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This Epistle is apologeticall. Pisistratus defendeth him selfe, and his doings, in attainening the Empire, writeth to Solon, how the lawes by him enacted (are through his commaundement) duely obserued: exeuseth him selfe of violence and iniurie, wherwith∣all
tyrannie is charged: writeth to Solou earnestly, to returne to Athens, promiseth him honourable aduauncement on the same condition: giueth him leaue to vse the libertie of his choice: de∣sireth that hee bee not counted the occasion of his absence from Athens.
I Al•…•…ne, of all the Graecians, haue not obteined the estate of a Monarche by extertion, neither haue I taken any thing, that was not mine owne by vsurpation: for I am by byrth, a Cecropian, I challenge that vnto me by right of ow∣nage, which the Atheniens in times past, hauing confirmed and made ouer with assurance to Codrus, and to his nation, afterwards againe repealed and with drewe. Furthermore, against the Gods I haue committed no crime, and as for mē I haue them not offended. The lawes and decrées which you prescribed to the Atheniens, I commaund them duely to be obserued, and charge them to frame the course of their liues, after the same your ordinaunces: and vndoubtedly, the ob∣seruation of them is better séene to and prouided, then it would otherwise •…•…e, in Democracie, when the multitude haue gouernement. For what do I? I suffer no man to be oppressed with iniurie: I am content with my Monarchicall maiestie or title royall: I diminish nothing that is proper to the c•…•…monaltie: I am satisfied with these stipends and pay∣ments, which were due to my predecessors, long before this power fell to my possession: I burthen none with newe ex∣actions, tributes, or subsidies: To be short, eueryone of the Atheniens diuide the tenths of their reuenues, not to be dis∣burssed for our profite, nor sor our p•…•…culiar seruice, but for publique vses, and common aduauntage: and also, to supply expences & beare out our charges, if it so fortune, that at any time warres be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against vs, by forreigne enimies; or otherwise, rebellious ri•…•…ngs attēpted. I conceiue against you no stomach at all, in that po•…•… detected my counscl•…•…, in that you discouered my purpose: bycause (as I doe consider) you did it rather of alo•…•…ing desire towards the cōmenwelth, then of malice and enuie, to bring my person in discredite: & also bycause you kn•…•…we not what ma•…•…ner of man I was of
conditions: or howe I woulde haue behaued myselfe in the kingdome. For, if you had not ben ignorant therof, you wold peraduenture haue thought mine enterprise tollerable, and not haue fled from the citie, as though you were indangered. Wherefore Solon, returne I pray thée, returne, in hope to be saued harmelesse and vndamnified: and trust my words without an othe, Pisistratus meaneth not any mischiefe a∣gainst Solon. For you know that I wrought no mans detri∣mint: no, not so much as mine enimies haue at my handes susteined any discommoditie. For end, if it shal please you, to accept our friendship, you shal be in place with Gentlemen of the best countenaunce, and highest degrée of honour: for, I haue had such experience of your doings, that I must néedes say thus much of truth, your attempts to be honest, voide of treason, deceit, and whatsoeuer else is vicious. •…•…ut if you be disposed, elsewhere to make your continuance, rather then in Athens, do as you will, your purpose shall not be hindered by our procurement: only, my desire is, that it be not sayde, that we were the cause, why you forsooke your countrie.
The first kings name of Athens was Cecrops, of whome, the kings succee∣ding in the seate were cal∣led Cecropi∣ans Pli lib. 7. cap. 5. 6.
Whē the pe ople rule the roast, a mon∣ster of many heads.
•…•…isistratus his purgation consisting in negatiue poin∣tes.
I am not dis pleased with you for reuea ling mine in∣tent.
For Solon had forsaken the citie of A∣thens, whiche fel in Pisistra∣tus his posses∣sion.
Pisistratus his large pro∣mises to Solō, to haue him returne to A∣thens.
He graun∣teth him to take his cho∣ice where he best liketh.