The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister.

SECT. XXXIX. The opinion of untimely Death examin'd.

AWAY then with these Sayings, little better than fit for old Wives; that it is miserable to dye before ones time: What time, I pray? that of Nature? Now she hath lent Life, as Cash, at no day certain of payment prefix'd; what reason then have you to murmur, if she calls in her own when she pleaseth, since you receiv'd it upon that con∣dition? The same Persons, if a Child dye young, think it ought to be born patiently, and if in the Cradle, without any complaint. Yet nature hath more rigorously exacted of him, her Loan. He had not as yet, say they, tasted the sweets of Life; but this other had entertain'd great expectations, and had already begun the enjoyment of them. Now in all other benefits, the very having get some share, is counted better than to get none at all. Why should it

be otherwise in Life? However, Callimachus, say not unhandsomly, that Priam wept much oftner than Troilus. But their fortune is commended, who dye of Age. Why? because, I warrant, had their life been longer, it could not have been so plea∣sant. Certainly nothing is so sweet to man; as Wisdom: Now though old Age impair us in other things, yet it improves us in that. But what Age is long? or indeed what can man long have? lately Children, and presently after Youths; doth not old Age, pursuing close behind, in the Race over∣take us e're we are aware? But we count this long, because we have nothing further to proceed to. All these accounts pass for long or short, accor∣ding to the proportion they bear, with the space allotted to each kind. By the mouth of the Hy∣panis, which on the side of Europe, falleth into the Black-Sea; Aristotle reports certain Insects to be bred, that live but one day. Such therefore, of these, as dye at two in the Afternoon, dye elderly; but such, as at Sunset, very aged; and the more, if it be on the longest day in Summer. Compare our life, at longest, with Eternity; we shall be found, in a manner, as short-liv'd as are these Insects.