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OF BEAUTY

197

[1]

XLIII. Of Beauty.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best in a body that is comely, though not of delicate features; and that hath rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect. Neither is it almost[2] seen, that very beautiful persons are otherwise of great virtue; as if nature were rather busy not to err, than in labour to produce excellency.[3] And therefore they prove accomplished, but not of great spirit; and study rather behaviour than virtue. But this holds not always: for Augustus Cæsar, Titus Vespasianus, Philip le Bel[4] of France, Edward the Fourth[5] of England, Alcibiades[6] of Athens, Ismael the Sophy[7] of Persia, were all high and great spirits; and yet the most

  1. ↑ T. Livii Patavini Historiarum Ab Urbe Condita Liber XXXVIII. Caput 53. He probably recollected the thought, "in effect," not from Livy, but from Ovid:

    "Coepisti melius, quam desinis : ultima primis
    Cedunt:"

    P. Ovidii Nasonis Heroides. Epistola IX. Deianira Herculi. 23–24.

    "Alonso of Arragon was wont to say, in commendation of age, That age appeared to be best in four things: Old wood to burn; old wine to drink; old friends to trust; and old authors to read." Bacon. Apophthegmes New and Old. 97 (75).
  2. ↑ Almost. For the most part.
  3. ↑ Excellency. Excellence. "Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds." Psalms lxviii. 34.
  4. ↑ Philippe le Bel, 'Philip the Fair,' Philippe IV. of the House of Capet, 1268–1314, King of France from 1285 to 1314.
  5. ↑ Edward IV., 1441–1483, King of England, 1461–1483.
  6. ↑ Alcibiades, 450(?)–404 B.C., an Athenian politician and general, nephew of Pericles. He was rich, handsome, accomplished, and an admirable orator, but reckless and unsteady in character.
  7. ↑ Ismail I., Shah (Sophy) of Persia, 1487–1524, founder of the Suffarian dynasty.
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