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.

THE PREFACE.

THou art much delighted (my Lucillius, the best of me) in Sicily and in the gouernment of the same: because as thou writest vnto me, it is full of repose and without trouble. But it will please thee farre more, if thou wilt containe thy selfe within thy limits, and makest not that an Empire, which is but a Procuration and ••ouernment. I doubt not but thou wilt carrie thy selfe in thi•• sort•• I know how farre thou art estranged from ambition, and how familiarly thou art addicted and de∣lighted in honest retirement and the studie of good letters. They that cannot support and containe themselues, haue need of the conuersation of men, and multiplicitie of affaires. But thou accordest very well with thy selfe: neither wonder I that few men are partakers of this so great good: wee are all of vs too imperious and troublesome to our selues. Sometimes we cherish our selues too much, otherwhiles too little. To day our hearts are puffed vp with pride, to morrow couetousnesse tormenteth vs: now are we prostituted by vaine plea∣sures, anone after burned with cares and trauaile, and that which is worst of all, we are neuer alone and retired to our selues. We ••ust ••eeds therefore be in con∣tinuall debate, being accompanied by so many enormous vices. Doe there∣fore, my Lucillius, that which thou wert accustomed to doe: seperate thy selfe as much as thou canst from the communitie, neither permit thy selfe to be ac∣costed by flatterers, for these are their crafts••masters in bewitching the greater and richer sort. Thou shalt hardly esca••e them, although thou take heed of them. Beleeue me, they will entrap t••••e, if thou betray thy selfe to their trea∣sons. Flatteries haue naturally this force, that they are pleasing, although they be reiected; and being oftentimes ex••luded, at last they are entertained. Re∣pulse

maketh them encrease, neither is there any disgrace or outrage that can tame them. That which I shall speake is incredible, and yet very true. A man is hit most of all in that place where he is most open, and happily he is therefore ••i•• because he lieth open. Dispose thy selfe therefore in such sort, that thou mayest be assured that thou canst not be touched, that thou mayest be impeni∣trable: when thou hast caried the chariest eye, he will strike thee thorow those armes that thou reputest the most assured. Some one will vse his flatterie se∣cretly and sparingly, another openly counterfeising the foole in all mens sight, as if that his simplicitie were not cunning. Plancus, who had been•• one of the cunningest Sicophant•• before Vellius time, said that we ought not to flatter s••∣cretly, nor with dissimulation. In vaine, saith he, is flattery, if it be obscured. The flatterer getteth very much when he is discouered, and more likewise if he blush after he hath beene taunted. Thinke that thou shalt mee••e with a great number of such as Plancus was, and that it is not•• sufficient remedie against flat∣terie, to refuse to be praised. Crispus Passienus, whose equall I n••uer know in sub∣till discouerie of all things; especially in distinguishing and ••uring vices, often∣times said that wee onely put too the dore against flatte••ies, but shut them not out, in such sort as we are wont to put it too against our she friend, which if she thrust it backe it contenteth vs, and more gratefull is it, if she breake it open. I remember that I haue heard the great Philosopher Demetrius say to a certaine slaue that was enfranchised, and was become very rich, that the shortest way for him to heape vp great wealth, was that day wherein he had repented him∣selfe that he had a good conscience. I will neuer, saith he, enuie your practises, but will teach them, that haue need, the meanes how to escape shipwrack, how to flie from those contentions that happen betweene buyers and sellers, not to trust to the incertaintie of a countrie life, to retire themselues from the exercise of lesse certaine pleading; lesse, in what manner likewise they may not only ea∣sily, but ioyfully enrich themselues, and impouerish those that are at their ease and quiet. I will sweare (saith he) that thou art higher then Fidus Annaeus, and Apollonius Picta, although thou hast but a meane and crooked statute, as Fracas had. If I say that thou art the most liberall man amongst all others, I shall not lie: when as it may seeme that thou hast giuen all men that which thou hast left. So is it, my Iunior, the more that flatterie discouereth it selfe, the more wicked, impudent, and outragious it is, the sooner deceiueth it. For we are now growne vnto that madnesse, that he that flattereth vs little, seemeth to be a man of no honestie. I was wont to tell thee that my brother Gallio (whom no man loued but heartily, neither loued he any man but entirely) knew not other vices, and likewise hated this. Thou hast tied him euery wayes. Thou hast begun to ad∣mire his great and excellent spirit aboue all others, which rather wished to bee cursed, then to doe any thing worthy shame. But he suddenly retired his foot. Thou beganst to praise his frugalitie, he cut thee off in the beginning. Thou be∣ganst to admire his humanitie, and vnaffected affabilitie which rauisheth those that heare them in passing by, and greatly oblige those to whom they are ad∣dressed. For there is no man liuing more agreeable vnto another man, then this man vnto all men, whilest in the meane space the power of a naturall goodnesse is such, that it sauoureth no wa••es of art or simulation. There is no man but will suffer that a publike good should be imputed to him. And in this place likewise he resisted thy flatteries, in such sort as thou exclaimedst that thou hadst found a man that was armed against all attempts, whom euery man would entertaine into his bosome. Thou didst confesse that thou didst so much the more admire

