"they were translated into English, and inserted " into the first part of the Resuscitation." In the few lines upon the character of Augustus Cæsar, there is a maxim well deserving the deep consideration of every young man of sensibility, apt to be Misled by fancy's meteor ray, And yet the light that leads astray, Bacon says, " those persons* which are of a tur" bulent nature or appetite, do commonly pass their "youth in many errors; and about their middle, " and then and not before, they shew forth their "perfections; but those that are of a sedate and "calm nature, may be ripe for great and glorious " actions in their youth." The very same sentiment which he expresses in his Essay on Youth and Age. "Natures that have much heat, and great and " violent desires and perturbations, are not ripe for "action till they have passed the meridian of their years: as it was with Julius Cæsar and Septimius "Severus; of the latter of whom it is said, ' juven" tutem egit, erroribus, imo furoribus plenam ;' and "yet he was the ablest emperor, almost, of all the "list: but reposed natures may do well in youth, as "it is seen in Augustus Cæsar, Cosmus, duke of "Florence, Gaston de Foix, and others." |