Campaspe (Alexander, Campaspe, and Diogenes) · chunk 6 of 25
Lyly, John · published 1584 · first performed or written c.1583 (Annals) comedy · Children of the Chapel (first) (Oxford's Boys) · before the Court unassigned nearest T35 Fools, wit and railing · 535 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T35: fool, wit, aristippus, achilles, wise, fools, patroclus, thersites, master, men.
I am of this mind, that that first mover, which you term God, is the instrument of all the movings, which we attribute to nature. The earth which is mass, swimmeth on the sea, seasons divided in themselves, fruits growing in themselves, the majesty of the sky, the whole firmament of the world, and whatsoever else appeareth miraculous, what man almost of mean capacity but can prove it natural. These causes shallbe debated at our philosopher's feast, in which controversy I will take part with Aristotle, that there is Naturanaturans, and yet not God. And I with Plato, that there is Deus optimus maximus, and not nature. Here cometh Alexander. I see Hephestion, that these Philosophers are here attending for us. They were not Philosophers, if they knew not their duties. But I much marvel Diogenes should be so dogged. I do not think but his excuse will be better than Melippus message. I will go see him Hephestion, because I long to see him that would command Alexander to come, to whom all the world is like to come. Aristotle & the rest sithence my coming from Thebes to Athens, from a place of conquest to a palace of quiet, I have resolved with myself in my court to have as many Philosophers as I had in my camp soldiers. My court shallbe a school, wherein I will have used as great doctrine in peace, as I did in war discipline. We are all here ready to be commanded, & glad we are that we are commanded, for that nothing better becometh kings then literature, which maketh them come as near to the Gods in wisdom, as they do in dignity. It is so Aristotle, but yet there is among you, yea & of your bringing up, that sought to destroy Alexander, Calistenes, Aristotle, whose treasons against his prince shall not be borne out with the reasons of his Philosophy. If ever mischief entered into the heart of Calistenes, let Calistenes suffer for it, but that Aristotle ever imagined any such thing of Calistenes, Aristotle doth deny. Well Aristotle, kindred may blind thee, and affection me, but in kings causes I will not stand to scholars arguments. This meeting shallbe for a commandment, that you all frequent my court, instruct the young with rules, confirm the old with reasons: let your lives be answerable to your learnings, least my proceedings be contrary to my promises. You said you would ask every one of them a question, which yesternight none of us could answer. I will. Plato, of all beasts, which is the subtilest? That which man hitherto never knew. Aristotle, how should a man be thought a God? In doing a thing unpossible for a man. Crisippus, which was first, the day or the night? The day by a day. In deed strange questions must have strange answers, Cleanthes, what say you, is life or death the stronger? Life, that suffereth so many troubles. Crates, how long should a man live? Till he think it better to die then live. Anaxarchus, whether doth the sea or the earth bring forth most creatures? The earth, for the sea is but a part of the earth.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
I am of this minde, that that firste moouer, which you tearme God, is the instrument of all the mouinges, which we attribute to nature. The earth which is masse, swimmeth on the sea, seasons deuided in themselues, fruites growing in themselues, the maiestie of the skie, the whole firmament of the world, and whatsoeuer els appeareth miraculous, what man almoste of meane capacitie but can proue it naturall. These causes shalbe debated at our Philosophers feast, in which controuersie I will take parte with Aristotle, that there is Naturanaturans, and yet not God. And I with Plato, that there is Deus optimus maximus, and not nature. Here commeth Alexander. I see Hephestion, that these Philosophers are here attending for vs. They were not Philosophers, if they knewe not their dueties. But I much meruaile Diogenes shoulde bee so dogged. I do not think but his excuse wil be better then Melippus message. I wil go see him Hephestion, because I long to see him that would commaunde Alexander to come, to whom all the world is like to come. Aristotle & the reste sithence my comming from Thebes to Athens, from a place of conqueste to a pallāce of quiet, I haue resolued with my self in my court to haue as many Philosophers as I had in my camp soldiers. My court shalbe a schoole, wherein I wil haue vsed as great doctrine in peace, as I did in warre discipline. We are al here ready to be commanded, & glad we are that we are commanded, for that nothing better becommeth kinges then literature, which maketh them come as neere to the Gods in wisdome, as they doe in dignitie. It is so Aristotle, but yet there is among you, yea & of your bringing vp, that sought to destroy Alexander, Calistenes, Aristotle, whose treasons againste his prince shall not bee borne out with the reasons of his Phylosophy. If euer mischiefe entred into the hearte of Calistenes, let Calistenes suffer for it, but that Aristotle euer imagined any such thing of Calistenes, Aristotle doth denie. Well Aristotle, kindred may blind thee, and affection mee, but in kinges causes I will not stande to schollers arguments. This meeting shalbe for a cōmandement, that you all frequente my courte, instructe the young with rules, confirme the olde with reasons: lette your liues be answerable to your learninges, leaste my proceedinges be contrary to my promises. You sayde you woulde aske euerye one of them a question, which yester night none of vs could aunswere. I will. Plato, of all beastes, which is the subtillest? That which man hetherto neuer knew. Aristotle, how should a man bee thought a God? In doing a thing vnpossible for a man. Crisyppus, which was first, the day or the night? The day by a day. In deede straunge questions must haue straung answers, Cleanthes, what say you, is life or death the stronger? Life, that suffereth so many troubles. Crates, how long should a man liue? Till he think it better to die then liue. Anaxarchus, whether doth the sea or the earth bring forth most creatures? The earth, for the sea is but a parte of the earth.