LUCIUS' ANNAEUS SENECA, HIS FIRST BOOK OF CLEMENCY, Written to NERO CAESAR.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper, MDCLIII.   

To the Reader.  
Reader:  
LEst thou at first sight shouldst tax the Author of flattery, in magnifying the Clemency of Nero, the worst of Tyrants; know, this Tract was written about the beginning of his Reign, who while he harkened to the Advice and Counsel of Seneca, once his Tutor, merited this praise, as appears by that Quinquennium Neronis, the first five years of his Government, so much celebrated: as also by that passage between him and Burrus recorded by Seneca and Suetonius, when after many delays being to sign a Warrant for the Execution of some Offenders; be cried out, O that I could not write! Though afterwards (such a change there was in him) hearing that vulgar Greek verse repeated, which Tiberius had so often in his mouth: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, when I die let the Earth be set on fire; nay, while I live said Nero. But whether Seneca suspected that change or no, it is evident he omitted no endeavour either to confirm him, or else to make him ashamed to lose that virtue, for which he was so much extolled. And questionless had he not thrown off not only all virtue, but whole Man; the very remembrance of this Book would have made him spare the Author. But it is conceived, the reverence of his life did too much check the resolved wickedness of the Emperor. And although the present Translator may seem actum agere in making Seenca English: yet perhaps thou wilt find he hath rendered him more vigorous, and more like himself in his original; but certainly he hath made him more thine by an easy retention of his various and fluent sentences in thy memory, through the harmony of Verse. Read therefore and enjoy him; for as Lipsius his chief Illustrator says, He is in a ready way to goodness who hath begun to love Seneca.  
Farewell.   

LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA His First Book, of CLEMENCY, written to Nero Caesar.  

I Nero Caesar, have resolved to write  
Of Clemency: to offer to thy sight  
A Looking-glass, where thou thyself mayst view,  
And reap the greatest joy that man ere knew.  
For though it be the true fruit of good deeds  
To know  done them, and that virtue needs  
No praise but from itself: yet thoughts oft spent  
On a good conscience yield no small content;  
And then to cast thine eyes upon the lewd,  
Contentious, vile, pernicious multitude,  
Which if at length it should cast off this yoke,  
To mutual bane each other would provoke:  
And seriously within thyself to say:  
The gods have culled me out the world to sway.  
As their Vicegerent: at my sole command  
Both life and death, and all men's fortunes stand:  
The fate of things depends on my decree,  
Kingdoms receive their joy and grief from me.  
No country flourishes but by my smile.  
These numerous Legions, which are quiet while  
My peace restrains them, at my beck shall fight:  
What Nations shall be ruinated dquite,  
And what transplanted, what be freed, what bound,  
What Kings shall be led captive, and what crowned,  
What Cities built, what razed, belongs alone  
To my transcendent jurisdiction.  
In this so great a power, my wrath ne'er bend,  
My will to any unjust punishment;  
No youthful boldness, nor rash insolence,  
That provokes patiented minds, could mine incense:  
Nor have I sought, like most great Kings, my name  
T' advance by fear, and gain a dreadful fame,  
My sword lies sheathed, or rather bound up still,  
I have forborn the meanest blood to spill,  
Men though they want abilities, are when  
They come to me, welcome, because they are men,  
Rigour's suppressed, but mercy stands prepared:  
I keep upon myself so strict a guard,  
As to the Laws I an account should give,  
Which would lie dead, but that by me they live;  
Some for their youth, some for their age I spare:  
For th'honour of their place some pitied are,  
Some for their low condition: when I finde  
There can no other reason be assigned,  
Why I compassion should be moved to take.  
I do it then at least for mine own sake.  
Should the immortal gods require this day  
Th' account for all mankind, I would obey.  
This, Caesar, may with boldness be averred  
That of all things thy birthright hath conferred,  
Upon thy trust, and safe protection,  
The Commonwealth through thee hath not lost one,  
Either by force, or fraud, thou hast acquired  
What scarce an other Prince hath yet desired,  
The rarest of all virtues, innocence.  
Nor hast thou laboured without recompense:  
For this thy great and matchless worth hath found  
Grateful esteemers. So our thanks abound:  
That no one man, could to an other come  
More wished for, than thou to the people of Rome,  
Their great and lasting good. But lo thou hast  
Upon thyself a mighty burden cast,  
For few speak now of holy Augustus' reign,  
Or of Tiberius his first times: 'tis vain;  
To seek for an example any where  
But in thyself: we have a full taste there  
Of what we may expect. Yet this were hard,  
If hereunto thou wert not first prepared  
By native goodness; no man hath sustained  
A borrowed person long; things which are feigned  
Return to their first habit: what hath grown  
From truth, and, as I may so say, our own  
Well-grounded root, will gather strength by time,  
And by degrees to more perfection clime.  
The Roman people thought they under went  
A mighty hazard, ere they knew the bent  
Of such a noble spirit we now are  
In full enjoyment of our public praire.  
Nor can we doubt, thou'lt e'er thyself forget;  
For though too much felicity does whet  
Our appetites to more: and though our mind  
Is not so temperate, as to be confined  
To any present good, but will proceed  
From great to greater things: and that we feed  
Upon new hopes, when we have gotten more  
Than could by us be hoped for before:  
Yet all thy subjects jointly do profess,  
To take such pleasure in their happiness,  
That they for nothing do so much contend,  
As that their happiness may have no end.  
To which profession (though but seldom made  
By any) these things chief them persuade:  
The plenteous peace that they enjoy by thee:  
And justice placed above all injury.  
The blessedness of such a Government,  
Where liberty is in its full extent:  
And is not curbed in any thing, unless  
In what would ruin them, licentiousness.  
But that which does to admiration flow,  
Is thy most equal Clemency: for though  
All other benefits which men possess,  
Are as their fortunes make them, more or less:  
Yet from thy mercy all, expect the same.  
Nor is there any that can lay such claim  
To innocence, but he is glad to see  
Mercy prepared, him from his faults to free.  
However there be some who do maintain,  
That bad men only do by mercy gain:  
Because it is not properly extended  
To any, but to those who have offended:  
And that among all virtues, this alone  
Is that, which is to guiltless men unknown:  
But yet as physic, though it be intended  
But for the sick, is ne'er the less commended  
By such as are in health: so Clemency,  
Though it be sought by them on whom does lie  
A guilt, yet it is had in reverence  
By those who have committed no offence.  
And guiltless men themselves nay stand in need  
Of mercy; since some acts, that do proceed  
From fortune, are made faults: and we may see  
Virtue as well as innocence set free  
By mercy: for in lewd and wicked times,  
Praiseworthy deeds are punished as crimes:  
Besides most men may become innocent;  
Yet 'tis not fit to forbear punishment  
To all: because confusion, and a source  
Of vices follow, when we use remorse  
To good and bad: and therefore it is fit  
To make a difference, between a wit,  
That's curable, and that which is past cure,  
In pardoning, this rule is always sure:  
Neither to be too rigid, nor remiss;  
Because no less a cruelty it is,  
To pardon all, than none: we must observe  
A mean: but yet because weare apt to swerve,  
It is the noblest error to incline  
To mercy, when we pass the equal line.  
