CATO MAIOR or THE BOOK OF OLD AGE First written by M.T. Cicero.  
And now excellently Englished by William Austin of Lincoln's inn Esquire With annotations upon the names of the men and places.  
Printed for William Leake.  
JGoddard sculpsit.    

CATO Major: OR, The Book of Old Age.  
First written by M.T. CICERO.  
And now excellently Englished by William Austin of Lincoln's inn, Esquire.  
With Annotations upon the names of the men and places.  
LONDON, Printed for William Leake, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Crown in Fleetstreet, between the two Temple gates. 1648.   

THE STATIONER To the READER.  
THis most excellent Book, entitled Cato Major de senectute, little in bulk, but filled with pithy, and substantial diseourse, smoothly couched, elegantly and delightfully conveyed in every line, written long since in the Latin Tongue, by that most rare and grave Consul and Senator of Rome, the glory of his time, M. T. Cicero, Prince of Orators; needs no man's commendations, (all his works being so famous and renowned amongst the learned,) so that I might well be silent, had not I judged it fit to give the Reader an account how it came in this manner to be divulged; It falling accidentally into my hands, and I finding the translation and notes to be the labour of a worthy Gentleman of great parts, learning and sufficiency, whose name was thereunto: And the Book itself, for variety of elegant passages & deep Philosophical discourses, being both delight full and useful; Personated by the most learned, ancient, and grave Senators, Grandees of that age, abasing and depressing all youthful lusts, commending and strengthening the venerable life of old age, showing the current of virtue wherein it ought to run, with the distance betwixt it and youth, and how many ways it doth exceed the same, with the advantages it hath beyond youth; declaring how they slighted death in this their age, comforting themselves in all its Imperfections, with that expected Immortality at hand, the more aged they then were. And having received the approbation of this learned Piece, from divers persons of judgement and understanding, I was upon these and other like considerations, moved for the general good, to publish it thus abroad unto the world, believing that it will be a delight to the Aged, and a great benefit to the unlearned in the Latin Tongue, who may in their own Language read the sage wisdom of former times, and see how the infirmities of age are recompensed with more rare perfections of mind, and that it doth not so much destroy, as change the delights of youth for better; and so be prepared to bid that welcome which is approaching towards them. If the excellency of this work, with the worthiness of the Author and Translator, shall gain acceptation with the lovers of wisdom, it will answer the expectation, and reward the care of the Publisher.   

THE preface Or Epistle of 1. MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO 2. TITUS POMPONIUS ATTICUS.  

CHAP. I.  
O TITUS, if I ease the care,  
which sticketh in your breast,  
Which now doth vex and trouble you,  
wherewith you are oppressed;  
Shall it be thought,  
Worth aught?  
FOr I may well salute you O ATTICUS, with those Verses, wherewith that right worthy, though not wealthy man [3] ENNIUS, saluted [4] Flaminius; & although I surely know, that you are not so troubled day and night as was he, (for I have perceived the moderation of your mind, and I understand that you not only brought a surname from [5] Athens, but also humanity and wisdom) yet notwithstanding I suppose, that you are sometimes much troubled with these matters, where with I myself am: the remedy for which griefs is both greater, and to be referred till another time. Now it seemeth good unto me to write something of old age; For I will assay to ease both you and myself, of the burden (which is common to us both,) either of the age present, or of the age to come, though I know for truth that you will bear the weight of it moderately and wisely as you do all things; but as soon as I determined to write of old age, you came into my mind worthy of this gift, which might be equally used by us both; and believe me, the making of this book was so delightful to me, that it did not only wipe away all the griefs of mine age, but made it easy and pleasant. Wherefore Philosophy can never be sufficiently praised, which whosoever followeth, may live all his life time without molestation, of which we have 
* In a book of the Consolation of Philosophy which is lost.  spoken much already, and intend to speak more hereafter: But this book of old age. I have sent to you, not attributing all the speech to [6] Tithon, as [7] Aristo Chius doth, lest it should seem of small authority, but to [8] Marcus Cate the old man, whereby it may carry the greater grace and preeminence, at whom I make [9] Scipio, & [10] Laelius, wondering that he bear his age so easily, and he answering them; who if he speak more learnedly, than he was wont to do in his books, you must attribute it to the Greek tongue: in which it is well known he was very studious in his age. But what need more words? for now the speech of Cato himself, shall declare all our determination of old age.  

I. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. MArcus Tullius Cicero, The Author of this Book, and many other most noble and excellent works, both of Philosophy, and Oratory, he was the son of a Knight at Rome, he passed most of the most honourable offices in Rome, he was a faithful and earnest lover and defender of the commonwealth, which began to decay at his death, having lost so good a member; he was banished, and after beheaded, by the commandment of Antonius and Octavius.  
2. Titus Pomponius Atticus, an honourable man, and a great friend to Cicero, he lived in great credit, both with the Romans and with the Athenians, from whence he brought the surname of Atticus.  
3. Ennius an ancient Poet, borne at Tarentum, he was brought to Rome, by Cato. vide numero 8. & 13.  
4. Flaminius' a grave Senator, to whom Ennius wrote a Book of consolation, when he grieved for his brother's expulsion out of the Senate.  
5. Athens a city in Greece, between Macedon and Achaia, built by Cecrops, who reigned 50. years there, it was called Athens by Minerva, who is also called Athene; it was the place or university of learning.  
6. Tithon the son of Laomedon, beloved of Aurora; he was counted a fool, because when he was very old, be requested to be turned into a grasshopper, and might have had immortality.  
7. Aristo Chius a Philosopher of the isle Coas, who dedicated a Book to the former Tithon. Cicero writes thus of him: elegant and courteous Aristo; but that gravity which ought to be in a Philosopher, was not in him; many excellent things were written by him, but they carry no grace.  
8. Marcus Portius Cato, whom Cicero here makes one of his speakers in his dialogue, was a man of great honour, authority and severity; he was twice consul, he was the first raiser of his house; he was wont to say that he repented three things; one that ever he went by water, when he might have gone by land; the second, that he let pass an idle day; the third, that he told any secret to his wife.  
9 Publius Scipio, the adopted son of Affricanus Major, the second Person of this dialogue, was of kin to Cato; he by the counsel of Cato, was sent to Carthage, in the third Carthaginian war, and utterly overthrew it.  
10. Caius Laelius, the third person in this dialogue, was an excellent young man, a near friend to Scipio, of whose friendship Cicero wrote a book de Amicitia.     

The Speakers. M. CATO. P. SCIPIO. C. LAELIUS. CHAP. 2.  SCIPIO. 
I Am often wont (good M. Cato) with this my friend Laelius, to admire among other things, your excellent and perfect wisdom; but especially that we never perceived, that your old age was troublesome, which is so grievous to most old men, that they say they bare a burden more grievous than [1] Aetna.  CATO. 
Scipio and Laelius, you seem to wonder at a thing not very hard: For that age is only grievous to those that have no taste of wisdom and learning in themselves to make them live happily: but to them which see all perfection and consolation from their own experience, nothing can seem heavy which the necessity of nature bringeth: of which sort old age is chief, which all desire to obtain, and blame being obtained; such is their unconstancy, foolishness and perversity, they say that it creepeth upon them ere they are 
* Turpe est dicere non putaram.  aware. First let me ask, who bade them over reckon themselves? for how much sooner doth age creep on youth, than youth on childhood? then, how much more grievous would their age be to them, if they should as well live to the eight hundred year, as to the eighty year? for the former age (though long,) when it is past, can assuage a foolish old age, with no comfort wherefore if you were wont to admire my wisdom (which I wish were worthy of your opinion or our surname) in this I am wise that I follow nature as a god, and her I do obey, by whom it is not like that when the other parts of our age are well set down, that the last part as it were by a careless Poet, should be neglected. And it is very necessary that there may be some end of our bodies, like the fruits of trees, and of the earth, which wither and fall away, with a timely ripeness, which ought of a wise man to be patiently borne; for what other thing is meant by the [2] battle of the Giants against the Gods, but the resisting of nature?  

II, TABLE of Annotations.  

1. AeTna a mountain in Cicilia, that casts forth flames of fire at the top; the Poets fain that Jupiter set this hill on the head of Typhoeus the Giant, which fought against him in the battle of the gods.  
2. The battle of the giants is in Ovid's Metamorphosis, where he feigns that they heaped hills on hills, thinking to win heaven, but were destroyed with lightning.     

CHAP. III.  LAELIUS. 
BUt Cato, you shall do a very acceptable thing to us, (that I may also promise for Scipio) if (because we would, and we hope to be old men) we may learn by you before, by what means and reasons we may most easily bear that age encroaching on us.  CATO. 
I will do it Laelius, especially if as you say, it will be acceptable to both of you.  SCIPIO. 
Surely Cato unless it be troublesome to you, we would learn what it is; as if you had gone some long journey, wherein we must enter to follow you.  CATO. 
I will do it as I may Scipio, for I have often been at the complaints of men of my sort, (for as the proverb is, 
* Pares cum paribus facillime congregantur.  birds of a feather flie together.) which [1] Caius Salinator, and [2] Spurius Albinus, men that have been Consuls, and almost my equals in years, were wont to make, as well for that they wanted pleasures, as that they were despised of them that were wont to worship them, which men seemed to me to accuse that which was not to be accused. For if that should fall out by the means of age, the same by use would happen to me and to all other old men, many of whose ages I know without complaint, which are no whit grieved that they are released from the bonds of lusts, neither are they despised of their friends; but the fault of such complaints, is in the manners not in the age. For moderate, courteous and gentle old men do lead an easy life, but inhumanity and importunity is hateful in all ages.  LAELIUS. 
It is as you say Cato; but it may be that some will object that to you by reason of your riches, plenty and dignity, your age seems tolerable; but that cannot happen to all men.  CATO. 
Truly Laelius, that is somewhat, but in no wise are all things under that predicament; for as [3] Themistocles is reported to have answered a certain [4] Seriphian in a brawl, when he told him that he had gotten renown not by his own, but by his country's glory, neither (answered Themistocles) should I be unrenowned, were I a Seriphian, nor thou renowned, wert thou an Athenian: so it may be said of age, for it cannot be pleasant (no not to a wise man) in extreme poverty, nor grievous to a fool in great plenty.  

III. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. CAius Livius Salinator, Consul with M. Valcrius Messalla, 562 years after the building of Rome.  
2. Spurius Postumus Albinus, Consul with Quintus Marius Philippus. Anno 568. ab urbe cond.  
3. Themistocles an excellent Atheman, who lived very dissolutely in his youth, but in his agebore himself with great honour and credit; he was of excellent memory, he slew himself, because he would not see the overthrow of his country.  
4. A Seriphian of the Isle Seripho, which was amongst the Cyclades; it was a place of much infamy, by reason offenders were thither banished.     

CHAP. IV.  
THe aptest weapons of age (Scipio and Laelius,) are arts and exercises of virtue, (which observed at all times) when you have lived long, bring forth wonderful fruit, not only because they will never fail you, no not in the extreemest part of your age, (which is much) but because the confidence of a life heretofore well led, and the remembrance of many good deeds, is exceeding pleasant. I being a young man, so loved [1] Quintus Maximus the old man, (he which took [2] Tarentum) as if he had been my equal in years. For there was in that man, gravity seasoned with courtesy, neither had age changed his conditions; yet when I first began to love him, he was not very old, but well stricken in years. For the year that he was first Consul, I was borne, and in his fourth Consulship, I being a young stripling, went with him to [3] Capua; in the fifth year, I went [4] quaestor, to Tarentum, than [5] Aedile; four years after I was made [6] Praetor, which office I bear, 
* Consul. 550 years, ab urbe cond.  Tutidanus and Cethegus, being 
* Coss. briefly for Consul.  Coss. and at that time he being a very old man, pleaded the [7] Cincian laws; He not only waged war stoutly when he was very old, but by delaylng battle, overthrew youthful [8] Hannibal, of whom our friend [9] Ennius thus writeth.  
One man to us by long delays, restored the Common wealth.  
He never loved vain glory more than he esteemed our health.  
The glory of the man therefore  
Shall still remain and flourish more.  
But with what vigilancy did he take Tarentum, when in my hearing he answered [10] Salinator, who having lost the town, fled into the Castle, and bragging said, O Quintus Fabius, by my means thou hast taken Tarentum; very true, (said he smiling) for if thou hadst not lost it, I had not won it; neither was he more excellent in war, then in peace, who being the second time [11] Consul, [12] Spurius Carvillius his colleague in office, not assisting him, he of himself resisted with all his might [13] Caius Flaminius the [14] Tribune of the people, who against the whole authority of the Senate, went about to divide the Picean [15] and Galicane fields, to each particular man; when he was [16] augur, he durst boldly affirm, that that was done with the best aspects, which was done for the safety of the commonwealth. I know many excellent things of the man, but nothing more admirable, then how he bore the death of his son [17] Marcus, a singular man, and a consul. I have in my hands the praise of the man, which when we read, what Philosopher do we not contemn? yet was he not more excellent abroad, and in the eyes of the people, then at home, and in his private house; what speeches, what precepts, what knowledge of Philosophy? and (for a Roman,) very learned; he kept all things in memory, not only civil but external wars; whose conference when I did greedily enjoy, I did divine (as it hath sithence happened) that he being dead, there should be none of whom I might learn. But wherefore speak I so much of Maximus? because you may see that it was detestable to be spoken, that such an old age was miserable.  

IV. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. QUintus Fabius Maximus, of the house of the Fabii, a noble and right valiant kindred; his family alone with their kindsfolks, and adherents, often overthrew Veients: till at last being entrapped by deceit, near the river Cromera, they were all slain in the battle, except one that remained at Rome being a child, of whom long after came this Quintus Maximus, who lived to be 5 times consul and once Dictator; he was called also Cunctator or the delayer, because, he by delays overcame Hannibal.  
2. Tarentum, a most famous city in Graecia, built by Tarent, the son of Neptune, and by him so named; it had great wars with the Romans, in the time of Cato.  
3. Capua the metropolitan city of Campania, built (according to Livy,) by Capys the captain of the Samnites, of whom it took the name; it had great wars with the Romans, in the time of the Carthaginian war.  
4. Q●aestor, an ancient office among the Romans, instituted first in the time of Numa Pompilius; he was together the tribute, and money of the people, for the wars or otherwise; The Treasurer.  
5. Aedile, he that had the care of the reparations of the Temples of the gods, and the Theaters of the common-people, and the plays.  
6. Praetor, An office in the city like our L. Major, but of greater authority; for by his power he might make, and abolish laws at his pleasure.  
7. The Cincian law, was first made by M. Cincius, against bribery.  
8. Hannibal a valiant captain, and governor of the Carthaginians; he often overthrew the Romans, but he was utterly overcome by Scipio Affricanus, and (as Plutarch writes) at last he poisoned himself with poison he had in a ring. Eutropius writes he was stoned to death by the Carthaginians, for some offence; but Livy says he was crucified on a cross.  
9 Ennius vide 2.  
10. Salinator, consul with Claudius Nero; he defended the Tarentins against the Romans, he flew Asdrubal coming to help Hannibal his brother.  
11. Consul when Tarqvinius Superbus that ravished Lucretia was slain, and his stock banished, the office of consul instead of King began among the Romans; it was performed by two men, they had as great authority as the King, only they were but in Office one year.  
12. Spurius Carvillius, consul with Cato, in the year of Rome 526.  
13. Caius' Flaminius' Tribune when Cato was consul, who afterward being Censor, expulsed Caius out of the Senate,  
14. Tribune was as it were the Solicitor for the people, being first created after the Volsian & Sabin wars. They grew to so great authority, that sitting in the Senate, they would cross whatsoever was decreed, if they liked it not; they ever withstood the Senate for the people; it was a very factious office and full of strife, often setting the people together by the ears with the Senate, and the Senate with them. They might not come into the Temples.  
15. The Galicane fields were won from the Frenchmen, and were to be divided to the soldiers.  
16. Augur, was in great reverence with the Romans, they were as Priests, and by looking into the entrails of beasts, and birds, they prophesied of things to come. They were first derived from the Etrurians; they had a college, and as it were a consultation-house, to meet & confer of Comets and Signs in the air, for the good of the common people.  
17. Marcus Fabius, he was the son of Maximus, he was second Consul, once in the year of Rome 506, and again in the year 508; in his first Consulship, he overcame the Carthaginians by Sea.     

CHAP. V.  
NEither can every man be such as was Scipio, or Maximus, that the overthrows of Cities and battles by land, & fights by Sea, triumphs and victories, may be recorded of them; yet the old age of a private life well and quietly before lead, is very light and pleasing. Such as we read the age of [1] Plato was, who writing in the 81 years of his age died; such was the age of [2] Socrates, who is said to have written the book [3] Planathenaicus, in the ninety fourth year of his age, whose Master [4] Gorgias Leontinus, lived an hundred and seven years, neither did he cease from his study, who when he was asked why he would live so long, answered, that he had no cause yet to accuse age of; an excellent answer, and worthy of so learned a man. For fools lay the faults of their own, on age, which Ennius did not, of whom I spoke before.  
Like to a valiant horse which oft, in running man the best:  
At Mount Olympus, being old, is let alone at rest.  
He compareth this age, to the age of a valiant and victorious horse and him you may well remember, for the eleventh year after his death T. Flaminius, and Marcus Attillius were made Consuls, but he died when he was threescore and ten years old; Cepi● and Philippus being Consuls the second time, when I (being threescore and five, in good strength and with a clear voice) pleaded the [5] Voconian Law. For so long lived Ennius, he bore two burdens, old age, and poverty, in such sort, that he seemed almost to be delighted with them.  

V. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. PLato the son of Aristo and Periander, borne at Athens, the same year and day that Apollo was borne at Delos, a swarm of Bees when he was young light on his mouth, when he lay in his Cradle, in token of his Eloquence to come, he was Scorates, his scholar, after whose death he went to Philolanuan among the Pythagoreans, and from thence to Egypt, where he was healed of a disease by the Seawater, wherefore he was wont to say, the Sea ebb dand flowed all manner of diseases. When he dwell at Athens, he brought into one volume, all the works of Pythag. Heraclitus, and Socrates Dionysius the Tyrant, when he had caused him to be sold, and hearing that he was safely returned into his own Country, wrote to him that he would not either speak or write evil of him. Who answered that he had not so much idle time, as once to think of him; he died being 84 year old.  
2. Socrates, the son of Sophroniscus a Lapidary, and Phenareta a Midwife, borne at Athens, master to Plato, a man of great patience; he had two wives, Xantippe, and the daughter of Aristidas; he was wont to say that whether a man did marry or no, he should repent; he was often troubled with the scolding of Xantippe his cursed wife, but never moved. Alcibiades whom he dearly loved, was wont to tell him that he could not abide the railing of Xantippe: yet quoth Socrates I can, for I am used to it; but quoth he canst thou abide the gagling of thy Geese at home? Yea quoth Alcibiades, for they lay me eggs; so quoth Socrates, Xantippe brings me children. He seldom wrote any thing, saying that wisdom should be printed in men's hearts, not on beasts skins. He was judged to be the wisest man that lived, by the Oracle of Apollo, for which he was envied, and accufed that he would not worship Images, and was condemned by fourscore judges to be poisoned, which was forthwith done by the executioners.  
3. Panathenaicus, a book which Socrates wrote of all the noble guests, and deeds of the Athenians, which Book is lost.  
4. Gorgias of Leontia, an excellent Rhetorician, the scholar of Empedocles, and master to Socrates, and other excellent philosophers; he got so much by his Art, that he first set up a golden Statua, in the Temple of Apollo. He died as Plyny saith, being a hundred and nine year old.  
5. The Voconian Law, was made by Caius Voconius, which was that no man should make his daughter his sole heir, which was after repealed by Domitianus Caesar.     

