The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise

THE CVSTOMES AND [ 10] ORDINANCES AMONG THE LACED AEMONIANS.

THE manner and custome was at Lacedaemon, that when they entred into their publicke halles where they tooke their meats and meales together; the eldest man of the whole companie should shew the doores unto everie one as they came, and say unto them: At these [ 20] doores there goeth not forth so much as one word. The most ex∣quisite dish among them was a messe of broth, which they called Blacke-pottage; insomuch as when that was served up to the table, the elder folke would not care for any flesh meats, but leave all them same for the yoonger sort. And (as it is reported) Denys the Tyrant of Sicily, for this purpose bought a cooke from Lacedamon, and commaunded him to make him such pottage and spare for no cost; but after he had a little tasted thereof, he found it so bad that he cast up all that he had taken of it; but his cooke said un∣to him: Sir, if you would finde the goodnesse of this broth, you must be exercised first after the Lacedaemonian manner, all watred, and be well washed in the river Eurotas. Now after the La∣conians [ 30] have eat & drunk soberly at these ordinaries, they returne home to their houses without torch or any light before them: for it is not lawfull for any man at Lacedaemon, to go either from thence or to any place else with a light carried before him in the night; because they should bee accustomed to keepe their way, and goe confidently without feare, all night long in the darke without any light at all. To write and reade they learned for necessitie onely; as for all other forrein sciences and literature they banished them quite out of their coasts, like as they did all strangers and aliens: and in verie truth their whole studie was to learne how to obey their superi∣ours, to endure patiently all travels, to vanquish in fight, or to die for it in the place. All the yeere long they went in one single gaberdine without coat at all under it; and ordinarily they were foule and sullied, as those who used not the stouphes & baines, ne yet annointed themselves for [ 40] the most part. Their boies and yoong men commonly slept together in one dorter, by bands and troupes, upon pallets and course beds, which they themselves gathered, breaking and tearing with their owne hands without any edged toole, the heads of canes and reeds which grew along the bankes of the river Eurotas: and in winter time they strewed and mingled among, a certaine kind of Thistle downe, which they call Lycophanes; for they are of opinion, that such stuffe hath in it (I wot not what) which doth heat them. It was lawfull and permitted among them to love yoong boies for their good minds and vertuous natures; but to abuse their persons wantonly and fleshly, was reputed a most infamous thing, as if such were lovers of the bodie and not of the minde; in such sort, as whosoever was accused and attaint thereof, became noted with infamie, and shame followed him wheresoever he went all his life time. The custome was that elder folke [ 50] when and wheresoever they met with yoonger, should demaund whither and whereabout they went? yea and checke and chide them, if they were to seeke of a good answere or if they went about to devise colourable excuses: and whosoever he was that did not reproove him that did a fault in his presence, incurred the same reprehension and blame as he did who transgressed; yea and if he chafed and shewed himselfe discontented, when he was reprooved, he sustained re∣proch, disgrace and discredit thereby. If peradventure one were surprised and taken tardie in some fault; he must be brought to a certaine altar within the citie, and there forced to go round

