honour can you have to your music, than that stones come about you, as they did to Orpheus ?" 146. Coranus the Spaniard, at a table at dinner, fell into an extolling his own father, saying, “If he could have wished of God, he could not have chosen amongst men a better father." Sir Henry Savil said, "What, not Abraham ?" Now Coranus was doubted to descend of a race of Jews. 147. Bresquet, jester to Francis the first of France, did keep a calendar of fools, wherewith he did use to make the king sport; telling him ever the reason why he put any one into his calendar. When Charles the fifth, emperor, upon confidence of the noble nature of Francis, passed through France, for the appeasing of the rebellion of Gaunt, Bresquet put him into his calendar. The king asked him the cause. He answered, "Because you have suffered at the hands of Charles the greatest bitterness that ever prince did from another, nevertheless he would trust his person into your hands." "Why, Bresquet," said the king, "what wilt thou say, if thou seest him pass back in as great safety, as if he marched through the midst of Spain ?" Saith Bresquet; "Why then I will put him out, and put in you." 148. Archbishop Grindall was wont to say, "that the physicians here in England were not good at the cure of particular diseases; but had only the power of the church, to bind and loose." 149. Cosmus duke of Florence was wont to say of perfidious friends, "that we read, that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought our friends." 150. A papist being opposed by a protestant, "that they had no Scripture for images," answered, "Yes; for you read that the people laid their sick in the streets, that the shadow of saint Peter might come upon them; and that a shadow was an image, and the obscurest of all images." 151. Sir Edward Dyer, a grave and wise gentleman, did much believe in Kelly the alchemist, that he did indeed the work, and did make gold; insomuch that he went into Germany, where Kelly then was, to inform himself fully thereof. After his return, he dined with my lord of Canterbury; where at that time was at the table Dr. Brown the physician. They fell in talk of Kelly. Sir Edward Dyer, turning to the archbishop, said; "I do assure your grace, that what I shall tell you is truth; I am an eye-witness thereof; and if I had not seen it, I should not have believed it. I saw Mr. Kelly put of the base metal into the crucible; and after it was set a little upon the fire, and a very small quantity of the medicine put in, and stirred with a stick of wood, it came forth in great proportion, perfect gold; to the touch, to the hammer, and to the test." My lord archbishop said; "You had need take heed what you say, Sir Edward Dyer, for here is an infidel at the board." Sir Edward Dyer said again pleasantly, "I should have looked for an infidel sooner in any place than at your grace's table." "What say you, Dr. Brown ?" said the archbishop. Dr. Brown answered, after his blunt and huddling manner; "The gentleman hath spoken enough for me." 152. Doctor Johnson said, that in sickness there were three things that were material; the physician, the disease, and the patient: and if any two of these joined, then they get the victory; for, "Ne Hercules quidem contra duos." If the physician and the patient join, then down goes the disease; for then the patient recovers: if the physician and the disease join, that is a strong disease; and the physician mistaking the cure, then down goes the patient: if the patient and the disease join, then down goes the physician; for he is discredited. 153. Mr. Bettenham said, that virtuous men were like some herbs and spices, that give not out their sweet smell, till they be broken or crushed. 154. There was a painter became a physician: whereupon one said to him; "You have done well; for before the faults of your work were seen, but now they are unseen." 155. There was a gentleman that came to the tilt all in orange-tawny, and ran very ill. The next day he came again all in green, and ran worse. There was one of the lookers on asked another; "What is the reason that this gentleman changeth his colours ?" The other answered, "Sure, because it may be reported, that the gentleman in the green ran worse than the gentleman in the orange-tawny." 