UpontheMemoirsofMonsieurduBellayIfindthis:\"’Tisalwayspleasanttoreadthingswrittenbythosethathaveexperiencedhowtheyoughttobecarriedon;butwithal，itcannotbedeniedbutthereisamanifestdecadenceinthesetwolords——[MartinduBellayandGuillaumedeLangey，brothers，whojointlywrotetheMemoirs。]——fromthefreedomandlibertyofwritingthatshineintheelderhistorians，suchastheSiredeJoinville，thefamiliarcompanionofSt。Louis;Eginhard，chancellortoCharlemagne;andoflaterdate，PhilipdeCommines。WhatwehavehereisratheranapologyforKingFrancis，againsttheEmperorCharlesV。，thanhistory。Iwillnotbelievethattheyhavefalsifiedanything，astomatteroffact;buttheymakeacommonpracticeoftwistingthejudgmentofevents，veryoftencontrarytoreason，toouradvantage，andofomittingwhatsoeveristicklishtobehandledinthelifeoftheirmaster;witnesstheproceedingsofMessieursdeMontmorencyanddeBiron，whicharehereomitted:nay，somuchastheverynameofMadamed’Estampesisnotheretobefound。Secretactionsanhistorianmayconceal;buttopassoverinsilencewhatalltheworldknowsandthingsthathavedrawnafterthempublicandsuchhighconsequences，isaninexcusabledefect。Infine，whoeverhasamindtohaveaperfectknowledgeofKingFrancisandtheeventsofhisreign，lethimseekitelsewhere，ifmyadvicemayprevail。TheonlyprofitamancanreapfromtheseMemoirsisinthespecialnarrativeofbattlesandotherexploitsofwarwhereinthesegentlemenwerepersonallyengaged;insomewordsandprivateactionsoftheprincesoftheirtime，andinthetreatiesandnegotiationscarriedonbytheSeigneurdeLangey，wherethereareeverywherethingsworthytobeknown，anddiscoursesabovethevulgarstrain。\"
CHAPTERXI
OFCRUELTY
Ifancyvirtuetobesomethingelse，andsomethingmorenoble，thangoodnature，andthemerepropensiontogoodness，thatwearebornintotheworldwithal。Well—disposedandwell—descendedsoulspursue，indeed，thesamemethods，andrepresentintheiractionsthesamefacethatvirtueitselfdoes:butthewordvirtueimports，Iknownotwhat，moregreatandactivethanmerelyforamantosufferhimself，byahappydisposition，tobegentlyandquietlydrawntotheruleofreason。Hewho，byanaturalsweetnessandfacility，shoulddespiseinjuriesreceived，woulddoubtlessdoaveryfineandlaudablething;buthewho，provokedandnettledtothequickbyanoffence，shouldfortifyhimselfwiththearmsofreasonagainstthefuriousappetiteofrevenge，andafteragreatconflict，masterhisownpassion，wouldcertainlydoagreatdealmore。
Thefirstwoulddowell;thelattervirtuously:oneactionmightbecalledgoodness，andtheothervirtue;formethinks，theverynameofvirtuepresupposesdifficultyandcontention，andcannotbeexercisedwithoutanopponent。’Tisforthisreason，perhaps，thatwecallGodgood，mighty，liberalandjust;butwedonotcallHimvirtuous，beingthatallHisoperationsarenaturalandwithoutendeavour。——[Rousseau，inhisEmile，bookv。，adoptsthispassagealmostinthesamewords。]——
Ithasbeentheopinionofmanyphilosophers，notonlyStoics，butEpicureans——（andthisaddition——
[\"MontaignestopsheretomakehisexcuseforthusnamingtheEpicureanswiththeStoics，inconformitytothegeneralopinionthattheEpicureanswerenotsorigidintheirmoralsastheStoics，whichisnottrueinthemain，ashedemonstratesatoneview。ThisinvolvedMontaigneinatediousparenthesis，duringwhichitisproperthatthereaderbeattentive，thathemaynotentirelylosethethreadoftheargument。Insomelatereditionsofthisauthor，ithasbeenattemptedtoremedythisinconvenience，butwithoutobservingthatMontaigne’sargumentisrenderedmorefeebleandobscurebysuchvainrepetitions:itisalicencethatoughtnottobetaken，becausehewhopublishestheworkofanother，oughttogiveitastheothercomposedft。But，inMrCotton’stranslation，bewassopuzzledwiththisenormousparenthesisthathehasquiteleftitout\"——Coste。]
Iborrowfromthevulgaropinion，whichisfalse，notwithstandingthewittyconceitofArcesilausinanswertoone，who，beingreproachedthatmanyscholarswentfromhisschooltotheEpicurean，butneveranyfromthencetohisschool，saidinanswer，\"Ibelieveitindeed;numbersofcaponsbeingmadeoutofcocks，butneveranycocksoutofcapons。\"——
