“Why doth the king send to me and to none (their priests. Which, he saith, grew from the else?” The messenger answered, “Because he posture of the confessant, and the priest in confestakes you to be the only good man in Athens.” sion; which is, that the confessant kneels down, Phocion replied, “If he thinks so, pray let him before the priest sitting in a chair raised above suffer me to be so still."

him." 206. Cosmus, Duke of Florence, was wont to 214. Epaminondas, when his great friend and say of perfidious friends, “ that we read that we colleague in war was suitor to him to pardon an ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read offender, denied him; afterwards, when a concuthat we ought to forgive our friends."

bine of his made the same suit, he granted it to 207. Æneas Sylvius, that was Pope Pius Se- her; which when Pelopidas seemed to take uncundus, was wont to say ; that the former popes kindly, he said, “Such suits are to be granted to did wisely set the lawyers on work to debate, whores, but not to personages of worth.” whether the donation of Constantine the Great to 215. The Lacedæmonians had in custom to Sylvester, of St. Peter's patrimony, were good speak very short, which being an empire, they and valid in law or no ? the better to skip over the might do at pleasure : but after their defeat at matter in fact, whether there were ever any such Leuctra, in an assembly of the Grecians, they thing at all or no.

made a long invective against Epaminondas; 208. At a banquet where those that were called who stood up, and said no more than this ; “ I the seven wise men of Greece were invited by the am glad we have taught you to speak long." ambassador of a barbarous king; the ambassador 216. Fabricius, in conference with Pyrrhus, was related that there was a neighbour mightier than tempted to revolt to him; Pyrrhus telling him, his master, picked quarrels with him, by making that he should be partner of his fortunes, and impossible demands, otherwise threatening war; second person to him. But Fabricius answered, and now at that present had demanded of him, to in a scorn, to such a motion, “ Sir, that would not drink up the sea. Whereunto one of the wise be good for yourself : for if the Epirotes once men said, “I would have him undertake it.” knew me, they will rather desire to be governed “Why," saith the ambassador, “ how shall he by me than by you." come off ?" “ Thus,” saith the wise man: “ let 217. Fabius Maximus being resolved to draw that king first stop the rivers which run into the the war in length, still waited upon Hannibal's sea, which are no part of the bargain, and then progress to curb him; and for that purpose he enyour master will perform it."

camped upon the high ground; but Terentius his 209. At the same banquet, the ambassador de colleague fought with Hannibal, and was in great sired the seven, and some other wise men that peril of overthrow; but then Fabius came down were at the banquet, to deliver every one of them from the high grounds, and got the day. Wheresome sentence or parable, that he might report to upon Hannibal said, “ that he did ever think that his king the wisdom of Græcia, which they did ; that same cloud that hanged upon the hills would only one was silent; which the ambassador per- at one time or other give a tempest." ceiving, said to him, “Sir, let it not displease you; • 218. There was a cowardly Spanish soldier, why do not you say somewhat that I may report ?" that in a defeat the Moors gave, ran away with He answered, “ Report to your lord, that there are the foremost. Afterwards, when the army geneof the Grecians that can hold their peace.” rally fled, the soldier was missing. Whereupon

210. One of the Romans said to his friend, it was said by some, that he was slain. “ No sure," “ What think you of one who was taken in the act said one,“ he is alive; for the Moors eat no hare's and manner of adultery?" The other answered, flesh.” “ Marry, I think he was slow at despatch.” 219. Hanno the Carthaginian was sent commis

211. Lycurgus would say of divers of the heroes sioner by the state, after the second Carthaginian of the heathen, " That he wondered that men war to Rome, to supplicate for peace, and in the should mourn upon their days for them as mortal end obtained it: yet one of the sharper senators said, men, and yet sacrifice to them as gods."

6. You have often broken with us the peaces where212. A Papist being opposed by a Protestant, unto you have been sworn; I pray, by what gods • that they had no Scripture for images," answer- will you swear?" Hanno answered, “By the same ed, “ Yes; for you read that the people laid their gods that have punished the former perjury so sesick in the streets, that the shadow of saint Peter verely." might come upon them; and that a shadow was 220. Thales being asked when a man should an image, and the obscurest of all images.” marry, said; “Young men not yet, old men not

213. There is an ecclesiastical writer of the at all.” Papists, to prove antiquity of confession in the 221. Thales said, “ that life and death were all form that it now is, doth note, in very ancient one.” One that was present asked him," Why times, even in the primitive times, amongst other do not you die then ?” Thales said again, “Because foul slanders spread against the Christians, one they are all one." was, “ That they did adore the genitories of 222. Cæsar, after first he had possessed Rome.

