Alcibiades，todiverttheinclinationofcommonrumours，cutofftheearsandtailofhisbeautifuldog，andturnedhimoutintothepublicplace，totheendthat，givingthepeoplethisoccasiontoprate，theymightlethisotheractionsalone。Ihavealsoseen，forthissameendofdivertingtheopinionsandconjecturesofthepeopleandtostoptheirmouths，somewomenconcealtheirrealaffectionsbythosethatwereonlycounterfeit;butIhavealsoseensomeofthem，whoincounterfeitinghavesufferedthemselvestobecaughtindeed，andwhohavequittedthetrueandoriginalaffectionforthefeigned:andsohavelearnedthattheywhofindtheiraffectionswellplacedarefoolstoconsenttothisdisguise:thepublicandfavourablereceptionbeingonlyreservedforthispretendedlover，onemayconcludehimafellowofverylittleaddressandlesswit，ifhedoesnotintheendputhimselfintoyourplace，andyouintohis;thisispreciselytocutoutandmakeupashoeforanothertodrawon。
Alittlethingwillturnanddivertus，becausealittlethingholdsus。
Wedonotmuchconsidersubjectsingrossandsingly;theyarelittleandsuperficialcircumstances，orimagesthattouchus，andtheoutwarduselessrindsthatpeelofffromthesubjectsthemselves:
\"FolliculosutnuncteretesaestatecicadaeLinquunt。\"
[\"Ashuskswefindgrasshoppersleavebehindtheminsummer。\"
——\"Lucretius，v。801。]
EvenPlutarchhimselflamentshisdaughterforthelittleapishtricksofherinfancy。——[ConsolationtohisWifeontheDeathoftheirDaughter，c。I。]——Theremembranceofafarewell，oftheparticulargraceofanaction，ofalastrecommendation，afflictus。ThesightofCaesar’srobetroubledallRome，whichwasmorethanhisdeathhaddone。Eventhesoundofnamesringinginourears，as\"mypoormaster，\"——\"myfaithfulfriend，\"——\"alas，mydearfather，\"or，\"mysweetdaughter，\"afflictus。
Whentheserepetitionsannoyme，andthatIexamineitalittlenearer，Ifind’tisnootherbutagrammaticalandwordcomplaint;Iamonlywoundedwiththewordandtone，astheexclamationsofpreachersveryoftenworkmoreupontheirauditorythantheirreasons，andasthepitifuleyesofabeastkilledforourservice;withoutmyweighingorpenetratingmeanwhileintothetrueandsolidessenceofmysubject:
\"Hissestimulisdoloripselacessit。\"
[\"Withtheseincitementsgriefprovokesitself。\"
——Lucretius，ii。42。]
Thesearethefoundationsofourmourning。
Theobstinacyofmystonetoallremediesespeciallythoseinmybladder，hassometimesthrownmeintosolongsuppressionsofurineforthreeorfourdaystogether，andsoneardeath，thatithadbeenfollytohavehopedtoevadeit，anditwasmuchrathertohavebeendesired，consideringthemiseriesIendureinthosecruelfits。Oh，thatgoodemperor，whocausedcriminalstobetiedthattheymightdieforwantofurination，wasagreatmasterinthehangman’s’science！Findingmyselfinthiscondition，Iconsideredbyhowmanylightcausesandobjectsimaginationnourishedinmetheregretoflife;ofwhatatomstheweightanddifficultyofthisdislodgingwascomposedinmysoul;tohowmanyidleandfrivolousthoughtswegivewayinsogreatanaffair;adog，ahorse，abook，aglass，andwhatnot，wereconsideredinmyloss;tootherstheirambitioushopes，theirmoney，theirknowledge，notlessfoolishconsiderationsinmyopinionthanmine。IlookupondeathcarelesslywhenIlookuponituniversallyastheendoflife。Iinsultoveritingross，butindetailitdomineersoverme:thetearsofafootman，thedisposingofmyclothes，thetouchofafriendlyhand，acommonconsolation，discouragesandsoftensme。Sodothecomplaintsintragediesagitateoursoulswithgrief;andtheregretsofDidoandAriadne，impassionateeventhosewhobelievethemnotinVirgilandCatullus。’Tisasymptomofanobstinateandobduratenaturetobesensibleofnoemotion，as’tisreportedforamiracleofPolemon;butthenhedidnotsomuchasalterhiscountenanceatthebitingofamaddogthattoreawaythecalfofhisleg;andnowisdomproceedssofarastoconceivesovividandentireacauseofsorrow，byjudgmentthatitdoesnotsufferincreasebyitspresence，whentheeyesandearshavetheirshare;partsthatarenottobemovedbutbyvainaccidents。
