28 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



Neither is it without elegancy that the cause of 

 Endymion is mentioned in the fable, because that it 

 is a thing usual with such as are the favourites of 

 princes, to have certain pleasant retiring places 

 whither to invite them for recreation both of body 

 and mind, and that without hurt or prejudice to their 

 fortunes also. And indeed these kind of favourites 

 are men commonly well to pass ; for princes, although 

 peradventure they promote them not ever to places 

 of honour, yet do they advance them sufficiently by 

 their favour and countenance : neither do they affect 

 them thus only to serve their own turn ; but are 

 wont to enrich them now and then with great digni 

 ties and bounties. 



THE SISTER OF THE GIANTS, OR FAME. 



It is a poetical relation, that the giants begotten 

 of the earth made war upon Jupiter and the other 

 gods ; and by the force of lightning they were re 

 sisted and overthrown : whereat the earth being ex- 

 citated to wrath, in revenge of her children, brought 

 forth Fame, the youngest sister of the giants. 



&quot; Illam terra parens ira irritata deorum. 



&quot; Extremam (ut prohibent) Cseo Enceladoque sororem. 



&quot; Progenuit&quot; 



Provok d by wrathful gods, the mother earth 

 Gives Fame, the giants youngest sister, birth. 



The meaning of the fable seems to be thus : 

 By the earth is signified the nature of the vulgar, 

 always swollen and malignant, and still broaching 

 new scandals against superiors, and having gotten 



