LOve and Friendship are the chief Bonds of Humane Society , without which Mankind would be Wolves , and destrovers of each other ; I shall therefore give some instances of the extraordinary Effects thereof in all Ages , and that in the most large acceptation of it ; as of the Passion of Love between different Sexes , the disquiets whereof have sometimes made deep impressions upon divers Persons , of the singular Love of some Husbands to their Wives , and Wives to their Husbands ; of the Indulgence , and great Love of some Parents to their Children ; and the reverence and Love of Children to their Parents ; of the extraordinary Love of Brethren , and of many Servants to their Masters ; of the signal Love of some Persons to Religion and Truth , and their hatred of Flattery and Falshood ; the Love of several to Peace , Justice , and to their Country , together with the choicest instances of the most intire Friendship , and the grateful dispositions of some Persons , and what returns they have made of the benefits received ; these shall be the particulars of this first Chapter , wherein the variety of the Relations , cannot but administer some profit , as well as delight , since they are collected from Authors of undoubted Authority and Credit ; I shall therefore proceed in order , and first as to Humane Love , or that strictly called the Passion of Love .

I. Eginardus was Secretary of State to Charlemaign , Emperour , and King of France , and having placed his

depiction of the Emperor of Germany's daughter carrying her lover The Emp. of Ger. Daughter caryes her Lover on her back to prevent Discovery Page .1 .

Affections much higher than his Condition admitted , made love to one of his Daughters , who seeing this Man of a brave Spirit , and a grace suitable , thought him not too low for her whom merit had so eminently raised above his Birth ; she affected him , and gave him free access to her Person , so far as to suffer him to have recourse unto her , to laugh , and sport in her Chamber on the Evenings , which ought to have been kept as a Sanctuary where Relicts are preserved ; It happened on a Winters night , that Eginardus ever hastning his Approaches , and being negligent in his returns , had too much slackned his departure , in the mean time a ●…ow had fallen , which troubled them both ; for when he thought to go forth , he feared to be known by his feet , & the Lady was unwilling that such prints of steps should be found at her door ; they being much perplexed , Love which taketh the Diadem of Majesty from Queens , made her to do an Act for a Lover , very unusual for the Daughter of one of the greatest Men upon Earth , she took the Gentleman upon her shoulders , and carried him all the length of the Court to his Chamber , he never setting foot to ground , that so the next day no impression might be seen of his footing ; it fell out that Charlemaign watched at his Study this night , and hearing a noise , opened the Window , and perceived this pretty prank , at which he could not tell whether he were best to be angry , or to laugh ; the next day in a great Assembly of Lords , and in the presence of his Daughter , and Eginardus , he asked what punishment that Servant might seem worthy of , who made use of a Kings Daughter , as of a Mule , and caused himself to be carried on her Shoulders in the midst of Winter , through Night , Snow , and all the sharpness of the Seasons ; Every one gave his opinion , and not one but condemned that insolent man to death ; the Princess , and Secretary changed colour , thinking nothing remained for them , but to be flead alive ; but the Emperour looking on his Secretary with a smooth brow , said , Eginardus , hadst thou loved the Princess my Daughter , thou oughtest to have come to her Father , the disposer of her Liberty , thou art worthy of death , and I give thee two lives at this present , take thy fair Portress in Marriage , fear God , and love one another ; these Lovers thought they were in an instant drawn out of the depth of Hell to enjoy the greatest happiness in the World . Causins Holy Court . Tom. 2.

II. Pyramus , a young Man of Babylon , was exceedingly in love with Thisbe , the Daughter of one that lived the very next House to his Father , nor was he less beloved by her ; both Parents had discerned it , and for some Reasons kept them both up so streightly , that they were not suffered so much as to speak to one another , at last they found opportunity of discourse through the Chink of a Wall betwixt them , and appointed to meet together in a certain place without the City , Thisbe came first to the place appointed , but being terrified by a Lioness which passed by , she fled into a Cave near thereabouts , and in her flight had lost her Veil , which the Lioness tumbled to and fro with her bloody Mouth , and so left it ; soon after Pyramus came also to the same place , and there finding the Vail which she used to wear , all bloody , he overhastily concluded , that she was torn in pieces by some wild Beast , and therefore slew himself with his own Sword under a Mulberry Tree , which was the place of their mutual agreement ; Thisbe , when she thought the Lioness was gone past , left her Cave , with an earnest desire to meet her Lover , but finding him slain , overcome with grief and desire , she fell upon the same Sword , and died with him . Zuinglius . p. 461.

