THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 27 



she oftentimes descended from her sphere to enjoy 

 his company as he slept ; and after she had kissed 

 him ascended up again. Yet, notwithstanding this, 

 his idleness and sleepy security did not any way 

 impair his estate or fortune ; for Luna brought it so 

 to pass, that he alone, of all the rest of the shepherds, 

 had his flock in best plight, and most fruitful. 



This fable may have reference to the nature and 

 dispositions of princes ; for they being full of doubts 

 and prone to jealousy, do not easily acquaint men of 

 prying and curious eyes, and as it were of vigilant 

 and wakeful dispositions, with the secret humours 

 and manners of their life ; but such rather as are of 

 quiet and observant natures, suffering them to do 

 what they list without further scanning, making as 

 if they were ignorant, and perceiving nothing but of 

 a stupid disposition, and possessed with sleep, yield 

 ing unto them simple obedience rather than sly com 

 pliments ; for it pleaseth princes now and then to 

 descend from their thrones or majesty, like Luna 

 from the superior orb, and laying aside their robes 

 of dignity, which always to be cumbered with, would 

 seem a kind of burthen, familiarly to converse with 

 men of this condition, which they think may be done 

 without danger ; a quality chiefly noted in Tiberius 

 CaBsar, who, of all others, was a prince most severe ; 

 yet such only were gracious in his favour, as being 

 well acquainted with his disposition, did yet constantly 

 dissemble as if they knew nothing. This was the 

 custom also of Lewis the Eleventh, King of France, 

 a cautious arid wily prince. 



