with Agrippa and Augustus Caesar after my friendship with you.  Nor did either Caesar or Antony blame my inaction in the quarrels between them; but, on the contrary, they both seemed to respect me the more for the neutrality I observed.  My obligations to the one and alliance with the other made it improper for me to act against either, and my constant tenor of life had procured me an exemption from all civil wars by a kind of prescription.

Brutus.—­If man were born to no higher purpose than to wear out a long life in ease and prosperity, with the general esteem of the world, your wisdom was evidently as much superior to mine as my life was shorter and more unhappy than yours.  Nay, I verily believe it exceeded the prudence of any other man that ever existed, considering in what difficult circumstances you were placed, and with how many violent shocks and sudden changes of fortune you were obliged to contend.  But here the most virtuous and public-spirited conduct is found to have been the most prudent.  The motives of our actions, not the success, give us here renown.  And could I return to that life from whence I am escaped, I would not change my character to imitate yours; I would again be Brutus rather than Atticus.  Even without the sweet hope of an eternal reward in a more perfect state, which is the strongest and most immovable support to the good under every misfortune, I swear by the gods I would not give up the noble feelings of my heart, that elevation of mind which accompanies active and suffering virtue, for your seventy-seven years of constant tranquillity, with all the praise you obtained from the learned men whom you patronised or the great men whom you courted.

DIALOGUE XVIII.

WILLIAM III., KING OF ENGLAND—­JOHN DE WITT, PENSIONER, OF HOLLAND.

William.—­Though I had no cause to love you, yet, believe me, I sincerely lament your fate.  Who could have thought that De Witt, the most popular Minister that ever served a commonwealth, should fall a sacrifice to popular fury!  Such admirable talents, such virtues as you were endowed with, so clear, so cool, so comprehensive a head, a heart so untainted with any kind of vice, despising money, despising pleasure, despising the vain ostentation of greatness, such application to business, such ability in it, such courage, such firmness, and so perfect a knowledge of the nation you governed, seemed to assure you of a fixed and stable support in the public affection.  But nothing can be durable that depends on the passions of the people.