I ♦ DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %oom ' MM III , V . ,,«« . J« ■ ' " • ' " ' i v i im**m*mmmmmmmmm FIVE BOOKES. Of PHILOSOPHICAL!, CO MF OR T, FVLL Of Chriftian confolation, writ- tea liooo, yeeres fince. r ByAnitim y ManHus f Tor not fo miich to fee if mod parts be much ] as if any bee leffe beautiful!. VvVigh if iri all things and at all times /you haue triicly preferred the veritie of goo'd- ncfle of God, afore the vanitie of vice of the world ': "if vouhauc, continue thereinto '' ' much D EDICATOR IE. much more carefully, as remaines for you a leffe time of this comberfome carefulneffe. If you haue not, bee carefull now in your laft times at the leaft in the principall points to begin your iourney with fuch alacrities with much fpeed to make perhaps a long way in a fhort time. This is the greater? good I your poore Client can with you, this is the powerfulleft patronage and high- eft commendation you can procure to this Booke 5 that your ielfe doe vertuoufly no leffe effeft in will and worke, then your late louedLorddidaffe&itin word and vnder- ftanding. With the which wifh to the tich:ft feruice my pouer- tie can reach vnto^ I remaine. 7 our moji mum but not lea/l denoted ferum I. T. 344006 JL To the Reader, !^T is an old faying^ and notfo old as true, that vi- no vcndibili non eft jj opus hxdcu : I vould it We as true, that the beH thinges are ah" ay mojiejleemed, then J Ivould not doubt but that this golden booke o/Boethius -youldbein great requett ; for I cannot imagine } tybat fault any man can find ytitb it, that is delighted with Vertue. The fibtefi of this (Difcwrjeu true Felici* Ve y the tay to it, and the remouingof all impediments, jitt this is expla* ned To the Reader. ned by Ttyetoricall zp Thihfopbicatldif- courjes. Jnd leaji any thing Jhould bee w anting f he (poetical Mufes are not ex* eluded; Thus are all difpojitions fat if - fied y and profite ioyned Tvith delight. Wherefore well^e may fay of this wor- thy Autbour: OmnetulJt|>un&um, qui mifcuic vtile du\c\ m Jndyet this I Itilladde more ; that the noble , learned and pyous Vits and minds ffrill take mo ft bene file and pled fire hi Boethiiis. The reafonis y for that fimilis furriii gau- det j Who more noble then Anitius ManUus To;quatU5 Seuerinus ;] (hcefeloeof that family deferued not to be Confuls. ' Anil they w re worthy of the golden cbayifefince their Champion ivonne it in the fields Titus Manlius I Imean'e ^hdtooh it from his French Challengers necke \ and put it about his oTvne, thereby he purchafed tohimfelfe and bis pofteritie > the /yr name of Tot* ; 'q'uatus, I To the Reader. quatus. Jnd by another no lejje ad- mirable afi of iuflice, came to bee called SeiKvinus.notJparingbisoWieconque- rinith fuch faults as cannot eafity be amended- Though thus much alfo I doe affure thee } tha tit >/7/ be more pleaftng to the Tranflatour ,to fee his labour rather amended then commended. As likewifehee will take it more in patience, to haue it carped at , then corrupted. Vale & ft u ere. x o TOTHEYONG Gentlemen Readers, concerning the Title of this as their flates decline. 7 boucctttdft net in thy toy es haue pleas' dvs fi f As with this worh y which to thy grief e we owe. To To the friendly Reader. Sonnet. W Hat need my br.e\ to recommend thefeleaues, So frequently by learned bands perutd^ As that J fear e they'll feeme to be ahus'd^ Since cuftomarie prAtfe fufpition rvcaues. For I miftrufl a gorgeous Front ifpice, Of mercenary ptnns. If thou doefffo, And art vnlearn'd, to better ceunfellgoe* l % thou, nor any can thinke that amijfe. And lettered th ugh thou bee 1 ft, here mayfl thou find, Whatower volumes haue not, for thy good : Somepafja^es explained of that kind As are % atfirft, not eafily vndtrflood. Friend \ lot xoiththankes our Author be rewarded, Whogaincs, nor fame, but thy good hath regarded. C. G. T IT p FIR ST BOOKE Of Boetjvs. Containing his Complaint and Mileries. Th eI. Veru. Wherein 'Boetius belbailetb his ejlate. I That with youthful/ hate didverfes write, LMufl now my woes in dolefull tunes endite y My wort^e isframd by CAtufes tome an 4 rude t And my fad cheek* are with true t tares bedew d For thefe alone no terrour could affray. From being partners of my weary way, 3 My Jin — i m » j » j. i TSoetius his My happy an a ac light f ullages glory y Is my [vie wmfort Jtcmg old and for y, Old age through grief* makes V*expe Bed haft, *And Sorrow in mjyearet her jignes bathplac't, Vrkimdj hoarjh&res cow r my head, Andnty fofe s ty quakes on myflejb halfe dead y V (amy death i thst J f parethpveetefiyeares % And comet, tn farrow often catfd with teases. : dUs bow deaf e is he to wretches cries - /indtnly he ts to ilo;e yp weannv count me fortunate* He tb,a isj.tuu y nc\;fiot>dwJetledJ}ate. '; The I. Prose- Containing the defcrittion of Tbihjophy. ^^[SjSHilc ! ruminated chefc ^AAV^J mddciermiacdco fee oAMfiTi or en my worul com A ■—^ "*— 'plaint m wnting ; mc , thought T ! nlofophicall Comfort. Mufes Handing about my bed, and luggeftin^ wordes to my teares,be- ing moued for a little {pace, and inflamed with angry lookes- who ffaythfiiee) hath permitted thefe Tragical harlots to haue aceefle to this ficke man? which will not onelv not comfort his Ptiefes with wholefome remedies, but alfo nourifh them with fugredpoyfbn; for thefe be they, which with the fruitlefle thornes of u affeftions doe kill the fruitful crop of reafon, and doe accuftome mens minds to ficknefle, and notfreethem. But ifyour flattery did depriue vs of fome prophane fellow, as com- monly it happeneth , I fliould thinke ., that it were not Co grieucu - fly to be taken/or in him our labors fhcnld receiue no harme. But now you haue laid hand of him, who B $ hath « This is tlie com- mon fault or Poets, to fcedeand nourifh pafsiona- gainft rcilon. 'Boetius bis * l : Ica r icis - f L Ira, the Citv wher Jrifictle fturil£d. J Note the forcf ot a {'rr.ue re» prekenfies i Gwcfefc tejrporal !ofic« dark ncth an«j ^ullcth rj- «ndciftan- a Tke way to be con*. fortcdis :c glKC CSTCt< good cour. hathbecne brought vp in x Peiipa- ceticall , and Academicall ftu^ dies: but rather gee you gone, >ou Syrens pleafant cuen to de* fhuition, and leate him to my Mules to be cured and healed.That company being thus checked., o- uer come with guefe, calling their eyes vpon tie grounded lewray- ?r,gtheir baflhfulncffe with bin fib ■n;:,vvent fadly away .And I,whofe fight was dimmed w ith teares,fo thatlcouJdnot diiccrne what this woman might be, fo imperious, and cfiuch authority, was aftoni- fhed^nc fixing my countenance v- pen the earth, began to expedt with filence what flicc would doe af- terward . Then (he comming nigher fate downe at my beds feet : and beholding my countenance fad with mourning, and caft vpon the ground Tb ilofophi call Comfort. \ \ ground with griefe^comphined of the perturbation of my mind with thefc veifcs. The IL Verse, P/ylofpbj hftoayieih the pertur- bation of Boetius bis mind. A/ arjjcyp thj d»llmindis headlong cafi Indepti es ofwoe y whcre all her light once loft, She doth to waJkc in Vtter darhenes bafij While cares grow great with earthlj tempers toft. He,tb*t through ttioyned he Anns didfree/j rnnne 7 And vf'd to trauatle i k e calcftiaJiwayes, Marking the rofie fplendorofthejurrne, And noting fonthiacs cold andwatrj rayes* He that did brandy comprehend m verje, The different fpfares 9 and wandrwg courfe of flats 9 ie that 79 as wont the canfesto rehtarfe^ Why founding wtnds doe with the feasm thenars, Whatfpmt moues the worlds well jet led frame. And wh y the Sunne,wbc me forth the Soft doth bring In wefterne wanes do th hide his falling {Lime, Searchingw hat power tempers the plea jir/gfpring, Which m*kl s the earth htr ro fie flowers to be arc* Whofe gift it ts : t hat Atmmy.es fruitful fetfeti, B 4 Should ^Boeiius his a The fore (aid fpecu- lation. b AfFeclion tu earthly things and Should with (all grapes flow in a plenteous jeare, Telling offecret Nature every reafon. New hamng loft the a beauty »flAs wind. Lies with his nc eke compasi in ponderous b chaincs^ His countenance with he any rvaight decltri d Him to c behold the fu lien earth cor ft r aims. the pulsions which enfuc thereof, c To thbkcvpon earthly things' a 7he intel- lectual and Cardinall, >r morall venues. Th e II. Pr ose. (phjlofophy enquireth ofBoetius bis difeafe. Vt it is rather t ; me (faith flie) to apply remedies 7 then to make complaintes : And then looking wiflilyvponmej Art thou he( faith flie) which being long fincc nur* fed with our mhke, and brought vp with our nourifhments, wert come to mans eftate? but we had giuen thee fuch a weapons, as if thou haddeft not caft them away, would Thtlofophicali Comfort. would hauemade theeinuincible: Doeft thou not know me? whv doefl: thou not fpeake?Is it fhame- faftnefTe or vnfenfiblcncflc that makes thee filent? I had rather it were fhamefaftneffe, but I perceiue ^hou art b:comc vnffnfible. And feeing me not onely filent, but al- together mu:e and durnbe; fayre andejifily fhe laid her handvpon my breafts faying, c there is no dan- ger, heisina d Let ! iargie.thecom- mondifeafeofdeceiued minds: he hath a little forgot himfelfe, bu t he will eafily remember hinfelfe a- gaine, ifhebe brought to know vs Hrii To which end, letvs a little wipe his eyes, dimmed with the cloud of morcall things. And ha uing laid thus, with a e corner of her garment fhee dried my eyes which were wet with teares* The b Shame. faftaeffe cautcth on- ly filtrce, vi'enf:He- oefletakett] iwav boih pcech and memory; c He is an illPLylm* on who de fpayreth o his - cure. Sct?/.c/e t Clem. d Foreer- fulnetfe. 5 Some rulgar ten- teiKCi which he could iiotaltoge -.her fcrgc. 'Boetim his T h e II L Verse. Horn (Boetius beran to rtconcr hh knowledge and memory , T Hen fled the night anddarkenci did me /eaue y Mine eyes the ir r.ofittdflrenvh receive : As kk hen theji^rres vei\hdre.yv their hajlj b^rJ y IfhcaiiK ore; aft with cUudesdoeft^nd x The Sume doth iwkefhe earth receuuth mght y Before the ttme of ftr4iry } ir.ht> But iffitne B^redsfm tjrem ihrace wthe nay For the reftartng of the day, Pk«.bfiS yrithjrefi mdjodtjne hewes doth rife, S mktng » tth light our wvndrwg eyes . Te e HI. Pros e. JrioTv tpeperfecutionoflViJemcni? no ne"%> orftrange thing. r N like manner the mills of fadnefle dii- folued I came to my felfe, and recouered my Judgement 5 io that Thdojophicall C ofnfort 4 that I knew my Bhyfitfaks face; wherefore caftingminc eyes vpon herfomewhat ftedfaftiy ? I beheld my nude Tbilofoply, m wholt houfe I had remained from my yourh,and I faid : O Miftrcffe of all vermes, forwhatcaufcarttho/ come from 2 heauen into this our folitarybanifhmcnt?art thou come to bcare me company in being fal- fly accufed l Should i (faith fhe) foifakethee myDifciple, and not deuidc the burthen,which thou heaieftforenuyto my name , by partaking ot thy Uboui? ButfP&fo- fophy thought it not lawfull to for- iakethe innocent in his trouble. Should I feareany accufation? as though this were any new matter? fordoeft thou thinke, that this is the firft time, that Wifedome hath been expofed to danger by wicked men ? aPnilofo- iihofGoo ^B'etimhts b He was ^ut todeati it Allans bv snttus, ror ac- knowled- ging one Godand he immor- taiicy of the ^ouje. c Falfe opi- nions ai~ ledge (ofrit fc ntences ol Philofo phieina wrcng fcife. menrHaue we not in ancient times before our Platoes acre , h:d often- times great confli&s wi ch the rafi» nefleol folly? and while he liuecL had not his Mafler h Socrates the vi- ctory of an vniuft death in my pre- fence, whole inheritance, when af- terward the Epicures, Stoikes, and others, ^euery one for his own left) endeuoured to vfurpe, and a£ it were in part of their pray, fought to draw mc to them, exclaiming and ftriuing againft them^they tore the garment which I had woucn with my owne hands, and hauing gotten fome little peeces of lt^thin- kingmetobe wholy in their pof- fefsion, departed. Amongft whom, becaufe e certainefignes of my ap- parell appealed, indifcretion lup- pofing that they were my familiar friendes. hath peruertcd aid drawn many Thilofa hie all Comfort. many into the error softhofe pro- phanemulcitudes.But if thou haft noc heard of the flight of d jinaxa- $4ras\ the po) (on of Socraw, nor the torments of e Zeno^ becaufe they a~e forrai ne examples 5 yec thou maieil haueheard of f CantMr&feSe- neca y ok h Soranus, whofernemory is both frelh and famous, whome nochin^elfebroughttotheit ouer- throw^butthattheyhad been in- truded in our fchoole, and were altogether difliking to the humors of wicked men; wherefore thou haftnocat'letomaruailc, if in the (ca of this life webetoffed with boyfterousflprmes,whofe chiefed: purpofeis to difpleafe the vyicked : Of which though there be an huge armie, yet it is to be dcfpsled, be- cause it is not gouerned by any k Captaine, bat is carried vp and downe a i c was conftrayn* to flic for denying tl Cm e to h i o d . -He was pounded i a morter jj> atyraat whomc he' impugned. f A Poet puttod~a by Cat 0i the Eiupc rour 5 Neroes Schoole- maftcr.wh. cauls d bin to bleed t< dea;h. h Afamou Poetac- knowled* <*ingGod> v.is cru- cfied b y (orne wic- ked iren„ i Thed L- pleafure o( die «rkked is rather to Sc dcHred then feared. k Becuie they folio v notreaiou. ^Boetms bis lRi?kt reg- ion. m Thcottei powers or the Souk. n Of VeaiK and ;oa- tcinj latjt Ttn?po' downe by ph^maiiicall Errour withoutany order at all And if at anytimetheyaflailevs with gr^a ter force, l our Capcaine rccireth 11 her bands into n a Caftle , kauing them occipitd in facking vnpro* fitablebaraaae. And from ab>ue welaugh them to (corn for fceking lo greedily after mo ft vile thngs being iafe from all their ^uriou . fTar-lc^ and fortified wirh thatde* fence .which afpiring Folly cannot preua It aga nft. The IIII. Vers e. Hole'tye may reft (I the per j edition of the picked. WHo mildly can hit *ga dtfpofe, And at his feet pro *i d?jtiny throwes : 'Vho jfontl) do-Jj each chance behold, Keeping his countenance vnconirolldl \ r ot km the Oceans ra9c,andthre4t. Sttrrui? Thilofopbicall Comfort, Stirring the warns with angry be at e t Nor hoate a Ve f e u us» he n be ca ffs From broken bilks enframed bLs~ls\ Ni rfij/j thunder can difmay^ tVhicb t*kes the taps of tor? err away. Way doefi'rce tyrants vs affright ^ Wbofe rage ts fa--re beyond their mifht* For nothing hope nor feare thou bar -me , So their T&eak* rvrath thou Jb alt difarme: Bnt be w borne hope or terror ta^p% Being * fl.me bis fhi eld for fakes \ And leaurs hi tplace^and doth pro aide A chdinej&berewitb bis hanas are tide* The.IIII.Prose. £ oetius dlfcoueretb the caufcs of his grief e. Nderftandcft thou thek things (faith fliej and doe they make itnprdsion m thyrnind?Art thou^^Wp^V whv wecpcftthou? whyfteJdeftchou fo many teares ? '4^^^%^ If thou expc&dt to be cured, thou mud * A. moua rune by Naples. Lyr r tm. Ehqverejn re: * Ites sn- c Bcetius his * Tlic firfl caufeot Boettusb.is grief e was hisb^nifh- nentand mifuy. muftdilcoicr thy wound* Then Icolleding the forces of my mind togecher , made her anfwere in thefewotds. Doth the cruelty of fortunes rage neede further decla- ration, ordoth it not iufficiently appeareofitlelfe? doth not the ve- ry countenance of this 'place rnoue thee? Is this the Library, which thcuthy felfc hadft cho(en to fu inacmyhoufe?in which thou haft oftcnt mesdifcourfed with me of the knowledge of diuineand hu p maine things? Had 1 this attire or countenance, whcnliearchcd the i ecrets of Nature with thee, when thou defenbedft vnto me the couiicofche flaires with thy Geo- metricallrod, when thou d ddeff frame my conuerla ion, and th< m ner of my whole life •according to thepacterncoi the cjeleftiaU or- d.r. < Philofophicali Comfort* Jcr. Are thefe the b rewardss, which chy obedient feruants haue? Bat chou diddeft decree that fentence by the mouth of Tlato; that com- mon weakhes fliould' be happy, if either the Students of wifedom did goucrne them, or thofe which were appointed to goueiae them, would oiue themleiues to the ftudy of vviledomc. Thou by the fame Philofopher diddeft admonifh vs, that it is a fufficicnt caufefor wife- men to take vpon themfelues the gouemement of the common- wealth, left if the rule of Cities were left in the hands of iewd and wicked Citizens,they (hould work the fubucrfion and ouerthrow of the good. Wherfore following this authorityjdeured to practife that by publike adminiftratioa which I had learned of dice in priuate con- C ference. b I he ft cone caafe.be- caufc he had not defcrucd them, ha- iling a good inter rion m a: mitring froar.QiioL J 'Boetius his c Thirdly, hedeferueo the contra ference. Thou and God himfclfe who hath inferred thee in the minds of the wife^are my witneffes, that nothing but the common de- fire of all good men,brought me to be a Magistrate. This hath beene A One of king Theo- iioncus hi. cMefeft fa uoritcs; « Another the c caufe of mygneuous and ir- reconcileable d fagreements with wicked men, and that which free- dom of conscience carrieth with it, ofcontemningthe indignation of Potentates for the defence of ip- ftice. How often haue I encounte- red with i Qmigajliis ; violently pof 1 (efsing himfelfe withpoore mtns goods? How often haue I put backe e TrwdlU Prouoft of the Kings houfe from iniuries which he had begunne. yea and finifhed alfo? How often haue I protected by putting my authority in dan- ger, fuch poore wretches, as the vnpu- ThilofophicaU Qpmfort. \ IO ; vnpunifhedcouetoufiiefTe of the 1 barbarous didvexe with infinite reproches? Neuer did any man draw me from right to wrongs It gtieued me no k(Te then them which fuffered it, to fee the vvealrh ofourSubie£te wafted^partly with priuate pillage, and partly by pub- like tributes. When in the time of a great dearth things were let at fo exctfliueand vnreafonable a rate, that the Prouinceof Campania was like to bee alcogether iropoueri- riflied for the common good, I ftucke not to contend with the chiefe Pmor himiehe, and the maiter was dilcuffed before the king, and I preuailed To farre, that it went not forward. I drew Pauli- nus^ who had beenConfull,outof the very mouth of the gaping Courtiers, wholike rauenous curs, C 2 had fTte Gothcs. — 1*mm**9m>~mm . t ' jmi ' n m 'Boetius his l The fourth catifcof his gri^Cjihe bsfcnes Oi his accufers and the o- peniniu- ftice or bis accufation. had already in hope and ambition deuoured his riches. That Mbinus who had likewife heene Conful, might not be punifhed vpon p;e- fumptions and falie accufation, I expofed my felfe to the hatred of Cjf rian his zeeafcr. May 1 feeme ro haue prouoked enmity enough againfl my felfe? But others fhould To much the more haue procured myiafecy^fincethat for the loue I haretoiuftice^leftmy felfe no way by the meanes of Courtiers to b^ iafe. "But by whofe accufations didlreceiue this blow? by theirs, who, long fince hailing put 'Ba/il out of the kings feruice, comp elled himnowtoaccufe me, by the ne- cefsity which he was driuen to by debt. Opilio likewife and Gaudmti- us being banifhed by the kings de creej for theiniuries 'and manifold deceites, Thilofophicall Comfort. deceites, which they had commit- ted, becaufethcy would not obey, defended themfelues by taking San&uary, of which the king hea- ring, gaue lentence, that vnleffe they departed out of the City of ^auenna within certaine daiesjthey fliould be branded in the fore- heads, and put out by force. What could be added to this (cuerity? And yet that very day, their accufa- tionaqainftmewent for currants What might be the reafon of this ? did my dealing deferue it? or did theircondemnation which went before, make them iuft sccufers? was not fortune afhamed? if not that innocency was accufed, yet at le^ft, that it had fo vile and bafe ac- cufers? But h what crime was laid to my charge?wilt thou haue it in one word? i am faid to haue defi- 1 red * Kftlv. His cb if ft offence wax vcsiue. Boetius his led the Senates fifety. Wilt thou know the maner how? I am bla- med for hauing hindred their accu- ier to bring forth euidence , by which he fhould proue the Senate guilty oftreafon, What thinkeft thouOMift efle? Shall I deny this fault, that I may not fhame thee ? Butitistrue, I defired it, neither willleuerceafe from hauing that defire. Shall Iconfefleit? but then Imuftleaue hindering their accu- fer. Shall I call it an offence to haue wifiied the fafety of that order? In- deed the Senate with their decrees concerning; me, had made it an of- fence. But Folly al way decerning her felfe, cannot change t;he deierts of things, neither doe I thinke it lavvfull for me by the decree of SV crates., either to haue concealed the truth, or granted a lie^ But how ^Pbthfophicall Comfort. \% how this maybe,Ileaue tothine, and vvifemcns cenfure. And that thepofteritymay not be ignorant of thecourfe and truth of the mat- ter, I haue put it downe in wri- ting: for whacfhoiild Ifpeake of thofe funed ! letters, in which I am charged to haue hoped for the Ro- mane liberty? The deceit of which would manifcftly haue appeared, if it might haue been lawful! forme to haue vied the confefsion of my veryaccufeis, which in allbufines is of area*eft force : for what liber- ty remainsth there to be hoped for? I would to God there were any? 1 would haue anlwered as Camus did, who being charged by Cams fefarfaiinc to Germanicm, that he waspriuy to the confpiracymade againft him,anfwered.*lf I had been made acquainted with it^ thou C a ftionldeft 1 Six tlyKt was fjlfel} accufed&' not permit ted to vfe tbcteftimo- ry of his very accu- sers. c Boet'tm hi* Hegrieucth that wicked m-narca- b!e topre- tuwea- gain ft the fhouldcftneuerhaue known of it, Neither hath forrowfb dulled my wits, that I complaine ofthe wic- ked endeuoursoi- finnefull men a- gainft venue ., but I exceedingly mauaJe at thole things, which they hoped to bring to p*ffe : for the defire of doing cuill may be at- tributed to our weakenefle , but that in the fight of k God, the wic- ked (hould be able to compafle whatfoeuer thev contriue as;ainft the innocent, is altogether mon- itrous, vpon which occafion not without caufe , one of thy fa- miliar friends .demanded, (if Jaith hejtherebea God, from whence proceed To many euils? and if the/e be no Go J, from whence com- mcch any good? But let that p fle, that wicked men, which feeke the bloudofali good men, and of the whole Thilofopbicall Com for t. wholeSenate, would alio haue o- uerthrowne me, wbome thev law to fhnd in defence ofgoodmen, and of the Senate : I But did I de- (erue the fame of che Senators themfeiues? I fuppole thou re- membreft, how thou being pre* fent, diddcft a] way direct me ; when I went about to fay or doe any thing. Thou remembreft I (ay, whcnatVerona, the king be- ins: defirous of a common ouer- throw,endeauoui cd to lay the trea- (on, whereof on zy Albmns was ac- cufed, vpon the whole order of the Senate, with how great fecuiitie of my owne danger, 1 defended the innocency of the whole Senate. Thou knoweft that thefc thinaes which I fay are true, and that I was neuer delighted in my own prate, for the lecret of a gocd con- fcience 1 P'g^tty, The Sena- tors them lei ucs or who me hee iud defer- acd To well, were his c- nepiies. ^Boetlus his m Ninthly, alfconfpi- red again f him.no man had compafsi- onofhitn. fcience is in fbme fore diminifhed, when by declaring what he hath done, a man receiueth the reward of fame. But thou feeft to what pafle my innocency is come : in rtead of the rewards of true vertue,l vndergo the punifliment of wic- kednefTe, wherewith I am falfly charged. m Was it euer yet feene, that the manifefi: confefsionof any crime, made the Iudges ib to con- forme themfelues to feuerity , that either the errour of mans iudge- ment, or the condition of Fortune, which is certaine to none, did not inclinefome of them to fauour? If I had beene accufed, that I would haue burnt the Churches, or wic- kedly haue killed the Prieftes, or haue lought the death of all good men,yctfentenee fhould haue beea pronounced againft me pr:fent > har uins ^Philofophicall Comfort. 4- uingconfefled , and being conui- £tcd. n Now being; conuaied fiue hundred miles of, not fuffered to make any defence, I am condem- ned to death and profcription, for bearing the Senate too much good will. O Senate ., which deferucs chat neuer any may be conni&ed of the like crime.The dignity of which gui!t ? euen the very accufers them- feluesfaw, which that they might obfeure by adding fome kind of faulty they belycd me, that I had de- filed my ccnfcience with°fao> ledge, for an ambitious defire of preferment. But thou, which faad- cleft featedthyfelfe in mc ; diddeft rcpell from the feat of my mind all deJlt e of mortali things, and within thy fight there was noplace forfa- ciiledgeto harbour: for thou did- d?ft ^nflill into my eares 2nd thoughts « 10. He was con- demned bcingab- fent. washlfly secured of ! or eery. "Boetim bis Seau;r e V 11 Pbilo- fop hy and Learning diflionoa- redforhij refpcft. thoughts daylyihat faying of !Py- tbagoras; i™^?: Neither was it fictina for me, to vfe the aide of moft vile fpirites, whomc thou haddeft framed to that excellency, that I might become like to God. Befides the innocency which ap- peared in the mod retired roomes ofmyhoufe, the a (Terribly of my moil honourable friends, my holy and worthily renewmed father in Law Symmacbus > doe cleare mee from all fufpition of this crime But O deceflable wickednefle. They the rather giuecredite to fo great a crime, and thinke me the nigher to iuch milchieuous dea- ling, becaufelam endewed with thy knowledge^and adorned with thy vertues, fo that it is notinough that I reape no commodity for thy refped^vnlelTe F thou becft alio di£ honoured c Pbiiofophicall Comfort, 15 honoured for the hatred conceiued againftme. And that mymiieries may increafe the more, thegreateft pare doc not Co much refpecfi the va- lue of things, as theeuent of for- tune>and they efieeme onely chat to be prouidently done, which the happy fuccene commends. By which means it cornmeth to paffe, thatthefirft lofle which mikrable men haue is their" 1 eflimation^and the good opinion which was had of them. What rumors goe now 3- mongthe people, what dilTonant &diuers opinions? I cannot abide to thinke of them ; onely this I will (ay^thelaft burthen of adueriity is, that when they which are in mife- ry arcaccufed of any crime, they are thought to delerue whatfo- euer theyfuffer. And I fpoiled of all my goodes^ bereaued of my dig- . io.Tc ofc- fritmtion with the greaieft parr. x' - 9 f jii:;wjiu . 'mm ms" ^Boetius his *l4.Tfce Wicked en- courage^ and the good dif- nuyedby his fell. dignities , blemiOied in ray good name, for benefices receiuc punifiimems. And me thinks 1 fee the r curl. denies of the wicked a- bounding with ioy and gladnefle, and eueryloft companion deuiiing with him-felfejhow to accufc others falfly, good men lie proftratc with the terror of my danger, andeucry lewd fellow is prouoked by impu- nity to attempt any wickedneflfe, and by rewards to bring it to ef- fe£t> but the innocent are not anely depriued of all iccuricy, but alio of any maner of defence. Wherefore 1 may weilexclaime. The Wlofopbicall Com for t. 16 The V.Verse, 'Boetius complainetb } that all things are gouernedby Godsprottide?ice y be fide the actions and ajfayres of men* CReator of the skje, Who fit si bti ihmeett email throne on hie, Who doefl cjtikk* motion caufe, In all the heart W \and giu ft the ftarres their Lwes. That the pale Queene cf night. Sometimes receimng a H her brothers lig h, Shonldjhwe in her full pride, sAnd with her beames the lefferftarsfbottld hide- } Sometimes (he wants her grace, When thefmne-s rayes arc m lejje difiant place» And a Heiptrus that flies As Meffengcr before the night doth rife 7 And oft withfodaine change Before the Snnne^as a Lucifer doth range* Thoptjbort the dayes doefl make, When Wmterfrom the trees the leaues dothtak*' Thou when the fiery Sanne, Dothfummer caufe^ m tQjt th? nights fw if ily run* Thy might doth rule theyt are, AsNortherne winds the leaues away doe beare, So Zephyr us from Weft, The plants in all their glory doth reuefl\ And b S yrius bnrnes that corne, |_ With * The fame (lirrc hath two contra' ry names, becaufeit appeares both in the eaening md mot- nin^. »' < - l >, - -JL l -v »' . ' JiV^- ?- 'Boetius his b £>* uei te [wtthwhich^ Avclurus did the earth adotr.e. frarta which ap- pcare by the fuone in d i^cis fesfons» Ncnejri m thy I air a are fret , AV can j or Jake their place ord.aind by thee* Then that to ccrtame end Cjouernfi all thtrgs\denyesl thcttto intend 7 he AEis of men alone ^ l D trebling i hem in meafnrefrom thy throne} For why (honld ftp fry chance Rpile all thmgrwithfoch doubtf&llgouetwince} Or rt-hy pjouldpunifomcnts , Ttue to the canity light on t-.nocents? But now i he higheft place, Giueth to naughty maners greatest grace, And wtcked people vex,' Cjood tnenjind t? cad ym^fily on their necks, Verlue in darkncjje lurkjs, And rtqhteous lottles arc i bar a *d with impious works, Decciies nor Vcr;hnes t Dtfg Ytcc netthefe \who colour them with lies, Fcr^when it doth themp eafe , Tcflsew thcirforccjbey to char wjllwitv eafe 9 The hearts of lyings can ji 'care, To whomefo many crouch » ih tremblmgfeare , thou that toynft with hue All worldly things Jc eke from thy feat above On the t art he s wretched flare, We men jiot the leaft works thou dtdfl create 9 With fortunes blafts dcefia^ Thou caret ttft rtdtrjhife fierce tempers flake. And for the earth provide, Thofe lav.es by which thou hem nm peace dofi guide. The ThilofophicallComfo? t. l 7 The V. Prose. Thilofophj fre^eth that Boetius is the caitje of bis o^jic m'tfery. r^^^Hcnl had vttercd ihefe ^M^f ipccches with continued $W-*4 i?riefe, inccwith an ami- able countenance, and nothing moued with my complain s, faid.; when I firft law thee fad and wee- ping, I forthwith knew tnceto be inmifery and banifliment. But I had not knowne how farre of, thouwettbanifhed, ifthyfpeech had not bewrayed it. O-ho^vfarre art thou gene from ihy a Country, not being driuenaway, but wan- dringofthineowneaccord* Or if thcuhaddeft rather be thought to haue been driuen out, it hath been onelybythy felfe; for neuer could anyotherbut thy ftlfe bauedone D it: a Mans Country :s vifedorre, Senec de remed, V or tun. r i (tiptens eft xonperzfri- natur.fi ffnitut eft, exnUu 'Bdetius his R*xefi$nut Damtnut, it; for ifthou remembreft, of what Country thou art, it is notgouer- ned as Athens was wont to be, by thcmultioude i?U te%rikfc'ti* iW«- t*wy It is defirous to haue aboun- dance of Citizens, and not to haue them driuen away* To be gouer- ned by whofe authority , and to be fubie&toherlawes, is the greateft freedome that can be. Art thou ignorant of that mod ancient law of thy City, byw 7 hich it is decreed, thathemav not bebaniflied,that hathmade choice of it for his dwel- ling place : for he tha tis within her fortorhold ; needsnot fe;ire,lefthe deferuetobebaniflied. Butwho- ioeuerceafethtodefireto dwell in it, ceafeth likewife to deferue fo great a benefits. Wherefore the countenance of this place moueth me not fo much as thy counte- nance WilofophicallComfert. I 18 nance doch. Neither dol io much require thy Library adorned with yuory feelings, and chriftall win- dowes^as the feat of thy mind, in which I haue not placed bookes, but that which nukes bookes to beefteemed of, I mcane the fenten- ces of my books, which were writ- ten long fince. And that which thou haft faid of thy deferts to the common good,is true indeed, but little in refpeAof the many things which thou haft done That which thou haft reported, either of the ho- nefty,orof the falftnefle of thofe things .which are obieded ac-a'nft thee,is knownetoallmen. Thou diddeft well to touch but briefly the wickednefle and deceit ofthv acculers, for that the common people to whofe notice they arc come, doe more fitly and largely D % fpeake Hoetius his fpeake of them. Thou haft alfo fliarply rebuked the vniuft Senates deed. Thou baft alio g'ieucd zx ouraccufation, and haft bewailed the lofle or diminifhino- of our good name: and lafily., thy for- row raged againil fortune, and thou complaynedft, that deferts were not equally rewarded* In the end of thy bitter vede, thoude- (iredil 3 that the earth might be go- uerned by that peace 7 which heauen enioyeth. But becaufe thou art turmoiled with the multitude of affc&ions, griefeand anger draw- ing thee to diucrfe partes, in the plight thou art now , the more forcible remedies cannot be apply - ed vnto thee; wherefore, for a while, we will vfe the more eafie ; that thy afifcitions , which are as it were hardened and fwolnewith per- Tbiiofopbicall Comfort. I 1 9 percur bations, may by gentle hand- ling be mollified and difpofed to receiucthe force of (harper medi- cines. The VI. Verse. fbilofophyprouetb that order is necef- farj in all things. WBcn boat Vith fhtbus beams, The Crab cajls fiery «leames, He, that doth then Vttbfeede, f hefruhlefiefurrowesfeede^ Deceiuedofbis bread, Muji be '"tilth akornesfcd, Seeke not the floury ^oods } For Violets fioeet bnddes y V/ben fields are ouercafl With the fierce Northerne blaft x Nor hope then horns to brhi", The branches ofthefpring. ^Boetius his If thou in grapes delight, In jiutuwne Bacchus might With them doth dec he our clime* God eu'ry feu rail time y With proper grace hath crolvnd, Nor ^cill thofe lances confound x Which he once fe tie a 'hath ♦ Hejhat with headlong path This certaine order leaues, An haplejfe end receaues» The VL Prose. Thilofophy difcouereth the inward cau- fes of'Boatius hisgriefe. Irfl therefore wilt thou let me touch and trie the ftate ofthymindby asking thee afewqueftions, that I may vnder- ftand how thou art to be cured. To which I answered, aske me what Thilofophicall Comfort. zo what queftions chou wile, and 1 will an (were thee. And tken (Lee (aidjThinkcft thou that this world isgouernedby happe hazard and chance?or rather doeft thou belieue that it is ruled by reafbn? 1 can (quoth I) in no manner imagine, that fuch certaine motions are can- fed by rafli chance. And I know that God the Creator doth gouern his worke, neither will 1 euer thinke otherwise. It h fo, faith fliee,forfothoufaideft in thyverfe alictlebcforejandbevvayledft, that onely men were void of Gods care 3 for as for the reft, thoudiddeft not doubt, but chat they were goucr- ned by reafbn. And furely I cannot chufe^but exceedingly admire^how thoucanft be ill affedted, holding Co wholefome an opinion.But let vs fearch further, I gefle thou wan- D a teft "Boe tins his uft fomething, but 1 know not what. Tell mee,fincethou doubteft not, that the world is governed by God, canft thou tcii me alio by whatmeanesit is goiierned? I doe fcarfelyfquothl) vnderfbnd what thou askcft, and much Idle am I a- hie to make thee a iufTJctent zn- fwere, Was Ifquoth flhee) deceive .1 in thinking that thou wa:uedft fomething, by which as by the breach of a fortreffe,the ficknefTe of perturbations hath entred in:o thy mind? But tellme 3 docllthcu remember, what is the end of things? or to what the whole in- tendon of nature tended]? Ihaue heard it(quoth I) but griefe hath dulled my memory. Butknoweft thou from whence all things had their beginning? 1 know f quoth I) and anfwered, that frpm God . And Thilofophkati Comfort. And how can it be,, that knowing ( he beginnings thou canft be igno- rant: of the end? But thisistlrecon- dirion and ioree of perturbations, chat they may aher a man.,- but \\ holy deftroy, arid as ic were rooce him put of himftlfe^thcy cannot . But I would haue thee anfwere me to this alio; doefhhou remember, that thou art a man? why ihould I not remember ic (q iothI?J Well then, car.ft thou explicate what man L? Do. ft thou aske me, if I know .jdiatl am a reafonable and mortal! liuing creature? I knowe and confciTe my leljfc to bee Co. To which fliee reply ed, doeil: thou not know thy felfe to bee any thing cifc?Nor any thing, Now I know (quoth fiise) another, and that perhaps the greateft caufe of thy Iicknefie, thou haft forgotten what 'Boetius his a Thc cauf and remedy of exeefsiiu gricfc. what thou art. Wherefore I haue fully found out, both the* ma- nerofthydifeafe, and themeanes ofthyrecouery : for theconfufion which thou art in, by the forget- fulnefle of thy felft, isthecaufe, why thou art (6 much grieued at thy exile , and the lofle of thy goods. And becaufe, thou art ignorant, what is the end of things, thou thinkeft, that lewd and wicked men be powcrfull and happy. likewife, becaufethou haft forgotten, by what meanes the world is gouerned, thou ima- gineft, that thefe alterations of fortunes doe fall out without any guide. Sufficient caufes not onc- ly of /Icknefle, but alfo of death itlelfe. But thanks be to the au- thor of thy health, that Nature hath not altogether foriaken thee. We Thilofopbicall Comfort. il We hauc the greateftnourifher of I thy health, the rruec pinion of the gouerncment of the worlds in that thou belceueft that itisnotfubied to the euents of chance, but to di- uincreafbn: Wherefore feare no- thing^outof this little iparkle will be inkin Jled thy vitall heat.Butbe- caule it is not yet b time to vfe more folide remedies; and it is manifeft^ that the nature of minds is fuch,that as often as they caftaway true opi- nions, they are poflefled with falfe^ out of which the darkeneffe of perturbations aiiiing doth make them, that they cannot difceme things aright : I will endcuour to diffolue this cloude with gentle and moderate fomentations; that hailing remoued the obfcurity of deceitful] affections, thoumayeft behold the f plendor of true light. Th e t»DifcYetio r ' to be v!ei in comfor- ting the afflidci. 'Boetius his The VI I. Ve R5E f (Pbilofopby declareth hoiv the perturbs t'tomofour mind doe hinder lis from the knowledge of truth. W Hen flat res are Crowded tfttb duiki* nighty They yeeldtie light Being fo clorvded. When the- wmdmoueth 3 And wanes doth reare, The Sea Lite clear e, Fottte md dark? proueth* tsfnd risers creeping Dawned high htll 3 Stand often/fill, Rocks them bathe keeping* tfthou trovldfl brightly , See truthes rleare rayes, Or walke thefe w ajes , Whuhleadmofl rightly, Allioy ferpif{tng y Fe are thou m?tflfae 9 Andhcpesdcfi^ Noforrow taking. Fer where thefs terrors Raivncin the mtnd* They it dee bind, errovSm Th e mSsP mm THE SECOND BOOKE Of Boetivs, In which Philofophy apply* eth the more ea(le remedies to !Boetius his grief e. HE LP ROSE. Of the dcceites and inconflancy of Fortune. Fter this fliee remai- ^M/^mp, nedfiientforawhile; and hauing by that made ^^^f^c^r : ^Sr - ! meactcntiue. began in ^Boetim his a TKcac. ceitcs of fortune. in this wiie: If I be rightly en- formed of the caufo and conditi- on of thy difeafe, thou langui- fheft with the affection and de- fire of thy former fortune, and the change of that alone, as thou ima- gineft, hathoueithrownc the Hate of thy mind. I know the manifold 1 ilIufionso r that monger, exerci- fing mofi alluring familiarity with them, whomefheemeaneth to de- ceiue, to the end dice may con- found them with intolerable griefe, by forfakingthem vponthefodain, whofenature^cuftomes and defert, if thou remembieft, thou fhalt ktiow, that thou neither diddefl po{refle ? ncr haft loll any thing cf eftimationin it; and as I hope, 1 f hall not need to labour much to brincr thefe things to thy remem- brancep for thou wert wont, when fhee Tbilofophicall Qomfort. H fheewas prefent, and flattered thee moll, to aflfayle her with manfull words^andpurfue her with (eaten- ces taken forth of our moil: hidden knowledge. But euery fodaine change of thinges happeneth not without a certaine wauering and difquietnelfeof mind. And this is the cauie^that thou alfo for a while hall loft thy former tranquility and peace. But it is time for thee to take andtaftefbme gentle and plcalant thing, which being rcceiued may prepare thee for ftronger potions ; Wherefore let vs yfe the fweetnelTe of b Rhetorical! pcrfvvafions, which then onely is well imployed, when it forfaketh not our ordinances^and with this, letMufickealictle flaue belonging to our houfe, chaunt fometime lighter and fometime (adder notes. Wherefore O man, what b The true vfe of Rfac torickc and Poetry, or Muacke. *Bcetim his c Fortune onely con- itent in be- ing muta- ble. what is it, that hath caft thee into • orrow and erieic? If thou thinkcft c rh.u fortune hath altered bcr mancr of proceeding toward thee,, thou art in an crrcur. This wasalway her fafhion, this is hernature. Shee hath kept that c conftancie in thy cfLires, which is proper to her, in being mutable , Inch was her con- dition when (lie fawned vpon thee and allured thee with entifements of fained happincfle. Thou haft difcoueredthe doubtfull looLes ot this blind Goddeffe. Shee, which corxealeth her felfe from others , is wholly knowen to thee. If thou li- keft hcr/rame th v ielfe to her con'Jr J tions, and make no complaint, li thou deteftefl her treachene ? de!pife and caft her off, with her pernicious fiatterie. For that, which hrth can- fed thee fo much fbrow,£hould haue brought c Philofophicall Comfort* z 5 brought thee togre^.t tranquility For fliee hath foifaken thee, of whom np man can be fecure. Doeft thou efteeme that happineffe preci- ous, which thou arttoloofe? And is the prefent fortune deare vnto thee, of whofe flay thou ate not lure, and whofe departure will breede thy griefe. And if fhee can ; neither be kept at our wilji and ma - keththem miferable, whom fhee | leaueth , what elfe is fickle fortune^ but a token of future calamitie?For it is not fufficicnt to behold that, : which wee haue before our eyes, wifedome pondercth the euent of things, & this mutabilitie on both fides makcth the thrcates of fortune not to be feared ■ nor her flattering to bedenred,Finaly,thou muft take in good part, whatfouier happe- ned! vnto thee witttri the teach of E fortune, M f W. i ^U ' '■ ** W -"* I —| "Boetms his fortune > when once thou haft fub- mitted thy neckc to her yoke. And if to her , whom of thine owne ac- cord, thou haftchofen for thy Mif- treflfe , thou wouldeft prefenbe a Law, how long fhee were to flay, and when to depart,fhouldeft thou not doe her mightie wrong, and with thy impatiencic make thy e « (late more intollerable^which thou canft not better ? If thou fetteft vp thyfaylesto the wind, thou flialc be caried not whether thy will dc- fireth > but whether the Gale dri- ucth. Ifthouloweftthyfccdjthou confidereft, that there are as well barren, as fertile yeeres. Thou haft ycelded thy.felfc tofortunesfway, thou muft bee content with the conditions of thy miftreflc. En- deuoureft thou to ftay the force of the turning wheele? But thou foolifli- c Philofopbicall Comfort. 16 foolifheft man, that euer was, if it beginneth to ftay^ it ceafcth to be fortune; The I. V.ER s e. Tlylojopby difcribetb tbe conditions of fortune. THe prick of fickle fort tine fpareth none. But hke the fbnds offwift a Eurtpus borne > Off c after b mt^httt Princes from their throne, And eft the abietl (fapiiue doexh adorne. Shee cares m t for the wretches tearts andmone. And tbe fad grotier, which (be hath causa dtfh /kerne That doth (bee play, to make her power more k*ovpen, Shewmggreat wonders, when mansfck[eft^(t One tjoure, baplefledoetb fee ,and fortunate* Th e ILProse. Fortune frelvetb y that JJ?ee bath taken nothing from Soetiusjbat fas bis. Vt I would vrge thee a lit- tle with Fortunes owne fpceches. Wherefore con- E 2 fider a Aoarmcof the Sea be- twixt Pho- cidesinBx- otia,andlhe lie Eubaea, which ebs andflowe* fo fwiftly 7. times in a day.thatit caricth fhips againft the wind, yea therery wind it fell? FtimJiLz. 'Boetius his fider thou P if fhec asketh not reafon. For what caufe, O man ^ charged thoumee with daily complaints i What iniurie haue I done thee? What goods of thine haue I taken from thee? Contend with meebe- fore any Iudge,about the pcflefsion of riches and dignities ; and if thou canft fhew^that the proprietie of a- ny of thefe things belong to any mortall wight , 1 will foorth with willingly graunt, that thole things, which thou demandeftjWere thine. When nature produced thee out of thy mothers wombe, I receiued thee naked and poore in all refpedts, cheeriflied thee with my wealth, and (which maketh thee now to fall out with me) being forward to fauourthee, I had moll tender care for thy education, and adorned thee with the aboundance <3c fpkndou r of tphilofopbicali Comfort. 27 of all things ., which are in my pow- er. Now it pleafeth mee to with- draw my hand ., yeeld thankes , as one that hath had the vie , of that which was not his owne* Thou haftnoiuftcaufe tocomplaine, as though thou hadft loft that, which was fully thine owne. Wherefore Umenteftthou?! hauc offered thee no violence. Riches, honours^ and the reft of that fcrt belong to mee. They acknowledge mee fo.t their Miftiefle, and themfelues for my feruants., they come with me , and vvhcnlgocawsy, they likewife de- part. 1 may boldly affirme, if thofe things which thou complained to betaken from thec.had beene thine owne, thou fliouldeft neuer haue (cftthem, Muft lonely be forbid- j den to vfe my right I It is lawful for :he heauen to brings foorth faire E v caves. j j 'Boetius his daycs , and to hide them againein darkefbme nights, Itis lawfuHfor theyeere fometime to compafTc the face of the earth with flowers and fruites, and fometime to couer it wifh clouds & cold . The Sea hath right fometime to fawne with calmes , and fometime to. frownc with ftormes and wanes. Andfhal, the vnfatiabledefireof men tie me to conftancie^fp contrarie to my cuftoirie? This is my force , this is the (port , which I continually vfe, I turn abcut my wh?ele with {peed, andtakeapieafurc to turne tnings vpfidedowne^Alccnd^f 'thou wilt, but with this condition , that thou thinkeftk not an iniurieto defcend, when the courle of my fportfore- quireth. Djddeft thou not know my fafhion ? VVejtthou ignorant how (jjfus King of the Lydiaru, not ThilofophicaU Comfort. \ *8 1 not long before a terrour to a Cyrus y within a while after came tofuch mifcrie, thatheeflhouldhauebcenc burnt, had hce not beene faued by a (Lower fent from hcaucn. Haft thou forgotten how b ^FWpyoufly bewailed the calamities of King c( Perfus his piifbner? What; other thing doeth the out-crie of Trage- dies lament, but that fortune ha- iling no refpeft, ouerturncth hap- pieftatcs ? Diddeft thou not learne in thy youth > that there lay two d Batrehjth one of good things,and the other of bad , at Iupiter< thre- fhold ? But what if thou haft tailed more aboundantly of the good I What if 1 beno t wholly gone from thee ? What if this mutabilitie of minobe a iuft cauie for thee to hope for better? Notwkhftandingloole not thy courage y and liuing in a * King of Pcifia, b FAutm AemtltuJ^ CcBilllof Rome. « Or Dtrfes I kigot Ma- cedonia* ^Thisi» taken o»t cf Homer, ' V Ejt king- c Boetiu$ his kingdome -which is common to all men, defire not to bee gouemed by peculiar Lavves/ proper onely to rhy ftlfe. Th eIL Verse, rorttme complained of the Tmjatiahle defire of men. IVplentie as much wealth /ho u { igiue, ne're.heUingbail{ her hand, 4s the fcrre winus in troubled Sens doe toffe vp heapts of'/atd, ■ Or as the Starr es, that Heauenly Otbes in li'btfome night j doe grace: Tut wretched, men would fit ' act ufe tb&t. tiuferxb 'e r afe. Should Godtoo Hb'ral of bis gifts weir^rgaUentflm heare > and counts htmjelfi but poore. 