Isitreasonthateventheartsthemselvesshouldmakeanadvantageofournaturalstupidityandweakness？Anorator，saysrhetoricinthefarceofhispleading，shallbemovedwiththesoundofhisownvoiceandfeignedemotions，andsufferhimselftobeimposeduponbythepassionherepresents;hewillimprintinhimselfatrueandrealgrief，bymeansofthepartheplays，totransmitittothejudges，whoareyetlessconcernedthanhe:astheydowhoarehiredatfuneralstoassistintheceremonyofsorrow，whoselltheirtearsandmourningbyweightandmeasure;foralthoughtheyactinaborrowedform，nevertheless，byhabituatingandsettlingtheircountenancestotheoccasion，’tismostcertaintheyoftenarereallyaffectedwithanactualsorrow。Iwasone，amongstseveralothersofhisfriends，whoconveyedthebodyofMonsieurdeGrammonttoSpissonsfromthesiegeofLaFere，wherehewasslain;
Iobservedthatinallplaceswepassedthroughwefilledthepeoplewemetwithlamentationsandtearsbythemeresolemnpompofourconvoy，forthenameofthedefunctwasnottheresomuchasknown。Quintilianreportsastohaveseencomedianssodeeplyengagedinamourningpart，thattheystillweptintheretiringroom，andwho，havingtakenuponthemtostiruppassioninanother，havethemselvesespousedittothatdegreeastofindthemselvesinfectedwithit，notonlytotears，but，moreover，withpallorandthecomportmentofmenreallyoverwhelmedwithgrief。
InacountrynearourmountainsthewomenplayPriestMartin，forastheyaugmenttheregretofthedeceasedhusbandbytheremembranceofthegoodandagreeablequalitieshepossessed，theyalsoatthesametimemakearegisterofandpublishhisimperfections;asifofthemselvestoenterintosomecomposition，anddivertthemselvesfromcompassiontodisdain。
Yetwithmuchbettergracethanwe，who，whenweloseanacquaintance，strivetogivehimnewandfalsepraises，andtomakehimquiteanotherthingwhenwehavelostsightofhimthanheappearedtouswhenwedidseehim;asifregretwereaninstructivething，orasiftears，bywashingourunderstandings，clearedthem。Formypart，Ihenceforthrenounceallfavourabletestimoniesmenwouldgiveofme，notbecauseI
shallbeworthyofthem，butbecauseIshallbedead。
Whoevershallaskaman，\"Whatinteresthaveyouinthissiege？\"——
\"Theinterestofexample，\"hewillsay，\"andofthecommonobediencetomyprince:Ipretendtonoprofitbyit;andforglory，IknowhowsmallapartcanaffectaprivatemansuchasI:Ihavehereneitherpassionnorquarrel。\"Andyetyoushallseehimthenextdayquiteanotherman，chafingandredwithfury，rangedinbattlefortheassault;’tistheglitteringofsomuchsteel，thefireandnoiseofourcannonanddrums，thathaveinfusedthisnewrigidityandfuryintohisveins。Afrivolouscause，youwillsay。Howacause？Thereneedsnonetoagitatethemind;
amerewhimsywithoutbodyandwithoutsubjectwillruleandagitateit。
LetmethingofbuildingcastlesinSpain，myimaginationsuggeststomeconveniencesandpleasureswithwhichmysoulisreallytickledandpleased。Howoftendowetormentourmindwithangerorsorrowbysuchshadows，andengageourselvesinfantasticpassionsthatimpairbothsoulandbody？Whatastonished，fleeting，confusedgrimacesdoesthisravingputourfacesinto！whatsalliesandagitationsbothofmembersandvoicesdoesitinspireuswith！Doesitnotseemthatthisindividualmanhasfalsevisionsamidthecrowdofotherswithwhomhehastodo，orthatheispossessedwithsomeinternaldemonthatpersecuteshim？
Inquireofyourselfwhereistheobjectofthismutation？isthereanythingbutusinnaturewhichinanitysustains，overwhichithaspower？Cambyses，fromhavingdreamtthathisbrothershouldbeonedaykingofPersia，puthimtodeath:abelovedbrother，andoneinwhomhehadalwaysconfided。Aristodemus，kingoftheMessenians，killedhimselfoutofafancyofillomen，fromIknownotwhathowlingofhisdogs;
