And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Ver. 6. It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.] And therefore his servants, because Pharaoh. For, Aulici sunt instar speculi, saith Pareus. Courtiers are their prince's looking glasses; if he laugh, so do they; where he loves, they love, in pretence, at least; for all is but counterfeit. And here, Potest Augur Augurem videre, et non ridere? saith Cato, in Cicero. a The senate gave public thanks to the gods for all that Nero did, even when he had killed his mother, though they never so much abhorred it. When he sang at any time, though it were never so ill, for he had a small harsh voice, his courtiers would soothe him up with, Quam pulcher Caesar, Apollo, Augustus, εις ως πυθιος, μα σε Kαισαρ ουδεις σε νικα, &c. b And because he hated the senate, notwithstanding all their flatteries, Vatinius was greatly in favour with him, for saying, Odi te Caesar, quod Senator es. Parasiti principum sputa, instar canum lingunt.
a Cic., De Divinatione, lib. ii.
b Dio, in Nerone.