1 HE i 1.1. PR OSE f tPbilofophy proueth r that fortune had beene morejauqurahk > then cemtrarie to r Boetius> Hcrefor.e if fortune fhould J| plead with thee thus in her owne defeoce, doubtlcife thou wquWeftiiot haue^ word to an (were Thilofophicall Comfort. anfwtre her. Bat if there bee any thing, which thou canft alleacke in thy owne defence, thournuftvtter ir^ wee will giue thee full liberde to fpeake. Then I laid, thcfe things make &faire fhew, and being let out Vfcith pleafant Rhetbricke and Mu- ficke, delight onely lo long as they are heard. But thole, which are mi- (erable haue a deeper feeling of their miferies.Theifore/vvhen the found of theft things is paft, hidden for- rowopprt(Teth the mind. Itisfoin- deed,cjuoth fhc; for thcfe be not the remedies of thy oifeaie^butcerraine fomentations to aff v vage thy griefe, which as yet relifteth all cure. But when it (lull bee time, I wiil ap- ply that,, which fhaii pierce to the quicke. And yet theie is nocaule, why thou fhouldeft thinke thy lelfe miferablej Haft thcu forgotten, how ~ , -. 'Boetius his how many wayes, and in what de- gree then art happie? I pafle ouer with fiknee ; that hauing loft thy Father , thou wert prouided for by men of the beft fort, and being cho- len to hauc affinitie with the chie- feft of the Citie , thou beganneft fooner to be deare vnto them > then to be akinne, which is the moft ex- cellent kind of'kindred. Whoeftee- med thee not moft happie, hauing fb Noble a Father inlaw, fo chafte a Wife , and fb many Sonnes ?~ I lay nothing (for I will not fpeake of ordinarie matters) of the dignities denied to others in their age, and graunted to thee in thy youth. I de- lire to come to thetopofthyfelici- tie. If any fruit of mortal! things hath any weight of happineffe, caa the remembrance of that light bee darkned with any cloud of miseries that Thilofophicall frmfort. \ 3° chat can ouercaft thee? When thou favvcft chy two Serines being both Confuls together caried from their houfe, the Senatours ace empaning them , & the people reioycing with them, when they fitting in the Se- nate in their Chaires ot cfbtc , thou making an Oration in the kings praife,ckferuedft the glory of witte and eloquence. When in publike aftcmbly thou hauing beene Con- (ul thy felfe, landing betwixt thy twoSonnes , diddeft fatisfie with thy triumphant liberalise ., the ex- pectation of the multitudes gathe- red together. Ifuppole thouflatte- redft fortune, while fhee fawned thus vpon thee, and vfed thee, as her deareit friend. Thou obtained/! more at her hands,then ^u^r priuatc man had before thee. Wilt thou reckon v/ith fortune ? This is the firft 'Boetius his firfttime, thateuer fhee frowned vponthee. If thou confidereft the number and meafure of thy ioyfull and fad accidents, thou canftnot chufe but thinke thy felfe happie ftHl. And if thou efteemeft not thy ielfe fortunate, becaufethofe things which feemed ioyfull arc p3ft,there is no caufe, why thou fliouldeft thinke thy iclfe miserable, fince thofe things which thou takeftto beforrowfull^doepaflc.Commeft thou now firft as a Pilgrime and ftranger into the Theater of this life? Suppoieft thou to find any con- ftancie in humane affaires ? Since that man himfclfe is loone gone: for although things fubieft to for- tune feldome keepe touch in flay- ing, yet the end oi life is a certaine death,euenofthar fortune, which remaineth. Wherefore what mat- ter Thilofophicall Comfort. \ 3 1 rer is it, whether thou by dying leaueft it, or it forfaketh thee by flying ? The 1 1 L Verse. (philofophy declareth , boty all worldly things decay and fade <$£#¥* TEhX 7 Hen Phtbuswith his Rofte teame Vorn . Skemth'kts Ightfome beame 7 : Tve dvicind darkened Starres retire ' ' I Yeetdmg to greater fire. When Zephyr us his warmth doth brings SwecteRofes decke the fo wg '. Let nojfome Anfler blow apace, . Plant sfoone witilecfe their gr,ice. The Sea hath often quiet flood, With An vnmoued flwd' } And often is turmoytd with wau es $ When boyftrotis Boreas raues % If thus the world netter longt&rie The fame^ but often vane : On fading fortunes thsn relie^ Trusl to thofe goods th at flie* An euerlafling la w ts made^ 7 hat all things borne Jb all fade* The ■» W l c Boetws his The III L P ros e. Thilofophyproueth, that Nonius isjlill fortunate , and that no man hath complete happhiejfe hit his life. O which I anfwered , the things, which thou repor left are true., Onurfeofall vertues,and I cannot denie the moft fpeedy coui fe of my profperitie, but this is that, which vexeth me rtipft, whenl remember it. For in all ad- uerfitieofforttine,it is the moftvn- happie kind of misfortune, to haue beene happie. But, quoth fliee, thou canlt not iuftly impute to the things themfelues, d^at thou art pu- nifhed for thy falfe opinion. Forif thisvaine name of cafuall felicitic moueththee, let vs makeaccompt with how many, and how great things thou aboundeft. VVhete- fore c PhilofopbkaIl Comfort. fore if that, which in all thyreue- newes of fortune , thou efteemedfl: moll precious , doeth ftill by Gods prouidence remainc lafe and vntou- ched, canft thoo, retaining the beft:, iuftly complaine of misfortund?But thy Father in-law Sjmtnachus (thzi moll excellent ornament of man- kindjliucthinfafetie, and for the obtaining of which thouwouldeft willingly fpend thy life, that man wholly framed to wifedome and vermes > being fecure of his ownc ; mourncth for thy iniuries* Thy wifeliueth , modeft in dilpofition, eminent in chaflitie,and to rehearfe bricfcly all her excellent gifts, like herFatker. Sheeliuech, lfay^and wearie of her life, referueth her breath onely for thee. In which a- lonc I m uft alio graunt, that thy fe- licitie is diminilhed, (lie confameth her ^Bcetim his herfHfe withteares and griefe for ::hy lake. What fliould I ipeakc of thy children, which hauc beene Conflils, in whome already ^ as in Children of that age , their Fathers, or GYand-fathers good difpofitiori appearcth? wherefore fince thegrea- ttftcare, that mortal! men haue is to fauc their lives i O happie man that thou art, if thou knoweftthy owne wealth, who flill haft remai- ning thofe things, which -no man doubteth to bee dearer then life it felfe? And therefore ceafe weeping. Fortune harh bot hitheno fliewed her hatred againf} you di, neither art thou affiled with too -boy ftrous a ftorme, fince thofe Ankers hold ftrt. which permit neither the coin- farfe of the time prelent, nor the hope of the time to come, to bee wanting . And I pray God (quoth Tbilofophicall Com for t. ¥> \) that they may hold fa ft, for fo long as they remaine, howfocuer the world goeth, wee f hall eicape drowning* But thou feed, how great a part of our ornaments is loft. Wee haue gotten a little ground, ''quoth Hi ee) if thy whole eftate be not irkefbmevnto thee. Butlcan- nor fuffer thy daintineife,who with (uch lamentation & anxiecie corn- plaineft, that fomething is wanting to thy happincfle : For who hath fo 1 entire happineffe, that he is not in fame part offended with the condi- tion of his eftate, The nature of hu- mane felicicie is doubtfull andvn- certaine, and is neither euer wholly obtained, or neuerlaftetb alwayes. One mnn hath great reuenewes^but is contemned for his ba(e linage. Anothers Nobilitie maketh him knowen, but opprclfed with penu- F tie. * Nd man bath entire happincfle. ^Boetius bis b Therroit happic arc moO- fcnfi- ble of affli- ction* rie,had rather be vnknowen. Some abounding with bothjbewaile their vnfitnefleformariage« Some other well married , but wanting chil- dren, prouideth riches for ftrangers to inberite . Others finally, hauing children % moumeiully bewaile the vices, which tkeirfonnes or daugh- ters are gi uen to. So that fcarce any man is pleafed with the condition of his fortune. For there is fbme- thingin eueryeftate, which with- out experience is not knowen, and bemg experienced doth molelland trouble. Befides that, thofe, which are b moft happie aremoftfenfible, and vnleflfe all things fall out to their liking, vnpatient of alladuer- fitie, euery little crofFe ouerthrowes them, fo Imall are the occafions, which take from the.moft fortu- nate the height of their happinefle. How ^Philofopbicail Qomfort. ] 34- How many are there thinkeft thou., which would thinke themfelues almort in heauen , if they had but the leaft part of the remnants of thy fortune? This very place, which thou called banifhment, is the Countrcy of the inhabitants, So trueitis, that nothing ismiferable, but when it is thought fc^and con- trariwife, eueryeftateishappic, if he that beares ic,.bee content. Who is there (o happie, that if he yeeldeth to diiconcenxdefireth not ro chanoc hiseftate? Ho.vv much bitternefle is mingled with the fweetenefle of mans felidtie i which though it fee- methneuer {q pleafant, while it is enioyed^ yet can it not be retained from going away, when it will.. And by this it appeareth how mile- rable the bleffednefle of mortall things is, which neither endureth F 2 alway c He that j beftcon- tented,is moll hap - pie. 'Boetius hi? * The Cen- ter of hap- pmcrle* alway with the contented , nor wholly delighteth the penfiue. Wherefore O mortallmen, why feeke you for your fclicitie abroad, which is placed within your felues? Errour and ignorance do confound you. Iwillbricfdy fliew thee the d Center of thy chiefeft happineiTe, Is there sny thing moreprecious to thee then thy fclfe. Iamfurethou wile fay nothing. Wherefore, if thou enioyeft thy felfc , thou fhalt poffefle that, which neither thou wilt euer loofe,nor fortune can take away ; and that thoumayeft acknowledge,that blefledneflfe can- not confift in thefc cafuall things, gathericthus: IfblciTedneflebethe chiefeft good of nature endewed with rcalbn , and that is not the chiefeft good, which may by any meanes bee taken away, becaule that. < Philofophicall Comfort. J 1 5 that, which cannot bee taken a- way, is better; jcis manifeft, that the e inftabilitie of fortune cannot aipire to the obtaining of blc fled - nefle. Moreouer, hee that nowe emoy- J ech this brittle felicitie, either' knoweth it to bee mutable , or no; if not, what eftate can bee blef- (ed by ignorant blindnefle? And if hee knoweth it, hee mult needes fearc, leaft hee loofe that, which hee doubteth not, may bee loft, wherefore continuall fearc permit- ted! him not to bee happie . Or doeth hee thinke, that it were to oee negle&ed \ though hee fhould loofe it ? But fo it were a very (mall good, which hee would bee content to loofe . And becaufe chou art one , whom I know to be fully perfwaded, that the foules c Tempo- rail things cannot make mcu liappic. 'Boetius his of men are in no wile mortalh and finceitiscleare, thatcafball feiici- tieis ended by the bodies death, there is no doubt , if this can caufe blefledneflfe, but that all mankind fallerh into miferie by 'death . But if we know-many whohaue fought to reape the fruit of blefledncfle, notonely by death, but alfobyaf fiiftions and torments; how can this prefent life make men happ'e, the loffe of which caufeth not mi- ferie? Th e I II L Ve rse. Vbilofopbj commendetb ameane eft ate. WHorvith an hc'dcfullcars Will an eternallfeat* prev*re ' Whl'ih cannot be dmnetoft E) any farce ofwindte blajh j4nd)x>tll 'the floods defptfe, It hen tkreatnmg btllowes doe nr'sfe. He net on hils must (land, Ner ■ I I II II. ■ I . . I ., Thilofophicall Comfort. , Nor on the dangrowfinkixgfand* Tor there the winds will threate, And him mth funom tempefl beate^ $s4ndheretheg?oundtoo weak* Will with the heauie burthen breakc. The then the dangerous cafe Of an vntryd d^ltghtfullpUce > And thy poors houfe beftew Inflonie fla&ifjrme and low* Tor though the winds doefouvd, And wanes of troubled Sets confound* Jet thoH to rtft Jifpcfed In thy fife Uwl] vale inch fed y ' Kjbfayft Hue a quiet age, Scorning the Ajres diflemf red rage. TheV.Prose. Horto rides are. neither precious y nor our owe. Vt fince my refons bednto finite rnto thy mind, I will vfe thofe, which arc fome- whac more forcible . Goe to then-, if the gifts of fortune were not brit- tle and momentanie , what is there F A in 'Boetim his Money. In them , which can either euer bee made your owne, or cvtll weighed and confidercd feemeth nor vile and of no accompr? Are riches ei- ther yours , or precious in them- feiues? What part of them can bee Co efteemed of ; Gold, or ? heapes of mcny?Butthele make a fairer (hew, when they are fpent, then when they are kept. For couetcufnefle ai- way maketh men odious ^ sslibe- ralitie famous. And if a man can- not haue that^ which is gr.ien to another, then money is precious, when beftowed vpon others, iris notpoflefTed any longer* Br if all the money in the whole world were in one mans euftodie, allo- tner men fhould bee poore. The voice at the fame time wholly fil- let h the eares of many, but your riches cannot pafle to many, cx- cept Thilofophicall Comfort. J 57 cept they bee diminished. Which being done, they nuiftneedes make them poore, whometbeyleaue. O skant and poote riches, which nei- ther can bee wholly pofleffed of many, and come to none with- out the impoueriihment of others. Doeth the glittering of b Iewels dravvethy eyes after them? But,if there bee any great matter in this iliewe , not men but the Ie v vels Thine, which I exceedingly mar- uailc, that men admire. For what is there wanting life and members, that may iuftly feemebeautifullto a nature noc onely endewed w 7 ith life, butalfo with reafon ? Which, though by their -makers worke- manfhippe, and their owne va~ little thev haue fome part of ba- feft beautie, yet it is fo f.rre infe- riourtoyourexcellencie ; thatitdid in b Iewcls. c PleaCmt fclfe, 'Boetiushis in no fort dcferue your admiration. Doeth the pleafant profpeet of the c fields delight you ? Why not ? For it is a faire portion of the faireft worke. So wee are delighted with a calme Sea, fo wee admire the skie, the Starres , the Sunns, and the Moone. Doth any of theie belong to thee? DarelT: thou boaft of the beau tie, which any of them haue ? Art thou adorned with May -flow- ers?- Of ddcth thy fertilitie -bring forth the fruits of Summer ? Why 1 reioyceftthou vainely ? Why em- braced: thou outward goods , as if they were thine owner Fortune wil neuer make thofe things thine, which by the appointment of na- ture belong not to thee. The fruits of the earth are appointed for the fuftenance of liuing creatures* But if thou wile onely latisfie want,; which? Tbilojbphicall Comfort. \ $ I which fnffifeth nature, there is no caufe to require the fuperfluities of fortune. For nature is contented with little, and if being fatisfied., thou wilt ouerlay it with more then needes, that which thou ad- deft^wili either become vnpleafant, or hurtfull . But perhaps thou thin- keft it a fine thins, to goe decked in gay d apparel! . which if they make a faireflieWj 1 will admire either the goodneffe of the ftufFe, or the in uen- tion of the workman. Or doth the multitude of e feruants make thee hippie? VVhoif they beevickuis, they are a pernicious burthen tathy houfe , and exceeding troublefome to their Mafter: 2nd if they bee ho- neft, wiiat fhalt thou bee the better for other mens honeftie? By all which itismanifeftlypioued, that noneof thefc goods. ^ which thou accoun- d Apparell. c Seruants. ^Boetim his f Thef which haue much, need much. accounteft thine arc thine indeede. \nd if there be nothing in the wor- thy to be dcfii ed,why art thou either glad, when thou haft them y or fo- rie, when thou locfeft them ? Or what is ic to thee , if they bee preci- ous by nature? For in this refpect, they would haue pleafed thee, though they had belonged to o- thers . For they are not precious, becaufcthey are come to bee thine, but becaufc they feemed precious, thou wert defirous to haue them. Now, what defire you wich io much adoe ? Perhaps you feeke to driue away penurie with plentie. But this falkth oiit quite contfarie, for you (land in neede of many fup- plies,to fumifli your felues with va~ rietieof precious ornaments. And it istrue,that they which h a ue f m>nch neede much,and contrari wife, that they Thilofophicali Comfort. rhey neede lkle, which meafare not their wealth by the fupcrfluitieof ambition 9 but by thenecefsitieof nature. Haueyou no proper 8c in- ward good, that you feeke Co niuch after thofe things which are out- ward and leparated from you? Is the condition of things Co chang-ed.that man^whoisdeferuedly accounted diuine for the gift of relbn/eemeth to haue no other excellency then the poflefsion of a liile houfhold fiuffe? All other creatures are content with that they haue of their owne, and you, who in your minds carie the likenefleof God^are content to take rhe ornamentes of your excellent nature from mod bafe and vile things, neither vnderftand you, what iniurie you doe to your cre- atour . Hee woulde haue man- kinde to excell all earthly things , _____„ y ou 'Boetius his ?Mande- icðhim ■fclfebylc- uing^vorld- ly things. h Heeis wor/ethen beads, when hec knowcth net hin:- fclfe. * Nothing can be a- dorn d with the ornament? ofanother. you debafeyourdignitievndereue- ry mean eft creature. For if it bema- nifeft, that the good of euery thing- is mpreprecious then that, whole good iris , fince you iudge the vi- left things that can be, to bee your goods, yousdeied: your felu?svn- der them in your own: eftimation, which queftionlefle commerhnot vndeleruedly to paffej for this is the condition of man- nature,that then only it furpafteth other things ,when itknowethitfelfe- and it is h \vorfe then beafts,\\ hen it is without that knowledge. For in o:her liuin^ creatures the ignorance of them- fclues is nature^but in men it is vice. And how fane doeththiserrourof yours extend, who thinke , that x a- ny can bee adorned with the orna- ments of another? Which can in no wife be. For if any adioynsd thing ieeme ^Philofopbicdl Comfort. feeme precious, it is that, which is 1 praifcd, but that which isconered and enwrapped in it, remaineth notwithstanding with the foule bafenefle , which it hath of it felfe. Moreouer, Ideniethattobegood, which hurtcth the pofleflour. Am Ideceiued in chis ? I am fure thou wilt fay ,no. But k riches haue often hurt their poffeflours, fince euery lewdeft companion , who are con- sequently moft defirous of that which is not their ownc, thinke themfelues moft worthy to pofiTefTe alone all the Gold , and lewels in the world. Wherefore thou , who with much perturbation fearcft now to be affay!ed and flaine, if thou hadft entred the path of this lifelike a poorepaflenger, neededft not be afraid, but mighteft reioyce andfing euenin the £ght of moft rauenous kRichenJo often hurt toetr pof- fcllours. c Boetius his rauenousthieues . O excellent hap- pinefle ofrnortali riches, which when thou haft gotten, thou haft loft thy fafetie. The V- Verse. tPbilofophy commendeth the former they would neuer bee beflowcd vpon the word men, foroneeppofhevfeth not to accompanie another. Nature refu- lethtohaue contraries ioyned. So that, fince there is no doubt, but that Tbtlofophicall Comfort. that men of the vvorfl: fort often enioy dignities, it is alfbmanifcft, that they are not naturally gcod, which follow mod naughtie men. Which may worthily bee thought of all fortunes o-jfts. which are more plentifully bellowed vpon eucry lewde companion . Concerning which, I take that alio to bee wor- thy confideration^ that no man doubteth him to bee a valiaunt man, in whome hee leeth valour; and itismanifeft, that hee, which harh fwiftnefle is iwift. "So like- wile, Muflcke maketh Mufuians, I'hificke Phifitians, and Rethoricke Rhetoricians, For the nature of e- ucry thing doth that, which is pro- per vntou, and is not mixed with contrary effc&es , but repelleth all oppofltes. But neither can riches extinguifhvnfatiable auarice, nor G 2 power ^Boetius hk power make him mafkr of bim- ielfe , wheme vicious luftes keepe chained in (Irongeft fetters. And dignitie beftowed vppon wicked men , doeth not onely not make them worthy,but rather bevvrayeth and difcoucreth their vnworthi- neiTc. How commeth this to pafll? Becaufe you take a pleafurein mif- calling things , which is eafily refu ted by the effe&e of the things themftlu.es . Wherefore by right., thefe things are not to bee called ri~ ches ., power 'or dignitie. Laftly^we may conclude the fame of all for- tunes,^ which it is manifeft, there is nothing to bee defired, nothing naturaliygood; which neither are alw«y beftowed vpon good men., nor doe make them good, whome $hey are beftowed vpon. The Thilofophicall Comfort. 44 The VI. Vers e. Tbilofopby declaretb by tbe example of Nero,tbat dignities or poorer > doe not make men better. WE know whrtjfirres he made, Who did the a Senate Jl , > . I »1 Thilofophkall Comfort. 4^ that the fame thing, which fome commend as laudable, others con- dense as decerning ' punifhment. Sothat 5 ifa man be delighted with the praife of fame, it is no way con- uenient for him to be named in manycountreys. Wherefore euery man muft be content with that alo- rie, which he may haue at home, &c chat noble immortalkie of fame muft be comprehended within the comp afle of one nation . Now.how many in oft famous while they li- ued,are altogether forgotten, for 'want of writers! Though what doe writings auaile, which perifih as well as their authors by continu- ance and obfeuritie gf time ? But you imagine, tKatyou make your (elues immortal! , when you caft your eyes vpon future fame.Where- as, if thou weighed attentiuely the infinite * Glory li- ft eth i;Ot lone. *Boetim his infinite fpaces of eternitie j what caufe haft thou to reioycc at the prolonging of thy name? For if we f compare the ftay of one moment with ten thoufand yeres.fince both bclimited, they hauefome propor- tion, though it be but very fmall. But this number ofyeares, how oft foeuer it bee multiplied, is no way comparable to endleffe eternitie. For limited things may in fome fort bee compared among them- fllues, but that, which is infinite, admitteth no companion at all. So that the fame of neucr fo long time y if it be compared with euer- Lifting eternitie icemeth not little, but none at all. But without po- pular blaft^and vaine rumours you know not how to doe well, and re- jecting the excellence of a good conference and of vertuCjyou chufe to Tbilofophicall Comfort. 