diff --git a/data/tlg0007/tlg091/tlg0007.tlg091.perseus-eng4.xml b/data/tlg0007/tlg091/tlg0007.tlg091.perseus-eng4.xml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..08ffca3a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/tlg0007/tlg091/tlg0007.tlg091.perseus-eng4.xml @@ -0,0 +1,1421 @@ + + + + + + + Wherefore the Pythian Priestess Now Ceases to Deliver her Oracles in Verse + Plutarch + William W. Goodwin + John Philips + Perseus Project, Tufts University + Gregory Crane + + Prepared under the supervision of + Lisa Cerrato + Rashmi Singhal + Bridget Almas + + The National Endowment for the Humanities + + + Trustees of Tufts University + Medford, MA + Perseus Project + 2010-12-13 + + + + + Plutarch + Plutarch's Morals. + + Translated from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by + William W. Goodwin, PH. D. + + + Boston + Little, Brown, and Company + Cambridge + Press Of John Wilson and son + 1874 + + 3 + + The Internet Archive + + + + + + +

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+ + + + + + + + English + Greek + Latin + + + Basilocles + Philinus + + + + tagging + EpiDoc and CTS Conversion + + + + +
+ Wherefore the Pythian priestess now ceases to deliver her oracles in verse. + I. Basilocles, Philinus. + II. Philinus, Diogenianus, Theo, Serapio, Boethus, Interpreters. + +
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You have spun out the time, Philinus, + till it is late in the evening, in giving the strangers a full + sight of all the consecrated rarities; so that I am quite + tired with waiting longer for your society.

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Therefore we walked slowly along, talking + and discoursing, O Basilocles, sowing and reaping by the + way such sharp and hot disputes as offered themselves, + which sprung up anew and grew about us as we walked, + like the armed men from the Dragon's teeth of Cadmus.

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Shall we then call some of those that were + present; or wilt thou be so kind as to tell us what were + the discourses and who were the disputants?

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That, Basilocles, it must be my business to do. + For thou wilt hardly meet with any one else in the city + able to serve thee; for we saw most of the rest ascending + with the stranger up to the Corycian cave and to Lycorea.

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This same stranger is not only covetous of + seeing what may be seen, but wonderfully civil and genteel.

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He is besides a great lover of science, and + studious to learn. But these are not the only exercises + which are to be admired in him. He is a person modest, + yet facetious, smart and prudent in dispute, void of all passion and contumacies in his answers; in short, you will say + of him at first sight that he is the son of a virtuous father. + + + + For dost thou not know Diogenianus, a most excellent + person?

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I have not seen him, Philinus, but many + report several things of the young gentleman, much like + what you say. But, pray now, what was the beginning of + these discourses? Upon what occasion did they arise?

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The interpreters of the sacred mysteries + acted without any regard to us, who desired them to contract their relation into as few words as might be, and to + pass by the most part of the inscriptions. But the stranger + was but indifferently taken with the form and workmanship + of the statues, being one, as it appeared, who had already + been a spectator of many rare pieces of curiosity. He + admired the beautiful color of the brass, not foul and rusty, + but shining with a tincture of blue. What, said he, was + it any certain mixture and composition of the ancient + artists in brass, like the famous art of giving a keen edge + to swords, without which brass could not be used in war? + For Corinthian brass received its lustre not from art, but by + chance, when a fire had devoured some house wherein + there was both gold and silver, but of brass the greater + plenty; which, being intermixed and melted into one mass, + derives its name from the brass, of which there was the + greater quantity. Then Theo interposing said: But we + have heard another more remarkable reason than this; + how an artist in brass at Corinth, happening upon a chest + full of gold, and fearing to have it divulged, cut the gold + into small pieces, and mixed it by degrees with the brass, + till he found the more noble metal gave a more than usual + lustre to the baser, and so transformed it that he sold at a + great rate the unknown mixture, that was highly admired + for its beauty and color. But I believe both the one and + the other to be fabulous; for by all likelihood this Corinthian brass was a certain mixture and temperature of + metals, prepared by art; just as at this day artisans temper + + + + gold and silver together, and make a peculiar and wonderful pale yellow metal; howbeit, in my eye it is of a + sickly color and a corrupt hue, without any beauty in the + world.

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What then, said Diogenianus, do you believe to be + the cause of this extraordinary color in the brass? And + Theo replied: Seeing that of those first and most natural + elements, which are and ever will be,—that is to say, fire, + air, earth, and water,—there is none that approaches so + near to brass or that so closely environs it as air alone, we + have most reason to believe that the air occasions it, and + that from thence proceeds the difference which brass displays + from other metals Or did you know this even before + Theognis was born, as the comic poet intimates; but would + you know by what natural quality or by what virtual power + this same air thus colors the brass, being touched and surrounded by it? Yes, said Diogenianus; and so would I, + dear son, replied the worthy Theo. First then let us endeavor, altogether with submission to your good pleasure, + said the first propounder, to find out the reason wherefore + of all moistures oil covers brass with rust. For it cannot + be imagined that oil of itself causes that defilement, if + when first laid on it is clean and pure. By no means, said + the young gentleman, in regard the effect seems to proceed + from another cause; for the rust appears through the oil, + which is thin, pure, and transparent, whereas it is clouded + by other more thick and muddy liquors, and so is not able + to show itself. It is well said, son, replied the other, and + truly; but hear, however, and then consider the reason + which Aristotle produces. I am ready, returned the young + gentleman. He says then, answered the other, that the + rust insensibly penetrates and dilates itself through other + liquids, as being of parts unequal, and of a thin substance; + but that it grows to a consistency, and is, as it were, incorporated by the more dense substance of the oil. Now if + + + + we could but suppose how this might be done, we should + not want a charm to lull this doubt asleep.

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When we had made our acknowledgment that he had + spoken truth, and besought him to proceed, he told us + that the air of the city of Delphi is heavy, compacted, + thick, and forcible, by reason of the reflection and resistency of the adjacent mountains, and besides that, is sharp + and cutting (as appears by the eager stomachs and swift + digestion of the inhabitants); and that this air, entering + and penetrating the brass by its keenness, fetches forth + from the body of the brass much rust and earthy matter, + which afterwards it stops and coagulates by its own density, + ere it can get forth; by which means the rust abounding + in quantity gives that peculiar grain and lustre to the superficies. When we approved this argument, the stranger + declared his opinion, that it needed no more than one of + those suppositions to clear the doubt; for, said he, that + tenuity or subtilty seems to be in some measure contrary + to that thickness supposed to be in the air, and therefore + there is no reason to suppose it; for the brass, as it grows + old, of itself exhales and sends forth that rust, which afterwards, being stopped and fixed by the thickness of the air, + becomes apparent by reason of its quantity. Then Theo + replied: and what hinders but that the same thing may + be thick and thin both together, like the woofs of silk or + fine linen?—of which Homer says: + + + + Thin was the stuff, + + Yet liquid oil ran o'er the tissued woof, + Odyss. VII. 107. + + + +

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intimating the extreme fineness of the texture, yet so close + woven that it could not suffer oil to pass through it. In + like manner may we make use of the subtilty of the air, + not only to scour the brass and fetch the rust out of it, but + also to render the color more pleasing and more azure-like, + by intermixing light and splendor amidst the blue.

