84 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



The moral of this parable, which we will but 

 briefly touch, although it contain matter of infinite 

 contemplation, seems to be this, that in every art and 

 science, and so in their rules and axioms, there be a 

 mean observed between the rocks of distinctions and 

 the gulfs of universalities, which two are famous for 

 the wreck both of wits and arts. 



SPHYNX, OR SCIENCE. 



They say that Sphynx was a monster of divers 

 forms, as having the face and voice of a virgin, the 

 wings of a bird, and the talons of a griffin. His 

 abode was in a mountain near the city of Thebes ; 

 he kept also the highways, and used to lie in ambush 

 for travellers, and so to surprise them : to whom, 

 being in his power, he propounded certain dark and 

 intricate riddles, which were thought to have been 

 given and received of the Muses. Now if these mi 

 serable captives were not able instantly to resolve 

 and interpret them in the midst of their difficulties 

 and doubts, she would rend and tear them in pieces. 

 The country groaning a long time under this cala 

 mity, the Thebans at last propounded the kingdom 

 as a reward unto him that could interpret the riddles 

 of Sphynx, there being no other way to destroy her. 

 Whereupon (Edipus, a man of piercing and deep 

 judgment, but maimed and lame by reason of holes 

 bored in his feet, moved with the hope of so great a 

 reward, accepted the condition, and, determined to 

 put it to the hazard, and so with an undaunted and, 

 bold spirit presented himself before the monster 



