["Thosethingsbelongtothegodstodeterminethantothem;letthegods，therefore，takecarethattheirsacredmysterieswerenotprofaned。"——Livy，x。6。]
　　accordingtowhattheoracleansweredtothoseofDelphoswho，fearingtobeinvadedbythePersiansintheMedianwar，inquiredofApollo，howtheyshoulddisposeoftheholytreasureofhistemple;whethertheyshouldhide，orremoveittosomeotherplace？Hereturnedthemanswer，thattheyshouldstirnothingfromthence，andonlytakecareofthemselves，forhewassufficienttolooktowhatbelongedtohim。
　　——[Herodotus，viii。36。]。——
　　TheChristianreligionhasallthemarksoftheutmostutilityandjustice:butnonemoremanifestthanthesevereinjunctionitlaysindifferentlyuponalltoyieldabsoluteobediencetothecivilmagistrate，andtomaintainanddefendthelaws。Ofwhich，whatawonderfulexamplehasthedivinewisdomleftus，that，toestablishthesalvationofmankind，andtoconductHisgloriousvictoryoverdeathandsin，woulddoitafternootherway，butatthemercyofourordinaryformsofjusticesubjectingtheprogressandissueofsohighandsosalutiferousaneffect，totheblindnessandinjusticeofourcustomsandobservances;sacrificingtheinnocentbloodofsomanyofHiselect，andsolongalossofsomanyyears，tothematuringofthisinestimablefruit？Thereisavastdifferencebetwixtthecaseofonewhofollowstheformsandlawsofhiscountry，andofanotherwhowillundertaketoregulateandchangethem;ofwhomthefirstpleadssimplicity，obedience，andexampleforhisexcuse，who，whateverheshalldo，itcannotbeimputedtomalice;’tisattheworstbutmisfortune:
　　"Quisestenim，quemnonmoveatclarissimismonumentistestataconsignataqueantiquitas？"
　　["Forwhoistherethatantiquity，attestedandconfirmedbythefairestmonuments，cannotmove？"——Cicero，DeDivin。，i。40。]
　　besideswhatIsocratessays，thatdefectisneareralliedtomoderationthanexcess:theotherisamuchmorerufflinggamester;forwhosoevershalltakeuponhimtochooseandalter，usurpstheauthorityofjudging，andshouldlookwellabouthim，andmakeithisbusinesstodiscernclearlythedefectofwhathewouldabolish，andthevirtueofwhatheisabouttointroduce。
　　Thissovulgarconsiderationisthatwhichsettledmeinmystation，andkeptevenmymostextravagantandungovernedyouthundertherein，soasnottoburdenmyshoulderswithsogreataweight，astorendermyselfresponsibleforascienceofthatimportance，andinthistodare，whatinmybetterandmorematurejudgment，IdurstnotdointhemosteasyandindifferentthingsIhadbeeninstructedin，andwhereinthetemerityofjudgingisofnoconsequenceatall;itseemingtomeveryunjusttogoabouttosubjectpublicandestablishedcustomsandinstitutions，totheweaknessandinstabilityofaprivateandparticularfancy（forprivatereasonhasbutaprivatejurisdiction），andtoattemptthatuponthedivine，whichnogovernmentwillendureamanshoulddo，uponthecivillaws;withwhich，thoughhumanreasonhasmuchmorecommercethanwiththeother，yetaretheysovereignlyjudgedbytheirownproperjudges，andtheextremesufficiencyservesonlytoexpoundandsetforththelawandcustomreceived，andneithertowrestit，nortointroduceanything，ofinnovation。If，sometimes，thedivineprovidencehasgonebeyondtherulestowhichithasnecessarilyboundandobligedusmen，itisnottogiveusanydispensationtodothesame;thosearemasterstrokesofthedivinehand，whichwearenottoimitate，buttoadmire，andextraordinaryexamples，marksofexpressandparticularpurposes，ofthenatureofmiracles，presentedbeforeusformanifestationsofitsalmightiness，equallyabovebothourrulesandforce，whichitwouldbefollyandimpietytoattempttorepresentandimitate;andthatweoughtnottofollow，buttocontemplatewiththegreatestreverence:actsofHispersonage，andnotforus。Cottaveryopportunelydeclares:
　　"Quumdereligioneagitur，Ti。Coruncanium，P。Scipionem，P。Scaevolam，pontificesmaximos，nonZenonem，autCleanthem，autChrysippum，sequor。"
