THE most vsuall waie to appease those minds we have offended when revenge lies in their hands , and that we stand at their mercie , is by submission to move them to commiseration and pitty : Nouerthelesse , courage , constancie , and resolution ( meanes altogether opposite ) have sometimes wrought the same effect . Edward the blacke Prince of Wales ( who so long governed our Countrie of Guienne , a man whose conditions and fortune were accompanied with many notable parts of worth and magnanimity ) having bin grievously offended by the Limosins , though he by main forcetooke & entred their Citie , could by no means be appeased , nor by the wailefull out ▪ cries of all sorts of people ( as of men , women , and children ) be moved to any pittie , they prostrating themselues to the common slaughter , crying for mercie , and humbly submitting themselues at his feete , vntill such time as in triumphant manner passing through their citie , he perceiued three French gentlemen , who alone , with an incredible & vndaunted boldnes gainstood the enraged violence , and made head against the furie of his victorious army . The consideration and respect of so notable a vertue , did first abate the dint of his wrath , and from those three began to relent , and shew mercie to all the other inhabitants of the said towne . Scanderbeg . Prince of Epirus , following one of his soldiers , with purpose to kill him , who by all means of humilitie , & submisse entreatie , had first assaied to pacifie him , in such an vnavoidable extremity , resolved at last , resolutely to encounter him with his sword in his hand . This resolution did immediatly stay his Captaines fury , who seeing him vndertake so honorable an attempt , not only forgave , but received him into grace & favour . This example may happily , of such as have not knowne the prodigious force , and matchlesse valor of the said Prince , admit an other interpretation . The Emperor Courad●● ▪ third of that name ; having besieged G●elphe , Duke of Bavaria , what vile or base satisfaction soever was offred him , would yeeld to no other milder conditions , but only to suffer such gentle women as were with the Duke in the citie ( their honors safe ) to issue out of the towne a●oot , with such things as they could carry about them . The 〈…〉 an vnrelenting courage , advised and resolved themselves ( neglecting all other riches or jewels ) to carrie their husbands , their children , and the Duke himselfe , on their backes : The Emperor perceiving the quaintnes of their devise , tooke so great pleasure at it , that he wept for joy , & forthwith converted that former inexorable rage , & mortall hatred he bare the Duke , into so milde a relenting and gentle 〈…〉 ther of these waies might easily perswade me : for I am much inclined to mercie , and affected to mildnesse . So it is , that in mine opinion , I should more naturally stoop vnto compassion , than bend to estimation . Yet is pitie held a vicious passion among the Stoickes . They would have vs aide the afflicted , but not to faint , and cosuffer with them . These examples seeme fittest for mee , forsomuch as these mindes are seene to be assaulted and environed by these two meanes , in vndauntedly suffering the one , and stooping vnder the other . It may peraduentvre be said , that to yeelde ones heart vnto commiseration , is an effect of facilitie , tendernesse , and meekenesse : whence it proceedeth , that the weakest natures , as of women , children , and the vulgar sort are more subject vnto it . But ( having contemned teares and wailings ) to yeeld vnto the onely reverence of the sacred Image of vertue , is the effect of a couragious and imployable minde , holding a masculine and constant vigor , in honour and affection . Notwithstanding amazement and admiration may in lesse generous mindes worke the like effect . Witnesse the Thebanes , who having accused and indited their captaines , as of a capitall crime , forsomuch as they had continued their charge , beyond the time prescribed them , absolved and quit Pelopidas of all punishment , because he submissiuely yeelded vnder the burden of such objections , and to save himselfe , imployed no other meanes , but suing-requests , and demisse entreaties ; where on the contrary , Epaminondas , boldely relating the exploits atchieved by him , and with a fierce and arrogant manner , vpbraiding the people with them , had not the heart so much as to take their lots into his hands , but went his way , and was freely absolved : the assembly much commending the stoutnesse of his courage . Dionysius the elder , after long-lingering and extreame difficulties , having taken the Citie of Reggio , and in it the Captaine Phyton ( a worthy honest man ) who had so obstinately defended the same , would needes shew a tragicall example of revenge . First , he tolde him , how the day before , he had caused his sonne , and all his kinsfolkes to be drowned . To whom Phy●on , stoutly out-staring him answered nothing , but that they were more happy than himselfe , by the space of one day . Afterward hee caused him to be stripped , and by his executioners to be taken and dragged through the Citie , most ignominiously , and cruelly whipping him , charging him besides , with outragious and contumel●ous speeches . All which notwithstanding , as one no whit dismaied , hee ever shewed a constant and resolute heart . And with a cheerefull and bold countenance went on still , lowdly recounting the honourable and glorious cause of his death , which was , that hee would never consent to yeeld his Countrie into the handes of a cruell tyrant , menacing him with an imminent punishment of the Gods . Dionysius plainely reading in his Souldiers lookes , that in liew of animating them with braving his conquered enemie , they in contempt of him , and skorne of his triumph , seemed by the astonishment of so rare a vertue , to be mooved with compassion , and enclined to mutinie , yea , and to free Phy●on from out the hands of his Sergean●s or Guard , caused his torture to cease , and secretly sent him to be drowned in the Sea . Surely , man is a wonderfull , vain , diuerse , and wavering subject : it is very hard to ground any directly-constant and vniforme judgement vpon him . Behold Pompey who freely pardoned all the Citie of the Mamertines , against which hee was grievously enraged , for the love of the magnanimitie , and considederation of the exceeding vertue of Zeno , one of their fellow-citizens , who tooke the publike fault wholy vpon himselfe , and desired no other favor , but alone to beare the punishment thereof ; whereas Syllaes hoste having vsed the like vertue in the Citie of Perugia , obtained nothing , neither for himselfe , nor for others . And directly against my first example , the hardiest amongst men , and so gracious to the vanquished , Alexander the great , after many strange difficulties , forcing the Citie of Gaza , encountred by chaunce with Betis , that commanded therein , of whose valour ( during the siege ) hee had felt woonderfull and strange exploites , beeing then alone , forsaken of all his followers , his armes all-broken , all-besmeared with blood and wounds , fighting amongst a number of Macedonians , who pell-mell laid still vpon him ; provoked by so deere a victorie ( for among other mishappes hee had newly received two hurts in his body ) said thus vnto him ; Betis , thou shalt not die as thou wouldest : for make account thou must indure all the torments may possibly bee devised or inflicted vpon a caitife wretch , as thou art . But he , for all his enemies threates , without speaking one word , returned onely an assured , sterne , and disdainefull countenance vpon him ; which silent obstinacie Alexander noting , said thus vnto himselfe : What ? would hee not bend his knee ? could he not vtter one suppliant voyce ? I will assuredly vanquish his silence , and if I can not wrest a word from him , I will at least make him to sobbe or groane . And converting his anger into rage , commanded his heeles to bee through-pierced , and so all alive with a cord through them , to be torne , ma●gled , and dismembred at a carts taile . May it be , the force of his courage , was so naturall and peculiar vnto him , that because he would no-whit admire him , he respected him the lesse ? or deemed he it so proper vnto himselfe , that in his height , he could not without the spight of an envious passion , endure to see it in an other ? or was the naturall violence of his rage incapable of any opposition ? surely , had it received any restraint , it may be supposed , that in the ransacking and desolation of the Citie of Thebes , it should have felt the same ; in seeing so many Worthies lost , and valiant men put to the sword , as having no meanes of publike defence ; for aboue six thousand were slaine and massacred , of which not one was seene , either to runne away , or beg for grace . But on the contrary , some here and there seeking to affront , and endevouring to check their victorious enemies , vrging and provoking them to force them die an honourable death . Not one was seene to yeelde , and that to his last gaspe did not attempt to revenge himselfe , and with all weapons of dispaire , with the death of some enemie , comfort and sweeten his owne miserie . Yet could not the affliction of their vertue find any ruth or pitie , nor might one day su●●ice to glut or asswage his revengefull wrath . This burcherous slaughter continued vnto the last drop of any remaining blood ; where none were spared but the vnarmed and naked , the aged and impotent , the women and children ; that so from amongst them , they might get thirtie thousand slaves .

