SENECA'S ANSWER, TO Lucilius HIS quaere; Why Good Men suffer misfortunes seeing there is a Divine Providence?  
Written Originally in Latin Prose, AND Now Translated into English Verse, BY E. S. Esq  Calamitas, Virtutis occasio. 
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's arms in St. Paul's churchyard. 1648.   

TO His most Sacred MAJESTY.  
SIR,  
WHilst I contemplate Your Sufferings, see You (as it were) personating to the life that sad 
* K. James his Pattern of a King's Inauguration.  pattern, which from the Archetype of royal Patience (the King of Heaven himself,) the pen of Your Great Father drew, behold You though under all the Pressures of these times, yet still above them, and see even those Crosses intended for Your Afflictions, stoop, and bow to You, paying You, (as it were) that Homage which Your people should, and in acknowledgement of Your new Acquest of passive Glory (a Glory, which till Your majesty's sufferings manifested the contrary, was held inconsistent with that of a crown) saluting You with the sad, yet sacred Title of the King of Sorrows; I from thence assume the humble boldness to think that this piece of Seneca of The Sufferings of Good Men, might at this time be made a pardonable, (I durst not think it a suitable) Present for Your majesty's view; wherein as by a weak Reflex, Your Majesty may perceive a glimpse of Your own invincible Patience, and inimitable Magnamity; in in bearing and ever-mastering misfortunes. How far beyond what now it hath, had the Divine pencil of Seneca set off this darke-shadowed Tablet, had he lived in these Times to have heightened it with the lustre of Your majesty's Example!  
Sir, whilst the times are such, that they deny me according to my particular Duty to serve the just Commands of Your majesty's Will, I presume (though by so mean a Demonstration) to show Your Majesty that yet I have a Will to serve You. And if Your Majesty shall be pleased to pardon this humble address, it shall abundantly satisfy his Modesty who cherishes not in himself so proud a Hope as to look for an Acceptation.  
God who regards Your majesty's Sufferings, for these Minutes of Afflictions, send You Eternity of joys, and crown You with Glory on a Heavenly Throne; which that he would be pleased (as in a Type) to shadow forth unto You in the happiness of a speedy and a glorious Restauration to This of Your majesty's kingdoms; Is the truly zealous, and the justly-bounden Prayer of  
Your majesty's most loyal Subject and Servant, EDW. SHERBURNE.   

To the Reader.  
THat Verse is no misbecoming Attire for the grave morals of Seneca, is manifest by the late 
* His Consolation to Marci● translated into Verse by Sr. R. F.  Example of a Worthy Pen: That among all those Excellent moral Tracts of his, this is one of the Chief, we have the Testimony of the learned Lipsius: who honours this with the Title of a Golden Work. Lastly, how suitable this piece may seem to the present Condition of divers Good Men, honest and loyal Sufferers in these bad Times. The subject matter thereof will clearly evidence; To whom if at any time it shall prove in the Reading (as sometimes it did to the translator in the doing thereof) not an unpleasing Divertisement, it shall not only excuse, but crown his Attempt; And warrant the Publication above any Licence of an Imprimatur. All that on Seneca's behalf is desired by his Interpreter is this; That in those Places where the Reader shall find him speak like a Stoic and a Roman, he would bear with him; And for that, in others, he shall make him a large requital, teach him to do like a Christian.  
Farewell.   

SENECA'S ANSWER, TO LUCILIUS HIS quaere, &c.  

PART. 1.  
ARGUMENT.  
To prove there's Providence were vain,  
Since its Effects we see so plain.  

