Seneca's Ansvver, to Lvcilivs His Qvaere; Why Good Men suffer misfortunes seeing there is a Diuine Prouidence? Written Originally in Latine Prose, And Now Translated into English Verse, By E. S. [i.e. Edward Sherburne] |
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PART. VI.
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 | Seneca's Ansvver, to Lvcilivs |  |
VI. PART. VI.
Argument.
No Joyes the Bad can happy make,Nought from the good their Joyes can take.
Quest.
VVhy yet does God by his Eternall Will,Permit good Men to suffer any Ill?
Answ.
Know, he permits them not; for by his CareAll evills farre from them removed are.
Flagitious Crimes, foule thoughts, corrupt Desires,
Blind lust, and Avarice that still aspires
To be Possessor of another State;
He them doth both defend, and Vindicate.
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That he should beare their Budgets, and their Packs.
Ev'n they themselves acquit God of that Care;
By whom, all outward things contemned are.
Democritus his Riches cast, since they
He thought were Clogs to a good Mind, away.
Wond'rest thou then if God t'a good man, shall
Permit that, which himselfe desires might, fall?
Obj.
Of Children they're depriv'd;Answ.
Why not? Since theyAre mortall, and must dye themselves one day.
They are exil'd:
Answ.
Why not? Since they sometime,
Forsake ne're more to see't, their Native Clime.
Obj.
They're slain,
Answ.
Why not? Since Wee have knowne that some
Unto their Deaths by their own Hands have come.
Quest.
Why suffer they Adversities?
Answ.
That so
They might teach others them to undergoe.
They're for Examples borne; Thinke that you heare
“God say, What Cause have you that you should e're
“Make your Complaints of me, you, who in Right,
“And in Integritie, have tooke delight?
“Others with seeming Goods I've but enrich'd;
“And with a long and flattering Dreame, bewitch'd
“Their vainer Minds. Gold, Silver, Iv'ry's seene
“T'adorne their outsides, but no good within.
“Those you count happy Men, (could but that side
“Which they conceale, as that they show be spy'd)
“Most miserable, filthy, sordid, are.
“And like their Walls, onely on th' outside faire.
“'Tis no sincere, solid Felicitie,
“But thinly crusted over to the Eye.
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“Doe shew themselves; they shine as through a Mist
“With larger Orbs: but if ought come that may
“Disturbe their Quiets, and them open lay,
“Then will appeare how much of base impure
“Filth, their false boasted splendor did obscure.
“True, reall Goods, and such as shall abide
“I have on you bestow'd, which the more try'd
“By you they shall be, and be search'd more neare,
“They better still, and greater shall appeare.
“Minds have I giv'n you Terrors to despise;
“And loath, what most, affectionately prize.
“Yours is no outward tinseld Braverie,
“The goods which you adorne, turn'd inward be.
“So doth the World his outward Parts despise,
“And with his inward Beauty please his eyes.
“The happinesse which you 'bove all possesse,
“Is not to stand in need of happinesse.
Ob.
“But many sad, and dreadfull Accidents,
“And oft intolerable Fate presents.
Ans.
“Since you from these could not exempted be,
“I h've arm'd your mindes against adversitie.
“Beare all things stoutly, by which meanes you may
“Walke before God in his appointed way.
“Without the suff'rance of Miseries
“He is, and you, above their suff'rance rise.
“Want and low Poverty, contemne, and scorne,
“There's no man lives so poore as he was borne.
“Dolour, and paine contemne; 'twill have an end,
“Or at the worst, it you to yours will send.
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“She hath no weapon that can wound the minde.
“Nay Death it selfe; which ends, or doth translate
“Your bad condition, to a better state.
| Seneca's Ansvver, to Lvcilivs | |