but more gain For your sake to dy would please Toyle and torments were but ease You direct men in pursuit Of immortall sacred fruit Richer far then gold refin'd Soft as sleep as parents kinde Great Alcides for your sake Labours vast did undertake Leda's valiant twins made known More your glories then their own Ajax and Achilles too Only dy'd for love of you Ah! for you Atarna's pride Hermias untimely dy'd But his name we will revive That our Muse shal keep alive Paying hospitable Jove Pious thanks for a friends love There wanted not those who cast many aspersions and calumnies upon this Vertuous friendship some affirm'd that Hermias lov'd Aristotle inordinately an imputation not well suiting with an Eunuch and that for this Reason he gave him Pythais to wife whom Suidas and the Greek Etymologist affirm to have been his Daughter either by Nature or Adoption Demetrius Magnesius his Neece Aristippus his Concubine so little do they agree in their relation They adde that Aristotle was so passionately in Love with her that he sacrificed to her after the same manner as the Athenians to Ceres at Eleusis This Laertius relates as done whilst she was alive But Lyco first Author of this calumny that it was after her death Moreover that Aristotle in a thankfull acknowledgement of his Bounty wrote a Paean in praise of Hermias meaning the Hymn last mentioned which Athenaeus proveth against the calumniations of Demophilus not to be a sacred hymne or Paean but a Scolion or Festivall Song Hence Theocritus the Chian derides him in this Epigram To the slave Eunuch who Atarne swai'd An empty tombe empty Aristotle made Who from the Academy did retire To wallow in vain pleasures faithless mire In answer to these calumnies first raised by Lyco dispersed further by Aristippus and continued by those that maligne the memory of Aristotle Apellieo writ certain Books wherein he accurately confutes those who durst in this manner impudently blaspheme such are his words the name of Aristotle so much prejudice and malice being in the accusation as might easily argue the falsenesse thereof Upon the death of Hermias Aristotle and with Xenocrates fled from Atarna to Mitylene as Apollodorus and Dionysius Halicarnassaeus affirm in the fourth year of the 108. Olympiad Eubulus being Archon CHAP. V. How he lived with Philip and Alexander ABout this time Philip King of Macedonia Father of Alexander taking care for the Education of his Son now growing towards mans estate and unwilling saith Plutarch to commit his Education to Professors of Musick or any other of the liberall Sciences as knowing him fit for higher designes sent to Aristotle the most famous and learned of Philosophers to come and instruct him Agellius recites his Epistle which was to this effect Philip to Aristotle health KNow that I have a Son I render the Gods many thanks not so much for his birth as that he was born in your time for I hope that being educated and instructed by you he will become worthy both of us and the Kingdom which he shall inherit Aristotle at this request of Philip went to Macedonia to him in the 4th year of the 108. Olympiad as Apollodorus and Dioâ—ystus Halicarnassaeus affirm at what time Alexander was fifteen yeares old He lived there infinitely esteem'd and beloved of Philip and Olympia his Wife Alexander's Mother They caused his Statue to be made and set up in honour of him Philip had a kindnesse to particular for him that he allo'wd him in manner an equal share in the Government of the Kingdom which interest Ammonius saith he employed to the advantage as well of private persons as of the publick as appeareth saith the Latine Interpreter of his life by his Epistles to Philip. Plutarch affirmâ—s that Philip as a recompence to Aristotle reedified the Town where hee was born Stagira which he had before laid wast He likewise assign'd him a School and study near Mieza a Town of Macedonia not far from thence where unto this day saith Pluâ—arch they shew the stony seats and shady walks of Aristotle He instructed Alexander in the deepest parts of Learning not only in Ethick and Politicks but his most reserved and solid Doctrines call'd Acroatick and Epoptick never communicated to the Vulgar That he taught him likewise the Art of Medicine Plutarch argueth for as much as Alexander was not only exceedingly delighted with the Theory thereof but practised it successfully upon many of his friends to whom he prescribed Receipts and diets as appeareth saith he by his Epistle Perceiving Alexander to be much taken with Homer's Iliads as conceiving and calling it the bestâ—â—stitution of military Vertue he took much pains in correcting and restoring the text and then gave it to Alexander which copy â—he infinitely prised He writ a Book to Alexander intituled Of a Kingdom mentioned by Laertius and Ammonius wherein he instructed him how to rule So much did he incline the mind of Alexander to do goodâ— that he used to say if any day pass'd wherein he had not conferred some benefit I have not reign'd to day Alexander so much affected him that he professed he admired and loved him no lesse then his Father because his Father he said only gave him being but Aristotle well-being The love which Philip and Alexander bore him was so great that Theocritus the Chian cast the same aspersion upon it as he did on his friendship with Hermias In the first year of the 111th Olympiad Pythodorus being Archon Philip dyed and was succeeded by his Son Alexander whose active spirit soon after his coming to the Crown designed an expedition against the King of Persia. Hereupon Aristotle having now lived with Alexander eight years though Justine saith but five which some interpret of the time before Philips death but not without some violence for that was above seven preferring the quiet of a Contemplative life before the troubles of War took leave of him returned to