WISDOM OF THE AXCIENTS. 455 



remains master of the field, and has now broke, as it were, the horn of 

 his enemy, the besieged, of course, retire inglorious, affrighted, and 

 dismayed, to their stronghold, there endeavouring to secure themselves, 

 and repair their strength ; leaving, at the same time, their country a 

 prey to the conqueror, which is well expressed by the Amalthcan horn, 

 or cornucopia. 



XXVIII. THE FABLE OF DAEDALUS. 



EXPLAINED OF ARTS AND ARTISTS IN KINGDOMS AND STATES. 



THE ancients have left us a description of mechanical skill, industry, 

 and curious arts converted to ill uses, in the person of Da?dalus, 

 a most ingenious but execrable artist. This Duxlalus was banished 

 for the murder of his brother artist and rival, yet found a kind recep 

 tion in his banishment from the kings and states where he came. He 

 raised many incomparable edifices to the honour of the gods, and 

 invented many new contrivances for the beautifying and ennobling 

 of cities and public places, but still he was most famous for wicked 

 inventions. Among the rest, by his abominable industry and des 

 tructive genius he assisted in the fatal and infamous production of 

 the monster Minotaur, that devourcr of promising youths. And then, 

 to cover one mischief with another, and provide for the security of 

 this monster, he invented and built a labyrinth ; a work infamous for 

 its end and design, but admirable and prodigious for art and work 

 manship. After this, that he might not only be celebrated for wicked 

 inventions^ but be sought after, as well for prevention, as for instru 

 ments of mischief, he formed that ingenious device of his clue, which 

 led directly through all the windings of the labyrinth. This Da-dalus 

 was persecuted by Minos with the utmost severity, diligence, and 

 inquiry; but he always found refuge and means of escaping. Lastly, 

 endeavouring to teach his son Icarus the art of flying, the novice, 

 trusting too much to his wings, fell from his towering flight, and was 

 drowned in the sea. 



EXPLANATION. The sense of the fable nms thus. It first denotes 

 envy, which is continually upon the watch, and strangely prevails 

 among excellent artificers ; for no kind of people arc observed to be 

 more implacably and destructively envious to one another than these. 



In the next place, it observes an impolitic and improvident kind of 

 punishment inflicted upon D;tdalus, that of banishment ; for good 

 workmen arc gladly received everywhere, so that banishment to an 

 excellent artificer is scarce any punishment at all ; whereas other 

 conditions of life cannot easily flourish from home. For the admiration 

 of artists is propagated and increased among foreigners and strangers; 

 it being a principle in the minds of men to slight and despise tno 

 mechanical operators of their own nation. 