THou asksed of me (my dear Lucilius!) whence,  
(If this World governed be by Providence,)  
So many evils should good men befall?  
This would, in our works Context, (where we  
Prove, that a Providence doth all things steer, (shall  
And that God's present with us every where)  
Be fitlier answered: but since pleased thou art,  
That from the Whole I should divide this Part;  
And clear this seeming Contradiction,  
Letting the rest of the Dispute alone;  
I willingly to this shall condescend,  
And easily the Gods just Cause defend.  
'Twill seem but needless to be here maintained,  
That this great fabric cannot be sustained  
Without some Guardian, or that the set Dance,  
And certain Motions of the Stars, by Chance  
Are not incited, nor distracted run  
In a wild, loose, Arietation.  
Or that heavens' swift, uninterrupted Course  
Moves b'an eternal laws preordered force.  
Or that that Cause which constant Influence  
To all things doth, in Earth, and Seas dispense;  
And those bright sparks (like Gems in Rings of Gold)  
We in their several spheres inchaced, behold;  
Is not the Order of some wandering Power.  
That if these things to some rash Coiture  
Had their convention owed, they had not then  
With such rare Artifice disposed been.  
That heavy Earth unmoved should behold  
The flying heaven's about her swiftly rolled.  
That Seas through valleys spread, moisten the ground.  
That they t'admit increase are never found  
By that access their Wat'ry Tribute brings  
From all the inland Rivers, and fresh Springs,  
That from small Seeds such mighty Bodies grow,  
That none even of these things, which have least show  
Of certainty and most confused seem,  
(As we, Clouds, rain, and thunderclaps esteem,  
Fires which with Horror blaze from Mountalnes split,  
Earthquakes, when she seems shook with a Cold fit.  
And those tumultuous Motions, which appear  
So often raised about this Earthly sphere)  
Without a reason, (though they're thought by some  
The Births of sudden violence) do come.  
But have their proper Causes, well as those  
Which we, 'cause strange, Miraculous suppose.  
As warm Springs are which gelid streams surround,  
And Islands from the Sea new rising, found.  
Then if one mark how the retiring Maine  
The shore discloses, and conceals again;  
He'll think that the distracted Waters run  
As 'twere, with a blind volutation,  
In't one another, and again from thence  
With a swift Course, and furious violence  
Break forth, and with augmented streams, retreat  
Unto their wonted Home, and Proper Seat.  
When they indeed do by degrees increase,  
And to a day, or hour▪ grow more, or less,  
As the moon's Influence doth them despose;  
Governed by which, the Ocean ebbs, and flows.  
But these we leave until their due Time; since  
Thou doubtest not, but complain'st of, Providence.  
I'll reconcile thee to the Gods above,  
Who best, unto the Best of M●rtalls prove.  
For even by nature's laws it is withstood  
That good things should prove hurtful to the Good.  
'Twixt God and Good men there's a friendship laid  
Still firm, by virtu's Mediation made.  
Did I say Friendship? An inforcive Tye  
Or likeness rather, and a sympathy.  
Since a Good man differs from God alone  
In time; his amulous scholar, and his own  
Legitimate Issue: whom that royal Sire  
(Who virtuous Acts severely doth require)  
As Austere Parents (who make theirs endure  
Labour and toil) to hardship doth enure.  
If then the Good, (Men after God's own will,)  
Thou shalt behold to toil, sweat, climb the Hill,  
And see the bad to sport with Wanton Pride  
Floating in Pleasures at a high Spring Tide.  
Think with thyself, that we delight to have  
A Modest Child, though a licentious slave.  
That this, too severe disciplin's restrained,  
Whilst that, in his bold liberti's maintained.  
The self same course thou mayst observe God take,  
He does no darling of a Good Man make;  
But tries, and hardens, makes him propose 'gainst Ill;  
And brings him to the Bent of his own Will.    

PART. II.  
ARGUMENT.  
God doth good Men, (like a severe  
Father,) Afflictions learn to bear.  