Athens leaving in his room Callisthenes an Olynthian his Kinsman Son of his Cozen Hero and Disciple whom before his departure observing to speak with too much liberty and obstinacy to the King he reproved in these words Son if thou thus employ thy tongue Thy thread of life cannot be long And so it came to passe not long after upon this occasion Hermolaus Son of Sopolis a youth of a noble Family that studied Philosophy under Callisthenes hunting the Wild Bore with Alexander prevented the King by casting his dart first at him for which he was by the Kings command punished with many stripes Troubled at the ignominy thereof he conspired with Sostratus Antipater and some other companions of his to murther Alexander which treason being discovered by Epimenes one of the Conspirators they were all put to death Aristobulus and Ptolemaeus Son of Lagus affirms they accused Callisthenes as him who instigated them to this attempt Hereupon Callisthenes was
deserve the titles of wise-men if we who said to Creet to informe our selves of matters there and into Aegypt to conser with Priests and Astronomers should not likewise make a journey to you Solon also if you think fit will come You who affect home seldome passe into Ionia nor care to enioy the society of strangers we who write nothing spend our time in travelling through Greece and Asia Thales to Solon IF you leave Athens you may in my opinion settle your selfe with those you take along with you at Miletus for here is nothing to trouble you If you dislike that we Milesians are governed by a â—yrant for you are averse to all Monarchs even elective yet may you please your selfe in the society and conversation of me your friend Bias likewise hath sent to invite you to Priene if to abide at Priene please you better we will also come and dwell there with you CHAP. XII His Auditors and Schollers THe first eminent person of those who heard Thales and profess'd his Philosophy was Anaximander sonne of â—raxides a Milesian who flourish'd in the time of Polycrates Tyrant of Samos Next is Anaximenes a Milesian also sonne of Euristratus who according to Eusebius flourished in the second yeare of the 56 th Olympiad He was Scholler to Anaximander and Parmenides But that he heard Thales also he acknowledgeth in an Epistle to Pythagoras We may as in that Epistle Anaximenes doth amongst the disciples of Thales reckon Pythagoras the Samian institutor of the Italick Sect who being from his youth particularly addicted to investigation of Religious mysteries addrest his first journey to Thales at Miletus as to one that best could further his designe being according to Iamblichus not fully 18. yeares old which if we follow the accompt of Euseb. us for his birth the fourth yeare of the seventieth Olympiad and that of Sosicrates for his age eighty yeares for the rest the farther they exceed that time are so much the more incapable of reconcilement will fall about the second yeare of the fifty fourth Olympiad which is the 82. of Thales From Thales he received the Rudiments of that Excellence which he afterwards attained This is acknowledged by Iamblichus Thales saith he entertaind him very kindly admiring the difference between him and other youths which exceeded the fame hee had receiv'd of him After that he had instructed him as well as he was able in the Mathematicks alledging for excuse his old age and infirmity be advis'd him to goe to Aegypt and to converse with the Memphian Priests especially those of Iupiter of whom he himselfe had in his Travells learned those things for which by many he was esteem'd wises and again among other things Thales chiefely advis'd him to husband his time well in respect whereof he aâ—tain'd from wine and flesh onely eating such things as are light of digestion by which meanes he procured shortnesse of sleepe wakefulnesse purity of minde and constant health of body CHAP. XIII of his Death THales having now liv'd to a great age being full of honour and wisedome died in the first yeare of the fifty eight Olympiad when according to Pausanias Erxyclides was Archon as he was beholding the Olympick games opprest with heate thirst and the burden of his yeares which amounted to ninty two Laertius under-reckons him to have lived but eighty seven yeares having before acknowledged his birth to have beene in the first of the 35. Olympiad Petavius over-reckons who makes him live to the end of the 58. which could not be because he died spectator of the Olympick Games Lucian and Sincellus more who say he lived 100 yeares Sosicrates comes nearest to the truth who allowes him to have lived 90. yeares and to have died in the 58. Olympiad for from the first of the 58. is 23. entyre Olympiads The manner of his death gave Laertius occasion to favour him with this Epigram Vewing th' Olympick games Elean Jove Thou didst wise Thales from that his race remove Nigher thy selfe and 't was well done now old He could not well from Earth the Starrs behold He was buried according to his owne appointment in a poore obscure part of the Milesian field where he presag'd that in future times their Forum should be upon his Tomb this distich Narrow the Tomb the fame then heaven more wide Of wisest Thales whom this earth doth hide There was also a statue erected in honour of him bearing this subscription Milesian Thales this doth represent Who all in wise Astrology outwent There were five more of this name mentioned by Demetrius the Magnesiâ—a an orator of Calatis an affected imitator A Painter of Sicyonia of a great spirit The third very antient contemporary with Hesiod Homer and Lycurgus The fourth mentioned by Duris the fift of later times by Dionysius in Criticis Laertius names Pherecydes as a detractour from Thales the Philosopher SOLON CHAP. I. Solon his Parents Country and Condition PHilocles cited by Didymus affirmes that Solon's father was named Euphorion but by the unanimous consent of all other writers he was called Execestides a person though of small fortune and account among the Citizens yet of the most noble family in Athens descended from Codrus Solon deriving himselfe from Neleus son of Codrus and from Neptune His Mother neer of kin to the Mother of Pisistratus his Parents had another Son named Dropides Archon the year after Solon from him was Plato descended Solon was born according to Laâ—rtius at Salamis for which reason he desired at his death that his body might be carried thither but from his Parents and the place of his residence he was sirnamed Athenian His father by munificence and liberality brought his estate so low as to want even necessaries Solon ashamed to receive from any being of a house which used to maintain others betook himselfe to Merchandise others say he travelled rather to improve his knowledge and experience for he was a professed lover of wisdome and even to his last used to say I grow old learning riches he esteemed not much but to grow rich like him who abounds In heaps of gold as in rank corn his grounds In Mules and Horses whilst his numerous wealth Made pleasing by uninterrupted health If to compleat these joyes he be possest Of wife and children he is truly blest And elsewhere Riches I wish not riches that are plac'd In unjust means for vengeance comes at last SOLON Many unjust grow rich and pious poor We would not change our virtue for their store For constant virtue is a solid base Riches from man to man uncertain pass Aristotle ranks Solon amongst the inferior sort of Citizens whiâ—h saith he is manifest from his Elegies meaning perhaps some of these which Plutarch cites Lucian saith he was extreamly poor Palaeologus that he neither had nor valued wealth CHAP. II. How by his means the Athenians took Salamis
so in men no one is perfect what one hath the other wants he who hath constantly most and at last quietly departs this life in opinion O King deserves to bear that name In every thing we must have regard to the end whether it tends for many to whom God dispenceth all good fortunes he at last utterly subverts This story is related by Plutarch also mentioned by Laertius who addes that Croesus being magnificently adorned and seated on his Throne asked him whether he had ever seen any thing more glorious who answered Câ—â—ks Pheasants Peacocks who are much more beautiful in their naturall power Solon after this discourse with Croesus not soothing him or making any esteem of him was dismissed and accounted unwise for neglecting the present good in regard to the future Aesope the writter of fables was at that time at Sardis sent for thither by Croesus with whom he was much in favour he was grieved to see Solon so unthankfully dismist and said to him Solon we must either tell Kings nothing at all or what may please them No saith Solon either nothing at all or what is best for them Thus was Solon much despised by Croesus Afterwards Croesus being taken prisoner by Cyrus was at his command fettered and set upon a great pile of wood to be burned as he was in this posture it came into his minde what Solon had divinely said to him that no living man is happy as soone as he remembred those words he fell into a great defection of Spirit and sighing deeply named Solon thrice which Cyrus hearing commanded the interpreters to aske upon whom he called they went to him and asked he was silent at last pressing him further he answered upon him who I desire above all wealth might have spoken with all tyrants not understaning after much pressure and importunity he told them Solon an Athenian came long since to him and beholdiâ—g all his wealth valued it at nothing moreover that all which he told him had come to passe nor did it more belong to him then to all mankind especially to those who think themselves happy Whilst Croesus said this the fire began to kindle and the outward parts thereof to be seized by the flame Cyrus being informed by an interpreter of all that Croesus said began to relent knowing himselfe to be but a man who delivered another man nothing inferiour to him in wealth to be burned alive fearing to be punished for that act and considering that nothing was certain in human affairs he commanded the fire to be instantly quenched and Croesus and those that were with him to be brought off whomâ— ever after as long as he lived he had in esteem Thus Solon gained praise that of two Kings his speech preserved one and instructed the other Plutarch relates this done in the former ten years travail of Solon upon the finishing of his lawes whence he maketh an Apology for the incongruity thereof with the rules of Chronology which had lesse needed if with Laertius he had placed it after Pisistratus his usurpation of the tyranny Laertius saith he went from hence to Cilicia and built there a Gitty called after him Soleis whither he brought also some few Athenians whose language growing corrupt by that of the country they were said to solaecise of this is the Etymologist doubtlesse to be understood who derives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so read we not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is also attested by Suidas as a distinct relation from that of Cyprus in confirmation whereof Laertius addâ—s the Cilicians were called Solenses the Cyprians Solii CHAP. XII His death HEraclides affirmes Solon lived long after Pisistratus began to raign Lucian that his life extended to a hundred years with whom those best agree who say as Suidas relates he lived in the fiftie six Olympiad but according to Phanias Pisistratus took the Tyranny upon him when Comias was Archon and Solon died Hegestratus being Archon who sâ—cceeded Comias which was in the first year of the fiftie â—ift Olympiad If this latter opinion had not every where taken place of the other the disagreement