Ovid Illustrated: The Renaissance Reception of Ovid in Image and Text George Sandys, Ovid's Metamorphosis (1632) An Online Edition Daniel Kinney, Director Special Thanks to Alison Caviness, Zack Long, Keicy Tolbert, and the Many Resident Experts of U.Va.'s E-Text Staff

Book V  /  Sandys' Notes to the Commentary  /  All-Change Central--Text-Image Links VPON THE FIFTH BOOKE OF OVIDS METAMORPHOSIS. Phineus, the brother of Cepheus, precontracted to    Andromeda; who lately durst not attempt her deliuery, now impatient that a stranger should carry her away, conuerts the banquet into a bloody battle. In which is expressed the sightlesse fury of warre; respecting neither old age, neutrality, diuine endowments nor sacred orders; but confoundeth all in a generall slaughter. Yet Perseus assisted by his sister Pallas; that is, Valour protected and directed by Wisdome; astonishing his enemies with feare and wonder, as stupified by the sight of Gorgon, obtaineth a glorious victory, the euent of a iust war; which, as here, is euer fauoured by the diuine assistance: without which vaine is the strength and courage of mortalls, whose hands are but the instruments of that power which inables them. And as victory is ascribed only vnto God, (the lord of Hosts) by the Pen-men of the sacred Histories: so the ancient Poets either deriuing it from them, or enlightned with the same truth, describe no notable atchieuement without the conduction of a Deity: as euery where apparant in Homer; from whom we receiue this position, Ioues spirit mans controules: with feare he shakes The valiant minde; graspt conquest from him takes And hearts, detesting warre, couragious makes. And againe, Be they or faint or bold, the darts they throw Are tipt with death, on whom Ioue will bestow The victory; for Ioue directs them all: On earth their foes dull'd lances idly fall.1 So assistant Pallas here giues our Perseus the victory in so great a disparity of power. This fable may in generall allude to that which is in practise so common; How forren aides drawne in by liberall promises, whereof the necessitated are prodigall, to the reliefe of a distressed kingdome (as Perseus to the rescue of Andromeda) when the danger is past, insteed of the promised reward, are vngratefully sleighted; an occasion not seldome of warre betweene the deliuered and there deliuerers.     Perseus hauing extended his conquests far into the East,    and left his name vnto Persia; now returning into his countrey, found Acrisius expulsed Argos, by his brother Praetus: whom he queld with the like felicity, and restored his Grandfather to his kingdome; rather expecting a reuenge for his, and his mothers exposure. Yet could not preuent his destiny by Perseus soone after accidentally slaine, according to the Oracle.     From Argos Perseus sailes to Seriphus; and confutes the incredulous King Polydectes, the author of his dangers and    enuier of his glory, with the stupifying head of Gorgon. Of which though I haue formerly spoken at large, yet will it not be superfluous to adde this historicall relation. Phorcus, a Cyrenian, the Lord of three Ilands, made a statue of Minerva fower cubits high, all of massy gold. Minerva being called Gorgon by the Cyrenians; a name agreeing with her war-like disposition. But Phorcus dyed before he could inshrine it in her temple: who left three daughters behind him, Sthnelio, Euriale, and Medusa. They vowing virginity, liu'd a part in those seuerall Ilands; and equally shared his substance: yet would not diuide the Gorgon statue, nor dedicate it as intended; but kept it by turnes as a publique treasure. They had among them a trusty seruant, vigilant in all their affaires, as their common eye and so called him. Exiled Perseus preying vpon those coasts with a well appointed fleete (For Piracy in ancient times, as wee read in Thucidides, was held no reproach but a glory) and taking this Gorgon for a wealthy Queene, yet of small resistance, intended an inuasion: but better informed that nothing there was of vallue but that golden statue, plyed too and fro betweene Cyrene and Sardinia; till at length he intercepted this seruant their eye: nor would ransome him to the sisters, now met together, vnless they would shew him this statue: in the meane while landing, by the inforced information of the prisoner hee surprized them, and threatned to kill who soeuer refused. Medusa refusing, was slaine: but reuealed by Stherelio and Euriale, he restored their seruant. Then breaking the Image, and dispersing the peeces in seuerall bottoms, he kept the head intire in his owne, and called it Gorgon. Rouing about, and euerywhere extorting mony, with the death of those who resisted; at length he arriued at this Ile of Seriphus, where he was strongly repulst at the first assault by the inhabitants: but entring at the second, and finding none in the citty (for the Cittizens were secretly fled) he scoffingly said that the men were turned into stones at the sight of Gorgon: and when others elsewhere denied contribution, he would threaten them with the fate of the Seriphians. Hence sprung those former fables of the Graeae and Gorgons, if wee may beleiue Palephatus.     