Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/469

THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE COURTIER " To you, perhaps, they seem cruel because they do not grant you what you would have; but have yourself taught by messer Pietro Bembo in what way old men ought to desire beauty, and what they ought to seek from women, and with what they ought to be content; and if you do not exceed these limits, you shall see that they will not be either proud or cruel, and will grant you what you wish." Then my lord Morello seemed a little vexed, and said: "I have no wish to know what does not concern me; but do you have yourself taught how this beauty ought to be desired by young men who are less vigourous and sturdy than their elders." 56.— Here messer Federico, to quiet my lord Morello and turn the conversation, did not allow Count Ludovico to reply, but interrupted him and said: " Perhaps my lord Morello is not altogether wrong in saying that beauty is not always good; for women's beauty is often the cause that brings upon the world countless evils, hatreds, wars, deaths and destructions; of which good proof can be found in the fall of Troy. And beautiful women are for the most part either proud or cruel, or (as has been said) immodest; but this would not seem to my lord Morello a fault. There are also many wicked men who have the gift of fair looks, and it seems that nature made them thus to the end that they should be better fitted to deceive, and that this gracious seeming is like the bait upon the hook." Then messer Pietro Bembo said: " Do not believe that beauty is not always good." Here Count Ludovico, in order to return to the original sub- ject, interrupted and said: " Since my lord Morello does not care to know what so deeply concerns him, teach it to me, and show me how old men attain this happiness in love, for I shall not mind having myself thought old, provided it help me." 57 — Messer Pietro laughed, and said : " I wish first to free these gentlemen's minds from their errour; then I will satisfy you too." Resuming thus, he said : " My Lords, I would not have any of us, like profane and sac- rilegious men, incur God's wrath by speaking ill of beauty, which 293