[DiogenesLaertius，LifeofArchesilaus，lib。iv。，43。]——For，intruth，theEpicureansectisnotatallinferiortotheStoicinsteadiness，andtherigourofopinionsandprecepts。AndacertainStoic，showingmorehonestythanthosedisputants，who，inordertoquarrelwithEpicurus，andtothrowthegameintotheirhands，makehimsaywhatheneverthought，puttingawrongconstructionuponhiswords，clothinghissentences，bythestrictrulesofgrammar，withanothermeaning，andadifferentopinionfromthatwhichtheyknewheentertainedinhismindandinhismorals，theStoic，Isay，declaredthatheabandonedtheEpicureansect，uponthisamongotherconsiderations，thathethoughttheirroadtooloftyandinaccessible;
[\"Andthosearecalledloversofpleasure，beingineffectloversofhonourandjustice，whocultivateandobserveallthevirtues。\"——Cicero，Ep。Fam。，xv。i，19。]
Thesephilosopherssaythatitisnotenoughtohavethesoulseatedinagoodplace，ofagoodtemper，andwelldisposedtovirtue;itisnotenoughtohaveourresolutionsandourreasoningfixedaboveallthepoweroffortune，butthatweare，moreover，toseekoccasionswhereintoputthemtotheproof:theywouldseekpain，necessity，andcontempttocontendwiththemandtokeepthesoulinbreath:
\"Multumsibiadjicitvirtuslacessita。\"
[\"Virtueismuchstrengthenedbycombats。\"
or:\"Virtueattackedaddstoitsownforce。\"
——Seneca，Ep。，13。]
’TisoneofthereasonswhyEpaminondas，whowasyetofathirdsect，——[ThePythagorean。]——refusedtherichesfortunepresentedtohimbyverylawfulmeans;because，saidhe，Iamtocontendwithpoverty，inwhichextremehemaintainedhimselftothelast。Socratesputhimself，methinks，uponarudertrial，keepingforhisexerciseaconfoundedscoldingwife，whichwasfightingatsharps。Metellushaving，ofalltheRomansenators，aloneattempted，bythepowerofvirtue，towithstandtheviolenceofSaturninus，tribuneofthepeopleatRome，whowould，byallmeans，causeanunjustlawtopassinfavourofthecommons，and，bysodoing，havingincurredthecapitalpenaltiesthatSaturninushadestablishedagainstthedissentient，entertainedthosewho，inthisextremity，ledhimtoexecutionwithwordstothiseffect:Thatitwasathingtooeasyandtoobasetodoill;andthattodowellwheretherewasnodangerwasacommonthing;butthattodowellwheretherewasdangerwastheproperofficeofamanofvirtue。ThesewordsofMetellusveryclearlyrepresenttouswhatIwouldmakeout，viz。，thatvirtuerefusesfacilityforacompanion;andthattheeasy，smooth，anddescendingwaybywhichtheregularstepsofasweetdispositionofnatureareconductedisnotthatofatruevirtue;sherequiresaroughandstormypassage;shewillhaveeitherexoticdifficultiestowrestlewith，likethatofMetellus，bymeanswhereoffortunedelightstointerruptthespeedofhercareer，orinternaldifficulties，thattheinordinateappetitesandimperfectionsofourconditionintroducetodisturbher。
Iamcomethusfaratmyease;buthereitcomesintomyheadthatthesoulofSocrates，themostperfectthatevercametomyknowledge，shouldbythisrulebeofverylittlerecommendation;forIcannotconceiveinthatpersonanytheleastmotionofaviciousinclination:Icannotimaginetherecouldbeanydifficultyorconstraintinthecourseofhisvirtue:Iknowhisreasontobesopowerfulandsovereignoverhimthatshewouldneverhavesufferedaviciousappetitesomuchastospringinhim。Toavirtuesoelevatedashis，Ihavenothingtooppose。MethinksIseehimmarch，withavictoriousandtriumphantpace，inpompandathisease，withoutoppositionordisturbance。Ifvirtuecannotshinebright，butbytheconflictofcontraryappetites，shallwethensaythatshecannotsubsistwithouttheassistanceofvice，andthatitisfromherthatshederivesherreputationandhonour？Whatthen，also，wouldbecomeofthatbraveandgenerousEpicureanpleasure，whichmakesaccountthatitnourishesvirtuetenderlyinherlap，andtheremakesitplayandwanton，givingitfortoystoplaywithal，shame，fevers，poverty，death，andtorments？IfIpresupposethataperfectvirtuemanifestsitselfincontending，inpatientenduringofpain，andundergoingtheuttermostextremityofthegout;withoutbeingmovedinherseat;ifIgivehertroublesanddifficultyforhernecessaryobjects:whatwillbecomeofavirtueelevatedtosuchadegree，asnotonlytodespisepain，but，moreover，torejoiceinit，andtobetickledwiththethroesofasharpcolic，suchastheEpicureanshaveestablished，andofwhichmanyofthem，bytheiractions，havegivenmostmanifestproofs？Ashaveseveralothers，whoIfindtohavesurpassedineffectseventheveryrulesoftheirdiscipline。WitnesstheyoungerCato:WhenIseehimdie，andtearingouthisownbowels，Iamnotsatisfiedsimplytobelievethathehadthenhissoultotallyexemptfromalltroubleandhorror:IcannotthinkthatheonlymaintainedhimselfinthesteadinessthattheStoicalrulesprescribedhim;temperate，withoutemotion，andimperturbed。Therewas，methinks，somethinginthevirtueofthismantoosprightlyandfreshtostopthere;Ibelievethat，withoutdoubt，hefeltapleasureanddelightinsonobleanaction，andwasmorepleasedinitthaninanyotherofhislife:
\"Sicabiitavita，utcausammoriendinactumseessegauderet。\"
[\"Hequittedliferejoicingthatareasonfordyinghadarisen。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，i。30。]
IbelieveitsothoroughlythatIquestionwhetherhewouldhavebeencontenttohavebeendeprivedoftheoccasionofsobraveanexploit;andifthegoodnessthatmadehimembracethepublicconcernmorethanhisown，withheldmenot，Ishouldeasilyfallintoanopinionthathethoughthimselfobligedtofortuneforhavingputhisvirtueuponsobraveatrial，andforhavingfavouredthattheif——[Caesar]——intreadingunderfoottheancientlibertyofhiscountry。MethinksIreadinthisactionIknownotwhatexaltationinhissoul，andanextraordinaryandmanlyemotionofpleasure，whenhelookeduponthegenerosityandheightofhisenterprise:
\"Deliberatemorteferocior，\"
[\"Themorecourageousfromthedeliberationtodie。\"
——Horace，Od。，i。37，29。]
notstimulatedwithanyhopeofglory，asthepopularandeffeminatejudgmentsofsomehaveconcluded（forthatconsiderationwastoomeanandlowtopossesssogenerous，sohaughty，andsodeterminedaheartashis），butfortheverybeautyofthethinginitself，whichhewhohadthehandlingofthespringsdiscernedmoreclearlyandinitsperfectionthanweareabletodo。PhilosophyhasobligedmeindeterminingthatsobraveanactionhadbeenindecentlyplacedinanyotherlifethanthatofCato;andthatitonlyappertainedtohistoendso;notwithstanding，andaccordingtoreason，hecommandedhissonandthesenatorswhoaccompaniedhimtotakeanothercourseintheiraffairs:
\"Catoni，quumincredibilemnaturatribuissetgravitatem，eamqueipseperpetueconstantiaroboravisset，semperqueinpropositoconsiliopermansisset，moriendumpotius，quamtyrannivultusaspiciendus，erat。\"
[\"Cato，whomnaturehadgivenincredibledignity，whichhehadfortifiedbyperpetualconstancy，everremainingofhispredeterminedopinion，preferredtodieratherthantolookonthecountenanceofatyrant。\"——Cicero，DeOfc。，i。31。]
Everydeathoughttoholdproportionwiththelifebeforeit;wedonotbecomeothersfordying。Ialwaysinterpretthedeathbythelifepreceding;andifanyonetellmeofadeathstrongandconstantinappearance，annexedtoafeeblelife，Iconcludeitproducedbysomefeeblecause，andsuitabletothelifebefore。Theeasinessthenofhisdeathandthefacilityofdyinghehadacquiredbythevigourofhissoul;shallwesaythatitoughttoabateanythingofthelustreofhisvirtue？Andwho，thathashisbrainneversolittletincturedwiththetruephilosophy，canbecontenttoimagineSocratesonlyfreefromfearandpassionintheaccidentofhisprison，fetters，andcondemnation？
andthatwillnotdiscoverinhimnotonlyfirmnessandconstancy（whichwashisordinarycondition），but，moreover，Iknownotwhatnewsatisfaction，andafroliccheerfulnessinhislastwordsandactions？
Inthestarthegavewiththepleasureofscratchinghislegwhenhisironsweretakenoff，doeshenotdiscoveranequalserenityandjoyinhissoulforbeingfreedfrompastinconveniences，andatthesametimetoenterintotheknowledgeofthethingstocome？Catoshallpardonme，ifheplease;hisdeathindeedismoretragicalandmorelingering;butyetthisis，Iknownothow，methinks，finer。Aristippus，toonethatwaslamentingthisdeath:\"Thegodsgrantmesuchanone，\"saidhe。
Amandiscernsinthesoulofthesetwogreatmenandtheirimitators（forIverymuchdoubtwhethertherewereevertheirequals）soperfectahabitudetovirtue，thatitwasturnedtoacomplexion。Itisnolongeralaboriousvirtue，northepreceptsofreason，tomaintainwhichthesoulissoracked，buttheveryessenceoftheirsoul，itsnaturalandordinaryhabit;theyhaverendereditsuchbyalongpracticeofphilosophicalpreceptshavinglituponarichandfinenature;theviciouspassionsthatspringinuscanfindnoentranceintothem;theforceandvigouroftheirsoulstifleandextinguishirregulardesires，sosoonastheybegintomove。