III. Eurialus Count of Augusta , was a young man of extraordinary beauty , and during the stay of the Emperour , Sigismund , King of Bohemia , and Hungary , at Sienna , he cast his Eye upon Lucretia a Virgin of that place , and at first sight fell vehemently in love with her ; the Virgin also , whom in respect of her admirable form , they called commonly the second Venus , was no less surprized than himself at the same instant ; in a short time they became better acquainted , but at the Emperors removal thence to Rome , when Eurialus was compelled to leave his Lady behind him , she was not able to endure his absence , but died under the impatience of it ; Eurialus at the hearing of her death , though he was somewhat supported by the counsels , and consolations of his Friends , and thereby persuaded to live , yet from the time of her death , to the last day of his life , he was never known to laugh . Donatus Hist. Medit.

IV. Gobrias a Captain , when he had espied Rodanthe , a fair Captive Maid , he fell upon his knees before Mystilus the General , with tears , vows , and all the Rhetorick he could ; & by the Scars he had formerly received , the good services he had done , or whatsoever else was dear unto him , he besought his General that he might have the fair Prisoner to his Wife , as a reward of his Valour ; moreover he would forgive him all his Arrears , I ask , said he , no part of the booty , no other thing , but Rodanthe to be my Wife ; and when he could not compass her by fair means , he fell to Treachery , force , and Villany , and at last set his life at stake , to accomplish his desire . Burtons Melancholy , part. 3.

V. Plutarch saith it was a custom remaining to his days , that Wives would wish so to be beloved of their Husbands , as Pieria was by Phrygius ; this wish had its rise from the following History ; of those Jonians that planted themselves in Miletum , some raised Sedition against the Sons of Neleus , and seated themselves in Myo ; these received divers injuries from the Mil sians , who made war upon them for going away from them , but not so severely , as to exclude all commerce , so that upon some Festivals the Women had liberty to come from Myo to Miletum ; Pythes was one of the Revolters , and understanding that a Feast was to be kept in Miletum to Diana , he sent his Wife and Daughter Pieria to obtain leave that he might be present at it ; now of all the Sons of Neleus , Phrygius was the most powerful , he being inflamed with the love of Peria , thought of nothing more than of doing something that might be acceptable to her , and when she told him , that nothing could be more grateful to her , than to procure her liberty of coming often to Miletum , in the Company of many Virgins , he understood by that Speech , that Peace was desired , and Friendship sought with the Milesians ; he therefore concluded the War ; and thence was it that the names of these two Lovers were so dear to both People . Plutarch de virtute Mulier . p. 531.

VI. There was amongst the Grecians a Company of Souldiers , consisting of three hundred , that was called , The Holy Band , erected by Gorgidas , and chosen out of such as heartily loved one another , whereby it came to pass , that they could never be broken , nor overcome , for their love , and hearty affection would not suffer them to forsake one another , whatsoever danger happened ; but at the Battel of Cheronaea they were all slain , after the fight , King Philip taking view of the dead bodies , he stood still in that place , where all these three hundred men lay slain , thrust through with Pikes on their Breasts , whereat he much wondred , and being told that it was the Lovers Band , he sell a weeping , saying , Wo be to them that think these men did , or suffered any dishonest thing ; Plutarch , in Pelopida .

VII . Leander was a young Man of Abidos , and was deeply in love with Hero , a beautiful Virgin of Sestos , these two Towns were opposite to each other , and the narrow Sea of the Hellespont lay betwixt them . Leander used divers nights to swim over the Hellespont to his Love , while she held up a Torch from a Tower , to be his direction in the night ; but though this practice continued long , yet at length Leander adventuring to perform the same one night when the Sea was rough , and the waves high , was unfortunately drowned ; his dead body was cast up at Seslos , where Hero from her Tower beheld it ; but she not being able to outlive so great a loss , cast her self headlong from the top of it into the Sea , and there perished . Innumerable are the instances of the Effects both Tragical , and Comical , proceeding from this Humane Love , and every week almost produceth some extraordinary Accidents proceeding therefrom ; let us therefore next relate some remarkable examples of Conjugal Love between Husbands and Wives .

