;but，totakeitright，itstandstoreasonthatthebodyofanarmyshouldbeofamoderategreatness，andregulatedtocertainbounds，bothoutofrespecttothedifficultyofprovidingforthem，andthedifficultyofgoverningandkeepingtheminorder。Atleastitisveryeasytomakeitappearbyexamplethatarmiesmonstrousinnumberhaveseldomdoneanythingtopurpose。AccordingtothesayingofCyrusinXenophon，\"’Tisnotthenumberofmen，butthenumberofgoodmen，thatgivestheadvantage\":theremainderservingrathertotroublethanassist。AndBajazetprincipallygroundedhisresolutionofgivingTamerlanebattle，contrarytotheopinionofallhiscaptains，uponthis，thathisenemiesnumberlessnumberofmengavehimassuredhopesofconfusion。
Scanderbeg，averygoodandexpertjudgeinsuchmatters，waswonttosaythattenortwelvethousandreliablefightingmenweresufficienttoagoodleadertosecurehisregulationinallsortsofmilitaryoccasions。
TheotherthingIwillhererecord，whichseemstobecontrarybothtothecustomandrulesofwar，is，thatVercingetorix，whowasmadegeneralofallthepartsoftherevoltedGaul，shouldgoshutuphimselfinAlexia:forhewhohasthecommandofawholecountryoughtnevertoshuthimselfupbutincaseofsuchlastextremitythattheonlyplacehehasleftisinconcern，andthattheonlyhopehehasleftisinthedefenceofthatcity;otherwiseheoughttokeephimselfalwaysatliberty，thathemayhavethemeanstoprovide，ingeneral，forallpartsofhisgovernment。
ToreturntoCaesar。Hegrew，intime，moreslowandmoreconsiderate，ashisfriendOppiuswitnesses:conceivingthatheoughtnotlightlytohazardthegloryofsomanyvictories，whichoneblowoffortunemightdeprivehimof。’TiswhattheItalianssay，whentheywouldreproachtherashnessandfoolhardinessofyoungpeople，callingthemBisognosid’onore，\"necessitousofhonour，\"andthatbeinginsogreatawantanddearthofreputation，theyhavereasontoseekitatwhatpricesoever，whichtheyoughtnottodowhohaveacquiredenoughalready。Theremayreasonablybesomemoderation，somesatiety，inthisthirstandappetiteofglory，aswellasinotherthings:andthereareenoughpeoplewhopractiseit。
HewasfarremotefromthereligiousscruplesoftheancientRomans，whowouldneverprevailintheirwarsbutbydintofpureandsimplevalour;
andyethewasmoreconscientiousthanweshouldbeinthesedays，anddidnotapproveallsortsofmeanstoobtainavictory。InthewaragainstAriovistus，whilsthewasparleyingwithhim，therehappenedsomecommotionbetweenthehorsemen，whichwasoccasionedbythefaultofAriovistus’lighthorse，wherein，thoughCaesarsawhehadaverygreatadvantageoftheenemy，hewouldmakenouseon’t，lestheshouldhavebeenreproachedwithatreacherousproceeding。
Hewasalwayswonttowearrichgarments，andofashiningcolourinbattle，thathemightbethemoreremarkableandbetterobserved。
Healwayscarriedastricterandtighterhandoverhissoldierswhennearanenemy。WhentheancientGreekswouldaccuseanyoneofextremeinsufficiency，theywouldsay，incommonproverb，thathecouldneitherreadnorswim;hewasofthesameopinion，thatswimmingwasofgreatuseinwar，andhimselffounditso;forwhenhehadtousediligence，hecommonlyswamovertheriversinhisway;forhelovedtomarchonfoot，asalsodidAlexandertheGreat。BeinginEgyptforced，tosavehimself，togointoalittleboat，andsomanypeopleleapinginwithhimthatitwasindangerofsinking，hechoserathertocommithimselftothesea，andswamtohisfleet，whichlaytwohundredpacesoff，holdinginhislefthandhistablets，anddrawinghiscoatarmourinhisteeth，thatitmightnotfallintotheenemy’shand，andatthistimehewasofaprettyadvancedage。
Neverhadanygeneralsomuchcreditwithhissoldiers:inthebeginningofthecivilwars，hiscenturionsofferedhimtofindeveryoneaman—at—
