NorshallIbeafraidtoconfessthetendernessofmynaturesochildish,thatIcannotwellrefusetoplaywithmydog,whenhethemostunseasonablyimportunesmetodoso。TheTurkshavealmsandhospitalsforbeasts。TheRomanshadpubliccaretothenourishmentofgeese,bywhosevigilancetheirCapitolhadbeenpreserved。TheAtheniansmadeadecreethatthemulesandmoylswhichhadservedatthebuildingofthetemplecalledHecatompedonshouldbefreeandsufferedtopastureattheirownchoice,withouthindrance。TheAgrigentineshadacommonusesolemnlytointerthebeaststheyhadakindnessfor,ashorsesofsomerarequality,dogs,andusefulbirds,andeventhosethathadonlybeenkepttodiverttheirchildren;andthemagnificencethatwasordinarywiththeminallotherthings,alsoparticularlyappearedinthesumptuosityandnumbersofmonumentserectedtothisend,andwhichremainedintheirbeautyseveralagesafter。TheEgyptiansburiedwolves,bears,crocodiles,dogs,andcatsinsacredplaces,embalmedtheirbodies,andputonmourningattheirdeath。CimongaveanhonourablesepulturetothemareswithwhichhehadthreetimesgainedtheprizeofthecourseattheOlympicGames。TheancientXantippuscausedhisdogtobeinterredonaneminencenearthesea,whichhaseversinceretainedthename,andPlutarchsays,thathehadascrupleaboutsellingforasmallprofittotheslaughtereranoxthathadbeenlonginhisservice。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne,V11
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME11。
XIII。Ofjudgingofthedeathofanother。
XIV。Thatthemindhindersitself。
XV。Thatourdesiresareaugmentedbydifficulty。
XVI。Ofglory。
XVII。Ofpresumption。
CHAPTERXIII
OFJUDGINGOFTHEDEATHOFANOTHER
Whenwejudgeofanother’sassuranceindeath,which,withoutdoubt,isthemostremarkableactionofhumanlife,wearetotakeheedofonething,whichisthatmenveryhardlybelievethemselvestohavearrivedtothatperiod。Fewmencometodieintheopinionthatitistheirlatesthour;andthereisnothingwhereintheflatteryofhopemoredeludesus;Itneverceasestowhisperinourears,\"Othershavebeenmuchsickerwithoutdying;yourconditionisnotsodesperateas’tisthought;and,attheworst,Godhasdoneothermiracles。\"Whichhappensbyreasonthatwesettoomuchvalueuponourselves;itseemsasiftheuniversalityofthingswereinsomemeasuretosufferbyourdissolution,andthatitcommiseratesourcondition,forasmuchasourdisturbedsightrepresentsthingstoitselferroneously,andthatweareofopiniontheystandinasmuchneedofusaswedoofthem,likepeopleatsea,towhommountains,fields,cities,heavenandeartharetossedatthesamerateastheyare:
\"Provehimurportu,terraequeurbesquerecedunt:\"
[\"Wesailoutofport,andcitiesandlandsrecede。\"
——AEneid,iii。72。]
Whoeversawoldagethatdidnotapplaudthepastandcondemnthepresenttime,layingthefaultofhismiseryanddiscontentupontheworldandthemannersofmen?
Jamquecaputquassans,grandissuspiratarator。
EtcumtemporatemporibuspraesentiaconfertPraeteritis,laudatfortunassaepeparentis,Etcrepatantiquumgenusutpietaterepletum。\"
[\"Nowtheoldploughman,shakinghishead,sighs,andcomparespresenttimeswithpast,oftenpraiseshisparents’happiness,andtalksoftheoldraceasfullofpiety。\"——Lucretius,ii。1165。]
Wewillmakeallthingsgoalongwithus;whenceitfollowsthatweconsiderourdeathasaverygreatthing,andthatdoesnotsoeasilypass,norwithoutthesolemnconsultationofthestars:
\"Totcircaunumcaputtumultuantesdens,\"
[\"Allthegodstoagitationaboutoneman。\"
——Seneca,Suasor,i。4。]
andsomuchthemorethinkitaswemorevalueourselves。\"What,shallsomuchknowledgebelost,withsomuchdamagetotheworld,withoutaparticularconcernofthedestinies?Doessorareandexemplaryasoulcostnomorethekillingthanonethatiscommonandofnousetothepublic?Thislife,thatprotectssomanyothers,uponwhichsomanyotherlivesdepend,thatemployssovastanumberofmeninhisservice,thatfillssomanyplaces,shallitdropofflikeonethathangsbutbyitsownsimplethread?Noneofuslaysitenoughtoheartthatheisbutone:thenceproceededthosewordsofCaesartohispilot,moretumidthantheseathatthreatenedhim:
\"Italiamsicoeloauctorerecusas,Mepete:solatibicausaesthaecjustatimoris,Vectoremnonnoscetuum;perrumpeprocellas,Tutelasecuremea。\"
[IfyoudeclinetosailtoItalyundertheGod’sprotection,trusttomine;theonlyjustcauseyouhavetofearis,thatyoudonotknowyourpassenger;sailon,secureinmyguardianship。\"
——Lucan,V。579。]
Andthese:
\"CreditjamdignapericulaCaesarFatisessesuis;tantusneevertere,dixit,Mesuperislaborest,parvaquernpuppesedentem,Tammagnopetieremari;\"
[\"Caesarnowdeemedthesedangersworthyofhisdestiny:’What!’
