Cato major, or, The book of old age first written by M.T. Cicero ; and now excellently Englished by William Austin of Lincolns Inne, Esquire ; with annotations upon the names of the men and places.

CHAP. XVI.

I Could proceed further in the countrey delights; but I feare I have been somewhat too long alrea∣dy, but you must pardon me, for

I am provoked by the delight which I take therein; and indeed old age, (that I may not seem par∣tiall, to free it from all faults) is somewhat talkative. But Marcus Curius when he had triumphed over the Samnites, the Sabins, and Pyrrhus, spent the last part of his age in that kinde of life; whose farme∣house when I behold, (for it is not farre from mine) I cannot suf∣ficiently admire, both the continen∣cy of the man, and his manner of life. The Samnits once brought a a great summe of gold to this Curi∣us, as he was sitting in his coun∣trey-house by the fire, but he re∣fused it, saying that it was no com∣mendable thing in his mind to have gold, but to command them which have gold. Could not such a minde make age pleasant? But I returne to Countrey-men, least I

should depart from my self. In those dayes there lived old men and Se∣nators in that countrey, so that it was told [1] Lucius Quintus Cin∣cinnatus, that he was created [2] Dictator, when he was a plowing in the field; even he at whose com∣mand [3] C. Servilius Hala slew Spurius Melius, who aspired to the Kingdome; Curius and others were called out of their farme-houses to the senat, wherof they that weresent for them, were called Viatores; was therefore their age to be called mi∣serable, who were thus delighted with husbandry? truly in my o∣pinion, no life is more happy, ei∣ther in the tilling it selfe, (which is very healthfull to a mans body) or as I have said in the pleasure, plenty, and abundance of all things, which either appertain to the service of man, or the worship of God. And because some do

much desire this pleasure, let us now close again with pleasure. The Country-cellar of a frugall and diligent master, is alwayes full of wine, and oyl, and his house is replenished with all things needful; it aboundeth with porke, kid, lamb, poultrey, milk, honey, &c. also his garden is to the husbandman another storer, and then hunting and hawking makes his life the sweeter. What should I speake of the greennesse of the meddowes, of the order & fashion of the vines, and olive trees? I will soon con∣clude, there can be nothing more profitable for use, or more pleasant in show, then a well tilled field: To the enjoying of which age doth not hinder, but rather intice and allure us. For where may a man be better warmed in the winter, ei∣ther by the sun or the fire, then there, and where better cooled in

the summer, either by the shadow of trees, or the rivers of water, then there? therefore young men have their weapons, their horses, their speares, their swimming, the ball, the club, and their races, and they leave to us old men the cards and the tables which we sometimes use when we list; for age may be right happy without them.

XVI. Table of Annotations.

• 1. LUcius Quintus Cincinnatus Tribune of the souldiers. An∣no 370. he was made Dictator, when he was found in the field at plow, with his face and hands all dirty.
• ...

• ... 2. Dictator was the most excellent of∣fice among the Romans; he was also called Magister populi; he was never created, but when there was some suddain uproar, that threatned the overthrow of the Kingdome; no man might appeal from him, but all estates obeyed him. Titus Lar∣gius was the first Dictator; no man might hold it above six∣moneths, because it was of sokingly and absolute power; but Coesar when he gat it, was so ambitious, that he kept it till his death.
• 3. Caius Hala slew Spurius Melius at the commandement of Quintus Cincinnatus the Dictator for aspi∣ring to be king, for which he was made Master of the horsemen, Anno aburbe cond. 316.