The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

AUSONII LUDUS septem Sapientum.

The Prologue.

THe seven wise-men, (that name times past apply'd To them, nor hath posteritie deny'd) Themselves this day unto your view present. Why dost thou blush Gown'd Roman? discontent That such grave men should on the stage be brought! Is't shame to us? 'twas none to Athens thought: Whose Councell-Chamber was their Theater. True; here for businesse severall places are Assign'd, the Cirque for meetings, Courts to take Enrolements, Forums in which pleas to make: But in old Athens, and all Greece was known No other place for businesse but this one.

[Viz. the Theater

Which latter Luxury in Rome did raise. The Aedile heretofore did build for plaies A Scaffold-stage, no work of Carved stone; So Gallius and Murena, 'tis well known. But after, when great Men not sparing Cost, Thought it the highest glory they could boast, To build for Playes a Scene more eminent, The Theater grew to this vast extent; Which Pompey, Balbus, Caesar did enlarge; Vying which should exceed for state and charge. But to what end all this? we came not here To tell you who first built the Theater, Forum, or City Gates, but t'usher in Grave sages, who by Gods approv'd have been. Such as in pleasing and instructive verse, Their own judicious sentences rehearse, Known to the learned, and perhaps to you: But if your Mem'ries cannot well renue Things spoke so long since; the Comedian shall, Who better then I knowes them, tell you all.

Enter Comedian.

AThenian Solon, Fame sings, wrot at Delphis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; whose sense Know thy selfe, is: But this to Spartan Chilon most assign. Some question Chilon, whether this be thine, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The close Of a long life regard: but most suppose That Solon this to Lydian Croesus spake. From Lesbian Pittacus this motto take, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; that's Know time: But he By 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here means opportunity. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Bias, did proceed From thee; that is, Most men are ill. Take heed You not mistake him; for by ill men here He means the ignorant: The next you hear Is Periander's 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; That is, Thought's All in All; a Thoughtfull Man! But Lyndian Cleobulus does protest 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉;Mean in All is best. Thales, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cries. Upon a Surety present damage lies. But this, 'for those who gain by it, to tell, May 'chance displease: Now Solon comes farewell.

Exit.

Enter Solon.

LO! Solon in his Greeks dresse treads the stage, To whom (as of the seven the greatest Sage) Fame gave the prize of wisdome from the rest; But fame is not of Censure the strict Test. Nor first nor last I take my selfe to be, For there's no order in Equalitie. Well did the Delphick Prophet sport with him Who ask'd, which first of the Wise-men might seem, Saying; if on a Globe their names he writ, None first or lowest he should find in it. From midst of that learn'd Round come I; that so What once I spake to Croesus, All here now Might take as spoken to themselves; 'tis this: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is, Mark the end of a long life; till when forbear To say, these wretched, or those happy are: For All till then are in a doubtfull state, The proofe of this wee'l in few words relate.

Croesus the King or Tyrant (choose you which) Of Lydia, happy thought, and strangely rich; Who to his Gods did gold-wall'd Temples build, Invites me ore, I to his summons yeeld. His royall summons went to Lydia, Willing his subjects by our means might find Their King improv'd, and better'd in his mind. He asks me whom I thought the happiest Man? I said Telana, the Athenian, Who his life nobly for his Country gave; He pishes at it, will another have. I told him then Aglaus, who the Bounds Nere past in all his life of his own grounds. Smiling, he saies▪ what think you then of Me Esteem'd the happyest in the whole world? We Reply'd, his End could only make that known, He takes this ill: I, willing to be gon, Kisse his hand, and so leave him: For some ends Meantime, 'gainst Persia he a war intends▪ And all things ready, does in person go. How speeds? he's vanquish'd, Prisoner to his foe, And ready now to yeeld his latest breath, (For by the Victor he was doom'd to death) Upon the funerall Pile, rounded with Flames And smoake, he thus with a loud voice exclaimes O Solon! Solon! now I plainly see. Th'art a true Prophet! Thrice thus naming me Mov'd with which words, Cyrus, (the Conquerour) Commands the Fire be quencht, which, by a shower Of Rain then falling, happily was laid. Thence to the King, by a choice Guard convay'd, And question'd who that Solon was? and why He call'd so on his Name? He, for reply, In Order all declares: Pitty at this The Heart of Cyrus moves; and Croesus is Receiv'd to grace, who in a Princely Port Liv'd after, honor'd in the Persian Court. Both Kings approv'd, and prais'd Me, but what I Said then to one, let each man here apply As spoke t'himselfe, 'twas for that end I came. Farewell: your liking let your hands proclaim.

