securely, but could not, and yet they brag of their power.
Thinkest thou him mighty whom thou seest desire that which he cannot do?
Thinkest thou him mighty who dareth not go without his guard; who
feareth others more than they fear him; who cannot seem mighty, except
his servants please? For what should I speak of kings' followers, since
I show that kingdoms themselves are so full of weakness? Whom the power
of kings often standing, but many times falling, doth overthrow. Nero
compelled Seneca, his familiar friend and master, to make choice of his
own death.[126] Antoninus called Papinianus, who had been long a gallant
courtier, to be cut in pieces with his soldiers' swords.[127] Yet they
would both have renounced their power, yea Seneca endeavoured to deliver
up his riches also to Nero, and to give himself to a contemplative life.
But their very greatness drawing them to their destruction, neither of
them could compass that which they desired. Wherefore what power is this
that the possessors fear, which when thou wilt have, thou art not
secure, and when thou wilt leave, thou canst not avoid? Are we the
better for those friends which love us not for our virtue but for our
prosperity? But whom prosperity maketh our friend, adversity will make
our enemy. And what plague is able to hurt us more than a familiar
enemy?

[125] Cic. _Tusc. Disp._ v. 21. 62.

[126] Cf. Tac. _Ann._ xiv. 53, 54.

[127] Cf. Spartian. _Caracallus_ 8.

V.

Qui se uolet esse potentem
Animos domet ille feroces
Nec uicta libidine colla
Foedis submittat habenis.
Etenim licet Indica longe 5
Tellus tua iura tremescat
Et seruiat ultima Thyle,
Tamen atras pellere curas
Miserasque fugare querelas
Non posse potentia non est. 10

V.

Who would be powerful, must
His own affections check,
Nor let foul reins of lust
Subdue his conquered neck.
For though the Indian land
Should tremble at thy beck,
And though thy dread command
Far Thule's isle obey,
Unless thou canst withstand
And boldly drive away
Black care and wretched moan,
Thy might is small or none.

VI.

Gloria uero quam fallax saepe, quam turpis est! Vnde non iniuria tragicus
exclamat:

[Greek: O doxa doxa murioisi dae broton
ouden gegosi bioton onkosas megan.]

Plures enim magnum saepe nomen fals