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] |
 |
|
| I. |
PART. I.
|
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | Seneca's Ansvver, to Lvcilivs |  |
I. PART. I.
Argument.
To prove there's Providence were vaine,Since it's Effects Wee see so plaine.
Thou asks't of me (my Deare Lucilius!) whence,
(If this World govern'd be by Providence,)
So many Evills should good men befall?
This would, in our works Context, (where we shall
Prove, that a Providence doth all things steare,
And that God's present with us ev'ry where)
Be fitlier answer'd: but since pleas'd thou art,
That from the Whole I should divide this Part;
And cleare this seeming Contradiction,
Letting the rest of the Dispute alone;
I willingly to this shall condiscend,
And easily the Gods just Cause defend.
(If this World govern'd be by Providence,)
So many Evills should good men befall?
This would, in our works Context, (where we shall
Prove, that a Providence doth all things steare,
And that God's present with us ev'ry where)
2
That from the Whole I should divide this Part;
And cleare this seeming Contradiction,
Letting the rest of the Dispute alone;
I willingly to this shall condiscend,
And easily the Gods just Cause defend.
'Twill seem but needlesse to be here maintain'd,
That this great Fabrick cannot be sustain'd
Without some Guardian, or that the set Dance,
And certaine Motions of the Stars, by Chance
Are not incited, nor distracted run
In a wild, loose, Arietation.
Or that Heav'ns swift, un-interrupted Course
Moves b'an eternall Lawes preord'red force.
Or that that Cause which constant Influence
To all things doth, in Earth, and Seas dispence;
And those bright Sparkes (like Gems in Rings of Gold)
Wee in their sev'rall Spheares inchac'd, behold;
Is not the Order of some wand'ring Power.
That if these things to some rash Coiture
Had their convention ow'd, they had not then
With such rare Artifice disposed been.
That heavy Earth unmoved should behold
The flying Heav'ns about her swiftly rowl'd.
That Seas through Vallies spred, moisten the ground.
That they t'admit increase are never found
By that Accesse their Wat'ry Tribute brings
From all the In-land Rivers, and fresh Springs,
That from small Seeds such Mightie Bodies grow,
That none ev'n of these things, which have least show
Of Certaintie and most confused seeme,
(As Wee, Clouds, Raine, and Thunder-Claps esteeme,
Fires which with Horror blaze from Mountaines split,
Earth-quakes, when she seemes shook with a Cold fit.
And those tumultuous Motions, which appeare
So often rais'd about this Earthly Spheare)
Without a reason, (though they're thought by some
The Births of suddaine violence) doe come.
But have their proper Causes, well as those
Which Wee, 'cause strange, Miraculous suppose.
As Warme Springs are which gellid streames surround,
And Islands from the Sea new rising, found.
Then if one marke how the retiring Maine
The shore discloses, and conceales againe;
He'le thinke that the distracted Waters run
As 'twere, with a blind volutation,
In't one another, and againe from thence
With a swift Course, and furious violence
Breake forth, and with augmented Streames, retreat
Unto their wonted Home, and Proper Seat.
When they indeed doe by degrees increase,
And to a day, or houre, grow more, or lesse,
As the Moones Influence doth them despose;
Govern'd by which, the Ocean ebbs, and flowes.
That this great Fabrick cannot be sustain'd
Without some Guardian, or that the set Dance,
And certaine Motions of the Stars, by Chance
Are not incited, nor distracted run
In a wild, loose, Arietation.
Or that Heav'ns swift, un-interrupted Course
Moves b'an eternall Lawes preord'red force.
Or that that Cause which constant Influence
To all things doth, in Earth, and Seas dispence;
And those bright Sparkes (like Gems in Rings of Gold)
Wee in their sev'rall Spheares inchac'd, behold;
Is not the Order of some wand'ring Power.
That if these things to some rash Coiture
Had their convention ow'd, they had not then
With such rare Artifice disposed been.
