460 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 



regarded instead of vicinity. It is certain that the Romans, at the 

 time they stretched but little beyond Liguria to the west, had by 

 their arms subdued the provinces as far as Mount Taurus to the east. 

 And thus Perseus readily undertook a very long expedition, even from 

 the east to the extremities of the west. 



The second precept is, that the cause of the war be just and honour 

 able ; for this adds alacrity both to the soldiers, and the people who find 

 the supplies ; procures aids, alliances, and numerous other conveniences. 

 Now there is no cause of war more just and laudable, than the sup 

 pression of tyranny, by which a people are dispirited, benumbed, or 

 left without life and vigour, as at the sight of Medusa. 



Lastly, it is prudently added, that as there were three of the Gor- 

 gons, who represent war, Perseus singled her out for his expedition 

 that was mortal; which affords this precept, that such kind of wars 

 should be chosen as may be brought to a conclusion, without pursuing 

 vast and infinite hopes. 



Again Perseus s setting-out is extremely well adapted to his under 

 taking, and in a manner commands success ; he received despatch 

 from Mercury, secrecy from Pluto, and foresight from Pallas. It also 

 contains an excellent allegory, that the wings given him by Mercury 

 were for his heels, not for his shoulders ; because expedition is not so 

 much required in the first preparations for war, as in the subsequent 

 matters, that administer to the first ; for there is no error more frequent 

 in war, than, after brisk preparations, to halt for subsidiary forces and 

 effective supplies. 



The allegory of Pluto s helmet, rendering men invisible and secret, 

 is sufficiently evident of itself ; but the mystery of the shield and the 

 mirror lies deeper, and denotes, that not only a prudent caution must 

 be had to defend, like the shield, but also such an address and penetra 

 tion as may discover the strength, the motions, the counsels, and 

 designs of the enemy ; like the mirror of Pallas. 



But though Perseus may now seem extremely well prepared, there 

 still remains the most important thing of all ; before he enters upon 

 the war, he must of necessity consult the Greae. These Greos are 

 treasons ; half, but degenerate sisters of the Gorgons ; who are repre 

 sentatives of wars : for wars are generous and noble: but treasons base 

 and vile. The Grerc are elegantly described as hoary-headed, and 

 like old women from their birth ; on account of the perpetual cares, 

 fears, and trepidations attending traitors. Their force, also, before it 

 breaks out into open revolt, consists either in an eye or a tooth ; for 

 all faction, alienated from a state, is both watchful and biting ; and 

 this eye and tooth are, as it were, common to all the disaffected ; be 

 cause whatever they learn and know is transmitted from one to another, 

 as by the hands of faction. And for the tooth, they all bite with the 

 same ; and clamour with one throat ; so that each of them singly ex 

 presses the multitude. 



These Greae, therefore, must be prevailed upon by Perseus to lend 

 him their eye and their tooth ; the eye to give him indications, and 

 make discoveries ; the tooth for sowing rumours, raising envy, and 





