Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/133

Rh and called him back from that loud exclaiming, and so taking down that rough and swelling accent of his voice,

dulced and allayed the choleric passion of the orator. Certes myself, if I had a pretty page to attend upon me, who were diligent, necessary and handsome about me, would not be offended but very well content, that when he saw me angry he should by and by present a mirror or looking-glass unto me, such a one as they use to bring and shew unto some that newly are come out of the bain, although no good or profit at all they have thereby. But certainly for man to see himself at such a time, how disquieted he is, how far out of the way, and beside the course of nature, it were no small means to check this passion, and to set him in hatred therewith for ever after. They who are delighted in tales and fables, do report by way of merry speech and pastime, that once when Minerva was a piping, there came a satyr and admonished her that it was not for her to play upon a flute; but she for the time took no heed to that advertisement of his, notwithstanding he spake thus unto her:

But afterwards, when she had seen her face in a certain river, what a pair of cheeks she had gotten with her piping, she was displeased with herself and flung away her pipes: And yet this art and skill of playing well upon the pipe, yieldeth some comfort and maketh amends for the deformity of a disfigured visage, with the melodious tune and harmony that it affordeth; yea and afterwards, Marsyas the minstrel (as it is thought) devised first with a certain hood and muzzle fastened round about the mouth, as well to restrain and keep down the violence of the blast enclosed thus by force, as also to correct and hide the deformity and undecent inequality of the visage: