第18章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Essays of Montaigne",免费读到尾

  done,theytwo,inthepresenceofalltheassembly,despatchhimwiththeirswords。Afterthat,theyroasthim,eathimamongstthem,andsendsomechopstotheirabsentfriends。Theydonotdothis,assomethink,fornourishment,astheScythiansancientlydid,butasarepresentationofanextremerevenge;aswillappearbythis:thathavingobservedthePortuguese,whowereinleaguewiththeirenemies,toinflictanothersortofdeathuponanyofthemtheytookprisoners,whichwastosetthemuptothegirdleintheearth,toshootattheremainingparttillitwasstuckfullofarrows,andthentohangthem,theythoughtthosepeopleoftheotherworld(asbeingmenwhohadsowntheknowledgeofagreatmanyvicesamongsttheirneighbours,andwhoweremuchgreatermastersinallsortsofmischiefthanthey)didnotexercisethissortofrevengewithoutameaning,andthatitmustneedsbemorepainfulthantheirs,theybegantoleavetheiroldway,andtofollowthis。Iamnotsorrythatweshouldheretakenoticeofthebarbaroushorrorofsocruelanaction,butthat,seeingsoclearlyintotheirfaults,weshouldbesoblindtoourown。Iconceivethereismorebarbarityineatingamanalive,thanwhenheisdead;intearingabodylimbfromlimbbyracksandtorments,thatisyetinperfectsense;inroastingitbydegrees;incausingittobebittenandworriedbydogsandswine(aswehavenotonlyread,butlatelyseen,notamongstinveterateandmortalenemies,butamongneighboursandfellow—citizens,and,whichisworse,undercolourofpietyandreligion),thantoroastandeathimafterheisdead。

  ChrysippusandZeno,thetwoheadsoftheStoicsect,wereofopinionthattherewasnohurtinmakinguseofourdeadcarcasses,inwhatwaysoeverforournecessity,andinfeedinguponthemtoo;——[DiogenesLaertius,vii。188。]——asourownancestors,whobeingbesiegedbyCaesarinthecityAlexia,resolvedtosustainthefamineofthesiegewiththebodiesoftheiroldmen,women,andotherpersonswhowereincapableofbearingarms。

  \"Vascones,utfamaest,alimentistalibususiProduxereanimas。\"

  [\"’TissaidtheGasconswithsuchmeatsappeasedtheirhunger。\"

  ——Juvenal,Sat。,xv。93。

  Andthephysiciansmakenobonesofemployingittoallsortsofuse,eithertoapplyitoutwardly;ortogiveitinwardlyforthehealthofthepatient。Butthereneverwasanyopinionsoirregular,astoexcusetreachery,disloyalty,tyranny,andcruelty,whichareourfamiliarvices。Wemaythencallthesepeoplebarbarous,inrespecttotherulesofreason:butnotinrespecttoourselves,whoinallsortsofbarbarityexceedthem。Theirwarsarethroughoutnobleandgenerous,andcarryasmuchexcuseandfairpretence,asthathumanmaladyiscapableof;havingwiththemnootherfoundationthanthesolejealousyofvalour。Theirdisputesarenotfortheconquestofnewlands,forthesetheyalreadypossessaresofruitfulbynature,astosupplythemwithoutlabourorconcern,withallthingsnecessary,insuchabundancethattheyhavenoneedtoenlargetheirborders。Andtheyare,moreover,happyinthis,thattheyonlycovetsomuchastheirnaturalnecessitiesrequire:allbeyondthatissuperfluoustothem:menofthesameagecalloneanothergenerallybrothers,thosewhoareyounger,children;andtheoldmenarefatherstoall。Theseleavetotheirheirsincommonthefullpossessionofgoods,withoutanymannerofdivision,orothertitlethanwhatnaturebestowsuponhercreatures,inbringingthemintotheworld。Iftheirneighbourspassoverthemountainstoassaultthem,andobtainavictory,allthevictorsgainbyitisgloryonly,andtheadvantageofhavingprovedthemselvesthebetterinvalourandvirtue:fortheynevermeddlewiththegoodsoftheconquered,butpresentlyreturnintotheirowncountry,wheretheyhavenowantofanythingnecessary,norofthisgreatestofallgoods,toknowhappilyhowtoenjoytheirconditionandtobecontent。Andthoseinturndothesame;theydemandoftheirprisonersnootherransom,thanacknowledgmentthattheyareovercome:

  butthereisnotonefoundinanage,whowillnotratherchoosetodiethanmakesuchaconfession,oreitherbywordorlookrecedefromtheentiregrandeurofaninvinciblecourage。Thereisnotamanamongstthemwhohadnotratherbekilledandeaten,thansomuchastoopenhismouthtoentreathemaynot。Theyusethemwithallliberalityandfreedom,totheendtheirlivesmaybesomuchthedearertothem;butfrequentlyentertainthemwithmenacesoftheirapproachingdeath,ofthetormentstheyaretosuffer,ofthepreparationsmakinginordertoit,ofthemanglingtheirlimbs,andofthefeastthatistobemade,wheretheircarcassistobetheonlydish。Allwhichtheydo,tonootherend,butonlytoextortsomegentleorsubmissivewordfromthem,ortofrightenthemsoastomakethemrunaway,toobtainthisadvantagethattheywereterrified,andthattheirconstancywasshaken;andindeed,ifrightlytaken,itisinthispointonlythatatruevictoryconsists:

  \"Victorianullaest,Quamquaeconfessoranimoquoquesubjugathostes。\"

  [\"Novictoryiscomplete,whichtheconquereddonotadmittobeso。——\"Claudius,DeSextoConsulatuHonorii,v。248。]

  TheHungarians,averywarlikepeople,neverpretendfurtherthantoreducetheenemytotheirdiscretion;forhavingforcedthisconfessionfromthem,theyletthemgowithoutinjuryorransom,excepting,atthemost,tomakethemengagetheirwordnevertobeararmsagainstthemagain。Wehavesufficientadvantagesoverourenemiesthatareborrowedandnottrulyourown;itisthequalityofaporter,andnoeffectofvirtue,tohavestrongerarmsandlegs;itisadeadandcorporealqualitytosetinarray;’tisaturnoffortunetomakeourenemystumble,ortodazzlehimwiththelightofthesun;’tisatrickofscienceandart,andthatmayhappeninameanbasefellow,tobeagoodfencer。Theestimateandvalueofamanconsistintheheartandinthewill:therehistruehonourlies。Valourisstability,notoflegsandarms,butofthecourageandthesoul;itdoesnotlieinthegoodnessofourhorseorourarmsbutinourown。Hethatfallsobstinateinhiscourage——

  \"Sisucciderit,degenupugnat\"

  [\"Ifhislegsfailhim,hefightsonhisknees。\"

  ——Seneca,DeProvidentia,c。2。]

  ——hewho,foranydangerofimminentdeath,abatesnothingofhisassurance;who,dying,yetdartsathisenemyafierceanddisdainfullook,isovercomenotbyus,butbyfortune;heiskilled,notconquered;

  themostvaliantaresometimesthemostunfortunate。Therearedefeatsmoretriumphantthanvictories。Nevercouldthosefoursistervictories,thefairestthesuneverbeheld,ofSalamis,Plataea,Mycale,andSicily,venturetoopposealltheirunitedglories,tothesinglegloryofthediscomfitureofKingLeonidasandhismen,atthepassofThermopylae。Whoeverranwithamoregloriousdesireandgreaterambition,tothewinning,thanCaptainIscolastothecertainlossofabattle?——[DiodorusSiculus,xv。64。]——Whocouldhavefoundoutamoresubtleinventiontosecurehissafety,thanhedidtoassurehisdestruction?HewassettodefendacertainpassofPeloponnesusagainsttheArcadians,which,consideringthenatureoftheplaceandtheinequalityofforces,findingitutterlyimpossibleforhimtodo,andseeingthatallwhowerepresentedtotheenemy,mustcertainlybeleftupontheplace;andontheotherside,reputingitunworthyofhisownvirtueandmagnanimityandoftheLacedaemoniannametofailinanypartofhisduty,hechoseameanbetwixtthesetwoextremesafterthismanner;theyoungestandmostactiveofhismen,hepreservedfortheserviceanddefenceoftheircountry,andsentthemback;andwiththerest,whoselosswouldbeoflessconsideration,heresolvedtomakegoodthepass,andwiththedeathofthem,tomaketheenemybuytheirentryasdearaspossiblyhecould;asitfellout,forbeingpresentlyenvironedonallsidesbytheArcadians,afterhavingmadeagreatslaughteroftheenemy,heandhiswereallcutinpieces。Isthereanytrophydedicatedtotheconquerorswhichwasnotmuchmoreduetothesewhowereovercome?Thepartthattrueconqueringistoplay,liesintheencounter,notinthecomingoff;andthehonourofvalourconsistsinfighting,notinsubduing。

  Buttoreturntomystory:theseprisonersaresofarfromdiscoveringtheleastweakness,foralltheterrorsthatcanberepresentedtothem,that,onthecontrary,duringthetwoorthreemonthstheyarekept,theyalwaysappearwithacheerfulcountenance;importunetheirmasterstomakehastetobringthemtothetest,defy,railatthem,andreproachthemwithcowardice,andthenumberofbattlestheyhavelostagainstthoseoftheircountry。Ihaveasongmadebyoneoftheseprisoners,whereinhebidsthem\"comeall,anddineuponhim,andwelcome,fortheyshallwithaleattheirownfathersandgrandfathers,whosefleshhasservedtofeedandnourishhim。Thesemuscles,\"sayshe,\"thisfleshandtheseveins,areyourown:poorsillysoulsasyouare,youlittlethinkthatthesubstanceofyourancestors’limbsishereyet;noticewhatyoueat,andyouwillfindinitthetasteofyourownflesh:\"inwhichsongthereistobeobservedaninventionthatnothingrelishesofthebarbarian。Thosethatpaintthesepeopledyingafterthismanner,representtheprisonerspittinginthefacesofhisexecutionersandmakingwrymouthsatthem。And’tismostcertain,thattotheverylastgasp,theyneverceasetobraveanddefythembothinwordandgesture。