156. Zelim was the first of the Ottomans that did shave his beard, whereas his predecessors wore it long. One of his bashaws asked him, Why he altered the custom of his predecessors ? He answered, "Because you bashaws may not lead me by the beard, as you did them." 157. Æneas Sylvius, that was pope Pius Secundus, was wont to say; that the former popes did wisely to set the lawyers a-work to debate, whether the donation of Constantine the Great to Sylvester, of St. Peter's patrimony, were good or valid in law or no? the better to skip over the matter in fact, whether there was ever any such thing at all or no. 158. The lord bishop Andrews was asked at the first coming over of the archbishop of Spalato, whether he were a protestant or no? He answered; "Truly I know not: but I think he is a detestant;" that was, of most of the opinions of Rome. 159. It was said amongst some of the grave prelates of the council of Trent, in which the schooldivines bare the sway; that the school-men were like the astronomers, who to save the phænomena, framed to their conceit eccentrics and epicycles, and a wonderful engine of orbs, though no such things were so they, to save the practice of the church, had devised a great number of strange positions. 160. Æneas Sylvius would say, that the christian faith and law, though it had not been confirmed by miracles, yet was worthy to be received for the honesty thereof. 161. Mr. Bacon would say, that it was in his business, as it is frequently in the ways: that the next way is commonly the foulest; and that if a man will go the fairest way, he must go somewhat not suffer him to go on with his speech, until he about. 162. Mr. Bettenham, reader of Gray's Inn, used to say, that riches were like muck; when it lay in a heap it gave but a stench and ill odour; but when it was spread upon the ground, then it was cause of much fruit. 163. Cicero married his daughter to Dolabella, that held Cæsar's party: Pompey had married Julia, that was Cæsar's daughter. After, when Cæsar and Pompey took arms one against the other, and Pompey had passed the seas, and Cæsar possessed Italy, Cicero stayed somewhat long in Italy, but at last sailed over to join with Pompey; who when he came to him, Pompey said, "You are welcome, but where left you your son-in-law?" Cicero answered, "With your father-in-law." 164. Vespasian and Titus his eldest son were both absent from Rome when the empire was cast upon Vespasian; Domitian his younger son was at Rome, who took upon him the affairs; and being of a turbulent spirit, made many changes, and displaced divers officers and governors of provinces, sending them successors. So when Vespasian returned to Rome, and Domitian came into his presence, Vespasian said to him; "Son, I looked when you would have sent me a successor." 165. Nero loved a beautiful youth, whom he used viciously, and called him wife: there was a senator of Rome that said secretly to his friend, "It was pity Nero's father had not such a wife." 166. Galba succeeded Nero, and his age being despised, there was much licence and confusion in Rome during his empire; whereupon a senator said in full senate; "It were better to live where | nothing is lawful, than where all things are lawful." 167. Augustus Cæsar did write to Livia, who was over-sensible of some ill words that had been spoken of them both: "Let it not trouble thee, my Livia, if any man speak ill of us; for we have enough that no man can do ill unto us." 168. Chilon said, that kings, friends, and favourites, were like casting counters; that sometimes stood for one, sometimes for ten, sometimes for a hundred. 169. Theodosius, when he was pressed by a suitor, and denied him; the suitor said, "Why, Sir, you promised it." He answered; "I said it, but I did not promise it, if it be unjust." | had called them by the name of his soldiers and so with that one word he appeased the sedition. 171. Cæsar would say of Sylla, for that he did resign his dictatorship; Sylla was ignorant of letters, he could not dictate." 174. Themistocles, when an ambassador from a mean estate did speak great matters, said to him, "Friend, thy words would require a city." 175. They would say of the duke of Guise, Henry, "that he was the greatest usurer of France, for that he had turned all his estate into obligations." Meaning, that he had sold and oppignorated all his patrimony to give large donatives to other men. 176. Cæsar Borgia, after long division between him and the lords of Romagna, fell to accord with them. In this accord there was an article, that he should not call them at any time all together in person. The meaning was, that knowing his dangerous nature, if he meant them treason, he might have opportunity to oppress them all together at once. Nevertheless, he used such fine art and fair carriage, that he won their confidence to meet all together in council at Cinigaglia; where he murdered them all. This act, when it was related unto pope Alexander, his father, by a cardinal, as a thing happy, but very perfidious; the pope said, "It was they that broke their covenant first, in coming all together." 