CHAP. XXXVI.
¶ Of Pietie or kindnesse.
IN all parts verily of the world, there haue been found infinite examples of naturall loue and affection, but one example thereof at Rome hath been knowne singular aboue all others, and incomparable. There was a poore young woman of the common sort, and therefore base and of no account, who lately had been in childbed, whose mother was condemned to perpetuall prison, and there lay, for some great offence that she had committed: this daughter of hers and young nource aforesaid, obtained leaue to haue accesse vnto her mother, and euermore by the [unspec H] gaoler was narrowly searched for bringing to her any victuall, because her iudgment was to be famished to death: thus she went and came so long, vntill at last she was found suckling of her mother with the milke of her breasts. This was reputed for such a strange and wondrous exam∣ple, that the mother was released and giuen to the daughter for her rare piety and kindnes: both of them had a pension out of the city allowed them for their amintenance for euer; and the place where this hapned was consecrated to Pietie: in so much, as when C. Quintius and M. Aci∣lius were Consuls, there was a temple to her built, in the very place where this prison stood, iust whereas now standeth the Theatre of Marcellus. The father of the Gracchi happened to light vpon and take two serpents within his house, whereupon he sent out to the Sooth-sayers for to know, what this thing might presage? who made this answer, That if he would himselfe liue, the [unspec I] female snake should be killed; Nay marry (qd. he) not so, but rather kill the male; for my wife Cornelia is yong enough, and may haue more children. This said he, meaning to spare his wiues life, in consideration of the good she might do to the common-weale. And in truth; like as the wizards prophesied, so it fell out soone after, and their words tooke effect. M. Lepidus so entire∣ly loued his wife Apuleia, that he died for very thought and griefe of heart, after shee was diuor∣ced from him and turned away. P. Rutilius chanced to be somewhat ill at ease and sickish, but hearing of his brothers repulse, and that hee was put by his Consulship (for which he stood in suit) died suddenly for sorrow. P. Catienus Philotimus so loued his Lord and master, that notwith∣standing he was by him made his sole heire of all that euer he had, yet for kind heart, cast him∣selfe [unspec K] into the funerall fire to be burnt with him.