Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/231

Rh timber they are of an equal distance asunder, united and joined together by two other pieces overthwart: now it should seem that this was a device fitting very well and agreeable to the brotherly amity of the said two gods, for to shew that undivisible union which was between them; and even so, I also do offer and dedicate unto you, O Nigrinus and Quintus, this little treatise as touching the amity of brethren, a gift common unto you both as those who are worthy of the same: for seeing that of your own accord you practise that already which it teacheth and exhorteth unto, you shall be thought not so much to be admonished thereby, as by your example to confirm and testify the same which therein is delivered; and the joy which you shall conceive to see that approved and commended which yourselves do, shall give unto your judgment a farther assurance to continue therein; as if your actions were allowed and praised by virtuous and honest beholders of the same.

Aristarchus verily, the father of Theodectes, scoffing at the great number of those sophisters or counterfeit sages in his days, said: That in old time hardly could be found seven wise men throughout the world; but in our days (quoth he) much ado there is to find so many fools or ignorant persons. But I may very well and truly say: That I see in this age wherein we live the amity of brethren to be as rare as their hatred was in times past. The examples whereof being so few as they were among our ancients, were thought by men in those days living, notable arguments to furnish tragedies and theatres with, as matters very strange and in a manner fabulous. But contrariwise, all they that live in this age, if haply they meet with two brethren that be good and kind one to another, wonder and marvel thereat as much as if they saw those Molionides (of whom Homer speaketh) whose bodies seemed to grow together in one: and as incredible and miraculous do they thinJc it, that brethren should use in common the patrimony, goods, friends and slaves which their fathers left behind unto them, as if one and the same soul alone ruled the feet, hands and eyes of two bodies.

And yet nature herself hath set down a lively example of that mutual behaviour and carriage that ought to be among brethren, and the same not far off, but even within our own bodies, wherein she hath framed and devised for the most part those members double, and as a man would say, brethren-like and twins, which be necessary, to wit, two hands, two feet, two eyes, two ears and two nostrils; shewing thereby that she hath thus distinguished them all, not only for their natural health