Now，thatitisnotmorenoble，byahighanddivineresolution，tohinderthebirthoftemptations，andtobesoformedtovirtue，thattheveryseedsofvicearerootedout，thantohinderbymainforcetheirprogress;and，havingsufferedourselvestobesurprisedwiththefirstmotionsofthepassions，toarmourselvesandtostandfirmtoopposetheirprogress，andovercomethem;andthatthissecondeffectisnotalsomuchmoregenerousthantobesimplyendowedwithafacileandaffablenature，ofitselfdisaffectedtodebaucheryandvice，Idonotthinkcanbedoubted;forthisthirdandlastsortofvirtueseemstorenderamaninnocent，butnotvirtuous;freefromdoingill，butnotaptenoughtodowell:consideringalso，thatthisconditionissonearneighbourtoimperfectionandcowardice，thatIknownotverywellhowtoseparatetheconfinesanddistinguishthem:theverynamesofgoodnessandinnocenceare，forthisreason，insomesortgrownintocontempt。
Iverywellknowthatseveralvirtues，aschastity，sobriety，andtemperance，maycometoamanthroughpersonaldefects。Constancyindanger，ifitmustbesocalled，thecontemptofdeath，andpatienceinmisfortunes，mayofttimesbefoundinmenforwantofwelljudgingofsuchaccidents，andnotapprehendingthemforsuchastheyare。WantofapprehensionandstupiditysometimescounterfeitvirtuouseffectsasI
haveoftenseenithappen，thatmenhavebeencommendedforwhatreallymeritedblame。AnItalianlordoncesaidthis，inmypresence，tothedisadvantageofhisownnation:thatthesubtletyoftheItalians，andthevivacityoftheirconceptionsweresogreat，andtheyforesawthedangersandaccidentsthatmightbefallthemsofaroff，thatitwasnottobethoughtstrange，iftheywereoften，inwar，observedtoprovidefortheirsafety，evenbeforetheyhaddiscoveredtheperil;thatweFrenchandtheSpaniards，whowerenotsocunning，wentonfurther，andthatwemustbemadetoseeandfeelthedangerbeforewewouldtakethealarm;butthateventhenwecouldnotsticktoit。ButtheGermansandSwiss，moregrossandheavy，hadnotthesensetolookaboutthem，evenwhentheblowswerefallingabouttheirears。Peradventure，heonlytalkedsoformirth’ssake;andyetitismostcertainthatinwarrawsoldiersrushintodangerswithmoreprecipitancythanaftertheyhavebeencudgelled*——（Theoriginalhaseschauldex——scalded）
\"Haudignarus……quantumnovagloriainarmis，Etpraedulcedecus，primocertaminepossit。\"
[\"Notignoranthowmuchpowerthefreshgloryofarmsandsweetesthonourpossessinthefirstcontest。\"——AEneid，xi。154]
Forthisreasonitisthat，whenwejudgeofaparticularaction，wearetoconsiderthecircumstances，andthewholemanbywhomitisperformed，beforewegiveitaname。
Toinstanceinmyself:Ihavesometimesknownmyfriendscallthatprudenceinme，whichwasmerelyfortune;andreputethatcourageandpatience，whichwasjudgmentandopinion;andattributetomeonetitleforanother，sometimestomyadvantageandsometimesotherwise。Astotherest，Iamsofarfrombeingarrivedatthefirstandmostperfectdegreeofexcellence，wherevirtueisturnedintohabit，thatevenofthesecondIhavemadenogreatproofs。IhavenotbeenverysolicitoustocurbthedesiresbywhichIhavebeenimportuned。Myvirtueisavirtue，orratheraninnocence，casualandaccidental。IfIhadbeenbornofamoreirregularcomplexion，IamafraidIshouldhavemadescurvywork;
forIneverobservedanygreatstabilityinmysoultoresistpassions，iftheywereneversolittlevehement:Iknownothowtonourishquarrelsanddebatesinmyownbosom，and，consequently，owemyselfnogreatthanksthatIamfreefromseveralvices:
\"SivitiismediocribusetmeapaucisMendosaestnatura，alioquirecta，velutsiEgregioinspersosreprehendascorporenaevos:\"
[\"Ifmynaturebedisfiguredonlywithslightandfewvices，andisotherwisejust，itisasifyoushouldblamemolesonafairbody。\"
——Horatius，Sat。，i。6，65。]
Ioweitrathertomyfortunethanmyreason。Shehascausedmetobedescendedofaracefamousforintegrityandofaverygoodfather;I
knownotwhetherornohehasinfusedintomepartofhishumours，orwhetherdomesticexamplesandthegoodeducationofmyinfancyhaveinsensiblyassistedinthework，or，ifIwasotherwisebornso:
\"SeuLibra，seumeScorpiusadspicitFormidolosus，parsviolentiorNatalishors，seutyrannusHesperiveCapricornusundae:\"
[\"WhethertheBalanceordreadScorpio，morepotentovermynatalhour，aspectsme，orCapricorn，supremeovertheHesperiansea。\"
——Horace，Od。，ii。117。]
butsoitis，thatIhavenaturallyahorrorformostvices。TheanswerofAntisthenestohimwhoaskedhim，whichwasthebestapprenticeship\"tounlearnevil，\"seemstopointatthis。Ihavetheminhorror，Isay，withadetestationsonatural，andsomuchmyown，thatthesameinstinctandimpressionIbroughtofthemwithmefrommynurse，Iyetretain，andnotemptationwhateverhashadthepowertomakemealterit。Notsomuchasmyowndiscourses，whichinsomethingslashingoutofthecommonroadmightseemeasilytolicensemetoactionsthatmynaturalinclinationmakesmehate。Iwillsayaprodigiousthing，butIwillsayit，however:Ifindmyselfinmanythingsmoreunderreputationbymymannersthanbymyopinion，andmyconcupiscencelessdebauchedthanmyreason。Aristippusinstitutedopinionssoboldinfavourofpleasureandrichesassetallthephilosophersagainsthim:butastohismanners，Dionysiusthetyrant，havingpresentedthreebeautifulwomenbeforehim，totakehischoice;hemadeanswer，thathewouldchoosethemall，andthatParisgothimselfintotroubleforhavingpreferredonebeforetheothertwo:but，havingtakenthemhometohishouse，hesentthembackuntouched。Hisservantfindinghimselfoverladenupontheway，withthemoneyhecarriedafterhim，heorderedhimtopouroutandthrowawaythatwhichtroubledhim。AndEpicurus，whosedoctrinesweresoirreligiousandeffeminate，wasinhislifeverylaboriousanddevout;
hewrotetoafriendofhisthathelivedonlyuponbiscuitandwater，entreatinghimtosendhimalittlecheese，toliebyhimagainsthehadamindtomakeafeast。Mustitbetrue，thattobeaperfectgoodman，wemustbesobyanoccult，natural，anduniversalpropriety，withoutlaw，reason，orexample？ThedebaucheswhereinIhavebeenengaged，havenotbeen，IthankGod，oftheworstsort，andIhavecondemnedtheminmyself，formyjudgmentwasneverinfectedbythem;onthecontrary，Iaccusethemmoreseverelyinmyselfthaninanyother;butthatisall，for，astotherest。Iopposetoolittleresistanceandsuffermyselftoinclinetoomuchtotheothersideofthebalance，exceptingthatI
moderatethem，andpreventthemfrommixingwithothervices，whichforthemostpartwillclingtogether，ifamanhavenotacare。Ihavecontractedandcurtailedmine，tomakethemassingleandassimpleasI
can:
\"NecultraErroremfoveo。\"
[\"NordoIcherisherrorfurther。\"
or:\"Norcarrywrongfurther。\"
——Juvenal，viii。164。]
ForastotheopinionoftheStoics，whosay，\"Thatthewisemanwhenheworks，worksbyallthevirtuestogether，thoughonebemostapparent，accordingtothenatureoftheaction\";andhereinthesimilitudeofahumanbodymightservethemsomewhat，fortheactionofangercannotwork，unlessallthehumoursassistit，thoughcholerpredominate;
——iftheywillthencedrawalikeconsequence，thatwhenthewickedmandoeswickedly，hedoesitbyallthevicestogether，Idonotbelieveittobeso，orelseIunderstandthemnot，forIbyeffectfindthecontrary。Thesearesharp，unsubstantialsubleties，withwhichphilosophysometimesamusesitself。Ifollowsomevices，butIflyothersasmuchasasaintwoulddo。ThePeripateticsalsodisownthisindissolubleconnection;andAristotleisofopinionthataprudentandjustmanmaybeintemperateandinconsistent。Socratesconfessedtosomewhohaddiscoveredacertaininclinationtoviceinhisphysiognomy，thatitwas，intruth，hisnaturalpropension，butthathehadbydisciplinecorrectedit。AndsuchaswerefamiliarwiththephilosopherStilposaid，thatbeingbornwithaddictiontowineandwomen，hehadbystudyrenderedhimselfveryabstinentbothfromtheoneandtheother。
WhatIhaveinmeofgood，Ihave，quitecontrary，bythechanceofmybirth;andholditnoteitherbylaw，precept，oranyotherinstruction;
theinnocencethatisinmeisasimpleone;littlevigourandnoart。
Amongstothervices，Imortallyhatecruelty，bothbynatureandjudgment，astheveryextremeofallvices:nay，withsomuchtendernessthatIcannotseeachicken’sneckpulledoffwithouttrouble，andcannotwithoutimpatienceendurethecryofahareinmydog’steeth，thoughthechasebeaviolentpleasure。Suchashavesensualitytoencounter，freelymakeuseofthisargument，toshewthatitisaltogether\"viciousandunreasonable;thatwhenitisattheheight，itmastersustothatdegreethataman’sreasoncanhavenoaccess，\"andinstanceourownexperienceintheactoflove，\"Quumjampraesagitgaudiacorpus，AtqueineoestVenus，utmuliebriaconseratarva。\"
