344 THE LIFE OF PERICLES.
euer in seruice in the warres as Generall in forraine countries, was a long time out of Grece: then he came to learie to the tribe of the poore people, preferring the multitude of the poore communaltiey aboue the small number of Nobilitie and rich men, the which was directly against his nature. For of him-selfe he was not popular, nor meanely giuen : but he did it (as it should seeme) to auoid suspition, that he should pretend to make himselfe King. And because he saw Cimon was inclined also to take part with the Nobilitie, and that he was singularly beloued and liked of all the honester sort: he to the contrarie en-clined to the common people, purchasing by this meanes safetie to himselfe, and authorise against Cirnon. So he presently beganne a new course of life, since he had taken vpon him to deale in matters of state: for they neuer saw him afterwards at any time go into the citie, but to the market place, or to the Senate house. He gaue vp going to all feastes where he was bidden, and left the entertainement of his friends, their companie and familiaritie. So that in all his time wherein he gouerned the common-weale, which was a long time, he neuer went out to supper to any of his friendes, vnlesse it were that he was once at afeastathis nephew Euryptolemus mariage: and then he taried there no longer, but while the cere-monie was a doing, when they offer wine to the gods,.. and so he rose from the table. For these friendly meetings at such feastes, do much abase any counterfeit rna-iestie or set countenance: and he shall haue much ado to keepe grauity and reputation, shewing familiaritie to euery knowne friend in such open places. For in perfect vertue, those things traely are euer most excellent, which be most common: and in good and vertuous men there is nothing more admirable vnto straungers, then their daily conversation is to their friends, Pericles now to preuent that the people