177. Titus Quinctius was in the council of the Achaians, what time they deliberated, whether in the war then to follow, between the Romans and king Antiochus, they should confederate themselves with the Romans, or with king Antiochus ? In that council the Etolians, who incited the Achaians against the Romans, to disable their forces, gave great words, as if the late victory the Romans had obtained against Philip king of Macedon, had been chiefly by the strength of forces of the Etolians themselves and on the other side the ambassador 170. The Romans, when they spake to the people, of Antiochus did extol the forces of his master; were wont to style them, Ye Romans: when com-sounding what an innumerable company he brought manders in war spake to their army, they styled them, My soldiers. There was a mutiny in Cæsar's army, and somewhat the soldiers would have had, yet they would not declare themselves in it, but only demanded a mission, or discharge; though with no intention it should be granted: but, knowing that Cæsar had at that time great need of their service, thought by that means to wrench him to their other desires whereupon with one cry they asked mission. Cæsar, after silence made, said; "I for my part, ye Romans." This title did actually speak them to be dismissed: which voice they had no sooner heard, but they mutinied again; and would in his army; and gave the nations strange names; as Elymæans, Caducians, and others. After both their harangues, Titus Quinctius, when he rose up, said; " It was an easy matter to perceive what it was that had joined Antiochus and the Etolians together; that it appeared to be by the reciprocal lying of each, touching the other's forces." 178. Plato was amorous of a young gentleman, whose name was Stella, that studied astronomy, and went oft in the clear nights to look upon the stars. Whereupon Plato wished himself heaven, that he might look upon Stella with a thousand eyes. 179. The Lacedæmonians were besieged by the 180. Clodius was acquitted by a corrupt jury, that had palpably taken shares of money; before they gave up their verdict, they prayed of the senate a guard, that they might do their consciences, for that Clodius was a very seditious young nobleman. Whereupon all the world gave him for condemned. But acquitted he was. Catulus, the next day seeing some of them that had acquitted him together, said to them; "What made you ask of us a guard ? Were you afraid your money should be taken from you?" 181. At the same judgment, Cicero gave in evidence upon oath: and when the jury, which consisted of fifty-seven, had passed against his evidence, one day in the senate Cicero and Clodius being in altercation, Clodius upbraided him, and said; "The jury gave you no credit." Cicero answered, "Five and twenty gave me credit: but there were two and thirty that gave you no credit, for they had their money beforehand." 182. Sir Henry Savil was asked by my lord of Essex his opinion touching poets? He answered my lord; "that he thought them the best writers, next to them that writ prose." 183. Diogenes, having seen that the kingdom of Macedon, which before was contemptible and low, began to come aloft when he died, was asked, how he would be buried? He answered, "With my face downwards; for within a while the world will be turned upside down, and then I shall lie right." 184. Cato the elder was wont to say, that the Romans were like sheep; a man were better to drive a flock of them than one of them. ard, told him; "You were best take heed next time you run away how you look back." 189. There was a suitor to Vespasian, who to lay his suit fairer, said it was for his brother; whereas indeed it was for a piece of money. Some about Vespasian told the emperor, to cross him, that the party his servant spoke for, was not his brother; but that he did it upon a bargain. Vespasian sent for the party interested, and asked him; "Whether his mean employed by him was his brother or no?" He durst not tell untruth to the emperor, and confessed he was not his brother. Whereupon the emperor, said, "This do, fetch me the money, and you shall have your suit despatched." Which he did. The courtier, which was the mean, solicited Vespasian soon after about his suit: "Why," saith Vespasian, "I gave it last day to a brother of mine." 66 190. Vespasian asked of Apollonius, what was the cause of Nero's ruin? Who answered, “ Nero could tune the harp well, but in government he did always wind up the strings too high, or let them down too low." 