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. IX.

IF some one of the Gods would deliuer all our goods into Deme∣trius possession vpon this condition, that it might not be lawfull for him to giue it away, I dare auerre it, he would refuse them, and would say I will not entangle my selfe with this inextricable waight: I will not plunge this man so cleane and free from aua∣rice, into this deepe bog and sincke of these things. Why bringest thou me the mischiefes and infelicities of all men, which I would not receiue, although I could giue them away presently, because I see many things which I might not honestly giue? I will contemplate those things which dazle the eyes of Kings and Nations. I will behold those things for which you spend your blouds, and hazard your soules. Set before mine eyes the chiefest spoiles of superfluitie, whether it be that thou wilt vnfold them in order, or (as it is better) deliuer

them in grosse. I see a vaulted roofe most cunningly carued with curious varie∣tie: and the shels of diuers the most loathsome and sluggish creatures bought at excessiue prices. Wherein that very varietie which most pleaseth, is made of counterfeit colours, according to the similitude of the things themselues. I see in the same place tables and wood, estimated at no lesse then a Senators sub∣stance, by so much more precious, by how much the infelicitie of the tree had writhed and wrested it into infi••it knots. I see in the same place vessels of Chry∣••••all, whose brittlenesse enhanseth the price. For amongst ignorant men, the p••••asure of all things is augmented, euen by that very dange••, which should ••••use vs hate them. I see pots and vessels of Murrhine, as if superfluity and rio∣••o•••• e••pence had not beene sufficiently prized, if they had not vomited in great v••••sels of pretious stone the excessiue wine they had drunke to one an others health. I see pearles not seuerally fitted for euery ••are one; for now the eares are accu••tomed to beare burthens, diuers of them are tyed together, and if there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but two, a third is hanged vnder them. The madnesse of women had not ••ufficiently brought their husbands into subiection, except they hanged at ey∣ther of their cares the worth of two or three mens patrimonies. I see silken gar∣ments (if they may be called garments) wherein there is nothing that may co∣uer eyther their bodies, or at least-wise their shames; which when a woman hath put vpon her, she may scarcely swea••e that she is not naked. These for a great sum, are by way of commerce fetched from forraine Nations, that our matrons may shew no more of themselues to their adulterers in their chambers, then in publique.