But for the present, these I'll lay aside:  
And the whole matter in three parts divide.  
The first shall be a preface to the rest:  
The second shall the nature manifest,  
And quality of mercy: for whereas  
Some vices do for virtues often pass,  
They cannot be distinguished, unless  
We by some marks the difference express.  
In the third place we will inquire the way  
To get this virtue, and to make it stay,  
And then convert it to our present use,  
For this is certain, that we cannot choose  
Among all sorts of virtues any one,  
That more becomes a man: for there is none  
More sweet, and more humane: and is not so  
To us alone, who have been brought to know  
That man is found a sociable creature,  
And moulded for a common good by nature;  
But even by those who give up man to pleasure,  
And all their words and actions seem to measure  
By their own profit. For if we desire  
Repose and rest, this virtue will acquire  
That which we seek; because it ever stands,  
For peace and meekness, and binds up our hands,  
But yet there's none whom mercy so much graces,  
As Kings and Princes: for in public places,  
Power is a glory, and an ornament;  
Provided always that it be intent  
Upon the people's safety, but if power  
Be hurtful, like a plague it will devour.  
No accident his greatness can remove,  
Whom all men do confess to be above,  
As well as for them: and whose diligence  
They ever find awake for the defence  
Of every one, no less than the whole State;  
Who when he comes abroad, is not with hate,  
Shunned like some savage beast rousd from her den,  
But gazed upon by multitudes of men  
Like a propitious star whose subjects strive,  
(That by their death he may be kept alive)  
To rush between him and a Traitor's sword,  
And that their constant watch may afford  
His person secure rest, they stand about  
His gates by night, to keep all danger out.  
Nor is it without reason, that such care  
Is used by men, and nations every where,  
To guard their Kings. 'tis not a selfe-neglect  
Or folly, that such multitudes protect,  
And with destruction of their own, uphold  
One head, and that perhaps both weak, and old:  
For as the body is subservient  
Unto the soul, and is more eminent  
By that, and more conspicuous, and though  
The soul lies close, but where we do not know:  
Yet do the hands, and feet, and eyes consent  
To serve her: and the skin's her muniment,  
At her command we now lie down, then run;  
And if that she be covetous, we eat  
No sea adventures; if ambitious,  
'tis then a brave and glorious act for us,  
To thrust our hands into the flaming sire,  
Or leap into a gulf if she require:  
Even so this vast and numerous multitude,  
Which does within it but one soul include,  
Is daily guided by that spirit alone,  
And governed by the reason of that one:  
And should ●●●t counsel be forborn, would straight  
Be ruind and distroyeed with its own weight.  
And therefore their own safety men regard  
When in the camp so many stand prepared:  
Each striving for the front, offers his breast  
To wounds, lest th' Emprours' standard be distressed.  
He is the cement that unites the State:  
The vital breath that does inanimate  
So many millions: and without it, they  
Would be a mutual burden, and a pray.  
While the King lives, the people do accord:  
But when he dies, they live but by the sword.  
That accident will end the Romans peace,  
And make so great a Nations fortune cease.  
The people will remain without that fear  
So long, as they the bridle know to bear:  
Which if they once shall break, they will be   
To take't again, though chance did throw it by;  
The bond and tie of this great government  
Will into many pieces soon be rend:  
And Rome will find, by wanting that direction,  
An equal end of rule, and of subjection.  
It is not any wonder than that Kings  
And Princes, and each Magistrate that brings  
Peace to State, should be beloved above  
Our common parents, whom we dearly love:  
For if the public be by honest men  
Prized 'bove their private, it will follow then,  
That he on whom the Commonwealth relies,  
Should ever be most precious in our eyes.  
Caesar had heretofore within the State  
So wrapped himself, that but to separate  
〈◊〉 was to destroy them both. As his good  
Lay in their strength, so in a chief theirs stood.  
But lo this speech is longer than I meant,  
And yet I'm sure, it meets with our intent.  
For if, as it appears, thou art the soul,  
The State the body, then without control,  
Mercy is needful: for while thou dost spare  
Others, thou sparest thyself. Then take thou care  
Even of ill subjects, as of limbs decayed:  
And whensoever reason shall persuade  
To draw some blood, let the incision be  
No more than needs. Thus Clemency, we see,  
Is natural to all men: but renowned  
In Princes, through whose power it finds more ground  
To work on: private rage extends not far,  
The cruelty of Princes is a war.  
For though all virtues do agree, and none  
Is as the better, and more honest known:  
Yet some may better with some persons suit;  
Courage becomes even those, whose low repute,  
Hath nothing under it: for what's more brave,  
Than adverse fortune in contempt to have?  
But yet this courage hath a larger place  
In a high fortune, and receaves more grace  
From Courts than Cottages. Mercy appears  
In no house, but it banishes all fears:  
Yet 'tis more rare, and therefore more admired  
In Prince's Courts: for what can be desired  
With greater wonderment, than to behold  
A man, whose wrath is not to be controlled,  
To whose grave sentence they forthwith submit  
That be condemned, and dare not question it?  
And who if furious passion him have seized  
May not entreated be, to be appeased:  
To see, I say, this man himself arrest,  
And his vast power convert into the best,  
Saying within himself, to kill all have  
Power without law, but only I to save.  
Great fortune a great courage does require:  
And if that fly not full as high or higher  
Than she, it brings her also to the ground;  
This property in greatness should be found,  
To be delightful, gentle, and to slight  
Reproaches, and offences as too light  
To be regarded, or looked down upon.  
'tis womanish, in passion to run on:  
And 'tis the property of beasts, that are  
Not generous, with cruelty to tear  
Such as lie on the ground. Whereas the rage  
Of Elephants, and Lions will assuage,  
When once they conquer. But th' ignoble race  
Of Bears, and Wolves will dwell upon the place.  
Fierce and unbounded anger ill befits  
A King: for he not much above him sits,  
Whom he his equal makes through wrathful strife:  
But if to men obnoxious he gives life,  
Or restores honour, than he does a thing,  
That appertains to none but to a King.  
Life may be taken from Superiors,  
But never given but to Inferiors.  
'tis proper to great Potentates to save,  
Which never can more admiration have,  
Then when they may; like gods, great favours give,  
By whom we all both good and bad do live.  
Then let a Prince, who should reain a mind  
Like to the gods, be affable and kind,  
To useful and good subjects: and include  
Others within the numerous multitude.  
Let him rejoice that some live in the State,  
And let him also others tolerate.  
