Allthatexceedsasimpledeathappearstomeabsolutecruelty。Ourjusticecannotexpectthathe，whomthefearofdyingbybeingbeheadedorhangedwillnotrestrain，shouldbeanymoreawedbytheimaginationofalanguishingfire，pincers，orthewheel。AndIknownot，inthemeantime，whetherwedonotthrowthemintodespair;forinwhatconditioncanbethesoulofaman，expectingfour—and—twentyhourstogethertobebrokenuponawheel，oraftertheoldway，nailedtoacross？JosephusrelatesthatinthetimeofthewartheRomansmadeinJudaea，happeningtopassbywheretheyhadthreedaysbeforecrucifiedcertainJews，heamongstthemknewthreeofhisownfriends，andobtainedthefavourofhavingthemtakendown，ofwhomtwo，hesays，died;thethirdlivedagreatwhileafter。
Chalcondylas，awriterofgoodcredit，intherecordshehasleftbehindhimofthingsthathappenedinhistime，andnearhim，tellsus，asofthemostexcessivetorment，ofthattheEmperorMohammedveryoftenpractised，ofcuttingoffmeninthemiddlebythediaphragmwithoneblowofascimitar，whenceitfollowedthattheydiedasitweretwodeathsatonce;andboththeonepart，sayshe，andtheother，wereseentostirandstriveagreatwhileafterinverygreattorment。Idonotthinktherewasanygreatsufferinginthismotionthetormentsthatarethemostdreadfultolookonarenotalwaysthegreatesttoendure;andI
findthosethatotherhistoriansrelatetohavebeenpractisedbyhimupontheEpirotlords，aremorehorridandcruel，wheretheywerecondemnedtobeflayedalivepiecemeal，aftersomaliciousamannerthattheycontinuedfifteendaysinthatmisery。
Andtheseothertwo:Croesus，havingcausedagentleman，thefavouriteofhisbrotherPantaleon，tobeseized，carriedhimintoafuller’sshop，wherehecausedhimtobescratchedandcardedwiththecardsandcombsbelongingtothattrade，tillhedied。GeorgeSechel，chiefcommanderofthepeasantsofPoland，whocommittedsomanymischiefsunderthetitleoftheCrusade，beingdefeatedinbattleandtakenbutheVayvodeofTransylvania，wasthreedaysboundnakedupontherackexposedtoallsortsoftormentsthatanyonecouldcontriveagainsthim:duringwhichtimemanyotherprisonerswerekeptfasting;intheend，helivingandlookingon，theymadehisbelovedbrotherLucat，forwhomaloneheentreated，takingonhimselftheblameofalltheirevilactionsdrinkhisblood，andcausedtwentyofhismostfavouredcaptainstofeeduponhim，tearinghisfleshinpieceswiththeirteeth，andswallowingthemorsels。Theremainderofhisbodyandhisbowels，sosoonashewasdead，wereboiled，andothersofhisfollowerscompelledtoeatthem。
CHAPTERXXVIII
ALLTHINGSHAVETHEIRSEASON
SuchascompareCatotheCensorwiththeyoungerCato，whokilledhimself，comparetwobeautifulnatures，muchresemblingoneanother。
Thefirstacquiredhisreputationseveralways，andexcelsinmilitaryexploitsandtheutilityofhispublicemployments;butthevirtueoftheyounger，besidesthatitwereblasphemytocompareanytoitinvigour，wasmuchmorepureandunblemished。ForwhocouldabsolvethatoftheCensorfromenvyandambition，havingdaredtoattackthehonourofScipio，amaningoodnessandallotherexcellentqualitiesinfinitelybeyondhimoranyotherofhistime？
Thatwhichthey，reportofhim，amongstotherthings，thatinhisextremeoldageheputhimselfuponlearningtheGreektonguewithsogreedyanappetite，asiftoquenchalongthirst，doesnotseemtometomakemuchforhishonour;itbeingproperlywhatwecallfallingintosecondchildhood。Allthingshavetheirseasons，evengoodones，andImaysaymyPaternosteroutoftime;astheyaccusedT。QuintusFlaminius，thatbeinggeneralofanarmy，hewasseenprayingapartinthetimeofabattlethathewon。
"Imponitfinemsapiensetrebushonestis。"
["Thewisemanlimitsevenhonestthings。"——Juvenal，vi。444]
Eudemonidas，seeingXenocrateswhenveryold，stillveryintentuponhisschoollectures:"Whenwillthismanbewise，"saidhe，"ifheisyetlearning？"AndPhilopaemen，tothosewhoextolledKingPtolemyforeverydayinuringhispersontotheexerciseofarms:"Itisnot，"saidhe，"commendableinakingofhisagetoexercisehimselfinthesethings;heoughtnowreallytoemploythem。"Theyoungaretomaketheirpreparations，theoldtoenjoythem，saythesages:andthegreatestvicetheyobserveinusisthatourdesiresincessantlygrowyoungagain;wearealwaysre—beginningtolive。
Ourstudiesanddesiresshouldsometimebesensibleofage;yetwehaveonefootinthegraveandstillourappetitesandpursuitsspringeverydayanewwithinus:
"TusecandamarmoraLocassubipsumfunus，et，sepulcriImmemor，struisdomos。"
["Youagainstthetimeofdeathhavemarblecutforuse，and，forgetfulofthetomb，buildhouses。"——Horace，Od。，ii。18，17。]
