Or dost thou indeed set value on a happiness that is certain to depart?
Again I ask, Is Fortune's presence dear to thee if she cannot be trusted to stay, and though she will bring sorrow when she is gone?
Why, if she cannot be kept at pleasure, and if her flight overwhelms with calamity, what is this fleeting visitant but a token of coming trouble?
Truly it is not enough to look only at what lies before the eyes; wisdom gauges the issues of things, and this same mutability, with its two aspects, makes the threats of Fortune void of terror, and her caresses little to be desired.

Finally, thou oughtest to bear with whatever takes place within the boundaries of Fortune's demesne, when thou hast placed thy head beneath her yoke.

But if thou wishest to impose a law of staying and departing on her whom thou hast of thine own accord chosen for thy mistress, art thou not acting wrongfully, art thou not embittering by impatience a lot which thou canst not alter?
Didst thou commit thy sails to the winds, thou wouldst voyage not whither thy intention was to go, but whither the winds drave thee; didst thou entrust thy seed to the fields, thou wouldst set off the fruitful years against the barren.

Thou hast resigned thyself to the sway of Fortune; thou must submit to thy mistress's caprices.

What! art thou verily striving to stay the swing of the revolving wheel?
Oh, stupidest of mortals, if it takes to standing still, it ceases to be the wheel of Fortune.' SONG I.
FORTUNE'S MALICE.
Mad Fortune sweeps along in wanton pride, Uncertain as Euripus' surging tide; Now tramples mighty kings beneath her feet; Now sets the conquered in the victor's seat.
She heedeth not the wail of hapless woe, But mocks the griefs that from her mischief flow.
Such is her sport; so proveth she her power; And great the marvel, when in one brief hour She shows her darling lifted high in bliss, Then headlong plunged in misery's abyss.
II.
'Now I would fain also reason with thee a little in Fortune's own words.
Do thou observe whether her contentions be just.