Epistle XIX. To Paulinus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On Kindness to a Servant.
I See how tenderly you treat your Servants, which induces me to own to you the more frankly,
with what Indulgence I treat my own. I have always in my Thoughts that Passage of
Homer,
Gentle he was, and like a Father kind.
And that Expression of our Tongue, the Father of a Family. Were I by Nature more harsh and rugged,
the Infirmity of my Freedman Zosimus, would soften me. He has now a Right to the greater Humanity,
as he is the more in want of it. He is honest, careful of his Duty, a Man of Letters,
and indeed, his Profess'd Art, and as it were, his Title, is that of a Comedian,
in which he excels. For he pronounces, with Vigour, Judgment, Propriety,
and Grace; and touches the Harp more skilfully than belongs to a Comedian.
He likewise reads an Oration, a History, a Poem, so compleatly, that you would think,
he had
apply'd himself to nothing else. I have been particular on this Head, to acquaint you how many and agreeably Services this single Man has done me.
Add to this my old Respect for him, which Danger it self has heightened.
For it is so order'd by Nature, that nothing inflames and raises Love to that Degree,
as the Fear of losing the Object of it, a Passion which I often feel for
Zosimus. For some Years ago, while he was pronouncing with Force and Vehemence,
he made a Discharge of Blood from his Mouth; and when I had sent him into
Ægypt on this Account, and he was recover'd after a long Travel, he lately return'd.
And after this, on straining his Voice too far, for many Days successively,
a slight Cough threatened him with a Relapse, and soon after, the same Emission of Blood was renew'd.
For this Reason I have determined to send him to your Farm-house at
Friuli; for I have frequently heard you speaking, that the Air of that Place is very wholsome,
and the Milk it produces is extremely proper in Cures of this Nature.
I would desire you therefore to send Word to your People there,
that he may have a free Command of the House and Conveniencies about it;
and be supply'd for all Expences that Occasion may require; as his Necessities will be very moderate:
For he is so temperate and sober, that he does not only decline the Comforts,
but the Necessities due to an ill State of Health, by his Frugality. I
will furnish him in order to his Journey, with as much as is sufficient to a moderate Man,
and one that is repairing to your House.
Farewell.
