博纳提·第一百四十一则　恒星之赐为何不能久长

The 141st Is to consider in Nativities, the gifts and properties bestowed on men by the fixed Stars, and how long they continue, together with the reason why they prove not lasting, as those which proceed from the Planets, since it seems a little probable that they should continue longer than those; of which I do not remember to have met with any thing in the Ancients, save only that Ptolomy in his Centiloquium says, The fixed Stars sometimes confer exceeding great benefits, but often times they end ill. And Almansa in his Treatise to the great King of the Saracens, That the fixed Stars bestow notable gifts, and raise from poverty to happiness and high degree, more than any of the seven Planets.

第一百四十一则：在本命中要考虑恒星赋予人的禀赋与特质，它们能持续多久，以及它们为什么不像出于行星的那样持久的理由——因为看起来恒星所赐多少应当比行星所赐持续得更久才对；关于这一点，我不记得在古人那里见过什么，只有托勒密在他的《金言百则》里说：恒星有时赐予极大的福利，但往往结局不好。还有阿尔曼索尔在他致萨拉森大王的书中说：恒星赐予显著的禀赋，能使人由贫穷升到幸福与高位，胜过七颗行星中的任何一颗。

Now the reason that, the gifts of the fixed Stars to men, abide less with them than those given by the Planets, is, because the fixed Stars being the Agents, and Men the Patients, the subject on which they are to operate, are not agreeable to them, nor are born to be able to receive their impression; for it is requisite that there should be some conformity and likeness, or agreeableness between the Agent and the Patient: but the fixed Stars are most slow in motion, and consequently in mutation, whence it comes to pass that their impressions require subjects and patients of the same nature; that is to say, such as are the most lasting, and carry a conformity with them to perfect or accomplish their effects:

那么，恒星对人的赐予之所以不如行星所赐的那样持久，原因在于：恒星是施者，人是受者，即它们所要作用的对象，而这对象与它们并不相称，生来也不能承受它们的印记；因为施者与受者之间必须有某种相合、相似或相称；但恒星的运动最慢，因而变化也最慢，所以它们的印记需要同样性质的对象与受者，也就是说，需要最持久、与它们相合的东西，才能完成或成就其效果：

For the revolution of the fixed Stars is finisht but in six and thirty thousand years, but the Viventhipolis, or life of man, generally exceeds not three revolutions of Saturn, that is to say, the space of ninety years, very few exceed that age (though possibly some may, by the addition of the years of some Planets to the years of the Alcocoden) in their Nativities, which bears no conformity or proportion with 36000 years to compleat the effects of their influences.

因为恒星运行一周要三万六千年才完成，而人的寿命——所谓「维文提波利斯」——一般不超过土星的三个周期，即九十年的光景，很少有人超过这个年纪（虽然有些人在本命中，或许可以借着把某些行星的年数加到给寿星的年数上而超过）；这与完成其影响效果所需的三万六千年毫无相合、毫不相称。

And therefore as an Eagle cannot exercise the complement of her flight or power on a Fly, nor a Stone coming forth (à sunda, Trabathi) do any great execution (in Musciovem) no more can the fixed Stars compleat the effects of their impression, and therefore their gifts or the good promised by them, continues no longer with men, because men are of so small a duration, and subject to a swift mutability in respect of their motion.

所以，正如雄鹰不能对一只苍蝇施展它全部的飞翔与力量，从投石器或抛石机射出的石头也不能对一只蚊蚋造成多大的打击，恒星同样不能完成其印记的效果；所以它们的赐予、它们所许诺的好处，不会在人身上持续更久，因为人的存续如此短暂，又因其运动而受制于迅速的变易。

And upon this is that Aphorism grounded, that advises to make use of fixed Stars in the To nation of Cities, but of Planets in the erection of Houses; because Cities are generally of the longest continuance amongst corruptible things, and far more durable than particular Houses; for these in respect of their individuals do not endure always, whereas Cities remain by a successive building and rebuilding of Houses; and therefore though Castles are very lasting, yet are they not equal in the respect to Cities; so that although we may use the superior Planets in elections for building of Castles, it is better to take fixed Stars; yet still because Cities are of longer continuance than Castles, they are more appropriated to the fixed Stars, whose Subjects they are.

