ad Marciam, c.

20.] But nature compels us to it.

"Go out of this world," says she, "as you entered into it; the same pass you made from death to life, without passion or fear, the same, after the same manner, repeat from life to death.

Your death is a part of the order of the universe, 'tis a part of the life of the world.
"Inter se mortales mutua vivunt ................................
Et, quasi cursores, vitai lampada tradunt." ["Mortals, amongst themselves, live by turns, and, like the runners in the games, give up the lamp, when they have won the race, to the next comer.--" Lucretius, ii.

75, 78.] "Shall I exchange for you this beautiful contexture of things?
'Tis the condition of your creation; death is a part of you, and whilst you endeavour to evade it, you evade yourselves.