Minerva now leaues her victorious brother and repaires to Helicon to visite the    fountaine Hippocrene, late raised by the hoofe of Pegasus, and therefore so called, which is showne her by the Muses. This may be thus interpreted: How Pegasus, or Fame, as soone as borne in the mouthes of mortalls, beginneth to fly: and raise the Muses a fountaine in Parnassus, by ministring an argument to the Poet to sing the illustrious actions of men. It should seeme that Cadmus gaue a ground to this fable: who riding vp and downe Baeotia to finde a conuenient site for his Citty, first lighted on that spring: and because he was held to be the first that invented letters; they therefore dedicated the same to the Muses: which is said to inspire the drinker with a sacred fury. Of this the Satyre ironically. I of the Horses spring did neuer bowse; Nor, knowing, slept on forkt Parnassus browes That I, a sudden Poet, should Compose. The Muses, and Pirene pale, to those I leaue, whose images the clasping twine Of Iuy girt. These ruder rimes of mine A Satyre offers at the Poets shrine.2 And our Ouid in his Elegies, Let Hindes base things admire; let Phoebus still My cupps full of Castalion liquor fill.3     Now are wee arriued at Helicon with the Muses; so called of    the connexion of Sciences: and said to be the daughters of Ioue and Mnemosyne, because that excellent facultie and diuine affection which is requisite to poetry, is not acquired by art or industry, but inspired from aboue; yet fostered and augmented by Mnemosyne, or a happy memory. In vaine they therefore attempt to enter at the gates of Poesy that are not rapt by the Muses. This gift is euident to be supernaturall, in that illiterate men not seldome proue excellent Poets, expressing those arts and sciences wherein they neuer were instructed: in so much as when the fury is abated, they hardly vnderstand their owne composures. Eupheme is said to be the Muses Nurse; in that praise and the desire of glory doe nourish all noble indeauours, and are the only spurres vnto virtue. Their habitation Parnassus, Tempe, and Helicon; pleasant, but solitary places: for no study so delighteth the mind as Poesy, which causeth a sequestration from frequent converse and worldly imployments: the reason why Poetry and Pouerty twyne so vnseparably: or rather, where as others by other arts thirst after riches as well as renowne; the Poet alone is incited by fame, and desire to perpetuate his memory. The Muses are crowned with Laurell: whose euergreene and bitter leaues expresse the bitter and constant paines, which is to be vndergone in the pursuite of learning. Apollo is their president: not only in that the inventor of musique but for playing so harmoniously on the instrument of this world, mouing in order and measure, and consorting with euery part; so that by his meanes there is no dissonancy in nature; keeping a true distinction of time, and clearing the voice by his siccity. They are said to be women, in regard of the pregnancy of knowledge: and nine, of the triple trine which flowes from the perfection of number. The Muses are also taken for the Intelligences, of the Coelestiall Spheares; which by being neerer or farther remoued, by their swifter or slower motion, doe make a diuersity of sounds; and consequently (according to Pythagoras) an incredible harmony. Yet this saith Macrobius is not to be heard, in that so vast a sound cannot enter at the narrow labyrinth of the eare: as the Aegyptians heare not the roring of waters who dwell by the cataracts of Nilus. Some of our curious Modernes diuide the opinion; denying with Aristotle, any reall sound or tune, but maintaining an exactnesse of musicall harmony and proportion. Caliope is the melody which results from the rest of the spheares: Vrania, of the Spheare of the fixed Starres, so named of her dignity: Polymnia of Saturne, for the memory of antiquity, which he exhibits by his cold and dry quality: Terpsichore of Iupiter, propitious to mortalls: Clio of Mars, for the thirst of glory: Melpomene of the Sunne, in that of all the World the moderator: Erato of Venus, in regard of loue: Euterpe of Mercury, for the honest delights among serious affaires: Thalia of the Moone for the vigour which she infuseth by her humidity. Apollo is the virtue of the Sun, his harp the body, and his seuerall motions the strings. Their particular faculties are expressed in these verses which are attributed to Virgill. Clio the acts of former ages sings: Melpomene, in tragick straines, sad things: Comick Thalia ioyes in amorous layes: On sweetly speaking reeds Euterpe playes: Terpsichores harp the rais'd affections moues: Erato musique odes, and dances loues: Calliope pens the lofty rage of warres: Vrania obserues the heauen-imbrodered starres: Polymnia to her words her gesture fitts: Apollos soule illuminates their wits; Who all informing, in the middle sitts.4 Iupiter the diuine mind, inspires Apollo; Apollo the Muses; and they their legitimate issue. Who are called by Plato the fathers of wisdome; and interpreters of the Gods (among the Heathen the only Theologians, and therefore called by St Paul their Prophets) accustoming to celebrate their praises and the heroicall actions of men, inflaming the hearers with emulation: teaching the causes of things, the knowledge of the Coelestiall motions; how to order the mind, and curb the rebellious affections. Nor could Aegystus corrupt Cytimnestra till he had slaine her Poet, who confirm'd her chastity by singing the praises of virtuous women. Scaliger auers that the reading of Virgill will make a man more honest then the precepts of all the Philosophers: and Horace I at Praeneste, while you pleade at Rome, Read Homer, who instructs, what doth become, What's base; what profits, what not profits man; Better then Crantor, or Chrysippus can.5 Which he demonstrates in the same Epistle. More-ouer verse hath a greater efficacy then prose: which penetrates deeper, and makes a more lasting impression. For as the voice passing through the narrow conduit of a trumpet breakes forth more cleare and musicall: euen so the sence contracted by the strict necessity of numbers. The other is heard with more negligence, and lesse impulsion: but when the excellent matter is restrained in measures, the same sentence not only allures but inforceth.     