Castiglione's Courtier
SOURCE: Baldassare Castiglione. "The Courtier." In Three
Renaissance Classics. Translated by Thomas Hoby. Edited by by
Burton A. Milligan. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1953,
242-624. Permission to mount electronic version applied for.
[1507: date of dialogue. 1528: date of first edition. 1561: date of
Hoby's translation.] Before using any portion of this text in any
theme, essay,research paper, thesis, dissertation, or publication,
please read the disclaimer
Transcription
conventions: Page numbers in angle brackets refer to the edition cited as the source.
Words or phrases singled out for indexing are marked by plus signs.
In the index, numbers in parentheses indicate how many times the
item appears. A slash followed by a number indicates a note at the
end of the book.
INDEX: Achilles+(2) | action+(2)
|active+(2) | active_or_doing_life+(1)
|Adam's_to_blame+(1) | affability+(1) |affable+(2) | Affectation+(1) |affections+(1) | affetazione+(1) |Agesilaus+(1) | Alcibiades+(1) |Alexander+(6) | amateur+(6) |amicitia+(3) | amitie+(2) |ancients+(1) | anger+(2) | Antonio+(5) | Antonius+(1) |appetite+(2) | appetites+(1) |applied+(1) | Aragon+(6) |Aristippus+(1) | Aristotle+(8) |armes+(1) | arte+(1) | auncestors+(1) | auntient+(1) |babler+(1) | baited+(1) |Barbarians+(1) | Barbary+(1) |Bassanio+(3) | Beatrice_Benedict+(1)
|Bees+(2) | Belmont+(1) |benefit+(1) | benefits+(2) |benevolent+(1) | binde+(1) |boaster+(1) | Boccacio+(2) |body_members+(1) | bond+(1) |bondage+(1) | Borgia+(1) |bounde+(1) | brag+(1) |bragge+(2) | bragging+(1) |braverie+(3) | Brutus+(2) |burden+(6) | Caligula+(1) |calmenesse+(1) | Carbo+(1) | Cardinallof_Pavia+(1) |
cart+(1) |Catilina+(1) | Cato+(5) |Catoes_gravitie+(1) | Catullus+(1) |Cesar+(2) | Chaucer's_knight+(1) |cheer+(2) | Cheer+(1) |chivalry+(1) | Cicero+(6) |civilitie+(1) | Civilitie+(1) |Claudius+(1) | clemency+(1) |Clemency+(1) | common+(1) |common_weales+(1) | condescension+(1) |continencie+(1) | continent+(1) |coquette+(3) | Cordelia+(5) |Cornelia+(1) | Cornwall's_servant+(1)
|Cotta+(1) | courage+(7) |courtesie+(1) | Courtesie+(1) |Courtesy+(1) | Courtier+(1) |courtisie+(1) | covetous+(1) |Crassus+(2) | curiositie+(4) |Curiositie+(1) | curiousnesse+(1) |custome+(1) | Cyrus+(1) |deadly_sins+(1) | death+(1) |debt+(1) | deede+(1) |deedes+(4) | deeds+(2) |Demetrius+(1) | Demosthenes+(1) |deserts+(1) | deserve+(1) |Diaceto+(1) | disinvoltura+(1) |divine_right+(1) | dog_obeyed_in_ofice+(1)
|doinges+(1) | Donne+(1) |double_standard+(1) | drawing+(1) |Duessa+(1) | duetie+(3) |dulce_utile+(1) | effemininate+(1) |ende+(1) | Ennius+(3) |Epaminondas+(2) | Eschines+(2) |Esope+(1) | Este+(1) |ex_tempore+(1) | example+(1) | expectation+(1) | Fabii+(1) |familiaritie+(1) | father+(1) |fellowship+(2) | felowship+(1) |Ferdinande+(1) | Ferrara+(3) |fidelitie+(1) | flaterer+(1) |flatterer+(2) | flatterers+(3) |flatterie+(1) | flea_in_their_eare+(1)
|fortune+(8) | Friend+(1) |friende+(1) | friendship+(2) |Friers+(1) | Galba+(1) |garments+(2) | generallitie+(1) |gentleman+(1) | gift+(1) |gift_of_nature+(1) | give+(1) |glorie+(1) | glory+(3) |Gloucrsster+(1) | Gobbo+(1) |golden_age+(1) | Gonzaga+(2) |good+(2) | good_name+(1) | good_turne+(1) | Graccus+(1) |grace+(3) | grave+(1) |Greek+(1) | habite+(1) |Hamlet+(1) | hand_in_hand+(1) |handicraft+(1) | Hannibal+(1) |happe+(1) | happinesse+(1) |harmony+(1) | hazard+(1) |Henry+(1) | Henry4+(2) | Hesiodus+(1) | Historiographers+(1) |Homer+(4) | honest+(1) |honest_man+(1) | honestie+(2) |honour+(2) | Horace+(1) |Hortensius+(1) | Humanitie+(1) |Idea+(1) | ignorance+(1) |imagination+(1) | impudencie+(1) |infidels+(1) | ingratitude+(1) |Isabel+(2) | Isocrates+(1) |Jessica+(3) | jesting+(1) |judgement+(1) | justice+(5) |Kent+(2) | know_him_selfe+(1) |knowledge+(2) | Latin+(1) |Laurence_de_Medicis+(1)
| Lawier+(1) |Lawiers+(2) | Lear+(3) |Lenard-Vincio+(1) | letters+(2) |liberalitie+(1) | liberall_artes+(1) |liberallitie+(1) | libertie+(2) |Livius+(1) | Loelius+(1) |love_and_feare+(1) | Luca+(1) |lucke+(1) | Lucullus+(1) |lust+(1) | Lycurgus+(1) |lying+(1) | Lysias+(1) |Magdalen+(1) | Mahumet+(1) |malapertnesse+(1) | Malvolio+(3) |manliness+(1) | Mantegna+(1) |Mantua+(4) | marchant+(1) |Marcus_Antonius+(1) | Marmaidens+(1) |maskers+(1) | meane+(2) |Measure_for_Measure+(1)
| Medicis+(1) |memorye+(1) | mercie+(1) |mercy+(1) | merie_conceites+(1) |merry+(2) | Michael_Angelo+(1) |Michaelangelo+(1) | miles_gloriosus+(1) |Miranda+(1) | mirth+(1) |modest+(1) | Modest+(1) |modestie+(3) | Monarchy+(1) |Montefeltro+(1) | morall_Philosopher+(1)
|Musicke+(1) | name+(1) |natural_virtue+(1) | nboblesse-unnecessary+(1)
|nette+(1) | noblenesse+(1) |noblesse-oblige+(1) | Octavia+(1) |office+(1) | Officiis+(4) |Oratours+(1) | othes+(1) | Ovid+(1) | Panetius+(1) |Paris+(1) | Parliament+(1) |passion+(1) | passions+(2) |patience+(1) | Paul+(1) |Paule+(1) | Paulus+(1) |peace_corrupts+(1) | pearce+(1) |pedantry+(1) | perfect_commune_weale+(1)
|perfect_Courtier+(1) | perfect_king+(1) |perfect_Oratour+(1) | Petrarca+(1) |Petrarch+(1) | Philip+(1) |Philosophers_schooles+(1)
|Phisitions+(1) | Pigmalion+(1) |Pilot+(1) | PlainDealer+(10) |plaine+(1) | Plato+(11) |Platonic_love+(4) | Plautus+(1) |Plotinus+(1) | Plutarch+(1) |Poets+(1) | Politian+(1) |Polonius+(3) | Pompeius+(1) |Porcia+(1) | Portia+(1) |posteritie+(1) | posterity+(1) |practise+(1) | Prelates+(1) |profit+(1) | profitable+(1) |Prometheus+(1) | Prospero+(2) |Pylades_and_Orestes+(1)
| quiet+(1) | quietnesse+(1) | Raphael+(2) |Raphaelles+(1) | reason+(1) |Rechlesnesse+(1) | recklessnesse+(1) |Recklessnesse+(1) | rewarde+(1) |rewarding+(1) | Richard3+(1) |ring+(4) | ripenesse+(1) |Romolatry+(1) | rovers+(1) | Saint_Francis+(1) | Salomon+(1) |Salust+(1) | Scipio+(2) |Scipio_Africanus+(1) | self_criticism+(1) |Seneca+(2) | servant+(1) |shame+(1) | Shylock+(4) |Silius+(1) | simplicitie+(2) |simply+(1) | slavery+(1) |Socrates+(7) | solace+(1) |Spaine+(1) | spies+(1) |sprezzatura+(3) | Stagira+(1) | staiednesse+(1) | stedfastnesse+(2) |Stoikes+(1) | Strozzi+(1) |Sulpitius+(1) | superstitious+(1) |Sylla+(1) | Tacitus+(2) |temperance+(2) | temperate+(1) |Themistocles+(1) | Themistoeles+(1) |Theophrastus+(1) | Theseus_and_Perithous+(1)
|Tirant+(1) | trade+(1) |troth+(1) | Troy+(1) |trust+(1) | truth+(3) |Tullius+(1) | Tully+(1) |tyrannicall+(1) | tyrannicide+(1) |Tyranny+(1) | tyrant+(1) |tyrants+(1) | Tyrants+(2) |Ulisses+(1) | unity_of_virtues+(1) |untemperate+(1) | Varro+(1) |vertue+(5) | vertues+(1) |Virgill+(4) | virtue_education+(1) |virtue_learned+(1) | virtue_teaching+(1) |virtues_list+(11) | wavering+(1) |wisdom+(1) | wisedom+(4) |wit+(1) | wit_and_judgement+(1)
|womanish+(2) | wordes+(2) |worthy+(1) | Wyf+(1) |Xenophon+(3)
THE COURTIER
CHIEF SPEAKERS IN THE DIALOGUES OF THE
COURTIER
ELISABETTA GONZAGA, wife of Guidobaldi di
Montefeltro,Duke of Urbino
LADY EMILIA PIA,
friend and companion of the Duchess, and widow of the Duke's
half-brother
MAIRGARITA GONZAGA, young niece
and companion of the Duchess
COSTANZA
FREGOSO, young half-niece of the Duke
FRANCESCO MARIA DELLA ROVERE ("THE
LORD GENERALL"), young nephew and adopted heir of the
Duke
FIREDERICO FRECOSO (SIR FIREDERICK),
half-nephew of the Duke, afterwards made a cardinal
OTTAVIANO FRECOSO (LORD OCTAVIAN), elder brother
of Costanza and Federico, afterwards a Doge of Genoa
COUNT LUDOVICO DA CANOSSA (COUNT LEWIS), a
kinsman of Castiglione, afterwards Bishop of Bayeux GIULIANO DE'
MEDICI [Lord Julian] ("MY LORD MAGNIFICO"), Son Of Lorenzo the
Magnificent; close friend of Casstiglione; afterwards Duke of
Nemours
BERNARDO Dovizi (BIBBIENA), an
adherent of the Medici, afterwards a cardinal
CESARE GONZAGA, kinsman of the Duchess, cousin
and close friend of Castigl BERNAltDo AcCOLTI better known as UNICO
ARETINO, "the unique Aretine," a courtier-poet
