ad been instructed in our school and were
altogether disliking to the humours of wicked men; wherefore thou hast
no cause to marvel, if in the sea of this life we be tossed with
boisterous storms, whose chiefest purpose is to displease the wicked; of
which though there be an huge army, yet it is to be despised, because it
is not governed by any captain, but is carried up and down by
fantastical error without any order at all. And if at any time they
assail us with great force, our captain retireth her band into a
castle,[84] leaving them occupied in sacking unprofitable baggage. And
from above we laugh them to scorn for seeking so greedily after most
vile things, being safe from all their furious assault, and fortified
with that defence which aspiring folly cannot prevail against.

[83] On Julius Kanius or Canius the Stoic cf. Seneca, _De Tranq._ xiv.
4-9; on Soranus cf. Tac. _Annal._ i. 16.

[84] Cf. _arce religionis nostrae, Tr._ iv. (_supra_, p. 54).

IV.

Quisquis composito serenus aeuo
Fatum sub pedibus egit[85] superbum
Fortunamque tuens utramque rectus
Inuictum potuit tenere uultum,
Non illum rabies minaeque ponti 5
Versum funditus exagitantis aestum
Nec ruptis quotiens uagus caminis
Torquet fumificos Vesaeuus ignes
Aut celsas soliti ferire turres
Ardentis uia fulminis mouebit. 10
Quid tantum miseri saeuos tyrannos
Mirantur sine uiribus furentes?
Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas,
Exarmaueris impotentis iram.
At quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat, 15
Quod non sit stabilis suique iuris,
Abiecit clipeum locoque motus
Nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.

[85] _Fortasse_ iecit; cf. Verg. _Georg._ ii. 491 _sq._

IV.

Who mildly can his age dispose,
And at his feet proud destiny throws:
Who stoutly doth each chance behold,
Keeping his countenance uncontrolled:
Not him the ocean's rage and threat,
Stirring the waves with angry heat,
Nor hot Vesuvius when he casts
From broken hills enflamed blasts,
Nor fiery thunder can dismay,
Which takes the tops of towers away.
Why do fierce tyrants us affright,
Whose rage is far beyond their might?
For nothing hope, nor fear thou harm,
So their weak wrath thou shalt disarm.
But he whom hope or terror takes,
Being a slave, his shield forsakes,
And leaves his place, and do