“Now might the great soul of Caesar have been full; and yet that which
poured in as much or more was to behold that execrable race of the
Claudii, having hunted and sucked his blood, with the thirst of tigers,
to be rewarded with the Roman Empire, and remain in full possession
of that famous patrimony: a spectacle to pollute the light of heaven!
Nevertheless, as if Caesar had not yet enough, his Phoeban majesty
caused to be introduced on the other side of the theatre, the most
illustrious and happy prince Andrea Doria, with his dear posterity,
embraced by the soft and constant arms of the city of Genoa, into whose
bosom, ever fruitful in her gratitude, he had dropped her fair liberty
like the dew of heaven, which, when the Roman tyrant beheld, and how
much more fresh that laurel was worn with a firm root in the hearts of
the people than that which he had torn off, he fell into such a horrid
distortion of limbs and countenance, that the senators, who had thought
themselves steel and flint at such an object, having hitherto stood
in their reverend snow-like thawing Alps, now covered their faces with
their large sleeves.”
“My lords,” said the Archon, rising, “witty Philadelphus has given us
grave admonition in dreadful tragedy. Discite justitiam moniti, et non
temnere divos. Great and glorious Caesar the highest character of flesh,
yet could not rule but by that part of man which is the beast; but a
commonwealth is a monarchy; to her God is king, inasmuch as reason, his
dictate, is her sovereign power.” Which said, he adjourned the Council.
And the model was soon after promulgated. Quod bonum, foelix, faustumque
sit huic reipublicoe. Agite quirites, censuere patres, jubeat populus.
(The sea roared, and the floods clapped their hands.)
LIBERTAS
The Proclamation of his Highness the Lord Archon of Oceana upon
Promulgation of the Model,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account