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This said, after short silence, the guides began again + to cite certain words of an ancient oracle in verse, which, + as it seemed to me, pointed at the sovereignty of Aegon + king of Argos. I have often wondered, said Diogenianus, + at the meanness and ill-contrived hobbling of the verses + which conveyed the ancient oracles into the world. And + yet Apollo is called the chief of the Muses; whom it + therefore behooved to take no less care of elegancy and + beauty in style and language, than of the voice and manner of singing. Besides, he must needs be thought to + surpass in a high degree either Homer or Hesiod in poetic + skill. Nevertheless we find several of the oracles lame + and erroneous, as well in reference to the measure as to + the words. Upon which the poet Serapio, newly come + from Athens, being then in company, said: If we believe + that those verses were composed by Apollo, can we acknowledge what you allege, that they come short of the + beauty and elegancy which adorn the writings of Homer + and Hesiod; and shall we not make use of them as examples of neatness and curiosity, correcting our judgment + anticipated and forestalled by evil custom? To whom + Boethus the geometer (the person who you know has + lately gone over to the camp of Epicurus) said: Have you + not heard the story of Pauson the painter? Not I, replied + Serapio. It is worth your attention, answered Boethus. + He, having contracted to paint a horse wallowing upon + his back, drew the horse galloping at full speed; at which + when the person that had agreed with him seemed to be + not a little displeased, Pauson fell a laughing, and turned + the picture upside downward; by which means the posture was quite altered, and the horse that seemed to run + before lay tumbling now upon the ground. This (as Bion + says) frequently happens to propositions, when they are + once inverted; for some will deny the oracles to be elegant, + because they come from Apollo; others will deny Apollo + + + + to be the author, because of their rude and shapeless composure. For the one is dubious and uncertain; but this + is manifest, that the verses wherein the oracles are generally delivered are no way laboriously studied. Nor can I + appeal to a better judge than yourself, whose compositions + and poems are not only written so gravely and philosophically, but, for invention and elegance, more like to those + of Homer and Hesiod than the homely Pythian raptures.

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To whom Serapio: We labor, Boethus, said he, under the distempered senses both of sight and hearing, + being accustomed through niceness and delicacy to esteem + and call that elegant which most delights; and perhaps we + may find fault with the Pythian priestess because she does + not warble so charmingly as the fair lyric songstress + Glauca, or else because she does not perfume herself with + precious odors or appear in rich and gaudy habit. And + some may mislike her because she burns for incense rather + barley-meal and laurel than frankincense, ladanon, and + cinnamon. Do you not see, some one will say, what a + grace there is in Sappho's measures, and how they delight + and tickle the ears and fancies of the hearers? Whereas + the Sibyl with her frantic grimaces, as Heraclitus says, + uttering sentences altogether thoughtful and serious, neither + bespiced nor perfumed, continues her voice a thousand + years by the favor of the Deity that speaks within her. + Pindar therefore tells us that Cadmus heard from heaven a + sort of music that was neither lofty nor soft, nor shattered + into trills and divisions; for severe holiness will not admit + the allurements of pleasure, that was for the most part + thrown into the world and flowed (as it appears) into the + ears of men at the same time with the Goddess of mischief.

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Serapio thus concluding, Theo with a smile proceeded. + Serapio, said he, has not forgot his wonted custom of + taking an opportunity to discourse of pleasure. But we, + + + + Boethus, believe not these prophetic verses to be the compositions of Apollo, if they are worse than Homer's; but + we believe that he supplied the principle of motion, and + that every one of the prophetesses was disposed to receive + his inspiration. For if the oracles were to be set down in + writing, not verbally to be pronounced, surely we should + not find fault with the hand, taking it to be Apollo's, because the letters were not so fairly written as in the epistles + of kings. For neither the voice, nor the sound, nor the + word, nor the metre proceeds from the God, but from the + woman. God only presents the visions, and kindles in + the soul a light to discover future events; which is called + divine inspiration. But in short, I find it is a hard matter + to escape the hands of Epicurus's priests (of which number I perceive you are), since you reprove the ancient + priestesses for making bad verses, and the modern prophetesses for delivering the oracles in prose and vulgar language, which they do that they may escape being by you + called to an account for their lame and mistaken verses. + But then, Diogenianus, I beseech you, said he, in the name + of all the Gods, be serious with us; unriddle this question, + and explain this mystery unto us, which is now grown + almost epidemical. For indeed there is hardly any person + that does not with an extreme curiosity search after the + reason wherefore the Pythian oracle has ceased to make + use of numbers and verse. Hold, son, said Theo, we shall + disoblige our historical directors by taking their province + out of their hands. First suffer them to make an end, + and then at leisure we will go on with what you please.

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Thus walking along, we were by this time got as + far as the statue of Hiero the tyrant, while the stranger, + although a most learned historian, yet out of his complaisant and affable disposition, attentively leaned to the present relations. But then, among other things, hearing how + that one of the brazen pillars that supported the said statue + + + + of Hiero fell of itself the same day that the tyrant died + at Syracuse, he began to admire the accident. Thereupon + at the same time I called to mind several other examples + of the like nature: as that of Hiero the Spartan, the eyes + of whose statue fell out of its head just before he was + slain at the battle of Leuctra;—how the two stars vanished which Lysander offered and consecrated to the Gods + after the naval engagement near Aegos Potami, and how + there sprung of a sudden from his statue of stone such a + multitude of thorny bushes and weeds as covered all his + face;—how, when those calamities and misfortunes befell + the Athenians in Sicily, the golden dates dropped from the + palm-tree, and the ravens with their beaks pecked holes + in the shield of Pallas;—how the crown of the Cnidians + which Philomelus, the tyrant of the Phocians, gave Pharsalia, a female dancer, was the occasion of her death; for, + passing out of Greece into Italy, one day as she was playing and dancing in the temple of Apollo in the city of + Metapontum, having that crown upon her head, the young + men of the place falling upon her, and fighting one among + another for lucre of the gold, tore the damsel in pieces. + Now, though Aristotle was wont to say that only Homer + composed names and terms that had motion, by reason of + the vigor and vivacity of his expressions, for my part I am + apt to believe that the offerings made in this city of statues + and consecrated presents sympathize with Divine Providence, and move themselves jointly therewith to foretell + and signify future events; and that no part of all those + sacred donatives is void of sense, but that every part is + full of the Deity.

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It is very probable, answered Boethus; for, to tell you + truth, we do not think it sufficient to enclose the Divinity every month in a mortal body, unless we incorporate + him with every stone and lump of brass; as if Fortune and + Chance were not sufficient artists to bring about such accidents + + + + and events. Say ye so then? said I. Seems it to you + that these things happen accidentally and by hap-hazard; + and is it likely that your atoms never separate, never move + or incline this or that way either before or after, but just in + that nick of time when some one of those who have made + these offerings is to fare either better or worse? Shall + Epicurus avail thee by his writings and his sayings, which + he wrote and uttered above three hundred years ago, and + shall the Deity, unless he crowd himself into all substances + and blend himself with all things, not be allowed to be a + competent author of the principles of motion and affection?

