ppy, if either the students of wisdom did govern them, or those which
were appointed to govern them would give themselves to the study of
wisdom.[91] Thou by the same philosopher didst admonish us that it is a
sufficient cause for wise men to take upon themselves the government of
the commonwealth, lest, if the rule of cities were left in the hands of
lewd and wicked citizens, they should work the subversion and overthrow
of the good.

Wherefore, following this authority, I desired to practise that by
public administration which I had learnt of thee in private conference.
Thou and God Himself who had inserted thee in the minds of the wise, are
my witnesses that nothing but the common desire of all good men brought
me to be a magistrate. This hath been the cause of my grievous and
irreconcilable disagreements with wicked men, and that which freedom of
conscience carrieth with it, of ever contemning the indignation of
potentates for the defence of justice.

How often have I encountered with Conigastus, violently possessing
himself with poor men's goods? How often have I put back Triguilla,
Provost of the King's house, from injuries which he had begun, yea, and
finished also? How often have I protected, by putting my authority in
danger, such poor wretches as the unpunished covetousness of the
barbarous did vex with infinite reproaches? Never did any man draw me
from right to wrong. It grieved me no less than them which suffered it,
to see the wealth of our subjects wasted, partly by private pillage, and
partly by public tributes.

When in the time of a great dearth things were set at so excessive and
unreasonable a rate that the province of Campania was like to be
altogether impoverished, for the common good I stuck not to contend with
the chief Praetor himself, and the matter was discussed before the King,
and I prevailed so far that it went not forward. I drew Paulinus, who
had been Consul, out of the very mouth of the gaping courtiers, who like
ravenous curs had already in hope and ambition devoured his riches. That
Albinus who had likewise been Consul might not be punished upon
presumptuous[92] and false accusation, I exposed myself to the hatred of
Cyprian his accuser. May I seem to have provoked enmity enough against
myself? But others should so much the more have procured my safety,
since that for the love I bear to justice I left myself no way