his prudence and pertinacie in auoiding ineuitable euils, because thou wert in hope that thy words should be entertained with an open eare, although thou flatteredst, because thou spakest the truth. But so much the rather learned he to resist them the more. For the truth is alwayes assailed by those things that haue a resemblance of truth. Yet will I not haue thee displeased with thy selfe, as if thou haddest done amisse, or as if my brother presumed that thou preten∣dedst to iest with him, or to circumuent him. He discouered thee not, but re∣pulsed thee. Conforme thy selfe to this example: when as any flatterer com∣meth vnto thee; say vnto him, Go I pray thee, and carie these flattering spee∣ches (which are accustomed to leape from one Magistrate to another, that haue these Apes and Sargeants marching before them) to some one that will pay thee with the like, and taketh pleasure to heare all that which thou wouldest speake vnto him. I will deceiue no man, neither can I be deceiued. I would be praised by you, if you were not accustomed to praise the wicked. But what nee∣dest thou to bring thy selfe into that strait, that flatterers should touch thee so neerly? Let them be farre estranged from thee, when thou desirest to be praised well. Why shouldest thou be indebted to any for it? Prayse thy selfe, and say: I haue addicted my selfe to the studie of the Liberall Sciences, although pouer∣tie perswaded me to the contrarie, and withdrew my thoughts thither, where my studie might returne me present gaine. I aimed my thoughts at little pro∣fit breeding poesie, and addicted my selfe to the holesome studie of Philosophy. I ••••ue shewed that euery man is capable of vertue, and strugling thorow the o••••••••ritie of my birth, and measuring my selfe not by my condition, but my minde; I haue equalled my selfe with the greatest. The enmitie of barbarous Caius could not driue me from my sincere intention, Messalus and Narcissus vn∣happie conspirators against euery man, enemies a long time of the publike weale, before they were foes to their priuate fortune, could not crosse my reso∣lution. I haue hazarded my necke to maintaine mine honor, I haue not spoken that word, that was against my conscience. The care I alwayes had, was for my friends and not for my selfe, and the feare, that I was not so true a friend as I should be. I neuer wept womanish teares, neither after the manner of a suppli∣ant haue I lifted vp my hands to any man. I haue done nothing that either was vnworthy a man, or a good man. Being greater then mine owne perils, and rea∣dy to encounter with those that threatned me, I gaue thanks vnto Fortune that would sound me, how highly I prised faith. So great a thing should not cost me so little. She kept me not long in suspence, for the things that were in ballance were not equall, that is, whether it were better that faith should perish for me, or I should perish for it. I haue not violently thrust my selfe into a desperate re∣solution of death, whereby I might discharge my selfe from the furie of migh∣tie men, I saw with Caius torments, I saw fires. I knew in times past, vnder him, that humane affaires were brought to that estate, that it was recounted amongst the workes of mercie to be simply slaine. Yet thrust I not my selfe thorow with my sword, neither cast I my selfe head-long into the sea, to the end that the world might see that I would not die, except it were to remaine faithfull. Con∣sider moreouer my courage, that could not be corrupted with bribes, and that in this rude conflict of auarice, I haue neuer soyled my hands with foule lucre: Moreouer, my sobrietie, my modestie in words, my affabilitie towards my in∣feriours, the reuerence I haue borne my superiours. Hauing said all this, aske counsell of thy selfe if thou hast spoken truth, or told a lie: if truth, Then art thou praised before a great witnesse: if a lie, without witnesse thou hast exposed

thy selfe to laughter. But some one might thinke, that either I would surprise thee or proue thee: beleeue which thou wilt, and beginne by me to feare all o∣thers. Cast by that verse in Virgil.

Faith is secur'd in no place.—

And that which Ouid saith.

Throughout the world ERYNNIS changeth round, As if addrest and sworne with felon rage, To leaue no sinne vnsought for in this age.

Or that of Menanders (for who hath not whetted the greatnesse of his wit a∣gainst this, detesting the conce••t of mankind that tendeth vnto vice?) All, saith he, liue otherwise then they should, and the Poet hath leaped into the Sceane as if he were a Clowne: he excepteth neither old nor yong, nor woman, nor man, and addeth that euery one without exception doth euill, and that wic∣kednes is growne to the full. We ought therefore to flie, and to returne into our selues, nay more, we are to depart from our selues. Although the sea separateth vs, I will assay to make thee partner of this good, that is, in lending thee my hand at such time as thou knowest not what way to take, and making thee to attaine to a place more secured: and lest thou shouldest haue a sense of thy soli∣tude, I will deuise with thee from this place as often as I may. We will be one in that part wherein we are best: we will counsaile one another, not depending vpon the presence of him that heareth. I will lead thee farre from Sicily, to the end thou shalt not yeeld too much credit to Histories, beginning to please thy selfe as often as thou shalt say in thy selfe, I haue this prouince vnder my go∣uernment, which hath sustained and broken the armies of the mightiest Com∣mon-weales of the world, when the honor of a long war hath remained for ma∣ny yeares in suspence, at such time as she saw the forces of foure Princes gathe∣red together in one place, namely, of all the Empire, hauing taken away the pro∣sperity of Pompey, wearied that of Caesars, translated that of Lepidus, and surpri∣sed all the rest, that was present at the strangest spectacle that may possibly be thought, whereby all mortall men may learne how sudden the fall is from high to low, and by how many diuers wayes Fortune causeth the power of this world to decline. For at one time she hath scene Pompey and Lepidus cast from their high degree to a lower, but by different meanes, considering that Pompey fled before Caesars armie, and Lepidus his owne.

CHAP. I.

BVt to the end I may wholly draw thee from thy selfe, although Sicily hath in it and about it ma∣ny wonders, yet will I not for the present enter∣meddle with any questions concerning thy Pro∣uince, but will draw thy thoughts another way. For wee will now deuise together vpon that which we haue touched in the former Booke, whence it is that Nilus floweth and encreaseth in the Summer monethes. The Philosophers haue left in writing, that Nilus and Danubius resemble one another, alledging that the source of Danubius is vnknowne, and that it is more great in Summer then in Winter.

