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Contemplation) feems to be this: That in every Art and Science, and fo in their Rules and Axioms, there be a mean obferved between the Rocks of Diftinctions and the Gulfs of Univerfalities; which two are famous for the Wrack both of Wits and Arts.

XXVIII. Sphynx, or Science.

HEY fay that Sphynx was a Monster of divers Forms, as having the Face and Voice of a Virgin, the Wings of a Bird, and the Talons of a Griffin. Her abode was in a Mountain near the City of Thebes, fhe kept alfo the Highways, and used to lie in Ambush for Travellers, and so to surprise them: To whom (being in her Power) fhe propounded certain dark and intricate Riddles, which were thought to have been given and received of the Mufes. Now if thefe miferable Captives were not able instantly to refolve and interpret them in the midst of their Difficulties and Doubts, fhe would rend and tear them in pieces. The Country groaning a long time under this Calamity, the Thebans at laft propounded the Kingdom as a Reward unto him that could interpret the Riddles of Sphynx, there being no other way to destroy her: Whereupon Edipus (a Man of piercing and deep Judgement, but Maimed and Lame by reafon of Holes bored in his Feet,) moved with the hope of fo great a Reward, accepted the Condition, and determined to put it to the hazard; and fo

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with an undaunted and bold Spirit, presented himself before the Monster; who afked him what Creature that was which after his Birth went first upon four Feet, next, upon two, then upon three, and lastly, upon four Feet again, anfwered forthwith, that it was Man; which in his Infancy, immediately after Birth crawls upon all four, fcarce venturing to creep, and not long after stands upright upon two Feet; then growing old, he leans upon a Staff wherewith he supports himself, so that he may seem to have three Feet; and at laft in decrepit Years, his Strength failing him, he falls grovelling again upon four, and lies bedrid. Having therefore by this true Answer gotten the Victory, he inftantly flew this Sphynx, and laying her Body upon an Afs, led it, as it were, in Triumph; and fo, according to the Condition, was created King of the Thebans.

This Fable contains in it no less Wisdom than Elegancy, and it seems to point at Science, especially that which is joined with Practice, for Science may not abfurdly be termed a Monster, as being by the ignorant and rude Multitude always held in Admiration. It is diverse in Shape and Figure, by reason of the infinite variety of Subjects, wherein it is converfant. A Maiden Face and Voice is attributed unto it for its gracious countenance and volubility of Tongue. Wings are added, because Sciences and their Inventions do pass and fly from one to another, as it were, in a moment, seeing that the Communication of Science, is as the kindling of one Light at another. Elegantly

also it is feigned to have sharp and hooked Talons, because the Axioms and Arguments of Science do so fasten upon the Mind, and fo ftrongly apprehend and hold it, as that it cannot stir or evade, which is noted alfo by the Divine Philosopher, Eccles. xii,

12.

Verba fapientum (faith he) funt tanquam aculei et veluti clavi in altum defixi. These words of the Wife are like Goads or Nails driven far in.

Moreover, all Science feems to be placed in fteep and high Mountains; as being thought to be a lofty and high thing, looking down upon Ignorance with a scornful Eye. It may be observed and feen also a great way, and far in compass, as things fet on the tops of Mountains.

Furthermore, Science may well be feign'd to befet the Highways, because which way foever we turn in this Progress and Pilgrimage of Human Life, we meet with some matter or occafion offered for Contemplation.

Sphynx is faid to have received from the Muses divers difficult Questions and Riddles, and to propound them unto Men, which remaining with the Muses, are free (it may be) from savage Cruelty; for fo long as there is no other end of Study and Meditation, than to know, the Understanding is not racked and imprisoned, but enjoys Freedom and Liberty, and even Doubts and Variety find a kind. of Pleasure and Delectation: But when once these Enigmas are delivered by the Mufes to Sphynx, that is, to Practice, fo that if it be folicited and urged by Action and Election, and Determination; they begin to be troublesome and raging; and

unless they be refolved and expedited, they do wonderfully torment and vex the Minds of Men, diftracting, and in a manner rending them into fundry Parts.

Moreover, there is always a twofold Condition propounded with Sphynx her Enigmas: To him that doth not expound them, distraction of Mind; and to him that doth, a Kingdom; for he that knows that which he fought to know, hath attained the end he aimed at, and every Artificer also commands over his Work.1

Of Sphynx her Riddles, they are generally two kinds; fome concerning the Nature of things, others touching the Nature of Man. So alfo there are two kinds of Emperias, as Rewards to those that refolve them. The one over Nature, the other over Men; for the proper and chief end of true Natural Philofophy is to commend and sway over Natural Beings; as Bodies, Medicines, Mechanical Works, and infinite other things; although the School (being content with fuch things as are offered, and priding itself with Speeches) doth neglect Realities and Works, treading them, as it were, under foot. But that Enigma propounded to Edipus (by means of which he obtained the Theban Empire) belonged to the Nature of Man: For whofoever doth thoroughly confider the Nature of Man, may be in a manner the Contriver of his own Fortune, and is born to command, which is well spoken of the Romans' Arts:

1 The reader will be reminded of the maxim Bacon fo frequently urges, that "Knowledge is power.'

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Tu

regere imperio populos, Romane, memento. Hæ tibi erunt Artes 2

Roman, remember, that with Sceptres' awe
Thy Realms thou rule. These Arts let be thy
Law.

It was therefore very appofite, that Auguftus Cafar (whether by Premeditation or by a Chance) bare a Sphynx in his Signet: For he (if ever any) was famous not only in Political Government, but in all the course of his Life; he happily discovered many new Enigmas concerning the Nature of Man, which if he had not done with Dexterity and Promptness, he had oftentimes fallen into imminent Danger and Destruction.

Moreover, it is added in the Fable, that the Body of Sphynx, when she was overcome, was laid upon an Afs; which indeed is an elegant Fiction, seeing there is nothing so acute and abftruse, but (being well understood, and divulged,) may be well apprehended by a flow capacity.

Neither is it to be omitted, that Sphynx was overcome by a Man lame in his Feet; for when Men are too swift of Foot and too speedy of Pace in hastening to Sphynx's Enigmas, it comes to pass that (fhe getting the upper hand) their Wits and minds are rather diftracted by Disputations, than that ever they come to command by Works and Effects.

2 Aeneid vi. 851.

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