saidhe,’isitforthegodssogreatatasktooverthrowme,thattheymustbefaintoassailmewithgreatseasinapoorlittlebark。’\"——Lucan,v。653。]
andthatidlefancyofthepublic,thatthesunboreonhisfacemourningforhisdeathawholeyear:
\"IlleetiamextinctomiseratusCaesareRomam,Cumcaputobscuranitidumferruginetexit:\"
[\"Caesarbeingdead,thesuninmourningclouds,pityingRome,clothedhimself。\"——Virgil,Georg。,i。466。]
andathousandofthelike,wherewiththeworldsuffersitselftobesoeasilyimposedupon,believingthatourinterestsaffecttheheavens,andthattheirinfinityisconcernedatourordinaryactions:
\"Nontantacaelosocietasnobiscumest,utnostrofatomortalissitillequoquesiderumfulgor。\"
[\"Thereisnosuchalliancebetwixtusandheaven,thatthebrightnessofthestarsshouldbemadealsomortalbyourdeath。\"
——Pliny,Nat。Hist。,ii。8。]
Now,tojudgeofconstancyandresolutioninamanwhodoesnotyetbelievehimselftobecertainlyindanger,thoughhereallyis,isnotreason;and’tisnotenoughthathedieinthisposture,unlesshepurposelyputhimselfintoitforthiseffect。Itcommonlyfallsoutinmostmenthattheysetagoodfaceuponthematterandspeakwithgreatindifference,toacquirereputation,whichtheyhopeafterwards,living,toenjoy。OfallwhomIhaveseendie,fortunehasdisposedtheircountenancesandnodesignoftheirs;andevenofthosewhoinancienttimeshavemadeawaywiththemselves,thereismuchtobeconsideredwhetheritwereasuddenoralingeringdeath。ThatcruelRomanEmperorwouldsayofhisprisoners,thathewouldmakethemfeeldeath,andifanyonekilledhimselfinprison,\"Thatfellowhasmadeanescapefromme\";hewouldprolongdeathandmakeitfeltbytorments:
\"VidimusettotoquamvisincorporecaesoNilanimalethaledatum,moremquenefandae,Durumsaevitix,pereuntisparceremorti。\"
[\"Wehaveseenintorturedbodies,amongstthewounds,nonethathavebeenmortal,inhumanmodeofdirecruelty,thatmeanstokill,butwillnotletmendie。\"——Lucan,iv。i。78。]
Inplaintruth,itisnosuchgreatmatterforamaninhealthandinatemperatestateofmindtoresolvetokillhimself;itisveryeasytoplaythevillainbeforeonecomestothepoint,insomuchthatHeliogabalus,themosteffeminatemanintheworld,amongsthislowestsensualities,couldforecasttomakehimselfdiedelicately,whenheshouldbeforcedthereto;andthathisdeathmightnotgivethelietotherestofhislife,hadpurposelybuiltasumptuoustower,thefrontandbaseofwhichwerecoveredwithplanksenrichedwithgoldandpreciousstones,thencetoprecipitatehimself;andalsocausedcordstwistedwithgoldandcrimsonsilktobemade,wherewithtostranglehimself;andaswordwiththebladeofgoldtobehammeredouttofallupon;andkeptpoisoninvesselsofemeraldandtopazwherewithtopoisonhimselfaccordingasheshouldliketochooseoneofthesewaysofdying:
\"Impiger……adletumetfortisvirtutecoacta。\"
[\"Resoluteandbraveinthefaceofdeathbyaforcedcourage。
——\"Lucan,iv。798。]
Yetinrespectofthisperson,theeffeminacyofhispreparationsmakesitmorelikelythathewouldhavethoughtbetteron’t,hadhebeenputtothetest。Butinthosewhowithgreaterresolutionhavedeterminedtodespatchthemselves,wemustexaminewhetheritwerewithoneblowwhichtookawaytheleisureoffeelingtheeffectforitistobequestionedwhether,perceivinglife,bylittleandlittle,tostealawaythesentimentofthebodymixingitselfwiththatofthesoul,andthemeansofrepentingbeingoffered,whether,Isay,constancyandobstinacyinsodangerousanintentionwouldhavebeenfound。
InthecivilwarsofCaesar,LuciusDomitius,beingtakenintheAbruzzi,andthereuponpoisoninghimself,afterwardsrepented。Ithashappenedinourtimethatacertainperson,beingresolvedtodieandnothavinggonedeepenoughatthefirstthrust,thesensibilityofthefleshopposinghisarm,gavehimselftwoorthreewoundsmore,butcouldneverprevailuponhimselftothrusthome。WhilstPlautiusSilvanuswasuponhistrial,Urgulania,hisgrandmother,senthimaponiardwithwhich,notbeingabletokillhimself,hemadehisservantscuthisveins。AlbucillainTiberiustimehaving,tokillhimself,struckwithtoomuchtenderness,gavehisadversariesopportunitytoimprisonandputhimtodeaththeirownway。’Andthatgreatleader,Demosthenes,afterhisroutinSicily,didthesame;andC。Fimbria,havingstruckhimselftooweakly,entreatedhisservanttodespatchhim。Onthecontrary,Ostorius,whocouldnotmakeuseofhisownarm,disdainedtoemploythatofhisservanttoanyotherusebutonlytoholdtheponiardstraightandfirm;andbringinghisthroattoit,thrusthimselfthrough。’Tis,intruth,amorselthatistobeswallowedwithoutchewing,unlessamanbethoroughlyresolved;andyetAdriantheemperormadehisphysicianmarkandencircleonhispapthemortalplacewhereinhewastostabtowhomhehadgivenorderstokillhim。ForthisreasonitwasthatCaesar,beingaskedwhatdeathhethoughttobethemostdesired,madeanswer,\"Theleastpremeditatedandtheshortest。\"——[Tacitus,Annals,xvi。15]——
IfCaesardaredtosayit,itisnocowardiceinmetobelieveit。\"A
shortdeath,\"saysPliny,’\"isthesovereigngoodhapofhumanlife。\"Peopledonotmuchcaretorecogniseit。Noonecansaythatheisresolutefordeathwhofearstodealwithitandcannotundergoitwithhiseyesopen:theywhomweseeincriminalpunishmentsruntotheirdeathandhastenandpresstheirexecution,doitnotoutofresolution,butbecausetheywillnotgivethemselvesleisuretoconsiderit;itdoesnottroublethemtobedead,buttodie:
\"Emodinolo,sedmeessemortemnihilastigmia:\"
[\"Ihavenomindtodie,butIhavenoobjectiontobedead。\"
——Epicharmus,apudCicero,Tusc。Quaes。,i。8。]
’tisadegreeofconstancytowhichIhaveexperimented,thatIcanarrive,likethosewhoplungeintodangers,asintothesea,withtheireyesshut。
Thereisnothing,inmyopinion,moreillustriousinthelifeofSocrates,thanthathehadthirtywholedayswhereintoruminateuponthesentenceofhisdeath,tohavedigesteditallthattimewithamostassuredhope,withoutcare,andwithoutalteration,andwithaseriesofwordsandactionsrathercarelessandindifferentthananywaystirredordiscomposedbytheweightofsuchathought。
ThatPomponiusAtticus,towhomCicerowritessooften,beingsick,causedAgrippa,hisson—in—law,andtwoorthreemoreofhisfriends,tobecalledtohim,andtoldthem,thathavingfoundallmeanspractiseduponhimforhisrecoverytobeinvain,andthatallhedidtoprolonghislifealsoprolongedandaugmentedhispain,hewasresolvedtoputanendbothtotheoneandtheother,desiringthemtoapproveofhisdetermination,oratleastnottolosetheirlabourinendeavouringtodissuadehim。Now,havingchosentodestroyhimselfbyabstinence,hisdiseasewastherebycured:theremedythathehadmadeuseoftokillhimselfrestoredhimtohealth。Hisphysiciansandfriends,rejoicingatsohappyanevent,andcomingtocongratulatehim,foundthemselvesverymuchdeceived,itbeingimpossibleforthemtomakehimalterhispurpose,hetellingthem,thatashemustonedaydie,andwasnowsofaronhisway,hewouldsavehimselfthelabourofbeginninganothertime。
Thisman,havingsurveyeddeathatleisure,wasnotonlynotdiscouragedatitsapproach,buteagerlysoughtit;forbeingcontentthathehadengagedinthecombat,hemadeitapointofbraverytoseetheend;’tisfarbeyondnotfearingdeathtotasteandrelishit。
ThestoryofthephilosopherCleanthesisverylikethis:hehadhisgumsswollenandrotten;hisphysiciansadvisedhimtogreatabstinence:
havingfastedtwodays,hewassomuchbetterthattheypronouncedhimcured,andpermittedhimtoreturntohisordinarycourseofdiet;he,onthecontrary,alreadytastingsomesweetnessinthisfaintnessofhis,wouldnotbepersuadedtogoback,butresolvedtoproceed,andtofinishwhathehadsofaradvanced。
TulliusMarcellinus,ayoungmanofRome,havingamindtoanticipatethehourofhisdestiny,toberidofadiseasethatwasmoretroubletohimthanhewaswillingtoendure,thoughhisphysiciansassuredhimofacertain,thoughnotsudden,cure,calledacouncilofhisfriendstodeliberateaboutit;ofwhomsome,saysSeneca,gavehimthecounselthatoutofunmanlinesstheywouldhavetakenthemselves;others,outofflattery,suchastheythoughthewouldbestlike;butaStoicsaidthistohim:\"Donotconcernthyself,Marcellinus,asifthoudidstdeliberateofathingofimportance;’tisnogreatmattertolive;thyservantsandbeastslive;butitisagreatthingtodiehandsomely,wisely,andfirmly。Dobutthinkhowlongthouhastdonethesamethings,eat,drink,andsleep,drink,sleep,andeat:weincessantlywheelinthesamecircle。Notonlyillandinsupportableaccidents,buteventhesatietyofliving,inclinesamantodesiretodie。\"Marcellinusdidnotstandinneedofamantoadvise,butofamantoassisthim;hisservantswereafraidtomeddleinthebusiness,butthisphilosophergavethemtounderstandthatdomesticsaresuspectedevenwhenitisindoubtwhetherthedeathofthemasterwerevoluntaryorno;otherwise,thatitwouldbeofasillexampletohinderhimastokillhim,forasmuchas:
\"Invitumquiservat,idemfacitoccidenti。\"
[\"Hewhomakesamanliveagainsthiswill,’tisascruelastokillhim。\"——Horat。,DeArtePoet。,467]
HethentoldMarcellinusthatitwouldnotbeunbecoming,aswhatisleftonthetableswhenwehaveeatenisgiventotheattendants,so,lifebeingended,todistributesomethingtothosewhohavebeenourservants。
NowMarcellinuswasofafreeandliberalspirit;he,therefore,dividedacertainsumofmoneyamongsthisservants,andconsoledthem。Astotherest,hehadnoneedofsteelnorofblood:heresolvedtogooutofthislifeandnottorunoutofit;nottoescapefromdeath,buttoessayit。Andtogivehimselfleisuretodealwithit,havingforsakenallmannerofnourishment,thethirddayfollowing,afterhavingcausedhimselftobesprinkledwithwarmwater,hefaintedbydegrees,andnotwithoutsomekindofpleasure,ashehimselfdeclared。
Infact,suchashavebeenacquaintedwiththesefaintings,proceedingfromweakness,saythattheyarethereinsensibleofnomannerofpain,butratherfeelakindofdelight,asinthepassagetosleepandbest。
Thesearestudiedanddigesteddeaths。
ButtotheendthatCatoonlymayfurnishoutthewholeexampleofvirtue,itseemsasifhisgoodwithwhichtheleisuretoconfrontandstrugglewithdeath,reinforcinghisdestinyhadputhisilloneintothehandhegavehimselftheblow,seeinghehadcourageinthedanger,insteadoflettingitgoless。AndifIhadhadtorepresenthiminhissupremestation,Ishouldhavedoneitinthepostureoftearingouthisbloodybowels,ratherthanwithhisswordinhishand,asdidthestatuariesofhistime,forthissecondmurderwasmuchmorefuriousthanthefirst。
CHAPTERXIV
THATOURMINDHINDERSITSELF
’Tisapleasantimaginationtofancyamindexactlybalancedbetwixttwoequaldesires:for,doubtless,itcanneverpitchuponeither,forasmuchasthechoiceandapplicationwouldmanifestaninequalityofesteem;
andwerewesetbetwixtthebottleandtheham,withanequalappetitetodrinkandeat,therewoulddoubtlessbenoremedy,butwemustdieofthirstandhunger。Toprovideagainstthisinconvenience,theStoics,whentheyareaskedwhencetheelectioninthesouloftwoindifferentthingsproceeds,andthatmakesus,outofagreatnumberofcrowns,rathertakeonethananother,theybeingallalike,andtherebeingnoreasontoinclineustosuchapreference,makeanswer,thatthismovementofthesoulisextraordinaryandirregular,enteringintousbyaforeign,accidental,andfortuitousimpulse。Itmightrather,methinks,hesaid,thatnothingpresentsitselftouswhereinthereisnotsomedifference,howlittlesoever;andthat,eitherbythesightortouch,thereisalwayssomechoicethat,thoughitbeimperceptibly,temptsandattractsus;so,whoevershallpresupposeapackthreadequallystrongthroughout,itisutterlyimpossibleitshouldbreak;for,wherewillyouhavethebreakingtobegin?andthatitshouldbreakaltogetherisnotinnature。Whoever,also,shouldhereuntojointhegeometricalpropositionsthat,bythecertaintyoftheirdemonstrations,concludethecontainedtobegreaterthanthecontaining,thecentretobeasgreatasitscircumference,andthatfindouttwolinesincessantlyapproachingeachother,whichyetcannevermeet,andthephilosopher’sstone,andthequadratureofthecircle,wherethereasonandtheeffectaresoopposite,might,peradventure,findsomeargumenttosecondthisboldsayingofPliny:
\"Solumcertumnihilessecerti,ethominenihilmiseriusantsuperbius。\"
[\"Itisonlycertainthatthereisnothingcertain,andthatnothingismoremiserableormoreproudthanman。\"——Nat。Hist。,ii。7。]
CHAPTERXV
THATOURDESIRESAREAUGMENTEDBYDIFFICULTY
Thereisnoreasonthathasnotitscontrary,saythewisestofthephilosophers。Iwasjustnowruminatingontheexcellentsayingoneoftheancientsallegesforthecontemptoflife:\"Nogoodcanbringpleasure,unlessitbethatforthelossofwhichwearebeforehandprepared。\"
\"Inaequoestdoloramissaerei,ettimoramittendae,\"
[\"Thegriefoflosingathing,andthefearoflosingit,areequal。\"——Seneca,Ep。,98。]
meaningbythisthatthefruitionoflifecannotbetrulypleasanttousifweareinfearoflosingit。Itmight,however,besaid,onthecontrary,thatwehugandembracethisgoodsomuchthemoreearnestly,andwithsomuchgreateraffection,byhowmuchweseeitthelessassuredandfeartohaveittakenfromus:foritisevident,asfireburnswithgreaterfurywhencoldcomestomixwithit,thatourwillismoreobstinatebybeingopposed:
\"SinunquamDanaenhabuissetaheneaturris,Nonesses,Danae,deJovefactaparens;\"
[\"IfabrazentowerhadnotheldDanae,youwouldnot,Danae\",havebeenmadeamotherbyJove。\"——Ovid,Amoy。,ii。19,27。]
andthatthereisnothingnaturallysocontrarytoourtasteassatietywhichproceedsfromfacility;noranythingthatsomuchwhetsitasrarityanddifficulty:
\"Omniumrerumvoluptasipso,quodebetfugare,periculocrescit。\"
[\"Thepleasureofallthingsincreasesbythesamedangerthatshoulddeterit。\"——Seneca,DeBenef。,vii。9。]
\"Galla,nega;satiaturamor,nisigaudiatorquent。\"
[\"Galla,refuseme;loveisgluttedwithjoysthatarenotattendedwithtrouble。\"——Martial,iv。37。]
Tokeeploveinbreath,LycurgusmadeadecreethatthemarriedpeopleofLacedaemonshouldneverenjoyoneanotherbutbystealth;andthatitshouldbeasgreatashametotaketheminbedtogetherascommittingwithothers。Thedifficultyofassignations,thedangerofsurprise,theshameofthemorning,\"Etlanguor,etsilentium,EtlaterepetitusimoSpiritus:\"
[Andlanguor,andsilence,andsighs,comingfromtheinnermostheart。\"——Hor。,Epod。,xi。9。]
thesearewhatgivethepiquancytothesauce。Howmanyverywantonlypleasantsportsspringfromthemostdecentandmodestlanguageoftheworksonlove?Pleasureitselfseekstobeheightenedwithpain;itismuchsweeterwhenitsmartsandhastheskinrippled。ThecourtesanFlorasaidsheneverlaywithPompeybutthatshemadehimweartheprintsofherteeth。——[Plutarch,LifeofPompey,c。i。]
\"Quodpetiere,premuntarcte,faciuntquedoloremCorporis,etdentesinliduntsaepelabellis……
Etstimulisubsunt,quiinstigantlaedereadipsum,Quodcunqueest,rabiesundeillaegerminasurgunt。\"
[\"Whattheyhavesoughttheydressclosely,andcausepain;onthelipsfixtheteeth,andeverykissindents:urgedbylatentstimulustheparttowound\"——Lucretius,i。4。]
Andsoitisineverything:difficultygivesallthingstheirestimation;
thepeopleofthemarchofAnconamorereadilymaketheirvowstoSt。
James,andthoseofGaliciatoOurLadyofLoreto;theymakewonderfulto—doatLiegeaboutthebathsofLucca,andinTuscanyaboutthoseofAspa:therearefewRomansseeninthefencingschoolofRome,whichisfullofFrench。ThatgreatCatoalso,asmuchasus,nauseatedhiswifewhilstshewashis,andlongedforherwheninthepossessionofanother。