那条格言就是以此为根据的：它劝人在城市奠基时用恒星，在建造房屋时用行星；因为在可朽坏的事物之中，城市一般最为长久，比个别的房屋耐久得多；因为房屋就其个体而言不能永存，而城市却借房屋一代代地建了又建而存续下去；所以城堡虽然很持久，在这一点上也比不上城市；因此，虽然我们在择时建造城堡时可以用上方行星，但取恒星更好；不过，因为城市比城堡更长久，所以城市更适合归于恒星，城市就是恒星所主的对象。

For the impressions which a solid thing makes in a more solid thing, continues much longer than that which it makes on a less solid thing; and far less in a thing not solid, than a thing somewhat solid; and yet less in a very slippery transient thing, than in a thing less lubricous or changeable. Hence the impressions which the fixed Stars make on Cities, continue longer than those on Castles; because Cities are more correlative to them in length of time, and accordingly those of Castles more durable than those of Houses, for the same reason proportionably.

因为坚固之物在更坚固之物上留下的印记，比在不那么坚固之物上留下的持续得久得多；在不坚固之物上，又比在稍微坚固之物上更短；而在极其滑动易逝之物上，又比在不那么滑动易变之物上更短。所以恒星在城市上留下的印记，比在城堡上留下的持续得更久；因为城市在时间的长度上与它们更相应；同样的道理，按比例而言，城堡上的又比房屋上的更耐久。

But bodies of men are more remote from those fixed Stars than houses themselves, and so more corruptible; and for that cause their significations apply less to them, or if they happen, abide but little; the significations of the fixed Stars being so great and noble, so high and free from corruption and mutability, that they cannot easily take upon them a variable commixture with things quickly corruptible and suddenly changeable, unless it be as oyl on water; for though it may enter into it, yet such impression will not long continue; for the fixed Lights operate with so much nobleness, that by reason of their long distance from those vile, corruptible, changeable bodies, and neighbourhood to the supream Light, their effects cannot remain in or with them, when they are lightly or suddenly changed and corrupted; especially in base people, and mean spirits; for they seldom transcend his person to whom they happen, and often times leaves him whilst he lives, and that to his damage, so great that God alone can prevent; as I affirm for the most part: though 'tis possible they may sometimes terminate in good and continue long:

但人的身体比房屋本身离恒星更远，因而更易朽坏；因此恒星的征象不大加于人身，即使加上了，也停留不久；因为恒星的征象如此伟大高贵，如此高远而免于朽坏变易，不能轻易与迅速朽坏、突然变化的东西发生可变的混合，除非像油在水上那样；因为油虽可以进入水中，这种印记却不会长久；因为恒星之光运作得如此高贵，由于它们离那些卑下、可朽、易变的身体距离遥远，又靠近至高之光，当这些身体轻易地或突然地变化朽坏时，它们的效果就不能留在其中或与之同在；在卑贱之人、低下之辈身上尤其如此；因为这些赐予很少能超出它所落到的那个人本身，还往往在他活着的时候就离他而去，而且给他带来损害，大到只有神能阻止；我说的是大多数情形：虽然它们也可能有时以好结局告终，并持续很久：

As it hath sometimes happened, that some have lived to the greatest years of the Alcocoden, of whom I never saw but one in my time, who was named Richard, who affirmed himself to have been a Courtier under Charles the Great, King of France, and that he had lived five hundred years.

就像有时发生的那样，有些人活到了给寿星的最大年数，我平生只见过一个，名叫理查德，他自称在法兰西国王查理大帝之下做过朝臣，活了五百年。

At what time there was a report of one that had continued alive ever since our Saviour's days, called Johan Buttadeus, because he had impulsed the Lord as he was led to be crucified, Who said to him, Thou shalt expect, or wait for me, till I come. The aforesaid Richard I saw at Revenna, in the year 1223; and the said John is said to have passed through Florilivium, in his journey to St. James's at Compostella, in the year 1267.

