chief, suitable to Jove's device.
("Iliad," xxiv. 527; vii. 69; "Odyssey," viii. 81.)

These passages we are to interpret as spoken concerning Fortune or Fate,
of the casuality of both which no account can be given by us, nor
do their effects fall under our power. But where anything is said
of Jupiter that is suitable, rational, and probable, there we are
to conceive that the names of that god is used properly. As in these
instances:--

Through others' ranks he conquering did range,
But shunned with Ajax any blows t' exchange;

But Jove's displeasure on him he had brought,
Had he with one so much his better fought.
("Iliad," xi. 540.)

For though great matters are Jove's special care,
Small things t' inferior daemons trusted are.

And other words there are which the poets remove and translate from
their proper sense by accommodation to various things, which deserve
also our serious notice. Such a one, for instance, is [Greek omitted],
VIRTUE. For because virtue does not only render men prudent, just, and
good, both in their words and deeds, but also oftentimes purchaseth to
them honor and power, therefore they call likewise these by that
name. So we are wont to call both the olive-tree and the fruit [Greek
omitted], and the oak-tree and its acorn [Greek omitted] communicating
the name of the one to the other. Therefore, when our young man reads in
the poets such passages as these,--

This law th' immortal gods to us have set,
That none arrive at virtue but by sweat;
(Hesiod, "Works and Days," 289.)

The adverse troops then did the Grecians stout
By their mere virtue profligate and rout;
("Iliad," xi. 90.)

If now the Fates determined have our death,
To virtue we'll consign our parting breath;--

let him presently conceive that these things are spoken of that most
excellent and divine habit in us which we understand to be no other than
right reason, or the highest attainment of the reasonable nature, and
most agreeable to the constitution thereof. And again, when he reads
this,

Of virtue Jupiter to one gives more,
And lessens, when he lifts, another's store;

and this,

Virtue and honor upon wealth attend;
(Ibid. xx. 242; Hesiod "Works and Days," 313.)

let him not sit down in an astonishing admiration of rich men, as
if they were enabled by their wealth to purchase virtue, nor let him
imagine that it