tV. 3 .] THE SECOND BOOK. 103 



necessity to express any point of reason which was more 

 sharp or subtile than the vulgar in that manner, because 

 men in those times wanted both variety of examples and 

 subtilty 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, Cceo 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 



