s it is incurable, so it is
insensible. But art thou sure it is so? [6189]_res agit ille tuas_? "doth
he so indeed?" It may be thou art over-suspicious, and without a cause as
some are: if it be _octimestris partus_, born at eight months, or like him,
and him, they fondly suspect he got it; if she speak or laugh familiarly
with such or such men, then presently she is naught with them; such is thy
weakness; whereas charity, or a well-disposed mind, would interpret all
unto the best. St. Francis, by chance seeing a friar familiarly kissing
another man's wife, was so far from misconceiving it, that he presently
kneeled down and thanked God there was so much charity left: but they on
the other side will ascribe nothing to natural causes, indulge nothing to
familiarity, mutual society, friendship: but out of a sinister suspicion,
presently lock them close, watch them, thinking by those means to prevent
all such inconveniences, that's the way to help it; whereas by such tricks
they do aggravate the mischief. 'Tis but in vain to watch that which will
away.

[6190] "Nec custodiri si velit ulla potest;
Nec mentem servare potes, licet omnia serves;
Omnibus exclusis, intus adulter erit."

"None can be kept resisting for her part;
Though body be kept close, within her heart
Advoutry lurks, t'exclude it there's no art."

Argus with a hundred eyes cannot keep her, _et hunc unus saepe fefellit
amor_, as in [6191]Ariosto,

"If all our hearts were eyes, yet sure they said
We husbands of our wives should be betrayed."

Hierome holds, _Uxor impudica servari non potest, pudica non debet, infida
custos castitatis est necessitas_, to what end is all your custody? A
dishonest woman cannot be kept, an honest woman ought not to be kept,
necessity is a keeper not to be trusted. _Difficile custoditur, quod plures
amant_; that which many covet, can hardly be preserved, as [6192]
Salisburiensis thinks. I am of Aeneas Sylvius' mind, [6193]"Those jealous
Italians do very ill to lock up their wives; for women are of such a
disposition, they will most covet that which is denied most, and offend
least when they have free liberty to trespass." It is in vain to lock her
up if she be dishonest; _et tyrranicum imperium_, as our great Mr.
Aristotle calls it, too tyrannical a task, most unfit: for when she
perceives her husband observes her and suspects, _liberius peccat_, saith
[6194]Nevisanus. [619