Here we have distinctly indicated that contrast between the _old_ and the _new_ gods, which Æschylus makes so prominent, not only in this play, but also in the Furies. The conclusion has been drawn by various scholars that Æschylus was secretly unfavourable to the recognised dynasty of Jove, and that his real allegiance was to these elder gods. But the inference is hasty and unauthorised. His taste for the sublime led him into these primeval ages, as it also did Milton: that is all we can say. {391} Note 15 (p. 188). ". . . the new-forged counsels That shall hurl him from his throne." The new-forged counsels were of Jove's own devising--viz., that he should marry Thetis; of which marriage, if it should take place, the son was destined to usurp his father's throne.--SCHOLIAST. Note 16 (p. 188). "O, 'tis hard, most hard to reach The heart of Jove!" Inexorability is a grand characteristic of the gods. "Desine fata deum flecti sperare precando."--VIRG., ÆN. VI. And so Homer makes Nestor say of Agamemnon, vainly hoping to appease the wrath of Pallas Athena, by hecatombs-- "Witless in his heart he knew not what dire sufferings he must bear, For not lightly from their purposed counsel swerve the eternal gods." ODYS. III. 147. And of Jove, in particular, Hera says to Themis, in the council of the gods-- "Well thou knowest How the Olympian's heart is haughty, and his temper how severe." ILIAD XV. 94. Note 17 (p. 188). "My mother Themis, not once but oft, and Earth (One shape of various names)." Æschylus does not and could not confound these two distinct persons, as POT. will have it.--See Eumenides, 2. SCHOE. has stated the whole case very clearly. POT. remarks with great justice, that a multiplicity of names "is a mark of dignity;" it by no means follows, however, that _Themis_, in this passage, is one of those many names which Earth receives. In illustration we may quote a passage from the _Kurma Ouran_ (Kennedy's Researches on Hindoo Mythology; London, 1831; p. 208)--"That," says Vishnu, pointing to Siva, "is the great god of gods, shining in his own refulgence, eternal, devoid of thought, who produced thee (Brahma), and gave to thee the Vedas, and who likewise originated me, and _gave me various names._" Southey, in the roll of celestial _dramatis personæ_ prefixed to the Curse of Kehama, says "that Siva boasts as many as _one thousand and eight names_." Note 18 (p 189). "Suspicion's a disease that cleaves to tyrants, And they who love most are the first suspected."