United States or Kenya ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


The voyages of Swanus one of the sonnes of Earl Godwin vnto Ierusalem, Anno Dom. 1052, recorded by William of Malmsburie lib. 2. de gestis regum Anglorum, Capite 13. Swanus peruersi ingenij et infidi in regem, multoties a patre et fratre Haroldo desciuit: et pirata factus, praedis maritimis virtutes maiorum polluit. The same in English.

Me vero et magisteria delectant a maioribus instituta et is sermo, qui more maiorum a summo adhibetur in poculo, et pocula sicut in Symposio Xenophontis est, minuta atque rorantia, et refrigeratio aestate et vicissim aut sol aut ignis hibernus.

The idea of the mos maiorum was still so strong in the mind of every true Roman, his conservative instincts were so powerful, that long after all real life had left the divine inhabitants of his city, so that they survived only as the dead stalks of plants that had once been green and flourishing, he was quite capable of being horrified at any open contempt of them.

And to this purpose it was well said of Lactantius, "Sapientiam sibi adimunt, qui sine ullo judicio inventa maiorum probant, et ab aliis pecudum more ducuntur:" "They neglect their own wisdom, who without any judgment approve the invention of those that forewent them; and suffer themselves after the manner of beasts, to be led by them;" by the advantage of which sloth and dullness, ignorance is now become so powerful a tyrant, as it hath set true philosophy, physics, and divinity in a pillory; and written over the first, "Contra negantem principia;" over the second, "Virtus specifica;" over the third, "Ecclesta Romana."

"Quei apice insigne dialis | flaminis gesistei mors perfecit tua ut essent | omnia brevia honos fama virtusque | gloria atque ingenium: quibus sei in longa licui | set tibi utier vita facile factis superasses | gloriam maiorum. quare lubens te in gremiu | Scipio recipit terra, Publi, prognatum | Publio Corneli." The last which will be quoted here is that of L. Corn.