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THey say that Semele Iupiters Sweet-heart (hauing bound her Paramour by an irreuocable oath to grant her one request which shee would require) desired that he would accompany her in the same forme, wherein hee accompanied Iuno: which he granting (as not able to deny) it came to passe that the miserable wench was burnt with lightning. But the infant which she bare in her wombe, Iupiter the Fa∣ther tooke out, and kept it in a gash
which hee cut in his thigh, till the moneths were compleat that it should be borne. This burden made Iupiter somewhat to limpe, where∣upon the child (because it was hea∣uy and troublesome to its Father, while it lay in his thigh) was called Dionysus, Being borne, it was com∣mitted to Proserpina for some yeeres to be nurs't, and being growne vp, it had such a maiden face, as that a man could hardly iudge whether it were a boy or a girle. He was dead also, and buried for a time, but af∣terward reuiued. Being but a youth he inuented, and taught the plan∣ting and dressing of Vines, the ma∣king also and vse of wine, for which becomming famous and renowned, he subiugated the world, euen to the vttermost bounds of India. He rode in a Chariot drawen with Ty∣gers. There danc't about him cer∣taine deformed hobgoblins called Cobali, Aoratus, and others, yea euen the Muses also were some of his fol∣lowers. Hee tooke to wife Ariadne,
forsaken and left by Theseus. The tree sacred vnto him was the Iuie. He was held the inuentor and insti∣tutor of Sacrifices, and Ceremo∣nies, and full of corruption and cru∣elty. Hee had power to strike men with fury or madnes; for it is re∣ported, that at the celebration of his Orgies, two famous worthies, Pentheus and Orpheus were torne in pieces by certaine franticke women, the one because he got vpon a tree to behold their ceremonies in these sacrifices, the other for making me∣lodie with his harpe. And for his gests, they are in a manner the same with Iupiters.
There is such excellent morality coucht in this Fable, as that Morall philosophy affoords not better: for vnder the person of Bacchus is described the nature of affection, passion, or perturbation, the mother of which (though neuer so hurtful) is nothing els but the obiect of ap∣parent good in the eies of Appetite. And it is alwaies conceiued in an
vnlawfull desire rashly propounded and obteined, before well vnder∣stood and considered, and when it beginnes to growe, the Mother of it, which is the desire of apparent good by too much feruency is de∣stroyed and perisheth: Neuerthe∣lesse (whilst it is yet an imperfect Embrio) it is nourished and preser∣ued in the humane soule, (which is as it were a father vnto it, and repre∣sented by Iupiter) but especially in the inferiour parte thereof, as in a thigh, where also it causeth so much trouble and vexation, as that good determinations and actions are much hindred and lamed thereby, and when it comes to be confirmed by consent and habite, and breakes out, as it were, into act, it remaines yet a while, with Proserpina as with a Nurse, that is, it seekes corners and secret places, and, as it were, caues vnder ground, vntill (the reines of shame and feare being laid aside in a pampered audaciousnes) it either takes the pretext of some vertue, or
becomes altogether impudent and shameles. And it is most true, that euery vehement passion is of a doubtfull sexe, as being masculine in the first motion, but faeminine in prosecution.
It is an excellent fiction that of Bacchus his reuiuing: for passions doe somtimes seeme to be in a dead sleepe, and as it were vtterly extinct, but wee should not thinke them to be so indeed, no, though they lay, as it were, in their graue; for, let there be but matter and opportunitie offe∣red, and you shall see them quickly to reuiue againe.
The inuention of wine is wittily ascribed vnto him, euery affection being ingenious and skilfull in fin∣ding out that which brings nou∣rishment vnto it; And indeed of all things knowen to men, Wine is most powerfull and efficacious to excite and kindle passions of what kind soeuer, as being in a manner, a common Nurse to them all.
Againe his conquering of Na∣tions,
and vndertaking infinite ex∣peditions is an elegant deuice; For desire neuer rests content with what it hath, but with an infinite and vn∣satiable appetite still couets and gapes after more.
His Chariot also is well said to be drawen by Tygers: for as soone as any affection shall from going a∣foot, be aduanc't to ride in a Cha∣riot and shall captiuate reason, and leade her in a triumph, it growes cruell, vntamed, and fierce, against whatsoeuer withstands or oppo∣seth it.
It is worth the nothing also, that those ridiculous hobgoblins are brought in, dancing about his Cha∣riot: for euery passion doth cause, in the eies, face, and gesture, cer∣taine vndecent, and ill-seeming, apish, and deformed motions, so that they who in any kind of passi∣on, as in anger, arrogancy, or loue, seeme glorious and braue in their owne eies, do yet appeare to others misshapen and ridiculous.
In that the Muses are saide to be of his company, it shewes that there is no affection almost which is not soothed by some Art, wherein the indulgence of wits doth derogate from the glory of the Muses, who (when they ought to bee the Mi∣stresses of life) are made the waiting maids of affections.
Againe, where Bacchus is saide to haue loued Ariadne that was reie∣cted by Theseus; it is an Allegory of speciall obseruation: for it is most certaine, that passions alwaies co∣uet and desire that which experi∣ence forsakes, and they all knowe (who haue paide deare for seruing and obeying their lusts) that whe∣ther it be honour, or riches, or de∣light, or glory, or knowledge, or any thing els which they seeke af∣ter, yet are they but things cast off, and by diuers men in all ages, after experience had, vtterly reiected and loathed.
Neither is it without a mysterie, that the Iuie was sacred to Bacchus:
for the application holds, first, in that the Iuie remaines greene in winter. Secondly, in that it stickes too, embraceth, and ouertoppeth so many diuers bodies, as trees, walles, and edifices. Touching the first, euery passion doth by resi∣stance, and reluctation, and as it were by an Antiparistasis (like the Iuie of the colde of winter) growe fresh and lusty. And as for the o∣ther euery predominate affection doth againe (like the Iuie) embrace and limite all humane actions and determinations, adhering and clea∣uing fast vnto them.
Neither is it a wonder, that su∣perstitious rites, and ceremonies were attributed vnto Bacchus seeing euery giddy headed humour keepes in a manner, Reuell-rout in false religions: or that the cause of mad∣nes should bee ascribed vnto him, seeing euery affection is by nature a short fury, which (if it growe ve∣hement, and become habituall) concludes madnes.
Concerning the rending and dismembring of Pentheus and Or∣pheus, the parable is plaine, for eue∣ry preualent affection is outragi∣ous and seuere against curious in∣quiry, and wholsome and free ad∣monition.
Lastly, that confusion of Iupiter and Bacchus, their persons may be well transferred to a parable, seeing noble and famous acts, and remark∣able and glorious merits, doe some∣times proceed from vertue, and well ordered reason, and magnanimitie, and sometimes from a secret affe∣ction, and hidden passion, which are so dignified with the celebritie of fame and glory, that a man can hardly distinguish betweene the actes of Bacchus, and the gests of Iupiter.