the commonwealth of oceana-第64章
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e world； in two； or at least one of two regards： the first； their emulation； which involved Greece in perpetual wars； the second； their way of propagation； which by imposing yokes upon others； was plainly contradictory to their own principles。 〃For the first： governments； be they of what kind soever； if they be planted too close； are like trees； that impatient in their growth to have it hindered； eat out one another。 It was not unknown to these in speculation； or； if you read the story of Agesilaus； in action； that either of them with 30；000 men might have mastered the East； and certainly； if the one had not stood in the other's light； Alexander had come too late to that end； which was the means （and would be if they were to live again） of ruin； at least to one of them； wherefore with any man that understands the nature of government this is excusable。 So it was between Oceana and Marpesia； so it is between France and Spain； though less excusable； and so it ever will be in the like cases。 But to come to the second occasion of scandal by them given； which was in the way of their propagation； it is not excusable； for they brought their confederates under bondage； by which means Athens gave occasion of the Peloponnesian War； the wound of which she died stinking； when Lacedaemon； taking the same infection from her carcass； soon followed。 〃Wherefore； my lords； let these be warnings to you not to make that liberty which God has given you a snare to others in practising this kind of enlargement to yourselves。 〃The second way of propagation or enlargement used by commonwealths is that of Switzerland and Holland； equal leagues； this； though it be not otherwise mischievous； is useless to the world； and dangerous to themselves： useless to the world； for as the former governments were storks； these are blocks； have no sense of honor； or concern in the sufferings of others。 But as the AEtolians； a state of the like fabric； were reproached by Philip of Macedon to prostitute themselves； by letting out their arms to the lusts of others； while they leave their own liberty barren and without legitimate issue； so I do not defame these people； the Switzer for valor has no superior； the Hollander for industry no equal； but themselves in the meantime shall so much the less excuse their governments； seeing that to the Switz it is well enough known that the ensigns of his commonwealth have no other motto than in te converte manus； and that of the Hollander； though he sweats more gold than the Spaniard digs； lets him languish in debt； for she herself lives upon charity。 These are dangerous to themselves； precarious governments； such as do not command； but beg their bread from province to province； in coats that being patched up of all colors are in effect of none。 That their cantons and provinces are so many arrows； is good； but they are so many bows too； which is naught。 〃Like to these was the commonwealth of the ancient Tuscans； hung together like bobbins； without a hand to weave with them； therefore easily overcome by the Romans； though at that time； for number； a far less considerable people。 If your liberty be not a root that grows； it will be a branch that withers； which consideration brings me to the paragon； the Commonwealth of Rome。 〃The ways and means whereby the Romans acquired the patronage； and in that the empire； of the world were different； according to the different condition of their commonwealth in her rise and in her growth： in her rise she proceeded rather by colonies； in her growth by unequal leagues。 Colonies without the bounds of Italy she planted none （such dispersion of the Roman citizen as to plant him in foreign parts； till the contrary interest of the emperors brought in that practice； was unlawful）； nor did she ever demolish any city within that compass； or divest it of liberty； but whereas the most of them were commonwealths； stirred 'up by emulation of her great felicity to war against her； if she overcame any； she confiscated some part of their lands that were the greatest incendiaries； or causes of the trouble； upon which she planted colonies of her own people； preserving the rest of their lands and liberties for the natives or inhabitants。 By this way of proceeding； that I may be as brief as possible； she did many and great things。 For in confirming of liberty； she propagated her empire； in holding the inhabitants from rebellion； she put a curb upon the incursion of enemies； in exonerating herself of the poorer sort； she multiplied her citizens； in rewarding her veterans； she rendered the rest less seditious； and in acquiring to herself the reverence of a common parent； she from time to time became the mother of new…born cities。 〃In her further growth the way of her propagation went more upon leagues； which for the first division were of two kinds； social and provincial。 〃Again； social leagues； or leagues of society； were of two kinds： 〃The first called Latinity or Latin； the second Italian right。〃 The league between the Romans and the Latins； or Latin right； approached nearest to jus quiritium； or the right of a native Roman。 The man or the city that was honored with this right； was civitate donatus cum suffragio； adopted a citizen of Rome； with the right of giving suffrage with the people in some cases； as those of conformation of law； or determination in judicature； if both the Consuls were agreed； not otherwise； wherefore that coming to little； the greatest and most peculiar part of this privilege was； that who had borne magistracy （at least that of oedile or quoestor） in any Latin city； was by consequence of the same a citizen of Rome at all points。 〃Italian right was also a donation of the city； but without suffrage： they who were in either of these leagues； were governed by their own laws and magistrates； having all the rights； as to liberty； of citizens of Rome； yielding and praying to the commonwealth as head of the league； and having in the conduct of all affairs appertaining to the common cause； such aid of men and money as was particularly agreed to upon the merit of the cause； and specified in their respective leagues； whence such leagues came to be called equal or unequal accordingly。 〃Provincial leagues were of different extension； according to the merit and capacity of a conquered people； but they were all of one kind； for every province was governed by Roman magistrates； as a praetor or a proconsul； according to the dignity of the province； for the civil administration and conduct of the provincial army； and a quaestor for the gathering of the public revenue； from which magistrates a province might appeal to Rome。 〃For the better understanding of these particulars； I shall exemplify in as many of them as is needful； and first in Macedon： 〃The Macedonians were thrice conquered by the Romans； first under the conduct of Titus Quintus Flaminius； secondly； under that of Lucius AEmilius Paulus； and； thirdly under that of Quintus Caecilius Metellus； thence called Macedonicus。 〃For the first time Philip of Macedon； who （possessed of Acrocorinthus） boasted no less than was true； that he had Greece in fetters； being overcome by Flaminius； had his kingdom restored to him； upon condition that he should immediately set all the cities which he held in Greece and in Asia at liberty； and that he should not make war out of Macedon but by leave of the Senate of Rome； which Philip （having no other way to save anything） agreed should be done accordingly。 〃The Grecians being at this time assembled at the isthmian games； where the concourse was mighty great； a crier； appointed to the office by Flaminius； was heard among them proclaiming all Greece to be free； to which the people being amazed at so hopeless a thing； gave little credit； till they received such testimony of the truth as put it past all doubt； whereupon they fell immediately on running to the proconsul with flowers and garlands； and such violent expressions of their admiration and joy； as； if Flaminius； a young man； about thirty…three； had not also been very strong； he must have died of no other death than their kindness； while everyone striving to touch his hand； they bore him up and down the field with an unrul
