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。]