NO man is more free from this passion than I , for I neither love nor regard it : albeit the world hath vndertaken , as it were vpon covenant , to grace it with a particular favour . Therewith they adorne age , vertue , and conscience . Oh foolish and base ornament ! The Italians have more properly with it's name entitled malignitie : for , it is a qualitie ever hurtfull , ever sottis● ; and as ever base and coward , the Stoikes inhibit their Elders and Sages to be therewith tainted , or have any feeling of it . But the Storie saith ; that Psamne●icus king of Aegypt , hauing been defeated and taken by Cambises king of Persia , seeing his owne daughter passe before him in base and vile aray , being sent to draw water from a well , his friends weeping & wailing about him ( he with his eies fixed on the ground , could not be mooved to vtter one word ) and shortly after beholding his sonne led to execution , held still the same vndaunted countenance : but perceiving a familiar friend of his haled amongst the captives , he began to beat his head , and burst forth into extreame sorrow . This might well be compared to that which one of our Princes was lately seene to doe , who being at Trent , and receiving newes of his elder brothers death ; but such a brother as on him lay all the burthen and honour of his house ; and shortly after tidings of his yonger brothers decease , who was his second hope ; and having with an vnmatched countenance and exemplar constancie endured these two affronts ; it fortuned not long after , that one of his servants dying , he by this latter accident suffered himselfe to be so far transported , that quitting and forgetting his former resolution , he so abandoned himselfe to all maner of sorrow and griefe , that some argued , only this last mischance had toucht him to the quicke : but verily the reason was , that being otherwise full , and over plunged in sorrow , the least surcharge brake the bounds and barres of patience . The like might ( I say ) be judged of our storie , were it not it followeth , that Cambises inquiring of Psamneticus , why he was nothing distempered at the misfortune of his sonne and daughter , he did so impatiently beare the disaster of his friend : It is , answered he , Because this last displeasure may be manifested by weeping , whereas the two former exceede by much , all meanes and compasse to bee expressed by teares . The invention of that ancient Painter might happily fitte this purpose , who in the sacrifice of Iphigenia , being to represent the griefe of the by-standers , according to the qualitie and interest each one bare for the death of so faire , so yong and innocent a Lady , having ransacked the vtmost skill and effects of his art , when he came to the Virgins father , as if no countenance were able to represent that degree of sorrow , he drew him with availe over his face . And that is the reason why our Poets faine miserable Niobe , who first having lost seaven sonnes , and immediately as many daughters , as one over-burthened with their losses , to have beene transformed into a stone ;