VIII . One of the Neapolitans ( 't is pity his name as well as his Country , is not remembred , saith Mr. Burton , ) being busily imployed in a Field near the Sea , and his Wife at some distance from him , the Woman was seized upon by some Turkish Pyrates , who came on shoar to prey upon all they could find ; upon his return not finding his Wife , and perceiving a Ship that lay at Anchor not far off , conjecturing the matter as it was , he threw himself into the Sea , and swam up to the Ship , then calling to the Captain , he told him , he was come to follow his Wife ; he feared not the Barbarism of the Enemies of the Christian Faith , nor the miseries those Slaves endure that are thrust into places where they must ●…g at the Oar , his Love overcame all these ; the M●ors were full of admiration at the carriage of the man , for they had seen some of his Countrymen , rather chuse death than to endure so hard a loss of their Liber●y , and at their return they told the whole of this story to the King of Tunis , who moved with the Relation of so great a Love gave him and his Wife their freedom , and the Man was made by his command one of the Soldiers of his Liseguard . Burtons Melancholy , Part 3.

IX . Philip King of France , Sirnamed The Good , the first Author of that greatness , whereunto the House of Burgundy did arrive , was about twenty three years of Age , when his Father John Duke of Burgundy was slain by the villany , and perfidiousness of Charles the Dauphin ; being informed of that unwelcome news , full of grief & anger as he was , he hasted into the Chamber of his Wife , who was the Dauphins Sister , O said he , my Michalea thy Brother , hath murdered my Father ; She who was a true Lover of her Husband , streight broke forth into tears , and cries , and fearing , not without reason , that this accident would prove the occasion of a breach , she lamented , as one that refused all comfort , though her Husband used all kind of loving words to chear up her Spirits ; Thou shalt be no less dear to me , said he , for this fault , which , though near related , is yet none of thine , and therefore take courage , and comfort thyself in an Husband that will be faithful , and constant to thee for ever ; He performed what he said , he lived with her three years , treating her alwaies with his accustomed love , and the same respects ; and although the very sight of her did daily renew the memory of that wicked act of her Brother , and though which is more , she was Barren , a sufficient cause of divorce among Princes , yet he would not that any thing but death should dissolve the Matrimonial Bond that was betwixt them . Lipsius Monitor . lib. 2.

X. Darius the last King of the Persians , supposing that his Wife Statira was slain by Alexander , filled all the Camp with Lamentations , and Outcries ; O Alexander , said he , Whom of thy Relations have I put to death , that thou shouldst thus retaliate my severities , thou hast hated me without any provocation on my part , but suppose thou hast Justice on thy side , shouldst thou manage the War against Women ? Thus he bewailed the supposed death of his Wife , but as soon as he heard she was not only preserved alive , but also treated by Alexander with the highest Honour , he then beseeched Heaven to render Alexander fortunate in all things , though he was his Enemy . Plutarch . in vit. Alex.

XI . Gratianus the Roman Emperor , was so great and known a Lover of his Wife , that his Enemies had hereby an occasion ministred to them to ensnare his life , which was on this manner ; Maximus the Usurper , caused a report to be spread , that the Empress with certain Troops was come to see her Husband , and to go with him into Italy , and sent a Messenger with counterfeit Letters to the Emperor , to give him advice thereof ; after this , he sent one of his most subtle Captains , with order that he should put himself into an Horse-litter with some chosen Soldiers , and go to meet the Emperor , pretending himself to be the Empress , and so to surprize , and kill him ; the cunning Captain performed his business , for at Lyons in France , the Emperor came forth to meet his Wife , and coming to the Horselitter , he was taken and killed . Imperial Hist , p. 344.

XII . Meleager challenged to himself the chief glory , and honour of slaying the Caledorian Boar , but this being denied him , he sate in his Chamber so angry , and discontented , that when the Enemy ( who were the Curetes ) were assaulting the City where he lived , he would not stir out to lend his Citizens the least of his assistance ; the Elders , Magistrates , the chief of the City , and the Priests came to him with their humble supplications , but he would not move ; they propounded a great reward , he despised at once both it and them ; his Father Oenaeus came to him , and imbracing his knees , endeavoured to make him relent , but all in vain ; his Mother came , and tryed all ways , but was refused ; his Sisters , and his most familiar Friends were sent to him , and begged he would not forsake them in their last extremity ; but neither this way was his fierce mind to be wrought upon ; in the mean time the Enemy had broken into the City , and then came his Wife , called Cleopatra , trembling ; O my dearest Love , said she , help us , or we are lost ; the Enemy is already entred ; the Hero was moved with this voice alone , and roused himself at the apprehension of the danger of his beloved Wife ; he armed himself , went forth , and left not , till he had repulsed the Enemy , and put the City into its wonted safety , and security . Camerarius Hist. Medit. Cent. 1.