[Exit.

Enter Chilon.

MY Hips with sitting, Eyes with seeing ake, Expecting when Solon an End would make. How little and how long your Atticks prate! Scarce in three-hundred lines one word of weight, Or a grave sentence, how he lookt on me At going off?—Now Spartan Chilon see! Who with Laconian Brevity commends To you the Knowledge of your selves, kind Friend••! 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 carv'd in a Delphos Fane. 'Tis a hard Work, but recompenc'd with Gain. Try your own strength; examine what 'tis you Have done already, what you ought to do. All Duties of our life, as Modestie, Honour and Constancie included be In this, and glory, which we yet despise. Farewell, your claps I not respect nor prize.

[Exit.

Enter Cleobulus.

I Cleobulus, though my Native Seat Be a small Isle, am Author of a great And glorious Sentence; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; A man is best: You Sirs that sit upon The fourteen middle Benches next unto Th' Orchestra, best may judge if this be true. Your Nodd showes your assent: We thank you; but We shall proceed in Order: Was it not One Afer (who a man of your own Clime is) That said once in this place, Ut ne quid Nimis? And hither does our 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 aime. The Dorick and the Latine mean the same. In speaking being silent, or in sleep. In good Turns, or in bad, a mean still keep, In study, or what ever you intend. I've said, and that I mean, I keep here end.

[Exit.

Enter Thales.

I'M Thales, who maintain (as Pindar sings) Water to be the best and first of things. To whom by Phoebus Mandate, fishers brought A golden Tripod, which they fishing caught, By him as present to the wisest meant, Which I refus'd, and unto others sent

In knowledge my superiors as I thought. From one to th'other of the Sages brought By them again return'd, to me it came, Who to Apollo consecrate the same. For Since to seek the wisest, he enjoyn'd, I Judge no man but God by that design'd. Now on the stage (as those before) I come T' assert the truth of my own Axiom. Perhaps by some t'may be offensive thought: But not by those by sad experience taught. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, say we. Be Surety, and be sure a loser be. A thousand Instances I could produce To prove Repentance is the only use That can be made of it, but that we here Examples by their Names to cite, forbear. Make your own Application, and conceive The Damage, Men by this sole act receive. Nor this our good intention take amisse, You that like, clap, you that dislike it, hisse.

Enter Bias.

I Am Priaenean Bias, who once taught 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That most men are naught. I wish't had been unspoke; for Truth gains Hate. But by bad men I mean illiterate, And those who barbarously all Lawes confound, Religion, Justice; for within this Round I see none but are good: believe all those Whom I proclaim for bad amongst your Foes: Yet there is none so partially apply'd To favour Vice, but with the good will side: Whether he truly be such, or would fain Of a good man the Reputation gain: The hated name of an ill man all shun. Then (most good Men) your praise, and I ha' done.

Enter Pittacus.

I'M Pittacus, who once this Maxime penn'd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That's, time apprehend. But by Time we meant Time in Season, as In tempore veni is your Roman Phrase. And your own Comick Poet Terence, he, Chief of all things makes opportunity, Where Dromo comes unto Antiphila.

I'th nick of Time; consider what I say, And mark how great an inconvenience Most suffer through this want of providence. But now 'tis more then time we should be gon; Farewell, and give your Aprobation.

[Exit.

Enter Periander.

NOw on the Stage see Periander move! He who once said, and what he said will prove 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Thought is all in all. Since him a perfect Agent we may call, Who first considers what he undergoes; For we should still forecast, as Terence showes, Th'event of businesse, whether good or bad, E'r w'undertake it: where may best be had Conveniency for planting, where to build, When to wage War, and when to pitch a Field: Nor inconsiderately take in hand Or great, or small Things, for that makes a stand In the free progresse of all new designes; In which there's nothing policy enjoynes Like consultation; hence we see it cleer, Who use it not, by chance, not counsell steer, But I retire, whilst you with better Fate Imploy your Thoughts how to uphold your State: