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Hiero king of Sicylie sending for Pythagoras, is in this Epistle answe∣red with a flatte denyall. The reasons that the Philosopher vseth, are all borowed from abuses: in whiche •…•…ee praiseth a competent kinde of liuing, suche a one as he himselfe loued: and discommen∣deth
a lasciuious life, wherwith Hiero was delighted. The Epistle is worthie to be cōmitted to memorie, and more woorthie to bee p•…•…t in practise.
THe life that I lead, is not acquainted with care, but esta∣blished vpon tranquillitie: as for yours, there is no cir∣cumstance, wherein with mine it is consonant or agréeable. A man addicted to temperance, and not in subiection to the rage of his perturbations, néedeth not the Syracusane dein∣•…•…ie iunckets. Pythagoras hath al things in sufficiencie, wher vpon to liue at all times, and in al places, competently. The seruice that an vnderling, or he that is boūd to obey, oweth to his Lord and maister, is neither greeuous nor tedious: specially to them, that are already instructed by honest cus∣tome and vse, to acknowledge submission and to doe re∣uerence. Moreouer, a minde satisfied with his appointed lotte, is a thing of great account, & hath passing priuiledges of libertie, from imminent aduersities and daungers. For, that one and onely minde, hath neuer an enimie, to lay traps and traines as instruments of further mischiefe: Wherefore it foloweth, of necessary consequent, that such a life appro∣cheth moste nigh, to the nature of the Gods, in semblaunce of properties. Furthermore, vnblameable affections, and a constitution or state of the minde framed to the right rule of reason, hath not their generation or issue, from the enticementes of Venerie, I meane (to speake more sensi∣bly) from carnall pleasures, neither of aboundance of pam∣pering belly cheere: but of pouertie, whiche leadeth vs the plaine pathway to vertue, of whose noblenes Vile man is moste vnworthie. Againe, varietie of desires and delightes in voluptuousnesse, together with an immoderate wallow∣ing in sensualitie, casteth the mindes of men, defiled with effeminacie, and bewitched with wantonnesse, into the sla∣uishe imprisonment of vices most detestable: yea, into that bondage it bringeth them, by vsing themselues familiarly to such foule enormities, as you your selfe incurre, and lye tumbling in accustomably. Where vpon it foloweth, that you (as a capti•…•…e or prisoner) cast away your target and
sworde of res•…•…stance, and haue yéelded vppe your selfe who•…•…y, to the power of those tyrants, in whose clawes since you are caught, it is hap hazard, if you escape vndamnified. For, a∣mong all other thinges, not so muche as your wordes, but are as it were, in league with thinges altogether vnprofita∣ble, and very superfluous. Send not therfore for Pythago∣ras to come to your kingdome, to enter with you into fami∣liaritie, to be conuersant with you in your Palace. For, Physicians (as people reporte) neuer wishe to be partakers of the diseases of their grieued patientes.
The differ•…•…ne betweene a Philosophers and a Prin∣ces life in bre uitie of words described.
Because in conscience, & by custome of seruice they are tyed to do seruice.
Pouer•…•…ie the troden pa•…•…b to ve•…•…tu ous▪ conuersa∣•…•…ion.
P•…•…inces •…•…ues drowned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: he sent al∣so for P•…•…da∣rus and Simo nides, as he did for Pyth•…•… goras.