  Inplaintruth,thesemenareverysavageincomparisonofus;ofnecessity,theymusteitherbeabsolutelysoorelsewearesavages;forthereisavastdifferencebetwixttheirmannersandours。

  Thementherehaveseveralwives,andsomuchthegreaternumber,byhowmuchtheyhavethegreaterreputationforvalour。Anditisoneveryremarkablefeatureintheirmarriages,thatthesamejealousyourwiveshavetohinderanddivertusfromthefriendshipandfamiliarityofotherwomen,thoseemploytopromotetheirhusbands’desires,andtoprocurethemmanyspouses;forbeingaboveallthingssolicitousoftheirhusbands’honour,’tistheirchiefestcaretoseekout,andtobringinthemostcompanionstheycan,forasmuchasitisatestimonyofthehusband’svirtue。Mostofourladieswillcryout,that’tismonstrous;

  whereasintruthitisnotso,butatrulymatrimonialvirtue,andofthehighestform。IntheBible,Sarah,withLeahandRachel,thetwowivesofJacob,gavethemostbeautifuloftheirhandmaidstotheirhusbands;

  LiviapreferredthepassionsofAugustustoherowninterest;

  ——[Suetonius,LifeofAugustus,c。71。]——andthewifeofKingDeiotarus,Stratonice,didnotonlygiveupafairyoungmaidthatservedhertoherhusband’sembraces,butmoreovercarefullybroughtupthechildrenhehadbyher,andassistedtheminthesuccessiontotheirfather’scrown。

  Andthatitmaynotbesupposed,thatallthisisdonebyasimpleandservileobligationtotheircommonpractice,orbyanyauthoritativeimpressionoftheirancientcustom,withoutjudgmentorreasoning,andfromhavingasoulsostupidthatitcannotcontrivewhatelsetodo,I

  mustheregiveyousometouchesoftheirsufficiencyinpointofunderstanding。BesideswhatIrepeatedtoyoubefore,whichwasoneoftheirsongsofwar,Ihaveanother,alove—song,thatbeginsthus:

  \"Stay,adder,stay,thatbythypatternmysistermaydrawthefashionandworkofarichribbon,thatImaypresenttomybeloved,bywhichmeansthybeautyandtheexcellentorderofthyscalesshallforeverbepreferredbeforeallotherserpents。\"

  Whereinthefirstcouplet,\"Stay,adder,\"&c。,makestheburdenofthesong。NowIhaveconversedenoughwithpoetrytojudgethusmuchthatnotonlythereisnothingbarbarousinthisinvention,but,moreover,thatitisperfectlyAnacreontic。Towhichitmaybeadded,thattheirlanguageissoft,ofapleasingaccent,andsomethingborderingupontheGreektermination。

  Threeofthesepeople,notforeseeinghowdeartheirknowledgeofthecorruptionsofthispartoftheworldwillonedaycosttheirhappinessandrepose,andthattheeffectofthiscommercewillbetheirruin,asI

  presupposeitisinaveryfairway(miserablementosufferthemselvestobedeludedwithdesireofnoveltyandtohavelefttheserenityoftheirownheaventocomesofartogazeatours!),wereatRouenatthetimethatthelateKingCharlesIX。wasthere。Thekinghimselftalkedtothemagoodwhile,andtheyweremadetoseeourfashions,ourpomp,andtheformofagreatcity。Afterwhich,someoneaskedtheiropinion,andwouldknowofthem,whatofallthethingstheyhadseen,theyfoundmosttobeadmired?Towhichtheymadeanswer,threethings,ofwhichI

  haveforgottenthethird,andamtroubledatit,buttwoIyetremember。

  Theysaid,thatinthefirstplacetheythoughtitverystrangethatsomanytallmen,wearingbeards,strong,andwellarmed,whowereabouttheking(’tisliketheymeanttheSwissoftheguard),shouldsubmittoobeyachild,andthattheydidnotratherchooseoutoneamongstthemselvestocommand。Secondly(theyhaveawayofspeakingintheirlanguagetocallmenthehalfofoneanother),thattheyhadobservedthattherewereamongstusmenfullandcrammedwithallmannerofcommodities,whilst,inthemeantime,theirhalveswerebeggingattheirdoors,leanandhalf—

  starvedwithhungerandpoverty;andtheythoughtitstrangethatthesenecessitoushalveswereabletosuffersogreataninequalityandinjustice,andthattheydidnottaketheothersbythethroats,orsetfiretotheirhouses。

  Italkedtooneofthemagreatwhiletogether,butIhadsoillaninterpreter,andonewhowassoperplexedbyhisownignorancetoapprehendmymeaning,thatIcouldgetnothingoutofhimofanymoment:

  Askinghimwhatadvantagehereapedfromthesuperiorityhehadamongsthisownpeople(forhewasacaptain,andourmarinerscalledhimking),hetoldme,tomarchattheheadofthemtowar。Demandingofhimfurtherhowmanymenhehadtofollowhim,heshowedmeaspaceofground,tosignifyasmanyascouldmarchinsuchacompass,whichmightbefourorfivethousandmen;andputtingthequestiontohimwhetherornohisauthorityexpiredwiththewar,hetoldmethisremained:thatwhenhewenttovisitthevillagesofhisdependence,theyplanedhimpathsthroughthethickoftheirwoods,bywhichhemightpassathisease。Allthisdoesnotsoundveryill,andthelastwasnotatallamiss,fortheywearnobreeches。

