[Asaforeignercannotbesaidtosupplyustheplaceofaman。"——
Pliny，Nat。Hist。vii。I]
Andhowmuchlesssociableisfalsespeakingthansilence？
KingFrancisI。vauntedthathehadbythismeansnonplussedFrancescoTaverna，ambassadorofFrancescoSforza，DukeofMilan，amanveryfamousforhisscienceintalkinginthosedays。ThisgentlemanhadbeensenttoexcusehismastertohisMajestyaboutathingofverygreatconsequence，whichwasthis:theKing，stilltomaintainsomeintelligencewithItaly，outofwhichhehadlatelybeendriven，andparticularlywiththeduchyofMilan，hadthoughtitconvenienttohaveagentlemanonhisbehalftobewiththatDuke:anambassadorineffect，butinoutwardappearanceaprivatepersonwhopretendedtoresidethereuponhisownparticularaffairs;fortheDuke，muchmoredependingupontheEmperor，especiallyatatimewhenhewasinatreatyofmarriagewithhisniece，daughtertotheKingofDenmark，whoisnowdowagerofLorraine，couldnotmanifestanypracticeandconferencewithuswithouthisgreatinterest。ForthiscommissiononeMerveille，aMilanesegentleman，andanequerrytotheKing，beingthoughtveryfit，wasaccordinglydespatchedthitherwithprivatecredentials，andinstructionsasambassador，andwithotherlettersofrecommendationtotheDukeabouthisownprivateconcerns，thebettertomaskandcolourthebusiness;andwassolonginthatcourt，thattheEmperoratlasthadsomeinklingofhisrealemploymentthere;whichwastheoccasionofwhatfollowedafter，aswesuppose;whichwas，thatunderpretenceofsomemurder，histrialwasintwodaysdespatched，andhisheadinthenightstruckoffinprison。MessireFrancescobeingcome，andpreparedwithalongcounterfeithistoryoftheaffair（fortheKinghadappliedhimselftoalltheprincesofChristendom，aswellastotheDukehimself，todemandsatisfaction），hadhisaudienceatthemorningcouncil;where，afterhehadforthesupportofhiscauselaidopenseveralplausiblejustificationsofthefact，thathismasterhadneverlookeduponthisMerveilleforotherthanaprivategentlemanandhisownsubject，whowasthereonlyinordertohisownbusiness，neitherhadheeverlivedunderanyotheraspect;absolutelydisowningthathehadeverheardhewasoneoftheKing’shouseholdorthathisMajestysomuchasknewhim，sofarwashefromtakinghimforanambassador:theKing，inhisturn，pressinghimwithseveralobjectionsanddemands，andchallenginghimonallsides，trippedhimupatlastbyasking，why，then，theexecutionwasperformedbynight，andasitwerebystealth？Atwhichthepoorconfoundedambassador，themorehandsomelytodisengagehimself，madeanswer，thattheDukewouldhavebeenveryloth，outofrespecttohisMajesty，thatsuchanexecutionshouldhavebeenperformedbyday。Anyonemayguessifhewasnotwellratedwhenhecamehome，forhavingsogrosslytrippedinthepresenceofaprinceofsodelicateanostrilasKingFrancis。
PopeJuliusII。havingsentanambassadortotheKingofEnglandtoanimatehimagainstKingFrancis，theambassadorhavinghadhisaudience，andtheKing，beforehewouldgiveananswer，insistinguponthedifficultiesheshouldfindinsettingonfootsogreatapreparationaswouldbenecessarytoattacksopotentaKing，andurgingsomereasonstothateffect，theambassadorveryunseasonablyrepliedthathehadalsohimselfconsideredthesamedifficulties，andhadrepresentedthemtothePope。Fromwhichsayingofhis，sodirectlyoppositetothethingpropoundedandthebusinesshecameabout，whichwasimmediatelytoincitehimtowar，theKingofEnglandfirstderivedtheargument（whichheafterwardfoundtobetrue），thatthisambassador，inhisownmind，wasonthesideoftheFrench;ofwhichhavingadvertisedhismaster，hisestateathisreturnhomewasconfiscated，andhehimselfverynarrowlyescapedthelosingofhishead。——[ErasmiOp。（1703），iv。col。684。]
CHAPTERX
OFQUICKORSLOWSPEECH
"Oncnefurentatoutstoutesgracesdonnees。"