LURD GASPAR PALLAVICINO, the young man who is
the Benedick to Lady Emilia Pia's Beatrice ,
PIETRO BEMBO, Venetian scholar and poet,
afterwards a cardinal
<242>
Epistle of the Author
UNTO THE REVEREND AND HONOURABLE LORDE
MYCHAELL DE SYLVA BISHOP OF VISEO:
AFTER the Lorde
Guidubaldo of Montefeltro Duke of Urbin was departed out of this
life, certein other Gentilmen and I that had bine servauntes to him,
continued in servyce wyth Duke Francescomaria Della Rover6 hys heire
and successor in the state: and whyle the savour of the vertues of
Duke Guidubaldo was fresh in my mynde, and the great delite I took
in those yeeres in the loving companie of so excellent Personages as
then were in the Court of Urbin: I was provoked by the memorie
therof to write these bookes of the Courtier. The which I
accomplished in a fewe dayes,/1 myndinge in time to amende those
faultes that spronge of the desire that I had speedilie to paye this
debt. But fortune now manie yeeres hath alwayes kept me under in
suche continuall travayles, that I coulde never gete leyser to
bringe it to the passe that my feeble judgement might be throughlie
satisfied withall. At such time therfore as I was in Spayne, being
advertised out of Italy how the Lady Vittoria Colonna Marquesse of
Pescara, unto whom in foretime I had graunted a Copie of this booke,
contrarie to her promise, had made a qreat part of it to be copied
out: it greeved me somwhat whether I would or no, standinge in doubt
of the sundrie inconveniences that in the like cases may happen. Yet
had I a hope that the witt and wis-
<243>
CASTIGLIONE dome of that Lady
(whose troth I have alwaies had in reverence, as a matter from
above) was sufficient to provide, not to be harmfull unto me my
beeinge obedient to her commaundement. At last I hard an ynckinge
that part of the booke was rief in Naples in many mens handes: and
as men are alwayes desirous of noveltie, it was thought that they
attempted to imprint it. Wherfore I, amased at this mischaunce,
determined wyth my self to overlooke by and by that litle in the
booke that time served me therto, with entent to set it abrode,
thinking it lesse hurtful to have it somwhat corrected with mine
owne hande, then much mangled with an other mannes. Therfore to have
this my pourpose take effect, I tooke in hande to reade it over
afresh, and sodeinlie at the flrst blush by reason of the title, I
tooke no litle grief, which in proceadinge forward encreased much
more, remembringe that the greater part of them that are brought in
to reason, are now dead. For beside those that are mentioned in the
Proheme of the last booke, M. Alphonsus Ariosto him self is dead,
unto whom the booke was dedicated, a noble yonge Gentilman,
discreete, full of good condicions, and apt unto every thing meete
for one livinge in court. Likewise Duke Julian de Medicis, whose
goodnesse and noble Courtesy+
deserved to have bene a longer time enjoyed of the world. Also M.
Bernard, Cardinall of S,. Maria in Portico, who for his livelie and
pleasant promptnes of witt, was most acceptable unto as manie as
knew him, and dead he is. The Lord Octavian Fregoso is also dead, a
man in oure tymes verie rare, of a most noble courage, of a pure
lief, full of goodnesse, witt, wisdome and Courtesie+, and a
verie frende unto honour+ and vertue+, {virtues_list+} and so worthy+ prayse, that his verie ennemies
could say none other of hym, then what sounded to his renoume: and
the inishappes he hath borne out with great steadinesse, were
sufficient inoughe to geve evidence, that fortune+, as
she hath alwayes bene, so is she in these dayes also an enemie
to vertue+. There are dead in like
manet manie other that are named in this boke, unto whom a man wold
have
<244>
THE COURTIER thought that
nature had promised a verie longe lief. But the thinge that should
not be rehersed wythout teares is, that the Dutchesse she is also
dead. And if my minde be troubled with the losse of so manye frindes
and good Lordes of myne, that have left me in this lief, as it were
in a wildernes full of sorow, reason would it should with much more
grief beare the heavinesse of the Dutchesse death, then of al the
rest, bicause she was more woorth then all the rest, and I was much
more bounde+ unto her then unto all the rest.
Therfore for leesinge time to bestowe that of dutye I ought upon the
memorye of so excellent a Ladye, and of the rest that are no more in
lief, provoked also by the jeopardye of the booke, I have made him
to be imprinted, and set forth in such sort, as the shortnes of time
hath served me. And bicause you had no acqueintance, neither with
the Dutches, nor with any of the rest that are dead, saving only
with Duke Julian, and with the Cardinal of S.Maria in Portico, while
they lived, therfore to the entent, in what I can do, you may have
acqueintance with them after their death, I send unto you this
booke, as a purtraict in peinctinge of the Court of Urbin: not of
the handiwoorke of Raphael+, or Michael_Angelo+, but of an unknowen pemeter,
and that can do no more but draw the principall lines, without
settingfurth the truth with beawtifull coulours, or makinge it
appeere by the art of Prospective that it is not. And wher I have
enforced my self to setfurth together with the communication the
propreties and condicions of such as are named in it, I confess I
have not only not fully expressed, but not somuch as touched the
vertues of the Dutchesse. Bicause not onlye my stile is
unsunsufficient to express them, but also mine understanding to
conceive them. And if in this behalf, or in anie other matter
woorthy reprehention (as I know well there want not manie in the
booke) fault be found in me, I will not speake against the truth.
But bicause men somtime take such delite in finding fault, that they
find fault also in that deserveth not reproof, unto some that blame
me bicause I
<245>
CASTIGLIONE have not
folowed Boccacio+, nor bound my self to
the maner of the Tuscane speach used nowadayes, I will not let to
say, for all Boccaccio was of a fine.witt, according to those times,
and in some part writt with great advisement and diligence: yet did
he write much better whan he lett him self be guided with witt and
his naturall inclination without the him home in I of unknown to
oven to the AAA AAA to have a what one of the anile other maner
studie or regarde to polish his writings than when with al travaile
and bent studye he enforced him self to be most fine and eloquent.
{PlainDealer+} For his verie
favourers affirme that in his own matters he was far deceived in
judgement, litle regarding such thinges as have gotten him a name,
and greatlye esteaminge that is noth ing to woorth. Had I then
folowed that trade of writing which is blamed in him by such as
praise him in the rest, I could not have eschewed the verye same
reprooffes that are laied to Boccaccio himself as touching this. And
I had deserved somuch the more, for that his errour was then, in
beleavyng he did well, and mine should be nowe, in knowinge I do
amisse. Again if I had folowed that trade which is reckoned of many
to be good, and was litle regarded of him, I should appeere in
folowing it to disagree from the judgement of him whom I folowed:
the which thing (in mine opinion) were an inconvenience. And beeside
yf this respect had not moved me, I could not folowe him in the
matter, forsomuch as he never wrott any thing in treatise like unto
these bookes of the Courtier: and in the tunge, I ought not in mine
advise, bicause the force or rule of speach doeth consist more in
use, then in anye thinge els, and it is alwayes a vice to use
woordes that are not in commune speach. {PlainDealer+} Therfore it was
not meete I should have used many that are in Boccaccio, which in
his time were used, and now are out of use emonge the Tuseanes them
selves.
