["Andwesuffertheillsofalongpeace;luxuryismoreperniciousthanwar。"——Juvenal，vi。291。]
butalsotoserveforablood—lettingtotheirRepublic，andalittletoevaporatethetoovehementheatoftheiryouth，topruneandclearthebranchesfromthestocktooluxuriantinwood;andtothisenditwasthattheymaintainedsolongawarwithCarthage。
InthetreatyofBretigny，EdwardIII。，kingofEngland，wouldnot，inthegeneralpeacehethenmadewithourking，comprehendthecontroversyabouttheDuchyofBrittany，thathemighthaveaplacewhereintodischargehimselfofhissoldiers，andthatthevastnumberofEnglishhehadbroughtovertoservehiminhisexpeditionheremightnotreturnbackintoEngland。AndthisalsowasonereasonwhyourKingPhilipconsentedtosendhissonJohnuponaforeignexpedition，thathemighttakealongwithhimagreatnumberofhotyoungmenwhoweretheninhispay。
There——aremanyinourtimeswhotalkatthisrate，wishingthatthishotemotionthatisnowamongstusmightdischargeitselfinsomeneighbouringwar，forfearlestallthepeccanthumoursthatnowreigninthispoliticbodyofoursmaydiffusethemselvesfarther，keepthefeverstillintheheight，andatlastcauseourtotalruin;and，intruth，aforeignismuchmoresupportablethanacivilwar。butIdonotbelievethatGodwillfavoursounjustadesignastooffendandquarrelwithothersforourownadvantage:
"Nilmihitamvaldeplaceat，Rhamnusiavirgo，Quodtemereinvitissuscipiaturheris。"
["Rhamnusianvirgin，letnothingeversogreatlypleasemewhichistakenwithoutjusticefromtheunwillingowners"
——Catullus，lxviii。77。]
Andyettheweaknessofourconditionoftenpushesusuponthenecessityofmakinguseofillmeanstoagoodend。Lycurgus，themostperfectlegislatorthateverwas，virtuousandinventedthisveryunjustpracticeofmakingthehelots，whoweretheirslaves，drunkbyforce，totheendthattheSpartans，seeingthemsolostandburiedinwine，mightabhortheexcessofthisvice。Andyetthosewerestillmoretoblamewhoofoldgaveleavethatcriminals，towhatsortofdeathsoevercondemned，shouldbecutupalivebythephysicians，thattheymightmakeatruediscoveryofourinwardparts，andbuildtheirartupongreatercertainty;for，ifwemustrunintoexcesses，itismoreexcusabletodoitforthehealthofthesoulthanthatofthebody;astheRomanstrainedupthepeopletovalourandthecontemptofdangersanddeathbythosefuriousspectaclesofgladiatorsandfencers，who，havingtofightitouttothelast，cut，mangled，andkilledoneanotherintheirpresence:
"Quidvesanialiudsibivultarsimpialudi，Quidmortesjuvenum，quidsanguinepastavoluptas？"
["Whatotherenddoestheimpiousartofthegladiatorsproposetoitself，whattheslaughterofyoungmen，whatpleasurefedwithblood。"——Prudentius，ContraSymmachum，ii。643。]
andthiscustomcontinuedtilltheEmperorTheodosius’time:
"Arripedilatamtua，dux，intemporafamam，Quodquepatrissuperest，successorlaudishabetoNullusinurbecadat，cujussitpoenavoluptas……
Jamsoliscontentaferis，infamisarenaNullacruentatishomicidialudatinarmis。"
["Prince，takethehonoursdelayedforthyreign，andbesuccessortothyfathers;henceforthletnoneatRomebeslainforsport。Letbeasts’bloodstaintheinfamousarena，andnomorehomicidesbethereacted。"——Prudentius，ContraSymmachum，ii。643。]
Itwas，intruth，awonderfulexample，andofgreatadvantageforthetrainingupthepeople，toseeeverydaybeforetheireyesahundred;twohundred，nay，athousandcouplesofmenarmedagainstoneanother，cutoneanothertopieceswithsogreataconstancyofcourage，thattheywereneverheardtouttersomuchasonesyllableofweaknessorcommiseration;neverseentoturntheirbacks，norsomuchastomakeonecowardlysteptoevadeablow，butratherexposedtheirneckstotheadversary’sswordandpresentedthemselvestoreceivethestroke;andmanyofthem，whenwoundedtodeath，havesenttoaskthespectatorsiftheyweresatisfiedwiththeirbehaviour，beforetheylaydowntodieupontheplace。Itwasnotenoughforthemtofightandtodiebravely，butcheerfullytoo;insomuchthattheywerehissedandcursediftheymadeanyhesitationaboutreceivingtheirdeath。Theverygirlsthemselvessetthemon:
"Consurgitadictus，Et，quotiesvictorferrumjuguloinserit，illaDeliciasaitessesuas，pectusquejacentisVirgomodestajubetconversopollicerumpi。"
