MInding to goe to Cynosarges , and being come neer to Elissus , I heard a mans voice , calling me out alowd by my name : and so turning backe to see who it was , I might perceiue Clinias , Axiocus his sonne , together with Damon the Musician , and Charmides the sonne of Glaucon , running towards the faire fountaine : I presently left my owne way , to go meete them , to the end we might more conueniently discourse & talk together . Then Clinias , weeping bitterly , sayd vnto me ; Socrates , now is the time , wherin thou mayest put that great wisedom in triall , which makes thee so highly esteemed of euery one . For , my Father is suddenly fallen so grieuously sicke , that wee looke rather for his death than life ; for which cause he seemes to bee wonderfully perplexed , although when he was in perfect health , he laughed at them , that feared death ( as though it had bin some hideous Hobgoblin , or grisly Antick ) taunting , and scornfully mocking them for the same ▪ I pray you therefore , come and see him , that he may be fortified by your good instructions , as you know very well how to doe it , that hee may patiently and acceptably attend his death . And for my part , this will bee one of the last dutifull offices , which I shall performe towards my Father . For me , Clinias , then I answered , you shall euer finde mee ready to endeuour my selfe for you in any thing within my power ; but especially in a respect , so deuout and religious . Wherfore let vs goe quickly ; for if it be so , we must not delay time . Clin. I am sure that your very presence will much comfort my Father , if he be yet aliue ; for , by such good means he hath oftē-times escaped , of dangerous maladies . Socr. Well , wee found Axiocus in reasonable good state of bodie ; but in his minde so afflicted , that he stood in great neede of some consolation : for he neuer left turning , sometimes on the one , and then on the other side , sighing and lamenting with a great agitation & motion of his armes . Seeing him in this state , I began thus to breake with him . Why , Axiocus , what meanes this ? what 's become of your dayly brags , and commendations of Vertue ? where is now your inuincible courage ? when you haue shewed your selfe so valiant throughout the whole combat , & now drawing neer to the end , when you should receiue the reward , and recompence of your trauailes , silly Champion , doe you now faint ? why doe you not better obserue the condition of all mankind , you being a man well experienced by your yeares , and an Athenian ? Doe you no more remember , what all men haue often in their mouthes , that this our life is but a Pilgrimage ? and that after hauing honestly passed ouer our dayes , we must then chearfully and merily remoue out of this present life ? But to be thus deiected , and to leaue this world , with as much grief , as a little childe would doe ; this ill beseemes that wisedome and prudence , which is expected to be in men of your yeeres . Axio . It is true , Socrates , and you do aduertise me for my good : but I knowe in what maner ; for when it comes to the point , and to be apprehended indeed , all this brauery of wordes closely slinkes away , without so much as a cogitation theron : and in stead therof , a certain feare takes place , which surpriseth my minde , when I think that I must bee depriued of this light , of so much worldly goods , to lie and rot , I knowe not where , in a place where I shall not not be seen , or heard , of any body , there to bee changed into wormes and loathsome creatures . Soc. This falles out vnto thee Axiocus , because through incircumspection , and without thinking well thereupon , you couple sense , and the state of death together ; so that your wordes and deedes are one repugnant to the other : For you consider not , that at one instant , you grieue for the losse of sense , and the putrefaction which you fear to feele , together with the preuention of the delights of this life : euen as if after death , you were to leade another earthly life , and to enioy the senses which now you doe ; whereas your body shall bee dissolued as it was before your conception . And , as you felt no kind of euill , in that time , when Draco and Calisthenes gouerned the Common-wealth ( for , then you were not existent , to feele either good or euil ) so after death your body shal be sensible of nothing , it being then free from the touch of any discommodities . Away therefore with all these apprehensions , and be assured , that after our dissolution , and that the soule is returned to her proper place , the body which remains behind is not that which we cal man , but rather a lump of earth and clay , without reason or sense . And to say the trueth , we are and should rightly bee tearmed soule ; which is an immortall creature , inclosed in a corrupt body , as within a stinking prison . As for this fleshly tabernacle , Nature hath enuironed vs therewith , for our chastisement ; the pleasures thereof being inconstant , ready swiftly to flie away , and intermingled with many diseases : whereas , on the contrary , the vexations are vehement , and of long continuance , being destitute of all kinde of consolation . What should I speake of diseases , of the heat and concupiscence