Think how this City, in whose spacious streets  
Such a continued throng of people meets;  
Pressing each other, when some lets retard  
Their passage; like a torrents course that's bard:  
Wherein there is required sufficient way  
For three great theatres, filled every day:  
And where there is as much provision spent,  
As out of the whole Empire can be sent;  
Would be distressed, and brought to desolation,  
If only they were left of the whole Nation,  
Whom a remorseless Judge thought fit to spare:  
What insolent inquisitors will dare,  
T' abide that Law, which they themselves exact?  
Are not accusers guilty of the fact  
Which they on others lay? we ever find  
Those men to pardon others lest inclined,  
Who have most needed pardon. Let's confess  
We have offended all, some more, some less;  
Some of set-purpose, some by chance incited,  
Or by an others wickedness invited:  
Some from their honest purposes have started  
And 'gainst their wills from innocence have parted.  
Nor can they only say, they did offend,  
But must confess, they shall even to the end.  
And if there any be who have so purged  
Their minds, that they by nothing can be urged  
To commit faults, they certainly have gained  
That innocence, by being often stained.  
But seeing we the gods have mentioned, I  
That pattern to a prince may well apply:  
Who to his subjects should be such, as he  
Would willingly the gods to him should be.  
Should then the gods take so severe a course,  
As not to be entreated to remorse,  
What other power could any King protect,  
But that th' Inspector would his limbs collect?  
But if those gentle powers can be content.  
Not suddenly t' exact the punishment,  
Of Prince's crimes with thunder, Is it not  
More just that they who have dominion got  
o'er other men, should use with gentleness,  
Their sovereignty, and cheerfully confess,  
The heavens to show more graceful in a bright  
And Sunshine day, than when no other light  
Appears, but frequent flashes from the Skies,  
When all the world in a deep horror lies?  
And certainly th' aspect of a mild State  
The face of a clear sky does imitate.  
A cruel Reign is ever troublsome,  
And full of darkness, under which none come  
But with a trembling and affrighted heart:  
And he that causes all, will have his part.  
A private person though he be involved  
In stiff revenge, is easily absolved,  
For fearing to be hurt, he may resent  
A wrong, or else perhaps he would disgrace prevent.  
For it does rather cowardice appear,  
Then Clemency, an injury to bear.  
But he at whose command, revenge does lie,  
Is merciful, if he will pass it by.  
Men in mean place may bend their fists, and may  
Wrangle and brawl, and openly give way  
To anger. Among equals strokes pass over,  
But for a King intemperance to discover;  
In un-beseeming words, or to express  
Passion in cries, makes Majesty go less.  
Thou thinkest it much that the free talk that's used  
By common people, is to Kings refused:  
And such restraint, thou sayest, seems to exclude  
Empire, and rather slavery obtrude.  
But is not this by trial found to be,  
A slavery to us, and not to thee?  
Their quality is different that both shroud  
Themselves, and do continue in the crowd:  
Whose virtues struggle long ere they be known,  
And into darkness are their vices thrown.  
Thy words and deeds to rumour open are.  
And therefore there is none should take more care  
What fame they have, than they whose fame will fill  
The spacious world, let it be what it will:  
How many things are not permitted thee,  
Which by thy favour we enjoy? 'Tis free  
For me through every street to walk alone,  
And need not fear, though waited on by none:  
Although at home no arms I do provide,  
Nor any sword be hanging at my side:  
Thou in this time of peace, which thou dost give  
To us, and to the world, must armed live.  
And canst at no time from thy fortune part,  
Which thee besieges, for where ere thou art  
Pleased to remove, that follows with a train.  
And great men justly may of this complaine,  
As of their highest servitude, that they  
Cannot descend, but where they are, must stay.  
But this necessity no less does bind  
The gods than thee, who are to Heaven confined.  
And to descend no more permitted be,  
By fates strict law, than it is safe for thee.  
Thou to thy height art fixed. Our motions few  
Observe, we go, return, our clothes renew  
Without a public notice what is done,  
Thou canst no more be hidden then the Sun.  
Thy person always is with shining rays  
Environed, upon which all people gaze.  
Thinkest thou that thou comest forth? no thou dost rise.  
No sooner canst thou speak but thy voice flies  
Through every Country. Thou no sooner art  
To anger moved, but every thing does start.  
When thy proscription against one comes out,  
There is a present trembling round abo●t;  
As thunder falls but to a few men's harm,  
Yet to the fear of many, so the arm  
Of a chastising power, with terror awes,  
More than with strokes; and not without a cause.  
For he that can do all, is looked upon,  
As what he may do, not what he hath done.  
Besides, much suffering private persons brings  
To suffer more with patience, but Kings  
By Clemency find a secure defence:  
For though strict Justice stops the insolence  
Of a few men, yet public hate it draws,  
In punishments the will, before the cause,  
Should always cease. For otherwise as Trees,  
After th' are pruned recover by degrees  
A fair top: and as some plants we know,  
Are often cut, thereby to make them grow:  
So does a Prince's cruelty augment,  
And not the number of his foes prevent.  
For parents, children, kindred, friends, substain  
The places of those men whom he hath slain.  
How true this is, shall now be understood  
By an example fetched from thine own blood.  
Divine Augustus was a gentle Prince,  
If him at least we shall consider since  
He swayed alone the Sceptre; for 'tis true,  
While he with others ruled, his sword he drew.  
And having passed the age of eighteen years,  
As thou hast now, he had, as it appears  
Suborned some friends with secret arms to lie  
In wait, t' entrap the Consul Anthony:  
And had his share in the Triumvirate.  
But when his age arrived beyond the date  
Of forty years, he, being in France, was told,  
That Lucius Cinna a weak man, but bold,  
Designed his death: the manner, place, and when  
IT was to be acted, was discovered then  
By one of the confederates. His intent  
Was to inflict on him sharp punishment,  
But with his friends consulting what was best;  
He could not in the night take any rest,  
For thinking, that he was to ruin quite  
A noble youth, and but for that upright,  
Nephew to Pompey; so loath was he now,  
T' have one man die: who could before avow  
With Anthony at supper time a list  
Of dire proscriptions. Thus did he persist  
In sad and various thoughts. What then? Shall I  
Suffer so treacherous an enemy  
To walk secure, while I with cares am fraught?  
And shall not he be punished that hath sought  
Not only to destroy but sacrifice  
This head (for it was then their joint advice  
To slay him at the Altar) that in vain  
Hath been so often threatened with the bane  
Of civil wars: and having quite allayed  
So many storms at Land and Sea, hath made  
Peace through the world: then, having paused a while,  
He spoke much louder, and did more revile  
Himself then Cinna: wherefore dost thou live  
If to so many men thy death will give  
A benefit? what end will there be  
Of rigour? what of blood? this head, I see,  
Must be submitted to young nobles rage,  
That they against it may their swords engage.  
Life is not so much worth, that unless I  
Be now destroyed so many men must die.  
