THAT learned critic, the younger Scaliger, comparing the two great orators, says, that nothing can be taken from Demosthenes, nor added to Tully; and if there be any fault in the last, it is the resumption or dwelling too long upon his arguments: for which reason, having intended to translate this piece into prose, (where translation ought to be strict) finding the matter very proper for verse, I took the liberty to leave out what was only necessary to that age and place, and to take or add what was proper to this present age and occasion, by laying his sense closer, and in fewer words, according to the style and ear of these times. The three first parts I dedicate to my old friends, to take off those melancholy reflections which the sense of age, infirmity, and death may give them. The last part I think necessary for the conviction of those many who believe not, or at least mind not, the immortality of the soul, of which the Scripture speaks only positively as a lawgiver, with an ipse dixit; but it may be, they neither believe that, (from which they either make doubts or sport) nor those whose business it is to interpret it, supposing they do it only for their own ends but if a Heathen philosopher bring such arguments from reason, Nature, and second causes, which none of our Atheistical sophisters can confute, if they may stand convinced that there is an immortality of the soul, I hope they will so weigh the consequences as neither to talk nor live as if there was no such thing. CATO, SCIPIO, LÆLIUS. SCIPIO. THO' all the actions of your life are crown'd With wisdom, nothing makes them more renown' Than that those years, which others think extreme, Nor to yourself nor us uneasy seem, 10 Under which weight most like th' old giants groan, 15 Our want of reas'ning these false measures makes; 21 25 'Tis my first rule on Nature, as my guide 34 LEL. But, Sir, 'tis Scipio's and my desire, Since to long life we gladly would aspire, That from your grave instructions we might hear How we, like you, may this great burthen bear. CAT. This I resolv'd before, but now shall do With great delight, since 'tis requir'd by you, LAL. If to yourself it will not tedious prove, Nothing in us a greater joy can move, That as old travellers the young instruct, Your long our short experience may conduct. ́ CAT. 'Tis true, (as the old proverb doth relate) Equals with equals often congregate. 40 Two consuls *, (who in years my equals were) 45 That Age from them had all their pleasures torn, *Caius Salinator, Spurius Albinus. 50 Joy'd that from pleasure's slav'ry they are free, 55 60 LAL. This I believe; yet others may dispute Their Age (as yours) can never bear such fruit Of honour, wealth and pow'r, to make them sweet; Not ev'ry one such happiness can meet. 64 CAT. Some weight your argument, my Lælius, But not so much as at first sight appears. [bears, This answer by Themistocles was made, (When a Seriphian thus did him upbraid, * "You those great honours to your country owe, "Not to yourself)"—" Had I at Seripho 70 "Been born, such honour I had never seen, "Nor you, if an Athenian you had been." So Age, cloth'd in indecent poverty, To the most prudent cannot easy be; But to a fool the greater his estate The more uneasy is his Age's weight. Age's chief arts and arms are to grow wise, Virtue to know, and known to exercise : All just returns to Age then virtue makes, Nor her in her extremity forsakes. * An isle to which condemned men were banished. 75 80 The sweetest cordial we receive at last, (A stripling then) in his fourth consulate 95 The Quæstorship, and then our love began ; 102 |