had Demetrius ouerthrowen the Rhodes, neuer
had Alexander conquered Thyr, Marcellus Syracusa, Scipio
Numantia. I recommend vnto you also the poore people, loue the
orphanes and fatherlesse children, support and help the widowes,
beware of quarrels and debates amongs you, and the causes of the
helplesse se that ye maintaine and defende: bicause the Gods dyd
neuer wreake more cruell vengeance vpon any, than vpon those
which dyd ill intreate and vse the poore and neady: and many
times I haue heard my Lord Nerua say, that the gods neuer shewed
themselues so rygorous, as agaynst a mercilesse and vnpitifull
people. Semblably, we pray you to be modest of woords, pacient
to suffer, and ware in your forme of lyfe. For a great fault it
is, and no lesse shame to a Gouerner, that he prayse the people
of his common wealth, and gyue them occasion to speake euill of
him: and therefore they which haue charge of the common wealth,
ought rather to repose trust in their workes, than in theyr
woords, for so mutch as the Citizens or common people, do rather
fixe theyr iudgement vpon that which they see, than on that
which they heare. I would wysh that (touching the affayres
appertinent to the Senate) they might not know in you any sparke
of ambicion, malice, deceipte, or enuy, to the intent that the
iust men might not so mutch complain of the commaunding of the
common wealth, as vpon the entertainment and profite of the
same. The Empire of the Greeks putting theyr felicity in
eloquence, and we in well doing. I speake this (ryght honorable
Fathers) to Counsell and Exhorte ye, that when ye be assembled
in Senate, ye do not consume tyme in dysputing and holding
opinions for the verification of any thynge. For if you will
iudge wythout parciality and affection without great
disputation, ye may come to reason. I do remember that being at
a lesson of Appolonius Thianeus, I heard him say that it was not
so expedient that Senators and Emperors should be skilful and
wyse, as if they suffred themselues to bee gouerned by those
that were of great experience and knowledg: and verely he said
truth: for by that meanes he prohibited and forbad them, not to
arrest and stand vpon their owne opinion, whereof they ought to
be many times suspicious. Lykewyse we recommend vnto you the
censores, who haue charge of Iudgement, and the Tribunes, whose
office is to attende the affrayes of Common Wealthe, that they
bee wyse and learned in the Lawes, expert in the C