["Themodestvirginissodelightedwiththesport，thatsheapplaudstheblow，andwhenthevictorbatheshisswordinhisfellow’sthroat，shesaysitisherpleasure，andwithturnedthumbordershimtoripupthebosomoftheprostratevictim。"
——Prudentius，ContraSymmachum，ii。617。]
ThefirstRomansonlycondemnedcriminalstothisexample:buttheyafterwardsemployedinnocentslavesinthework，andevenfreementoo，whosoldthemselvestothispurpose，nay，moreover，senatorsandknightsofRome，andalsowomen:
"Nunccaputinmortemvendunt，etfunusarena，Atquehostemsibiquisqueparat，cumbellaquiescunt。"
["Theysellthemselvestodeathandthecircus，and，sincethewarsareceased，eachforhimselfafoeprepares。"
——Manilius，Astron。，iv。225。]
"Hosinterfremitusnovosquelusus……
Statsexusrudisinsciusqueferri，Etpugnascapitimprobusviriles;"
["Amidstthesetumultsandnewsports，thetendersex，unskilledinarms，immodestlyengagedinmanlyfights。"
——Statius，Sylv。，i。6，51。]
whichIshouldthinkstrangeandincredible，ifwewerenotaccustomedeverydaytoseeinourownwarsmanythousandsofmenofothernations，formoneytostaketheirbloodandtheirlivesinquarrelswhereintheyhavenomannerofconcern。
CHAPTERXXIV
OFTHEROMANGRANDEUR
Iwillonlysayawordortwoofthisinfiniteargument，toshowthesimplicityofthosewhocomparethepitifulgreatnessofthesetimeswiththatofRome。IntheseventhbookofCicero’sFamiliarEpistles（andletthegrammariansputoutthatsurnameoffamiliariftheyplease，forintruthitisnotverysuitable;andtheywho，insteadoffamiliar，havesubstituted"adFamiliares，"maygathersomethingtojustifythemforsodoingoutofwhatSuetoniussaysintheLifeofCaesar，thattherewasavolumeoflettersofhis"adFamiliares"）thereisonedirectedtoCaesar，theninGaul，whereinCicerorepeatsthesewords，whichwereintheendofanotherletterthatCaesarhadwrittentohim:"AstowhatconcernsMarcusFurius，whomyouhaverecommendedtome，IwillmakehimkingofGaul，andifyouwouldhavemeadvanceanyotherfriendofyourssendhimtome。"ItwasnonewthingforasimplecitizenofRome，asCaesarthenwas，todisposeofkingdoms，forhetookawaythatofKingDeiotarusfromhimtogiveittoagentlemanofthecityofPergamus，calledMithridates;andtheywhowrotehisLiferecordseveralcitiessoldbyhim;andSuetoniussays，thathehadoncefromKingPtolemythreemillionsandsixhundredthousandcrowns，whichwasverylikesellinghimhisownkingdom:
"TotGalatae，totPontus，totLydia，nummis。"
["SomuchforGalatia，somuchforPontus，somuchforLydia。"——ClaudiusinEutrop。，i。203。]
MarcusAntoniussaid，thatthegreatnessofthepeopleofRomewasnotsomuchseeninwhattheytook，asinwhattheygave;and，indeed，someagesbeforeAntonius，theyhaddethronedoneamongsttherestwithsowonderfulauthority，thatinalltheRomanhistoryIhavenotobservedanythingthatmoredenotestheheightoftheirpower。AntiochuspossessedallEgypt，andwas，moreover，readytoconquerCyprusandotherappendagesofthatempire:whenbeingupontheprogressofhisvictories，C。PopiliuscametohimfromtheSenate，andattheirfirstmeetingrefusedtotakehimbythehand，tillhehadfirstreadhisletters，whichafterthekinghadread，andtoldhimhewouldconsiderofthem，Popiliusmadeacircleabouthimwithhiscane，saying:——"Returnmeananswer，thatImaycarryitbacktotheSenate，beforethoustirrestoutofthiscircle。"Antiochus，astonishedattheroughnessofsopositiveacommand，afteralittlepause，replied，"IwillobeytheSenate’scommand。"ThenPopiliussalutedhimasfriendoftheRomanpeople。
Tohaverenouncedclaimtosogreatamonarchy，andacourseofsuchsuccessfulfortune，fromtheeffectsofthreelinesinwriting！Trulyhehadreason，asheafterwardsdid，tosendtheSenatewordbyhisambassadors，thathehadreceivedtheirorderwiththesamerespectasifithadcomefromtheimmortalgods。
AllthekingdomsthatAugustusgainedbytherightofwar，heeitherrestoredtothosewhohadlostthemorpresentedthemtostrangers。AndTacitus，inreferencetothis，speakingofCogidunus，kingofEngland，givesus，byamarvelloustouch，aninstanceofthatinfinitepower:theRomans，sayshe，werefromallantiquityaccustomedtoleavethekingstheyhadsubduedinpossessionoftheirkingdomsundertheirauthority"Uthaberentinstrumentsservitutisetreges。"
["Thattheymighthaveevenkingstobetheirslaves。"
——Livy，xlv。13。]
’TisprobablethatSolyman，whomwehaveseenmakeagiftofHungaryandotherprincipalities，hadthereinmorerespecttothisconsiderationthantothathewaswonttoallege，viz。，thathewasgluttedandoverchargedwithsomanymonarchiesandsomuchdominion，ashisownvalourandthatofhisancestorshadacquired。
CHAPTERXXV
NOTTOCOUNTERFEITBEINGSICK
ThereisanepigraminMartial，andoneoftheverygoodones——forhehasofallsorts——wherehepleasantlytellsthestoryofCaelius，who，toavoidmakinghiscourttosomegreatmenofRome，towaittheirrising，andtoattendthemabroad，pretendedtohavethegout;andthebettertocolourthisanointedhislegs，andhadthemlappedupinagreatmanyswathings，andperfectlycounterfeitedboththegestureandcountenanceofagoutyperson;tillintheend，Fortunedidhimthekindnesstomakehimoneindeed:
"QuantumcurspotestetarsdolorisDesiitfingereCaeliuspodagram。"
["Howgreatisthepowerofcounterfeitingpain:Caeliushasceasedtofeignthegout;hehasgotit。"——Martial，Ep。，vii。39，8。]
IthinkIhavereadsomewhereinAppianastorylikethis，ofonewhotoescapetheproscriptionsofthetriumvirsofRome，andthebettertobeconcealedfromthediscoveryofthosewhopursuedhim，havinghiddenhimselfinadisguise，wouldyetaddthisinvention，tocounterfeithavingbutoneeye;butwhenhecametohavealittlemoreliberty，andwenttotakeofftheplasterhehadagreatwhilewornoverhiseye，hefoundhehadtotallylostthesightofitindeed，andthatitwasabsolutelygone。’Tispossiblethattheactionofsightwasdulledfromhavingbeensolongwithoutexercise，andthattheopticpowerwaswhollyretiredintotheothereye:forweevidentlyperceivethattheeyewekeepshutsendssomepartofitsvirtuetoitsfellow，sothatitwillswellandgrowbigger;andsoinaction，withtheheatofligaturesand，plasters，mightverywellhavebroughtsomegoutyhumouruponthecounterfeiterinMartial。
ReadinginFroissartthevowofatroopofyoungEnglishgentlemen，tokeeptheirlefteyesbounduptilltheyhadarrivedinFranceandperformedsomenotableexploituponus，Ihaveoftenbeentickledwiththisthought，thatitmighthavebefallenthemasitdidthoseothers，andtheymighthavereturnedwithbutaneyea—piecetotheirmistresses，forwhosesakestheyhadmadethisridiculousvow。
Mothershavereasontorebuketheirchildrenwhentheycounterfeithavingbutoneeye，squinting，lameness，oranyotherpersonaldefect;for，besidesthattheirbodiesbeingthensotender，maybesubjecttotakeanillbent，fortune，Iknownothow，sometimesseemstodelightintakingusatourword;andIhaveheardseveralexamplesrelatedofpeoplewhohavebecomereallysick，byonlyfeigningtobeso。Ihavealwaysused，whetheronhorsebackoronfoot，tocarryastickinmyhand，andeventoaffectdoingitwithanelegantair;manyhavethreatenedthatthisfancywouldonedaybeturnedintonecessity:ifso，Ishouldbethefirstofmyfamilytohavethegout。
Butletusalittlelengthenthischapter，andaddanotheranecdoteconcerningblindness。Plinyreportsofonewho，dreaminghewasblind，foundhimselfsoindeedinthemorningwithoutanyprecedinginfirmityinhiseyes。Theforceofimaginationmightassistinthiscase，asIhavesaidelsewhere，andPlinyseemstobeofthesameopinion;butitismorelikelythatthemotionswhichthebodyfeltwithin，ofwhichphysicians，iftheyplease，mayfindoutthecause，takingawayhissight，weretheoccasionofhisdream。
Letusaddanotherstory，notveryimproperforthissubject，whichSenecarelatesinoneofhisepistles:"Youknow，"sayshe，writingtoLucilius，"thatHarpaste，mywife’sfool，isthrownuponmeasanhereditarycharge，forIhavenaturallyanaversiontothosemonsters;