The Muse relates to Pallas the intended rape of Pyreneus; their    escape by transforming themselues into birds, and his deserued destiny: intimating that no profane and sensuall wit should dare to violate those Coelestiall virgins; or presume to follow their aery flight, least they headlong fall to the earth and ruine their esteeme by their derided ambition. The Muses, are said to be virgins, for that true Poesy is reserued and modest: not fucust ouer, but adorned with a genuine beauty. Now Pyreneus hauing ouer-runne all Phocis, subuerted with-all all nurseries of learning; and therefore is famed to haue offered violence to the Muses: when they escaped with winges, that is, by diuine prouidence; which not seldome miraculously preserues them from barbarous suppressors. So vpon the violent incursions of the Goths and Vandals, the schooles and libraries were forced; and all had perished but for this politick speech of one among the rest: Let vs leaue them their bookes; that whiles they amuse themselues with such follies, wee may subdue them at our pleasure.     Pallas wondring at the chattering of birds, which imitated    humane voices; was informed by the Muse, how formerly they were the nine daughters of Pierius, converted into Pyes for saucily contending with the muses in Poesy, being vanquished by them. The Pierides sung of the wanes of the Gyants, and the flight of the Gods: chased by Typhon into Aegypt, where they    hid themselues in seuerall shapes to auoide his fury. Typhon is the type of Ambition; ascending, as all other vices, from hell: and therefore the son of the Earth and Erebus. He is said to haue reached Heauen with his hands, in regard of his aspiring thoughts; to haue feete vnwearied with trauaile; as expressing his industry in accommodating all things to his owne designes; to haue flaming eyes; as full of wrath and violence: the tongues of serpents; in that insolent in language, apt to detract, founding his owne glory on the infamy of an others: and lastly to haue an hundred heads, for that euer troubled with diuersity of cares & conceptions. But better this horrid figure of Typhon agrees with rebellion: hauing a hundred heads in regard of his diuided forces; fiery mouthes, of his inflamed intents; a girdle of serpents for his pestilent malice, and seiges; iron hands, best suting with slaughter; Eagles talons, with rapin; and a body couered with feathers, in regard of perpetuall rumors, secret intelligences, feares and suspitions. By such rebellions not seldome princes are chased out of their countries, inforced to hide themselues in some obscure angle: as here the Gods, pursued by Typhon, fly into Aegypt; concealing themselues in the shapes of vnreasonable creatures. An invention of the Grecians in derision of the superstitious Aegyptians, who adored the like for the benefit they did them. Of which fable perhaps this Pierus was author: by Plutarch mentioned to haue written a poem of the Muses; here taken for his daughters; and said to contend with them, in regard of their arrogancy and irreligion.     Iupiter Hammon lurkes among the rest in the shape of a Ram:    whereupon hee was figured with hornes, and worshipped in that forme in his Lybian temple; assuming his name from those sands. Or rather being the same with Ham the sonne of Noah, from whom Idolatry had her originall, who vsually wore the carued head of a Ram on his Helmet (the like Amianus reports of Saphores) whereupon his Idoll was so fashioned. Diuerse of these haue I seene in Aegypt. But Iupiter Hammon is also taken for the Sun; Hammah signifying heat in the Hebrew; and because the yeare beginnes at his entrance into Aries, he therefore was painted with Rams homes. The feined change of the rest was deriued from the ensignes of those Princes who were held to merit diuine honour by the Aegyptians. These assumed with ceremony begot superstition in the vulgar: who supposed them no idle spectators, but authors, or at least coadjutors, not only in their victories, but successfull gouerments; whereupon those beasts did share in their honour and had their images converted into Idolls.     