Thereby to expresse this mournfull silent stupiditie , which so doth pierce vs , when accidents surpassing our strength orewhelme vs . Verily the violence of a griefe , being extreame , must needs astonie the mind , & hinder the liberty of her actions . As it hapneth at the sudden alarum of some bad tidings , when wee shall feele ourselves surprised , benummed , and as it were deprived of al motion , so that the soule bursting afterward forth into teares and complaints , seemeth at more ease and libertie , to loose , to cleare and dilate it selfe .

In the warres which king Ferdinando made against the widow of Iohn king of Hungaria , about Buda ; a man at armes was particularly noted of all men , forsomuch as in a certaine skirmish he had shewed exceeding prowesse of his body , and though vnknowne , beeing slaine , was highly commended and much bemoaned of all : but yet of none so greatly as of a Germane Lord , called Raisciac , as he that was amased at so rare vertue : his body being recovered and had off , this Lord , led by a common curiositie , drew neere vnto it , to see who it might be , and having caused him to be disarmed , perceived him to be his owne sonne ; which knowne , did greatly augment the compassion of all the camp : he only without framing word , or closing his eyes , but earnestly viewing the dead body of his sonne , stood still vpright , till the vehemencie of his sad sorrow , having suppressed and choaked his vitall spirits , fell'd him starke dead to the ground .

say those Lovers that would liuely represent an into lerable passion .

Nor is it in the liveliest , and most ardent heat of the fit , that wee are able to display our plaints and perswasions , the soule being then aggravated with heavie thoughts , and the body suppressed and languishing for love . And thence is sometimes engendered that casuall faintnes , which so vnseasonably surpriseth passionate Lovers , and that chilnesse , which by the power of an extreame heate doth seize on them in the verie midst of their joy and enjoying . All passions that may be tasted and digested , are but meane and slight .

THose which still accuse men for ever gaping after future things , and go about to teach vs , to take hold of present fortunes , and settle our selves vpon them , as having no hold of that which is to come ; yea much lesse than we have of that which is already past , touch and are ever harping vpon the commonest humane error , if they dare call that an error , to which Nature hir selfe , for the service of the continuation of hir worke , doth addresse vs , imprinting ( as it doth many others ) this false imagination in vs , as more jealous of our actions , than of our knowledge . We are never in our selves , but beyond . Feare , desire , and hope , draw vs ever towards that which is to come , and remove our sense and consideration from that which is , to amuse vs on that which shall be , yea when we shall be no more . Calamitosus est animus futuri anxius . A minde in suspense what is to come , is in a pittifull case . Sen. epi. 98.

