But sudden apparitions of imminent danger many times break our
resolutions; and the fancy troubled with the imagination of approaching
peril chases away true judgment from her seat. For fear not only
astonishes the memory, according to the saying of Thucydides,[204]
but it dissipates all manner of consideration, sense of honor, and
resolution; while philosophy binds and keeps them together....
NOTE.—The text is defective at the end, and elsewhere in the last
chapter. The sense of the clause just preceding the quotation from
Homer is chiefly conjectural. A similar deficiency is found at the
end of the Second Oration on Alexander, which immediately follows.
(G.)
THE SECOND ORATION OF PLUTARCH CONCERNING THE FORTUNE OR VIRTUE OF
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
1. We forgot in our yesterday’s discourse to tell you, that the age
wherein Alexander flourished had the happiness to abound in sciences
and in persons of transcending natural endowments. Yet this is not to
be ascribed to Alexander’s but their own good fortune, which favored
them with such a judge and such a spectator of their particular
excellencies as was both able rightly to discern and liberally
to reward their understood deserts. Therefore it is recorded of
Archestratus, born some ages after, an elegant poet but buried in his
own extreme poverty, that a certain person meeting him said, Hadst
thou but lived when Alexander lived, for every verse he would have
gratified thee with an island of Cyprus or a territory fair as that of
Phoenicia. Which makes me of opinion that those former famous artists
and soaring geniuses may not so properly be said to have lived in
the time of Alexander as by Alexander. For as the temperature of the
season and limpid thinness of the surrounding air produce plenty of
grain and fruit; so the favor, the encouragement, and benignity of a
prince increase the number of aspiring geniuses, and advance perfection
in sciences. And on the other side, by the envy, covetousness, and
contentiousness of those in power, whatever soars to the height of true
bravery or invention is utterly quelled and extinguished. Therefore
it is reported of Dionysius the Tyrant that, being pleased with the
music of a certain player on a harp, he promised him a talent for
his reward; but when the musician claimed his promise the next day,
Yesterday, said he, by thee delighted, while thou sangest before me, I
gave thee likewise the pleasure of thy hopes; and thence immediately
didst thou receive the reward of thy delightful pastime, enjoying at
the same time the charming expectation of my promise. In like manner
Alexander tyrant of the Pheraeans (for it behooves us to distinguish
him by that addition, lest we should dishonor his namesake), sitting
to see a tragedy, was so affected with delight at the acting, that he
found himself moved to a more than ordinary compassion. Upon which,
leaping suddenly from his seat, as he hastily flung out of the theatre,
How poor and mean it would look, said he, if I, that have massacred
so many of my own citizens and subjects, should be seen here weeping
at the misfortunes of Hecuba and Polyxena! And it was an even lay but
that he had mischiefed the tragedian for having mollified his cruel
and merciless disposition, like iron softened by fire. Timotheus also,
singing to Archelaus who seemed too parsimonious in remuneration,
frequently upbraided him with the following sarcasm:—
Base earth-bred silver thou admirest.