Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/167

 words fitted my lord Morello; and he seemed rather stung by them. Messer Federico soon continued:

15.— " But there are many other ways of entertaining ladies that are proper to old men." "What are they?" said my lord Morello. "Telling stories?"

"That is one," replied messer Federico. "But as you know, every age brings its own thoughts with it, and has some peculiar virtue and some peculiar vice. Thus, while old men are ordinarily more prudent than young men, more continent and wiser, so too they are more garrulous, miserly, querulous and timid; they are always scolding about the house, harsh to their children, and wish everyone to follow their way. And on the contrary young men are spirited, generous, frank, but prone to quarrel, voluble, loving and hating in an instant, eager in all their pleasures, unfriendly to him who counsels well.

"But of all ages, that of manhood is the most temperate, because it has left the faults of youth behind and has not yet reached those of old age. Being placed then at the two extremes, young and old must needs learn from reason how to correct the faults that nature implants in them. Thus, old men ought to guard against much self-praise and the other evil habits that we have said are peculiar to them, and to use that prudence and knowledge which they have gained from long experience, and to be like oracles consulted of all men; and in telling what they know, they ought to have the grace to speak to the point and temper the gravity of their years with a certain mild and sportive humour. In this way they will be good Courtiers, enjoy their intercourse with men and with ladies, and be always welcome,— without singing or dancing; and when need arises they will display their worth in affairs of importance.

16.— "Let young men use this same care and judgment, not indeed in copying old men's ways,— for that which befits the one would not at all befit the other, and we are wont to say that over wisdom is a bad sign in the young,— but in correcting their own natural faults. Hence I greatly like to see a youth, and especially when handling weapons, who has a touch of the grave and taciturn; who is master of himself, without those restless manners which are often seen at that age; because such