CHAPTER VII.
THE POETS ALSO BEAR TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH.
ET poetry also approach to us (for philosophy alone will not suffice): poetry which is wholly occupied with falsehood—which scarcely will make confession of the truth, but will rather own to God its deviations into fable. Let whoever of those poets chooses advance first. Aratus considers that the power of God pervades all things:
"That all may be secure,
Him ever they propitiate first and last, Hail,
Father! great marvel, great gain to man."
Thus also the Ascræan Hesiod dimly speaks of God:
"For He is the King of all, and monarch
Of the immortals; and there is none that may vie with Him in power."
Also on the stage they reveal the truth:
"Look on the ether and heaven, and regard that as God,"
says Euripides. And Sophocles, the son of Sophilus, says:
"One, in truth, one is God,
Who made both heaven and the far-stretching earth,
And ocean's blue wave, and the mighty winds;
But many of us mortals, deceived in heart,
Have set up for ourselves, as a consolation in our afflictions,
Images of the gods of stone, or wood, or brass,
Or gold, or ivory;
And, appointing to those sacrifices and vain festal assemblages,
Are accustomed thus to practise religion."
In this venturous manner has he on the stage brought truth before the spectators. But the Thracian Orpheus, the son of Œagrus, hierophant and poet at once, after his exposition of the orgies, and his theology of idols, introduces a palinode of truth with true solemnity, though tardily singing the strain:
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