  CHAPTERXXXI

  THATAMANISSOBERLYTOJUDGEOFTHEDIVINEORDINANCES

  Thetruefieldandsubjectofimposturearethingsunknown,forasmuchas,inthefirstplace,theirverystrangenesslendsthemcredit,andmoreover,bynotbeingsubjectedtoourordinaryreasons,theydepriveusofthemeanstoquestionanddisputethem:Forwhichreason,saysPlato,——[InCritias。]——itismuchmoreeasytosatisfythehearers,whenspeakingofthenatureofthegodsthanofthenatureofmen,becausetheignoranceoftheauditoryaffordsafairandlargecareerandallmanneroflibertyinthehandlingofabstrusethings。Thenceitcomestopass,thatnothingissofirmlybelieved,aswhatweleastknow;noranypeoplesoconfident,asthosewhoentertainuswithfables,suchasyouralchemists,judicialastrologers,fortune—tellers,andphysicians,\"Idgenusomne。\"

  [\"Allthatsortofpeople。\"——Horace,Sat。,i。2,2。]

  TowhichIwouldwillingly,ifIdurst,joinapackofpeoplethattakeuponthemtointerpretandcontrolthedesignsofGodHimself,pretendingtofindoutthecauseofeveryaccident,andtopryintothesecretsofthedivinewill,theretodiscovertheincomprehensiblemotive,ofHisworks;andalthoughthevariety,andthecontinualdiscordanceofevents,throwthemfromcornertocorner,andtossthemfromeasttowest,yetdotheystillpersistintheirvaininquisition,andwiththesamepenciltopaintblackandwhite。

  InanationoftheIndies,thereisthiscommendablecustom,thatwhenanythingbefallsthemamissinanyencounterorbattle,theypubliclyaskpardonofthesun,whoistheirgod,ashavingcommittedanunjustaction,alwaysimputingtheirgoodorevilfortunetothedivinejustice,andtothatsubmittingtheirownjudgmentandreason。’TisenoughforaChristiantobelievethatallthingscomefromGod,toreceivethemwithacknowledgmentofHisdivineandinscrutablewisdom,andalsothankfullytoacceptandreceivethem,withwhatfacesoevertheymaypresentthemselves。ButIdonotapproveofwhatIseeinuse,thatis,toseektoaffirmandsupportourreligionbytheprosperityofourenterprises。

  Ourbeliefhasotherfoundationenough,withoutgoingabouttoauthoriseitbyevents:forthepeoplebeingaccustomedtosuchplausibleargumentsastheseandsopropertotheirtaste,itistobefeared,lestwhentheyfailofsuccesstheyshouldalsostaggerintheirfaith:asinthewarwhereinwearenowengagedupontheaccountofreligion,thosewhohadthebetterinthebusinessofRochelabeille,——[May1569。]——makinggreatbragsofthatsuccessasaninfallibleapprobationoftheircause,whentheycameafterwardstoexcusetheirmisfortunesofMoncontourandJarnac,bysayingtheywerefatherlyscourgesandcorrectionsthattheyhadnotapeoplewhollyattheirmercy,theymakeitmanifestlyenoughappear,whatitistotaketwosortsofgristoutofthesamesack,andwiththesamemouthtoblowhotandcold。Itwerebettertopossessthevulgarwiththesolidandrealfoundationsoftruth。’TwasafinenavalbattlethatwasgainedunderthecommandofDonJohnofAustriaafewmonthssince——[ThatofLepanto,October7,1571。]——againsttheTurks;

  butithasalsopleasedGodatothertimestoletusseeasgreatvictoriesatourownexpense。Infine,’tisahardmattertoreducedivinethingstoourbalance,withoutwasteandlosingagreatdealoftheweight。AndwhowouldtakeuponhimtogiveareasonthatAriusandhisPopeLeo,theprincipalheadsoftheArianheresy,shoulddie,atseveraltimes,ofsolikeandstrangedeaths(forbeingwithdrawnfromthedisputationbyagripinginthebowels,theybothofthemsuddenlygaveuptheghostuponthestool),andwouldaggravatethisdivinevengeancebythecircumstancesoftheplace,mightaswelladdthedeathofHeliogabalus,whowasalsoslaininahouseofoffice。And,indeed,Irenaeuswasinvolvedinthesamefortune。God,beingpleasedtoshowus,thatthegoodhavesomethingelsetohopeforandthewickedsomethingelsetofear,thanthefortunesormisfortunesofthisworld,managesandappliestheseaccordingtoHisownoccultwillandpleasure,anddeprivesusofthemeansfoolishlytomakethereofourownprofit。

  Andthosepeopleabusethemselveswhowillpretendtodiveintothesemysteriesbythestrengthofhumanreason。Theynevergiveonehitthattheydonotreceivetwoforit;ofwhichSt。Augustinemakesoutagreatproofuponhisadversaries。’Tisaconflictthatismoredecidedbystrengthofmemorythanbytheforceofreason。Wearetocontentourselveswiththelightitpleasesthesuntocommunicatetous,byvirtueofhisrays;andwhowillliftuphiseyestotakeinagreater,lethimnotthinkitstrange,iffortherewardofhispresumption,hetherelosehissight。

  \"QuishominumpotestscireconsiliumDei?