andifIhaveamindtolaughatafool，Ineednotseekhimfar;Icanlaughatmyself。Thisfoolhassuddenlylosthersight:Itellyouastrange，butaverytruethingsheisnotsensiblethatsheisblind，buteternallyimportunesherkeepertotakeherabroad，becauseshesaysthehouseisdark。Thatwhatwelaughatinher，Iprayyoutobelieve，happenstoeveryoneofus:nooneknowshimselftobeavariciousorgrasping;and，again，theblindcallforaguide，whilewestrayofourownaccord。Iamnotambitious，wesay;butamancannotliveotherwiseatRome;Iamnotwasteful，butthecityrequiresagreatoutlay;’tisnotmyfaultifIamcholeric——ifIhavenotyetestablishedanycertaincourseoflife:’tisthefaultofyouth。Letusnotseekourdiseaseoutofourselves;’tisinus，andplantedinourbowels;andthemerefactthatwedonotperceiveourselvestobesick，rendersusmorehardtobecured。Ifwedonotbetimesbegintoseetoourselves，whenshallwehaveprovidedforsomanywoundsandevilswherewithweabound？Andyetwehaveamostsweetandcharmingmedicineinphilosophy;forofalltherestwearesensibleofnopleasuretillafterthecure:thispleasesandhealsatonce。"ThisiswhatSenecasays，thathascarriedmefrommysubject，butthereisadvantageinthechange。
CHAPTERXXVI
OFTHUMBS
Tacitusreports，thatamongstcertainbarbariankingstheirmannerwas，whentheywouldmakeafirmobligation，tojointheirrighthandsclosetooneanother，andintertwisttheirthumbs;andwhen，byforceofstrainingtheblood，itappearedintheends，theylightlyprickedthemwithsomesharpinstrument，andmutuallysuckedthem。
Physicianssaythatthethumbsarethemasterfingersofthehand，andthattheirLatinetymologyisderivedfrom"pollere。"TheGreekscalledthem’Avtixeip’，aswhoshouldsay，anotherhand。AnditseemsthattheLatinsalsosometimestakeitinthissenseforthewholehand:
"Sednecvocibusexcitatablandis，Mollipollicinecrogata，surgit。"
["Neithertobeexcitedbysoftwordsorbythethumb。"
——Mart。，xii。98，8。]
ItwasatRomeasignificationoffavourtodepressandturninthethumbs:
"Fautorutroquetuumlaudabitpolliceludum:"
["Thypatronwillapplaudthysportwithboththumbs"
——Horace。]
andofdisfavourtoelevateandthrustthemoutward:
"Conversopollicevulgi，Quemlibetocciduntpopulariter。"
["Thepopulace，withinvertedthumbs，killallthatcomebeforethem。"——Juvenal，iii。36]
TheRomansexemptedfromwarallsuchasweremaimedinthethumbs，ashavingnomoresufficientstrengthtoholdtheirweapons。AugustusconfiscatedtheestateofaRomanknightwhohadmaliciouslycutoffthethumbsoftwoyoungchildrenhehad，toexcusethemfromgoingintothearmies;and，beforehim，theSenate，inthetimeoftheItalicwar，hadcondemnedCaiusVatienustoperpetualimprisonment，andconfiscatedallhisgoods，forhavingpurposelycutoffthethumbofhislefthand，toexempthimselffromthatexpedition。Someone，Ihaveforgottenwho，havingwonanavalbattle，cutoffthethumbsofallhisvanquishedenemies，torenderthemincapableoffightingandofhandlingtheoar。
TheAtheniansalsocausedthethumbsoftheAEginatanstobecutoff，todeprivethemofthesuperiorityintheartofnavigation。
InLacedaemon，pedagogueschastisedtheirscholarsbybitingtheirthumbs。
CHAPTERXXVII
COWARDICETHEMOTHEROFCRUELTY
Ihaveoftenhearditsaidthatcowardiceisthemotherofcruelty;andI
havefoundbyexperiencethatmaliciousandinhumananimosityandfiercenessareusuallyaccompaniedwithfeminineweakness。Ihaveseenthemostcruelpeople，anduponfrivolousoccasions，apttocry。
Alexander，thetyrantofPheres，durstnotbeaspectatoroftragediesinthetheatre，forfearlesthiscitizensshouldseehimweepatthemisfortunesofHecubaandAndromache，whohimselfwithoutpitycausedsomanypeopleeverydaytobemurdered。Isitnotmeannessofspiritthatrendersthemsopliabletoallextremities？Valour，whoseeffectisonlytobeexercisedagainstresistance——
"Necnisibellantisgaudetcervicejuvenci"——
["Nordelightsinkillingabullunlessheresists。"
——Claudius，Ep。adHadrianum，v。39。]
stopswhenitseestheenemyatitsmercy;butpusillanimity，tosaythatitwasalsointhegame，nothavingdaredtomeddleinthefirstactofdanger，takesasitspartthesecond，ofbloodandmassacre。Themurdersinvictoriesarecommonlyperformedbytherascalityandhangers—onofanarmy，andthatwhichcausessomanyunheardofcrueltiesindomesticwarsis，thatthiscanaillemakeswarinimbruingitselfuptotheelbowsinblood，andrippingupabodythatliesprostrateatitsfeet，havingnosenseofanyothervalour:
"Etlupus，etturpesinstantmorientibusursi，Etquaecunqueminornobilitateferaest:"
["Wolvesandthefilthybears，andallthebaserbeasts，falluponthedying。"——Ovid，Trist。，iii。5，35。]
