Antiquity held too light thoughts from Objects of mortality, while some drew provocatives of mirth from Anatomies,[54] and Juglers shewed tricks with Skeletons. When Fidlers made not so pleasant mirth as Fencers, and men could sit with quiet stomacks while hanging was plaied before them.[55] Old considerations made few _memento's_ by sculs and bones upon their monuments. In the Ægyptian Obelisks and Hieroglyphical figures, it is not easie to meet with bones. The sepulchral Lamps speak nothing lesse then sepulture; and in their literal draughts prove often obscene and antick peeces: Where we finde _D. M._[56] it is obvious to meet with sacrificing _patera's_, and vessels of libation, upon old sepulchral Monuments. In the Jewish _Hypogæum_[57] and subterranean Cell at _Rome_, was little observable beside the variety of Lamps, and frequent draughts of the holy Candlestick. In authentick draughts of _Anthony_ and _Jerome_, we meet with thigh-bones and deaths heads; but the cemiterial Cels of ancient Christians and Martyrs, were filled with draughts of Scripture Stories; not declining the flourishes of Cypresse, Palms, and Olive; and the mystical Figures of Peacocks, Doves and Cocks. But iterately affecting the pourtraits of _Enoch_, _Lazarus_, _Jonas_, and the vision of _Ezechiel_, as hopeful draughts, and hinting imagery of the Resurrection; which is the life of the grave, and sweetens our habitations in the Land of _Moles_ and _Pismires_. [54] Sic erimus cuncti, _etc._ Ergo dum vivimus vivamus. [55] Ἀγχόνην παίζειν. _A barbarous pastime at Feasts, when men stood upon a rolling Globe, with their necks in a Rope, and a knife in their hands, ready to cut it when the stone was rolled away, wherein if they failed, they lost their lives to the laughter of their spectators._ Athenæus. [56] Diis manibus. [57] Bosio. Gentile inscriptions precisely delivered the extent of mens lives, seldome the manner of their deaths, which history it self so often leaves obscure in the records of memorable persons. There is scarce any Philosopher but dies twice or thrice in _Laertius_; Nor almost any life without two or three deaths in _Plutarch_; which makes the tragical ends of noble persons more favourably resented by compassionate Readers, who finde some relief in the Election of such differences. The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, manner, places. The variety of Monuments hath often obscured true graves: and _Cenotaphs_ confounded Sepulchres. For beside their real Tombs, many have found honorary and empty Sepulchres. The variety of _Homers_ Monuments made him of various Countreys. _Euripides_[58] had his Tomb in _Africa_, but his sepulture in _Macedonia_. And _Severus_[59] found his real Sepulchre in _Rome_, but his empty grave in _Gallia_. [58] Pausan. in Atticis. [59] _Lamprid._ in vit. Alexand. Severi.