Neyther
would I binde my self to the maner of the Tuseane tunge in use nowe
a dayes, bicause the practising emonge sundrye Nations, hath alwayes
bene of force to transport from one to an other (in a maner) as
merchaundise, so also new woordes, which afterward remaine or
decaye,
<246>
THE COURTIER according as they
are admitted by custome or refused. And this beside the record of
auntient writers, is to be evidently seene in Boccaccio, in whom
there are so manie woordes French, Spanish, and provincial, and some
perhappes not well understood of the Tuseanes in these dayes, that
whoso woulde pick them out, should make the booke much the lesser.
And bicause (in mine opinion) the kinde of speach of the other noble
Cities of Italy, where there resorte men of wisdome, understandinge
and eloquence, which practise great matters of government of states,
of letters, armes, and diverse affayres, ought not altogether to be
neglected for the woordes whiche in these places are used in commune
speach: I suppose that they maye be used wel inough, writing such as
have a grace and comlynesse in the pronuntiation, and communly
counted good and of propre signification, though they be not
Tuseane, and have also their origion out of Italy. Beeside this in
Tuseane they use many woordes cleane corrupte from the Latin, the
which in Lumbardye and in the other partes of Italy remaine wholl
and without any chaunge at al, and they are so universallye used of
everye man, that of the best sorte they are allowed for good, and of
the commune people understood with out difficulty. Therfore I thinke
I have committed no errour at all, yf in writing I have used any of
these, and rather taken the wholl and pure woord of mine owne
Countrey, then the corrupt and mangled of an other. Neyther doeth
that rule seeme good unto me, where many say the vulgar tung, the
lesse it is like unto the Latin, the more beawtiful it is: and I can
not perceive why more authoritie should consist in one custome of
speach, then in an other. For if Tuseane be sufficient to authorise
corrupt and mangled Latin woordes, and to geve them so greate a
grace, that mangled in such sort everye man may use them for good
(the which no man denieth) should not Lumbardy or any other countrey
have the authoritye to allow the very Latin woordes that be pure,
sounde, propre and not broken in any part so, but they may be well
borne: and assuredly as it may be
<247>
CASTIGLIONE called a rash
presumption to take in hand to forge new wordes, or to set up the
olde in spite of custome: so is it no lesse, to take in hande
against the force of the same custome to bring to naught, and (as it
were) to burye alive such as have rasted nowe many yeeres, and have
ben defended from the malice of the time with the shield of use, and
have preserved their estimation and dignitye, whan in the warres and
turmoiles of Italy, alterations were brought up both of the tunge,
buildinges, garmentes and maners.
And beeside the
hardnesse of the matter, it seemeth to be (as it were) a certein
wickednesse. Therfore where I have not thought good in my writing to
use the wordes of Boccaccio which are used no more in Tuscane, nor
to binde my self to their law that think it not lawful to use them
that the Tuseanes use not nowadayes, me thynke I ought to be held
excused. But I suppose both in the matter of the booke and in the
tunge, forsomuch as one tung may help an other, I have folowed
Authores asmuch woorthie praise, as Boceaccio. And I beleave it
ought not to be imputed unto me for an errour, that I have chosen to
make my self rather knowen for a Lumbard, in speaking of Lumbard,
then for no Tusean, in speaking of tomuch Tusean. Bicause I wil not
do as Theophrastus+ did, which for speaking tomuch
the meere Athenian tunge, was of a simple olde woman knowen not to
be of Athens. But byeause in thys point there is sufficyent talke in
the first booke, I will make no more a do. And to avoid al
contention I confesse to my fault-finders, that I have no knowleage
in this their Tusean tunge so hard and secrete: and I say that I
have written it in mine owne, and as I speak, and unto such as
speake as I speake: and so I trust I have offended no man. For I
beleave it is forbed no man that is, to wryte and speake in his owne
tunge, neyther is anye man bound to reade or heare that contenteth
hym not. Therfore if they will not reade my Courtier, they shall
offende me nothing at all.
Other say, bicause it
is so hard a matter and (in a maner) unpossible to finde out a man
of such perfection, as I would
<248>
THE COURTIER have the Courtier+ to be, it is but superfluous to
write it: for it is a vaine thing to teach that can not be learned.
To these men I answere, I am content, to err with Plato+, Xenophon+,
and M. Tullius+, leaving apart the disputing of the
intelligible world and of the Ideas or imagined fourmes: in which
number, as (according to that opinion) the Idea+ or figure
conceyved in imagination of a perfect_commune_weale+, and of a perfect_king+, and of a perfect_Oratour+ are conteined: so is it
also of a perfect_Courtier+. To the image wherof if my
power could not draw nigh in stile, so much the lesse peynes shall
Courtiers have to drawe nigh in effect to the ende and marke that I
in writing have set beefore them. And if with all this they can not
compasse that perfection, such as it is, which I have endevoured to
expresse, he that cummeth nighest shall be the most perfect: as
emonge many Archers that shute at one marke, where none of them
hitteth the pinn, he that is nighest is out of doubt better then the
rest. Some again say that my meaning was to facion my self,
perswading my self that all suche qualities as I appoint to the
Courtier are in me. Unto these men I will not cleane deny that I
have attempted all that my mynde is the Courtier shoulde have
knowleage in. And I thinke who so hath not the knowleage of the
thinges intreated upon in this booke, how learned so ever he be, he
can full il write them. But I am not of so selender a judgment in
knowing my self, that I wil take upon me to know what soever I can
wish. The defence therfore of these accusations and peraventure of
many mo, I leave for this once, to the judgement of the commune
opinion: bicause for the most part the multytude, though they have
no perfect knowleage, yet do they feele by the instinct of nature
{natural_virtue+} a certein savour of good
and ill, and can geve none other reason for it: one tasteth and
taketh delite, an other refuseth and is against his stomake.
Therfore if the book
shall generallv please, I wil count him good, and think that he
ought to live: but if he shall displease, I will count him naught,
and beleave that the
<249>
CASTIGLIONE memorye+ of him
shall soone perish. And if for all this mine accusers will not be
satisfied with this commune judge- mente, let them content them
selves with the judgement of time, which at length discovereth the
privie faultes of every thing: and bicause it is father to truth and
a judge without passion+, it accustometh evermore to
pronounce true sentence of the life or death of writynges.
THE COURTIER FIRST BOOK
The First Booke of The Courtier
of Counte Baldesser Castilion,
unto Maister Alfonsus Ariosto
I HAvE a long time douted with my self (moste
loving M. Alphonsus) whiche of the two were harder for me, either to
denie you the thing that you have with such instance many times
required of me, or to take it in hand: because on the one side mee
thought it a verie hard matter to denie any thing, especially the
request being honest+, { Antonio+} to
the person whom I love dearely, and of whom I perceive my selfe
dearly beloved. {Friend+} Againe, on the other side, to
undertake an enterprise which I doe not know my selfe able to bring
to an ende, I judged it uncomly for him that weyeth due reproofes so
much as they ought to bee weyed.
At length, after much
debating, I have determined to proove in this behalfe, what ayde
that affection and great desire to please can bring unto my
diligence, which in other things is woont to encrease the labour of
men.
<250>
THE COURTIER
You then require me to write, (what is to my thinking) the trade and
maner of courtiers, which is most convenient for a gentleman that
liveth in the Court of Princes, by the which he may have the
knowledge how to serve them perfitely in every reasonable { Cordelia+} matter, and obtaine
therby favour of them, and praise of other men.
Fnally of what sort hee
ought to bee that deserveth to be called so perfit a Courtier, that
there be no want in him: Wherefore I considering this kinde of
request (say) that in case it shoulde not appeare to my selfe a
greater blame, to have you esteeme me to be of small friendship,
than all other men of little wisdom, I would have ridde my hands of
this labour, for feare least I should be counted rash of al such as
knowe, what a hard matter it is, among such diversitie of maners,
that are used in the Courts of Christendome, to picke out the
perfectest trade and way, and (as it were) the floure of this
Courtiership. Bicause use maketh us many times to delite in, and to
set little by the selfe same things: whereby sometime it proceedeth
that maners, garments, customes, and fashions, which at somtime have
ben in price, become not regarded, and contrariwise, the not
regarded, become of price.
Therefore it is
manifestly to be discerned, that use hath greater force than reason,
to bring up new inventions among us, and to abolish the olde, of the
which who so goeth about to judge the perfection, is oftentimes
deceived.
For which
consideration, perceiving this and many other lettes, in the matter
propounded for me to write upon, I am constreined to make a peece of
an excuse, and to open plainely that this error (if it may be termed
an errour) is common to us both, that if any blame happen to me
about it, it may be partned with you. For it ought to bee reckned a
no lesse offence in you, to lay upon me a burthen that passeth my
strength, than in me to take it upon me.
Let us therefore at
length settle our selves to beginne that that is our purpose and
drift, and (if be it possible) let us fashion such a Courtier, as
the Prince that shall be
<251>
CASTIGLIONE worthie to have him
in his service, although his state be but small, may notwithstanding
be called a mighty Lord.