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This was the reply I made Boethus, and the same + answer I gave him touching the Sibyl's verses; for when + we drew near that part of the rock which joins to the + senate-house, which by common fame was the seat of + the first Sibyl that came to Delphi from Helicon, where + she was bred by the Muses (though others affirm that she + fixed herself at Maleo, and that she was the daughter of + Lamia, the daughter of Neptune), Serapio made mention + of certain verses of hers, wherein she had extolled herself + as one that should never cease to prophesy even after her + death; for that after her decease she should make her + abode in the orb of the moon, being metamorphosed into + the face of that planet; that her voice and prognostications + should be always heard in the air, intermixed with the + winds and by them driven about from place to place; and + that from her body should spring various plants, herbs, + and fruits to feed the sacred victims, which should have + sundry forms and qualities in their entrails, whereby men + would be able to foretell all manner of events to come. + At this Boethus laughed outright; but the stranger replied that, though the Sibyl's vain-glory seemed altogether + fabulous, yet the subversions of several Grecian cities, + transmigrations of the inhabitants, several invasions of + barbarian armies, the destructions of kingdoms and principalities, + + + + testified the truth of ancient prophecies and + predictions. And were not those accidents that fell out + not many years ago in our memories at Cumae and Puteoli, said he, long before that time the predictions and + promises of the Sibyl, which Time, as a debtor, afterwards + discharged and paid? Such were the breaking forth of + kindled fire from the sulphuric wombs of mountains, boiling of the sea, cities so swallowed up as not to leave behind the least footsteps of the ruins where they stood; + things hard to be believed, much harder to be foretold, + unless by Divine foresight.

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Then Boethus said: I would fain know what accidents fall out which time does not owe at length to Nature. + What so prodigious or unlooked for, either by land or sea, + either in respect of cities or men, which, if it be foretold, + may not naturally come to pass at one season or other, in + process of time? So that such a prophecy, to speak properly, cannot be called a prediction, but a bare speech or + report, or rather a scattering or sowing of words in boundless infinity that have no probability or foundation; which, + as they rove and wander in the air, Fortune accidentally + meets, and musters together by chance, to correspond and + agree with some event. For, in my opinion, there is a + great difference between the coming to pass of what has + been said and the saying of what shall happen. For the + discourse of things that are not, being already in itself + erroneous and faulty, cannot, in justice, claim the honor + of after-credit from a fortuitous accident. Nor is it a true + sign that the prophet foretells of his certain knowledge, + because what he spoke happened to come to pass; in regard there are an infinite number of accidents, that fall in + the course of nature, suitable to all events. He therefore + that conjectures best, and whom the common proverb avers + to be the exactest diviner, is he who finds out what shall + happen hereafter, by tracing the footsteps of future probabilities. + + + + Whereas these Sibyls and enthusiastic wizards + have only thrown into the capacious abyss of time, as into + a vast and boundless ocean, whole heaps of words and + sentences, comprehending all sorts of accidents and events, + which, though some perchance may come to pass, were + yet false when uttered, though afterwards by chance they + may happen to be true.

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Boethus having thus discoursed, Serapio replied, + that Boethus had rightly and judiciously argued in reference to cursory predictions uttered not determinately and + without good ground. One fairly guessed that such a + captain should get the victory, and he won the field; another cried that such things portended the subversion of + such a city, and it was laid in ashes. But when the person does not only foretell the event, but how and when, by + what means, and by whom it shall come to pass, this is no + hazardous conjecture, but an absolute demonstration, and + pre-inspired discovery of what shall come to pass hereafter, and that too by the determined decree of fate, long + before it comes to pass. For example, to instance the + halting of Agesilaus, + + + + Sparta, beware, though thou art fierce and proud, + + Lest a lame king thy ancient glories cloud; + + For then 'twill be thy fate to undergo + + Tedious turmoils of war, and sudden woe; + + +

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together with what was prophesied concerning the island + which the sea threw up right against Thera and Therasia; + as also the prediction of the war between King Philip and + the Romans, + + + + When Trojan race shall tame Phoenicians bold, + + Prodigious wonders shall the world behold; + + From burning seas shall flames immense ascend; + + Lightning and whirlwinds hideous rocks shall rend + + From their foundations, and an island rear, + + Dreadful to sight and terrible to hear. + + In vain shall greater strength and valor then + + Withstand the contemned force of weaker men. + + +

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Soon after this island shot up out of the ocean, surrounded with flames and boiling surges; and then it was + that Hannibal was overthrown, and the Carthaginians + were subdued by the distressed and almost ruined Romans, and that the Aetolians, assisted by the Romans, vanquished Philip King of Macedon. So that it is never to + be imagined that these things were the effects of negligent + and careless chance; besides, the series and train of events + ensuing the prodigy clearly demonstrate the foreknowledge of a prophetic spirit. The same may be said of the + prophecy made five hundred years beforehand to the Romans of the time when they should be engaged in war + with all the world at once; which happened when their + own slaves made war upon their masters. In all this + there was nothing of conjecture, nothing of blind uncertainty, nor is there any occasion to grope into the vast + obscurity of chance for the reason of these events; but + we have many pledges of experience, that plainly demonstrate the beaten path by which destiny proceeds. For + certainly there is no man who will believe that ever those + events answered accidentally the several circumstances of + the prediction; otherwise we may as well say that Epicurus himself never wrote his book of dogmatic precepts, + but that the work was perfected by the accidental meeting + and interchange of the letters, one among another.

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Thus discoursing, we kept on our walk; but when + we came into the Corinthian Hall and observed the brazen + palm-tree, the only remainder left of all the consecrated + donatives, Diogenianus wondered to observe several figures of frogs and water-snakes, all in cast work about + the root of the tree. Nor were we less at a stand, well + knowing the palm to be no tree that grows by the water + or delights in moist or fenny places; neither do frogs at + all concern or belong to the Corinthians, either by way of + emblem or religious ceremony, or as the city arms; as the + + + + Selinuntines formerly offered to their Gods parsley or + smallage (selinon) of goldsmith's work and of the choicest + yellow metal: and the inhabitants of Tenedos always kept + in their temple a consecrated axe, a fancy taken from their + esteem of the crab-fish that breed in that island near the + promontory of Asterium, they being the only crabs that + carry the figure of an axe upon the upper part of their + shells. For as for Apollo, we were of opinion that crows, + swans, wolves, sparrow-hawks, or any other sort of creature, would be more acceptable to him than despicable + animals. To this Serapio replied, that sure the workman + thereby designed to show that the Sun was nourished by + moisture and exhalations; whether it was that he thought + at that time of that verse in Homer, + + + + The rising Sun then causing day to break, + + Quits the cool pleasure of the oozy lake, + Odyss. III. 1. + + +

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or whether he had seen how the Egyptians, to represent + sunrise, paint a little boy sitting upon a lotus. Thereupon, not able to refrain laughing, What, said I, are you + going about to obtrude your stoicisms again upon us; or + do you think to slide insensibly into our discourse your + exhalations and fiery prodigies? What is this but, like + the Thessalian women, to call down the Sun and Moon + by enchantments from the skies, while you derive their + original from the earth and water?

