XVI。
TotheGovernorofGuienne。
MONSEIGNEUR，——Ihavereceivedthismorningyourletter，whichIhavecommunicatedtoM。deGourgues，andwehavedinedtogetheratthehouseofM。[themayor]ofBourdeaux。Astotheinconvenienceoftransportingthemoneynamedinyourmemorandum，youseehowdifficultathingitistoprovidefor;butyoumaybesurethatweshallkeepascloseawatchoveritaspossible。Iusedeveryexertiontodiscoverthemanofwhomyouspoke。Hehasnotbeenhere;andM。deBordeauxhasshownmealetterinwhichhementionsthathecouldnotcometoseetheDirectorofBordeaux，asheintended，havingbeeninformedthatyoumistrusthim。
Theletterisofthedaybeforeyesterday。IfIcouldhavefoundhim，I
mightperhapshavepursuedthegentlercourse，beinguncertainofyourviews;butIentreatyouneverthelesstofeelnomannerofdoubtthatI
refusetocarryoutanywishesofyours，andthat，whereyourcommandsareconcerned，Iknownodistinctionofpersonormatter。IhopethatyouhaveinGuiennemanyaswellaffectedtoyouasIam。TheyreportthattheNantesgalleysareadvancingtowardsBrouage。M。theMarshaldeBironhasnotyetleft。ThosewhowerechargedtoconveythemessagetoM。d’Useesaythattheycannotfindhim;andIbelievethat，ifhehasbeenhere，heissonolonger。Wekeepavigilanteyeonourgatesandguards，andwelookafterthemalittlemoreattentivelyinyourabsence，whichmakesmeapprehensive，notmerelyonaccountofthepreservationofthetown，butlikewiseforyourovensake，knowingthattheenemiesofthekingfeelhownecessaryyouaretohisservice，andhowillweshouldprosperwithoutyou。Iamafraidthat，inthepartwhereyouare，youwillbeovertakenbysomanyaffairsrequiringyourattentiononeveryside，thatitwilltakeyoualongtimeandinvolvegreatdifficultybeforeyouhavedisposedofeverything。Ifthereisanyimportantnews，Iwilldespatchanexpressatonce，andyoumayconcludethatnothingisstirringifyoudonothearfromme:atthesametimebeggingyoutobearinmindthatmovementsofthiskindarewonttobesosuddenandunexpectedthat，iftheyoccur，theywillgraspmebythethroat，beforetheysayaword。IwilldowhatIcantocollectnews，andforthispurposeIwillmakeapointofvisitingandseeingmenofeveryshadeofopinion。Downtothepresenttimenothingisstirring。M。deLondelhasseenmethismorning，andwehavebeenarrangingforsomeadvancesfortheplace，whereIshallgoto—morrowmorning。SinceIbeganthisletter，IhavelearntfromChartreuxthattwogentlemen，describingthemselvesasintheserviceofM。deGuise，andcomingfromAgen，havepassednearChartreux;butIwasnotabletoascertainwhichroadtheyhavetaken。TheyareexpectingyouatAgen。TheSieurdeMauvesincameasfarasCanteloup，andthencereturned，havinggotsomeintelligence。
IaminsearchofoneCaptainRous，towhom……wrote，tryingtodrawhimintohiscausebyallsortsofpromises。TherumourofthetwoNantesgalleysreadytodescendonBrouageisconfirmedascertain;theycarrytwocompaniesoffoot。M。deMercureisatNantes。TheSieurdelaCourbesaidtoM。thePresidentNesmondthatM。d’ElbeufisonthissideofAngiers，andlodgeswithhisfather。HeisdrawingtowardsLowerPoictouwith4000footand400or500horse，havingbeenreinforcedbythetroopsofM。deBrissacandothers，andM。deMercureistojoinhim。
ThereportgoesalsothatM。duMaineisabouttotakethecommandofalltheforcestheyhavecollectedinAuvergne，andthathewillcrossLeForettoadvanceonRouergueandus，thatistosay，ontheKingofNavarre，againstwhomallthisisbeingdirected。M。deLansacisatBourg，andhastwowarvessels，whichremaininattendanceonhim。Hisfunctionsarenaval。ItellyouwhatIlearn，andmixuptogetherthemoreorlessprobablehearsayofthetownwithactualmatteroffact，thatyoumaybeinpossessionofeverything。Ibegyoumosthumblytoreturndirectlyaffairsmayallowyoutodoso，andassureyouthat，meanwhile，weshallnotspareourlabour，or（ifthatwerenecessary）ourlife，tomaintaintheking’sauthoritythroughout。Monseigneur，Ikissyourhandsveryrespectfully，andprayGodtohaveyouinHiskeeping。
FromBordeaux，Wednesdaynight，22dMay（1590—91）。——Yourveryhumbleservant，MONTAIGNE。
IhaveseennoonefromthekingofNavarre;theysaythatM。deBironhasseenhim。
THEAUTHORTOTHEREADER
READER，thouhasthereanhonestbook;itdothattheoutsetforewarntheethat，incontrivingthesame，Ihaveproposedtomyselfnootherthanadomesticandprivateend:Ihavehadnoconsiderationatalleithertothyserviceortomyglory。Mypowersarenotcapableofanysuchdesign。Ihavededicatedittotheparticularcommodityofmykinsfolkandfriends，sothat，havinglostme（whichtheymustdoshortly），theymaythereinrecoversometraitsofmyconditionsandhumours，andbythatmeanspreservemorewhole，andmorelife—like，theknowledgetheyhadofme。Hadmyintentionbeentoseektheworld’sfavour，Ishouldsurelyhaveadornedmyselfwithborrowedbeauties:I
desirethereintobeviewedasIappearinmineowngenuine，simple，andordinarymanner，withoutstudyandartifice:foritismyselfIpaint。
Mydefectsarethereintobereadtothelife，andanyimperfectionsandmynaturalform，sofaraspublicreverencehathpermittedme。IfIhadlivedamongthosenations，which（theysay）yetdwellunderthesweetlibertyofnature’sprimitivelaws，IassuretheeIwouldmostwillinglyhavepaintedmyselfquitefullyandquitenaked。Thus，reader，myselfamthematterofmybook:there’snoreasonthoushouldstemploythyleisureaboutsofrivolousandvainasubject。Thereforefarewell。
FromMontaigne，the12thJune1580——[Sointheeditionof1595;theeditionof1588has12thJune1588]
FromMontaigne，the1stMarch1580。
——[SeeBonnefon，Montaigne，1893，p。254。Thebookhadbeenlicensedforthepressonthe9thMayprevious。Theeditionof1588
has12thJune1588;]——
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V2
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
ESSAYSOFMONTAIGNE
BOOKTHEFIRST
THATMENBYVARIOUSWAYSARRIVEATTHESAMEEND。
Themostusualwayofappeasingtheindignationofsuchaswehaveanywayoffended，whenweseetheminpossessionofthepowerofrevenge，andfindthatweabsolutelylieattheirmercy，isbysubmission，tomovethemtocommiserationandpity;andyetbravery，constancy，andresolution，howeverquitecontrarymeans，havesometimesservedtoproducethesameeffect。——[Florio’sversionbeginsthus:"Themostvsuallwaietoappeasethosemindsweehaveoffended，whenrevengeliesintheirhands，andthatwestandattheirmercie，isbysubmissiontomovethemtocommiserationandpity:Neuertheless，courage，constancie，andresolution（meansaltogetheropposite）havesometimeswroughtthesameeffect。
Edward，PrinceofWales（thesamewhosolonggovernedourGuienne，apersonagewhoseconditionandfortunehaveinthemagreatdealofthemostnotableandmostconsiderablepartsofgrandeur），havingbeenhighlyincensedbytheLimousins，andtakingtheircitybyassault，wasnot，eitherbythecriesofthepeople，ortheprayersandtearsofthewomenandchildren，abandonedtoslaughterandprostrateathisfeetformercy，tobestayedfromprosecutinghisrevenge;till，penetratingfurtherintothetown，heatlasttooknoticeofthreeFrenchgentlemen，——[ThesewereJeandeVillemure，HughdelaRoche，andRogerdeBeaufort。——Froissart，i。c。289。]——whowithincrediblebraveryalonesustainedthepowerofhisvictoriousarmy。Thenitwasthatconsiderationandrespectuntosoremarkableavalourfirststoppedthetorrentofhisfury，andthathisclemency，beginningwiththesethreecavaliers，wasafterwardsextendedtoalltheremaininginhabitantsofthecity。
Scanderbeg，PrinceofEpirus，pursuingoneofhissoldierswithpurposetokillhim，thesoldier，havinginvaintriedbyallthewaysofhumilityandsupplicationtoappeasehim，resolved，ashislastrefuge，tofaceaboutandawaithimswordinhand:whichbehaviourofhisgaveasuddenstoptohiscaptain’sfury，who，forseeinghimassumesonotablearesolution，receivedhimintograce;anexample，however，thatmightsufferanotherinterpretationwithsuchashavenotreadoftheprodigiousforceandvalourofthatprince。
TheEmperorConradIII。havingbesiegedGuelph，DukeofBavaria，——[In1140，inWeinsberg，UpperBavaria。]——wouldnotbeprevailedupon，whatmeanandunmanlysatisfactionssoeverweretenderedtohim，tocondescendtomilderconditionsthanthattheladiesandgentlewomenonlywhowereinthetownwiththedukemightgooutwithoutviolationoftheirhonour，onfoot，andwithsomuchonlyastheycouldcarryaboutthem。Whereuponthey，outofmagnanimityofheart，presentlycontrivedtocarryout，upontheirshoulders，theirhusbandsandchildren，andthedukehimself;
asightatwhichtheemperorwassopleased，that，ravishedwiththegenerosityoftheaction，heweptforjoy，andimmediatelyextinguishinginhisheartthemortalandcapitalhatredhehadconceivedagainstthisduke，hefromthattimeforwardtreatedhimandhiswithallhumanity。
Theoneandtheotherofthesetwowayswouldwithgreatfacilityworkuponmynature;forIhaveamarvellouspropensitytomercyandmildness，andtosuchadegreethatIfancyofthetwoIshouldsoonersurrendermyangertocompassionthantoesteem。AndyetpityisreputedaviceamongsttheStoics，whowillthatwesuccourtheafflicted，butnotthatweshouldbesoaffectedwiththeirsufferingsastosufferwiththem。
Iconceivedtheseexamplesnotillsuitedtothequestioninhand，andtheratherbecausethereinweobservethesegreatsoulsassaultedandtriedbythesetwoseveralways，toresisttheonewithoutrelenting，andtobeshookandsubjectedbytheother。Itmaybetruethattosufferaman’shearttobetotallysubduedbycompassionmaybeimputedtofacility，effeminacy，andover—tenderness;whenceitcomestopassthattheweakernatures，asofwomen，children，andthecommonsortofpeople，arethemostsubjecttoitbutafterhavingresistedanddisdainedthepowerofgroansandtears，toyieldtothesolereverenceofthesacredimageofValour，thiscanbenootherthantheeffectofastrongandinflexiblesoulenamouredofandhonouringmasculineandobstinatecourage。Nevertheless，astonishmentandadmirationmay，inlessgenerousminds，begetalikeeffect:witnessthepeopleofThebes，who，havingputtwooftheirgeneralsupontrialfortheirlivesforhavingcontinuedinarmsbeyondtheprecisetermoftheircommission，veryhardlypardonedPelopidas，who，bowingundertheweightofsodangerousanaccusation，madenomannerofdefenceforhimself，norproducedotherargumentsthanprayersandsupplications;whereas，onthecontrary，Epaminondas，fallingtorecountmagniloquentlytheexploitshehadperformedintheirservice，and，afterahaughtyandarrogantmannerreproachingthemwithingratitudeandinjustice，theyhadnotthehearttoproceedanyfurtherinhistrial，butbrokeupthecourtanddeparted，thewholeassemblyhighlycommendingthehighcourageofthispersonage。——[Plutarch，HowfaraManmaypraiseHimself，c。5。]
