426 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



to the word of God, coming in the frail vessel of the flesh to redeem 

 mankind. But we indulge ourselves no such liberties as these, for 

 fear of using strange fire at the altar of the Lord. 



III. THE FABLE OF ORPHEUS. 



EXPLAINED OF NATURAL AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY. 



INTRODUCTION. The fable of Orpheus, though trite and common, 

 has never been well interpreted, and seems to hold out a picture of 

 universal philosophy ; for to this sense may be easily transferred \\hat 

 is said of his being a wonderful and perfectly divine person, skilled m 

 all kinds of harmony, subduing and drawing all things after him by 

 sweet and gentle methods and modulations. For the labours of 

 Orpheus exceed the labours of Hercules, both in power and dignity, as 

 the works of knowledge exceed the works of strength. 



FABLE. Orpheus having his beloved wife snatched from him by 

 sudden death, resolved upon descending to the infernal regions, to try 

 if, by the power of his harp, he could reobtain her. And, in effect, he 

 so appeased and soothed the infernal powers by the melody and sweet 

 ness of his harp and voice, that they indulged him the liberty of taking 

 her back, on condition that she should follow him behind, and he not 

 turn to look upon her till they came into open day; but he, through the 

 impatience of his care and affection, and thinking himself almost past 

 danger, at length looked behind him, whereby the condition was 

 violated, and she again precipitated to Pluto s regions. From this time 

 Orpheus grew pensive and sad, a hater of the sex, and went into soli 

 tude, where, by the same sweetness of his harp and voice, he first drew 

 the wild beasts of all sorts about him; so that, forgetting their natures, 

 they were neither actuated by revenge, cruelty, lust, hunger, or the 

 desire of prey, but stood gazing about him in a tame and gentle 

 manner, listening attentively to his music. Nay, so great was the 

 power and efficacy of his harmony, that it even caused the trees and 

 stones to remove, and place themselves in a regular manner about him. 

 When he had for a time, and with great admiration, continued to do 

 this, at length the Thracian women, raised by the instigation of Bacchus, 

 first blew a deep and hoarse-sounding horn in such an outrageous 

 manner, that it quite drowned the music of Orpheus. And thus tha 

 power which, as the link of their society, held all things in order, being 

 dissolved, disturbance reigned anew ; each creature returned to its 

 own nature, and pursued and preyed upon its fellow, as before. The 

 rocks and woods also started back to their former places ; and even 

 Orpheus himself was at last torn to pieces by these female furies, and 