Thelongestofmydesignsisnotofaboveayear’sextent;Ithinkofnothingnowbutending;ridmyselfofallnewhopesandenterprises;takemylastleaveofeveryplaceIdepartfrom，andeverydaydispossessmyselfofwhatIhave。
"Olimjamnecperitquicquammihi，necacquiritur……
plussuperestviaticiquamviae。"
["HenceforwardIwillneitherlose，norexpecttoget:Ihavemorewherewithtodefraymyjourney，thanIhavewaytogo。"（Or）:
"Hithertonothingofmehasbeenlostorgained;moreremainstopaythewaythanthereisway。"——Seneca，Ep。，77。（Thesenseseemstobethatsofarhehadmethisexpenses，butthatforthefuturehewaslikelytohavemorethanherequired。）]
"Vixi，et，quemdederatcursumfortuna，peregi。"
["IhavelivedandfinishedthecareerFortuneplacedbeforeme。"
——AEneid，iv。653。]
’TisindeedtheonlycomfortIfindinmyoldage，thatitmortifiesinmeseveralcaresanddesireswherewithmylifehasbeendisturbed;thecarehowtheworldgoes，thecareofriches，ofgrandeur，ofknowledge，ofhealth，ofmyself。Therearemenwhoarelearningtospeakatatimewhentheyshouldlearntobesilentforever。Amanmayalwaysstudy，buthemustnotalwaysgotoschoolwhatacontemptiblethingisanoldAbecedarian！——[Seneca，Ep。36]
"Diversosdiversajuvant;nonomnibusannisOmniaconveniunt。"
["Variousthingsdelightvariousmen;allthingsarenotforallages。"——Gall。，Eleg。，i。104。]
Ifwemuststudy，letusstudywhatissuitabletoourpresentcondition，thatwemayanswerashedid，whobeingaskedtowhatendhestudiedinhisdecrepitage，"thatImaygooutbetter，"saidhe，"andatgreaterease。"SuchastudywasthatoftheyoungerCato，feelinghisendapproach，andwhichhemetwithinPlato’sDiscourseoftheEternityoftheSoul:not，aswearetobelieve，thathewasnotlongbeforefurnishedwithallsortsofprovisionforsuchadeparture;forofassurance，anestablishedwillandinstruction，hehadmorethanPlatohadinallhiswritings;hisknowledgeandcouragewereinthisrespectabovephilosophy;heappliedhimselftothisstudy，notfortheserviceofhisdeath;but，asamanwhosesleepswereneverdisturbedintheimportanceofsuchadeliberation，healso，withoutchoiceorchange，continuedhisstudieswiththeotheraccustomaryactionsofhislife。
Thenightthathewasdeniedthepraetorshiphespentinplay;thatwhereinhewastodiehespentinreading。Thelosseitheroflifeorofofficewasallonetohim。
CHAPTERXXIX
OFVIRTUE
Ifindbyexperience，thatthereisagooddealtobesaidbetwixttheflightsandemotionsofthesouloraresoluteandconstanthabit;andverywellperceivethatthereisnothingwemaynotdo，nay，eventothesurpassingtheDivinityitself，saysacertainperson，forasmuchasitismoretorenderaman’sselfimpassiblebyhisownstudyandindustry，thantobesobyhisnaturalcondition;andeventobeabletoconjointoman’simbecilityandfrailtyaGod—likeresolutionandassurance;butitisbyfitsandstarts;andinthelivesofthoseheroesoftimespasttherearesometimesmiraculousimpulses，andthatseeminfinitelytoexceedournaturalforce;buttheyareindeedonlyimpulses:and’tishardtobelieve，thatthesesoelevatedqualitiesinamancansothoroughlytinctandimbuethesoulthattheyshouldbecomeordinary，and，asitwere，naturalinhim。Itaccidentallyhappenseventous，whoarebutabortivebirthsofmen，sometimestolaunchoursouls，whenrousedbythediscoursesorexamplesofothers，muchbeyondtheirordinarystretch;but’tisakindofpassionwhichpushesandagitatesthem，andinsomesortravishesthemfromthemselves:but，thisperturbationonceovercome，weseethattheyinsensiblyflagandslackenofthemselves，ifnottothelowestdegree，atleastsoastobenomorethesame;insomuchasthatuponeverytrivialoccasion，thelosingofabird，orthebreaking，ofaglass，wesufferourselvestobemovedlittlelessthanoneofthecommonpeople。Iamofopinion，thatorder，moderation，andconstancyexcepted，allthingsaretobedonebyamanthatisveryimperfectanddefectiveingeneral。Thereforeitis，saytheSages，thattomakearightjudgmentofaman，youarechieflytopryintohiscommonactions，andsurprisehiminhiseverydayhabit。
