首页 >出版文学> The Essays of Montaigne>第40章
  Suchashavehadtodowithtestyandobstinatewomen,mayhaveexperimentedintowhatarageitputsthemtoopposesilenceandcoldnesstotheirfury,andthatamandisdainstonourishtheiranger。TheoratorCeliuswaswonderfullycholericbynature;andtoonewhosuppedinhiscompany,amanofagentleandsweetconversation,andwho,thathemightnotmovehim,approvedandconsentedtoallhesaid;he,impatientthathisill—humourshouldthusspenditselfwithoutaliment:
  "Fortheloveofthegodsdenymesomething,"saidhe,"thatwemaybetwo。"Women,inlikemanner,areonlyangrythatothersmaybeangryagain,inimitationofthelawsoflove。Phocion,toonewhointerruptedhisspeakingbyinjuriousandveryopprobriouswords,madenootherreturnthansilence,andtogivehimfulllibertyandleisuretoventhisspleen;whichhehavingaccordinglydone,andthestormblownover,withoutanymentionofthisdisturbance,heproceededinhisdiscoursewherehehadleftoffbefore。Noanswercannettleamanlikesuchacontempt。
  OfthemostcholericmaninFrance(angerisalwaysanimperfection,butmoreexcusablein,asoldier,forinthattradeitcannotsometimesbeavoided)Ioftensay,thatheisthemostpatientmanthatIknow,andthemostdiscreetinbridlinghispassions;whichriseinhimwithsogreatviolenceandfury,"MagnoveluticumflammasonoreVirgeasuggeriturcostisundantisahem,Exsultantqueaatulatices,furitintusaquaevis。
  Fumidusatquealtespumisexuberatamnis,Necjamsecapitunda;volatvaporateradauras;"
  ["Whenwithloudcracklingnoise,afireofsticksisappliedtotheboilingcaldron’sside,bytheheatinfriskybellstheliquordances;withinthewaterrages,andhighthesmokyfluidinfoamoverflows。Norcanthewavenowcontainitself;theblacksteamfliesallabroad。"——AEneid,vii。462。]
  thathemustofnecessitycruellyconstrainhimselftomoderateit。Andformypart,IknownopassionwhichIcouldwithsomuchviolencetomyselfattempttocoverandconceal;Iwouldnotsetwisdomatsohighaprice;anddonotsomuchconsiderwhatamandoes,ashowmuchitcostshimtodonoworse。
  Anotherboastedhimselftomeoftheregularityandgentlenessofhismanners,whicharetotruthverysingular;towhomIreplied,thatitwasindeedsomething,especiallympersonsofsoeminentaqualityashimself,uponwhomeveryonehadtheireyes,topresenthimselfalwayswell—temperedtotheworld;butthattheprincipalthingwastomakeprovisionforwithinandforhimself;andthatitwasnotinmyopinionverywelltoorderhisbusinessoutwardlywell,andtogratehimselfwithin,whichIwasafraidhedid,inputtingonandmaintainingthismaskandexternalappearance。
  Amanincorporatesangerbyconcealingit,asDiogenestoldDemosthenes,who,forfearofbeingseeninatavern,withdrewhimselfthemoreretiredlyintoit:"Themoreyouretirebackward,thefartheryouenterin。"Iwouldratheradvisethatamanshouldgivehisservantaboxoftheearalittleunseasonably,thanrackhisfancytopresentthisgraveandcomposedcountenance;andhadratherdiscovermypassionsthanbroodoverthematmyownexpense;theygrowlessinventingandmanifestingthemselves;and’tismuchbettertheirpointshouldwoundotherswithout,thanbeturnedtowardsourselveswithin:
  "Omniavitiainapertoleviorasunt:ettuncperniciosissima,quumsimulatasanitatesubsident。"
  ["Allvicesarelessdangerouswhenopentobeseen,andthenmostperniciouswhentheylurkunderadissembledgoodnature。"
  ——Seneca,Ep。56]
  Iadmonishallthosewhohaveauthoritytobeangryinmyfamily,inthefirstplacetomanagetheirangerandnottolavishituponeveryoccasion,forthatbothlessensthevalueandhinderstheeffect:rashandincessantscoldingrunsintocustom,andrendersitselfdespised;andwhatyoulayoutuponaservantforatheftisnotfelt,becauseitisthesamehehasseenyouahundredtimesemployagainsthimforhavingillwashedaglass,orsetastooloutofplace。Secondly,thattheybenotangrytonopurpose,butmakesurethattheirreprehensionreachhimwithwhomtheyareoffended;for,ordinarily,theyrailandbawlbeforehecomesintotheirpresence,andcontinuescoldinganageafterheisgone:
  "Etsecumpetulansamentiacertat:"
  ["Andpetulantmadnesscontendswithitself。"
  ——ClaudianinEutrop。,i。237。]
  theyattackhisshadow,anddrivethestorminaplacewherenooneiseitherchastisedorconcerned,butintheclamouroftheirvoice。
  Ilikewiseinquarrelscondemnthosewhohuffandvapourwithoutanenemy:thoserhodomontadesshouldbereservedtodischargeupontheoffendingparty:
  "MugitusveluticumprimainpraeliataurusTerrificosciet,atqueirasciincornuatentat,Arborisobnixustrunco,ventospuelacessitIctibus,etsparsaadpugnumproluditarena。"
  ["Aswhenabulltousherinthefight,makesdreadfulbellowings,andwhetshishornsagainstthetrunkofatree;withblowshebeatstheair,andrehearsesthefightbyscatteringthesand。"
  ——AEneid,xii。103。]
