CHAP. X. Of those who have couragiously born the Death of their Children.
- ROMANS.
- 1. M. Horatius Pulvillus, Cos. 2.
- 2. L. Aemilius Paulus.
- 3. Q. Marcius Rex.
- FORREIGNERS.
- 1. Pericles the Atheni∣an.
- 2. Xenophon.
- 3. Anaxagoras.
HAving made a relation of such Parents as patient∣ly brooked the Injuries of their Children, let us speak of such as have born their Death couragiously.
1. Horatius Pulvillus being to dedicate a Temple in the Capitol of Iupiter, as he was holding the post, and ready to pronounce certain solemn words, news was brought him that his Son was dead: But he neither took his hand off the post, nor made the least interruption in the Dedication of the Temple, nor al∣tered his countenance from the publick Ceremony to his private Grief; lest he might seem rather to have acted the part of a Father, than a High-priest. Bury the carcass then, said he.
Page 2532. A great Example, and no less renowned than the former, is that which follows. Aemilius Paulus▪ the pattern of a most happy, yet a most unfortunate Father, of four Sons which he had, all hopeful and beautiful youths, had translated two into the Corne∣lian Family by right of Adoption, and only reserved two to himself. One of which died four daies before his Fathers Triumph. The other alive in the Trium∣phal Chariot expir'd the third day after. Thus he that was so liberal in bestowing Children upon others, was himself left childless in a short time. Which Misfortune, that you may know how magnanimously he brook'd it, he made plainly apparent in an Ora∣tion which he made to the People, concerning the Actions which he had done for them, by adding this little clause: When in the highest success of my felicity, I was afraid, most noble Romans, that Fortune would do me some mischief or other; I prayed to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, that if any thing of Calamity threatned the Roman Government, they would exhaust it all upon my Family. And therefore 'tis very well; for according to my wishes, they have so ordered it, that you should rather compassionate my private, than I bewail your pu∣blick losses.
3. I will only adde one Domestic Example more, and then permit my Story to wander. Q. Marcius Rex the Elder, Colleague with Cato in the Consulship, lost a Son of eminent hopes and piety, and which added to his calamity, his onely Child. Yet when he saw his Family ruin'd and ended by his death, he so suppress'd his grief by the depth of his prudence, that immediately he went from his Sons grave to the Senate-house; and as it was his duty that day, imme∣di•tely summon'd all the Senators together. So that had he not generously sustain'd his sorrow, he could not have equally divided the light of one day between Page 254 a sad and mournful Father, and a stout Consul; not having omitted the good offices of either.
FORREIGNERS.
1. Pericles Prince of the Athenians, in four days having lost two most incomparable Youths; the very same time, without any alteration in his Countenance; or discomposure in his Speech, made a publick Ora∣tion to the People. Nay, according to Cu•tome, he wen• with his Co•onet upon his Head, that he might not omit any thing of the antient Ceremony for the wound of his Family. Therefore was it not without cause, that a person of his magnanimous spirit, ob∣tain'd the Sirname of Olympian.
2. Xenophon, the next to Plato in the happy degree of Eloquence, when he was performing a solemn Sa∣crifice, received news that the eldest of his Sons, na∣med Gryllus, was slain in the Battle of Mantinea: However, he would not forbear the appointed worship of the Gods, but only was contented to lay aside his Garland; which yet he put on again upon his head, when he understood, that he fell couragiously fighting; calling the Gods to which he sacrificed to witness, that he more rejoyced at the noble manner of his Death, than sorrow'd for his loss. Another person would have remov'd the Sacrifice, would have thrown away the Ornaments of the Altars, and cast away the In∣cense all bedabl'd with tears. But Xenophon's body stood immove•ble to Religion, and his minde re∣main'd fix'd in the advice of prudence. For he thought it a thing far more sad to submit to grief▪ than to think of the loss which he had sustain'd.
3. Neither was Anaxagoras to be suppress'd. For hearing the news of his Sons death: Thou tellest me, said he, nothing new or unex•ected: For I knew, that Page 255 as he was bega• by me, he was mortal. These ex∣pr•ssions were the voice of Vertue, season'd with mo•• wholesome Precepts, which whosoever rightly under∣stand, will consider, that Children are so to be be∣got, as that we may remember, that the Law of Na∣ture has prescrib'd them a Law of receiving and yiel∣ding up their breath, both at the same moment: And that as no man ever died that did not live, so no man ever lived that must not dye.