andKingMidasdidasmuchupontheaccountofsomefoolishdreamhehaddreamed。’Tistoprizelifeatitsjustvalue，toabandonitforadream。Andyethearthesoultriumphoverthemiseriesandweaknessofthebody，andthatitisexposedtoallattacksandalterations;truly，ithasreasonsotospeak！
\"OprimainfelixfingertiterraPrometheo！
IlleparumcautipectorisegitopusCorporadisponens，mentemnonviditinarte;
Rectaanimiprimumdebuitessevia。\"
[\"Owretchedclay，firstformedbyPrometheus。Inhisattempt，whatlittlewisdomdidheshew！Inframingbodies，hedidnotapplyhisarttoformthemind，whichshouldhavebeenhisfirstcare。\"——Propertius，iii。5，7。]
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V15
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME15。
V。UponSomeversesofVirgil。
CHAPTERV
UPONSOMEVERSESOFVIRGIL
CHAPTERV。
Byhowmuchprofitablethoughtsaremorefullandsolid，bysomucharetheyalsomorecumbersomeandheavy:vice，death，poverty，diseases，aregraveandgrievoussubjects。Amanshouldhavehissoulinstructedinthemeanstosustainandtocontendwithevils，andintherulesoflivingandbelievingwell:andoftenrouseitup，andexerciseitinthisnoblestudy;butinanordinarysoulitmustbebyintervalsandwithmoderation;itwillotherwisegrowbesottedifcontinuallyintentuponit。Ifounditnecessary，whenIwasyoung，toputmyselfinmindandsolicitmyselftokeepmetomyduty;gaietyandhealthdonot，theysay，sowellagreewiththosegraveandseriousmeditations:Iamatpresentinanotherstate:theconditionsofagebuttoomuchputmeinmind，urgemetowisdom，andpreachtome。FromtheexcessofsprightlinessIamfallenintothatofseverity，whichismuchmoretroublesome;andforthatreasonInowandthensuffermyselfpurposelyalittletorunintodisorder，andoccupymymindinwantonandyouthfulthoughts，wherewithitdivertsitself。Iamoflatebuttooreserved，tooheavy，andtooripe;yearseverydayreadtomelecturesofcoldnessandtemperance。
Thisbodyofmineavoidsdisorderanddreadsit;’tisnowmybody’sturntoguidemymindtowardsreformation;itgoverns，inturn，andmorerudelyandimperiouslythantheother;itletsmenotanhouralone，sleepingorwaking，butisalwayspreachingtomedeath，patience，andrepentance。Inowdefendmyselffromtemperance，asIhaveformerlydonefrompleasure;itdrawsmetoomuchback，andeventostupidity。NowI
willbemasterofmyself，toallintentsandpurposes;wisdomhasitsexcesses，andhasnolessneedofmoderationthanfolly。Therefore，lestIshouldwither，dryup，andoverchargemyselfwithprudence，intheintervalsandtrucesmyinfirmitiesallowme:
\"Mensintentasuisneseitusquemalis。\"
[\"Thatmymindmaynoteternallybeintentuponmyills。\"
——Ovid。，Trist。，iv。i，4。]
Igentlyturnaside，andavertmyeyesfromthestormyandcloudyskyI
havebeforeme，which，thanksbetoGod，Iregardwithoutfear，butnotwithoutmeditationandstudy，andamusemyselfintheremembranceofmybetteryears:
\"Animusquoperdidit，optat，Atqueinpraeteritasetotusimagineversat。\"
[\"Themindwishestohavewhatithaslost，andthrowsitselfwhollyintomemoriesofthepast。\"——Petronius，c。128。]
Letchildhoodlookforwardandagebackward;wasnotthisthesignificationofJanus’doubleface？Letyearsdrawmealongiftheywill，butitshallbebackward;aslongasmyeyescandiscernthepleasantseasonexpired，Ishallnowandthenturnthemthatway;thoughitescapefrommybloodandveins，Ishallnot，however，roottheimageofitoutofmymemory:
\"HocestViverebis，vitapossepriorefrui。\"
[\"’Tistolivetwicetobeabletoenjoyone’sformerlifeagain。\"
——Martial，x。23，7。]
Platoordainsthatoldmenshouldbepresentattheexercises，dances，andsportsofyoungpeople，thattheymayrejoiceinothersfortheactivityandbeautyofbodywhichisnomoreinthemselves，andcalltomindthegraceandcomelinessofthatflourishingage;andwillsthatintheserecreationsthehonouroftheprizeshouldbegiventothatyoungmanwhohasmostdivertedthecompany。Iwasformerlywonttomarkcloudyandgloomydaysasextraordinary;thesearenowmyordinarydays;
