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THE SECOND BOOKE 203
filthiest of all the rout: As for outward apparance and
true shape of the visage, it is the Munkie or Ape:
Simla quam similis, turpisstima bestia, nobis ! ¹
An Ape, a most il-favored beast,
How like to us in all the rest ?
as for inward and vitall parts, it is the Hog. Truely,
when I consider man all naked (yea, he it in that sex
which seemeth to have and challenge the greatest
share of eye-pleasing heautie) and view his defects, his
naturall subjection, and manifold imperfections, I finde
we have had much more reason to hide and cover our
nakednesse than any creature else. We may be excused
for borrowing those which nature had therein
favored more than us, with their beauties to adorne us,
and under their spoiles of wooll, of haire, of feathers,
and of silke to shroud us. Let us moreover observe,
that man is the onely creature whose wants offend his
owne fellowes, and he alone that in naturall actions
must withdraw and sequester himselfe from those of
his owne kinde. Verely it is an effect worthie consideration,
that the skilfullest masters of amorous
dalliances appoint for a remedie of venerian passions
a free and full survay of the bodie, which one longeth
and seeks ailer: and that to coole the longing and
aswage the heat of friendship, one need but perfectly
view and thoroughly consider what he loveth.
Ille quod obscoenas in aperto corpore partes
Videraty in cursu qui fuit, hoesit amor.²
The love stood still, that ran in full cariere,
When bare it saw parts that should not appeare.
And although this remedie may haply proceed from
a squeamish and cold humor, yet it is a wonderfull
signe of our imbecillitie that the use and knowledge
should so make us to he cloyd one of an other. It is
not bashfulnesse so much as art and foresight makes
oar Ladies so circumspect and unwilling to let as come
1 CIC. Nat. Deor. 1. i. Enni. ² OVID. Rem. Am. 1. ii. 33.