betwixt the time of Solon's death and Croesus raign had not been urged by many as an argument against the story of their meeting He dyed according to Laertius aged eighty years being as Elian saith very decrepit in Cyprus as is like wise attested by Valerius Maximus and Suidas â— and left order with his friends that they should carry his bones to Salamis there causing them to be burnt sâ—atter the ashes all over the country which story Plutarch though he counts it fabulous acknowledgeth to be attested by many Authors of credit particularly Aristotle Laertius confirms it by the testimony of Craâ—inus who makes him speak thus The Island I inhabit sown As fame reports in Ajax Town That desire of knowledge which he usually profest continued with him to his end confirmed the last day of his life his friends sitting about him and falling into some discourse he raised his weary head and being demanded why he did so he answered that when I have learnt that whatsoever it be whereon you dispute I may die His brothers son singing an ode of Sappho he delighted therewith bad him teach him it and being demanded why that said he I may learn whilst I 〈◊〉 out of this life After his death the Athenians erected his statute in brasse before the checker'd cloister'd in the forum Another was set up at Salamis hiding as Demosthenes and Eschines describe it the hand within the garment in the same habit wherein he used to make speeches to the Athenians perhaps the same that carried this inscription â—am'd Salamis the Persian pride cast down And gave to Solon birth the lawes renown Laertius bestowes this Epigram upon him A sorraign Cyprian fire burn'd Solon yet Salamis keeps his bones their ashes wheat His Soul to heaven mounts with his lawes so light A burthen they not clog but help his flight CHAP. XIII His writinngly 〈◊〉 HIs excellency both in Rhetoratie â—nd Poetry is attested by many Cicero before Solo◠〈◊〉 no man is recorded for eloquence And again Lycurgus and Solon we place in the number of the eloquent Dion Chrysostome Aristides Lycurgus Solon Epaminondas and if there be any other in the same kind ought to be esteemed Philosophers in the common-wealth or Oratours according to ingenious true Rhetorick Aristides Solon is said to have sung those things which concern the Megarenses but neither his Lawes nor Orations which sometimes he made for the rich to the commons sometimes for the commons to the rich did he sing or comprise in verse but used a rhetoricall form excellently demonstrating in all these that he deserved to be esteemed an Oratour and a Wise-man having attained both those titles and faculties As to Poetry Pluâ—â—rch averres he addicted himselfe thereto from the beginning not
most ambitious spirits of the Athenians but it was discovered in neither whilst they covers'd with Socrates either that their youth was not capable of expressing that vice or that they cunningly complled as Xenophon conjectures with Socrates in hopes of being by his conversation enabled to manage their forward designes which as soon as they attempted they left off their friendship with Socrates Critias fell from him and converted his affection into hate because he reproved his love to Euthydenius Alcibiades naturally dissolute was reclaim'd by Socrates and continued such whilist he conversed with him He was of form so exquisite as gave occasion to some to calumniate the friendship betwixt him and Socrates to which effect Aristoxenus is cited by Laertius and Athenaeus and some verses of Aspasia by the latter his vindication we refer to Plato and Xenophon Of Socrates his instructions to Altiâ—iades there are these instances He told him that he was nothing of what a man ought to be that he had no advantage by the greatnesse of his birth above an ordinary Porter whereat Alcibiades much troubled with tears besought him to instruct him in virtuâ— and to reform his vices Perceiving Alcibiades to be exceeding proud of his riches and lands he showed him a Map of the world and bad him find Attica therein which done he desired that he would show him his own lands he answered they were not there Do you boast replies Socrates of that which you see is no considerable part of the Earth Alcibiades being by reason of his youth bashfull and fearfull to make an Oration to the people Socrates thus encouraged him do you not esteem saith he that shoomaker naming him an inconsiderable fellow Alcibiades assenting and so likewise continues he that crier and that tent-maker Alcibiades granting this doth not saith he the Athenian Common-wealth consist of these if you contemn them single fear them not in assembly To these adde The four sons of Crito the Philosopher The oldest Critobulus exceeding handsom and rich but by Socrates who valued his own estate at five minae demonstrated to be poorer then himself The second Hermogenes whom falling into poverty Socrates perswaded Diodorus his friend to entertain The third Epigenes a young man of an infirm body whom Socrates advised to study his own health as that wherein consisted the well-being and knowledge of his mind The youngest Ctesippus Of Poets Euripides as the writer of his life affirmes and Euenus Of Oratous Lysias eminent in that kind easie to be understood hard to be imitated hee came to Athens in the second year of the 82. Olympiad Lysis whom of refractory he made pliant and Isocrates of whom when very young Socrates presaged great things In the number of his Scholars and Auditors were also Adimantus and Glauco sons to Aristo brothers to Plato and Charmides son of Glauco Glauco before hee was 20. years old had taken upon him to be an Oratour and aimed at some great office in the Common-wealth not to be wrought off from this fancy which made him every where appear ridiculous untill adrest by some friends to Socrates who made him acknowledge his own errour ignorance of that which