191. Dionysius the tyrant, after he was deposed and brought to Corinth, kept a school. Many used to visit him; and amongst others, one when he came in, opened his mantle and shook his clothes; thinking to give Dionysius a gentle scorn; because it was the manner to do so for them that came in to see him while he was a tyrant. But Dionysius said to him; "I prithee do so rather when thou goest out, that we may see thou stealest nothing away." 192. Diogenes, one terrible frosty morning, came into the market-place, and stood naked, shaking, to show his tolerance. Many of the people came about him, pitying him: Plato passing by, and knowing he did it to be seen, said to the people as he went by; "If you pity him indeed, let him alone to himself." 193. Aristippus was earnest suitor to Dionysius for some grant, who would give no ear to his suit. 185. When Lycurgus was to reform and alter Aristippus fell at his feet, and then Dionysius grantthe state of Sparta, in consultation one advised, thated it. One that stood by said afterwards to Arisit should be reduced to an absolute popular equality: but Lycurgus said to him; "Sir, begin it in your own house." 186. Bion, that was an atheist, was showed in a port city, in a temple of Neptune, many tables of pictures, of such as had in tempests made their vows to Neptune, and were saved from shipwreck and was asked, "How say you now? Do you not acknowledge the power of the gods?" But saith he; "Ay, but where are they painted that have been drowned after their vows?" 187. Cicero was at dinner, where there was an ancient lady that spake of her own years, and said, "she was but forty years old." One that sat by Cicero rounded him in the ear, and said; " She talks of forty years old; but she is far more, out of question." Cicero answered him again; "I must believe her, for I have heard her say so any time these ten years." 188. There was a soldier that vaunted before Julius Cæsar of the hurts he had received in his face. Julius Cæsar, knowing him to be but a cow | tippus; "You a philosopher, and be so base as to throw yourself at the tyrant's feet to get a suit." Aristippus answered, "The fault is not mine, but the fault is in Dionysius, that carries his ears in his feet.” 194. Solon, when he wept for his son's death, and one said to him, " Weeping will not help;" answered, "Alas, therefore I weep, because weeping will not help." 195. The same Solon being asked, whether he had given the Athenians the best laws? answered, "The best of those that they would have received." 196. One said to Aristippus; 'Tis a strange thing, why men should rather give to the poor, than to philosophers. He answered, "Because they think themselves may sooner come to be poor, than to be philosophers." 197. Trajan would say of the vain jealousy of princes, that seek to make away those that aspire to their succession; "that there was never king that did put to death his successor." lust. 198. When it was represented to Alexander, to | self to be mortal, chiefly by two things; sleep, and the advantage of Antipater, who was a stern and imperious man, that he only of all his lieutenants wore no purple, but kept the Macedonian habit of black; Alexander said, "Yea, but Antipater is all purple within.” 199. Alexander used to say of his two friends, Craterus and Hephæstion; that Hephæstion loved Alexander, and Craterus loved the king. 200. It fell out so, that as Livia went abroad in Rome, there met her naked young men that were sporting in the streets, which Augustus went about severely to punish in them; but Livia spake for them, and said, "It was no more to chaste women than so many statues." 201. Philip of Macedon was wished to banish one for speaking ill of him. But Philip answered; "Better he speak where we are both known, than where we are both unknown." 202. Lucullus entertained Pompey in one of his magnificent houses: Pompey said, "This is a marvellous fair and stately house for the summer; but methinks it should be very cold for winter." Lucullus answered, "Do you not think me as wise as divers fowls are, to change my habitation in the winter season ?" 203. Plato entertained some of his friends at a dinner, and had in the chamber a bed, or couch, neatly and costly furnished. Diogenes came in, and got up upon the bed, and trampled it, saying, "I trample upon the pride of Plato." Plato mildly answered, "But with greater pride, Diogenes." 