of our senses , and of the vices which lurke , and are couched in the same ? The soule being diffused , & spread through al the conduits of the body , is vrged to cry out , & sigh after heauen , which she so truely resembles , desiring this life and releasment , as affectionately , as the thirsty doe pant and breathe after the coole and fresh waters : and so the departure from this our life , is a change from euill to good . Axi . But , Socrates , if you tearme this life so euil , why doe you tarie in it ; seeing you are of farre greater vnderstanding , than we simple people are ? Socrat . Axiocus , you speak not of me as you should doe ; but , after the example of Athens , you suppose that I am a very wise man , because I dispute , and argue of one thing and another ; for my part , I desire to knowe euen that which is common ; so farre off am I , from thinking my selfe able to resolue of so important matters as these , whereof wee now intreat . In effect , whatsoeuer before I deliuered , was taken out of the discourses of wise Prodicus , whome you knowe wel , & to whom I haue giuen money twice or thrice : For he neuer reades a Lecture to any for nothing ; for in his mouth hee hath ordinarily that saying of Epicharmus , One hand must wash another ; we must giue one thing to receiue another . Lastly , when we were at Callias his lodging , he that is the sonne of Hippocin , this Prodicus minding to vtter his whole sufficiencie , produced so many reasons , against the loue of this life , as I was ready to haue hastened my owne death : and after that , my soule did nothing but desire death . Axi . What said he then ? Soc. I will rehearse it vnto you , so farre as I can remember . He therefore vsed this speach : Is any part of our age without vexations ? doth not the Infant weepe at his comming out of his mothers wombe , beginning his dayes in affliction ? he neuer findes repose in any of his actions : want , cold , heate , or some burning , torments him ; hee not being able to recount his accidents , but alwayes crying , and by this only signe , hee sufficiently enough discouers his miserie . After much trouble , when he comes to be seuen years old , then his executioners lay hold on him ; that is to say , his Tutors , Masters , and Teachers of all exercises . When he growes greater , then he is inuironed , with Instructors , & often discourse , with ouerseers , with Mathematicians , with Captaines , and briefly with a great troupe of Lords and Gallants . Afterwards , if hee attaine to man-like yeeres , his miseries drawe neerer vnto him , being caried from the Licaeum , to the Academie , into places of publike exercise , and into many euils , as well of body as minde . All the yeeres of his youth are subiect to his Masters correction , and to such Tutors as are appointed for the education of his youth . When he is gotten once out of this straight , new cares assaile and enforce him to resolue what course he should take : and , if we compare the discommodities of his youth , with those that afterwardes set vpon him , they will appeare to be but pleasant and supportable ; and , to speake in a worde , but childish scar-crowes , in respect of the other . For , he must go to the wars , take blowes , be in perpetuall combate , and fight : and then olde age comes on , faire and softly , being the right rende-uouz of all calamities , and remedilesse euils . If any man be long a dying , and paying of this debt , Nature , like a rigorous creditor , that will be payd at his iust day , sues out an Execution against her debtors ; taking from one his sight , from another his hearing , and sometimes both of them together . And then if thou tarriest yet any longer in the world , she foundereth , maimeth , and disnerves thee . It is true , that some haue a long and vigorous old age ; but then they renew and verifie the Prouerbe , which sayes , that olde men become children againe . And therfore the immortal God , knowing well the state & condition of humane life , hee quickly takes them from hence , whom he loues best . Let Agamedes , and Trophonius be witnesse hereof , who after they had built the Temple of Apollo Delphick , & prayed instantly that God , to graunt them that , which would be most beneficiall for them , they went to take their last sleep ; for the day after they were found dead . Also , the sonnes of that Presbyteresse of Argos , their mother hauing prayed the Goddesse Iuno , to recompense their piety and deuotion , in that , wanting horses , they themselues had drawen their Mother , in her chariot to the Temple ; the same night , after her prayers made , gaue vp the ghost . On the other side againe , it would bee a tedious thing , to recite the lamentations which Poets make ( these being men that prognosticate of things to come ) when in their excellent poemes , they describe the condition of all worldly things . At this time , I will only bring forth the testimony of a principal man amongst them , who affirmes , the Immortal Gods to haue sentenced , that the life of man should be miserable ; & that considering the trauailes and troubles of all other creatures , they are nothing , in respect of the misery of man . What saies Amphiaraus to this matter ? though Iupiter and Apollo