XIII . Titus Gracchus loved his Wife Cornelia with that fervency , that when two Snakes were by chance found in his House , and that the Soothsayers had pronounced that they should not suffer them both to escape , but that one of them should be killed , affirming also that if the Male was let go , Cornelia should die first ; on the other side that Gracchus should first expire , if the Female were let go , Dismiss then the Female said he , that so Cornelia may survive me who am at this time the Elder ; It so fell out that he died soon after , leaving behind him many Sons , so entirely beloved by the Mother , and the memory of her Husband , so dear to her , that she refused the proffered Marriage with Ptolomy King of Aegypt ; It seems the buried Ashes of her Husband lay so cold at her heart , that the splendor of a Diadem and all the pomp of a rich , and proffered Kingdom , were not able so to warm it , as to make it capable of receiving the impression of a new Love . Valerius Maximus , lib. 4.

XIV . Caligula the Emperour had Caesonia to Wife , and though she was not of remarkable beauty , nor of a just , but declining Age ; though by another Husband she was already the Mother of three Daughters , yet being one both of Prodigious Luxury , and Lasciviousness , he loved her with that ardency , and constancy , that he often shewed her to the Soldiers riding by him in her Armour , and to his Friends even naked . The day she was brought to Bed , he made her his Wife , professing that he was at once her Husband , and the Father of a Child by her ; the Child , which was named Julia Drusilla , was by his order carried about to all the Temples of the Gods ; at last he laid it down in the lap of Minerva , and commended the Child to her Education , and Instruction , nor did he conclude the Child to be his , by any more certain sign than this , that even in her Infancy she had a cruelty so natural , that she would fly upon the Faces and Eyes of such Children as plaid with her , with her fingers , and nails . Suetonius Hist .

XV. M. Plautius , by the Command of the Senate of Rome , was to bring back a Navy of sixty Ships of the Confederates into Asia ; he put ashore at Tarentum , and thither had Orestilla his Wife followed him , and there overcome with a Disease , she departed this life . Plautius having ordered all things for the celebration of the Funeral , she was laid upon the Pile to be burnt , as the Roman manner was ; the last Offices to be performed , were to anoint the dead body , and to give it a valedictory , or farewel kiss , but betwixt these , the grieved Husband fell upon his own Sword , and died ; his Friends took him up in his Gown and Shoes , as he was , and laying his Body by that of his Wives , burnt them both together ; the Sepulcher of these Two is yet to be seen at Tarentum , and is called , The Tomb of the Two Lovers . Valer . Max. lib. 4.

XVI . And though the Female be the weaker Sex , yet such has been the fidelity , and incredible strength of affection in some , that they have oft-times performed as great things as the most generous Men ; they have despised death in the most dreadful shapes , and all sorts of difficulties ( by an invincible Love to their Hushands ) in the greatest extremity . Of which Histories are not silent ; for we r●ad , that Eumenes burying the dead that had fallen in the Battel of Gabine against Antigonus , amongst others , there was found the Body of Ceteas , the Captain of those Troops that had come out of India ; this man had two Wives , who accompanied him in the Wars , one which he had newly married , and an other whom he had married some years before , but both of them bore an intire love to him , for whereas the Laws of India require , that one Wife shall be burnt with her dead Husband , both these offered themselves to death , and strove with that ambition , as if it had been some glorious prize they sought after ; before such Captains as were appointed their Judges , the younger Wife pleaded , That the other was with Child , and that therefore she could not have the benefit of that Law ; The elder alledged , That whereas she was before the other in years , it was also fit that she should be before her in Honour , since it was customary in other things that the Elder should have place ; The Judges , when they understood by Midwives , that the Elder was with Child , passed Judgment that the younger should be burnt , which done , she that had lost the cause departed , rending her Diadem , and tearing her Hair , as if some grievous calamity had befallen her ; the other full of Joy at her Victory , went to the Funeral Fire , magnificently drest up by her Friends , and led along by her Kindred , as if to her Wedding ; they all the way singing Hymns in her Praises . When she drew near the fire , taking off her Ornaments , she delivered them to her Friends and Servants , as tokens of Remembrance ; they were a multitude of Rings , with variety of precious Stones , Chains , and Stars of Gold , &c. This done , she was by her Brother placed upon the combustible matter by the side of her Husband , and after the Army had thrice compassed the Funeral Pile , fire was put to it , and she without a word of complaint , finished her life in thell ames . Diod Siculus , lib. 9.