  WhenIamangry,myangerisverysharpbutwithalveryshort,andasprivateasIcan;Ilosemyselfindeedinpromptnessandviolence,butnotintrouble;sothatIthrowoutallsortsofinjuriouswordsatrandom,andwithoutchoice,andneverconsiderpertinentlytodartmylanguagewhereIthinkitwilldeepestwound,forIcommonlymakeuseofnootherweaponthanmytongue。
  Myservantshaveabetterbargainofmeingreatoccasionsthaninlittle;thelittleonessurpriseme;andthemisfortuneis,thatwhenyouareonceupontheprecipice,’tisnomatterwhogaveyouthepush,youalwaysgotothebottom;thefallurges,moves,andmakeshasteofitself。Ingreatoccasionsthissatisfiesme,thattheyaresojusteveryoneexpectsareasonableindignation,andthenIglorifymyselfindeceivingtheirexpectation;againstthese,Ifortifyandpreparemyself;
  theydisturbmyhead,andthreatentotransportmeveryfar,shouldI
  followthem。Icaneasilycontainmyselffromenteringintooneofthesepassions,andamstrongenough,whenIexpectthem,torepeltheirviolence,bethecauseneversogreat;butifapassiononceprepossessandseizeme,itcarriesmeaway,bethecauseneversosmall。Ibargainthuswiththosewhomaycontendwithmewhenyouseememovedfirst,letmealone,rightorwrong;I’lldothesameforyou。Thestormisonlybegotbyaconcurrenceofangers,whicheasilyspringfromoneanother,andarenotborntogether。Leteveryonehavehisownway,andweshallbealwaysatpeace。Aprofitableadvice,buthardtoexecute。SometimesalsoitfallsoutthatIputonaseeminganger,forthebettergoverningofmyhouse,withoutanyrealemotion。Asagerendersmyhumoursmoresharp,Istudytoopposethem,andwill,ifIcan,orderitso,thatforthefutureImaybesomuchthelesspeevishandhardtoplease,asI
  havemoreexcuseandinclinationtobeso,althoughIhaveheretoforebeenreckonedamongstthosewhohavethegreatestpatience。
  Awordmoretoconcludethisargument。Aristotlesays,thatangersometimesservesforarmstovirtueandvalour。Thatisprobable;
  nevertheless,theywhocontradicthimpleasantlyanswer,that’tisaweaponofnoveluse,forwemoveallotherarms,thismovesus;ourhandguidesitnot,’tisitthatguidesourhand;itholdsus,weholdnotit。
  EndTheEssaysofMontaigne,V13
  byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
  CONTENTSOFVOLUME13。
  XXXII。DefenceofSenecaandPlutarch。
  XXXIII。ThestoryofSpurina。
  XXXIV。MeanstocarryonawaraccordingtoJuliusCaesar。
  XXXV。Ofthreegoodwomen。
  XXXVI。Ofthemostexcellentmen。
  XXXVII。Oftheresemblanceofchildrentotheirfathers。
  CHAPTERXXXII
  DEFENCEOFSENECAANDPLUTARCH
  ThefamiliarityIhavewiththesetwoauthors,andtheassistancetheyhavelenttomyageandtomybook,whollycompiledofwhatIhaveborrowedfromthem,obligemetostandupfortheirhonour。
  AstoSeneca,amongstamillionoflittlepamphletsthatthoseoftheso—
  calledreformedreligiondisperseabroadforthedefenceoftheircause(andwhichsometimesproceedfromsogoodahand,that’tispityhispenisnotemployedinabettersubject),Ihaveformerlyseenone,thattomakeuptheparallelhewouldfainfindoutbetwixtthegovernmentofourlatepoorKingCharlesIX。andthatofNero,comparesthelateCardinalofLorrainewithSeneca;theirfortunes,inhavingbothofthembeentheprimeministersinthegovernmentoftheirprinces,andintheirmanners,conditions,anddeportmentstohavebeenverynearalike。Wherein,inmyopinion,hedoesthesaidcardinalaverygreathonour;forthoughIamoneofthosewhohaveaveryhighesteemforhiswit,eloquence,andzealtoreligionandtheserviceofhisking,andhisgoodfortunetohavelivedinanagewhereinitwassonovel,sorare,andalsosonecessaryforthepublicgoodtohaveanecclesiasticalpersonofsuchhighbirthanddignity,andsosufficientandcapableofhisplace;yet,toconfessthetruth,Idonotthinkhiscapacitybymanydegreesneartotheother,norhisvirtueeithersoclean,entire,orsteadyasthatofSeneca。
  NowthebookwhereofIspeak,tobringaboutitsdesign,givesaveryinjuriousdescriptionofSeneca,havingborroweditsapproachesfromDionthehistorian,whosetestimonyIdonotatallbelieveforbesidesthatheisinconsistent,thatafterhavingcalledSenecaonewhileverywise,andagainamortalenemytoNero’svices,makeshimelsewhereavaricious,anusurer,ambitious,effeminate,voluptuous,andafalsepretendertophilosophy,hisvirtueappearssovividandvigorousinhiswritings,andhisvindicationissoclearfromanyoftheseimputations,asofhisrichesandextraordinarilyexpensivewayofliving,thatIcannotbelieveanytestimonytothecontrary。Andbesides,itismuchmorereasonabletobelievetheRomanhistoriansinsuchthingsthanGreeksandforeigners。NowTacitusandtherestspeakveryhonourablybothofhislifeanddeath;andrepresenthimtousaveryexcellentandvirtuouspersoninallthings;andIwillallegenootherreproachagainstDion’sreportbutthis,whichIcannotavoid,namely,thathehassoweakajudgmentintheRomanaffairs,thathedarestomaintainJuliusCaesar’scauseagainstPompey[Andsodoesthiseditor。D。W。],andthatofAntonyagainstCicero。