Dionysiustheelder，afterhaving，byatedioussiegeandthroughexceedinggreatdifficulties，takenthecityofReggio，andinitthegovernorPhyton，averygallantman，whohadmadesoobstinateadefence，wasresolvedtomakehimatragicalexampleofhisrevenge:inorderwhereuntohefirsttoldhim，"Thathehadthedaybeforecausedhissonandallhiskindredtobedrowned。"TowhichPhytonreturnednootheranswerbutthis:"Thattheywerethenbyonedayhappierthanhe。"Afterwhich，causinghimtobestripped，anddeliveringhimintothehandsofthetormentors，hewasbythemnotonlydraggedthroughthestreetsofthetown，andmostignominiouslyandcruellywhipped，butmoreovervilifiedwithmostbitterandcontumeliouslanguage:yetstillhemaintainedhiscourageentirealltheway，withastrongvoiceandundauntedcountenanceproclaimingthehonourableandgloriouscauseofhisdeath;namely，forthathewouldnotdeliveruphiscountryintothehandsofatyrant;atthesametimedenouncingagainsthimaspeedychastisementfromtheoffendedgods。AtwhichDionysius，readinginhissoldiers’looks，thatinsteadofbeingincensedatthehaughtylanguageofthisconqueredenemy，tothecontemptoftheircaptainandhistriumph，theywerenotonlystruckwithadmirationofsorareavirtue，butmoreoverinclinedtomutiny，andwereevenreadytorescuetheprisoneroutofthehangman’shands，hecausedthetorturingtocease，andafterwardsprivatelycausedhimtobethrownintothesea。——[Diod。
Sic。，xiv。29。]
Man（ingoodearnest）isamarvellousvain，fickle，andunstablesubject，andonwhomitisveryhardtoformanycertainanduniformjudgment。
ForPompeycouldpardonthewholecityoftheMamertines，thoughfuriouslyincensedagainstit，uponthesingleaccountofthevirtueandmagnanimityofonecitizen，Zeno，——[PlutarchcallshimStheno，andalsoSthemnusandSthenis]——whotookthefaultofthepublicwhollyuponhimself;neitherentreatedotherfavour，butalonetoundergothepunishmentforall:andyetSylla’shost，havinginthecityofPerugia——[PlutarchsaysPreneste，atownofLatium。]——manifestedthesamevirtue，obtainednothingbyit，eitherforhimselforhisfellow—
citizens。
And，directlycontrarytomyfirstexamples，thebravestofallmen，andwhowasreputedsogracioustoallthoseheovercame，Alexander，having，aftermanygreatdifficulties，forcedthecityofGaza，and，entering，foundBetis，whocommandedthere，andofwhosevalourinthetimeofthissiegehehadmostmarvellousmanifestproof，alone，forsakenbyallhissoldiers，hisarmourhackedandhewedtopieces，coveredalloverwithbloodandwounds，andyetstillfightinginthecrowdofanumberofMacedonians，whowerelayingonhimonallsides，hesaidtohim，nettledatsodear—boughtavictory（for，inadditiontotheotherdamage，hehadtwowoundsnewlyreceivedinhisownperson），"Thoushaltnotdie，Betis，asthoudostintend;besurethoushallsufferallthetormentsthatcanbeinflictedonacaptive。"Towhichmenacetheotherreturningnootheranswer，butonlyafierceanddisdainfullook;"What，"saysAlexander，observinghishaughtyandobstinatesilence，"ishetoostifftobendaknee！Ishetooproudtoutteronesuppliantword！Truly，Iwillconquerthissilence;andifIcannotforceawordfromhismouth，I
will，atleast，extractagroanfromhisheart。"Andthereuponconvertinghisangerintofury，presentlycommandedhisheelstobeboredthrough，causinghim，alive，tobedragged，mangled，anddismemberedatacart’stail。——[QuintusCurtius，iv。6。Thisactofcrueltyhasbeendoubted，notwithstandingthestatementofCurtius。]——Wasitthattheheightofcouragewassonaturalandfamiliartothisconqueror，thatbecausehecouldnotadmire，herespectedittheless？Orwasitthatheconceivedvalourtobeavirtuesopeculiartohimself，thathispridecouldnot，withoutenvy，endureitinanother？Orwasitthatthenaturalimpetuosityofhisfurywasincapableofopposition？Certainly，haditbeencapableofmoderation，itistobebelievedthatinthesackanddesolationofThebes，toseesomanyvaliantmen，lostandtotallydestituteofanyfurtherdefence，cruellymassacredbeforehiseyes，wouldhaveappeasedit:wheretherewereabovesixthousandputtothesword，ofwhomnotonewasseentofly，orheardtocryoutforquarter;