Iwasfaintoturnoutintothepaddockanoldhorse,ashewasnottobegovernedwhenhesmeltamare:thefacilitypresentlysatedhimastowardshisown,buttowardsstrangemares,andthefirstthatpassedbythepaleofhispasture,hewouldagainfalltohisimportunateneighingsandhisfuriousheatsasbefore。Ourappetitecontemnsandpassesbywhatithasinpossession,torunafterthatithasnot:
\"Transvolatinmedioposita,etfugientiacaptat。\"
[\"Heslightsherwhoiscloseathand,andrunsafterherwhofleesfromhim。\"——Horace,Sat。,i。2,108。]
Toforbidusanythingistomakeushaveamindto’t:
\"NisitoservarepuellamIncipis,incipietdesinereessemea:\"
[\"Unlessyoubegintoguardyourmistress,shewillsoonbegintobenolongermine。\"——Ovid,Amoy。,ii。19,47。]
togiveitwhollyuptousistobegetinuscontempt。Wantandabundancefallintothesameinconvenience:
\"Tibiquodsuperest,mihiquoddesit,dolet。\"
[\"Yoursuperfluitiestroubleyou,andwhatIwanttroublesme。——\"Terence,Phoym。,i。3,9。]
Desireandfruitionequallyafflictus。Therigorsofmistressesaretroublesome,butfacility,tosaytruth,stillmoreso;forasmuchasdiscontentandangerspringfromtheesteemwehaveofthethingdesired,heatandactuatelove,butsatietybegetsdisgust;’tisablunt,dull,stupid,tired,andslothfulpassion:
\"Siquavoletregnarediu,contemnatamantem。\"
[\"Shewho。wouldlongretainherpowermustuseherloverill。\"
——Ovid,Amor。,ii。19,33]
\"Contemnite,amantes:
Sichodieveniet,siquanegavitheri。\"
[\"Slightyourmistress;shewillto—daycomewhodeniedyouyesterday。——\"Propertius,ii。14,19。]
WhydidPoppeainventtheuseofamasktohidethebeautiesofherface,buttoenhanceittoherlovers?Whyhavetheyveiled,evenbelowtheheels,thosebeautiesthateveryonedesirestoshow,andthateveryonedesirestosee?Whydotheycoverwithsomanyhindrances,oneoveranother,thepartswhereourdesiresandtheirownhavetheirprincipalseat?Andtowhatservethosegreatbastionfarthingales,withwhichourladiesfortifytheirhaunches,buttoallureourappetiteandtodrawusonbyremovingthemfartherfromus?
\"Etfugitadsalices,etsecupitantevideri。\"
[\"Shefliestotheosiers,anddesiresbeforehandtobeseengoing。\"
——Virgil,Eclog。,iii。65。]
\"Interdumtunicaduxitopertamoram。\"
[\"Thehiddenrobehassometimescheckedlove。\"
——Propertius,ii。15,6。]
Towhatuseservestheartificeofthisvirginmodesty,thisgravecoldness,thisseverecountenance,thisprofessingtobeignorantofthingsthattheyknowbetterthanwewhoinstructtheminthem,buttoincreaseinusthedesiretoovercome,control,andtrampleunderfootatpleasureallthisceremonyandalltheseobstacles?Forthereisnotonlypleasure,but,moreover,glory,inconqueringanddebauchingthatsoftsweetnessandthatchildishmodesty,andtoreduceacoldandmatronlikegravitytothemercyofourardentdesires:’tisaglory,saythey,totriumphovermodesty,chastity,andtemperance;andwhoeverdissuadesladiesfromthosequalities,betraysboththemandhimself。
Wearetobelievethattheirheartstremblewithaffright,thattheverysoundofourwordsoffendsthepurityoftheirears,thattheyhateusfortalkingso,andonlyyieldtoourimportunitybyacompulsiveforce。
Beauty,allpowerfulasitis,hasnotwherewithaltomakeitselfrelishedwithoutthemediationoftheselittlearts。LookintoItaly,wherethereisthemostandthefinestbeautytobesold,howitisnecessitatedtohaverecoursetoextrinsicmeansandotherartificestorenderitselfcharming,andyet,intruth,whateveritmaydo,beingvenalandpublic,itremainsfeebleandlanguishing。Evensoinvirtueitself,oftwolikeeffects,wenotwithstandinglookuponthatasthefairestandmostworthy,whereinthemosttroubleandhazardaresetbeforeus。
’TisaneffectofthedivineProvidencetosuffertheholyChurchtobeafflicted,asweseeit,withsomanystormsandtroubles,bythisoppositiontorousepioussouls,andtoawakenthemfromthatdrowsylethargywherein,bysolongtranquillity,theyhadbeenimmerged。