CHAP. VI.  
BUt when I consider in my mind, I find 4. causes why age may seem miserable; the first that it hindereth men from doing their affairs; the second, it weakeneth the body; the third, it taketh away all pleasures; the fourth, that it is near death; of these causes as much as they may prevail and are just, if you please we will see a little.  
Doth age hinder us from our affairs? From what? From those which are done in youth; and in strength, are then the businesses of old men nothing? Which though with weak bodies yet with strong minds may, be done? Then neither Quintus Maximus, nor [1] Lucius Paulus, your father Scipio (the father in Law to my now dead [2] son) and other old men, when with counsel and authority they defended the commonwealth, did nothing. The [3] Curii, the [4] Fabritii, the [5] Corimcam did nothing; it happen that [6] Appius Claudius was blind in his age, yet he doubted not when the Senate inclined to Peace with [7] Pyrrhus, to say that which Ennius hath set down in verses, 
Whether now bend your minds, a headlong fall to bring,  
Which heretofore hadwont to stand, as straight as any thing.   
And many other things most gravely; for you know the verse and Oration of Alpius is extant, and these things he did seventeen year after his second Consulship, when there was ten years between each Consulship, and he had been [8] Censor before the first, of which war of Pyrrhus before spoken, it is recorded it was great, for so we have received it from our forefathers. Therefore they bring nothing, which affirm that old age is not busied in affairs, and they are like them which say, the Pylatin sailing doth nothing, when some mad fellows climb the ropes, others leap up and down the hatches and others pump: But he holding the stern, and sitting quietly in the poop, doth n●t as the young men do, but far better, and that of more import; great matters are compassed, not by strength, swiftness and celerity of body, but by counsel authority, and wisdom: of which things age is not deprived, but stored; unless you will say that I, who have been soldier, Tribune, and Legate, and Consul in divers wars, do now seem to loiter when I wage not war, yet do I prescribe to the Senate what things may be done, and I show them long before, how Siege may be laid to subtle [9] Carthage, of which I will never cease to fear, till I be assured that it be rased to the ground, which victory I beseech the immortal Gods to reserve for you O Scipio, that you may follow the example of your Grandfather; from whose death it is now this 33 years; yet his fame remains to all posterity, he died a year before I was Censor, nine years after my consulship, who (I being in the office) was the second time made consul. Therefore if he had lived an hundred year should he have been weary of his age? Running, leaping, tilt, and barriers, are not fit exercises for age, but wisdom, counsel and discretion, which unless they had been in old men, our ancestors would never have called the chief council a 
* A Senio.  Senate. Among the lacedaemonians, they which bear greatest Offices, as they be, so also are they called old men, and if you will read of forrainge matters, you shall find many commonwealths overthrown by young men, but restored and held up by old men. Tell me how you have lost your great commonwealth so quickly? Thus it is answered in the play of the [10] Poet Naevius.  

* In the Play called Attellana.  There came forth new Orators, fools, and young men. For rashness is a quality of youth, but prudence of age.  

VI TABLE of Annotations.  

1. Lucius' Paulus Aemylianus, an excellent man, father to Scipio, and brother in Law to Cato.  
2. Cato the son of Cato Major, who valiantly fighting under Paulus Aemylius against Perseus, was slain; he married Tertia the daughter to Paulus Aemylius.  
3. Curii.  
4. Fabritii, a noble stock, not only memorable for their severe life, but their justice and continency, because one of them when he might have had Pyrrhus poisoned by the Samnites, he refused it as dishonourable.  
5. Coruncani, such another noble family; one of them being a very wiseman, was sent ambassador to the Queen of Illyria, and was slain in his return back, contrary to the Law of arms. Another died in a battle against Amilcar in Sicilia.  
6. Appius Claudius a Senator of Rome, who having not been a long time in the Senate by reason of his blindness, when he heard that the Senators for the confirmation of a Peace between them and Pyrrhus'; would admit him into the City, he came thither, and with all his might, dissuaded them.  
7. Pyrrhus' King of the Epirots, descended by the father's side from Hercules, and by the mother's side from Achilles, who when the people would have slain him for his father's cruelty towards them, he was by his mother conveyed to Heroa the wife of Glaucus King of Illyria, from whence being 11 year old he came to his own Kingdom, where he grow up in all virtue, and after aided the Tarentines against the Romans, at last he was slain with a tile sheard, at the taking of Argos.  
8. Censor, an Office at the first created by the Senate, to look to the Tables of the laws, and such like, they grow to such pride and authority, that they would tax all men, correct the manners and discipline of the Senators, make whom they listed chief, and displace whom they listed, from the Office of Senator, as Cato Major did; the first Censors were Papirius and Sempronius.  
9 Carthage cbiefe City of Lybia, built by Dido, 70 years after Rome; it had three long wars with the Romans, Hannibal being their Captain; but he being slain, the Senate by the counsel of Cato sent P. Scipio into Africa, who in the third war' utterly destroyed it, and razed it to the ground.  
10. Naevius a comical Poet, who writ satirical plays, in the time of the first Carthaginian war, which war he also wrote in verse, he was banished at length for his railing.     

CHAP. VII.  
BUt you will say, their memory is wasted; 'tis truth, and I believe it, unless you exercise it, or be dull of yourself by nature. Themistocles knew all the names of the citizens of Athens, and do you think, that when he was aged, he would so much forget himself, as to salute [1] Lysimachus, by the name of [2] Aristides? And for my own part, I not only remember the names of those men which now live, but also their fathers and grandfathers, neither do I fear to read monuments, lest (as they say) I should lose my memory, for by them the memory of the dead is revived, neither ever did I hear any old man, that had forgot where he had hid his treasure. All things that they care for, they remember, who to them, and to whom they owe any thing. How much have the Lawyers, Priests, Augurs, and old Philosophers remembered? Memory remaineth in old men, if they continue studious and industrious, and that not only in states of honourable men, but also in the private and quiet life. [3] Sophocles wrote Tragedies in the extremest age, who because of his study, when he seemed to neglect his household affairs, was brought into Question by his own sons, that according to our custom, that the good; of old men that dote and cannot well use them, should be taken from them; so that the judges would remove his goods from him, as from a dotard, and givethem to his sons. Then the old man is reported to have recited a Tragedy of [4] Oedippus Coloneus (which he had last written, and had in his hands) and to have demanded whether that seemed the verse of a dotard or no, for which he was delivered, and freed by the sentence of the Judges, whether hath age therefore made [5] Hesiodus, [6] Simonides, [7] Stesicorus, or those whom I spoke of before, [8] Isocrates, Gorgias, [9] Homer, or the Prince of Philosophers, [10] Pythagoras, [11] Democritus, Plato, [12] Zenocrates, or afterwards [13] Zeno, [14] Cleanthes, or him whom you saw at [15] Rome, [16] Diogenes the Stoic to be dumb or cease in their studies? were not all these men's studies like to their life?  

VII. Table of Annotations.  

1. LYsimachus son of Agathedes who for some offence, Alexander caused to be cast to a hungry lion, whom he very valiantly slew, and plucked the tongue out of his head, with bare hands; wherefore ever after he was greatly honoured and esteemed of Alexander.  
2. Aristides, a noble Athenian in the time of Themistocles, with whom he falling out, about one Stesilea a beauteous maid, whom they both loved, was by him banished, and after being restored by Xerxes the Persian King, he passed many great offices in Athens, but at last died so poor that he had not enough to pay for his burial.  
3. Sophocles, an excellent Tragedian in Athens, he was called for his excellent sweetness of speech Apis, or the Bee; he wrote twenty three Tragedies, some say more; he lived almost a hundred years, and obtained twenty three victories, whereof the last so evercame him with joy, that he died immediately; his sons were three, Jophontes Leostines, and Aristo.  
4. The tragedy of Oedipus Coloneus was written by Sophocles. This Oedipus was son to the King of Thebes, and having slain Laius his Father, not knowing him to be so, he married his own mother, and on her begat two sons and one daughter; after having knowledge what he had done, he pulled out his eyes, and died miserably, his mother hanged herself, and his two sons slew each other, and after, when after the custom of the Country, their bodies should be burnt, the flame parted, and would not burn whole; so great was their hatred in their life, that dead, one fire would not burn them.  
5. Hesiodus being sent by his father into a mountain to keep sheep, dreamed that he was suddenly made a Poet, and afterward wrote a catalogue of noble women, and many other works.  
6. Simonides a Poet, who would boast that in the fourscore year of his age, he taught verses; some think that he wrote the Art of memory; it is said that when he was one day bidden to a banquet, he was suddenly called out from dinner, and before he returned, the house was fallen down, and all the guests so pashed with the ruins, that when they came to bury them, no man knew which was which; but Simonides, by reason of his excellent memory, remembering in what place every man sat, and their apparel: showed to each man which was his friend; he died when he was ninety years old.  
7. Stesicorus, A Poet of Siculia.  
8. Isocrates an excellent Orator of Athens, he was borne the same day that Diana was, and lived seventy years.  
9 Homer Prince of the Poets, was blind; he wrote the war of the Grecians with the Trojans, which he called Illiads; he is and hath been of great estimation, so that Alexander having taken a most rich casket, among the spoil of Darius, thought it so fit for nothing as for Homer's books, he lived a hundred and eight years, the place of his birth and Parents are unknown.  
10. Pythagoras called the Prince of Philosophers, being indeed the first that called himself a Philosopher, he was born at Samos, and was the son of a Carver, he had as it is reported 600 Disciples, among whom was Architas the Tarentine. He first taught that the souls of men departed went into other bodies; which that he might the better persuade, he affirmed that when he was first born he was Athalide the son of Mercury, and did obtain of him this boon, that he only of all men, might remember all the bodies that ever he should be changed out of. Which he obtained, and after affirmed that Athalide being dead, he was changed into Euphorbus, who being stain at Troy, he was born again in the body of Hermotinus, and after his death into the body of Delias', a fisher man, who was also called Pyrrhus, and lastly he was made Pythagoras. And that so all other men's souls did in like manner; only they always forgot from whose body they last came; he abstained from all flesh, and fed only on roots and herbs; he would be called Philosophus, that is a lover of wisdom, but not Sophius, that is wise, for he said that none but God was wise. He died at Metapontum, being 99 year old.  
11. Democritus, born at Abderites, his Father was a very rich man, so that he feasted Xerxes great Army that drunk Rivers dry. After his father's death he went to travail, and returned very poor, where under the city walls he builded himself a silly cottage, where he lived contemplating the works of nature. He affirmed that all things were made of atoms, such as we see fleet in the sun in a shiny day, he was wont to laugh always what chance soever happened: (as on the contrary Heraclitus always wept,) He willingly abstaining from meat, died when he was 104. years old.  
12. Xenocrates' born in Calcedonia, Plato's scholar, he was somewhat blunt, and very earnest and dry in his Communication, he loved Plato very much, he lived chastely and holily, and wrote many good works, and died being fourscore and twelve years old.  
13. Zeno, the son of Pyrelus, and the adopted son of Parmenides, he learned his Philosophy of his adopted father, wherein he was so excellent, that Plato and Aristotle, affirm he first invented logic; he was the beginner of the Stoics, and is therefore called the prince of that sect, he was a governor in the commonwealth, he for the good of his country, conspired against Dionysius a Tyrant, but was taken in the action, and being examined of his confederates, he accused all the Tyrants chief friends, and told him that if he would hear him in private, he would discover more; whereupon the King bowing down his head to hear him, he bit of his nose; for this he was pounded in a stone mortar, to make him confess; but he biting of his tongue, and spitting it in his tormentor's face, died being 98. years old.  
14. Cleanthes a Stoic Philosopher, and scholar to Zeno; he bore labour and grief, with such cheerfulness, that he was called an other Hercules. He was very poor, and when he wanted money to buy paper, he wrote the saying of Zeno, on bones and shells.  
15. Rome built first by Romulus and Remus, two brethren, a City too well known of some, sufficiently of all.  
16. Diogenes the cynic Philosopher, who when his father was imprisoned, fled to Athens, and became Antisthenes' Scholar. He lived ninety years, and died as some say of the biting of a mad dog, others say holding his breath he stiflled himself. His scholars made a tomb for him, and on the top thereof they set a dog. His witty and satirical learning, are known of most men.     