but，onthecontrary，everyonerunninghereandtheretoseekoutandtoprovokethevictoriousenemytohelpthemtoanhonourableend。Notonewasseenwho，howeverweakenedwithwounds，didnotinhislastgaspyetendeavourtorevengehimself，andwithallthearmsofabravedespair，tosweetenhisowndeathinthedeathofanenemy。Yetdidtheirvalourcreatenopity，andthelengthofonedaywasnotenoughtosatiatethethirstoftheconqueror’srevenge，buttheslaughtercontinuedtothelastdropofbloodthatwascapableofbeingshed，andstoppednottillitmetwithnonebutunarmedpersons，oldmen，women，andchildren，ofthemtocarryawaytothenumberofthirtythousandslaves。
CHAPTERII
OFSORROW
NomanlivingismorefreefromthispassionthanI，whoyetneitherlikeitinmyselfnoradmireitinothers，andyetgenerallytheworld，asasettledthing，ispleasedtograceitwithaparticularesteem，clothingtherewithwisdom，virtue，andconscience。Foolishandsordidguise！
——["NomanismorefreefromthispassionthanI，forIneitherlovenorregardit:albeittheworldhathundertaken，asitwereuponcovenant，tograceitwithaparticularfavour。Therewiththeyadorneage，vertue，andconscience。Ohfoolishandbaseornament！"Florio，1613，p。3]——
TheItalianshavemorefitlybaptizedbythisname——[Latristezza]——
malignity;for’tisaqualityalwayshurtful，alwaysidleandvain;andasbeingcowardly，mean，andbase，itisbytheStoicsexpresslyandparticularlyforbiddentotheirsages。
Butthestory——[Herodotus，iii。14。]——saysthatPsammenitus，KingofEgypt，beingdefeatedandtakenprisonerbyCambyses，KingofPersia，seeinghisowndaughterpassbyhimasprisoner，andinawretchedhabit，withabuckettodrawwater，thoughhisfriendsabouthimweresoconcernedastobreakoutintotearsandlamentations，yethehimselfremainedunmoved，withoututteringaword，hiseyesfixedupontheground;andseeing，moreover，hissonimmediatelyafterledtoexecution，stillmaintainedthesamecountenance;tillspyingatlastoneofhisdomesticandfamiliarfriendsdraggedawayamongstthecaptives，hefelltotearinghishairandbeatinghisbreast，withalltheotherextravagancesofextremesorrow。
Astorythatmayveryfitlybecoupledwithanotherofthesamekind，ofrecentdate，ofaprinceofourownnation，whobeingatTrent，andhavingnewstherebroughthimofthedeathofhiselderbrother，abrotheronwhomdependedthewholesupportandhonourofhishouse，andsoonafterofthatofayoungerbrother，thesecondhopeofhisfamily，andhavingwithstoodthesetwoassaultswithanexemplaryresolution;oneofhisservantshappeningafewdaysaftertodie，hesufferedhisconstancytobeovercomebythislastaccident;and，partingwithhiscourage，soabandonedhimselftosorrowandmourning，thatsomethencewereforwardtoconcludethathewasonlytouchedtothequickbythislaststrokeoffortune;but，intruth，itwas，thatbeingbeforebrimfulofgrief，theleastadditionoverflowedtheboundsofallpatience。
Which，Ithink，mightalsobesaidoftheformerexample，didnotthestoryproceedtotellusthatCambysesaskingPsammenitus，"Why，notbeingmovedatthecalamityofhissonanddaughter，heshouldwithsogreatimpatiencebearthemisfortuneofhisfriend？""Itis，"answeredhe，"becauseonlythislastafflictionwastobemanifestedbytears，thetwofirstfarexceedingallmannerofexpression。"
And，peradventure，somethinglikethismightbeworkinginthefancyoftheancientpainter，——[Cicero，DeOrator。，c。22;Pliny，xxxv。10。]——
whohaving，inthesacrificeofIphigenia，torepresentthesorrowoftheassistantsproportionablytotheseveraldegreesofinteresteveryonehadinthedeathofthisfairinnocentvirgin，andhaving，intheotherfigures，laidouttheutmostpowerofhisart，whenhecametothatofherfather，hedrewhimwithaveiloverhisface，meaningtherebythatnokindofcountenancewascapableofexpressingsuchadegreeofsorrow。
Whichisalsothereasonwhythepoetsfeignthemiserablemother，Niobe，havingfirstlostsevensons，andthenafterwardsasmanydaughters（overwhelmedwithherlosses），tohavebeenatlasttransformedintoarock——
"Diriguissemalis，"
["Petrifiedwithhermisfortunes。"——Ovid，Met。，vi。304。]
therebytoexpressthatmelancholic，dumb，anddeafstupefaction，whichbenumbsallourfaculties，whenoppressedwithaccidentsgreaterthanweareabletobear。And，indeed，theviolenceandimpressionofanexcessivegriefmustofnecessityastonishthesoul，andwhollydepriveherofherordinaryfunctions:asithappenstoeveryoneofus，who，uponanysuddenalarmofveryillnews，findourselvessurprised，stupefied，andinamannerdeprivedofallpowerofmotion，sothatthesoul，beginningtoventitselfintearsandlamentations，seemstofreeanddisengageitselffromthesuddenoppression，andtohaveobtainedsomeroomtoworkitselfoutatgreaterliberty。
"Etviavixtandemvocilaxatadoloreest。"
["Andatlengthandwithdifficultyisapassageopenedbygriefforutterance。"——AEneid，xi。151。]
InthewarthatFerdinandmadeuponthewidowofKingJohnofHungary，aboutBuda，aman—at—armswasparticularlytakennoticeofbyeveryoneforhissingulargallantbehaviourinacertainencounter;and，unknown，highlycommended，andlamented，beingleftdeadupontheplace:butbynonesomuchasbyRaisciac，aGermanlord，whowasinfinitelyenamouredofsorareavalour。Thebodybeingbroughtoff，andthecount，withthecommoncuriositycomingtoviewit，thearmourwasnosoonertakenoffbutheimmediatelyknewhimtobehisownson，athingthataddedasecondblowtothecompassionofallthebeholders;onlyhe，withoututteringaword，orturningawayhiseyesfromthewoefulobject，stoodfixedlycontemplatingthebodyofhisson，tillthevehemencyofsorrowhavingovercomehisvitalspirits，madehimsinkdownstone—deadtotheground。
