was of Piso's conspiracy, but Nero was resolved to do that by the sword which he could not effect by poison. For, it is reported, that Nero had corrupted Cleonicus, a freeman of Seneca's, to give his master poison, which did not succeed. Whether that the servant had discovered it to his master, or that Seneca, by his own caution and jealousy, had avoided it; for he lived only upon a simple diet, as the fruits of the earth, and his drink was most commonly river water. Natalis, it seems, was sent upon a visit to him, (being indisposed) with a complaint, That he would not let Piso come at him, and advising him to the continuance of their friendship and acquaintance as formerly. To whom Seneca made answer, that frequent meetings and conferences betwixt them, could do neither of them any good; but that he had a great interest in Piso's welfare. Hereupon Granius Silvanus, a captain of the guard, was sent to examine Seneca, upon the discourse that passed betwixt him and Natalis, and to return his answer. Seneca, either by chance, or on purpose, came that day from Campania, to a villa of his own, within four miles of the city, and thither the officer went the next evening, and beset the place. He found Seneca at supper with his wife Paulina, and two of his friends, and gave him immediately an account of his commission. Seneca told him, that it was true, that Natalis had been with him in Piso's name, with a complaint, That Piso could not be admitted to see him: and that he excused himself by reason of his want of health, and his desire to be quiet and private; and that he had no reason to prefer another man's welfare before his own. Cæsar himself, he said, knew very well that he was not a man of compliment, having received more proofs of his freedom than of his flattery. This answer of Seneca's was delivered in the presence of Poppæa and Tigellinus, the intimate confidents of this barbarous prince: and Nero asked him, whether he could gather any thing from Seneca, as if he intended to make himself away? The tribune's answer was-that he did not find him one jot moved by the message: but that he went on roundly with his tale, and never so much as changed countenance for the matter. "Go back to him then," says Nero," and tell him, that he is condemned to die." Fabius Rusticus delivers it, that the tribune did not return the same way he came, but went aside to Fenius, a captain of that name, and told him Cæsar's orders, asking his advice, whether he should obey them, or not; who bade him by all means do as he was ordered. Which want of resolution was fatal to them all; for Silvanus also, that was one of the conspirators, assisted now to serve and to increase those crimes, which he had before complotted to revenge. And yet he did not think fit to appear himself in the business, but sent a centurion to Seneca, to tell him his doom. Seneca, without any surprise, or dis. b order, calls for his will; which being refused him by the officer, he turned to his friends, and told them, that since he was not permitted to requite them as they deserved, he was yet at liberty to bequeath them the thing of all others that he esteemed the most, that is, the image of his life: which should give them the reputation both of constancy and friendship, if they would but imitate it; exhorting them to a firmness of mind, sometimes by good counsel, otherwhile by reprehension as the occasion required. Where, says he, is all your philosophy now? all your premeditated resolutions against the violences of fortune? Is there any man so ignorant of Nero's cruelty, as to expect, after the murder of his mother and brother, that he should ever spare the life of his governor and tutor? After some general expressions to this purpose, he took his wife in his arms, and having somewhat fortified her against the present calamity, he besought and conjured her to moderate her sorrows, and betake herself to the contemplations and comforts of a virtuous life, which would be a fair and an ample consolation to her for the loss of her husband. Paulina, on the other side, tells him her determination to bear him company, and wills the executioner to do his office. "Well," says Seneca, " if, after the sweetness of life, as I have represented it to thee, thou hadst rather entertain an honourable death, I shall not envy thy example." Consulting, at the same time, the fame of the person he loved, and his own tenderness, for fear of the injuries that might attend her when he was gone. "Our resolutions," says he," in this generous act may be equal, but thine will be the greater reputation." After this, the veins of both their arms were opened at the same time. Seneca did not bleed so freely, his spirits being wasted with age, and a thin diet; so that he was forced to cut the veins of his thighs, and elsewhere, to hasten his dispatch. When he was far spent, and almost sinking under his torments, he desired his wife to remove into another chamber, lest the agonies of the one might work upon the courage of the other. His eloquence continued to the last, as appears by the excellent things he delivered at his death; which being taken in writing, from his own mouth, and published in his own words, I shall not presume to deliver them in any other. Nero, in the mean time, who had no particular spite to Paulina, gave orders to prevent her death, for fear his cruelty should grow more and more insupportable and odious. Whereupon the soldiers gave all freedom and encouragement to her servants to bind up her wounds, and stop the blood, which they did accordingly; but whether she was sensible of it or not, is a question. For among the common people, who are apt to judge the worst, there were some of opinion, that as long as she despaired of Nero's mercy, she seemed to court the glory of dying with her husband for company, but that, upon the likelihood of better quarter, she was prevailed upon to outlive him. And so, for some years she did survive him, and with all piety and respect to his memory; but so miserably pale and wan, that every body might read the loss of her blood and spirits in her very countenance. Seneca, finding his death slow and lingering, desires Statius Annæus, his old friend and physician, to give him a dose of poison, which he had provided beforehand, being the same preparation which was appointed for capital offenders in Athens. This was brought him, and he drank it up, but to little purpose; for his body was already chilled and bound up against the force of it. He went at last into a hot bath, and sprinkling some of his servants that were next him— "This," says he, " is an oblation to Jupiter, the deliverer." The fume of the bath soon dispatched him, and his body was burnt, without any funeral solemnity, as he had directed in his testament: though this will of his was made in the height of his prosperity and power. There was a rumour, that Subrius Flavius, in a private consultation with the centurions, had taken up this following resolution, and that Seneca himself was no stranger to it, that is to say, that after Nero should have been slain by the help of Piso, Piso himself should have been killed too, and the empire delivered up to Seneca, as one that well deserved it, for his integrity and virtue. CONTENTS. Page There must be judgment in a benefit, as well as matter and intention; An honest man cannot be outdone in courtesy The question discussed, whether or no a man may give or return a There are many cases wherein a man may be minded of a benefit, but it is very rarely to be challenged, and never to be upbraided.. |