1. Among the many warm disputes which have often happened between
Virtue and Fortune, this concerning the Roman empire is none of the
least considerable, whether of them shall have the honor of founding
that empire at first, and raising it afterwards to vast power and
glory. The victory in this cause will be no small commendation of the
conqueror, and will sufficiently vindicate either of the contending
parties from the allegations that are usually made against it. For
Virtue is accused as unprofitable, though beautiful, and Fortune as
unstable, though good; the former as laboring in vain, the latter as
deceitful in its gifts. But who can deny but Virtue has been most
profitable, if Rome does favor her cause in this contention, since she
procured so much good to brave and gallant men; or that Fortune is most
constant, if she be victorious in this contest, since she continued her
gifts with the Romans for so long a time?
Ion the poet has written somewhere in prose, that Fortune and Wisdom,
though they be very much different from one another, are nevertheless
the causes of the very same effects. Both of them do advance and adorn
men; both do raise them to glory, power, and empire. It were needless
to multiply instances by a long enumeration of particulars, when even
Nature itself, which produces all things, is by some reputed Fortune,
and by others Wisdom. And therefore the present controversy will
conciliate ciliate great honor and veneration to the city of Rome,
since she is thought worthy of the same enquiry which uses to be made
concerning the earth and seas, the heavens and the stars,—whether she
owes her being to Fortune or to Providence.
2. In which question, I think it may be truly affirmed that,
notwithstanding the fierce and lasting wars which have been between
Virtue and Fortune, they did both amicably conspire to rear up the
structure of her vast empire and power, and join their united endeavors
to finish the most beautiful work that ever was of human production.
It was the opinion of Plato, that the whole world was composed of fire
and earth, as necessary first principles, which being mixed together
did render it visible and tangible,—the earth contributing weight and
firmness, while the fire gave color, form, and motion to the several
parts of matter; but for the tempering and union of these extremes, he
thought it necessary that the water and air, being of a middle nature,
should mitigate and rebate the contrary force by composition. After
the same manner did God and Time, who laid the foundations of Rome,
conjoin and mingle Virtue and Fortune together, that by the union of
their several powers, they might compose a Vesta, truly sacred and
beneficent to all men, which should be a firm stay, an eternal support,
and a steady anchor (as Democritus calls it) amidst the fluctuating
and uncertain affairs of human life. For as naturalists say, that the
world was not framed at first into that beautiful order and structure
in which we now behold it, nor would these several bodies that compose
it unite and mix so that Nature might receive a common form by their
union, but that all things did fluctuate a long while in confusion and
crashing,—whilst some bodies were still small and variously moved,
and slipped and avoided all seizure and connections, and others which
were greater and already compacted, being of contrary natures, did
frequently justle and jar one against another,—and that all was full
of destruction and confusion and wreck, until such time as the earth,
being framed of them both in its due magnitude, was established in
its proper place, and by its stability gave occasion to all the other
bodies of the universe either to settle upon it or round about it;
just so it happened to the greatest kingdoms and empires of men,
which were long tossed with various changes and broken in pieces by
mutual clashings. And for want of one supreme ruler over all, while
all aspired to rule, the world was filled with unspeakable violence,
confusion, and revolution in all things, until such time as Rome
was raised to its just strength and greatness, which, comprehending
under her power many strange nations and even transmarine dominions,
did lay the foundation of firmness and stability to the greatest of
human affairs; for by this vast compass of one and the same empire,
government was secured as in an unmovable circle, resting upon the
centre of peace. Whosoever therefore contrived and compassed these
great designs must not only have been endowed with all virtues, but
likewise have been assisted by Fortune in many things; as will plainly
appear from the following discourse.
3. And now methinks I behold, as from a turret, Virtue and Fortune
coming to this conference. As to Virtue, her gait is modest, her
countenance grave, the blushing color of her face shows her earnest
desire of obtaining victory and honor in this contest. Fortune in her
hasty pace, leaves her far behind, but she is led and accompanied by
many brave and gallant men.