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. XXI.

THis rather, and more rightly, may be drawne into some question, what a poore captiue should doe, when as a man prostituted in body, infamous and dishonest in speech, offereth to pay downe the price of his ransome? Shall I suffer my selfe to be redeemed by so impure and base a wretch? and againe, when I am dischar∣ged, what thankes shall I returne him? Shall I liue with an impudent and s••urri∣lous fellow? shall I not liue with him that hath redeemed mee? no truly, for herein thus standeth my opinion. Euen from any such a one would I receiue the money which I would employ for my redemption, yet so would I receiue it as money vpon interest, not as an act of curtesie. I will repay him his money, and if after that I shall finde him in any danger, or pressed by necessitie, I will re∣lieue his wants, preuent his danger, yet contract no such friendship with him, as should bee correspondent betwixt men of equall vertue. Neither will I rec∣kon him for such a one as hath saued my life, but make accompt of him as an vsurer, to whom I know I must repay back againe that which I haue borrowed. Contrariwise, if there bee some worthy and vertuous person, from whom I should receiue a curtesie, yet ought I not receiue the same, if I knew that there∣by hee should incurre any detriment, because that I am assured that he is ad∣dressed (though it be to his owne hinderance, nay which is more, to the hazard of his life) to doe me a pleasure. I vnderstand that he is resolued (knowing me to bee accused of a capitall crime) to pleade my cause, and to vndertake my de∣fence, though it be to his disgrace, and the displeasure of his Prince. I should shew my selfe an enemie vnto him (if indeuouring himselfe to vnder••goe dan∣ger for my sake.) I should not performe that which is most easie for mee to ac∣complish, that is, to entertaine the damage my selfe, without his detriment or

danger. Here Hecaton setteth downe an example (which is no waies answe∣rable to the purpose) of Archelaus, who would not receiue a certaine summe of money which was offered him by a yong man, who was subiect to the gouern∣ment of his Father, because hee would not offend the couetous and niggardly parent. What did Archelaus herein that was worthy praise? Is it because hee would not receiue that which was stollen from his Father? Is it because hee would not entertaine the gift, least he should be tied to recompence, and restore it againe? What modestie or vertue vsed he in not accepting other mens monie? But leauing this, if it be necessarie to set downe an example of a generous mind, let vs make vse of Graecinus Iulius, a man of rare vertue; whom Caius Caesar put to death for this cause only; in that he was a better and honester man, than any one ought to be, who should liue with and vnder a Tyrant. This man, at such time as he receiued a certaine quantitie of money from the hands of his friends (who contributed and leuied the same to defray the charge and expence of those publique playes which he prepared) refused a great summe of money which * 1.1 Fabius Persicus sent vnto him. His friends which respected not him that sent the money, but only the money that was sent, reproued him, because he would not accept the same. Will you (said he) haue me receiue a benefit from such a man, whom I would not pledge, although he offered me the cup? And when as a 1.2 Rebillius (one who sometimes had beene Consull, yet of no lesse infamie) had sent him a greater summe of money, and instantly intreated him to com∣mand his seruants to receiue the same. I pray you (said he) pardon me, for PER∣SICVS offered me the same, and yet I accepted it not. b 1.3 Whether is this to receiue presents, or to examine the receiuers?

Notes

• * 1.1

  This Fabius Persicus was Consul vnder Tibetius, a man of great note in Rome.
• a 1.2

  This Rebil∣lius was Consul vnder Iulius Caesar, and Augustus Cae∣sar, who died in his Consulship.
• b 1.3

  Here vndoub∣tedly some rea∣sons are deficient wh••nce grow••th this question, as may be gathered by the little con∣formitie it hath wi••h that which g••••••h before. See Pincianus vpon this place.