The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XVII.

THe day would faile mee, if I should reckon vp all those that were vngratefull, euen with the vtter destruction of their Countries. And no lesse endlesse labour would it be, if I should beginne to relate how vngratefull our Common-weale hath beene towards the best, and most tenderly affected Citizens shee had, and how as often shee hath sinned in ingratitude her selfe, as others haue sinned against her. Shee sent a 1.1 Camillus into exile, dismissed Scipio, banished Cicero after Catilines conspiracie, shee raced his house, spoiled his goods, and exercised against him all those cruelties which Cateline himselfe could haue done, had h••e beene Con∣querer. Rutillius, in reward of his innocencie, was banished into Asia, to liue there in obscuritie. The Roman people denied Cato the Praetorship, and would neuer grant him the dignitie of a Consull. In briefe, wee are all of vs generally vngratefull. Let euery one examine himselfe; there is not any man that will not complaine of some ones ingratitude. And it cannot be that all men should complaine, except there were some cause also to complaine of all men. All men therefore are vngratefull. Is this all? and are they thus only. All are couetous, the world likewise is subiect to auarice, all are malicious, all fearefull, and they especially who seeme to be most confident. Furthermore, all men are ambitious, and all men are wicked: But thou must not bee displeased and agrieued hereat, all of them are mad. I will not recall thee to vncertainties, as to say vnto thee, see how vngratefull youth is. Who is he (be he neuer so innocent) that wisheth not that his Father had breathed his last? who is he (how modest soeuer he be) that gapes not after his death? who is he (how religious and pittifull soeuer hee be reputed) that thinketh not of his Fathers death? what husband so feareth the death of a good wife, as he counteth not the gaine he shal receiue if she die? what man is he, I pray you, who being intangled in the law, and deliuered by an o∣ther mans diligence, that bethinketh him of so great a benefit any longer, then

vntill a second action? This is confessed, and certaine without all exception: Is there any man that dieth without complayning? who at his last gaspe dare say thus:

My daies are done,* 1.2 now haue I brought to end The course of life, that Fortune did me lend.

Who dieth not vnwillingly? who departeth not mournefully? But this is the part of an vngratefull man, not to content himselfe with the time that was lent him. The time will alwaies seeme short vnto thee, if thou reckon the same. Thinke that the chiefest good is not in time, and how little soeuer it be, take it in good part. It addeth nothing to thy felicitie, if the day of thy death be pro∣longed, because by delay life is not made more blessed, but more long. How much better is it to giue thankes vnto the goddes for those honest pleasures, which wee haue receiued, and not to busie our selues in numbring other mens yeares, but to esteeme our owne thankefully, and to put them in the accompt of our gaines: hath God thought me worthy of this? this sufficeth mee: might hee haue giuen mee more? but this also is a benefit. Let vs bee thankefull to the gods, let vs be thankefull to men, let vs be thankefull vnto those that haue done vs any curtesie, and thankefull to those likewise who haue done any kindnesse to any of ours.

Notes

• a 1.1

  All these were valiant Citizens of Rome, who emploied them∣selues in many notable seruices, and receiued disgraces for their good de∣serts. This Island is not exempt from such like presidents.
• * 1.2

  Virgil. AEn••id. 4