The Pierides hauing ended their song so full of blasphemy and    detraction; Calliope, for the Muses beginnes with the praises of Ceres; daughter vnto Saturne and Ops; that is of time and the Earth the parents of all vegetables: Ceres being taken for corne it selfe; or historically for the first who invented the plough, and the sowing of that graine which till then grew wild and neglected: giuing the Sicilians bread, who before fed on acornes; and prescribing lawes of diuision, of bounders, bargaine and sale, and of testaments: thereby affording not only the meanes of liuely-hood, but iustice to protect it. The Muse proceeds with the punishment of Typhon, struck by Ioue with lightning, and throwne vnder that hand. The destiny of audacious Rebellion; which though it rage and raigne for a season, supported by popular fury; yet falls in the end vnder the arms of vengeance, and waight of a reunited kingdome. Pelotas is here said to weigh downe his right hand, Pachinus his left, Lylibaeus his feate (the three promontories of triangular Sicilia;) and Aetna his head: out of which the angry Gyant is fained to breath    forth smoke and fire, in regard of the perpetuall burning of that mountaine. For Typhon physically is a hot and impetuous wind, not onely aboue, but vnder the Earth, which rushing through her hollow cauernes, with violent motion inflames the sulphurous and bituminous matter wherewith Sicilia aboundeth; the foode of this and the like conflagrations. But here we the Philosophicall Poet. High Aetna hollow is through out; alone Supported well nigh with huge vaults of stone. No caue but is with wind and aire repleat, For agitated aire doth wind beget, Which heates the imprisoning rocks when hot it growes, The Earth chaft by his fury; and from those Strikes fier, and swifter flame; it selfe on high It darts, and out at vp-right iawes doth fly; Flakes shedding a farre off, far off dead coles Transports, and smoke in curles of darknesse roules; Ejecting stones withall of wondrous size All which from strength of straightned windes arise. Besides, against that mountaines roote the Maine Breakes her swolne waues, and swallowes them againe: From whence vnto the summit of th' ascent The vndermining caues haue their extent; Through which the billowes breath, and flames out-thrust: Vomiting stones, and darkning shoures of dust.6 Nor is there any mountaine that burnes but borders on the sea. This hath flamed in times past so abundantly that by reason of the smoke, and aier inuolued with burning sand, the inhabitants thereabout could not see one an other (if wee may credit Cicero) for two daies together. These extraordinary eruptions were reputed ominous; in so much that a little before the seruile warre in Sicilia; wherein threescore and ten thousand slaues were slaine by the Praetors, it raged so violently, that Africa was thereof an astonished witnesse. The strugling of Typhon vnder his burthen is here said to shake the whole Iland: the windes imprisoned in the bowels of the Earth, and not finding a vent, being the naturall reason of earthquakes; to which Sicilia, in regard of the hollownesse thereof, is much subject Pluto fearing least the earth should crack with these tumults,    and let in day to affright his Ghosts, ascends in a chariot drawne by black horses, Dreadfull Orphoenus, Aethon swift of speed; Nicteus the glory of the Stygian breed; Alastor signed with Plutos impresse: they Stand trampling at the gates, and fiercely ney.7 signifying darknesse, burning, night, and conscious terrors; well suting with that sad Monarch, and Monarchy. In the diuision of the World betweene the three sons of Saturne, the Heauens were alotted to Iupiter, the seas to Neptune, and Hell vnto Pluto, first named Ageselaus: the fable disguising the truth of Iupiters raigne in the Orient, called the superior part, and metaphorically Heauen, in that there the ascending light was exhibited to mortalls: as the Occident the inferior, or Hell, on the contrary ground, assigned to Pluto. This tradition was deriued from the partition of the Earth among the three sons of Noah, Sem, Ham, and Iaphet. And because those westerne climats abounded with gold and siluer, wrapt in the secret bowels of the earth, he was called the infernall Deity; as also the God of Riches, his name importing as much: nor vnaptly was that fained to proceede from Hell which carries such a number thither. But physically he is taken for the element of Earth: and therefore not only the king of riches, since all ariseth from thence; but also of the dead, because whatsoeuer haue life, againe resolue into that substance, from whence they had their originall: whose occult generations are defigured by his Helmet; as his infernall empire by his short and crooked scepter. For the soules of the dead, whether good or bad were supposed to descend into the womb of the earth vnto seuerall mansions either of blisse or punishment, in generall named the house of Hades: an opinion vnworne out in the daies of the fathers. Amestris the wife of Xerxes, buried twelue aliue of noble birth, as an offering for the prorogation of her life vnto Pluto: called also Dis and Hades; for that, according to Plato, being full of humanity to man-kind, wise, and rich with all, he was able to entertaine the soules of men with perswasions, and demonstrations.     