Axiochus

woont to confirme thy selfe and strengthen others: for like as a cowardly champion, which at the first comming forth as to the skirmish, with stately steps and a vaunting visage, dooth soone after cast away his Target, and taketh him to flight: euen so seemest thou now, when there is need most of al to flinch. Hast thou no more regarde of thy diuine and excellent nature, that sometime wast a man of so good life and calling, so obedient to reasons rule? and if there were nothing els, yet should it be sufficient to mooue thee, that thou art an Athenian borne: and lastly should mooue thee that common saying, which is worne in all mens mouths; That this our life is a Pilgrimage, which when we haue ended with perfect measure and stedfast trauell: it behoueth vs with like constancy of minde, and joyfulnes of spirit, and as it were singing a merry Pæan a hymn of triumph, to enter into the purposed place of rest. But thus to languish in dispaire and tender harted out-cries, behauing thy selfe like a froward Babe, in thee is neither regard of thy wisedome, nor respect of thy age.

True indeed O Socrates, and that which thou sayest, me seemeth right: But it commeth to passe I knowe not how, that when I drawe neere vnto present daunger, than those great and