[NoneofthetranslatorsoftheoldeditionsusedforthisetexthavebeenwillingtotranslatethispassagefromLucretius，iv。
1099;theytakeacopoutbybashfullysaying:\"Thesenseisintheprecedingpassageofthetext。D。W。]
whereintheyconceivethatthepleasuresotransportsus，thatourreasoncannotperformitsoffice，whilstweareinsuchecstasyandrapture。I
knowverywellitmaybeotherwise，andthatamanmaysometimes，ifhewill，gainthispointoverhimselftoswayhissoul，eveninthecriticalmoment，tothinkofsomethingelse;butthenhemustplyittothatbent。
Iknowthatamanmaytriumphovertheutmosteffortofthispleasure:I
haveexperienceditinmyself，andhavenotfoundVenussoimperiousagoddess，asmany，andmuchmorevirtuousmenthanI，declare。Idonotconsideritamiracle，astheQueenofNavarredoesinoneoftheTalesofherHeptameron——[\"Vugentilliurepoursonestoffe。\"]——（whichisaveryprettybookofitskind），norforathingofextremedifficulty，topasswholenights，whereamanhasalltheconvenienceandlibertyhecandesire，withalong—covetedmistress，andyetbetruetothepledgefirstgiventosatisfyhimselfwithkissesandsuchlikeendearments，withoutpressinganyfurther。Iconceivethattheexampleofthepleasureofthechasewouldbemoreproper;whereinthoughthepleasurebeless，thereisthehigherexcitementofunexpectedjoy，givingnotimeforthereason，takenbysurprise，toprepareitselffortheencounter，whenafteralongquestthebeaststartsuponasuddeninaplacewhere，peradventure，weleastexpectedit;theshockandtheardouroftheshoutsandcriesofthehunterssostrikeus，thatitwouldbehardforthosewholovethislesserchase，toturntheirthoughtsupontheinstantanotherway;andthepoetsmakeDianatriumphoverthetorchandshaftsofCupid:
\"Quisnonmalarum，quasamorcurashabet，Haecinterobliviscitur？\"
[\"Who，amongstsuchdelightswouldnotremoveoutofhisthoughtstheanxiouscaresoflove。\"——Horace，Epod。，ii。37。]
ToreturntowhatIwassayingbefore，Iamtenderlycompassionateofothers’afflictions，andshouldreadilycryforcompany，if，uponanyoccasionwhatever，Icouldcryatall。Nothingtemptsmytearsbuttears，andnotonlythosethatarerealandtrue，butwhatevertheyare，feignedorpainted。Idonotmuchlamentthedead，andshouldenvythemrather;butIverymuchlamentthedying。Thesavagesdonotsomuchoffendme，inroastingandeatingthebodiesofthedead，astheydowhotormentandpersecutetheliving。Nay，Icannotlooksomuchasupontheordinaryexecutionsofjustice，howreasonablesoever，withasteadyeye。
SomeonehavingtogivetestimonyofJuliusCaesar’sclemency;\"hewas，\"
sayshe，\"mildinhisrevenges。Havingcompelledthepiratestoyieldbywhomhehadbeforebeentakenprisonerandputtoransom;forasmuchashehadthreatenedthemwiththecross，heindeedcondemnedthemtoit，butitwasaftertheyhadbeenfirststrangled。HepunishedhissecretaryPhilemon，whohadattemptedtopoisonhim，withnogreaterseveritythanmeredeath。\"WithoutnamingthatLatinauthor，——[Suetonius，LifeofCasay，c。74。]——whothusdarestoallegeasatestimonyofmercythekillingonlyofthosebywhomwehavebeenoffended;itiseasytoguessthathewasstruckwiththehorridandinhumanexamplesofcrueltypractisedbytheRomantyrants。
Formypart，eveninjusticeitself，allthatexceedsasimpledeathappearstomepurecruelty;especiallyinuswhoought，havingregardtotheirsouls，todismisstheminagoodandcalmcondition;whichcannotbe，whenwehaveagitatedthembyinsufferabletorments。Notlongsince，asoldierwhowasaprisoner，perceivingfromatowerwherehewasshutup，thatthepeoplebegantoassembletotheplaceofexecution，andthatthecarpenterswerebusyerectingascaffold，hepresentlyconcludedthatthepreparationwasforhim，andthereforeenteredintoaresolutiontokillhimself，butcouldfindnoinstrumenttoassisthiminhisdesignexceptanoldrustycart—nailthatfortunepresentedtohim;withthishefirstgavehimselftwogreatwoundsabouthisthroat，butfindingthesewouldnotdo，hepresentlyafterwardsgavehimselfathirdinthebelly，whereheleftthenailstickinguptothehead。Thefirstofhiskeeperswhocameinfoundhiminthiscondition:yetalive，butsunkdownandexhaustedbyhiswounds。Tomakeuseoftime，therefore，beforeheshoulddie，theymadehastetoreadhissentence;whichhavingdone，andhehearingthathewasonlycondemnedtobebeheaded，heseemedtotakenewcourage，acceptedwinewhichhehadbeforerefused，andthankedhisjudgesfortheunhoped—formildnessoftheirsentence;saying，thathehadtakenaresolutiontodespatchhimselfforfearofamoresevereandinsupportabledeath，havingentertainedanopinion，bythepreparationshehadseenintheplace，thattheywereresolvedtotormenthimwithsomehorribleexecution，andseemedtobedeliveredfromdeathinhavingitchangedfromwhatheapprehended。
