Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A60154
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The fortunate fool written in Spanish by Don Alonso Geronimo de Salas Barbadillo of Madrid ; translated into English by Philip Ayres.
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Salas Barbadillo, Alonso Jerónimo de, 1581-1635.; Ayres, Philip, 1638-1712.
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1670
(1670)
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Wing S369; ESTC R28842
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110,309
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399
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no Age so happy nor so well provided with them as so great a number of Books declare that the Volumes of these of this Age do exceed the letters of those of that which was illustrious with so many Philosophers neither is it for want of wit for I see you ingenious in finding out the faults of others It is your sloath it is your vanity that hath perswaded you that the Glory and Felicity of knowledge doth not consist in being wise but in appearing so you content your selves with the vain ostentation of knowing Books This you attain without more paines then coming to the Shop where they are to be sold by reading the Titles and tireing out the poor Bookseller to reach down this and the other to consult the first page and know by it what is contained in the whole Volume as by Phisiognomy You will say Mr. Licentiate why do I not go thither to that end which others do to divert my self in seeing the people which pass by Yes I would so if I had patience to suffer it Who can endure to see there a Squadron of pitiful Soldiers keeping their decorum and making their cringes to many that resort often to that place of the Rabble I speak These I say because they have heard their Grandsires tell tales how there hath been Wars in the world and how in them certain men killed others They come â—â—ther to tell us a thousand of their lying atchievements which they themselves know not if they are possible or not they never saw the Wars nor the Ensignes thereof and the worst is they have no affection at all to its troublesome noyse as may be seen for if they had they would never come to martyrise the Walk of San Felipe for so long a time For it was the Providence of Heaven to sweeten great labours by giving us an Inclination to them I confess that those of the War are intollerable but if there be inclination they cannot be so Hence it proceeds that many great Princes who might live in the sweet rest of the Court do despise it being carryed away by their Inclinations and chuse for greater and more mild entertainment that horrour and those fears of Arms. I well know they say that they come to the end the King may reward their Services that they have none what greater accuser then their very solicitude Friend Soldier if thou wert one with all thy heart in being so thou wouldst find thy reward What Mechanick Artificer doth not hug himself and esteem that day happy wherein he brings some work to perfection Those men are in their Centre who busie themselves in the attaining those things which their nature inclines them to If thine be to follow Arms thou wouldest not go from amongst them Didst thou go out and hast thou escaped Death by this returning thou art not of that trade but art a man of peace strip off then this bravery and let us understand one another Three hundred forty and seven years was Rome Triumphant after her foundation without giving any Sallery to her Soldiers without pay they fought without pay they extended that Empire of the world It was a provident action for on this manner it happened that none went to the Wars without inclination and natural boldness no body went out carried by hunger and the desire of Pillage It was generosity of mind that preferr'd them in that ventrous Army Hence it was that all were stout all were valiant Would you have me entertain my self in seeing the Coaches God forbid I see so many things in them that they carry away my patience through my eyes I will say nothing of women because I have need of them and it is a creature that conceives most anger at contempts and yields the most to flattery of any others will do it Let some great man that wants not another thing to pleasure them withall though he be never so great a Coxcomb I say let him make this Iron since he hath wherewithall to guild it for we that were born ill looked upon or under an unkind aspect of the Stars have need of much cunning and fair words to be able to live We owe great courtesie to Women and it is not Complement but a forced reall Debt wherein we pay all the care with which they spend days and nights for our allurements in trimming dressing painting theÌ„selves preparing flattering baits in their tongues They treat of no other matter they have no other care without which they would live a life wholly disconsolate in seeing their imperfections and wants in which nature hath maimedly left them if we should not comfort them and blot them out of their memory with these flatteries which be they never so absurd they judge for truths and deceive themselves with them The Doctor would have proceeded further if the thrid of his discourse had not been cut off by a profound sigh from the Licentiate which he threw up with some clearing of his throat What afflicts you Sir said Don Leonardo When you see the Humanity with which Mr. Doctor doth communicate the productions of his fruitful Wit You need not now fear any more Visions besides with holding your peace all is remedied It is no matter of consequence said the Licenciate and gave another double sigh but endeavouring to suppress it at last fetching short his breath what 's the matter said the Doctor what 's the matter for Gods sake make not your self strange to my love for that is to suspect it of being but little faithful Pray take notice Sir that you are in a place where no thought whatsoever is concealed though it retires never so near the Heart and gets never so far from the mouth But why do I weary my self with asking having a desire to know In saying this a little Curtain was drawn and behind it appeared a figure of Brass which seemed to be Cupid with his Quiver Bow Scarf and Arrows no sooner was it discovered when these words were heard to come from it The man is in Love The Licentiate had scarce heard this for now he was charmed against Visions when much afflicted he said Mr. Doctor Heaven hath guided me hither to day to see you in a time of the greatest Exegency that my heart hath ever had That which this Spirit saith is the very truth I will tell you it at large because I hope for a remedy from your profound Science and you must take notice by the way that the reason why there is so little Love in the world is because I have it all insomuch that there is none left for any other In my heart he keeps all his Armory with great glory there his Temple and Altars with more zealous demonstrations with more pious Ceremonies then when Antiquity consecrated to the flattery of his Deity the bloud of brute Animals Here I shed my own bloud for the Victim to him which by little and little consumes me with its
