In Praise of Folly. Erasmus Desiderius
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Название: In Praise of Folly

Автор: Erasmus Desiderius

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

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isbn: 4064066121037

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СКАЧАТЬ of his nation, a third makes a zealous invitation to a holy war with the Turks, another confidently sets up for a fortune-teller, and a fifth states questions upon mere impertinences. But as nothing is more childish than to handle a serious subject in a loose, wanton style, so is there nothing more pleasant than so to treat of trifles, as to make them seem nothing less than what their name imports. As to what relates to myself, I must be forced to submit to the judgment of others; yet, except I am too partial to be judge in my own case, I am apt to believe I have praised Folly in such a manner as not to have deserved the name of fool for my pains. To reply now to the objection of satyricalness, wits have been always allowed this privilege, that they might be smart upon any transactions of life, if so be their liberty did not extend to railing; which makes me wonder at the tender-eared humour of this age, which will admit of no address without the prefatory repetition of all formal titles; nay, you may find some so preposterously devout, that they will sooner wink at the greatest affront against our Saviour, than be content that a prince, or a pope, should be nettled with the least joke or gird, especially in what relates to their ordinary customs. But he who so blames men's irregularities as to lash at no one particular person by name, does he (I say) seem to carp so properly as to teach and instruct? And if so, how am I concerned to make any farther excuse? Beside, he who in his strictures points indifferently at all, he seems not angry at one man, but at all vices.

      Therefore, if any singly complain they are particularly reflected upon, they do but betray their own guilt, at least their cowardice. Saint Hierom dealt in the same argument at a much freer and sharper rate; nay, and he did not sometimes refrain from naming the persons: whereas I have not only stifled the mentioning any one person, but have so tempered my style, as the ingenious reader will easily perceive I aimed at diversion rather than satire. Neither did I so far imitate Juvenal, as to rake into the sink of vices to procure a laughter, rather than create a hearty abhorrence. If there be any one that after all remains yet unsatisfied, let him at least consider that there may be good use made of being reprehended by Folly, which since we have feigned as speaking, we must keep up that character which is suitable to the person introduced.

      But why do I trouble you, Sir, with this needless apology, you that are so peculiar a patron; as, though the cause itself be none of the best, you can at least give it the best protection. Farewell.

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      WHATEVER the modern satyrs o' th' stage,

       To jerk the failures of a sliding age,

       Have lavishly expos'd to public view,

       For a discharge to all from envy due,

       Here in as lively colours naked lie,

       With equal wit, and more of modesty,

       Those poets, with their free disclosing arts,

       Strip vice so near to its uncomely parts,

       Their libels prove but lessons, and they teach

       Those very crimes which they intend t' impeach:

       While here so wholesome all, tho' sharp t' th' taste,

       So briskly free, yet so resolv'dly chaste;

       The virgin naked as her god of bows,

       May read or hear when blood at highest flows;

       Nor more expense of blushes thence arise,

       Than while the lect'ring matron does advise

       To guard her virtue, and her honour prize.

       Satire and panegyric, distant be,

       Yet jointly here they both in one agree.

       The whole's a sacrifice of salt and fire;

       So does the humour of the age require,

       To chafe the touch, and so foment desire.

       As doctrine-dangling preachers lull asleep

       Their unattentive pent-up fold of sheep;

       The opiated milk glues up the brain,

       And th' babes of grace are in their cradles lain;

       ( xxiv)

       While mounted Andrews, bawdy, bold, and loud,

       Like cocks, alarm all the drowsy crowd,

       Whose glittering ears are prick'd as bolt-upright,

       As sailing hairs are hoisted in a fright.

       So does it fare with croaking spawns o' th' press,

       The mould o' th' subject alters the success;

       What's serious, like sleep, grants writs of ease,

       Satire and ridicule can only please;

       As if no other animals could gape,

       But the biting badger, or the snick'ring ape.

       Folly by irony's commended here,

       Sooth'd, that her weakness may the more appear.

       Thus fools, who trick'd, in red and yellow shine,

       Are made believe that they are wondrous fine,

       When all's a plot t' expose them by design.

       The largesses of Folly here are strown.

       Like pebbles, not to pick, but trample on.

       Thus Spartans laid their soaking slaves before

       The boys, to justle, kick, and tumble o'er:

       Not that the dry-lipp'd youngsters might combine

       To taste and know the mystery of wine,

       But wonder thus at men transform'd to swine;

       And th' power of such enchantment to escape,

       Timely renounce the devil of the grape.

       So here,

       Though Folly speaker be, and argument,

       Wit guides the tongue, wisdom's the lecture meant.

      So here, Though Folly speaker be, and argument,

       Wit guides the tongue, wisdom's the lecture meant.

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