Quest.  
HOw comes it that adversity doth then  
So often happen to the Best of Men?  
Ans. No Ill te a good Man can r'ebefall,  
Since Contraries can never mix at All.  
For as the Land so many fresh streams powers  
Into the Sea, the heaven so many showers,  
And yet the saltness of the Ocean  
Can neither change, nor lessen: so, nor can  
His fixed Resolutions altered be  
Though stormed on All sides by adversity,  
He's still the same, and whatsoever ensue  
Be't good, or Bad, he brings to his own Huc.  
Since he's above all outward Accidents;  
Not that I mean of these he hath no sense,  
But that he masters them; and with a State  
Composed, bears up against the tide of Fate,  
Counts Crosses Exercises of the Mind:  
For where's that man, to honest things inclined,  
Affects not lawful labour? And's not prone  
To good employments though with hazard, known?  
And to a soul industrious, what less  
Then a tormenting pain, is idleness?  
We see that wrestlers least their strength impair,  
T'encounter with the strongest still prepare.  
Before the Combat craving from their Foes  
That they would them with their whole strength oppose.  
Enduring strokes, and Gripes; and if too weak  
One Foe they find, they more Opponents seek.  
Virtue without an Adversary, pines.  
Then she alone in her true greatness shines,  
Then doth her value, and her strength appear,  
When she by suffering shows what she can bear.  
And know from me, this is a Good man's State,  
Not to fear Crosses, nor complain of Fate,  
Who should what ever happens to him, take  
As sent for good, and his advantage make.  
Not what, but how we suffer, is the thing.  
Seeest not how Fathers, unlike Mothers, bring  
Their children up? they with an early care  
Them for their studies, and their Books prepare,  
Nor suffer them though on a holiday.  
(A time for liberty and ease) to play;  
But exercise in some laborious course,  
Sweat from their brows, tears from their eyes, enforce.  
When Mothers hug them in their bosoms laid,  
Nor suffer them to stir out of the shade,  
Tears, sadness, toil, are things they must not know.  
God to Good men a father's mind doth show,  
And loves with a more strong affection.  
" Let them (Says he) that would for mine be known,  
" Bee with grief labour, and with Crosses tried,  
" That so they may be truly fortified.  
Full Bodies languish through dull idleness;  
Whom toil, and their own weight alike oppress,  
Unhurt Felicity, no wound can bide;  
When with her Crosses she hath been used to chide;  
Then through all Injuries that Chance doth lay  
l'obstruct her Passage she doth force her way;  
Yields to no ills, though overpowered by might,  
But on her knees, though down, maintains the fight.  
Obj. Thou wonder'st God that so the Good doth love,  
Who would they should the best of mortals prove,  
And the most excellent, should yet by's will  
Make them the Exercise of Fortune ●●ill.  
Answ. I wonder not, if Gods with pleased eyes  
See great men combat with Calamities.  
'Tis to ourselves sometimes a pleasing sight  
To see a Youth with an undaunted spirit,  
The rough assault of some fierce Beast oppose,  
Or fearless with a raging Lion close.  
And so much more delightful is the sight,  
As the Youth's comely, who performs the fight.  
These are not spectacles for Gods to see,  
But childish Scones of human vanity.  
Behold a sight, on which as if intent  
On its chief work, heaven's eye may well be bent.  
A sight worth heaven indeed; to see a mind  
Firmly resolved to adverse Fortune joined;  
As that he scorned Fury, seemed to brave.  
What nobler spectacle great Jove could have  
On Earth, I know not, would he deign to look,  
Then to see Cato all his party broke,  
Upright yet midst the public ruins stand.  
" Though All (Says he) now stoop to ones Command,  
" Though Legions guard the Land, Navies the Sea,  
" And 'fore out Ports Caesar entrenched be,  
" Cato hath yet an Exit from all These.  
" And with one Hand can wheresoever he please,  
" Make his road Way to liberty. This Blade,  
" With blood of civil war ne'er guilty made,  
" A brave and Noble Act at length shall do;  
" On Cato now that liberty bestow  
" It could not on his Country. Now the Fact  
" My soul! So long premeditated act.  
" And snatch thyself out of humanity.  
" By this time Juba and Petreius be  
" Dispatched; and lie, slain by each others Hand.  
" A brave, and valiant End! Yet does not stand  
" With our great-souled resolves: Cato his Death  
" As much from any scorns to ask, as Breath.  
Sure no small joy it in the Gods did move,  
Whilst they beheld him his own Rescue prove,  
And as it were for others safety lay  
The ground, and trace for their Escapes the Way.  
Whilst that last Night his studies he pursued.  
And in his sacred breast his Sword imbrued.  
Whilst H'hiss extracted bowels threw about,  
And with his own undaunted Hand, drew out  
His pious soul, too worthy far to feel,  
Or be contaminated by rude steel.  
And therefore I imagine that the Wound  
No cure, nor Efficacious Issue found,  
Cato but once to see, could not suffice  
The high immortal Powers. His Faculties,  
And virtue therefore, still retained were,  
That in the hardest part they might appear.  
For 'tis an Act less high, and great, our Breath  
At once to fo●ce, then to repeat our Death,  
Nor with unwilling Eyes, do I suppose  
They saw their Son so gloriously close  
His Memorable Tragedy; Death then,  
Is but the Consecration of good Men.  
Whose brave and gallant Exit, justly draws  
From those that tremble at it, as Applause.    

PART. III.  
ARGUMENT.  
Ills are not Ills to good Men meant.  
But are by God as trials sent.  

