And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
Ver. 39. Preadventure the woman will not.] Here he leaveth out, in his discretion, Abraham's charge. Gen 24:6 For that would but have offended and irritated. Part of the truth may be concealed sometimes, as Jeremiah 38:27 .
“ Quid, quod, ubi, per quos, quoties, cur, quomodo, quando,
Quilibet haec animo reputet, medicamina dando. ”
But what shall we think of that practice of Buchanan the Scotch poet, who being taken hold of by some of the Pope's inquisitors in his travels, to acquit himself, sent this Distichon to the Pope -
“ Laus tua non tua fraus, virtus non copia rerum
Scandere te fecit hoc decus eximium. ”
Hereupon he was released: but, when got out of the Pope's jurisdiction, he sent to him, and desired that his verses might not be misunderstood; but, according to his true meaning, might be read backward: which being so read, stand thus -
“ Eximium decus hoc fecit te scandere rerum
Copia, non virtus; fraus tua, non tua laus. ”
This was, saith one, so only to speak the truth, as to leave the incorrigible to their lusts, wisely avoiding their hatred: this is σοφον φαρμακον , at least, say I.