　　["Whenmatterofreligionisinquestion，IfollowthehighpriestsT。Coruncanius，P。Scipio，P。Scaevola，andnotZeno，Cleanthes，orChrysippus。"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，iii。2。]
　　Godknows，inthepresentquarrelofourcivilwar，wherethereareahundredarticlestodashoutandtoputin，greatandveryconsiderable，howmanytherearewhocantrulyboast，theyhaveexactlyandperfectlyweighedandunderstoodthegroundsandreasonsoftheoneandtheotherparty;’tisanumber，iftheymakeanynumber，thatwouldbeabletogiveusverylittledisturbance。Butwhatbecomesofalltherest，underwhatensignsdotheymarch，inwhatquarterdotheylie？Theirshavethesameeffectwithotherweakandill—appliedmedicines;theyhaveonlysetthehumourstheywouldpurgemoreviolentlyinwork，stirredandexasperatedbytheconflict，andleftthemstillbehind。Thepotionwastooweaktopurge，butstrongenoughtoweakenus;sothatitdoesnotwork，butwekeepitstillinourbodies，andreapnothingfromtheoperationbutintestinegripesanddolours。
　　Soitis，nevertheless，thatFortunestillreservingherauthorityindefianceofwhateverweareabletodoorsay，sometimespresentsuswithanecessitysourgent，that’tisrequisitethelawsshouldalittleyieldandgiveway;andwhenoneopposestheincreaseofaninnovationthatthusintrudesitselfbyviolence，tokeepaman’sselfinsodoing，inallplacesandinallthingswithinboundsandrulesagainstthosewhohavethepower，andtowhomallthingsarelawfulthatmayinanywayservetoadvancetheirdesign，whohavenootherlawnorrulebutwhatservesbesttotheirownpurpose，’tisadangerousobligationandanintolerableinequality:
　　"Aditumnocendiperfidopraestatfides，"
　　["Puttingfaithinatreacherousperson，opensthedoortoharm。"——Seneca，OEdip。，actiii。，verse686。]
　　forasmuchastheordinarydisciplineofahealthfulstatedoesnotprovideagainsttheseextraordinaryaccidents;itpresupposesabodythatsupportsitselfinitsprincipalmembersandoffices，andacommonconsenttoitsobedienceandobservation。Alegitimateproceedingiscold，heavy，andconstrained，andnotfittomakeheadagainstaheadstrongandunbridledproceeding。’Tisknowntobetothisdaycastinthedishofthosetwogreatmen，OctaviusandCato，inthetwocivilwarsofSyllaandCaesar，thattheywouldrathersuffertheircountrytoundergothelastextremities，thanrelievetheirfellow—citizensattheexpenseofitslaws，orbeguiltyofanyinnovation;forintruth，intheselastnecessities，wherethereisnootherremedy，itwould，peradventure，bemorediscreetlydone，tostoopandyieldalittletoreceivetheblow，than，byopposingwithoutpossibilityofdoinggood，togiveoccasiontoviolencetotrampleallunderfoot;andbettertomakethelawsdowhattheycan，whentheycannotdowhattheywould。
　　Afterthismannerdidhe——[Agesilaus。]——whosuspendedthemforfour—and—
　　twentyhours，andhewho，foronceshiftedadayinthecalendar，andthatother——[AlexandertheGreat。]——whoofthemonthofJunemadeasecondofMay。TheLacedaemoniansthemselves，whoweresoreligiousobserversofthelawsoftheircountry，beingstraitenedbyoneoftheirownedicts，bywhichitwasexpresslyforbiddentochoosethesamemantwicetobeadmiral;andontheotherside，theiraffairsnecessarilyrequiring，thatLysandershouldagaintakeuponhimthatcommand，theymadeoneAratusadmiral;’tistrue，butwithal，Lysanderwentgeneralofthenavy;and，bythesamesubtlety，oneoftheirambassadorsbeingsenttotheAthenianstoobtaintherevocationofsomedecree，andPericlesremonstratingtohim，thatitwasforbiddentotakeawaythetabletwhereinalawhadoncebeenengrossed，headvisedhimtoturnitonly，thatbeingnotforbidden;andPlutarchcommendsPhilopoemen，thatbeingborntocommand，heknewhowtodoit，notonlyaccordingtothelaws，butalsotooverruleeventhelawsthemselves，whenthepublicnecessitysorequired。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　VARIOUSEVENTSFROMTHESAMECOUNSEL
