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418 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
horse; nor handsomely array a hawke upon my fist,
nor cast her off, or let her flie, nor could I ever speake
to dogges, to birds, or to horses. The conditions of
my body are, in fine, very well agreeing with those
of my minde, wherein is nothing lively, but onely a
compleate and constant vigor. I endure labour and
paine, yet not very well, unlesse I carry myselfe unto
it, and no longer than my desire leadeth and directeth,
me.
Molliter austerum studio fallente laborem, 1
While earnestnesse for sport or game,
Sweetly deceives the sowrest paine.
Otherwise, if by any pleasure I be not allured, and
if I have other direction than my genuine and free
will, I am nothing worth, and I can never fadge well:
for I am at such a stay, that except for health and life,
there is nothing I will take the paines to fret my selfe
about, or will purchase at so high a rate as to trouble
my wits for it, or be constrained thereunto.
Tanti miht non sit opaci
Omnis arena Tagi, quodque in mare volvitur aurum:*
So much I weigh not shadow Tagus sande,
Nor gold that roules into the Sea from land,
I am extreamelie lazie and idle, and exceedingly
free, both by nature and art. I would as willingly
lend my blood as my care. I have a minde free and
altogether her owne; accustomed to follow her owne
humor. And to this day never had, nor commanding,
nor forced master. I have gon as farre, and kept
what pace pleased me best: which hath enfeebled and
made me unprofitable to serve others, and made me
fit and apt, but onely for my selfe. And as for me,
no man ever needed to force this heavie, lither, and
idle nature of mine: for, having even from my birth
found my selfe in such a degree of fortune, I have
found occasion to stay there (an occasion notwithstanding,
that a thousand others of mine acquaintance
¹ SEN. 1. ii. Sat. ii. 12, ² JUVEN. Sat, iii. 54.