Lib. II. Of the Advancement of Learning, 8i 



therefore touching the birth and parentage of Fajjion 5 the beginning of 

 all Paflidn, though never (b hurtful, is nothing elfe than good Apparent : 

 For as the Mother of virtue is goodExijlent ; fo the Mother of Paffion 

 \s good Apparent. The one of thefe (under which Perlbn, the foul of 

 rtian is ireprefented) is jf«p/7erxlavyfulwife ; the other his Concubine: 

 which yet affefteth the honour oPJuno, as Semele did. Tajfion is con- 

 ceiv'd iii an unlawful defire, ralhly granted, before rightly underftood, 

 and judged : And after when it begins to grow fervent, the Mother of 

 it, which is the Nature and Species of Good, by too much inflammation 

 is deftroyed and perifheth. The proceeding of ri7//z<7» from the firft 

 conception thereof is after this manner ; It is nourilht and concealed 

 by the mind of man, fwhich is the Parent o£ Paffion,) fpecially in the 

 inferiour part of the mind, as in the thigh ; and (b vexeth, and puUeth, 

 and depreffeth the mind 5 as thofe good determinations and aftionsj 

 are much hindred and lamed thereby : but when it comes to be con- 

 firmed by confent and habit , and breaks out into Aft , that it hath 

 now, as it were,folfiird the months^and is brought forth and born ; firft, 

 for a while it is brought up by Proferpina 5 that is, it (eeks corners and 

 fecret places, and lurk?, as it werejUnder ground 5 until the reigns of 

 fliame and fear laid afidc, and boldnefi coming on , it either afliimes the 

 pretext of forae virtue, or becomes altogether impudent and ftiame- 

 lels. And it is pto^ true that every -vehement Pajjion is of a doubtful fex j, 

 being mafculine in the firft motion 5 but feminine in profecution. It 

 is an excellent fidion^ that of dead Bacchus, reviving 5 for PaJJJons do 

 (bmetimes feem to be in a dead fleep, and extinft; but we rauft not 

 truft them^no though they were buried ; For let there be but matter and 

 opportunity offer'd, they rife again. 



§ The invention of the Vine is a wife Parable 5 for every afFedion is 

 very quick and witty in finding out that which nouriOieth and cherifh" 

 eth it 5 and of all things known to men, wine is moji powerful and effica- - 

 ciout to excite and in fame pajjions , of what kjnd foever , as being, in at 

 (brtja commc-n incentive to them all. 



§ Again, affe^ion or paffion is elegantly fet down to be afnbduer of Na- 

 tions, and an undertaker of infinite expedition : For defire never refts 

 content with what it poffcfleth 5 but with an infinite and unfa- 

 tiable appetite ftill covets more 5 and barkens after a new pur- 

 chafe. 



fj So Tigers Stable by affeli ions y and draw their Chariot : For fince 

 the time that A^e^fion began to ride in a Coach 5 and to go no more 

 a foot 5 and to captivate Reafon 5 and to lead her away in triumph j it 

 grows cruel 5 unmanageable and fierce, againft whatfoever withftands 

 or oppofeth it. 



§ And it is a pretty device, that thofe ridiculous Tiemons, are brought 

 in dancing about Bacchus his Chariot: For every vehement afFeftion doth 

 caufe in the eyes, face, and gefture,undecent and (ubleeming, apifh, and 

 deformed motions ; fo that they who in any kind of Paflion, (as inan- 

 ger, arrogance, or love,) feem glorious and brave in their own eyes ; do 

 appear to others mifhapen and ridiculous. 



§ The Miifes arefecn in the company of paffion : and there is almoft no 

 affection fo depraved and vile, which is not fbqAed by fome kind of 

 l^'carning : And herein the indulgence and arrogancy of Wits doth ex- 



JL ceedingly 



