Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/191

Rh pound; purple is sold for three, and a pint of honey is held at five drachms: took him by the hand and led him to the meal-hall. Lo (quoth he), you may buy here half a sextare of good meal for an halfpenny. The market (God be thanked) is cheap: from thence he brought him into an oil-cellar, and where they sold olives: Here you shall have (quoth he) a measure called chœnix for two brazen dodkins (a good market, believe me). He took him then with him to the brokers' shops that sold clothes, where a man might buy a suit of apparel for ten drachms. You see (quoth he) that the pennyworths are reasonable, and things be bought and sold good cheap throughout the city; even so we, when we shall hear other men say; Our state is but mean, we are exceeding bare, and our condition is passing base: For why? We cannot come to be consuls, we shall never be rulers and governors of provinces, nor rise to the highest places of authority. We may very well answer in this wise; Nay marry, but our case is right good; we live gallantly, and lead a blessed and happy life: we beg not; we go not from door to door to crave folks' alms; we are no porters; we bear no burdens; neither like parasites and smell-feasts do we get our bread by flattery. But forasmuch as we are for the most part grown to this folly, that we are accustomed to live rather according to others than ourselves, and our nature is so far corrupted with a kind of jealous affectation and envy, that it joyeth not so much in her own proper goods, as grieveth at the welfare of another, I would advise you not only to regard those things that be resplendent, glorious and renowned in those whom you admire and esteem so happy; but also to set open and lift up the veil a little, and to draw (as it were) that glittering curtain of outward shew, appearance and opinion that men have of them which covereth all, and so to look in. Certes, you shall find that they have within them many matters of trouble, many grievances and discontentments.

That noble Pittacus, so famous for his valour and fortitude, and as much renowned also for wisdom and justice, feasted upon a time certain of his friends that were strangers: and his wife coming in at midst of the dinner, being angry at somewhat else, overthrew the table, and there lay all under foot. Now when his guests and friends were wondrously dismayed and abashed hereat, Pittacus made no more ado at the matter, but turning unto them: There is not one of us all (quoth he) but he hath his cross, and one thing or other to exercise his patience: and for mine own part, this is the only thing that checketh my