["Allgraceswereneveryetgiventoanyoneman。"——AverseinoneofLaBrebis’Sonnets。]
Soweseeinthegiftofeloquence，whereinsomehavesuchafacilityandpromptness，andthatwhichwecallapresentwitsoeasy，thattheyareeverreadyuponalloccasions，andnevertobesurprised;andothersmoreheavyandslow，neverventuretoutteranythingbutwhattheyhavelongpremeditated，andtakengreatcareandpainstofitandprepare。
Now，asweteachyoungladiesthosesportsandexerciseswhicharemostpropertosetoutthegraceandbeautyofthosepartswhereintheirchiefestornamentandperfectionlie，soitshouldbeinthesetwoadvantagesofeloquence，towhichthelawyersandpreachersofourageseemprincipallytopretend。IfIwereworthytoadvise，theslowspeaker，methinks，shouldbemoreproperforthepulpit，andtheotherforthebar:andthatbecausetheemploymentofthefirstdoesnaturallyallowhimalltheleisurehecandesiretopreparehimself，andbesides，hiscareerisperformedinanevenandunintermittedline，withoutstoporinterruption;whereasthepleader’sbusinessandinterestcompelshimtoenterthelistsuponalloccasions，andtheunexpectedobjectionsandrepliesofhisadversepartyjostlehimoutofhiscourse，andputhim，upontheinstant，topumpfornewandextemporeanswersanddefences。
Yet，attheinterviewbetwixtPopeClementandKingFrancisatMarseilles，ithappened，quitecontrary，thatMonsieurPoyet，amanbredupallhislifeatthebar，andinthehighestreputeforeloquence，havingthechargeofmakingtheharanguetothePopecommittedtohim，andhavingsolongmeditatedonitbeforehand，as，sotheysaid，tohavebroughtitreadymadealongwithhimfromParis;theverydayitwastohavebeenpronounced，thePope，fearingsomethingmightbesaidthatmightgiveoffencetotheotherprinces’ambassadorswhowerethereattendingonhim，senttoacquainttheKingwiththeargumentwhichheconceivedmostsuitingtothetimeandplace，but，bychance，quiteanotherthingtothatMonsieurdePoyethadtakensomuchpainsabout:sothatthefinespeechhehadpreparedwasofnouse，andhewasupontheinstanttocontriveanother;whichfindinghimselfunabletodo，CardinalduBellaywasconstrainedtoperformthatoffice。Thepleader’spartis，doubtless，muchharderthanthatofthepreacher;andyet，inmyopinion，weseemorepassablelawyersthanpreachers，atalleventsinFrance。
Itshouldseemthatthenatureofwitistohaveitsoperationpromptandsudden，andthatofjudgmenttohaveitmoredeliberateandmoreslow。
Buthewhoremainstotallysilent，forwantofleisuretopreparehimselftospeakwell，andhealsowhomleisuredoesnowaysbenefittobetterspeaking，areequallyunhappy。
’TissaidofSeverusCassiusthathespokebestextempore，thathestoodmoreobligedtofortunethantohisowndiligence;thatitwasanadvantagetohimtobeinterruptedinspeaking，andthathisadversarieswereafraidtonettlehim，lesthisangershouldredoublehiseloquence。
Iknow，experimentally，thedispositionofnaturesoimpatientoftediousandelaboratepremeditation，thatifitdonotgofranklyandgailytowork，itcanperformnothingtopurpose。Wesayofsomecompositionsthattheystinkofoilandofthelamp，byreasonofacertainroughharshnessthatlaborioushandlingimprintsuponthosewhereithasbeenemployed。Butbesidesthis，thesolicitudeofdoingwell，andacertainstrivingandcontendingofamindtoofarstrainedandoverbentuponitsundertaking，breaksandhindersitselflikewater，thatbyforceofitsownpressingviolenceandabundance，cannotfindareadyissuethroughtheneckofabottleoranarrowsluice。Inthisconditionofnature，ofwhichIamnowspeaking，thereisthisalso，thatitwouldnotbedisorderedandstimulatedwithsuchpassionsasthefuryofCassius（forsuchamotionwouldbetooviolentandrude）;itwouldnotbejostled，butsolicited;itwouldberousedandheatedbyunexpected，sudden，andaccidentaloccasions。Ifitbelefttoitself，itflagsandlanguishes;