We wil not in these
books follow any certaine order or rule of appointed preceptes, the
which for the most part is woont to bee observed in teaching of any
thing whatsoever it bee: But after the manner of men of olde time,
renuing a gratefull memorie: we will repeate certaine reasonings
that were debated in times past, betweene men very excellent for
that purpose. And although I was not there present/2 but at the time
when they were debated, it was my chaunce to be in Englande, yet
soone after my returne, I heard them of a person that faithfully
reported them unto me. And I will endevour my selfe, for so much as
my memory will serve me, to call them particularly to remembrance,
that you may see, what men worthy great commendation, and unto whose
judgement a man may in every point give an undoubted credite, have
judged and beleeved in this matter.
Neither shall we swarve
from the purpose to arrive in good order at the ende, unto the which
all our communication is directed, if we disclose the cause of the
reasonings that hereafter follow.
As every man knoweth,
the little Citie of Urbin is situated upon the side of the Appennine
(in a manner) in the middes of Italy, towards the Goulfe of Venice.
The which for all it is placed among hilles, and those not so
pleasant as perhappes some other that we behold in many places, yet
in this point the Element hath beene favourable unto it, that all
about, the Countrey is verie plentifull and full of fruites: so that
beside the holesomnes of ayre, it is verie aboundant and stored with
all thinges necessarie for the life of man. But among the greatest
felicities that man can reckon to have, I count this the chiefe,
that now a long time it hath alwaies bene governed with very good
princes, in the common calamities of the wars of Italie it remained
also a season without any at all.
But without searching
further of this, we may make a
<252>
THE COURTIER good proofe with
the famous memorie of Duke Fridericke/3 who in his daies was the
light of Italy. Neither do wee want true and very large testimonies
yet remaning of his wisedome, courtesie, justice, liberalitie, of
his invincible courage and policy of warre. And of this doe his so
manye victories make proofe, chiefly his conquering of places
impugnable, so sodaine readines in setting forward to give battaile,
his putting to flight sundrie times with a small number, very great
and puissant armies, and never sustained losse in anye conflict, So
that we may, not without cause, compare him to many famous men of
olde time.
This man
among his other deedes praise-worthie, in the hard and sharpe
situation of Urbin buylt a Palace, to the opinion of many men, the
fairest that was to bee found in all Italie, and so furnished it
with all necessarie implementes belonging thereto, that it appeared
not a Palace, but a Citie in forme of a Palace, and that not onelye
with ordinarye matters, as Silver plate, hangings for Chambers of
very rich cloth of Golde, of Silke and other like, but also for
sightlines: and to decke it out withall, placed there a wondrous
number of auncient Images of Marble and Mettall, very excellent
paintings and Instruments of Musicke of all sortes, and nothing
wjuld he have there but what was most rare and excellent.
To this with verie
great charges hee gathered together a great number of most excellent
rare bookes, in Greeke, Latin, and Hebrue, the which all hee
garnished with gold and silver, esteeming this to be the chiefest
ornament of his great Palace.
This Duke then
following the course of nature, when he was threescore and five
yeares of age, as he had lived, so did he end his lyfe with glorie.
And left Duke after him a child of ten yeres having no more male,
and without mother, who hight Guidubaido.
This childe, as of the
state, so did it appeare also that he was heire of all his fathers
vertues: and sodainly with a marveilous towardnes, began to promise
so much or him-
<253>
CASTIGLIONE selfe, as a man
would not have thought possible to bee hoped of a man mortall. So
that the opinion of men was, that of all Duke Frederickes notable
deedes, there was none greater than that he begat such a sonn. But
fortune envying this so great vertue, with all her miqht gainstood
this so glorious a beginning, in such wise that berore Duke
Guidubaldo was xx, yeares of age, he fell sicke of the goute, the
which encreasing upon him with most bitter paines, in a short time
so nummed him of all his members, that hee coulde neither stand on
foote, nor move himselfe. And in this manner was one of the best
favoured, and towardliest personages in the world, deformed and
marred in his greene age. And beside, not satisfied with
this, fortune+ was so contrarie to him
in al his purposes, that verye seldome he brought to passe any thing
to his mind. And for all bee had in him most wise counsaile, and an
invincible courage, yet it seemed that whatsoever he tooke in hand,
both in teats of armes, and in everye other thing small or great, it
came alwaies to ill successe.
And of this make proofe
his manye and diverse calamities, which hee alwaies bare out with
such stoutnesse of courage, that vertue never yeelded to fortune.
But with a bold stomacke despising her stormes, lived with great
dignitie and estimation among all men: in sicknesse, as one that was
soundle, and in adversitie, as one that was most fortunate. So that
for all hee was thus diseased in his bodie he served in time of
warre with most honourable entertainement under the most famous
kings of Naples, Alphonsus and Ferdinande the yonger. Afterward with
Pope Alexander the sixt, with the Lordes of Venice and Florence.
And when Julius the
second was created Pope, hee was then made General Capitaine of the
Church: at which time proceeding in his accustomed usage, hee set
his delight above all thinges to have his house furnished with most
noble and valiant Gentlemen, with whom hee lived verie familiarly,
enjoying their conversation.
Wherein the pleasure
which hee gave unto other men
<254>
THE COURTIER was no lesse, than
that he received of other, because hee was verie well seene in both
toongs, and togither with a loving behaviour and pleasantnesse hee
had also accompanied the knowledge of infinite things. And beside
this, the greatnesse of his courage so quickned him, that where hee
was not in case with his person to practise the feates of Chivalrie,
as he had done long before, yet did he take vene great delight to
beholde them in other men, and with his wordes sometime correcting,
and otherwhile praising every man according to his deserts, he
declared evidently how great a judgement hee had in those matters.
And upon this at
Tilt, at Tourney, in playing at all sorts of weapon, also in
inventing devices in pastimes, in Musicke, finally in all exercises
meete for noble Gentlemen, every man strived to shew himselfe such a
one, as might deserve to bee judged worthie of so noble assembly.
Therefore were all
the houres of the day divided into honourable and pleasant
exercises, as well of the bodie, as of the minde. But because the
Duke used continually, by reason of his infirmitie, soone after
Supper to goe,to his rest, everie man ordinarily, at that houre drew
where the Dutchesse was, the Ladie Elizabeth Gonzaga, where also
continually was the Ladie Emilia Pia, who for that shee was indued
with so lively awit_and_judgement+, as you know, seemed the
maistresse and ringleader of all the company, and that everie man at
her received understanding and courage.
There was then to bee
heard pleasant communications and merie_conceites+,
and in everie mans countenance a man might perceive painted a loving
jocundnesse. So that this house truely might wel be called the very
Mansion place of mirth+ and joy. And I beleeve it was never
so tasted in other place, what manner a thing the sweete
conversation that is occasioned of an amiable and loving company, as
it was once there.
For leaving apart what honour it was to all us to serve such a
Lorde, as hee whom I declared unto you right now,
<255>
CASTIGLIONE everye man
conceived in his minde an high contentation every time we came into
the Dutchessi sight. And it appeared that this was a chaine { ring+} that kept all linked together
in love, in such wise that there was never agreement of wil or
hartie love greater betweene brethren, than there was betweene us
all.
The like was
betweene the woman with whom we had such free and honest
conversation that everye man miqht commune, sitte, dallye, and laugh
with whom hee had lusted.
But such was the
respect which we bore to the Dutchesse will, that the selfe same
libertie was a very great bridle.
Neither was there any
that thought it not the greatest pleasure he could have in the
world, to please her, and the greatest griefe to offende her.
For this respect were
there most honest conditions coupled with wondrous great libertie,
and devises of pastimes, and laughing matters tempred in her sight,
beside most witty jestes, with so comely and grave a Majestie, that
the verye sober moode and greatnes that did knit together all the
actes, woordes and gestures of the Dutchesse in jesting and
laughing, made them all that had never seene her in their lyfe
before, to count her a verie great Ladie.
And all that came in
her presence, having this respect fixed in their breast, it seemed
shee had made them to her becke.
So that everie man
enforced himselfe to followe this trade, taking (as it were) a rule
and ensample of faire conditions at the presence of so great and so
vertuous a Ladie. Whose most excellent qualities I entend not now to
expresse, for it is neither my purpose, and againe they are well,
ynough knowne to the world, and much better than I am able either
with tonque, or with pen to indite.
And such as would
perhaps have lien hid a space, fortune, as shee that wondreth at so
rare vertues, hath thought good, with manye adversities and
temptations of miseries to disclose them, to make triall thereby
that in the tender
<256>
THE COURTIER breast of a woman,
in companie with singular beautie there can dwel wisedome and
stoutnes of courage and all other vertues that in grave man
themselves are most seldome.
But leaving this apart,
I say that the maner of the gentlemen in the house was immediately
after supper to assemble together where the Dutchesse was. Where
among other recreations, musicke and dauncing, which they used
continually, sometime they propounded feate questions, otherwhile
they invented certayne wittye sportes and pastimes at the device
sometime of one sometime of another, in the which under sundry
coverts oftentimes the standers by opened subtilly their
immaginations unto whome they thought best.