likecowardlydogs，thatinthehouseworryandteartheskinsofwildbeasts，theydurstnotcomenearinthefield。Whatisitinthesetimesofoursthatmakesourquarrelsmortal;andthat，whereasourfathershadsomedegreesofrevenge，wenowbeginwiththelastinours，andatthefirstmeetingnothingistobesaidbut，kill？Whatisthisbutcowardice？
Everyoneissensiblethatthereismorebraveryanddisdaininsubduinganenemy，thanincutting，histhroat;andinmakinghimyield，thaninputtinghimtothesword:besidesthattheappetiteofrevengeisbettersatisfiedandpleasedbecauseitsonlyaimistomakeitselffelt:Andthisisthereasonwhywedonotfalluponabeastorastonewhentheyhurtus，becausetheyarenotcapableofbeingsensibleofourrevenge;
andtokillamanistosavehimfromtheinjuryandoffenceweintendhim。AndasBiascriedouttoawickedfellow，"Iknowthatsoonerorlaterthouwilthavethyreward，butIamafraidIshallnotseeit";
——[Plutarch，ontheDelayinDivineJustice，c。2。]——andpitiedtheOrchomeniansthatthepenitenceofLyciscusforthetreasoncommittedagainstthem，cameataseasonwhentherewasnooneremainingaliveofthosewhohadbeeninterestedintheoffence，andwhomthepleasureofthispenitenceshouldaffect:sorevengeistobepitied，whenthepersononwhomitisexecutedisdeprivedofmeansofsufferingunderit:forastheavengerwilllookontoenjoythepleasureofhisrevenge，sothepersononwhomhetakesrevengeshouldbeaspectatortoo，tobeafflictedandtorepent。"Hewillrepentit，"wesay，andbecausewehavegivenhimapistol—shotthroughthehead，doweimaginehewillrepent？Onthecontrary，ifwebutobserve，weshallfind，thathemakesmouthsatusinfalling，andissofarfrompenitency，thathedoesnotsomuchasrepineatus;andwedohimthekindestofficeoflife，whichistomakehimdieinsensibly，andsoon:weareafterwardstohideourselves，andtoshiftandflyfromtheofficersofjustice，whopursueus，whilstheisatrest。Killingisgoodtofrustrateanoffencetocome，nottorevengeonethatisalreadypast;andmoreanactoffearthanofbravery;ofprecautionthanofcourage;ofdefencethanofenterprise。Itismanifestthatbyitweloseboththetrueendofrevengeandthecareofourreputation;weareafraid，ifheliveshewilldousanotherinjuryasgreatasthefirst;’tisnotoutofanimositytohim，butcareofthyself，thatthougettestridofhim。
InthekingdomofNarsingahthisexpedientwouldbeuselesstous，wherenotonlysoldiers，buttradesmenalso，endtheirdifferencesbythesword。Thekingneverdeniesthefieldtoanywhowishtofight;andwhentheyarepersonsofquality;helookson，rewardingthevictorwithachainofgold，——forwhichanyonewhopleasesmayfightwithhimagain，sothat，byhavingcomeofffromonecombat，hehasengagedhimselfinmany。
Ifwethoughtbyvirtuetobealwaysmastersofourenemies，andtotriumphoverthematpleasure，weshouldbesorrytheyshouldescapefromusastheydo，bydying:butwehaveamindtoconquer，morewithsafetythanhonour，and，inourquarrel，morepursuetheendthantheglory。
AsniusPollio，who，asbeingaworthyman，wasthelesstobeexcused，committedalike，error，when，havingwrittenalibelagainstPlancus，heforboretopublishittillhewasdead;whichistobiteone’sthumbatablindman，torailatonewhoisdeaf，towoundamanwhohasnofeeling，ratherthantorunthehazardofhisresentment。Anditwasalsosaidofhimthatitwasonlyforhobgoblinstowrestlewiththedead。
Hewhostaystoseetheauthordie，whosewritingsheintendstoquestion，whatdoeshesaybutthatheisweakinhisaggressiveness？
ItwastoldtoAristotlethatsomeonehadspokenillofhim:"Lethimdomore，"saidhe;"lethimwhipmetoo，providedIamnotthere。"
Ourfatherscontentedthemselveswithrevenginganinsultwiththelie，theliewithaboxoftheear，andsoforward;theywerevaliantenoughnottofeartheiradversaries，livingandprovokedwetrembleforfearsosoonasweseethemonfoot。Andthatthisisso，doesnotournoblepracticeofthesedays，equallytoprosecutetodeathbothhimthathasoffendedusandhimwehaveoffended，makeitout？’Tisalsoakindofcowardicethathasintroducedthecustomofhavingseconds，thirds，andfourthsinourduels;theywereformerlyduels;theyarenowskirmishes，rencontres，andbattles。Solitudewas，doubtless，terribletothosewhowerethefirstinventorsofthispractice:
"Quuminsecuiqueminimumfiduciaeesset，"