Ifweshouldlaythelosswehavesustainedinthenumberofthosewhohavegoneastray,inthebalanceagainstthebenefitwehavehadbybeingagainputinbreath,andbyhavingourzealandstrengthrevivedbyreasonofthisopposition,Iknownotwhethertheutilitywouldnotsurmountthedamage。
Wehavethoughttotiethenuptialknotofourmarriagesmorefastandfirmbyhavingtakenawayallmeansofdissolvingit,buttheknotofthewillandaffectionissomuchthemoreslackenedandmadeloose,byhowmuchthatofconstraintisdrawncloser;and,onthecontrary,thatwhichkeptthemarriagesatRomesolonginhonourandinviolate,wasthelibertyeveryonewhosodesiredhadtobreakthem;theykepttheirwivesthebetter,becausetheymightpartwiththem,iftheywould;and,inthefulllibertyofdivorce,fivehundredyearsandmorepassedawaybeforeanyonemadeuseon’t。
\"Quodlicet,ingratumest;quodnonlicet,acriusurit。\"
[\"Whatyoumay,isdispleasing;whatisforbidden,whetstheappetite。——\"Ovid,Amor。,ii。19。]
Wemighthereintroducetheopinionofanancientuponthisoccasion,\"thatexecutionsratherwhetthandulltheedgeofvices:thattheydonotbegetthecareofdoingwell,thatbeingtheworkofreasonanddiscipline,butonlyacarenottobetakenindoingill:\"
\"Latiusexcisaepestiscontagiaserpunt。\"
[\"Theplague—sorebeinglanced,theinfectionspreadsallthemore。\"
——Rutilius,Itinerar。1,397。]
Idonotknowthatthisistrue;butIexperimentallyknow,thatnevercivilgovernmentwasbythatmeansreformed;theorderandregimenofmannersdependuponsomeotherexpedient。
TheGreekhistoriesmakementionoftheArgippians,neighbourstoScythia,wholivewithouteitherrodorstickforoffence;wherenotonlynooneattemptstoattackthem,butwhoevercanflythitherissafe,byreasonoftheirvirtueandsanctityoflife,andnooneissoboldastolayhandsuponthem;andtheyhaveapplicationsmadetothemtodeterminethecontroversiesthatarisebetwixtmenofothercountries。Thereisacertainnation,wheretheenclosuresofgardensandfieldstheywouldpreserve,aremadeonlyofastringofcotton;and,sofenced,ismorefirmandsecurethanbyourhedgesandditches。
\"Furemsignatasollicitant……
apertaeffractariuspraeterit。\"
[\"Thingssealed,upinviteathief:thehousebreakerpassesbyopendoors。\"——Seneca,Epist。,68。]
Peradventure,thefacilityofenteringmyhouse,amongstotherthings,hasbeenameanstopreserveitfromtheviolenceofourcivilwars:
defencealluresattempt,anddefianceprovokesanenemy。Ienervatedthesoldiers’designbydeprivingtheexploitofdangerandallmannerofmilitaryglory,whichiswonttoservethemforpretenceandexcuse:
whateverisbravely,iseverhonourably,done,atatimewhenjusticeisdead。Irenderthemtheconquestofmyhousecowardlyandbase;itisnevershuttoanyonethatknocks;mygatehasnootherguardthanaporter,andheofancientcustomandceremony;whodoesnotsomuchservetodefenditastoofferitwithmoredecorumandgrace;Ihavenootherguardnorsentinelthanthestars。Agentlemanwouldplaythefooltomakeashowofdefence,ifhebenotreallyinaconditiontodefendhimself。Hewholiesopenononeside,iseverywhereso;ourancestorsdidnotthinkofbuildingfrontiergarrisons。Themeansofassaulting,Imeanwithoutbatteryorarmy,andofsurprisingourhouses,increaseseverydaymoreandmorebeyondthemeanstoguardthem;men’switsaregenerallybentthatway;ininvasioneveryoneisconcerned:nonebuttherichindefence。Minewasstrongforthetimewhenitwasbuilt;Ihaveaddednothingtoitofthatkind,andshouldfearthatitsstrengthmightturnagainstmyself;towhichwearetoconsiderthatapeaceabletimewouldrequireitshouldbedismantled。Thereisdangernevertobeabletoregainit,anditwouldbeveryhardtokeep;forinintestinedissensions,yourmanmaybeofthepartyyoufear;andwherereligionisthepretext,evenaman’snearestrelationsbecomeunreliable,withsomecolourofjustice。Thepublicexchequerwillnotmaintainourdomesticgarrisons;theywouldexhaustit:weourselveshavenotthemeanstodoitwithoutruin,or,whichismoreinconvenientandinjurious,withoutruiningthepeople。Theconditionofmylosswouldbescarcelyworse。