he had undertaken On the contrary his son Glauco of excellent parts fit for any office in the Common-wealth yet timerously shunning all publick affairs was by Socrates induced to undertake the Magistracy Nicostrastus son of Theodotides and his brother Theodotus Aeantodorus and his brother Apollodorus Lysanias Father of Aeschines Chaerecrates brother to Chaerephon betwixt whom there was a great quarrel but reconciled by Socrates Paralus son of Demodocus whose brother was Theages Anâ—ipho a Cephisiean Father of Epigenes with whom hee discourses of self-sufficience teaching gratis and of veracity in Xenophon Eumares a Phliasian and Xenomedes an Athenian Besides these there are with whom Socrates discoursed and instructed Aristodemus sirnamed the little who would not sacrifice pray or use divination but derided all such as did was by Socrates convinc'd Aristarchus troubled that he had a charge of kindred lying upon him by Socrates converted to a willing liberality towards them Eutherus who returning from travell his lands taken away his Father having left him nothing chose rather to follow a trade then to apply himself to friends but diverted by Socrates Diodorus whom Socrates perswaded to take Hermogenes Euthydemus who had collected many sentences of Poets and Sophists thought he excelled all his equalls and hoped no lesse of his superiours was by Socrates constrained to acknowledge his own errour and ignorance and departed much troubled Hippias an Elean with whom Socrates discoursed of Justice Nicomedes Pericles and â—phtcrates with whom he discoursed concerning the office of a General Into the last he infused courage by showing him the Cocks of Midas brustling against those of Callias Theaetetus disputing of knowledge he dismist inspired as it were with divine wisdom Euthyphron who intended to accuse his own Father hee disswaded With Parrhasius a painter Clito a Statuary and Pistias an armourer hee disputes in Xenophon concerning their severall arts CHAP. XVII His writings THey who affirm that Socrates writ nothing as Cicero Plutarch Dion Chrysostom Aristides Origen and others mean inrespect to his Philosophy in which kind he never wrote any thing himself but what he discoursed was committed to writing by Xenophon Plato and others of his Scholers Hence the works of Plato particularly Phaedo went under the name of Socrates and are so cited by Aristotle But that some things were written by Socrates himself is evident from those who affirm He writ together with Euripides and aided him in making Tragedies whence Mnesilochus The Phrygians is Euripides new play But Socrates gave it the best aray And again Euripides is steer'd by Socrates and Callias Now thou with pride and self-conceit ore'stowest But all the cause to Socrates thou ou'est Hither refer wee that of Cicero who saith when Euripides made his play Orestes Socrates revoked the three first verses He writ also Some Fables of Aesop inverse not very elegant mentioned by Plato Plutarch and Laertius beginning thus To those who dwelt in Corinth Aesop said Vertue with vulgar wisdome be not weigh'd A Paean or hymne in honour of Apollo and Diana One that went under his name beginning thus Daelian Apollo and thou fair Diana hail immortall pair is by Dionysidorus denyed to be his This is mentioned also by Plato to which some adde The Encomium of Gryllus son of Xenophon slain in the Mantinean sight which the disagreement of times will not allow more certain it is he framed Dialogues which he gave to Aeschines seeing him in want that he might get mony by them to these adde Epistles some whereof are published by Leo Allatius that he write more is implyed by Arrian and
ho So. What make a woman of him Str. And reason good h' has thrown away his armes And will not â—ight But to what purpose learn I These common trifles So. Not so common neither But come lie down Str. What must I do So. Consider With your selfe the businesse that concernes you Str. Not in this bed I thank you if I must Lie down I le meditate upon the ground So. But here 's no room besides Str. Wretch that I am How I shall be tormented with these â—leas So. Now think into the depth of thy affairs Try every turn and winding every double And if you stick at any thing give 't ore And to some other but be sure you sleep not Str. Oh oh So. How now the matter Str. I am kill'd By these blood-suckers these Corinthians So. Do not torment your selfe Str. How can I choose When I have neither mony left nor colour Scarce life no shooes grown almost to a Ghost With watching So. Now what think y'on nothing Str. Yes By Neptune So. What Str. I 'me thinking if the fleas Will leave a piece of me or not So. Death on thee Str. You might have spar'd your curse I 'm dead already So. Fy fy you must not be so tender cover Your face and study for some subtle cheat Str. Would I could learn to cheat these wicked fleas So. Let 's see what does he what asleep ha'ye thought Of nothing yet Str. What would you have me think on So. What would you learn Str. I 've told you that already A thousand times I 'd learn to pay no use-mony So. Come then cover your self and subtilize Your thoughts dissect your businesse into Atomes Str. Alasse So. Ly still and if you stick at any thing Passe by 't a while and come to it again Str. Ho my dear Socrates So. What is 't old man Str. I have found out that will do 't So. As how Str. First tell me Where I may meet with some Thessalian witch For I would steal the Moon one of these nights And having got her lock her in a chest As charily as I would keep a glasse So. What wilt thou get by that Str. What if the Moon Ne'r rise again I 'me bound to pay no use So. How so Str. 'Cause use you know is paid by th'Month So. 