47 to be rewarded with others tatling* Hearehow pleafantly one iefled at this va'ne '& contemptiblearrogan- cie. For hauing affaulted with re- prochfull fpeeches a. certaine fel- low, who had falfcly taken vpon him the name of a Philofopher,not forthevfe ofvertue, but for vaine glorie, and hauing added \ that now he would know whether heewere a Philofopheror no, by his gentle & patient bearing of iniuries. The other tooke al patiently for a while, and hauing borne his contumely as it were triumphing fayed : Dotft thou now at length thinke mee a Philofopher? To which he biting- ly replied, I would haue thought thee one, if rhou haddeft hclden thy peace. But what haue excellent men (forofchefelfpeak)whoieeke for glorie by vertue, what haue wee ■ 0%) 'Boetius bis 5 The ram tic of glo- ry ,cuen in the opinion of Atbcifts and much more of Chritiian?. (I fayjto exped by feme after death. Forifcontrarie to our belecfe^men swholyperiflh, thereisnoglorie at all, fince he^ to whom it is iayed to belong, is no where extant* But if agujltleffeminde freed from earth- ly imprifonment, goeth forthwith to heauen, will fhee not defpife all earthly traffike who enioying hea uen /eioiceth to fee her {elfe exemp ted from earthly affayres» The VII. Verse. Oftbtfmalnejjc andfltortneffe of fame, HE that to honour onlyfickes to mount, And that his chief eft end doth count, Let hint behold the /argtnejfe of the sl^yes^ And on theftreight earth cafi his eyes, He will defptfctheglorte of his name, Which cannot fill fo [mall 'a frame, Why do proud mefcorne, that their necks Jhoutt hare That yokejvhich euery man muft wears} Though fame through many nations fie along, Andfhonldhe blazd bj estrj tongue, And »-' I ,. -,J ■ , , , . , ■ ., , ■ - Thtlofopbicall Comfort. | 4& And houfes jhine with ourforefath. rs /lories, Tet death contemnes thefeslatelyglortes, Andfummoniag both rich andpoore to die, CMakei the low equallwtth the high. (prtfty Who knows , -where *faithfhll Fabrice (ones are Where b Brutus and ijlritl Cato reft* A (lender fame now cauje thetr titles vaine Injome few letters toremaine, Becaufe their famous names in bookes we rcadc % Qome wee by them to know the dead: Toadying thsn remembrcd are by none, Nor amy fame can make you knowne. But if you think/ you line euen after death, Tour names borne vp with mortal/ breath: When length cfttme takes this away likewife, AJecend death fb z 11 youfurfrtze^ a A Conful) of Rome, who made warrewith Pirrbvr King «f the Fpirotes, by whom hee could not be cor rupted by bnbes,and to whome he fentone that offeree to kill him, t» The firft A noble Ro Confull of Rome, who reuenged Lucrecias rape. mane, whome nothing could corrupt, Lucan. V$&rix cauft diit placutt feJ9tfla Catoni > meaning oiCafar, and P empty. The VI LI. Prose. Aduerfitie more profitable thenprofpe- rate. VT leaft thou fliouldcft thinke,thatlam atvnpla- cable want with fortune, there 'Boetius his 1 The vtt- liticof ad- uerfirie % h Fortune is trucly knowec. chere is a time , when this thy de- ceicfuil Goddeffe deferuech fome- what well of men,to wit,whcn fhe declarer h her felfe,\vheri fliee difco- uereth her face, and fheweth her felfe in her ovvne colours. Per- haps thou vnderft :ndeft not yet, what I fay. 1 would vtter a won- derful thing, infomtich as lean skarcely explicate my minde in words. Forlthinke, that a fortune whenflieeis oppofiteis more pro* fitable to men,thcn when fliee is fa- uourable. For in profperiti'e fliee falfely coumerfeiteth a (hew of happinefle, but in adueifitie b fhee fheweth her'felfe truelyvnconftant by changing. In that fliee decei- ueth,in this flie inftruð-jn that fliee imprifoneth the mindes of men with falfely feeming goods, which they enioy : In this fheefet- teth — — 0am h i iw w i n ii i w m— — fcp » i u,iun i i< — . --■ II 1 --' — Tbtlofophicall Comfort. J \9 tech them at libertie by difeoue- iog the c vncertaincie of them, ^vherforein that, thou fhaltahvay fee men puffed vp > and wauering, and blinded with afelfe conceit of themfeiues : in this thou (halt find them d fb her, fetled^and with the very exercife of aduer/Itie^ife. Fi- nally, profperitie with her flatte- rings withdrawn h men from true goodnefie^adiierfitiV recalleth and reclaymech them many times by force /to true happineffe. Doeft thou cfteeme it a imall benefne, chat this rough andharfh fortune hath made knownc vnto thee the minds of thy faithtuli * fiiend ? Shee hath {eueredthy afifured from chydoubtfull friends^ profperitie at her departure tooke away wkh her thofe ? which wee hers, and left thee thine- How dearely woul- H deft «Thevn» ccrrainttie or worldly thing* IS difccuerrd d Men be- come fo- bcr,faled, wile, «They .ire drawenby force to true tappineffc t f Faitfcful! friends ^r^ diiceir.ed. <* f . «.b » h t a-kjia. "Boetim his deft thou haue bought this before thy fal, and when thou Teemed il: to thy fehe fortunate?Defift from feck- ingto recouer thy loft riches, fince thou haft found friends, the mofc precious treafure in the world. The VIII. Verse. tyhilofophy praifeth true hue andfrienJjJ/ip. THat this f aire world in fetledcourfe her fcvtrMl formes JjjqulA Vary, That 4 perpetuall law jhould tame the fighting (eedes ovthings , That Phaebus fhould the rofie day tn hti bright char sot ciry^ ThatVhzbc fbotttt gotterne the nights, x&tc^i Hefperu» forth brm take indeede diuers courfes^but yet en- deuour toattaine the fame end of tappineffe, which is that good, which beina once obtained, no- thing can be further defired. Which is the chicfeft of al goods,& contai- ned! in it felf,what(oeuer is good,& if it wanted any thing^it could not be the chiefeft,becaufe there would Something remains befidcs it x which might be wiflhed for. Wher- fore it is manifeft^that b blefledneflfe is an eftate replenished with all that is good* This (as we laid) all men endeuour to ob teine by diuers wayes. For there is naturally in- grafted in mens minds an earneft qefirc of that, which is truely good; Jbut deceitfljjl errour withdraweth a All men ( eeke for Lappineffc , is H 4 si "Boetius his c Riches. d Hcnotirs, « Power. f Fame, sPkafure. it ro that, which falfcly ieemeth iudh. So that feme eftaeming ir their greaccft good to want no- thing j labour by all meanes toa- bound with c riches : others ma- king more account of d honours, hunt after prefcrments,tQ be refpec- ted by their inferiours.Ochers think it the grcateil^felicitie, to e haue great power and authorities and thefe will either raigne them- felues.or at lead procure to be great with Princes. But th?y who tfrinfce f fame better then all theie, make all fpeed pofsible to Ipread their nr^mes farre and neere,by atchieuing fome Worthy enterprife either in u aire or peace* Many meafure happinefle bysioy and mirth, and their chie- feftcareis, howthey may abound wich pleafyrc. Some fubordinate oneofthele to the other^as riches to ' power Tbilofophicatt Comfort. ^ power and pleafure, cr power to wealth & fame. At thcie and fiich o- ther dee mens prions and defires aime, as nobilicie and popularity, which make men cfbemed , wife and children, which bring pleafure and delight. For holy friendfhiD is rather to be attributed to vertue, then to fortune. Other things for themoft part are defired either for power or pleafure. Audit isanea- fie matter to reduce all corporall goods to the former heades. For ilrencith and greatnelfe o\\xt habi- lit : e,beautieand lwifrneiTe, fame, and health yeddeth pleafure. By all which wee manife lly feeke for nothing clfe but happinefle. For thatpWhich euery man feeketh meft after, is by him cfkemed his grea- ceftgood. Which is all one with happinefle. Wherforeheefteemeth that — r- h AlIa£ree incbuilng that which is good. ^Boetms his that efhte happy, which hee prefer- red* before al other. /\nd thus thou haftina mancrfeenethe forme of humane felicitie, riches, honour, power, glorie ; plcafure. Which the Epicure onely confidering; confe- qucntly tooke pleafiirc for his chie- f eft good, becaufe all the reft feeme to delight the mind, Butlreturne to the carefull thoughts of men, whole, minds though obfcured. yet h feeke after the greatcft good, but like a drunken man,know not the way home. For, feeme they to erre, w r hoendeuour to want no- thing? But nothing can caufe hap- pineffe ib much, as the plentiful! pofleiTion of allthatis good, nee* dingthehelpeofnone, butisfuffi- cient of it Alfe. Or doe they erre, who take that which is beft to bee likewife rtioft worthy of relpcd? 'No. ThilofophicallComfert. \ 5+ No. For it is no vile or contemp- tible thing, which almoft all men labour to obtaine. Oris not povv* er to bee cfteemed good ? Why thesis that to be accounted feeble ando^no force, which manifefly furpafleth all other things? Or is fame to be contemned I But thefe two cannot be Jeperared, that the mcfi excellent feeme alio moft fa- mous. For to what purpofe flbould I fay ., that happineffe is not fad Je or melancholy, or fjbieft to griefc and trouble, when euen in fmalleft matters we defire that , which wee delight to haue and enioy ? And thele be the things, which mende- defireto obtaine, and to this end procure riches, dignities, king- domes^ glory and pleafures.becaufe by them they tiainke to haue fuffici- encie, refpect 3 power^fame^dclight and ^Boetius bij and ioy . Wherefore that is good, which men feeke after by diuers de- fires, in which the force of nature is eafiiy delctied, fince though there be many and different opinions,yet they agree in chufing for their end that which is good. Th e II. Verse. Hq*& nature cannot bee wholly changed. HOw theflrtH r dines of at thing* guided are *By powerful! nature ', as the chief eft caufe, And how {bee keepes with afsrefeeingcar^ Thefpacmis wsrld in order by her lawes, And to fure knots,*» hie h not hixg can vntit, By herftrong hand all earthly mot tons dra wes ; To [hew all this wepurpofe now to trie Our plea fmg V erf es, and our Mnficke found* Although th? Lybian Lyons often he GentU and tame in wtllingfetiers bound y And fearing their incenfed mafters wrath With patient looses endure each bUw andweund $ Tet if their taw es they once tn blood doe bathe , They gaining courage with fierce uojfe~*wake Th* Thilofophicall Comfort. 55 Thfforce, which nature in them jested bath y Andfromtheir neckes the broken chatnes doe (hake-, Then he, that tarn A than flrfl doethfeele their rage. And tome in pieces doth their furie flake» The btr&fhut vp in an vnpleafingcage^ Which onthelof tie tree* dii lately fing, Thouah men her want offreeaometoajftvage, Sfould vnto her -with careful! lab our If ring Thefweetcfl meates, which the j can befl deuife: Tet when on toppes of houfes fluttering Thepleafwg [hadowes of thegroues fine fpics % Her hated foode fhcefcatters with herfecte, And difcontcntedto the woodtfhce flics, Hnd their delights to tune her accents fweete* Hthenfomcjlreng hand doth tender pitnt confiraine With his debafedtop the ground to meete t if it let goe J he crooked twigge againe Yp toward hrauen it /elf e it freight deth raife. ph xhu s doeth fall into therWcfierne matne, Tct doeth he backs retttrne byfecrct wayes, Andto the? E aft doc th guide hischariots racel Each thing a certain* courfe andlawes obeyes 9 Striding to turtle backs to his pr per place', Nor any fet led order can bi found y But that, which doth within itfelfe embrace The birthes and ends of all things in around^ i Toetius his The III. Pros e. That true happinefie con/iftetb not in riches. On alfo ( O earthly crea- tures) thogh (lightly & as it wereinadreame acknovv- ledgey our beginning, and though notpcrfpicuoufly ye'e in fo.me fort behold that true end o( happineflcj ibth.it the intention of nature ldP 5 deth you to the true good>and ma- nifold errour ■■••withdrawcth you from Ic.Fcr coafider,whether tho! e things.by which men thinke to ob- tains happinefTe, can bring them to their defired end. For if cither mo- ney^ of. honour,. dr any of the reft be of that qualitie , that they want nothing which is good^wc will al- io cemfefle^that they are able to make men happy. But if they nei- ther , ■ - - - Thilofophicall Comfort. therbeable to performe that they promife, and want many things which arc good ,are they not mani- fcftly difcouered to hauc a falie ap- pearance of happinefiTeJFirftthen, 1 aske thee thy felfe^ who not long fincediddeft abound with wealthy In that plenty of riches, was thy minde neuer troubled with any in- iuries? I cannot remember (quoth i.)«:hateuer my mind was io free from trouble, but that fbmething or other ftill vexed me. Was it not. bcciufe thou either wantedftfom- thingjwhich thou wouldedft hauc had,, or elfe haddeft fomething which thou Wotfldeft haue wan- tedMt is triie*(qiioth I.) Then thou defiredft the prefenceof that 5 and the abfence ot this, Iconfefleldid (quoth I.) And doth not a man want that (quoth flieej which hee deli- ^oetius his a Richest* kethncta- waywant. t» Money cannot o'c- tcnditielfc. and ihcrc- forc nee- deth fome- thing to de- fend it. defireth.Hedoth (quoth I J But he that wanteth any thing, is not alto- gether iufiicientLof hi mfeife. He is not fquoth I.) So that thou feh'ft this infufficiencie, euen in the height of thy weJch. Why not (quoth I.) Then a riches cannot malsea man wanting nothing nor fufficic.nt of himfelfe, and this was that they Teemed to prom ife. But this is moft cf all to be confidered, b that mony hath nothing of it felf, which can kecpe it fiom beingta- Jcenfrom them^W'hichpoffefTeit., 2gaioft their will 1 grant ( quoth L)why fhouldeft thou, not grant itjfince that euery day thoft, which are more potent, take it from o- thers perforce? For from whence proceede fo many complaints in Law ,but that mony gotten either by violence, or deceit is fought to be i n m i i tWWIW M" W. W 'J. .If SWJU 1 J. 1 — 1 I ' ll ■III .. . 1 1 „ ■ _ i . -^, Thilofophicall Comfort. 57 be recoucrcd by that meanes?It is Co indced(quothI.)So that euery man needethlome other helpe to defend his mony. Who denies that?(thatiftobe contemned of ma- ny, make men abiedV, whom dig- nities cannot make refpc£ted,they rather Thilofopbicall Com for t. rather make wicked^ by laying their defeats and ignominy open to the view ofthe world. But the digni- ties aoe nor fcot-free, for f wicked men do as much for them, defiling them with their infectious difeafes. And that thou maift plainely lee, that true refpeit cannot be gotten by thefe painted dignicies, inferreit thus,let § one,that hath beene often Coniul goe among barbarous na- tions, will that honour make thofe barbarous people reipect him ? And yet, it this were naturall to digni- ries,they would neucr forfake their function in anv nation whatfoe- tier- as fire,wherioeuer it bee, alway remainethhoate. But becaufe not their owne nature, but the deceit- full opinion of men attributeth that to them, they forthwith come to nothing, being; brought to w? * C/ Zj 1 3 them, 59 f Wicfred mcD defile dignities. Diuerfitie of nations make Dig- nities con- temptible. J ^Boetius his h Their worth de- cay es by change of times. them,whoeftteme them not to be dignities. And this for forraine nations. But doe they h aUvay- laft among; them, where thev had their beginning ?■ The Prsefeft-flvppea great dignitiein time paft,is now an idle name, and an heauy bur- then of the Senates Cenfure. If heretofore one had care of the peo- ples prouifion, he was accounted a great man \ Now what is more abieet then that office? For as wee faied before, that which hath no proper dignitis belonging vnto it, lomedme receiueth ; andfome- timeloofeih his value ar the vfos difcretion. VVherefore if di^ni- ties cannot make vs lefpccted, if they be eafily defiled with the in- fection of the wicked } if their worth decaies by change of times^ ifdiuerfitie of nations make them con Thilofophkall Qomfort. \ 6® contemptible, what beautie haue they in thcmfeiucs, or can they af- ford toothers worth thedefiring? The IIILVers e. Hov Nero hehyg mafi picked , leas in greateftdigmtie. T Hough fierce and leflfuliNero didadorne H'wfielfaith purple robes jv'btch gems dtdgracz- He did but game agenerallhate and /cornel Yet by his pawer he Officers moH bafe y Oner the Ren rend Senators did place. Who would efteewe of fad'mghonoursthen y Whmmay begmnthmbj the wickedftmenl Th e V.Prose. Of Lyings and their fauorites* U Vtc^n kingd'omes and the y*m familiaritie of kings make ^p a man mighty ?VVhy not, when their felicity 1 lafteth atvvaies? I 4 But *Kmg- King- dome* are limned* king ot Sicily, d King^ domes full offeares- But both former and prefent times arc full of examples, that many kiqgs haue changed their happi- nefle with niilery. O excellent power, which is nor fufficient to vphold it iclfc. And if this ftrength of kingdomesbee the author of bleflednefT^ doech it not diminifh happineile and bring mi!ery,when' it is any way defeftiue ? But though b ibme Empires extend themlelues farre, there will ftillre- maine manv nations out of their dominions. Now, where their power endeth, which maketh them happy ,chere entered the con- trary, which maketh th?m miiera- ble, fo that all kings mult needes haue leflc happinelfethen miiery. That tyrant knowing by experi- ence thedangers of his eftate, figni- fied the d feares incident to a king- dome, < PbilofophicalI Comfort. dome^by the hanging ofa drawne fword oner a mans head, What power is this then., which cannot expell nor avoid biting cares and pricking feares ? They would wil- lingly hauelined /ecurely^ut could not,and yet they brag of their pow- er. Thinkeft thou him mighty, whom thou ieeft defire that^which he cannot doe? Thinkeft thou him mighty who dareth not goe with- out his guard, who feareth others more then they feare himywho can- not feeme mighty.) except his ler- uaunts pleafe? For what fliouldl fpeake of kings followers^ fined (Lew, thatkingdomes themfelues areio fullofweakeneile? Whome the power of kings often ftandrng, and many times telling,doth ouer- throw. Kero compelled Seneca his familiar friend and Matter^ to make choice 'Boetius bis c Aureltus Antontut I Car which loue vs not for our vertue, but for our profperitypBut whome prolperirie maketh our friend, adueriltie will make our enemy. Andwhatphgue i ThilofophicallComfert. \ 6% is able to hurt vs more, then a fami- liar cnemie? The V-Verse. True power conjiftetb in conquering our otynepafiions. WHo would be port erf ull 7 muft His owneafeBipm checke, Nor let foul e raynes oj lufl Subdue his ccniyurd necke* For though the Indian land Should tremble at thy beck*, And though thy dread command The farthejt parts obey, Vnlejfe thou car.sl vithfland. And boldly drtut «way Blacke care avdrrr etched tnoanc Thy might is [mall or none. The VI. P ros e. That true hdppinejje confijletb not invlorie. ^$w5g S for * glory, how deceit- « full is it oftentimes; and diflhpneft ? For which caufe a glory of- ten felfc. *BoetiM his Oglar/J, flortti t trifi tutu tam ntilliusprettt tfttdvt tudm fcetft$mag b The rani tie of true oloric. ' The fnul- neile ot it. caulctheTragicallPoe^ deferuediy exclameth; <*£'<%,&£<&* ^wi n e&7uvvj\i v yiyva fiw+p*y n#t < ts p * y ** for many ftaue bin much fpoken of by the falfe opi- nions of the common peopIe.Then which what can bee imagined more vile?For thole who are falfely commended muft; needes bh:fii at their owne praifes. Which though they be gotten b by deferts, yet wh at adde they to a wife mans confei- encc- who meafurerii his owne good, not by popular rumours , bu t by his owne certaine knowledge. And if it feemeth a fire thing to haue dilated our fame, con frequent- ly wee muft iudge it a foulc thing not to haue it extended. But flnce as I Chewed a litle before, there muft needes be many c nations, to which the fame of one man cannot arriue, it commeth to paffe^that hc,whom thou Tbilofophicall Comfort. 63 thou eftcemeft glorious, in the next Countrey feemeth' to hauc no gloiy at all. And here now I thinke d po- pularglory not worth the (peaking of, which neither proceedeth from iudgment, nor euer hath any fume- nefle. Like wife, who feeth not, whatavaineand idle thing it is to be called noble? W.hich^for as much as belongeth to fame, is not our owne For c Nobilicie feemeth to be a ccrcai ne prai fe proceedi ng from our parents deferts* And if praifing caufeth fame , they muft neceffarily be famous, who are praifed. Whcr- fore the fame of others , If thou haft none of thine own,mak§th not thee renowmed. And if there bee any thing good in nobility,! iudge it on- ly to be this,that it impofeth a necef fitievpon thole, which ;are Noble, not to degenerate from the vertue <* Popular "lone. e Nobilitic. of their anceftors. The 'Boetius his a Here Boe rim Ipss- keth accor- ding to the ouinion of The VI.Ve RSEi Hoty aU } hut kicked men , £/e\ T#e ?fi«ce none a counted bdfe. If you conflder Godtheauthour ofyo^rrace^ But he that tptthfeule $tcc doetb his mne birth deface. Platonifts, who thought, that the foulcs were created in heauenj butthe tructh is that they are created in the bodies»io foonc as they ate rea^y for life. The VII. Prose. That true htppimjfe confifteib not inpkafure. OW whatfhouldlfpeake of bodily pleafurc, the de- ^^ fire of which is full of anxi- ctic^ theenicyingofthem breeds repentance ? How many dileafes, how intolerable griefes bring rhey forth in the bodies of their poiTeP fors, ■ ■'■ ■ ■ Ml I ■ I' II "ThilofophicaU Qomfort. fors, as it were the fru ices of their wickednefle? 1 know not what fvveetnefle their motions haue t but whofbeuer will remember hi* lufts,fliall vnderftand, that the end ofpleafurcisfadnefle. Which if it be able to caufe happineffe, there is no reafon^why bcafts fhould not be thought ble(Ied,\vhofe whole in- tention is bent to fupply their cor* porall wants. Thatp!ea(ure,which proceedeth from wife and children is mod honeftj but it was too natu* rally fpoken, that ( I knbwe not whomej found his children his tormentors , whole condicion, whatfoeueritbe, how biting itis, Ineedenot tell thee, who hall: had experience heerctofore, and art not now free from care. In which I approuethe opinion of Euripides^ who (aid that they ,whichhaue no children ^Boetius his > children^are happy by being vnfor- tunate/ d The Vtl. Vers e. That there is no pie af tire without paine. A Llpleafu re hath t '■ "i y property, jL\.Shee woundeth thofe, who hauc her fooft. And. like vhto the agaric Bee, frho hath herplcafant home loft* She e flies aw<*y With nimble wing , And m our hearts doethlcauchtrfiing. . The VIII. Pros e! Ho^q all temporal goods are mixedivith enill^nd are J ma U in them {clues. ISPfe^ Herefore there is no doubt, ^^^| but that thefe waies to M^l^^happineffe, are onely cer- taineby-pathes, which can neuer bring any man thether, whether they promife to leadt him. And with Thilofopbicall Comfort. 6% how ; great euills they arc befet-te, I will briefely fliew. For what? wilt thou endeuour to gather 3 mo- ney ? but thou lhalt take it away from him,whoharhit. Wilt thou exell in b dignities ? Thou flialc crouche to the giuer, and thou, who defireil: to furpaffe others in honour, (hale become vile by thy bafenefTe in begging. Wifheftthou for c power? Thou ilialtbeindan- gerofthy fubie<5ts treacheries. See- keft thou for d glory ? But drawne into many difficulties , thou fhalt Ioofe thy fafety. Wile thou Hue a € voluptuous life? But who would notdifpife and negled: the feruice of fb vile and bale a things as his body ? Now they, who Goaft of the f liabilities of their body, vpon 'how vnftedfaft a poffeffion doe they ground themfelues ? For can K you Money. b Dignities. c Power, Glory. • Pleafure, t Habilli- ties or the body # 'Boetim his s Beau tie. hThebeaft Lynx hath the quick^ft fight of any bcaft.Phn. Eb.32.Hift. nat.cap.8. Thcrcwas alfbaman calecUynce- us t who did fee through vvals &c ApoHontutin s4r£onaut$- » A noble Captaine of A the as. you bee bigger then Elephants, or ftrongerthen Buls? Or fwifterthen Tygers?looke vpon the fpace 5 firm- neffe and Ipeedy motion of the hea- uens, and ceafe at length tohaucin admiration thefe bale things. Which heauens are nor more to be admired for thele quallities, then for the maner of their gouerne- ment.Asfortheglitteringofsbeau- tie,how foone and fwiftly doeth itvanifiiaway? As fuddenly decay- ing and changing as the f raile flow- ers in the ipring. And if, asJrifto* tie fayeth, men had h Lymes eyes, that they could fee through ftone walles, would they not iudge that body of 1 jitctbiades feeming out- wardly moftfaire, to bemoftfoule and vgly by difcoucring his en trailes? Wherefore not thy nature, buttheweaknefleoftlie beholders eyes 'Philo/opbicall Comfort. 