WISDOM OF THE ANCIKNTS. 31 



the understanding, it follows that they doubt, arc 

 inconstant no less in will than in opinion ; and so in 

 like manner they may be said to see two Thebes : 

 for by Thebes, seeing there was the habitation and 

 refuge of Pcntheus, is meant the end of actions. 

 Hence it comes to pass that they know not whither 

 they go, but *as distracted and unresolved in the 

 scope of their intentions, are in all things carried 

 about with sudden passions of the mind. 



ORPHEUS, OR PHILOSOPHY. 



The tale of Orpheus, though common, had never 

 the fortune to be fitly applied in every point. It 

 may seem to represent the image of philosophy : for 

 the person of Orpheus, a man admirable and divine, 

 and so excellently skilled in all kind of harmony, 

 that with his sweet ravishing music he did, as it were, 

 charm and allure all things to follow him, may carry 

 a singular description of philosophy ; for the labours 

 of Orpheus do so far exceed the labours of Hercules 

 in dignity and efficacy, as the works of wisdom excel 

 the works of fortitude. 



Orpheus, for the love he bare to his wife, snatched, 

 as it were, from him by untimely death, resolved to 

 go down to hell with his harp, to try if he might ob 

 tain her of the infernal power. Neither were his 

 hopes frustrated ; for having appeased them with 

 the melodious sound of his voice and touch, pre 

 vailed at length so far, as that they granted him 

 leave to take her away with him ; but on this condi 

 tion, that she should follow him, and he not to look 