"Chipuodircom’egliarde，ainpicciolfuoco，"
["Hewhocansayhowheburnswithlove，haslittlefire"
——Petrarca，Sonetto137。]
saytheInnamoratos，whentheywouldrepresentan’insupportablepassion。
"MiseroquodomneisEripitsensusmihi:namsimulte，Lesbia，aspexi，nihilestsupermi，Quodloquaramens。
Linguasedtorpet:tenuissubartusFlammadimanat;sonitusuopteTintinantaures;geminategunturLuminanocte。"
["Lovedeprivesmeofallmyfaculties:Lesbia，whenonceinthypresence，Ihavenotleftthepowertotellmydistractingpassion:
mytonguebecomestorpid;asubtleflamecreepsthroughmyveins;myearstingleindeafness;myeyesareveiledwithdarkness。"
Catullus，Epig。li。5]
Neitherisitintheheightandgreatestfuryofthefitthatweareinaconditiontopouroutourcomplaintsorouramorouspersuasions，thesoulbeingatthattimeover—burdened，andlabouringwithprofoundthoughts;
andthebodydejectedandlanguishingwithdesire;andthenceitisthatsometimesproceedthoseaccidentalimpotenciesthatsounseasonablysurprisethelover，andthatfrigiditywhichbytheforceofanimmoderateardourseizeshimevenintheverylapoffruition。
——[Theeditionof1588hashere，"Anaccidentnotunknowntomyself。"]——
Forallpassionsthatsufferthemselvestoberelishedanddigestedarebutmoderate:
"Curaelevesloquuntur，ingentesstupent。"
["Lightgriefscanspeak:deepsorrowsaredumb。"
——Seneca，Hippolytus，actii。scene3。]
Asurpriseofunexpectedjoydoeslikewiseoftenproducethesameeffect:
"Utmeconspexitvenientem，etTrojacircumArmaamensvidit，magnisexterritamonstris，Diriguitvisuinmedio，calorossareliquit，Labitur，etlongovixtandemtemporefatur。"
["Whenshebeheldmeadvancing，andsaw，withstupefaction，theTrojanarmsaroundme，terrifiedwithsogreataprodigy，shefaintedawayattheverysight:vitalwarmthforsookherlimbs:shesinksdown，and，afteralonginterval，withdifficultyspeaks。"—
AEneid，iii。306。]
BesidestheexamplesoftheRomanlady，whodiedforjoytoseehersonsafereturnedfromthedefeatofCannae;andofSophoclesandofDionysiustheTyrant，——[Pliny，vii。53。DiodorusSiculus，however（xv。
c。20），tellsusthatDionysius"wassooverjoyedatthenewsthathemadeagreatsacrificeuponittothegods，preparedsumptuousfeasts，towhichheinvitedallhisfriends，andthereindranksoexcessivelythatitthrewhimintoaverybaddistemper。"]——whodiedofjoy;andofThalna，whodiedinCorsica，readingnewsofthehonourstheRomanSenatehaddecreedinhisfavour，wehave，moreover，oneinourtime，ofPopeLeoX。，whouponnewsofthetakingofMilan，athinghehadsoardentlydesired，wasraptwithsosuddenanexcessofjoythatheimmediatelyfellintoafeveranddied。——[Guicciardini，Storiad’Italia，vol。
xiv。]——Andforamorenotabletestimonyoftheimbecilityofhumannature，itisrecordedbytheancients——[Pliny，’utsupra’]——thatDiodorusthedialecticiandieduponthespot，outofanextremepassionofshame，fornothavingbeenableinhisownschool，andinthepresenceofagreatauditory，todisengagehimselffromaniceargumentthatwaspropoundedtohim。I，formypart，amverylittlesubjecttotheseviolentpassions;Iamnaturallyofastubbornapprehension，whichalso，byreasoning，Ieverydayhardenandfortify。
CHAPTERIII
THATOURAFFECTIONSCARRYTHEMSELVESBEYONDUS
Suchasaccusemankindofthefollyofgapingafterfuturethings，andadviseustomakeourbenefitofthosewhicharepresent，andtosetupourrestuponthem，ashavingnograspuponthatwhichistocome，evenlessthanthatwhichwehaveuponwhatispast，havehituponthemostuniversalofhumanerrors，ifthatmaybecalledanerrortowhichnatureherselfhasdisposedus，inordertothecontinuationofherownwork，prepossessingus，amongstseveralothers，withthisdeceivingimagination，asbeingmorejealousofouractionthanafraidofourknowledge。
Weareneverpresentwith，butalwaysbeyondourselves:fear，desire，hope，stillpushusontowardsthefuture，deprivingus，inthemeantime，ofthesenseandconsiderationofthatwhichistoamuseuswiththethoughtofwhatshallbe，evenwhenweshallbenomore。——[Rousseau，Emile，livreii。]
"Calamitosusestanimusfuturiauxius。"
["Themindanxiousaboutthefutureisunhappy。"
——Seneca，Epist。，98。]
WefindthisgreatpreceptoftenrepeatedinPlato，"Dothineownwork，andknowthyself。"Ofwhichtwoparts，boththeoneandtheothergenerally，comprehendourwholeduty，anddoeachoftheminlikemannerinvolvetheother;forwhowilldohisownworkarightwillfindthathisfirstlessonistoknowwhatheis，andthatwhichispropertohimself;
andwhorightlyunderstandshimselfwillnevermistakeanotherman’sworkforhisown，butwillloveandimprovehimselfaboveallotherthings，willrefusesuperfluousemployments，andrejectallunprofitablethoughtsandpropositions。Asfolly，ontheoneside，thoughitshouldenjoyallitdesire，wouldnotwithstandingneverbecontent，so，ontheother，wisdom，acquiescinginthepresent，isneverdissatisfiedwithitself。
