precepts breathed into the wind? hast thou so soon forgotten his
principles? did he not warn thee from coveting without honor, and
climbing without virtue? did he not forbid thee to aim at any action
that should not be honorable? and what will be more prejudicial to thy
credit, than the careless ruin of thy brothers' welfare? why, shouldst
not thou be the pillar of thy brothers' prosperity? and wilt thou
become the subversion of their fortunes? is there any sweeter thing
than concord, or a more precious jewel than amity? are you not sons of
one father, scions of one tree, birds of one nest, and wilt thou
become so unnatural as to rob them, whom thou shouldst relieve? No,
Saladyne, entreat them with favors, and entertain them with love, so
shalt thou have thy conscience clear and thy renown excellent. Tush,
what words are these, base fool, far unfit (if thou be wise) for thy
humor? What though thy father at his death talked of many frivolous
matters, as one that doated for age and raved in his sickness; shall
his words be axioms, and his talk be so authentical, that thou wilt,
to observe them, prejudice thyself? No no, Saladyne, sick men's wills
that are parole[1] and have neither hand nor seal, are like the laws
of a city written in dust, which are broken with the blast of every
wind. What, man, thy father is dead, and he can neither help thy
fortunes, nor measure thy actions; therefore bury his words with his
carcase, and be wise for thyself. What, 'tis not so old as true,

Non sapit, qui sibi non sapit.

[Footnote 1: oral.]

Thy brother is young, keep him now in awe; make him not checkmate[1]
with thyself, for