54 THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



recite three, not so delectable for elegancy, but admirable for 

 vigour and efficacy. 



(26) As first, it is reason he be thought a master ot words, 

 that could with one word appease a mutiny in his army, which 

 was thus : The Romans, when their generals did speak to their 

 army, did use the word Milites, but when the magistrates 

 spake to the people they did use the word Quirites. The 

 soldiers were in tumult, and seditiously prayed to be cashiered ; 

 not that they so meant, but by expostulation thereof to draw 

 Caesar to other conditions ; wherein he being resolute not to 

 give way, after some silence, he began his speech, Eyo Quirites, 

 which did admit them already cashieredwherewith they were 



(27) The second speech was thus: Csesar did extremely 

 affect the name of king ; and some were set on as he passed by 

 in popular acclamation to salute him king. Whereupon, find 

 ing the cry weak and poor, he put it off thus, in a kind of jest, 

 as if they had mistaken his surname : Non Rex sum, sed Ccesar; 

 a speech that, if it be searched, the life and fulness of it can 

 scarce be expressed. For, first, it was a refusal of the name, 

 but yet not serious ; again, it did signify an infinite confidence 

 and magnanimity, as if he presumed Caesar was the greater 

 title, as by his worthiness it is come to pass till this day. But 

 chiefly it was a speech of great allurement toward his own pur 

 pose, as if the state did strive with him but for a name, whereof 

 mean families were vested ; for Rex was a surname with the 

 Romans, as well as King is with us. 



(28) The last speech which I will mention was used to 

 Metellus, when Csesar, after war declared, did possess himself 

 of the city of Rome ; at which time, entering into the inner 

 treasury to take the money there accumulate, Metellus, being 

 tribune, for bads him. Whereto Caesar said, &quot;That if he did 

 not desist, he would lay him dead in the place.&quot; And 

 presently taking himself up, he added, &quot; Young man, it is 

 harder for me to speak it than to do \i~AdoUscens, durius 

 est mihi hoc dicere quamfacere.&quot; A speech compounded of the 

 greatest terror and greatest clemency that could proceed out of 

 the mouth of man. 



(29) But to return and conclude with him, it is evident him 

 self knew well his own perfection in learning, and took it upon 

 him, as appeared when upon occasion that some spake what 

 a strange resolution it was in Lucius Sylla to resign his dicta- 

 ture, he, scoffing at him to his own advantage, answered, &quot; That 