  AutquispoteritcogitarequidvelitDominus?\"

  [\"WhoofmencanknowthecounselofGod?orwhocanthinkwhatthewilloftheLordis。\"——BookofWisdom,ix。13。]

  CHAPTERXXXII

  THATWEARETOAVOIDPLEASURES,EVENATTHEEXPENSEOFLIFE

  Ihadlongagoobservedmostoftheopinionsoftheancientstoconcurinthis,thatitishightimetodiewhenthereismoreillthangoodinliving,andthattopreservelifetoourowntormentandinconvenienceiscontrarytotheveryrulesofnature,astheseoldlawsinstructus。

  [\"Eithertranquillife,orhappydeath。Itiswelltodiewhenlifeiswearisome。Itisbettertodiethantolivemiserable。\"

  ——Stobaeus,Serm。xx。]

  Buttopushthiscontemptofdeathsofarastoemployittotheremovingourthoughtsfromthehonours,riches,dignities,andotherfavoursandgoods,aswecallthem,offortune,asifreasonwerenotsufficienttopersuadeustoavoidthem,withoutaddingthisnewinjunction,Ihadneverseeniteithercommandedorpractised,tillthispassageofSenecafellintomyhands;whoadvisingLucilius,amanofgreatpowerandauthorityabouttheemperor,toalterhisvoluptuousandmagnificentwayofliving,andtoretirehimselffromthisworldlyvanityandambition,tosomesolitary,quiet,andphilosophicallife,andtheotherallegingsomedifficulties:\"Iamofopinion,\"sayshe,\"eitherthatthouleavethatlifeofthine,orlifeitself;Iwould,indeed,advisetheetothegentleway,andtountie,ratherthantobreak,theknotthouhastindiscreetlyknit,provided,thatifitbenototherwisetobeuntied,thouresolutelybreakit。Thereisnomansogreatacoward,thathadnotratheroncefallthantobealwaysfalling。\"IshouldhavefoundthiscounselconformableenoughtotheStoicalroughness:butitappearsthemorestrange,forbeingborrowedfromEpicurus,whowritesthesamethinguponthelikeoccasiontoIdomeneus。AndIthinkIhaveobservedsomethinglikeit,butwithChristianmoderation,amongstourownpeople。

  St。Hilary,BishopofPoictiers,thatfamousenemyoftheArianheresy,beinginSyria,hadintelligencethithersenthim,thatAbra,hisonlydaughter,whomheleftathomeundertheeyeandtuitionofhermother,wassoughtinmarriagebythegreatestnoblemenofthecountry,asbeingavirginvirtuouslybroughtup,fair,rich,andintheflowerofherage;

  whereuponhewrotetoher(asappearsuponrecord),thatsheshouldremoveheraffectionfromallthepleasuresandadvantagesproposedtoher;forthathehadinhistravelsfoundoutamuchgreaterandmoreworthyfortuneforher,ahusbandofmuchgreaterpowerandmagnificence,whowouldpresentherwithrobesandjewelsofinestimablevalue;whereinhisdesignwastodispossessheroftheappetiteanduseofworldlydelights,tojoinherwhollytoGod;butthenearestandmostcertainwaytothis,being,asheconceived,thedeathofhisdaughter;heneverceased,byvows,prayers,andorisons,tobegoftheAlmighty,thatHewouldpleasetocallheroutofthisworld,andtotakehertoHimself;

  asaccordinglyitcametopass;forsoonafterhisreturn,shedied,atwhichheexpressedasingularjoy。Thisseemstooutdotheother,forasmuchasheapplieshimselftothismeansattheoutset,whichtheyonlytakesubsidiarily;and,besides,itwastowardshisonlydaughter。

  ButIwillnotomitthelatterendofthisstory,thoughitbeformypurpose;St。Hilary’swife,havingunderstoodfromhimhowthedeathoftheirdaughterwasbroughtaboutbyhisdesireanddesign,andhowmuchhappiershewastoberemovedoutofthisworldthantohavestayedinit,conceivedsovividanapprehensionoftheeternalandheavenlybeatitude,thatshebeggedofherhusband,withtheextremestimportunity,todoasmuchforher;andGod,attheirjointrequest,shortlyaftercallinghertoHim,itwasadeathembracedwithsingularandmutualcontent。

