Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/197

Rh which more is) gentlemen free-born, and descended from noble and ancient houses, envy comedians when they have acted well and with a good grace upon the stage in great theatres; dancers also and jesters in the court, whom they see to be in favour and credit with kings and princes; and whiles they do admire these, and think them happy for their good speed and success in comparison of their own doings, they fret and grieve, and out of measure torment themselves.

Now, that every one of us hath within himself treasures laid up of contentment and discontentment, and certain tunes of good things and evil; not bestowed, as Homer said, upon the door-sill and entry of Jupiter's house; but placed in each of our own minds, the divers passions whereunto we are subject do sufficiently prove and shew. For such as are foolish and unadvised, do neglect and let go the very good things that presently they have, and never care to enjoy them, so intentive and earnestly bent are their minds and spirits always to that which is coming, and future expectation: whereas wise men, on the contrary side, call to their fresh remembrance those things that are past, so as they seem to enjoy the same as if they were present, yea and to make that which is no more to be as beneficial unto them as if they were ready and at hand. For surely that which is present, yielding itself to be touched by us but the least moment of time that is, and immediately passing our senses, seemeth unto fools to be none of ours, nor any more to concern us. But like as the roper which is painted in the temple of Pluto, or description of hell, suffereth an ass behind him to gnaw and eat a rope as fast as he twisteth it off the spart-broom; even so the unthankful and senseless oblivion of many ready to catch and devour all good things as they pass by, yea, and to dissipate and cause to vanish away every honest and notable action, all virtuous deeds, duties, delectable recreations and pleasant pastimes, all good fellowship and mutual society, and all amiable conversation one with another, will not permit that the life be one and the same, linked (as it were) and chained by the copulation of things past and present; but dividing yesterday from to-day, and this day from the morrow, as if they were sundry parts of our life, bringeth in such a forgetfulness, as if things once past had never been.

As for those verily who in their disputations and philosophical discourses admit no augmentation of bodies', affirming that every substance continually fadeth and vanisheth, would make us believe in word, that each one of us every hour altereth from