The Major Works (English Library) (23 page)

That a Brock or Badger hath the legs of one side shorter then of the other, though an opinion perhaps not very ancient, is yet very generall; received not only by theorists and unexperienced beleevers, but assented unto by most who have the opportunity to behold and hunt them daily. Which notwithstanding upon enquiry I finde repugnant unto the three determinators of truth, Authority, Sense and Reason. For first, Albertus
magnus
speaks dubiously, confessing he could not confirm the verity hereof; but Aldrovand affirmeth plainly, there can be no such inequality observed. And for my own part, upon indifferent
enquiry, I cannot discover this difference; although the regardible side be defined, and the brevity by most imputed unto the left.

Again, It seems no easie affront unto reason, and generally repugnant unto the course of nature; for if we survey the totall set of animals, we may in their legs, or organs of progression, observe an equality of length, and parity of numeration; that is, not any to have an odde leg, or the supporters and movers of one side not exactly answered by the other. Although the hinder may be unequall unto the fore and middle legs, as in Frogs, Locusts and Grashoppers; or both unto the middle, as in some beetles, and spiders, as is determined by Aristotle
de incessu animalium
. Perfect and viviparous quadrupeds, so standing in their position of pronenesse, that the opposite joints of neighbour legs consist in the same plane; and a line descending from their navell intersects at right angles the axis of the earth. It happeneth often I confesse that a Lobster hath the chely or great claw of one side longer then the other; but this is not properly their legs, but a part of apprehension, and whereby they hold or seize upon their prey; for the legs and proper parts of progression are inverted backward, and stand in a position opposite unto these.

Lastly, The monstrosity is ill contrived, and with some disadvantage; the shortnesse being affixed unto the legs of one side, which might have been more tolerably placed upon the thwart or Diagoniall
¹⁵
movers; for the progression of quadrupeds being performed
per Diametrum
, that is the crosse legs moving or resting together, so that two are alwaies in motion, and two in station at the same time; the brevity had been more tolerable in the crosse legs. For then the motion and station had been performed by equall legs; whereas herein they are both performed by unequall organs, and the imperfection becomes discoverable at every hand.

That there are Griffins in Nature, that is, a mixt and dubious Animall, in the fore-part resembling an Eagle, and behinde, the shape of a Lion, with erected eares, four feet, and a long taile, many affirm, and most, I perceive, deny not. The same is averred by Ælian, Solinus, Mela and Herodotus, countenanced by the name sometimes found in Scripture, and was an Hieroglyphick of the Egyptians.

Notwithstanding we finde most diligent enquiries to be of a contrary assertion; for beside that Albertus and Pliny have disallowed it, the learned Aldrovandus hath in a large discourse rejected it; Mathias Michovius who writ of those Northern parts wherein men place these Griffins, hath positively concluded against it; and if examined by the doctrine of Animals, the invention is monstrous, nor much inferiour unto the figment of Sphynx, Chimæra and Harpies. For though some species there be of middle and participating natures, that is, of bird and beast, as Bats and some few others, yet are their parts so conformed and set together, that we cannot define the beginning or end of either; there being a commixtion of both in the whole, rather then an adaptation or cement of the one unto the other.

Now for the word
γρ
ψ
or Gryps, sometimes mentioned in Scripture, and frequently in humane Authors, properly understood, it signifies some kinde of Eagle or Vulture; from whence the Epithete Grypus for an hooked or Aquiline nose. Thus when the Septuagint makes use of this word, Tremellius and our Translation hath rendred it the Ossifrage;
¹⁶
which is one kinde of Eagle. And although the Vulgar translation, and that annexed unto the Septuagint retain the word
Gryps
, which in ordinary and school-construction is commonly rendred a Griffin; yet cannot the Latine assume any other sense then the
Greek, from whence it is borrowed. And though the Latine
Gryphes
be altered somewhat by the addition of an h, or aspiration of the letter
π
, yet is not this unusuall; so what the Greeks call
τρóπαιον
, the Latines will call
Trophæum
, and that person which in the Gospel is named
Kλεότας
, the Latines will render
Cleophas
. And therefore the quarrell of Origen was injust and his conception erroneous, when he conceived the food of Griffins forbidden by the Law of Moses; that is, poeticall Animals, and things of no existence. And therefore when in the Hecatombs
¹⁷
and mighty oblations of the Gentiles, it is delivered they sacrificed Gryphes or Griffins; hereby we may understand some stronger sort of Eagles. And therefore also when its said in Virgil of an improper match, or Mopsus marrying Nysa,
Jungentur jam gryphes equis
;
¹⁸
we need not hunt after other sense, then that strange unions shall be made, and differing natures be conjoined together.