fornaturallyanycompanywhateverisconsolatoryindanger。Thirdpersonswereformerlycalledintopreventdisorderandfoulplayonly，andtobewitnessofthefortuneofthecombat;butnowtheyhavebroughtittothispassthatthewitnessesthemselvesengage;whoeverisinvitedcannothandsomelystandbyasanidlespectator，forfearofbeingsuspectedeitherofwantofaffectionorofcourage。Besidestheinjusticeandunworthinessofsuchanaction，ofengagingotherstrengthandvalourintheprotectionofyourhonourthanyourown，Iconceiveitadisadvantagetoabraveman，andwhowhollyreliesuponhimself，toshufflehisfortunewiththatofasecond;everyonerunshazardenoughhimselfwithouthazardingforanother，andhasenoughtodotoassurehimselfinhisownvalourforthedefenceofhislife，withoutintrustingathingsodearinathirdman’shand。For，ifitbenotexpresslyagreeduponbeforetothecontrary，’tisacombinedpartyofallfour，andifyoursecondbekilled，youhavetwotodealwithal，withgoodreason;andtosaythatitisfoulplay，itissoindeed，asitis，wellarmed，toattackamanwhohasbutthehiltofabrokenswordinhishand，or，clearanduntouched，amanwhoisdesperatelywounded:butifthesebeadvantagesyouhavegotbyfighting，youmaymakeuseofthemwithoutreproach。Thedisparityandinequalityareonlyweighedandconsideredfromtheconditionofthecombatantswhentheybegan;astotherest，youmusttakeyourchance:andthoughyouhad，alone，threeenemiesuponyouatonce，yourtwocompanionsbeingkilled，youhavenomorewrongdoneyou，thanIshoulddoinabattle，byrunningamanthroughwhomIshouldseeengagedwithoneofourownmen，withthelikeadvantage。Thenatureofsocietywillhaveitsothatwherethereistroopagainsttroop，aswhereourDukeofOrleanschallengedHenry，kingofEngland，ahundredagainstahundred;threehundredagainstasmany，astheArgiansagainsttheLacedaemonians;threetothree，astheHoratiiagainsttheCuriatii，themultitudeoneithersideisconsideredbutasonesingleman:thehazard，whereverthereiscompany，beingconfusedandmixed。
Ihaveadomesticinterestinthisdiscourse;formybrother，theSieurdeMattecoulom，wasatRomeaskedbyagentlemanwithwhomhehadnogreatacquaintance，andwhowasadefendantchallengedbyanother，tobehissecond;inthisduelhefoundhimselfmatchedwithagentlemanmuchbetterknowntohim。（Iwouldfainhaveanexplanationoftheserulesofhonour，whichsooftenshockandconfoundthoseofreason。）Afterhavingdespatchedhisman，seeingthetwoprincipalsstillonfootandsound，heranintodisengagehisfriend。Whatcouldhedoless？shouldhehavestoodstill，andifchancewouldhaveordereditso，haveseenhimhewascomethithertodefendkilledbeforehisface？whathehadhithertodonehelpednotthebusiness;thequarrelwasyetundecided。Thecourtesythatyoucan，andcertainlyoughttoshewtoyourenemy，whenyouhavereducedhimtoanillconditionandhaveagreatadvantageoverhim，Idonotseehowyoucandoit，wheretheinterestofanotherisconcerned，whereyouareonlycalledinasanassistant，andthequarrelisnoneofyours:hecouldneitherbejustnorcourteous，atthehazardofhimhewastheretoserve。AndhewasthereforeenlargedfromtheprisonsofItalyatthespeedyandsolemnrequestofourking。Indiscreetnation！
wearenotcontenttomakeourvicesandfolliesknowntotheworldbyreportonly，butwemustgointoforeigncountries，theretoshowthemwhatfoolsweare。PutthreeFrenchmenintothedesertsofLibya，theywillnotliveamonthtogetherwithoutfighting;sothatyouwouldsaythisperegrinationwereathingpurposelydesignedtogiveforeignersthepleasureofourtragedies，and，forthemostpart，tosuchasrejoiceandlaughatourmiseries。WegointoItalytolearntofence，andexercisetheartattheexpenseofourlivesbeforewehavelearnedit;andyet，bytheruleofdiscipline，weshouldputthetheorybeforethepractice。
Wediscoverourselvestobebutlearners:
"Primitaejuvenummiserae，belliquefuturiDurarudimenta。"
["Wretchedtheelementarytrialsofyouth，andhardtherudimentsofapproachingwar。"——Virgil，AEneid，xi。156。]