'T is well but I 'le propound another businesse Suppose that you were tyed upon a statute To pay five Talents could you rase figures Str. I know not but I 'le try So. You must not limit Your thoughts so narrowly within your selfe But like a beetle fetter'd in a thread Allow them play and flutter in the air Str. I ha 't I ha 't the rarest way to cancell A deed as you 'l confesse when you have heard it So. What iis't Str. Did you nere see at any Grocers A clear transparant stone with which they use To kindle fire So. You mean a burning-glasse Stro. The very same So. What wouldst thou do with it Str. Whilst that the Scrivener writes the deed d' ee mark Thus standing by him with my burning glasse Against the Sun I 'l burn out every letter So. Wisely by all the Graces Str. How I long To cancell thus a bond of fifty pound So. 'T is well now tell me if thy adversary Sue thee and thou art like to be orethrown For want of witnesses how wilt thou ' void His suit Str. Most easily So. Which way Str. Before It comes to judgement I would hang my self So. Push thou sayst nothing Str. Yes by love there 's none Will prosecute a suit against the dead So. Away thou fool'st I 'l teach no more Str. Why dear Socrates Why So. Thou forget'st as fast as thou canst learn Tell me the first thing thou wert taught to day Str. The first stay let me see the first thing say you How call you that we use to put our meal in Wretch Iv'e forget it So. See deserv'st thou not Forget full to be punish'd for a dunce Str. Alasse what shall I do for if I learn not The cheating language I am quite undone Good Clouds advise me what course I shall take Cho. If an ingenious son thou hast at home Thou hadst best send him hither in thy room Str. I have a son and he 's ingenious too But will not learn the more my misery Cho. And wilt thou suffer 't Str. Of a promising person His mother is a woman of great spirit Once more I le try if he refuse i'I make No more adoe but turn him out of dores Stay but a while I will be quickly back Act. 3. Strepsiâ—des Phidippides Socrates Str. NOw by the Clouds thou staist no longer here Hence and go feed in Megacles his stable Ph. Alasse what fury hath possest you Father By Iove I think you are besides your self Str. See see he swears by Iove art thou not mad At these years to believe there is a Iove Ph. Is truth to be derided Str. Well I see Th' art still a Child and credit'st old wives tales But come I will tell thee that shall make thee A man so you be sure to tell it no body Ph. Pretty what is 't Str. Thou swor'st e'en now by Iove Ph. I did so Str. See how good it is to learn There 's no such thing as Iove Ph. What then Str. A whirlwind Hath blown Iove quite away and rules all Heaven Ph. What fooleries are these Str. They 're serious truth son Ph. Who tells you so Str. Our Socrates the Melian And Chaerephon that trace the steps of fleas Ph. How are you grown to such a height of madness As to believe such melancholy dreamers Str. Good words defame not men of such deep wisdom And subtle spirits these live sparingly Are never at the charges of of a Barber Unguents or Baths whereas thou wasts my means As freely as if I were dead already Come then and be their scholler in my room Ph. What can be learnt that 's good of such as they are Str. All things that are accompted wisdom Boy And first to know thy self and what a dunce Thou art how blockish rustick and forgetfull But stay a little cover thy face a while Ph. Alasse my fathers mad what shall I do Accuse him to the Court of folly Be speak a Coffin for him for he talks Idly as he were drawing on Str. Come on now Let 's see what that Ph. A Pigeon Str. Good and that Ph. A Pigeon Str. Both the same ridiculous Take heed you make not such mistakes hereafter This you must call a Cock and that a Hen. Ph. A Hen Is this the goodly learning Father You got since your admission 'mongst these earth-wormes Str. This and a great deal more but being old I soon forget what I am taught Ph. I think 'T was want of memory made you lose your cloak Str. No 't is hung up upon the arts and sciences Ph. And where your shooes Str. Lost for the common good Like Pericles But
Besides mark how the Cocks and other creatures Fight with their sires who differ not at all From us save only that they make no lawes Streps. Why then if you will imitate the Cocks Do you not dine upon a Dunghill and Lodge in a hen-roost Phid. 'T is not all one case Our Socrates doth not approve so far Streps. Approve not then their sighting but in this Thou plead'st against thy selfe Phid. How so Streps. Because Th' authority I exercise o're thee Will be thine own when ere thou hast a son Phid. But if I ne'r have any then I never Shall have authority and you will go To th' grave deriding me Streps. 'T is too much reason Phid. Hear now another argument Streps. I 'me lost Phid. And then perhaps you 'l take the blowes I gave you Not halfe so ill Streps. What good shall I get by them Phid. I 'le bent my mother too Streps. What sayest thou thou Why this is worse then t'other Phid. What if I Prove by the second language that I ought Streps. Why then you will have nothing more to do But prove that you and your wise Socrates And wiser language may hang all together O Clouds all this I suffer through your means For I in you wholly repos'd my trust Chor. Thy selfe art author of this misery Because to ill thou didst thy mind apply Streps. Why did you then give me no warning of it You know I was a rude and aged man Chor. This is our custome whensoere we find Any to malice or deceit enclin'd Into some dreadful mischief such we thrust That they may fear the Gods and learn what 's just Streps. Alasse this is a mischief and a just one For I ought not when I had borrow'd mony To seek out wayes t' avoid restoring it Come then my son let us be reveng'd Upon that wicked Socrates and Châ—â—raephon Who have abus'd us both Phid. I will not wrong My Masters Streps. Reverence Celestiall Iove Phid. Celestiall Iove see how you rave now father There 's no such thing as Iove Streps. There is Phid. A whirle-wind Hath blown Iove quite away and rules all Streps. No son he 's not expell'd I was but fool'd To worhip in his room a fictile deity Phid. Nay if you will needs be mad be mad alone Scoen. 