agitationonlygivesitgraceandvigour。Iamalwaysworstinmyownpossession，andwhenwhollyatmyowndisposition:accidenthasmoretitletoanythingthatcomesfrommethanI;occasion，company，andeventheveryrisingandfallingofmyownvoice，extractmorefrommyfancythanIcanfind，whenIsoundandemployitbymyself。Bywhichmeans，thethingsIsayarebetterthanthoseIwrite，ifeitherweretobepreferred，whereneitherisworthanything。This，also，befallsme，thatIdonotfindmyselfwhereIseekmyself，andIlightuponthingsmorebychancethanbyanyinquisitionofmyownjudgment。IperhapssometimeshituponsomethingwhenIwrite，thatseemsquaintandsprightlytome，thoughitwillappeardullandheavytoanother。——Butletusleavethesefinecompliments;everyonetalksthusofhimselfaccordingtohistalent。ButwhenIcometospeak，IamalreadysolostthatIknownotwhatIwasabouttosay，andinsuchcasesastrangeroftenfindsitoutbeforeme。IfIshouldmakeerasuresooftenasthisinconveniencebefallsme，Ishouldmakecleanwork;occasionwill，atsomeothertime，layitasvisibletomeasthelight，andmakemewonderwhatIshouldstickat。
CHAPTERXI
OFPROGNOSTICATIONS
Forwhatconcernsoracles，itiscertainthatagoodwhilebeforethecomingofJesusChristtheyhadbeguntolosetheircredit;forweseethatCicerotroubledtofindoutthecauseoftheirdecay，andhehasthesewords:
"CuristomodojamoraculaDelphisnoneduntur，nonmodonostroaetate，sedjamdiu;utnihilpossitessecontemptius？"
["WhatisthereasonthattheoraclesatDelphiarenolongeruttered:notmerelyinthisageofours，butforalongtimepast，insomuchthatnothingismoreincontempt？"——
Cicero，DeDivin。，ii。57。]
Butastotheotherprognostics，calculatedfromtheanatomyofbeastsatsacrifices（towhichpurposePlatodoes，inpart，attributethenaturalconstitutionoftheintestinesofthebeaststhemselves），thescrapingofpoultry，theflightofbirds——
"Avesquasdam……rerumaugurandarumcausanatasesseputamus。"
["Wethinksomesortsofbirdsarepurposelycreatedtoservethepurposesofaugury。"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，ii。64。]
——clapsofthunder，theoverflowingofrivers——
"MultacernuntAruspices，multaAuguresprovident，multaoraculisdeclarantur，multavaticinationibus，multasomniis，multaportentis。"
[TheAruspicesdiscernmanythings，theAugursforeseemanythings，manythingsareannouncedbyoracles，manybyvaticinations，manybydreams，manybyportents。"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，ii。65。]
——andothersofthelikenature，uponwhichantiquityfoundedmostoftheirpublicandprivateenterprises，ourreligionhastotallyabolishedthem。Andalthoughthereyetremainamongstussomepracticesofdivinationfromthestars，fromspirits，fromtheshapesandcomplexionsofmen，fromdreamsandthelike（anotableexampleofthewildcuriosityofournaturetograspatandanticipatefuturethings，asifwehadnotenoughtodotodigestthepresent）——
"Curhanctibi，rectorOlympi，Sollicitisvisummortalibusadderecuram，Noscantventurasutdiraperominaclades？……
Sitsubitum，quodcumqueparas;sitcoecafuturiMenshominumfati，liceatsperaretimenti。"
["Why，rulerofOlympus，hastthoutoanxiousmortalsthoughtfittoaddthiscare，thattheyshouldknowby，omensfutureslaughter？……
Letwhateverthouartpreparingbesudden。Letthemindofmenbeblindtofateinstore;letitbepermittedtothetimidtohope。"——
Lucan，ii。14]
"Neutilequidemestscirequidfuturumsit;
miserumestenim，nihilproficientemangi，"
["Itisuselesstoknowwhatshallcometopass;itisamiserablethingtobetormentedtonopurpose。"——
Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，iii。6。]
