第33章
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  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。]

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