THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 15 



happen unto any thing, are linked with the chain of 

 causes natural. 



Horns are attributed unto him, because horns 

 are broad at the root and sharp at the ends, the na 

 ture of all things being like a pyramis, sharp at the 

 top. For individual or singular things being infinite 

 are first collected into species, which are many also ; 

 then from species into generals, and from generals, 

 by ascending, are contracted into things or no 

 tions more general ; so that at length Nature 

 may seem to be contracted into an unity. Neither 

 is it to be wondered at that Pan toucheth heaven 

 with his horns, seeing the height of nature or uni 

 versal ideas do in some sort pertain to things divine ; 

 and there is a ready and short passage from meta- 

 physic to natural theology. 



The body of nature is elegantly and with deep 

 judgement depainted hairy, representing the beams 

 or operations of creatures ; for beams are, as it were, 

 the hairs and bristles of nature ; and every creature is 

 either more or less beamy, which is most apparent in 

 the faculty of seeing, and no less in every virtue and 

 operation that effectuates upon a distant object ; for 

 whatsoever works up any thing afar off, that may 

 rightly be said to dart forth rays or beams. 



Moreover, Pan s beard is said to be exceeding 

 long, because the beams or influences of celestial 

 bodies do operate and pierce farthest of all ; and the 

 sun, when his higher half is shadowed with a cloud, 

 his beams break out in the lower, and looks as if he 

 were bearded. 



Nature is also excellently set forth with a 