Both the one and the other appeared to be false: for wee finde that the head-spring thereof is in ••ermany, and it beginneth likewise to increase in Summer, (yet Nilus alwayes remaineth in his accustomed measure) that is to say, about the first heates, at such time as the Sunne growing more hot about the end of the spring time, causeth the snowes to melt, which Danubius hath consumed, before that Nilus beginneth to increase: Danubius decreaseth during the rest of the Summer, and returneth to his greatnesse in Winter, according to which it is measured.

CHAP. II.

BVt Nilus increaseth in the heart of the Summer time after the AE∣quinoctiall, before the rising of the Dog-starre. Nature hath set this famous floud before the eyes of all mankinde, and hath dis∣posed it in such sort that it should ouerflow Egypt, especially at such time as the earth, being parched by the most burning heats, ••hould draine out the water from the d••pth, and should draw as much as the drinesse of the whole yeare required. For in that part which inclineth towards AEthiopia, it raineth not, or if sometimes certaine raines doe fall, yet recomfort they not the earth which is vnaccustomed to raine water. Thou knowest that Egypt hath no other hope but in the water of Nilus, by meanes whereof the yeare is either fruitfull or barren, according as Nilus hath exceeded her bounds eyther more or lesse. There is no labourer in that countrey that lifte••h vp his eyes vnto heauen; wherefore then may I not sport my selfe with my Poet, and alleage vnto him is Ouid, saying,

The herbs to IVPITER make no request To send them raine from heauen to wet their crest.

If a man could comprehend from whence Nilus beginneth to encrease, hee should finde likewise the causes of the increase thereof: but hauing run thorow the great desarts, it spreadeth it selfe into Marishes, whence comming to dis∣gorge himselfe into diuers currents that run here and there; first he beginneth to assemble them all together about Philus, which is a stony Island, ful of moun∣taines and hard to be landed at in any part, begirt with two Riuers, which mixe themselues in one, and fall into Nilus, whence they take their name. Nilus more large then violent, round about this place being discharged from AEthiopia, and running thorow the sands, that make a way vnto those which traffique in the Indian Seas, is receiued into Cataractes a famous place, by reason of the mar∣uailes that are seene therein. In this place Nilus rayseth it selfe am••dst high rockes and such as are hollowed and diuided in diuers parts, employing in this place all her forces. For the stones he meet••th withall breake him, in such sort as he attempteth to escape by the straights. In euery place where it findeth any breach or resistance it floateth and gathereth together his waters, which he had carried along without any noyse, and passeth with violence and vehement o∣uerflow thorow the most difficult passages, being no more like vnto himselfe, because in these straights it rouleth wholly troubled and muddie. But com∣ming to beate vpon the rockes, it fometh, and at that time the iniurie of the place, and not his nature, maketh him change colour. Afterwards, hauing s••r∣mounted

all that which hindereth him, he falleth suddenly and plainely into a marueilous depth, with such a noise as astonisheth the inhabitants of the coun∣trey round about, who hauing been planted in those places by the Persians, and being vnable to endure the continuall thunder that deafened their eares, went and encamped themselues in places more remote, and better for their rest. A∣mongst the wonders of this riuer, I haue heard more tell of the incredible bold∣nesse of those who abide in those quarters. Two men shippe themselues in a little boate, which the one of them guideth, and the other emptieth. Hauing long times balanced amidst the troubled waues o•• violent Nilus, they goe and retire themselues into some narrow channels, by which they escape the dan∣gerous passages of the rockes, where leaping into the middest of the streame, they gouerne the boate that is turned ouer them with their hand, and diuing their heads downeward to the great amaze of all the inhabitants that behold and bewaile them with bitter teares, thinking that they are swallowed vp in this gulfe of waters, they show themselues againe, and appeare very farre off from the place where they diuided so swiftly, as if they had beene pushed for∣ward by some engines, receiuing no other harme by the violent fall of this ••u∣rious streame, but that it bringeth them to still water. The first increase of Ni∣lus is obserued about the Isle aboue mentioned. A little further off it is se∣parated by the meanes of a rocke, which the Grecians cal Abatos, on which no men set foot except it bee the Priestes of that place. These stones first of all feele the encrease of Nilus. Farre off from this there appeare two rockes, which those of the Country name the veines of Nilus, from whence there issueth a great abundance of water, but not su••••icient to couer AEgypt. When any fe∣stiuall day commeth, the Priests cast in their mony, and the gouernours their iewels of gold in that part of Nilus. The which becomming more mighty in all mens sight, runneth by a deepe and large channell, yet not so great as hee might well haue, if it were not restrained by the mountaines that hem it in on euery side. Finally he getteth liberty about Memphis, and hauing the Cham∣pion at his command, hee maketh diuers riuers, and entreth into channels made by hand running thorow all Egypt, in such measure as they could wish, who diuert the streame. From the beginning hee deuideth himselfe into two armes, and then reioyning his waters, hee issueth foorth after the manner of a Lake or troubled sea. His violent course relenteth by reason of the extent of the prouinces, ouer which hee is spred, embracing both on the right and the left hand all Egypt. As much as Nilus encreaseth, so much is there hope of fer∣tility, neyther doth the computation deceiue the husbandman, it is so answe∣rable to the measure of the floud, which seemeth to fatten the sandy and altered earth, vpon which hee powreth his streame, and dischargeth his mud al at once: for hauing his waters troubled, hee leaueth the thickest in drie places, and such as are exposed to heate, afterwards hee manureth all the desert field with all the fat which hee hath brought with him, aiding the territorie by his inundation, & by this glewing and clammy fatnesse, in such sort as all that which is not wate∣red, remaineth barren and desert. Encreasing beyond measure he hurteth. By this reckoning behold a ma••uailous floud, which whereas many other small riuers doe but wash and waste the lands, diminishe••h them nothing, but con∣trariwise fortifieth them: for by the meanes of his mudde hee fat••eth and bin∣deth the sands: so that Egypt ascribeth not onely her fertility, but her good ter∣ritory also to the same. It is a goodly thing to behold Nilus when it hath co∣uered the champion. The fields are hidden, the vallies are couered, or appeare

