It is also probable what is conceived of its Antiquity, that the knowledge of its polary power and direction unto the North was unknown unto the Ancients; and though _Levinus Lemnius_, and _Cælius Colcagninus_, are of another belief, is justly placed with new inventions by _Pancirollus_. For their _Achilles_ and strongest argument is an expression in _Plautus_, a very Ancient author, and contemporary unto _Ennius_. _Hic ventus jam secundus est, cape modo versoriam._ Now this _versoriam_ they construe to be the compass, which notwithstanding according unto _Pineda_, who hath discussed the point, _Turnebus_, _Cabeus_, and divers others, is better interpreted the rope that helps to turn the Ship, or as we say, doth make it tack about; the Compass declaring rather the Ship is turned, then conferring unto its conversion. As for the long expeditions and sundry voyages of elder times, which might confirm the Antiquity of this invention, it is not improbable they were performed by the help of Stars; and so might the Phœnicean navigators, and also _Ulisses_ sail about the Mediterranean, by the flight of Birds, or keeping near the shore; and so might _Hanno_ coast about _Africa_; or by the help of Oars, as is expressed in the voyage of _Jonah_. And whereas it is contended that this verticity was not unknown unto _Solomon_, in whom is presumed an universality of knowledge; it will as forcibly follow, he knew the Art of Typography, Powder and Guns, or had the Philosophers Stone, yet sent unto _Ophir_ for Gold. It is not to be denied, that beside his Political wisdom, his knowledge in Philosophy was very large; and perhaps from his works therein, the ancient Philosophers, especially _Aristotle_, who had the assistance of _Alexanders_ acquirements, collected great observables. Yet if he knew the use of the Compass, his Ships were surely very slow, that made a three years voyage from _Eziongeber_ in the red Sea unto _Ophir_; which is supposed to be _Taprobana_ or _Malaca_ in the _Indies_, not many moneths sail; and since in the same or lesser time, _Drake_ and _Candish_ performed their voyage about the Earth. And as the knowledge of its verticity is not so old as some conceive, so it is more ancient then most believe; nor had its discovery with Guns, Printing, or as many think, some years before the discovery of _America_. For it was not unknown unto _Petrus Peregrinus_ a Frenchman, who two hundred years since left a Tract of the Magnet, and a perpetual motion to be made thereby, preserved by _Gasserus_. _Paulus Venetus_, and about five hundred years past _Albertus Magnus_ make mention hereof, and quote for it a Book of _Aristotle_, _De Lapide_; which Book although we find in the Catalogue of _Laertius_, yet with _Cabeus_ we may rather judge it to be the work of some Arabick Writer, not many years before the days of _Albertus_.