XVII . Arria , the Wife of Cecinna Paetus , understanding that her Husband was condemned to die , and that he was permitted to chuse what manner of death liked him best , she went to him , and having exhorted him to depart this life couragiously , and bidding him farewel , gave her self a stab into the Breast , with a Knife she had hid for that purpose under her Cloaths ; then drawing the Knife out of the wound , and reaching it to Paetus ; she said , The wound I have made , Paetus , smarts not ; but that only which thou art about to give thy self . Camer . Spare hours . Whereupon Martial hath an Epigram to this purpose .

When Arria to her Husband gave the Knife , Which made the wound , whereby she lost her life , This wound , dear Paetus , grieves me not , quoth she , But that which thou must give thyself , grieves me .

XVIII . The Prince of the Province of Fingo , in the Kingdom of Japan in the East-Indies , hearing that a Gentleman of the Country had a very beautiful Woman to his Wife , got him dispatched ; and having sent for the Widow some days after her Husbands death , acquainted her with his desires ; she told him she had much reason to think her self happy in being honoured with the Friendship of so great a Prince , yet she was resolved to bite off her Tongue , and murder her self , if he offered her any violence ; but if he would grant her the favour to spend one month in bewailing her Husband and then give her liberty to make an entertainment for the Relations of the Deceased to take her leave of them , he should find how much she was his Servant , and how far she would comply with his affections ; it was easily granted , a very great Dinner was provided , whither came all the Kindred of the deceased ; the Gentlewoman perceiving the Prince began to be warm in his Wine , in hopes of enjoying her promise ; she desired liberty to withdraw into an adjoyning Gallery to take the Air , but as soon as she was come into it , she cast her self headlong down in the presence of the Prince , and all her dead Husbands relations , and so put an end to her life . Mandelsloes Travels .

XIX . In the Reign of the Emperor Vespasian , there was a Rebellion in France , the chief Leader of which was Julius Sabinus ; they being reduced , the Captain was sought after to be punished , but he had hid himself in a Vault , or Cave , which was the Monument of his Grand-father ; he caused a report to be spread of his death , as if he had voluntarily poysoned himself , and the better to persuade men of the truth of it , he caused his House to be set on fire , as if his body had therein been burnt ; he had a Wife , whose name was Eponina , she knew nothing of his safety , but bewailed his death , & would not be comforted ; there were only two of his freed men , who were privy to it , they pitying their Lady , who was determined to die , and in order thereunto had abstained from all manner of meat for three days together , thereupon they declared her purpose to her Husband , and besought him to save her that loved him so well ; it was granted , and she was told that her Sabinus lived ; she came to him , where they lived with secrecy , and undiscovered for the space of nine years together , she conceived , and brought forth Children in that solitary Mansion ; at last the place of their abode came to be known , they were taken , and brought to Rome , where Vespasian commanded they should be stain ; Eponina producing , and shewing her Children ; Behold O Caesar , said she , these I have brought forth , and brought up in a Monument , that thou mightest have more suppliants for our Lives . O cruel Vespasian , that could not be moved with such words as these ; well , they were both led to death , and Eponina joyfully died with her Husband , who had been before buried with him for so many years together . Lipsius Monitor . lib. 2.

