and
proscription for bearing the Senate too much good will. O Senate, which
deserves that never any may be convicted of the like crime!

The dignity of which accusation even the very accusers themselves saw,
which that they might obscure by adding some sort of fault, they belied
me that I defiled my conscience with sacrilege, for an ambitious desire
of preferment. But thou, which hadst seated thyself in me, didst repel
from the seat of my mind all desire of mortal things, and within thy
sight there was no place for sacrilege to harbour; for thou didst instil
into my ears and thoughts daily that saying of Pythagoras, 'Follow
God.'[96] Neither was it fitting for me to use the aid of most vile
spirits when thou wast shaping me into that excellency to make me like
to God. Besides the innocency which appeared in the most retired rooms
of my house, the assembly of my most honourable friends, my holy father-
in-law Symmachus, who is as worthy of reverence as thou thyself art, do
clear me from all suspicion of this crime. But O detestable wickedness!
they the rather credit thee with so great a crime, and think me the
nigher to such mischievous dealing, because I am endued with thy
knowledge, and adorned with thy virtues, so that it is not enough that I
reap no commodity for thy respect, unless thou beest also dishonoured
for the hatred conceived against me. And that my miseries may increase
the more, the greatest part do not so much respect the value of things
as the event of fortune, and they esteem only that to be providently
done which the happy success commends. By which means it cometh to pass
that the first loss which miserable men have is their estimation and the
good opinion which was had of them. What rumours go now among the
people, what dissonant and diverse opinions! I cannot abide to think of
them; only this will I say, the last burden of adversity is that when
they which are in misery are accused of any crime, they are thought to
deserve whatsoever they suffer. And I, spoiled of all my goods, bereaved
of my dignities, blemished in my good name, for benefits receive
punishments.

And methinks I see the cursed crews of the wicked abounding with joy and
gladness, and every lost companion devising with himself how to accuse
others falsely, good men lie prostrate with the terror of my danger, and
every lewd fellow is provoked by impunity to attempt