PREFACE. Vll 



it was either much or happy : much, if these figures 

 and tropes were invented by study and premedita 

 tion ; happy, if they, intending nothing less, gave 

 matter and occasion to so many worthy meditations. 

 As concerning my labours, if there be any thing in 

 them which may do good, I will on neither part 

 count them ill bestowed, my purpose being to illus 

 trate either antiquity or things themselves. Neither 

 am I ignorant that this very subject hath been at 

 tempted by others : but to speak as I think, and that 

 freely, without ostentation, the dignity and efficacy of 

 the thing, is almost lost by these men s writings, 

 though voluminous and full of pains, whilst not 

 diving into the depth of matters, but skilful only in 

 certain common places, have applied the sense of 

 these parables to certain vulgar and general things, 

 not so much as glancing at their true virtue, genu 

 ine propriety, and full depth. I, if I be not de 

 ceived, shall be new in common things ; wherefore, 

 leaving such as are plain and open, I will aim at fur 

 ther and richer matters. 