armsathisowncharge，andthefootsoldierstoservehimattheirownexpense;thosewhoweremostattheirease，moreover，undertakingtodefraythemorenecessitous。ThelateAdmiralChastillon[GasparddeColigny，assassinatedintheSt。Bartholomewmassacre，24thAugust1572。]
showedusthelikeexampleinourcivilwars;fortheFrenchofhisarmyprovidedmoneyoutoftheirownpursestopaytheforeignersthatwerewithhim。Therearebutrarelyfoundexamplesofsoardentandsoreadyanaffectionamongstthesoldiersofeldertimes，whokeptthemselvesstrictlytotheirrulesofwar:passionhasamoreabsolutecommandoverusthanreason;andyetithappenedinthewaragainstHannibal，thatbytheexampleofthepeopleofRomeinthecity，thesoldiersandcaptainsrefusedtheirpayinthearmy，andinMarcellus’campthosewerebrandedwiththenameofMercenarieswhowouldreceiveany。HavinggottheworstofitnearDyrrachium，hissoldierscameandofferedthemselvestobechastisedandpunished，sothattherewasmoreneedtocomfortthanreprovethem。OnesinglecohortofhiswithstoodfourofPompey’slegionsabovefourhourstogether，tilltheywerealmostallkilledwitharrows，sothattherewereahundredandthirtythousandshaftsfoundinthetrenches。AsoldiercalledScaeva，whocommandedatoneoftheavenues，invinciblymaintainedhisground，havinglostaneye，withoneshoulderandonethighshotthrough，andhisshieldhitintwohundredandthirtyplaces。Ithappenedthatmanyofhissoldiersbeingtakenprisoners，ratherchosetodiethanpromisetojointhecontraryside。
GraniusPetroniuswastakenbyScipioinAfrica:Scipiohavingputtheresttodeath，senthimwordthathegavehimhislife，forhewasamanofqualityandquaestor，towhomPetroniussentanswerback，thatCaesar’ssoldierswerewonttogiveotherstheirlife，andnottoreceiveit;andimmediatelywithhisownhandkilledhimself。
Oftheirfidelitythereareinfiniteexamplesamongstthem，thatwhichwasdonebythosewhowerebesiegedinSalona，acitythatstoodforCaesaragainstPompey，isnot，fortherarityofanaccidentthattherehappened，tobeforgotten。MarcusOctaviuskeptthemclosebesieged;
theywithinbeingreducedtotheextremestnecessityofallthings，sothattosupplythewantofmen，mostofthembeingeitherslainorwounded，theyhadmanumittedalltheirslaves，andhadbeenconstrainedtocutoffallthewomen’shairtomakeropesfortheirwarengines，besidesawonderfuldearthofvictuals，andyetcontinuingresolutenevertoyield。Afterhavingdrawnthesiegetoagreatlength，bywhichOctaviuswasgrownmorenegligentandlessattentivetohisenterprise，theymadechoiceofonedayaboutnoon，andhavingfirstplacedthewomenandchildrenuponthewallstomakeashow，sallieduponthebesiegerswithsuchfury，thathavingroutedthefirst，second，andthirdbody，andafterwardsthefourth，andtherest，andbeatenthemalloutoftheirtrenches，theypursuedthemeventotheirships，andOctaviushimselfwasfaintoflytoDyrrachium，wherePompeylay。IdonotatpresentrememberthatIhavemetwithanyotherexamplewherethebesiegedevergavethebesiegeratotaldefeatandwonthefield，northatasortieeverachievedtheresultofapureandentirevictory。
CHAPTERXXXV
OFTHREEGOODWOMEN
Theyarenotbythedozen，aseveryoneknows，andespeciallyinthedutiesofmarriage，forthatisabargainfullofsomanynicecircumstancesthat’tishardawoman’swillshouldlongenduresucharestraint;men，thoughtheirconditionbesomethingbetterunderthattie，haveyetenoughtodo。Thetruetouchandtestofahappymarriagehaverespecttothetimeofthecompanionship，ifithasbeenconstantlygentle，loyal，andagreeable。Inourage，womencommonlyreservethepublicationoftheirgoodoffices，andtheirvehementaffectiontowardstheirhusbands，untiltheyhavelostthem，oratleast，tillthendeferthetestimoniesoftheirgoodwill;atooslowtestimonyandunseasonable。Byittheyrathermanifestthattheyneverlovedthemtilldead:theirlifeisnothingbuttrouble;theirdeathfullofloveandcourtesy。Asfathersconcealtheiraffectionfromtheirchildren，women，likewise，concealtheirsfromtheirhusbands，tomaintainamodestrespect。Thismysteryisnotformypalate;’tistomuchpurposethattheyscratchthemselvesandteartheirhair。Iwhisperinawaiting—
woman’sorsecretary’sear:\"Howwerethey，howdidtheylivetogether？\"
Ialwayshavethatgoodsayingmmyhead:
\"Jactantiusmoerent，quaeminusdolent。\"
[\"Theymakethemostadowhoareleastconcerned。\"（Or:）
\"Theymournthemoreostentatiously，thelesstheygrieve。\"
——Tacitus，Annal。，ii。77，writingofGermanicus。]
Theirwhimperingisoffensivetothelivingandvaintothedead。Weshouldwillinglygivethemleavetolaughafterwearedead，providedtheywillsmileuponuswhilstwearealive。Isitnotenoughtomakeamanreviveinpurespite，thatshe，whospatinmyfacewhilstIwasinbeing，shallcometokissmyfeetwhenIamnomore？Iftherebeanyhonourinlamentingahusband，itonlyappertainstothosewhosmileduponthemwhilsttheyhadthem;letthosewhoweptduringtheirliveslaughattheirdeaths，aswelloutwardlyaswithin。Therefore，neverregardthoseblubberedeyesandthatpitifulvoice;considerherdeportment，hercomplexion，theplumpnessofhercheeksunderallthoseformalveils;’tisthereshetalksplainFrench。Therearefewwhodonotmendupon’t，andhealthisaqualitythatcannotlie。Thatstarchedandceremoniouscountenancelooksnotsomuchbackasforward，andisratherintendedtogetanewhusbandthantolamenttheold。WhenIwasaboy，averybeautifulandvirtuouslady，whoisyetliving，thewidowofaprince，woresomewhatmoreornamentinherdressthanourlawsofwidowhoodallow，andbeingreproachedwithit，shemadeanswerthatitwasbecauseshewasresolvedtohavenomoreloveaffairs，andwouldnevermarryagain。
Ihavehere，notatalldissentingfromourcustoms，madechoiceofthreewomen，whohavealsoexpressedtheutmostoftheirgoodnessandaffectionabouttheirhusbands’deaths;yetaretheyexamplesofanotherkindthanarenowmuse，andsoausterethattheywillhardlybedrawnintoimitation。
TheyoungerPliny’hadnearahouseofhisinItalyaneighbourwhowasexceedinglytormentedwithcertainulcersinhisprivateparts。Hiswifeseeinghimsolongtolanguish，entreatedthathewouldgiveherleavetoseeandatleisuretoconsideroftheconditionofhisdisease，andthatshewouldfreelytellhimwhatshethought。Thispermissionbeingobtained，andshehavingcuriouslyexaminedthebusiness，founditimpossiblehecouldeverbecured，andthatallhehadtohopefororexpectwasagreatwhiletolingeroutapainfulandmiserablelife，andtherefore，asthemostsureandsovereignremedy，resolutelyadvisedhimtokillhimself。Butfindinghimalittletenderandbackwardinsorudeanattempt:\"Donotthink，myfriend，\"saidshe，\"thatthetormentsIseetheeendurearenotassensibletomeastothyself，andthattodelivermyselffromthem，IwillnotmyselfmakeuseofthesameremedyIhaveprescribedtothee。IwillaccompanytheeinthecureasIhavedoneinthedisease;fearnothing，butbelievethatweshallhavepleasureinthispassagethatistofreeusfromsomanymiseries，andwewillgohappilytogether。\"Whichhavingsaid，androusedupherhusband’scourage，sheresolvedthattheyshouldthrowthemselvesheadlongintotheseaoutofawindowthatoverlookedit，andthatshemightmaintaintothelasttheloyalandvehementaffectionwherewithshehadembracedhimduringhislife，shewouldalsohavehimdieinherarms;butlesttheyshouldfail，andshouldquittheirholdinthefallthroughfear，shetiedherselffasttohimbythewaist，andsogaveupherownlifetoprocureherhusband’srepose。Thiswasawomanofmeancondition;and，amongstthatclassofpeople，’tisnoverynewthingtoseesomeexamplesofrarevirtue:
\"ExtremaperillosJustitiaexcedensterrisvestigiafecit。\"
[\"Justice，whenshelefttheearth，tookherlaststepsamongthem。\"——Virgil，Georg。，ii。473。]
Theothertwowerenobleandrich，whereexamplesofvirtuearerarelylodged。
Arria，thewifeofCaecinaPaetus，aconsularperson，wasthemotherofanotherArria，thewifeofThraseaPaetus，hewhosevirtuewassorenownedinthetimeofNero，andbythisson—in—law，thegrandmotherofFannia:fortheresemblanceofthenamesofthesemenandwomen，andtheirfortunes，haveledtoseveralmistakes。ThisfirstArria，herhusbandCaecinaPaetus，havingbeentakenprisonerbysomeoftheEmperorClaudius’people，afterScribonianus’defeat，whosepartyhehadembracedinthewar，beggedofthosewhoweretocarryhimprisonertoRome，thattheywouldtakeherintotheirship，whereshewouldbeofmuchlesschargeandtroubletothemthanagreatmanypersonstheymustotherwisehavetoattendherhusband，andthatshealonewouldundertaketoservehiminhischamber，hiskitchen，andallotheroffices。Theyrefused，whereuponsheputherselfintoafisher—boatshehiredonthespot，andinthatmannerfollowedhimfromSclavonia。WhenshehadcometoRome，Junia，thewidowofScribonianus，havingoneday，fromtheresemblanceoftheirfortune，accostedherintheEmperor’spresence;sherudelyrepulsedherwiththesewords，\"I，\"saidshe，\"speaktothee，orgiveeartoanythingthousayest！totheeinwhoselapScribonianuswasslain，andthouartyetalive！\"Thesewords，withseveralothersigns，gaveherfriendstounderstandthatshewouldundoubtedlydespatchherself，impatientofsupportingherhusband’smisfortune。AndThrasea，herson—
in—law，beseechinghernottothrowawayherself，andsayingtoher，\"What！ifIshouldrunthesamefortunethatCaecinahasdone，wouldyouthatyourdaughter，mywife，shoulddothesame？\"——\"WouldI？\"repliedshe，\"yes，yes，Iwould:ifshehadlivedaslong，andinasgoodunderstandingwiththeeasIhavedone，withmyhusband。\"Theseanswersmadethemmorecarefulofher，andtohaveamorewatchfuleyetoherproceedings。Oneday，havingsaidtothosewholookedtoher:\"Tistomuchpurposethatyoutakeallthispainstopreventme;youmayindeedmakemedieanilldeath，buttokeepmefromdyingisnotinyourpower\";sheinasuddenphrenzystartedfromachairwhereonshesat，andwithallherforcedashedherheadagainstthewall，bywhichblowbeinglaidflatinaswoon，andverymuchwounded，aftertheyhadagainwithgreatadobroughthertoherself:\"Itoldyou，\"saidshe，\"thatifyourefusedmesomeeasywayofdying，Ishouldfindoutanother，howpainfulsoever。\"Theconclusionofsoadmirableavirtuewasthis:herhusbandPaetus，nothavingresolutionenoughofhisowntodespatchhimself，ashewasbytheemperor’scrueltyenjoined，oneday，amongstothers，afterhavingfirstemployedallthereasonsandexhortationswhichshethoughtmostprevalenttopersuadehimtoit，shesnatchedthepoignardheworefromhisside，andholdingitreadyinherhand，fortheconclusionofheradmonitions;\"Dothus，Paetus，\"saidshe，andinthesameinstantgivingherselfamortalstabinthebreast，andthendrawingitoutofthewound，presentedittohim，endingherlifewiththisnoble，generous，andimmortalsaying，\"Paete，nondolet\"——havingtimetopronouncenomorebutthosethreenever—to—be—forgottenwords:\"Paetus，itisnotpainful。\"
\"CastasuogladiumcumtraderetArriaPaeto，QuerndevisceribustraxeratipsasuisSiquafides，vulnusquodfecinondolet，inquit，Sedquodtofacies，idmihi，Paete，dolet。\"
[\"WhenthechasteArriagavetoPoetusthereekingswordshehaddrawnfromherbreast，’Ifyoubelieveme，’shesaid，’Paetus，thewoundIhavemadehurtsnot，but’tisthatwhichthouwiltmakethathurtsme。’\"———Martial，i。14。]
Theactionwasmuchmorenobleinitself，andofabraversensethanthepoetexpressedit:forshewassofarfrombeingdeterredbythethoughtofherhusband’swoundanddeathandherown，thatshehadbeentheirpromotressandadviser:buthavingperformedthishighandcourageousenterpriseforherhusband’sonlyconvenience，shehadeveninthelastgaspofherlifenootherconcernbutforhim，andofdispossessinghimofthefearofdyingwithher。Paetuspresentlystruckhimselftotheheartwiththesameweapon，ashamed，Isuppose，tohavestoodinneedofsodearandpreciousanexample。
PompeiaPaulina，ayoungandverynobleRomanlady，hadmarriedSenecainhisextremeoldage。Nero，hisfinepupil，senthisguardstohimtodenouncethesentenceofdeath，whichwasperformedafterthismanner:
WhentheRomanemperorsofthosetimeshadcondemnedanymanofquality，theysenttohimbytheirofficerstochoosewhatdeathhewould，andtoexecuteitwithinsuchorsuchatime，whichwaslimited，accordingtothedegreeoftheirindignation，toashorteroralongerrespite，thattheymightthereinhavebetterleisuretodisposetheiraffairs，andsometimesdeprivingthemofthemeansofdoingitbytheshortnessofthetime;andifthecondemnedseemedunwillingtosubmittotheorder，theyhadpeoplereadyathandtoexecuteiteitherbycuttingtheveinsofthearmsandlegs，orbycompellingthembyforcetoswallowadraughtofpoison。Butpersonsofhonourwouldnotabidethisnecessity，butmadeuseoftheirownphysiciansandsurgeonsforthispurpose。Seneca，withacalmandsteadycountenance，heardtheircharge，andpresentlycalledforpapertowritehiswill，whichbeingbythecaptainrefused，heturnedhimselftowardshisfriends，sayingtothem，\"SinceIcannotleaveyouanyotheracknowledgmentoftheobligationIhavetoyou，IleaveyouatleastthebestthingIhave，namely，theimageofmylifeandmanners，whichIentreatyoutokeepinmemoryofme，thatbysodoingyoumayacquirethegloryofsincereandrealfriends。\"Andtherewithal，onewhileappeasingthesorrowhesawinthemwithgentlewords，andpresentlyraisinghisvoicetoreprovethem:\"What，\"saidhe，\"arebecomeofallourbravephilosophicalprecepts？Whatarebecomeofalltheprovisionswehavesomanyyearslaidupagainsttheaccidentsoffortune？IsNero’scrueltyunknowntous？Whatcouldweexpectfromhimwhohadmurderedhismotherandhisbrother，butthatheshouldputhistutortodeathwhohadbroughthimup？\"Afterhavingspokenthesewordsingeneral，heturnedhimselftowardshiswife，andembracingherfastinhisarms，as，herheartandstrengthfailingher，shewasreadytosinkdownwithgrief，hebeggedofher，forhissake，tobearthisaccidentwithalittlemorepatience，tellingher，thatnowthehourwascomewhereinhewastoshow，notbyargumentanddiscourse，buteffect，thefruithehadacquiredbyhisstudies，andthathereallyembracedhisdeath，notonlywithoutgrief，butmoreoverwithjoy。\"Wherefore，mydearest，\"saidhe，\"donotdishonouritwiththytears，thatitmaynotseemasifthoulovestthyselfmorethanmyreputation。Moderatethygrief，andcomfortthyselfintheknowledgethouhasthadofmeandmyactions，leadingtheremainderofthylifeinthesamevirtuousmannerthouhasthithertodone。\"TowhichPaulina，havingalittlerecoveredherspirits，andwarmedthemagnanimityofhercouragewithamostgenerousaffection，replied，——\"No，Seneca，\"saidshe，\"Iamnotawomantosufferyoutogoaloneinsuchanecessity:Iwillnothaveyouthinkthatthevirtuousexamplesofyourlifehavenottaughtmehowtodie;
andwhencanIeverbetterormorefittinglydoit，ormoretomyowndesire，thanwithyou？andthereforeassureyourselfIwillgoalongwithyou。\"ThenSeneca，takingthisnobleandgenerousresolutionofhiswifemgoodpart，andalsowillingtofreehimselffromthefearofleavingherexposedtothecrueltyofhisenemiesafterhisdeath:\"Ihave，Paulina，\"saidhe，\"instructedtheeinwhatwouldservetheehappilytolive;butthoumorecovetest，Isee，thehonourofdying:intruth，Iwillnotgrudgeitthee;theconstancyandresolutioninourcommonendarethesame，butthebeautyandgloryofthypartaremuchgreater。\"
Whichbeingsaid，thesurgeons，atthesametime，openedtheveinsofboththeirarms，butasthoseofSenecaweremoreshrunkup，aswellwithageasabstinence，madehisbloodflowtooslowly，hemoreovercommandedthemtoopentheveinsofhisthighs;andlestthetormentsheenduredmightpiercehiswife’sheart，andalsotofreehimselffromtheafflictionofseeingherinsosadacondition，afterhavingtakenaveryaffectionateleaveofher，heentreatedshewouldsufferthemtocarryherintoherchamber，whichtheyaccordinglydid。Butalltheseincisionsbeingnotyetenoughtomakehimdie，hecommandedStatiusAnneus，hisphysician，togivehimadraughtofpoison，whichhadnotmuchbettereffect;forbyreasonoftheweaknessandcoldnessofhislimbs，itcouldnotarriveathisheart。Whereforetheywereforcedtosuperaddaveryhotbath，andthen，feelinghisendapproach，whilsthehadbreathhecontinuedexcellentdiscoursesuponthesubjectofhispresentcondition，whichthesecretarieswrotedownsolongastheycouldhearhisvoice，andhislastwordswerelongafterinhighhonourandesteemamongstmen，anditisagreatlosstousthattheyhavenotcomedowntoourtimes。Then，feelingthelastpangsofdeath，withthebloodywaterofthebathhebathedhishead，saying:\"ThiswaterI
dedicatetoJupiterthedeliverer。\"Nero，beingpresentlyinformedofallthis，fearinglestthedeathofPaulina，whowasoneofthebest—bornladiesofRome，andagainstwhomhehadnoparticularunkindness，shouldturntohisreproach，sentordersinallhastetobindupherwounds，whichherattendantsdidwithoutherknowledge，shebeingalreadyhalfdead，andwithoutallmannerofsense。Thus，thoughshelivedcontrarytoherowndesign，itwasveryhonourably，andbefittingherownvirtue，herpalecomplexioneveraftermanifestinghowmuchlifehadrunfromherveins。
Thesearemythreeverytruestories，whichIfindasentertainingandastragicasanyofthosewemakeoutofourownheadswherewithtoamusethecommonpeople;andIwonderthattheywhoareaddictedtosuchrelations，donotrathercullouttenthousandveryfinestories，whicharetobefoundinbooks，thatwouldsavethemthetroubleofinvention，andbemoreusefulanddiverting;andhewhowouldmakeawholeandconnectedbodyofthemwouldneedtoaddnothingofhisown，buttheconnectiononly，asitwerethesolderofanothermetal;andmightbythismeansembodyagreatmanytrueeventsofallsorts，disposinganddiversifyingthemaccordingasthebeautyoftheworkshouldrequire，afterthesamemanner，almost，asOvidhasmadeuphisMetamorphosesoftheinfinitenumberofvariousfables。
Inthelastcouple，thisis，moreover，worthyofconsideration，thatPaulinavoluntarilyofferedtoloseherlifefortheloveofherhusband，andthatherhusbandhadformerlyalsoforbornetodiefortheloveofher。Wemaythinkthereisnojustcounterpoiseinthisexchange;but，accordingtohisstoicalhumour，Ifancyhethoughthehaddoneasmuchforher，inprolonginghislifeuponheraccount，asifhehaddiedforher。InoneofhisletterstoLucilius，afterhehasgivenhimtounderstandthat，beingseizedwithanagueinRome，hepresentlytookcoachtogotoahousehehadinthecountry，contrarytohiswife’sopinion，whowouldhavehimstay，andthathehadtoldherthattheaguehewasseizedwithwasnotafeverofthebodybutoftheplace，itfollowsthus:\"Sheletmego，\"sayshe，\"givingmeastrictchargeofmyhealth。NowI，whoknowthatherlifeisinvolvedinmine，begintomakemuchofmyself，thatImaypreserveher。AndIlosetheprivilegemyagehasgivenme，ofbeingmoreconstantandresoluteinmanythings，whenI
calltomindthatinthisoldfellowthereisayounggirlwhoisinterestedinhishealth。AndsinceIcannotpersuadehertolovememorecourageously，shemakesmemoresolicitouslylovemyself:forwemustallowsomethingtohonestaffections，and，sometimes，thoughoccasionsimportuneustothecontrary，wemustcallbacklife，eventhoughitbewithtorment:wemustholdthesoulfastinourteeth，sincetheruleofliving，amongstgoodmen，isnotsolongastheyplease，butaslongastheyought。Hethatlovesnothiswifenorhisfriendsowellastoprolonghislifeforthem，butwillobstinatelydie，istoodelicateandtooeffeminate:thesoulmustimposethisuponitself，whentheutilityofourfriendssorequires;wemustsometimeslendourselvestoourfriends，andwhenwewoulddieforourselvesmustbreakthatresolutionforthem。’Tisatestimonyofgrandeurofcouragetoreturntolifefortheconsiderationofanother，asmanyexcellentpersonshavedone:and’tisamarkofsingulargoodnaturetopreserveoldage（ofwhichthegreatestconvenienceistheindifferenceastoitsduration，andamorestoutanddisdainfuluseoflife），whenamanperceivesthatthisofficeispleasing，agreeable，andusefultosomepersonbywhomheisverymuchbeloved。Andamanreapsbyitaverypleasingreward;forwhatcanbemoredelightfulthantobesodeartohiswife，asuponheraccountheshallbecomedearertohimself？ThushasmyPaulinaloadedmenotonlywithherfears，butmyown;ithasnotbeensufficienttoconsiderhowresolutelyIcoulddie，butIhavealsoconsideredhowirresolutelyshewouldbearmydeath。Iamenforcedtolive，andsometimestoliveinmagnanimity。\"Thesearehisownwords，asexcellentastheyeverywhereare。
CHAPTERXXXVI
OFTHEMOSTEXCELLENTMEN
IfIshouldbeaskedmychoiceamongallthemenwhohavecometomyknowledge，Ishouldmakeanswer，thatmethinksIfindthreemoreexcellentthanalltherest。
OneofthemHomer:notthatAristotleandVarro，forexample，werenot，peradventure，aslearnedashe;northatpossiblyVirgilwasnotequaltohiminhisownart，whichIleavetobedeterminedbysuchasknowthemboth。Iwho，formypart，understandbutoneofthem，canonlysaythis，accordingtomypoortalent，thatIdonotbelievetheMusesthemselvescouldevergobeyondtheRoman:
\"Talefacitcarmendoctatestudine，qualeCynthiusimpositistemperatarticulis:\"
[HeplaysonhislearnedluteaversesuchasCynthianApollomodulateswithhisimposedfingers。\"——Propertius，ii。34，79。]
andyetinthisjudgmentwearenottoforgetthatitischieflyfromHomerthatVirgilderiveshisexcellence，thatheisguideandteacher;
andthatonetouchoftheIliadhassuppliedhimwithbodyandmatteroutofwhichtocomposehisgreatanddivineAEneid。Idonotreckonuponthat，butmixseveralothercircumstancesthatrendertomethispoetadmirable，evenasitwereabovehumancondition。And，intruth，Ioftenwonderthathewhohasproduced，and，byhisauthority，givenreputationintheworldtosomanydeities，wasnotdeifiedhimself。Beingblindandpoor，livingbeforethescienceswerereducedintoruleandcertainobservation，hewassowellacquaintedwiththem，thatallthosewhohavesincetakenuponthemtoestablishgovernments，tocarryonwars，andtowriteeitherofreligionorphilosophy，ofwhatsectsoever，orofthearts，havemadeuseofhimasofamostperfectinstructorintheknowledgeofallthings，andofhisbooksasofatreasuryofallsortsoflearning:
\"Qui，quidsitpulcrum，quidturpe，quidutile，quidnon，PlaniusacmeliusChrysippoetCrantoredicit:\"