NOw shall the progress of our work make clear  
Those are no Ills at All that so appear.  
For those things you, harsh, cruel, horrid call,  
Were first ordained for them on whom they fall,  
And next for all Mankind, which is heaven's Care  
Far more than any inidividuals are.  
Next, that these things falls not against their Wills,  
That, did they, they deserved to suffer Ills,  
To these I'll add that they from Fate do flow,  
And to the good, by the same Rule they're so,  
Do happen; therefore I persuade thee shall  
Never to pity a good Man at All.  
He miserable sometimes may be said,  
But never can be miserable made.  
But that which We did at the first propose,  
Of All the rest, to prove, the Hardest shows,  
Which is; That for those Men, even that's by Fate  
Ordained, which we abhor, and tremble at.  
But thou wilt say, was't for their sakes ordalned  
They should be banished? be to want constrained?  
Of Children be deprived, and of Wife?  
Slandered? debarred the means to strengthen life?  
If thou think'st strange this should appointed be  
For any; thou wilt wonder then to see  
Lancings, and Fire, Famine, and thrust, to some  
The Instruments, and means of Cure become.  
But when thou shalt consider that t'obtain  
A Remedy; some do endure the pain  
To have their Bones be scaled, their veins pulled out,  
And limbs lopped off, when the whole Frame's in doubt;  
Thou then wilt easily to this Assent,  
That Ills for those, on whom they fall are meant.  
And are for them as fit, and proper thought,  
As those things, which with eager longing sought,  
Are contrary to those they do delight.  
As the raw, drunken surfeits of the Night,  
And such like Like Luxuries, which while W'injoy  
Our ruin prove▪ and while they please, destroy.  
'Mongst All those high Expressions of his Mind  
Which by our good Demetrius left I find,  
This voice above the rest, methinks I hear  
Still fresh, and smartly founding in my ear.  
" Nought than that Man can more unhappy be  
" Who never tasted infelicity.  
He ne'er could come to try himself, though All  
Even at his Wish, nay 'fore his wish befall,  
Yet the impartial Gods, of him esteemed  
But hardly: that Man was ne'er worthy deemed  
That he should vanguish Fortune, which still flies  
From the most dull unactive Enemies.  
As though sh''ve said; make him m'Antagonist,  
Will straight throw down his arms, and quit the List?  
We need not use our strength; Our threats shall chase  
Him hence; He dares not look us in the face.  
Let's with some other Combatant join Hands,  
With one who ready to be vanquished stands,  
'Tis shame t'encounter. Gladiators will  
Think it a scorn, with those in strength and skill  
To them inferior, to contend, who know  
That's held but an Inglorious Overthrow  
Is without danger given: Fortune the same  
Doth do; and seeks out Combatants of Name.  
Passes by others in a scorn, and slight,  
And the most resolute, and most upright  
Encounters with. On Mucius fire doth try,  
Upon the staid Fabricius Poverty.  
By Exile 'gainst Rutilius would prevail,  
And Regulus with Tortures doth assail.  
Upon wise Socrates the Poison tries,  
And against Cato Death itself employs.  
All Great Examples, are b'Ill Fortune sought.  
Shall therefore Mucius be unhappy thought.  
'Cause midst the Hostile Flames his hand he thrust?  
And his own Error did conceive it just  
Himself should punish? What? 'Cause with that Hand  
He could not armed with steel, when burnt t'a Brand,  
He made Porsenna fly? Or should he be  
Thought happier in his Mistress breast if he  
His hand had cherist? Is Fabricios found  
Ere the less happy, 'cause he digged his ground  
When free from State-Affairs▪ Doubly inggaed,  
Who war at once with wealth, and Pyrrbus waged.  
And supped upon those Roots his Weeded Field  
Did him an aged Triumphator yield.  
Or had he more felicity enjoyed  
If with strange Fish, or foreign fowl h''d cloyed  
And stuffed his empry belly? Or, if t'excite  
The dullness of his queasy Appetite  
H''ve raked the upper, and the lower Sea  
For shellfish? Or, if in large Hortyards, the  
Beasts of the Noblest kind had closed, were ta'en  
With loss of many a bold Hunter slain?  
Or is Rutilius unhappy? 'Cause  
He was condemned by the unjust laws  
And Power of those, who for that Act shall be  
Condemned themselves to all eternity;  
'Cause with an eu'ner Mind he underwent  
His doom, than Freedom from his Banishment?  
'Cause he alone great Sylla durst deny,  
And when called home again, did farther fly?  
" Let those (saith he) whom thy felicity  
" enslaves at Rome, a bloody Deluge see  
" I'th'Forum; and, 'bove the Servilian Lake,  
" (For in that Place they used the spoil to take  
" Of those whom Sylla had proscribed) behold  
" The Heads of Senators; and troops of bold,  
" desperate Assassinates, run everywhere  
" Along the streets; and thousand Romans there  
" After Faith given, and Pledge of thy right Hand,  
‛ Nay, against Faith, butchered at thy Command.  
" Let those that cannot endure Banishment,  
" Be with such horrid Spectacles content.  
What then? Is Sylla ere the happier thought,  
Cause to the Roman Forum he was brought,  
Guarded with Swords? and Heads of consuls slain  
He caused to be suspended? and the gain  
And Price of his dire Massacres he took  
By public Tables, and the Questors book?  
Yet All these things unquestioned does that Man  
Who first brought in the Law Cornelian.  
Come we to Regulus; what hurt had he  
By Fortune▪ that, him wh'of fidelity  
●h● Great Examp●e was before, she now  
Hath made the arch type of Patience too▪  
Nails pierce his skin, and though he turn him round,  
His wearied Body rests upon a Wound.  
Nor can his Eyes in sleep be ever closed  
But to perpetual wakefulness exposed.  
How much the greater Torture he sustained,  
So much the greater Glory thence he gained.  
Wouldst be assured he nor repents his Fate,  
To have prized virtue at so high a Rate?  
Refresh him, send him to the Senate, there,  
You'll still from him the same Opinion hear.  
Now, does the great M●c●n●● therefore seem  
The happier of the two in they esteem,  
'Cause, vexed with jealous love, grieved at the life  
Of his Imperious and fantastic Wife,  
(Which ●v'●y day threatened to leave him) he  
With music's most delicious Harmony,  
Echoed from far, in soft, and melting strains,  
In pleasing slumbers sought to charm his brains?  
Though he in ●owing bowls his senses steep,  
And with the Fall of Waters, court his sleep,  
As far ●●om r●●● yet on his down he lies,  
As he in midst of all his Agonies,  
This, from his Miseries a Comfo●t draws,  
In that he suffered for an honest caus●.  
Whi●st tother, with his lusts, and Pleasures spent,  
Sick of a surfeit of ●o much content,  
The Cause and Reason of his sufferings pains  
Farremore, then All that he for that sustains.  
Men are not yet to much enthralled to Vice,  
But if the Gods should put them to their Choice  
The●e would be more with R●g●'●● his Fate  
Then to be borne unto M●●e●as state.  
If there be any yet dares say that he,  
Rather than Reg'lus, would Macends be,  
That Man, (though to confess it he be loath)  
Had rather be Terrentia, then 'em both.  
Dost Socvates but hardly used, suppose,  
'Cause he took off his public-mixed dose  
As 'twere a Cup of immortality?  
And with a firm unmoved Con●●ancy  
Of Mind, disputed, and discourt of Death  
Until that came, and stopped his learned Breath?  
Was he ill dealt with 'cause his ice-turned Blood  
Unactive in it it's frozen channels stood?  
How much more to be envied is his State  
Then theirs who served are in jeweled Plate,  
To whom some old, and ou●-worne slave, that's brought  
To be at all turns, to bear All things taught,  
Pours melted Snow from our a Golden ewer  
That may A Fres●● to their Wine procure.  
Those what they drink shall vomit up at last,  
And 'gainst their Wills their bitter choler razed.  
When he to no such surfeitings inclined,  
Shall take down poison with a willing Mind.  
Enough of Cat●; whom all Men confess  
●o have attained the height of happiness.  
A Man whom Nature seemed to choose, by whom  
She might the Worst of Terrors overcome.  
Of powerful Men, heavy's the Enmitic.  
Yet he'd to Pompey Caesar, Crassus be  
Opposed: 'tis a sad thing, to see Men go  
'Bove us in Honours, in deserts below.  
Yet can he see Vatinius preferred,  
To be engaged in civil wars, is hard  
And grievous: Yet o'er the whole World for Right  
Stoutly, though sure of Ill success, beed fight.  
To part with life seems grievous to most Men,  
Yet should he do't: By this what would I then?  
That All might know, these are not to b'esteemed  
●lls, of which, Cato's self I worthy deemed.    