As for the testimonies of ancient Writers, they are but derivative, and terminate all in one Aristeus a Poet of Proconesus; who affirmed that neer the Arimaspi, or one eyed Nation, Griffins defended the mines of gold. But this as Herodotus delivereth, he wrote by hearsay; and Michovius who hath expressely written of those parts plainly affirmeth, there is neither gold nor Griffins in that countrey, nor any such Animall extant; for so doth he conclude,
Ego vero contra veteres authores, Gryphes nec in illa septentrionis, nec in aliis orbis partibus inveniri affirmarim
.
¹⁹

Lastly, Concerning the Hieroglyphicall authority, although it neerest approacheth the truth, it doth not inferre its existency; the conceit of the Griffin properly taken being but a symbolicall phancy, in so intolerable a shape including allowable morality. So doth it well make out the properties of a Guardian, or any person entrusted; the ears implyingattention, the wings celerity of execution, the Lion-like shape, courage and audacity, the hooked bill, reservance and tenacity. It is also an Embleme of
valour and magnanimity, as being compounded of the Eagle and Lion, the noblest Animals in their kindes; and so is it appliable unto Princes, Presidents, Generals, and all heroick Commanders; and so is it also born in the Coat-armes of many noble Families of Europe.

That there is but one Phænix in the world, which after many hundred years burneth it self, and from the ashes thereof ariseth up another, is a conceit not new or altogether popular, but of great Antiquity; not only delivered by humane Authors, but frequently expressed by holy Writers; by Cyril, Epiphanius and others, by Ambrose in his Hexameron, and Tertul. in his Poem
de Judicio Domini
, but more agreeably unto the present sense, in his excellent Tract,
de Resur. carnis.
[
I mean that bird, special to the east, famous for its solitary character, miraculous in its after-history, which gladly puts itself to death and renews itself, passing away and appearing again by a death which is a birth, a second time a phænix where now there is none, a second time the very creature that no longer exists, another and yet the same
].
²⁰
The Scripture also seems to favour it, particularly that of Job 21. in the Interpretation of Beda,
Dicebam in nidulo meo moriar, & sicut Phænix multiplicabo dies
:
²¹
and Psalme 31. δίκαιος ώς øο
νιξ
νθ
σ∈ι,
vir justus ut Phænix florebit
,
²²
as Tertullian renders it, and so also expounds it in his book before alledged.

All which notwithstanding, we cannot presume the existence of this Animall; nor dare we affirm there is any Phænix in Nature. For, first there wants herein the definitive confirmator and test of things uncertain, that is, the sense of man. For though many Writers have much enlarged hereon, there is not any ocular describer, or such as presumeth to confirm it upon aspection;
²³
And therefore Herodotus that led the story unto
the Greeks, plainly saith, he never attained the sight of any, but only in the picture.

Again, Primitive Authors, and from whom the stream of relations is derivative, deliver themselves very dubiously; and either by a doubtfull parenthesis, or a timerous conclusion overthrow the whole relation… Moreover, Such as have naturally discoursed hereon, have so diversly, contrarily, or contradictorily delivered themselves, that no affirmative from thence can reasonably be deduced. For most have positively denied it, and they which affirm and beleeve it, assign this name unto many, and mistake two or three in one… Nor are men only at variance in regard of the Phæenix it self, but very disagreeing in the accidents ascribed thereto: for some affirm it liveth three hundred, some five, others six, some a thousand, others no lesse then fifteen hundred years; some say it liveth in Æthiopia, others in Arabia, some in Ægypt, others in India, and some in Utopia; for such must that be which is described by Lactantius; that is, which neither was singed in the combustion of Phaeton, or overwhelmed by the inundation of Deucaleon.

Lastly, Many Authors who have discoursed hereof, have so delivered themselves, and with such intentions, we cannot from thence deduce a confirmation. For some have written Poetically as Ovid, Mantuan, Lactantius, Claudian and others: Some have written mystically, as Paracelsus in his book
de Azoth
, or
de ligno & linea vitæ
; and as severall Hermeticall Philosophers, involving therein the secret of their Elixir, and enigmatically expressing the nature of their great work. Some have written Rhetorically, and concessively, not controverting but assuming the question, which taken as granted advantaged the illation. So have holy men made usehereof as farre as thereby to confirm the Resurrection; for discoursing with heathens who granted the story of the Phænix, they induced the Resurrection from principles of their own, and positions received among themselves. Others have spoken Emblematically and Hieroglyphically; and so did the Ægyptians, unto whom the Phænix was the Hieroglyphick of the Sunne. And this was probably the ground of the whole relation; succeeding ages adding
fabulous accounts, which laid together built up this singularity, which every pen proclaimeth.…