  LetusnowcometoPlutarch:JeanBodinisagoodauthorofourtimes,andawriterofmuchgreaterjudgmentthantheroutofscribblersofhisage,andwhodeservestobereadandconsidered。Ifindhim,though,alittleboldinthispassageofhisMethodofhistory,whereheaccusesPlutarchnotonlyofignorance(whereinIwouldhavelethimalone:forthatisbeyondmycriticism),butthathe"oftenwritesthingsincredible,andabsolutelyfabulous":thesearehisownwords。Ifhehadsimplysaid,thathehaddeliveredthingsotherwisethantheyreallyare,ithadbeennogreatreproach;forwhatwehavenotseen,weareforcedtoreceivefromotherhands,andtakeupontrust,andIseethathepurposelysometimesvariouslyrelatesthesamestory;asthejudgmentofthethreebestcaptainsthateverwere,givenbyHannibal;’tisonewayintheLifeofFlammius,andanotherinthatofPyrrhus。Buttochargehimwithhavingtakenincredibleandimpossiblethingsforcurrentpay,istoaccusethemostjudiciousauthorintheworldofwantofjudgment。Andthisishisexample;"as,"sayshe,"whenherelatesthataLacedaemonianboysufferedhisbowelstobetornoutbyafox—cubhehadstolen,andkeptitstillconcealedunderhiscoattillhefelldowndead,ratherthanhewoulddiscoverhistheft。"Ifind,inthefirstplace,thisexampleillchosen,forasmuchasitisveryhardtolimitthepowerofthefacultiesof——thesoul,whereaswehavebetterauthoritytolimitandknowtheforceofthebodilylimbs;andtherefore,ifIhadbeenhe,Ishouldratherhavechosenanexampleofthissecondsort;andtherearesomeoftheselesscredible:andamongstothers,thatwhichherefatesofPyrrhus,that"allwoundedashewas,hestruckoneofhisenemies,whowasarmedfromheadtofoot,sogreatablowwithhissword,thatheclavehimdownfromhiscrowntohisseat,sothatthebodywasdividedintotwoparts。"InthisexampleIfindnogreatmiracle,nordoIadmittheexcusewithwhichhedefendsPlutarch,inhavingaddedthesewords,"as’tissaid,"tosuspendourbelief;forunlessitbeinthingsreceivedbyauthority,andthereverencetoantiquityorreligion,hewouldneverhavehimselfadmitted,orenjoinedustobelievethingsincredibleinthemselves;andthatthesewords,"as’tissaid,"arenotputinthisplacetothateffect,iseasytobeseen,becauseheelsewhererelatestous,uponthissubject,ofthepatienceoftheLacedaemonianchildren,exampleshappeninginhistime,moreunlikelytoprevailuponourfaith;aswhatCicerohasalsotestifiedbeforehim,ashaving,ashesays,beenuponthespot:thateventotheirtimestherewerechildrenfoundwho,inthetrialofpatiencetheywereputtobeforethealtarofDiana,sufferedthemselvestobetherewhippedtillthebloodrandownallovertheirbodies,notonlywithoutcryingout,butwithoutsomuchasagroan,andsometilltheytherevoluntarilylosttheirlives:andthatwhichPlutarchalso,amongstahundredotherwitnesses,relates,thatatasacrifice,aburningcoalhavingfallenintothesleeveofaLacedaemonianboy,ashewascensing,hesufferedhiswholearmtobeburned,tillthesmellofthebroilingfleshwasperceivedbythosepresent。Therewasnothing,accordingtotheircustom,whereintheirreputationwasmoreconcerned,norforwhichtheyweretoundergomoreblameanddisgrace,thaninbeingtakenintheft。
  Iamsofullysatisfiedofthegreatnessofthosepeople,thatthisstorydoesnotonlynotappeartome,astoBodin,incredible;butIdonotfinditsomuchasrareandstrange。TheSpartanhistoryisfullofathousandmorecruelandrareexamples;andis;indeed,allmiracleinthisrespect。
  Marcellinus,concerningtheft,reportsthatinhistimetherewasnosortoftormentswhichcouldcompeltheEgyptians,whentakeninthisact,thoughapeopleverymuchaddictedtoit,somuchastotelltheirname。
  ASpanishpeasant,beingputtotherackastotheaccomplicesofthemurderofthePraetorLuciusPiso,criedoutintheheightofthetorment,"thathisfriendsshouldnotleavehim,butlookoninallassurance,andthatnopainhadthepowertoforcefromhimonewordofconfession,"whichwasalltheycouldgetthefirstday。Thenextday,astheywereleadinghimasecondtimetoanothertrial,stronglydisengaginghimselffromthehandsofhisguards,hefuriouslyranhisheadagainstawall,andbeatouthisbrains。
  Epicharis,havingtiredandgluttedthecrueltyofNero’ssatellites,andundergonetheirfire,theirbeating,theirracks,awholedaytogether,withoutonesyllableofconfessionofherconspiracy;beingthenextdaybroughtagaintotherack,withherlimbsalmosttorntopieces,conveyedthelaceofherrobewitharunningnooseoveroneofthearmsofherchair,andsuddenlyslippingherheadintoit,withtheweightofherownbodyhangedherself。Havingthecouragetodieinthatmanner,isitnottobepresumedthatshepurposelylentherlifetothetrialofherfortitudethedaybefore,tomockthetyrant,andencourageotherstothelikeattempt?
  Andwhoeverwillinquireofourtrooperstheexperiencestheyhavehadinourcivilwars,willfindeffectsofpatienceandobstinateresolutioninthismiserableageofours,andamongstthisrabbleevenmoreeffeminatethantheEgyptians,worthytobecomparedwiththosewehavejustrelatedoftheSpartanvirtue。
  Iknowtherehavebeensimplepeasantsamongstuswhohaveenduredthesolesoftheirfeettobebroileduponagridiron,theirfinger—endstobecrushedwiththecockofapistol,andtheirbloodyeyessqueezedoutoftheirheadsbyforceofacordtwistedabouttheirbrows,beforetheywouldsomuchasconsenttoaransom。Ihaveseenoneleftstarknakedfordeadinaditch,hisneckblackandswollen,withahalteryetaboutitwithwhichtheyhaddraggedhimallnightatahorse’stail,hisbodywoundedinahundredplaces,withstabsofdaggersthathadbeengivenhim,nottokillhim,buttoputhimtopainandtoaffrighthim,whohadenduredallthis,andeventobeingspeechlessandinsensible,resolved,ashehimselftoldme,rathertodieathousanddeaths(asindeed,astomatterofsuffering,hehadborneone)beforehewouldpromiseanything;
  andyethewasoneoftherichesthusbandmenofallthecountry。Howmanyhavebeenseenpatientlytosufferthemselvestobeburntandroastedforopinionstakenupontrustfromothers,andbythemnotatallunderstood?Ihaveknownahundredandahundredwomen(forGasconyhasacertainprerogativeforobstinacy)whomyoumightsoonerhavemadeeatfirethanforsakeanopiniontheyhadconceivedinanger。Theyareallthemoreexasperatedbyblowsandconstraint。Andhethatmadethestoryofthewomanwho,indefianceofallcorrection,threats,andbastinadoes,ceasednottocallherhusbandlousyknave,andwhobeingplungedoverheadandearsinwater,yetliftedherhandsaboveherheadandmadeasignofcrackinglice,feignedataleofwhich,intruth,weeverydayseeamanifestimageintheobstinacyofwomen。Andobstinacyisthesisterofconstancy,atleastinvigourandstability。
  Wearenottojudgewhatispossibleandwhatisnot,accordingtowhatiscredibleandincredibletoourapprehension,asIhavesaidelsewhereanditisagreatfault,andyetonethatmostmenareguiltyof,which,nevertheless,IdonotmentionwithanyreflectionuponBodin,tomakeadifficultyofbelievingthatinanotherwhichtheycouldnotorwouldnotdothemselves。Everyonethinksthatthesovereignstampofhumannatureisimprintedinhim,andthatfromitallothersmusttaketheirrule;
  andthatallproceedingswhicharenotlikehisarefeignedandfalse。
  Isanythingofanother’sactionsorfacultiesproposedtohim?thefirstthinghecallstotheconsultationofhisjudgmentishisownexample;
  andasmattersgowithhim,sotheymustofnecessitydowithalltheworldbesidesdangerousandintolerablefolly!Formypart,Iconsidersomemenasinfinitelybeyondme,especiallyamongsttheancients,andyet,thoughIclearlydiscernmyinabilitytocomenearthembyathousandpaces,Idonotforbeartokeeptheminsight,andtojudgeofwhatsoelevatesthem,ofwhichIperceivesomeseedsinmyself,asI
  alsodooftheextrememeannessofsomeotherminds,whichIneitheramastonishedatnoryetmisbelieve。Iverywellperceivetheturnsthosegreatsoulstaketoraisethemselvestosuchapitch,andadmiretheirgrandeur;andthoseflightsthatIthinkthebravestIcouldbegladtoimitate;where,thoughIwantwing,yetmyjudgmentreadilygoesalongwiththem。Theotherexampleheintroducesof"thingsincredibleandwhollyfabulous,"deliveredbyPlutarch,is,that"AgesilauswasfinedbytheEphoriforhavingwhollyengrossedtheheartsandaffectionsofhiscitizenstohimselfalone。"AndhereinIdonotseewhatsignoffalsityistobefound:clearlyPlutarchspeaksofthingsthatmustneedsbebetterknowntohimthantous;anditwasnonewthinginGreecetoseemenpunishedandexiledforthisverything,forbeingtooacceptabletothepeople;witnesstheOstracismandPetalism。——[OstracismatAthenswasbanishmentfortenyears;petalismatSyracusewasbanishmentforfiveyears。]
  ThereisyetinthisplaceanotheraccusationlaidagainstPlutarchwhichIcannotwelldigest,whereBodinsaysthathehassincerelyparalleledRomanswithRomans,andGreeksamongstthemselves,butnotRomanswithGreeks;witness,sayshe,DemosthenesandCicero,CatoandAristides,SyllaandLysander,MarcellusandPelopidas,PompeyandAgesilaus,holdingthathehasfavouredtheGreeksingivingthemsounequalcompanions。ThisisreallytoattackwhatinPlutarchismostexcellentandmosttobecommended;forinhisparallels(whichisthemostadmirablepartofallhisworks,andwithwhich,inmyopinion,heishimselfthemostpleased)thefidelityandsincerityofhisjudgmentsequaltheirdepthandweight;heisaphilosopherwhoteachesusvirtue。
  Letusseewhetherwecannotdefendhimfromthisreproachoffalsityandprevarication。AllthatIcanimaginecouldgiveoccasiontothiscensureisthegreatandshininglustreoftheRomannameswhichwehaveinourminds;itdoesnotseemlikelytousthatDemosthenescouldrivalthegloryofaconsul,proconsul,andproctorofthatgreatRepublic;butifamanconsiderthetruthofthething,andthemeninthemselves,whichisPlutarch’schiefestaim,andwillratherbalancetheirmanners,theirnatures,andparts,thantheirfortunes,Ithink,contrarytoBodin,thatCiceroandtheelderCatocomefarshortofthemenwithwhomtheyarecompared。Ishouldsooner,forhispurpose,havechosentheexampleoftheyoungerCatocomparedwithPhocion,forinthiscoupletherewouldhavebeenamorelikelydisparity,totheRoman’sadvantage。
  AstoMarcellus,Sylla,andPompey,IverywelldiscernthattheirexploitsofwararegreaterandmorefullofpompandglorythanthoseoftheGreeks,whomPlutarchcompareswiththem;butthebravestandmostvirtuousactionsanymoreinwarthanelsewhere,arenotalwaysthemostrenowned。Ioftenseethenamesofcaptainsobscuredbythesplendourofothernamesoflessdesert;witnessLabienus,Ventidius,Telesinus,andseveralothers。Andtotakeitbythat,wereItocomplainonthebehalfoftheGreeks,couldInotsay,thatCamilluswasmuchlesscomparabletoThemistocles,theGracchitoAgisandCleomenes,andNumatoLycurgus?
  But’tisfollytojudge,atoneview,ofthingsthathavesomanyaspects。WhenPlutarchcomparesthem,hedoesnot,forallthat,makethemequal;whocouldmorelearnedlyandsincerelyhavemarkedtheirdistinctions?Doesheparallelthevictories,featsofarms,theforceofthearmiesconductedbyPompey,andhistriumphs,withthoseofAgesilaus?"Idonotbelieve,"sayshe,"thatXenophonhimself,ifhewerenowliving,thoughhewereallowedtowritewhateverpleasedhimtotheadvantageofAgesilaus,woulddaretobringthemintocomparison。"
  DoeshespeakofparallelingLysandertoSylla。"Thereis,"sayshe,"nocomparison,eitherinthenumberofvictoriesorinthehazardofbattles,forLysanderonlygainedtwonavalbattles。"ThisisnottoderogatefromtheRomans;forhavingonlysimplynamedthemwiththeGreeks,hecanhavedonethemnoinjury,whatdisparitysoevertheremaybebetwixtthemandPlutarchdoesnotentirelyopposethemtooneanother;thereisnopreferenceingeneral;heonlycomparesthepiecesandcircumstancesoneafteranother,andgivesofeveryoneaparticularandseparatejudgment。Wherefore,ifanyonecouldconvicthimofpartiality,heoughttopickoutsomeoneofthoseparticularjudgments,orsay,ingeneral,thathewasmistakenincomparingsuchaGreektosuchaRoman,whentherewereothersmorefitandbetterresemblingtoparallelhimto。
  CHAPTERXXXIII
  THESTORYOFSPURINA
  Philosophythinksshehasnotillemployedhertalentwhenshehasgiventhesovereigntyofthesoulandtheauthorityofrestrainingourappetitestoreason。Amongstwhich,theywhojudgethatthereisnonemoreviolentthanthosewhichspringfromlove,havethisopinionalso,thattheyseizebothbodyandsoul,andpossessthewholeman,sothatevenhealthitselfdependsuponthem,andmedicineissometimesconstrainedtopimpforthem;butonemight,onthecontrary,alsosay,thatthemixtureofthebodybringsanabatementandweakening;forsuchdesiresaresubjecttosatiety,andcapableofmaterialremedies。
  Many,beingdeterminedtoridtheirsoulfromthecontinualalarmsofthisappetite,havemadeuseofincisionandamputationoftherebellingmembers;othershavesubduedtheirforceandardourbythefrequentapplicationofcoldthings,assnowandvinegar。Thesackclothsofourancestorswereforthispurpose,whichisclothwovenofhorsehair,ofwhichsomeofthemmadeshirts,andothersgirdles,totortureandcorrecttheirreins。Aprince,notlongago,toldmethatinhisyouthuponasolemnfestivalinthecourtofKingFrancisI。,whereeverybodywasfinelydressed,hewouldneedsputonhisfather’shairshirt,whichwasstillkeptinthehouse;buthowgreatsoeverhisdevotionwas,hehadnotpatiencetowearittillnight,andwassickalongtimeafter;
  addingwithal,thathedidnotthinktherecouldbeanyyouthfulheatsofiercethattheuseofthisrecipewouldnotmortify,andyetperhapsheneveressayedthemostviolent;forexperienceshowsus,thatsuchemotionsareoftenseenunderrudeandslovenlyclothes,andthatahairshirtdoesnotalwaysrenderthosechastewhowearit。
