FABLE OF CUPID. 75 



the other hand, of the most expanded. For although this 

 indeed is a very essential difference, yet it will by no means 

 equalize the forces even with so great an intermediate 

 space. But the strength of the opinion of Telesius turns 

 chiefly upon this, if an equal portion as it were of Hi/le 

 (according to the quantum, not according to the expansion) 

 be assigned to both acting elements, so that the things can 

 last, and the system be made and established. For who 

 ever will think with Telesius on other points, and will 

 receive the surpassing power of llyle, especially in so great 

 an excess, in one principle compared with another, will in 

 volve himself in an inextricable difficulty. In the dialogue, 

 therefore, of Plutarch, &quot; De facie in orbe lunse,&quot; this con 

 sideration is very wisely proposed, that it is improbable 

 that nature in the dispersion of matter shut up the pro 

 perties of a compact body into the sole globe of the earth, 

 when there were in the mean time so many revolving- 

 bodies in the heavens. Yet Gilbertus indulged to such 

 excess in this imagination as to assert that not only the 

 earth and the moon but many other solid and opaque globes 

 were scattered amongst the bodies of light through the 

 expanse of heaven. Nay, the Peripatetics themselves, after 

 they had made the heavens eternal through their own con 

 dition, and things sublunary by succession and renovation, 

 did not imagine that they had sufficiently guarded their 

 tenet till they assigned to the elements as it were equal 

 portions of matter. For this is that which they fable 

 concerning that tenfold portion by which the surrounding 

 element is superior to the inner element. But I do not 

 bring these things forward, because none of them are to my 

 mind, but to show that it is perfectly improbable and 

 unnatural to maintain with Telesius that the earth is a 

 principle acting in contrariety to the heavens. And the 

 difficulty will be greatly increased if besides the quantum 

 itself we consider the unequal influence and action of the 

 heaven and the earth. For the condition of contest must 

 be lost altogether, if the attack of the hostile weapons be 

 borne by the one side, but do not reach the other, but fall 

 first. But it is plain that the power of the sun is projected 

 toward the earth, but none can promise that the influence 

 of the earth ever reaches the sun. For of all the influences 

 of nature, the influence of light and shade is conveyed to 

 the greatest distance and is circumfused with the greatest 

 space or orbit. But the shade of the earth is bounded on 

 this side the sun, whilst the light of the sun, if the earth 