not but in forme of Isles. There is no traffique in the Midland places, except by boats, and the lesse the people see of these fields, the more reioyce they. But when as Nilus containeth himselfe within his bounds, hee floweth by seuen mouthes or chanels into the Mediterranean seas, and which of these mouthes thou wilt consider it is but a sea. True it is that it spreadeth some other little armes in other shores which haue no name. Besides there are foūd in this riuer diuers monsters as huge & cruel as those in the sea, which may suffice to make it knowne that it is Nilus. Since he containeth such creatures and feedeth them abundantly, and hath place large enough to containe. Balbillus an excellent man, and one of the learnedest in this world, writeth, that at such time as he gouer∣ned AEgypt, with the greatest mouth of Nilus, called Hereaclioteca, hee had this pastime to behold a great troope of Dolphines comming from the sea, and another troope of Crocodiles comming out of Nilus, as if arranged in battell to encounter one another, and that the Crocodiles were ouercome by the Dol∣phins, which are peaceable fish and bite not. The Crocodiles haue a maruel∣lous hard and impenetrable backe, so that other creatures that are more great and dreadfull cannot hurt them, but their bellies are soft and tender. It was in this place that the Dolphins pierced them with the fins, and bristles they had on their backes•• in such sort as they cut out their bowels, and made them sinke: many were dispatched in this sort, the rest as being put to flight, returned them∣selues swiftly against the streame of Nilus. The Crocodile hath this propertie, that he flieth before these that run after him, and runneth after those that flie him. The Tontentes get the better of them, not for any priuiledge of genero∣sitie they haue aboue the other Egyptians, but for their contempt and temeri∣tie. For they willingly hunt the Crocodile, and cast a snare ouer them as they flie, by meanes whereof they draw them to them: but diuers of these Tonten∣tes that haue not sufficient courage to pursue the Crocodile, resolutely are de∣uoured by them. Theophrastas saith, that the water of Nilus was somewhat salt. For the space of two yeares vnder the raigne of Cleopatra, that is to say, in the tenth and the eleuenth yeare Nilus slowed not, which ••ignified according to the report of the Diuines, the change of the State vnder the gouernment of two, vvhich vvere Anthonie and Cleopatra, vnder vvhom the Kingdome vvas reduced into the forme of a Prouince. Calimachus is the Author that in times past the Nile vvas nine yeares vvithout vvatering Egypt. But now let vs consider the causes of the encrease of Nilus in Summer, and let vs beginne with the most ancient. Anaxagorus saith, That the snowes that are moulten vpon the mountaines of AEthiopia, runne and discharge themselues in Nilus. All antiquitie followeth the same opinion. AEschilus, Sophocles and Eu∣ripides haue taught no lesse. But that this is false it appeareth by many argu∣ments. First of all, That AEthiopia is a countrey extreamely hot, it appeareth by the tawnie colour of the inhabitants, and by the testimonie of the Troglo∣tides, who haue their houses vnder earth: the rockes and stones are as they were on fire, not only at mid-day, but also in the euening: the sand is so hot, that a man cannot walke vpon it, the siluer waxeth lead, the soder or ioyning of the images dissolues, there is no couerture of any enriched matter that can endure. The Southerly wind that cōmeth from that countrey is extreamely hot. Those beasts that hide themselues in the winter, liue continually abroad. In the time of least heat, the Serpents creepe abroad. In Alexandria likewise, farre distant from these excessiue heats, it snoweth not, neither falleth there any raine on the highest places. How can it then be, that a countrie that is exposed to so great

heats of the Sunne, there should any snowes fall all the Winter time? Truely there should some other mountaines be couered therewith, and namely those of Thrace and Caucasus. But those Riuers that streame along from the moun∣taines, swell about the spring time, and vpon the beginning of Summer, and af∣terwards decrease in Winter. For in the Spring time the snowes are melted, and about the first dayes of the summer the Sunne dissipateth the rest. The Rhine, the Rhos••e, Danubius and Caystre, are small in winter, but great in summer: The Northerne mountaines are charged with very much snow. The Riuer Phasis that runneth in those quarters should encrease then, if towards the sum∣mer time the swowes could make the Riuers swell. Furthermore, if such were the cause of the encrease of Nile, it should be very great in the beginning of sum∣mer, because at that time, the snowes are at that time entire in great heapes. But Nilus floweth as proudly for foure monthes space, alwayes in the same estate, if thou wilt beleeue Thales, the Etesian windes resist Nilus in his discent, and bri∣dle his courses, thrusting the sea against the entrances of his chanels, by meanes of which repulse he floweth backe againe and encreaseth not, but because he cannot haue further passage, he swelleth and ouerfloweth in euery place where he may make his way. Enthymenes of Marscillus accordeth hereunto, saying, I haue sailed in the Atlantique sea, thence floweth Nilus more greater, as long as the Etesians blow, for then the sea being pressed by these winds repulseth them against their streame. When such windes cease the sea waxeth calme, and Ni∣lus that returneth backe hath lesse force. Then is the sea-water sweete, and the monsters in the same resemble those of Nilus. Why therefore? If the Etesians make Nilus to swell, why doth the encrease thereof begin, before these winds rise, and continue after they are laid? Whence likewise commeth it to passe, that it is not more great at such time as they blow more rudely. For he neither riseth nor falleth, whether they blow more or lesse, which would come to passe if he encreased by their forces. Furthermore, the Etesian windes beat vpon the shoares of Egypt, and Nilus streameth against them, contrariwise he would issue from the places whence they came, if he tooke his originall from them. Besides, he would flow from the sea pure and blew, not troubled and dirtie, as he doth at that present. Besides infinite testimonies speake wholly to the contrarie of this opinion. Then was there place for falsehood to preuaile, when the coasts were vnknowne. It was lawfull for them that spake to publish their fables. But at this day all the coast of the sea is frequented by their ships who traffique•• none of which say, that the water of Nilus is blew, or that the sea hath any o∣ther taste then it hath vsually, which likewise Nature forbiddeth to be belee∣ued. For the Sunne draweth that which is most light, and sweet. Besides, why encreaseth it not in winter? Since at that time the windes being more violent then they were accustomed might moue the sea? For the Etesians are mode∣rate. Furthermore, if he were deriued from the Atlantique sea, hee would at one time fill all Egypt. But he encreaseth by degrees. The Philosopher Oeno∣pides of Chios saith, that in winter the heate is hidden vnder earth, by meanes whereof the dens are hot, and the fountaine water is warme, by meanes where∣of the vaines of the earth are dried by internall heate. But in other countries the flouds encrease by the meanes of raine. But the Nile, because he is not as∣sisted by any other raine he waxeth the lesse, and then encreaseth in summer, at such time as the inward parts of the earth are cold, and the fountaines are fresh and coole. But if this were true, the riuers should encrease, and all the foun∣taines should be full in summer. I say likewise that in summer time the heate is