But his wife Livia interposing spoke  
Unto him thus: A woman's counsel take:  
Do like Physicians who are used to try  
When proper medicines fail, the contrary.  
Rigour hath yet stood thee in little stead:  
For Lepidus Salvienus followed,  
Muraena Lepidus, Muraena gone,  
Caepio appeared, and after him came on  
Egnatius, for the rest I need not name,  
Whose very attempts to mention were a shame:  
Be therefore at the length content to try  
What profit will arise from Clemency:  
And pardon Lucius Cinna. He's made sure:  
He cannot hurt, he may thy fame secure.  
Augustus' joyful that his inward strife  
Was stopped by this good counsel, thanked his wife.  
And making it soon known to all those friends  
He first consulted, he for Cinna sends:  
And being come, he makes an other chair  
Be set for him, bidding the rest forbear:  
Cinna (said he) I do desire that thou  
Wilt without interruption here me now:  
And the mean while not into passion break:  
Thou after shall have liberty to speak.  
When thee I found in arms. not only made,  
But borne my foe, I did my wrath persuade  
To save thy life, and thy estate restore.  
Nor is there at this day a man, that more  
Abounds with wealth and happiness, so high,  
That Conquerors the Conquered do envy.  
The Preist-hood I at thy request gave thee  
Omitting those whose fathers joined with me  
In several wars: and now thou goest about  
To flay me, for my love. When he cried out,  
May such a madness be by me abhorred!  
Caesar replied, Cinna, thou breakest thy word:  
It was our first agreement thou shouldst not  
Give interruption; thou I say dost plot,  
To take away my life: he named the place,  
The day, and the associates, and did trace  
The whole design; nay he was so exact  
He named the man appointed for the fact.  
And when he saw him dashed, and silent, now  
Through guilt, not promise: what, said he, dost thou  
Aim at in this? to be made Prince? alas,  
The Commonwealth is but at an ill pass,  
If only I obstruct thy way: 'tis known  
Thou art not able to support thine own  
House hold affairs. A man made newly free,  
In a late private cause prevailed 'gainst thee:  
Can any thing be easier than to strive  
With Caesar? but proceed, if I survive  
To cross thy hopes alone. Canst thou suppose  
Emilius, Fabius Maximus, and those  
Sprung from the Cossi and Servilii  
Will endure thee? such as do not rely  
On empty names: whom their own worth prefers  
And are an honour to their Ancestors?  
But lest by rendering his whole speech, I make  
A volume, know, two hours and more he spoke,  
And having so enlarged the punishment  
With which alone he meant to be content:  
Cinna said he, I give thee life once more,  
A Parricide found now, a so before.  
Let friendship between us begin henceforth,  
Let us contend whether shall show most worth,  
I in bestowing, thou in owing life.  
He after made him Consul, and the strife  
Was that he durst not ask it: to the end  
Cinna remained his true and faithful friend:  
And made him his sole heir. From that time none  
T' have plotted 'gainst Augustus' life was known.  
Thy great grand father's father pardoned those  
Whom he subdued; how else could he suppose  
There would be any left, o'er whom to reign?  
From the foes party, he did Sallust gain,  
And the Cocceians also drew off then,  
And the Duillians, with that band of men,  
Who in so great fidelity persisted,  
That they into his own Lifeguard were listed.  
Beside, at that time 〈◊〉 the Domitian's,  
With the Messala's, and Asinians,  
The Ciceronians, and the flower of Rome  
To his great mercy debtors were become.  
How long did he keep Lepidus alive,  
And him of Princely titles not deprive?  
From taking the High-Priesthood he abstained,  
So long as Lepidus in life remained.  
For he that purer honour would not soil  
So much, as that it should be called a spoil.  
This mercy his estate and life assured,  
And more good will and more esteem procured,  
Although he had not fully laid his hand  
On Rome, which yet had stooped to no command;  
And at this day preserves him in such fame,  
As that no Prince alive the like can claim.  
For with the gods we rank him, not because  
We are hereto enjoined by the Laws,  
But that we so believe. And we confess  
Augustus a good Prince, whose worthiness  
Deserved that attribute, his Countries Farther:  
For which we can no better reason gather,  
Then that he used no cruel punishment  
'Gainst contumely, which great men resent  
Above an injury: that he reproaches slighted:  
And that he thought the punishment still lighted  
Upon himself, which he on others laid:  
And finding th' honour of his house betrayed,  
By his own daughters lewd adulteries,  
That he could those indignities despise:  
And did not only not the adulterers slay,  
But with a safe-conduct sent them away.  
This is the height of pard'ning, when 'tis known  
That there are many would thy anger own,  
And to please thee, be willing not to spare  
The blood of those whom thou shalt once declare,  
To be offenders, and yet thou to give  
Both pardon, and protection to live.  
These things Augustus in his age, I find,  
Did do, or when he towards age inclined.  
Who in his youth was hot, with anger boiled:  
Whose thoughts, from many things he did, recoiled.  
'Tween thee and gentle Augustus' none dares make  
Comparison for mercy, though he take  
Th' advantage of his age more than mature;  
It cannot with thy youth the test endure.  
His mercy and meekness often times were tried:  
Yet after he the Achan sea had dieed  
With Roman blood: yet after he had lost  
His own and other navies on the coast  
Of Sicily: yet after so much guilt  
Of blood, on the Perusian altars spilt,  
And by proscriptions. This do not I  
Call mercy, but a wearied cruelty.  
Thine is true mercy, Caesar, which began  
Not from repent cruelty, nor can  
Be taxed with the stain of civil blood.  
In so great height of power thou hast made-good  
Thy temperance, and unspeakable good will  
To man; and art not tainted with the ill  
Of avarice or rashness, or th' example  
Of former Kings, who on men's necks did trample:  
And their great power with rigour did dilate.  
But thou the edge of Empire dost abate.  
Thou, Caesar, hast thy Rome unbloody made.  
And as thou hast with noble boasting said,  
No part of the whole world one drop hath lost  
Of humane blood by me: and which is most  
To be admired, none ever had command,  
Or had the sword put sooner in his hand:  
And therefore mercy as well safety brings,  
As great esteem: and is no less to Kings,  
Secure than glorious. When they aged die  
Their Kingdoms come to their posterity:  
The government of Tyrants is both short,  
And detestable. Say then, in what sort  
Do Kings and Tyrants differ; for we know  
Their power is equal, and the same in show?  
A tyrant cruel is out of mere will,  
A King but through necessity: both kill:  
The one as oft as public good requires:  
Th' other of himself men's deaths desires.  
A tyrant differs from a King in deeds  
And not in name. He that the story reads  
Of the elder Dionysius, will find,  
That he in merit did not come behind  
Most Kings: And wherefore should he doubt to call  
Sylla a Tyrant, who his rage let fall  
When there were no foes left with him to strive,  
Whom he of life and fortune might deprive?  
