Those who have been cruelly defeated, may even yet be brought the next day to the charge; but those who have once conceived a great dread of the enemy, will scarcely be persuaded to face them again. The thing in the world I am most afraid of is fear, as its effects can never be deduced. What affliction could be more severe and reasonable than that of Pompey's followers and friends, who, from their own ships, were witnesses of his horrid and inhuman murder? Yet the dread of the Egyptian vessels which they saw coming to board them, so entirely obliterated all other sensations, that they could only urge the mariners to exert themselves with the utmost strength and agility, till they arrived at Tyre, and then being delivered from all danger, they had leisure to turn their thoughts to the loss of their captain, and to give vent to tears and lamentations, which the more prevalent passion had till then sufpended.

Such as are in immediate dread of losing their estates, of being banished or subjugated, live in constant anguish, and are devoid of all relish for enjoyment; whereas those who are

really

really indigent, slaves, or exiles, enjoy life like others: and many people, impatient under perpetual apprehensions, have wished for a termination of their existence, esteeming death itself preferable to continual dread of impending danger.

Formerly, even the appearance of sear, though it did not enervate the mind, was reprobated in the highest degree. It was esteemed unbecoming to start at the found of a cannon, or shrink at the approach of a ball, which, from its violence and velocity, might cause inevitable destruction: and many a soldier in lowering his head, or raising his hand at the found, has experienced the laugh of his companions. Yet a similar precaution saved the life of Lorenzo de Medici, duke of Urbino; during the siege of Mordolpho, in Italy, observing a canoneer set fire to a piece that pointed directly against him, by bending his body, the shot only grazed his head, which otherwise would have struck him on the breast.

To confess the truth, I do not think these evasions can be regulated by judgment; for how can any man determine how high or how

low

low the blow may come; and a man may no less step into danger as out of it, by a change of position: but I own when the noise of a musket rushes upon me unexpectedly, I cannot prevent myself from starting, as I have witnessed the fame effect in others who are more courageous than I am. But those who have sometimes carried the appearance of sear, have proved themselves by no means deficient in courage.

Socrates ridicules Laches for having defined fortitude to be standing firm in the ranks against the enemy. Would it then, he observed, be reputed cowardice to overcome them by retreating? He quotes Homer, who com mends Eneas for his skill in running away. He also mentions the Lacedemonians, a people above all others confessedly allowed to be most heroic, who, in the battle of Platea, not being able to open the Persian phalanx, affected to separate and retreat. The Persians instantly breaking their rank, and falling into disorder, then the Lacedemonians pursued them, and by this stratagem obtained a victory. Several other warlike nations have derived their prin

cipal advantage in battle from flight, and turning the back upon the enemy has been sometimes more dangerous than shewing the face; and the Turks still partly retain this practice*.

When Darius wanted to subjugate the Scythian?, he sent a herald to reproach them with always declining to sight. Their king, Indasthyrsis, made this reply: "Tell your king that we fear neither him, or any other man, but as we have neither cultivated grounds, nor cities, nor houses to defend, and as the enemy derive no advantage from any of our poffeffions, it is our practice to act in this manner. You may also add, that if Darius has so ravenous an appetite for human flesh, let him approach the place of our ancient sepulchres, and there he will find that we will not decline the combat."

* So when the Parthian turn'd his steed,
And from the hostile camp withdrew;
With cruel skill the backward reed

He sent; and as he fled he slew.

PRIOR

When

When no laudable conduct can enable a man to avoid impending danger, then the proof of fortitude principally consists in bearing with magnanimity those misfortunes which are inevitable: tears will sometimes start from his eyes, as a sign of fear in the hour of trial, while his soul will continue firm and inflexible.