CHAP. VIII.  
BUt that we may omit these divine studies, I can name some of the [I] Sabine fields, country [2] Romans, my neighbours, and familiars, than whom none take more pains in the fields, either in sowing, gathering, or sorting the fruits, yet among them it is no marvel; for there is none so old, but that he thinks to live one year more; but they labour in things which they know do not at all belong unto them, and as our friend Statius Caecilius saith in his Synephebis, they plant trees which shall not give fruit till another age, and after they are dead; which makes the husbandman, when any asks him for whom he sets those trees, to answer, for the immortal gods, that would not that I only should receive the fruits of the earth from my predecessors, but leave them also to my posterity. That same [3] Caecilius wrote thus of age.  
If old age brings no other faults, this one enough will be  
By living long they oft behold the things they would not see.  
And many times the things they would; but youth itself is subject to that inconvenience. But he wrote yet worse of age then that.  
In age I take this thing to be the greatest misery,  
To think the younger sort of men do hate, their company  
Nay rather pleasant then hateful is their company. For as wise old men are delighted with young men, endued with a vertuo us disposition, and their age is made the easier that are worshipped and beloved of such; so wise young men are rejoiced in the precepts of old men, by which they are led to the studies of virtue; neither do I perceive that I am less pleasant to you, than you are to me. Now you see that age is not faint and negligent, but laboursome and always doing something, and endeavouring in such things as every man's study was in his former li●e; but how if old men learn in their age also? as we see [4] Solon, boasting in his verses, that he learned something every day, grew an old man, as I myself have done, who now in my age, have learned the Greek tongue, which truly I took greedily, as it were to satisfy a continual thirst, that those things might be known to me, which you now see me use in examples. And when I heard also wha● [5] Socrates had profited in music, I would have learned that ●oo (for your ancients learned music,) but truly I bestowed my pains in learning.  

VIII TABLE of Annotations.  

1. SAbin fields, a place where Cato had a country house, not far of from Rome.  
2. country Romans, it is thought that he meant Fabritius.  
3. Caecilius Statius a comical poet, he wrote the comedy of Synephebis, of two young men brought up together from their youth.  
4. Solon one of the seven wise men of Greece, he was the son of Epistides, and born at Salamina, therefore called Salaminus, he made many good laws at Athens, he builded a city in Sicilia, and called it after his name Solos, he died when he was ninety years old, and was buried at Salamina.  
5. Socrates.     

CHAP. ix..  
NEither do I now desire the strength of youth, no more than when I was young, I did desire the strength of a Bull, or an Elephant; for that which is naturally ingraffed in a man, that it becometh him to use, and to desire to do nothing above his strength. For what speech can be more contemptible, then that of [1] Milo Crotoniata, who when he was an old man, and saw the wrestlers exercising themselves in the [2] Chase, is reported to have beheld his arms, and weeping to say, But these are now dead; no, not them so much as thou thyself thou trifler; for never wast thou ●nobled by thy virtue, or wisdom but by thy beastlike force and strong arms. [3] Sexius Aemylius spoke no such thing, nor [4] Titus Coruncanus many years before, nor Publius Crassus of late, of whom laws were prescribed to the Citizens, whose wisdom continued till their last gasp.  

Ix.. TABLE of Annotations  

MIlo Crotoniata, a man of such strength, that at the games at Olympus, he came in with an ox on his shoulders, which with his bare fist he slew, and some say immediately eat him; his death for all his strength was miserable; for coming into a wood in his age, and seeing a tree gape in the midst, being by some means cleft, he trusting to his former strength, thought to rend it in pieees, but putting his fingers into the rift, the tree suddenly closed, and he being caugbt by the hands, was there devoured by wolves.  
2. The chase at mount Olympus, where once in five years, were runings, wrestlings, and such like for games, first instituted by Hercules, who there first wrestled himself, they were had in such estimations among the Grecians, that they counted their years by them.  
3. Sextus Aemylius, a man excellently skilled in the laws and ordinances of Rome.  
4. Titus Coruncanus he first professed the laws; none of his writings remain, but many of his witty sayings are to be found in Authors.  
5. Publius Crassus a very rich man, and skilful in the laws of Rome, he was consul with Africanus.     

CHAP. X.  
BUt it may be thought that an Orator may be weakened with age. For that office consisteth not only of wit, but also of strength of body, strong sides and voice; yet that shrillness of voice doth altogether show itself, I know not by what means in old age, which I myself have not yet lost, and yet you see my years; notwithstanding the speech of an old man, is comely, quiet, & remiss; and the gentle and decked Oration of an eloquent old man, makes audience to itself, which singularity if you cannot obtain, yet may you give precepts to youth; for what can be more pleasant, then old age, guarded with the studies of youth? Shall we not then leave that strength at least to age, that it may teach youth, bring them up, and instruct them in all good duties? then which what can be more necessary, or more excellent? So that to my understanding [1] Cnaeus and Publius Scipio, and your two grand fathers, Lucius Aemylius, and Paulus Affricanus, seemed happy in the company of noble young men. Neither are any masters of good Arts, to be thought unhappy though through their pains in teaching their strength wax old, and decay; for that defection and failing of strength, is oftener caused by the faults of youth, then of age; for an intemperate and lustful youth, delivereth a corrupt and decrepit body to age. Yet (2) Cyrus (in (3) X●nphon) on his death bed, denieth that ever he felt himself much weaker by age, than he was in his youth. I remember (4) Lucius Metellus, when I was a boy, who four years after his second Consulship, was made highpriest, and served in that office 22 years, he was of so good strength and health in his last age, that he required not youth. I need not speak much of myself, though it be a thing that belongs to old men, and it is granted to our age for do you not see how often (5) Nestor doth brag in Homer, of his own virtues? for he had then lived three ages of man. So that he needed not fear lest that speaking the truth of himself, he should be counted in solent or talkative; for as Homer saith, out of his mouth flowed words more sweet than honey, which made that [6] captain of Greece, never wish that he had ten such as strong [7] Ajax, but ten such as wise Nestor, which if he might obtain, he doubted not but that [8] Troy should soon be overthrown. But I return to myself, I am now in the fourscore and fourth year of mine age, I cannot truly say as Cyrus did, but I would I could; yet this I can say, that though I am not of so great strength as I was being a soldier in the Carthaginian war, or quaestor in the same war, or Consul in Spain, or four years after, when being Tribune of the dyers, I fought at [9] Thermopylae, (Marcus A●tillius Glabrio being Consul) yet as you see old age hath not altogether weakened me, it hath not overthrown me. The Courts want not my strength, nor the pleading places, nor my friends, nor my Glyents, nor my guests. Neither did I ever assent to that old and lauded proverb, that warns a man to be old quickly if he will be an old man long; but I had rather be an old man man less while, then make myself an old man before I were. So that as yet no man could come and find me idle at home, yet have I less strength then either of you; neither have you the strength of [10] Titus Pontius the Centurion; is he therefore better than you? But let him make much of it, it will not endure long. Milo is said to have entered the lists of Olympus with a live ox on his shoulders; whether had you rather now have this man's strength of body, or Pythagoras his strength of wit, to be given you? To conclude, use that strength which you have while you have it; but when it is gone, require it not, unless you think it a seemly thing of young men, to require their childhood again, and ancient men their youth; There is but one course of age, and one way of nature, and the same simple, and to every part of age its own timelines is given; for as infirmity belongs to childhood, fierceness to youth, and gravity to age, so the true ripeness of age hath a certain natural gravity in it, which ought to be used in it own time. I think you have heard Scipio, of King [11] Massinissa, what he doth at this day being a man of ninety years old, when he goes any whether on foot, he will never ride in that journey how far soever it be; likewise, when he rides a journey he will never alight, neither could any storm, make him wear his hat; surely there is great dryness of body in him, therefore he may well execute all the offices and duties of a King. Thus you see exercise and temperance, way preserve some of the former strength even in old age.  

X. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. CNaeus and Publius Scipio were brethren, and called the thunderbolts of war; Publius was Affricanus, his father, and Cnaeus father to Scipio Nausica.  
2. Cyrus. There were three of this name; two Kings and one Poet, who for his fingular wit was made a Bishop by Theodosius the Emperor.  
3. Xenophon a man of great wisdom and beauty, the son of Grillus. He was scholar to Socrates.  
4. Lucius Metellus, Consul with M. Fabius' Aburb. condit. 506. He was High Priest, twice Consul, Dictator, master of the Horse, and Decemvir; He first led Eléphants in Triumph, in the first Carthaginian war, in his age he lost his sight when he would have spoiled the Temple of Vesta.  
5. Nestor King Pylion, son of Nelius and Adonidis, a man of great experience and wisdom, he went with Agamemnon to Troy and lived three hundred years.  
6. captain of Greece was Agamemnon, the son of Atreus King of Argives, he led the Army of the Grecians to Troy, to be revenged for the Rape of Helen, where when he had obtained the victory, returning home, Clytaemnestra his wife presented him with a headless shirt, which while he was putting on, and searching where to put forth his head, Aegisthus his wife's adulterer slew him.  
7. Ajax a strong and valiant captain under Agamemnon, who striving with Ulysses for the armour of Achilles and being overcome of him, ran mad and slew himself.  
8. Troy a famous City in the lesser Asia, built by Tros King thereof, it was three times sacked, twice by Hercules, and l●stly clean overthrown by Agamemnon, and the greeks, for the cause above said.  
9 Thermopylae a mountain in Grecia, so called of the hot matters that flow from thence; there was fought a great battle between Attilius Glabrio, and Antiochus King of Macedon, at which was Cato.  
10. Titus Pontius, who when the Capitol had be enlike to be taken, swum over Tibur; Pliny writes that he had the sinews of his arms and hands double.  
11. Masinissa King of Numidia, he was received into the Roman leangue by Publius Scipio Africanus.     

CHAP. XI.  
STrength is not in old age; neither indeed is strength required of age; therefore both by the laws and statutes, our age is free from those offices which cannot be exercised without strength; therefore we are not compelled to do those things which we cannot; no, nor so much as we can; but some men are so weak, that they can scarcely execute any office or duty of life at all; yet that is not the proper fault of age, but most commonly of sickness; how weak was (Scipio) the son of Publius Africanus, he which adopted you Scipio? of how small or rather of no health? which had it not been so, he had shined like another light in the city; for to his father's magnanimity of mind, in him was added most plentiful learning; what wonder is there then in old men, if they be sometimes weak, since youth itself cannot avoid it? Age is to be resisted, Laelius and Scipio, and his faults are to be ruled with diligence; we must strive against age as against a disease; we must have a care of our health; we must use moderate exercises; so much meat and drink must be taken, that the strength may be refreshed, not oppressed, neither must we only feed the body, but the mind and understanding much more, for they also are extinguished with age, unless you always add to them by study, and instill as it were oil into a lamp. For though men's bodies grow heavy, and weary with much exercise, yet the mind is made more light, and ready by exercising itself. They whom Caecilius calls foolish old men, are such as are credulous, forgetful and dissolute, with are not generally the faults of all age, but of a sluggish, drowsy and slothful age. For as wantonness and lust is more in young men then in old, and yet not in all young men, but in the dishonest; so that folly of age which is wont to be called doting, is in lightheaded old men, but not in all; Appius being both an old man, and a blind man, governed four valiant sons, and five beautiful daughters, a great household, and many retainers, for he had his mind ready bent as a bow, neither fainting did he yield to age. He held not only authority, but also command over his own, his servants feared him, his children reverenced him, he was dear to all, the ancient manners and discipline of the country flourished in that house. For age is so excellent, if it keep its authority, if it be bound to no man, that even to the last gasp, it beareth rule over its own. And as I like a youth in whom there is some gravity, so I like an old man in whom there is some youthfulness, which who so observeth, may be an old man in body, but in mind he never shall be. I am now writing my seventh book of [1] Originales, and of excellent causes, whatsoever I have heretofore defended, now especially I compile orations, I handle the soothsayers, the Priests, and the Civil law. I also use the Greek tongue much. And after the manner of the Pythagoreans, for to exercise my memory, I call to mind in the evening, what I have spoke, heard, or done all that day. These are indeed the cases of the mind; these the exercises of the wit, in which studies while I busy myself, I do not greatly desire the strength of body; I am present with my friends, I come into the senate often, and of my own accord, I bring discourses, long and well thought upon, which I there defend not by strength of body, but of mind, which if I could not do, yet lying on my bed, the remembrance of the good I have done, would much delight me. But hitherto I have so lead my life, that I am yet able to perform the like; fore one which liveth in these labours and studies never perceives how age creepeth on him; for it doth by little and little wax old, without feeling, neither is life suddenly dissolved, but by long continuance exstinguished.  

XI. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. THe Book of Originals, was in manner of a Chronicle, which Cato wrote; there are but a few fragments of them extant, the rest are lost.     

CHAP. XII.  
THere followeth the third Objection to age; they say that it wanteth pleasures. Oh excellent gift of age, if it take away that which makes our youth vicious; therefore hear now, O ye excellent young men, the old oration of [1] Architas the Tarentine, a singular and worthy man, which was delivered me when I was a young man with Q. Maximus at Tarentum. He said that there was no deadlier plague given by nature tomen, than the pleasure of the body, the greedy lusts whereof are rash and unbrideledly, stirred up to get and gain. From hence are derived treasons, from hence arise the overthrows of commonwealths, and the privy conspiracies and whisperings with the enemies. That to conclude, there was no wickedness, nor no evil deed, to the undertaking of which, the lust of pleasure did not incite a man; and that whoredom, adultery, and all such evil was stirred up by no other bait then pleasure. And forasmuch as nature, or some God, hath given nothing more excellent to a man, than his mind; to this divine gift, there is no greater enemy than pleasure. For lust bearing rule, there is no place for temperance, neither in the kingdom of pleasure can virtue consist. To the better understanding whereof, he bade one imagine in his mind some one nuzz in as great pleasure as could be, he thought that no man would doubt, but that while he was thus delighted, he could deeply consider of nothing in his mind, nor perform any thing by his reason; therefore nothing is so detestable as pleasure, especially if it be great, and of long continuance, for than it clean extinguisheth the light of the mind. These things [2] Nearchus the Tarentine, our friend, who was in the league of Rome, said, that Architas spoke to [3] Caius Pontius, the Samnite, his father of whom 
* Cons. An. 333.  Spurius Posthumus, and T. Viturius, the Consuls were overcome, in the [4] Caudine war, and that he had heard it of his ancestors, when there was present at that speech Plato of Athens whom I find to have come to Tarentum, 
* Cons. An. 337.  Lucius Camillus & Appius Claudius being Consuls. But to what end is all this? that you may understand that if we cannot despise pleasure by wisdom and reason, we ought to give great thanks to old age, which brings to pass, that we shall not lust to do that which we ought not to do. For pleasure the enemy of reason hindereth counsel, and as I may so say it blindeth the eyes of the mind, that it cannot have fellowship with virtue. It was against my will, that I cast [5] Lucius Flaminius, the brother to that valiant man Titus Flaminius', out of the senate, seven years after he had been Consul; but I thought his lust was noted; for he when he was Consul in France, was entreated to behead one of his prisoners for sport, by a Harlot in a banquet, which he did; he, his brother Titus being Censor, (who was next before me) escaped; but to me and 
* Censor with Cato.  Flaccus, such heinous and wicked lust could not be in any wise allowed, which with his own private shame, might join a blot to the Empire. I have often heard it of my Elders, who said that they have heard it of old men, that Caius Fabritius was wont to marvel, that when he was Embassad or with King Pyrrhus, he heard [6] Cinaeas the Thessalonian say, that there was 
* An Epicure of the sect of Aristippus.  one at Athens, who professed himself a wise man, and affirmed that all our actions ought to be referred to pleasure: and that M. Curius and T. Coruncanus were wont to wish that he could persuade that thing to Pyrrhus and the Samnites whereby they might be the easilier overcome, when they had given themselves to pleasure. Marcus Curius lived with [7] Publius Decius, who in his fourth Consulship, five years before Curius was Consul, bequeathed himself to death for the commonwealth. Fabritius & Coruncanus knew him well, who as well by the life, as by the deeds of this Publius Decius of whom I speak, did judge, that there was some other thing more excellent in its own nature, than pleasure to be followed, which every good man, pleasure being contemned, aught to seek after. But to what end speak we so much of pleasure? because that you may see that no blame, but much praise is to be given to age, because it doth not lust after pleasure, which is so dangerous a thing.  

XII. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. ARchitas of Tarentum, a Pythagorean Philosopher; he was the governor of the city, he learned Geometry of Plato, and by that art made an artificial dove which flew like a live one.  
2. Nearchus a Pythagorean Philosopher, and Host to Cato, as Plutarch writes.  
3. Caius Pontius the son of Hernius, who wished that he might live till the Romans grew covetous, for than he thought that they might be overcome.  
4. Caudine war, was fought at a woody hill so called, between the Romans and the Samnites.  
5. Lucius Flaminius', Consul 562 years ab urbe cond. who after he was put out of his degree of Senator by Cato, sitting in the lowest and common place of the theatre, was so pitied by the People for his humility, thatwith great acclamations, they advanced him to the seat where the Consuls sat.  
6. Cinaeas scholar to Demosthenes; a man of such eloquence, that by his persuasion, Pyrrhus got many cities, and therefore much honoured by him.  
7. Publius Decius Coss. with Fab. Max. Quintil. An. ab urb. cond. 458. his father fighting against the Latins, (when by the oracle of Apollo it was told that that Army should have the victory whose Captain was first slain) he valiantly and willingly cost himself among the enemies, and for the good of his country was there slain, whose example his son following did the like.     

