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spirits； which shook within him with the apprehension of a new war and
fresh encounters and dangers； the formidable character of which he
knew by his own experience。 He was not now to hazard the war with
Octavius or Merula； commanding an inexperienced multitude or seditious
rabble； but Sylla himself was approaching； the same who had formerly
banished him； and since that； had driven Mithridates as far as the
Euxine Sea。
Perplexed with such thoughts as these； and calling to mind his
banishment； and the tedious wanderings and dangers he underwent；
both by sea and land； he fell into despondency； nocturnal frights； and
unquiet sleep； still fancying that he heard some one telling him；
that…
〃 …the lion's lair
Is dangerous； though the lion be not there。〃
Above all things fearing to lie awake； he gave himself up to
drinking deep and besotting himself at night in a way most
unsuitable to his age； by all means provoking sleep； as a diversion of
his thoughts。 At length； on the arrival of a messenger from the sea；
he was seized with new alarms； and so what with his fear for the
future； and what with the burden and satiety of the present； on some
slight predisposing cause； he fell into a pleurisy； as Posidonius
the philosopher relates； who says he visited and conversed with him
when he was sick； about some business relating to his embassy。 Caius
Piso； an historian； tells us that Marius； walking after supper with
his friends； fell into a conversation with them about his past life；
and after reckoning up the several changes of his condition that
from the beginning had happened to him； said； that it did not become a
prudent man to trust himself any longer with fortune； and； thereupon
taking leave of those that were with him； he kept his bed seven
days； and then died。
Some say his ambition betrayed itself openly in his sickness； and
that he ran into an extravagant frenzy fancying himself to be
general in the war against Mithridates； throwing himself into such
postures and motions of his body as he had formerly used when he was
in battle； with frequent shouts and loud cries。 With so strong and
invincible a desire of being employed in that business had he been
possessed through his pride and emulation。 Though he had now lived
seventy years； and was the first man that ever was chosen seven
times consul； and had an establishment and riches sufficient for
many kings he yet complained of his ill…fortune； that he must now
die before he had attained what he desired。 Plato； when he saw his
death approaching； thanked the guiding providence and fortune of his
life first； that he was born a man and a Grecian； not a barbarian or a
brute； and next； that he happened to live in Socrates's age。 And so；
indeed； they say Antipater of Tarsus； in like manner； at his death；
calling to mind the happiness that he had enjoyed； did not so much
as omit his prosperous voyage to Athens； thus recognizing every favour
of his indulgent fortune with the greatest acknowledgments； and
carefully saving all to the last in that safest of human
treasure…chambers； the memory。 Unmindful and thoughtless persons； on
the contrary； let all that occurs to them slip away from them as
time passes on。 Retaining and preserving nothing； they lose the
enjoyment of their present prosperity by fancying something better
to come； whereas by fortune we may be prevented to this； but that
cannot be taken from us。 Yet they reject their present success； as
though it did not concern them； and do nothing but dream of future
uncertainties； not indeed unnaturally； as till men have by reason
and education laid a good foundation for external superstructures；
in the seeking after and gathering them they can never satisfy the
unlimited desires of their mind。
Thus died Marius on the seventeenth day of his seventh consulship；
to the great joy and content of Rome； which thereby was in good
hopes to be delivered from the calamity of a cruel tyranny； but in a
small time they found that they had only changed their old and
worn…out master for another； young and vigorous； so much cruelty and
savageness did his son Marius show in murdering the noblest and most
approved citizens。 At first； being esteemed resolute and daring
against his enemies； he was named the son of Mars； but afterwards； his
actions betraying his contrary disposition； he was called the son of
Venus。 At last； besieged by Sylla in Praeneste； where he endeavoured
in many ways； but in vain； to save his life； when on the capture of
the city there was no hope of escape； he killed himself with his own
hand。
THE END