XX. Portia the Daughter of Cato , and Wise of Marcus Brutus , when she conjectured by the fleepless , and disturbed nights of her Husband , that he had conceived some great thing in his mind , and concealed it from her in suspition of her weakness ; she to give her Husband an instance of her Constancy and Secrecy , made her self a deep wound in her Thigh with a Razor ; upon which there followed a stream of blood , weakness ; and a Feaver . When Brutus came home , sad at so unexpected an accident , and all being withdrawn , Sit down Husband said she , I have something serious to discourse with you ; when I married you , I came to your House as a Wife , not as a Mistress , or Whore , nor only as a Companion of your Bed , and Board , but of all prosperous and adverse things ; I am Cato 's Daughter , and reckon you that I am of that blood , what then , do I complain of you ? Not at all , if I look at other matters , Conjugal Solemnities , good will , and this external love ; but I look higher , and would have your Friendship also , and that is the only grief of my mind which torments me , that you have my fidelity in suspicion , for wherefore should you dissemble ; do I not perceive the care you are in ? Thae there is some secret , and great enterprize you are in agitation about ? Why do you conceal it from me ? If I can lend you no assistance , expect some comfort at least from me ; for as to my secrecy I am able to ingage ; consider not the rest of my Sex ; I say again , that I am the Daughter of Cato , and I add thereunto that I am the Wife of Brutus , either nature , being from such a Father , or Conversation with such a Husband , will render me constant and invincible against all that is to be feared ; why do I multiply words , I my self have made experiment of my self , and see this wound which of my own accord I have given my self , that I might know whether I could undergo with Courage any grief and torments , I now fully believe that I am able to bear them , to despise them , and I , my Brutus , can die with , and for my Husband ; if therefore you are about any thing that is just and honourable , and worthy of us both , conceal it no longer , Brutus admiring the greatness of her mind , and surprized with the discovery of such great affection , lifting up his hands for joy , burst out into these expressions , O all ye Powers above , said he , be ye favourable , and propitious to my desires , and make me a Husband that is worthy of Portia ; then he recited in order to her the Conspiracy for killing Julius Caesar in the Senate House , and who were concerned therein ; wherewith she was so far from being affrighted , or disswading him from it , that she incouraged him to proceed ; but the day on which they were to perform the Enterprize , she being in fear for Brutus , swooned away , and was scarcely recovered by him ; at the last Brutus being overcome , and slain at Philippi , she determined to die , & when her Friends , who were ever with her to prevent it , deprived her of the opportunity and means , she at last snatched the burning Coals with her Hands out of the fire , and thrusting them into her mouth , she kept them there till she was choaked . Of this Conspiracy against Caesar , for the Readers better understanding it , I shall make a brief digression . Marcus Brutus ( faith Plutarch ) was descended from Junius Brutus , as great an enemy to Kings as he was to Tyrants ; he was well beloved by Caesar , so that he gave order for his safety at the Battle of Pharsalia as for his own Son ; he moved nothing but what was honest and rational , so grave and constant he was ; he carried what he moved , so resolved was he ; after Caesar had past the Rulicon contrary to the Decree of the Senate , and had so overpowered them , that he was chosen perpetual Dictator , and had thereby taken away the liberty of the Commonwealth , Brutus , Cassius & some others conspired against him ; Brutus hated the Tyranny , and Cassius the Tyrant ; Brutus was incensed against Caesars Empire by his Ancestors Enterprize against Kings , and the Peoples expectation from him , for under their Images they writ , O that Brutus were a●…ve ; and before his face when he was Praetor , they said , Brutus is asleep . Cassius first sounded Brutus , who said , He would die , or Caesar should not be King ; Cassius replied , Rome will not suffer thee to die ; they look for Plays and Pastimes from other Praetors hands , but they expect Liberty at thine ; then they proceeded in their Design , and though many ill Omens might have hindred Caesar from going to the Senate that day , yet he resolved to go on ; and being sate , Cimber one of the Conspirators , seems to Petition Caesar , and the rest seconded him , kissing Caesars hand , and then all falling upon him at once , they stabbed him with twenty three wounds , who when he saw Brutus , cryed out , what , and thou my Son ? and so gave up the Ghost . Brutus would have satisfied the other Senators , but they fled ; the other Conspirators would have killed Mark Anthony , but Brutus refused it , because he said he was a Person principled for Liberty , though ingaged to the Tyrant . At first the multitude abhorred , and were amazed at the Fact , but afterwards they applauded it , when they saw that neither power nor spoil was the design , but honest Liberty , yea , the Senate entertained , secured , honoured & imployed them in several Provinces , particularly Brutus in Creet : who committed two Faults ; first , in saving Anthony their close Enemy , and next in publishing Caesars popular will , and solemnizing his Funeral , at which Anthony , by his Speech , and shewing Caesars bloody Garments , inraged the multitude so far , that Brutus and his Friends retired to Athens , for fear of Gaesars Soldiers , and there got as many Romans together , as he could prevail upon , with whom he resolved to try his Fortune , affirming , That he would either die , or live with Liberty , and rid his Country of Bondage by Battle , or himself by death ; Here Cassius met him with more Forces , and as they were about to pass their Army toward Rome , an horrible Spectacle is said to appear to Brutus ; for in the dead of the night , when the Moon shined not very bright , and all the Army was in silence , a black Image of an huge and horrid Body appeared to Brutus , standing silent by him , his Candle being almost out , and he sitting musing about the issue of the War , Brutus with an equal constancy both of mind and countenance , said , What Man or God art thou ? The Spirit answered , I am thy evil Genius , and thou shalt see me again at Philippi ; Brutus couragiously replied , I will see thee there then ; so the Spirit disappeared , but as he had said , appeared to him again in those Fields of Philippi , where Brutus and Cassius soon after lost a great Battle against Anthony and Octavius , and their Army being utterly routed , Brutus passed the following melancholy night with some few others in the Woods and Rocks , where the same Spectre appear'd again to him , and vanished without speaking a word ; he then recollecting the loss of his Friends , pitying his Country more than himself , and applauding his own virtue more then his Enemies Conquest , did what he looked upon to be neither offensive to Heaven , nor unworthy of a Man , for like Cato his Father in Law , his Friends refusing to do it , he killed himself with his own Sword . Plutarchs Lives . Of this great Person , hear what our incomparable Cowley sings .

