52 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



to satisfy her lust in company with a bull, so that by 

 his wretched industry, and pernicious device, that 

 monster Minotaur, the destruction of so many hope 

 ful youths, took his accursed and infamous begin 

 ning; and studying to cover and increase one mischief 

 with another, for the security and preservation of 

 this monster he invented and built a labyrinth, a 

 work for intent and use most nefarious and wicked, 

 for skill and workmanship, famous and excellent. 

 Afterwards, that he might not be noted only for 

 works of mischief, but be sought after as well for 

 remedies, as for instruments of destruction, he was 

 the author of that ingenious device concerning the 

 clue of thread, by which the labyrinth was made 

 passable without any let. This Daedalus was per 

 secuted by Minos with great severity, diligence, and 

 inquiry, but he always found the means to avoid and 

 escape his tyranny. Lastly, he taught his son Icarus 

 to fly, but the novice, in ostentation of this art, 

 soaring too high, fell into the sea and was drowned. 



The parable seems to be thus : in the beginning 

 of it may be noted that kind of envy or emulation 

 that lodgeth, and wonderfully sways and domineers 

 amongst excellent artificers, there being no kind of 

 people more reciprocally tormented with bitter and 

 deadly hatred than they. 



The banishment also of Daedalus, a punishment 

 inflicted on him against the rules of policy and pro 

 vidence, is worth the noting : for artificers have this 

 prerogative to find entertainment and welcome in 

 all countries, so that exile to an excellent workman 