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Pompey being fled, offered to enter the sacred but fulfilled the Scripture; the first shall be last, treasury to take the moneys that were there and the last first.' " stored; and Metellus, tribune of the people, did 230. Simonides being asked of Hiero, " what forbid him: and when Metellus was violent in it, he thought of God ?” asked a seven-night's time and would not desist, Cæsar turned to him, and to consider of it; and at the seven-night's end he said ; • Presume no farther, or I will lay you asked a fortnight's time; at the fortnight's end, a dead." And when Metellus was with those month. At which Hiero marvelling, Simonides words somewhat astonished, Cæsar added, answered ; " that the longer he thought upon the “ Young man, it had been easier for me to do matter, the more difficult he found it.” this than to speak it.”

231. Anacharsis, would say, concerning the po223. An Ægyptian priest having conference pular estates of Græcia, that he wondered how with Solon, said to him: “You Grecians are ever at Athens wise men did propose, and fools did children; you have no knowledge of antiquity, dispose." nor antiquity of knowledge."

232. Solon compared the people unto the 224. The council did make remonstrance unto sea, and orators to the winds: for that the sea Queen Elizabeth of the continual conspiracies would be calm and quiet, if the winds did not against her life; and namely of a late one: and trouble it. showed her a rapier taken from a conspirator that 233. Socrates was pronounced by the oracle of had a false shape, being of brown paper, but gilt Delphos to be the wisest man of Greece, which over as it could not be known from a shape of he would put from himself ironically, saying, metal, which was devised to the end that, with there would be nothing in him to verify the out drawing it, the rapier might give a stab; and oracle, except this; that he was not wise and upon this occasion advised her that she should knew it; and others were not wise, and knew it go less abroad to take the air weekly, unaccom- not.” panied, as she used. But the queen answered ; 234. Cato the elder, what time many of the ** That she had rather be dead, than put in cus-Romans had statues erected in their honour, was tody.”

asked by one in a kind of wonder, “ Why he had 225. Chilon would say, " That gold was tried none ?" He answered, “ He had much rather men with the touchstone, and men with gold." should ask and wonder why he had no statue, than

226. Zelim was the first of the Ottomans that why he had a statue." did shave his beard, whereas his predecessors 235. Sir Fulke Grevil had much private access wore it long. One of his bashaws asked him, to Queen Elizabeth, which he used honourably, and Why he altered the custom of his predecessors ? did many men good; yet he would say merrily He answered, “ Because you bashaws may not of himself, “ That he was like Robin Goodfellow; lead me by the beard, as you did them."

for when the maids spilt the milkpans, or kept 2:27. Diogenes was one day in the market- any racket, they would lay it upon Robin; so what place with a candle in his hand; and being tales the ladies about the queen told her, or other asked, “ What he sought?” he said, “ He sought bad offices that they did, they would put it upon a man."

him." 228. Bias being asked, how a man should order 236. Socrates, when there was showed him the his life, answered, “ As if a man should live long, book of Heraclitus the Obscure, and was asked or die quickly.”

his opinion of it, answered, “ Those things that I 229. Queen Elizabeth was entertained by my understood were excellent, I imagine so were Lord Burleigh at Theobald's: and at her going those that I understood not; but they require a away, my lord obtained of the queen to make seven diver of Delos." knights. They were gentlemen of the country,

237. Bion asked an envious man that was very of my lord's friends and neighbours. They were sad, “What harm had befallen unto him, or what placed in a rank, as the queen should pass by the good had befallen unto another man?” hall, and to win antiquity of knighthood, in order, 238. Stilpo the philosopher, when the people as my lord favoured; though indeed the more flocked about him, and that one said to him, principal gentlemen were placed lowest. The “The people come wondering about you as if it queen was told of it, and said nothing : but when were to see some strange beast!” “No," saith she went along, she passed them all by, as far as he, “it is to see a man which Diogenes sought the screen, as if she had forgot it; and when she with his lantern." came to the screen, she seemed to take herself 239. Antisthenes being asked of one what with the manner, and said, “I had almost forgot learning was most necessary for man's life? anwhat I promised.” With that she turned back, swered ; “To unlearn that which is naught." and knighted the lowest first, and so upward. 240. There was a politic sermon, that had no Whereupon Mr. Stanhope, of the privy-chamber, divinity in it, was preached before the king. The a while after told her; “ Your majesty was too fine king, as he came forth, said to Bishop Andrews; for my Lord Burleigh.” She answered; “I have “Call you this a sermon ?" The bishop answered, “ And it please your majesty, by a cha- | of what condition he was ? Pythagoras answered, ritable construction, it may be a sermon.” “Sir, I know you have been at the Olympian

