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

CHAP. XXVII. Our Patience must be of equal Temper, as to the Field in Battle, or the Bed in Sickness.

BUT especially let us inure our selves to this, that our Patience, (which, I have often al∣ready said, we must confirm with a sturdy Reso∣lution of mind) be uniform, as to all sorts of Suf∣ferings; for oftentimes many, who, out of desire of Victory or Glory, or else to maintain their own Rights and Liberty, have received Wounds cou∣ragiously, and bore them in quiet; yet the same Persons having relax'd the bent of their Resolution, cannot endure the anguish of a Disease; for nei∣ther did they, out of Reason or Principles of Wis∣dom, endure that Pain which they did endure, but rather out of Heat and Gallantry. Therefore some Barbarous and Savage People can Fight stoutly, but cannot bear Sickness manfully: On the con∣trary, the Grecians, not over-valiant, (t) but pru∣dent enough in their way, cannot look an Enemy in the Face, yet the same Persons take Diseases patiently, and with a Moderation, becoming Ma∣sters

of Reason. (u) But the Cimbrians (w) and Celtiberians shout in Battle, lament in Sickness. For nothing can be even, that doth not proceed from a steady Principle of Reason; but when you behold those that are led by desire or opinion, not to be deterr'd by Pain from the Prosecution and acquiring of their propos'd object; you must either conclude that Pain is not evil; or although we should agree, that whatsoever is rough and disagreeable to Nature, be call'd evil, yet it is so little, that it is swallow'd up by valour, so that it appeareth not at all. Meditate on these things, I beseech you, day and night. For this consideration will extend it self farther, and take up more room, than to be restrain'd only to this Point, about Pain; for if in all our Actions, we shall have regard to the avoiding baseness, and acquiring Honour, we may then out-brave, not only the Disciplines of Pain, but also the Thunder∣claps of Fortune; especially having at hand (x) that refuge-provided by our yesterdays Disputati∣on. For as if, when one is at Sea chas'd by Py∣rats, God should say to him, Cast your self over-board, there is one stands ready to receive you; (y) as the Dolphin did Arion of Methymna; or, (z) as the Sea-born Horses of Pelops, bestow'd upon him by Neptune, who are said to have run along with his Chariot, skimming the Surface of the Waters; these shall take you up, and Land you at your de∣sired Port: such a one would discard all fear; so when pungent and horrible Pains press, if they be so great, as not to be stood under, you see the place of retreat. This I have thought proper to be spoken at this time; but you perhaps adhere to your former judgment.

S.

Indeed, Sir, I do not; and hope, that within this two days, I am delivered from the fear of two things, which I did most apprehend.

M.

Tomorrow, therefore, at the hour; for so we have agreed: But I find you cannot hold to the Assignation.

S.

I shall punctually, and the other exercise be∣fore Noon.

M.

We will be ready, and comply with your most laudable desires.

(t) But Prudent enough in their way.] Tully sets himself every where to repress the fond conceit of the Greeks, in engrossing Wisdom to themselves, because of their Scho∣lastical Niceties; and in magnifying their war-like Atchieve∣ments beyond all measure, whereas they were now fallen from their old Martial Glory; the Lacedemonians having, in great measure, degenerated from the Constitutions of Ly∣curgus; and the Athenians turn'd to servile Flattery.

(u) But the Cimbrians.] In Germany.

(w) And Celtiberians.] In Spain.

(x) That Refuge.] Mark the Artifice of Eloquution; the name of death carrieth Terrour with it, and is dismal to Humane Apprehension, therefore he substitutes for it, that of a Refuge, a place of retreat, a desired Port; but yet to count any Pain too great to be stood under, so as to resolve against continuance in Life, is a Stoical repugnancy, and derogatory from true Fortitude.

(y) As the Dolphin did Arion of Methymna.] Arion an excellent Harper, having amass'd much Wealth, by his Art in the City of Greece, upon his return home, the Sea-men discovering his charge of Money, Pirates, as they were con∣spir'd to heave him over-board, he beg'd of them the respit till he could tune his Harp on the Deck; which as he touch'd, the Dolphins playing about the sides of the Ship, delighted with his Aires; one of them took him up on its back gently, and wafted him over safe to Tenarus. Methymna is a City of Lesbos; the Territory, about it, famous for generous Wines, and the Country of Arion.

(z) As the Sea-born Horses of Pelops, bestow'd upon him by

Neptune.]. Pelops the Son of Tantalus, came from Phrygia, into that part of Greece, from him denominated Peloponnesus; there he fell in Love with Hippodamia. Her Father had re∣ceived an Oracle, that he was to dye when his Daughter married; and thereupon set up a Race of Chariots in the Isthmos of Corinth, at the Altar of Neptune; the Prize was, his Daughter to the Victor, but the loser was kill'd; many had he beaten and slain in the Race; when Pelops, having received a Set of Coach-Horses from Neptune, and brib'd the Coach-man of Oenomaus to break his Wheel in driving, as he pass'd by, slew the Father, and carried off the Daugh∣ter, and with the same Horses pass'd over Sea.