88 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



It was, therefore, very apposite, that Augustus 

 Caesar, whether by premeditation, or by a chance, 

 bare a sphynx in his signet : for he, if ever any, 

 was famous not only in political government, but in 

 all the course of his life ; he happily discovered 

 many new aenigmas concerning the nature of man, 

 which if he had not done with dexterity and prompt 

 ness, he had oftentimes fallen into imminent danger 

 and destruction. 



Moreover, it is added in the fable, that the body 

 of Sphynx, when she was overcome, was laid upon an 

 ass ; which indeed is an elegant fiction, seeing there 

 is nothing so acute and abstruse, but, being well 

 understood and divulged, may be apprehended by a 

 slow capacity. 



Neither is it to be omitted, that Sphynx was 

 overcome by a man lame in his feet ; for when men 

 are too swift of foot, and too speedy of pace in 

 hasting to Sphynx s aenigmas, it comes to pass, 

 that, she getting the upper hand, their wits and 

 minds are rather distracted by disputations, than 

 that ever they come to command by works and 

 effects. 



PROSERPINA, OR SPIRIT. 



Pluto, they say, being made king of the infernal 

 dominions, by that memorable division, was in de 

 spair of ever attaining any one of the superior god 

 desses in marriage, especially if he should venture to 

 court them, either with words, or with any amorous 

 behaviour ; so that of necessity he was to lay some 