disposer of her who was so of all and it was on this manner The Licentiate had no sooner ended but the little Idol which had given the first answer sank down leaving in the wall an hollow place through which the sight might freely passe to another quarter curiously rich You Mr. Licentiate take courage said the Doctor and you shall see with your Eyes the estate of your care peep through this hole and see that which passeth The Licentiate did so and saw Doña Dorothea who was in discourse with a Gallant of a handsome personage and disposition This said the Doctor is sufficient for the present and the Curtain was drawn You shall know said he that this Lady is already overcome I cannot tell you the place where she is because it is not convenient neither matters it suppose it was told To her Parents You may say that an Astrologer hath prognosticated to you that they shall bring her back to her House within a very few days that in the mean time they make no bustle since they will suffer more than any body else in their own honour I am sorry that so understanding a man should let himself be deceived by the flatteries of a Woman Know that she never loved you but only for her Husband her Love regarding more your wealth then your person The Arrogant Gallant was astonished and unexpectedly surprized at the wonders he saw and heard insomuch that he was struck speechless with rage and indignation Don Leouardo that was in no lesse admiration supposing that manhood was now of no use rose up taking his leave os the Doctor at which the Licentiate did the same without offering to speak any thing at all at last giving him many thanks for injuries they both went away blundering and stumbling and asking one another if it was Truth indeed that they had seen the passed Visions CHAP. II. The Fool gives an Account of his Life to his Friend together with the occasion of the adventures already related THe troubles of the Calle Mayor or high Street were not the occasion of our Doctors shutting himself up as he had told the Licenciate for those had an easier remedy since there are other streets in Madrid more quiet and passages into the Fields more pleasant Love it was that had confined him to his house for his Prison Who told thee so my friend Historian will some body say how dost thou know that Few there are that can answer to this Question but I am so great a friend of clearing doubts that I very willingly resolve it It was told me by a Gentleman of Madrid a friend and intimate of the Doctors his name Don Felix del Prado he gave me an account of his Life and particularly of the marvelous success which gave me occasion to write it Don Felix was troubled at the melancholy and retiredness of the Doctor which now was taken notice of by all his friends for Christmas holydays were past and their Mirth without the Doctors having had any taste of them He was always in the house yet never suffering himself to be seen by any body save once that two entred in without his leave which cost them a sufficient trouble as I have related This Gentleman was of a pleasant nature always desirous of making friendships and had contracted a very firm one with the Doctor upon occasion of those Amours even to the making of himself a party in them One day then when he saw him more free from Sighs then he was accustomed to be I assure you my friend said he to him I understand you not you say you are almost undone for this woman You have her in the house and without any hazard what would you have more Enjoy the opportunity Declare your self to her and leave off disguises I see said the Doctor I have these advantages near and easie to satisfie my appetite I well see that I can force her without hazard since she thinks I am a stranger with this masque that I have put on of which I shall hereafter give you an Account but I do not subject my desires to such humble Victories I covet her Love I would conquer her Soul I pay not my self with lesser pledges Love is the Salt of all these delights with Love the sight of the Lady is glorious and even that of the Walls of her house with Love hope is happy with Love any promise is of Estimation every glimpse is a favour every word is sweet all is seasoned with Love if that be wanting neither avails the seeing her nor speaking to her nor as many favours as confidence it self can force from her Now I see reply'd Don Felix that it is a great misfortune to be a wise man if you were not such you would not spin out a discourse on this manner but would lay hold on the occasion enjoy it and then as unconcerned bid defiance to Love We are alone said the Doctor and with intention not to go out of this house nor let in any body that shall not be of it I am big with this thought and have made experience of this truth give me attention I beseech you Listen to the discourse of my Life and you shall see by the way how exactly you have hit on that conceit You shall see how all the time that I was a fool I was the most happy person of the World only by being so notwithstanding I was never so much deserted by men nay fortune herself she did also forsake me then when I was a fool because I imagined that in time I might cease to be so I have no business said Don Felix that requires my presence more than your cares and therefore should be glad that you would tell me the beginnings of them because on this manner I might walk with more light One and the other said the Doctor you shall know this afternoon although the last will but renew my smart and I know not whether or no I shall have patience to endure it I my friend was conceived in original folly and can say I am a fool on all sides for my Father being a man well born and having taken the degree of Licenciate in Alcala with his foot already in the stirrip for a most honourable imployment fell in love with my Mother being a Maiden of mean Extraction and also a fool by complection This good Father of mine being wounded with the darts of her pretty Eyes grew desperately in love with her and therefore contrived how he might deceive her so gave her a promise of Marriage with intention to leave her in the lurch she giving credit to his words they both play'd the fool for he was afterwards forced to marry her by Justice and she brought her Honour almost to the last gasp From this folly of both was I born at a time when the Councel of the Judges nominated my Father to a Government in that other World which was like killing him