We trace this proverb in an exquisite passage from "honest old Decker," as Hazlitt fondly calls him. "Duke. What comfort do you find in being so calm? Candido. That which green wounds receive from sovereign balm. Patience, my lord! why, 'tis the soul of peace; Of all the virtues 'tis nearest kin to heaven: It makes men look gods. The best of men That e'er wore earth about him was a sufferer, A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit— The first true gentleman that ever breathed. The stock of patience, then, cannot be poor; All it desires it has: what award more? It is the greatest enemy to strife That can be, for it doth embrace all wrongs, And so chains up lawyers' and women's tongues. 'Tis the perpetual prisoner's liberty— His walks and orchards; 'tis the bondslave's freedom, And makes him seem proud of his iron chain, As though he wore it more for state than pain; It is the beggar's music, and thus sings— Although their bodies beg, their souls are kings. O my dread liege! it is the sap of bliss Bears us aloft, makes men and angels kiss; And last of all, to end a household strife, It is the honey 'gainst a waspish wife."
"After rain comes fine weather" (French).
"The day will be long, but there will be an end to it,"
When baffled in one direction a man of energy will not despair, but will find another way to his object.
"There are hills beyond Pentland, and streams beyond Forth; If there's lairds in the lowlands, there's chiefs in the north; There are wild duinewassels three thousand times three, Will cry hoich for the bonnet of Bonny Dundee!"
One may suffer a great loss, and yet not be totally ruined.
A consolatory reflection for those who have missed a good haul. The question is, will they have industry and skill to do better another time? "If I have lost the rings, here are the fingers still," is a stout-hearted saying of the Italians and Spaniards.
He that waits patiently comes off well at last, for "All comes right for him who can wait" (French).
Go about a difficult business resolutely; confront adversity with fortitude. "Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito Quam tua te fortuna sinit." That you may not be easily discouraged, the French remind you that "One may go far after he is tired."
"He conquers who sticks in his saddle" (Italian).
"With time and straw medlars ripen" (French).
This is an exact rendering of an ancient Greek adage, which is repeated with little variation in most modern languages. The Italians say, "A tree often transplanted is never loaded with fruit."
Patience may be abused. "Through much enduring come things that cannot be endured" (Latin).
"The gentle ewe is sucked by every lamb" (Italian). FOOTNOTES: |
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