VIII. 3.] 



THE SECOND BOOK. 



123 



transferring and compounding divers experiments the one 

 into the other, which kind of invention an empiric may 

 manage. Again by the knowledge of physical causes 

 there cannot fail to follow many indications and designa 

 tions of new particulars, if men in their speculation will 

 keep one eye upon use and practice. But these are but 

 coastings along the shore premendo littus iniquum : for 

 it seemeth to me there can hardly be discovered any 

 radical or fundamental alterations and innovations in 

 nature, either by the fortune and essays of experiments, 

 or by the light and direction of physical causes. If 

 therefore we have reported metaphysic defi- ^ 

 cient, it must follow that we do the like of Magia M ve 

 natural magic, which hath relation thereunto. Physica 

 For as for the natural magic whereof now Operativa 

 there is mention in books, containing certain ma J r 

 credulous and superstitious conceits and observations of 

 sympathies and antipathies, and hidden proprieties, and 

 some frivolous experiments, strange rather by disguise- 

 mcnt than in themselves, it is as far differing in truth of 

 nature from such a knowledge as we require, as the story 

 of King Arthur of Britain, or Hugh of Bourdeaux, differs 

 from Caesar s Commentaries in truth of story. For it is 

 manifest that Caesar did greater things de vero than those 

 imaginary heroes were feigned to do. But he did them 

 not in that fabulous manner. Of this kind of learning 

 the fable of Ixion was a figure, who designed to enjoy 

 Juno, the goddess of power; and instead of her had 

 copulation with a cloud, of which mixture were begotten 

 centaurs and chimeras. So whosoever shall entertain 

 high and vaporous imaginations, instead of a laborious 

 and sober inquiry of truth, shall beget hopes and beliefs 

 of strange and impossible shapes. And therefore we may 