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Therefore Plato will have a man to be a heavenly tree, + growing with his root, which is his head, upward. But + you deride Empedocles for affirming that the Sun, being + illumined by the reflection of the celestial light, with an + intrepid countenance casts a radiant lustre back upon the + convex of heaven; while you yourselves make the Sun to + be a mere terrestrial animal or water plant, confining him + to ponds, lakes, and such like regions of frogs. But let + us refer these things to the tragical monstrosity of Stoical + + + + opinions, and now make some particular reflections touching the extravagant pieces of certain artificers, who, as + they are ingenious and elegant in some things, so are no + less weakly curious and ambitious in others of their inventions; like him who, designing to signify the dawn of + day-light or the hours of sunrise, painted a cock upon the + hand of Apollo. And thus may these frogs be thought to + have been designed by the artist to denote the spring, + when the Sun begins to exercise his power in the air and + to dissolve the winter congealments; at least, if we may + believe, as you yourselves affirm, that Apollo and the Sun + are both one God, and not two distinct Deities. Why, + said Serapio, do you think the Sun and Apollo differ the + one from the other? Yes, said I, as the Moon differs + from the Sun. Nay, the difference is somewhat greater. + For the Moon neither very often nor from all the world + conceals the Sun; but the Sun is the cause that all men + are ignorant of Apollo, by sense withdrawing the rational + intellect from that which is to that which appears.

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After this, Serapio put the question to the Historical Directors, why that same hall did not bear the name + of Cypselus, who was both the founder and the consecrator, but was called the Corinthians' Hall? When all the + rest were silent, because perhaps they knew not what to + say; How can we imagine, said I with a smile, that these + people should either know or remember the reason, having + been so amused and thunderstruck by your high-flown + discourses of prodigies altogether supernatural? However we have heard it reported, when the monarchical + government of Corinth was dissolved by the ruin of Cypselus, the Corinthians claimed the honor to own both the + golden statue at Pisa, and the treasure that lay in that + place; which was also by the Delphians decreed to be + their just right. This glory being envied them by the + Eleans, they were by a decree of the Corinthians utterly + + + + excluded from the solemnities of the Isthmian games. + This is the true reason, that never since any person of the + country of Elis was admitted to any trial of skill at those + festivals. For as for that murder of the Molionidae, slain + by Hercules near Cleonae, that was not the reason where + fore Eleans were excluded, as some have vainly alleged; + for on the contrary it had been more proper for the Eleans + themselves to have excluded the Corinthians from the + Olympic games, had they any animosity against them on + this account. And this is all that I have to say in reference to this matter.

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But when we came into the treasury of the Acanthians and Brasidas, the director showed us the place + where formerly stood the obelisks dedicated to the memory + of the courtesan Rhodopis. Then Diogenianus in a kind + of passion said: It was no less ignominy for this city to + allow Rhodopis a place wherein to deposit the tenth of her + gains got by the prostitution of her body, than to put + Aesop her fellow-servant to death. But why should you + be offended at this, said Serapio, when you have but to + cast up your eye, and you may yonder behold the golden + statue of Mnesarete standing between kings and emperors, + which Crates averred to be a trophy of the Grecian intemperance? The young man observed the statue, and + said: But it was Phryne of whom Crates uttered that expression. That is very true, replied Serapio; for her + propel name was Mnesarete; but Phryne was a nickname, + given her by reason of the yellowness of her complexion, + like the color of a toad that lies among moist and overgrown bushes, called in Greek φρύτη. For many times it + happens that nicknames eclipse and drown the proper + names both of men and women. Thus the mother of + Alexander, whose true name was Polyxena, was afterwards + called Myrtale, then Olympias, and Stratonice; Eumetis the + Corinthian was afterwards called from her father's name + + + + Cleobule; and Herophyle of the city of Erythraea, skilful + in divination, was called Sibylla. And the grammarians + will tell you that Leda herself was first called Mnesionoe, + and Orestes Achaeus. But how, said he, looking upon + Theo, can you answer this complaint concerning Phryne, + for being placed in so much state above her quality?

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In the same manner, and as easily, replied Serapio, + as I may charge and accuse yourself for reproaching the + slightest faults among the Greeks. For as Socrates reprehended Callias for being always at enmity with perfumes + and precious odors, while yet he could endure to see boys + and girls dance and tumble together, and to be a spectator + of the lascivious gestures of wanton mummers and merryandrews; so, in my opinion, it is with you that envy the + standing of a woman's statue in the temple, because she + made ill use of her beauty. Yet, though you see Apollo + surrounded with the first-fruits and tenths of murders, + wars, and plunder, and all the temple full of spoils and + pillage taken from the Greeks, these things never move + your indignation; you never commiserate your countrymen, + when you read engraved upon these gaudy donatives such + doleful inscriptions as these,—Brasidas and the Acanthians dedicate these spoils taken from Athenians,—the + Athenians these from the Corinthians,—the Phocians + these from the Thessalians,—the Orneatae these from the + Sicyonians,—the Amphictyons these from the Phocians. + Now if it is true that Praxiteles offended Crates by erecting + a statue in honor of his mistress, in my opinion Crates + rather ought to have commended him for placing among + the golden monuments of kings and princes the statue of + a courtesan, thereby showing a contempt and scorn of + riches, to which there is nothing of grandeur or veneration + due; for it becomes princes and kings to consecrate to + the God the lasting monuments of justice, temperance, + magnanimity, not of golden and superfluous opulency, + + + + which are as frequently erected to the most flagitious of + men.

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+

But you forgot, said one of the directors, that Croesus honored the woman that baked his bread with a golden + statue, which he caused to be set up in this place, not to + make a show of royal superfluity, but upon a just and + honest occasion of gratitude, which happened thus. It is + reported that Alyattes, the father of Croesus, married a + second wife, by whom he had other children. This same + step-dame, therefore, designing to remove Croesus out of + the way, gave the woman-baker a dose of poison, with a + strict charge to put it in the bread which she made for the + young prince. Of this the woman privately informed + Croesus, and gave the poisoned bread to the queen's children. By which means Croesus quietly succeeded his + father; when he did no less than acknowledge the fidelity + of the woman by making even the God himself a testimony + of his gratitude, wherein he did like a worthy and virtuous + prince. And therefore it is but fitting that we should extol, admire, and honor the magnificent presents and offerings consecrated by several cities upon such occasions, like + that of the Opuntines. For when the tyrants of Phocis + had broken to pieces, melted down, and coined into money + the most precious of their sacred donatives, which they + spent as profusely in the neighboring parts, the Opuntines + made it their business to buy up all the plundered metal, + wherever they could meet with it; and putting it up into + a vessel made on purpose, they sent it as an offering to + Apollo. And, for my part, I cannot but highly applaud + the inhabitants of Myrina and Apollonia, who sent hither + the first-fruits of their harvests in sheaves of gold; but + much more the Eretrians and Magnesians, who dedicated + to our God the first-fruits of their men, not only acknowledging that from him all the fruits of the earth proceeded, + but that he was also the giver of children, as being the + + + + author of generation and a lover of mankind. But I blame + the Megarians, for that they alone erected here a statue of + our God holding. a spear in his hand, in memory of the + battle which they won from the Athenians, whom they vanquished after the defeat of the Medes, and expelled their + city, of which they were masters before. However, afterwards they presented a golden plectrum to Apollo, remembering perhaps those verses of Scythinus, who thus wrote + of the harp: + + + + This was the harp which Jove's most beauteous son + + Framed by celestial skill to play upon; + + And for his plectrum the Sun's beams he used, + + To strike those cords that mortal ears amused. + + + +