——[Cicero，Tusc。Quae。，57，v。18。]——Epicurusdispenseshissagesfromallforesightandcareofthefuture。
Amongstthoselawsthatrelatetothedead，Ilookuponthattobeverysoundbywhichtheactionsofprincesaretobeexaminedaftertheirdecease。——[DiodorusSiculus，i。6。]——Theyareequalswith，ifnotmastersofthelaws，and，therefore，whatjusticecouldnotinflictupontheirpersons，’tisbutreasonshouldbeexecutedupontheirreputationsandtheestatesoftheirsuccessors——thingsthatweoftenvalueabovelifeitself。’Tisacustomofsingularadvantagetothosecountrieswhereitisinuse，andbyallgoodprincestobedesired，whohavereasontotakeitill，thatthememoriesofthewickedshouldbeusedwiththesamereverenceandrespectwiththeirown。Weowesubjectionandobediencetoallourkings，whethergoodorbad，alike，forthathasrespectuntotheiroffice;butastoesteemandaffection，theseareonlyduetotheirvirtue。Letusgranttopoliticalgovernmenttoendurethemwithpatience，howeverunworthy;toconcealtheirvices;andtoassistthemwithourrecommendationintheirindifferentactions，whilsttheirauthoritystandsinneedofoursupport。But，therelationofprinceandsubjectbeingonceatanend，thereisnoreasonweshoulddenytheexpressionofourrealopinionstoourownlibertyandcommonjustice，andespeciallytointerdicttogoodsubjectsthegloryofhavingreverentlyandfaithfullyservedaprince，whoseimperfectionsweretothemsowellknown;thisweretodepriveposterityofausefulexample。
Andsuchas，outofrespecttosomeprivateobligation，unjustlyespouseandvindicatethememoryofafaultyprince，doprivaterightattheexpenseofpublicjustice。Livydoesverytrulysay，——[xxxv。48。]——
"Thatthelanguageofmenbredupincourtsisalwaysfullofvainostentationandfalsetestimony，everyoneindifferentlymagnifyinghisownmaster，andstretchinghiscommendationtotheutmostextentofvirtueandsovereigngrandeur。"SomemaycondemnthefreedomofthosetwosoldierswhosoroundlyansweredNerotohisbeard;theonebeingaskedbyhimwhyheborehimill—will？"Ilovedthee，"answeredhe，"whilstthouwertworthyofit，butsincethouartbecomeaparricide，anincendiary，aplayer，andacoachman，Ihatetheeasthoudostdeserve。"
Andtheother，whyheshouldattempttokillhim？"Because，"saidhe，"Icouldthinkofnootherremedyagainstthyperpetualmischiefs。"
——[Tacitus，Annal。，xv。67。]——Butthepublicanduniversaltestimoniesthatweregivenofhimafterhisdeath（andsowillbetoallposterity，bothofhimandallotherwickedprinceslikehim），ofhistyranniesandabominabledeportment，who，ofasoundjudgment，canreprovethem？
Iamscandalised，thatinsosacredagovernmentasthatoftheLacedaemoniansthereshouldbemixedsohypocriticalaceremonyattheintermentoftheirkings;wherealltheirconfederatesandneighbours，andallsortsanddegreesofmenandwomen，aswellastheirslaves，cutandslashedtheirforeheadsintokenofsorrow，repeatingintheircriesandlamentationsthatthatking（lethimhavebeenaswickedasthedevil）wasthebestthatevertheyhad;——[Herodotus，vi。68。]——bythismeansattributingtohisqualitythepraisethatonlybelongstomerit，andthatofrightisduetosupremedesert，thoughlodgedinthelowestandmostinferiorsubject。
Aristotle，whowillstillhaveahandineverything，makesa’quaere’
uponthesayingofSolon，thatnonecanbesaidtobehappyuntilheisdead:"whether，then，hewhohaslivedanddiedaccordingtohisheart’sdesire，ifhehaveleftanillreputebehindhim，andthathisposteritybemiserable，canbesaidtobehappy？"Whilstwehavelifeandmotion，weconveyourselvesbyfancyandpreoccupation，whitherandtowhatweplease;butonceoutofbeing，wehavenomoreanymannerofcommunicationwiththatwhichis，andithadthereforebeenbettersaidbySolonthatmanisneverhappy，becauseneverso，tillheisnomore。
"QuisquamVixradicitusevitasetollit，eteicit;
Sedfacitessesuiquiddamsuperinsciusipse，Necremovetsatisaprojectocorporesese，etVindicat。"
["Scarcelyonemancan，evenindying，whollydetachhimselffromtheideaoflife;inhisignorancehemustneedsimaginethatthereisinhimsomethingthatsurviveshim，andcannotsufficientlyseparateoremancipatehimselffromhisremains"
——Lucretius，iii。890。]
BertranddeGuesclin，dyingatthesiegeoftheCastleofRancon，nearuntoPuy，inAuvergne，thebesiegedwereafterwards，uponsurrender，enjoinedtolaydownthekeysoftheplaceuponthecorpseofthedeadgeneral。Bartolommeod’Alviano，theVenetianGeneral，happeningtodieintheserviceoftheRepublicinBrescia，andhiscorpsebeingtobecarriedthroughtheterritoryofVerona，anenemy’scountry，mostofthearmywereinclinedtodemandsafe—conductfromtheVeronese;butTheodoroTrivulzioopposedthemotion，ratherchoosingtomakehiswaybyforceofarms，andtorunthehazardofabattle，sayingitwasbynomeansfitthathewhoinhislifewasneverafraidofhisenemiesshouldseemtoapprehendthemwhenhewasdead。Intruth，inaffairsofthesamenature，bytheGreeklaws，hewhomadesuittoanenemyforabodytogiveitburialrenouncedhisvictory，andhadnomorerighttoerectatrophy，andhetowhomsuchsuitwasmadewasreputedvictor。BythismeansitwasthatNiciaslosttheadvantagehehadvisiblyobtainedovertheCorinthians，andthatAgesilaus，onthecontrary，assuredthatwhichhehadbeforeverydoubtfullygainedovertheBoeotians。——[Plutarch，LifeofNicias，c。ii。;LifeofAgesilaus，c。vi。]