　　JacquesAmiot，grandalmonerofFrance，onedayrelatedtomethisstory，muchtothehonourofaprinceofours（andourshewasuponseveralverygoodaccounts，thoughoriginallyofforeignextraction），——[TheDucdeGuise，surnamedLeBalafre。]——thatinthetimeofourfirstcommotions，atthesiegeofRouen，——[In1562]——thisprince，havingbeenadvertisedbythequeen—motherofaconspiracyagainsthislife，andinherlettersparticularnoticebeinggivenhimofthepersonwhowastoexecutethebusiness（whowasagentlemanofAnjouorofMaine，andwhotothiseffectordinarilyfrequentedthisprince’shouse），discoverednotasyllableofthisintelligencetoanyonewhatever;butgoingthenextdaytotheSt。Catherine’sMount，——[AneminenceoutsideRouenoverlookingtheSeine。D。W。]——fromwhichourbatteryplayedagainstthetown（foritwasduringthetimeofthesiege），andhavingincompanywithhimthesaidlordalmoner，andanotherbishop，hesawthisgentleman，whohadbeendenotedtohim，andpresentlysentforhim;towhom，beingcomebeforehim，seeinghimalreadypaleandtremblingwiththeconscienceofhisguilt，hethussaid，"Monsieur，"suchanone，"youguesswhatIhavetosaytoyou;yourcountenancediscoversit;’tisinvaintodisguiseyourpractice，forIamsowellinformedofyourbusiness，thatitwillbutmakeworseforyou，togoabouttoconcealordenyit:youknowverywellsuchandsuchpassages"（whichwerethemostsecretcircumstancesofhisconspiracy），"andthereforebesure，asyoutenderyourownlife，toconfesstomethewholetruthofthedesign。"Thepoormanseeinghimselfthustrappedandconvicted（forthewholebusinesshadbeendiscoveredtothequeenbyoneoftheaccomplices），wasinsuchataking，heknewnotwhattodo;but，foldinghishands，tobegandsueformercy，hethrewhimselfathisprince’sfeet，whotakinghimup，proceededtosay，"Come，sir;tellme，haveIatanytimedoneyouoffence？orhaveI，throughprivatehatredormalice，offendedanykinsmanorfriendofyours？ItisnotabovethreeweeksthatIhaveknownyou;whatinducement，then，couldmoveyoutoattemptmydeath？"Towhichthegentlemanwithatremblingvoicereplied，"Thatitwasnoparticulargrudgehehadtohisperson，butthegeneralinterestandconcernofhisparty，andthathehadbeenputuponitbysomewhohadpersuadedhimitwouldbeameritoriousact，byanymeans，toextirpatesogreatandsopowerfulanenemyoftheirreligion。""Well，"saidtheprince，"Iwillnowletyousee，howmuchmorecharitablethereligionisthatI
　　maintain，thanthatwhichyouprofess:yourshascounselledyoutokillme，withouthearingmespeak，andwithouteverhavinggivenyouanycauseofoffence;andminecommandsmetoforgiveyou，convictasyouare，byyourownconfession，ofadesigntokillmewithoutreason。——[ImitatedbyVoltaire。SeeNodier，Questions，p。165。]——Getyougone;letmeseeyounomore;and，ifyouarewise，choosehenceforwardhonestermenforyourcounsellorsinyourdesigns。"——[Dampmartin，LaFortunedelaCoup，liv。
　　ii。，p。139]——
　　TheEmperorAugustus，——[ThisstoryistakenfromSeneca，DeClementia，i。9。]——beinginGaul，hadcertaininformationofaconspiracyL。Cinnawascontrivingagainsthim;hethereforeresolvedtomakehimanexample;
　　and，tothatend，senttosummonhisfriendstomeetthenextmorningincounsel。Butthenightbetweenhepassedingreatunquietnessofmind，consideringthathewasabouttoputtodeathayoungman，ofanillustriousfamily，andnephewtothegreatPompey，andthismadehimbreakoutintoseveralpassionatecomplainings。"Whatthen，"saidhe，"isitpossiblethatIamtoliveinperpetualanxietyandalarm，andsuffermywould—beassassin，meantime，towalkabroadatliberty？Shallhegounpunished，afterhavingconspiredagainstmylife，alifethatI
　　havehithertodefendedinsomanycivilwars，insomanybattlesbylandandbysea？Andafterhavingsettledtheuniversalpeaceofthewholeworld，shallthismanbepardoned，whohasconspirednotonlytomurder，buttosacrificeme？"——fortheconspiracywastokillhimatsacrifice。
　　Afterwhich，remainingforsometimesilent，hebeganagain，inloudertones，andexclaimedagainsthimself，saying:"Whylivestthou，ifitbeforthegoodofsomanythatthoushouldstdie？musttherebenoendofthyrevengesandcruelties？Isthylifeofsogreatvalue，thatsomanymischiefsmustbedonetopreserveit？"HiswifeLivia，seeinghiminthisperplexity:"Willyoutakeawoman’scounsel？"saidshe。"Doasthephysiciansdo，who，whentheordinaryrecipeswilldonogood，maketrialofthecontrary。Byseverityyouhavehithertoprevailednothing;
　　LepidushasfollowedSalvidienus;Murena，Lepidus;Caepio，Murena;
　　Egnatius，Caepio。Beginnow，andtryhowsweetnessandclemencywillsucceed。Cinnaisconvict;forgivehim，hewillneverhenceforthhavethehearttohurtthee，anditwillbeanacttothyglory。"Augustuswaswellpleasedthathehadmetwithanadvocateofhisownhumour;
　　wherefore，havingthankedhiswife，and，inthemorning，countermandedhisfriendshehadbeforesummonedtocouncil，hecommandedCinnaallalonetobebroughttohim;whobeingaccordinglycome，andachairbyhisappointmentsethim，havingorderedalltherestoutoftheroom，hespaketohimafterthismanner:"Inthefirstplace，Cinna，Idemandoftheepatientaudience;donotinterruptmeinwhatIamabouttosay，andIwillafterwardsgivetheetimeandleisuretoanswer。Thouknowest，Cinna，——[Thispassage，borrowedfromSeneca，hasbeenparaphrasedinversebyCorneille。SeeNodier，QuestionsdelaLiteraturellgale，1828，pp。7，160。ThemonologueofAugustusinthischapterisalsofromSeneca。Ibid。，164。]——thathavingtakentheeprisonerintheenemy’scamp，andthouanenemy，notonlysobecome，butbornso，Igavetheethylife，restoredtotheeallthygoods，and，finally，puttheeinsogoodaposture，bymybounty，oflivingwellandatthyease，thatthevictoriousenviedtheconquered。Thesacerdotalofficewhichthoumadestsuittomefor，Iconferreduponthee，afterhavingdeniedittoothers，whosefathershaveeverbornearmsinmyservice。Aftersomanyobligations，thouhastundertakentokillme。"AtwhichCinnacryingoutthathewasveryfarfromentertaininganysowickedathought:"Thoudostnotkeepthypromise，Cinna，"continuedAugustus，"thatthouwouldstnotinterruptme。Yes，thouhastundertakentomurdermeinsuchaplace，onsuchaday，insuchandsuchcompany，andinsuchamanner。"
　　Atwhichwords，seeingCinnaastoundedandsilent，notupontheaccountofhispromisesotobe，butinterdictwiththeweightofhisconscience:
　　"Why，"proceededAugustus，"towhatendwouldstthoudoit？Isittobeemperor？Believeme，theRepublicisinveryillcondition，ifIamtheonlymanbetwixttheeandtheempire。Thouartnotablesomuchastodefendthyownhouse，andbutt’otherdaywasbaffledinasuit，bytheopposedinterestofameremanumittedslave。What，hastthouneithermeansnorpowerinanyotherthing，butonlytoundertakeCaesar？Iquitthethrone，iftherebenootherthanItoobstructthyhopes。CanstthoubelievethatPaulus，thatFabius，thattheCossiiandtheServilii，andsomanynobleRomans，notonlysointitle，butwhobytheirvirtuehonourtheirnobility，wouldsufferorendurethee？"Afterthis，andagreatdealmorethathesaidtohim（forhewastwolonghoursinspeaking），"Nowgo，Cinna，gothyway:Igivetheethatlifeastraitorandparricide，whichIbeforegavetheeinthequalityofanenemy。Letfriendshipfromthistimeforwardbeginbetwixtus，andletusshowwhetherIhavegiven，orthouhastreceivedthylifewiththebetterfaith";andsodepartedfromhim。Sometimeafter，hepreferredhimtotheconsulardignity，complainingthathehadnottheconfidencetodemandit;hadhimeverafterforhisverygreatfriend，andwas，atlast，madebyhimsoleheirtoallhisestate。Now，fromthetimeofthisaccidentwhichbefellAugustusinthefortiethyearofhisage，heneverhadanyconspiracyorattemptagainsthim，andsoreapedtheduerewardofthishissogenerousclemency。Butitdidnotsohappenwithourprince，hismoderationandmercynotsosecuringhim，butthatheafterwardsfellintothetoilsoftheliketreason，——[TheDucdeGuisewasassassinatedin1563byPoltrot。]——sovainandfutileathingishumanprudence;throughoutallourprojects，counselsandprecautions，Fortunewillstillbemistressofevents。
　　Wereputephysiciansfortunatewhentheyhituponaluckycure，asiftherewasnootherartbuttheirsthatcouldnotstanduponitsownlegs，andwhosefoundationsaretooweaktosupportitselfuponitsownbasis;
　　asifnootherartstoodinneedofFortune’shandtohelpit。Formypart，Ithinkofphysicasmuchgoodorillasanyonewouldhaveme:
　　for，thanksbetoGod，wehavenotraffictogether。Iamofaquitecontraryhumourtoothermen，forIalwaysdespiseit;butwhenIamsick，insteadofrecanting，orenteringintocompositionwithit，I
　　begin，moreover，tohateandfearit，tellingthemwhoimportunemetotakephysic，thatatalleventstheymustgivemetimetorecovermystrengthandhealth，thatImaybethebetterabletosupportandencountertheviolenceanddangeroftheirpotions。Iletnaturework，supposinghertobesufficientlyarmedwithteethandclawstodefendherselffromtheassaultsofinfirmity，andtoupholdthatcontexture，thedissolutionofwhichshefliesandabhors。Iamafraid，lest，insteadofassistingherwhenclosegrappledandstrugglingwithdisease，Ishouldassistheradversary，andburdenherstillmorewithworktodo。
　　Now，Isay，thatnotinphysiconly，butinothermorecertainarts，fortunehasaverygreatpart。
　　Thepoeticraptures，theflightsoffancy，thatravishandtransporttheauthoroutofhimself，whyshouldwenotattributethemtohisgoodfortune，sincehehimselfconfessesthattheyexceedhissufficiencyandforce，andacknowledgesthemtoproceedfromsomethingelsethanhimself，andthathehasthemnomoreinhispowerthantheoratorssaytheyhavethoseextraordinarymotionsandagitationsthatsometimespushthembeyondtheirdesign。Itisthesameinpainting，wheretouchesshallsometimesslipfromthehandofthepainter，sosurpassingbothhisconceptionandhisart，astobegethisownadmirationandastonishment。
　　ButFortunedoesyetmoreevidentlymanifesttheshareshehasinallthingsofthiskind，bythegracesandeleganceswefindinthem，notonlybeyondtheintention，butevenwithouttheknowledgeoftheworkman:
　　acompetentreaderoftendiscoversinothermen’swritingsotherperfectionsthantheauthorhimselfeitherintendedorperceived，arichersenseandmorequaintexpression。
　　Astomilitaryenterprises，everyoneseeshowgreatahandFortunehasinthem。Eveninourcounselsanddeliberationstheremust，certainly，besomethingofchanceandgood—luckmixedwithhumanprudence;forallthatourwisdomcandoaloneisnogreatmatter;themorepiercing，quick，andapprehensiveitis，theweakeritfindsitself，andisbysomuchmoreapttomistrustitself。IamofSylla’sopinion;——["Whofreedhisgreatdeedsfromenvybyeverattributingthemtohisgoodfortune，andfinallybysurnaminghimselfFaustus，theLucky。——Plutarch，HowfaraManmaypraiseHimself，c。9。]——andwhenIcloselyexaminethemostgloriousexploitsofwar，Iperceive，methinks，thatthosewhocarrythemonmakeuseofcounselanddebateonlyforcustom’ssake，andleavethebestpartoftheenterprisetoFortune，andrelyinguponheraid，transgress，ateveryturn，theboundsofmilitaryconductandtherulesofwar。Therehappen，sometimes，fortuitousalacritiesandstrangefuriesintheirdeliberations，thatforthemostpartpromptthemtofollowtheworstgroundedcounsels，andswelltheircouragebeyondthelimitsofreason。Whenceithappenedthatseveralofthegreatcaptainsofold，tojustifythoserashresolutions，havebeenfaintotelltheirsoldiersthattheywereinvitedtosuchattemptsbysomeinspiration，somesignandprognostic。
　　Wherefore，inthisdoubtanduncertainty，thattheshortsightednessofhumanwisdomtoseeandchoosethebest（byreasonofthedifficultiesthatthevariousaccidentsandcircumstancesofthingsbringalongwiththem）perplexesuswithal，thesurestway，inmyopinion，didnootherconsiderationinviteustoit，istopitchuponthatwhereinisthegreatestappearanceofhonestyandjustice;andnot，beingcertainoftheshortest，tokeepthestraightestandmostdirectway;asinthetwoexamplesIhavejustgiven，thereisnoquestionbutitwasmorenobleandgenerousinhimwhohadreceivedtheoffence，topardonit，thantodootherwise。Iftheformer——[TheDucdeGuise。]——miscarriedinit，heisnot，nevertheless，tobeblamedforhisgoodintention;neitherdoesanyoneknowifhehadproceededotherwise，whetherbythatmeanshehadavoidedtheendhisdestinyhadappointedforhim;andhehad，moreover，lostthegloryofsohumaneanact。