Astotherest,youthereloseall;andevenyourfriendswillbemorereadytoaccuseyourwantofvigilanceandyourimprovidence,andyourignoranceofandindifferencetoyourownbusiness,thantopityyou。
Thatsomanygarrisonedhouseshavebeenundonewhereasthisofmineremains,makesmeapttobelievethattheywereonlylostbybeingguarded;thisgivesanenemybothaninvitationandcolourofreason;alldefenceshowsafaceofwar。LetwhowillcometomeinGod’sname;butIshallnotinvitethem;’tistheretirementIhavechosenformyreposefromwar。Iendeavourtowithdrawthiscornerfromthepublictempest,asIalsodoanothercornerinmysoul。Ourwarmayputonwhatformsitwill,multiplyanddiversifyitselfintonewparties;formypart,Istirnot。Amongstsomanygarrisonedhouses,myselfaloneamongstthoseofmyrank,sofarasIknow,inFrance,havetrustedpurelytoHeavenfortheprotectionofmine,andhaveneverremovedplate,deeds,orhangings。
Iwillneitherfearnorsavemyselfbyhalves。IfafullacknowledgmentacquirestheDivinefavour,itwillstaywithmetotheend:ifnot,I
havestillcontinuedlongenoughtorendermycontinuanceremarkableandfittoberecorded。How?Why,therearethirtyyearsthatIhavethuslived。
CHAPTERXVI
OFGLORY
Thereisthenameandthething:thenameisavoicewhichdenotesandsignifiesthething;thenameisnopartofthething,norofthesubstance;’tisaforeignpiecejoinedtothething,andoutsideit。
God,whoisallfulnessinHimselfandtheheightofallperfection,cannotaugmentoraddanythingtoHimselfwithin;butHisnamemaybeaugmentedandincreasedbytheblessingandpraiseweattributetoHisexteriorworks:whichpraise,seeingwecannotincorporateitinHim,forasmuchasHecanhavenoaccessionofgood,weattributetoHisname,whichisthepartoutofHimthatisnearesttous。ThusisitthattoGodalonegloryandhonourappertain;andthereisnothingsoremotefromreasonasthatweshouldgoinquestofitforourselves;for,beingindigentandnecessitouswithin,ouressencebeingimperfect,andhavingcontinualneedofamelioration,’tistothatweoughttoemployallourendeavour。Weareallhollowandempty;’tisnotwithwindandvoicethatwearetofillourselves;wewantamoresolidsubstancetorepairus:amanstarvingwithhungerwouldbeverysimpletoseekrathertoprovidehimselfwithagaygarmentthanwithagoodmeal:wearetolookafterthatwhereofwehavemostneed。Aswehaveitinourordinaryprayers:
\"GloriainexcelsisDeo,etinterrapaxhominibus。\"
Weareinwantofbeauty,health,wisdom,virtue,andsuchlikeessentialqualities:exteriorornamentsshould,belookedafterwhenwehavemadeprovisionfornecessarythings。Divinitytreatsamplyandmorepertinentlyofthissubject,butIamnotmuchversedinit。
ChrysippusandDiogenesweretheearliestandfirmestadvocatesofthecontemptofglory;andmaintainedthat,amongstallpleasures,therewasnonemoredangerousnormoretobeavoidedthanthatwhichproceedsfromtheapprobationofothers。And,intruth,experiencemakesussensibleofmanyveryhurtfultreasonsinit。Thereisnothingthatsopoisonsprincesasflattery,noranythingwherebywickedmenmoreeasilyobtaincreditandfavourwiththem;norpanderismsoaptandsousuallymadeuseoftocorruptthechastityofwomenastowheedleandentertainthemwiththeirownpraises。ThefirstcharmtheSyrensmadeuseoftoallureUlyssesisofthisnature:
\"Decaversnous,deca,otres—louableUlysse,Etleplusgrandhonneurdon’tlaGrecefleurisse。\"
[\"Comehithertous,OadmirableUlysses,comehither,thougreatestornamentandprideofGreece。\"——Homer,Odysseus,xii。184。]
Thesephilosopherssaid,thatallthegloryoftheworldwasnotworthanunderstandingman’sholdingouthisfingertoobtainit:
\"Gloriaquantalibetquiderit,sigloriatantumest?\"
[\"Whatisglory,beitasgloriousasitmaybe,ifitbenomorethanglory?\"——Juvenal,Sat。,vii。81。]