But can kingdoms and the familiarity of kings make a man mighty? Why
not, when their felicity lasteth always? But both former and present
times are full of examples that many kings have changed their happiness
with misery. O excellent power, which is not sufficient to uphold
itself! And if this strength of kingdoms be the author of blessedness,
doth it not diminish happiness and bring misery, when it is in any way
defective? But though some empires extend themselves far, there will
still remain many nations out of their dominions. Now, where the power
endeth which maketh them happy, there entereth the contrary which maketh
them miserable, so that all kings must needs have less happiness than
misery. That Tyrant, knowing by experience the dangers of his estate,
signified the fears incident to a kingdom, by the hanging of a drawn
sword over a man's head.[125] What power is this, then, which cannot
expel nor avoid biting cares and pricking fears? They would willingly
have lived securely, but could not, and yet they brag of their power.
Thinkest thou him mighty whom thou seest desire that which he cannot do?
Thinkest thou him mighty who dareth not go without his guard; who
feareth others more than they fear him; who cannot seem mighty, except
his servants please? For what should I speak of kings' followers, since
I show that kingdoms themselves are so full of weakness? Whom the power
of kings often standing, but many times falling, doth overthrow. Nero
compelled Seneca, his familiar friend and master, to make choice of his
own death.[126] Antoninus called Papinianus, who had been long a gallant
courtier, to be cut in pieces with his soldiers' swords.[127] Yet they
would both have renounced their power, yea Seneca endeavoured to deliver
up his riches also to Nero, and to give himself to a contemplative life.
But their very greatness drawing them to their destruction, neither of
them could compass that which they desired. Wherefore what power is this
that the possessors fear, which when thou wilt have, thou art not
secure, and when thou wilt leave, thou canst not avoid? Are we the
better for those friends which love us not for our virtue but for our
prosperity? But whom prosperity maketh our friend, adversity will make
our enemy. And what plague is able to hurt us more than a familiar
enemy?
[125] Cic. _Tusc. Disp._ v. 21. 62.
[126] Cf. Tac. _Ann._ xiv. 53, 54.
[127] Cf. Spartian. _Caracallus_ 8.