　　Youwillreadinhistory，ofmanywhohavebeeninsuchapprehension，thatthemostparthavetakenthecoursetomeetandanticipateconspiraciesagainstthembypunishmentandrevenge;butIfindveryfewwhohavereapedanyadvantagebythisproceeding;witnesssomanyRomanemperors。Whoeverfindshimselfinthisdanger，oughtnottoexpectmucheitherfromhisvigilanceorpower;forhowhardathingisitforamantosecurehimselffromanenemy，wholiesconcealedunderthecountenanceofthemostassiduousfriendwehave，andtodiscoverandknowthewillsandinwardthoughtsofthosewhoareinourpersonalservice。’Tistomuchpurposetohaveaguardofforeignersaboutone，andtobealwaysfencedaboutwithapaleofarmedmen;whosoeverdespiseshisownlife，isalwaysmasterofthatofanotherman。——[Seneca，Ep。，4。]——Andmoreover，thiscontinualsuspicion，thatmakesaprincejealousofalltheworld，mustofnecessitybeastrangetormenttohim。Thereforeitwas，thatDion，beingadvertisedthatCallippuswatchedallopportunitiestotakeawayhislife，hadneverthehearttoinquiremoreparticularlyintoit，saying，thathehadratherdiethanliveinthatmisery，thathemustcontinuallystanduponhisguard，notonlyagainsthisenemies，buthisfriendsalso;——[Plutarch，Apothegms。]——whichAlexandermuchmorevividlyandmoreroundlymanifestedineffect，when，havingnoticebyaletterfromParmenio，thatPhilip，hismostbelovedphysician，wasbyDarius’moneycorruptedtopoisonhim，atthesametimehegavethelettertoPhiliptoread，drankoffthepotionhehadbroughthim。Wasnotthistoexpressaresolution，thatifhisfriendshadamindtodespatchhimoutoftheworld，hewaswillingtogivethemopportunitytodoit？Thisprinceis，indeed，thesovereignpatternofhazardousactions;butIdonotknowwhethertherebeanotherpassageinhislifewhereinthereissomuchfirmcourageasinthis，norsoillustriousanimageofthebeautyandgreatnessofhismind。
　　Thosewhopreachtoprincessocircumspectandvigilantajealousyanddistrust，undercolourofsecurity，preachtothemruinanddishonour:
　　nothingnoblecanbeperformedwithoutdanger。Iknowaperson，naturallyofaverygreatdaringandenterprisingcourage，whosegoodfortuneiscontinuallymarredbysuchpersuasions，thathekeephimselfclosesurroundedbyhisfriends，thathemustnothearkentoanyreconciliationwithhisancientenemies，thathemuststandaloof，andnottrusthispersoninhandsstrongerthanhisown，whatpromisesorofferssoevertheymaymakehim，orwhatadvantagessoeverhemayseebeforehim。AndIknowanother，whohasunexpectedlyadvancedhisfortunesbyfollowingaclearcontraryadvice。
　　Courage，thereputationandgloryofwhichmenseekwithsogreedyanappetite，presentsitself，whenneedrequires，asmagnificentlyincuerpo，asinfullarmour;inacloset，asinacamp;witharmspendant，aswitharmsraised。
　　Thisover—circumspectandwaryprudenceisamortalenemytoallhighandgenerousexploits。Scipio，tosoundSyphax’sintention，leavinghisarmy，abandoningSpain，notyetsecurenorwellsettledinhisnewconquest，couldpassoverintoAfricaintwosmallships，tocommithimself，inanenemy’scountry，tothepowerofabarbarianking，toafaithuntriedandunknown，withoutobligation，withouthostage，underthesolesecurityofthegrandeurofhisowncourage，hisgoodfortune，andthepromiseofhishighhopes。——[Livy，xxviii。17。]
　　"Habitafidesipsamplerumquefidemobligat。"
　　["Trustoftenobligesfidelity。"——Livy，xxii。22。]
　　Inalifeofambitionandglory，itisnecessarytoholdastiffreinuponsuspicion:fearanddistrustinviteanddrawonoffence。Themostmistrustfulofourkings——[LouisXI。]——establishedhisaffairsprincipallybyvoluntarilycommittinghislifeandlibertyintohisenemies’hands，bythatactionmanifestingthathehadabsoluteconfidenceinthem，totheendtheymightreposeasgreatanassuranceinhim。Caesaronlyopposedtheauthorityofhiscountenanceandthehaughtysharpnessofhisrebukestohismutinouslegionsinarmsagainsthim:
　　"StetitaggerefultiCespitis，intrepidusvultu:meruitquetimeri，Nilmetuens。"