  CHAPTERXXXIII

  THATFORTUNEISOFTENTIMESOBSERVEDTOACTBYTHERULEOFREASON

  TheinconstancyandvariousmotionsofFortune[ThetermFortune,sooftenemployedbyMontaigne,andinpassageswherehemighthaveusedProvidence,wascensuredbythedoctorswhoexaminedhisEssayswhenhewasatRomein1581。SeehisTravels,i。35and76。]

  mayreasonablymakeusexpectsheshouldpresentuswithallsortsoffaces。Cantherebeamoreexpressactofjusticethanthis?TheDucdeValentinois,——[CaesarBorgia。]——havingresolvedtopoisonAdrian,CardinalofCorneto,withwhomPopeAlexanderVI。,hisfatherandhimself,weretosupintheVatican,hesentbeforeabottleofpoisonedwine,andwithal,strictordertothebutlertokeepitverysafe。

  ThePopebeingcomebeforehisson,andcallingfordrink,thebutlersupposingthiswinehadnotbeensostrictlyrecommendedtohiscare,butonlyupontheaccountofitsexcellency,presenteditforthwithtothePope,andthedukehimselfcominginpresentlyafter,andbeingconfidenttheyhadnotmeddledwithhisbottle,tookalsohiscup;sothatthefatherdiedimmediatelyuponthespot——[OtherhistoriansassignthePopeseveraldaysofmiserypriortodeath。D。W。]——,andtheson,afterhavingbeenlongtormentedwithsickness,wasreservedtoanotherandaworsefortune。

  Sometimessheseemstoplayuponus,justinthenickofanaffair;

  Monsieurd’Estrees,atthattimeensigntoMonsieurdeVendome,andMonsieurdeLicques,lieutenantinthecompanyoftheDucd’Ascot,beingbothpretenderstotheSieurdeFougueselles’sister,thoughofseveralparties(asitoftfallsoutamongstfrontierneighbours),theSieurdeLicquescarriedher;butonthesamedayhewasmarried,andwhichwasworse,beforehewenttobedtohiswife,thebridegroomhavingamindtobreakalanceinhonourofhisnewbride,wentouttoskirmishnearSt。

  Omer,wheretheSieurd’Estreesprovingthestronger,tookhimprisoner,andthemoretoillustratehisvictory,theladywasfain——

  \"Conjugisantecoactanovidimitterecollum,QuamveniensunaatquealterarursushyemsNoctibusinlongisavidumsaturassetamorem,\"

  [\"Compelledtoabstainfromembracinghernewspouseinherarmsbeforetwowinterspassinsuccession,duringtheirlongnightshadsatiatedhereagerlove。\"——Catullus,lxviii。81。]

  ——torequesthimofcourtesy,todeliveruphisprisonertoher,asheaccordinglydid,thegentlemenofFranceneverdenyinganythingtoladies。

  Doesshenotseemtobeanartisthere?Constantine,sonofHelena,foundedtheempireofConstantinople,andsomanyagesafter,Constantine,thesonofHelen,putanendtoit。Sometimessheispleasedtoemulateourmiracleswearetold,thatKingClovisbesiegingAngouleme,thewallsfelldownofthemselvesbydivinefavourandBouchethasitfromsomeauthor,thatKingRoberthavingsatdownbeforeacity,andbeingstolenawayfromthesiegetogokeepthefeastofSt。AignanatOrleans,ashewasindevotionatacertainpartoftheMass,thewallsofthebeleagueredcity,withoutanymannerofviolence,felldownwithasuddenruin。ButshedidquitecontraryinourMilanwars;for,leCapitaineRenselayingsiegeforustothecityArona,andhavingcarriedamineunderagreatpartofthewall,theminebeingsprung,thewallwasliftedfromitsbase,butdroppeddownagainnevertheless,wholeandentire,andsoexactlyuponitsfoundation,thatthebesiegedsufferednoinconveniencebythatattempt。

  Sometimessheplaysthephysician。JasonofPheresbeinggivenoverbythephysicians,byreasonofanimposthumeinhisbreast,havingamindtoridhimselfofhispain,bydeathatleast,threwhimselfinabattledesperatelyintothethickestoftheenemy,wherehewassofortunatelywoundedquitethroughthebody,thattheimposthumebroke,andhewasperfectlycured。DidshenotalsoexcelthepainterProtogenesinhisart?whohavingfinishedthepictureofadogquitetiredandoutofbreath,inalltheotherpartsexcellentlywelltohisownliking,butnotbeingabletoexpress,ashewould,theslaverandfoamthatshouldcomeoutofitsmouth,vexedandangryathiswork,hetookhissponge,whichbycleaninghispencilshadimbibedseveralsortsofcolours,andthrewitinarageagainstthepicture,withanintentutterlytodefaceit;whenfortuneguidingthespongetohitjustuponthemouthofthedog,itthereperformedwhatallhisartwasnotabletodo。Doesshenotsometimesdirectourcounselsandcorrectthem?Isabel,QueenofEngland,havingtosailfromZealandintoherownkingdom,——[in1326]——

  withanarmy,infavourofhersonagainstherhusband,hadbeenlost,hadshecomeintotheportsheintended,beingtherelaidwaitforbytheenemy;butfortune,againstherwill,threwherintoanotherhaven,whereshelandedinsafety。Andthatmanofoldwho,throwingastoneatadog,hitandkilledhismother—in—law,hadhenotreasontopronouncethisverse:

  [\"Fortunehasmorejudgementthanwe。\"——Menander]