about it singing a song, made of purpose for his owne reproofe, and conteining naught else, but the blame and accusation of himselfe. Moreover, yoong folke were not onely to honor their owne fathers, and to be obedient unto them; but also to shew reverence unto all other el∣der persons; namely, in yeelding them the better hand, in turning out of their way when they met them, and giving them the wall, in rising up from their seats before them when they came in place, and in standing still when they passed by: and therefore everie man had a certaine hand of government, and dispose, not onely (as in other cities) over their owne children, their pro∣per servants and goods; but also they had a regard of their neighbours children, servants and goods, as wel as if they had beene their owne: they made use also of them as of things common, to the end, that to each one everie thing might be (as it were) his owne in proprietie. Where∣upon, [ 10] if it fortuned that a child having beene chastised by another man, went to complaine ther∣of to his owne father; it was a shame for the said father, if he gave him not his payment againe: for by the ordinarie course of discipline in that countrey, they were assured, that their neighbors would impose nothing upon their children, but that which was good and honest. Yoong lads were used to filtch and steale whatsoever they could come by, for their food and victuals; yea and they learned from their verie infancie, to forelay and lie pretily in ambush for to surprise those who were asleepe, & stood not well upon their guards: but say that one were taken in the maner when he stealeth; this was his punishment, namely, to be whipped and to fast from meat; ex∣presly therefore and of very purpose they were allowed verie little to eate, to the end that they might be driven upon verie extreame necessitie to make shifts and expose themselves ventu∣rously [ 20] into any danger, yea and to devise alwaies some cunning cast or other to steale more cleanly: but generally the reason and effect of this their straight diet was, that they should long before accustome their bodies never to be full, but able to endure hunger; for that in deed they were of opinion, that they should be the meeter for souldiarie, if they could take paines and tra∣vell without food; yea and that it was a good meanes to be more continent, sober, and thriftie, if they were taught & inured to continue a long time smal cost & expense: to be briefe, per∣swaded they were: That to abstaine eating of flesh or fish dressed in the kitchin, or to feed savorly of bread or any other viands that came next to hand, made mens bodies more healthy, & caused them to burnish and grow up; for that the naturall spirits not pressed nor over-charged with a great quantitie of meat, and so by that meanes not kept and depressed downeward, but dispersed [ 30] and spread in largenesse and breadth, gave libertie for the bodies to shoot up, waxe tall, and per∣sonable; yea and made them more faire and beautifull; for that the habitudes and complexions which be slender, lanke and emptie, are more obsequent unto that naturall vertue and facultie which giveth forme and fashion to the limmes; whereas those who be corpulent, grosse, ful, and given to much feeding, by reason of weight and heavines resist the same. They set their minds also to compose and make proper ditties and ballads, yea, and no lesse studious are they to sing the same; having alwaies in these their compositions, a certaine pricke or sting (as it were) to stir up and provoke their courage and stomacke, to enspire also into the hearts of the hearers a con∣siderate resolution, and an ardent zeale and affection to doe some brave deed: the ditties were plaine, simple, and without all affectation; containing in manner nothing else, but the praises of [ 40] those who had lived vertuously, and died valiantly in the warres for the defense of Sparta, as be∣ing of all others most happie; as also the blame and reproch of such as for cowardise and faint∣heart were affraid to die, whom they accounted to live a wretched and miserable life. Moreover they stood much upon promises of future prowesse or vanteries of present valour, according to the diversitie of their ages who chanted the said songs; for alwaies in their solemne and publike feasts, three quiers or dances there were: one of old folke, and the foreburthen of their canticle was this:

The time was when we gallant weare, Youthfull and hardy, void of feare.

Next to it came in place a daunce of men in their best age and full strength, who answered them [ 50] in this wise:

But we are come to proose, and now at best; Try who that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to fight we are now prest.

And a third followed after of children who chaunted thus:

And we one day shall be both tall and strong, Surpassing far, if that we live so long.

Now their very notes and tunes to the measures and numbers whereto they daunced and mar∣ched