　　["Hestoodonamound，hiscountenanceintrepid，andmeritedtobefeared，hefearingnothing。"——Lucan，v。316。]
　　Butitistrue，withal，thatthisundauntedassuranceisnottoberepresentedinitssimpleandentireform，butbysuchwhomtheapprehensionofdeath，andtheworstthatcanhappen，doesnotterrifyandaffright;fortorepresentapretendedresolutionwithapaleanddoubtfulcountenanceandtremblinglimbs，fortheserviceofanimportantreconciliation，willeffectnothingtopurpose。’Tisanexcellentwaytogaintheheartandwillofanother，tosubmitandintrustone’sselftohim，provideditappeartobefreelydone，andwithouttheconstraintofnecessity，andinsuchacondition，thatamanmanifestlydoesitoutofapureandentireconfidenceintheparty，atleast，withacountenanceclearfromanycloudofsuspicion。Isaw，whenIwasaboy，agentleman，whowasgovernorofagreatcity，uponoccasionofapopularcommotionandfury，notknowingwhatothercoursetotake，gooutofaplaceofverygreatstrengthandsecurity，andcommithimselftothemercyoftheseditiousrabble，inhopesbythatmeanstoappeasethetumultbeforeitgrewtoamoreformidablehead;butitwasillforhimthathedidso，forhewastheremiserablyslain。ButIamnot，nevertheless，ofopinion，thathecommittedsogreatanerroringoingout，asmencommonlyreproachhismemorywithal，ashedidinchoosingagentleandsubmissivewayfortheeffectinghispurpose，andinendeavouringtoquietthisstorm，ratherbyobeyingthancommanding，andbyentreatyratherthanremonstrance;andIaminclinedtobelieve，thatagraciousseverity，withasoldierlikewayofcommanding，fullofsecurityandconfidence，suitabletothequalityofhisperson，andthedignityofhiscommand，wouldhavesucceededbetterwithhim;atleast，hehadperishedwithgreaterdecencyand，reputation。Thereisnothingsolittletobeexpectedorhopedforfromthismany—headedmonster，initsfury，ashumanityandgoodnature;itismuchmorecapableofreverenceandfear。
　　Ishouldalsoreproachhim，thathavingtakenaresolution（inmyjudgmentratherbravethanrash）toexposehimself，weakandnaked，inthistempestuousseaofenragedmadmen，heoughttohavestucktohistext，andnotforaninstanttohaveabandonedthehighparthehadundertaken;whereas，comingtodiscoverhisdangernearerhand，andhisnosehappeningtobleed，heagainchangedthatdemissandfawningcountenancehehadatfirstputon，intoanotheroffearandamazement，fillinghisvoicewithentreatiesandhiseyeswithtears，and，endeavouringsotowithdrawandsecurehisperson，thatcarriagemoreinflamedtheirfury，andsoonbroughttheeffectsofituponhim。
　　Itwasuponatimeintendedthatthereshouldbeageneralmusterofseveraltroopsinarms（andthatisthemostproperoccasionofsecretrevenges，andthereisnoplacewheretheycanbeexecutedwithgreatersafety），andtherewerepublicandmanifestappearances，thattherewasnosafecomingforsome，whoseprincipalandnecessaryofficeitwastoreviewthem。Whereuponaconsultationwasheld，andseveralcounselswereproposed，asinacasethatwasveryniceandofgreatdifficulty;
　　andmoreoverofgraveconsequence。Mine，amongsttherest，was，thattheyshouldbyallmeansavoidgivinganysignofsuspicion，butthattheofficerswhoweremostindangershouldboldlygo，andwithcheerfulanderectcountenancesrideboldlyandconfidentlythroughtheranks，andthatinsteadofsparingfire（whichthecounselsofthemajorparttendedto）theyshouldentreatthecaptainstocommandthesoldierstogiveroundandfullvolleysinhonourofthespectators，andnottosparetheirpowder。Thiswasaccordinglydone，andservedsogooduse，astopleaseandgratifythesuspectedtroops，andthenceforwardtobegetamutualandwholesomeconfidenceandintelligenceamongstthem。
　　IlookuponJuliusCaesar’swayofwinningmentohimasthebestandfinestthatcanbeputinpractice。First，hetriedbyclemencytomakehimselfbelovedevenbyhisveryenemies，contentinghimself，indetectedconspiracies，onlypubliclytodeclare，thathewaspre—acquaintedwiththem;whichbeingdone，hetookanobleresolutiontoawaitwithoutsolicitudeorfear，whatevermightbetheevent，whollyresigninghimselftotheprotectionofthegodsandfortune:for，questionless，inthisstatehewasatthetimewhenhewaskilled。
