avest man of his time in Italy, that he
would [3518]"now and then play the most egregious fool in his carriage, and
was so much given to jesters, players and childish sports, to make himself
merry, that he that should but consider his gravity on the one part, his
folly and lightness on the other, would surely say, there were two distinct
persons in him." Now methinks he did well in it, though [3519]
Salisburiensis be of opinion, that magistrates, senators, and grave men,
should not descend to lighter sports, _ne respublica ludere videatur_: but
as Themistocles, still keep a stern and constant carriage. I commend Cosmo
de Medici and Castruccius Castrucanus, than whom Italy never knew a
worthier captain, another Alexander, if [3520]Machiavel do not deceive us
in his life: "when a friend of his reprehended him for dancing beside his
dignity," (belike at some cushion dance) he told him again, _qui sapit
interdiu, vix unquam noctii desipit_, he that is wise in the day may dote a
little in the night. Paulus Jovius relates as much of Pope Leo Decimus,
that he was a grave, discreet, staid man, yet sometimes most free, and too
open in his sports. And 'tis not altogether [3521]unfit or misbeseeming the
gravity of such a man, if that decorum of time, place, and such
circumstances be observed. [3522]_Misce stultitiam consiliis brevem_--and
as [3523]he said in an epigram to his wife, I would have every man say to
himself, or to his friend,

"Moll, once in pleasant company by chance,
I wished that you for company would dance:
Which you refus'd, and said, your years require,
Now, matron-like, both manners and attire.
Well, Moll, if needs you will be matron-like,
Then trust to this, I will thee matron-like:
Yet so to you my love, may never lessen,
As you for church, house, bed, observe this lesson:
Sit in the church as solemn as a saint,
No deed, word, thought, your due devotion taint:
Veil, if you will, your head, your soul reveal
To him that only wounded souls can heal:
Be in my house as busy as a bee.
Having a sting for every one but me;
Buzzing in every corner, gath'ring honey:
Let nothing waste, that costs or yieldeth money.
[3524] And when thou seest my heart to mirth incline,
Thy tongue, wit, blood, warm with good cheer and wine:
Then of sweet sports let no occasion scape,