The uncertainty of temporal Victories and Successe. [ 1406]
WHen Philip of Macedon had obtained a great Victory at Cher••nia,* 1.1 being puff'd up with successe, he wrote to Archimedes in such lofty expres∣sions, ••hat enforced this sleight answer; Sir, saith he, you write very stately to me, an•• in very high terms,* 1.2 the reason I partly know; but if you will but take so much pains as to measure your own shadow, you shall soon find that it is no more, no longer, no lar∣ger, then it was before your victory; you were as great a Man then, and as many inches about as you are now, &c. and what you may be, and how soon, you know not. Such and so uncertain is Chance,* 1.3 (as Men call it) and Successe so variable, that no man can tell, how he shall begin, or where he shall end; Inter utrum{que} volat, so mu∣table are the smiles of the World, that there is no Victory constant, but still she hovers about, moves and changes her Tent and Tabernacle from one side to another. Hence no boasting or bragging in these Earthly conquests, which have made the great••st Emperours of the World after a full gale of Fortune, for fear of crosse blowes to retreat, and leave their honours, and betake themselves to a solitary Monastick life, lest they should have a foul end after so fair beginning.