Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/163

Rh nay, Æsculapius himself, whiles he was a mortal man, should come to an house furnished with drugs, medicines and instruments requisite for the cure of diseases, and ask whether any man there had a fistula in ano, that is, an hollow and hidden ulcer within his fundament? Or if she be a woman, whether she have a cankerous sore within her matrice (albeit in this art such inquisitive curiosity is a special means, making for the good and the health of the sick): each one, I suppose, would be ready to hunt and chase away from the house such a physician, who, unsent for, and before any need required, came upon his own accord and motion in a bravery to inquire and learn other folks' maladies.

What shall we say then to these busy meddlers, who inquire of another the selfsame infirmities and worse too? Not of any mind at all to cure and heal the same, but only to detect and set them abroad; In which respect they are by good right the most odious persons in the world. For we hardly can abide publicans, customers, and toll-gatherers, but are mightily offended with them, not when they exact of us and cause us to pay toll for any commodities or wares that are openly brought in; but when they keep a ferreting and searching for such things as be hidden, and meddle with the wares and carriages of other men: notwithstanding that law granteth and public authority alloweth them so to do; yea, and if they do it not, they sustain loss and damage themselves. But contrariwise, these curious fellows let their own business alone, and pass not which end go forward, caring not to hinder themselves, whiles they be intentive to the affairs of other men. Seldom go they into the country, for that they cannot endure the quietness and still silence of the wild and solitary fields. But if haply after long time they make a start thither, they cast an eye to their neighbours' vines, rather than to their own; they inquire how many beeves or oxen of his died? or what quantity of wine soured under his hand? and no sooner are they full of these news, but into the city they trudge and make haste again. As for the good farmer and painful husbandman indeed, he is not very willing to give ear unto those news, which without his hearkening after come from the city of the own accord, and are brought unto him, for his saying is:

My ditcher will anon both tell and talk Upon what points concluded was the peace, For now the knave about such news doth walk, And busy he, to listen doth not cease.