241. Bishop Andrews was asked at the first games.” “ Yes," saith Hiero. « Thither," coming over of the Archbishop of Spalato, whe- saith Pythagoras, “come some to win the prizes. ther he were a protestant or no? He answered, Some come to sell their merchandise, because it “ Truly I know not: but he is a detestant of is a kind of mart of all Greece. Some come to divers opinions of Rome."

meet their friends, and to make merry; because 242. Caius Marius was general of the Romans of the great confluence of all sorts. Others come against the Cimbers, who came with such a sea only to look on. I am one of them that come to of multitude upon Italy. In the fight there was look on.” Meaning it, of philosophy, and the a band of the Cadurcians of a thousand, that did contemplative life. notable service; whereupon, after the fight, Ma- 252. Mr. Bettenham used to say, that riches rius did denison them all for citizens of Rome, were like muck; when it lay in a heap it gave though there was no law to warrant it. One of but a stench and ill odour, but when it was spread his friends did represent it unto him, that he had upon the ground, then it was cause of much fruit. transgressed the law, because that privilege was 253. The same Mr. Bettenham said that vir. not to be granted but by the people. Whereto tuous men were like some herbs and spices, that Marius answered, “That for the noise of arms he give not their sweet smell, till they be broken and could not hear the laws."

crushed. 243. Æneas Sylvius would say, that the Chris- 254. There was a painter became a physician; tian faith and law, though it had not been con- whereupon one said to him, “ You have done firmed by miracles, yet was worthy to be received well; for before the faults of your work were for the honesty thereof.

seen; but now they are unseen.” 244. Henry Noel would say, “That courtiers 255. One of the philosophers was asked, were like fasting-days; they were next the holy what a wise man differed from a fool ?" He days, but in themselves they were the most answered, “Send them both naked to those that meager days of the week.”

know them not, and you shall perceive.” 245. Mr. Bacon would say, that it was in bu- 256. Cæsar, in his book that he made against siness, as it is frequently in ways: that the next Cato, which is lost, did write, to show the force way is commonly the foulest; and that if a man of opinion and reverence of a man that had once will go the fairest way, he must go somewhat obtained a popular reputation : " That there were about.

some that found Cato drunk, and they were 246. Augustus Cæsar, out of great indigna- ashamed instead of Cato.” tion against his two daughters, and Posthumus 257. Aristippus, sailing in a tempest, showed Agrippa, his grandchild; whereof the first two signs of fear. One of the seamen said to him, were infamous, and the last otherwise unworthy, in an insulting manner, “ We that are plebeians would say, “ That they were not his seed, but are not troubled; you that are a philosopher are some imposthumes that had broken from him.” afraid.” Aristippus answered, “ that there is not

247. Cato said, “ The best way to keep good the like wager upon it, for me to perish and acts in memory, was to refresh them with new.” you."

248. Pompey did consummate the war against 258. There was an orator that defended a cause Sertorius, when Metellus had brought the enemy of Aristippus, and prevailed. Afterwards he somewhat low. He did also consummate the war asked Aristippus, “ Now, in your distress, what against the fugitives, whom Crassus had before did Socrates do you good ?" Aristippus andefeated in a great battle. So when Lucullus had swered, “ Thus, in making true that good which had great and glorious victories against Mithri- you said of me." dates and Tigranes; yet Pompey, by means his 259. Aristippus said, “ He took money of his friends made, was sent to put an end to that war. friends, not so much to use it himself, as to teach Whereupon Lucullus taking indignation, as a dis- them how to bestow their money." grace offered to himself, said, “ that Pompey was 260. A strumpet said to Aristippus, " That she a carrion crow : when others had strucken down was with child by him :” he answered, “ You bodies, then he came to prey upon them.” know that no more than if you went through a

249. Diogenes when mice came about him as hedge of thorns, you could say, This thorn he was eating, said, “I see, that even Diogenes pricked me.” nourisheth parasites.”

