[629] Thus we see that Orpheus denotes learning; Eurydice, things, or the subject of learning; Bacchus, and the Thracian women, men’s ungoverned passions and appetites, &c. And in the same manner all the ancient fables might be familiarly illustrated, and brought down to the capacities of children. [630] “Quod procul a nobis flectat Fortuna gubernans; Et ratio potius quam res persuadeat ipsa.” [631] Proteus properly signifies primary, oldest, or first. [632] Bacon nowhere speaks with such freedom and perspicuity as under the pretext of explaining these ancient fables; for which reason they deserve to be the more read by such as desire to understand the rest of his works. [633] As she also brought the author himself. [634] “—————cadit Ripheus, justissimus unus, Qui fuit ex Teucris, et servantissimus æqui: Diis aliter visum.”—_Æneid_, lib. ii. [635] Te autem mi Brute sicut debeo, amo, quod istud quicquid est nugarum me scire voluisti. [636] “Regina in mediis patrio vocat agmina sistro; Necdum etiam geminos a tergo respicit angues.” _Æneid_, viii. 696. [637] Ovid’s Metamorphoses, b. iii., iv., and vi.; and Fasti, iii. 767. [638] “Declinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit.” [639] The author, in all his physical works, proceeds upon this foundation, that it is possible, and practicable, for art to obtain the victory over nature; that is, for human industry and power to procure, by the means of proper knowledge, such things as are necessary to render life as happy and commodious as its mortal state will allow. For instance, that it is possible to lengthen the present period of human life; bring the winds under command: and every way extend and enlarge the dominion or empire of man over the works of nature. [640] “All-gift.” [641] Viz: that by Pandora. [642] “Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Quique metus omnes et inexorabile fatum Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari.” _Georg._ ii. 490. [643] _De Augmentis Scientiarum_, sec. xxviii. and supplem. xv. [644] An allusion which, in Plato’s writings, is applied to the rapid succession of generations, through which the continuity of human life is maintained from age to age; and which are perpetually transferring from hand to hand the concerns and duties of this fleeting scene. Γεννῶντες τε καὶ ἐκτρέφοντες παῖδας, κάθαπερ λαμπάδα τὸν βίον παραδιδόντες ἄλλοις ἐξ ἄλλων—Plato, Leg. b. vi. Lucretius also has the same metaphor:— “Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt.” [645] Eccles. xii. 11. [646] This is what the author so frequently inculcates in the _Novum Organum_, viz: that knowledge and power are reciprocal; so that to improve in knowledge is to improve in the power of commanding nature, by introducing new arts, and producing works and effects. [647] “Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento: Hæ tibi erunt artes.” _Æneid_, vi. 851. [648]