+
+
+

Now as Serapio was about to have added something + of the same nature, the stranger, taking the words out of + his mouth, said: I am wonderfully pleased to hear discourses upon such subjects as these; but I am constrained + to claim your first promise, to tell me the reason wherefore + now the Pythian prophetess no longer delivers her oracles + in poetic numbers and measures. And therefore, if you + please, we will surcease the remaining sight of these curiosities, choosing rather to sit a while and discourse the + matter among ourselves. For it seems to be an assertion + strangely repugnant to the belief and credit of the oracle, + in regard that of necessity one of these two things must + be true, either that the Pythian prophetess does not approach the place where the deity makes his abode, or that + the sacred vapor that inspired her is utterly extinct, and + its efficacy lost. Walking therefore to the south side of + the temple, we took our seats within the portico, over + against the temple of Tellus, having from thence a prospect of the Castalian fountain; insomuch that Boethus + presently told us that the very place itself favored the + stranger's question. For formerly there stood a temple + dedicated to the Muses, close by the source of the rivulet, + + + + whence they drew their water for the sacrifices, according + to that of Simonides: + + + + There flows the spring, whose limpid stream supplies + + The fair-haired Muses water for their hands, + + Before they touch the hallowed sacrifice. + + +

+

And the said Simonides a little lower calls Clio somewhat + more curiously + + + + The chaste inspectress of those sacred wells, + + Whose fragrant water all her cisterns fills; + + Water, through dark ambrosial nooks conveyed, + + By which Castalian rivulets are fed. + + + +

+

And therefore Eudoxus erroneously gave credit to those + that gave the epithet of Stygian to this water, near which + the wiser sort placed the temple of the Muses, as guardians + of the springs and assistants to prophecy; as also the + temple of Tellus, to which the oracle appertained, and + where the answers were delivered in verses and songs. + And here it was, as some report, that first a certain heroic + verse was heard to this effect: + + + + Ye birds, bring hither all your plumes; + + Ye bees, bring all your wax; + + +

+

which related to the time that the oracle, forsaken by the + Deity, lost its veneration.

+
+
+

These things, then said Serapio, seem to belong of + right to the Muses, as being their particular province; for + it becomes us not to fight against the gods, nor with divination to abolish providence and divinity, but to search for + convincement to refel repugnant arguments; and, in the + mean time, not to abandon that religious belief and persuasion which has been so long propagated among us, + from father to son, for so many generations.

+

You say very right, said I, Serapio; for we do not as + yet despair of philosophy or give it over for lost, because, + although formerly the ancient philosophers published their + precepts and sentences in verse,—as did Orpheus, Hesiod, + Parmenides, Xenophanes, Empedocles, and Thales,—yet + + + + that custom has been lately laid aside by all others except + yourself. For you indeed once more have arrayed philosophy in poetic numbers, on purpose to render it more + sprightly, more charming, and delightful to youth. Nor is + astrology as yet become more ignoble or less valued, because Aristarchus, Timochares, Aristillus, and Hipparchus + have written in prose, though formerly Eudoxus, Hesiod, + and Thales wrote of that science in verse; at least if that + astrology was the legitimate offspring of Thales which + goes under his name. Pindar also acknowledges his dissatisfaction touching the manner of melody neglected in + this time, and wonders why it should be so despised. + Neither is it a thing that looks like hurtful or absurd, to + enquire into the causes of these alterations. But to destroy the arts and faculties themselves because they have + undergone some certain mutations, is neither just nor + rational.

+
+
+

Upon which Theo interposing said: It cannot be + denied but that there have been great changes and innovations in reference to poetry and the sciences; yet is it as + certain, that from all antiquity oracles have been delivered + in prose. For we find in Thucydides, that the Lacedaemonians, desirous to know the issue of the war then entered + into against the Athenians, were answered in prose, that + they should become potent and victorious, and that the + Deity would assist them, whether invoked or not invoked; + and again, that unless they recalled Pausanias, they would + plough with a silver ploughshare.See Thucydides, I. 118; V. 16. To the Athenians + consulting the oracle concerning their expedition into + Sicily, he gave order to send for the priestess of Minerva + from the city of Erythrae; which priestess went by the + name of Hesychia, or repose. And when Dinomenes + the Sicilian enquired what should become of his children, + the oracle returned for answer, that they should all three + + + + be lords and princes. And when Dinomenes. replied, + But then, most powerful Apollo, let it be to their confusion; the God made answer, That also I both grant and + promise. The consequence of which was, that Gelo was + troubled with the dropsy during his reign, Hiero was + afflicted with the stone, and the third, Thrasybulus, surrounded with war and sedition, was in a short time expelled his dominions. Procles also, the tyrant of Epidaurus, + after he had cruelly and tyrannically murdered several + others, put Timarchus likewise to death, who fled to him + for protection from Athens with a great sum of money,—after he had pledged him his faith and received him at + his first arrival with large demonstrations of kindness + and affection,—and then threw his carcass into the sea, + enclosed in a pannier. All this he did by the persuasion + of one Cleander of Aegina, no other of his courtiers being + privy to it. After which, meeting with no small trouble + and misfortune in all his affairs, he sent to the oracle his + brother Cleotimus, with orders to enquire whether he + should provide for his safety by flight, or retire to some + other place. Apollo made answer, that he advised Procles + to fly where he had directed his Aeginetan guest to dispose + of the pannier, or where the hart had cast his horns. + Upon which the tyrant, understanding that the oracle + commanded him either to throw himself into the sea or to + bury himself in the earth (in regard that a stag, when he + sheds his antlers, scrapes a hole in the ground and hides + his ignominy), demurred a while; but at length, seeing the + condition of his affairs grew every day worse and worse, + he resolved to save himself by flight; at which time the + friends of Timarchus, having seized upon his person, slew + him and threw his body into the sea. But what is more + than all this, the oracular answers according to which + Lycurgus composed the form of the Lacedaemonian commonwealth were given in prose. Besides, Alyrius, Herodotus, + + + + Philochorus and Ister, than whom no men have been + more diligent to collect the answers of the oracles, among + the many which they cite in verse, quote several also in + prose. And Theopompus, the most diligent that ever + made scrutiny into oracular history, sharply reprehends + those who believed the Pythian oracles were not delivered + in verse at that time; and yet, when he labors to prove + his assertion, he is able to produce but very few, because + doubtless the rest even then were uttered in prose.