261. The Lady Paget, that was very private 250. Epictetus used to say, " That one of the with Queen Elizabeth, declared herself much vulgar, in any ill that happens to him, blames against her match with Monsieur. After Monothers; a novice in philosophy blames himself; sieur's death, the queen took extreme grief, at and a philosopher blames neither the one nor the least as she made show, and kept within her bedother,"

chamber and one ante-chamber for three weeks' 251. Hiero visited by Pythagoras, asked him, space, in token of mourning; at last she came VOL. I.-16

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forth into her privy-chamber, and admitted her the disease, for the patient recovers : if the phyladies to hare access unto her, and amongst the sician and the disease join, then down goes the rest my Lady Paget presented herself, and came patient, that is where the physician mistakes the to her with a smiling countenance. The queen case: if the patient and the disease join, then bent her brows, and seemed to be highly dis- down goes the physician, for he is discredited. pleased, and said to her, “Madam, you are not 265. Alexander visited Diogenes in his tub, ignorant of my extreme grief, and do you come and when he asked him what he would desire of to me with a countenance of joy?" My Lady him? Diogenes answered, " That you would Paget answered, “ Alas, and it please your ma- stand a little aside, that the sun may come to jesty, it is impossible for me to be absent from me.” you three weeks, but that when I see you, I must 266. Diogenes said of a young man that danced look cheerfully.” “No, no," said the queen, not daintily, and was much commended, " The betforgetting her former averseness to the match, ter, the worse." "you have some other conceit in it, tell me 267. Diogenes called an ill musician, Cock. plainly.” My lady answered, “I must obey - Why ?" saith he. Diogenes answered; “ Beyou: it is this, I was thinking how happy your cause when you crow, men use to rise." majesty was, in that you married not Monsieur; 268. Heraclitus the Obscure said ; “ The dry for seeing you take such thought for his death, light was the best soul :" meaning, when the fa. being but your friend; if he had been your hus- culties intellectual are in vigour, not wet, nor, as band, sure it would have cost you your life.” it were, blooded by the affections.

262. Sir Edward Dyer, a grave and wise gen- 269. There was in Oxford a cowardly fellow tleman, did much believe in Kelly the alchemist, that was a very good archer; he was abused that he did indeed the work, and made gold: inso- grossly by another, and moaned himself to Walmuch that he went into Germany, where Kelly ter Raleigh, then a scholar, and asked his advice then was, to inform himself fully thereof. After what he should do to repair the wrong had been his return, he dined with my lord of Canter-offered him; Raleigh answered, “Why, chalbury, where at that time was at the table Dr. lenge him at a match of shooting.” Brown the physician. They fell in talk of 270. Whitehead, a grave divine, was much Kelly. Sir Edward Dyer, turning to the arch-esteemed by Queen Elizabeth, but not preferred, bishop said, “I do assure your grace, that that because he was against the government of bishops. I shall tell you is truth, I am an eyewitness He was of a blunt stoical nature: he came one thereof; and if I had not seen it, I should not day to the queen, and the queen happened to say have believed it. I saw Master Kelly put of the to him, “ I like thee the better, Whitehead, bebase metal into the crucible; and after it was set cause thou livest unmarried." He answered a little upon the fire, and a very small quantity again, “ In troth, madam, I like you the worse of the medicine put in, and stirred with a stick for the same cause." of wood, it came forth in great proportion, per- 271. There was a nobleman that was lean of fect gold; to the touch, to the hammer, to the visage, but immediately after his marriage he grew

My lord archbishop said, “ You had need pretty plump and fat. One said to him, “ Your take heed what you say, Sir Edward Dyer, for lordship doth contrary to other married men; for here is an infidel at the board.” Sir Edward they at the first wax lean, and you wax fat.” Sir Dyer said again pleasantly, “I would have looked Walter Raleigh stood by, and said, “ Why, there for an infidel sooner in any place than at your is no beast, that if you take him from the comgrace's table.” “What say you, Dr. Brown?" mon, and put him into the several, but he will saith the bishop. Dr. Brown answered, after wax fat." his blunt and huddling manner, 'The gentle- 272. Diogenes seeing one, that was a bastard, man hath spoken enough for me.” Why,” casting stones among the people, bade him take saith the bishop, “ what hath he said ?" “ Marry," heed he hit not his father. saith Dr. Brown, " he said, he would not have 273. Dr. Laud said, “ that some hypocrites believed it, except he had seen it, and no more and seeming mortified men, that held down their will I."