not greater vnder earth. The water, the lower caues, and the fountaines are warme, because they receiue not the aire that is cold without, so then they haue no heate, but they driue out cold. From the same cause proceedeth this, that they are fresh in summer, because the aire being remote and seuered from the same, and afterwards warmed, attaineth not so farre. Diogenes Apollinaris is of that opinion, that the Sunne draweth humiditie vnto him, which is sucked vp from the sea, and other waters by the drie land, that it cannot be that one earth should be drie, and another moist, because all is perforated and full of pas∣sages. Those things that are drier doe sometimes borrow from the moister, and if the earth receiued not from other parts, long since had it fallen to dust. So then the Sunne draweth the waues, but the meridianall regions are those that haue most need: when the earth is dried, she draweth more humiditie vnto her. E∣uen as in lamps, the oyle runneth thither where it consumeth, so the water run∣neth into that part, where the vehemencie of heat and of the parched earth cal∣leth it. Whence then is she drawne? From those parts that are alwayes cold, that is, from the Northerne parts whence she floweth. For this cause the Pon∣tique sea powreth her streame continually into that which is the lower, not by ebbes and flouds after the manner of other seas, but tending and running al∣wayes violently towards that part. If this were not, if that which euery one wanteth were not supplied, and that which were excessiue were not sent backe againe by the same wayes, the earth should peece-meale be brought to dust, or drowned in the water. I would willingly demand of Diogenes, since that this sea and the riuers ioyne themselues together: Whence it commeth to passe, that the riuers in all countries are not more big in summer time: The Sunne scorch∣eth Egypt more then all other regions, and therefore Nilus encreaseth the more: But in other countries likewise there is some encrease of riuers? Further∣more, how commeth it to passe that some places are wholly drie, since that all the earth draweth vnto her the humiditie of other countries, and so the more the drie earth shall be exposed to the Sunne. Finally, whence commeth it that Nilus is sweete, if his water floweth from the sea? For there is no riuer more sweet in taste then Nilus is.

CHAP. III.

IF I should maintaine that haile is made as yce is, the whole cloud being frozen, I should vndertake a thing that were ouer-headie. Therfore number me amongst those witnesses of the second note, who deny that they haue seene, but auow that they haue heard it. Or at leastwise I will doe that which the Historians doe. For they when they haue fained many things according to their owne fancie, will not maintaine a∣ny one thing of consequence•• but adde these words, I refer my selfe to the credit of the Authors. Possidonius wil answere for me, as wel in that which I haue alrea∣die entreated of, as in that which followeth. For he will affirme that the haile is made of a rainy cloud conuerted into water, as boldly as if he had beene pre∣sent at the making. But why haile is round, thou thy selfe mayest know with∣out a master, when as thou shalt obserue, that euery thing that droppeth gathe∣reth it selfe into a round, which likewise appeareth in glasses, which gather a kind of dew from our breath, and in pots that are powred o••t, and in euery o∣ther light thing, as in the leaues of herbes and trees, if any drop cleaue vnto them, they are alwayes round.

What is more hard then stone? more soft then water, Yet hardest stones by softest drops are pierced.

Or as another Poet saith:

The drops that fall doe pierce the stone.

And this hollownesse is round also, whence it appeareth that the water hath some resemblance with the stone that it holloweth, for it maketh a hole in the same, that is answerable to her forme and habitude. Furthermore, although the haile were not such, yet in falling it might grow round, and tumbling so long thorow a thicke aire, take an equall forme on euery side, which the snow cannot do; because it is not so solide, but is rather spread abroad, and falleth not from any great height, but taketh his originall from the lower region of the aire, so that it commeth not from an aire farre distant, but falleth from a place neere at hand. Why may not I giue my selfe as much libertie as Anaxagoras did, wher∣as free libertie should be amongst no men more then amongst Philosophers? Haile is nought else but suspended yee. The snow is a sort of congelation hang∣ing in the frost. There is such a difference betwixt frost and yce, and snow and yce, as betweene water and dew.

CHAP. IIII.