+
+
+

Yet there are some that now at this day run in + verse; one of which has become notorious above the rest. + There is in Phocis a temple consecrated to Hercules the + woman-hater, the chief priest of which is forbid by the law + and custom of the place to have private familiarity with his + wife during the year that he officiates; for which reason + they most commonly make choice of old men to perform + that function. Nevertheless, some time since a young + man, no way vicious and covetous of honor, yet doting + upon a new married wife, took upon him the dignity. At first + he was very chaste and temperate, and abstained from the + woman; but soon after, the young lady coming to give him + a visit as he was laid down to rest himself after a brisk + dancing and drinking bout, he could not resist the charming temptation. But then, coming to himself and remembering what he had done, perplexed and terrified, he fled to + the oracle to consult Apollo upon the crime which he had + committed; who returned him this answer, + + All things necessary God permitteth. +

+

But should we grant that in our age no oracles are delivered in verse, we should be still doubtful about the ancient + times, when the oracles were delivered sometime in verse + sometime in prose. Though, whether it be in prose or + verse, the oracle is never a whit the falser or the more + miraculous, so that we have but a true and religious opinion + + + + of the Deity; not irreverently conceiting that formerly + he composed a stock of verses to be now repeated by the + prophetess, as if he spoke through masks and visors.

+
+
+

But these things require a more prolix discourse + and a stricter examination, to be deferred till another time. + For the present, therefore, let us only call to mind thus + much, that the body makes use of several instruments, and + the soul employs the body and its members; the soul be + ing the organ of God. Now the perfection of the organ + is to imitate the thing that makes use of it, so far as it is + capable, and to exhibit the operation of its thought, according to the best of its own power; since it cannot show it + as it is in the divine operator himself,—neat, without any + affection, fault, or error whatsoever,—but imperfect and + mixed. For of itself, the thing is to us altogether unknown, + till it is infused by another and appears to us as fully partaking of the nature of that other. I forbear to mention + gold or silver, brass or wax, or whatever other substances + are capable to receive the form of an imprinted resemblance. For true it is, they all admit the impression; but + still one adds one distinction, another another, to the imitation arising from their presentation itself; as we may readily perceive in mirrors, both plane, concave, and convex, + infinite varieties of representations and faces from one and + the same original; there being no end of that diversity.

+

But there is no mirror that more exactly represents any + shape or form, nor any instrument that yields more obsequiously to the use of Nature, than the Moon herself. And + yet she, receiving from the Sun his masculine splendor and + fiery light, does not transmit the same to us; but when it + intermixes with her pellucid substance, it changes color + and loses its power. For warmth and heat abandon the + pale planet, and her light grows dim before it can reach + our sight. And this is that which, in my opinion, Heraclitus seems to have meant, when he said that the prince + + + + who rules the oracle of Delphi neither speaks out nor conceals, but signifies. Add then to these things thus rightly + spoken this farther consideration, that the Deity makes use + of the Pythian prophetess, so far as concerns her sight and + hearing, as the Sun makes use of the Moon; for he makes + use of a mortal body and an immortal soul as the organs of + prediction. Now the body lies dull and immovable of + itself; but the soul being restless, when once the soul begins to be in motion, the body likewise stirs, not able to + resist the violent agitation of the nimbler spirit, while it is + shaken and tossed as in a stormy sea by the tempestuous + passions that ruffle within it. For as the whirling of bodies + that merely move circularly is nothing violent, but when + they move round by force and tend downward by nature, + there results from both a confused and irregular circumrotation; thus that divine rapture which is called enthusiasm + is a commixture of two motions, wherewith the soul is + agitated, the one extrinsic, as by inspiration, the other by + nature. For, seeing that as to inanimate bodies, which + always remain in the same condition, it is impossible by + preternatural violence to offer a force which is contrary to + their nature and intended use, as to move a cylinder spherically or cubically, or to make a lyre sound like a flute, or + a trumpet like a harp; how is it possible to manage an + animate body, that moves of itself, that is indued with + reason, will, and inclination, otherwise than according to its + pre-existent reason, power, or nature; as (for example) to + incline to music a person altogether ignorant and an utter + enemy to music, or to make a grammarian of one that never + knew his letters, or to make him speak like a learned man + that never understood the least tittle of any science in the + world?

+
+
+

For proof of this I may call Homer for my witness, + who affirms that there is nothing done or brought to perfection of which God is not the cause, supposing that God + + + + makes use not of all men for all things alike, but of every + man according to his ability either of art or nature. Thus, + dost thou not find it to be true, friend Diogenianus, that + when Minerva would persuade the Greeks to undertake + any enterprise, she brings Ulysses upon the stage?—when + she designs to break the truce, she finds out Pandarus?—when she designs a rout of the Trojans, she addresses herself to Diomede? For the one was stout of body and valiant; + the other was a good archer, but without brains; the other + a shrewd politician and eloquent. For Homer was not of + the same opinion with Pindar, at least if it was Pindar that + made the following verses: + + + + Were it the will of Heaven, an ozier bough + + Were vessel safe enough the seas to plough. + + Θεοῦ θέλοντος, κἀν ἐπὶ ῥιπὸς πλέοις. + + +

+

For he well knew that there were different abilities and + natures designed for different effects, every one of which is + qualified with different motions, though there be but one + moving cause that gives motion to all. So that the same + virtual power which moves the creature that goes upon all + four cannot cause it to fly, no more than he that stammers + can speak fluently and eloquently, or he that has a feeble + squeaking voice can give a loud hollow. Therefore in my + opinion it was that Battus, when he consulted the oracle, + was sent into Africa, there to build a new city, as being a + person who, although he lisped and stammered, had nevertheless endowments truly royal, which rendered him fit for + sovereign government. In like manner it is impossible the + Pythian priestess should learn to speak learnedly and elegantly; for, though it cannot be denied but that her parentage was virtuous and honest, and that she always lived a + sober and a chaste life, yet her education was among poor + laboring people; so that she was advanced to the oracular + seat rude and unpolished, void of all the advantages of art + or experience. For as it is the opinion of Xenophon, that + + + + a virgin ready to be espoused ought to be carried to the + bridegroom's house when she has seen and heard as little + as possible; so the Pythian priestess ought to converse + with Apollo, illiterate and ignorant almost of every thing, + still approaching his presence with a truly and pure virgin + soul.

+

But it is a strange fancy of men; they believe that the + God makes use of herons, wrens, and crows to signify future + events, expressing himself according to their vulgar notes, + but do not expect of these birds, although they are the + messengers and ambassadors of the God, to deliver their + predictions in words clear and intelligible; but they will + not allow the Pythian priestess to pronounce her answers + in plain, sincere, and natural expressions, but they demand + that she shall speak in the poetical magnificence of high + and stately verses, like those of a tragic chorus, with metaphors and figurative phrases, accompanied with the delightful sounds of flutes and hautboys.