yetaretheyofmuchlessauthoritynowthanheretofore。WhichmakessomuchmoreremarkabletheexampleofFrancesco，MarquisofSaluzzo，whobeinglieutenanttoKingFrancisI。inhisultramontanearmy，infinitelyfavouredandesteemedinourcourt，andobligedtotheking’sbountyforthemarquisateitself，whichhadbeenforfeitedbyhisbrother;andastotherest，havingnomannerofprovocationgivenhimtodoit，andevenhisownaffectionopposinganysuchdisloyalty，sufferedhimselftobesoterrified，asitwasconfidentlyreported，withthefineprognosticsthatwerespreadabroadeverywhereinfavouroftheEmperorCharlesV。，andtoourdisadvantage（especiallyinItaly，wherethesefoolishpropheciesweresofarbelieved，thatatRomegreatsumsofmoneywereventuredoutuponreturnofgreater，whentheprognosticscametopass，socertaintheymadethemselvesofourruin），that，havingoftenbewailed，tothoseofhisacquaintancewhoweremostintimatewithhim，themischiefsthathesawwouldinevitablyfallupontheCrownofFranceandthefriendshehadinthatcourt，herevoltedandturnedtotheotherside;tohisownmisfortune，nevertheless，whatconstellationsoevergovernedatthattime。Buthecarriedhimselfinthisaffairlikeamanagitatedbydiverspassions;forhavingbothtownsandforcesinhishands，theenemy’sarmyunderAntoniodeLeyvaclosebyhim，andwenotatallsuspectinghisdesign，ithadbeeninhispowertohavedonemorethanhedid;forwelostnomenbythisinfidelityofhis，noranytown，butFossanoonly，andthatafteralongsiegeandabravedefence。——[1536]
"PrudensfuturitemporisexitumCaliginosanoctepremitDeus，Ridetque，simortalisultraFastrepidat。"
["AwiseGodcoverswiththicknightthepathofthefuture，andlaughsatthemanwhoalarmshimselfwithoutreason。"——
Hor。，Od。，iii。29。]
"IllepotenssuiLaetusquedeget，cuilicetindiemDixissevixi！crasvelatraNubepolumpateroccupato，Velsolepuro。"
["Heliveshappyandmasterofhimselfwhocansayaseachdaypasseson，’IHAVELIVED:’whetherto—morrowourFathershallgiveusacloudedskyoraclearday。"——Hor。，Od。，iii。29]
Laetusinpraesensanimus;quodultraest，Oderitcurare。"
["Amindhappy，cheerfulinthepresentstate，willtakegoodcarenottothinkofwhatisbeyondit。——Ibid。，ii。25]
Andthosewhotakethissentenceinacontrarysenseinterpretitamiss:
"Istasicreciprocantur，utetsidivinatiosit，diisint;etsidiilint，sitdivinatio。"
["Thesethingsaresofarreciprocalthatiftherebedivination，theremustbedeities;andifdeities，divination。"——Cicero，DeDivin。，i。6。]
MuchmorewiselyPacuvius——
Namistis，quilinguamaviumintelligunt，Plusqueexalienojecoresapiunt，quamexsuo，Magisaudiendum，quamauscultandum，censeo。"
["Astothosewhounderstandthelanguageofbirds，andwhoratherconsulttheliversofanimalsotherthantheirown，Ihadratherhearthemthanattendtothem。"——
Cicero，DeDivin。，i。57，exPacuvio]
ThesocelebratedartofdivinationamongsttheTuscanstookitsbeginningthus:Alabourerstrikingdeepwithhiscutterintotheearth，sawthedemigodTagesascend，withaninfantineaspect，butenduedwithamatureandsenilewisdom。Upontherumourofwhich，allthepeoplerantoseethesight，bywhomhiswordsandscience，containingtheprinciplesandmeanstoattaintothisart，wererecorded，andkeptformanyages。——[Cicero，DeDevina，ii。23]——Abirthsuitabletoitsprogress;I，formypart，shouldsoonerregulatemyaffairsbythechanceofadiethanbysuchidleandvaindreams。And，indeed，inallrepublics，agoodshareofthegovernmenthaseverbeenreferredtochance。Plato，inthecivilregimenthathemodelsaccordingtohisownfancy，leavestoitthedecisionofseveralthingsofverygreatimportance，andwill，amongstotherthings，thatmarriagesshouldbeappointedbylot;attributingsogreatimportancetothisaccidentalchoiceastoordainthatthechildrenbegotteninsuchwedlockbebroughtupinthecountry，andthosebegotteninanyotherbethrustoutasspuriousandbase;yetso，thatifanyofthoseexiles，notwithstanding，should，peradventure，ingrowingupgiveanygoodhopeofhimself，hemightberecalled，as，also，thatsuchashadbeenretained，shouldbeexiled，incasetheygavelittleexpectationofthemselvesintheirearlygrowth。