At other times there
arose other disputations of divers matters, or else jeastings with
prompt inventions. Many times they fell into purposes, (as we now a
daies terme them) where in this kinde of talke and debating of
matters, there was wonderous great pleasure on al sides: Because (as
I have said) the house was replenished with most noble wittes. Among
which (as you know) were most famous the Lord Octavian Fregoso, Sir
Friderick his brother, the Lord Julian de Medicis, M. Peter Bembo,
the Lord Cesar Gonzaga, Counte Lewis of Canossa, the Lord Gasper
Pallavicin, the Lorde Lodovicus Pins, Maister Morello of Ortona,
Peter of Naples, Maister Robert of Bari, and infinite of other most
worthy knights and gentlemen.
Beside these, there
were many that for all ordinarilye they dwelled not there, yet spent
they most of all their time there, as Maister Bernard Bibiena, Unico
Aretino, John Christopher Romano, Peter Mount, Therpander, Maister
Nicholas Phrisio, so that thither ran continually Poets, Musitions,
and all kind of men of skill, and the excellentest in every faculty
that were in all Italy.
After Pope julius the
second had with his owne presence by the ayde of the Frenchmen
brought Bolonia to the obedience of the Apostolique sea againe, in
the yeare a
<257>
CASTIGLIONE thousand five
hundred and sixe, in his returne toward Rome he took Urbin in his
way, where hee was received as honorably as was possible, and with
as sumptuous and costly preparation, as could have bene in any other
City of Italie whatsoever it be. So that beside the Pope, all the
Cardinals and other Courtiers thought themselves thorowly satisfied.
And some there were
that provoked with the sweetnes of this company, after that the Pope
and the Court was departed, continued many daies tocether in Urbin.
At which time they did not onely projeede in their accustomed trade
of disporting and ordinarye recreations, but also every man set to
his helpinii hande to augment them somewhat, and especially in
pastimes, which they had up almost every night.
And the order thereof
was such, that as soone as they were assembled where the Dutchesse
was, every man sat him downe at his will, or as it fell to his lot,
in a circle together, and in sitting were devyded a man and a woman,
as long as there was women, for alwaies lightly, the number of men
was far the greater.
Then were they governed
as the dutchesse thought best, which many times gave this charge
unto the Ladye Emilia.
So the day after the
Pope was departed, the companye being gathered to the accustomed
place, after much pleasant talke the Dutchesse pleasure was that the
Ladye Emilia shoulde begin these pastimes.
And she after a little
refusing of that charge, said in this manner: Sith it is your
pleasure [Madame] I shall be she that must give the onset in our
pastimes this night, because I ought not of reason disobey you, I
thinke meete to propound a pastime, whereof I suppose shall ensue
little blame, and Iesse travaile.
And that shall be to
have every man, as nigh as he can, propound a device not yet heard
of, then shal we choose out such a one as shall be thought meete to
be taken in hand in this company.
<258>
THE COURTIER And after she had
thus spoken, she turned her to the Lord Gaspar Pallavicin, willing
him to propound his: who immediately made answere.
But first (Madame) you
must begin to propound yours.
Then said the Ladye
Emilia: I have already done. But your Crace must commande him
(Madame) to be obedient.
Then the dutchesse
laughing, to the intent (quoth she) every man shall obey you, I make
you my Deputie, and give unto you all mine authority.
It is surely a great
matter, answered the Lord Gaspar, that it is alwaies lawful for
women to have this priviledge, to be exempt and free from paines
taking.
And truely
reason woulde we should in any wise know why. But because I will not
be he that shall give example to disobey, I shall leave this untill
an other time, and will speake of that I am now charged withall, and
thus I begin.
Mine
opinion is, that our mindes, as in other thinges, so also in loving
are diverse in judgement, and therefore it chauneeth often times,
that the thing which is most acceptable unto one, is most abhorred
of an other. Yet for all that they alwaies agree in that everye man
counteth most deare the wight beloved. So that many times the
overmuch affection in lovers doth deceive their judgment, that they
weene the person whom they love, to be so garnished with al
excellent vertues and without fault, that he hath no peere in the
world.
But because
the nature of man doth not admit such full perfections, and there is
no man that hath not some default or want in him, it can not be said
that such as these be, are not deceyved, and that the lover doth not
become blind as touching the beloved.
I would therefore our
pastimes should be this night to have everye man open what vertues
he would principally the person he loved should be indued withall .
And seeing it is so necessarily that we al have some sport, what
vice he would also have in him: to see who can find out most
<259>
CASTIGLIONE praise-worthy and
manly vertues, and most tollerable vices, that should be least
hurtfull both to him that loveth, and to the wight beloved.
After the L. Gaspar had
thus spoken, the L. Emilia made a signe unto the Lady Constaunce
Fregosa, because she was next in order, to follow: who was now about
to speake when the Dutchesse solemnly saide.
Seeing the L. Emilia
will not take the paines to finde out some pastime, reason willeth
that the other Ladies should be partakers of the same privilege, and
bee also free from this burden for this nicht especially seeing
there are so many men in place, for assure your selfe wee shall want
no pastime.
So
shall we doo, answered the L. Emilia, and putting the L. Constance
to silence, turned her to the L. Cesar Gonzago that sat next her,
commaunding him to speake, and thus began.
Who so will diligently
consider all our dooing, hee shall finde alwaies in them sundry
imperfections. And that happeneth, because nature doth vary, as well
in this, as in all other things, Unto one she hath given the light
of reason in one thing, and unto an other, in an other thing.
Therefore it commeth to
passe, where one man knoweth that an other knoweth not, and is
ignorant in the thing that the other hath understanding in, eche man
doth easily perceive the errour of his fellow, and not his owne, and
wee all thinke our selves to be verie wise, and paradventure in that
point most, wherin we are most foolish.
So that we have
seenenœr by experience in this house many men which at the beginning
were counted most wise, in processe of time were knowne to bee most
foolish, which hath proceeded of no other thing but of our owne
diligence.
Like as
it is said to be in Pulia, of them that are bitten with a
Tarrantula, about whom men occupy many instruments of musicke, and
with sundry sounds go searching out, untill the humour that maketh
this disease, by a certain concordance it hath with some of
those.soundes, feeling it,
<260>
THE COURTIER do sodenly moove,
and so stirreth the pacient, that by that -stirring he recovereth
his health againe. In like maner wee, when wee have felt some privie
operation of folly, we provoke it so subtilly, and with such sundry
persuasions, and so divers waies, that at length wee understand
whether it tended.
Afterward the humour knowne, we so stir it, that alwaies it is
brought to the perfection of open folly. And some is wexed foolish
in verses, some in musicke, some in love, some in dauncing, some in
making antiques,/4 some in riding, some in playing at fence, everie
man according to the mine of his mettall: wherby hath ensued (as you
know) marvellous great pastime.
I hold therfore for
certaine, that in every one of us there is some seede of folly, the
which beeing stirred may multiply (in a maner) infinite.
Therefore I would this
night our pastime were to dispute upon this matter: and that everie
man might say his mind, seeing: I must be openly foolish, in what
sort of folly I am foolish, and over what matter, judging it the
issue for the sparkles of folly that are daily seene to proceede
from mee.
And let
the like be said of all the rest, keeping the order of our devises.
And let every man
doe his best to grounde his opinion upon some sure signe and
argument, and so by this our pastime shall everie one of us get
profite, in that we shall know our defaults, and then shall we the
better take heede.
And in case the vaine of folly which wee shall discover, be so ranke
that it shall appeare to us past remedie, we shall set thereto our
helping hand, and according to the doctrine of Frier Marian, wee
shall gaine a soule, which shall be no smal gain. At this devise
there was much laughing, and none could refraine from speaking.
One saide, I should bee
found foolish in imagining. An other, in viewing. An other said, he
was already become foolish for love: and such like matters.
<261>
CASTIGLIONE Then Frier
Seraphin, after his manner, laughing. This (quoth he) should bee too
tedious a matter. But if you will have a pretie pastime, let everie
man tell his opinion, how it commeth that (in a maner) all women
abhorre rattes, and love serpents, and you shall see that none will
hit upon it, but I, that know this misterie by a straunge meane. And
now began hee to enter into his trifling tales, but the L. Emilia
commanded him to silence, and overskipping the Ladie that sat there,
made a signe to Unico Aretino that was next in order, and hee went
without looking for anie more bidding.
I (quoth he) would
gladly bee a judge of authoritie, that I might with all kinde of
torment boult out the truth of offenders and that, to discover the
deceits of an ingrate woman, who with the eyes of an angell, and
heart of a Serpent, never agreeth her toong with her minde, and with
a fained deceivable compassion, purposeth nothing els but to make
Anatomie of hearts.
Neither is there in all the sandie country of Libia to be found so
venimous a serpent that is so desirous of mans bloud, as is this
false creature. Which not onely for the sweetenesse of voice and
pleasant sound of words, but also for her eyes, for her laughing,
for her countenance, and for all her gestures is a most perfect
Marmaide.
Therefore
seeing it is not lawfull for me, as I would, to use chaines, ropes,
or fire, to understand a matter of trueth, my desire is to compasse
the knowledge of it with a merry pastime, which is this: That everie
man should expresse his fansie what the S, doth signifie that the
Dutchesse carieth in her forehead.
