THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 1 1 



leagues may seem to be ratified and established, and 

 as it were confirmed by the sacrament of the Stygian 

 lake ; seeing that it includes the fear of prohibition 

 and suspension from the table of the gods, under 

 which name the laws and prerogatives, the plenty 

 and felicity of a kingdom were signified by the 

 ancients. 



PAN, OR NATURE. 



The ancients have exquisitely described Nature 

 under the person of Pan, whose original they leave 

 doubtful ; for some say that he was the son of Mer 

 cury, others attribute unto him a far different be 

 ginning, affirming him to be the common offspring 

 of Penelope s suitors, upon a suspicion that every one 

 of them had to do with her ; which latter relation 

 doubtless gave occasion to some after writers to en 

 title this ancient fable with the name of Penelope; a 

 thing very frequent amongst them when they apply 

 old fictions to young persons and names, and that 

 many times absurdly and indiscreetly, as may be seen 

 here : for Pan, being one of the ancient gods, was long 

 before the time of Ulysses and Penelope. Besides, for 

 her matronal chastity, she was held venerable by an 

 tiquity. Neither may we pretermit the third con 

 ceit of his birth : for some say that he was the son of 

 Jupiter and Hybris, which signifies contumely or dis 

 dain : but howsoever begotten, the Parca?, they say, 

 were his sisters. He is pourtrayed by the ancients 

 in this guise ; on his head a pair of horns to reach to 

 heaven, his body rough and hairy, his beard long and 



