CARDAN'S INTERVIEW WITH THE KING/ 137 



on account of the difference of aspect, as the sun shining 

 through a crystal makes a rainbow on a wall. A very 

 slight movement of the crystal makes a great change in 

 the rainbow's place." 



But the king : " And how can that be done when there, 

 is no subjectum, for to the rainbow .the subjectum is the 

 wall." 



Then I: "It occurs as in the milky way, and by the 

 reflection of lights.* When many candles are lighted near 

 one another they produce between themselves a certain 

 lucid and white medium. Therefore, ex ungue leonem, as 

 they say 1 ." 



Having given this very candid illustration of the quick- 

 ness of the king's intelligence, Cardan goes on imme- 

 diately in a strain of genuine and hearty admiration. 

 "This boy filled with the highest expectation every good 

 and learned man, on account of his ingenuity and suavity 

 of manners. * * * * When a royal gravity was 

 called for, you would think it was an old man you saw, 

 but he was bland and companionable as became his years. 

 He played upon the lyre, took concern for public affairs, 

 was liberal of mind, and in these respects emulated his 

 father, who, while he studied to be too good, managed to 

 seem bad. But the son was free from all suspicion of 



1 Geniturarum Exemplar, p. 17. 