heads like bulrushes, were like the little images 263. Democritus said, “That truth did lie in that they place in the very bowing of the vaults profound pits, and when it was got, it needed of churches, that look as if they held up the much refining."

church, but are but puppets.” 264. Doctor Johnson said that in sickness there 274. It was said among some of the grave prewere three things that were material; the physi- lates of the council of Trent, in which the schoolcian, the disease, and the patient: and if any two divines bore the sway; that the schoolmen were of these joined, then they have the victory; for, like the astronomers, who, to save the phæno• Ne Hercules quidem contra duos.” If the mena, framed to their conceit eccentrics and epiphysician and the patient join, then down goes cycles, and a wonderful engine of orbs, though no .

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such things were : so they, to save the practice, or otherwise, but that he would come in, in the of the church, had devised a number of strange end with a but, and drive in a nail to his disadpositions.

vantage.” 275. It was also said by many concerning the 278. There was a lady of the west country, canons of that council, That we are beholden to that gave great entertainment at her house to most Aristotle for many articles of our faith."

of the gallant gentlemen thereabout, and amongst 276. The Lo. Henry Howard, being lord privy- others Sir Walter Raleigh was one. This lady, seal, was asked by the king openly at the table, though otherwise a stately dame, was a notable where commonly he entertained the king, upon good housewife; and in the morning betimes she the sudden, “ My lord, have you not a desire to called to one of her maids that looked to the see Rome ?" My lord privy-seal answered, “Yes, swine, and asked, “Is the piggy served ?" Sir indeed, sir.” The king said, “ And why ?" My Walter Raleigh's chamber was fast by the lady's, lord answered, 6. Because, and it please your ma- so as he heard her. A little before dinner, the lady jesty, it was once the seat of the greatest mo- came down in great state into the great chamber, narchy, and the seminary of the bravest men of which was full of gentlemen: and as soon as Sir the world, amongst the heathen: and then again, Walter Raleigh set eye upon her, “Madam,” because after it was the see of so many holy saith he, “ Is the piggy served ?" The lady anbishops in the primitive church, most of them swered, “You best know whether you have had martyrs.” The king would not give it over,

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your breakfast." said, “ And for nothing else ?” My lord an- 279. There was a gentleman fell very sick, and swered, “ Yes, and it please your majesty, for a friend of his said to him, “ Surely, you are in two things especially: the one to see him, who, danger; I pray send for a physician.” But the they say, hath so great a power to forgive other sick man answered, “ It is no matter, for if I die, men their sins, to confess his own sins upon his I will die at leisure." knees before a chaplain or priest; and the other 280. There was an Epicurean vaunted, that to hear Antichrist say his creed.”

divers of other sects of philosophers did after turn 277. There was a nobleman said of a great Epicureans; but there was never any Epicureans counsellor, “that he would have made the worst that turned to any other sect. Whereupon a farrier in the world ; for he never shod horse but philosopher that was of another sect said, “The he cloyed him: so he never commended any man reason was plain; for that cocks may be made to the king for service, or upon occasion of suit, capons, but capons could never be made cocks."

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1. Plutarch said well, “It is otherwise in a full of excellent * instruction: Vespasian asked commonwealth of men than of bees: the hive of him, “What was Nero's overthrow?" He ana city or kingdom is in best condition when there swered, “ Nero could touch and tune the harp is least of noise or buz in it."

well; but in government sometimes he used to 2. The same Plutarch said of men of weak wind the pins too high, sometimes to let them abilities set in great place, “ That they were like down too low.” And certain it is, that nothing little statues set on great bases, made to appear destroyeth authority so much as the unequal and the less by their advancement.”

untimely interchange of power pressed too far, 3. He said again, “Good fame is like fire. and relaxed too much. When you have kindled it, you may easily pre- 5. Queen Elizabeth, seeing Sir Edward serve it; but if once you extinguish it, you will in her garden, looked out at her window, and not easily kindle it again ; at least, not inake it asked him in Italian, “ What does a man think burn as bright as it did.”

of when he thinks of nothing?" Sir Edward, 4. The answer of Apollonius to Vespasian is