Thesethingsmightappearstrange，haditnotbeenageneralpracticeinallagesnotonlytoextendtheconcernofourselvesbeyondthislife，but，moreover，tofancythatthefavourofHeavendoesnotonlyveryoftenaccompanyustothegrave，buthasalso，evenafterlife，aconcernforourashes。Ofwhichtherearesomanyancientexamples（tosaynothingofthoseofourownobservation），thatitisnotnecessaryI
shouldlongerinsistuponit。EdwardI。，KingofEngland，havinginthelongwarsbetwixthimandRobert，KingofScotland，hadexperienceofhowgreatimportancehisownimmediatepresencewastothesuccessofhisaffairs，havingeverbeenvictoriousinwhateverheundertookinhisownperson，whenhecametodie，boundhissoninasolemnoaththat，sosoonasheshouldbedeadheshouldboilhisbodytillthefleshpartedfromthebones，andburytheflesh，reservingthebonestocarrycontinuallywithhiminhisarmy，sooftenasheshouldbeobligedtogoagainsttheScots，asifdestinyhadinevitablyattachedvictory，eventohisremains。JohnZisca，thesamewho，tovindicationofWicliffe’sheresies，troubledtheBohemianstate，leftorderthattheyshouldflayhimafterhisdeath，andofhisskinmakeadrumtocarryinthewaragainsthisenemies，fancyingitwouldcontributetothecontinuationofthesuccesseshehadalwaysobtainedinthewarsagainstthem。InlikemannercertainoftheIndians，intheirbattleswiththeSpaniards，carriedwiththemthebonesofoneoftheircaptains，inconsiderationofthevictoriestheyhadformerlyobtainedunderhisconduct。AndotherpeopleofthesameNewWorldcarryaboutwiththem，intheirwars，therelicsofvaliantmenwhohavediedinbattle，toincitetheircourageandadvancetheirfortune。Ofwhichexamplesthefirstreservenothingforthetombbutthereputationtheyhaveacquiredbytheirformerachievements，buttheseattributetothemacertainpresentandactivepower。
TheproceedingofCaptainBayardisofabettercomposition，whofindinghimselfwoundedtodeathwithanharquebussshot，andbeingimportunedtoretireoutofthefight，madeanswerthathewouldnotbeginatthelastgasptoturnhisbacktotheenemy，andaccordinglystillfoughton，tillfeelinghimselftoofaintandnolongerabletositonhishorse，hecommandedhisstewardtosethimdownatthefootofatree，butsothathemightdiewithhisfacetowardstheenemy，whichhedid。
Imustyetaddanotherexample，equallyremarkableforthepresentconsiderationwithanyoftheformer。TheEmperorMaximilian，great—
grandfathertothenowKingPhilip，——[PhilipII。ofSpain。]——wasaprinceendowedthroughoutwithgreatandextraordinaryqualities，andamongsttherestwithasingularbeautyofperson，buthadwithalahumourverycontrarytothatofotherprinces，whoforthedespatchoftheirmostimportantaffairsconverttheirclose—stoolintoachairofState，whichwas，thathewouldneverpermitanyofhisbedchamber，howfamiliarsoever，toseehiminthatposture，andwouldstealasidetomakewaterasreligiouslyasavirgin，shytodiscovertohisphysicianoranyotherwhomsoeverthosepartsthatweareaccustomedtoconceal。
Imyself，whohavesoimpudentawayoftalking，am，nevertheless，naturallysomodestthisway，thatunlessattheimportunityofnecessityorpleasure，Iscarcelyevercommunicatetothesightofanyeitherthosepartsoractionsthatcustomordersustoconceal，whereinIsuffermoreconstraintthanIconceiveisverywellbecomingaman，especiallyofmyprofession。Buthenourishedthismodesthumourtosuchadegreeofsuperstitionastogiveexpressordersinhislastwillthattheyshouldputhimondrawerssosoonasheshouldbedead;towhich，methinks，hewouldhavedonewelltohaveaddedthatheshouldbeblindfolded，too，thatputthemon。ThechargethatCyrusleftwithhischildren，thatneitherthey，noranyother，shouldeitherseeortouchhisbodyafterthesoulwasdepartedfromit，——[Xenophon，Cyropedia，viii。7。]——I
attributetosomesuperstitiousdevotionofhis;forbothhishistorianandhimself，amongsttheirgreatqualities，markedthewholecourseoftheirliveswithasingularrespectandreverencetoreligion。
Iwasbynomeanspleasedwithastory，toldmebyamanofverygreatqualityofarelationofmine，andonewhohadgivenaverygoodaccountofhimselfbothinpeaceandwar，that，comingtodieinaveryoldage，ofexcessivepainofthestone，hespentthelasthoursofhislifeinanextraordinarysolicitudeaboutorderingthehonourandceremonyofhisfuneral，pressingallthemenofconditionwhocametoseehimtoengagetheirwordtoattendhimtohisgrave:importuningthisveryprince，whocametovisithimathislastgasp，withamostearnestsupplicationthathewouldorderhisfamilytobethere，andpresentingbeforehimseveralreasonsandexamplestoprovethatitwasarespectduetoamanofhiscondition;andseemedtodiecontent，havingobtainedthispromise，andappointedthemethodandorderofhisfuneralparade。Ihaveseldomheardofsopersistentavanity。