For although this be
also an artificiall covert, the better to beguile, perhaps there may
bee an interpretation which she never thought upon. And who knoweth
whether fortune, with pitie beholding ye torments of men, hath
stirred her with his small token, to discover against her will the
inwarde desire she hath to slea and bury alive in calamitie him that
honoureth and serveth her.
<262>
THE COURTIER The Dutchesse
laughed, and Unico perceiving shee would have excused her selfe of
this interpretation, no (quoth hee) speake you not, madam, for it is
not your turne to speake now.
The L. Emilia then
turned her and said: M. Unico there is none of us all here that
giveth not place to you in everie thing, and especially in knowing
the disposition of the Dutchesse. And as you by your divine wit know
her better than all the rest, so doe you love her better than all
the rest, which like birds of feeble sight, that cannot looke
stedfastly into the circle of the Sun, cannot so well perceive the
perfection of it.
Therefore all labour were in vaine in clearing of this doubt, saving
your judgement alone.
This enterprise then is
reserved onely to you, as unto him that alone can bring it to an
end, and none other.
Unico, after he had
pawsed a while, being still called upon to say his fansie, at length
rehearsed a rime upon the foresaid matter, expounding what signified
the letter S, the which manie judged to be made at the first sight.
But because it was more wittie and better knit than a man would have
believed the shortnes of time required, it was thought he had
prepared it before.
So after mens favourable voice given in the prayse of this rime, and
after sufficient talke, the L. Octavian Fregoso, whose turne was
then next, began in this sorte smyling, my Lordes, if I shoulde say
unto you that I never felt passion of love in my dayes, I am sure
the Dutchesse and the L. Emilia, although they believe it not in
deede, yet would they make semblance to believe it, and would say
that it proceeded because I mistrusted I should never frame any
woman to love me.
The which truely I have not hetherto proved with such instance, that
of reason I should dispaire to obtaine it once.
Neither have I forborne
the doing of it, because I set so much by my selfe, and so litle by
women that I thinke none worthie to bestow my love and service upon.
But
<263>
CASTIGLIONE rather amased at
the continuall bewailing of some lovers, that with their palenesse,
sorrow, and silence, it appeareth they have evermore their owne
discomfort painted in their eyes. And if they speake accompanying
every worde with certaine treblefolde sighes, they reason of nothing
else but of teares, of torments, of desperations, and of longing for
death. So that whensoever any sparke of love hath begonne to kindle
in my brest, I have by and by enforced my selfe with all diligence
to quench it: not for any hatred that I have conceived against women
(as these Ladies suppose) but for mine owne health.
On the other side, I
have knowne some other cleane contrarie to these sorrowful, which do
not nely advance and content them selves, with the chearefull
lookes, loving wordes, and sweete countenances of their Ladies, but
also sauce their sorrowes with sweetnes, so that they count debates,
the angers, and the disdaines of them, most sweete.
Therefore these men
seeme unto mee to bee much more than happie: for whereas they finde
so much sweetnesse in the amorous disdaines, which some men recken
much more bitter than death, I believe in loving gestures they
should feele that woonderfull blisse, which we seeke for in vaine in
this world.
Therefore I would our pastime were this night, to have every man
shew, where there must bee a disdaine against him in the person
beloved, what the cause should be that should make the person
conceive this disdeine. For if there be any here that have proved
those sweet disdaines, I am sure they will desire for courtesie one
of these causes that make them so sweete. And perhaps I shall with a
better will proceede somewhat farther in love, in hope that I shall
also finde this sweetnesse, where as some finde bitternesse.
And so shall not these
Ladies give me any more this slanderous report, that I am not in
love.
This pastime
was much praised, and therfore did every man settle hfmselfe to
reason upon this matter. But ye L.
<264>
THE COUIRTIER Emilia holding
her peace, M. Peter Bembo that sat next in order, spake in this
maner: My Lords, this pastime that the L. Octavian hath propounded,
hath raised no smal doubt in my minde, where he hath reasoned of the
disdaines of love, the which though they be sundry, yet unto me have
they alwaies beene most bitter.
Neither do I believe,
that I can learne any sauce that shall bee sufficient to sweeten
them.
But
peradventure they are the more and the lesse bitter, according to
the cause whereof they arise. For I have in my daies (I remember)
seene the woman whom I served, stirred against me, either upon a
vaine suspition that shee conceived her selfe of my trustinesse, or
els upon some other false opinion that had been put into her head by
some mens report to my hinderance, so that I beleeved no griefe
might be compared to mine.
And me thought that the
greatest sorrow I felt, was to suffer without deserving, and to
susteine this affliction, not for any offence of mine, but for the
small love that was in her.
At other times I saw
her disdainful for some oversight of mine, and knew that her anger
proceeded of mine offence, and at that instant I judged the former
vexation to be very light, in comparison to that which I felt then.
And me thought to be in displeasure, and that for mine owne
trespasse, with the person whom onely I coveted, and with such
diligence sought to please, was the greatest torment of all other.
Therefore would I
our pastime were to have everie man declare his opinion, where there
must be a disdaine against him in the person beloved, of whom hee
would the cause of this disdaine should have his beginning, whether
of her, or of himselfe to know which is greater griefe, either to
displease the wight beloved, or to receive displeasure of the wight
beloved.
Every man
looked what the L. Emilia wouldle make
<265>
CASTIGLIONE answere to this,
but without any word speaking to Bembo, she turned her, and made a
signe to sir Fridericke Frigoso to shew his devise. And hee
incontinentlv beganne thus.
Madame, I woulde it
were lawfull for me, as the maner is many times, to remit me to the
judgement of an other, for I for my part would with all my heart
allow some of the pastimes that have been alreadie propounded by
these Lords, because indeed mee thinke they would be worth the
hearing. Yet least I should breake the order, this I say: who so
would take in hand to praise our Court, leaving apart the deserts of
the Dutchesse, which ghostly spirit with hir influence is sufficient
to draw from the earth up into heaven the simplest wits in the
world, he might well doe it without suspition of flatterie. For
peradventure in all Italy a man shall have much a do to findout so
many Gentlemen and noble personages that are so worthie, and beside
the principall profession of Chivalrie so excellent in sundrie
things, as are presently here.
Therefore if in any
place men may bee found that deserve ye name of good Courtiers, and
can judge what belongeth to the perfection of Courtiership, by
reason a man may believe them to be here.
To disgrace therfore
many untowardly Asseheades, that through malapartnesse thinke to
purchase the name of a good courtier, I would have such a pastime
for this night that one of the Company might bee picked out, who
should take in hand to shape in wordes, a good Courtier, specifying
all such conditions and particiilar qualities, as of necessitie must
bee in him that deserveth this name.
And in such thinges as
shall not appeare necessarie, that it may bee lawfull for everie man
to reply against them, as the maner of Philosophers_schooles+ is against him that
keepeth disputations.
Sir Fredericke
proceeded still forwarde in his talke, when the L. Emilia
interrupting him, said: If it be my Ladie the Dutchesse pleasure,
this shall be our pastime for this, once.
The dutchesse answered:
I am well pleased.
<266>
THE COURTIER Then (in maner)
all the company began to say both to the Dutchesse and among
themselves, that this was the trimmest pastime they could have.
And without looking for
answere the one of the other, they craved upon the L. Emilia, to
appoint who should first begin. Who turning toward the Dutchesse
said.
Command you,
madame, whom shall please you to take this enterprise in hand, for I
will not by choosing more one than another, declare my selfe to
judge in this behalfe, whom I thinke to be better skilled than the
rest, and so do wrong to some.
The Dutchesse answered:
make you this choise your selfe, and take heede that in disobeying,
you be not a president to the rest to bee disobedient.
Then the L. Emilia
saide laughing unto Lewis Count of Canosse: therfore for leesinge
any more time, you (Counte) shalbe he that shal take this enterprise
upon him in forme and manner as sir Fredericke hath declared. Not
for that wee know ye are so good a Courtier, that ye have at your
fingers ends that belongs therto: but because in repeating everie
thing arsiversie, as we hope ye wil, we shal have so much the more
pastime, and everie one shall be able to answere you.
Where if an other more
skilfull than you should take it in hand, there should bee nothing
said against him for telling the truth, and so should we have but a
cold pastime.
The
Counte answered by and by: we need not feare (Madame) that wee shall
want contrarying in words against him that telleth the truth, as
long as you be here.
And after they had
laughed a while at this answere, he proceeded on: but truely I would
with all my heart be rid of this burthen, for it is too hard for
mee. And I know that to be most true in me, which you have spoken in
jeast: namely, that I have no understanding in that belongeth to a
good Courtier. And this doe I not seeke to prove with any other
triall: for seeing I do not ye deedes,
<267>
CASTIGLIONE a man may judge I
understand it not, and I believe I am the lesse to bee blamed. For
out of doubt, it is a worse matter not to do wel, than not to
understand how to do it.
Yet seeing your
pleasure is, that I shall take the charge upon me, I cannot, nor
will refuse it, for withstanding your order and judgement, the which
I know is much better than mine.
