Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/307

Rh parents to be a block in their way, they wish in heart that their heads were well laid, they do what they can to shorten their lives, making this reckoning; That how much time is added to their old age, so much they lose of their youthful years. And this is the reason why during the life of their fathers, secretly and underhand they steal (after a sort, by snatches) their pleasure, and enjoy the same; they will make semblance as if it came from other, when they give away money and distribute it among their friends, or otherwise spend it in their delights; whiles they catch it privily from under the very wing of their parents, and when they go to hear and take out their lessons, they will be sure to pick their purses if they can, before they go away; but after their parents be dead and gone, when they have gotten into their hands the keys of their coffers and signets of their bags, then the case is altered, and they enter into another course and fashion of life: you shall have my young masters then put on a grave and austere countenance, they will not seem to laugh, nor be spoken to, or acquainted with anybody; there is no talk now of anointing the body for any exercise, the racket is cast aside, the tennis court no more haunted, no wrestling practised, no going to the schools either of the Academy or Lyceum, to hear the lectures and disputations of professors and philosophers. But now the officers and servants be called to an audit and account; now they are examined what they have under their hands; now the writings, bills, obligations, and deeds are sought up and perused; now they fall to argue and reason with their receivers, stewards, factors, and debtors; so sharp-set they are to their negotiations and affairs; so full of cares and business that they have no leisure to take their dinners or noon meals; and if they sup, they cannot intend to go into the bain or hot-house before it be late in the night; the bodily exercises wherein they were brought up and trained in be laid down; no swimming nor bathing any more in the river Dirce; all such matters be cast behind and clean forgotten. Now if a man say to one of these: Will you go and hear such a philosopher read a lecture, or make a sermon? How can I go? (will he say again) I have no while since my father's death. miserable and wretched man, what hath he left unto thee of all his goods comparable to that which he hath bereaved thee of, to wit, repose and liberty: but it is not thy father so much, as his riches flowing round about thee, that environeth and compasseth thee so, as it hath gotten the mastery over thee; this hath set foot upon thy throat,