This notable precept is often all eaged in Plato . Follow thy businesse and know thy selfe ; Each of these two members , doth generally imply all our duty ; and likewise enfolds his companion . He that should do his businesse , might perceive that his first lesson is , to know what he is , and what is convenient for him . And he that knoweth himselfe , takes no more anothers matters for his owne , but above all other things , loveth and correcteth himselfe , rejecteth superfluous occupations , idle imaginations , and vnprofitable propositions . As if you grant follie what it desireth , it will no-whit be satisfied ; so is wisedome content with that which is present , and never displeased with it selfe . Epicurus doth dispense with his age touching the foresight and care of what shall insue . Amongst the lawes that regard the deceased , that which ties the actions of Princes to be examined when they are dead , seemes to me verie solide . They are companions , if not masters of the lawes : That which justice could not work on their heads , it is reason it effect vpon their reputation , and goods of their successors : things wee many times preferre before our lives . It is a custome brings many singular commodities vnto nations that observe it , and to be desired of all good Princes : who have cause to complaine that the memorie of the wicked is vsed as theirs . Wee owe a like obedience and subjection to all Kings ; for it respects their office : but estimation and affection , wee owe it only to their vertue . If they be unworthie , wee are to endure them patiently , to conceale their vices , and to aid their indifferent actions with our commendations , as long as their authoritie hath need of our assistance , and that ought to be ascribed unto politike order . But our commerce with them being ended , there is no reason we should refuse the unfolding of our felt wrongs vnto justice and our libertie . And specially to refuse good subjects , the glory to have reverently and faithfully served a master , whose imperfections were so well knowne unto them : exempting posteritie from so profitable an example . And such as for the respect of some private benefite or interest do wickedly imbrace the memorie of an vnwoorthie Prince , doe particular justice at the charge of publike justice . Titus Liuius speaketh truely , where he saith , that the speech of men brought up under a royaltie is ever full of vaine ostentations , and false witnesses : every man indifferently extolling the king , to the furthest straine of valour and Soveraigne greatnesse . The magnanimitie of those two Souldiers , may bee reproved , one of which being demaunded of Nero , why he hated him , answered him to his teeth ; I loved thee whilest thou wast worthie of love , but since thou becamest a parricide , a fir-brand , a juglar , a player , and a Coach-man , I hate thee , as thou deservest . The other being asked , wherefore he sought to kill him ; answered , Because I find no other course to hinder thy uncessant outrages and impious deedes . But can any man , that hath his senses about him , justly reproove the publike and generall testimonies , that since his death , have bin given , and so snall be for ever , both against him and all such like reprobates , of his tyrannicall and wicked demeanors ? I am sorie that in so sacred a pollicie as the Lacedemonian was , so fained and fond a ceremonie at the death of their kings was ever devised and brought in use . All their confederates and neighbours , all the slave-Heotes , men and women pell-mell , for a testimonie of their griefe and sorrow did mangle and gash their foreheads ; and in their out-cries , and lamentations , exclaimed , that their deceased king , howsoever he had lived , was and had bin the best Prince that ever they had , ascribing in order the commendations due unto desert , and to the last and latter ranke , what belongs unto the first merite . Aristotle that hath an oare in every water , and medleth with all things , makes a question , about Solons speech , who saith , that no man can truely be counted happy before his death , Whether he that lived and died according to his wish may be named happy , Whether his renowne be good or ill , and whether his posteritie be miserable or no. Whilest we stirre and remove , we transport our selves by preoccupation wheresoever we list : But no sooner are we out of being , but we have no communication at all with that which is . And it were better to tell Solon , that never man is happy then , since he never is so , but when he is no more .

Bertrand of Gelsquin died at the siege of the castle of Rancon , neere vnto Puy in Auergne : the besieged yeelding afterward , were forced to carrie the keies of the Castle , vpon the deceased body of the Captaine . Bartholomew of Alviano , Generall of the Venetian forces dying in their service and wars about Brescia , and his body being to be transported to Venice , through the territorie of Verona , which then was enemie vnto them , the greatest part of the armie thought it expedient to demand a safe conduct for their passage of those of Verona , to which Theodoro Trivulcio stoutly opposed himselfe , and chose rather to passe it by maine force , and to hazard the day , saying it was not convenient , that he who in his life time had never apprehended feare of his enemies should now being dead , seeme to feare them . Verily in like matters , by the lawes of Greece , he that required a dead bodie of his enemies , with intent to burie the same , renounced the victory , and might no more erect any trophie of it : and he who was so required , purchased the title of honour and gaine . So did Nicias loose the advantage he had clearely gained of the Corinthians ; and contrariwise , Agesilaus , assured that , he doubtfully had gotten of the Boetians . These actions might be deemed strange , if in all ages it were not a common-received opinion , not only to extend the care of our selves , beyond this life , but also to believe , that heavenly favours to often accompanie vs vnto our grave , and continue in our posteritie . Whereof there are so many examples ( leaving our moderne a part ) that I need not wade farre into it .