theextraordinaryaretheclearandbright;Iamreadytoleapforjoy，asforanunwontedfavour，whennothinghappensme。Letmeticklemyself，Icannotforceapoorsmilefromthiswretchedbodyofmine;
Iamonlymerryinconceitandindreaming，byartificetodivertthemelancholyofage;but，infaith，itrequiresanotherremedythanadream。Aweakcontestofartagainstnature。’Tisgreatfollytolengthenandanticipatehumanincommodities，aseveryonedoes;IhadratherbealesswhileoldthanbeoldbeforeIamreallyso。’IseizeoneventheleastoccasionsofpleasureIcanmeet。Iknowverywell，byhearsay，severalsortsofprudentpleasures，effectuallyso，andglorioustoboot;butopinionhasnotpowerenoughovermetogivemeanappetitetothem。Icovetnotsomuchtohavethemmagnanimous，magnificent，andpompous，asIdotohavethemsweet，facile，andready:
\"Anaturadiscedimus;populonosdamus，nulliusreibonoauctori。\"
[\"Wedepartfromnatureandgiveourselvestothepeople，whounderstandnothing。\"——Seneca，Ep。，99。]
Myphilosophyisinaction，innaturalandpresentpractice，verylittleinfancy:whatifIshouldtakepleasureinplayingatcob—nutortowhipatop！
\"Nonponebatenimrumoresantesalutem。\"
[\"Hedidnotsacrificehishealtheventorumours:Ennius，apudCicero，DeOffic。，i。24]
Pleasureisaqualityofverylittleambition;itthinksitselfrichenoughofitselfwithoutanyadditionofrepute;andisbestpleasedwheremostretired。Ayoungmanshouldbewhippedwhopretendstoatasteinwineandsauces;therewasnothingwhich，atthatage，Ilessvaluedorknew:nowIbegintolearn;Iamverymuchashamedon’t;butwhatshouldIdo？Iammoreashamedandvexedattheoccasionsthatputmeupon’t。’Tisforustodoteandtrifleawaythetime，andforyoungmentostandupontheirreputationandnicepunctilios;theyaregoingtowardstheworldandtheworld’sopinion;weareretiringfromit:
\"Sibiarma，sibiequos，sibihastas，sibiclavam，sibipilam，sibinatationes，etcursushabeant:nobissenibus，exlusionibusmultis，talosrelinquantettesseras;\"
[\"Letthemreservetothemselvesarms，horses，spears，clubs，tennis，swimming，andraces;andofallthesportsleavetousoldmencardsanddice。\"——Cicero，DeSenec。，c。16。]
thelawsthemselvessendushome。Icandonolessinfavourofthiswretchedconditionintowhichmyagehasthrownmethanfurnishitwithtoystoplaywithal，astheydochildren;and，intruth，webecomesuch。
Bothwisdomandfollywillhaveenoughtodotosupportandrelievemebyalternateservicesinthiscalamityofage:
\"Miscestultitiamconsiliisbrevem。\"
[\"Minglewithcounselsabriefintervaloffolly。\"
——Horace，Od。，iv。12，27。]
Iaccordinglyavoidthelightestpunctures;andthosethatformerlywouldnothaverippledtheskin，nowpiercemethroughandthrough:myhabitofbodyisnowsonaturallydecliningtoill:
\"Infragilicorporeodiosaomnisoffensioest;\"
[\"Inafragilebodyeveryshockisobnoxious。\"
——Cicero，DeSenec。，c。18。]
\"Mensquepatidurumsustinetaegranihil。\"
[\"Andtheinfirmmindcanbearnodifficultexertion。\"
——Ovid，DePonto。，i。5，18。]
Ihaveeverbeenverysusceptiblytenderastooffences:Iammuchmoretendernow，andopenthroughout。
\"Etminimaeviresfrangerequassavalent。\"
[\"Andlittleforcesufficestobreakwhatwascrackedbefore。\"
——Ovid，DeTris。，iii。11，22。]
Myjudgmentrestrainsmefromkickingagainstandmurmuringattheinconveniencesthatnatureordersmetoendure，butitdoesnottakeawaymyfeelingthem:I，whohavenootherthinginmyaimbuttoliveandbemerry，wouldrunfromoneendoftheworldtotheothertoseekoutonegoodyearofpleasantandjocundtranquillity。Amelancholicanddulltranquillitymaybeenoughforme，butitbenumbsandstupefiesme;Iamnotcontentedwithit。Iftherebeanyperson，anyknotofgoodcompanyincountryorcity，inFranceorelsewhere，residentorinmotion，whocanlikemyhumour，andwhosehumoursIcanlike，letthembutwhistleandIwillrunandfurnishthemwithessaysinfleshandbone:
Seeingitistheprivilegeofthemindtorescueitselffromoldage，I
adviseminetoitwithallthepowerIhave;letitmeanwhilecontinuegreen，andflourishifitcan，likemistletoeuponadeadtree。ButI
