VERS. XI.

GEmini in the Zodiack, commonly pictured sitting upon horses; and so they ap∣peared (if we will believe the Historian) in that fight at the lake Regillus, leading on the Roman horse, and so pressing upon the enemy, that under their conduct the vi∣ctory was obtained b. But another time the Pseudo-Castores, false Castors and Pollux ap∣peared not so fortunately: c〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. While the Lacedemonians were celebrating the Feast of Castor and Pollux within their Camp, and had given themselves to sports and drinking, after dinner Gonippus and Pandoremus, [two Messenian young men that were wont to wast the Lacedemonians] of a sudden appear amongst these Lacedemonians, clothed in white Tunicks and purple cloaks, mounted on beauti∣ful horses; the Lacedemonians beholding them, and supposing them no other than Castor and Pollux, and that they were come to their own Festivals, worship them, and make their prayers to them. But the young men as soon as they found themselves received in the midst of them, break through them, making slaughter every where with their launces, and so a great number being slain, they return safe to A•dania, casting a reproach upon the Feast of Castor and Pollux.

From the habit of these Pseudo-Castors, false Castor and Pollux it is easie conjecturing in what form they were wont to be pictured, who in the judgment of the deceived people were the true ones. Comely young men, in comely apparel, and riding on horseback; and yet they are sometimes drawn on foot; as in that obscure passage of the same Pausa∣niasd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, where the Latin Interpreter renders it, The Temple of Castor and Pollux is very an∣cient,Page  706where young men are beheld sitting on horseback. But the words of the Author are plainly to this purpose, that Castor and Pollux are drawn standing, and their boys on horse∣back. There is something parallel in another place of this Author that gives some light in this matter e, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. After this is the Temple of Castor and Pol∣lux. They are pictured themselves and their two sons Anaxis and Mnasinous, and together with them, their mothers, Hilaria and Phebe, done by the skill of Dipenus and Scyllis in Ebony∣wood; the greater part even of the horses being made of Ebony, the rest though very little of Ivory.

It was believed they were propitious Deities to Mariners, and therefore does the Cen∣turion having been so lately shipwreckt, so much the rather commit himself to a ship that carried that sign? And what doth St. Paul say to such a superstition? He knew he had the convoy and protection of a better Deity; nor is it improbable but that the Centurion had imbibed something of Christianity himself, and it would be strange if some of the Soldiers by so long society with St. Paul had not also. But it seems there was no other ship ready, at least no other that was bound for Italy.