204. Pompey being commissioner for sending grain to Rome in time of dearth, when he came to the sea, found it very tempestuous and dangerous, insomuch as those about him advised him by no means to embark; but Pompey said, "It is of necessity that I go, not that I live." 205. Demosthenes was upbraided by Eschines, that his speeches did smell of the lamp. But Demosthenes said, "Indeed there is a great deal of difference between that which you and I do by lamp-light." 206. Demades the orator, in his age was talkative, and would eat hard: Antipater would say of him, that he was like a sacrifice, that nothing was left of it but the tongue and the paunch. 207. Themistocles, after he was banished, and had wrought himself into great favour afterwards, so that he was honoured and sumptuously served, seeing his present glory, said unto one of his friends, "If I had not been undone, I had been undone." 208. Philo Judæus saith, that the sense is like the sun; for the sun seals up the globe of heaven, and opens the globe of earth: so the sense doth obscure heavenly things, and reveals earthly things. 209. Alexander, after the battle of Granicum, had very great offers made him by Darius; consulting with his captains concerning them, Parmenio said, "Sure I would accept of these offers, if I were as Alexander." Alexander answered, "So would I, if I were as Parmenio." 211. Augustus Cæsar would say, that he wondered that Alexander feared he should want work, having no more worlds to conquer: as if it were not as hard a matter to keep, as to conquer. 212. Antigonus, when it was told him, that the enemy had such volleys of arrows that they did hide the sun, said, "That falls out well, for it is hot weather, and so we shall fight in the shade." 213. Cato the elder, being aged, buried his wife, and married a young woman. His son came to him, and said; "Sir, what have I offended, that you have brought a step-mother into your house?" The old man answered, "Nay, quite contrary, son: thou pleasest me so well, as I would be glad to have more such." 214. Crassus the orator had a fish which the Romans called Muræna, that he made very tame and fond of him; the fish died, and Crassus wept for it. One day falling in contention with Domitius in the senate, Domitius, said, "Foolish Crassus, you wept for your Muræna.” Crassus replied, "That is more than you did for both your wives." 215. Philip, Alexander's father, gave sentence against a prisoner what time he was drowsy, and seemed to give small attention. The prisoner, after sentence was pronounced, said, "I appeal." The king, somewhat stirred, said, "To whom do you appeal ?" The prisoner answered, "From Philip when he gave no ear, to Philip when he shall give ear." 216. There was a philosopher that disputed with the emperor Adrian, and did it but weakly. One of his friends that stood by, afterwards said unto him, "Methinks you were not like yourself last day, in argument with the emperor; I could have answered better myself." "Why," said the philosopher, "would you have me contend with him that commands thirty legions ?" 217. When Alexander passed into Asia, he gave large donatives to his captains, and other principal men of virtue; insomuch as Parmenio asked him, Sir, what do you keep for yourself?" He answered, "Hope." 218. Vespasian set a tribute upon urine. Titus his son imboldened himself to speak to his father of it; and represented it as a thing indign and sordid. Vespasian said nothing for the time; but a while after, when it was forgotten, sent for a piece of silver out of the tribute-money; and called to his son, bidding him to smell to it; and asked him, whether he found any offence? Who said, "No." "Why so?" saith Vespasian again; "yet this comes out of urine." 219. Nerva the emperor succeeded Domitian, who had been tyrannical; and in his time many noble houses were overthrown by false accusations; the instruments whereof were chiefly Marcellus and Regulus. The emperor Nerva one night supped privately with some six or seven: amongst whom there was one that was a dangerous man; and began to take the like courses as Marcellus and Regulus 210. Alexander was wont to say, he knew him- had done. The emperor fell into discourse of the injustice and tyranny of the former time; and by | now at that present had demanded of him, to drink name, of the two accusers; and said, “What should we do with them, if we had them now ?" One of them that was at supper, and was a free-spoken senator, said, " Marry, they should sup with us." 220. There was one that found a great mass of ror writ a new rescript, thus: "Abuse it." 222. When Croesus, for his glory, showed Solon his great treasures of gold, Solon said to him, "If another king come that hath better iron than you, he will be master of all this gold." 223. Aristippus being reprehended of luxury by one that was not rich, for that he gave six crowns for a small fish, answered, "Why, what would you have given ?" The other said, "Some twelve pence." Aristippus said again, “And six crowns is no more with me." 224. Plato reprehended severely a young man for entering into a dissolute house. The young man said to him, "Why do you reprehend so sharply for so small a matter?" Plato replied, "But custom is no small matter." 