Pyrrho，hewhoerectedsopleasantaknowledgeuponignorance，endeavoured，asalltherestwhowerereallyphilosophersdid，tomakehislifecorrespondwithhisdoctrine。Andbecausehemaintainedtheimbecilityofhumanjudgmenttobesoextremeastobeincapableofanychoiceorinclination，andwouldhaveitperpetuallywaveringandsuspended，consideringandreceivingallthingsasindifferent，’tissaid，thathealwayscomfortedhimselfafterthesamemannerandcountenance:ifhehadbegunadiscourse，hewouldalwaysendwhathehadtosay，thoughthepersonhewasspeakingtohadgoneaway:ifhewalked，heneverstoppedforanyimpedimentthatstoodinhisway，beingpreservedfromprecipices，collisionwithcarts，andotherlikeaccidents，bythecareofhisfriends:for，tofearortoavoidanything，hadbeentoshockhisownpropositions，whichdeprivedthesensesthemselvesofallelectionandcertainty。Sometimeshesufferedincisionandcauterieswithsogreatconstancyasnevertobeseensomuchastowince。’Tissomethingtobringthesoultotheseimaginations;’tismoretojointheeffects，andyetnotimpossible;buttoconjointhemwithsuchperseveranceandconstancyastomakethemhabitual，iscertainly，inattemptssoremotefromthecommonusage，almostincredibletobedone。Thereforeitwas，thatbeingsometimetakeninhishousesharplyscoldingwithhissister，andbeingreproachedthathethereintransgressedhisownrulesofindifference:"What！"saidhe，"mustthisbitofawomanalsoserveforatestimonytomyrules？"Anothertime，beingseentodefendhimselfagainstadog:"Itis，"saidhe，"veryhardtotallytoputoffman;andwemustendeavourandforceourselvestoresistandencounterthings，firstbyeffects，butatleastbyreasonandargument。"
Aboutsevenoreightyearssince，ahusbandmanyetliving，buttwoleaguesfrommyhouse，havinglongbeentormentedwithhiswife’sjealousy，comingonedayhomefromhiswork，andshewelcominghimwithheraccustomedrailing，enteredintosogreatfurythatwithasicklehehadyetinhishand，hetotallycutoffallthosepartsthatshewasjealousofandthrewtheminherface。And，’tissaidthatayounggentlemanofournation，briskandamorous，havingbyhisperseveranceatlastmollifiedtheheartofafairmistress，enraged，thatuponthepointoffruitionhefoundhimselfunabletoperform，andthat，"NecviriliterInerssenilepenisextulitcaput。"
[（The19thor20thcenturytranslatorsleavethisphraseuntranslatedandwithnoexplanation。D。W。）
——Tibullus，Priap。Carm。，84。]
assoonaseverhecamehomehedeprivedhimselfoftherebelliousmember，andsentittohismistress，acruelandbloodyvictimfortheexpiationofhisoffence。Ifthishadbeendoneuponmatureconsideration，andupontheaccountofreligion，asthepriestsofCybeledid，whatshouldwesayofsohighanaction？
Afewdayssince，atBergerac，fiveleaguesfrommyhouse，uptheriverDordogne，awomanhavingovernightbeenbeatenandabusedbyherhusband，acholericill—conditionedfellow，resolvedtoescapefromhisill—usageatthepriceofherlife;andgoingsosoonasshewasupthenextmorningtovisitherneighbours，asshewaswonttodo，andhavingletsomewordsfallinrecommendationofheraffairs，shetookasisterofhersbythehand，andledhertothebridge;whitherbeingcome，andhavingtakenleaveofher，injestasitwere，withoutanymannerofalterationinhercountenance，shethrewherselfheadlongfromthetopintotheriver，andwastheredrowned。Thatwhichisthemostremarkableinthisis，thatthisresolutionwasawholenightforminginherhead。
ItisquiteanotherthingwiththeIndianwomenforitbeingthecustomthereforthementohavemanywives，andthebestbelovedofthemtokillherselfatherhusband’sdecease，everyoneofthemmakesitthebusinessofherwholelifetoobtainthisprivilegeandgainthisadvantageoverhercompanions;andthegoodofficestheydotheirhusbandsaimatnootherrecompensebuttobepreferredinaccompanyinghimindeath:
"Ubimortiferojactaestfaxultimalecto，UxorumfusisstatpiaturbacomisEtcertamenhabentlethi，quaevivasequaturConjugium:pudorestnonlicuissemori。
Ardentvictrices，etflammaepectorapraebent，Imponuntquesuisoraperustaviris。"
["Forwhentheythrewthetorchonthefuneralbed，thepiouswiveswithhairdishevelled，standaroundstriving，which，living，shallaccompanyherspouse;andareashamedthattheymaynotdie;theywhoarepreferredexposetheirbreaststotheflame，andtheylaytheirscorchedlipsonthoseoftheirhusbands。"
——Propertius，iii。13，17。]
AcertainauthorofourtimesreportsthathehasseeninthoseOrientalnationsthiscustominpractice，thatnotonlythewivesburythemselveswiththeirhusbands，buteventheslaveshehasenjoyedalso;whichisdoneafterthismanner:Thehusbandbeingdead，thewidowmayifshewill（butfewwill）demandtwoorthreemonths’respitewhereintoorderheraffairs。Thedaybeingcome，shemountsonhorseback，dressedasfineasatherwedding，andwithacheerfulcountenancesayssheisgoingtosleepwithherspouse，holdingalooking—glassinherlefthandandanarrowintheother。Beingthusconductedinpomp，accompaniedwithherkindredandfriendsandagreatconcourseofpeopleingreatjoy，sheisatlastbroughttothepublicplaceappointedforsuchspectacles:thisisagreatspace，inthemidstofwhichisapitfullofwood，andadjoiningtoitamountraisedfourorfivesteps，uponwhichsheisbroughtandservedwithamagnificentrepast;whichbeingdone，shefallstodancingandsinging，andgivesorder，whenshethinksfit，tokindlethefire。Thisbeingdone，shedescends，andtakingthenearestofherhusband’srelationsbythehand，theywalktotherivercloseby，whereshestripsherselfstarknaked，andhavingdistributedherclothesandjewelstoherfriends，plungesherselfintothewater，asiftheretocleanseherselffromhersins;comingoutthence，shewrapsherselfinayellowlinenoffive—and—twentyellslong，andagaingivingherhandtothiskinsmanofherhusband’s，theyreturnbacktothemount，whereshemakesaspeechtothepeople，andrecommendsherchildrentothem，ifshehaveany。Betwixtthepitandthemountthereiscommonlyacurtaindrawntoscreentheburningfurnacefromtheirsight，whichsomeofthem，tomanifestthegreatercourage，forbid。Havingendedwhatshehastosay，awomanpresentsherwithavesselofoil，wherewithtoanointherheadandherwholebody，whichwhendonewithshethrowsintothefire，andinaninstantprecipitatesherselfafter。Immediately，thepeoplethrowagoodmanybilletsandlogsuponherthatshemaynotbelongindying，andconvertalltheirjoyintosorrowandmourning。Iftheyarepersonsofmeanercondition，thebodyofthedefunctiscarriedtotheplaceofsepulture，andthereplacedsitting，thewidowkneelingbeforehim，embracingthedeadbody;andtheycontinueinthisposturewhilstthepeoplebuildawallaboutthem，whichsosoonasitisraisedtotheheightofthewoman’sshoulders，oneofherrelationscomesbehindher，andtakingholdofherhead，twistsherneck;sosoonassheisdead，thewallispresentlyraisedup，andclosed，andtheretheyremainentombed。
Therewas，inthissamecountry，somethinglikethisintheirgymnosophists;fornotbyconstraintofothersnorbytheimpetuosityofasuddenhumour，butbytheexpressprofessionoftheirorder，theircustomwas，assoonastheyarrivedatacertainage，orthattheysawthemselvesthreatenedbyanydisease，tocauseafuneralpiletobeerectedforthem，andonthetopastatelybed，where，afterhavingjoyfullyfeastedtheirfriendsandacquaintance，theylaidthemdownwithsogreatresolution，thatfirebeingappliedtoit，theywereneverseentostireitherhandorfoot;andafterthismanner，oneofthem，Calanusbyname;expiredinthepresenceofthewholearmyofAlexandertheGreat。Andhewasneitherreputedholynorhappyamongstthemwhodidnotthusdestroyhimself，dismissinghissoulpurgedandpurifiedbythefire，afterhavingconsumedallthatwasearthlyandmortal。Thisconstantpremeditationofthewholelifeisthatwhichmakesthewonder。
Amongstourothercontroversies，thatof’Fatum’hasalsocreptin;andtotiethingstocome，andevenourownwills，toacertainandinevitablenecessity，weareyetuponthisargumentoftimepast:
"SinceGodforeseesthatallthingsshallsofallout，asdoubtlessHedoes，itmustthennecessarilyfollow，thattheymustsofallout":towhichourmastersreply:"thattheseeinganythingcometopass，aswedo，andasGodHimselfalsodoes（forallthingsbeingpresentwithhim，Herathersees，thanforesees），isnottocompelanevent:thatis，weseebecausethingsdofallout，butthingsdonotfalloutbecausewesee:eventscauseknowledge，butknowledgedoesnotcauseevents。Thatwhichweseehappen，doeshappen;butitmighthavehappenedotherwise:
andGod，inthecatalogueofthecausesofeventswhichHehasinHisprescience，hasalsothosewhichwecallaccidentalandvoluntary，dependingupontheliberty。Hehasgivenourfreewill，andknowsthatwedoamissbecausewewoulddoso。"
Ihaveseenagreatmanycommandersencouragetheirsoldierswiththisfatalnecessity;forifourtimebelimitedtoacertainhour，neithertheenemies’shotnorourownboldness，norourflightandcowardice，caneithershortenorprolongourlives。Thisiseasilysaid，butseewhowillbesoeasilypersuaded;andifitbesothatastrongandlivelyfaithdrawsalongwithitactionsofthesamekind，certainlythisfaithwesomuchbragof，isverylightinthisageofours，unlessthecontemptithasofworksmakesitdisdaintheircompany。Soitis，thattothisverypurposetheSiredeJoinville，ascredibleawitnessasanyotherwhatever，tellsusoftheBedouins，anationamongsttheSaracens，withwhomthekingSt。LouishadtodointheHolyLand，thatthey，intheirreligion，sofirmlybelievedthenumberofeveryman’sdaystobefromalleternityprefixedandsetdownbyaninevitabledecree，thattheywentnakedtothewars，exceptingaTurkishsword，andtheirbodiesonlycoveredwithawhitelinencloth:andforthegreatestcursetheycouldinventwhentheywereangry，thiswasalwaysintheirmouths:
"Accursedbethou，ashethatarmshimselfforfearofdeath。"Thisisatestimonyoffaithverymuchbeyondours。AndofthissortisthatalsothattwofriarsofFlorencegaveinourfathers’days。Beingengagedinsomecontroversyoflearning，theyagreedtogobothofthemintothefireinthesightofallthepeople，eachfortheverificationofhisargument，andallthingswerealreadyprepared，andthethingjustuponthepointofexecution，whenitwasinterruptedbyanunexpectedaccident。——[7thApril1498。Savonarolaissuedthechallenge。Aftermanydelaysfromdemandsandcounter—demandsbyeachsideastothedetailsofthefire，bothpartiesfoundthattheyhadimportantbusinesstotransactinanothercounty——bothjustbarelyescapedassassinationatthehandsofthedisappointedspectators。D。W。]
AyoungTurkishlord，havingperformedanotableexploitinhisownpersoninthesightofbotharmies，thatofAmurathandthatofHuniades，readytojoinbattle，beingaskedbyAmurath，whatinsuchtenderandinexperiencedyears（foritwashisfirstsallyintoarms）hadinspiredhimwithsobraveacourage，replied，thathischieftutorforvalourwasahare。"Forbeing，"saidhe，"onedayahunting，Ifoundaharesitting，andthoughIhadabraceofexcellentgreyhoundswithme，yetmethoughtitwouldbebestforsurenesstomakeuseofmybow;forshesatveryfair。Ithenfelltolettingflymyarrows，andshotfortythatIhadinmyquiver，notonlywithouthurting，butwithoutstartingherfromherform。AtlastIslippedmydogsafterher，buttonomorepurposethanIhadshot:bywhichIunderstoodthatshehadbeensecuredbyherdestiny;and，thatneitherdartsnorswordscanwoundwithoutthepermissionoffate，whichwecanneitherhastennordefer。"Thisstorymayserve，bytheway，toletusseehowflexibleourreasonistoallsortsofimages。
Apersonofgreatyears，name，dignity，andlearningboastedtomethathehadbeeninducedtoacertainveryimportantchangeinhisfaithbyastrangeandwhimsicalincitation，andoneotherwisesoinadequate，thatI
thoughtitmuchstronger，takenthecontraryway:hecalleditamiracle，andsoIlookuponit，butinadifferentsense。TheTurkishhistorianssay，thatthepersuasionthoseoftheirnationhaveimprintedinthemofthefatalandunalterableprescriptionoftheirdays，manifestlyconducestothegivingthemgreatassuranceindangers。AndIknowagreatprincewhomakesveryfortunateuseofit，whetheritbethathereallybelievesit，orthathemakesithisexcuseforsowonderfullyhazardinghimself:
letushopeFortunemaynotbetoosoonwearyofherfavourtohim。
TherehasnothappenedinourmemoryamoreadmirableeffectofresolutionthaninthosetwowhoconspiredthedeathofthePrinceofOrange。
[ThefirstofthesewasJehandeJaureguy，whowoundedthePrince18thMarch1582;thesecond，bywhomthePrincewaskilled10thJuly1584。，wasBalthazarGerard。]
’Tismarvelloushowthesecondwhoexecutedit，couldeverbepersuadedintoanattempt，whereinhiscompanion，whohaddonehisutmost，hadhadsoillsuccess;andafterthesamemethod，andwiththesamearms，togoattackalord，armedwithsorecentalatelessonofdistrust，powerfulinfollowersandbodilystrength，inhisownhall，amidsthisguards，andinacitywhollyathisdevotion。Assuredly，heemployedaveryresolutearmandacourageenflamedwithfuriouspassion。Apoignardissurerforstrikinghome;butbyreasonthatmoremotionandforceofhandisrequiredthanwithapistol，theblowismoresubjecttobeputbyorhindered。Thatthismandidnotruntoacertaindeath，Imakenogreatdoubt;forthehopesanyonecouldflatterhimwithal，couldnotfindplaceinanysoberunderstanding，andtheconductofhisexploitsufficientlymanifeststhathehadnowantofthat，nomorethanofcourage。Themotivesofsopowerfulapersuasionmaybediverse，forourfancydoeswhatitwill，bothwithitselfandus。TheexecutionthatwasdonenearOrleans——[ThemurderoftheDukeofGuisebyPoltrot。]——wasnothinglikethis;therewasinthismoreofchancethanvigour;thewoundwasnotmortal，iffortunehadnotmadeitso，andtoattempttoshootonhorseback，andatagreatdistance，byonewhosebodywasinmotionfromthemotionofhishorse，wastheattemptofamanwhohadrathermisshisblowthanfailofsavinghimself。Thiswasapparentfromwhatfollowed;forhewassoastonishedandstupefiedwiththethoughtofsohighanexecution，thathetotallylosthisjudgmentbothtofindhiswaytoflightandtogovernhistongue。Whatneededhetohavedonemorethantoflybacktohisfriendsacrosstheriver？’TiswhatIhavedoneinlessdangers，andthatIthinkofverylittlehazard，howbroadsoevertherivermaybe，providedyourhorsehaveeasygoingin，andthatyouseeontheothersideeasylandingaccordingtothestream。Theother，——[BalthazarGerard。]——whentheypronouncedhisdreadfulsentence，"Iwaspreparedforthis，"saidhe，"beforehand，andIwillmakeyouwonderatmypatience。"
TheAssassins，anationborderinguponPhoenicia，[OrinEgypt，Syria，andPersia。Derivationof’assassin’isfromHassan—ben—Saba，oneoftheirearlyleaders，andtheyhadanexistenceforsomecenturies。TheyareclassedamongthesecretsocietiesoftheMiddleAges。D。W。]
arereputedamongsttheMohammedansapeopleofverygreatdevotionandpurityofmanners。TheyholdthatthenearestwaytogainParadiseistokillsomeoneofacontraryreligion;whichisthereasontheyhaveoftenbeenseen，beingbutoneortwo，andwithoutarmour，toattemptagainstpowerfulenemies，atthepriceofacertaindeathandwithoutanyconsiderationoftheirowndanger。SowasourRaymond，CountofTripoli，assassinated（whichwordisderivedfromtheirname）intheheartofhiscity，——[in1151]——duringourenterprisesoftheHolyWar:andlikewiseConrad，MarquisofMonteferrat，themurderersattheirexecutionbearingthemselveswithgreatprideandglorythattheyhadperformedsobraveanexploit。
CHAPTERXXX。
OFAMONSTROUSCHILD
Thisstoryshallgobyitself;forIwillleaveittophysicianstodiscourseof。TwodaysagoIsawachildthattwomenandanurse，whosaidtheywerethefather，theuncle，andtheauntofit，carriedabouttogetmoneybyshowingit，byreasonitwassostrangeacreature。Itwas，astoalltherest，ofacommonform，andcouldstanduponitsfeet;
couldgoandgabblemuchlikeotherchildrenofthesameage;ithadneverasyettakenanyothernourishmentbutfromthenurse’sbreasts，andwhat，inmypresence，theytriedtoputintothemouthofit，itonlychewedalittleandspatitoutagainwithoutswallowing;thecryofitseemedindeedalittleoddandparticular，anditwasjustfourteenmonthsold。Underthebreastitwasjoinedtoanotherchild，butwithoutahead，andwhichhadthespineofthebackwithoutmotion，therestentire;forthoughithadonearmshorterthantheother，ithadbeenbrokenbyaccidentattheirbirth;theywerejoinedbreasttobreast，andasifalesserchildsoughttothrowitsarmsabouttheneckofonesomethingbigger。Thejunctureandthicknessoftheplacewheretheywereconjoinedwasnotabovefourfingers，orthereabouts，sothatifyouthrustuptheimperfectchildyoumightseethenaveloftheotherbelowit，andthejoiningwasbetwixtthepapsandthenavel。Thenaveloftheimperfectchildcouldnotbeseen，butalltherestofthebelly，sothatallthatwasnotjoinedoftheimperfectone，asarms，buttocks，thighs，andlegs，hungdanglingupontheother，andmightreachtothemid—leg。
Thenurse，moreover，toldusthatiturinedatbothbodies，andthatthemembersoftheotherwerenourished，sensible，andinthesameplightwiththatshegavesuckto，exceptingthattheywereshorterandless。
Thisdoublebodyandseverallimbsrelatingtooneheadmightbeinterpretedafavourableprognostictotheking，——[HenryIII。]——ofmaintainingthesevariouspartsofourstateundertheunionofhislaws;
butlesttheeventshouldproveotherwise，’tisbettertoletitalone，forinthingsalreadypastthereneedsnodivination，"Utquumfactssunt，tumadconjecturamaliquiinterpretationerevocentur;"
["Soaswhentheyarecometopass，theymaythenbysomeinterpretationberecalledtoconjecture"
——Cicero，DeDivin。，ii。31。]
as’tissaidofEpimenides，thathealwaysprophesiedbackward。
IhavejustseenaherdsmaninMedoc，ofaboutthirtyyearsofage，whohasnosignofanygenitalparts;hehasthreeholesbywhichheincessantlyvoidshiswater;heisbearded，hasdesire，andseekscontactwithwomen。
ThosethatwecallmonstersarenotsotoGod，whoseesintheimmensityofHisworktheinfiniteformsthatHehascomprehendedtherein;anditistobebelievedthatthisfigurewhichastonishesushasrelationtosomeotherfigureofthesamekindunknowntoman。FromHisallwisdomnothingbutgood，common;andregularproceeds;butwedonotdiscernthedispositionandrelation:
"Quodcrebrovidet，nonmiratur，etiamsi，curfiat，nescit。Quodantenonvidit，id，sievenerit，ostentumessecenset。"
["Whatheoftenseeshedoesnotadmire，thoughhebeignoranthowitcomestopass。Whenathinghappensheneversawbefore，hethinksthatitisaportent。"——Cicero，DeDivin。，ii。22。]
Whateverfallsoutcontrarytocustomwesayiscontrarytonature，butnothing，whateveritbe，iscontrarytoher。Let，therefore，thisuniversalandnaturalreasonexpeltheerrorandastonishmentthatnoveltybringsalongwithit。
CHAPTERXXXI
OFANGER