  IceteshadcontractedwithtwosoldierstokillTimoleonatAdranainSicily。——[Plutarch,LifeofTimoleon,c。7。]——Theytooktheirtimetodoitwhenhewasassistingatasacrifice,andthrustingintothecrowd,astheyweremakingsignstooneanother,thatnowwasafittimetodotheirbusiness,instepsathird,who,withaswordtakesoneofthemfulldriveoverthepate,layshimdeadupontheplaceandrunsaway,whichtheotherssee,andconcludinghimselfdiscoveredandlost,runstothealtarandbegsformercy,promisingtodiscoverthewholetruth,whichashewasdoing,andlayingopenthefullconspiracy,beholdthethirdman,whobeingapprehended,was,asamurderer,thrustandhauledbythepeoplethroughthepress,towardsTimoleon,andtheothermosteminentpersonsoftheassembly,beforewhombeingbrought,hecriesoutforpardon,pleadingthathehadjustlyslainhisfather’smurderer;

  whichhe,also,provinguponthespot,bysufficientwitnesses,whomhisgoodfortuneveryopportunelysuppliedhimwithal,thathisfatherwasreallykilledinthecityofLeontini,bythatverymanonwhomhehadtakenhisrevenge,hewaspresentlyawardedtenAtticminae,forhavinghadthegoodfortune,bydesigningtorevengethedeathofhisfather,topreservethelifeofthecommonfatherofSicily。Fortune,truly,inherconductsurpassesalltherulesofhumanprudence。

  Buttoconclude:istherenotadirectapplicationofherfavour,bounty,andpietymanifestlydiscoveredinthisaction?IgnatiusthefatherandIgnatiusthesonbeingproscribedbythetriumvirsofRome,resolveduponthisgenerousactofmutualkindness,tofallbythehandsofoneanother,andbythatmeanstofrustrateanddefeatthecrueltyofthetyrants;andaccordinglywiththeirswordsdrawn,ranfulldriveupononeanother,wherefortunesoguidedthepoints,thattheymadetwoequallymortalwounds,affordingwithalsomuchhonourtosobraveafriendship,astoleavethemjuststrengthenoughtodrawouttheirbloodyswords,thattheymighthavelibertytoembraceoneanotherinthisdyingcondition,withsocloseandheartyanembrace,thattheexecutionercutoffboththeirheadsatonce,leavingthebodiesstillfastlinkedtogetherinthisnoblebond,andtheirwoundsjoinedmouthtomouth,affectionatelysuckinginthelastbloodandremainderofthelivesofeachother。

  CHAPTERXXXIV

  OFONEDEFECTINOURGOVERNMENT

  Mylatefather,amanthathadnootheradvantagesthanexperienceandhisownnaturalparts,wasneverthelessofaveryclearjudgment,formerlytoldmethatheoncehadthoughtsofendeavouringtointroducethispractice;thattheremightbeineverycityacertainplaceassignedtowhichsuchasstoodinneedofanythingmightrepair,andhavetheirbusinessenteredbyanofficerappointedforthatpurpose。Asforexample:Iwantachapmantobuymypearls;Iwantonethathaspearlstosell;suchaonewantscompanytogotoParis;suchaoneseeksaservantofsuchaquality;suchaoneamaster;suchaonesuchanartificer;

  someinquiringforonething,someforanother,everyoneaccordingtowhathewants。Anddoubtless,thesemutualadvertisementswouldbeofnocontemptibleadvantagetothepubliccorrespondenceandintelligence:forthereareevermoreconditionsthathuntafteroneanother,andforwantofknowingoneanother’soccasionsleavemeninverygreatnecessity。

  Ihaveheard,tothegreatshameoftheagewelivein,thatinourverysighttwomostexcellentmenforlearningdiedsopoorthattheyhadscarcebreadtoputintheirmouths:LiliusGregoriusGiraldusinItalyandSebastianusCastalioinGermany:andIbelievethereareathousandmenwouldhaveinvitedthemintotheirfamilies,withveryadvantageousconditions,orhaverelievedthemwheretheywere,hadtheyknowntheirwants。Theworldisnotsogenerallycorrupted,butthatIknowamanthatwouldheartilywishtheestatehisancestorshavelefthimmightbeemployed,solongasitshallpleasefortunetogivehimleavetoenjoyit,tosecurerareandremarkablepersonsofanykind,whommisfortunesometimespersecutestothelastdegree,fromthedangersofnecessity;

  andatleastplacetheminsuchaconditionthattheymustbeveryhardtoplease,iftheyarenotcontented。

  Myfatherinhisdomesticeconomyhadthisrule(whichIknowhowtocommend,butbynomeanstoimitate),namely,thatbesidestheday—bookormemorialofhouseholdaffairs,wherethesmallaccounts,payments,anddisbursements,whichdonotrequireasecretary’shand,wereentered,andwhichastewardalwayshadincustody,heorderedhimwhomheemployedtowriteforhim,tokeepajournal,andinittosetdownalltheremarkableoccurrences,anddailymemorialsofthehistoryofhishouse:

  verypleasanttolookover,whentimebeginstowearthingsoutofmemory,andveryusefulsometimestoputusoutofdoubtwhensuchathingwasbegun,whenended;whatvisitorscame,andwhentheywent;ourtravels,absences,marriages,anddeaths;thereceptionofgoodorillnews;thechangeofprincipalservants,andthelike。Anancientcustom,whichIthinkitwouldnotbeamissforeveryonetoreviveinhisownhouse;andIfindIdidveryfoolishlyinneglectingit。