Ishouldadvisethatthoseexamplesofseveritybywhich’tisdesignedtoretainthepeopleintheirduty，mightbeexerciseduponthedeadbodiesofcriminals;fortoseethemdeprivedofsepulture，toseethemboiledanddividedintoquarters，wouldalmostworkasmuchuponthevulgar，asthepaintheymakethelivingendure;thoughthatineffectbelittleornothing，asGodhimselfsays，\"Whokillthebody，andafterthathavenomorethattheycando;\"——[Luke，xii。4。]——andthepoetssingularlydwelluponthehorrorsofthispicture，assomethingworsethandeath:
\"Heu！reliquiassemiustasregis，denudatisossibus，Perterramsaniedelibutasfoededivexarier。\"
[\"Alas！thatthehalf—burntremainsoftheking，exposinghisbones，shouldbefoullydraggedalongthegroundbesmearedwithgore。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，i。44。]
IhappenedtocomebyonedayaccidentallyatRome，justastheywereuponexecutingCatena，anotoriousrobber:hewasstrangledwithoutanyemotionofthespectators，butwhentheycametocuthiminquarters，thehangmangavenotablowthatthepeopledidnotfollowwithadolefulcryandexclamation，asifeveryonehadlenthissenseoffeelingtothemiserablecarcase。Thoseinhumanexcessesoughttobeexerciseduponthebark，andnotuponthequick。Artaxerxes，inalmostalikecase，moderatedtheseverityoftheancientlawsofPersia，ordainingthatthenobilitywhohadcommittedafault，insteadofbeingwhipped，astheywereusedtobe，shouldbestrippedonlyandtheirclotheswhippedforthem;andthatwhereastheywerewonttotearofftheirhair，theyshouldonlytakeofftheirhigh—crownedtiara。’——[Plutarch，NotableSayingsoftheAncientKing。]——ThesodevoutEgyptiansthoughttheysufficientlysatisfiedthedivinejusticebysacrificinghogsineffigyandrepresentation;aboldinventiontopayGodsoessentialasubstanceinpictureonlyandinshow。
Iliveinatimewhereinweaboundinincredibleexamplesofthisvice，throughthelicenceofourcivilwars;andweseenothinginancienthistoriesmoreextremethanwhatwehaveproofofeveryday，butI
cannot，anythemore，getusedtoit。Icouldhardlypersuademyself，beforeIsawitwithmyeyes，thattherecouldbefoundsoulssocruelandfell，who，forthesolepleasureofmurder，wouldcommitit;wouldhackandlopoffthelimbsofothers;sharpentheirwitstoinventunusualtormentsandnewkindsofdeath，withouthatred，withoutprofit，andfornootherendbutonlytoenjoythepleasantspectacleofthegesturesandmotions，thelamentablegroansandcriesofamandyinginanguish。Forthisistheutmostpointtowhichcrueltycanarrive:
\"Uthomohominem，noniratus，nontimens，tantumspectaturus，occidat。\"
[\"Thatamanshouldkillaman，notbeingangry，notinfear，onlyforthesakeofthespectacle。\"——Seneca，Ep。，90。]
Formyownpart，Icannotwithoutgriefseesomuchasaninnocentbeastpursuedandkilledthathasnodefence，andfromwhichwehavereceivednooffenceatall;andthatwhichfrequentlyhappens，thatthestagwehunt，findinghimselfweakandoutofbreath，andseeingnootherremedy，surrendershimselftouswhopursuehim，imploringmercybyhistears:
\"Questuquecruentus，Atqueimplorantisimilis，\"
[\"Who，bleeding，byhistearsseemstocravemercy。\"
——AEnead，vii。501。]
haseverbeentomeaveryunpleasingsight;andIhardlyevertakeabeastalivethatIdonotpresentlyturnoutagain。Pythagorasboughtthemoffishermenandfowlerstodothesame:
\"Primoqueacaedeferarum，Incaluisseputomaculatumsanguineferrum。\"
[\"Ithink’twasslaughterofwildbeaststhatfirststainedthesteelofmanwithblood。\"——Ovid，Met。，xv。106。]
