WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. cxlix 



&quot; De Sapicntia Veterum,&quot; of which he sent a copy to his 

 friend, Mr. Mathew, saying, &quot; My great work goeth for 

 ward, and after my manner I alter ever when I add.&quot; 



This treatise is a species of parabolical poetry, explained 

 in the Advancement of Learning, and expanded by an in 

 sertion in the treatise De Augmentis Scientiarum of three 

 of the Fables, (a) &quot; One use of parabolical poesy consists,&quot; 

 he says, &quot; in withdrawing from common sight those things 

 the dignity whereof deserves to be retired, as the secrets 

 and mysteries of religion, policy, and philosophy, which are 

 therefore veiled and invested in fables and parables, and, 

 next to sacred writ, are the most ancient of all writings ; 

 for adopted, not excogitated by the reciters, they seem to 

 be like a thin rarefied air, which, from the traditions of 

 more ancient nations, fell into the flutes of the Grecians.&quot; 



This tract seems, in former times, to hare been much 

 valued, for the same reason, perhaps, which Bacon assigns 

 for the currency of the Essays ; &quot; because they are like the 

 late new halfpence, where the pieces are small, but the 

 silver is good.&quot; 



The fables, abounding with a union of deep thought and 

 poetic beauty, are thirty-one in number, (b) of which a 

 part of &quot; The Syrens, or Pleasures,&quot; may be selected as a 

 specimen. 



apostles; yet more, like another Moses, with God himself, in them both? 

 Let the world contemn us ; while we have these delights we cannot envy 

 them; we cannot wish ourselves other than we are.&quot; See Bishop Hall s 

 beautiful essay on the Pleasure of Study aud Contemplation, 

 (a) See vol. viii. p. 124. 



(b} Cassandra, or Divination. Endymion, or a Favourite. 



Typhon, or a Rebel. The Sister of the Giants, or Fame. 



The Cyclops, or the Ministers of Actacon and Pentheus, or a Cu- 



Terror. rious Man. 



Narcissus, or Self Love. Orpheus, or Philosophy. 



Styx, or Leagues. Ccelum, or Beginnings. 



Pan, or Nature. Proteus, or Matter. 



Perseus, or War. Memnon, or Youth too forward. 