66 eyes make«:h thee fceme faire. But .efteemc the goods of the body as much as you will, fo that you ac- knowledge this, that whaifoeuer you admire, may bedifTolued with the burning of an Ague of three dayes. Out of all which, wee may briefcly collect this Aimmc; that thcfe goods 5 which can neither performe that they promife, nor are perfect bv hauing all that is good, doe neyther, as fo many pathes, leade men to happin.fle, nor make men happy ot them lelues. [ The VUI. Verse. Ho^o men are ~$>ife in fe eking for things of little "Value , -andfoolijb in finding out their foueraigne good. A Las -, how t£?iorance makes wretchesftraj i\ out of the way \ K 2 Ten c Boetimhis 1 Ton from greene trees expetl no golden mines, n$r pearlesfrom vines . Nor v fey 9 ft on mountawes to lay ywr net y f[hes to get. Nor , if the pleafant fport of bunting pleafe, runne yotttofeas* Men wtll be skiff nil in the hidden caues ef 'tff Ocean w a ues \ And m what coafis the orient pearles are bred, or purple red* AlfOy whtt dif rent forts offiftejftort ech feuerall fhore. "i "But when they come their chief eft good to find, then are they blind» i Andfearchfor that vrtder the earth, which lies alone tlje skies. How fhonld I curfe thefcfooles* Let thirft them hold ef fame and gold, Thathanin* got falfe goods with payne } they learne . True to dtjeerne. The IX- Prose. Why true felicitie cannot confift in tem- per all things. 'Plii ntiuumce, mat wee naue h t^M hethcrto dilcoucrcd the I'M «S^aSlSi* forme of falfe felicitie, il^^^jgffi which ■ I' ' . ■ - . I ■ ■ I Thilofophicall Comfort. which ifthou haft plaincly lecne, order now requireth, that we flhew thee.in what true happineffe confi- fteth, I fee (quoth 1) that neither i ufficiencie by riches, nor power by kingdomes,nor refpe£fc by dignities, nor renowme by glory, nor ioy can be gotten by plefures.Haft thou alfo vndeiftoodthecaufes,whyitis fo? Methinkelhaaealittleglimpfe of them,butlhad rather thou woul- deft declare them more plaincly. The reafon is manifeft, for that, which is fimpleand vndeuided of itielfe^isdcuidedby mens errour, and is cranflated from true and per- fect to falfe and vnpetfe<£t. Thmk- eft thou, that, which needeth no- things ftand in need of power. No ( quoth I , ) Thou fayelt well, for ifany power in any refpeftbee weake, in this it mud; neceflarily J K ? ftand Hyoetius his ftand in need of the helpe of others. It is true (quoth I . ) Wherefore fuf- ficiencie and power haue one and the fame nature. So it (eemeth. Now thinkcfl thou/ hat, which is of this fort ought to bee defpifed, or rather that it is worthy to beref pe£ted aboue ail other things? There cai bee no doubt of this (quoth 1 ) iietvsadde relpe&rhtn co fafficiencie and power, io.h.u weeiudge cfoefe three-to bee one. Wc inult adde i t^ifwc will eonf eiTe the truth, V^hacnowfquoth (he) 1 thinkeft thou this robe t&Jcu bale, or rather rnoft excellent ai famous? Co^ifider whether, that., which thou haft granted to want nothing, to bee mod potent, and molt worthy of Honour, may feemeio want tame, which if can- not yecld it fcl e, and for that cauie' be Tbilofopbicall Qomfort. ] 68 be in ibme refpeit more abie£t. I muft needed confeffe (quoth I, ) That it is al(o moft famous. Con- fequently then wee muft acknow* ledge, that fame difFerech nothing from the former three. We muft fo ( quoth I.) Wherefore that which wanteth nothing, which can performe al things by his owne power, which is famous and ref- peded^is it not manifeft that ic is al- fo moft pleafant?To whichlanfwe- ted-Jiowfuchaman fhould fall in- to any griefe, I can by no meanes imagine. Wherefore if that, which weehaue (aid hitherto be true, wee muft needs confefTe,that he is moft ioyfull and content. And by the fame reafon it followeth that a fuffi- ciencie ? power/ame ; refpeft, plea- fttre haueindeede diuers names,but differ not in fubftance. It follow- , K a eth a Sufiicica- cicpowerj, Tpcft and pie a lure are all but one and the Tame thing TSoetim his b Hetlut diuideth them, bath none of ihenv ctfcb indeed (quoth I.) This then, which is one and fimple by natm c, mans vvickednefle deuideth, and while he endenourech to obtdin.6 pare of thac^which hath no partes, he neither b gettcth a part, w hichis none.nor the whole, which he fee- keth not after. How is this ? (quoth L) Hee who feeketh after riches (quoth fhe)to avoid want, taketh no thought for power, hee had ra- ther be bafe andobfeure, he depri- ueth himfelfe euen of many natu- rall pleafuies 3 that he may not loofe the money, which he hath gotten. But by this meanes he attaineth not to fufticiencie, whom power forfaketh, whom trouble molef- teth, whom bafeneffe maketh ab- ied, whom obfeuritic ouerwhcl- meth. Againc, he that onely defi- reth power.confumeth wealthier. ' pTech 'Pbilofophicall Comfort. pifeth pleafures, and fetteth light by honour or glory, which is nor potent. Butthou feefthow many tilings are wanting to this man al- io. For sometimes he wantechne- cefTaries,and is perplexed with an- xieties, and being not abletoridde himfelfe, ceafeth to be powerful], which was the thing he onely ay- medac. Thelikedifcourfemaybe made of honours, glory, pleafures, Fortfince euery oneof thefe things is the fame with thereft, whofoeuer ieeketh for any of them without the lefl^obtaineth not that, which hee delneth. V Vhat then ? (quoth I ) If one fhould defire to haue them altogether, he^fhould wifhforche fummc of happinefle^but fhall hee find it in theie things, which wee haue fliewed cannot performe whattheypromife? No(cjuQthl) where- ^Boettus hit wherefore we muft by no meanes feekefor happineflein thefe things, which are thought to afford the fe~ uerall portions of that, which is to be defired. I ccnfefle it (quoth I ) and nothing can be more true then this. Now then (quoth flic) thou haft both the forme and caules of faife felicit ic y cz(h but the eyes of thy minde on the contrary, and cbcu flialc patently efpie the true happi- nciiCjwhich wepromiied to fhew thee. This (quoth I) is cuiden^e- uen to him chat is blind, and. thou fliewedft it a little before, whiie thou endeuouredfttolay open the caufesofthefalle. For, nl bee not deceiued, c that is true and perfect happinefle, which maketh a man fufficient 5 potent,refpe6ted,famoiis, ioyfull. And that thou maiftknow that I vndcrftood tftee aright, that which c Wherein true happi- neffe con- Thilofophicall Comfort. 7° which can truely pcrfbrmc any one of thefe hecaule they are all one, 1 acknowledge without all doubt to be full and perfect happineflfe* O rny fcholler, I thinks thee happy by hauing this opinion, ifthou ad- deft this alio. What? (quoth 1.) Doeft thou» imagine that there is d any mortall orfraile thing,which can caufe this happy cilate? I doe not (quoth 1) and that hath beene foproued by- thee, that more can- not be delved, Wherefore thele thingi fceme to afford men the i- maqes of the true cpod, or certaine vnperfed goods, but they cannot giue them the true and perfedt aood it felfe. I am of the lame mind ( quoth I. ) Now then fince thou knoweft, wherein true happi- neffe confifteth, and what haue onely a falfe fliew cfit, it remai- neth d No mor- tall thing can caufe truchappi- ctefe. ^oetius bis neth that thou fhouldeft learne, where thou maieft feeke for this which is true. This is that (quoth I) which I haue long earneftly ex- fpe&ed. BfctfinceaslV^o teacheth (in Tima?o)\ve muft implore Gods afsiftanceeuen in our lead affaires, whatthinkeft thou, muft wee doc now, that wemaydelcrue tofind the feat of that Soueraigne good? we muft( quoth 1) inqocate the fa- ther of all things, without whofe remembrance no beginning hath a good foundation . Thou fayeft rightly (quoth (hee)and withall fungin this fort. The IX. Verse, Thylojophy craueth Gods afjlftancc for the dtfcouery of true bappinejfe. O Thorn, that doe ft the world in laflwg orfc rgutdc, Father ofheatfn 0* earth , who nt*k' (I ttme fnnftly And {lading fttl thyfelfc jet {ram (I all moving Uros % (Jlyle, VVho to tin worl^e vert mot* d b) no external caufci But mmmmm mOtk w i n i ■ . i n' . — ..i ' - Tbilof ophkall Comfort. \ 7 l &»t by afvseete defire, where enute hath m place, Thygoodnefie moutng thee to giue each thing his grace. I hou doefi all creatures formes from highetl patter ntjta^e, From thy faire mtnd, the world fatre I ike thy felfe do ft make. Thus thou perfect the whole, perfeft eel; part do(l fra me % 7 hou temp reft element s t mak*»g coldmixe with flame. And drte things loyne withmoyft, leaf? fire axvty ^jouldflie^ Or earth eppreft with wight, buried too low fhould lie. Thou tn a con fenting parts fitly dt(pofedha(i Th'all moutng ^foule in <■ mtdfi of threefold nature plac't. Which d c ut in feuerall parts , that runne a diff'rent race, into it c felfe returned and circling doth embrace The * higheft mtnd^ hsau'n with g like proportion druses. Thou aljo with like caufe h doe>7 mahe the fou!es,& l lejfer And k tho \e in ' charyots beare, and fitly them infpire (hues Into the heauen and earth, which with returning m fire Goe bacl>? agasne to thee the'raut hour and their end* Deare Father let my mtnd thy glorious feat afcend, Let me behold tbefpnng of gr.ice and find thy ltgbr t That I on thee may fixe my (oules well cleared fight Ca(? off the earthly weight &>h crew tth I am oppreft % Shine as thou artmoff bright , thou onely calme and reft To pious men j xcho(e end is to beheld thy ray, Who their beginning art, their guide,t heir bound, and way. x Thcdiffe rentorbes of heauen. b The An- gel!, which moueth the heaufr.% c B.twixt Go^and men. d D.uided into di Ce- rent moti- ons of di- uers hca- uens. * Knowing himfelfc. f And like- wife God. z Mouing the heauens according to Gods ap- h Of men. » Of beafts, &c 4 k Theioulc* of men m Of louc and charity « pointment. I In Itarres according to the Platonifts The X. P ros E. That there isfome true happinejje, and Cohere it is to be found* Herefore fince thou haft feenewhacisthe forme of perfect & vnperfe£t good, now c Boetius bis nowl think we muftfliew in what this perfection of happinefle is pla- ced. And enquire firft, whether there can bee any fuch good^extant in the world, as thoa haft defined, leaft contrary to the truth, wee bee deceiued with an empty fliew of knowledge- Bui it cannot bee de- nied^that there is fomefuch thing, which is as it were the fountain? of allgoodnefle. For all, that is faid to be imperfect, is lb rearmed for the want, it hath of perfection. Whence it followerhjthat if in any kind we find fomething vnperfeCt, there muft needs be fomething per- fect alfo in the fame kind. For if we take away perfection we can- not deuife, how there fhould be a- ny imperfection. For the nature of things began not from that which is defe&iue and not compleate, but pre- Thilofophicdll Comfort. \ 7 Z proceeding from entire & abfolute, falleth into that which is emeime and confumed . And if, as wee fhewed before, there bee a cer- taine imperfedt felicitci, cf fraile goods, it cannot bee doubted, but that there is fome (olide andper- fe<5t happinefle alfo . Thou haft (quoth l) concluded moft firmely andmoft truely. Now where this aooddwelleth (quoth (Iiee)confi- derrhis. The common conceit of mens minds prouech, that God the Prince of all things is good. For fince nothing can be imagined bet- ter then God, whodoubtech but that is good^then which is nothing better? And reafon doeth in fuch (bit demonftrate God to bee good, thatitconuincethhimtobee a per- fectly good. For vnlefle heewere fo 3 hee could not bee the chiefe of * God is pcrfcdly good. ^Boetim his k True fcap- pinefle pla- ced ia God, of all things. For there would bee fomething better then hce, hauing perfed: goodnefTe, which could ieemetobe mcrcauncient and of longer continuance then he* For it is already manifeft, that perfed: things were before the imperfect. Wherefore, leaft our reafbn fhouid hauenoend,wemuftconfefle,that theSoueraigne God is moftfullof Soueraigne and perfect goodneffe. But we haue concluded, that perfed: goodneffe is tru? happinefle,where- fore b truehappineffemuftnecefTa- rily be placed in the mod high god. I agree (quoth I) neither can this be any way contradicted. Butlp ay thee (quoth fhee) fee how holily £nd inuiolably thou approueft that,which we faid, that thefoueraigneGodis mofl full of foucraigne goodneffe* How I (quoth • ThilofophicaUComfort. \ J] ( quoth I.J That thou prefumeft not, that this Father of all things, hath eyther c ieceyued from others, thatfoueraignegcod , with which he is faidtoberepleniChed, or hath it naturally in fuch iort , that thou flioiildeftthinke, that the fubfltnce of the bleflednefle., which is had, and of God who hath ic , Were di- uers. For if thou thinkfft, that hee had it from others, thou mayeii alio inferre , that hee who gaue it, was better then the receiutr. But wee mod worthily confefiTe, that hee is the mod excellent of all things. And if he hath it by nature, but as a diiieife d thing , fince wee fpeake of God the Prince of all things , let him that can,inuent, who vnited thefe diuerie things* Finally . that which is different from any thing, is not that, from which ic is L vn- c God hath nor recei- ucd his gr oineiTe from 3LUJ other. d Grids goodnefle ishinafelf 'Boetim his vnderftood to dinger. Wherefore that, which is naturally different from the Soueraigne good , is not the Soueraigne good ic feffe* Which it were impious to thinke of God, thcnwhom,weknowcer- tainely , nothing is better • For doubtlefife, the nature of nothing can be better, then the beginning of it. Wherefore I may mod truely conclude , that, which is the begin- ning of all things^ tobeealfoinhis owne fubftance , the chiefefl: goo d. Mod rightly: (quoth I.) But it is granted , that the chiefeft good is happineflc. It is, (quoth I 4 ) VVher- fore(quoth fhejwe muft needs con- felle, that our happinefle it fclfe is God. I can neither contradict, (quoth 1) thy fonner proportions, and I fee this illation followeth from them. Confider ( fayeth fhe) if *P hi iojopbic all Corn fort * ! 74- if the forae be not more firmely pro- uedhence,beamie there c cannot be two chiefe goods the one different from the other. For ic is manifeft rhatcfchofe goods, which differ; the one is not the other, wherefore neither of them can bee perfeft, wanting the other. Bat manifeftly that which is not perfect, is not the chiefeffc, wherefore the chiefe goodes cannot bee diiiers. Now wee haue proucd chat both bleflednelTe and God are the chiefe ft good, wherf ore that miift ne. des be die higheft hap- piiieffe.whichisthehioheftDiuini- tie. There cm be nodding (quoth 1) concluded, more trucly in the thing it felfe, nor more firmely in arguing, nor more worthy God himfclfe. Vpon this then ('quoth (he) as thz Geometricians ztz wont, put of their propositions, which L 2 they « There cmnorbce twofouc- raigne ^oods* < Boetius bis f Men be come Gois by partici- pation- they haue demonftrated to inferre fomething, which they call **w*** lb will I giiie thee as it were a Corol- larium. For fince that men are made blefled by the obtaining of bleffed- nefle., and bleflednefle is nothing elfc but Diuinitie,it is mani i eft that men are made happy by the obtai- ning of Diuinity. And as men are made iuft by the obtaining of ivC- tice, and wife by the obtaining of wifedome, fo they who obtaine Diuinirie,mufl: needs in like maner become Gods. Wherefore euery one that is happy is a God, but by nature there isonely one God, but there may bee many by participa- tion. This is (quoth I) an excellent and pretious »«pi^* or (jrollarium. But there is nothingmore excellent then that, which reafbn perfwaded vs to adde. What( quoth I) fince (quoth f Thilofophicall Comfort. (quoth flieej) blefTednefle feemeth to containe many things, whether they all concurre as diuers partes to the composition of one entire body ofhappinefle, orfomeone of them doeth accompliOi the fubftance of bleflednefTe,to which the reft are to bereferred. Ide(ire(quochI) that thou wouldeft declare this point,by the enumeration of theparticulars. Doewenotthinke^quothfhejthat happinefleis good ?yea the chiefefl: good, (quoth I.) Thou maieft (quoth fliee) adde this to them all. For happinefle is accounted the chiefefl fufficiencie., the chiefeft powerjefpe&jfame, and pleafure. What thenfare all thefe/ufficiencie, pocver and the reft as it werecer taine members of bleflednefle, or rather are 'they referred to good as to the head ? I vaderftand (quoth I) L i what 'Boetius his \ is the fum andcaule of all that is what thou propofeft ; but 1 defire to herre Whfift thou concluded This is the decfion of this matter. If ill thefe were members of bkfleJneflfe, theyftiould differ one from another. For this is the nature of parrs, that being diuers they compoie cne bo- dy. But wee haue proued, that all thefe are on?> and the fame thing. Whcreforetheyareno members, o- therwife happinefie fhould be com- pared of one member, which can • not bee. There is no doubt of this (quoth I )but I exped: that which is behind. It is manifeft that the reft are referred to goodnt fle : for fiiffici- ency is defiredjxcaufe it is efteemed good, and likewife power, becaufe that likewife is thought to be good; And we may conie&ure the fame ot refpeft/ameand plea lure. Where- fore sgoodncfle i$ the fumme and c Philo[ophicall Comfort. caufeofallthatisdefired. For that which is neither good indeed, nor beareth any fliew of gocdnefle^can by no meanes be fought after. And contrariwife thofe things , which are not good of their owne nature, yecifthevfeeme (uch, aredefiredas if they were ttuely good* So that thefummejOrigen, andcaufeofall that is fought after, is rightly thoght to be goodneife. And that feemeth chiefeiytobe wiflhedfor, which is thecaufe, that other things are defi- red . As if one would ride for his health, he doth not fo much defire tne motion of iiding, as the efife&of health. Wherefore lince all things are defired in rcfpe&of goodneffe, they are not fo much wifhed for ; as goodnefleitfelfe. But wegraanted that to be happinefle, for which o- ther things are defired, wherefore in L 4 like ^Eoetiushis kgoodneflTt and happi- ncde al one i Tlic Tub ftanceof God confu- te tb in goodacflc. * A riuer in Portugal or Spain e. like manner onely bleflednefle is fought after, by which it plainly r;ppeareth,that b goodnefleandhap- pinellehaaeone and the felfe fame iubftance. Ifeenor how anv man candiflent. But wee haue fhewed that God and true bleflednefle are one and the felfe-fame thing, It is fo (quoch I)we may then fecurely con- clude, that theMubflance of God confifteth in nothing elfe, but in ooodneffe. The X. Verse. Thylofophy exhortetb men to embrace true bappinejje. COme hither all you, that are bound y Whofe bafe and earthly mwds are drown d By lnfljvhich doeth them tye w cruel! chafes : Here is a feat . for men op pre s~i 7 Here ts a port of pie af ant rejl > Htre may a wretihhatte refuge from his paynes. No gold 3 yihich^Tagus fands betfew. c Philofophicall Comfort. 11 Norwbich on b Herma c - bankes doth flaw t Nor precious flones^ which skorc he d IndiarSget, Can clear e the [harpenejfe of the mind 9 But rather make itfarre more blind And it in farther depth of darkeneffefet. For this thatfetJ oar joules on worke Buri id tn canes of earth dcth lurke. Bfit heatin is guided by another light 9 Which caufeth vstojhunne the dar^fj zAndwho this light doth trueiy marke, Mufi needs denj^ that Phcebus beames are bright. The XI.Pr ose. That goo dnejfe is the end of all things. Content (quoth I ) for all is grounded vpon mod firmereafons. But what account wilt thou make ( quoth flie) to know what good- nefle it felfc is. I will efteeme i t in- finitely^ (quoth I) becaufebythis meancs I fhall come to know God alfo, who is nodiing elfe but good- nefle. I will conclude this (quoth flheej b A riuer in Lydia, 'Boetius his fliee ) moft ccrtainely , if thofe things be not denied , which I haue already proued. They fhall not (quoth I.) Haue wee not proued (quoth fhee) that thofe things, which aredefiredof many^arenot true and perfect g6ods , becaufe they differ one from another, and being (eparated, cannot caufe com- plete ; and abfolutc goodnefle., which is only found,when they are vnited as it were inco one forme and caufality^hat the fame may be fufficiencie , power, refpeii, fame, and plcafure? And except they be all one and the fame thing, that they haue nothing worth the defiling? Ithathbinproued(qucthl) ney- thercanit beany way doubted of. Thofe things then, which when they differ, are not good,and when they are one^ecome good, arc thtf not Thilofopbicall Comfort. 7^ not made good by obtayning vni- cie? fbmethinkc (quoth I.) But doefi thou grant that all , that is good, is e.ocd by pertakinggood- ncile? Insfo. Thoumayetfgraunt then likewiie y that a vnftie and ooodncHeare the fame. For thole things haue the fame fubftance, which na.urallyhaue not diuersef* fe£i$. Icannotdeniei'j (quorh I.) Knoweft thou then (o^othfhee) that b euery thing that is, doth fo long remaine and fubfift , as it is one, and pe ifhech and is diflolued, lb fbone as it ceafeth to bee one. How ? As in tilling creatures, (quoth fhe)fo long as the body and thefbule remaine voiced, theliuing creature remaineeh . But when this vnity is diiblued by their feperation, it is manifeft that it perifheth, and is no longer a lining creature. The body a Vnitvand gocdrcUe the fame* b Eucry ihingconri' nuethoneiy (O long, as J i is cue. *Boetim his c All things dcfiiccobc body alfo it (elfe 5 fb long as ic remai- neth in one forme by the ammuniti- on of theparts there appeareththe likeneffeofaman. But if the mem- bers of the body being feperated and fundred, baue loft their v- nitie^it is no longer the fame. And in like maner it will bee manifeft to him chat willdcfcend to other par- ticulars, that euery thing conti- nueth fo long as it is one^and perifh- ethwhenitloofechvnitie. Confide- ring more particulars, I find ic to bee no trherwife. Is there any thing (quoth fhe)thatinthecourleof na- ture, leaning the defire of being, fee- kech to come to definition 8c cor- ruption ? IfC quoth 1)1 confider liuiug creatures, which haue any tnture co will and to nill, 1 find no- tlungjthat without excerne compul- fion /orfake the intetion to remain, and I TbilofophicaU Comfort. and cf their owne accord haftenco diftru&ion.Foreueryliuing creature laboureth to prelerue his health,and efcheweth death and detriment. But whatIfliouldthinkeofhearbs,and trces^nd of all things without life, lam altogether doubtfull. But there is no caufe why thou fhouldeft doubt of this, if thou conildereft firft, thathearbs and trees grow in places agreeable to their nature, where lo much as their conftitu- tion permitteth , they cannot foore wither and perifh • For fome grew in fields^ other vppon hils, fbmein fenni?, otherinfionie places j and the barren Hinds are fertile for lorne, which if thou wouldeft traniplant into other places ; they dye . But nature giueth euery one that which is fitting, and ftriuethtokeepethem from TSoetius his from decaying folong as they can remainc What fliould I tell th&j if all o- them,as ic were thruftingtheir head into the ground, drawnou- rilhment by their rootes, andcon- uey fiibllance and barke by the in- waidpith?VVhat, that al way the fcftefi.as the pith is placed within, and is couercd with more firme wood,andlaftof all the bark is ex- pofed to the weather, as being beft able to bearek off: And how great is the diligence of nature, that all tilings may continue by the multi- plication of fecdc ; all which who knowech not to bee.a* it were cer- taine engines, notoneiytoremaine for a time, butfucceffiiulyina ma- ner to endure for euer» Thofe things alio which are without all life, doth not euery one in like maner defire that, which appertained to their owne c Philo[opbicall Qomfort. j So ovvne good ? For why doth leuitie lift vp flames, orheauinefle weigh downethc earth, but becaufethefe places and motions are conuenienc for them? And that which b agree- able to euery thing, conferueih it, as that which is oppofite, caufeth cor- ruption . Likewife thole things which are hard , as ffcones, fticke mofl firmely to their parts, & make great refiftance to any diflbiurion. And liquid things, 'as ayer and- wa- ter, are indeed eafily deuided, but doeeafily alio ioyne againe. And fire flyeth all deuifion. Neither doe we now treate of the voluntary mo- tions of the vnderftanding foule, but onely of naturall operations. Of which fort is, to digeft that, which wee haue eaten, without thinking of it, to breath in our fleepe not thinking what wee doe* For ^m 'Boetius bis Foreueninliuin° creatures theloue ot life proceedeth not from the wil ofthefoule,butfrom the principles of nature. For the will many times embraceth death vpon vrgent occa- fions,which natureabhorreth; and contrariwife the ad of generation, by which alone the continyanceof mortal things is maintainedjs fbm times bridled by the will , though nature doth al way defire it. So true it is , that this felfe-loce proceedeth not from any voluntary motion, but from naturall intention. For prouidence gaue to her creatures this as thegreateft caule of continu- ance, that they naturally dcCuc to continue fo long as they may, wherefore there is no cauie, why thou fhouldeft any way doubt, that al thinos, which are.defire na- turally ftabilitieof remaining , and cfchue ■- ■■I ■ 1 ■ ' ' " ■«""" ■■ ■ ■■' ■ ■ ' — — — Thilofophicall Comfort. j Si cfchue corruption. I confefTe'quoth I) that 1 now Tee vndoubtediy that, which before feemed very doubt- fulL Now thai (quoth flic) which defircth to continue and rernaine, feeketh to hauc vnity. For if this be taken away, being it ielfe cannot remaine. It is j true ( quoth U) All things then ( q noth (lie ) di fire voi- tie* I granted it tobefo. But wee haue (hewed that vnity is the lame thasooodnrflc. You haue indeede. All c things* then defire goodneiTe, which thou mayeft define thus : That goodnefleis that, which is defired of all things. There cm be nothing; imagined more true. For either all things haue reference to nothings and being deftitute as it were ot one head,fhall be in confu- fio without any ruler :or if there be any thmg^o which al things hafte, M that d All thing? dciirc vnity. = All thin; defire goou nefle. ! ^Boettus his * Goocfnes is the end ofal thing: that muft bee the chieieft of all goods.Ireioycetoo muchQfchol ler^uothfheej for thou haft fixed in thy mind the very markeof veri- tie But in this thou haft difcouc- red that , which a li ttle before thou fatdeft , thou wert ignorant of. What is that ? f quoth 1.) What the end of all things is (quoth fhe.) For certainly it is that , which is deiired of all things, which fincewchaue concluded to bee goodneflc, wee muft alio confeiTe that * goodnefle is the end of all things. The XL Verse. Hcto voe may attaine to the kno^o* ledge of truth. HEthtt weuldfeekc the truth vith thought J profound, ud would net firayin wascs which are not right, He to himfelfe muft fume htsinwdrdftgbt, ndguid hts motions in a circled round, Tetclnnrkumtndphdt euerfhe difstgne, Her h i m ■■ ■ '» * mi*~m — . PbtlolophicaU Comfort. \ 82 Hn (eifetn b;r o&ne tr ta^mto pojejfe ; So that which late lay hidde m cloudmejfe, \Ure bright and cleere tUn Vhcsb*s frames /hail/bine, Flefb hathnot quenched all the fpsrtt slight , Ch.iugh t&ts o bltuiaus Lamp holds her otpreft t Seme feedeoftrtfh rematneth m our bre(f t lV'i'ichskil{*lltedrusitge*jl\ dothexciti , For being a GocJ dif pofctb yll chingsby himfelfe, that is by goodqefle. (^qiiothfliee^hee needeth no out- ward helps to gouerne the woild,, otherwife, it he needeth any thing, he hath not full fufficiency, Tha: (qiiodil)muftneceflarily bee fe. V Vherefore ° he difpofech al things bv himfelie. No doubt heed$erh (quoth I*) But it hath beene proued that God is soodnefle it felie. I re- member ic very well ( quoth I.) Then hee difpoieth all things by goodnefle: fincehe gouerneth ail things by himlcHe,whom we haue granred to be goodnefle* And this is as it were the fkarne and gouernemenc , by which the frameofthe woildiskept ftedfaft and vncorrupted.l moil willingly agree (quoth 1) and Iforefaw alittle before,though oncly with a (lender guefle,thatthou wouldeft conclude this. I beleeue thee (quoth {hcc) for now] Thiiofophicali Qomfort. % °4" now I fjppofe thou lookeft more watchfully about thee to difcerne the truth , but that which I wil fay is no kfle manifeft. What?(quothiJ Since that God is deferuedly thoght to oouernea! things with theftearne of goodnefle, and all thefe things likewife.as Ihaue fliewed, haften to goodneflfe vi ith their natural! inten- tion^ can there be any doubt made, but that they ategouerned c willing- ly , and that they frame themfelucs of their owne accord to their dif- pofers becke, as agreeable and con- formable to their ruler? It muft needes bee Co ( quoth I ) neither would it feeme an happy gouerne- rnent ; ifitwerean impofed yoake, not a defired health* There is d no- thing; then which following nature^ endeuoureth to refift God. No- thing (quoth L)VVhat if any thing M 4 doeth • All thing .ire willing- ly gouerned byGod* * Nothing; cither will or can refift God. *Boetimhis « QuUlih (j 1 Macrtib, Lib.x.Sa* doeth endeuour (quoth fiie) can a- ny thingpreuaileagainft him^whom we haue granted to be moft power- full by reafon of his blcflcdneffe? No doubt (quoth I) nothing could prcuaile. Wherefore there is no- thing, which either will or can re- fill this foueraigne- goodneife- I thinkenot (quoth I.) It is then the foueraigne goodnefle,whicb gcuer- nethall things ftrongly,anddifpQ* feth them fwcctly. When (quoth ljhowmtfch(quothl) doeth not onely the reafon ,which thou allead- geft,hut much more the very words, which thou vfeft, delight mee^ that folly which bauleth forch great things, may at length bee aflhamed of her felfe. Thou haft heard in rhe c Poets Fables how the Gyants prouoked heauen, but this benigne fortitude put the alio down, as they de- c Pbilofophicall Comfort. % 7 deferued. But wilt thou haueme vrge farthet by way of deputati- on ? perhaps by this arguing there will flieoutlome beauufull fparkc oftruth. As itpkafeeh thee (quoth I.)No man can doubt (quoth fhe) but that God is Almighty.No man (quoth 1) that is well in his wittes. But (quoth fliee) there is nothing, that he , who is /Umightic, cannot doe. Nothing ( quoth I. ) Can G od do euil ? No (quoth I.) Wher- fore (quoth (Lee) f Enill is no- thingjfince hee cannot doe it^who can doe any thing, Doefl: thou mocke mee ( quoth I ) making with thy reafons an inextricable labyrinth, that now thou maiftgp in where thou meaneft to goeout againe, and after goe out, where thou cameft in > or doeft thou frame a wonderful circle of the fim- plicity f Full is no- thing. 'Boetius his L plicityof God ? For a little before taking thy beginning from bleffed- nefTe^thou affirmedft that to be the chiefeft good, which thou iaydeft was placed in God , and likewife thou prouedft,that God himfelfe is the chiefeft good,and ful happines , out of which thou madeft mee a prefentof that inference , that no ms n (hall be happy, vnlefle hee bee a!fo a God.Againe thou toldeft me ; that the forme oi goodnes is the iubftance of God and of blefied- ncs j and that v nity is the fame with goodnes^caufeitisdefired by the nature of all things, thou didftah fo dispute, that God gouernerh the whole world with the reynes of ooodnes, 2nd that all things obey willingly, and that there is no na- ture of euill, and thou didft expli- cate all thefe things with ao for- reine ^bikfophicall Qomfort. ] 8d reine or farre fetched preofcs , but withthofe which were proper and drawen from inwaid principles, the one confirming the other; We ndtherplay nor mock (quotli flie) and weehaue finifhed thegreatelt matter .,that can be by the abidance of God , whole aide we implored in the beginning. For fTich is the forme of the diuine fubftance , that it neither is diuided into outwaid things , r^orrcceiuethany fuch into it (elf, but as Tarmenidesiziih ofit : vrwroSiir iv y.vK?,ota Gipnp ivct\iyyjcv oyKov And if wee hauevfed no farre fet- ched reafons, butfuch as wercpla- ccdwithinthecompafle of the mat- ter we handled , thou haft no caufe to nurueile,fince thou haft learned in^/^o^fchoole,thatourfpeeches muft belike , and asit were akinne to the things we fpeakeof. The circuits ducti fimtlcm a~ ctruum s Onrfpcc- chesmuft be like the things we fpeakeof. 'Boetimhis Orfht The XI It V ers \. tPbilofophy exhorteth to perfeuerance in contemplation andyertue. HAppj is he that can behold The wel-fprtngjvhence all good doth rife, Happy is he. that can vnfold The bands y with which i he earth him tyes m The ^ ThracianPoet^whofe fweete fong Perform d his wines J ad obfequyes, Andforct the woods to runne along, When he his mournfult 'tunes did play, Whofepowerfullmnfickf was jo /hong, That it cculdmake the riuersfiay j Thefearefull Byndsnot dtmtedwere^ But with the Lions took? their way, *A 7 or did the Hare behold with f care TheDogge, whom thefefweete notes appeafe* When force vferiefe drew yet more neare, And on his heart didflrengly feazf. Nor t unes j which all in quiet bound Could any iotte their mzslcr eafe y Complayning of his gretuow wound, And Plutoes Pallace vifiiing, Hemixtfweet vetfis with the found Of his loud harpes deltghtfu 11 firing, All that he dranke with thirfly draught From his high moth ers chief eft fpring, All ^Pbilofiphicall Comfort. tAllthat his r eft leffc grief e him taught, And hue ,wkichgwes grief ? e double aide 9 With this etten hell tt (elf e was caught Whether he went , and par don pray d For his deare fpoufe^vnheard re que si) The vgly porter was dtfmayd^ Ra mfht with this vnwontedguefl, The furies, which in tortures heepe The guilty [oule s with fames opprejf, LMoh d with htsfong began to weepe» Ixions b wheele nowftandingftill Turnes not his head with met tons /fecpel Though * Tant alus wight drmke at will, To quench his thirfi he would f or bear e. The Vulture full with muficlee JhriU T>oth notpoore d Ti tins liuer tears ^ We by his verjes conquered are, Saith the great King whom [pints fears» Let vs not then from hm debarre His wifejvhom be withfongs dothgaine^ Jet left our gift (houldf retch toofarre, We will it with this law refiraine, That when from hell he takes his poht, He fly ail from looking backs refratne. Who can for loners lawes endite ? Loue hath no law^but her owne will. Orpheus feeing in th V* d of night Eundice doth loofe and hill Her andhtmfelfe withfoolifh loue, But you this famed tale-fulfill. Who ^§7 fc With which he is tormented in bell toe attempting to commit adultery with Iuno. c Who kil- led his own fonne to en- tertains the Gods,and therefore is tormented with hun- ger &ihirft. would bane committed adu'tery , with Lato- na Apollocs mothcr f or with Diatid. **m ^Boetius his Who thinks vnto the day aboue To bring withfpeedtyonr dmrkefeme mtad. For if your eye ^{conquer d) J on mow BtckpeArdtQ P • ut o left behind^ All the richpTAj^hub theme yon tooke^ Ton loofejvhile tatke to he (I yon L eke. THE 88 T n p FOVRTH BOOKE Of Boetivs, Conteining the rcafons, why God pc'rmitteth euill. HE I. P ROS E. fctetius merueileth at the tmpunitie and projperitie of euill men m Hen Philofophy had fung thele verfes with 2 loft & fwcete voice, obferuing due digni- tieand grauicie in her coun- Tzoelins his countenance and gefturc, if , as thou conceiiuftjn thebeft ordered houfe of fo great an houflholder, the vileft veffels were made account of i and th* pretious neglected , but it is not fa For if thofe things which were a lit- tle before concluded , be kept vnui- olated , thou fihalt by his helpe j of whofekingdomewefpeake^know, that the good are alway powerful!, N and ^Boetius hu and the euill alway abied/ and weake, & that vices arc neuer with- out punishment, nor vertue with- out reward , and that the good arc ahvayprofperouSj and the cuil vn- fortunate y and many things of that fort,which will take away all caufe of complaint , and giue thee firmc and iollide ftrength. And finccby mv meanes thou haft al- ready Teene the forme oftrueblef- fednefTe, andknowen where it is placed , running ouer all thole things, which 1 thinke neeeflaty to let paffe, I will fhew thee the way, which will carry thee home. And lwiilalfo faften wings vpon thy mind y with which fliee may roufe her felfe ; thatal perturbation being driuen away , thou mayeft re- turne fafely into thy countrey by my direction, by my path, and with my wings. The Thilofophicail Qomfort. \ 9® The I. Verse, Hot? ; / /eft, lho r e Tyraitn.Sy which th e people feare, v?iU[eerne aft!, en true home hi reft. The II . Pr os e. That good men are powerfully and euill men iveake. 9 H (quoth I. ) How great things doefl: thoupromife? And 1 doubt not but thou N % canft ; 'Boetius his meo are powerful!, andeull mcAwcakc canft performe them 3 wherefore fhymenot now, that thou haft ftirred vp my defire. Firft then CquothfTicJtbat 1 good men are al- vvay powerfull , and eiiill men of no ftrength , thou mayeft eafily kno\ve,and the one is proued by theother. For fince that good and cuill are contraries^ itbeconuin. ced, thatgoodneflcis potent, the weakenefTe of euil will be alfo ma- nifeftj andcontrariwife ififtedif- cerne thefrailtyofeuilLweemuft necdes acknowledge the firmenes ofgoodnefle. But rhatour opini- on maybe morecertainely embra- ced , I will take both vvaies , confir- ming my propofitions , fometime from one part,fomerime from an- other. There bee two things, by which all humane a&ions arcef- fe&ed, will and power \ of which if — , _J *PhilofophicallComfert. \ 91 if either be wanting 3 there can no- thing be performed. For if there want will 1 , no man taketh any china in hand a^ainft his will , and ifthere be not power, the Willis in vaine. Sorhatjif thou fceftanie wil- ling to obraine that,which he doth no: obtaine , thou canft not doubt, but that he wanted power to ob- taine, w 7 hat he would. It is mani- feftCquoth I)and can by no meanes be denied. And wilt thou doubt, that he c :>uld,who thou feeft bring to paflfe, what he d^fircd ? No. But euery man is mighty in that which he can doe, £c weakein that. which he cannot doe. lconfe(Teit(quoth I. ) Doeft thou remember then (quoth flic Jthat it was inferred by our former difcourfes , that all the intention of mans will doth haffcen to happine(Te,t hough their courfes' Nt be *Boetim his be diucrs ? I remember ( quoth 1 ) that that' alio was proued. Re- mcmbicft thou alio that blcfled- nefie is goodnefle it felfe, and ccn- iequently when bleffedneffe is fought after y goodnefle muft of force he dclired ? I haue that alio fixt in my memory. Wherefore all men both good and bad > vikho'Jt diffeience of intentions endeuour to obtaine goodnefle. Itfolloweth ( quoth 1. ) But it is ccrtainc.thar men are made good by the obt;y irnsofgoodncflr. It is fb. Wher- fore good men obtaine what they deflre. Scit fcemeth. Andifeu.li men did obtaine the gocdnes they dehre, they could not beeuill. Itis true* Wherefore fince they both deli re goodnefle, but the one ob- teineth it } and the other not,there is no doubt but that good men are jP hilofophicali Qornfort. 9 l powerfull ; and the cuill weake 4 vVhofbeuer doubteth of this (quoth I) hee neither confidereth the nature of things, nor the conse- quence of thy reafon^. Agatne (quoth fhcO if there bee two, to whom the fame thing is proposed according to nacure ; and the one of them, bringech it per nc& 1 y to paffe with his naturall function . but the ocher cannot excrcife that natu- ral funition,but after another ma- ncr, then is agreeable to nature, & doth not perform t! at,which he had propofed, bucimitateththeo- thcr who pcriormeth it : Which of thefe two wilt thou judge to bee more powerfull ? Though I con- iecture ( quoth 1) at thy meaning, yetldefire toheareit more plaine* ly. Wilt thou denieC quoth fliee) that the motion of walking is a- . N 4 greeable Boetim his oreeabletothe nature of men ? No (quoch I. ) And makeft thou any doubr,that the function of it doth naturally belong to the feet?There is no doubt ofthis neither ( quoth I.)Wberfcreifone, that can go vp- pon his feete, doeth walke, and an- other . who hath nor this natural! fund on ofhisfeetc, endeuoureth to walke by creeping vpon his hands : which of- thefe two is de* ieruedly to bee cftecmedcheftron- gcr. lnf.rre the reft ( quoth 1) for no man doubteth, but that hee which can vie that naturall functi- on is ftronger then he which can- not. But(quoth fhe)rhegood feeke to obtaine the chiefeft gocdjwhich is equally propofed to badde and good , by the natural! fundion of vermes x but the cuillendeuourto obraine the fame by diners concu* ^ pilcenfes, Tbilofopbicall Comfort. pifcenfces, which are not the natural fun£fcion of obtaining goodnefle. Thinkeft thou otherwife ? No (quoth I) for it is manifeft^ what followed. For by force of that which I haue already granted, it is necefLry, that good men are power- ful.and euil me n weike. Thou run- nell: rightly (q;oth flie) and it is (as Phyfitions are wont to hope ) a token of an ereckd and refilling nature. Wherefore, fince I lee thee mod apt and willing tocom- prehend^I will therefore heape vp manie rcafons together. For confider the great w eakenefle of vicious men, who cannot come fo fane, as their naturall intention leadeth,and almoftcompelleth the. And what ? If they were deftitute of this fo great and aimoft in- uincible hclpe of the direction of c Boetim bis of nature ? Pender likewile the im- mcnle impotency of wicked men , For they arc no light or trifling re- wards, which they defire, and can- not obtaine ; but they faile in the very fumme and toppe of things : neither can the poore wretches compafle that, which they oncly labour for nights and dates : in which thing the ibices of the good eminently appeare. For as thou wouldeft ludge him to be mofta- bletowalke, who aoingonfoore could come as fa rrc, as there were any place to goe in j fomuft thou offorceiudgehim moil powerful, who obuaineth the end of all, that can be deffred, beyond which there is nothing. Hence that which h oppofite alio followeth, that the fame men are wicked^and deftirure of all forces. For why doe they (ol- Low Tbilofophicall Comfort. n low v ices/orfaki ng vertaes ? By ig - norance of chat which is good ? But what is more deucide ot flrenoth then blind ignorance? Or do they know what they fhould embrace, buc pafsion diiueeli rhern headlono the contrary way ? So alio intem- perance make them fraile, fince chey cannot fttiue agdnftvice. Or doc they witrndy and willingly froifal.c gcodnefle, and decline to vices ? But in this fort they leaue not onely to be povverfu 1/out euen to be at all.For they which leaue the commonend of all things which are, leaue alfb being. Which may perhaps feemc 11 ange to fome^that weflhouldfay, that euill men are not at all , who are the greateft part of men ; butyetkisfb. Forldenie not, that euill men are euill , but withall I fay that b purely and lim- ply *>EuilI mcr (irr.ply haee no being a 'Boetiushir c £ui)lmcn can doc no- thing. plie they are not. For as chou mayeftcallacarcaflca dead man, but not /imply aman/o IconfefTe, that the vitious arc euill, butjl cannot granr thac abfblutely they are* For that is, which retai- nerh order, and kecpeth nature, but that,which failethfrom this,leaueth alio to be that, which it is in his owne nature. But thou wilt fay> that euill men can do many things neither will I deny it, but this clicir power proceedech not from forces, but from weaknefle* For they can doe euill, which they could not doe, ifthey could haue remained in the performance of that, which is good. Which poifibilitie declareth more euidently that they can do nothing* For if, as wee concluded a little be- fore,euil! is nothing, fince c they can onely doe euill j it is manifeft i thac - " — ■• ' ! — s — ' Tbitofopbic all Comfort. \ 9$ that they can doc nothing. It is plaine. And that thou maift vn- derftand, what the force of this power is; we determined a little be- fore, that there is nothing more powerful then theSoueraignegood- neffe. It is true(quorh I.)But he can- not doe cuill. No. Is there any then (quoth (he) that thinke that men can doc all things ?No man, except he be madjthinketh lo But yet men can doe cuill. I would to God, they could not (quoth I.) Since therefore hee that can onely doe good, can doe all things, and they who cm doc euili, cannot doe nil things,ic is manifcft,thatthey which can doe cuill, are the lelTe potent. Moreover, wee haue proued that all powtristo bee accounted among thofe things, which are to be wifti edfo^and that all iuch things haue refe- l^Gctius his din Gorgia reference to goodneffe, as to the ve- ry heighth of their nature. But the pofii bilitie of committing wicked- nefie cannot haue reference to goodneflfe. Wherfore it is not to be wiflicdfor,&confcqucnt!y icis ma- ni(eft,poflibility ofeuilis no power. By all which the power of the good, and the vndoubted infii mitie of the euillappeireth. And it is manifeft, that that (atitencc of d Plato is tlfofcj that onely wife men can doe that, which they d:fire, and that wicked men praftife indeed what they lift, but cannot peforme what they, would. For they doe what they lift thinking toobtaine the good which they deGre, by thofe things which caufe them deligh^but they obtain it not, becaufe fbamefull adiiom cannot arriue tohappincfle. The TbtlofophicaU Comfort* _[9^ TheILVerse. Rings are not potent , if they bepafiiondte. THe YtJn^syphom we beheld In highefi glory place And with rich purple gr at *t Compafi withfotildters bold, Whoje count nance fhewes ferce threats ^ Who with rafhfury chide y If any enrbe the pride Of their Va inegioriomfeates. Tet inwardly oppreft The j are with cap tines cba'nt f 9 For filthy lufl there ratgnes Andpoyjbneth their breft. Wrath often them perplex , Rat fag their minds Uke wanes Oft furrow makes themflaues Anaflidwg hopes them vex. So marjTyranntsJtill Dwellmgin one poore heart Except theyfirfi depart Shte cannot hatie her wiU* H E 'Boelius bis a Goodnes the rewjiv of a!! hu- mane is\\ on i f The III. Pros e. Thatzcod men are not without regard, nor euill without puniflmients. ppgEeft thou then, in what ppl)^ my re wickedneflfe wallows, l^^and how clearely honefty fliinech ^By which it is manifefl, that the good are neuer without re- wards, nor the euill without pu* niflimcnts ■ For that, tor which a- nything is done, may deferaedly feeme the reward of that adion, as to him that runneth a race , the crownefor which bee runneth, is propofed'as a reward. Bat we haue lhewed ; char bleflecnefle is thefelfe (amegoodnes, for which all things are done. Wherefore this a good- ne(Teis propofed as a common re- ward for all humane adtions, and this r ■ l?hihjbphicall Comfort. \ oy this cannot be fepa< ated from thofe, who are good. For hce (hall not rightly be any longer "called good, who wanteth 'goodncfle : where- fore vertuous actions are not lefc without their due rewards. And how much ioeuer the euill doe rage, yet the wife manscrowne wil not fade nor wither. For others wick- edneffe depriueth not vertuous minds of their proper glory. But