ANd hauing resolued this question, I might dismisse and repose my selfe, but I will giue thee full measure, since I haue begun to be troublesome vnto thee, I will relate whatsoeuer it be, that may grow in question vpon this matter. The question is then why it snoweth in winter, and haileth not, and after that the cold hath beene broken by a milder weather, the haile falleth? Although thou thinkest that I am deceiued, yet account I it for true, which I apprehend in my minde, which permitteth it selfe to beleeue these trifling tales, wherein men are accu∣stomed to nip our tongues, and not to pull out our eyes. In winter the aire free∣seth, by meanes whereof it resolueth not himselfe into water, but into snow, to which the aire is more neerer. In the beginning of the Spring there followeth a great change of weather, and the aire being become more warme, there suc∣ceed more greater raine. Vpon which occasion our Poet Virgil saith,

When as showre-bearing spring,

Discouereth it selfe, the change of the ayre being opened, and resolued euery wayes by the assistance of the season, is farre more vehement. For this cause the raynes fall more waightie and thicke, but they continue not. The Winter hath lent, and thick showers, which we see oftentimes happen when the snow falleth amidst a rare and thin raine. We say that it is a snowie day when it is colde and the heauen is couered: contrariwise, when the Northeast winde bloweth and gouerneth in the ayre, the raines are more small; but when the Southern winde rayneth the raine is more strong, and the drops greater.

CHAP. V.

THat which is resolued by our Stoiques, neyther dare I speake because it is but weakely grounded, neyther must I let it passe. For what euill is it to write any thing that is presented vnto vs? For if we will exactly examine, and make a diligent scrutiny of all things, it were better to be silent, since there is scarcely any thing that is maintayned by the one, that is not impugned by the other. For there are very few things without contradiction. They say therefore that all that which is frozen about Scithia and Pontus, and to the Northward, dissol∣ueth in the spring time: that at that time the Riuers thaw, and that the snowes wherewith the mountaines are couered, melt; by meanes wherof it is very like, that the colder windes engender such a change, and intermixe themselues with the ayre of the spring time. They further adde that which I haue not yet try∣ed, nor haue the will to do the same; and I counsaile thee that if thou wilt know the truth thereof, not to make triall in this sort if the snow be colde. Mark what they say, that they that treade vpon the firme and hard snow haue not so much colde in their feet, as those that treade vpon the snow that is newly falne. If they speake true, all that which commeth from the Northerly places (wh••n as the snow is distributed, and the yce is broken) tieth and constraineth the warm and moyst ayre of the Southerne parts: and therefore when it should raine the vehemencie of the colde will make it fall into haile.

CHAP. VI.

I Cannot temper my selfe, but that I must needes discouer all the follies of our Stoickes, who affirme that there are some men so well experienced in the obseruations of clouds, that they can fore∣tell when it shall haile, hauing the meanes to comprehend the same, by long vse, by obseruing the colour of the clouds, after which haile hath followed so many times. It is an incredible matter that in the Citie of Cleone there were certaine men chosen to this end vpon the common purse, which were named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, obseruers of the haile. When these had giuen the signe that haile would suddenly follow, what ex∣pectest thou, that men should run to th••ir clokes, or their letherne peltches? Nay rather, euery one sacrificed for himselfe a Lambe or a Pullet; and forth∣with those clouds declined another way, after he had tasted some little of the bloud: Dost thou laugh at this? Beholde cause of more laughter; if ther•• were any that had neyther Lambe nor Pullet, he drew his owne bloud, wherein hee neyther hurt himselfe nor any other man. And to the end that thou shouldest not thinke that the clouds are cru••ll and desirous of bloude, one of them with a sharpe p••n-knife pricked one of his fingers, and offered his bloud: at that the haile fled away from his field that had sacrificed thus, as from those pastures whose Master had the meanes by more greater offerings to preuent the emi∣nent euill.

CHAP. VII.

SOme seeke a reason hereof. Othersome that are more wise say, that it is impossible to couenant with the haile, and to redeeme the tempests by their diminutiue presents, although th•• gods are pa∣cified by such meanes. Some there are, that holde ••hat they of Cleones thought, that there was some secret vertue in bloud, to turne away and repulse the cloude. But how may so great power be inclosed in so little bloud as to mount so high, and to cause a resentment in the clouds. The shortest way, was to say that all that was no other thing but a fable, & a lie: yet they of Cleones punished those that had not the care to foresee and prouide against tempests, because by their negligence their Vineyards were beaten, or their cornelayed. And amongst vs, in the law of the twelue tables it was for••bidden, that no man should enchant another mans fruite. The auncient Id••ots and those of little iudgement, beleeued that the inchanters caused the raines ei∣ther to faile or fall; but it is a thing most euident, that they cannot doe it, yea, and so manifest, that the cause hereof is not to be examined in any Philoso∣phers Schoole.

CHAP. VIII.

YEt one thing will I adde more, and it will content thee to fauour and applaude it. They say that snow is made in that Region of the ayre that is neerest vnto the earth, and that hath most heat, for three causes: the first is, that euery exhalation of the earth, wheras it hath much heate and drie within, it is so much the more hotter the neerer it is: the second, that the beams of the Sun reflect vpon the ••arth, and reuerberate backe to themselues; the which redoubling warms all that which is neere••t to the earth, the which hath more warmth, because they feele the Sun twice: the third cause is, that the higher parts are more beaten by the windes, but whatsoeuer are lowest are lesse beaten by the windes.

CHAP. IX.

