XXIV. Dionyfus, or Paffions. HEY fay that Semele, Jupiter's Sweetheart, (having bound her Paramour, by an irrevocable Oath, to grant her one Request which she would require) defired that he would accompany her in the fame form wherein he accompanied Juno: Which he granting (as not able to deny) it came to pass, that the miserable Wench was burnt with Lightning. But the Infant which she bare in her Womb, Jupiter, the Father, took out, and kept it in a Gash which he cut in his Thigh, till the Months were complete that it should be born. This burden made Jupiter fomewhat to limp, whereupon the Child (because it was heavy and troublesome to its Father while it lay in his Thigh) was called Dionyfus. Being born it was committed to Proferpina for fome Years to be Nurft, and being grown up, it had fuch a maiden Face, as that a Man could hardly judge whether it were a Boy or Girl. He was dead alfo, and buried for a time, but afterward revived: Being but a Youth, he invented and taught the planting and dreffing of Vines, the making also, and use of Wine; for which, becoming famous and renowned, he subjugated the World, even to the uttermoft bounds of India. He rode in a Chariot drawn with Tigers. There danced about him certain deformed Hobgoblins called Cohali. Acratus and others, yea, even the Muses also were

fome of his Followers. He took to Wife Ariadne, forfaken and left by Thefeus. The Tree facred unto him was the Ivy. He was held the Inventor and Inftitutor of Sacrifices and Ceremonies, and full of Corruption and Cruelty. He had power to ftrike Men with Fury and Madness; for it is reported, That at the celebration of his Orgies, two famous Worthies, Pentheus and Orpheus, were torn in Pieces by certain frantic Women, the one because he got upon a Tree to behold their Ceremonies in these Sacrifices; the other for making melody with his Harp: And for his Gods, they are in a manner the fame with Jupiter's.

There is such excellent morality couched in this Fable, as that moral Philofophy affords not better; for under the Perfon of Bacchus is defcribed the nature of Affection, Paffion or Perturbation, the Mother of which (though never fo hurtful) is nothing else but the Object of apparent good in the Eyes of Appetite. And it is always conceived in an unlawful defire, rafhly propounded and obtained, before well understood and confidered; and when it begins to grow, the Mother of it, which is the defire of apparent good by too much fervency, is destroyed and perisheth. Nevertheless (whilst yet it is an imperfect Embryo) it is nourished and preferved in the Human Soul (which is as it were a Father unto it, and represented by Jupiter) but especially in the inferior part thereof, as in a Thigh, where also it caufeth fo much trouble and vexation, as that good determinations and actions are much hindered and lamed thereby; and when it

comes to be confirmed by consent and habit, and breaks out as it were into act, it remains yet a while with Proferpina, as with a Nurse, that is, it seeks corners and fecret places, and as it were, Caves under Ground, until (the Reins of Shame and Fear being laid aside in a pampered audaciousness) it either takes the pretext of fome Virtue, or becomes altogether impudent and fhameless. And it is most true, that every vehement Paffion is of a doubtful Sex, as being Masculine in the first Motion, but Feminine in Prosecution.

It is an excellent Fiction that of Bacchus's reviving; for Paffions do fometimes feem to be in a dead Sleep, and as it were utterly extinct, but we should not think them to be fo indeed, no, though they lie, as it were, in their Grave; for let there be but matter and opportunity offered, and you shall see them quickly to revive again.

The invention of Wine is wittily ascribed unto him; every affection being ingenious and skilful in finding out that which brings Nourishment unto it; and indeed, of all things known to Men, Wine is most powerful and efficacious to excite and kindle Paffions of what kind foever, as being in a manner common Nurse to them all.

Again, his conquering of Nations, and undertaking infinite Expeditions is an elegant device; for Defire never refts content with what it hath, but with an infinite and unfatiable Appetite ftill covets and gapes after more.

His Chariot alfo is well faid to be drawn by Tigers; for as foon as any affection shall from going

a-foot, be advanced to ride in a Chariot, and shall captivate Reason, and lead her in a Triumph, it grows cruel, untamed, and fierce against whatsoever withstands or oppofeth it.

It is worth the noting alfo, that those ridiculous Hobgoblins are brought in dancing about his Chariot; for every Paffion doth cause in the Eyes, Face and Gesture, certain indecent, and ill-feeming, apish, and deformed Motions; so that they who in any kind of Paffion, as in anger, arrogance, or love, feem glorious and brave in their own Eyes, do yet appear to others miffhapen and ridiculous.

In that the Muses are faid to be of his company, it fhews that there is no affection almost which is not foothed by fome Art, wherein the indulgence of Wits doth derogate from the glory of the Mufes, who (when they ought to be the Mistress of Life) are made the Waiting-maids of Affections.

Again, where Bacchus is faid to have loved Ariadne, that was rejected by Thefeus; it is an Allegory of special obfervation; for it is most certain, that Paffions always covet and defire that which Experience forfakes; and they all know (who have paid dear for ferving and obeying their Luft) that whether it be Honour, or Riches, or Delight, or Glory, or knowledge, or any thing else which they feek after, yet are they but things caft off, and by divers Men, in all ages after experience had utterly rejected and loathed.

Neither is it without a Mystery, that the Ivy was facred to Bacchus ; for the Application holds, Firft, In that the Ivy remains green in Winter: Secondly,

In that it sticks to, embraceth and overtoppeth so many divers Bodies, as Trees, Walls and Edifices. Touching the first, every paffion doth by resistance and reluctation, and as it were by Antiperiftafis (like the Ivy of the cold Winter) grow fresh and lufty. And as for the other, every predominate Affection doth again (like the Ivy) embrace and limit all Human Actions and Determinations, adhering and cleaving fast unto them.

Neither is it a wonder, that fuperftitious Rites and Ceremonies were attributed unto Bacchus, seeing every giddy-headed humour keeps in a manner Revel-rout in falfe Religions; or that the cause of Madness should be ascribed unto him, seeing every affection is by Nature a short fury, which (if it grows vehement, and become habitual) concludes in Madness.

Concerning the rending and difmembering of Pentheus and Orpheus, the Parable is plain, for every prevalent affection is outrageous and fevere, and against curious inquiry, and wholesome and free admonition.

Laftly, That by confufion of Jupiter and Bacchus, their Perfons may be well transferred to a Parable, feeing noble and famous Acts, and remarkable and glorious Merits, do fometimes proceed from Virtue, and well ordered Reason and Magnanimity, and fometimes from a fecret Affection, and hidden Paffion, which are fo dignified with the celebrity of Fame and Glory, that a Man can hardly distinguish between the Acts of Bacchus, and the Jefts of Jupiter.