if hee flhouli reioyce at any thing which hee hath from others , either he^whoguieit^or any other might rake i&away.But becaule euery mans vemie is thecaufe of it < then only he fliallwant his reward, whenhelea- ueth to be vertuous. lA&*#', fince euery reward is therfore defired, bc- caufc it is thought to be good, who can iudge him to bee deuoyd of re- wardjWhich hath goodnefle for his O poflcf- i mi — i— M— l " I « IWWI1 . < il i i • -m, thac d euil men lcaue to be that , which they were. But the fihape of men , which they they ftill retaine , flieweth them to haue beene men > wherefore by em- bracing; wickenefife, they haue loft the nature of men. Butfincevertue alone can exalt vs aboue men, wic- kedneflcmuft ncedescaftchofc vn* der the defert of men , which it hath bereaued ofthatcondition. Where- fore thou canft not account him a man,whom thou feeft transformed by vices. Is the violent extortour of other mens goods carried away with his couetous defire ? Thou mayeft liken him to a wolfe. Is the angrie and vnquiet man alway contending; and brauling ? Thou mayeft compare him to a dogge. Doeth the trecherous fel'ow reioyce that Thilofophicall Comfort. J 99 that hee hath decerned others vvich his hidden fraudes ? Lee him be ac- counted no better then a fox. Doth the outragious free and fume? Let him bee thought to haue a Lions mind. Is the feareful & timorous ar fraid without caufe? Let him bee- fteeme J like to Hares and Deares* Is the flow and ftupide al way idle? He liueth an afles life. Docth the light and vnconftant change his courfes ? Hee is nothing different from the birds. Is he di owned in filthy and vncleanelufts ? He is entangled in the pleafure of ftinking finne* So that hee, e who leauing vertue y cea- fcth to be a man , fince he cannot be partaker of the Diuine condition ; is tmnedincoabeaft. Oj The e Wicked men are beafts. ^hoetimhu • ThcICk h Mezcuriv*' The I'll. Vers e. that Vices are of greater force x then enchauntments. '~Y*He fades jvhtch wife Vliflfes lore, fi. And fiips y w hich it. thefeas long time did s!kaj } 1 he Eaftt me wind draue {o that a (bore, tVbeiethef,it?e Gcddeffe Lady Circt Uj D a^fhter by birth to Fh&bus bright, Who with wchantcd cups and char me s did flay Her ^e/Jsydecetud with their delght, And wtt, fuxdrj figures them did cha,r.oe y Being moft j kdifhlliH the might, And fscret free of her be s and fir* ph sflr^nge % Some like tofauage bores and fame Ltkj> Lyons fierce y which datle vfe to rAvnge Ypon the Libyan pi* .inesfbeecme. Others are changed to the fl) ape ev>d.gytfg • Ofraunous JVolues^nd waxing dumbs Ffe honhg m the fi tad of manly trits t Others h'^e to the Tig re rov.e y Which m thefecrched Indian deprt Uet* And tbopigk the^ winged fonne of lone From thefe bewitched cups delight J iMtajl Toheepe the famous C^ftainefiroue y Jet them the greedy m*y iners tmbrACt c Pkilofophicall Qomfort. ioo With much defre till t urn d to faine Ifi feed of bread they fed en oke* rnaft. Now in their outre ar a fbape no figxe, No* [hew rer&ames tfany humane or ace ', Oijely their minds vnchaungd repine To fee their bodies mfucb vglj cafe, Ofteble hand^andidle art, iVhichtho-'.gh itcciddtke cutuvardhms defircn "Jet h*d no force to change the heart. For alii he force of men gin m by Gods arme Lyes /; t del tnvn their inmofi par t . Thepoyfons thereforejvhitb within them fa arme A/ore aeeply puree ^ardrvtth more might, For to the bodyjhcttgh they doe vo knrmei 'let on the f pile they rvc?ke their fpight. The HIT. P rose. Of the mijery of wicked men, Hen laid IJconfefFe, and ' perceiuc tfiac thou affir- meft not without caufe, that the vicious, though they kcepe the outward fhape of men are in their 'Boetim his *Triermfe- ry of the wicked en crcaleth with their power. their inward fhte of mind changed into bruicc beafK But I would hauehai them, whole crucll and wicked heart ivgeth to the harme ofthegood,reftrained from execu- ting this their malice. Tluyare re- ftrained (quoth fheejas fhallbec proind in conuenient place. But yet if this a liberty ,which they leeme tohaue, be taken away, their pu nifhment alibis in great part relea- fed. For^ (which perhaps to fome may leeme incredible^) euill men muftnecefiarily be more vnhappy, when they haue brought to paffe their purpofeSjthen if they could not obtainc what they defire. For if it bee a mifenble thing to defire that, which is euill, it is more miferable to be able to performeit, without which the rxjiicrablc will couWnot haueany cffcdl.Wherforc fince euery one Thilofophicall Comfort. \ 101 one ofthefe hath their peculiar mi* fecy^they mud of force bee oppref- fed with a threefold wretchednelfe, whom thou feeft defire,be able^and perforce wickedneffe . 1 grant it (quoth I) burl earneftly wifli,that they may foon? be dehuered from this miferie hairing loft the pow- er to performe their malice. They will loole it (quoth ifcee) fooner then perhaps either thou woul deft, or they thcmfeliKS fuppole. For in the fhort compafle of this life there is nothing folate., which the immortal! loule thinketh to expe&long, fo that the great hope and higheft attempts of the wic- ked are many times made fruP prate with a fuddaine and vnex- pefted ende, which in trueth ma- keth their miferie to bee in fbme meafure. For Boetius his b Tne lcn' gcr i man is wicked, the more referable He is. c Wicked men POsc happy,whe they are p ur.iftcd, then when they c-feapc For if wickednes make men miferable,the b longer one is wicked, the more miferable Iig muft needes be; And I fhould iudge him the moft vnhappy man,that may be,if death at leaft did not end their malice. For if wee haue concluded truely of die mifery of wic- kednefle^t is is manifeft, that the wretched- nefle,wMch is euerlafting, muft of force bee infinite. Aftrange illation (quoth I) and hard to bee granted : but I fee , that thofe things, which were granted before , agree very well with thefe. Thou thinkeft aright (quoth (he)but he that flndeth dirficukie to yeeldto the conclufion, muft either fhew, that fomthing which is prefuppofed is falfe, or that the combination of the proporti- ons make not a neceflary conclufion,other- wife granting that, which went before , hee hath no reafon to doubt of the inference, For this alfo , which I will conclude now, will feeme no leffe ftrange , and yet follow- eth as neceflarily out of thofe things, which are already affumed. What ? (quoth I.) c That wicked men(quothfhe)are more hap-, py being punifhed , then if they efcaped tne hands of iuftice. Neither doe I now goe. about to fliew that, which may come into eucry mans minde,thateuill cuftomesare corrected Thilofophicall Comfort. I02, c orreded by chaftifement, and are reduced to veitue by the terrourof punifhment, and that others may rake example toauoid euill , but in another manner alio I thinkc vin- ous men, thatgoe vnpunifhed to be moremiferable, although we haue }io relation, nor rtfpe£t tocorre&i- on or example. And what other manner (hail this be ( quoth I ) be- hdesthefe ? Haue wenotgraunted (quoth fiieejthat the good are hap- py,and the euil mi(crab!e ? We haue (quoth I. ) If then ( quoth fhe)Lm thing that is good be added to ones mifery ; isnochee happier then an- ocher,whofc mifeiy is dcfolate and foiitary } without any participation of goodnefle ? So it fcemeth ( quoth I 4 ) What if there be fome other euill annexed to tbis mifcrable man/vho is depriued of all gocdnefTwjbefides, thoft, 'Boetim his thofe, which make him miferable > is nee not to bee accounted much morevnhappy then he, whofe mi- fcrie is lightned by pertaking of goodncfle? Why not? (quoth I.) Then the wicked haue lome good annexed when they are punilhed, towitte^ the punifhment it felfe^ which by rcalbn ofiufticeis good, and when they are not puniflied, they haueafatther euiil, thevery impunitie, which thou iiaftdeier* uedly graunted to bee an euiil to wickednefTe. I cannot deny it. Whci fore the vicious are farre more vnhappy, byefcaping puniihment vniuuly, then by being iuftly pu- nifihed. But it is manifeft, that ic is iuft, that the wicked be punifihed, andvniuit that they fhould goevn- punitlied . Who can deny that? But neither will any man deny this TbilofophicallComfort. | 10$ this (quoth fliee) that whatfbe- ueris iuli y is good, and contrari- wife, that whatfoeuer is vnjufl, is euill. This followeth (quoth I ) out of that, which hath bcene concluded before. But I pray thee, leaucfl: thou no punifhments for the fbules after the death of the body? And thole great too (quoth flhee.) Some of which I thinke to bee executed as fharpe puniilv ments y and other as merciful! purgations. Butlpurpofenotnow to treate of thole. But wee haue hetherto laboured, that thou fihoul* deftperceiue thepower of the wic- ked,which to thee feemed intolera- ble, to bee none at ail, and that thou fhouldeft fee, that thofe, whome thou complainedft went vnpunifhed, doe neuer efcape without punifhmenc for their wic- iuu lai.i«M^r7t ^Boetius hit d The blind iu^gmcnts of incii. wickedneflfe. And that thou flioul- deft lcarnc , that the licence , which thou wifhcdft might foone cnd y is neither long, and the longer, the more miferable, and mod vnhappy if it werecuerlafting. Btfides .that the wicked are mare wretched be- ing permitted to efcxps with iniuft impunity ,then being puniflied with iuft feucrity. Out or which it fol- lowed!, that they are then more greeuoufly puniflied, when they are thought to goe fcot-free. When I confider thy reafons ( quoth I ) I thinke nothing can bee laid more trucly. But it I returne to a the judgements of men, who is there, that will thinke them worthy to be beleeued,orfomuch as heard? Itis true ( quoth fhee) for they cannot lift vp their eyes accuftomed to darkenefle, to behold the light of mani- < PbiIefophicall Qomfort. \ Smamfeft truth, and they are like ihoie birds ; whofe fight is quickned by the night , and dimmed by the day. For while they looke vpon ; ;not the order ofthings^lu: their owne affections., they thinkc that li- ^nce and impunity to finne^is hap- ->>, But (ee, what the eterndl law bliiheth* If thou applied thy I to the betrer , thou needeft no fudge to reward thee : thou haft ioy- ned thy felfe to the more excellent ^gs. If thou declineft to that iwii is worfe, neuer exp^dtany .her to punifli thee > thou haft put chy (elfe in a miferahle eflate ; as if byturnes thou lookeft downe to themyede ground, and vptohea- uen^ali outward things ceafing., by thy very fight thou feemeft lome- time to be in the durt> and ibmtime prefenctothefiarres. But the com- mon I04. c Eoetim his cThey which Joe iniury arc morevn- happy,then they which 1 ufier it. men fort conftdeteth not theie things. What then ? Shall wee ioyne our felues to them } whom wehaue proued to be like beafb? VVhat ifone hauing altogether loft his fight, fhould likewife forget, thathee euer had any , and fhould thinke, thathee wanted nothing which belongeth to humane per- fedion;fliouidv\e therefore thinke them blind y that fee his folly I For they will not graunc that neither, which may beproued by as forcible reafons, c that they are more vnhap - py^that doe iniury, then they which fuffer it. I would ( quoth I) heare thefereafons. Denieft thou (quoth fhe)that eueiy wicked man defer* ueth punifliment ? No. And it is many wayes clearc , that the vi- rions are miferable. It is true (quoth I. ) If then ( quoth free) thoq c Phtlofbphicall Comfort. \ 105 thou were to examine this caufe> whom wouldeft thou appoint to bepunifhed, him that did, or that fumed wrong ? I doubt not jfejuotti I)but that I would fuisfie him that fcffered y with the forrow of him that did in Th£ offerer oftheiniury then w 7 ould feerric to thee more mi- fe ab!e,then the recciuer. It folio & ech (quoth I. ) Hence therefore 5 and for other caufes grounded vpon ch^t principled-hat diihoneft/ o, ; it felfe makethmenmiferablcjtrappeareth. that ■ thciniury which is offered any mantis not the receiuers, but the doers mifery. But now a claycs (quoth fhe) orators take the con- trary courle. For they endcuour to driwtheludges to commiferation ofthem.whohauefuffred any gree- uous afflictions , whereas pitty is more iuftly due to the caufers there* P of 'Boetim his of,who fhould be brought not by angry, bur rather by fauourabie and compafsionate accufers to iudge- m:nr, as it were ilcke men to aPhy- fuion, that their difeafes and faults might bee taken away by punifh- m.n^by which meanes the defen- ders labour, would either wholy ceafc,or if they had rather profile in fome fore } they would change their defence into acculations. And the wicked chemfelucs, if they could behold the leaft part of vettue at fome little rife , and percdus that they might be deliuered from- the filch of finne by the afffidiion of pn- niflimems } in refpect of obtaining vertue. they would not efteeme of torments.and would refute theaf- G ftance of their defenders > and wholy refijnc thcmfclucs to their accufers and Iudges. By which meanes r Pkilofophicall Comfort. io6 meariesit commeth to paffe^ that t in wife men there is no place at all for hatred. For, who but a verie foolewoiiki hate the rood '-■ And to hate the wicked were lagainft rea- foni Forasfaincncfieis adileaieof thebodic, To is vice a fickeneiTeof the mind, Wherefore, fince vree iudge thole * that haue corporaii in- firmities^ to bee ra:her worthy of compalsion^thenof ha:red, much more are they to be puie j y and not abhorred, whoft minds aredppref- fed with wickednede the greateft malady that may be* The III I. Verse, A[o man is to be hated , fhegoqdart to be louedjxnd the cuillto bz tittied* WB-]fnoitMv?e firitic to die jomsny ivaics, AndjUf our J elves with oar open bakds* _ ,.- P 2 If 1 A wife rtian hutcth none. 'Boetius hit ffwefeeke de€th, fhee reazy /lands y She Willing comes y her pajjage neuerft a y e j t Thofe agatnsl whonee the rt-dd be aft s armed be* Are arm d again ft the mfe lues with rage. Doethejfuch warres vnwftly wage, Becaufe their limes, and manners disagree \ And fo thtmfclstes with mutual weapons iyll. AUr t but this reuenge is {mail. Woxldft thou five due deftrt to alit L one then the good \ andpitty thou the ill. The VP ROSE. fioetiuscomplainetbytbat profpertty and aduerftty are common both to good and badde. See (quoth I) what felicity 5 or mi~ fery is placed in the deferts of ho- neft, and difhoneft men. But I connder that there is fomewhat good 5 or cuill euen in this popular fortune. For no wife man had rather Hue in banifh- ment 5 pouerty and ignominie 3 then profper in his owne countrey 3 being rich, reipeclied, and powerfull. For in this manner is the office of wiledome performed with more credite and renowne , when the ^ouernours happineflcis participated by their people^ fo Tbilofophicali Comfort. I o 7 fo chiefcly becaufe prifons 5 chaines 3 and o- ther torments of legall punifhments are ra- ther due to pernitious fubie&s , for whom they were alfo ordained. Wherefore I much marueile 5 why thefe things are thus turned vpfide downe 5 and the puniiliments ofwickedneffcopprelfe the good, while c- uill men obtaine the rewards of the good. And I dcfire to know of thee 5 what may feeme to be the reaion of fo vniuft confufi- on. For I would marucile lefftyf I thought that all things were diforder ed by cafuall e- uents. Now God being the gouemour 3 my aftonifhment is encreafed 5 becaufe fince that hee dinributeth oftentimes that which is plcafanttothegood, and that which isdit taftfall to thebadd , and contrariwiie aduer- fity to the <*ood , and profperity to the euill, vnlefiewe find outthecaufc hereof; what difference may there feeme to bee betwixt this 5 and accidentall chances ? It is no mar- ueile (quoth fhe) if any thing be thought te- merarious and confufed 5 when wee knowe not the order it hath. But although thou beeft ignorant of the caufes why things be fodifpofed, yet becaufe a the world hath a good gouemour 5 doubt not 3 but all things are well done. P J The » We muft t!>inke that God doth all things weljthough vvevnier- fhnd not •hcrcafoo of h'sdo» 'bcetius bis and I'tnda rus theughi that the, rrscone was tchpfed b\ thcr'.dic tc hindei it, rte'ycaufcd the belles to be runs cut pi orticr.lee luu r.all. TheV.Verse. Jdmirition ceajeth, "bbcntbe caufesof thinzs are knolvne. WHo knows not hew the ft art neare to pie poles doe And how Poctej hisflctif IP a in e dcth gusJe, (fade Aniwhyheejets {o U't anddoth jo earely rtfe, /Yd} rpcndcr at tie cow( s of t'ie styes. If when the sgeoness f*U, her \ or nes leemep.de to ]%&*, Inferred vstbtl.cdarkenejfe of the night And l> t ar s from \x>ht:h alt grace the vetth btff bnektnestoe'f, Note jhitp thcm{c\xcsjvbile (he doth dimi; Uo\p. 4 - 1 pttbh : e errour flrctght tl rough Vulgar minds dttj) f'ffi* /.ndthey wsrb many firtjt'es heated pen brajfe . Rove wonders, why the TP/ndi ^ponthc wafer* bUiy^ Nor rehyi.OAteX'h'&'jus Leumrsdiffoluet 1 ejnew. Thefe eajie are to l^:o w, the otht r k$dd-. n \ye. ndtlere{qre/ntrp§ttrhe promdence b Which . had 70. or ^o.he.ids, an J it one were cut of 2.arokin ihc place. 'Boetius his Bntbecaufe it is a part of thy cure, roknovv thefe things alfo, thouoh the time be lhort,yet wee will ende- uour to touch them briefely< But if the fwectnefle of vcrfe delight thee ; thou mud forbeare this plea- lure for a while, vntill Ipropofe vn* to thee fbme fewe arguments. A,s it pleafeth thee (quoth [. ) Then ra- king as it were a new beginning, fhe difcourfedin this maner* The ge- neration of all things, and all the proceedings of mutable natures, and whatfoeuer is moued in any jbrt, take their cynics, order, and formes from the ftabilkie of the Diuine mind* This placed in the Caflle of his owne fjmplicitie, prefixeth manifolde vvayes fpr all that is to bee wrought or cjonej which wayes being considered in thepuride of Gods ypderftanding, are Thilofophicall Comfort* iop are named prouidence, but beeing re 'erred to thofe things, which hee moueth and diipoleth, they were by the ancients called Face- The^diuer- fuie of which will eafi!y appeare y if we weigh the force of both. For c prouidence is the very Diuine rea- Ton it fclfe, feated in the higheft Prince, which difpofeth all things; But d Fate is a dklpofition inherent in changeable things^y which pro* uidence conne&etti all chinos in their due order . For prouidence crnbraceth all things together, thou ah diuers .thou ih infinite: buc Fare purceth euery particular thing into morion, beeing diftributed by places,forrnes > & tirne^ : Co that this vnfoiding of temporal! order being vnited in the forefight of Gods mind^is prouidence &the fame v- njting ; be:ngdig-fted6cvnfolded by times^ c Proui- dence d Fate. ^Boctius his e Dfucrso pinions of ancient philofo phcrs. f This Is diftinguifti- ?d from di- uine f pirirs mentioned in the firft place,by their mini- on or out- ward admi niftrarion, from which the former arc free. cimes, is called fare. Which although they bediuers, yet the one depend- ed! on the other. For fatall order proceedeth from the fiinplicitie ot prouidence . For as a workernan conceiuing the forme of anything in his mind > takethhis worke in hand, and executech hy order of time^that which he had fimply atid presently foreleene: So God by his prouidence difpofeth whatfeeueris to bedone with fimplicitic ^nd fta* bilicie :Andbyfateeffe£fcechbyma- nil old and temporal vvaiesthofe ve- ry things which he difpofednWher- fore/ whether fate bee e^ercifed by the fjbordination of certaine Di- uinefpirits to prouidence, or this fa- tall webbebe wouenby thefcruice of the foule. of all nature, or o theheauenly motions of the Starres- ot 7 angclicill verjue^or of diaboli- cal i Thilojovhicall Comfort. no calindudry^oroflbmeoralofthcle- tti at certainly isroanifeft, that pro- vidence is an vnmoueable andfirn- ple forme of thole things^which are to he clone \ & fate a moucsbJc con- nexion and temporall ord^r of thofe things ;, which rhediujffefinipHci- ty hath difpofed to be done. So that all ,that is vnder fate , is alio fuhiect co proukience, to which alio fate it felt obeieth.sBut feme rivn^swhich are placed vndcr preuidence^are a- boue the coui le of fate. And they are thole things,whkh nigh to the firft diuinity being ft able & hxe,exceedc the order ofiatal mobility. For as of Orbes which turne about the theinmeftdrawech nigh to the flmplicity of the middeft, and is as it w?re thehingeof the reft, which are placed without it ± about which they are turned : and c Some , tlungs a- botic tne courfcot Fate. ' .j.' J. 1 -.-." 