Iknowthatfencingisanartveryusefultoitsend（inaduelbetwixttwoprinces，cousin—germans，inSpain，theelder，saysLivy，byhisskillanddexterityinarms，easilyovercomingthegreaterandmoreawkwardstrengthoftheyounger），andofwhichtheknowledge，asIexperimentallyknow，hasinspiredsomewithcourageabovetheirnaturalmeasure;butthisisnotproperlyvalour，becauseitsupportsitselfuponaddress，andisfoundeduponsomethingbesidesitself。Thehonourofcombatconsistsinthejealousyofcourage，andnotofskill;andthereforeIhaveknownafriendofmine，famedasagreatmasterinthisexercise，inhisquarrelsmakechoiceofsucharmsasmightdeprivehimofthisadvantageandthatwhollydependeduponfortuneandassurance，thattheymightnotattributehisvictoryrathertohisskillinfencingthanhisvalour。
WhenIwasyoung，gentlemenavoidedthereputationofgoodfencersasinjurioustothem，andlearnedtofencewithallimaginableprivacyasatradeofsubtlety，derogatingfromtrueandnaturalvalour:
"Nonschivarnonparar，nonritirarsi，Voglioncostor，nequidestrezzahaparte;
Nondannoicolpiorfinti，orpieni，orscarsi！
Togliel’iraailfurorl’usodel’arte。
OdilespadeorribilmenteutarsiAmezzoilferro;ilpied’ormanonparte，Sempreailpiefermo，alamansempreinmoto;
Nescendetaglioinvan，nepuntaavoto。"
["Theyneithershrank，norvantagesoughtofground，Theytravers’dnot，norskiptfromparttopart，Theirblowswereneitherfalse，norfeignedfound:
Infight，theirragewouldletthemusenoart。
Theirswordstogetherclashwithdreadfulsound，Theirfeetstandfast，andneitherstirnorstart，Theymovetheirhands，steadfasttheirfeetremain。
Norblownorfointheystrook，orthrustinvain。"
——Tasso，Gierus。Lib。，c。12，st。55，Fairfax’stranslation。]
Butts，tilting，andbarriers，thefeintofwarlikefights，weretheexercisesofourforefathers:thisotherexerciseissomuchthelessnoble，asitonlyrespectsaprivateend;thatteachesustodestroyoneanotheragainstlawandjustice，andthateverywayalwaysproducesveryilleffects。Itismuchmoreworthyandmorebecomingtoexerciseourselvesinthingsthatstrengthenthanthatweakenourgovernmentandthattendtothepublicsafetyandcommonglory。Theconsul，PubliusRutilius，wasthefirstwhotaughtthesoldierstohandletheirarmswithskill，andjoinedartwithvalour，notfortheriseofprivatequarrel，butforwarandthequarrelsofthepeopleofRome;apopularandcivildefence。AndbesidestheexampleofCaesar，whocommandedhismentoshootchieflyatthefaceofPompey’ssoldiersinthebattleofPharsalia，athousandothercommandershavealsobethoughtthemtoinventnewformsofweaponsandnewwaysofstrikinganddefending，accordingasoccasionshouldrequire。
ButasPhilopoemencondemnedwrestling，whereinheexcelled，becausethepreparativesthatwerethereinemployedweredifferingfromthosethatappertaintomilitarydiscipline，towhichaloneheconceivedmenofhonouroughtwhollytoapplythemselves;soitseemstomethatthisaddresstowhichweformourlimbs，thosewrithingsandmotionsyoungmenaretaughtinthisnewschool，arenotonlyofnouse，butrathercontraryandhurtfultothepracticeoffightinbattle;andalsoourpeoplecommonlymakeuseofparticularweapons，andpeculiarlydesignedforduel;andIhaveseen，whenithasbeendisapproved，thatagentlemanchallengedtofightwithrapierandpoignardappearedinthearrayofaman—at—arms，andthatanothershouldtakehiscloakinsteadofhispoignard。ItisworthyofconsiderationthatLachesinPlato，speakingoflearningtofenceafterourmanner，saysthatheneverknewanygreatsoldiercomeoutofthatschool，especiallythemastersofit:and，indeed，astothem，ourexperiencetellsasmuch。Astotherest，wemayatleastconcludethattheyarequalitiesofnorelationorcorrespondence;andintheeducationofthechildrenofhisgovernment，Platointerdictstheartofboxing，introducedbyAmycusandEpeius，andthatofwrestling，byAntaeusandCercyo，becausetheyhaveanotherendthantorenderyouthfitfortheserviceofwarandcontributenothingtoit。ButIseethatIhavesomewhatstrayedfrommytheme。
TheEmperorMauricius，beingadvertisedbydreamsandseveralprognostics，thatonePhocas，anobscuresoldier，shouldkillhim，questionedhisson—in—law，Philip，whothisPhocaswas，andwhatwerehisnature，qualities，andmanners;andsosoonasPhilip，amongstotherthings，hadtoldhimthathewascowardlyandtimorous，theemperorimmediatelyconcludedthenthathewasamurdererandcruel。Whatisitthatmakestyrantssosanguinary？’Tisonlythesolicitudefortheirownsafety，andthattheirfaintheartscanfurnishthemwithnoothermeansofsecuringthemselvesthaninexterminatingthosewhomayhurtthem，evensomuchaswomen，forfearofascratch:
"Cunctaferit，dumcunctatimer。"
["Hestrikesatallwhofearsall。"
——Claudius，inEutrop。，i。182。]
Thefirstcrueltiesareexercisedforthemselvesthencespringsthefearofajustrevenge，whichafterwardsproducesaseriesofnewcruelties，toobliterateoneanother。Philip，kingofMacedon，whohadsomuchtodowiththepeopleofRome，agitatedwiththehorrorofsomanymurderscommittedbyhisorder，anddoubtingofbeingabletokeephimselfsecurefromsomanyfamilies，atdiverstimesmortallyinjuredandoffendedbyhim，resolvedtoseizeallthechildrenofthosehehadcausedtobeslain，todespatchthemdailyoneafteranother，andsotoestablishhisownrepose。
Finematterisneverimpertinent，howeverplaced;andthereforeI，whomoreconsidertheweightandutilityofwhatIdeliverthanitsorderandconnection，neednotfearinthisplacetobringinanexcellentstory，thoughitbealittleby—the—by;forwhentheyarerichintheirownnativebeauty，andareabletojustifythemselves，theleastendofahairwillservetodrawthemintomydiscourse。
AmongstotherscondemnedbyPhilip，hadbeenoneHerodicus，princeofThessaly;hehad，moreover，afterhimcausedhistwosons—in—lawtobeputtodeath，eachleavingasonveryyoungbehindhim。TheoxenaandArchoweretheirtwowidows。Theoxena，thoughhighlycourtedtoit，couldnotbepersuadedtomarryagain:ArchomarriedPoris，thegreatestmanamongtheAEnians，andbyhimhadagreatmanychildren，whomshe，dying，leftataverytenderage。Theoxena，movedwithamaternalcharitytowardshernephews，thatshemighthavethemunderherowneyesandinherownprotection，marriedPoris:whenpresentlycomesaproclamationoftheking’sedict。Thisbrave—spiritedmother，suspectingthecrueltyofPhilip，andafraidoftheinsolenceofthesoldierstowardsthesecharmingandtenderchildrenwassoboldastodeclarehatshewouldratherkillthemwithherownhandsthandeliverthem。Poris，startledatthisprotestation，promisedhertostealthemaway，andtotransportthemtoAthens，andtherecommitthemtothecustodyofsomefaithfulfriendsofhis。Theytook，therefore，theopportunityofanannualfeastwhichwascelebratedatAEniainhonourofAEneas，andthithertheywent。Havingappearedbydayatthepublicceremoniesandbanquet，theystolethenightfollowingintoavessellaidreadyforthepurpose，toescapeawaybysea。Thewindprovedcontrary，andfindingthemselvesinthemorningwithinsightofthelandwhencetheyhadlaunchedovernight，andbeingpursuedbytheguardsoftheport，Porisperceivingthis，labouredallhecouldtomakethemarinersdotheirutmosttoescapefromthepursuers。ButTheoxena，franticwithaffectionandrevenge，inpursuanceofherformerresolution，preparedbothweaponsandpoison，andexposingthembeforethem;"Goto，mychildren，"saidshe，"deathisnowtheonlymeansofyourdefenceandliberty，andshalladministeroccasiontothegodstoexercisetheirsacredjustice:thesesharpswords，andthesefullcups，willopenyouthewayintoit;
courage，fearnothing！Andthou，myson，whoarttheeldest，takethissteelintothyhand，thatthoumayestthemorebravelydie。"Thechildrenhavingononesidesopowerfulacounsellor，andtheenemyattheirthroatsontheother，runallofthemeagerlyuponwhatwasnexttohand;and，halfdead，werethrownintothesea。Theoxena，proudofhavingsogloriouslyprovidedforthesafetyofherchildren，claspingherarmswithgreataffectionaboutherhusband’sneck。"Letus，myfriend，"saidshe，"followtheseboys，andenjoythesamesepulchretheydo";andso，havingembraced，theythrewthemselvesheadlongintothesea;sothattheshipwascarried——backwithouttheownersintotheharbour。
Tyrants，atoncebothtokillandtomaketheirangerfelt，haveemployedtheircapacitytoinventthemostlingeringdeaths。Theywillhavetheirenemiesdespatched，butnotsofastthattheymaynothaveleisuretotastetheirvengeance。Andthereintheyaremightilyperplexed;forifthetormentstheyinflictareviolent，theyareshort;iflong，theyarenotthensopainfulastheydesire;andthusplaguethemselvesinchoiceofthegreatestcruelty。Ofthiswehaveathousandexamplesinantiquity，andIknownotwhetherwe，unawares，donotretainsometracesofthisbarbarity。