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Jdg_9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Ver. 9. But the olive-tree said unto them.] The bramble thought it a great matter to reign over the rest; not so the olive. Animo mayno nihil magnum. The violent obtain heaven; but for earth, they look upon it as a magnum nihil.
Should I leave my fatness?] That is, My fitness to serve God and men in my place and station. It is hard and happy not to be worse for outward honour and greatness. Vespasian is said to be the only one of all the emperors, qui accepto imperio melior factus est, who was made a better man by that preferment.
And go to be promoted?] Or, Go up and down for other trees. Ut item vayatum, id est cireumcur satum ad regium munus exquendum, {a} that I should go haliprancing from place to place in the execution of my kingly office. This made Florus the poet sing:
“ Nolo ego Caesar esse,
Ambulare per Britannos,
Rigidas pati pruinas. ” - Carion. Chron.
This made Rodolphus Rufus, the Emperor, thus bespeak his crown:
“ Nobilis es fateor, rutilisque onerata lapillis:
Innumeris curis sed comitata venis.
Quod bene si nossent omnes expendere, nemo,
Nemo foret qui te tollere vellet humo. ” - Par. Medul.
{a} Jun.