loued him so dearely aboue all others , yet could hee neuer attaine vnto perfect old age . But I will proceed no further , for feare of extending my discourse more largely than I promised , by discoursing vpon other matters . But , I pray you , Is there any trauaile , either of mind or body , wherin thou hast not some iust occasion to complaine ? Doest thou patiently accept of whatsoeuer is prefented vnto thee ? By the way , let vs but consider of men of any Arte or Mysterie , which labour night after night , and yet they can scarcely therby furnish their necessarie wants , euen bedeawing the workes of their hands , with teares , and sighes . Shall wee come to those that trafficke by Sea ? Behold the life of a certain kind of men , that cut the waues , amidst a thousand perils and dangers : so that Bias had verie good reason to say , that those which saile by sea , were to be esteemed amongst those , neither liuing , nor dead . For , man being created to liue vpon the earth , hee launches out into the waters ( minding at one instant to participate of two contrary elements ) and casts himself desperatly into the armes of Fortune . Thou wilt peraduenture say , that the labour , and tillage of the earth is a pleasant thing . I agree thereunto : but with how many miseries is this contentment accompanied ? Doth it not bring foorth euery day some occasion of griefe and sorrow ? now rain , by and by drought ; to day burning heat , to morrow nipping frost ; and thus , by times , either vnseasonable scorchings , or immoderate cold . But , not to insist vpon many other vocacations of life , to how many perils is the gouernment of States subiect , whereof many doe so highly esteeme ? The ioy and pleasure therein comprehended , resembleth fitly an vlcer , or violent beating of the pulse : the being put beside the saddle , in such offices , makes the ambitious cold at heart , & procures them more discontentment , than if they were to suffer a thousand deaths . Can a man be happie , while he liues at the discretion of the vulgar , what reputation ( otherwise ) soeuer he be in , or though euerie one reuerence him neuer so much ? seeing he is but the peoples puppit , who may disgrade him , hisse at him , condemne him to penalty , bring him to miserie , and somtimes also puts him to death . I demand of thee , Axiocus , because thou hast swayed this Scepter of Magistracie , where died Miltiades , Themistocles , Ephialtes , with other Princes , and great Captaines which preceded them ? For my part , I would neuer accept of their suffrages , supposing it a thing very vnproper for mee , to be an associate , or head of so dangerous a beast , as the common people : but Theramines and Callixines , together with their guarde , sending Iudges the day after ( constituted vpon purpose ) condemned to death all those , that any waies were their opposites , without permitting them any hearing . As for thee , Axiocus , thou , with Triptolemus , vpheldest equitie , although in the assembly there were thirty thousand of a contrary opinion , & which gaue negatiue voyces . Axi . You say but truth , Socrates : and since that time , I haue had enough of such conuentions , & nothing seems vnto me more harsh and vnfauorie , than the management of publike affairs . They that euer had to do therein , can wel auerre so much : as for your selfe , you speake but afarre off , and as one iudging , by the blowes , which haue light vpon others . But wee , that haue played our part therein , may speake by better proofes . In very trueth , my friend Socrates , the people are verie ingrate , cumbersome , cruell , enuious , euill taught , compounded of the very dregs of men , and of those that are insolent , and great mockers . I iudge him to be most miserable , that wil bee too familiar with such a beast . Soc. Why then , Axiocus , seeing you detest the fairest imployment of all others , what may we say of the rest ? must wee not shun them ? But for the remainder , I haue heard this Prodicus , adding to the other discourses , this also ensuing ; that death concerned not either the liuing or the dead . Axio . What 's this you affirme , Socrates ? Socr. Why , because Death is no wayes hurtfull to those that are liuing : and for the dead , they are out of his iurisdiction . And therfore now it does not endammage you , because yet you liue : and when you shal not be aliue , he can haue no power ouer you , because then you are past his stroake any more . It is therefore but a vaine sorrowe , for Axiocus to lament that , which neither doth , nor shal hereafter concerne him ; no otherwise , than as it would be a notable folly to be afeard of monsters which thou seest not , which presently haue no existence , and that after thy death haue no beeing . That which is redoubtfull therein , is hideous onely to those , that forge feares to themselues . For , is there any thing that can bring terror to the dead ? Axioc . You haue stollen these wise perswasions , from the Orators , that at this day beare all the sway : for they are the men , that make these pleasant relations , to sooth , and humor yong men : but I , for my part , am exceeding loth , to leaue these worldly goods , whatsoeuer you are able to alleage vnto me ( in your conference ) of pleasing apparance ; & my mind findes no perfect contentment , in this smooth course of words , which doe but a little delight and tickle in their vtterance . They beare a good shew with them , but they are too remote from truth : and our cogitations are not fedde with fantasies ; but with things firme and solide , that are able inwardly to pearce , & settle themselues . Soc. But , Axiocus , you inconsideratlie couple together those things which should not be conioined ; in making vs beleeue , that to feele euill , and be depriued of good , are the selfe same things : for the suffering of euill , brings griefe vnto him , that loseth a good . Now , you forget , that being dead you are no more ; and he that is not , cannot perceiue this priuation : how can he therefore be greeued at a thing , whereof hee shall haue no apprehension ? If at the first you had resolued with mee , that in death our bodies are depriued of sense , you would neuer haue been so fond , as to feare death : Now , you contradict your selfe , in fearing to bee depriued of your soule ; ioyning this soule , to your imagined losse . For in fearing to lose your sense , you suppose by the same sense to comprehend an euill , which you build vnto your self in the aire , and that you are afraid to feele . Besides this aboue alleaged , there are many excellent arguments , to prooue the immortalitie of the soule . For , a mortall nature would neuer haue vndertaken such great matters , as to contemne the violence of cruell beasts , to crosse the Seas , to build cities , to establish publike gouernments , to contemplate the heauens , to obserue the course of the starres , of the Sunne and of the Moone , their Eclipses , and sudden restitutions , the rising and falling of the Pleiades , the Equinoctials , the Solstice of Winter and Summer , the windes , violent raines , with flashings , lightnings , and thunder . She would not haue comprehended in writing , nor consecrated to eternity , those things that fal out in the world , were she not accompanied with some diuine Spirit , to haue the intelligence , and knowledge of such high and mysticall matters . And therefore , Axiocus , thou must passe vnto an immortall life , and not to death : thou shalt not be stripped of all , but enioy true goods , thou shalt haue pleasures , no waie intermingled with this mortall body , but absolutely pure , and indefectiue , and such as most truely deserue to be called pleasures . For , thou being loosed out of this prison , and become truely free , thou shalt goe vnto a place , where there is no trauel , nor lamentation , from whence sorrow and old age are banished : thy life shall bee exempted from all euill , replenished with secure repose , and eternal ioyes . Thou shalt there behold the nature of al things : conferring no more thy mindes trauell , to their affections , who honor thee in this world ; but to resplendent , and most excellent verity her self . Axi . Thy discourse hath made mee change my mind ; & I am now so far from fearing death , that contrariwise I ardently desire the same : and to expresse my selfe more magnanimiously , I am already , in a maner , out of the world , and begin to enter into these diuine and eternall paths ; so that being wholly eased of my infirmity , I am quite become another man than that I was before .

THere remaines a fourth reason , which seems to vexe , and torment olde age ; that is to say , the approach of Death , which at that time , can not bee farre off . But , I think that old man to be very miserable , which in the space of so long time before , neuer learned , that death simplie was not to bee feared , but rather to bee contemned , if it destroy the soule , as some thinke : but according to my opinion , it ought to bee desired ; seeing it leades man to a place where he shall liue eternally . Wee cannot finde any one betwixt these two opinions . What should I then feare , if I either feele no misery at all , or if I shall bee happie after death ? Besides this , is ther any man so foolish , how yong a Gul soeuer he be , to suppose , that he hath a Patent of his life , but til the euening ? He is so farre from that , that euen youth it self is subiect to many more kinds of death than old age : yong men sooner fall into diseases , they are more grieuously sicke , and hardlier healed : so that it is rare , to see men liue to bee olde . If this were not , wee should liue more wisely , and happily : for old men are indued with the vnderstanding of counsel and wisedome ; and without them , Common-wealths could not stand on foote . But , let vs come to this feare of present death : and in that , olde age is wrongfully charged to be subiect to this apprehension ; seeing this is a more common accident with youth . For my part , I felt in the death of my sonne , & your brothers , of whom great hope of good , hereafter , was conceiued , that death threatens all ages . Some body may reply , that a yong man hopes to liue long : which one aged , cannot expect . This hope , is truely the hope of a yong man , that is to say , of a light head . For , is there a greater sottishnes , than to make sure and certain of that , which is altogether vncertaine , and vnsure ? But an old man hath no reason in the