　　Astrangerhavingpubliclysaid，thathecouldteachDionysius，thetyrantofSyracuse，aninfalliblewaytofindoutanddiscoveralltheconspiracieshissubjectscouldcontriveagainsthim，ifhewouldgivehimagoodsumofmoneyforhispains，Dionysiushearingofit，causedthemantobebroughttohim，thathemightlearnanartsonecessarytohispreservation。Themanmadeanswer，thatalltheartheknew，was，thatheshouldgivehimatalent，andafterwardsboastthathehadobtainedasingularsecretfromhim。Dionysiuslikedtheinvention，andaccordinglycausedsixhundredcrownstobecountedouttohim。
　　——[Plutarch，Apothegms。]——Itwasnotlikelyheshouldgivesogreatasumtoapersonunknown，butupontheaccountofsomeextraordinarydiscovery，andthebeliefofthisservedtokeephisenemiesinawe。
　　Princes，however，dowiselytopublishtheinformationstheyreceiveofallthepracticesagainsttheirlives，topossessmenwithanopiniontheyhavesogoodintelligencethatnothingcanbeplottedagainstthem，buttheyhavepresentnoticeofit。TheDukeofAthensdidagreatmanyfoolishthingsintheestablishmentofhisnewtyrannyoverFlorence:
　　butthisespeciallywasmostnotable，thathavingreceivedthefirstintimationoftheconspiraciesthepeoplewerehatchingagainsthim，fromMatteodiMorozzo，oneoftheconspirators，hepresentlyputhimtodeath，tosuppressthatrumour，thatitmightnotbethoughtanyofthecitydislikedhisgovernment。
　　IrememberIhaveformerlyreadastory——[InAppian’sCivilWars，bookiv……]——ofsomeRomanofgreatqualitywho，flyingthetyrannyoftheTriumvirate，hadathousandtimesbythesubtletyofasmanyinventionsescapedfromfallingintothehandsofthosethatpursuedhim。Ithappenedonedaythatatroopofhorse，whichwassentouttotakehim，passedclosebyabrakewherehewassquat，andmissedverynarrowlyofspyinghim:butheconsidering，atthispoint，thepainsanddifficultieswhereinhehadsolongcontinuedtoevadethestrictandincessantsearchesthatwereeverydaymadeforhim，thelittlepleasurehecouldhopeforinsuchakindoflife，andhowmuchbetteritwasforhimtodieonceforall，thantobeperpetuallyatthispass，hestartedfromhisseat，calledthemback，showedthemhisform，——[asofasquattinghare。]——andvoluntarilydeliveredhimselfuptotheircruelty，bythatmeanstofreebothhimselfandthemfromfurthertrouble。Toinviteaman’senemiestocomeandcuthisthroat，seemsaresolutionalittleextravagantandodd;andyetIthinkhedidbettertotakethatcourse，thantoliveincontinualfeverishfearofanaccidentforwhichtherewasnocure。Butseeingalltheremediesamancanapplytosuchadisease，arefullofunquietnessanduncertainty，’tisbetterwithamanlycouragetoprepareone’sselffortheworstthatcanhappen，andtoextractsomeconsolationfromthis，thatwearenotcertainthethingwefearwillevercometopass。
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　OFPEDANTRY
　　Iwasoften，whenaboy，wonderfullyconcernedtosee，intheItalianfarces，apedantalwaysbroughtinforthefooloftheplay，andthatthetitleofMagisterwasinnogreaterreverenceamongstus:forbeingdelivereduptotheirtuition，whatcouldIdolessthanbejealousoftheirhonourandreputation？Isoughtindeedtoexcusethembythenaturalincompatibilitybetwixtthevulgarsortandmenofafinerthread，bothinjudgmentandknowledge，forasmuchastheygoaquitecontrarywaytooneanother:butinthis，thethingImoststumbledatwas，thatthefinestgentlemenwerethosewhomostdespisedthem;witnessourfamouspoetDuBellay——
　　"Maisjehayparsurtoutunscavoirpedantesque。"
　　[OfallthingsIhatepedanticlearning。"——DuBellay]
　　And’twassoinformertimes;forPlutarchsaysthatGreekandScholarweretermsofreproachandcontemptamongsttheRomans。Butsince，withthebetterexperienceofage，Ifindtheyhadverygreatreasonsotodo，andthat——
　　"Magismagnosclericosnonsuntmagismagnossapientes。"]
　　["Thegreatestclerksarenotthewisestmen。"AproverbgiveninRabelais’Gargantua，i。39。]