ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 127 



We must not find it strange if no amours are related 

 of Pan, besides his marriage with Echo; for nature enjoys 

 itself, and in itself all other things: he that loves, desires 

 enjoyment; but in profusion there is no room for desire; 

 and therefore Pan, remaining content with himself, had no 

 passion, unless it be for discourse, which is well shadowed 

 out by Echo, or talk; or when it is more accurate, by 

 Syrinx, or writing. 16 But Echo makes a most excellent 

 wife for Pan, as being no other than genuine philosophy, 

 which faithfully repeats his words, or only transcribes ex 

 actly as nature dictates; thus representing the true image 

 and reflection of the world, without adding a tittle. The 

 calling the moon aside into a deeply imbrowned wood, 

 seems to refer to the convention between the sense and 

 spiritual things. For the ear of Endymion and Pan are 

 different, the moon of her own accord in the latter case 

 stooping down from her sphere as Endymion lay asleep, 

 intimating that divine illuminations oft glide gently into the 

 understanding, cast asleep and withdrawn from the senses. 

 But if they be called by sense, representing Pan, they afford 

 no other light than that 



&quot;Quale, per incertam lunam, subluce malignd, 

 Est iter in sylvis.&quot; &quot; 



It tends also to the support and perfection of Pan or 

 nature, to be without offspring; for the world generates in 

 its parts, and not in the way of a whole, as wanting a body 

 external to itself wherewith to generate. 



Lastly, for the supposed or spurious prattling daughter 

 of Pan, it is an excellent addition to the fable, and aptly 

 represents the talkative philosophies that have at all times 

 been stirring, and filled the world with idle tales; being 

 ever barren, empty, and servile, though sometimes indeed 

 diverting and entertaining, and sometimes again trouble 

 some and importunate. 



16 Syrinx signifying a reed, or the ancient pei_. 17 ^Eneid, vi. 270. 



