Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/393

 THE THIRD BOOK OF THE COURTIER quite unworthy to be called a gentleman ; and many of the men were ashamed, with that shame which the man himself would have rightly felt if he had at any time found wit enough to be conscious of such a shameful fault. My lord Gaspar then turned to messer Cesare, and said: " It was better to refrain from telling this thing for the honour of women, than to refrain for the honour of men from naming him; for you can well imagine what good judgment that great lady had in loving such a senseless animal, and also that of the many who served her perhaps she had chosen this one as the most discreet, forsaking and misliking men whose lackey he was unworthy to be." Count Ludovico laughed, and said: " Who knows that he was not discreet in other things, and failed only as to board and lodging? But many times men com- mit great follies in their excessive love; and if you will say the truth, perhaps it has befallen you to commit more than one." 72.— Messer Cesare replied, laughing: " By your faith, do not expose our errours." " Nay, it is necessary to expose them," replied my lord Gaspar, "in order that we may know how to correct them;" then he added: " My lord Magnifico, now that the Courtier knows how to win and maintain his lady's favour and to deprive his rival of it, you must teach him how to keep his love affairs secret." The Magnifico replied : " Methinks I have said enough; so now choose someone else to speak of this secrecy." Then messer Bernardo and all the others began to urge him anew; and the Magnifico said, laughing: " You wish to tempt me. All of you are too well practised in love: yet if you would know more, go read it in Ovid." "And how," said messer Bernardo, "should I hope that his precepts are of any service in love, when he recommends and says it is a very good thing that a man should pretend to be drunk in the presence of the beloved?"' See what a fine way of winning favour ! And he cites as a fine method of making one's love known to a lady at a banquet, to dip a finger in wine and write it on the table." '"^ 237