And though he the Dictatorship laid down,  
And like a private man resumed the gown,  
Yet what fierce tyrant ever was so cursed,  
Or ere drank humane blood with so much thirst?  
At whose command (which nothing could restrain)  
Seven thousand Roman Citizens were slain.  
And when the Senate, being together met,  
And in the Temple of Bellona set  
Within the hearing of those men that groaned  
Under the sword, their misery bemoaned:  
Fathers conscript (said he) let us proceed;  
These are a few seditious men that bleed  
By my appointment. What he said was true:  
For they to Sylla seemed but a few.  
But we hereafter shall from Sylla know,  
What anger we to enemies should show:  
Especially to those that have forsaken  
Their fellow Citizens, and on them taken  
The name of foes. In the mean time 'tis clear,  
That mercy makes the difference appear  
Between a King and tyrant: though both have  
Their guards, yet in one is guarded but to save  
Peace from disturbance; th' other to restrain  
Great hatred with great fear, and is in pain  
And jealousy while he beholds those bands,  
Though he commit himself into their hands;  
Thus contraries 'gainst contraries are reared.  
For as he hated is because he's feared,  
So 'cause he's hated he'll be feared: and then  
That wicked saying, whereby many men  
Have been destroyed, he uses. Let them hate  
So that they fear not minding with what weight  
Rage falls on him, when hatred swells too high.  
For temperate fear bold thoughts does qualify:  
But when it is continual, and grows  
Into extremity, it moves even those  
That lie upon the ground to rise, and try  
With daring boldness th' utmost remedy.  
Though savage beasts be compassed with a net:  
Yet if the hunters then upon them set,  
They will attempt to fly through what they fled:  
And furiously upon their fear will tread.  
That resolution is not to be shaken,  
Which from extreme necessity is taken.  
Fear must hold forth some safety, and suggest  
More hope than harm: they that would quiet rest,  
If they be still in danger, will forbear  
No hazard, but will rush on them they fear.  
A constant guard a peaceful King secures,  
By which the common safety he assures.  
A gallant soldier being still prepared  
To defend peace, stands as his father's guard.  
But he that guards a bloody tyrant, stands  
As if he carried danger in his hands.  
We cannot in those ministers confide,  
Whom we employ but only to provide  
Gibbets, and racks, and instruments to slay:  
To whom as to wild beasts men are a prey.  
A tyrant, lives in more anxiety,  
Then any of those who he condemns to die:  
For his own conscience threatens him with rods  
Of direful vengeance, both from men and gods.  
And is reduced to that condition,  
He cannot mend, but must in ill go on.  
Great cruelty hath this which is the worst  
Of villainy, that to proceed 'tis forced.  
And finds no way left open of regress;  
For wickedness must strengthen wickedness.  
And what can be a greater misery,  
Then to be wicked through necessity?  
O wretched he, but to himself 'bove all!  
(And they into an odious guilt must fall  
That pity him) who uses his great power  
With rapines, and with slaughters to devour.  
That every where looks with suspicious eyes,  
And fearing weapons, to dire weapons flies:  
That doubts the faith of nearest friends, is   
Of his own children's tender piety.  
And when both what he hath, and will effect  
He so considers, that he does reflect  
Upon his conscience full of crimes and frights,  
He often fears, and oftener death invites.  
And is t' himself more odious then to those,  
Who by their service are at his dispose.  
But he on th' other side, whose care is bend  
To the whole State, (though it be more intent  
To one part then an other, yet there's none,  
Whereon he does not look as on his own,)  
Ever inclines to mercy: And when need  
Requires his stricter Justice to proceed,  
He shows with what unwillingness he's brought  
To sharper remedies: whose gentle thought  
No rancour entertains, nor hostile rage,  
But does his power with mild commands assuage.  
Who to his subjects labours to approve  
His government, with gentleness, and love.  
And thinks himself happy enough, if he  
Communicates his own felicity.  
Courteous in speech, and easy of access,  
And that which people's hearts does most possess,  
Retains a clear and loving countenance:  
And as he seeks all just desires t' advance,  
So neither is he cruel to unjust:  
But hath a special interest in the trust  
Of all his subjects, whom, from inward sense  
They love, defend, and truly reverence.  
Of whom the people speak the same at home  
They do abroad, all seeking to become  
Fathers of children: wishing barrenness,  
Caused in time of civil wars, might cease:  
And hoping they their children shall engage  
The more, because th' are born in such an age.  
This Prince by his own benefit secured,  
Needs not to be in Citadels immured:  
And though he have his guards, yet they are meant  
Not for defence, but for an ornament.  
What is his duty then? the very same  
Of a good father: who sometimes does blame  
His children with mild words, sometimes with threats,  
And them, if they be stubborn, sometimes beats.  
Who having sense, his son will disinherit  
For the first fault? unless his lewd demerit  
By many enormities his patience moves:  
Unless he fears beyond what he reproves,  
His resolution, is not easily bend  
To wipe his name out of his Testament.  
He many trials makes, to work upon  
The doubtful disposition of his son,  
Although he fears him gone so far past shame,  
That he his nature hardly can reclaim:  
But when he finds him desperate, he flies  
With resolution to extremities.  
Hope makes him use all means that helpful are;  
Extremities accompany despair.  
What Parents do, a Prince should do the same:  
Whom we the Father of his Country name,  
Not with vain flattery: for we apply  
All other surnames to his dignity.  
We call him happy, great, and royal; use  
All titles, which proud majesty would choose:  
But Father of his Country makes it known,  
That he thereby a Father's power must own:  
Which is a mild authority, conferred  
For children's sakes, whose good should be preferred  
Before his own. A father makes not haste  
To cut off his own limbs; and if at last  
He does it, he would them again restore:  
And in the very action does deplore  
His loss so long delayed: for when a fact.  
Is quickly done, 'tis near a willing act:  
And too much punishing, suspicion draws,  
That the chastiser does it without cause.  
Within our memory a Roman Knight  
Erixo, was run through in open fight,  
With writing-pins, because he scourged his son  
To death with rods. Nor could the rage begun  
By fathers, and by children, have been stayed,  
But that Augustus' power the fame allayed.  
When Titus Arius plainly had descried,  
That his son meant to become parricide,  
He punished him with exile: which decree  
Was much extolled by all, by reason he  
Was so indulgent, as to be content  
In such a crime, with only banishment,  
And that an easy one; for he confined  
Him to Marselles, and with all assigned  
The pension to him, which he had enjoyed  
Before his guilt. This bounty did avoid,  
(Even in that City where no lewd offence  
Wants patronage) all thought of innocence  
In him, whom in so great and high debate,  
His father could condemn, and yet not hate.  
We by this fit example will now gather,  
How a good Prince, agrees with a good Father.  
Arius intending of this crime t' inquite,  
The counsel of Augustus did desire.  