Iseesomewhoaremightilygiventostudyandcommentupontheiralmanacs，andproducethemtousasanauthoritywhenanythinghasfallenoutpat;and，forthatmatter，itishardlypossiblebutthattheseallegedauthoritiessometimesstumbleuponatruthamongstaninfinitenumberoflies。
"Quisestenim，quitotumdiemjaculansnonaliquandocollineet？"
["Forwhoshootsalldayatbuttsthatdoesnotsometimeshitthewhite？"——Cicero，DeDivin。，ii。59。]
Ithinkneverthebetterofthemforsomesuchaccidentalhit。Therewouldbemorecertaintyinitiftherewerearuleandatruthofalwayslying。Besides，nobodyrecordstheirflimflamsandfalseprognostics，forasmuchastheyareinfiniteandcommon;butiftheychopupononetruth，thatcarriesamightyreport，asbeingrare，incredible，andprodigious。SoDiogenes，surnamedtheAtheist，answeredhiminSamothrace，who，showinghiminthetempletheseveralofferingsandstoriesinpaintingofthosewhohadescapedshipwreck，saidtohim，"Look，youwhothinkthegodshavenocareofhumanthings，whatdoyousaytosomanypersonspreservedfromdeathbytheirespecialfavour？"
"Why，Isay，"answeredhe，"thattheirpicturesarenotherewhowerecastaway，whoarebymuchthegreaternumber。"——[Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，i。37。]
Ciceroobservesthatofallthephilosopherswhohaveacknowledgedadeity，XenophanestheColophonianonlyhasendeavouredtoeradicateallmannerofdivination——[Cicero，DeDivin。，i。3。]——;whichmakesitthelessawonderifwehavenowandthenseensomeofourprinces，sometimestotheirowncost，relytoomuchuponthesevanities。Ihadgivenanythingwithmyowneyestoseethosetwogreatmarvels，thebookofJoachimtheCalabrianabbot，whichforetoldallthefuturePopes，theirnamesandqualities;andthatoftheEmperorLeo，whichprophesiedalltheemperorsandpatriarchsofGreece。ThisIhavebeenaneyewitnessof，thatinpublicconfusions，menastonishedattheirfortune，haveabandonedtheirownreason，superstitiouslytoseekoutinthestarstheancientcausesandmenacesofthepresentmishaps，andinmytimehavebeensostrangelysuccessfulinit，astomakemebelievethatthisbeinganamusementofsharpandvolatilewits，thosewhohavebeenversedinthisknackofunfoldinganduntyingriddles，arecapable，inanysortofwriting，tofindoutwhattheydesire。Butaboveall，thatwhichgivesthemthegreatestroomtoplayin，istheobscure，ambiguous，andfantasticgibberishofthepropheticcanting，wheretheirauthorsdelivernothingofclearsense，butshroudallinriddle，totheendthatposteritymayinterpretandapplyitaccordingtoitsownfancy。
Socratesdemonmight，perhaps，benootherbutacertainimpulsionofthewill，whichobtrudeditselfuponhimwithouttheadviceorconsentofhisjudgment;andinasoulsoenlightenedashiswas，andsopreparedbyacontinualexerciseofwisdom—andvirtue，’tistobesupposedthoseinclinationsofhis，thoughsuddenandundigested，wereveryimportantandworthytobefollowed。Everyonefindsinhimselfsomeimageofsuchagitations，ofaprompt，vehement，andfortuitousopinion;andImaywellallowthemsomeauthority，whoattributesolittletoourprudence，andwhoalsomyselfhavehadsome，weakinreason，butviolentinpersuasionanddissuasion，whichweremostfrequentwithSocrates，——[Plato，inhisaccountofTheagesthePythagorean]——bywhichIhavesufferedmyselftobecarriedawaysofortunately，andsomuchtomyownadvantage，thattheymighthavebeenjudgedtohavehadsomethinginthemofadivineinspiration。
CHAPTERXII
OFCONSTANCY