  Xenocratesproceededwithgreaterrigourinthisaffair;forhisdisciples,tomaketrialofhiscontinency,havingsliptLais,thatbeautifulandfamouscourtesan,intohisbed,quitenaked,exceptingthearmsofherbeautyandherwantonallurements,herphilters,findingthat,indespiteofhisreasonandphilosophicalrules,hisunrulyfleshbegantomutiny,hecausedthosemembersofhistobeburnedthathefoundconsentingtothisrebellion。Whereasthepassionswhichwhollyresideinthesoul,asambition,avarice,andtherest,findthereasonmuchmoretodo,becauseitcannottherebehelpedbutbyitsownmeans;
  neitherarethoseappetitescapableofsatiety,butgrowsharperandincreasebyfruition。
  ThesoleexampleofJuliusCaesarmaysufficetodemonstratetousthedisparityoftheseappetites;forneverwasmanmoreaddictedtoamorousdelightsthanhe:ofwhichonetestimonyisthepeculiarcarehehadofhisperson,tosuchadegree,astomakeuseofthemostlasciviousmeanstothatendtheninuse,astohaveallthehairsofhisbodytwitchedoff,andtowipealloverwithperfumeswiththeextremestnicety。
  Andhewasabeautifulpersoninhimself,ofafaircomplexion,tall,andsprightly,fullfaced,withquickhazeleyes,ifwemaybelieveSuetonius;forthestatuesofhimthatweseeatRomedonotinallpointsanswerthisdescription。Besideshiswives,whomhefourtimeschanged,withoutreckoningtheamoursofhisboyhoodwithNicomedes,kingofBithynia,hehadthemaidenheadoftherenownedCleopatra,queenofEgypt;witnessthelittleCaesariowhomhehadbyher。Healsomadeloveto。Eunoe,queenofMauritania,andatRome,toPosthumia,thewifeofServiusSulpitius;toLollia,thewifeofGabiniustoTertulla,thewifeofCrassus,andeventoMutia,wifetothegreatPompey:whichwasthereason,theRomanhistorianssay,thatshewasrepudiatedbyherhusband,whichPlutarchconfessestobemorethanheknew;andtheCurios,bothfatherandson,afterwardsreproachedPompey,whenhemarriedCaesar’sdaughter,thathehadmadehimselfson—in—lawtoamanwhohadmadehimcuckold,andonewhomhehimselfwaswonttocallAEgisthus。Besidesallthese,heentertainedServilia,Cato’ssisterandmothertoMarcusBrutus,whence,everyonebelieves,proceededthegreataffectionhehadtoBrutus,byreasonthathewasbornatatimewhenitwaslikelyhemightbehisson。SothatIhavereason,methinks,totakehimforamanextremelygiventothisdebauch,andofveryamorousconstitution。Buttheotherpassionofambition,withwhichhewasinfinitelysmitten,arisinginhimtocontendwiththeformer,itwasbooncompelledtogiveway。
  AndherecallingtomindMohammed,whowonConstantinople,andfinallyexterminatedtheGrecianname,Idonotknowwherethesetwoweresoevenlybalanced;equallyanindefatigablelecherandsoldier:butwheretheybothmeetinhislifeandjostleoneanother,thequarrellingpassionalwaysgetsthebetteroftheamorousone,andthisthoughitwasoutofitsnaturalseasonneverregainedanabsolutesovereigntyovertheothertillhehadarrivedatanextremeoldageandunabletoundergothefatiguesofwar。
  WhatisrelatedforacontraryexampleofLadislaus,kingofNaples,isveryremarkable;thatbeingagreatcaptain,valiantandambitious,heproposedtohimselffortheprincipalendofhisambition,theexecutionofhispleasureandtheenjoymentofsomerareandexcellentbeauty。Hisdeathsealedupalltherest:forhavingbyacloseandtedioussiegereducedthecityofFlorencetosogreatdistressthattheinhabitantswerecompelledtocapitulateaboutsurrender,hewascontenttoletthemalone,providedtheywoulddeliveruptohimabeautifulmaidhehadheardofintheircity;theywereforcedtoyieldtoit,andbyaprivateinjurytoavertthepublicruin。Shewasthedaughterofafamousphysicianofhistime,who,findinghimselfinvolvedinsofoulanecessity,resolveduponahighattempt。Aseveryonewaslendingahandtotrickuphisdaughterandtoadornherwithornamentsandjewelstorenderhermoreagreeabletothisnewlover,healsogaveherahandkerchiefmostrichlywrought,andofanexquisiteperfume,animplementtheynevergowithoutinthoseparts,whichshewastomakeuseofattheirfirstapproaches。Thishandkerchief,poisonedwithhisgreatestart,comingtoberubbedbetweenthechafedfleshandopenpores,bothoftheoneandtheother,sosuddenlyinfusedthepoison,thatimmediatelyconvertingtheirwarmintoacoldsweattheypresentlydiedinoneanother’sarms。
  ButIreturntoCaesar。Hispleasuresnevermadehimstealoneminuteofanhour,norgoonestepasidefromoccasionsthatmightanywayconducetohisadvancement。Thispassionwassosovereigninhimoveralltherest,andwithsoabsoluteauthoritypossessedhissoul,thatitguidedhimatpleasure。Intruth,thistroublesme,when,astoeverythingelse,Iconsiderthegreatnessofthisman,andthewonderfulpartswherewithhewasendued;learnedtothatdegreeinallsortsofknowledgethatthereishardlyanyonescienceofwhichhehasnotwritten;sogreatanoratorthatmanyhavepreferredhiseloquencetothatofCicero,andhe,Iconceive,didnotthinkhimselfinferiortohiminthatparticular,forhistwoanti—CatoswerewrittentocounterbalancetheelocutionthatCicerohadexpendedinhisCato。Astotherest,waseversoulsovigilant,soactive,andsopatientoflabourashis?and,doubtless,itwasembellishedwithmanyrareseedsofvirtue,lively,natural,andnotputon;hewassingularlysober;sofarfrombeingdelicateinhisdiet,thatOppiusrelates,howthathavingonedayattablesetbeforehimmedicatedinsteadofcommonoilinsomesauce,heateheartilyofit,thathemightnotputhisentertaineroutofcountenance。Anothertimehecausedhisbakertobewhippedforservinghimwithafinerthanordinarysortofbread。Catohimselfwaswonttosayofhim,thathewasthefirstsobermanwhoevermadeithisbusinesstoruinhiscountry。AndastothesameCato’scalling,himonedaydrunkard,itfelloutthusbeingbothofthemintheSenate,atatimewhenCatiline’sconspiracywasinquestionofwhichwasCaesarwassuspected,onecameandbroughthimalettersealedup。Catobelievingthatitwassomethingtheconspiratorsgavehimnoticeof,requiredhimtodeliverintohishand,whichCaesarwasconstrainedtodotoavoidfurthersuspicion。Itwasbychancealove—letterthatServilia,Cato’ssister,hadwrittentohim,whichCatohavingread,hethrewitbacktohimsaying,"There,drunkard。"This,Isay,wasratherawordofdisdainandangerthananexpressreproachofthisvice,asweoftenratethosewhoangeruswiththefirstinjuriouswordsthatcomeintoourmouths,thoughnothingduetothoseweareoffendedat;towhichmaybeaddedthatthevicewithwhichCatoupbraidedhimiswonderfullynearakintothatwhereinhehadsurprisedCaesar;forBacchusandVenus,accordingtotheproverb,verywillinglyagree;buttomeVenusismuchmoresprightlyaccompaniedbysobriety。Theexamplesofhissweetnessandclemencytothosebywhomhehadbeenoffendedareinfinite;Imean,besidesthosehegaveduringthetimeofthecivilwars,which,asplainlyenoughappearsbyhiswritings,hepractisedtocajolehisenemies,andtomakethemlessafraidofhisfuturedominionandvictory。ButImustalsosay,thatiftheseexamplesarenotsufficientproofsofhisnaturalsweetness,they,atleast,manifestamarvellousconfidenceandgrandeurofcourageinthisperson。Hehasoftenbeenknowntodismisswholearmies,afterhavingovercomethem,tohisenemies,withoutransom,ordeigningsomuchastobindthembyoath,ifnottofavourhim,atleastnomoretobeararmsagainsthim;hehasthreeorfourtimestakensomeofPompey’scaptainsprisoners,andasoftensetthematliberty。Pompeydeclaredallthosetobeenemieswhodidnotfollowhimtothewar;heproclaimedallthosetobehisfriendswhosatstillanddidnotactuallytakearmsagainsthim。Tosuchcaptainsofhisasranawayfromhimtogoovertotheotherside,hesent,moreover,theirarms,horses,andequipage:thecitieshehadtakenbyforceheleftatfulllibertytofollowwhichsidetheypleased,imposingnoothergarrisonuponthembutthememoryofhisgentlenessandclemency。Hegavestrictandexpresscharge,thedayofhisgreatbattleofPharsalia,that,withouttheutmostnecessity,nooneshouldlayahanduponthecitizensofRome。
  These,inmyopinion,wereveryhazardousproceedings,and’tisnowonderifthoseinourcivilwar,who,likehim,fightagainsttheancientestateoftheircountry,donotfollowhisexample;theyareextraordinarymeans,andthatonlyappertaintoCaesar’sfortune,andtohisadmirableforesightintheconductofaffairs。WhenIconsidertheincomparablegrandeurofhissoul,Iexcusevictorythatitcouldnotdisengageitselffromhim,eveninsounjustandsowickedacause。
  Toreturntohisclemency:wehavemanystrikingexamplesinthetimeofhisgovernment,when,allthingsbeingreducedtohispower,hehadnomorewrittenagainsthimwhichhehadassharplyanswered:yethedidnotsoonafterforbeartousehisinteresttomakehimconsul。CaiusCalvus,whohadcomposedseveralinjuriousepigramsagainsthim,havingemployedmanyofhisfriendstomediateareconciliationwithhim,Caesarvoluntarilypersuadedhimselftowritefirsttohim。AndourgoodCatullus,whohadsorudelyruffledhimunderthenameofMamurra,comingtoofferhisexcusestohim,hemadethesamedaysitathistable。
  Havingintelligenceofsomewhospokeillofhim,hedidnomore,butonlybyapublicorationdeclarethathehadnoticeofit。Hestilllessfearedhisenemiesthanhehatedthem;someconspiraciesandcabalsthatweremadeagainsthislifebeingdiscoveredtohim,hesatisfiedhimselfinpublishingbyproclamationthattheywereknowntohim,withoutfurtherprosecutingtheconspirators。
  Astotherespecthehadforhisfriends:CaiusOppius,beingwithhimuponajourney,andfindinghimselfill,helefthimtheonlylodginghehadforhimself,andlayallnightuponahardgroundintheopenair。
