Iv.3.] ~—-s« THE SECOND BOOK.’ 103 
necessity to express any point of reason which was more 
.pharp or subtile than the vulgar in that manner, because 
en in those times wanted both variety of examples and 
ubtilty of conceit. And as hieroglyphics were before 
letters, so parables were before arguments: and never- 
theless now and at all times they do retain much life 
and vigour, because reason cannot be so sensible, nor 
examples so fit. 
4. But there remaineth yet another use of poesy para- 
bolical, opposite to that which we last mentioned: for 
that tendeth to demonstrate and illustrate that which is 
taught or delivered, and this other to retire and obscure 
it: that is, when the secrets and mysteries of religion, 
policy, or philosophy, are involved in fables or parables, 
Of this in divine poesy we see the use is authorised. In 
heathen poesy we see the exposition of fables doth fall 
out sometimes with great felicity; as in the fable that the 
giants being overthrown in their war against the gods, 
the earth their mother in revenge thereof brought forth 
Fame : 
Illam terra parens, ira irritata Deorum, 
Extremam, ut perhibent, Coco Enceladoque sororem 
Progenuit. 
Expounded that when princes and monarchs have sup- 
pressed actual and open rebels, then the malignity of 
people (which is the mother of rebellion) doth bring forth 
libels and slanders, and taxations of the states, which is 
of the same kind with rebellion, but more feminine. So 
in the fable that the rest of the gods having conspired 
to bind Jupiter, Pallas called Briareus with his hundred 
hands to his aid: expounded that monarchies need not 
fear any curbing of their absoluteness by mighty sub- 
jects, as long as by wisdom they keep the hearts of the 