225. Archidamus, king of Lacedæmon, having received from Philip king of Macedon, after Philip had won the victory of Charonea upon the Athenians, proud letters, writ back to him, "That if he measured his own shadow, he would find it no longer than it was before his victory." 226. Pyrrhus, when his friends congratulated to him his victory over the Romans, under the conduct of Fabricius, but with great slaughter of his own side, said to them again, "Yes, but if we have such another victory, we are undone." 227. Plato was wont to say of his master Socrates, that he was like the apothecaries' gally-pots; that had on the outside apes, and owls, and satyrs; but within, precious drugs. 228. Alexander sent to Phocion a great present of money. Phocion said to the messenger, “Why doth the king send to me, and to none else ?" The messenger answered, "Because he takes you to be the only good man in Athens." Phocion replied, "If he thinks so, pray let him suffer me to be so still." 229. At a banquet where those that were called the seven wise men of Greece were invited by the ambassador of a barbarous king, the ambassador related, that there was a neighbour mightier than his master, picked quarrels with him, by making impossible demands, otherwise threatening war; and up the sea. Whereunto one of the wise men said, "I would have him undertake it." "Why," said the ambassador, "how shall he come off?" Thus," saith the wise man; "let that king first stop the rivers which run into the sea, which are no part of the bargain, and then your master will perform it." 230. At the same banquet, the ambassador desired the seven, and some other wise men that were at the banquet, to deliver every one of them some sentence or parable, that he might report to his king the wisdom of Græcia, which they did; only one was silent; which the ambassador perceiving, said to him, "Sir, let it not displease you; why do not you say somewhat that I may report?" He answered, "Report to your lord, that there are of the Grecians that can hold their peace." 231. The Lacedæmonians had in custom to speak very short, which being an empire, they might do at pleasure: but after their defeat at Leuctra, in an assembly of the Grecians, they made a long invective against Epaminondas; who stood up, and said no more than this; "I am glad we have brought you to speak long." 232. Fabius Maximus being resolved to draw the war in length, still waited upon Hannibal's progress to curb him; and for that purpose he encamped upon the high ground: but Terentius his colleague fought with Hannibal, and was in great peril of overthrow; but then Fabius came down from the high grounds, and got the day. Whereupon Hannibal said, "that he did ever think that that same cloud that hanged upon the hills, would at one time or other give a tempest." 233. Hanno the Carthaginian was sent commissioner by the state, after the second Carthaginian war, to supplicate for peace, and in the end obtained it: yet one of the sharper senators said, “You have often broken with us the peaces whereunto you have been sworn; I pray, by what god will you swear?" Hanno answered; "By the same gods that have punished the former perjury so severely." 234. Cæsar, when he first possessed Rome, Pompey being fled, offered to enter the sacred treasury to take the moneys that were there stored; and Metellus, tribune of the people, did forbid him: and when Metellus was violent in it, and would not desist, Cæsar turned to him, and said; "Presume no farther, or I will lay you dead." And when Metellus was with those words somewhat astonished, Cæsar added; "Young man, it had been easier for me to do this than to speak it." 235. Caius Marius was general of the Romans against the Cimbers, who came with such a sea of people upon Italy. In the fight there was a band of the Cadurcians of a thousand, that did notable service; whereupon, after the fight, Marius did denison them all for citizens of Rome, though there was no law to warrant it. One of his friends did present it unto him, that he had transgressed the law, because that privilege was not to be granted but by the people. Whereunto Marius answered; "That for the noise of arms he could not hear the laws." 236. Pompey did consummate the war against |