Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/53

 Horse with Worthies ; that dragged Hector: round about the Walls ; it was Pen and Ink that killed so many men somno vineque sepultos ; and Troy was easily burnt, because it was built of Poets Paper. But at Ostend all was real, and all Europe almost, who had their forces, or eyes there were witnesses of it ; and all this done by Spinola an Italian.

As for the Italian humor, it is a middling humor, between too much gravity of the Spaniard, and too great levity of the French. Their gravity is not without some fire, nor their levity without some flegm. They are apish enough in Carneval time, and upon their Stages, as long as the Vizard is on; but that once off, they are too wise to play the Fools in their own Names, and owne it with their own Faces. They have strong fancies, and yet solid Judgements, A happy temper, which makes them great Preachers, Politicians, and Ingeniers ; but withal they are a little too melancholy and jealous : They are great Lovers of their Brethren and near Kindred, as the First Friends they are acquainted withal by Nature; and if any of them lie in pass and fair advancement, all the rest of his Relations will lend him their Purses, as well as their Shoulders, to help him up, though he be but their younger Brother. They are sparing in Diet, both for to live in health, and to live handsomly : making their Bellies contribute to the maintenance of their Backs, and their Kitchen help to the keeping of their Stable. They are ambitious still of Honors, remembring they are the Successors of the Masters of the World