fear’tisatraitor;ithascontractedsostrictafraternitywiththebodythatitleavesmeateveryturn，tofollowthatinitsneed。I
wheedleanddealwithitapartinvain;Itryinvaintoweanitfromthiscorrespondence，tonoeffect;quotetoitSenecaandCatullus，andladiesandroyalmasques;ifitscompanionhavethestone，itseemstohaveittoo;eventhefacultiesthataremostpeculiarlyandproperlyitsowncannotthenperformtheirfunctions，butmanifestlyappearstupefiedandasleep;thereisnosprightlinessinitsproductions，iftherebenotatthesametimeanequalproportioninthebodytoo。
Ourmastersaretoblame，thatinsearchingoutthecausesoftheextraordinaryemotionsofthesoul，besidesattributingittoadivineecstasy，love，martialfierceness，poesy，wine，theyhavenotalsoattributedaparttohealth:aboiling，vigorous，full，andlazyhealth，suchasformerlytheverdureofyouthandsecurity，byfits，suppliedmewithal;thatfireofsprightlinessandgaietydartsintothemindflashesthatarelivelyandbrightbeyondournaturallight，andofallenthusiasmsthemostjovial，ifnotthemostextravagant。
Itis，then，nowonderifacontrarystatestupefyandclogmyspirit，andproduceacontraryeffect:
\"Adnullumconsurgitopus，cumcorporelanguet;\"
[\"Whenthemindislanguishing，thebodyisgoodfornothing。\"
（Or:）\"Itrisestonoeffort;itlanguisheswiththebody。\"
——PseudoGallus，i。125。
andyetwouldhavemeobligedtoitforgiving，asitwantstomakeout，muchlessconsenttothisstupiditythanistheordinarycasewithmenofmyage。Letus，atleast，whilstwehavetruce，driveawayincommoditiesanddifficultiesfromourcommerce:
\"Dumlicet，obductasolvaturfrontesenectus:\"
[\"Whilstwecan，letusbanisholdagefromthebrow。\"
——Herod。，Ep。，xiii。7。]
\"Tetricasuntamcenandajocularibus。\"
[\"Sourthingsaretobesweetenedwiththosethatarepleasant。\"
——SidoniusApollin。，Ep。，i。9。]
Iloveagayandcivilwisdom，andflyfromallsournessandausterityofmanners，allrepellent，mienbeingsuspectedbyme:
\"Tristemquevultustetriciarrogantiam:\"
[\"Thearrogantsadnessofacrabbedface。\"——AuctorIncert。]
\"Ethabettristisquoqueturbacinaedos。\"
[\"Andthedullcrowdalsohasitsvoluptuaries。\"（Or:）
\"Anausterecountenancesometimescoversadebauchedmind。\"
——Idem。]
IamverymuchofPlato’sopinion，whosaysthatfacileorharshhumoursaregreatindicationsofthegoodorilldispositionofthemind。
Socrateshadaconstantcountenance，butsereneandsmiling，notsourlyaustere，liketheelderCrassus，whomnooneeversawlaugh。Virtueisapleasantandgayquality。
Iknowverywellthatfewwillquarrelwiththelicenceofmywritings，whohavenotmoretoquarrelwithinthelicenceoftheirownthoughts:
Iconformmyselfwellenoughtotheirinclinations，butIoffendtheireyes。’TisafinehumourtostrainthewritingsofPlato，towresthispretendedintercourseswithPhaedo，Dion，Stella，andArcheanassa:
\"Nonpudeatdicere，quodnonpudetsentire。\"
[\"Letusnotbeashamedtospeakwhatwearenotashamedtothink。\"]
Ihateafrowardanddismalspirit，thatslipsoverallthepleasuresoflifeandseizesandfeedsuponmisfortunes;likeflies，thatcannotsticktoasmoothandpolishedbody，butfixandreposethemselvesuponcraggyandroughplaces，andlikecupping—glasses，thatonlysuckandattractbadblood。
Astotherest，IhaveenjoinedmyselftodaretosayallthatIdaretodo;eventhoughtsthatarenottobepublished，displeaseme;theworstofmyactionsandqualitiesdonotappeartomesoevilasIfinditevilandbasenottodaretoownthem。Everyoneiswaryanddiscreetinconfession，butmenoughttobesoinaction;theboldnessofdoingillisinsomesortcompensatedandrestrainedbytheboldnessofconfessingit。Whoeverwillobligehimselftotellall，shouldobligehimselftodonothingthathemustbeforcedtoconceal。Iwishthatthisexcessivelicenceofminemaydrawmentofreedom，abovethesetimorousandmincingvirtuessprungfromourimperfections，andthatattheexpenseofmyimmoderationImayreducethemtoreason。Amanmustseeandstudyhisvicetocorrectit;theywhoconcealitfromothers，commonlyconcealitfromthemselves;anddonotthinkitcloseenough，iftheythemselvesseeit:theywithdrawanddisguiseitfromtheirownconsciences:
\"Quarevitiasuanemoconfitetur？Quiaetiamnuncinilliaest;somniumnarrarevigilantisest。\"
[\"Whydoesnomanconfesshisvices？becauseheisyetinthem;
’tisforawakingmantotellhisdream。\"——Seneca，Ep。，53。]
Thediseasesofthebodyexplainthemselvesbytheirincrease;wefindthattobethegoutwhichwecalledarheumorastrain;thediseasesofthesoul，thegreatertheyare，keep，themselvesthemostobscure;
themostsickaretheleastsensible;thereforeitisthatwithanunrelentinghandtheymostoften，infullday，betakentotask，opened，andtornfromthehollowoftheheart。Asindoingwell，soindoingill，themereconfessionissometimessatisfaction。Isthereanydeformityindoingamiss，thatcanexcuseusfromconfessingourselves？
Itissogreatapaintometodissemble，thatIevadethetrustofanother’ssecrets，wantingthecouragetodisavowmyknowledge。Icankeepsilent，butdenyIcannotwithoutthegreatesttroubleandviolencetomyselfimaginabletobeverysecret，amanmustbesobynature，notbyobligation。’Tislittleworth，intheserviceofaprince，tobesecret，ifamanbenotaliartoboot。IfhewhoaskedThalestheMilesianwhetherheoughtsolemnlytodenythathehadcommittedadultery，hadappliedhimselftome，Ishouldhavetoldhimthatheoughtnottodoit;forIlookuponlyingasaworsefaultthantheother。
Thalesadvisedhimquitecontrary，biddinghimsweartoshieldthegreaterfaultbytheless;
[Montaigne’smemoryhereserveshimill，forthequestionbeingputtoThales，hisanswerwas:\"Butisnotperjuryworsethanadultery？\"——DiogenesLaertius，invita，i。36。]
nevertheless，thiscounselwasnotsomuchanelectionasamultiplicationofvice。Uponwhichletussaythisinpassing，thatwedealliberallywithamanofconsciencewhenweproposetohimsomedifficultyincounterpoiseofvice;butwhenweshuthimupbetwixttwovices，heisputtoahardchoiceasOrigenwaseithertoidolatriseortosufferhimselftobecarnallyabusedbyagreatEthiopianslavetheybroughttohim。Hesubmittedtothefirstcondition，andwrongly，peoplesay。Yetthosewomenofourtimesarenotmuchout，accordingtotheirerror，whoprotesttheyhadratherburdentheirconscienceswithtenmenthanonemass。
Ifitbeindiscretionsotopublishone’serrors，yetthereisnogreatdangerthatitpassintoexampleandcustom;forAristonsaid，thatthewindsmenmostfeararethosethatlaythemopen。Wemusttuckupthisridiculousragthathidesourmanners:theysendtheirconsciencestothestews，andkeepastarchedcountenance:eventraitorsandassassinsespousethelawsofceremony，andtherefixtheirduty。Sothatneithercaninjusticecomplainofincivility，normaliceofindiscretion。’Tispitybutabadmanshouldbeafooltoboot，andthatoutwarddecencyshouldpalliatehisvice:thisrough—castonlyappertainstoagoodandsoundwall，thatdeservestobepreservedandwhited。
InfavouroftheHuguenots，whocondemnourauricularandprivateconfession，Iconfessmyselfinpublic，religiouslyandpurely:St。
Augustin，Origeti，andHippocrateshavepublishedtheerrorsoftheiropinions;I，moreover，ofmymanners。Iamgreedyofmakingmyselfknown，andIcarenottohowmany，provideditbetruly;ortosaybetter，Ihungerfornothing;butImortallyhatetobemistakenbythosewhohappentolearnmyname。Hewhodoesallthingsforhonourandglory，whatcanhethinktogainbyshewinghimselftotheworldinavizor，andbyconcealinghistruebeingfromthepeople？Praiseahumpbackforhisstature，hehasreasontotakeitforanaffront:
ifyouareacoward，andmencommendyouforyourvalour，isitofyoutheyspeak？Theytakeyouforanother。Ishouldlikehimaswellwhoglorifieshimselfinthecomplimentsandcongeesthataremadehimasifheweremasterofthecompany，whenheisoneoftheleastofthetrain。
Archelaus，kingofMacedon，walkingalongthestreet，somebodythrewwateronhishead，whichtheywhowerewithhimsaidheoughttopunish:
\"Aye，but，\"saidhe，\"whoeveritwas，hedidnotthrowthewateruponme，butuponhimwhomhetookmetobe。\"Socratesbeingtoldthatpeoplespokeillofhim，\"Notatall，\"saidhe，\"thereisnothing，inmeofwhattheysay。\"
Formypart，ifanyoneshouldrecommendmeasagoodpilot，asbeingverymodestorverychaste，Ishouldowehimnothanks;andso，whoevershouldcallmetraitor，robber，ordrunkard，Ishouldbeaslittleconcerned。Theywhodonotrightlyknowthemselves，mayfeedthemselveswithfalseapprobations;notI，whoseemyself，andwhoexaminemyselfeventomyverybowels，andwhoverywellknowwhatismydue。Iamcontenttobelesscommended，providedIambetterknown。ImaybereputedawisemaninsuchasortofwisdomasItaketobefolly。
IamvexedthatmyEssaysonlyservetheladiesforacommonpieceoffurniture，andapieceforthehall;thischapterwillmakemepartofthewater—closet。Ilovetotrafficwiththemalittleinprivate;
publicconversationiswithoutfavourandwithoutsavour。Infarewells，weoftenerthannotheatouraffectionstowardsthethingswetakeleaveof;Itakemylastleaveofthepleasuresofthisworld:theseareourlastembraces。
Butletuscometomysubject:whathastheactofgeneration，sonatural，sonecessary，andsojust，donetomen，tobeathingnottobespokenofwithoutblushing，andtobeexcludedfromallseriousandmoderatediscourse？Weboldlypronouncekill，rob，betray，andthatwedareonlytodobetwixttheteeth。Isittosay，thelessweexpendinwords，wemaypaysomuchthemoreinthinking？Foritiscertainthatthewordsleastinuse，mostseldomwritten，andbestkeptin，arethebestandmostgenerallyknown:noage，nomanners，areignorantofthem，nomorethanthewordbreadtheyimprintthemselvesineveryonewithoutbeing，expressed，withoutvoice，andwithoutfigure;andthesexthatmostpractisesitisboundtosayleastofit。’Tisanactthatwehaveplacedinthefranchiseofsilence，fromwhichtotakeitisacrimeeventoaccuseandjudgeit;neitherdarewereprehenditbutbyperiphrasisandpicture。Agreatfavourtoacriminaltobesoexecrablethatjusticethinksitunjusttotouchandseehim;free，andsafebythebenefitoftheseverityofhiscondemnation。Isitnothereasinmatterofbooks，thatsellbetterandbecomemorepublicforbeingsuppressed？
Formypart，IwilltakeAristotleathisword，whosays，that\"bashfulnessisanornamenttoyouth，butareproachtooldage。\"Theseversesarepreachedintheancientschool，aschoolthatImuchmoreadheretothanthemodern:itsvirtuesappeartometobegreater，andthevicesless:
\"CeuxquipartropfuyantVenusestrivent，Faillentautantqueceulxquitroplasuyvent。\"
[\"TheyerrasmuchwhotoomuchforbearVenus，astheywhoaretoofrequentinherrites。\"——AtranslationbyAmyotfromPlutarch，A
philosophershouldconversewithprinces。]
\"Tu，dea，rerumnaturamsolagubernas，NecsinetoquicquamdiasinluminisorasExoritur，nequefitlaetum，necamabilequidquam。\"
[\"Goddess，stillthoualonegovernestnature，norwithouttheeanythingcomesintolight;nothingispleasant，nothingjoyful。\"
——Lucretius，i。22。]
IknownotwhocouldsetPallasandtheMusesatvariancewithVenus，andmakethemcoldtowardsLove;butIseenodeitiessowellmet，orthataremoreindebtedtooneanother。WhowilldeprivetheMusesofamorousimaginations，willrobthemofthebestentertainmenttheyhave，andofthenoblestmatteroftheirwork:andwhowillmakeLovelosethecommunicationandserviceofpoesy，willdisarmhimofhisbestweapons:
bythismeanstheychargethegodoffamiliarityandgoodwill，andtheprotectinggoddessesofhumanityandjustice，withtheviceofingratitudeandunthankfulness。Ihavenotbeensolongcashieredfromthestateandserviceofthisgod，thatmymemoryisnotstillperfectinhisforceandvalue:
\"Agnoscoveterisvestigiaflammae;\"
[\"Irecognisevestigesofmyoldflame。\"——AEneid。，iv。23。]
Thereareyetsomeremainsofheatandemotionafterthefever:
\"Necmihideficiatcalorhic，hiemantibusannis！\"
[\"Norletthisheatofyouthfailmeinmywinteryears。\"]
WitheredanddroopingasIam，Ifeelyetsomeremainsofthepastardour:
\"Quall’altoEgeo，pertheAquiloneoNotoCessi，thetuttoprimailvolseetscosse，Non’sacchetaeipero;ma’lsuonoe’lmotoRitiendell’ondeancoagitateegrosse:\"
[\"AsAegeanseas，whenstormsbecalmedagain，Thatrolledtheirtumblingwaveswithtroublousblasts，Doyetoftempestspassedsomeshowretain，Andhereandtheretheirswellingbillowscast。\"——Fairfax。]
butfromwhatIunderstandofit，theforceandpowerofthisgodaremorelivelyandanimatedinthepictureofpoesythanintheirownessence:
\"Etversusdigitoshabet:\"
[\"Versehasfingers。\"——AlteredfromJuvenal，iv。196。]
ithasIknownotwhatkindofair，moreamorousthanloveitself。Venusisnotsobeautiful，naked，alive，andpanting，assheishereinVirgil:
\"Dixerat;etniveishincatquehincDivalacertisCunctantemamplexumollifovet。IllerepenteAccepitsolitamflammam;notusquemedullasIntravitcalor，etlabefactaperossacucurritNonsecusatqueolimtonitru，cumruptacoruscoIgnearimamicanspercurritluminenimbos……Eaverbaloquutus，Optatosdeditamplexus;placidumquepetivitConjugisinfususgremiopermembrasoporem。\"
[\"Thegoddessspoke，andthrowingroundhimhersnowyarmsinsoftembraces，caresseshimhesitating。Suddenlyhecaughtthewontedflame，andthewell—knownwarmthpiercedhismarrow，andranthrillingthroughhisshakenbones:justaswhenattimes，withthunder，astreamoffireinlightningflashesshootsacrosstheskies。Havingspokenthesewords，hegaveherthewishedembrace，andinthebosomofhisspousesoughtplacidsleep。\"
——AEneid，viii。387and392。]
AllthatIfindfaultwithinconsideringitis，thathehasrepresentedheralittletoopassionateforamarriedVenus;inthisdiscreetkindofcoupling，theappetiteisnotusuallysowanton，butmoregraveanddull。
Lovehatesthatpeopleshouldholdofanybutitself，andgoesbutfaintlytoworkinfamiliaritiesderivedfromanyothertitle，asmarriageis:alliance，dowry，thereinswaybyreason，asmuchormorethangraceandbeauty。Mendonotmarryforthemselves，letthemsaywhattheywill;theymarryasmuchormorefortheirposterityandfamily;thecustomandinterestofmarriageconcernourracemuchmorethanus;andthereforeitis，thatIliketohaveamatchcarriedonbyathirdhandratherthanaman’sown，andbyanotherman’slikingthanthatofthepartyhimself;andhowmuchisallthisoppositetotheconventionsoflove？Andalsoitisakindofincesttoemployinthisvenerableandsacredalliancetheheatandextravaganceofamorouslicence，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere。Aman，saysAristotle，mustapproachhiswifewithprudenceandtemperance，lestindealingtoolasciviouslywithher，theextremepleasuremakeherexceedtheboundsofreason。Whathesaysupontheaccountofconscience，thephysicianssayupontheaccountofhealth:\"thatapleasureexcessivelylascivious，voluptuous，andfrequent，makestheseedtoohot，andhindersconception\":’tissaid，elsewhere，thattoalanguishingintercourse，asthisnaturallyis，tosupplyitwithadueandfruitfulheat，amanmustdoitbutseldomandatappreciableintervals:
\"QuorapiatsitiensVenerem，interiusquerecondat。\"
[\"Butlethimthirstilysnatchthejoysofloveandenclosetheminhisbosom。\"——Virg。，Georg。，iii。137。]
Iseenomarriageswheretheconjugalcompatibilitysoonerfailsthanthosethatwecontractupontheaccountofbeautyandamorousdesires;
thereshouldbemoresolidandconstantfoundation，andtheyshouldproceedwithgreatercircumspection;thisfuriousardourisworthnothing。
Theywhothinktheyhonourmarriagebyjoininglovetoit，do，methinks，likethosewho，tofavourvirtue，holdthatnobilityisnothingelsebutvirtue。Theyareindeedthingsthathavesomerelationtooneanother，butthereisagreatdealofdifference;weshouldnotsomixtheirnamesandtitles;’tisawrongtothembothsotoconfoundthem。Nobilityisabravequality，andwithgoodreasonintroduced;butforasmuchas’tisaqualitydependinguponothers，andmayhappeninaviciousperson，inhimselfnothing，’tisinestimateinfinitelybelowvirtue’;