world to conceiue any such hope : and I affirme that his condition herein , is far better , than a yong mans , in that he hath obtained what the young man doth but hope for ; and that is long life , which the olde man hath passed . I pray you , what length doe you find in a mans life ? fet down vnto me , the longest of all others : Let vs consider the age of the King of the Tartessians ; for I find in bookes , that one Arganthonius reigned fourescore , and liued sixescore yeeres : but I see that ther is nothing long , but tendeth to some period ; the which being attained vnto , all the rest is gone and past , ther remaining nothing but what thou hast obtained by Iustice and pietie . The howers passe away , so doe the moneths : that past , neuer returnes againe , & what will come hereafter we knowe not . Euery one must be contented , with the time allotted him to liue . For , as hee that playes a Part vpon a stage , needes not to repeat the whole Comedie from one end to the other ( to make him be accompted a good Actor ) so that in the Part which he properly plaieth , he giue contentment to the spectatours : no more is it requisite , that the wise man should liue as long as the oldest man that euer liued in the worlde ; because a shorte life is long enough , for a man to carrie himselfe therein honestly , and vertuously . And so if our dayes shoot out at length , we must be no more weary of them than labourers , that after the beautie of the Spring time , see Summer ensue , and then Autumne . For , the Spring time resembles youth , and makes some demonstration of the fruits which afterward must be reaped . Other ages are proper , to gather , and lay vp the increase of the earth : and the fruit of olde age , is the remembraunce of those goods which wee haue formerly purchased : whatsoeuer is done according to nature , we may place in the rank of good things . But , what is more naturall , than to see old men die ? The same falles out to youth : but , somewhat against Nature ; and , as it were , in despite of her : so that when yong men die , me thinkes I see as it were a great fire , quenched by an huge quantity of water : where as contrariwise , old men droppe away of themselues , without any violence offered , like to a fire that quencheth of it selfe . And , euen as apples , but greene and vnripe , fall not from the trees , except we violently pluck them off ; & being ripe , they fall off without vsing any great force thereto : so also young men seeme to die , not without some violence offered to their nature : & old men quite otherwise . The which so cheares mee vp that the neerer I approach vnto death , the neerer I discerne my selfe to hale in with that harbor , and port , where I pretend to anchor , after so long , & dangerous a nauigation . All the ages of our life , are limited but only old age , wherein wee liue vertuously , as long as the means yet remaines to labour in our vocation ; and otherwise , to hold death in contempt : the which may bee the reason also , that old age is more ardent and couragious , than youth . This is that , which Solon answered to the Tyrant Lisistratus , who interrogated him concerning vertue , wherewith he so braued him , and was alwaies opposite to his designes , because , sayd Solon , I am old : but the ende of this life is then most sweet , and excellent , when the same Nature which built , defaceth also her worke , when a man til the last retains his senses , & understanding , entire . For euen as the Carpenter , or Architect , can easily , when he lists , plucke the ribs and beames of his ship asunder , or the other plucke downe that building which he had erected : euen so , Nature most properly dissolueth a man , whom shee before had sodered together of two so different pieces : now , al kind of Soder , and conglutination lately made , is hardly dissolued ; but in that old and long worn , it is otherwise : and so the remainder of life is not much desired , or sighed after , by the aged ; who haue reason rather to be ready to dislodge , expecting minutally the great Captains comandement , which is God : without whose will and pleasure , as Pythagoras sayd , wee are prohibited to leaue our Guarison , & Corps du guard , wherin we are constituted in this worlde . There is a notable saying , ascribed to the wise Solon , wherin hee would haue his friends to mourne and lament his death : which makes me thinke , that his meaning onely was herein , that they should shewe , to haue made great accompt of him . But , the Poet Ennius , peraduenture hit better vpon this point , when he forbade his death to be lamented , or that any mourning funerals should bee performed : he supposing , that such a death was not to bee deplored , which was seconded by immortality . For the rest , if there bee some sense or feeling in death , and in our last gaspes , it lasts not long , especially in a very aged man : and as for any feeling after death , it is either nothing at all , or else a thing to be much desired . But wee must haue learned betimes to contemne death : for without this Meditation , none , can haue any repose in minde ; seeing it is most certaine , that die wee must , not knowing when : and it may be , at the same moment , or instant of our thought . How can that man therefore enioy a peaceable soule , if hee fear death , which threatens him , euery minute of his life ? I neede not dilate more at large , of this , wen I call to mind , not only Lucius Brutus , who was slain in the deliuery of his countrey ; or of the two Decij , who violencly plunged themselues , the one , within an huge deepe Dell ; and the other within a Battalion of armed men , amongst whom he verily thought to haue beene slaine ; or Marcus Attilius , who couragiously returned to cruell punishment , choosing rather to lose his life , than breake his oath , which hee had plighted to his enemies ; and the two Scipioes , that exposed their bodies to the enemies furie , for the stopping of a passage ; or Lucius Paulus , who by his owne death , defaced the temerity & rashnes of his collegued Consull , in the discomfiture of the Romanes at Cannas ; and also Marcus Marcellus , who being dead , was honored with a Toombe , by his most mortall enemie : but I will also set before your eyes our moderne Regiments , which haue often-times chearefully , and with noble courage assaulted those places , from whence no one of the troupes , euer hoped to come off . Should it be sayd , that learned old men , doe feare that , which youth , and those rusticall & ignorant , for the most part , valiantly despise ? And moreouer , me thinkes the being satisfied with all things else , makes one also well satisfied with liuing . Infancie hath certain disports and recreations , which young men desire not to put in practise . Old age feeles no contentment in the pleasures of youth ; and men of auncient yeeres , seek not after that , wherin men delight , that are yet in the flower of their age : and olde age discernes the very last employments of our life ; but yet in such sort , that all in the end vanisheth away , as the exercises of precedent times haue done : the which comming to passe , to bee satisfied with liuing , clearely shewes , that then it is high time to die . For my part , I see nothing that hinders me , from setting down my opinion touching death : and me thinkes , I may speake thereof , with good motiue , seeing it appeareth so neer vnto me . Out of doubt , Scipio , & Laelius , I thinke that your fathers , which were honorable men , & my best friends , though dead to the world , doe yet liue ; and such a life , as onely deserues to bee so called . For , while we are inclosed within these straite precincts of the body , we trauell , and we must ( will we , nill wee ) yeeld , vnto the yoak and burden ; the celestiall soule , and off-spring of the highest Tabernacle , being ouerwhelmed , and , as it were buried in earth , this being a contrary habitation to eternitie , and a diuine nature . But , I beleeue , that the immortal Gods haue planted soules in humane bodies , to the end there might be people to replenish , & preserue the world , to contemplate the beautifull course of heauenly bodies , & to imitate them , in constancie , and regular life . Besides many reasons and arguments , which haue induced me to beleeue this , the authority and reputation of the greatest Philosophers , hath much furthered me : I haue heard say , that Pythagoras , and the Pythagoreans , somtimes named the Philosophers of Italy ( & consequently , inhabitants of our countrey ) were alwayes of opinion , that our soules were extracted from Diuinity . I haue vnderstood also of Socrates his discourse ( who was iudged by the Oracle of Apollo , to be the wisest man of the world ) toward the later part of his life , about the immortality of soules . What neede wee any more ? behold my opinion herein . Seeing the soules of men are so pregnant , so retentiue and mindfull of things past , foresee so discreetly those to come , haue inuented so many mysteries , and diuers other worthy Sciences , & excellent matters , it is impossible , that a nature capable of so great good , should be mortal . And the soule hauing perpetual motion , without receiuing any inferiour beginning thereof , considering that she onely moues of her self , it must necessarily follow , that she shall haue this motion for euer , because shee can neuer abandon her selfe . Also , in that the nature of the soule is simple , there concurring in her no mixed difference , shee cannot be diuided . And so , being iudiciall , she is by consequent immortall . For , this is a manifest proofe , that men are intellectual , before their being born , in that children , learning the most difficult Sciences , doe suddenly comprehend such an infinitie of things , that we may suppose , they begin not then to knowe what is , but onely remember , & call againe vnto minde : These are almost the very words of Plato . On the other side , the great Cyrus , of whome Xenophon hath written at large , at the hower of his departure , sayd thus vnto his children : My deare beloued , though I remaine no more amongst you , yet do not thinke , for all this , that I haue afterwardes no more being , nor am resident in any place ; for when I was in your company , you could not perceiue my soule : but only you imagined it to be within my body , by my exteriour actions . Beleeue therefore , that this soule remaines so still , although you see the body no more . The