Moral essays. With an English translation by J.W. Basore

AndON ANGER, II. XXXIII. 3-6prison ; when the father begged that his son's lifemight be spared, Caesar, just as if he had beenreminded to punish him, ordered him to be executedforth^\-ith ;yet in order not to be wholly brutal tothe father, he in\-ited him to dine with him that day.Pastor actually came and showed no reproach in hiscountenance. Caesar, taking a cup, proposed hishealth and set some one to watch him ; the poor>\Tetch went through ^\ith it, although he seemed tobe drinking the blood of his son. Caesar then senthim perfume and garlands of flowers and gave ordersto watch whether he used them : he used them.On the very day on which he had buried—no, beforehe had yet buried—his son, he took his place amonga hundred dinner-guests, and, old and gouty as hewas, drained a draught of wine that would scarce havebeen a seemly potion even on the birthday of oneof his children, all the while shedding not a singletear nor by any sign suffering his grief to be revealed ;at ihe dinner_he. acted as if he had obtained thepardonTie had sought for lii^ ^on. Do you ask why ?He^jad"a sccdncTson . what did great Priam do ?DioTie not disguise his anger and embrace the kneesof the klfig? Did he not carry to his lips the murderousliaiid all stained with the blood of his son?"Did he not dine ? True, but there was no perfumefor liim, no garlands, and his bloodthirsty enemywith many soft words pressed him to take food, anddid not force him to cbain huge beakers while someone stood over him to watch. The Roman father youwould have despised if hi- fears had been for himself ;as it was. affection curbed his anger. He deservedto be permitted to leave tl\e banquet in order thathe might gather up the bones of his son, but thatVOL I R 241