Wherefore it is your looks rather than the aspect of this place which disturb me.l It 19:1 -- Cp.Prose iv.of this book,p.9.Page 20is not the walls of your library, decked with ivory and glass, that I need, but rather the resting-place in your heart, wherein I have not stored books, but I have of old put that which gives value to books, a store of thoughts from books of mine.As to your services to the common weal, you have spoken truly, though but scantily, if you consider your manifold exertions.Of all wherewith you have been charged either truthfully or falsely, you have but recorded what is well known.As for the crimes and wicked lies of the informers, you have rightly thought fit to touch but shortly thereon, for they are better and more fruitfully made common in the mouth of the crowd that discusses all matters.You have loudly and strongly upbraided the unjust ingratitude of the Senate: you have grieved over the charges made against myself, and shed tears over the insult to my fair fame: your last outburst of wrath was against Fortune, when you complained that she paid no fair rewards according to deserts: finally, you have prayed with passionate Muse that the same peace and order, that are seen in the heavens, might also rule the earth.But you are overwhelmed by this variety of mutinous passions: grief, rage, and gloom tear your mind asunder, and so in this present mood stronger measures cannot yet come nigh to heal you.Let us therefore use gentler means, and since, just as matter in the body hardens into a swelling, so have these disquieting influences, let these means soften by kindly handling the Page 21unhealthy spot, until it will bear a sharper remedy.
'When the sign of the crab doth scorch the field, fraught with the sun's most grievous rays, the husbandman that has freely intrusted his seed to the fruitless furrow, is cheated by the faithless harvest-goddess;and he must turn him to the oak tree's fruit.
'When the field is scarred by the bleak north winds, wouldst thou seek the wood's dark carpet to gather violets? If thou wilt enjoy the grapes, wouldst thou seek with clutching hand to prune the vines in spring? 'Tis in autumn Bacchus brings his gifts.Thus God marks out the times and fits to them peculiar works: He has set out a course of change, and lets no confusion come.If aught betake itself to headlong ways, and leaves its sure design, ill will the outcome be thereto.
'First then,' she continued,' will you let me find out and make trial of the state of your mind by a few small questions, that so I may understand what should be the method of your treatment? '
'Ask,' said I,' what your judgment would have you ask, and I will answer you.'
Then said she,' Think you that this universe is guided only at random and by mere chance? or think you there is any rule of reason constituted in it? '
'No, never would I think it could be so, nor Page 22believe that such sure motions could be made at random or by chance.
I know that God, the founder of the universe, does overlook His work; nor ever may that day come which shall drive me to abandon this belief as untrue.'
'So is it,' she said,' and even so you cried just now, and only mourned that mankind alone has no part in this divine guardianship:
you were fixed in your belief that all other things are ruled by reason.
