THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
SOmetimes we may think to repair a losse, and thereby hazard a greater misfortune. For albeit the saying be common, that a man must seek his coat where he lost it, as Dicers do; yet there is alwayes more certainty in seek∣ing,* 1.1 then in finding. For the circle of humane affairs being carried round in a course, doth not suffer happinesse to continue with one Party. And thereupon it was, That Pit∣tacus dedicated a Ladder to the Temple of Mitylene, to put men in mind of their con∣dition;* 1.2 which is nothing else but going up and down. The life of a souldier is a mere Her∣maphrodite,* 1.3 and taketh part of either sex of Fortune; and is made by Nature to beget Hap∣pinesse of Adversity, and mischances of Good hap: as if the cause of all causes, by intermix∣ing sweet with sower, would lead us to his Pro∣vidence, and consequently to himself, the first Mover of all Motions.
The diversity of these events are so inchained together, as one seemeth to have relation to the other. For this task admitted not of veni, vi∣di, vici, I only came, and saw, and over∣came; nor went on with Alexander, march∣ing over the Plains of Asia, without rub or counterbuffe: but the businesse was disposed, here to receive a blow, and there to gain a vi∣ctory. And so this losse at Dyrraechium made the battel at Pharsalia the more glorious, and beautified the course of this warre with variety of chances. The best use of these Disasters, is that which C••oesus made of his crosse fortunes, Mei casus,* 1.4 et si ingrati, mihi tamen extitere disciplina; My mishaps, though they be unpleasing enough, yet they have still taught me something.