PART. IV.  
ARGUMENT.  
Virtue by being oppressed, is shown,  
Those we think Miseries, are None.  

PRo●peritie, and happy Fortune, finds  
Out base, plebeian, and ungenerous Minds:  
But 'tis the property of a Great Sou●e  
Crosses and human Terrors to control.  
To liv● still happy, and ●e're f●●le no Smart,  
Is not to k●●w of life the other Part.  
Thou'●t a stout Man: But how shall this be known,  
It by some Chance thy Valour be not shown?  
But thou wilt say, thou wentest to play thy Prize  
And wert at the Olympic Exercise;  
But none besides thyself. The Garland gained  
Thou ●a●, but not the Victory obtained.  
Not as a strong Man thee I gratulate,  
But as if one to the Praetorian State;  
Or Consulship, that is arrived at length;  
Thou are increased in Honour, not in strength.  
The like to a good Man may be applied,  
If by no Crosses, no● Afflictions ●●y'd.  
I count thee wretched, that thou ●e're wer● so.  
If ●e're in all thy life thou knew'st a Foe,  
None thy Abilities can judge; nor you  
Yourself, can tell what 'tis yourself can do.  
Man to the knowledge of himself, must bring  
Experiment all Prooses; trial's the Thing  
By which w●e learned our Strength. Some have ●in know●  
Of their own selves t'have sought Affliction;  
That so their virtues, without Exercise  
Obscuring, might with renewed splendour rise.  
For in adversity Great Minds delight  
No less, then Valiant soldiers do in Fight.  
I'h've heard a Fencer in Great Caijus reign  
Thus of the scarceness of Rewards complain.  
●● How fair an Age, saith he, is lost and gone!  
virtue's with greediness to Pe●i ls prone.  
Her Race, not sufferings, 'tis she minds: since those  
Th' Accomplishments of Glory ar● she k●●●ves.  
Wo●●ds are the soldier's praise; who take a Pr●de  
To show their arms in their own Bloods bedyed,  
In some successful Fight; And though perchance  
That man as much might do, as far advance  
Received no hurt, yet we the Wounded prize,  
And he it is on whom we fix Our Eyes.  
God as it were studies the good of those  
To whom he some fit matter doth oppose  
To try their Valours on. T' which we with pain  
And difficulty sometimes scarce attain.  
A Pilot is in storms and Tempests shown,  
A general is in a battle known.  
How shall I know thou canst bear Poverty  
When thou still flow'st with Riches? Whence shall I  
Know with how constant, and composed a state  
Thou canst brook slanders, and the people's Hate,  
If in the general Plaudit thou grow old?  
If an affection not to be controlled  
And popular opinion, and good Will  
Inclined to favour thee, attend thee still?  
How shall I know with what an even mind  
Thou children's loss canst bear, if none thou find  
Of all thy Race impaired? I h've heard thee, when  
Thou comfortest others; but would gladly then  
Have seen thee to thyself like comfort give  
Or heard thee then forbid thyself to grieve.  
Be not possessed with Terror of those things,  
Which Gods apply as the Minds spurs, not stings.  
Misfortune's virtues Opportunity.  
All men those wretched think deservedly,  
Who languish on the bed of happiness,  
Benumed with the Torpedo of excess.  
Whom dull tranquillity, and stupid ease,  
Detain like vessels in becalmed Seas.  
What e'er to such befalls, will strange appear;  
Men unexperienced, Crosses hardly bear.  
With pain the yoke the tender neck doth brook;  
Pale at the thought of wounds raw Tyro's look.  
When the old soldier with a dauntless eye  
Views his own Wounds, nor turns his Head awry.  
As one, by whom that Maxime's understood  
He oft proves Victor who resists to blood.  
Those then, whom God approves, and loves, he tries,  
Chastens, and hardens in Adversities.  
Whilst others; whom he seems t'indulge and spare  
For future Miseries reserved are 〈◊〉  
Thou err'st to think there's an exemption;  
Even the long happy hath his Portion:  
Who seems dismissed, is but deferred. 
* Object.  You'll say  
Why yet does God still on the best Men lay  
Sickness and Crosses? 
* Answ.  Why in Camps are put  
Most dangers still, on the most resolute?  
To beat up Quarters, Scout, or Enemies  
By nightly Ambuscadoes to surprise,  
The choicest still are sent; nor of those, one,  
Thinks himself less in the Opinion  
Of his Commander; or by that debased;  
But that his Merits are more highly graced.  
So may those say, who are those Ills designed  
T' endure, seem horrors to a timorous mind;  
" Worthy the love of heaven we now are meant,  
" Which by our sufferings would experiment  
" How much 'tis human Nature can sustain.  
Fly from enerved Felicity, and vain  
Delight●s which as it were dissolve, and steep  
Th' inebriated mind in a long sleep.  
Unless by chance some intervening Fate  
A monitory give of h●mane state.  
Whom still glass windows screen from cold and wind,  
Whose feet still warmed are kept; whose rooms are lined  
With the stoves subtle circumfused heat▪  
To such, the airs least breath doth danger threat.  
Though all extremes do hurt, there's no excess  
So dangerous as that of happiness.  
This soils the understanding, and with vain  
Delusive Fancies does distract the brain;  
And 'fore our blinded eyes a mist doth send,  
They cannot Truths from falsehoods apprehend.  
Is it not then far better to abide  
Perpetual Crosses which to virtue guide,  
Then to be broken with th' excessive weight  
Of a too great, and a too happy state?  
To leave, spare Bodies, Death scarce seems a pain;  
Tormenting Crudities the the gross sustain.  
Heaven with good men, observes the self same rule  
As Masters do with Sthollers in the school;  
Who greater pains, and harder tasks on those  
That are the hopefullest esteemed, impose.  
Think'st thou the Spartans less their children love  
'Cause they by public stripes do use to prove  
Their youthful dispositions? Parent's there  
Their Sons exhort with courage blows to bear  
Of lashing whips; and though half dead with pain,  
To persevere, and wounds on wounds sustain.  
〈◊〉 God then, Generous spirits with severe  
Rough trials proves, why should it strange appear?  
In all the Book of virtue there's not one  
Soft Document, or easy lesson known.  
With fortune's whips though we be lashed, and rent,  
Let's bear't; 'tis our trial, not our Punishment.  
Which the more often 'tis we undergo  
The more prepared, and barier still we grow.  
Of all the body, that part's most obdured  
And solid, is to constant toil enured.  
We should to Fortune be exposed, that we  
Against herself, armed by herself might be.  
To be her equals us in time the brings,  
Contempt of dangers from tried dangers springs.  
So Mariners endure the Sea, and so  
The ploughman's hands with labour hardened grow.  
So soldiers learn to throw their Darts with force;  
So Racers prove the nimbler for the Course:  
Perfection and Solidity doth rise  
From constant and assiduous exercise.  
So is the mind by Patience brought at last  
Contempt upon the Power of Fate to cast.  
Whose force we well may guess upon the mind,  
When how much labour can perform, we find  
In poor, and naked people, whom we see  
Assuming strength even from their poverty.  
Do but consider all those Nations round,  
Which to the Roman Peace, prescribe a bound;  
I mean the Germans, and those People spread  
Along the Banks of Ister to his Head.  
To lowering skies, and winter's lasting cold  
Subjected still; to whom the barren mould  
Scarce Food affords? to whom a Shed of boughs,  
A homely shelter from the rain allows.  
Who on the frozen Ister, or the Rhine  
Do slide, and on the hunted Quarry dine.  
Dost count these men wretched in thy esteem?  
No Natu'rall Habit can e'er wretched seem:  
Time by degrees does those things pleasant make,  
Which from Necessity their Births did take.  
No Houses there, no resting Place to those  
But such as toil, and weariness impose.  
No food though vile, but what their Hands procure;  
Though horrid be their Climes intemperature,  
Yet they go naked; and this you suppose  
A Misery, is yet the Life of those.  
Why dost thou wonder if thou good men see  
Shook with the storms of Fortune? since that Tree  
But weakly rooted is, nor solid grown,  
Hath not the frequent shocks of Tempests known:  
Which firmer still, and deeper rooting finds,  
The more 'tis tossed and vexed with the winds;  
Whilst those which in the Sunny Valley grow  
Are weak and brittle. Good men therefore, so  
Are exercised in matters full of fear,  
That they might terrors without terror bear:  
And with calm minds, those things might undergo  
No Ills are, but to those endure them so.    

PART. V.  
ARGUMENT.  
For good of others, sufferers be  
The Good; All stoop to Destiny.  

ANd now, 'tis for the general end, the Best  
Should war, and by their Deeds their lives attest.  
Since 'tis God's aim, and a wiseman's, to prove  
That those things which the vulgar fear, or love  
Are in themselves nor good, nor Ill at all:  
For if by Heaven's Decree they do befall  
To a good man, their good; but bade they are,  
If they're allotted to a bad man's share▪  
Blindness were detestable, did we find  
None lost their eyes, but those the Law made blind,  
Then Appius and Metellus may want eyes.  
We do not Riches as a true good prize;  
Ellius the Bawd may then be rich, and we,  
When in the Temples sacred treasury  
W'have offered up our consecrated gold,  
The same in the bordello may behold.  
God cannot more men's longings vilisie  
Then those, the basest grant, the best deny.  
Obj. But you will say it seems to you unjust  
The good should be oppressed, imprisoned, trust.  
When you behold the Bad still living free  
In all Delights, and sensuality.  
Answ. Is it not yet as much unjust, and hard,  
That valiant men in arms should nightly guard  
The camp? and for defence thereof, decline  
No wounds, but with their Bloods make good the Line,  
Whilst safe i'th'city the spruce Gallant lies▪  
Glor'ing in his professed Adulteries?  
is't not unjust that noblest Virgins rise  
At Midnight, to their sacred Exercise,  
Whilst dissolute, and inquinated Minds,  
Soft, pleasing sleep, in silken Fetters binds?  
Labour and travel, ●ill the Best assays:  
The Senate oft in council sit whole days.  
Whilst in the Fields the meanest groom doth please  
Himself, or in the tavern takes his Ease,  
Or insome other pass time spends his hours.  
'Tis the same in the world's Common Wealth, as ours.  
Good Men there toil, and labour still, nor by  
Fortune are hall'd, but follow willingly.  
And keep pace with her, and if they had known  
Her mind, perhaps they had before her gone.  
That gallant Speech I here to Mind recall,  
Did once from the great-souled' Demetrius fall.  
" Of this, (you Gods!) Do I complain alone,  
" That I before, your pleasures had not known;  
" For sooner than should I have made m'Appeare,  
" Unto those things, which now I'm called to bear,  
" Would you my Children have? they are your due,  
" They were b●●ot, and bread by me for you.  
" Would you some limb? (what here my ●ow assures  
" Is no great thing) straight my whole Body's yours.  
" Would yo●●y soul? I shall no whit delay,  
" But gladly what you gave me shall repay.  
" What e'er you ask I give you willingly,  
" An offering rather than D●livery.  
" What needs y'have forced them from me? Now you may  
" Receive them; no▪ nor now shall take away.  
" Since nothing from that Man can e'er be ta'en,  
" Who of himself seeks nothing to retain.  
" Nought 'gainst my Will, am I compelled to bear,  
" To God in love I'assent, not serve in fear.  
" Since I know all things move by a decree,  
" Sure, and enacted from eternity.  
W'are led by Fate; and his first hour of Breath,  
Unto each Man prescribes his hour of Death.  
Cause upon Cause depends, and all are drawn.  
By a long-linked Concatenation.  
Which therefore We should bear with courage, sin●●  
Nought falls by chance, but comes by Providence.  
Our joys, and sorrows were long since decreed,  
And though the life of each Man, seem indeed  
With much variety distinguished; yet,  
There is to All, one common Period set,  
All W'have received is subject to decay,  
And we ourselves must one day pass away.  
Why then do We complain? or fret with scorn  
And Indignation? We for this were borne.  
Nature may do (by whom We all subsist)  
With her own Compositions, as she list.  
Yet let us cheerfully with Minds prepared  
Think, that there's nothing of our own impaired.  

Quest.  What is it best befits a good man's State?  

Answ.  To yield himself into the Hands of Fate.  
'Tis no small comfort, that W'are rapt, and hurled  
About, with the same Course as the whole World.  
That which commands us to live thus, thus die,  
Binds heaven by the same necessity.  
And all things human, and Divine, doth force  
Along in an irrevocable Course.  
Who made, and rules this All, to Fate prescribed  
Laws, yet himself even by those laws is tied.  
And that which his Commands did once deliver,  
Now to observe he stands obliged for ever.  