  CHAPTERXXXV

  OFTHECUSTOMOFWEARINGCLOTHES

  WhateverIshallsayuponthissubject,Iamofnecessitytoinvadesomeoftheboundsofcustom,socarefulhasshebeentoshutupalltheavenues。Iwasdisputingwithmyselfinthisshiveringseason,whetherthefashionofgoingnakedinthosenationslatelydiscoveredisimposeduponthembythehottemperatureoftheair,aswesayoftheIndiansandMoors,orwhetheritbetheoriginalfashionofmankind。Menofunderstanding,forasmuchasallthingsunderthesun,astheHolyWritdeclares,aresubjecttothesamelaws,werewontinsuchconsiderationsasthese,wherewearetodistinguishthenaturallawsfromthosewhichhavebeenimposedbyman’sinvention,tohaverecoursetothegeneralpolityoftheworld,wheretherecanbenothingcounterfeit。Now,allothercreaturesbeingsufficientlyfurnishedwithallthingsnecessaryforthesupportoftheirbeing——[Montaigne’sexpressionis,\"withneedleandthread。\"——W。C。H。]——itisnottobeimaginedthatweonlyarebroughtintotheworldinadefectiveandindigentcondition,andinsuchastateascannotsubsistwithoutexternalaid。ThereforeitisthatIbelieve,thatasplants,trees,andanimals,andallthingsthathavelife,areseentobebynaturesufficientlyclothedandcovered,todefendthemfromtheinjuriesofweather:

  \"Proptereaquefereresomnesantcoriosunt,Autseta,antconchis,antcallo,antcorticetectae,\"

  [\"Andthatforthisreasonnearlyallthingsareclothedwithskin,orhair,orshells,orbark,orsomesuchthing。\"

  ——Lucretius,iv。936。]

  sowerewe:butasthosewhobyartificiallightputoutthatofday,sowebyborrowedformsandfashionshavedestroyedourown。And’tisplainenoughtobeseen,that’tiscustomonlywhichrendersthatimpossiblethatotherwiseisnothingso;forofthosenationswhohavenomannerofknowledgeofclothing,somearesituatedunderthesametemperaturethatweare,andsomeinmuchcolderclimates。Andbesides,ourmosttenderpartsarealwaysexposedtotheair,astheeyes,mouth,nose,andears;

  andourcountrylabourers,likeourancestorsinformertimes,gowiththeirbreastsandbelliesopen。Hadwebeenbornwithanecessityuponusofwearingpetticoatsandbreeches,thereisnodoubtbutnaturewouldhavefortifiedthosepartssheintendedshouldbeexposedtothefuryoftheseasonswithathickerskin,asshehasdonethefinger—endsandthesolesofthefeet。Andwhyshouldthisseemhardtobelieve?Iobservemuchgreaterdistancebetwixtmyhabitandthatofoneofourcountryboors,thanbetwixthisandthatofamanwhohasnoothercoveringbuthisskin。Howmanymen,especiallyinTurkey,gonakedupontheaccountofdevotion?Someoneaskedabeggar,whomhesawinhisshirtinthedepthofwinter,asbriskandfrolicashewhogoesmuffleduptotheearsinfurs,howhewasabletoenduretogoso?\"Why,sir,\"heanswered,\"yougowithyourfacebare:Iamallface。\"TheItalianshaveastoryoftheDukeofFlorence’sfool,whomhismasteraskinghow,beingsothinlyclad,hewasabletosupportthecold,whenhehimself,warmlywrappedupashewas,washardlyabletodoit?\"Why,\"repliedthefool,\"usemyreceipttoputonallyourclothesyouhaveatonce,andyou’llfeelnomorecoldthanI。\"KingMassinissa,toanextremeoldage,couldneverbeprevailedupontogowithhisheadcovered,howcold,stormy,orrainysoevertheweathermightbe;whichalsoisreportedoftheEmperorSeverus。Herodotustellsus,thatinthebattlesfoughtbetwixttheEgyptiansandthePersians,itwasobservedbothbyhimselfandbyothers,thatofthosewhowereleftdeaduponthefield,theheadsoftheEgyptianswerewithoutcomparisonharderthanthoseofthePersians,byreasonthatthelasthadgonewiththeirheadsalwayscoveredfromtheirinfancy,firstwithbiggins,andthenwithturbans,andtheothersalwaysshavedandbare。KingAgesilauscontinuedtoadecrepitagetowearalwaysthesameclothesinwinterthathedidinsummer。Caesar,saysSuetonius,marchedalwaysattheheadofhisarmy,forthemostpartonfoot,withhisheadbare,whetheritwasrainorsunshine,andasmuchissaidofHannibal:

  \"Tumverticenudo,Excipereinsanosimbres,coeliqueruinam。\"

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