Kingdomes with-out iustice, how like they are vnto theeuish purchases. CHAP. 4.
SET iustice aside then, and what are kingdomes but faire theeuish purchases? because what (a) are theeues purchases but little kingdomes? for in thefts, the hands of the vnderlings are directed by the commander, the confederacie of them is sworne together, and the pillage is shared by the law amongst them. And if those ragga-muffins grow but vp to be able enough to keepe forts, build habita∣tions, possesse cities, and conquer adioyning nations, then their gouernment is no more called theeuish, but graced with the eminent name of a kingdome, gi∣uen and gotten, not because they haue left their practises, but because that now they may vse them with-out danger of lawe: for elegant and excellent was (b) that Pirates answer to the Great Macedonian Alexander, who had taken him: the king asking him how he durst molest the seas so, hee replyed with a free spirit, How darest thou molest the whole world? But because I doe it with a little ship onely, I am called a theefe: thou doing it with a great Nauie, art called an Emperour.
L. VIVES.
WHat are (a) theeues] The world (saith Cyprian very elegantly to Donatus) is bathed in flouds of mutuall bloud: when one alone kills a man, it is called a crime, but when a many together doe it, it is called a vertue. Thus, not respect of innocence, but the greatnesse of the fact sets it free from penaltie. And truly, fighting belongs neither to good men, nor theeues, nor to any that are men at all, but is a right bestiall furie, and therefore was it named Bellum, of Bellua, a beast. Cic. offic. Fest. (b) The Pirates] out of Tully de Rep. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. as Nonni∣nus Marcellus saith. The King asking him what wickednesse mooued him to trouble the * 1.1 whole sea with one onely gally-foyst? the same (saith he) that makes thee trouble the whole earth. Lucane calles Alexander a happy theefe of earth, and
Terrarum fatale malum, fulmenque quod omnes * 1.2 Percuteret populos, pariterque & sydus iniquum Gentibus,—Earths fatall mischiefe, and a cloud of thunder Rending the world: a starre that struck in sunder The Nations—