CHAP. XIII.  
AGe wanteth banqueting, gluttony, and quaffing; it is also without surfeiting, drunkenness, or dreaming; but yet if we may any ways take some pleasure, (because we do not easily resist her flatteries (for divine Plato calleth pleasure the bait of evils, because men are caught therewith as fishes with a hook) tho age despiseth immoderate banquets, yet may it be delighted with moderate meetings. When I was a boy I remember I have seen [1] Caius Duillus, the son of 
* Tribune with L. Menenius.  Marcus, he which first overcame the Carthaginians by sea, coming from supper, he took great pleasure to have lighted torches carried before him, and musicians to play before him, which use he being a private man, without any example, had taken to himself. But wherefore speak I so much of others? I will now return to myself. First I had companions like myself, and divers companies and fellowships, (I being quaestor) were by me in, stituted; (the holy writs of the [2] great mother being performed) I did banquet then with my equals, neither did I esteem the delight of those banquets, by the body's pleasure, more than for the company and conference of my friends. Well did our Ancestors call the sitting together of friends at a feast 
* A con. & vivo.  Convivium, because it hath a conjunction of life: better than the Greeks, which call it both compotatio and concaenatio, a drinking together, and a supping together. But I am delighted with moderate feasts, for the delight of conference, and that not only with my equals, of which but few now remain, but also with men of your age, and with you, and I give great thanks to age, that hath taken away the desire of meat and drink in me, and increased the desire of study; but if any of these things do also delight any man, (lest I should seem to be at utter defiance with pleasure, in which peradventure there may be a natural mean,) I do not see but that in these pleasures themselves, age may have sense & feeling. For those stewardships in feasts, do much delight me, and that speech which is used by the chief [3] steward in his drinking, after the manner of our ancestors, and the use of moderate & little cups, as it is written in the banquet of Xenophon; also that cooling in the Summer, and again either the sun or the fire in the winter, which I am wont to use among the [4] Sabines, where I daily fill up a Table with my neighbours, and we spend the time as much as we can with divers conference, sometimes even till midnight.  

XIII. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. CAius Duillus who triumphing for the first Carthaginian victory, was not content with one days' triumph, but caused torches to be ligh●ed in the night, and musicians to play before him.  
2. Great mother, was the image of Sibella, of Phrygia, or the mother of the gods, which was brought to Rome from Pisunt, whereupon the Romans made great plays, called Megalesia, and also solemn feasts yearly.  
3. Stewards was as we choose King and Queen, in our sports at Christmas; they were chosen in feasts among the Guests, either by lot, or voices; they were to be as it were masters of the feast, and tell pleasant stories to the Guests, to pass the time withal.  
4. Sabines where Cato had a farm before he came to Rome, and there he lived not far from the city.     

CHAP. XIV.  
BUt there is not so great a tickling as it were of pleasure in old age, no nor so much as a desire for nothing that is not wanted is desired. Sophocles answered well to one that was well in years, who demanded of him if he sometimes used not 
* rebus Venereis  dalience, nay God forbid quoth he; but I have willingly fled from them as from a cruel and furious master. For to those who do desire, it it is grievous to want it; but to them that be satisfied, it is better to be without, so that they want not, that desire not. Therefore I say that it is better not to desire then to enjoy. But if youth do enjoy these pleasures in greater measure, Age also doth not altogether want them. For as in the Play of the [1] Poet Turpius Ambinius, he that sitteth in the nearest gallery is more delighted, yet is he also delighted that sits in the furthest. So youth beholding pleasures more near, is peradventure more delighted, but age beholding them afar off, is delighted as much as is sufficient. But how great is the pleasure of age, when the mind, releafed from the slavery of lusts, ambition, contention, enmity, and all other such like concupiscence, may be secure, and as they say, live at home with itself at rest? But if it have supply, & as I may call it, food of learning and study, there is nothing more pleasant than a quiet old age; we have known that [2] Caius Gallus your father's familiar friend Scipio, died when he had been studious in Astrology, and Cosmography; how often did he write both night and day? and how much did he delight to tell us long before, of the Eclipses of the sun and of the moon? Yet is age delighted in more light yet notwithstanding ingenuous studies. How did Nevius rejoice in his Bellum Punicum? How did [3] Plautus delight in his Truculentus? How in his Pseudalus? I have seen also the old man 
* L. Andronius he was made free for his good wit by L. Salinator  Livius, who set forth a book six years before I was borne, Centonus and Tutidanus being Consuls, and he lived till my youth; what shall I speak of Licinius Crassus, or of the pontifical or civil laws, or of this Publius Scipio who the other day was made High Priest? All these whom I have here remembered, being old men, I have seen flourishing in these studies; but what pains did 
* An excellent Orator.  Marcus Cethegus also take in pleading, being an old man, whom Ennius doth rightly call the marrow of eloquence? what therefore are the pleasures of banquets, or plays, or whores to be compared to these? But these are the studies of learning, which surely with the wise and well nurtured, will grow up and increase together with their age? as the commendable verse of Solon doth import 
* Assidue discens plurima fio senex.  that he grew old, learning every day something; than which pleasure of mind, what can be greater?  

XIIII. Table of Annotations.  

1. TUrpius Ambinius a poet, who flourished in the time of L. Sergius, Artilius, Praenestius, and others.  
2. Caius Gallus Sulpitius was tribune, the year before being Praetor he prognosticated the ectipse of the moon, by the commandment of the consul; he was anorator, and studied much the Greek Tongue.  
3. Plautus a Com call poet, and very fimous, but poor; he was a miller and all day ground, and in the night he wrote plays, whereof his Truculentus and his Pseudolus were two.     

CHAP. XV.  
NOw I come to the pleasures of husbandmen, with which I am incredibly delighted, which seems to me to come nearest the life of a wise man, neither is it hindered by age. The countryman's business lieth on the earth, which never refuseth to be delved, neither ever doth it render what it hath received, without usury, though some time with less, yet for the most part with greater gain. Yet am not I only delighted with the fruit, but also with the nature, and force of the earth itself , which after it hath received the seeds into its softened and wrought bosom, first it keeps it in, being harrowed, of whence this word 
* occatio.  Harrowing which doth this, is named; afterward being heat with its vapour and embracement, it spreads abroad, and brings forth an hereby greenness, which fastened with the little strings of the root, by little and little increaseth, and being erected upon a knotty stalk, is at the last as it were included in a sheath, out of which when it grows, it yieldeth fruit like grains, and it is fortified from the biting of the lesser birds, with the defence of the beards. What should I now rehearse the setting, springing, and increase of vines? I must needs say, (that you may know the pleasure and quietness of mine age) I cannot be satisfied with delight. I omit the force of all things nourished by the earth, which of a little grain of a fig, or Grape, bringeth forth such great Trunked bodies, and boughs of Trees; twigs, plants, grafts, sets, roots, do they not so spring as may delight any man with admiration? The vine which by nature is falling, and grows downwards, unless it be under-propped, to the end she may erect herself, catcheth hold with her windings as with hands, on whatsoever it meets, which as it creeps with manifold turnings, the art O husbandry corrects with a grafting knife, lest it should become wild and overgrown; therefore in the spring in those branches which be left, it bringeth forth as it were at the joints of the twigs, the buds, of which after cometh the grape, which increasing by the moisture of the earth, and the heat of the sun, is at the first but bitter, but after growing ripe, it becomes sweet, & being clothed with the broad leaves, it is defended from the scorching of the sun, yet wants it not moderate heat, than which what can be more pleasant to the taste, or more delightful to the eye? the profitableness whereof doth not only delight me, as I have said, but also the dressing, and nature of it. The order of the props, the joining of the tops, the setting and the tying of the vines, and the cutting of some, and the sparing of others, doth much delight me; what shall I say of the watering, digging, and decking of the field, by the which the earth is made much more fruitful? what shall I say of dunging, and of the profit thereof? I have spoken sufficiently in that book which I wrote of country businesses, of which learned Hesiod made no mention when he wrote of husbandry. But Homer who as it seemeth to me, lived many years before, bringeth in [1] Laertes tilling and digging the earth, to lessen and forget the care and grief he had taken for the want of his son, who was gone to Troy; but countrey-affairs are not only pleasant for corn, vineyards, meadows, and groves, but also for gardens, orchards, pastures of cattle, swarms of Bees, and all manner of variety of pleasant flowers; neither doth planting only delight me, but also grafting, than which the art of husbandry hath found out nothing more ingenious.  

XV. Table of Annotations.  

1. LAertes son of Acoisius, and father to the wise Ulysses, that went to Troy.     

CHAP. XVI.  
I Could proceed further in the country delights; but I fear I have been somewhat too long already, but you must pardon me, for I am provoked by the delight which I take therein; and indeed old age, (that I may not seem partial, to free it from all faults) is somewhat talkative. But Marcus Curius when he had triumphed over the Samnites, the Sabines, and Pyrrhus, spent the last part of his age in that kind of life; whose farmehouse when I behold, (for it is not far from mine) I cannot sufficiently admire, both the continency of the man, and his manner of life. The Samnites once brought a a great sum of gold to this Curius, as he was sitting in his countryhouse by the fire, but he refused it, saying that it was no commendable thing in his mind to have gold, but to command them which have gold. Could not such a mind make age pleasant? But I return to countrymen, lest I should depart from myself. In those days there lived old men and Senators in that country, so that it was told [1] Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, that he was created [2] Dictator, when he was a-plowing in the field; even he at whose command [3] C. Servilius Hala slew Spurius Melius, who aspired to the kingdom; Curius and others were called out of their farme-houses to the senate, whereof they that weresent for them, were called Viatores; was therefore their age to be called miserable, who were thus delighted with husbandry? truly in my opinion, no life is more happy, either in the tilling itself, (which is very healthful to a man's body) or as I have said in the pleasure, plenty, and abundance of all things, which either appertain to the service of man, or the worship of God. And because some do much desire this pleasure, let us now close again with pleasure. The Country-cellar of a frugal and diligent master, is always full of wine, and oil, and his house is replenished with all things needful; it aboundeth with pork, kid, lamb, poultry, milk, honey, &c. also his garden is to the husbandman another storer, and then hunting and hawking makes his life the sweeter. What should I speak of the greenness of the meadows, of the order & fashion of the vines, and olive trees? I will soon conclude, there can be nothing more profitable for use, or more pleasant in show, than a well tilled field: To the enjoying of which age doth not hinder, but rather entice and allure us. For where may a man be better warmed in the winter, either by the sun or the fire, than there, and where better cooled in the summer, either by the shadow of trees, or the rivers of water, than there? therefore young men have their weapons, their horses, their spears, their swimming, the ball, the club, and their races, and they leave to us old men the cards and the tables which we sometimes use when we list; for age may be right happy without them.  

