The Milesians were once a brave and hard people. «Troja fuit». The magnificent city of Troy once existed, though no vestiges even of the ruins of its walls and temples now remain. I was once rich and powerful, but am now poor, miserable, and wretched; condemned to serve where I formerly commanded; may be said, particularly at this moment, by many fallen potentates; fallen, most or all of them, by their own misconduct and mistaken notions of government. For the great changes which have taken place in the condition of the princes of Europe could never have been effected, if their self-indulgences and want of energy in the exercise of their high authorities, frequently the consequence of a voluptuous life and wrong principles of action, had not co-operated, unfortunately, too powerfully with the force of their conqueror and brought on their ruin: they were enslaved by their inordinate passions which led to the oppression of their subjects, and was ultimately the occasion of losing their affections. The people were in the situation of the overloaded ass in the fable, who, when told to hasten for there were robbers at hand, answered, it mattered little whom he served since he must still carry his panniers. But to pursue my theme: I was once young, strong, and vigorous, may be said, but am now old, feeble, and decrepid. These reflections, though trite, may still have their utility; for as they teach us, by shewing what has happened, to expect reverses in our state, they tend to enforce upon us the propriety of using our prosperity with moderation. The Milesians, who have long since ceased to be a people, were not conquered by their enemies, until they had left off to be strong and courageous; until luxury, the consequence of their success, and opulence, had enervated and enfeebled them.
Fuente: Erasmo, 0849.
