Two Volumes of Pasquils

TO THE READER.

Decorative historiated drop cap 'V' featuring an ornate frame with scrollwork, foliage, and a central human face or mask at the top.

It is an old habit among men, and implanted in most by nature, that they delight in ridiculous and fabled stories, while they turn away from things said seriously and gravely. Indeed, certain signs of this tendency shine forth even in children; for this reason, parents and teachers provide them with apologues original: "apologos." These are moral fables, such as those of Aesop, which use storytelling to teach a lesson. and fables from the very beginning. Since children do not easily accept serious and weighty instructions, they are meanwhile instructed toward virtue original: "uirtutem." In this context, it refers to both moral character and civic duty. through those humorous examples, as if through play. Therefore, those who have been educated in this fashion, and have become accustomed to and charmed by those empty but plausible tales, usually tend to retain that same habit even when they are adults and established in age. They often prefer, even in more serious matters, to be led along by feigned and veiled words, rather than to be warned about affairs through open speech in a grave and serious manner. Accordingly, even Demosthenes The most famous orator of ancient Athens, known for his persuasive and powerful political speeches.—when he once had judges who were less than attentive while he was delivering his closing plea original: "peroranda." A technical term for the final part of an orator's speech. in a capital case—cast aside the severity of his oration and turned to certain trifles—