The Anatomy of Melancholy

although Alcibiades mocked him for it. Socrates was well entitled to do so: now and then, says Plutarch, even the most virtuous, upright, and serious men enjoy feasts, jokes, and diversions, as we use sauce with our food.

So did Scipio and Laelius:

When Scipio’s valour and Laelius’s gentle wisdom Withdrew from the crowd and public stage into privacy, They would joke and play with him, their belts loosened, While the vegetables cooked.

Brave Scipio and gentle Laelius, Away from public life and the noisy crowd, Would amuse themselves, their robes laid aside, While the cook prepared their supper.

In book 8 of his Florentine History, Machiavelli makes this observation about Cosimo de’ Medici, the wisest and most serious man of his time in Italy: he would sometimes behave like the most outrageous fool, and so enjoyed jesters, actors, and childish games to amuse himself that anyone considering his seriousness on the one hand and his foolishness and frivolity on the other would certainly say that he contained two distinct people.

I think he was right to do so, although John of Salisbury holds that magistrates, senators, and serious men should not lower themselves to frivolous amusements, “lest the commonwealth itself seem to be playing,” but should always maintain a stern, steady bearing, like Themistocles.

I approve of Cosimo de’ Medici, and of Castruccio Castracani. Italy had never known a worthier commander—another Alexander, if Machiavelli’s account of his life does not deceive us. When a friend rebuked him for dancing beneath his dignity, perhaps at some cushion dance, he replied, “A man who is wise by day hardly ever loses his wits at night”: he who is wise in the daytime may be a little foolish at night.

Paolo Giovio says much the same of Pope Leo X: he was a serious, prudent, steady man, yet sometimes very free, and too unrestrained, in his amusements. Nor is this entirely unsuitable or unbecoming to such a man’s dignity, provided he observes what is proper to the time, place, and circumstances. “Mix a little brief foolishness into your deliberations.” And as the poet said in an epigram to his wife, I would have every man say to himself, or to his friend:

Moll, once, when we happened to be in pleasant company, I asked you to dance along with the others. You refused, saying that your years now called For a matron’s manners and dress. Well, Moll, if you insist on being matronly, Be sure of this: I shall love you as a matron. And my love for you will never lessen If, in church, at home, and in bed, you follow this lesson:

Sit in church as solemnly as a saint; Let no deed, word, or thought stain your proper devotion. Veil your head if you wish, but reveal your soul To him alone who can heal wounded souls. In my house be as busy as a bee, With a sting for everyone but me, Buzzing in every corner, gathering honey; Waste nothing that costs or brings in money.