Thosenaturesthataresanguinarytowardsbeastsdiscoveranaturalpronenesstocruelty。AftertheyhadaccustomedthemselvesatRometospectaclesoftheslaughterofanimals，theyproceededtothoseoftheslaughterofmen，ofgladiators。Naturehasherself，Ifear，imprintedinmanakindofinstincttoinhumanity;nobodytakespleasureinseeingbeastsplaywithandcaressoneanother，buteveryoneisdelightedwithseeingthemdismember，andtearoneanothertopieces。AndthatImaynotbelaughedatforthesympathyIhavewiththem，theologyitselfenjoinsussomefavourintheirbehalf;andconsideringthatoneandthesamemasterhaslodgedustogetherinthispalaceforhisservice，andthatthey，aswellaswe，areofhisfamily，ithasreasontoenjoinussomeaffectionandregardtothem。PythagorasborrowedthemetempsychosisfromtheEgyptians;butithassincebeenreceivedbyseveralnations，andparticularlybyourDruids:
\"Mortecarentanimae;semperque，priorerelictsSede，novisdomibusvivunt，habitantquereceptae。\"
[\"Soulsneverdie，but，havinglefttheirformerseat，liveandarereceivedintonewhomes。\"——Ovid，Met。，xv。158。]
ThereligionofourancientGaulsmaintainedthatsouls，beingeternal，neverceasedtoremoveandshifttheirplacesfromonebodytoanother;
mixingmoreoverwiththisfancysomeconsiderationofdivinejustice;foraccordingtothedeportmentsofthesoul，whilstithadbeeninAlexander，theysaidthatGodassigneditanotherbodytoinhabit，moreorlesspainful，andproperforitscondition:
\"MutaferarumCogitvinclapati;truculentosingeritursis，Praedonesquelupis;fallacesvulpibusaddit:
Atqueubipervariosannos，permillefigurasEgit，Lethaeopurgatosflumine，tandemRursusadhumanaerevocatprimordiaformae:\"
[Hemakesthemwearthesilentchainsofbrutes，thebloodthirstysoulsheenclosesinbears，thethievesinwolves，thedeceiversinfoxes;where，aftersuccessiveyearsandathousandforms，manhadspenthislife，andafterpurgationinLethe’sflood，atlastherestoresthemtotheprimordialhumanshapes。\"
——Claudian，InRuf。，ii。482。]
Ifithadbeenvaliant，helodgeditinthebodyofalion;ifvoluptuous，inthatofahog;iftimorous，inthatofahartorhare;ifmalicious，inthatofafox，andsooftherest，tillhavingpurifieditbythischastisement，itagainenteredintothebodyofsomeotherman:
\"Ipseegonammemini，Trojani，temporebelliPanthoidesEuphorbuseram。\"
[\"ForImyselfrememberthat，inthedaysoftheTrojanwar，IwasEuphorbus，sonofPantheus。\"——Ovid，Met。，xv。160;andseeDiogenesLaertius，LifeofPythagoras。]
Astotherelationshipbetwixtusandbeasts，Idonotmuchadmitofit;
norofthatwhichseveralnations，andthoseamongthemostancientandmostnoble，havepractised，whohavenotonlyreceivedbrutesintotheirsocietyandcompanionship，buthavegiventhemarankinfinitelyabovethemselves，esteemingthemonewhilefamiliarsandfavouritesofthegods，andhavingtheminmorethanhumanreverenceandrespect;othersacknowledgednoothergodordivinitythanthey:
\"Belluxabarbarispropterbeneficiumconsecratae。\"
[\"Beasts，outofopinionofsomebenefitreceivedbythem，wereconsecratedbybarbarians\"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，i。36。]
\"CrocodilonadoratParshaec;illapavetsaturamserpentibusibin:
Effigiessacrihicnitetaureacercopitheci;
Hicpiscemflumints，illicOppidatotacanemvenerantur。\"
[\"Thisplaceadoresthecrocodile;anotherdreadstheibis，feederonserpents;hereshinesthegoldenimageofthesacredape;heremenveneratethefishoftheriver;therewholetownsworshipadog。\"——Juvenal，xv。2。]
AndtheveryinterpretationthatPlutarch，givestothiserror，whichisverywellconceived，isadvantageoustothem:forhesaysthatitwasnotthecatortheox，forexample，thattheEgyptiansadored:butthatthey，inthosebeasts，adoredsomeimageofthedivinefaculties;inthis，patienceandutility:inthat，vivacity，or，aswithourneighbourstheBurgundiansandalltheGermans，impatiencetoseethemselvesshutup;bywhichtheyrepresentedliberty，whichtheylovedandadoredaboveallothergodlikeattributes，andsooftherest。Butwhen，amongstthemoremoderateopinions，Imeetwithargumentsthatendeavourtodemonstratethenearresemblancebetwixtusandanimals，howlargeasharetheyhaveinourgreatestprivileges，andwithhowmuchprobabilitytheycompareustogether，trulyIabateagreatdealofourpresumption，andwillinglyresignthatimaginarysovereigntythatisattributedtousoverothercreatures。
Butsupposingallthiswerenottrue，thereisneverthelessacertainrespect，ageneraldutyofhumanity，notonlytobeaststhathavelifeandsense，buteventotrees，andplants。Weowejusticetomen，andgraciousnessandbenignitytoothercreaturesthatarecapableofit;
thereisacertaincommerceandmutualobligationbetwixtthemandus。