in battell against their enemies after the sound of the flute, were appropriate and sitted to incite their hearts to valour, confident securitie, and contempt of death: for Lycurgus did study and endevor to joyne the exercise & practise of militarie discipline with the pleasure of musick, to the end, that warlike and vehement motions being mingled and delaied with sweet melodie, might be tempered with a delectable accord and harmonie: and therefore in battels before the charge and first shock of the conflict, their king was woont to sacrifice unto the Muses, for this entent; that the soldiers in fight might have the grace to performe some glorious and memora∣ble exploits. But if any man passed one point beyond this ancient musicke, they would not en∣dure him, insomuch as the Ephori set a fine upon the head of Terpander (though otherwise he lo∣ved antiquitie well enough, and was the best harper in his time, yea & tooke greatest delight to [ 10] praise the heroick acts of the renowmed woorthies in times past) and more than that; they hung up his harp upon a stake or post, onely because he had set to it one string more than ordinarie, whereby he might varie his voice the better with more sundry notes; for they allowed no songs nor sonets but such as were plaine and simple; and when Timotheus at the feast Carneia plaied upon the harpe for to winne the prize; one of the Ephori taking a skeine or knife in his hand, as∣ked him, on whether side, either above or beneath, he would rather have him to cut a two the strings which were more than seven. Moreover Lycurgus tooke from them al vaine & superstiti∣ous feare as touching sepulchers, permitting them to burie their dead within the citie, and to reare their mounments and tombs round about the temples of their gods: he cut off likewise all pollutions of mortuaries, and would not give them leave to enterre any thing with the corps, [ 20] but onely to enwrap the same within a winding sheet of red cloth, together with olive leaves strewed among, and the same indifferently to all bodies, no more to one than another: sembla∣bly he put downe all epitaphes and superscriptions upon graves, unlesse it were for such as lost their lives in battell; forbidding all mourning and dolefull lamentations. Furthermore it was unlawfull for them to make voiages into strange countries, for feare they should learne forrein fashions and uncivill maners, savouring of no good bringing up; and for the same reason, Ly∣curgus banished aliens out of the citie, lest if they should thither resort, by reason of their con∣fluence, they might teach and shew the citizens their vices. And as for citizens borne, any of them would not suffer their children to be brought up according to the discipline and institu∣tion of the citie, they might not enjoy the rights and privileges of free burgessie. Some say also [ 30] that Lycurgus ordained; If a very alien would yeeld to the observation of his discipline, and be ranged under the policie of the State, he might enjoy one of those portions which from the be∣ginning was set out and appointed; but he was not allowed to sell the same. The maner and cu∣stome was in Lacedaemon, to make use of their neighbours servants, even as well as of their owne, whensoever they had any businesse or occasion to employ them; as also to make bold with their horses and hounds, unlesse the owners themselves and masters had present need of them. In the countrey also and territorie of Laconia, if they stood in need of any thing that was in their neigh∣bours house, they would goe boldly and aske no leave, to their cupboords, presses, coffers, and such places where the thing was, make no more adoo but open them, take out and carie away whatsoever they thought good; so they made fast and shut againe the roome out of which they [ 40] had taken ought. To warfare they went in red liveries, both for that they thought this colour more decent for a man, as also because it resembled bloud, it strucke the greater feare into those who were not used thereto; besides, there was good use and profit thereof in this respect, that if any of them hapned to be wounded, the enemie could not so perceive it, because that colour looked so like unto bloud. Whensoever they had vanquished their enemies by some strata∣gem that their captaines used, their maner was to sacrifice an oxe unto Mars; but if they got a victorie by fine force & open manhood, they sacrificed a cock; by which meanes, they occasi∣oned their leaders to be not onely valiant, but also politicke warriors. Among other praiers that they made unto the gods this was ever one. That they might have the power and grace to beare wrongs: but the sunme of all their supplications was this: That the gods would vouchsafe them [ 50] honour for wel doing, & no more. They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the goddesse Venus in her complet armor, and made all the images of their gods, as well female as male, with launces and javelins in their hands, as if they all had militar and martiall vertue in them. Also they used this saying as a com∣mon proverbe:

Call upon fortune in each enterprise, With hand stretcht foorth, wot otherwise.

As if they would say, that we ought when we invocate the gods, to enterprise somewhat our

selves, and lay our hands to worke, or else not to call upon them. They used to let their children see the Ilotes when they were drunk, to keepe them by their example from drinking much wine. They neverknocked and rapped at their neighbours doores, but stood without, and called aloud to to those within. The curry-combes that they occupied were not of iron, but of canes and reeds. They never heard any comedies or tragedies acted, because neither in earnest nor in game they would not heare those that any wise contradicted the lawes. When Archilochus the poet was come to Sparta, they drave him out the very same houre that he came, for that they knew he had made these verses, wherein he delivered: That it was better to fling away weapons than to die in the field:

A foole he is, who trusting in his shield, Doth venture life and limme in bloody field: [ 10] As for mine owne, I have it flung me fro And left behind in bushes thick that gro.

Others translate it thus.

Some Saïan now, in that my doubtie shield Doth take great joy, which flying out of field, Though full against my mind, I flang me fro And left behind in bushes thicke that grow. Although it were right good, yet would not I Presume to fight with it, and so to dy, [ 20] Farewell my shield, though thou be lost and gone, Another day as good I shall buy one.

All their sacred and holy ceremonies were common, as well for their daughters as their sonnes, The Ephori condemned one Siraphidas, to pay a summe of money, for that he suffred himselfe to take wrong and abuse at many mens hands. They caused one to be put to death for play∣ing the hypocrite, and wearing sackcloth like a publike penitent, for that the saide sack∣cloth was purfled with a border of purple. They rebuked and checked a yoong man as hee came from the ordinary place of exercise, for that hee frequented it still, knowing as he did the way to Pytaea, where was held the assembly of the States of Greece. They chased out of the citie a Rhetorician named Cephisophon, because he made his boast; That he could speak if it were [ 30] a whole day of any theame proposed unto him; for they said: That speech ought to be propor∣tionable to the subject matter. Their children would endure to be lashed & whipped all the day long, yea, and many times even to death, upon the altar of Diana, surnamed Orthia, taking joy and pleasure therein, striving a vie for the victorie who could hold out longest; and looke who was able to abide most beating, he was best esteemed, and caried away the greatest praise: this strife & emulation among them was called the Whippado; and once every yeere they observed such an exercise. But one of the best, most commendable and blessed things that Lycurgus pro∣vided for his citizens; was the plentie & abundance that they had of rest & leisure; for they were not allowed at all to meddle with any mechanicall arte; and to trafficke and negotiate painfully for to gather and heape up goods, was in no wise permitted; for he had so wrought that ri∣ches [ 40] among them was neither honored nor desired. The Ilotes were they that ploughed and til∣led their ground for them, yeelding them as much as in old time was downe and ordeined; and execrable they esteemed it to exact more of any of them, to the end that those Ilotes for the sweetnesseof gaine which they found thereby, might serve them more willingly, and themselves covet to have no more than the old rate. Forbidden likewise were the Lacedaemonians to he ma∣riners, or to fight at sea; yet afterwards for all that, they fought navall battels, and became lords of the sea; howbeit they soone gave that over, when they once saw that the maners and behavior of their citizens were thereby corrupted and depraved; but they changed afterwards againe, and were mutable, as well in this as in all other things: for the first that gathered and hoarded up money for the Lacedaemonians, were condemned to death, by reason that there was an aunci∣ent [ 50] oracle which delivered this answer unto Alcamenes and Theopompus, two of their kings,

Avarice one day (who ever lives to see) Of Sparta citie will the ruine bee.

And yet Lysander after he had wonne the citie of Athens, brought into Sparta a great masse of gold and silver, which the citizens received willingly, and did great honour unto the man him∣selfe for his good service. True it is, that so long as the citie of Sparta observed the lawes of Ly∣curgus, and kept the othes which it was sworne by, she was a paragon, yea and the soveraigne of

all Greece, in good government and glorie for the space of 300. yeeres: but when they came once to transgresse the said lawes and breake their oathes; avarice and covetousnesse crept in among them by little and little, and they with all their puislance & authoritie decreased, yea and their allies and confederates heereupon began to be ill affected unto them: and yet being as they were in this declining estate, after that king Philip of Macedonia had woon the battell at Chaeronea, when all other cities and states of Greece, by a generall consent, and with one ac∣cord had chosen him the generall captaine of all the Greeks, as well for land as sea, yea, and after him his sonne Alexander the Great, upon the destruction of the citie Thebes, onely the Lace∣daemonians, notwithstanding their citie lay all open, without any wall about it, and themselves were brought to a very small number by occasion of their continuall warres, which had wasted [ 10] and consumed them, whereby they were become very feeble, and by consequence more easie to be defeated than ever before, yet for that they had retained still some little reliques of the go∣vernment established by Lycurgus, they would never yeeld to serve under those two mightie monarches, no nor other kings of Macedonia their successors, neither would they be present at the generall diets and common assemblies of other states, nor contribute any money with the rest, untill they having utterly cast aside and rejected the lawes of Lycurgus, they were held under and yoked with the tyranny of their owne citizens; namely when they reteined no part of the an∣cient discipline, whereby they grew like unto other nations, and utterly lost their old reputation, glory, and libertie of franke speech, so as in the end they were brought into servitude, and even at this day be subject unto the Romane empire, aswell as other cities and states of Greece. [ 20]