1 c Eoetiushh and the cutmoft wheeled with a greater compaffe, by how much it dcparteth from the middle indiui- fibility of the Centre^is lb much the more extended into larger fpaces : but that which is ioyned <3c coupled to that middle, approchethto lim- plicity, and cealeth to fprcad &c flow abroad. In like maner chat, which departeth fartheft from the firfl: mind 5 is perplexed with greater con- nexions of rate, and euery thing is lb much the freer from fate, by how much it drawech nigh to that hinge of all things. A nd i f it ftickerh to the (lability of thefoucraign mind ,free from motion, it furpaffeth alio the necefiity of fate. Wherefore in what fort difcourfe is compared to vnderilanding; that/which is pro* duced to that which is, time to eter- nity,a circle to the Centre. Such is the 'PhilofophicallComfor t. in thecourfeofmoueahlefate, to the (table fimplicity of prouidence. That comic mooueth thcheauen andftarres^temperech the dements one with another, and transfor- med ;them by mutuall changing. The fame reneweth all rifing and dying things by like procee- ding of fruites and (cedes. This comprehendeth alio the actions and fortunes of men by an vnlooP able connection of caufes, which fince they proceede from the prin- ciples of vnmooneable proui- dence, muff n cedes alio be h im- mutable* For in this manner things are beft governed , if the fimplicity which remayneth in the Diuine minde , produ- ced an inflexible order of cau- fes, and this order reftrayneth with his ownc immutabilitie , things ^F.tteancl thofething* which arc vnderit, ar< immntable as they are referred to prouidence TSactiM his 1 Nothing is done for thcloueof tnin^s ocherwiie mutable 8c which would haue a confuted courfe. Whereof it enfueth* that though ail things fecme confuted and d:! : ordered to you , who are not able to confider dm order: notwituandiag all things are difpofed -by their o.wne meafure directing them to good. For there is ! nothingjWhieh is done fortheloue ofeuiil^euen by- the wicked themlelues > whom,as haih bcene abundantly p rooued, lewd errour carrieth away-, while theyarc (eehing after that, which is good^fb farre is i:,that irder procee- ding; fiom the hma of the foueraizn o o o goodnefle jfhouid auer: any from hhfirft beginning;. Bat thou wilt fay , what more vniuft con&non can there be i then chat both aduer- (Ityand prosperity fhould happen to the good, and in like maner both defired c Philofophicall Q)tnfort* uz defired and hatefull things to the wicked. But are men fo completely wife, that whofoeuer they Mudge wicked or honeft, mull needesbe fo ? How then are their cenfures contrary one to another , (b that to diuersthe fame menlecme worthy of reward and punifiiment. But letvsgrauntjthat lome are able to difcerne the good from the euill. Can they therefore behold that in- ward complexion as it were of (oules? For he that k noweth not the caufe ", may marueile in like maner, why fome (bund bodies agree bet- ter with fweete things, and other with tart. And why lome fick men are healed with gentle and (bme with fharper phyficke. But to a Phyfitian who knoweth the man- ner and temper both of health and fickeneffe, this is nothing ft ange. Now, k The fuJg ments of men vncer- uinc . ^Boetim his i^ocJ feeth what is moft fitting f »r etiery n inland accorJmelv •» APoetcf Cordona. Now 7 wJiai:is the health of foules, but vemie? What fickeneflfe haue they, but vice; ? And who either conferueth goodneffe, orexpelleth euils, but God the ruler and'gouer- nour of mens minds? Who 1 behol- ding from his high turret of proui- dence/eethwhat is fitting for euery one \ and appliech that i which hee knowerh to bee moft conueriient. Hence proceeded^ that ftrange wonder of fatal order, when he that knoweth what is bed, dotht'rat, which the ignorant admire. For to touch briefelyfbme few things of the diuine depth, which humane reafon is able to attaint,- whome thouthinkeft moftiuft , and moft obfenunt of equity ; feemech other- wife in the eies of prouidence which knoweth all. And our friend m Lu* C(i;moteth,thatthecaufeofthecon- - ■ • • -- ■ ■* ■■*<•. uerours ***** vf *Philofophicall Comfort. querours pleated the Gads, and chat of the conquered } Cato. Wherefore whatfbeuer thou feeft done heere againftthye*p^ftati'on ? is right or- derin the things rftemfclues 7 but a peruerfe confufion in thy opinion. But let there be onefb wel conditio- ned^thatGodand men appro'ucand praiie him-yet perhaps he is fo vveake a minded man, that if he fallech in- to aduerfity,he wil forfake his inno- cency, which was not &ble tokeepe himin profperity. therefore Gods wile diipenfationfpareth him that aduerfity might riiake worlejeaft hefliould fuffer ] to whome difficul- ties at edangero us/There is another complctein al vermes, a Saint and nigh 9 to God,prouidence iudgeth it d facriledge to lay any afffidtions on him , infbrriuch , that fiie permit- tech him not to be trou biedfo much as. «? n This i$ a faying £ a hriftian diuincjwho Philolophy acknow- ledged to cxccll Her. Ftrifasrt corpus Qtrtti tcstdtfiea uere. "Boetius his as with corporall fickencfle. For *s one/that exctlleth mc, faith : A ^&* alfo,thacthechiefec6mandisgiucn to good me,that wickednes^which ochcrwifc would 01 crflow all,may be kept dowpc. She mixeth for o- thers lower with fweeie according to the difpofiJon of their loules, Che checketh fbmc, left they fhquld filtodifloluqon by long prolpcri- ty,others fhefuffereth to be toffed with many fto*mes , that they may confirme the forces of their minde with the vfe and exercifeofpatience, Someare too much afraydc of that, which they are able to beare. Other make lefle account then there is cauic of that, which they cannot endue 1 , thcfefbecaflTaycth with af* Bi&ions that they may make triall o[ thcmfelues. Many haue bought the Thilofophicall Qomfort, the renowne of this world with a glorious death . Some ouerconv mmgall torments^iue fhewed by the rcx^mpl^ that vertucs cannot fce conquered by miferies, which things how well and orderly they are done, and how much to their good, to whom they happen, there can bee no doubt. For that fbme- times greeuoLiS; fpmttime plea- fant things befall in like maner the wicked,proceedeth from the lame cauleSi And as for aduerfitie, no man merueileth^becaufe all thinke that they deferuc ill^whofe punish- ments doe both terrifie others from the likecoLirfes ) and moue them to amend themfelues: Arid their prol- pcfitie is a great argument to the good,whacth?y ought toiudge of this happineflfe, which they fee of- tentimes beffowed vpon the wkH 6i ked. ^Boetius his ked. In which this alio is tobcc confidered, that pcraduenture (bmc hauefo headlong and vncowarda difpofition^thatpouertic would ra- ther make him worfe, whofe dif- eafe is cured by prouidence, with gl- uing him ftore of money; Another knowing his owne guilty confei- ence,and refle&ing vpon his owne cftate,is afraid leaftthc loflcofthat fhouldbegreeuous vnto him, the vfe of which is plcafant. Whciefote herefoluethtochanghis cuftomes, and whiles he feareth to loofe his profperitic,he forfaketh wickedncs. The increafe of honor vndeferucd- lyobtcincd, hath throwne fome headlong into their deferued de£ tru&ion. Others are" permitted to haue aathoririe to punifl) others, that they may exercife the good, and puniflithe bad. For as there is no Tbilofophicall Comfort. I "5 no league betweene vertuous & wic- ked men/o neither can the wicked agree amon g themfelues.Why n ot? Since they difagree within them {elues,by reafon of their vices which teare their confeience, fo that they many times doe that, which after- ward they wifh vndon. Fro whence that higheft prouidence, often wor* keth that wonderfull miracle, that euill men make thofe, which are e- uilljgood.Fotfomeconfidcringthe iniuftice done the by mod wicked men /nit of their hatred to their ene- mies ,haue embraced vertue, procu- ring to be contrary to them, whom they hate. For iris onely a Diuine flrcngth/o which cuen euill things are good, when by vfing them in due fort, it draweth fomc good ef- fed: out of them. For a certaine or- der embraceth al things/o that euen Q^ I that 'Boctim his Di'fule duitmett we \*rmone explicare . cjtttm ad modum De us omn/are g4t et pro- dtfyonttt * that, which deparceth from the or- der appointed to ir,choirgh it falleth into another, yet that is order alfo, lc:(ic6hf:d ratlines fhojd beare any fwayin t e kingdom'eofprouidecc impo fhble for any man either to'co- prebend by his witt^ or to ex plicate in ipech al tHe frames of Gods vvori . It is fufficient, that We haue feene thus muc!y 5 i:hat "God the authour ot all natures, dirediech and difpo. itch a!fo all things to goodneite, and while hee endeuoureth to reduce ihofe things wiv'ch he hath produ ced to his ovvnc likertefle.heeba^ nilhech all cuill fronr/the bonndes of his cqmrnon wealth, by ihe courfe of fatal! necefiiie. So that, if thou confidercft the difpofiiidn of promdence, thpu wilt perceiue thaieuiiljwhich is thought fotoa bound Thilofophicall Comfort. ! ll & bound vpon earth', hath no place !c:cforitar all. But I fee that long liinceburtiieued with fo weighty a fqueftion^and wearied with my long ;difcourfc,thoucxpe£teft the delight ofverfes; vvherfore cake a draught, that being refrefhed, thou maieft ; be able togoc forward. The Vf. Verse. j Vbylofophypriufeth Gods prouidence. ' "Tp th or corrcdl- eth, is profitable, It is true (quoth I J Ft is good then. Why not ? But this :s cheeftate of them, who being el her yercuous ftriue with aduerfi- ty,orfoi faking vices, betake them- (el ues to the way of vertue. f cannot denie it (quorh L ) Now, whatfay- eft thcii to that pleafmg fortune, which is aiuen in reward to the good, doth thecommon people ac- count it badde ? No,butiudgcth it exceeding good , as it is indeed . And what of the other > which being vn- pleanng,reftrainethtftccu lwithiuft pUMfhrment,doeth not the people thinke itgood ? Yea (quoth 1 ) they thirike it the mcfi mifcrablc that can be. Looke then ( quoth fhee ) how following the peoples opini- on,wehaue concluded a very incre- dibf? matter. What?(quorh I.)For it follow- *S*-9- c Boetiu$hi$ followcth (quoth ihcc) our of chat, which is granted , that all their for- tune,whatfoeuer it be , who are ei- ther in thepofTefsion,or encreafeor entrance of vertue, is good,-: and theirs, which remaine in vices, the worftthatmaybe. Thisf quothl) is true, though none dare fay fo. VVherefbre(quoth fhe)a wife man muft.be no more trembled, when he is affaulted with aduerfitie : then a valiant Captaine difmayd at the (bund of an alarum. For difficulties are the matter, by which the one muft encreale h is glory , and the o - ther confirme his wifedome. For which caufe yertueis fo called^be- caufe fad hath- fiifficient ftrength to oucrcome aduerfitie. For yon, that are proficients in vertuc , are not ccme to bee diflblute; with dainties^ or to languiflr4n. plea- jurcs, Tbilofophicatt Com for t. "9 fares, but you skirmifh fiercely with any fortune, leaft either af- fliction opprelTeyoUj or pro fperitie corrupt you, and fo procure to ftay your fclues flronglyin themeane. Forjwhatfbeucr commcch either fhort, orgoerh beyond, may well contcmne felicity , but will neuer obtaine any reward of labour* For itisplacedin your'power, to frame to 'your felues, what fortune you pleafc. For all that feemeth vnfauo- ry either cxercilcth, or corre<5teth,or punifticth. T he VII. Verse, Tbylofopby exhorteth to labours. J? E"*ngf*H '* Atreus fonne dsdten whole yeares employ A W» varsftllhe his b brotl-ers lojfe repas'dwstb ranfakt He ftt/emg [forth the Tleete of Greece 9/>en tbe/eas (Troy* Audtyovtnv wetljbat ene/y blond the angry winds would Forget afath erspdrt anU wnb his cruel {msfr Qleafe % Vnte the Gods dtdfacrtfice hss dears ff <■ daughters life. Vliffcs vast* the lop ofhssmoftfastbfullmeB rybom <* Poltpkemus dtddeueure 'melofedsn hts den n Sicily, hamng but one eye iahis fore-head, which Vliffc*dia ? utoue - . . But * Agamcnv nen. fc Menelatr whofcwife HcIeaa.Pa rii tookc a- way, c lphigenia, 4 AGy*nt "Boetius hit • Hait-aca Huge -:rd?io the :ei called Scympli ! u? i.i Arcadia o Th. 1 log CetbchM nrb« had jj heads. h Diome- Ja Kmgof "hracia, who feddc lis hones with mans But wkem 1 ttn*ndbyjLt/:fh*d madet^e Cyclops bltnd, Mlft fUsf+rt i»l t» rsR<(b tbefavage ktrfes fedde He dtdth'encredfsng heads of poy>'»ovs Hydra burne, And break*** ! Acbcloq { (rotates dsdr/ta^e htm bacl^ return He 00 tlieXifymtf Jmt dod premd k Attack? fit, .-imdwtth't!* might? IQvcmbUmt* vun&crswrdtb fulfil, Hemt'ntke dreddfa!l2orc t en'o<*nt'redj4»d htm /Iew t Eemtyntng pre ft if he vtere *nl mo(l hard. And fort htt la,9 £f grfateft ,9$ ^ *** heaum &ds hurevdrd. You taftant mm °pH'(ue this Wdj of high renewne, {crown. W'.yyeeUyou i overcome the earth. aid you theflarresfbal, left. Who hid turned nimfelfc into the forme of a bull, k T» 1 forme of icpr ne,whobv touching the carrh reccuercd femgth , and thereto?-. HerculoheL him yp.andfo flew him. 1 Vulcans fon, who did caft on ot his Enough fixe and fmokc. m King of Arcadia, n la dead or Th E ilO THE F IFT BOOKE OF BOETIVS. Of chance and freewill , and how chcyftand with Prouidcncc The I. Pros e. Ofchance. < Bg€3 g^£g Auin g &yd thus ^J Kl&l feS flie beg,: n totume ^ her ipeech to cer* tainc other quefH- ons- when 1 inter ruptedher/aying: Thy ^Boetim bis Thy exhortation is very good , and well beleeming thy authority. But I find it true by experience , aschou affirmcdft, that the qucftion of pro- uidence > is entangled with many o- ther*For Idefire toknow, whether thou thinkeft chance to be anything at al,&~ what it is J make haft (quoth fliee) to performe ray promise, and to fhew thee the way, by which thou mayeft returne to thy coun- trey. And thele other qucftions, though they be very profitable, yet they are fomewhat from our pur- pofe,and it is to be feared , leaft be- ing wearied with digressions , thou beefl: not able to finifh thy dire<5t iourney. There is no feare of that (quoth I)for it will be a great eafe to me^tovndcrftand thoft things, in which I take great delight 7 &c with- al! when thy dilputation is fenced in Thilofoph icall Cortifort* m ifioneuery fide, there cm bee nb doubt made of any th-ing choii fihalr irffcrre, I v^ill(jqycth fiiee ) doe/as- rhou wouldcflhaue rrtejafid withali bcgannein ch*s maner : : "If any flwHlj ^define chance to be^an client prodcP Ccd by a con fufed motion "j & \fcichi 1 otic connexion of caufe$3 Iaffirme ; th at there is no fach things a n d r h at • chance is only an empty voyce with- out any- real! fi^n-iftc^rion. "For what pkce can confufion hatur, fince God* difpofeth ail things ii> dueOrde^Fcritisa true fentence., that oi nothing comiireth nothing, Which none of the anclehts denicd> though th'ey-held not that principle of die efficient caufe; but of the ma* teriallfubi^, that isof the nature fo£ all formes. But if any thing pro^ ctcdeth Fr&iii no caiffes > that will ^feeme to haue come from nothing, fOD R which Soetitts hit L which if it cannot bee, neither is i* pofsible there fhotild be any fuch chance , as h dtfincd a little before. What then (quoth I,) is there no- thing that can rightly bee called chance,or fortune? Oristherefbnqh thing > though vnknowen to the common fort, to which thefe names agree ? My Jriflotle (quoth (lice) in his bookes of nature declared this point briefely and trucly. How ? (quoth I) When ( quoth fhee)any thing is done for fome certain caufc, and fome other thing hapneth/or fome reafons, then that, which was intended, this is called chance : as if oncdiggmghis ground with inten- tion to till ic,findcth an hidden trca* fure. This is thought to haue fallen thus ou t by fortune , but it is not of nothing, fork hath peculiar caufes, whofc vnexpc&cd & not forefeetic concourfc Tbtiofophkall Qomfort. nz concourlc feemech to hauc brought foarth a chance* For vnlcflc the Husbandman had digged vp his grounds ., and vrilefle the other had hidden his nfohey in that place, the treafbre had notbcenefound.Thefe are therefore the caufes of this for- tunate accidenr, which proceedeth from the meeting and concourfe of caufes, and not from the intention of the doer. For neither he that hid' the golde, nor hee that tilled his ground,hadany intention that the money fhould be found, but, as I faid,it followed and concurred,that this man fhould dig vp that, which the other hidde. VVhercfore wee may define a chance thus : that it is anvnexpc&cd eucnt of concurring caufes, in thole things, which arc done to fbme end and purpofe.Now the caufc , why caufes concurre and R % mcctc Cbiacc it» t" x /r < Boetius h is ■■*' «* — ■ — « — . rarnrip'TogerhefTts'thac o r ^ r pnr- cefdmg- with lneuitable connexi* on, which delcending: irora the Fcumaine 61 pWUidence, di'poletn all tilings in tfieir places ahcltn^es. . ; nysnofn ern nsbbifi h nurO ifr i • • I " * r * ' ■ > ■ ■ — r f&W MfvMbftw tT- are gu'ttttA " W ^A~i>Q : •bypwiLidmce. r mo ill ' . \lntheirdtff€mlUeM^htdis^iomdtheir4mmi&s, % . hndrfo ' Twit from thejAmehsAd 2ot h with Euphrates rife , ##r //V^ fyw^nnwndthem °W fkkwplikoyndi I . b n - r ; c Bringing together all j&q both their waxes' doe be are; , . ThefiipsanWces^pjir^tes WiyhimkPiH^/doi Imiy 1 Wtllmeete^^theylheir^audi vpill'mingle a&MifotiAt l< b l£^ -* ;; ? fortune though nf yfiermrsj let b*th it. certjime T&fc&nd dot bin tiyterfifa, * •> ^ ffo & % gnmuanosl birfw 9 . ; i ■ __ Tbilofopbicdll C(»nf&4r — — r ~~ — iL ' * — ~ — ~"~ " The I LP rose. Offree^ilL - gjOMnil! it (quothI>ndI fl> # v 1 " acknowledge it to bee as l^M thou fayeft . B$ in this ' ranke of coherent caufo, , hauewee any free will,' or doth the fucall chainefaften alto the motions of m ens minds? We haue ( quoth file) for there can be no refonaWe nature, vnleffe itbe endowed with freewill For that which naturally hath the vfeof reafonvhath alio Judgement, by which he can"difccrne,pFeuery thingbyitfei{e 5 vvherforehe putteth a difference betwixt thofe things, which are to bee auoi Jed^and chofe which are to' bee deftred/ Now euery one leckerh for that, which he thinketh is to be defied,, and ef. clmech that which in his judgement U 'Boetius his I This is fpokcn ac- cording to the epinior oftncPla tonifts. k Bt fore they en - forme tier h to be auoyded. Wherefore they which haqe reafon , haue freedomc towillandnitl. But yet I make not this equal in al.For the fupremc and diuinefubftanceshauebothaperfpi CHOU3 judgment, & an incorrupted wil,& an effectual power to obtainc their deiires. But 1 the minds cf men mud needed be more frcc^vhen they conferue themlelucs in the contem- plation of God , 8c leffe, when they come b to their bodies, and yet lefle wljicnthey are bound with earthly fetters. But their gveateft bondage \s } when giuing thfmfelucs to vices, they loqjfe the poffefsion of their ownereafon. For hauing caft their eyes from thelightiof thelbueraignc trutb to inferiouroblcurities/orth- with they arc blinded with the cloijd pf ignorance , molefted with hurt! ull anedtions, hy ye?lding and con|en- TbilefopbicaU Qomfort. \ 114. confcnting to which, they increafc the bondage,which they layd vppon themfclucs. and arc afteraccrtainc manner cap tiues by their own free- dome. Which notwithftanding that forcfightof prouidence, which be- holdeth all things from eternity, fo*efceth> and by predeftination dip polcth of cucry thing by their mcr- rits. m&tf^+i «yr - ffffc * Omni stale t er omnts smdft. ,The IK Verse. HoV God kno+etb all things. SWeeU Htmerfmgs tbeprasfi OfPhakus chart amd bright^ And jtt hts slrengefi rajes Cannot with fee frte light Casl through thtfecrct waiit Of earth and ft as bis fight i jMt btythst did t hi world dew(e 9 yfkethfrom high wttb cUsrtr tps t The earths yafi depths ynfeent From his fight are /tot free , No c It ids canfiand between He at me time dash Jet & 4 What \B oe tins his v ... > .- What are^nd What haue bt enc, slr,d\rhat fliaL sifter bee. Wbcm(fr.u-he end] vie wetb all ) Toy rightly the tru e Su H ne may caII< The III. Pros e. Boetius propofeth the difficulty of con- cording-Chds prouidence tyitb mens fac^'di lgp|g; ; Henlcontnplayiied : that I ijlgl^ji was nowin a greater confu- |£| fiony&rroie doubtful dif ficulrie theaJbefore. What is that? (quoth fhe ) for I already coniedturc what it. is that troubleth thee. It feemerh Yqtibth I ) to bee altogether irnpolsiblc attd repugnanr,thatGod foreleerh all things r and that there fhould be any free-will. For if God beholdeth all things, and cannot be deceiued, that T muft of necefsity fol- Iow,which Iris prouidence forefeeth to be to come. VVheiefore if from eternity he doth not onlv/ortknov» tic ^hiloJbphicattComfert. \ 125 thcdeeds of men,but alfb their coun lels & wils.tbcrecan be no freewill} for there is not any other deed e or wil,buttholcj\vhich thediuinepro- uidence that cannot bee decerned, hath forefeene. For if things can be drawnto any other courfe,then was foreknowne.therewillnotbe any firm, t now kdg of that, \\ hich is to. ■comcjbut rather anvneertaine opi- nion, which in my opinion were impious to belecue of God. Neither do 1 allow of that reafo, with which fbme fuppofe that they can diflolue the difficulty cf this quefhon. For they lay, that nothing is therfore to come to pafle , becaufe proui- dence did forefee ic , but rather contrary wife, becaufe it fballbce, it could not bevnknown toproui- "den.ce>andinlikemaneritisnecefla- iy \) that the Other fhoisld be true. For *Boetius his For it is not neccflarie that thofc things fhoulct happen, which arc forefecne, but it is ncceffarie that thofe things flioul be foreiecnc,that are'tocome. As though ourqucfti- on were, which of them is the o- thencaufe, the foreknowledge of the necefsitic o( things to come, or the necefsitic of things to come of the foreknowledge. Butletvsende- uoyr to prone, that howfbeuer theft qaufes be ordered, the event of the things," which are foreknovvne, is neccflary, although the foreknow- ledge ieemeth not to inferre necefsi- tic of being vpon the things them- fducs. For if any man ficceth, the opinion which thinketh fo, muft ncedes be true, and agaioe on the o- thee fide,if the opinion that one fit- teth be true, hee muft needesfitte. Wherefore there is ncccftiticin hoth in Tbilofophicall Comfort. in the one of ficting^and in tEeocEer pf trutb. But one fitteth not , be^ c^ufe the opi n ton is true , but rather this is true, becaufe one fitteth. So that though thecaufc of truth pro- cccdeth from one part, yet there is a common necefsit) in both. And the like is to be infei red of prouidence, & future things.For a) thogh they be forefcenc,becaufe they fhall be,and they doe not come to paffe, becaufe they arc forcf cenc: notwithstanding it is ncccflary, that things to come be forcfeenejOr that things forelecn doe fall out ; which alone is fuffici- cntto ouerth row freewill. Bcfides how prepofterous is it, that the e- uent of remporall things fliould be faid to be the caufeof the euerlaft- ing foreknowledge: And whatcls is it to thinke , that God doth there- fore foresee future things , becaufe they 116 GEL c Boetimhis they are to Happen , then to affirme that thofe things which happened long fince,are the caufe of that foue- raigne prouidence ? Furthermore .,as whe I know any thing to be,it muft needs be : To when I know, that any thing fliall be, it muft needes be to come. Andfoitfolloweth,thatthe euent of a thing foreknowen can* not bee auoyded. Finally if any manthinketh otherwife, then the thingiSjthat is not onely no know- ledge^ but it is a deceitfull opinion, far re from the truth of knowledge ; wherefore if any thing is to bee in fuch fort, that the'euentof it is not certaine or nece.flary^how can that beforeknowen that it fhal happen? for as the knowledge is' without mixture omlfity ,fothat, which is :6nceiued by i^cannotbe otherwife then itis cojiceiiied* F of this is the cau'e e- needs be Co .as the knowledge apprehend- etli it to be. What then ? How dcxh God; foreknow, that thefe vncer- tairie things fliall bee ? For if hfce iudcreth* that thofe things fliall llap- pcnineuitabIv,\vh:cnK ispoisib.'e thai! not happen \ hce is decerned, which is not oriel y impipu.s fo thin^e^bm alfo to f pe'ake. Bu nf fie y i p MJJetn . th a c they fti all h rppctl f ft : iuca.Tqrt b they arc, fo tnarTla foeuer ifoyXhal euherbe.br not be, onn what ?fhaU r the diuine prou: dence jpxcaeqc humane opinion , 'f . . _— — ■ ■»■ - < . **,- >» ■ * ' . - H».g. « ■ *- 'Boetipts bis i^as men,God iudgcch thole things to be vncertaine ; thc cuent of which is doubtfull? But if nothing Can bee vncert^ine to that moft certaine fountaine of all things > the euent of thofei things is certaine, which hedoth certainely know fhali be. Wherefore there is no freedomein humane counfels & actions, which the dmine mind forefeeing al things without crrour or falfhood , tyeth and bindech to one cuent. Which once admitted , it is euident ,what mine of humane affayrcs wilenfuc. For in vain arc rewards and punifh- ments proposed to good and cuill, which no iree and voluntary moti* on of their minds hath djelerucd. And that will feemc moft vniuft, which is now iudged moft iuft^that either the wicked flbould be ptini (h* cd^i' the good rewarded, fince their ownc Tbilofophicall Comfort. \i%% ownc will lcadcch them to neither, but they arc compelled by the ccr- taincncccfsityofthat, which is to come. By which mcancs vermes and Yiccsfliall be nothing, but ra- ther there will follow a mixt confu- fion of all deferts. And 3 then which | there can be nothing inuentcd more impious jincc that al order of things procecdeth from prouidence, and humanccounfeisean do nothings it followcth, that oar vices aUb flial be referred to the author of good- neflc. Whcrfbrc there is ntfmcanes left to hope or pray for any thitfg. For what can any man cither hope or pray for , fince an vnflcxiblc courfc conne&cth all things that can bee defircd ? Wherefore tfaat oncly tratfickc betwixt God and men of hope and prayer fhall bee taken away. For by theprice of ifcft hum ili- 1 «... mT^tm ioetius his humility , we defcrue the vnefhroa- blebenefiteof God&grace^which is the pnely mannerly which it feem eth that men may ta-lkewith God; a$d by the.yery manner of fupplica* tion be ioyned to thatinaccefsible: light^beforexhey obtain any thing : vyhieh ifby the admitting themeh cefsity of future things , they bee thought to hauepo force; by what fibril we be Vnited and clcaue to that; foueraigrie Prince of ail things*? VVbetefor-e- mankind miift needed (as thou faydeft in thy ve Tea litrk before) being ieparated and feuered £om his 'fountain, fade .& fall; aw aj£ _ . V . -m j k The III. v e-r s e. Hoi» %'S come to know we truth. - ■ ! \jSJh