+
+
+

What then shall we say of the ancients? Not one, + but many things. First then, as hath been said already, + that the ancient Pythian priestesses pronounced most of + their oracles in prose. Secondly, that those ages produced + complexions and tempers of body much more prone + and inclined to poetry, with which immediately were associated those other ardent desires, affections, and preparations + of the mind, which wanted only something of a beginning + and a diversion of the fancy from more serious studies, not + only to draw to their purpose (according to the saying of + Philinus) astrologers and philosophers, but also in the heat + of wine and pathetic affections, either of sudden compassion + or surprising joy, to slide insensibly into voices melodiously + tuned, and to fill banquets with charming odes or love songs, + and whole volumes with amorous canzonets and mirthful + inventions. Therefore, though Euripides tells us, + + Love makes men poets who before no music knew, +

+ +

he does not mean that love infuses music and poetry into + men that were not already inclined to those accomplishments, but that it warms and awakens that disposition + which lay unactive and drowsy before. Otherwise we + might say that now there were no lovers in the world, + but that Cupid himself was vanished and gone, because + that now-a-days there is not one + + + + Who now, true archer-like, + + Lets his poetic raptures fly + + To praise his mistress's lip or eye, + + +

+

as Pindar said. But this were absurd to affirm. For + amorous impatiencies torment and agitate the minds of + many men not addicted either to music or poetry, that + know not how to handle a flute or touch a harp, and yet + are no less talkative and inflamed with desire than the + ancients. And I believe there is no person who would be + so unkind to himself as to say that the Academy or the + quires of Socrates and Plato were void of love, with + whose discourses and conferences touching that passion + we frequently meet, though they have not left any of their + poems behind. And would it not be the same thing to + say, there never was any woman that studied courtship + but Sappho, nor ever any that were endued with the gift + of prophecy but Sibylla and Aristonica and those that + delivered their oracles and sacred raptures in verse? For + wine, as saith Chaeremon, soaks and infuses itself into the + manners and customs of them that drink it. Now poetic + rapture, like the raptures of love, makes use of the ability + of its subject, and moves every one that receives it, according to its proper qualification.

+
+
+

Nevertheless, if we do but make a right reflection + upon God and his Providence, we shall find the alteration + to be much for the better. For the use of speech seems + to be like the exchange of money; that which is good + and lawful is commonly current and known, and goes + + + + sometimes at a higher, sometimes at a lower value. Thus + there was once a time when the stamp and coin of language was approved and passed current in verses, songs, + and sonnets; for then all histories, all philosophical learning, all affections and subjects that required grave and + solid discussion, were written in poetry and fitted for musical composition. For what now but a few will scarce + vouchsafe to hear, then all men listened to, + + The shepherd, ploughman, and bird-catcher too,Pindar, Isthm. I. 67. + +

+

as it is in Pindar; all delighted in songs and verses. For + such was the inclination of that age and their readiness to + versify, that they fitted their very precepts and admonitions + to vocal and instrumental music. If they were to teach, + they did it in songs fitted to the harp. If they were to + exhort, reprove, or persuade. they made use of fables and + allegories. And then for their praises of the Gods, their + vows, and paeans after victory, they were all composed in + verse; by some, as being naturally airy and flowing in + their invention; by others, as habituated by custom. And + therefore it is not that Apollo envies this ornament and + elegancy to the science of divination; nor was it his design + to banish from the Tripos his beloved Muse, but rather + to introduce her when rejected by others, being rather a + lover and kindler of poetic rapture in others, and choosing + rather to furnish laboring fancies with imaginations, and + to assist them to bring forth the lofty and learned kind of + language, as most becoming and most to be admired.

+

But afterwards, when the conversation of men and custom of living altered with the change of their fortunes and + dispositions, consuetude expelling and discarding all manner of superfluity rejected also golden top-knots, and silken + vestments loosely flowing in careless folds, clipped their + long dishevelled locks, and, laying aside their embroidered + + + + buskin, taught men to glory in sobriety and frugality in + opposition to wantonness and superfluity, and to place true + honor in simplicity and modesty, not in pomp and vain + curiosity. And then it was that, the manner of writing + being quite altered, history alighted from versifying, as it + were from riding in chariots, and on foot distinguished + truth from fable; and philosophy, in a clear and plain + style, familiar and proper to instruct rather than to astonish the world with metaphors and figures, began to dispute + and enquire after truth in common and vulgar terms. And + then it was, that Apollo caused the Pythian priestess to + surcease calling her fellow-citizens fire-inflaming, the Spartans serpent-devourers, men by the name of Oreanes, and + rivers by the name of mountain-drainers; and discarding verses, uncouth words, circumlocutions, and obscurity, + taught the oracles to speak as the laws discourse to cities, + and as princes speak to their people and their subjects, or + as masters teach their scholars, appropriating their manner + of speech to good sense and persuasive grace.

+
+
+

For, as Sophocles tells us, we are to believe the + Deity to be + + + + Easy to wise men, who can truth discern; + + The fool's bad teacher, who will never learn. + + +

+

And ever since belief and perspicuity thus associated together, it came to pass by alteration of circumstances that, + whereas formerly the vulgar looked with a high veneration upon whatever was extraordinary and extravagant, + and conceived a more than common sanctity to lie concealed under the veil of obscurity, afterwards men desirous + to understand things clearly and easily, without flowers of + circumlocutions and disguisements of dark words, not only + began to find fault with oracles enveloped with poetry, as + repugnant to the easy understanding of the real meaning, + and overshadowing the sentence with mist and darkness, + but also suspected the truth of the very prophecy itself + + + + which was muffled up in so many metaphors, riddles, and + ambiguities, which seemed no better than holes to creep + out at and evasions of censure, should the event prove + contrary to what had been foretold. And some there were + who reported that there were several extempore poets entertained about the Tripos, who were to receive the words + as they dropped roughly from the oracle, and presently by + virtue of their extempore fancy to model them into verses + and measures, that served (as it were) instead of hampers + and baskets to convey the answers from place to place. + I forbear to tell how far those treacherous deceivers like + Onomacritus, Herodotus (?), and Cyneso, have contributed + to dishonor the sacred oracles, by their interlarding of + bombast expressions and high-flown phrases, where there + was no necessity of any such alteration. It is also as + certain, that those mountebanks, jugglers, impostors, gipsies, and all that altar-licking tribe of vagabonds that set + up their throats at the festivals and sacrifices to Cybele + and Serapis, have highly undervalued poesy; some of + them extempore, and others by lottery from certain little + books, composing vain predictions, which they may sell to + servants and silly women, that easily suffer themselves to + be deluded by the overawing charms of serious ambiguity + couched in strained and uncouth ballatry. Whence it + comes to pass, that poetry, seeming to prostitute itself + among cheats and deluders of the people, among mercenary gipsies and mumping charlatans, has lost its ancient + credit, and is therefore thought unworthy the honor of the + Tripos.

+
+
+

And therefore I do not wonder that the ancients + stood in need of double meaning, of circumlocution, and + obscurity. For certainly never any private person consulted the oracle when he went to buy a slave or hire + workmen; but potent cities, kings and princes, whose + undertakings and concernments were of vast and high + + + + concernment, and whom it was not expedient for those + that had the charge of the oracle to disoblige or incense + by the return of answers ungrateful to their ears. For + the deity is not bound to observe that law of Euripides, + where he says, + + + + Phoebus alone, and none but he, + + Should unto men the prophet be. + + +

+

Therefore, when he makes use of mortal prophets and + agents, of whom it behooves him to take a more especial + care that they be not destroyed in his service, he does not + altogether go about to suppress the truth, but only eclipses + the manifestation of it, like a light divided into sundry + reflections, rendering it by the means of poetic umbrage + less severe and ungrateful in the delivery. For it is not + convenient that princes or their enemies should presently + know what is by Fate decreed to their disadvantage. + Therefore he so envelops his answers with doubts and + ambiguities as to conceal from others the true understanding of what was answered; though to them that came to + the oracle themselves, and gave due attention to the deliverer, the meaning of the answer is transparently obvious. + Most impertinent therefore are they who, considering the + present alteration of things, accuse and exclaim against + the Deity for not assisting in the same manner as before.

+
+
+

And this may be farther said, that poetry brings no + other advantage to the answer than this, that the sentence + being comprised and confined within a certain number of + words and syllables bounded by poetic measure is more + easily carried away and retained in memory. Therefore it + behooved those that formerly lived to have extraordinary + memories, to retain the marks of places, the times of such + and such transactions, the ceremonies of deities beyond + the sea, the hidden monuments of heroes, hard to be + found in countries far from Greece. For in those expeditions of Phalanthus and several other admirals of + + + + great navies, how many signs were they forced to observe, + how many conjectures to make, ere they could find the + seat of rest allotted by the oracle! In the observance of + which there were some nevertheless that failed, as Battus + among others. For he said that he failed because he had + not landed in the right place to which he was sent; and + therefore returning back he complained to the oracle. + But Apollo answered: + + + + As well as I thou knowest, who ne'er hast been + + In Libya covered o'er with sheep and kine; + + If this is true, thy wisdom I admire: + + +

+

and so sent him back again. Lysander also, ignorant of + the hillock Archelides, also called Alopecus, and the river + Hoplites, nor apprehensive of what was meant by + + The earth-born dragon, treacherous foe behind, +

+

being overthrown in battle, was there slain by Neochorus + the Haliartian, who bare for his device a dragon painted + upon his shield. But it is needless to recite any more of + these ancient examples of oracles, difficult to be retained + in memory, especially to you that are so well read.

+
+
+

And now, God be praised, there is an end of all those + questions which were the grounds of consulting the oracle. + For now we repose altogether in the soft slumbers of peace; + all our wars are at an end. There are now no tumults, no + civil seditions, no tyrannies, no pestilences nor calamities + depopulating Greece, no epidemic diseases needing powerful and choice drugs and medicines. Now, when there is + nothing of variety, nothing of mystery, nothing dangerous, + but only bare and ordinary questions about small trifles + and vulgar things, as whether a man may marry, whether + take a voyage by sea, or lend his money safely at interest,—and when the most important enquiries of cities are concerning the next harvest, the increase of their cattle, or + the health of the inhabitants,—there to make use of + verses, ambiguous words, and confounding obscurities, + + + + where the questions require short and easy answers, causes + us to suspect that the sacred minister studies only cramp + expressions, like some ambitious sophister, to wrest admiration from the ignorant. But the Pythian priestess is + naturally of a more generous disposition; and therefore, + when she is busy with the Deity, she has more need of + truth than of satisfying her vain-glory, or of minding + either the commendations or the dispraise of men.

+
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And well it were, that we ourselves should be so affected. But on the contrary, being in a quandary and + jealousy lest the oracle should lose the reputation it has + had for these three thousand years, and lest people should + forsake it and forbear going to it, we frame excuses to ourselves, and feign causes and reasons of things which we do + not know, and which it is not convenient for us to know; + out of a fond design to persuade the persons thus oddly + dissatisfied, whom it became us rather to let alone. For + certainly the mistake must redound to ourselves,Odyss. II. 190. when we + shall have such an opinion of our Deity as to approve and + esteem those ancient and pithy proverbs of wise men, + written at the entrance into the temple, Know thyself, + Nothing to excess, as containing in few words a full and + close compacted sentence, and yet find fault with the + modern oracle for delivering answers concise and plain. + Whereas those apophthegms are like waters crowded and + pent up in a narrow room or running between contracted + banks, where we can no movie discern the bottom of the + water than we can the depth and meaning of the sentence. + And yet, if we consider what has been written and said + concerning those sentences by such as have dived into their + signification with an intent to clear their abstruseness, we + shall hardly find disputes more prolix than those are. But + the language of the Pythian priestess is such as the mathematicians define a right line to be, that is to say, the + + + + shortest that may be drawn betwixt two points. So likewise doth she avoid all winding and circles, all double + meanings and abstruse ambiguities, and proceed directly + to the truth. And though she has been obnoxious to + strict examination, yet is she not to be misconstrued without danger, nor could ever any person to this very day + convict her of falsehood; but on the other side, she has + filled the temple with presents, gifts, and offerings, not only + of the Greeks but barbarians, and adorned the seat of the + oracle with the magnificent structures and fabrics of the + Amphictyons. And we find many additions of new buildings, many reparations of the old ones that were fallen + down or decayed by time. And as we see from trees overgrown with shade and verdant boughs other lesser shoots + sprout up; thus has the Delphian concourse afforded + growth and grandeur to the assembly of the Amphictyons, + which is fed and maintained by the abundance and affluence arising from thence, and has the form and show of + magnificent temples, stately meetings, and sacred waters; + which, but for the ceremonies of the altar, would not have + been brought to perfection in a thousand years. And to + what other cause can we attribute the fertility of the Galaxian Plains in Boeotia but to their vicinity to this oracle, + and to their being blessed with the neighboring influences + of the Deity, where from the well-nourished udders of the + bleating ewes milk flows in copious streams, like water + from so many fountain-heads? + + + Their pails run o'er, and larger vessels still + + With rich abundance all their dairies fill. + + +

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To us appear yet more clear and remarkable signs of + the Deity's liberality, while we behold the glory of far-famed store and plenty overflowing former penury and + barrenness. And I cannot but think much the better of myself for having in some measure contributed to these things + with Polycrates and Petraeus. Nor can I less admire the + + + + first author and promoter of this good order and management. And yet it is not to be thought that such and so + great change should come to pass in so small a time by + human industry, without the favor of the Deity assisting + and blessing his oracle.

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But although there were some formerly who blamed + the ambiguity and obscurity of the oracle, and others who + at this day find fault with its modern plainness and perspicuity, yet are they both alike unjust and foolish in their + passion; for, like children better pleased with the sight + of rainbows, comets, and those halos that encircle the sun + and moon, than to see the sun and moon themselves in + their splendor, they are taken with riddles, abstruse words, + and figurative speeches, which are but the reflections of + oracular divination to the apprehension of our mortal understanding. And because they are not able to make a + satisfactory judgment of this change, they find fault with + the God himself, not considering that neither we nor they + are able by discourse of reason to reach unto the hidden + counsels and designs of the Deity.

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