In
which saying he mocks indeed at those ambitious, avaricious, and
mercenary men who, in order to gain false glory and the things of this
world, expose themselves rashly to the manifest perils which are most of
the time the inevitable lot of the seaman. This same consideration
causes him also to utter these remarkable words: that he repents himself
of but one thing, and that is ever to have travelled by sea when it was
possible to have done so by land. And, to say truth, he has good reason
to speak as he does, because it is impossible for the most hardy
navigators not to tremble with fear when it is represented before their
eyes that they must combat with the winds, the waves, and the foam every
time that they adventure upon the deep.
"Because it is indisputable that this is the very Theatre of the storms,
and the place in the world most capable of all sorts of violence and
tragic adventure. This, however, does not prevent those who covet the
perishable goods of this world from straying upon the sea, even in
unknown and untraversed regions, without ceasing and without rest.
"If, however, they abandon the ocean for a time, it is but to return to
it again to seek once more war with their ships, in order unjustly to
make themselves masters of the bodies and of the riches of others.
"Of such it may be remarked to-day are, in all the maritime coasts, the
implacable Corsairs of Barbary.
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