THE FIRST BOOK 59 



taken his surname ; Non Rex sum, sed Caesar ; a 

 speech, that if it be searched, the life and fullness 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 purpose ; 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 Caesar, after war declared, did possess 

 himself of the city of Rome ; at which time entering 

 into the inner treasury to take the money there accumu 

 late, Metellus being tribune forbade him. Whereto 

 Caesar said, That if he did not desist, he would lay 

 him dead in the place. And presently taking himself 

 up, he added, Young man, it is harder for me to speak 

 it than to do it ; Adolescens, durius est mini hoc dicere 

 quam facere. 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 himself knew well his own perfection in learn 

 ing, 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 dictature ; he scoffing 

 at him, to his own advantage, answered, That Sylla 

 could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how 

 to dictate. 



30. And here it were fib to leave this point, touching 

 the concurrence of military virtue and learning (for 

 \\hab example should come with any grace after those 

 two of Alexander and Caesar ?), were it not in regard 

 of the rareness of circumstance, that I find in one other 

 particular, as that which did so suddenly pass from 

 extreme scorn to extreme wonder : and it is of Xeno- 

 phon the philosopher, who went from Socrates school 

 into Asia, in the expedition of Cyrus the younger 