TO these may a man adde the reason of Democritus: the more solid a body is, the more suddenly receiueth it heate, and keepeth it the longer. Therefore if you set a vessell of brasse, or glasse, or silu••, in the Sunne, that of brasse is warmed soonest, and keepeth the heate longest. He expresseth the reason in this sort: It must needs be that the pores and passages of those bodies that are closed, solid and thicke should be more lesse then the rest, and that the ayre that entereth should be farre more subtile. It followeth then, that as the Sto••es that are lesse spati∣ous, and the smallest. Ouens are soone••t hot; so the pores and pa••sages that are hidden, and cannot be obserued by the eye, doe more speedily entertaine the heate, and because they are so narrow, deliuer ouer this heate more slowly then they haue receiued it.

CHAP. X.

THese long Prefaces bring vs to the point that is now in question•• All aire is more thick, according as it is more neere vnto the earth•• As in the water, and in all humiditie, the lees are found in the bot∣tome; so in the ayre, those things that are most thicke are alwaies lowest. But we haue alreadie proued that all things, the more their matter is thicke and solid, the more long time and more effectually keepe they the heate they haue receiued: but the more the ayre is raised and estrang∣ed from the ordures of the earth, the more pure and neate it is; by meanes whereof it retaineth not the Sunne, but letteth it passe as thorow a voyd place, and therefore is it that it warmeth lesse.

CHAP. XI.

COntrariwise, some say that the tops of the mountaines, being neere vnto the Sunne, should be also more ho••. But in my opi∣nion they deceiue themselues in this, that they thinke that the Apenine, the Alpes, and other renowned mountaines, by reason of their height haue their heads so high, that their tops may feele the neighbourhood of the Sunne: vndoubtedly these mountaines are high, if a man compare them with vs that are men; but when thou shalt consider the whole Vniuerse, euery one may perceiue that both mountaines and men ar•• things very base. The one compared with the other haue the vpper hand, and together they are nothing. Neyther is ther•• any thing, how high soeuer it be raised, that in comparison with the whole should be esteemed any thing; & if it were otherwise, we would not say, that all this circuit of the earth is but a bowl. The properties of a bowle is to be round in all equalit••e. Consider this equali∣tie in a ball; the s••itches, the corners and little holes that appeare therein, hinder not a man from s••ying that all the parts are round. But as these spaces hinder not this ball to haue a round figure, so in all the globe of the earth in the high∣est mountaines (whose tops are nothing if they be compared with the whole round) the same ought to be considered. He that saith that the highest moun∣taine, because it is neerest to the Sunne, should be more warmed, may say also that a great man should haue more heate then a little man, and that heate ought to be rather in the head then in the feete. But whosoeuer hath considered the world according to his measure, and r••membreth him s••lfe that the earth is the center or point of this great circumference, shall know that nothing may be so ••••gh in the same, that by that mean••s it may hau•• more sense of the ••ffect of the Sunne, and of those other celestiall fir••s, as if he were more neerer vnto them. These mountaines that we behold, and these high Tenari••es that are couered with perpetuall snowe•• are notwithstanding in the bottom. True it is, that a mount which is raised high is neerer the Sunne then a valley, but in such sort is it, as one thing is greater then another: for after this maner one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is said to be neerer heauen then another; which is false, because betweene those things that are little there cannot be any great difference, but whilst they are compared one with another. When wee come to the comparison of a mighty body, it skils not how much the one is greater then the other, becaus•• although it be with a great difference, yet are they called small.

CHAP. XII.

BVt to returne, by reason of the reason•• aboue mentioned, diuers haue bin o•• the opinion, that snow is made in the low••st region of the ayre, by meanes whereof it is sof••, because it i•• gathered of a cold that is lesse rigorous then that of other regions. The neigh∣bouring ayre hath too much colde to conuert it selfe into water and rain, and ouer little to be hardn••d into haile. Of thi•• moderate cold, and not too much intended are the snowes mad•• by the meanes of thicke waters.

CHAP. XIII.

WHy, saiest thou, dost thou prosecute so earnestly these follies, wher∣by thou shalt neyther become more l••arned, nor more b••tter? Thou tellest me how snowes are made, where it concerneth thee far more to let vs vnderstand why snowes are not to be bought. Thou willest me to pleade against dissolution: this is a daily and a fruitlesse brawle; yet let vs chide at it: although she be like to get the vpper hand, yet let her ouercome vs fighting and striuing against her. What then? Thinkest thou that this inspection of nature auaileth nothing to that which thou intendest? When we aske how snow is made, and say that by nature it is like vnto frost, that it containeth in it selfe more ayr•• then water; thinkest thou not that they are reproached hereby, because they buy not true water, but a far more baser thing? But let vs rather inquire how snowes are made, then how they are kept, because not contenting our selues to poure out our olde wine••, and to dispose them according to their sauours and age, we haue found out the inuention how to keepe snow, and to the end it might ouercome Summer, and defence it selfe against the heat of the yeare, by the coldnesse of the place, what haue we attained by this diligence? Forsooth this, to buy water that costeth vs nothing. It grieueth vs that we cannot buy the winde and the Sunne; or for that the ayre commeth so easily to present himselfe to a rich and more delicate sort, who could be contented to buy the same. O how impatiently endure wee that nature, the mother of all hath left nothing common to all. This which she would haue flow and lie open to all men; this which she hath made publike, to the end that all men might drinke therof to entertaine life, that which she hath largely and happily dispensed for all, to serue the common vse of men, of sauage beasts, of birds and all other liuing creatures, that are the most idle, that hath d••••••solution (ingenuous in her owne mischiefe) drawne vnto a price; so is noth•••••• pleasing vnto her except it cost deere. This was the onely thing that equalled the rich with the common sort, in which onely they could not exceed the poo∣rest. For him was this deuised (whose riches are troublesome to himselfe) to feed his dissolution euen in water. I will tell you whence it came to passe that no running water seemed cold enough for vs. As long as the stomacke is sound and capable of conuenient nourishment, and is filled but not ouerpressed, it is content with naturall supplies, it feeleth not the heate of the time, but his in∣ward distemper; when as continuall drunkennesse encampeth in his bowels, and the noble parts are inflamed by a cholericke humour that seizeth the sto∣macke, men seeke necessarily for somewhat that may temper that heate which

