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

SECT. XLVIII. Those of Demigods, Oracles, and in Panegyri∣cal Commemorations of such as have dy'd for their Country.

THERE is told us a fine Tale about Silenus, who having been caught by Midas, is written to have given him this recompence for his release, that he taught the King. (g) For man not to be born, is far the best; but next to that, to dye speedily; to which Sense Euripides in his Cresphantes alluded.

'Twere fit at the same House we met to mourn, Where any Child into the World is born; But who by death his painful days should end, Friends would his Obsequies with mirth attend.

Somewhat to the same effect is found in Cran∣tors Book of Consolation, for he saith, that one Elisius a Terinese being greatly afflicted at the death of his Son, came into an Oratory to enquire what might be the Cause of so great a Calamity, and that three Verses to this purport were given him in a Table-Book.

Here men in darkness, stray without a guide; A natural death thy Son Enthynous dy'd, Thus best for him and thee, did Fates provide.

Upon these, and like Authorities, they prove that the cause hath been decided by a Divine Sen∣tence.

One Alcidamas an ancient Rhetorician of the highest Rank, for eminency hath gone so far, as to pen an Encomium of Death, which consists in a rehearsal of the Miseries, which accompany mans Life. The Reasons, which are more accu∣rately collected by Philosophers, he wanted; co∣piousness of Language, he wanted not. Now (h) Deaths for their Country embrac'd with eminent Reso∣lution, are wont to seem not only glorious to Rhetoricians, but also blessed. They go back as far as Erechtheus, whose very Daughters were zealous to dye, to save the Lives of their Citizens; descend to Codrus, who charg'd up to the midst of his Enemies in the disguise of a Servant, lest, if he had worn his Royal Robes, he might have been discover'd, because the Oracle had foretold, that Athens should bear away the Victory, if their King were slain. Nor is Menaeceus past in silence, who, upon a like Predi∣ction, sacrific'd his Life for his Country. Iphigenia at Aulis, bid them lead her up to the Altar, that so the Enemies Blood might be drain'd, by the Effusion of her own.

(g) For Man, not to be born, is far the best; but next to that, to dye speedily.] In consideration of the manifold Vanities, which mans Corruption hath brought upon the World, this Assertion hypothetically taken, carrieth truth in it; but simply delivered, is not agreeable to right Reason; therefore our Author judiciously separates from his sober enquiry after the means of well living; these Encomiums of Death and Invectives against Life, which favour of dis∣content, give indication of the Hypochondriacks, and tempt us to ingratitude against God and our Parents.

(h) Deaths for their Country embrac'd with eminent Resolution, are wont to seem, not only glorious to Rhetoriciaus, but also blessed.] It was a custom among the Greeks, one day in the year, to make a solemn Commemoration-speech at the

Tombs of those who had dyed Champions of the Liberty of Greece, as at Marathon, against Darius, and elsewhere. Here the Orators strain'd all the Power of their Eloquence, by extolling the Bravery of those Warriers, to incite their Auditors to gallant Resolution in like honourable Under∣takings. Tully so words this Sentence, as if the Rhetorici∣ans affected Praise of their own Wit, in the Commendation of the others Valour; intimates also, that they carried it too far, when they went about to perswade, that there were happiness in loosing Life upon such accounts; he had prov'd above, that as death should not be terrible, when the circumstance requires it, so neither is it amiable. It suffices to our reward, that we cheerfully submit to the ne∣cessity, though we make it not matter of choice.