Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/164

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Chap. 2.

of Conſtancy.

143

er, it will suffice to say in short, that most of the Philosophers and Sages, removing from Cities and the wild clamour of the Courts; have cloystred up themselves within private limits and bounds. And amongst the latter, methinks I see King Tarquine (in that then ancient Rome) diverting himself in his Gardens, and smiting off the heads of the Poppyes. Cato the Censour applying himself to this study, and writing Books with all seriousness about these matters. Lucullus retiring to his Gardens, after all his Asiatique Triumphs. Sylla having lay'd down his Dictatorship doth here more contentedly grow old; and Dioclesian the Emperour preferres his Sallads and Lettuce at Salona; before the imperial purple, and all the Scepters of the Universe. Nor have the Vulgar receded from the Judgement of their superiours; but even amongst them the honester sort, and such as were free from am-

bition;