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. VI.

THinke likewise that it is an act of a generous mind to carry a great appearance in prosperity,* 1.1 when as life exhausteth her course with a full fayle. For a peaceable sea and a fauourable wind approue not the sufficiency of a Pilot. There must some storme encoun∣ter vs that may approue the mind. And therefore discourage not thy selfe, but contrariwise stand firme in thy place, and endure euery burthen that is laide vpon thee, being onely affrighted with the first assault: there is nothing that so much confoundeth fortune, as a resolute mind. After this hee shewed her her sonne in safety, hee shewed her her Nephewes, to recompence the losse of her sonne. At that time Marcia thy affaires were in ••and, Areus sate by thee, and comforted thee vnder another name. But thinke Marcia that death hath taken from thee more then euer was taken from any mother (I will not flatter thee, or lessen thy losse) if teares may conquere the destinie, let vs vni••e

our teares, let vs spend euery day in sorrow, let the sleeples night consume it selfe in sadnesse, let our hands violate our torne breastes, and let our nayles imprint our sorrow in our faces,* 1.2 let discontent exercise and extend it selfe in all sorts of cruelty. But if the dead are recalled by no teares, if Fate be immoue∣able, and euerlastingly fixed, no misery is changed, and death possesseth whatsoeuer hee hath taken away; let sorrowes cease because it is vnprofi••a∣ble. For which cause let vs gouerne our selues, neither permit this passion to transport vs beyond measure. It is a shame for a Master of a shippe to suffer his helme to bee beaten out of his hands by the billow, to neglect his Sailes that are shattered in the wind, and leaue his shippe to the mercy of a tempe••t, but hee euen in shipwracke is to bee commended, who holdeth his helme in his hand, though the seas swallow and sinke him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The fifth•• In aduersity one∣ly w••e are to make proo••e of the constancy of our mind.
• * 1.2

  The sixth, Since that sor∣row is vnprofi∣table, because death is not mo∣ued thereby, wee ought to refrain sorrow.