THE THIRD BOOK OF THE COURTIER have the good sense to discern what those garments are that enhance her grace and are most appropriate to the exercises wherein she purposes to engage at the time, and to wear them. And if she is conscious of possessing a bright and cheerful beauty, she ought to set it off with movements, words and dress all tending towards the cheerful; so too, another, who feels that her style is gentle and serious, ought to accompany it with fash- ions of that sort, in order to enhance that which is the gift of nature. Thus, if she is a little more stout or thin than the me- dium, or fair or dark, let her seek help from dress, but as co- vertly as possible; and while keeping herself dainty and neat, let her always seem to give no thought or heed to it. 9.— "And since my lord Gaspar further asks what these many things are whereof she ought to have knowledge, and in what manner she ought to converse, and whether her virtues ought to contribute to her conversation, — I say I would have her ac- quainted with that which these gentlemen wished the Courtier to know. And of the exercises that we have said do not befit her, I would have her at least possess such understanding as we may have of things that we do not practise; and this in order that she may know how to praise and value cavaliers more or less, according to their deserts. "And to repeat in a few words part of what has been already said, I wish this Lady to have knowledge of letters, music, paint- ing, and to know how to dance and make merry; accompanying the other precepts that have been taught the Courtier with dis- creet modesty and with the giving of a good impression of her- self. And thus, in her talk, her laughter, her play, her jesting, in short, in everything, she will be very graceful, and will enter- tain appropriately, and with witticisms and pleasantries befitting her, everyone who shall come before her. And although con- tinence, magnanimity, temperance, strength of mind, prudence, and the other virtues, seem to have little to do with entertain- ment, I would have her adorned with all of them, not so much for the sake of entertainment (albeit even there they can be of service), as in order that she may be full of virtue, and to the end that these virtues may render her worthy of being honoured, and that her every act may be governed by them." 180