I. EXcellent Brutus , of all Humane Race The best , till Nature was improv'd by Grace . Till men above themselves , faith raised more Than Reasou above Beasts before . Virtue was thy lifes center , and from thence Did silently , and constantly dispense The gentle vigorous influence , To all the wide and fair circumference . And all the parts upon it lean'd so easily , Obey'd the mighty force so willingly , That none could discord , or disorder see In all their Contrariety . Each had his Motion natural and free ; And th' whole no more mov'd than the whole World could be . II. From thy strict rule some think that thoudidst swerve , ( Mistaken honest Men ) in Caesars blood ; What Mercy could the Tyrants life deserve , From him who kill'd Himself rather than serve ? Th' Heroick Exaltations of Good , Are so far from Vnderstood . We count them Vice ; alass our sight 's so ill , That things which swiftest move , seem to stand still . We look not upon Virtue in her height , On her supream Idea , brave and bright , In the Original Light ; But as her Beams reflected pass , Through her own Nature , or ill Customs Glass . And 't is no wonder so , If with dejected Eye , In standing Pools we seek the Sky . That Stars so high above , should seem to us below . III. Can we stand by and see Our Mother rob'd , and bound , and ravisht be , Yet not to her assistance stir , Pleas'd with the Strength and Beauty of the Ravisher ? Or shall we fear to kill him , if before The Cancel'd name of Friend he bore ? Ingrateful Brutus do they call ? Ingrateful Caesar who could Rome inthrall ! An Act more barbarous , and unnatural , ( In th' exact Ballance of true Virtue try'd ) Than his Successor Nero 's Parricide ! There 's nought but Brutus could deserve , That all men else should wish to serve , And Caesars usurpt place to him should proffer ; None can defer 't but be who would refuse the offer . IV. Ill Fate assum'd a Body thee t' affright , And wrapt it self i' th terrors of the Night , I 'le meet thee at Philippi , said the Spright , I 'le meet thee there , saidst Thou , With such a voice , and such a brow , As put the trembling Ghost to sudden flight , It vanish't as a Tapers Light , Goes out when Spirits appear in sight ; One would have thought 't had heard the morning Crow . Or seen her well appointed Star , Come marching up the Eastern Hill afar . Nor durst it in Philippi's Field appear . But unseen attacqued thee there . Had it presum'd in any shape thee to oppose , Thou wouldst have forc'd it back upon thy Foes ; Or slain't like Caesar , though it be A Conqueror , and a Monarch mightier far than He. V. What joy can humane things to us afford , When we see perish thus by odd events , Ill men , and wretched Accidents ? The best Cause , and the best Man that ever drew a Sword . When we see The false Octavius , and wild Anthony , Godlike Brutus , conquer thee ? What can we say but thine own Tragick Word , That Virtue , which had worshipt been by thee , As the most solid Good , and greatest Deity , By this fatal proof became An Idol only , and a Name ? Hold noble Brutus , and restrain The bold voice of thy generous Disdain ; These mighty Gulphs are yet Too deep for all thy Judgment , and thy Wit. The Time's set forth already , which shall quell Stiff Reason , when it offers to Rebel . Which these great Secrets shall unseal , And new Philosophies reveal . A few years more , so soon hadst thou not dy'd , Would have confounded Humane Virtues pride , And shew'd thee a God Crucifi'd .