  Astowhatconcernshisjustice,heputabelovedservantofhistodeathforlyingwithanobleRoman’swife,thoughtherewasnocomplaintmade。"
  Neverhadmanmoremoderationinhisvictory,normoreresolutioninhisadversefortune。
  Butallthesegoodinclinationswerestifledandspoiledbyhisfuriousambition,bywhichhesufferedhimselftobesotransportedandmisledthatonemayeasilymaintainthatthispassionwastherudderofallhisactions;ofaliberalman,itmadehimapublicthieftosupplythisbountyandprofusion,andmadehimutterthisvileandunjustsaying,"Thatifthemostwickedandprofligatepersonsintheworldhadbeenfaithfulinservinghimtowardshisadvancement,hewouldcherishandpreferthemtotheutmostofhispower,asmuchasthebestofmen。"
  Itintoxicatedhimwithsoexcessiveavanity,astodaretoboastinthepresenceofhisfellow—citizens,thathehadmadethegreatcommonwealthofRomeanamewithoutformandwithoutbody;andtosaythathisanswersforthefutureshouldstandforlaws;andalsotoreceivethebodyoftheSenatecomingtohim,sitting;tosufferhimselftobeadored,andtohavedivinehonourspaidtohiminhisownpresence。Toconclude,thissolevice,inmyopinion,spoiledinhimthemostrichandbeautifulnaturethateverwas,andhasrenderedhisnameabominabletoallgoodmen,inthathewoulderecthisgloryupontheruinsofhiscountryandthesubversionofthegreatestandmostflourishingrepublictheworldshalleversee。
  Theremight,onthecontrary,manyexamplesbeproducedofgreatmenwhompleasureshavemadetoneglecttheconductoftheiraffairs,asMarkAntonyandothers;butwhereloveandambitionshouldbeinequalbalance,andcometojostlewithequalforces,Imakenodoubtbutthelastwouldwintheprize。
  Toreturntomysubject:’tismuchtobridleourappetitesbytheargumentofreason,or,byviolence,tocontainourmemberswithintheirduty;buttolashourselvesforourneighbour’sinterest,andnotonlytodivestourselvesofthecharmingpassionthatticklesus,ofthepleasurewefeelinbeingagreeabletoothers,andcourtedandbelovedofeveryone,butalsotoconceiveahatredagainstthegracesthatproducethateffect,andtocondemnourbeautybecauseitinflamesothers;ofthis,I
  confess,Ihavemetwithfewexamples。Butthisisone。Spurina,ayoungmanofTuscany:
  "Qualisgemmamicat,fulvumquaedividitaurum,Autcollodecus,autcupiti:velqualeperartemInclusumbuxoautOriciaterebinthoLucetebur,"
  ["Asagemshinesenchasedinyellowgold,oranornamentontheneckorhead,orasivoryhaslustre,setbyartinboxwoodorOricianebony。"——AEneid,x。134。]
  beingendowedwithasingularbeauty,andsoexcessive,thatthechastesteyescouldnotchastelybeholditsrays;notcontentinghimselfwithleavingsomuchflameandfeverasheeverywherekindledwithoutrelief,enteredintoafuriousspiteagainsthimselfandthosegreatendowmentsnaturehadsoliberallyconferreduponhim,asifamanwereresponsibletohimselfforthefaultsofothers,andpurposelyslashedanddisfigured,withmanywoundsandscars,theperfectsymmetryandproportionthatnaturehadsocuriouslyimprintedinhisface。Togivemyfreeopinion,Imoreadmirethanhonoursuchactions:suchexcessesareenemiestomyrules。Thedesignwasconscientiousandgood,butcertainlyalittledefectiveinprudence。Whatifhisdeformityservedafterwardstomakeothersguiltyofthesinofhatredorcontempt;orofenvyatthegloryofsorarearecommendation;orofcalumny,interpretingthishumouramadambition!Isthereanyformfromwhichvicecannot,ifitwill,extractoccasiontoexerciseitself,onewayoranother?Ithadbeenmorejust,andalsomorenoble,tohavemadeofthesegiftsofGodasubjectofexemplaryregularityandvirtue。
  Theywhoretirethemselvesfromthecommonoffices,fromthatinfinitenumberoftroublesomerulesthatfetteramanofexacthonestyincivillife,areinmyopinionverydiscreet,whatpeculiarsharpnessofconstraintsoevertheyimposeuponthemselvesinsodoing。’Tisinsomesortakindofdyingtoavoidthepainoflivingwell。Theymayhaveanotherreward;buttherewardofdifficultyIfancytheycanneverhave;
  nor,inuneasiness,thattherecanbeanythingmoreorbetterdonethanthekeepingoneselfuprightamidthewavesoftheworld,trulyandexactlyperformingallpartsofourduty。’Tis,peradventure,moreeasytokeepclearofthesexthantomaintainone’sselfarightinallpointsinthesocietyofawife;andamanmaywithlesstroubleadapthimselftoentireabstinencethantotheduedispensationofabundance。Use,carriedonaccordingtoreason,hasinitmoreofdifficultythanabstinence;moderationisavirtuethatgivesmoreworkthansuffering;