WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 449 



EXPLANATION. This fable, which in its literal sense appears 

 monstrously absurd, seems to contain a state secret, and shows with 

 \vhat art kings usually carry themselves towards their council, in order 

 to preserve their own authority and majesty not only inviolate, but so 

 as to have it magnified and heightened among the people. For kings 

 commonly link themselves as it were in a nuptial bond to their council, 

 and deliberate and communicate with them after a prudent and laud 

 able custom upon matters of the greatest importance, at the same time 

 justly conceiving this no diminution of their majesty ; but when the 

 matter once ripens to a decree or order, which is a kind of birth, the 

 king then suffers the council to go on no further, lest the act should 

 seem to depend upon their pleasure. Now, therefore, the king usually 

 assumes to himself whatever was wrought, elaborated, or formed, as it 

 were, in the womb of the council (unless it be a matter of an invidious 

 nature, which he is sure to put from him), so that the decree and the 

 execution shall seem to flow from himself. And as this decree or exe 

 cution proceeds with prudence and power, so as to imply necessity, it 

 is elegantly wrapped up under the figure of Pallas armed. 



Nor are kings content to have this seem the effect of their own 

 authority, free will, and uncontrollable choice, unless they also take the 

 whole honour to themselves, and make the people imagine that all 

 good and wholesome decrees proceed entirely from their own head, 

 that is, their own sole prudence and judgment. 



XXII. THE FABLE OF ENDYMION. 



EXPLAINED OK COURT FAVOURITES. 



THE goddess Luna is said to have fallen in love with the shepherd 

 Kndymion, and to have carried on her amours with him in a new and 

 singular manner ; it being her custom, whilst he lay reposing in his 

 native cave, under Mount Latmus, to descend frequently from her 

 sphere, enjoy his company whilst he slept, and then go up to heaven 

 again. And all this while, Kndymion s fortune was no way prejudiced 

 by his unactivc and sleepy life, the goddess causing his flocks to 

 thrive, and grow so exceeding numerous, that none of the other 

 shepherds could compare with him. 



EXPLANATION. This fable seems to describe the tempers and 

 dispositions of princes, who, being thoughtful and suspicious, do not 

 easily admit to their privacies such men as arc prying, curious, and 

 vigilant, or, as it were, sleepless ; but rather such as arc of an easy, 

 obliging nature, and indulge them in their pleasures, without seeking 

 anything farther; but seeming ignorant, insensible, or, as it were, 

 lulled asleep before them. Princes usually treat such persons 