Quest.  Why yet by God i'th'distribution  
Of Fate, seems there so much Injustice shown?  
That poverty, wounds, cruel Deaths, he shoved  
Assign still for the Portions of the Good?  

Answ.  The Workman cannot new his Matter cast;  
That hath the laws of its Creation past.  
Some things will not be separate, nor leave  
Others, but, as if individuals, cleave.  
Those heavy souls, who still in slumbers steep  
Their drowsy brains, and seem awake, to sleep;  
Of dull, and gross materials framed are.  
But to the making of a Man that's rare  
An abler Fate's required, he must not go  
The plain way, but must travel high, and low  
He must with tossing storms acquainted be,  
And guide his vessel in a high-swol●c Sea.  
Must shape his Course 'gainst Fortune; to him, shall  
Many a hard rough Accident befall:  
Yet such as he himself with some small pain  
May bring to a soft smoothness and make plain●.  
The best of metals, gold, the Fire doth try;  
The best, and valiantest Men, Adversity:  
See but what Steeps virtue climbs up, and sure  
You'll then confess, she cannot go secure.    

PART. VI.  
ARGUMENT.  
No joys the Bad can happy make,  
Nought from the good their joys can take.  

Quest.  
WHy yet does God by his eternal Will,  
Permit good Men to suffer any Ill?   

Answ.  
Know, he permits them not; for by his Care  
All evils far from them removed are.  
Flagitious Crimes, soul thoughts, corrupt Desires,  
Blind lust, and Avarice that still aspires  
To be Possessor of another State●;  
He them doth both defend, and Vindicate.  
Sure there is no Man at God's hands exacts  
That he should bear their Budgets, and their Packs.  
Even they themselves ●cquit God of that Care;  
By whom, all outward things contemned are.  
Democr●us his Riches cast, since they  
He thought were Clogs to a good Mind, away.  
W●nd'r●st th●u than if God t'a good man, shall  
Permit that, which himself desires might, fall?  

* Obj.  Of Childr●n ●hey're deprived; 
* Answ.  Why not? Since they  
Are mortal, and must die themselves one day.  

* Obj.  They are exiled: 
* Answ.  Why not? Since they sometime,  
Forsake ne'er more to see't, their Native Clime.  

* Obj.  They're st●●n, 
* Answ.  Why not? Since we have known that some  
Unto thei● Deaths by their ow● Hands h●ve come.  

* Quest.  Why suffer they Adversities▪ 
* Answ.  That so  
They might teach others them to undergo.  
They're for Examples borne; think that you hear  
" God say, What Cause have you that you should e'er  
" Make your Complaints of me, you, who in Right,  
" And in Integritic, have took delight?  
" Others with seeming Goods I've but enriched;  
" And with a long and flattering D●eame, bewitched  
" Their v●iner Minds. Gold, Silver, Ju'ry's seen  
" T'adorn their outsides, but no good within.  
" Those you count happy Men, (could but that side  
" Which they conceal, as that they show be spied)  
" Most miserable, filthy, sordid, are.  
" And like their Walls, only on th'outside fair.  
" 'Tis no sincere, solid felicity,  
" But thinly crusted over to the Eye.  
" Whilst therefore they stand sure, and as they lift  
" Doc show themselves; th●y shine as through a Mist  
" With larger Orbs: but if ought come that may  
" Disturb their Quiets, and them open lay,  
" Then will appear how much of base impure  
" Filth, their false boasted splendour did obscure.  
" True, real Goods, and such as shall abide  
" I have on you bestowed, which the more tried▪  
" By you they shall be, and be searched more near,  
" They better still, and greater shall appear.  
" Minds have I given you Terrors to despise;  
" And loath, what most, affectionately prize.  
" Yours is no outward tinseled bravery,  
" The goods which you adorn, turned inward be.  
" So doth the World his outward Parts despise,  
And with his inward Beauty please his eyes.  
" The happiness which you 'bove all poss●sse,  
" Is not to stand in need of happiness.  
Ob." But many sad, and dreadful Accidents,  
" And oft intolerable Fate presents,  
Ans." Since you from these could not exempted be,  
" I h've armed your minds against adversity.  
" Bear all things stoutly, by w●ich means y●u may  
" walk before God in his appointed way.  
" Without the sufferance of Miseries  
" He is, and yo●, above their suff'ran●e rise.  
" Want an●●●w Poverty, contemn, and scorn,  
" There's no man lives s●●●ore as he was borne.  
" Dolour, and pain cont●mne; 'twill have an end,  
〈…〉 send  
" Fortune despise; whose Power I have confined;  
" She hath no weapon that can wound the mind.  
" Nay Death itself; which ends, or doth translate  
" Your bad condition, to a better state.   
The few following Lines in the Close of the original, (being a stoical Exhortation to the Anticipation of Death) are purposely omitted.   
FINIS.