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. III.

MARCVS ANTONIVS (as the Poet * 1.1 Rabirius setteth it downe) seeing his fortunes translated to Augustus, and that no other re∣fuge was left him, but the priuiledge of death, and that that also (except he tooke hold of the present occasion) would quickly be taken from him, cried out in my opinion most heroically.

That onely now I haue, Which I to others gaue.

O how much might he haue had if he would? These are the most assured ri∣ches which will continue at one stay, in whatsoeuer inconstancie and leuitie of humane fortune, which the greater they be, the lesse enuie will they haue. Why art thou so sparing of that thou hast, as if it were thine owne? thou art but For∣tunes factor. All these things which thus puffe vs vp, that emflame vs with pride, that seeme to make vs more then men, cause vs to forget frailtie. These therefore which you keepe within iron walles, with armed hands, these goods which you haue purchased with other mens bloods, and defended with your owne, for which you rigge forth whole nauies to staine the seas with blood, for which you beleager Cities, and yet ignorant, what store of weapons Fortune hath prepared against those, who are opposed against her. These for which two ••m••itiou•• pretenders of Empire (the lawes of affinitie, friendship and confe∣d••••acie being broken) haue so oftentimes caused the world to bee so crushed

and confounded, are not yours; they are but as things in trust left in your hands, and shall suddenly be translated to another master.* 1.2 That enemie, from whom you haue pillaged them, or some successour of his enmitie and hatred shall come and force them from thee. Askest thou me how thou mayest make them thine owne? I answere thee, by well bestowing them. Be prouident there∣fore in thy affaires, purchase vnto thy selfe an assured possession of those things which ca•• neuer bee taken from thee: thy riches shall not onely bee more se∣cure, but also more honest: that which thou admirest and prisest so much, that which in thy iudgement maketh thee rich and powerfull, as long as thou detai∣nest it in thy hands, retaineth no other title but the villanous name of auarice, as for example, thy house, thy slaue, thy money; but after thou ha••t giuen them, they are accounted and reckoned for benefits.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This was a noble Poet that wrote the Ciuill wars, and com∣mended by O∣uid.
• * 1.2

  All greatnesse is transitori••, the perdurable good is least appre∣hended.