Then the L. Cesar
Gonzaga. Because it is now (quoth bee) well forward in night, and we
have here readie for us other sortes of pastimes, peradventure it
shuld not be amisse to deferre this reasoning untill to morrow, and
the Counte shall have leisure to thinke better upon that ]he hath to
say: for in verie deed, to entreat upon such a matter at the first
sight, it is a hard thing.
Then answered the
Counte: I will not do as he did, that stripped himselfe into his
doublet, and leaped lesse ground than he did before in his Coate.
And me thinke my lucke is good that it is late, because the
shortnesse of time shall make me use fewe words, and the sodainesse
of the matter shall so excuse me, that it shall be lawfull for me to
speake withotit blame, whatsoever commeth first to minde.
Because I will not
therfore carry this burthen of duetie anv longer upon my shoulders,
this I say in everie thing it is so hard a matter to know the true
prtfection; that it is almost impossible, and that by reason of the
varietie of judgements.
Therfore many there
are, that delight in a man of much talke aod him they call a
pieasant fellow. Some wfl delight more in modestie+,
some other will fancie a man that is active+ and
alwaies dooing: other, one that sheweth a quietnesse and a respect
in everie thing. And thus doth everie man praise or dispraise
according to his fancie, alwaies covering a vice,with the name of
the next vertue to it, and a vertue with the name of the next vice:
as in calling him that is sawcie, bold: him that is sober, dry: him
that is seelie, good: him that is unhappie, wittie: and likewise in
the rest.
<268>
THE COURTIER Yet doe I thinke
that eche thing hath his perfection, although it be hid, and with
reasonable discourses, might be judged of him that hath knowledge in
that matter.
And
for as much as the truth (as I have said) is oftentimes hid, and I
take not upon me to have this knowledge, I can not praise, but that
kinde of Courtiers which I set most by, and allow that which seemeth
unto me most nigh the truth, in my small judgement. The which you
shall follow if ye thinke it good, or els sticke to your owne, if it
shall varie from mine. Neither will I (for all that) stand stiffe
that mine is better than yours, for not onely one thing may seeme
unto you, and an other to me.
But also unto my selfe
it may appeare sometime one thing, sometime an other.
I wil have this our
Courtier therefore to be a gentleman+ borne
and out of a good house. For it is a great daeale lesse dispraise
for him that is not borne a gentlgeman to faile in the actes of
vertue, then for a getleman. {noblesse-oblige+}
If he swerve from the steps of his ancestors, hee staineth the name
of his familie.
And
doth not onely not get, but looseth that is alreadie gotten.
For noblenesse+ of birth, is as it were a cleare
lampe that sheweth forth and bringeth into light, workes both good
and bad, and inflameth and provoketh unto vertue, as well with the
feare of slaunder, as also with the hope of praise.
And whereas this
brightnesse of noblenesse doth not discover theworkes of the
unnoble, they have a want of provocation, and of feare of slaunder,
and they reckon not them selves bound to wade any further than their
ancestors did before them, whereas the noble of,birth counte it a
shame not to arrive at the least at the boundsof their pre-
decessors, set forth,unto them.
Therefore it chahceth
alwaies in a manner both in armes and in all other vertuous acts,
that the most famous men are Gentlemen. B6cause nature in every
thiing hath deepely sowed that privie seed, which givdth a certaine
force and
<269>
CASTIGLIONE propertie of her
beginning, unto whatsoever springeth of it, and maketh it like unto
her self e.
As we
see by example, not onely in the race of horses and other beastes,
but also in trees, whose slippes and graftes alwaies for the most
part are like unto the stocke of the tree they came from: and if at
any time they grow out of kinde, the fault is in the husbandman. And
the like is in men, if they be trained up in good nurture, most
commonly they resemble them from whom they come, and often times
passe them, but if they have not one that can well traine them up,
they growe (as it were) wilde, and never corne to their ripenesse+.
Truth it is, whether it
be through the favor of the Starres or of nature, some there are
borne indued with such graces, that they seeme not to have beene
borne, but rather fashioned with the verie hand of some God, and
abound in all goodnes both of bodie and minde. As againe we see some
so unapt and dull, that a man will not believe, but nature hath
brought them into the world for a spite and mockerie.
And like as these with
continuall diligence and good bringing up for the most part can
bring small fruit: even so the other with litle attendance climbe to
the full perfection of all excellencie.
And to give you an
example, marke me the Lord Hyppolitus da Este Cardinall of Ferrara+, he hath had so happie a
birth, that his person, his countenance, his words, and all his
gestures are so fashioned and compact with this grace, that among
the most ancient prelates (for all he is but young) he doth
represent so grave an authoritie, that a man would weene he were
more meete to teach, than needful to learne.
Likewise in companie
with men and women of al degrees, in sporting, in laughing, and
in jesting+, he hath in him certaine sweetnes,
and so comely demeanours, that who so speaketh with him, or yet
beholdeth him, must needes beare him an affection for ever
.
<270>
THE COURTIER But returning to
our purpose, I say, that betwene this excellent grace, and that fond
foolishnes, there is yet a meane, and they that are not by nature so
perfectly furnished, with studie and diligence may polish and
correct a great part of the defaults of nature.
The Courtier therefore,
beside noblenesse of birth, I will have him to bee fortunate in this
behalfe, and by nature to have not onely a wit, and a comely shape
of person and countenance, but also a certaine grace, and (as they
say) a hewe, that shall make him at the first sight acceptable and
loving unto who so beholdeth him.
And let this bee an
ornament to frame and accompany all his acts, and to assure men in
his looke, such a one to be worthie the companie and favour of
everie great man.
Here without any longer tarrying the L. Gasper Pallavicin said: that
our pastime may have the forme and maner agreed upon, and least it
should appeare, that we litle esteeme the authoritie given us to
contrary you, I say (in mine advise) that this noblesse of him is
not so necessarie for the courtier. {nboblesse-unnecessary+} And if I wist that
any of you know what it a strange or a new matter, I would alledge
unto you sundry, who for all they were borne of most noble bloud,
yet have they been heaped full of vices: and contrariwise many
unnoble that have made famous their posteritie.
And if it be true that
you said before, that the privie force of the first seede is in
everie thing, we should all bee in one maner condition, for that we
had all one selfe beginning, and one should not be more noble than
an other.
But
beside the diversities and degrees in us of high and low, I believe
there be many other matters, wherein I judge fortune+ to
bee the chiefe, because we see her beare a stroke in all worldly
things, and (as it were) take a pastime to exalte manie times whom
pleaseth her without any desert at al, and bury in the bottomles
depth the most worthie to be exalted.
I confirme your saying
as touching the happinesse of
<271>
CASTIGLIONE them that are borne
abounding in all goodnesse both of minde and bodie: but this is
seene as well in the unnoble, as in the noble of birth, for nature
hath not these so subtile distinctions: yea (as I have said) we see
many times in persons of most base degree, most hie gifts of nature.
Therefore seeing
this noblenes is gotten neither with wit, force, nor art, but is
rather a praise of our ancestors than our owne, me thinke it a
strange opinion that the parents of our Courtier being unnoble, his
good qualities should be defaced, and those other good conditions
which you have named shuld not be sufficient to bring him to the top
of all perfection: that is to say, wit, beautie of phisnomy, dis-
position of person, and the grace which at the first sight shall
make him most acceptable unto al men.
Then answered Counte
Lewis, I denie not, but men of base degree of many raign the very
same vertues, ttat are Gentlemen. But to avoide rehearsall of that
wee have alreadie said, with many other reasons that might be
alleaged in commendation of noblenes, the which is evermore honored
of all men, because it standeth with reason, that good should spring
of good: for so much as our intent is to fashion a Courtier without
any maner default or lack in him, and heaped with all praise, me
thinke it a necessary matter to make him a Gentleman, as well for
many other respects, as also for the common opinion, which by and by
doeth leane to noblenes.
For where there are two
in a noble mans house, which at the first have given no proofe of
themselves with workes good or bad, as soone as it is knowne that
the one is a Gentleman borne, and the other not, the unnoble shall
be much lesse esteemed with everie man, than the Gentleman, and he
must with much travell and long time imprmt in mennes heades a good
opinion of himselfe, which the other shall get in a moment, and
onely for that he is a Gentleman: and how waightie these imprintings
are, everie man may easilie judge.
For to speak of our
selves, we have seene men come to
<272>
THE COURTIER this house, which
for al they were fooles and dulwitted, yet had they a report through
al Italy of great Courtiers, and though at length they were
discovered and knowne, yet many daies did they beguile us, and
maintained in our mindes that opinion of themselves, which at the
first they found there imprinted, although they wrought according to
their small skill.
Wee have seene other at the first in verie small estimation, and
afterward in the ende, have acquitted themselves marvellous well.
And of these errors there are divers causes, and among other the
obstinateness of Princes, which to prove maistries, oftentimes bend
themselves to favour him, mat to their seeming, deserveth no favor
at all.
And many
times in deede they are deceived: but because they have alwaies many
that counterfaite them, a verie great report dependeth upon their
favor, the which most commonly the judges follow. And if they finde
any thing that seemeth contrary to the common opinion, they are in
doubt for deceiving them selves, and alwaies looke for some matter
secretly, because it seemeth, that these generall opinions ought to
bee founded upon a troth, and arise of reasonable causes.
