VIII.

THE FABLE OF TYPHON;

EXPLAINED OF REBELLION.

THE fable runs, that Juno, enraged at Jupiter's bringing forth Pallas without her assistance, incessantly solicited all the gods and goddesses, that she might produce without Jupiter: and having by violence and importunity obtained the grant, she struck the earth, and thence immediately sprung up Typhon, a huge and dreadful monster, whom she committed to the nursing of a serpent. As soon as he was grown up, this monster waged war on Jupiter, and taking him prisoner in the battle, carried him away on his shoulders, into a remote and obscure quarter: and there cutting out the sinews of his hands and feet, he bore them off, leaving Jupiter behind miserably maimed and mangled.

But Mercury afterwards stole these sinews from Typhon, and restored them to Jupiter. Hence, recovering his strength, Jupiter again pursues the monster; first wounds him with a stroke of his thunder, when serpents arose from the blood of the wound: and now the monster being dismayed, and taking to flight, Jupiter next darted Mount Etna upon him, and crushed him with the weight.

EXPLANATION.

THIS fable seems designed to express the various fates of kings, and the turns that rebellions sometimes take, in kingdoms. For princes may be justly esteemed married to their states, as Jupiter to Juno: but it sometimes happens, that being depraved by long wielding of the scepter, and growing tyrannical, they would engross all to themselves; and slighting the counsel of their senators and nobles, conceive by themselves; that is, govern according to their own arbitrary will and pleasure. This inflames the people, and makes them endeavour to create and set up some head of their own. Such designs are generally set on foot by the secret motion and instigation of the peers and nobles; under whose connivance the common sort are prepared for rising: whence proceeds a swell in the state, which is appositely denoted by the nursing of Typhon. This growing posture of affairs is fed by the natural depravity, and malignant disposition of the vulgar, which to kings is an envenomed serpent. And now the disaffected uniting their force, at length break out into open rebellion, which, producing infinite mischiefs, both to prince and people, is represented by the horrid and multiplied deformity of Typhon, with

his hundred heads, denoting the divided powers; his flaming mouths, denoting fire and devastation; his girdles of snakes denoting sieges and destruction; his iron hands, slaughter and cruelty; his eagle's talons, rapine and plunder; his plumed body, perpetual rumours, contradictory accounts, &c. And sometimes these rebellions grow so high, that kings are obliged, as if carried on the backs of the rebels, to quit the throne, and retire to some remote and obscure part of their dominions, with the loss of their sinews, both of money and majesty.

But if now they prudently bear this reverse of fortune, they may, in a short time, by the assistance of Mercury, recover their sinews again; that is, by becoming moderate and affable; reconciling the minds and affections of the people to them, by gracious speeches, and prudent proclamations, which will win over the subject chearfully to afford new aids and supplies, and add fresh vigour to authority. But prudent and wary princes here seldom incline to try their fortune by a war, yet do their utmost, by some grand exploit, to crush the reputation of the rebels and if the attempt succeeds, the rebels, conscious of the wound received, and distrustful of their cause, first betake themselves to broken and empty threats, like the his

sings of serpents; and next, when matters are grown desperate, to flight. And now, when they thus begin to shrink, it is safe and seasonable for kings to pursue them with their forces, and the whole strength of the kingdom; thus effectually quashing and suppressing them, as it were by the weight of a mountain.

IX.

THE FABLE OF ACHELOUS;

EXPLAINED OF WAR, BY INVASION.

THE ancients relate, that Hercules and Achelous being rivals in the courtship of Deianira, the matter was contested by single combat: when Achelous having transformed himself, as he had power to do, into various shapes, by way of trial; at length, in the form of a fierce wild bull, prepares himself for the fight: But Hercules still retains his human shape, engages sharply with him, and in the issue broke off one of the bull's horns; and now Achelous in great pain and fright, to redeem his horn, presents Hercules with the cornu-copia.

EXPLANATION.

THIS fable relates to military expeditions and preparations for the preparation of war on the

defensive side, here denoted by Achelous, appears in various shapes, whilst the invading side has hut one simple form; consisting either in an army, or perhaps a fleet. But the country that expects the invasion, is employed infinite ways; in fortifying towns, blockading passes, rivers, and ports; raising soldiers; disposing garrisons; building and breaking down bridges; procuring aids; securing provisions, arms, ammunition, &c. So that there appears a new face of things every day; and at length when the country is sufficiently fortified and prepared, it represents to the life, the form, and threats of a fierce, fighting bull.

On the other side, the invader presses on to the fight, fearing to be distressed in an enemy's country. And if after the battle he remains master of the field, and has now broke, as it were, the horn of his enemy, the besieged, of course, retire inglorious, affrighted, and dismayed, to their strong-hold; there endeavouring to secure themselves, and repair their strength; leaving, at the same time, their country a prey to the conqueror: which is well expressed by the Amalthean horn, or cornu-copia.