Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/243

Rh but allowable and grounded upon honesty: neither need a brother fear to hear that reproach in Sophocles:

when frankly and freely he speaketh in the behalf of his brother, seeming to be unjustly condemned and oppressed. For surely by this manner of process and pleading, they that are convicted take more joy in being overthrown than if they had gained the victory and better hand.

Now after that a father is deceased, it is well beseeming and fit that brethren should more affectionately love than before, and stick more close together: for then presently their natural love unto their father which is common to them all ought to appear indifferently in mourning together and lamenting for his death: then are they to reject and cast behind them all suspicions surmised or buzzed into their heads by varlets and servants, all slanderous calumniations and false reports, brought into them by pick-thanks and carry-tales on both sides, who would gladly sow some dissension between them: then are they to give ear unto that which fables do report of the reciprocal love of Castor and Pollux; and namely, how it is said, that Pollux killed one with his fist for rounding him in the ear, and whispering a tale against his brother Castor. Afterwards, when they shall come to the parting of their patrimony and father's goods among them, they ought not (as it were) to give defiance and denounce war one against another, as many there be who come prepared for that purpose ready to encounter, singing this quote:

But that very day of all others they ought to regard and observe most, as being the time which to them is the beginning either of Mortal war and enmity irreconcileable, or else of perfect friendship and amity perdurable: at which instant they ought among themselves alone to divide their portions, if it be possible; if not, then to do it in the presence of one indifferent and common friend between them, who may be a witness to their whole order and proceeding; and so, when after a loving and kind manner, and as becometh honest and well-disposed persons, they have by casting lots gotten each one that which is his right: by which course (as Plato said) they ought to think that there is given and received that which is meet and agreeable for every