3. Strepsiades Streps. MAd that I was to trust in Socrates And cast off all our Gods good Mercury Be not displeas'd or punish but forgive me That took such paines and studied to talk idly And tell me what I 'de best do with these fellowes Sue them or punish'em some other way Th' art in the right I will not sue them then But as thou bidst me set their Nest on fire Come Xanthias come a fork and ladder quickly Get up and pluck the house about their Ears Quick if thou lovest thy master one of you Go light a torch and bring it hither strait Proud as they are I mean to bring 'em lower Scoen. 4. Scholar Strepsiades Socrates Chaerephon Schol. OH oh Strep. Torch to thy work set fire apace Schol. What art thou doing man Streps. That which I'm doing Disputing somewhat hotly with your school here Schol. Alasse who 's this that sets our house on fire Streps. He whom you cosen'd of his cloak Schol. Thou kill'st Thou kil'lst us man Streps. That is the thing I mean If my fork hold and ladder do not fail me So. How now what do you make on our house-ridge Streps. I walk i' th air and gaze upon the Sun So. Alasse I 'm choak'd Streps. Why dost thou scorn the Gods then Chaer. Oh me I burn Streps. Now you mayâ— calculate The motions of the Moon tear pluck beat burn 'em For many reasons they deserve the flame But most because they did the Gods disclaim XENOPHON XENOPHON CHAP. I. Xenophon his Country Parents and following of Socrates Xenophon was an Atheniâ—n son of Cryllus of the Erchiean Tribe The time of his birth is no where expressely delivered Stesiclides affirms he died the first year of the 105. Olympiad Lucian that he outlived 90. years whence it is evident that hee was born at or before the first year of the 82. Olympiad which if the learned Causabone had observed he had not alter'd Athenaeus upon supposition that he was but ten years old the fourth year of the 89. Olympiad the time of his Symposium whereas he was then no lesse then 36. years of age Laertius saith he flourished the fourth year of the 94. Olympiad Suidas reads of the 98. Or according to others that he flourished in the 89. Olympiad with the rest of the Socratick Philosophers of whom he became one upon this accident Meeting Socrates in a narrow lane hee stopt him with his staffe and asked him where all kind of meats were to be sold to which Socrates made a serious answer and then demanded of him where it was that men were made good and virtuous whereat Xenophon pausing follow me then saith he and learn from thence forward he became a Disciple of Socrates In the time of that great war betwixt the Lacedaemonians and Athenians called the Peloponnesian war the naturall forwardnesse of his spirit being perhaps excited by the example of his Master Socrates hee was personally engaged in the fight before Delium the first year of the 89. Olympiadâ— wherein the Boeotians overcame the Athenians in which defeat Xenophon in the flight unhorsed and thrown down Socrates who his horse being likewise slain under him fought on foot took him upon his shoulders and and carried him many furlongs untill the Enemy gave over the pursuit This was the first essay of his military profession which he afterward resum'd upon this occasion CHAP. 2. Vpon what occasion he followed Cyrus into Asia ARtaxerxes succeeded Darius his Father in the Kingdom of Persia Cyrus his younger brother having been sent for out of his Government of Lydâ—a upon his fathers sicknesse which is that first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 placed by the Arundelian stone in the second year of the 93. Olympiad confounded by a learned person with the latter six years after was imprison'd by his brother upon the accusation of Tissaphernes but released by the mediation of his Mother Parysaâ—is Being returned to his Government he used all secret means to strengthen himselfe the Ionian Cities were delivered to Tissaphernes by Artaxerxes but revolted to him all except Myletus His pretences for levying forces were the Garrisoning of those Cities and his opposing Tissaphernes Clearchus likewise raised for him many in Chersonesus upon pretence of warring against the Thracians He privately also kept an Army on foot in Thessaly under Aristippus and Proxenus of Boeotia brought him forces as against the Pisidians this Proxenus who had been scholar to Gorgias the Leontine and guest to Xenophon sent to invite him to Cyrus assuring him he should be of more esteem with him then of his own Country Xenophon
writing once communicated to many is irrecoverable Plato though absent is much admired throughout Italy and Sicily for his treatises but wee cannot be perswaded they deserve any study I am not onely carefull of losing the honour due to learning but tender also of Socrates lest his virtue should incur any prejudice by my ill relation of it I conceive it the same thing to calumniate or not praise to the full those of whom we write This is my fear Cebes and Simmias at present untill my judgement shall be otherwise inform'd Fare ye well AESCHINES CHAP I. His life AESCHINES was son of Charinus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as Plato and others of Lysanias an Athenian of the Sphetâ—ian Tribe He was from his childhood very industrious addressing himselfe to Socrates he said to him I am poor and have nothing to give you but my selfe Do you not know answered Socrates that you have made me a rich present He was the most diligent of all his Schollers and never quitted him whereupon 〈◊〉 said that he only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valued him He was not beloved of Plato nor Aristippus I domeneus saith it was he who counselled Socrates