waxeth more violently by those waters that are poured on it, and the remedy increaseth the sicknesse. And therefore not in Summer onely, but in the depth of winter they drinke water for this cause. What is the cause hereof but an e∣uill 〈…〉〈…〉 intrailes rotted and spoyled by excesse, to which no intermissi∣on hath bin granted, to concoct & digest that which they had th••ust into them; but some haue heaped on their dinners those nightly banquets, which haue la∣sted till the next day morning, gourmandize and drunkennesse plunging as it were into a gulfe, mens stomacks charged with abundance and diuersities of wines and meates. Besides this, intemperance that hath no intermission, hauing greedily deuoured all that which was presented vnto him, becomes mad, and inflameth it selfe alwayes in a new desire to follow his traine. Although therfore they garnish their chambers with Tapestrie and other ornaments, and with huge fires conquer the vehemency of the colde, yet notwithstanding their sto∣mackes cloyed and weakened by their proper heate, seeketh some sollace to re∣fresh themselues. For ••uen as we cast colde water vpon their faces that faint and are in a ••wound, to the end we may reuiue them, so the entrailes of these disso∣lute men, wholly stupified with so much excesse, feele nothing, except you a∣wake them with these extreame colde drinkes. Hence commeth it that they content not themselues with snow, but steepe their yce in store of fresh water, as if the thickenesse thereof gaue them some more certaine refreshing. And this yee is not taken from that which groweth aboue, but to the end it may haue more force, and a more vehement colde, they draw it and digge it out of the deeper places. Therefore is it, that these delicacies haue more prises then one, and there is traffique both of water and yce, according to the diuersities of the seasons of the yeare, to the great dishonour of the buyers and the sellers. The Lacedemonians banished Perfumers out of their Citie, and commanded them suddenly to depart out of their confines, because they wasted their oyle. What would they haue done if they had seene the shops and store-houses for snow, and so many horses appointed to carrie water, whose colour and sauour they alter by the meanes of the straw wherein they keepe it? But good gods, how easie a thing is it to extinguish wholsome thirst? But what can dull and dead jawes, stupified with burning meates, feele? Euen as nothing is colde enough for them, so nothing is hot enough: but they thrust downe the scalding mor∣sels, speedily drowned in their sawce, halfe smoaking into their stomacks, to the end they may extinguish them with snowie potions. Thou shalt see certaine leane fellowes, armed against the colde vp to the chin, pale and ill disposed, that not onely swallow downe, but also eate snow, casting great morsels of the same into their cups, fearing least in forbearing their drinke a little, it should waxe warme. Thinkest thou that this is thirst? It is a feuor, yea, so malignant that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neyther discouered in touching the pulse, nor by the colour that appeareth in the face. But intemperance an inuincible euill, of soft and fluid becomming hard and stupid burneth the heart it selfe. Knowest thou not that all things loose their force by custome? Therefore this snow, in which at this day you that are delicate, are as it were plunged, by vse and continuall seruitude of the stomacke hath gotten this priuiledge, that it obtaineth the place of water. Seek out now some other thing that is more colde, for an ordinary and accustomed freshnesse and coolenesse is as much to you as nothing.

Notes

• What content∣ment a vertuous man receiueth by himselfe.
• The poyson o•• ••lattery a taste for great men.
• A goodly touch against a fool••sh rub man, and a comedie a∣gainst auarice.
• The praise of Gallio, Sene∣caes brother.
• How we ought to entertaine a flatterer.
• How a man ought to prise himselfe.
• The meanes to reproue hypocri∣sie, and to forti∣fie vertue.
• The sincere loue betwixt Seneca and Lucillius.
• He entereth into discourse of the encrease of Ni∣lus in Summer.
• In what time of the Summer this increase is made.
• The passages and courses of Nilus.
• The Cataracts of Nilus.
• A rocke whence first encrease of Nilus i•• percey∣ued.
• In what place hee getteth his freedome.
• The mouthes or chanals of Nilus.
• The Mar••ailes contained in the same.
• A combate be∣tweene the Dol∣phins of the sea, and Crocodiles of Nilus.
• The properties of the Crocodiles.
• The causes of the encrease of Nilus in summ••r according to the opinion o•• the Ancients, which is false.
• The opinion of Thales, as tou∣ching th•• incurse of Nilus.
• Euthymenes opinion.
• The examinati∣on of these opini∣ons.
• An answere to Oenopides o∣pinion.
• The examinati∣on of Diogenes Apolloniates his opinion.
• An instance that wrappeth Diogenes in new absurdities.
• How the haile is made.
• Possidonius o••inion.
• The difference betweene snow and haile.
• Why it snoweth, but haileth not in winter.
• The ••pinion of the Po••t vpon this point.
• O•• those that for••tell wh•••• it shall haite.
• Whether th••re be any reaso•• in this pr••dicti••••.
• In what region of the ayre the snow is made.
• Democritus reason annexed to the preceden••.
• The l••west Regi∣on of the ayre is more darkesome and l••sse pure.
• Why the tops of the highest moun∣taines haue lesse sense of the heat of the Sun then the vallies.
• Why the s••••w is soft.
• Of the res••lution of this question: ••e en••ereth into censure against the Epicures of this world, who abuse snow.
• A pleasant and fit comparison, to shew the mi∣series of the dis∣solute.
• A liuely descrip∣tion of belly∣gods, and how great was Sene∣caes admired hatred against all excesse.