那时还有传闻说，有一个人从我们救主的时代起一直活着，名叫约翰·布塔德乌斯，因为在主被带去钉十字架时，他推搡了主，主对他说：「你要等着，等我回来。」前面说的理查德，我在一二二三年于拉文纳见过；而这个约翰，据说在一二六七年前往孔波斯特拉的圣雅各的途中，经过了弗利。

Nor could the significations of the fixed Stars be applied, or adhere to men, nor sensibly remain in them, unless there were some Medium by which they might act upon them which are the Planets, which are secondary Agents, as the first are principal; for wherever there are diverse actions in order, attributed to several Agents, the principal act ought to be referred to the principal Agent, which in respect of the effects or corruptible things, was the primary cause, and the Planets as secondary; for that corruption which those in inferiors suffer, happens by reason of their too great distance from the incorruptible superiors; yet their effects sometimes continue long in Grandees, and persons very rich, who are apt for Empire, magnanimous, and of brave and excellent spirits; such as in my time was the Emperor Frederick the Second, who when he was indigent and in great necessity, was arrived to the Imperial Dignity, and brought under his obedience all Apulia, the Kingdom of Sicily, Jerusalem, Cracovia, Italian, and the whole Roman Empire (except of Lombardy) subduing all Enemies, Traitors and Rebels, and remained in that illustrious flourishing condition; yet at last died miserably, being poysoned by his Domesticks and all his Family extirpated; so that scarce any of them remained.

恒星的征象也不能加于人、附着于人、在人身上明显地停留，除非有某种媒介让它们借以作用于人，这媒介就是行星；行星是次级的施者，正如恒星是首要的施者；因为凡是有次第不同的几种作用归于几个施者时，首要的作用应归于首要的施者——就可朽之物所受的效果而言，它是第一因——而行星是第二因；因为下界之物所受的朽坏，是由于它们离那些不朽的上界之物太远而发生的；然而恒星的效果有时在大人物、极富之人身上持续很久，这些人适于统治，胸襟宏大，精神勇敢卓越；比如我这个时代的皇帝腓特烈二世，他在贫乏困窘之时登上了帝位，使整个阿普利亚、西西里王国、耶路撒冷、克拉科维亚、意大利以及整个罗马帝国（伦巴第除外）都服从于他，制服了一切敌人、叛徒和叛乱者，一直处在那种显赫兴盛的境地；然而最终死得很惨，被他的家仆毒死，他的全家也被斩尽，几乎没有一个留下。

Such another was Ecilinus de Romano, who when he was but mean, was far exalted above all other Italians, for he ruled, and as it were tyrannized over the Marquisate of Treves, even to Almaine and Trent, and within four or five miles of Venice, and his Tyranny continued twenty six years; but at last all these glories were overcast with calamity, for when it seemed impossible to suppress him, he fell into the hands of his Enemies at a Battel in the Country of Mediolanensi apud Cassianum, and died wretched, and all his posterity was destroy'd, not one of them remaining.

另一个这样的人是罗马诺的埃奇利努斯，他本是卑微之人，却被高举在所有意大利人之上，因为他统治——甚至可说暴虐地统治——特雷维索边区，直到日耳曼与特伦托，离威尼斯只有四五里，他的暴政持续了二十六年；但最后这一切荣耀都被灾祸笼罩：当人们以为不可能压服他的时候，他在米兰地区卡萨诺附近的一场战斗中落入敌手，死得悲惨，他的子孙也全被诛灭，一个不剩。

In the same manner there was one in the Kingdom of Apulias, of base descent, called Peter de Vinea, who when he was a Schollar at Bononia, was forced to beg for his living, and had not bread to eat, yet made Notary, and after that Protonotary of the Court of the Emperor Frederick the Second; he became a Judge, and climed to such a grandeur, that he was happy that could obtain the least of his favor, for whatever he did the Emperor would confirm: but himself would often set aside what had been established by the Emperor, who made him Lord of Apulia: whereby he grew so rich, that he had ten thousand pounds of Gold (Augustanensium) besides other Treasures almost inestimable; yet in the end he fell, and was reduced to such misery, that the Emperor ordered his eyes to be put out: inraged at which, out of meer indignation he struck out his own brains against a wall, as it was then commonly reported.

