Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
76.
_How commeth it to passe that those who are defended of the most noble and auncient houses of_ Rome, _caried little moones upon their shoes_. IS this (as _Castor_ saith) a signe of the habitation which is reported to be within the bodie of the moone? Or for that after death, our spirits and ghosts shall have the moone under them? Or rather, because this was a marke or badge proper unto those who were reputed most ancient, as were the Arcadians descended from _Evander_, who upon this occasion were called _Proseleni_, as one would say, borne before the moone? Or, because this custome as many others, admonisheth those who are lifted up too high, and take so great pride in themselves, of the incertitude and instabilitie of this life, and of humane affaires, even by the example of the moone, _Who at the first doth new and yoong appeere, Where as before she made no shew at all; And so her light increaseth faire and cleere, Untill her face be round and full withall: But then anon she doth begin to fall, And backward wane from all this beautie gay, Untill againe she vanish cleane away._ Or was not this an holsome lesson and instruction of obedience, to teach and advise men to obey their superiors, & not to thinke much for to be under others: but like as the moone is willing to give eare (as it were) and apply her selfe to her better, content to be ranged in a second place, and as _Parmenides_ saith, _Having aneie and due regard Alwaies the bright Sun beames toward;_ even so they ought to rest in a second degree, to follow after, and be under the conduct and direction of another, who sitteth in the first place, and of his power, authority and honor, in some measure to enjoy a part.
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