him, cannot but appear even to a blind man to possess and enjoy
very extraordinary satisfactions in himself. And hence it comes
that such men are both indefatigable and undaunted in serving the
public, and we still hear some such words from them

Thy father got thee for the common good;
and
Let's not give off to benefit mankind.

But what need I instance in those that are consummately good?
For if to one of the middling rank of bad men, when he is just
a-dying, he that hath the power over him (whether his god or
prince) should but allow one hour more, upon condition that, after he hath spent that either in some generous action or in sensual enjoyment, he should then presently die, who would in this time choose rather to accompany with Lais or drink Ariusion wine, than to despatch Archias and restore the Athenians to their liberties? For my part I believe none would. For I see that even common sword-players, if they are not utter brutes and savages, but Greek born, when they are to enter the list, though there be many and very costly dishes set before them, yet take more content in employing their time in commanding their poor wives to some of their friends, yea, and in conferring freedom on their slaves, than in gratifying their stomachs. But should the pleasures of the body be allowed to have some extraordinary matter in them, this would yet be common to men of action and business.

For they can eat good meat, and red wine drink,
(See "Iliad," v. 341.)

aye, and entertain themselves with their friends, and perhaps with
a greater relish too, after their engagements and hard services,--
as did Alexander and Agesilaus, and (by Jove) Phocion and
Epaminondas too,--than these gentlemen who anoint themselves by the
fireside, and are gingerly rocked about the streets in sedans.
Yea, those make but small account of such pleasures as these, as
being comprised in those greater ones. For why should a man
mention Epaminondas's denying to sup with one, when he saw the
preparations made were above the man's estate, but frankly saying
to his friend, "I thought you had intended a sacrifice and not a
debauch," when Alexander himself refused Queen Ada's cooks, telling
her he had better ones of his own, to wit, travelling by night for
his dinner, and a light dinner for his supper, and when Philoxenus