4 THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



by which means Jupiter himself became with child, 

 and was delivered of a wondrous birth ; for out of 

 his head or brain came forth Pallas armed. 



The sense of this fable, which at first apprehen 

 sion may seem monstrous and absurd, contains in it 

 a secret of state, to wit, with what policy kings are 

 wont to carry themselves towards their counsellors, 

 whereby they may not only preserve their authority 

 and majesty free and entire, but also that it may be 

 the more extolled and dignified of the people : for 

 kings being as it were tied and coupled in a nuptial 

 bond to their counsellors, do truly conceive that 

 communicating with them about the affairs of 

 greatest importance, do yet detract nothing from 

 their own majesty. But when any matter comes to 

 be censured or decreed, which is a birth, there do 

 they confine and restrain the liberty of their coun 

 sellors ; lest that which is done should seem to be 

 hatched by their wisdom and judgement. So as at 

 last kings, except it be in such matters as are dis 

 tasteful and maligned, which they always will be sure 

 to put off from themselves, do assume the honour and 

 praise of all matters that are ruminated in council, 

 and as it were, formed in the womb, whereby the 

 resolution and execution, which, because it pro 

 ceeds from power and implies necessity, is ele 

 gantly shadowed under the figure of Pallas armed, 

 shall seem to proceed wholly from themselves. Nei 

 ther sufficeth it, that it is done by the authority of 

 the king, by his mere will and free applause, except 



