66 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



seeing noble and famous acts, and remarkable and 

 glorious merits do sometimes proceed from virtue 

 and well ordered reason and magnanimity, and 

 sometimes from a secret affection and hidden pas 

 sion, which are so dignified with the celebrity of fame 

 and glory, that a man can hardly distinguish between 

 the acts of Bacchus and the gests of Jupiter. 



ATALANTA, OR GAIN. 



Atalanta, who was reputed to excel in swiftness, 

 would needs challenge Hippomenes at a match in 

 running. The conditions of the prize were these, 

 that if Hippomenes won the race he should espouse 

 Atalanta ; if he were outrun that then he should 

 forfeit his life. And in the opinion of all, the victory 

 was thought assured of Atalanta s side, being famous, 

 as she was, for her matchless and inconquerable 

 speed, whereby she had been the bane of many. 

 Hippomenes therefore bethinks him how to deceive 

 her by a trick, and in that regard provides three 

 golden apples or balls, which he purposely carried 

 about him. The race is begun, and Atalanta gets a 

 good start before him. He seeing himself thus cast 

 behind, being mindful of his device, throws one of 

 his golden balls before her, and yet not outright 

 but somewhat of the one side, both to make her 

 linger and also to draw her out of the right course : 

 she out of a womanish desire, being thus enticed with 

 the beauty of the golden apple, leaving her direct 

 race, runs aside and stoops to catch the ball. Hip 

 pomenes the while holds on his course, getting there- 