Thelawofresolutionandconstancydoesnotimplythatweoughtnot，asmuchasinuslies，todeclineandsecureourselvesfromthemischiefsandinconveniencesthatthreatenus;nor，consequently，thatweshallnotfearlesttheyshouldsurpriseus:onthecontrary，alldecentandhonestwaysandmeansofsecuringourselvesfromharms，arenotonlypermitted，but，moreover，commendable，andthebusinessofconstancychieflyis，bravelytostandto，andstoutlytosufferthoseinconvenienceswhicharenotpossiblytobeavoided。Sothatthereisnosupplemotionofbody，noranymovementinthehandlingofarms，howirregularorungracefulsoever，thatweneedcondemn，iftheyservetoprotectusfromtheblowthatismadeagainstus。
Severalverywarlikenationshavemadeuseofaretreatingandflyingwayoffightasathingofsingularadvantage，and，bysodoing，havemadetheirbacksmoredangeroustotheirenemiesthantheirfaces。OfwhichkindoffightingtheTurksstillretainsomethingintheirpracticeofarms;andSocrates，inPlato，laughsatLaches，whohaddefinedfortitudetobeastandingfirmintheranksagainsttheenemy。"What！"sayshe，"wouldit，then，beareputedcowardicetoovercomethembygivingground？"urging，atthesametime，theauthorityofHomer，whocommendsinAEneasthescienceofflight。AndwhereasLaches，consideringbetterofit，admitsthepracticeastotheScythians，and，ingeneral，allcavalrywhatever，heagainattackshimwiththeexampleoftheLacedaemonianfoot——anationofallotherthemostobstinateinmaintainingtheirground——who，inthebattleofPlataea，notbeingabletobreakintothePersianphalanx，bethoughtthemselvestodisperseandretire，thatbytheenemysupposingtheyfled，theymightbreakanddisunitethatvastbodyofmeninthepursuit，andbythatstratagemobtainedthevictory。
AsfortheScythians，’tissaidofthem，thatwhenDariuswenthisexpeditiontosubduethem，hesent，byaherald，highlytoreproachtheirking，thathealwaysretiredbeforehimanddeclinedabattle;towhichIdanthyrses，——[Herod。，iv。127。]——forthatwashisname，returnedanswer，thatitwasnotforfearofhim，orofanymanliving，thathedidso，butthatitwasthewayofmarchinginpracticewithhisnation，whohadneithertilledfields，cities，norhousestodefend，ortofeartheenemyshouldmakeanyadvantageofbutthatifhehadsuchastomachtofight，lethimbutcometoviewtheirancientplacesofsepulture，andthereheshouldhavehisfill。
Nevertheless，astocannon—shot，whenabodyofmenaredrawnupinthefaceofatrainofartillery，astheoccasionofwaroftenrequires，itisunhandsometoquittheirposttoavoidthedanger，forasmuchasbyreasonofitsviolenceandswiftnessweaccountitinevitable;andmanyaone，byducking，steppingaside，andsuchothermotionsoffear，hasbeen，atallevents，sufficientlylaughedatbyhiscompanions。Andyet，intheexpeditionthattheEmperorCharlesV。madeagainstusintoProvence，theMarquisdeGuastgoingtoreconnoitrethecityofArles，andadvancingoutofthecoverofawindmill，underfavourofwhichhehadmadehisapproach，wasperceivedbytheSeigneursdeBonnevalandtheSeneschalofAgenois，whowerewalkinguponthe’theatreauxayenes’;whohavingshownhimtotheSieurdeVilliers，commissaryoftheartillery，hepointedaculverinsoadmirablywell，andlevelleditsoexactlyrightagainsthim，thathadnottheMarquis，seeingfiregiventoit，slippedaside，itwascertainlyconcludedtheshothadtakenhimfullinthebody。And，inlikemanner，someyearsbefore，Lorenzode’Medici，DukeofUrbino，andfathertothequeen—mother——[Catherinede’Medici，motherofHenryIII。]——layingsiegetoMondolfo，aplaceintheterritoriesoftheVicariatinItaly，seeingthecannoneergivefiretoapiecethatpointeddirectlyagainsthim，itwaswellforhimthatheducked，forotherwisetheshot，thatonlyrazedthetopofhishead，haddoubtlesshithimfullinthebreast。Tosaytruth，Idonotthinkthattheseevasionsareperformedupontheaccountofjudgment;forhowcananymanlivingjudgeofhighorlowaimonsosuddenanoccasion？Anditismuchmoreeasytobelievethatfortunefavouredtheirapprehension，andthatitmightbeaswellatanothertimetomakethemfacethedanger，astoseektoavoidit。Formyownpart，IconfessIcannotforbearstartingwhentherattleofaharquebusethundersinmyearsonasudden，andinaplacewhereIamnottoexpectit，whichIhavealsoobservedinothers，braverfellowsthanI。
NeitherdotheStoicspretendthatthesouloftheirphilosopherneedbeproofagainstthefirstvisionsandfantasiesthatsurprisehim;but，astoanaturalsubjection，consentthatheshouldtrembleattheterriblenoiseofthunder，orthesuddenclatterofsomefallingruin，andbeaffrightedeventopalenessandconvulsion;andsoinotherpassions，providedhisjudgmentremainsoundandentire，andthattheseatofhisreasonsuffernoconcussionnoralteration，andthatheyieldnoconsenttohisfrightanddiscomposure。Tohimwhoisnotaphilosopher，afrightisthesamethinginthefirstpartofit，butquiteanotherthinginthesecond;fortheimpressionofpassionsdoesnotremainsuperficiallyinhim，butpenetratesfarther，eventotheveryseatofreason，infectingandcorruptingit，sothathejudgesaccordingtohisfear，andconformshisbehaviourtoit。InthisverseyoumayseethetruestateofthewiseStoiclearnedlyandplainlyexpressed:——
"Mensimmotamanet;lachrymaevolvunturinanes。"
["Thoughtearsflow，themindremainsunmoved。"
——Virgil，AEneid，iv。449]
ThePeripateticsagedoesnotexempthimselftotallyfromperturbationsofmind，buthemoderatesthem。
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V3
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME3。
XIII。Theceremonyoftheinterviewofprinces。
XIV。ThatmenarejustlypunishedforbeingobstinateinthedefenceofafortthatisnotinreasontobedefendedXV。Ofthepunishmentofcowardice。
XVI。Aproceedingofsomeambassadors。
XVII。Offear。
XVIII。Thatmenarenottojudgeofourhappinesstillafterdeath。
XIX。Thattostudyphilosophyistolearntodie。
XX。Oftheforceofimagination。
XXI。Thattheprofitofonemanisthedamageofanother。
CHAPTERXIII
THECEREMONYOFTHEINTERVIEWOFPRINCES
Thereisnosubjectsofrivolousthatdoesnotmeritaplaceinthisrhapsody。Accordingtoourcommonruleofcivility，itwouldbeanotableaffronttoanequal，andmuchmoretoasuperior，tofailbeingathomewhenhehasgivenyounoticehewillcometovisityou。Nay，QueenMargaretofNavarre——[MargueritedeValois，authoressofthe’Heptameron’]——furtheradds，thatitwouldbearudenessinagentlemantogoout，aswesooftendo，tomeetanythatiscomingtoseehim，lethimbeofwhathighconditionsoever;andthatitismorerespectfulandmoreciviltostayathometoreceivehim，ifonlyupontheaccountofmissinghimbytheway，andthatitisenoughtoreceivehimatthedoor，andtowaituponhim。Formypart，whoasmuchasIcanendeavourtoreducetheceremoniesofmyhouse，Iveryoftenforgetboththeoneandtheotherofthesevainoffices。If，peradventure，someonemaytakeoffenceatthis，Ican’thelpit;itismuchbettertooffendhimoncethanmyselfeveryday，foritwouldbeaperpetualslavery。Towhatenddoweavoidtheservileattendanceofcourts，ifwebringthesametroublehometoourownprivatehouses？Itisalsoacommonruleinallassemblies，thatthoseoflessqualityaretobefirstupontheplace，byreasonthatitismoreduetothebettersorttomakeotherswaitandexpectthem。
Nevertheless，attheinterviewbetwixtPopeClementandKingFrancisatMarseilles，——[in1533。]——theKing，afterhehadtakenorderforthenecessarypreparationsforhisreceptionandentertainment，withdrewoutofthetown，andgavethePopetwoorthreedays’respiteforhisentry，andtoreposeandrefreshhimself，beforehecametohim。Andinlikemanner，attheassignationofthePopeandtheEmperor，——[CharlesV。in1532。]atBologna，theEmperorgavethePopeopportunitytocomethitherfirst，andcamehimselfafter;forwhichthereasongivenwasthis，thatatalltheinterviewsofsuchprinces，thegreateroughttobefirstattheappointedplace，especiallybeforetheotherinwhoseterritoriestheinterviewisappointedtobe，intimatingtherebyakindofdeferencetotheother，itappearingproperforthelesstoseekoutandtoapplythemselvestothegreater，andnotthegreatertothem。
Noteverycountryonly，buteverycityandeverysocietyhasitsparticularformsofcivility。Therewascareenoughtothistakeninmyeducation，andIhavelivedingoodcompanyenoughtoknowtheformalitiesofourownnation，andamabletogivelessonsinit。Ilovetofollowthem，butnottobesoservilelytiedtotheirobservationthatmywholelifeshouldbeenslavedtoceremonies，ofwhichtherearesomesotroublesomethat，providedamanomitsthemoutofdiscretion，andnotforwantofbreeding，itwillbeeverywhitashandsome。Ihaveseensomepeoplerude，bybeingovercivilandtroublesomeintheircourtesy。
Still，theseexcessesexcepted，theknowledgeofcourtesyandgoodmannersisaverynecessarystudy。Itis，likegraceandbeauty，thatwhichbegetslikingandaninclinationtoloveoneanotheratthefirstsight，andintheverybeginningofacquaintance;and，consequently，thatwhichfirstopensthedoorandintromitsustoinstructourselvesbytheexampleofothers，andtogiveexamplesourselves，ifwehaveanyworthtakingnoticeofandcommunicating。
CHAPTERXIV
THATMENAREJUSTLYPUNISHEDFORBEINGOBSTINATEINTHEDEFENCE
OFAFORTTHATISNOTINREASONTOBEDEFENDED
Valourhasitsboundsaswellasothervirtues，which，oncetransgressed，thenextstepisintotheterritoriesofvice;sothatbyhavingtoolargeaproportionofthisheroicvirtue，unlessamanbeveryperfectinitslimits，whichupontheconfinesareveryhardtodiscern，hemayveryeasilyunawaresrunintotemerity，obstinacy，andfolly。Fromthisconsiderationitisthatwehavederivedthecustom，intimesofwar，topunish，evenwithdeath，thosewhoareobstinatetodefendaplacethatbytherulesofwarisnottenable;otherwisemenwouldbesoconfidentuponthehopeofimpunity，thatnotahenroostbutwouldresistandseektostopanarmy。
TheConstableMonsieurdeMontmorenci，havingatthesiegeofPaviabeenorderedtopasstheTicino，andtotakeuphisquartersintheFaubourgSt。Antonio，beinghinderedbyatowerattheendofthebridge，whichwassoobstinateastoendureabattery，hangedeverymanhefoundwithinitfortheirlabour。Andagain，accompanyingtheDauphininhisexpeditionbeyondtheAlps，andtakingtheCastleofVillanobyassault，andallwithinitbeingputtotheswordbythefuryofthesoldiers，thegovernorandhisensignonlyexcepted，hecausedthembothtobetrussedupforthesamereason;asalsodidtheCaptainMartinduBellay，thengovernorofTurin，withthegovernorofSanBuono，inthesamecountry，allhispeoplehavingbeencuttopiecesatthetakingoftheplace。
Butforasmuchasthestrengthorweaknessofafortressisalwaysmeasuredbytheestimateandcounterpoiseoftheforcesthatattackit——
foramanmightreasonablyenoughdespisetwoculverins，thatwouldbeamadmantoabideabatteryofthirtypiecesofcannon——wherealsothegreatnessoftheprincewhoismasterofthefield，hisreputation，andtherespectthatisdueuntohim，arealsoputintothebalance，thereisdangerthatthebalancebepressedtoomuchinthatdirection。Anditmayhappenthatamanispossessedwithsogreatanopinionofhimselfandhispower，thatthinkingitunreasonableanyplaceshoulddaretoshutitsgatesagainsthim，heputsalltotheswordwherehemeetswithanyopposition，whilsthisfortunecontinues;asisplaininthefierceandarrogantformsofsummoningtownsanddenouncingwar，savouringsomuchofbarbarianprideandinsolence，inuseamongsttheOrientalprinces，andwhichtheirsuccessorstothisdaydoyetretainandpractise。AndinthatpartoftheworldwherethePortuguesesubduedtheIndians，theyfoundsomestateswhereitwasauniversalandinviolablelawamongstthemthateveryenemyovercomebythekinginperson，orbyhislieutenant，wasoutofcomposition。
Soaboveallbothofransomandmercyamanshouldtakeheed，ifhecan，offallingintothehandsofajudgewhoisanenemyandvictorious。