Plutarchisadmirablethroughout，butespeciallywherehejudgesofhumanactions。WhatfinethingsdoeshesayinthecomparisonofLycurgusandNumauponthesubjectofourgreatfollyinabandoningchildrentothecareandgovernmentoftheirfathers？Themostofourcivilgovernments，asAristotlesays，"leave，afterthemanneroftheCyclopes，toeveryonetheorderingoftheirwivesandchildren，accordingtotheirownfoolishandindiscreetfancy;andtheLacedaemonianandCretanarealmosttheonlygovernmentsthathavecommittedtheeducationofchildrentothelaws。Whodoesnotseethatinastatealldependsupontheirnurtureandbringingup？andyettheyarelefttothemercyofparents，letthembeasfoolishandill—conditionedastheymay，withoutanymannerofdiscretion。
Amongstotherthings，howoftenhaveI，asIhavepassedalongourstreets，hadagoodmindtogetupafarce，torevengethepoorboyswhomIhaveseenhided，knockeddown，andmiserablybeatenbysomefatherormother，whenintheirfuryandmadwithrage？Youshallseethemcomeoutwithfireandfurysparklingintheireyes:
"Rabiejecurincendente，feruntur，Praecipites;utsaxajugisabrupta，quibusmonsSubtrahitur，clivoquelatuspendenterecedit，"
["Theyareheadlongbornewithburningfuryasgreatstonestornfromthemountains，bywhichthesteepsidesareleftnakedandbare。"——Juvenal，Sat。，vi。647。]
（andaccordingtoHippocrates，themostdangerousmaladiesaretheythatdisfigurethecountenance），witharoaringandterriblevoice，veryoftenagainstthosethatarebutnewlycomefromnurse，andtheretheyarelamedandspoiledwithblows，whilstourjusticetakesnocognisanceofit，asifthesemaimsanddislocationswerenotexecuteduponmembersofourcommonwealth:
"Gratumest，quodpatria;civempopuloquededisti，Sifacis，utpatrixsitidoneus，utilisagris，Utilisetbellorumetpacisrebusagendis。"
["Itiswellwhentothycountryandthepeoplethouhastgivenacitizen，providedthoumakefitforhiscountry’sservice;usefultotilltheearth，usefulinaffairsofwarandpeace"
——Juvenal，Sat。，xiv。70。]
Thereisnopassionthatsomuchtransportsmenfromtheirrightjudgmentasanger。Noonewoulddemuruponpunishingajudgewithdeathwhoshouldcondemnacriminalontheaccountofhisowncholer;why，then，shouldfathersandpedagoguesbeanymoreallowedtowhipandchastisechildrenintheiranger？’Tisthennolongercorrection，butrevenge。
Chastisementisinsteadofphysictochildren;andwouldweendureaphysicianwhoshouldbeanimatedagainstandenragedathispatient？
Weourselves，todowell，shouldneverlayahanduponourservantswhilstourangerlasts。Whenthepulsebeats，andwefeelemotioninourselves，letusdeferthebusiness;thingswillindeedappearotherwisetouswhenwearecalmandcool。’Tispassionthatthencommands，’tispassionthatspeaks，andnotwe。Faultsseenthroughpassionappearmuchgreatertousthantheyreallyare，asbodiesdowhenseenthroughamist。Hewhoishungryusesmeat;buthewhowillmakeuseofchastisementshouldhaveneitherhungernorthirsttoit。And，moreover，chastisementsthatareinflictedwithweightanddiscretionaremuchbetterreceivedandwithgreaterbenefitbyhimwhosuffers;otherwise，hewillnotthinkhimselfjustlycondemnedbyamantransportedwithangerandfury，andwillallegehismaster’sexcessivepassion，hisinflamedcountenance，hisunwontedoaths，hisemotionandprecipitousrashness，forhisownjustification:
"Oratumentira，nigrescuntsanguinevenae，LuminaGorgoneosaeviusignemicant。"
["Theirfacesswell，theirveinsgrowblackwithrage，andtheireyessparklewithGorgonianfire。"——Ovid，DeArt。Amandi，iii。503。]
SuetoniusreportsthatCaiusRabiriushavingbeencondemnedbyCaesar，thethingthatmostprevaileduponthepeople（towhomhehadappealed）
todeterminethecauseinhisfavour，wastheanimosityandvehemencethatCaesarhadmanifestedinthatsentence。
Sayingisadifferentthingfromdoing;wearetoconsiderthesermonapartandthepreacherapart。ThesemenlentthemselvestoaprettybusinesswhoinourtimeshaveattemptedtoshakethetruthofourChurchbythevicesofherministers;sheextractshertestimonyelsewhere;’tisafoolishwayofarguingandthatwouldthrowallthingsintoconfusion。