vertuous should not be honoured after death , if their soules had performed nothing worthy of their memoriall long time before their death . I could neuer yet bee perswaded , that if soules liue within mortall bodies , that euer they can die , issuing out of the same : or that the soule going out of the body , which of it selfe is stupid and senselesse , becommeth then also inexistent , & insensible : but , on the contrary , when she is freed from all commixtion with this body , shee then beginneth to be pure , and entire ; then say I , shee is mounted vnto the height and top of all wisedome . Moreouer , it being so , that humane nature , is dissolued by death , wee plainely see whither all other things tend , that is to say , thither from whence they were first extracted ; the soule onely excepted , the which wee neither see enter , soiourne , nor issue out of the body . But , for the rest , you see there is nothing which so truely resembles death , as sleep : And , the soules of them that sleep , clearly in this point shew their diuinitie , that being free , and in repose , they foresee things to come ; which plainly argues their being , after their relaxation from these corporall bonds . The which being granted , honor mee then as a thing diuine : but if the soule were to perish with the body , yet for all this , forbeare not to feare the Gods , which support and gouerne this principall worke of theirs , that is called man ; the which ( like to good children ) performing , you shall inuiolably preserue the memoriall of my name . This was Cyrus his discourse , a little before his death : But if I shall not herein bee too burdensom vnto you , hearken what I will deliuer vnto you , in mine owne behalfe . No body shall euer perswade me , O Scipio , that either your predecessors , or other men of great note , whom it is not requisite to name , would euer haue enterprised such memorable exploits to all posterities , but that they considered , that their being in the world was to no other ende , but to procure the good of their successors . Think you ( to speake plainely , and after the manner of old men , which loue to set foorth themselues ) that I would haue so trauelled , both day and night , in warre & peace , if my renowne , and glory , should finish with this present life ? would it not be better then , to liue idle , and in repose , without any trouble or vexation ? But , my soule , I know not in what maner , gathering together new forces , regardeth happinesse , with such a penetrant eye , as if departing this world , shee should but only then beginne to liue . And if it were otherwise , that soules were not immortall , honest men would not aspire vnto a perpetuall glory . What is the meaning of this , that euery wise man dies willingly ; and the wicked with great grief ? Think you not that the soule , which sees farre clearer , and further off , knowes well , that shee is going to a better place ? and , on the contrary , hee which hath an heauie and disturbed soule , sees not the like . Surely , I desire nothing more , than to see your Fathers , whom I haue honoured and cherished . And , besides the desire which I haue to drawe neere them , that I haue knowen , I would willingly also talke with those of whom I haue heard , which shewed themselues vnto mee by their bookes , and whose names I haue set downe , amongst mine owne writings . Now that I drawe neere vnto them , it would displease me much to hang backward , or to bee rowled downe againe , as wee might doe with a round ball . And if some God had permitted me to returne againe , into my infancie , and to crie in my cradle , I would very constantly , and flatly refuse such an offer : for , seeing I haue almost run my race , I would not be called backe again from my goale , to the first setting forward . Is ther any true commoditie in this life ? Is it not troublesome , through al the periods thereof ? But , admit there are some commodities therein , yet are we far from finding satisfaction , or obtaining of our wished ends and desires . I will not raile against the same , as diuers learned men haue often-times done ; neither repent I , that I haue liued : for I haue so passed my time , that I am of opinion , I haue done some good in the world : I goe out of this life , as out of an Inne , not as out of mine own house ; seeing Nature hath sent vs forth hither , for a litle time , to passe forward in our iourney , and not continually here to inhabit . Oh , happy will that day be , when I shall depart to this celestiall assembly of soules , and leaue the rascallitie of this world : for , I shal not only , then , bee with those good men , aboue-named , but also with mine owne sonne , one of the best men , that euer the earth brought foorth : whose body I haue seen brought to ashes ; wheras in reason , hee should rather haue seen the like by mine . But see : his soule neuer leaues mee , but continually fixing her lookes vpon me , she is flowen vp now into those places whither she knowes that I must follow . I bare this losse patiently , as it appeares : but yet I confesse that I was much trobled therwith ; euer comforting my selfe , with this Meditation , that ther should bee no long space , betweene her departure and mine .