Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/436

414 the city of Delphi. And the matrons of Carthage shore the hair of their heads to make thereof twisted cords for to wind up and bend their engines and instruments of artillery in the defence of their country, when the city was besieged.

But we, as if we were ashamed of our own sufficiency and to stand upon our own bottoms, seek to enthral ourselves by gages and obligations; whereas it behoved us much more by restraining ourselves and reducing all to such things only as be profitable and good for us, of those needless, unprofitable and superfluous vessels which we have, after they be either melted, broken in pieces, or sold, to build a privileged chapel of liberty for ourselves, our wives and children. For the goddess Diana in Ephesus yielded sanctuary, franchise, and safeguard unto all debtors against their creditors who fled for succour into her temple. But the sanctuary indeed of parsimony, frugality, and moderate expense, into which no usurers can make entry, for to hale and pull out of it any debtor prisoner, standeth always open for those that are wise, and affordeth unto them a large space of joyous and honourable repose. For like as that prophetess which gave oracles in the temple of Pythius Apollo, about the time of the Medians' war, made answer unto the Athenian ambassadors: That God gave unto them for their safety a wall of wood; whereupon they leaving their lands and possessions, abandoning their city, and forsaking their houses and all the goods therein, had recourse unto their ships for to save their liberty; even so, God giveth unto us wooden tables, earthen vessels, and garments of coarse cloth, if we would live in freedom: Set not thy mind upon steeds of great price, And chariots brave in silver harness dight. With clasps, with hooks, and studs by fine device Ywrought, in race to show a goodly sight; for how swift soever they be, these usurers will soon overtake them and run beyond. But rather get upon the next ass thou meetest with, or the first pack-horse that cometh in thy way, to fly from the usurer, a cruel enemy and mere tyrant, who demandeth not at thy hands fire and water, as sometimes did that barbarous king of Media; but that which worse is, toucheth thy liberty, woundeth thine honour and credit by proscriptions, writs, and open proclamations. If thou pay him not to his content he is ready to trouble thee; if thou have wherewith to satisfy him, he will not receive thy payment unless he fist; if thou prize and sell thy goods, he will have them under their