Amanwhosemoralsaregoodmayhavefalseopinions，andawickedmanmaypreachtruth，eventhoughhebelieveitnothimself。’Tisdoubtlessafineharmonywhendoingandsayinggotogether;andIwillnotdenybutthatsaying，whentheactionsfollow，isnotofgreaterauthorityandefficacy，asEudamidassaid，hearingaphilosophertalkofmilitaryaffairs:"Thesethingsarefinelysaid，buthewhospeaksthemisnottobebelievedforhisearshaveneverbeenusedtothesoundofthetrumpet。"AndCleomenes，hearinganoratordeclaiminguponvalour，burstoutintolaughter，atwhichtheotherbeingangry;"Ishould，"saidhetohim，"dothesameifitwereaswallowthatspokeofthissubject;butifitwereaneagleIshouldwillinglyhearhim。"Iperceive，methinks，inthewritingsoftheancients，thathewhospeakswhathethinks，strikesmuchmorehomethanhewhoonlyfeigns。HearCicerospeakoftheloveofliberty:hearBrutusspeakofit，themerewrittenwordsofthismansoundasifhewouldpurchaseitatthepriceofhislife。LetCicero，thefatherofeloquence，treatofthecontemptofdeath;letSenecadothesame:thefirstlanguishinglydrawlsitoutsoyouperceivehewouldmakeyouresolveuponathingonwhichheisnotresolvedhimself;heinspiresyounotwithcourage，forhehimselfhasnone;theotheranimatesandinflamesyou。Ineverreadanauthor，evenofthosewhotreatofvirtueandofactions，thatIdonotcuriouslyinquirewhatkindofamanhewashimself;fortheEphoriatSparta，seeingadissolutefellowproposeawholesomeadvicetothepeople，commandedhimtoholdhispeace，andentreatedavirtuousmantoattributetohimselftheinvention，andtoproposeit。Plutarch’swritings，ifwellunderstood，sufficientlybespeaktheirauthor，andsothatIthinkIknowhimevenintohissoul;andyetIcouldwishthatwehadsomefulleraccountofhislife。AndIamthusfarwanderedfrommysubject，upontheaccountoftheobligationIhavetoAulusGellius，forhavingleftusinwritingthisstoryofhismanners，thatbringsmebacktomysubjectofanger。
Aslaveofhis，avicious，ill—conditionedfellow，butwhohadthepreceptsofphilosophyoftenringinginhisears，havingforsomeoffenceofhisbeenstriptbyPlutarch’scommand，whilsthewasbeingwhipped，mutteredatfirst，thatitwaswithoutcauseandthathehaddonenothingtodeserveit;butatlastfallingingoodearnesttoexclaimagainstandrailathismaster，hereproachedhimthathewasnophilosopher，ashehadboastedhimselftobe:thathehadoftenheardhimsayitwasindecenttobeangry，nay，hadwrittenabooktothatpurpose;andthatthecausinghimtobesocruellybeaten，intheheightofhisrage，totallygavethelietoallhiswritings;towhichPlutarchcalmlyandcoldlyanswered，"How，ruffian，"saidhe，"bywhatdostthoujudgethatIamnowangry？Doeseithermyface，mycolour，ormyvoicegiveanymanifestationofmybeingmoved？Idonotthinkmyeyeslookfierce，thatmycountenanceappearstroubled，orthatmyvoiceisdreadful:amI
red，doIfoam，doesanywordescapemylipsIoughttorepent？DoI
start？DoItremblewithfury？Forthose，Itellthee，arethetruesignsofanger。"Andso，turningtothefellowthatwaswhippinghim，"Plyonthywork，"saidhe，"whilstthisgentlemanandIdispute。"Thisishisstory。
ArchytasTarentinus，returningfromawarwhereinhehadbeencaptain—
general，foundallthingsinhishouseinverygreatdisorder，andhislandsquiteoutoftillage，throughtheillhusbandryofhisreceiver，andhavingcausedhimtobecalledtohim;"Go，"saidhe，"ifIwerenotinangerIwouldsoundlydrubyoursides。"Platolikewise，beinghighlyoffendedwithoneofhisslaves，gaveSpeusippusordertochastisehim，excusinghimselffromdoingitbecausehewasinanger。AndCarillus，aLacedaemonian，toaHelot，whocarriedhimselfinsolentlytowardshim:
"Bythegods，"saidhe，"ifIwasnotangry，Iwouldimmediatelycausetheetobeputtodeath。"
’Tisapassionthatispleasedwithandflattersitself。Howoften，beingmovedunderafalsecause，ifthepersonoffendingmakesagooddefenceandpresentsuswithajustexcuse，areweangryagainsttruthandinnocenceitself？Inproofofwhich，Irememberamarvellousexampleofantiquity。
Piso，otherwiseamanofveryeminentvirtue，beingmovedagainstasoldierofhis，forthatreturningalonefromforagehecouldgivehimnoaccountwherehehadleftacompanionofhis，tookitforgrantedthathehadkilledhim，andpresentlycondemnedhimtodeath。Hewasnosoonermounteduponthegibbet，but，behold，hiswanderingcompanionarrives，atwhichallthearmywereexceedinglyglad，andaftermanyembracesofthetwocomrades，thehangmancarriedboththeoneandtheotherintoPiso’spresence，allthosepresentbelievingitwouldbeagreatpleasureeventohimself;butitprovedquitecontrary;forthroughshameandspite，hisfury，whichwasnotyetcool，redoubled;andbyasubtletywhichhispassionsuddenlysuggestedtohim，hemadethreecriminalsforhavingfoundoneinnocent，andcausedthemalltobedespatched:thefirstsoldier，becausesentencehadpasseduponhim;thesecond，whohadlosthisway，becausehewasthecauseofhiscompanion’sdeath;andthehangman，fornothavingobeyedtheorderwhichhadbeengivenhim。