Therefore we see that few things altogetherLuxury is of no use for body are necessary for the bodily nature, only such in each case as take pain away,^a and can also spread for our use many delights; nor does nature herself ever crave anything more pleasurable, if there be no golden images of youths about the house, upholding fiery torches in their right hands that light may be provided for nightly revellings,^b if the hall does not shine with silver and glitter with gold, if no crossbeams panelled and gilded echo the lyre, when all the same^c stretched forth in groups upon the soft grass beside a rill of water under the branches of a tall tree men merrily refresh themselves at no great cost, especially when the weather smiles, and the season of the year besprinkles the green herbage with flowers.^d And no quicker do hot fevers fly away from your body, if you have pictured tapestry and blushing purple to toss upon, than if you must lie sick under the poor man’s blanket.

Therefore, since treasures profit nothing for our body, nor noble birth nor the glory of royalty, we must further think that for the mind also they areor mind; unprofitable; unless by any chance, when you behold your legions seething over the spacious Plain^e as they evoke war in mimicry, established firm with