That heavy Earth unmoved should behold
The flying Heav'ns about her swiftly rowl'd.
That Seas through Vallies spred, moisten the ground.
That they t'admit increase are never found
By that Accesse their Wat'ry Tribute brings
From all the In-land Rivers, and fresh Springs,
That from small Seeds such Mightie Bodies grow,
That none ev'n of these things, which have least show
3
(As Wee, Clouds, Raine, and Thunder-Claps esteeme,
Fires which with Horror blaze from Mountaines split,
Earth-quakes, when she seemes shook with a Cold fit.
And those tumultuous Motions, which appeare
So often rais'd about this Earthly Spheare)
Without a reason, (though they're thought by some
The Births of suddaine violence) doe come.
But have their proper Causes, well as those
Which Wee, 'cause strange, Miraculous suppose.
As Warme Springs are which gellid streames surround,
And Islands from the Sea new rising, found.
Then if one marke how the retiring Maine
The shore discloses, and conceales againe;
He'le thinke that the distracted Waters run
As 'twere, with a blind volutation,
In't one another, and againe from thence
With a swift Course, and furious violence
Breake forth, and with augmented Streames, retreat
Unto their wonted Home, and Proper Seat.
When they indeed doe by degrees increase,
And to a day, or houre, grow more, or lesse,
As the Moones Influence doth them despose;
Govern'd by which, the Ocean ebbs, and flowes.
But these Wee leave untill their due Time; since
Thou doubt'st not, but complaint'st of, Providence.
I'le reconcile thee to the Gods above,
Who best, unto the Best of Mortalls prove.
For ev'n by Natur's lawes it is withstood
That good things should prove hurtfull to the Good.
'Twixt God and Good men there's a friendship layd
Still Firme, by virtu's Mediation made.
Did I say Friendship? An inforcive Tye
Or likenesse rather, and a Sympathie.
Since a Good man differs from God alone
In time; his amulous Scholler, and his owne
Legittimate Issue: whom that Royall Sire
(Who virtuous Acts severely doth require)
As Austere Parents (who make their's indure
Labour and toyle) to hardship doth inure.
Thou doubt'st not, but complaint'st of, Providence.
I'le reconcile thee to the Gods above,
Who best, unto the Best of Mortalls prove.
For ev'n by Natur's lawes it is withstood
That good things should prove hurtfull to the Good.
4
Still Firme, by virtu's Mediation made.
Did I say Friendship? An inforcive Tye
Or likenesse rather, and a Sympathie.
Since a Good man differs from God alone
In time; his amulous Scholler, and his owne
Legittimate Issue: whom that Royall Sire
(Who virtuous Acts severely doth require)
As Austere Parents (who make their's indure
Labour and toyle) to hardship doth inure.
If then the Good, (Men after Gods owne will,)
Thou shalt behold to toyle, sweat, climb the Hill,
And see the bad to sport with Wanton Pride
Floating in Pleasures at a high Spring Tide.
Thinke with thy selfe, that Wee delight to have
A Modest Child, though a licencious slave.
That this, too severe disciplin's restrain'd,
Whilst that, in his bold liberti's maintain'd.
The selfe same course thou may'st observe God take,
He does no darling of a Good Man make;
But tryes, and hardens, makes him Proofe 'gainst Ill;
And brings him to the Bent of his owne will.
Thou shalt behold to toyle, sweat, climb the Hill,
And see the bad to sport with Wanton Pride
Floating in Pleasures at a high Spring Tide.
Thinke with thy selfe, that Wee delight to have
A Modest Child, though a licencious slave.
That this, too severe disciplin's restrain'd,
Whilst that, in his bold liberti's maintain'd.
The selfe same course thou may'st observe God take,
He does no darling of a Good Man make;
But tryes, and hardens, makes him Proofe 'gainst Ill;
And brings him to the Bent of his owne will.
| Seneca's Ansvver, to Lvcilivs | |