ABSTRACT
“The lofty and beautiful crown of Ariadne, shining on high with many stars and premised to me by a true voice, once moved many men in the world to achieve virtue; 1 among them was Perseus, armed by Pallas, who aspired bravely and vanquished the Gorgon; and Theseus conquered the miracle of Crete 2 with subtle genius. From this also derived the happy liberation of Andromeda, who then became the meek bride of Perseus; and Brutus, 3 with a strength equal to no other, killed his sons with a just axe for adhering to Tarquin the Proud–because they had poorly recognized liberty, which is a divine gift; and the great Cato, who died in Utica, and also Cato the Censor taught with steadfast spirit that one must remove any cause which might viciously provide the circumstances for being a subject. 4 Utica, Cyprus, Libya, and Achaia are faultless witnesses of their saintly, good, and just spirit; and also of the good Fabricius, 5 who refused the money of the Samnites, though to misers such money seemed good and just.
