The History of Philosophy ... By Thomas Stanley. Containing those on whom the Attribute of VVise was conferred |
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THE GOLDEN VERSES OF PYTHAGORAS.
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 | The History of Philosophy |  |
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THE GOLDEN VERSES OF PYTHAGORAS.
First, in their ranks, th'Immortall Gods adore,
Thy Oath keep; next, great Heroes; then implore
Terrestriall Dæmons with due sacrifice.
Thy Parents reverence and neer Allies:
Him that is first in Vertue make thy Friend,
And with observance his kind speech attend:
Nor (to thy power) for leight faults cast him by,
Thy pow'r is neighbour to Necessity.
Thy Oath keep; next, great Heroes; then implore
Terrestriall Dæmons with due sacrifice.
Thy Parents reverence and neer Allies:
Him that is first in Vertue make thy Friend,
And with observance his kind speech attend:
Nor (to thy power) for leight faults cast him by,
Thy pow'r is neighbour to Necessity.
These know, and with intentive care pursue;
But anger, sloath, and Luxury subdue.
In sight of others or thy selfe forbear,
What's ill; but of thy selfe and most in fear.
Let Justice all thy words and actions sway;
Nor from the even course of Reason stray:
For know that all men are to dye ordain'd,
And riches are as quickly lost as gain'd.
Crosses that happen by divine decree,
(If such thy lot) bear not impatiently.
Yet seek to remedy with all thy care,
And think the Just have not the greatest share.
'Mongst men, discourses good and bad are spred,
Despise not those, nor be by these misled.
If any some notorious falshood say,
Thou the report with equall Judgement weigh.
Let not mens smoother promises invite,
Nor rougher threats from just resolves thee fright.
If ought thou wouldst attempt, first ponder it,
Fools onely inconsiderate acts commit.
Nor do what afterwards, thou maist repent,
First learn to know the thing on which th'art bent.
Thus thou a life shalt lead with joy repleat.
But anger, sloath, and Luxury subdue.
In sight of others or thy selfe forbear,
What's ill; but of thy selfe and most in fear.
Let Justice all thy words and actions sway;
Nor from the even course of Reason stray:
For know that all men are to dye ordain'd,
And riches are as quickly lost as gain'd.
Crosses that happen by divine decree,
(If such thy lot) bear not impatiently.
Yet seek to remedy with all thy care,
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'Mongst men, discourses good and bad are spred,
Despise not those, nor be by these misled.
If any some notorious falshood say,
Thou the report with equall Judgement weigh.
Let not mens smoother promises invite,
Nor rougher threats from just resolves thee fright.
If ought thou wouldst attempt, first ponder it,
Fools onely inconsiderate acts commit.
Nor do what afterwards, thou maist repent,
First learn to know the thing on which th'art bent.
Thus thou a life shalt lead with joy repleat.
Nor must thou care of outward health forget.
Such temp'rance use in exercise and dyet,
As may preserve thee in a setled quiet.
Meats unprohibited, not curious chuse,
Decline what any other may accuse.
The rash expence of vanity detest,
And sordidnesse: A mean in all is best.
Hurt not thy self: Before thou act, advise;
Nor suffer sleep at night to close thine eyes,
Till thrice thy acts that day thou hast ore-run,
How slipt? what deeds? what duty left undone?
Thus thy account summ'd up from first to last,
Grieve for the ill, joy for what good hath past.
Such temp'rance use in exercise and dyet,
As may preserve thee in a setled quiet.
Meats unprohibited, not curious chuse,
Decline what any other may accuse.
The rash expence of vanity detest,
And sordidnesse: A mean in all is best.
Hurt not thy self: Before thou act, advise;
Nor suffer sleep at night to close thine eyes,
Till thrice thy acts that day thou hast ore-run,
How slipt? what deeds? what duty left undone?
Thus thy account summ'd up from first to last,
Grieve for the ill, joy for what good hath past.
These study, practise these, and these affect,
To sacred virtue these thy steps direct.
Eternall Nature's fountain I attest,
Who the Tetractys on our soul imprest.
Before thy mind thou to this study bend,
Invoke the Gods to grant it a good end.
These if thy labour vanquish, thou shalt then
Know the connexure both of Gods and men;
How every thing proceeds, or by what staid,
And know (as far as fit to be survay'd)
Nature alike throughout: that thou maist learn
Not to hope hopelesse things, but all discern.
And know those Wretches whose perverser wills
Draw down upon their head spontaneous Ills;
Unto the good that's nigh them deaf and blind:
Some few the cure of these misfortunes find.
This onely is the Fate that harms, and rolls,
Through miseries successive, human souls.
Within is a continuall hidden fight,
Which we to shun must study, not excite.
Great Jove! how little trouble should we know,
If thou to all men wouldst their Genius show?
To sacred virtue these thy steps direct.
Eternall Nature's fountain I attest,
Who the Tetractys on our soul imprest.
Before thy mind thou to this study bend,
Invoke the Gods to grant it a good end.
These if thy labour vanquish, thou shalt then
Know the connexure both of Gods and men;
How every thing proceeds, or by what staid,
And know (as far as fit to be survay'd)
Nature alike throughout: that thou maist learn
Not to hope hopelesse things, but all discern.
And know those Wretches whose perverser wills
Draw down upon their head spontaneous Ills;
Unto the good that's nigh them deaf and blind:
Some few the cure of these misfortunes find.
This onely is the Fate that harms, and rolls,
Through miseries successive, human souls.
Within is a continuall hidden fight,
Which we to shun must study, not excite.
Great Jove! how little trouble should we know,
If thou to all men wouldst their Genius show?
But fear not thou; Men come of heav'nly race,
Taught by diviner Nature what t'embrace:
Which if pursu'd, thou all I nam'd shalt gain,
And keep thy Soul clear from thy bodie's stain.
In time of Pray'r and cleansing, meats deny'd
Abstain from; thy mind's rains let reason guide:
Then strip'd of flesh up to free Æther soar,
A death-lesse God, Divine, mortall no more.
Taught by diviner Nature what t'embrace:
Which if pursu'd, thou all I nam'd shalt gain,
And keep thy Soul clear from thy bodie's stain.
In time of Pray'r and cleansing, meats deny'd
Abstain from; thy mind's rains let reason guide:
Then strip'd of flesh up to free Æther soar,
A death-lesse God, Divine, mortall no more.
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