to escape out of Prison which Plato ascribes to Crito Being very poor Socrates bad him take some of his Dialogues and make mony of them which Aristippus suspecting when he read them at Megara derided him saying how came you by these Plagiary Another time Aristippus falling out with him was question'd what became of his â—â—iendship he answered it is asleep but I will wake it and meeting Aeschines do I seem so inconsiderable to you saith he and unfortunate as not to deserve correction It is no wonder answers Aeschines if your nature exceeding mine in every thing find out first what is expedient Instigated by poverty he went to Sicily to Dionysius the Tyranâ— at what time Plaâ—o and Aristippus were there Plato being out of favour with the Tyrant took occasion by presenting Aeschines to ingratiate himselfe He desired he might be admitted to speak with him which the â—yrant granted supposing â—e would alledge something in defence of himselfe as soon as he came into his presence he began thus If you knew Dionysius ofiany that came with a hostile intent to do you hurt though he fail'd of the â—ccasion would you suffer him to depart unpunished Noâ—hing lesse answered Dionysius for not only the ill actions but designes of enemies deserve to be chastized Then replies Plato if any man should come hither out of an intent to do you a good office and you not 〈◊〉 him leave ought you to neglect and despise him Dionysius demanded whom be meant Aeschines saith he a person of as 〈…〉 of Socrates his friends able to reform those with whom be converseth who having undertaken a great voyage by sea to come hither and discourse Philosophically with you is neglected Dionysius was so pleased at this that he embraced Plato admiring his candor and greatnesse of spirit and entertained Aeschines bountifully and magnificently Thus Plutarch but Luertius saith that Aeschines comming thither was despised by Plato and recommended by Aristippus the latter the Socratick Epistle confirmes to Dionysius he imparted some Dialogues and was gratified by him with whom he lived untill he was deposed and Dion brought into the Kingdome then returned to Athens where not daring to professe his Philosophy because the names of Plato and Aristippus were so great he taught and took mony privately at last applyed himselfe to framing orations for the Forum in which Timon saith he was very perswasive Lyâ—â—as wrote one Oration in answer to him intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or according to Athenaeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein he asperseth him for many things which are not any way probable as besides patronizing an unjust cause and borrowing without intent to restore for pretending to sell unguents contrarie to the lawes of Solon and precepts of Socrates and for injuring Hermaeus his wife and children see Athenaeus Aristole sirnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was his intimate friend Laertius reckons eight of this name the first this Aeschines the Philosopher the second wrot of Rhetorick the third an Oratour contemporary with Demosthenes the fourth an Arcadian scholler to Isocrates the fifth of Mitelene sirnamed Rhetoromastix the sixt a Neopolitan an Academick Philosopher disciple to Melanthâ—us a Rhodian the seventh a Milesian who wrot Politicks friend to Cicero the eight a statuary CHAP. II. His writings HE wrot Dialogues Orations and Epistles by the first Athenaeus affirms he gained a great esteem of temperance humanity and integrity Menedemus accuseth him of owning many Dialogues of Socrates which he had of Xantippe Panaetius believes them to be his own not counterseit those saith Laertius which expresse the Socratick habit are seven the first Miltiades written in a lower stile the second Callias wherein he is blamed by Athenaeus for treating of the enmity betwixt Callias his fathers and for deriding Anaxagoras Prodicus in their scholars Theramenes Philoxenus and Ariphrades The third Rhinon the fourth Aspasia cited by Athenaus and Harpocration the fifth Alcibiades cited also by Athenaeus The sixth Axiochus wherein saith Athenaeus he traduceth Alcibiades as given to Wine and women which particular not being to be found in that Axiochus extant amongst the spurious Platonick Dialogues argues contrary to the opinion of Vossius that it is not the same The last Telauges the scope whereof was a Satyricall derision of the vices of that person as appeareth from Demetriâ—s Phalereus and Athenaeus There were seven other Dialogues stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which went under the name of Aeschines very loose and not expressing enough the Socratick severity whence Pisistratus the Athenian denyed that they were his and Perseus saith the greatest part were written by Pasiphon of Eretria falsely mingled with the Dialogues of Aeschines their names according to Suidas were Phaedon polyanus Dracon Eryxias perhaps that which is extant of Vertue Erasistratus the Scythians His Oâ—aâ—ions gave full testimony of his perfection in Rhetorick in confirmation whereof Laertius instanceth that in defence of the father of Phaeacus the Generall and those wherein he thiefly imitated Gorgias the Leontine of which Philostratus cites that concerning Thar gelia Of his Epistles one to Dionysius the Tyrant is mentioned by Laerâ—ius as extant in his time another there is under his name amongst the Socratick Epistles in these words Assoon as I arived at Syracuse Aristippus met me in the Forum and taking me by the hand carried me immediately to Dionysius to whom he said Dionysius if a man should come hither to insinuate folly into you did he not aim at your hurt to which Dionysius consenting what then continues Aristippus would you do to him the worst answâ—rs Dionysius that could be But if anyone saith he should come to improve you in wisdome did he not aim at your