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

(r) The Indian Women.] In the Camp of Eumenes there fell out an admirable Instance, and very much different from the Grecian Practice. Cetrus, one of the Indian Captains, having fought bravely, fell in the Battle, and left two Wives behind him. Now it had been an old Custom in India, that young Men and Maids married, without asking their Parents Consent, but as they fancied one another. This rash judg∣ment of Youth, was often follow'd with speedy Repentance; so that many Women were debauch'd, and fell in Love with others, but finding no colour of leaving them, begun to take them out of the way. India is a Country stor'd with many Simples and Drugs of such a deletory Nature, as some of them kill instantly if the Dish or Cup be but touch'd with them. This Practice of poysoning prevail'd, and many men were thus taken off; nor could any rigor of Justice de∣ter the rest from the like attempts. At length a Law was made, that such Women as surviv'd their Husbands, and had no Children, nor were with Child, should be burnt; which if they refus'd, they should not Marry again, but be for ever excommunicated, as impious. This quite alter'd their Inclinations, for the greatness of the Disgrace, made them contented to dye rather, and they both grew tender in Preservation of their Husbands Life, as their own; and also took a Glory to be Consorts with him in death. As it fell out at this time, for the Law being express, that one must be burnt with her slain Husband, both of them pre∣sented themselves at his Funeral, standing for the Partner∣ship with him in death, as for a glorious prize. A Council of War was call'd; here the latter Wife alledg'd, that the former was by her Belly debar'd from dying in the express terms of the Law. But the other pleaded that she ought to have the priority of Honour, as she had of time; for in all other Instances the Elder have in Matters of Priviledge, title to precedency. The Souldiers being inform'd by a Jury of Women, that the Elder was indeed with Child, gave

the cause for the Younger. Upon which, she that was cast, with loud shrieks went out of the Court, her attire and hair torn, as at the hearing of some doleful news. But the other, joyful for having carried the day, was dress'd up by her acquaintance, with Ribbins and rich attire; then led to the Funeral Pile, as to a Wedding, by her nearest kindred, who, as they went, sung the praises of her Vertue. When they were come to the Stake, she divested her self, and di∣stributed her Ornaments amongst her Friends and Acquain∣tance, as a Token of her last Affections. Thus was her attire; many Rings on her Fingers glistering with pretious Stones of diverse sorts; on her Head a Sky of Golden Stars, set with radiant Sparks of several Gems; about her Neck many Neck-laces of Pearl, increasing in size each above the other; at last having taken leave of all her acquaintance, she was by her Brother help'd up the Pile, where, to the admiration of all that had come from the parts round about to the sight, she ended her Life in an heroical manner; for the whole Army march'd in Arms thrice round the Funeral Pile, before Fire was put to it; and she lying down by her Husbands side, when the heat grew more and more power∣fully sensible, let no voice pass which might discover any meanness of Spirit; so that the Spectators some were touch'd with Compassion; others magnified her beyond any mea∣sure. But most of the Greeks thought it an inhumane and cruel Law.

(s) An Ibis.] A Bird that kills up Serpents.

(t) An Asp.] A venomous Creature which casts into a deadly sleep; with this Cleapatra made her self away after the Actian disgrace.