Who to his house at his request repaired,  
And with a private man in counsel shared:  
Not saying let him come to me, for so,  
The Judgement which from that consult should grow,  
Would have been Caesars, and not his. The cause  
Being discussed according to the Laws,  
And th' allegations of both parties heard;  
Caesar, before his sentence he declared,  
Caused every Judge his verdict to write down,  
Lest th' Emprors Vote might seem to be their own.  
Then ere the books were opened, he did swear,  
That he had no intent to be the heir  
Of wealthy Arius. Here some abject spirit  
Will say, he feared to show a hope t' inherit  
The father's goods, by the son's condemnation.  
But I think otherwise. For in relation  
To a good conscience, we should make defence  
'Gainst ill opinions, by firm confidence:  
And Princes ought especially to look  
Upon their fame; a solemn oath he took,  
That he would not inherit his cstate.  
By which means Arius had that day the sat  
To lose an other heir. But the decree  
Of Caesar, was declared to be free:  
Who after he had made it evident  
That he by his opinion never meant  
To make a benefit, (a care that ought  
To be established in a Prince's thought)  
He sentenced the son to be confined,  
Only according to his father's mind.  
Not that he should into the sack be put,  
Or thrown forth among serpents, or be shut  
In some close Goal: nor had he so much thought  
Of him he consured, as of him that brought  
Him to his counsel. It is fit, said he,  
That the most easy punishment should be  
Inflicted by a father on a son,  
Young, and seduced to a crime, not done,  
But (which to innocence comes very near)  
Not entertained, But with reluctant fear;  
Yet that he ought to be removed of right  
Both from the City, and his father's sight:  
O Prince whose counsel should be still implored  
By fathers in their need, and be adored!  
O Prince deserving for his tender care,  
With all distressed sons to be coheir!  
This, a King's mercy justly may be styled,  
That where he present is, makes all things mild.  
And no man should to him appear so vile,  
But he should also be in trouble while  
He suffers, who, howe'er unfortunate,  
Is yet a part and member of the State.  
Great Empire may admit comparison  
With smaller powers: for there are more than one:  
Princes their subjects rule, fathers bear sway  
Over their children, Masters to obey  
Do teach their Scholars, Captains to their bands  
Of soldiers, daily send forth their commands.  
Who would not blame that father, which for light  
Offences does his children beat and fright?  
Which of those tutors hath the worthier parts,  
Or is most fit to teach the liberal arts?  
He that his scholar's fleas, because they stick  
Upon some words, their sight not being quick:  
Because their memories do sometimes fail:  
Or he that rather chooses to prevail  
With admonitions, and to reprehend  
With modesty, thereby to make them mend?  
A Captain that too cruel is, will make  
His soldiers out of hatred him forsake,  
And justly too; for why should we forbear  
To be to beasts, yet not to men, severe?  
A skilful rider when he tames a horse,  
Seeks not to do't with frequent blows, and force,  
But with soft stroking, and a gentle hand,  
Lest he grow resty, and refuse command.  
A hunter, training up young dogs to hunt,  
Makes use of older hounds which have been wont  
To trace wild beasts: nor does he often rate  
The young ones, lest their mettle should abate  
By a degenerate fear, or make them run  
Quite from the rest, their master's rage to shun.  
Nay duller cattle that to toil are bred,  
When they are too much gored, and threatened,  
The yoke and burden will decline. No creature  
Is so untractable as man by nature:  
And therefore he should always be prepared  
With greater industry, and be more spared.  
For what's more foolish than to be ashamed  
Of rage, when beasts and dogs are to be tamed?  
Yet think that man by terror should be forced,  
As if a man's condition were the worst.  
We cure diseases without anger: this  
Disease of mind not to be cured is  
By hatred to the patiented: he is sure  
No good Physician who despairs to cure.  
He by whom subjects ought to be protected,  
Should gently deal with those who are affected  
In mind: and not the signs of death declare,  
And suddenly turn hope into despair.  
But he should strive with vices, and contend:  
Some for their error he should reprehend,  
And others with soft remedies beguile,  
Deceiving, but yet curing them the while.  
And not to heal alone must be the care  
Of Princes, but to leave no shameful scar.  
Severe and cruel punishments can bring  
At no time any glory to a King:  
For who his power will question? but he gains  
Highest renown, when he his power restrains:  
When many he preserves from others rage,  
And against no man does his own engage.  
It is a praise to bear a gentle hand  
Over our slaves: for even in that command  
We ought to weigh, not what the laws permit,  
But what for us in equity is sit.  
Which bids us spare our vassals, and withhold  
Our rage from slaves, that are both bought and sold.  
How much more equitable is it then,  
Not to make slaves of free and honest men?  
Who though inferiors do not owe subjection  
Unto thy will, but unto thy protection.  
A statue is a refuge for a slave:  
And though o'er him full power by law we have,  
Yet there is something in the creatures law,  
That in behalf of man keeps man in awe.  
Who did not Vedius Pollio as much hate  
As did his slaves, because he used to bait  
His Lampreys with man's flesh? when the least fault  
Was by a save committed, he was caught  
And thrown into his fish pond, and exposed,  
As it had been to Serpents there enclosed.  
O wretch deserving to be stucken dead  
A thousand times! whether that he so fed  
The Lampreys which he after meant to eat,  
Or kept them only to make men their meat.  
As cruel Lords when they abroad are seen  
Are pointed at, and do provoke the spleen  
Of all beholders: so the infamy  
Of cruel Princes far and near does fly,  
And the uncessant hatred of their crimes  
Remains upon record to after times:  
Were it not better such had not been borne,  
Than borne to public bane? what can adorn  
A man of power like mercy, in what way  
So ever he is set to bear the sway?  
For we must needs confess that what proceeds  
From greatest power, most admiration breeds,  
Which cannot hurtful be unless it swerve  
From nature's law, and will not that observe.  
For nature first ordained a King; as we  
In other creatures, and in Bees may see.  
Whose King is centred in the safest place,  
And has t' himself a room of larger space.  
Hes also freed from labour, and remains  
As a count-taker of the others pains.  
And as good orders kept whille he's alive,  
So does his death wholly dissolve the hive.  
Nor do they ever suffer more than one,  
Which for his courage chosen is alone.  
Besides as his condition is the best,  
So is his shape and form above the rest:  
But the chief difference is, that though by nature  
A Bee appears a very angry Creature,  
And to the model of its body, prone  
To fight on any provocation,  
With so much furiousness, that it is found  
To leave the sting behind it in the wound.  
Yet contrary to all the rest, the King,  
Is ever found to be without a sting.  
For nature would that he should hither bear  
Malice, nor take revenge, that costs so dear:  
She him of an offensive sting bereft,  
Whereby his anger she unarmed left.  
This is a main example to great Kings,  
For nature is accustomed in small things  
T' exalt herself, who unto man presents  
From flightest subjects, weighty'st arguments.  
