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108 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
flight, and for feare his strength and breath should
faile him, to sit downe at every fields-end;
Excursusque breves tentat. 1
Out-lopes sometimes he doth assay,
But very short, and as he may.
Loe here then, concerning this kinde of subjects,
what Authors please me best: As for my other lesson,
which somewhat more mixeth profit with pleasure,
whereby I learne to range my opinions and addresse
my conditions, the Bookes that serve me thereunto are
Plutarke (since he spake French) and Seneca; both
have this excellent commodity for my humour, that the
knowledge I seeke in them is there so scatteringly and
loosely handled, that whosoever readeth them is not
tied to plod long upon them, whereof I am uncapable.
And so are Plutarkes little workes and Senecas Epistles,
which are the best and most profitable parts of their
writings. It is no great matter to draw mee to them,
and 1 leave them where I list. For they succeed not
and depend not one of another. Both jumpe and suit
together, in most true and profitable opinions: And
fortune brought them both into the world in one age.
Both were Tutors unto two Roman Emperours: Both
were strangers, and came from farre Countries; both
rich and mighty in the common-wealth, and in credit
with their masters. Their instruction is the prime and
creame of Philosophy, and presented with a plaine,
unaffected, and pertinent fashion. Plutarke is more
uniforme and constant; Seneca more waving and
diverse. This doth labour, force, and extend himselfe,
to arme and strengthen vertue against weaknesse, feare,
and vitious desires; the other seemeth nothing so much
to feare their force or attempt, and in a manner scorneth
to hasten or change his pace about them, and to put
himselfe upon his guard. Plutarkes opinions are
Platonicall, gentle and accommodable unto civill
societie: Senecaes Stoicall and Epicurian, further from
¹ VIRG. AEn. 1, iv. 194.