按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
maintaining such liberality and munificence； a fund is furnished by
continual wars and plunder。 Nor could you so easily persuade them to
cultivate the ground； or to await the return of the seasons and
produce of the year； as to provoke the foe and to risk wounds and
death： since stupid and spiritless they account it； to acquire by
their sweat what they can gain by their blood。
Upon any recess from war； they do not much attend the chase。 Much more
of their time they pass in indolence； resigned to sleep and repasts。
All the most brave； all the most warlike； apply to nothing at all； but
to their wives； to the ancient men； and to even the most impotent
domestic； trust all the care of their house； and of their lands and
possessions。 They themselves loiter。 Such is the amazing diversity of
their nature； that in the same men is found so much delight in sloth；
with so much enmity to tranquillity and repose。 The communities are
wont； of their own accord and man by man； to bestow upon their Princes
a certain number of beasts； or a certain portion of grain； a
contribution which passes indeed for a mark of reverence and honour；
but serves also to supply their necessities。 They chiefly rejoice in
the gifts which come from the bordering countries； such as are sent
not only by particulars but in the name of the State； curious horses；
splendid armour； rich harness； with collars of silver and gold。 Now
too they have learnt； what we have taught them； to receive money。
That none of the several people in Germany live together in cities； is
abundantly known； nay； that amongst them none of their dwellings are
suffered to be contiguous。 They inhabit apart and distinct； just as a
fountain； or a field； or a wood happened to invite them to settle。
They raise their villages in opposite rows； but not in our manner with
the houses joined one to another。 Every man has a vacant space quite
round his own； whether for security against accidents from fire； or
that they want the art of building。 With them in truth； is unknown
even the use of mortar and of tiles。 In all their structures they
employ materials quite gross and unhewn； void of fashion and
comeliness。 Some parts they besmear with an earth so pure and
resplendent； that it resembles painting and colours。 They are likewise
wont to scoop caves deep in the ground； and over them to lay great
heaps of dung。 Thither they retire for shelter in the winter； and
thither convey their grain： for by such close places they mollify the
rigorous and excessive cold。 Besides when at any time their enemy
invades them； he can only ravage the open country； but either knows
not such recesses as are invisible and subterraneous； or must suffer
them to escape him； on this very account that he is uncertain where to
find them。
For their covering a mantle is what they all wear； fastened with a
clasp or； for want of it； with a thorn。 As far as this reaches not
they are naked； and lie whole days before the fire。 The most wealthy
are distinguished with a vest； not one large and flowing like those of
Sarmatians and Parthians； but girt close about them and expressing the
proportion of every limb。 They likewise wear the skins of savage
beasts； a dress which those bordering upon the Rhine use without any
fondness or delicacy； but about which such who live further in the
country are more curious； as void of all apparel introduced by
commerce。 They choose certain wild beasts； and； having flayed them；
diversify their hides with many spots； as also with the skins of
monsters from the deep； such as are engendered in the distant ocean
and in seas unknown。 Neither does the dress of the women differ from
that of the men； save that the women are orderly attired in linen
embroidered with purple； and use no sleeves； so that all their arms
are bare。 The upper part of their breast is withal exposed。
Yet the laws of matrimony are severely observed there； for in the
whole of their manners is aught more praiseworthy than this： for they
are almost the only Barbarians contented with one wife； excepting a
very few amongst them； men of dignity who marry divers wives； from no
wantonness or lubricity； but courted for the lustre of their family
into many alliances。
To the husband； the wife tenders no dowry； but the husband； to the
wife。 The parents and relations attend and declare their approbation
of the presents； not presents adapted to feminine pomp and delicacy；
nor such as serve to deck the new married woman； but oxen and horse
accoutred； and a shield； with a javelin and sword。 By virtue of these
gifts； she is espoused。 She too on her part brings her husband some
arms。 This they esteem the highest tie； these the holy mysteries； and
matrimonial Gods。 That the woman may not suppose herself free from the
considerations of fortitude and fighting； or exempt from the
casualties of war； the very first solemnities of her wedding serve to
warn her； that she comes to her husband as a partner in his hazards
and fatigues； that she is to suffer alike with him； to adventure
alike； during peace or during war。 This the oxen joined in the same
yoke plainly indicate； this the horse ready equipped； this the present
of arms。 'Tis thus she must be content to live； thus to resign life。
The arms which she then receives she must preserve inviolate； and to
her sons restore the same； as presents worthy of them； such as their
wives may again receive； and still resign to her grandchildren。
They therefore live in a state of chastity well secured； corrupted by
no seducing shows and public diversions； by no irritations from
banqueting。 Of learning and of any secret intercourse by letters； they
are all equally ignorant； men and women。 Amongst a people so numerous；
adultery is exceeding rare； a crime instantly punished； and the
punishment left to be inflicted by the husband。 He； having cut off her
hair； expells her from his house naked； in presence of her kindred；
and pursues her with stripes throughout the village。 For； to a woman
who has prostituted her person； no pardon is ever granted。 However
beautiful she may be； however young； however abounding in wealth； a
husband she can never find。 In truth； nobody turns vices into mirth
there； nor is the practice of corrupting and of yielding to
corruption； called the custom of the Age。 Better still do those
communities； in which none but virgins marry； and where to a single
marriage all their views and inclinations are at once confined。 Thus；
as they have but one body and one life； they take but one husband；
that beyond him they may have no thought； no further wishes； nor love
him only as their husband but as their marriage。 To restrain
generation and the increase of children； is esteemed an abominable
sin； as also to kill infants newly born。 And more powerful with them
are good manners； than with other people are good laws。
In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty； and thus
grow into those limbs； into that bulk； which with marvel we behold。
They are all nourished with the milk of their own mothers； and never
surrendered to handmaids and nurses。 The lord you cannot discern from
the slave； by any superior del