Another，thoughcontrarycuriosity（ofwhichsingularity，also，Idonotwantdomesticexample），seemstobesomewhatakintothis，thatamanshallcudgelhisbrainsatthelastmomentsofhislifetocontrivehisobsequiestosoparticularandunusualaparsimonyasofoneservantwithalantern，Iseethishumourcommended，andtheappointmentofMarcus。
EmiliusLepidus，whoforbadehisheirstobestowuponhishearseeventhecommonceremoniesinuseuponsuchoccasions。Isityettemperanceandfrugalitytoavoidexpenseandpleasureofwhichtheuseandknowledgeareimperceptibletous？See，here，aneasyandcheapreformation。Ifinstructionwereatallnecessaryinthiscase，Ishouldbeofopinionthatinthis，asinallotheractionsoflife，eachpersonshouldregulatethematteraccordingtohisfortune;andthephilosopherLyconprudentlyorderedhisfriendstodisposeofhisbodywheretheyshouldthinkmostfit，andastohisfuneral，toorderitneithertoosuperfluousnortoomean。Formypart，Ishouldwhollyrefertheorderingofthisceremonytocustom，andshall，whenthetimecomes，accordinglyleaveittotheirdiscretiontowhoselotitshallfalltodomethatlastoffice。"Totushiclocusestcontemnendusinnobis，nonnegligendusinnostris;"——["Theplaceofoursepultureistobecontemnedbyus，butnottobeneglectedbyourfriends。"——Cicero，Tusc。i。45。]——
anditwasaholysayingofasaint，"Curatiofuneris，conditiosepultura:，pompaexequiarum，magissuntvivorumsolatia，quamsubsidiamortuorum。"——["Thecareofdeath，theplaceofsepulture，thepompsofobsequies，areratherconsolationstothelivingthansuccourstothedead。"August。DeCivit。Dei，i。12。]——WhichmadeSocratesanswerCrito，who，atdeath，askedhimhowhewouldbeburied:"Howyouwill，"
saidhe。"IfIweretoconcernmyselfbeyondthepresentaboutthisaffair，Ishouldbemosttempted，asthegreatestsatisfactionofthiskind，toimitatethosewhointheirlifetimeentertainthemselveswiththeceremonyandhonoursoftheirownobsequiesbeforehand，andarepleasedwithbeholdingtheirowndeadcountenanceinmarble。Happyaretheywhocangratifytheirsensesbyinsensibility，andlivebytheirdeath！
Iamreadytoconceiveanimplacablehatredagainstallpopulardomination，thoughIthinkitthemostnaturalandequitableofall，sooftasIcalltomindtheinhumaninjusticeofthepeopleofAthens，who，withoutremission，oroncevouchsafingtohearwhattheyhadtosayforthemselves，puttodeaththeirbravecaptainsnewlyreturnedtriumphantfromanavalvictorytheyhadobtainedovertheLacedaemoniansneartheArginusianIsles，themostbloodyandobstinateengagementthatevertheGreeksfoughtatsea;because（afterthevictory）theyfolloweduptheblowandpursuedtheadvantagespresentedtothembytheruleofwar，ratherthanstaytogatherupandburytheirdead。AndtheexecutionisyetrenderedmoreodiousbythebehaviourofDiomedon，who，beingoneofthecondemned，andamanofmosteminentvirtue，politicalandmilitary，afterhavingheardthesentence，advancingtospeak，noaudiencetillthenhavingbeenallowed，insteadoflayingbeforethemhisowncause，ortheimpietyofsocruelasentence，onlyexpressedasolicitudeforhisjudges’preservation，beseechingthegodstoconvertthissentencetotheirgood，andprayingthat，forneglectingtofulfilthevowswhichheandhiscompanionshadmade（withwhichhealsoacquaintedthem）inacknowledgmentofsogloriousasuccess，theymightnotdrawdowntheindignationofthegodsuponthem;andsowithoutmorewordswentcourageouslytohisdeath。
Fortune，afewyearsafter，punishedtheminthesamekind;forChabrias，captain—generaloftheirnavalforces，havinggotthebetterofPollis，AdmiralofSparta，attheIsleofNaxos，totallylostthefruitsofhisvictory，oneofverygreatimportancetotheiraffairs，inordernottoincurthedangerofthisexample，andsothatheshouldnotloseafewbodiesofhisdeadfriendsthatwerefloatinginthesea，gaveopportunitytoaworldoflivingenemiestosailawayinsafety，whoafterwardsmadethempaydearforthisunseasonablesuperstition:——
Quaeris，quojaceas，postobitum，loco？
Quononnatajacent。"
["Dostaskwherethoushaltlieafterdeath？
Wherethingsnotbornlie，thatneverbeinghad。"]
Seneca，Tyoa。Choroii。30。
Thisotherrestoresthesenseofreposetoabodywithoutasoul:
"Nequesepulcrum，quorecipiatur，habeat:portumcorporis，ubi，remissahuman，vita，corpusrequiescatamalis。"
["Norlethimhaveasepulchrewhereinhemaybereceived，ahavenforhisbody，where，lifebeinggone，thatbodymayrestfromitswoes。"——Ennius，ap。Cicero，Tusc。i。44。]
Asnaturedemonstratestousthatseveraldeadthingsretainyetanoccultrelationtolife;winechangesitsflavourandcomplexionincellars，accordingtothechangesandseasonsofthevinefromwhenceitcame;andthefleshof——venisonaltersitsconditioninthepowdering—
tub，anditstasteaccordingtothelawsofthelivingfleshofitskind，asitissaid。