XVI. Table of Annotations.  

1. Lucius' Quintus Cincinnatus Tribune of the soldiers. Anno 370. he was made Dictator, when he was found in the field at plow, with his face and hands all dirty.  
2. Dictator was the most excellent office among the Romans; he was also called Magister populi; he was never created, but when there was some sudden uproar, that threatened the overthrow of the kingdom; no man might appeal from him, but all estates obeyed him. Titus Largius was the first Dictator; no man might hold it above sixmoneths, because it was of sokingly and absolute power; but Caesar when he got it, was so ambitious, that he kept it till his death.  
3. Caius Hala slew Spurius Melius at the commandment of Quintus Cincinnatus the Dictator for aspiring to be king, for which he was made Master of the horsemen, Anno aburbe cond. 316.     

CHAP. XVII.  
THe Books of Xenophon are profitable for many respects, which I pray you read diligently as you do; how copiously is husbandry handled in that book of his, which is entitled Oeconomicus of the care of a private family? and that you may know, that nothing seemeth more kingly, than the art of tillage, Socrates in that Book speaks to 
* An excellent Physician, he cured, King Philip's eye when it was shot out with an arrow.  Critobulus, saying that [1] Cyrus the less king of Persia, a man excelling in wit and glory of Government, when Lysander of Lacedemonia, a virtuous man came to him at 
* A Town in Persia  Sardis, and brought him gifts from his fellows, he bore himself very courteously towards him, and showed him a certain piece of ground hedged in, and artificially planted, when Lyfander wondering at the greatness of the trees, the excellent order they were set in, the ground pure and well wrought, and the sweet odour that the pleasant flowers cast, said that he not only admired his wit, but also his diligence by whom knots were drawn and set; Cyrus answered him, that they were all of his drawing and invention, and that he set them down, and that most of his trees were set with his own hands. Then Lysander beholding the goodly proportion of the King's body, and the glorious splendour of his Persian purple garment, fet with gold and precious stones, said, rightly do they report thee happy Cyrus; for to thy virtue thou hast blessed fortune added; and this fortune old men may have, neither doth age hinder us, but that we may exercise arts and husbandry even till the last part of our life. We have heard of [2] Marcus Valerius Corvinius who lived a hundred years, and in his age remained in the country, and became a tiler of the ground, between whose first and sixt consulship was forty and six years. Therefore all the age that passed in a man till his old age, was accounted of our Ancestors but as a race of that length which directed to honour, so that the last age is more happy than the middle, because it hath more authority and less labour, The highest perf●ction in age is authority. How great Majesty was in 
* High Priest. Anno 671.  L. Cecillius Metellus? how great in Attillius 
* Coss with Sulp. Paterculus. Anno 672.  Collatinus? whom the general consent of all nations did allow to be the chief among the people; the verses on his sepulchre are well known. By right therefore he is to be held noble and of authority, in whose praises the reports of all men do consent, what men of wisdom have we seen of late? Pub. Crossus the high Priest, and after him Marcus 
* High Priest. Anno 671.  Lepidus that succeeded him in the office; what should I speak of Paulus or of Affricanus, or of Maximus whom I named before? Not only in whose speech, but also in whose looks remained authority. Age hath (especially honoured age) such reverence, that it is more to be accounted of, than all the pleasures of youth.  

XVII. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. CYrus Minor reigned in Persia 353. years after the building of Rome, in the times of Aggaeus and Zacharias the Prophets in Judea.  
2. Marcus Valerius Corvinus, fighting against a French souldur, that challenged him in the lists, a crow came and sat upon his head, and smo●e her wings in his enemy's face, and so blinded him, that Valerius obtained the victory, and ever after was called Corvinus; he was after both Consul and Dictator.     

CHAP. XVIII.  
BUt you must remember that in all this speech, I have praised only that age, which is built on the foundation of youth, from whence it happened that that speech of mine, wherein I affirmed that age to be miserable, which only defended itself by speech, was so generally applauded of all men; for neither grey hairs, nor wrinkles, get authority suddenly, but the honest and virtuous deeds of the age before spent, obtain the chiefest fruits of authority. For these things are honourable, which do seem but of small account. v.z. to be saluted, to be sought unto, to have place given to them, to be risen unto, to be brought in, to be conducted out, and to give counsel, which both among us, and in other well mannered cities is observed diligently. 'tis said that Lisander of Lacedaemon, of whom I spoke even now, was wont to say, that Lacedaemon was a most fit and honest habitation for old age; for nowhere was that age more reverenced or honoured then there. It comes now to my mind that a certain old man at Athens, at the plays coming in among the people, no man would give him room; but when he came among the lacedaemonians, (who when they come of an embassage, sit all in one place) they all rose up to him, and received the old man to sit with them: to whom when great praise was given for the courteous deed, one of them said, that the Athenians knew good manners, but would not use them. Many excellent Ceremonies are observed in our college of Auguries, whereof this which we speak of is one, that every man in their consultations, gives his opinion according to his age, the oldest first, and so downwards; for Augurs are not only preferred before some that are honoured, but also before many which besides their years and gravity are in office; what are therefore the pleasures of the body, to be compared to the rewards of authority, which whosoever make th' use of, seems to me to have gone well through the interlude of his life, and not like an unskilful player, to fail in the last act.   

CHAP. XIX.  
BUt old men are froward, unconstant, peevish and crabbed, and we complain also that they are covetous; but these be the faults of the manners, not of the age; but way wardness and those faults may have some excuse, though not justly, yet such may seem probable. For sometimes they think they are mocked or despised, and besides every small offence to a weak body is grievous, all which not withstanding may be sweetened both by good manners, & arts, and that may well be seen both in the life and the play of those two Brothers in [1] Adelphus in [2] Terence; how much crabbedness in the one, and how much courtesy in the other? Even so the case stands; for as all wines do not grow sour and tart in continuance, so not all age. I like severity in an old man, but not bitterness. But as for covetousness in age, I know not what it means; for there can be no greater absurdity, than when the journey is almost done, to take care to provide much more provision.  

XIX. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. Adelphus' a comedy written by Terence, wherein is showed the difference of ages in two brothers, the one Mitio a mild gentle man, the other Demea a froward perverse man.  
2. Terence born at Carthage, he wrote six Comedies which are now extant; some report that he wrote more, but they were drowned in a ship at sea; he was well-beloved of Scipio and Laelius.     

CHAP. XX.  
THere remaineth the fourth cause which seemeth to vex and grieve our age very much; the approaching of death, which surely followeth age at the heels. O 
The fourth Objection to age, nearness to death.  miserable old man, whatsoever thou be, which canst not learn in all thy life forespent, to despise death, which is either plainly to be neglected, if it kill the soul with the body, or to be desired if it bring happiness after life; for no third way is found; what should I then fear, if after death I shall be either nothing, or else happy? but what fool (though he be a young man) is there that can tell whether he shall live till night? for That age hath more causes of death than Age hath; young men sooner fall into diseases, their sickness is and more grievous and dangerous, hay are healed with more pain and trouble; so that few of them come to be old, which if some of them happen to do, they live more prudently and better than before; for understanding, counsel and reason is in age, which if it were not there, there could be no Cities. But I return to death, which as it were hangs over our heads; think you, that it is the particular fault of age, when you see it common to youth? I have well perceived not only by the death of my dear son, but also of your [1] brothers, Scipio, who were expected to great dignity, that death is common to all ages.  

XX. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. PAulus Aemylius had four sons, two by adoption, and two by another wife, of which last two, the one died five days before his triumph, and the other three days after. His sons by adoption were Scipio and Fabius.     

