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. XXV.

* 1.1HEare therefore what the cause is, why I number them not amongst goods, and what thing I consider in them, more then you, since it is agreed betweene vs both that they are to be had. Put mee into a rich house; put mee there where I shall be ordinarily ser∣ued in siluer and golde; I will not bee proud for all this, which, although I haue by me, yet are they without me. Transferre mee to a wood∣den bridge, and driue mee amongst the beggers, I will not therefore despise my selfe, because I sit amongst them, who thrust out their ••and to haue an almes giuen them; for what is this to the matter, whether a crust of bread be wanting to him, who wants not the power to die? what then is it? I had ra∣ther haue that faire house then a bridge. Lodge me in a rich bed with delicate hangings, and goodly furniture, I will not suppose my selfe more happy, be∣cause I haue soft and silken couering vpon me, and because purple carpets are spred for my guests to sit vpon. I shall bee no whit more miserable, if my wea∣rie head rest it selfe vpon a locke of haye, or if I lie vpon a Circensian and bro∣ken pad, whence the straw breaketh forth, through the rotten and ragged lin∣nen. What therefore is it? I had rather show what my manner were in clean∣ly and decent apparrell, then with halfe couered or naked shoulders. Though all the dayes of my life should be pleasant, and that one honour should draw on others that are new, I would not be a whit prouder for all this. Change to the contrary this indulgence of time; let my mind bee wounded euery wayes with losses, sorrowes, and diuers incursions: Let not an hower slip without some complaint, yet will I not say, that I am wretched amongst the wretchedest; I will not therefore curse my day, for I haue already resolued with my selfe, that no day should seeme fatall vnto me. What therefore is it? I had rather tem∣perate my ioyes, then still my sorrowes. This will Socrates say vnto thee: Make mee the conquerour of all nations; let that delicate a••d triumphant Chariot of Bacchus carry me as farre as Thebes from the sunne-rise; Let the Persian Kings require lawes at my hands, then will I thinke my selfe most of all to bee a man when all the world shall salute me for a God. Ioyne to this sodaine greatnesse, a contrary change; Let them cast mee vpon a hurdle, to be led in show in the triumph of some proud and insolent enemy by reason of his victory, I will

march with such a countenance behind his Chariot, as I did when I was moun∣ted in mine. What therefore is it? I had rather ouercome then be taken. I will despise the whole Kingdome of Fortune, out of that if I may take my choice, I will chuse the best and most pleasing. What so euer befalleth me, I will repute it good, but I desire they should be easie and pleasant, and such as should least trouble me in the handling of them. For, thou must not thinke that there is any vertue without labour, but some vertues neede spurs, other some raines: Euen as the body that ascendeth a hie place ought to be kept backe, and he that ascendeth vpon should beare forward: so some vertues are as it were descen∣ding, some that are troublesome to mount. Is it to be doubted, but that pa∣tience, valour, and perseuerance, and other vertues opposed to afflictions, and tread fortune vnder foot, are such vertues as mount and aduance themselues with trauell, and outstrip many difficulties? What therefore? Is it not as ap∣parent, that liberty, temperance and clemency march downewards? In these wee containe our minde, lest it slip. In these wee encourage and incite: So then when there shall bee question of pouerty, wee will arme our selues with the strongest, best disposed, and such as know best how to fight: in the vse of riches, wee will call the other which will march leasurely, and sustaine the weight.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Although a wise man possesseth ••iches, he accoū∣teth them not for true goods, and why he had rather haue them, then haue them not.