Page 721
Out of the 26th BOOK.
Eclog. 1. THere was never any Poet or Historian, or any Learned Man of what Sci∣ence * 1.1 soever, that could please all their Readers in every thing. Neither can any thing that is mortal, tho' it attain its end and design, gain the general appro∣bation of all, so as to be wholly free from Exception and Censure. For neither * Phi∣dias who was so admir'd for his Ivory Images: Nor * Praxiles that excellent Stone-cut∣ter: Nor Appelles or Parrasius, who attain'd to the highest pitch of Art and Skill in Limning and Painting, could ever reach to that degree of Happiness, as to exhibit any piece of their several Arts, that was not in some respect capable of Censure. For who was a more Famous Poet than Homer; or an Orator than Demosthenes? Who more Just than Aristides and Solon? yet join'd as a Flaw to all their Excellencies there is an Ora∣tion that carps at them, and makes them as if they were all ignorant Fellows. For in∣deed being but Men, altho' they attained to eminent Perfection in their several Accom∣plishments, yet through Human Frailty, they fail'd and mistook in many things. How∣ever, some Men there are who discover both their Envy and Folly, who wilfully omit to give an account of what is commendable and praise-worthy; but where they have any colour to find fault, there they fix, and are unwilling ever to leave it, endeavouring by blackning another, to set forth the more their own Worth and Excellencies; not considering that every Art and peculiar Accomplishment is more to be judg'd of by en∣quiry into the thing it self, than by making conclusions from the partial and peevish Pas∣sion of another, But any would admire this industrious Folly of Detraction, whereby a person by blackening another, in truth loses his own Reputation.—There are some things that by * 1.2 a blind instinct, are naturally hurtful, as Frost, and Snow burn and blast the fairest and most pleasant Fruits; and the resplendent Whiteness of the Snow so dazles the Eyes, that it almost deprives them of their Sight: and so some Men that have neither Wit nor Will to do any thing that is commendable themselves, yet have Malice and Folly enough naturally, to judge and condemn the Actions of others: But it is the part of a prudent and understanding Man, always to attribute due praise to them, who by their Industry have prosecuted virtuous Designs: And where any have not been so successful as they desir'd, not to taunt at the infirmity of Hu∣mane Nature; But so much of these envious Men.
2. For as a brave Champion after he has spent much time in anointing himself, at length descends into the Lists—Having gain'd great Experience and an Habit.
3. Menodotus the Corinthian writ the Affairs of Greece in 14 Books. And Sosilus the * 1.3 Ilian the Acts of Hannibal in Seven.
4. Among the Romans a Legion consists of 5000 Men.
5. Men naturally flock to them that are in prosperity, but insult over those that are brought into Distress.—For the Soul presently to undergo a meer contrary Change, which is in its own nature unchangeable.
6. The City of Rhodes being ruin'd by a great Earthquake, Hiero the Syracusian be∣stow'd * 1.4 Six Talents of Silver towards the repairing of the Walls, and Silver Cauldrons of great value, besides Money: And let them have Corn to Transport free from Cu∣stom.
7. That which is now call'd Philopolis, was heretofore call'd Phiotis of Thebes, over all Thessaly.
8, For sost Beds, constant delicate Fare, and the use of all sorts of precious Oint∣ments, unfitted them for toil and hardship.—For both their Bodies and Minds were habituated to Effeminacy and Luxuriousness.—For Men naturally can hardly brook Toil and Pains, and low Diet; but delight in Idleness and Luxury. For Hannibal with much Toil and Care gain'd Cities both from the Romans and Brutians, and took Crotona, and Besieg'd Rhegium. For from Hercules Pillars in the West to Croto∣na, he over-ran all the Roman Territories.