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264 ESSAYS OF MONTAIGNE

from the straight and level road that Nature has marked out for us.

(a) Our friendship for our wives is most legitimate; yet theology does not fail to curb and restrain it. I think that I read long ago in St. Thomas,! in a passage where he con- demns the marriage of kinsfolk in the prohibited degrees, this reason among others—that there is danger that the friendship that a man may have for such a wife may be ex- travagant; for if conjugal affection exists entire and perfect, as it ought, and if it be surcharged with the affection due to the blood-tie,? there is no doubt that that addition carries such a husband beyond the bounds of reason.

The branches of learning,? like theology and philosophy, which regulate the morals of mankind, enter into all things. There is no act so intimate and secret that it evades their knowledge and jurisdiction. (c) Very ignorant are they who censure their liberty. Ce sont les femmes qui communiquent tant qu’on veut leurs pieces a garsoner; a medeciner la honte le defend. (4) Je veux donc, de leur part, apprendre cecy aux maris, (¢) s’ils’en treuve qui y soient trop acharnez: (a) c’est que les plaisirs mesmes qu’ils ont a l’acointance de leurs femmes sont reprouvez, si la moderation n’y est ob- servée; et qu'il y a dequoy faillir en licence et desbordement en ce subject-la, comme en un subject illegitime. (c) Ces en- cheriments deshontez que la chaleur premiere nous suggere en ce jeu sont, non indecemment sulemant, mais dommage- ablement emploiez envers nos femmes. Qu’elles appren- nent l’impudence au moins d’une autre main. Elles sont toujours assez esveillees pour nostre besoin. Je ne n’y suis servi que de |’instruction naturelle et simple.

(a) Marriage is a religious and godly union; that is why the pleasure we derive from it should be a sustained, serious pleasure, combined with some austerity; it should be a somewhat prudent and conscientious pleasure. Et parce que sa principale fin c’est la generation, il y en a qui met- tent en doubte si, lors que nous sommes sans |esperance de ce fruit, comme quand elles sont hors d’aage, ou enceinte,

1 See the Secunda Secunda, question 154, art. 9.

2 La paranitelle.

  • Les sciences.
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