Why should we therefore be ashamed to learn  
From little creatures? since it does concern  
A man so much the more his mind to charm  
With temperance, as 'tis apt to do harm.  
For my part I could wish that law derived  
To men, that they of anger were deprived,  
Together with their swords: and that they might  
Do hurt but once: not make their hatred fright  
With others strength. Fury would soon decay,  
Had it no other hand to help to slay,  
And that it could not be revenged, unless  
It hazarded itself in the success.  
Nor is a Tyrant's danger thereby cleared,  
For he must fear as much as he'd be feared:  
And must observe the hands of all, and though  
He be not aimed at, must not think it so,  
But be suspicions slave without release;  
Nor can his fear for any moment cease:  
Why should a man so sick a life endure,  
When he may lead, and be in that secure,  
A harmless life? and when he may employ  
His saving power to all the people's joy.  
He errs that thinks a King may be safe there,  
Where nothing from a King is safe. 'tis clear,  
Security does always most rely,  
Upon a mutual security.  
There is no need of strong and lofty Towers,  
Built on high hills, t' oppose offensive powers:  
To dig huge mountains round, to make them steep:  
Or into double trenched holds to creep.  
Mercy guards Kings wheres'ever they resort.  
The love of subjects is the only fort  
That is impregnable. What can befall  
A King like this, to be prayed for by all?  
Not only when an Officer is near:  
But when no other present is to hear.  
And if his health a little be impaired,  
Fear and not hope of change is then declared  
By all his subjects: who, his safety prize:  
And all that's theirs compared with that despise,  
Who think no accident can him betid,  
Which they between him and them must not divide.  
Mean time he by these daily arguments  
Of mutual goodness, hereunto consents:  
That, as each virtuous prince hath still maintained,  
He for the State, not that for him's ordained.  
Who against this man mischief dares attempt?  
Or (if it could be) would not him exempt  
From all mis-haps, under whom Justice, Peace,  
Safety, and honour flourish and increase?  
Through whom the City with great riches fraught  
Hath all the benefits that can be thought:  
Which viewing him like joy does apprehend,  
As if the gods vouchsafed to descend:  
Looking upon their Sovereign with an eye,  
Of reverence, and devotion. For why?  
Should he not be accounted to be near  
The gods themselves, that does their nature bear?  
And is like them both mild and liberal,  
His power employing to the good of all.  
A King chastises out of two respects,  
When either he some great offence detects,  
T' have been committed 'gainst himself, or when  
It is committed against other men.  
I'll first clear that wherein himself's concerned.  
for moderation is more hardly learned  
When his revenge to wrath is more a debtor,  
Than to example, whereby men grow better.  
'tis here superfluous to be put in mind  
To shun a light belief, to seek to find  
And know the truth, to favour innocence,  
Whereby the Judge may seem to have a sense  
Of his own fame, which else would be as far  
In danger, as the prisoner at the bar;  
But this is found to be the property  
Of Justice, rather than of Clemency.  
We now advise that passions be suppressed  
In provocations that are manifest:  
And (if it may be safe) to be content  
To pardon and remit the punishment.  
And to be exorable in his own,  
Not in an others injury alone.  
For as to bounty, it no whit relates,  
To be profuse in other men's estates:  
And as he's liberal that always throws  
That from himself, which he on men bestows.  
So does not Clemency to him belong,  
Who is indulgent in another's wrong.  
But he is merciful, that does refrain  
From a revenge, in midst of his own pain.  
Who knows his mind arrived to the full height,  
When he in greatest power a wrong can slight.  
And thinks a Prince with highest glory crowned,  
When oft provoked, he still is gentle found.  
Two benefits seem from revenge t' arise:  
Him that hath wrong it either satisfies,  
Or is a safety to the rest. A Prince  
Enjoys a fortune of more consequence,  
Than that he should on such a help depend:  
And his known power much farther does extend,  
And is more clear, than that he should be feign  
To make it clearer by an others bane.  
This my discourse is of a Prince intended,  
That is by his inferiors offended.  
For where he finds those that his equals were  
Standing beneath him, his revenge is there  
A slave, a serpent, and a dart have slain  
A King, but no man justly can maintain  
He saved any, but that he in power  
To him he saved, must be superior;  
And therefore he a noble use should make  
Of what a … ity the gods bestowed, power both to take  
And to give life: and chief towards those  
Who formerly his greatness did oppose.  
For having got the sovereignty, 'tis proof  
That he thereby hath got revenge enough:  
And hath attained to all that can be meant,  
By the full benefit of punishment.  
For he that owes his life, hath lost it: he  
That is compelled to beg upon his knee  
His life and Kingdom, must be fain to live  
A Trophy to his name that life did give:  
And being safe, he does his fame more right,  
Than if he had been carried from his sight:  
For he a daily spectacle remains,  
By which the virtue of an other gains  
An endless fame: whereas had he been lead  
In triumph, he had quickly vanished.  
And if he safely could his power restore,  
And give him back all that he lost before,  
His honour would exceedingly increase:  
And he would manifest by that release,  
That he desired to take no other thing,  
But only glory from a vanquished King.  
This is to triumph over his victory,  
And to declare to all the world that he  
Found nothing in a conquered hand, that might  
Th' acceptance of a conqueror invite.  
But as for Citizens, and men unknown,  
And others of a mean condition,  
No vengeance should be taken upon such,  
Lest honour seem thereby to stoop too much.  
Some thou must pardon willingly, to some  
Thou must disdain that thy revenge should come:  
Whom, though they vex, thou must forbear no less  
To kill; than we some vermin for their filthiness.  
But touching those which in the public eye  
May be condemned, or set at liberty,  
It will be fit, that thou shouldst not refuse  
Thy wont mercy towards them to use.  
But let us pass to others injuries,  
In punishing whereof the law relies  
On these three things, which Princes should intent,  
That them whom they chastise they may amend;  
Or others by their sad example cure;  
Or else by cutting off the bad, assure  
The safety of the rest. The first will be  
With smaller punishments reformed by thee.  
For having something left whereto to trust,  
They in their future ways will be more just:  
Since there is little reason to take care  
Of honour, or estate that's in despair.  
And 'tis a kind of freedom from the law  
T' have nought to lose; such men stand not in awe:  
And for the rest, a City's manners are  
Soon reformed, when punishments be rare.  
For where offenders grow to a multitude,  
A custom of offending does intrude.  
And frequent condemnations will abate  
The infamy of lewdness in a State.  
And rigour, which is held the chief redress,  
Is by continuance regarded less.  
A Prince reforms ill manners, and does heal  
Vices more easily in the common-weal,  
When he is mild and patiented, not as though  
He did approve them, but thereby to show  
That he is brought with very much regret,  
And quite against his will his sword to whet.  
The very mercy of a Prince revokes  
Offenders from their usual crimes, as strokes  
Which from a mild and gentle hand proceed,  
Do commonly more shame and sorrow breed.  