Yet this inexorable Tyrant stoopes to the stronger tyranny     of loue: who impulsed by his power surpriseth Proserpina the daughter of Ceres, as shee was gathering flowres, and hurries her away in his Charriot: when withstood by Cyane the water Nymph, he forces his descent into Hell through her fountaine. There is a story in Plutarch how Cyanippus of Siracusa, hauing sacrificed to all the Gods, but neglected Bacchus: in reuenge thereof he so inflam'd him with wine that hee rauished in the    darke his owne daughter Cyane: who stealing his ring from his finger reserued it to discouer who it was that had abused her, as Tamar by Iudahs signet. Vpon this a mortall pestilence raged in the Citty: when consulting with Apollo, an answer was giuen by the Oracle, that they should sacrifice vnto the Gods that incestuous wretch, who had prouoked their displeasure. The party knowne vnto none but Cyane, she hal'd her father by his haire to the altar, and hauing caused him to be slaine, slew her selfe on his body. The pestilence ceasing in his death, the Siracusians decreed her diuine honours; and called that fountaine by her name: which ioyning streames with the small Anapis discharge themselues into that hauen; whose conjunction gaue this invention to their celebrated loues and nuptialls; and whose statues the Siracusians erected in the similitudes of mortals. But returne we to the exposition of the rape of Proserpina. Ceres, as wee haue said, is taken for corne: her Proserpina for the fertility of the seed, which of creeping forth is so called: begotten by Ioue, that is, by the aetheriall virtue and clemency: when corupting, and dying (for euen that which groweth dies before it bee quickned.) Shee was said to be rauished by the earth or Pluto: and then when gathering of flowres, in regard of the fertility, and temperate ayre, of Sicilia, producing flowres in all seasons. Ceres is said to haue wandred all the world ouer in search of her daughter: because of the obliquity of the Zodiack, which causeth Summer at seuerall times in seuerall countries; without whose feruor the Corne cannot ripen; and to haue sought her with two torches kindled at Aetna, in regard of the superior and inferior heat; the one nourishing that part, which is aboue the Earth; the other what is vnder.     Ceres, thirsty in her trauell, arriues at a poore cottage: who demands, and receaueth    liquor of an old woman: her sonne, a hard fauoured boy, deriding the Goddess for her hasty drinking, is converted by her into a Stellion or Euet. Nicander calls the woman Metanira, and her sonne Abas. This enuious boy, and therefore hard-fauourd, since there is no vice more vgly, is aptly converted into that enuious creature; who casting his winter skin like a serpent, deuoures it forthwith, to preuent mankind of so pretious a remedy for the Falling sicknesse: and therefore prouerbially taken for one that is subtill and enuious. Nor lesse malicious when infused in wine: The little Stellion starr'd with black, that crawles In hollow sepulchers, and ruin'd walls, The Embleme of deceit and enuy showes: Which, ah, too well the jealous matron knowes. Who drinks the wine wherein a Stellion dy'd Shall haue her face with filthy freekles py'd.8 This creature is little, that want of power might bridle the will from doing much harme; which only stupifies, and not kills with biting. So the light of virtue is rather eclipsed, then extinguished by enuy. This is here said to resemble a Lizard: yet that no lesse a friend vnto man, then the other an enimie; which will drawe as neere as he dare, and gaze on his face as it were with affection. An acquaintance of mine fed one of these dayly with crummes, frequenting a tree in his garden. Sleeping on a time vnder the shade thereof, as it was his custome in the heat of the day, the Lizard by running oft ouer his face, and making a pittifull noyse, awakned him: when he might perceaue a huge Serpent creeping towards him, (whose biting is certaine death if not suddenly preuented, and therefore prouident Nature hath placed a rattle in her taile to forewarne her approach) who, starting vp, kild her with the next weapon he could light on: and thus by this little and gratefull beast was his life preserued.     Ceres at length returning into Sicilia, and comming to the fountaine of Cyane findes Proserpina's girdle floting on the water which renewes her sorrow, as now assured of her destruction. Perhaps alluding to the history, thus related by Firmicus. Proserpina had diuers sutors, among the rest one Pluto, a wealthy Francling: who impatient with loue, and desperate of obtaining; hauing found her one euening in the confines of Aenna, gathering of flowres by the pleasant lake of Pergusa, forced her into his Chariot, and carried her away. Ceres pursued the rauisher with armed troopes: who now as hopelesse of life as of retaining his prey, draue headlong into the depth of the water; where both of them were drowned. This yet vnknowne, to comfort the mother, those of Aenna fained how she was rauished by Pluto, the infernall Deity. Others more probably, that Aidoneus or Orcus; King of the Molossians, rauished Proserpina the daughter of Ceres, Queene of Sicilia; as Eusebius out of Theodoret. For the Molossians were a people of Epirus, neere to the mountaine Pindus; from whence Acheron, the fained father of Ascalaphus, ariseth: said to be a riuer of Hell, in that darke, and obscured by the shades of high trees which grew on his borders. The inhabitants of these parts were much giuen to Piracy: whereof Liburnian ships are taken for swift ones, and good saylers. Ceres in the meane while wandring through most parts of the world in quest of Proserpina, instructed the Athenians in the art of tillage, the sowing and reaping of Corne: who in gratitude of so great a benefit, decreed diuine honours to her and her daughter.     