同样，在阿普利亚王国有一个出身低微的人，名叫彼得·德·维尼亚，他在博洛尼亚做学生时，被迫乞讨为生，连面包都没得吃，却被任为公证人，后来又成了皇帝腓特烈二世宫廷的首席书记官；他当上法官，爬到极高的地位，谁能得到他一点点恩宠就算有福了，因为他所做的一切，皇帝都会批准；而他自己却常常推翻皇帝已定下的事，皇帝还封他为阿普利亚之主：他因此变得极富，除了几乎无法估价的其他财宝之外，还有一万磅奥古斯塔金币；然而最终他倒台了，落到极其悲惨的境地，皇帝下令挖去他的双眼：他为此激怒，纯出于愤慨，以头撞墙而死，当时人们普遍这样传说。

Another was at Pysa, called Smerolus, one of the dregs of the Vulgar, who came to be (as it is said) Lord of that Province; nor durst any of the Nobility for a while contend with him; yet at last he came to nothing. After whom one Oddo Gualduzins, a mean fellow, tapered up so high, that he did as it were sway the whole City, and none would contradict him, till Galyver, a Judge, caused him to be chopp'd all to pieces.

另一个在比萨，名叫斯梅罗卢斯，是平民中的渣滓，据说竟成了那一地区之主；有一阵子没有一个贵族敢与他相争；然而最终他一败涂地。在他之后，有一个叫奥多·瓜尔杜齐努斯的卑微之人，爬得极高，几乎左右了整座城市，没有人敢违抗他，直到一位名叫加利弗的法官下令把他砍成碎块。

The same happened at Florylycium, one called Simon Mustaguere the Son of obscure Parents, who mounted so high, that all the People adored him: nor durst any oppose him save only my self, who knew him throughly; and what mischief he could, he did at his pleasure for three years space: but at last down he came, being banisht the City, which happened for the odiousness of his person and cowardise.

同样的事发生在弗利：有一个叫西蒙·穆斯塔圭雷的人，父母默默无闻，他爬得那样高，全城百姓都崇拜他；除了我自己，没有人敢反对他，因为我对他知根知底；他想做什么坏事就随意去做，有三年之久：但最后他还是垮了，被逐出城去，这是因为他为人可憎、又胆怯。

Another, being a Frier of the Preaching Order, by name John, by Nation Vicentinus, was admired as a Saint by all the Italians that acknowledged the Roman Church; but I ever thought him an Hypocrite: he grew so high, that he was reported to have raised eighteen from the dead, (though never one of them could be seen) and to cure all Diseases, fright Devils &c. yet could I not perceive any body freed by him, though I made much enquiry into his Miracles; however the whole World seemed to run after him, and thought himself happy that could get a Thread of his Cap, which they esteemed equal with the Reliques of the Saints; and in his Preaching he would publickly boast, That he had converse with Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Angels when he list.

另一个是传道会的修士，名叫约翰，籍贯维琴察，凡承认罗马教会的意大利人都把他当圣徒敬仰；但我始终认为他是个伪君子：他的名声高到据说他使十八个死人复活（虽然一个也没人见过），能治百病、驱魔鬼等等；可是我没发现有谁是被他解救的，尽管我对他的神迹多方查问过；然而全世界似乎都追随他，谁能得到他帽子上的一根线，就以为有福，把它看得与圣徒的遗物一样；他讲道时还公开夸口，说他想什么时候就能与耶稣基督、童贞女马利亚和天使交谈。

By which Tricks, the Friers of his Order at Bononia, got more than Twenty thousand Marks. And his power was so great, that by his own will he released a Souldier as he was going to Execution for murther. Nor durst the Magistrates deny him, nor any speak ill of him but my self, who knew all his wheedles and cozsnages; for which the Rabble, meerly out of fear of him, reported me an Heretick, In which esteem and pomp he continued above a year, but at last went out like a snuff of a Candle, with a stink, his Devices and Hypocrisie being discovered; so that he became as generally, and every body was ashamed to be seen in his company.

靠这些伎俩，他那一会在博洛尼亚的修士们得了两万多马克。他的权势大到凭自己的意愿，就把一个因谋杀正被押去处决的士兵放了。官员们不敢拒绝他，除了我，也没有人敢说他坏话，因为我看穿了他的一切花言巧语和骗术；为此，那帮乌合之众纯粹出于对他的畏惧，说我是异端。他在这种名望与排场中过了一年多，但最后像烛花一样熄灭，还带着一股臭味，因为他的诡计与伪善都被揭穿了；于是他同样为众人所弃（原文此处似有脱字），人人都羞于被人看见与他在一起。