Besides thou seest how often men are led  
T' offend, though they be often punished.  
Thy father more employed the fatal sack  
In five year's space, than they who shall look back  
To all time past, will find was ever done:  
For children did not into vice so run,  
As to commit the worst of crimes, until  
The law made that a crime. It was the will,  
And prudence of those famous men that were  
Most skilled in nature's secrets, to forbear  
To mention that detested wickedness,  
Which no strained impudence knew how t' express,  
Lest by ordaining punishment for it,  
IT had showed that some might such a crime commit.  
By that Law therefore parricides were taught,  
And punishment that wickedness first brought.  
All piety fell quickly to the ground,  
After more sacks than gallows were found.  
That cities thought to goodness much addicted,  
Where punishments but rarely are inflicted.  
Integrity is therein understood  
To be retained as a public good.  
A Commonwealth that does so far proceed,  
To think itself sincere, is so indeed.  
And is offended more with them that fall  
From public thrift, because their numbers small.  
'tis dangerous, believe me, to declare  
To any City, how much ill men are  
In number more than good. By a decree  
Slaves were to be distinguished from the free  
By their apparel. But it soon appeared  
What danger to the State was to be feared,  
If to our slaves our number once were known.  
So should we fear, if thou shouldst pardon none.  
IT would to the City soon be manifest  
How much the lewder part out weighed the rest.  
By many punishments like shame befalls  
A Prince, as doth by many funerals  
Befall Physicians. Most men have a mind  
By nature stubborn, to resist inclined.  
It strives more when we chafe, than when we sawn;  
And follows far more easily than 'tis drawn:  
As generous horses sooner are reclaimed  
By gentle bits, so willing minds are framed  
To follow mercy of their own accord.  
To which the City freely will afford  
Kind entertainment, and thereof accept  
As of a thing most worthy to be kept.  
And therefore in this way more profit will  
Arise, for cruelty's no human ill.  
It is a bestial fury to delight  
In blood and slaughter, and to throw off quite  
Th' essential qualities of humane nature,  
And transmigrate into a savage creature.  
Here I (O Alexander) feign would know  
What difference 'tis Lysimacus to throw  
Forth to a Lion, or else not forbear  
With thine own teeth in pieces him to tear:  
That throat is thine, that cruelty thine own.  
How hearty thou'dst wish thy nails were grown  
To Talons, and that thou couldst stretch thy jaws,  
To devour those thou catchest in thy paws.  
We wish not that thy hand, (thy best friend's bain)  
Should mercy towards any entertain.  
Or thy fierce heart (destructive to mankind.)  
Should without bloodshed satisfaction find.  
'tis mercy called when he his friends would kill,  
That men be brought to execute his will:  
This renders rage abominable, when  
It first breaks wont, than the bounds of men.  
It seeks new torments, studies several ways,  
And Instruments of cruelty displays,  
Whereby it varies, and inlarges pain,  
And fetches pastime out of human bane.  
That dire disease of mind comes to the height,  
Of madness, when in blood it takes delight.  
And hath so far proceeded, that it can  
Take pleasure in the ruin of a man.  
Destruction, hatred, poison, swords attend  
At this man's back to bring him to his end.  
By whom as many dangers still are feared,  
As he for many often hath prepared.  
Sometimes from private plots, at other times  
Through open detestation of his crimes.  
For light and private mischiefs do not raise  
Whole Cities; but when wickedness displays  
Itself with rage, and threatens all, 'tis met  
By multitudes, and round about beset;  
Small Serpents creep away: When one's beheld  
So great, that 'tis into a monster swelled:  
When with its breath it poisons common springs,  
And where it goes, destroys, and venom flings:  
It is with crosse-bows shot at. Petty ills,  
Deceive and scape, not much against our wills,  
But great ones are opposed. So is a house  
Not shunned by any, nor thought dangerous,  
When one alone is sick. But if it appear  
By frequent deaths to be the Plague, a fear  
Possesses the whole Town; from whence men fly,  
And to the gods with lifted hands do cry.  
So when a fire a private house does seize,  
Servants and neighbours bringing water, ease  
The rest of trouble, quenching it alone.  
But when the flame is to a vastness grown,  
And many buildings burnt, it is put out  
With devastion of what's round about.  
Sometime the cruelty of private men  
Hath been revenged by servile hands, even when  
Their death was certain. People, Nations,  
And all that have to Tyrants had relations.  
And have endured, or feared their cruel rage,  
Have in their ruin ventured to engage.  
Their very guards have risen up at length,  
And all the hatred; cruelty, and strength  
Of impiousness, which they by them were taught,  
They on the Authors back again have brought.  
For what good expectation can be had  
From them; whom we instructed to be bad?  
Iniquity obays not long, nor will  
Be always at command in doing ill.  
But let's imagine cruelty secure:  
Yet what a Kingdom must that Prince endure?  
A Realm that like a City sacked, does wear  
The dishiall face of universal fear.  
Where all's confused and sad, and no delight  
Can be enjoyed without continual fright.  
Where feasts afford no safety, but among  
His cups, each must set watches on his tongue:  
Nor public show wherein occasion's sought  
T' have men both into crimes and dangers brought.  
And though they be set forth with great expense,  
With wealth of Kings, by men of excellence.  
Yet upon whom should folly so prevail,  
To seek to go from sports into a Jail?  
What wickedness is this (good Gods) to slay,  
And suffer cruel rage to bear such sway,  
As not to have a sense of human pains,  
And to delight in rattling of chains,  
And in be-heading men? to come not where  
Without much bloodshed, bringing terror there.  
How could our lives be worse if we were ruled  
By Lions, and by Bears? or if we should  
Be governed by serpents, and each creature  
That lives by blood, and abhors man by nature.  
These void of reason and condemned by us  
For cruelty are never furious  
To their own kind: 'mong them similitude  
Is safe and is not bloodily pursued.  
But among men not kindred is excused,  
Allies like strangers are by Tyrants used,  
That by particular slaughters they may grow,  
Whole kingdoms by degrees to overthrow.  
Who, to sire Towns, old Cities to devour,  
And blow up the foundations, think it power.  
And count it not imperial to kill  
But now and then: and that unless they fill  
Themselves with blood of many men ordained  
T' endure the stroke, think cruelty restrained.  
But he that many saves, and does restore  
To life such as lie gasping at death's door,  
Merits by Clemency a high renown,  
And worthily deserves the Civique Crown.  
Then which no ornament can more beseem  
A Prince's head, or gain him more esteem:  
Upon whose Gate this Motto is engraved  
In Characters, For having Subjects saved:  
No Chariot red with blood of barbarous Kings,  
No spoil of conquered foes such honour brings:  
'tis divine power to save by Troops in view  
Of all the world: but many to pursue  
With cruelty, and that without respect,  
Of fire and sword, the power is, and th' effect.    
FINIS.