CHAP. XXI.  
BUt the young man hopes to live long, which the old man cannot. He hopes foolishly; for what is greater folly, then to account uncertain things for certain, false for true? the old man hath nothing to hope for more; therefore he is in better state than the former, seeing that what the other wisheth for, he hath obtained already; the young man would live long, the old man hath lived long. O you immortal gods, what is there in man's life, that is of any long continuance? for let us live long, and we expect the years of the King of the 
* A place near the seashore of Gades.  Taresians; for I have seen it written, that there was one Arganthonius at Gades, which reigned eighty years, and lived an hundred and twenty; but to me nothing seemeth of long continuance, of which there is any end; for when that end shall come, then that which is past flies away like smoke, and that only will remain, which you have obtained by virtue and good deeds; the hours you see runs on, and the days, and the months, and the years; neither doth the time passed ever return, nor can any tell what will follow. That time which a man hath given him to live, he ought to be contented with it; for a good actor is not applauded in the midst of a Scene, so a wise man's praise comes not till the end. The time of our age is short indeed; but long enough to live well and honestly. But if your age seem longer than your youth, you ought to grieve no more than the husbandman doth, when the sweetness of the spring is past, that the summer and the winter are come. For the spring doth as it were signify youth, and shows what fruit will come; the other seasons of plucking and gathering the fruit, are compared to the latter times of our age. For the fruit of age as I have said, is the memory of the abundance of good deeds heretofore done; all things which are done by the rules of God, and nature, are to be accounted good; but it is a rule of nature that old men must die, which also happeneth to young men though they resist it. Therefore a young man seemeth to me to die like fire put out with water, but old men like fire which being put out by no force, is quietly consumed of itself; and as apples on trees being not ripe, are plucked of by violence, but being ripe they fall of themselves: so force taketh away the life of young men, but ripeness of age the life of old men: which consideration is so pleasant to me, that I seem to behold the eatth, as a quiet port, whether after a long and troublesome navigation I shall arrive. The end of all ages is certain, but the end of old age is uncertain (which is death,) and a man may live therein uprightly, and contemn death; hence it comes that old men are more bold and hearty then young men, which made that Solon answered to [1] Pysistratus the Tyrant, when he asked him what made him so bold, he answered, old age. But the end he answered, old age. But the end of life is then best when nature, (the mind being well, and all the senses perfect) doth dissolve the same work, which she herself hath made. For as that workman which hath made a ship or building, knows best how to unjoyn it: so the same nature which hath made a man, best dissolves him; that which is newly joined, is hardly soldered, but old work is easily taken in pieces. Now that little time of life which we have, is not to be greedily desired of old men, nor without cause to be refused, and Pythagoras forbids that unless the Emperor (which is God) command; we ought not to depart from our station and guard of life, it is the [2] speech of Solon the wise, when he wisheth his death to be lamented of his friends. I believe he would be dear to them. But I know not if Ennius wrote better or no.  
No man shall weep my death  
Nor spend a sighing breath.  
It seems he thinketh not that death to be lamented, which obtaineth immortality. Now for the sense or pain of dying, if there be any, it remaineth but a small time, especially in old men. But this aught to be considered of in youth, that we might learn before to neglect death, without which meditation no man can be of 〈◊〉 quiet mind. 'tis certain we must die, but when, uncertain, whether to day or no we know not; therefore who can be quiet in mind, while he fears death continually hanging over his head, concerning which there needs no long disputation, when I remember not only [3] L. Brutus who was slain in delivering his country, not only 
* Slain by Hannibal in the Carthage war.  M. Marcellus whom after his death, his cruelest enemies could not suffer to want honourable burial, and many others; but also our legions of soldiers, who as I have written in my book of Originals, have often gone into those places with a cheerful and constant mind, from whence they never looked to return. Shall therefore wise and learned old men, fear that which young men, rude, and unlettered have contemned? Truly methinks that the satiety of all things makes also a satiety of life. There are certain studies in children, shall young men desire them? there are others in youth, shall age require them? and there be studies in the last age: therefore as the studies of former ages fail, so do the studies of old age, so that when the satiety or fullness of life cometh, it bringeth also a fit time for death.  

XXI. Table of Annotations.  

1. PYsistratus King of Athens, the son of Hippocrates, he reigned at Athens, when Servius Tullius reigned at Rome; he made the first library at Athens, which after, Xerxes carried into Persia.  
2. The speech of Solon is in latin, this. 
Mors mea ne careat lacrymis, linquamus amicis  
Maerorem, ut celebrent funera nostra fletu.  Thus in English. 
Let not my death want tears, but leave to all  
Sorrow and groans, to make my funeral.   
3. Lucius Brutus, he deposed Tarqvinius Superbus; it is said that when for fear of Tarquin he counterfeited himself mad, he was entreated by Tarquin's sons to go with them to the oracle of Apollo, to make them sport by the way, whether they went to know which of them should reign after their father's death; it was there answered, that he which did first kiss his mother, should rule, whereupon they hasted home apace to their mother, but Brutus understanding the oracles true meaning, fell to the earth and kissed it, as being the general mother of all, by which means he after expulsing of Tarquin for the rape of Lucretia, did govern the commonwealth himself, and was the first Consul; he put to death his own sons for taking part with Tarquin; he was stain by the lake Regulus in a battle.     

CHAP. XXII.  
I See no cause why I should not dare to tell you my opinion of death, which I seem to behold the better, because I am so much the nearer it. I do verily believe that your fathers, P. Scipio and C. Laelius most honourable men, and my good friends, do now live, and indeed such a life as is only worthy to be called a life. For while we are shut up in the fetters of this body, we perform a certain grievous burden, and duty of necessity. For the soul is divine, and is thrust down from a most heavenly dwelling, and is as it were drowned in the earth, a place contrary to divine and eternal nature; and surely I think that the immortal gods have put souls into men for this cause, that beholding the earth, and the order of the heavens, they should imitate them in the order and constancy of their life; neither doth reason and disputation only drive me to think so, but the authority and opinion of the best Philosophers. I have heard that Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, that were almost our neighbours, who were called [1] Italian Philosophers, never doubted, but that we had our souls chosen out of the most divine essence. I have heard also that Socrates who was judged the wisest in all the world by the [2] oracle of [3] Apollo, did dispute concerning the immortality of the soul. But what need many words? so I think, and so I have persuaded myself, that seeing there is such swiftness of understanding, such memory of things past, such foresight of things to come, such arts, such sciences, and such inventions; that that spirit which containeth these things, cannot but be immortal. And for as much as the soul is always moved, and hath no beginning of motion, because it moveth itself, nor shall have no end of motion, because it shall never leave itself; and seeing that the nature of the soul is simple of itself, and hath nothing mingled with it contrary to it; I believe it cannot be divided, and therefore cannot die; and it is a great argument that men know many things before they are borne, because when they are boys and learn hard arts, they so swiftly conceive innumerable things, that they seem not then to learn them, but as it were to remember them again. These are almost the very words of Plato.  

XXII. Table of Annotations.  

1. PYthagoreans, he calleth them his neighbours, because they were of Calabria, which joined on the borders of Italy and Rome.  
2. Oracle of Apollo, stood in Delphos an Isle, where in the name of Apollo, the devil through a brazen image made doubtful answers to questions that were asked; it continued till the birth of Christ, and about that time it ceased.  
3. Apollo the son of Jupiter and Latona, born at one birth with his sister Diana, in the Isle Delos; he is accounted for the son and the god of Physicians, Musicians, Painters and Poets.     

CHAP. XXIII.  
1. Cyrus the great, (in Xenophon) at his death said thus, do not suppose O my dear children, that I when I shall depart from you, shall turn to nothing, or become nowhere; for while I lived with you, you did not see my soul, but you understood that it was in my body, by the things which I did; therefore believe that it is the same still, though hereafter you shall not see it. For the honours and good name of noble men should not live after their deaths, if in their lives their souls or minds, did nothing worthy remembrance. Verily I could never be persuaded that the souls of men did only live while they were in mortal bodies, and not afterwards, nor that the soul is any longer foolish, then while it is in the foolish body, but that after being freed and pure from the mixture of the body, it becomes wise; and seeing that man is dissolved by death, the end of all other things is apparent; for all things go from whence they came; the soul only, neither when it cometh nor when it goeth, doth appear. Now there is nothing more like death then sleep; and the souls of them that sleep do greatly declare the divineness thereof; for sometime they are freed from the body for a time, and do behold many things to come, whereby may be gathered what they will after be, when they have clearly freed themselves out of the bonds of the body; wherefore if the soul be thus immortal (saith he) worship me as a god; but if it die with the body, yet ye fearing the gods, which do behold and govern all this fair world, shall keep my memory inviolable. This spoke Cyrus on his deathbed.  

XXIII. TABLE of Annotations.  

1. CYrus the great son of Cambyses, he slew Astyages, last King of the Medes, and translated the monarchy to the Persians rule. He left behind him two sons, Cambyses and Tranvazares.     

CHAP. XXIV.  
BUt if you please, let us see a little of our later times; no man shall persuade me Scipio, that either your two grandfathers Paulus and Africanus, or the Uncle of Africanus, or many other excellent men whom it is not now necessary to name; would have endeavoured so much in great affairs, unless they had known that in their posterity their memory should live together with their praise. Do you think (that after the manner of old men, I may boast something of myself) that I would have taken such pains in the City, and in the camp, if I should have ended my fame together with my life? Were it not better to lead a quiet and peaceable old age, without labour and contention? but I know not by what means, the soul lifting itself up doth so behold the memory that shall be left to posterity, as if it should then live when it had once died. Which unless it were so, that memory remained, and the soul were immortal, scarce would any excellent mind endeavour to get renown and glory. But suppose that every wise man dieth with a good soul, and every fool with a bad: doth it not seem to you, that that soul which knoweth more, and is of deeper understanding, doth see that it shall go to a better place than that soul whose intellect is more dull and mortal? Truly I am very desirous, to fee your fathers whom I love so well, and I not only wish to see them whom I have known, but also them of whom I have heard and read; therefore from the place whether I am going, shall no man withhold me, nor from thence as a ball strike me back; and if any god would grant me to be now a child in my cradle again, and to be young, I would refuse it. Neither would I, having run my full course, be called back again. For what profit hath life, or rather what trouble? but say it have some commodity, yet when it hath a fullness and satiety, it ought to have an end. I will not deplore my life forespent, as many learned men have done; neither do I repent that I have lived, because I have so lived that I think I was not borne in vain; and I depart out of this life, as from an inn, not as from a continual habitation; for nature hath given us a place to rest in, not to dwell in. O happy shall that day be, when I shall come into the company and counsel of those men, of whom I spoke before, and not only to them, but to my dear son Cato, than whom no man was better, or more excellent in piety, whose body was by me interred, which thought to die before him; but his soul not forgetting me, but continually beholding me, is gone thither, where he perceived that I should come; whose death I did the better bear (not that I take it very patiently) but I comforted myself with this hope, that I should not live long after him. And in these things Scipio (for you say that you and Loelius were wont to marvel at it) is mine age light, and not only not troublesome, but also pleasant. But if I do err that the souls of men be immortal, I do err willingly, neither will I while I live be wrested from mine opinion wherein I am delighted; but if when I am dead (as some small Philosophers say,) I shall feel nothing, I fear not lest the dead Philosophers should laugh at this my error. But if we were not immortal, yet it were to be wished that a man die in his due time; for of nature as of all things else, there is an end. But old age is the last act of our life as of a play, of which there ought to be an end, especially when there is satiety and fullness of time joined with it. Thus much I had to say concerning old age, which I wish you may obtain, that those things which you have heard me speak of, you might know by experience.   
FINIS.   

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