And forasmuch as our
mindes are verie apte to love and to hate: as in the sights of
combates and games, and in all other kinde of contention, where the
lookers on are affectionate without manifest cause unto one of the
two parties, with a greedy desire to have him get the victorie, and
the other the losse.
Also as touching the
opinion of mens qualities, the good or ill report at the first brunt
moveth our minde to one of these two passions.
Therefore it commeth to
passe, that for the most part we judge with love, or els with
hatred.
You see
then of what importance this first imprinting is, and how he ought
to endevour him selfe to get it good at first, if hee entend to be
set by, and to purchase him the name of a good.Courtier.
<273>
CASTIGLIONE But to come to some
particularitie, I judge the principall and true profession of a
Courtier ought to be in feates of armes, the which above all I will
have him to practise lively, and to bee knowne among other of his
hardines, for his atchieving of enterprises, and for his fidelitie+ towarde him whom he serveth. And
hee shall purchase himselfe a name+ with these
good conditions, in doing the deedes in every time and place, for it
is not'for him to fainte at any tim_e in this behalfe without a
wondrous reproch.
And even as in women honestie once stained doth never returne againe
to the former estate: so the fame of a gentleman that carrieth
weapon, if it once take a soyle in anye litle point through
dastardlinesse or any other reproch, doth evermore continue
shamefull in the world and full of ignorance. Therefore the more
excellent our Courtier shall be in this arte, the more shall he be
worthie praise: albeit I judge not necessarie in him so perfect a
knowledge of things and other qualities that is requisite in a
Captaine.
But
because this is overlarge a scope of matters, we wil holde our
selves contented, as wee have saide, with the uprightnesse of a well
meaning mind, and with an invincible courage+, and
that he alwaies shew himself such a one.
For many times men of
courage are sooner knowne in small matters than in great. Often
times in dangers that stand them upon, and where many eyes be, ye
shal see some that for all their hart is dead in their bodie, yet
pricked with shame or with the company, goe forwarde, as it were
blindfield and doe their ductie. And God knoweth both in matters
that litle touch them, and also where they suppose that without
missing they may convey them selves from danger, how they are
willing inough to sleepe in a whole skinne.
But such as thinke them
selves neither marked, scene, nor knowne, and yet declare a stoute
courage, and suffer not the least thing in the world to passe that
may burthen
<274>
THE COURTIER them, they have
that courage of spirite which we seek, to have in our Courtier. Yet
will wee not have him for all that so lustie to make braverie+ in wordes+ and
to bragge+ he hath wedded his harnes
for a wife, and to threaten with such grimme lookes, as wee have
seene Berto/5 doe often times.
For unto such may well
be said, that a worthie gentle woman in a noble assemblie spake
pleasantly unto one, that shall bee namelesse for this time, whom
she to shew him a good countenance, desired to daunce with her, and
hee refusing it, and to heare musicke, and many other
entertainements offered him, alwaies affirming such trifles not to
be his profession, at last the gentlewoman demaunding him, what is
then your profession? he answered with a frowning looke, to fight.
Then saide the
Gentlewoman: seeing you are not now at the warre nor in place to
fight, I would think it best for you to bee well besmered and set up
in an armory with other implements of warre till time were that you
should be occupied, least you waxe more rustier than you are. Thus
with much laugfhing of the standers by, she left him with a mocke in
his fooish presumption.
He therefore that we
seeke for, where the enimies are, shall shew him selfe most fierce,
bitter, and evermore with the first. In every place beside, lawly,
sober, a circumspect, fleeing above all things bragging+ and shameful praysing himself .
For therewith a man alwaies purchaseth the hatred of the hearers.
And I, answered the L. Gasper, have known few men excellent in any
thing whatsoever it be, but they praise themselves. And me thinke it
may wel be borne in them: for he yl is of skill, when he seeth that
hee is not knowne for his workes of the ignorant, hath a disdaine,
that his cunning should be buried, and needes must be open one way,
least he should bee defrauded of the estimation that belongeth to
it, which is the true rewarde of vertuous travailes.
<275>
CASTIGLIONE Therefore among
auncient writers, he that much excelleth doth seldome forbeare
praysing himselfe.
They in deed are not to be borne withall, that having no skill in
them will praise themselves: but we wil not take our Courtier to be
such a one.
Then
the Count, if you have well understood (quoth he) I blamed the
praysing of a mans selfe impudently, and without respect. And surely
(as you say) a man ought not to conceive an ill opinion of a
skilfull man that praiseth himself discretely, but rather take it
for a more certaine witnes, than if it came out of an other mans
mouth.
I agree well
that bee, which in praysing him selfe falleth not into error, nor
purchaseth himselfe lothsomnes or hatred of the hearers, is most
discreet: and beside the prayses which he giveth himselfe, deserveth
the same of other men also, because it is a verie hard matter.
Then the L. Gasper,
this (quoth he) must you teach us.
The Counte answered,
among the auncient writers there hath not also wanted that hath
taught it. But in mine opinion, all doth consist in speaking such
thinges after a sorte, that it may appear that they are not
rehearsed to that end: but that they come so to purposes that he can
not refrain telling them and alwaies seeming to flee his own praise,
tell the truth. But not as those lusty lands do that open their
mouth and thrust out wordes at a venture they care not how. As
within these few dayes one of our company, being pusshed through the
thigh with a pike at Pysa, thought that it was the byting of a flie.
And an other saide that hee occupied no looking glasse in his
chamber, because in his rage hee was so terrible to behold, that in
looking upon his owne countenance he should put himselfe into much
feare.
At this
every one laughed. But the L. Cesar Gonzaga saide unto them: at what
laugh you? Know yee not that the great Alexander+, hearing a certaine
philosophers opinion to be that there were infinite worlds, fel in
weeping: And when he was asked the
<276>
THE COURTIER question why hee
wept, hee answered: Because I have not yet one in hand, as though
his mind was to have them all.
Doe you not thinke that
this was a greater braverie+, than to speake of a
flie byting? So was Alexander a greater person than hee that so
saide, aunswered the Count.
But excellent men in
verie deed are to be held excused, when they take much upon them,
because hee that undertaketh great enterprises, must have a
boldnesse to doe it, and a confidence of himselfe, and not a
bashfull or cowardly minde, but yet sober in wordes: shewing as
thouch he tooke less upon him then he doth in deede so that his
taking upon him doe not extend unto rashnes.
Here the Count
respecting a while, M. Bernard Bibiena said merely: I remember you
saide before, that this our Courtier ought of nature to have a faire
comelinesse of phisnomy and person, with the grace that ought to
make him so amiable.
As for the grace and
beautie of phisnomy, I thinke not the contrarie but they are in me,
and therefore doe so many women burne for the love of men, as you
know. But for the comelines of person, I stand somewhat in doubt,
and especially by the reason of my legges here, for me thinke in
deede they are not so well made as I could wish they were: the body
and the rest is metely well.
Therfore declare
somewhat more particularly this comelinesse of person, what it
should be, that I may be out of this doubt, and set my hart at rest.
When they had a
while laughed at this, the Count saide: Certes, the grace of the
Phisonomy may well bee saide to bee in you without any lye. And no
other example doe I alledge but this, to declare what maner thing it
should be: for undoubtedly wee see your countenance is most
acceptable and pleasant to behold unto every man, although the
proportion and draughts of it be not verie delicate, but it is manly
and hath a good grace withall.
<277>
CASTIGLIONE And this qualitie
have many and sundry shapes of visages.
And such a countenance
as this is, will I have our Courtier to have, and not so soft and
womanish as many to procure to have, that do not onely courl the
haire, and picke the browes, but also pampre them selves in everie
point like the most wanton and dishonest women in the world: and a
man would thinke them in going, in standing, and in all their
gestures so tender and faint, that their members were readie to flee
one from an other, and their wordes they pronounce so drawningly,
that a man woulde weene they were at that instant yeelding up the
ghost, and the higher in degree that men are they talke withall, the
more they use such fashions. {effemininate+}
These men, seeing nature (as they seeme to have a desire to appeare
and to be) hath not made them women, ought not to bee esteemed in
place of good women, but like common Harlots to bee banished, not
onely out of princes courtes, but also out of the company of
gentlemen.
To come
therefore to the qualitie of the person, I say he is well, if he bee
neither of the least, nor of the greatest size. For both the one and
the other hath with it a certaine spitefull woonder, and such men
are marvelled at, almost as much as men marvel to behold monstrous
thinges. Yet if there must needes be a default in one of the two
extremities, it shall be lesse hurtfull to bee somewhat of the
least, than to exceede the common stature of height.
For men so shut up of
bodie, beside that many times they are of a dull wit, they are also
unapt for all exercise of nimblenesse, which I much desire to have
in the Courtier.
And therefore wil I have him to bee of a good shape, and well
proportioned in his lims, and to shew strength, lightnesse and
quicknesse, and to have understanding in all exercises of the bodie
that belong to a man of warre.
And herein I thinke the
chiefe point is to handle wel all kinde of weapon, both for footeman
|