Ceres, full of indignation for her Proserpine, strikes the Earth with barrennes; especially Sicilia, where she found the impression of her losse; breaking the plough, killing the Oxen with their driuers, corrupting the seed in the ground, & infecting the ayre: the description of some notable famine and mortality, which hapned in that country. When Arethusa a riuer of Elis, running vnder ground, and lifting vp her head in the fountaine of Syracuse, (of which hereafter in that story)    informeth Ceres how she saw her daughter, now the infernall Empresse, in her subterrene course, with Pluto in Hell. This knowne, she ascends into heauen, and complaines vnto Iupiter, who signeth Proserpina's returne; prouided, that since her descent she had tasted of nothing: meaning, as some suppose, if she had not lost her virginity, alluding to the markes thereof in that fruit: because a rape so consummated is no way repairable but by marriage. A Spaniard of note, and in fauour with Spinola, hauing rauished a virgin, was aduised by the Marquesse to marry her; which he refused, as rather choosing to dye, then disparage his blood by so base a match. Yet when he saw there was no remedy, but that he must either doe the one, or suffer the other; in the end he consented. No sooner were the nuptialls solemnized, but he caused his head to be separated from his shoulders: doing therein a twofold iustice; both in giuing reparation to the honour of the maid; and in punishing an offence so foule in it selfe, and so scandalous in his army. But Proserpina hauing eaten seuen graines of a Pomegrannet (a fatall liquorishnesse, which retaines her in Hell; as the Apple thrust Euah out of Paradice, whereunto it is held to haue a relation) and accused by Ascalaphus; her hopes were made frustrate: who notwithstanding transformes the intelligencer into a Screech-owle. A iust reward, and agreeing well with the nature of an Informer: the scorne of all men; auoided as inauspicious, and in nature a prodigie. Ascalaphus therefore is not vnaptly fained to be the sonne of Acheron and Orphne, of Trouble, and darknesse: since such are the violaters of peace, and disturbers of security; Borne (saith Tacitus) to the ruine of man-kind: who were banished out of all well-gouerned Commonwealths, and not seldome scourged to death by the Romans.     Ascalaphus suffered deseruedly. But the Sirens who accompanied Proserpina when she gathered flowres, at their owne intreatie were changed into Birds (retaining only their virgin faces and musicall voices) the better to inable them in the search of their lost companion. These Sirens were Queenes of those Ilands which lye in the bay of Pestano not far from Caprae; who held many places on the neighbouring Continent: especially the Promontory of Minerva; so called in that during their raigne an Academy was there erected for the propagation of learning: which became so famous for eloquence & all liberall sciences, that it gaue an invention to this fable of the sweetnesse of voice and attracting songs of the Sirens: intimated by Homer, who attributes vnto them the endowments of the Muses; as harmony, and absolute knowledge both in Philosophy and history. For thus hee makes them sing to Vlisses:     Hither thy ship, of Greekes thou glory, stere That our songs may delight thee, anchor here. Neuer did man in sable barke saile by, That gaue not eare to our sweet melody, And parted pleas'd; his knowledge better'd farre. We knowe what Greekes and Trojans in Troy's warre Sustain'd by doome of angry Gods; and all That doth vpon the foodfull Earth befall.9 They were said to be the daughters of Achelous; of the learned Professors inuited thither from Aetolia and Acarnania, which are watred by that celebrated Riuer; & of the Muse Calliope, for the sweetnesse of their voices. But those noble sciences there exercised with such fame and admiration, were by posterity abused to the destruction of commonwealths, and corruption of manners; especially those more harmonious and delightfull, Poetry and Rhetorick: which caused Plato, defiling his owne nest (being indeed a Philosophicall Poet) to banish Poets from his Commonwealth; and Socrates continually to gird at the Rhetoritians: yet without dispraise to those Arts, since the corruption of the best degenerates into the worst: the students here wasting their patrimonies in luxury and riot. Insomuch, that the place grew infamous; the Sirens being fained to haue beene converted into monsters, and to shipwrack such as came neere them: that is, in procuring their pouerty and ruine. So that the Sirens are now taken for inticing pleasures, as formerly for the Muses: and their musick for that eloquence which perswades to destruction. They are called Sirens of attracting: their names Leucosia, Parthenope, and Ligia, which signifie no other then the motiues of the minde to amorous delights, by beauty, youth, and bewitching eloquence. One is said to play on a Harp, another on a Pipe, and the third to sing; that by such variety they might allure the various affections of men, and accommodate their musicke to their lust or ambition, as seuerall baits for seuerall fishes. They are therefore taken by some for Harlots, as according with their craft: and by Horace for sloth, the fuell of lasciuiousnesse. They are said to haue Achelous, a Bull, to their father, in regard of the propensity of that creature vnto lust: and Calliope, a Muse, to their mother; for that deceitfull suauity which allures vs vnto them: to haue wings, in that they swiftly descend into the heart of a louer; and the feet of a Cock, for the wastfull effects of affections. But Pontanus will haue them converted by Pallas into Mermaides, for their loose attire, & adulterate beauties. If warned by th' infamous prodigy Of monstrous Sirens, borrowed beauty fly. In learning, voice, and feature these surpast: But too industrious to adorne the last. O why should art such heauenly guifts disgrace! And lay the soules defection on the face! Now went they to the temple with the rest; There where Aenarian waues that Ile inuest Their faces with an oyly fucus spread, Their lips so rosy; not with their owne red: Their necks and breasts shone with adulterat white; Bare to the wast, the better to inuite; With painted eyes, and tresses of false haire; Which ioyntly beare of lust, the badge and snare. Whom when Minerva from her shrine had spy'd, She hid her eyes, and turnd her head aside. If I a Goddesse, nor in virtue faile, If right, or, force of modesty preuaile, They shall not, said she, herein glory long: My griefe shall arme me to reuenge this wrong. Now scarce departed from her Temple doore, When scarce their feete had prest the beachy shore, Their leggs vnited in a scaly hide; And bones in finns thrust out on either side. Nor yet their former mindes vnchanged keepe, But hold themselues for monsters of the Deepe; Who now vpon the dancing billowes moue: Fishes below the wast, and maids aboue.10 This double forme expresseth the angelicall and brutish nature in man: the one suppressed where the other predeominates. Some interpret the songs of these Sirens by the flattery of Sichophants: a poyson that takes from a man the knowledge of himselfe, and kills with delighting. They are said to haue beene vanquished by the Muses, who pulled their wings, and made themselues coronets of the feathers: in that pleasure which springs from mirth & abundance, swiftly transporting the desires of the Soule, as if with wings, is subdued and bridled by learning and Philosophy; who are raised aloft with the spoyles of the other: the Muse, the mother of the Sirens excepted; which is that superficiall & delightfull study appropriated to Pleasure. They are said to dwell in solitary Ilands, because pleasure affecteth priuacy and retirement: For which cause Tiberius confined himselfe vnto Caprea, an Iland infamous for his incredible beastlinesse. The coasts appeare white as they fable, with the bones of those whom their songes haue betrayed to destruction; to show how the examples of calamities, though neuer so cleare and perspicuous, not much deterre from those alluring delights, which infacinate our senses. Yet Orpheus sailed safely by; who in singing aloud the praises of the Gods confounded their musique; for diuine contemplations doe not only in power, but in sweetnesse transcend whatsoeuer is mortall. So Vlisses secured his men by the stopping of their eares; for the Vulgar are not to be exposed to the encounter of too preualent enticements: but himselfe restrained by his resolution and temper, heareth their charmes without farther danger; since heroicall spirits in the midst of beseiging delights are inuincibly fortified by their proper virtue. This fable of the Sirens hath also a topographicall allusion: for Archippus tells of a certaine Bay contracted within winding streights and broken cliffes; which by the singing of the winds, and beating of the billowes, report a delightfull harmony, alluring those who saile by to approach; when forthwith throwne against the rocks by the waues, and swallowed in the violent eddyes. Some as Gaza and Trapezuntius, affirme that they haue seene such creatures in the Sea: either the diuells assuming such shapes to countenance the fable; or framed in the fantasy by remote resemblances: as we giue imaginary formes vnto Clouds, and call those monsters of the deepe by the names of land-creatures, which imperfectly carry their similitude.     Iupiter, compassionating Ceres, decreeth that her daughter    should liue six months with her husband, and as long with her mother. For the seede, which is Proserpina, while the Sun is on the south of the Aequinoctiall, lies hid in the earth, which is Pluto: but when he trauells through the Northerne signes, it shouteth vp, and growes to maturity; and then Proserpina is said to be aboue with Ceres. As also because the Moone (which is taken for Proserpina) hath halfe of the yeare her dominion in our hemisphere: being Lady of the night, and by Idolaters stiled the Queene of Heauen (as of the Planets, and therefore called Astroarch by the Syrians) worshipped with such solemnitie on the first day of euery month; not vnimitated by the Iewes, as complained off by the Prophet.     Now recomforted Ceres is at leasure to heare Arethusa declare    the pursuite of Alpheus, and her owne transformation. Alpheus who drew his pedegree from the Sun, hauing slaine by misfortune his brother Cercaphus, threw himselfe into the riuer Nictimus; which euer after carried his name. This runnes through Arcadia, by Elis and Olympian Pisa; Arethusa springing from the same fountaine: which in breaking from thence, is said to fly from him; and to ioyne in the end, in that they ioyned in the beginning. But the fountaine Arethusa here mentioned, ascends in a little Iland at the farthest extent of Syracusa betweene the two hauens, called formerly Ortygia, and consecrated to Diana. Whereupon it was fained that Arethusa the Arcadian Huntresse, and a Nymph of her traine, was turned by her into a riuer, to saue her from the lustfull pursuite of Alpheus, and conducted vnder the Sea to Ortygia: said to be followed in the same current by her violent louer; because that riuer is swallowed by the earth not far from the shore; and thought to rise againe in this fountaine, in that troubled and smelling of the dung of beasts in the time of the Olympian festiuals when the excrements of the sacrifizes were throwne into that riuer. Yet Strabo writes that Alpheus sinks not at all into the ground, but rusheth into the Adriatick sea with so strong a current that he preserues his course and sweetnesse a great way off; euen vnto Arethusa, as may be gathered from Virgill. Her floods so may not bitter Doris joyne, Whilst thou glid'st vnder Sicily, with thine.11 Anas, now Guadiana, runnes 13 leagues within the Earth, & breakes forth againe by Villa Horta: insomuch as the Spaniards bragge how they haue a bridge whereon they feede many thousands of sheepe. But what is this, or the like, to so long a passage vnder the Sea? yet the same is reported of a riuer, which from his fountaine in Meiates hath an vnknowne channell vnder the sea which conducts it to Panormus a Port of Epirus. So they write of Aesculapius a well in Athens that rendred whatsoeuer was throwne thereinto at Phalerium, a citty of Hetruria. By this fable of Alpheus and Arethusa the ancients expressed the diuine affection of the soule, and excellency of virtue. For as the matter seeks after her forme, as her proper and only good, without which she is idle and vselesse; euen so is vertue pursued by the Soule. Alpheus which signifies blots or imperfections, is therefore said to follow Arethusa, which is by interpretation Virtue. But Fulgentius more fully, that Alpheus is the light of Truth, and Arethusa the excellency of equity, and what can truth more affect then equity; or light then excellency? Alpheus runs vnmixt through the sea because illustrious truth, although inuironed with vices, can neuer be disseasoned with their bitternesse, but vnpolluted falls into the bosome of Arethusa, or noble integrity. He is said in his passage through Hell to cause a forgetfulnesse in the Ghosts below: in that the light of truth descending into the recesse of the conscience, procures an obliuion of euills.     Ceres sends Triptolemus, in her chariot drawne by winged    Dragons, all ouer the World, to teach the vse of husbandry vnto mortalls. So fained, in that Triptolemus was the first that invented the sowing of Corne at Elusis, a citty neere Athens; receiuing that skill from Sicilia, the country of Ceres; whereof called Elusina, and there principally honoured. His trauell is no other then the propagation of that knowledge vnto other nations: as the volumes which he writ of tillage, and dispersed abroad, the voluminous Dragons which drew him. Eusebius reports that this Triptolemus was the son of Eleusus king of Eleusis, who in a great dearth sustained his subjects out of his Owne granaries: which not able to performe on the like occasion, and fearing the fury of the people, he went aboard a long vessell which was called the Dragon, and shortly after returned with that ship full laden with corne; wherewith he relieued their hunger, and taught them the art of tillage to preuent the like necessity. Now Celeus named Lyncus by others,    hauing in his absence vsurped his kingdome, was expulsed by him at his returne: who in regard of his treason and ingratitude, was said to haue beene changed by Ceres (Triptolemus his fautrix) into that spotted and rauenous beast the image of his mind, which carries his name. But our Ouid maketh this Lyncus to be a King of Scythia: and perhaps out of the ingratefulnesse of that barren soyle; ingratefull to Triptolemus, or the tyller.     Calliope here ends her song: the Nymphes    giue the Palme to the Muses; by whom the railing Pierides are converted into Pyes. Then these not the Parrot more expressely imitates the voice of man rejoycing in what they speake; not only diligent to learne, but delighting to meditate, which shew their intention by their musing. Plutarch tells of a talking Pye in his dayes which would counterfeit the language of men, the voice of beasts, and sounds of musicall instruments, to the hearers no small admiration. That on a time hauing heard a noise of trumpets, she became mute the day following; insomuch as suspected to haue beene poysoned: but, as appeared by the sequell, in a deepe meditation how to frame her voice in the expression of those notes, which after she rendred with no lesse art and variety. The aptnesse in birds, consists not so much in the conformity of the organs of speech as in their attention, and naturall delight to practice. The Pye is the hierogliphick of vnseasonable loquacity: deciphering those illiterate Poetasters (by the Satyre called the Pye-poets) who boast of their owne composures, and detract from the glory of the learned. Iustly therefore are the Pierides changed into those siluan scoulds, for their arrogancy and impudence: but aboue all for extolling the flagitious Gyants, and vilifying the Gods, since Poesy in regard of her originall, inspired into the mind from aboue, should chiefly, if not onely, be exercised in celebrating their praises; as here exemplified by the Muses.

On to Book VI