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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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OF THE DRUIDS.l(jlijiu to be Charon, or some lapetus from <strong>the</strong> ne<strong>the</strong>rmos<strong>the</strong>ll, or any thini^ ra<strong>the</strong>r than Hercules.But tho' he be such thus far, yet he has withall<strong>the</strong> habit <strong>of</strong> Hercules ; being clad in <strong>the</strong> skin <strong>of</strong> r.lion, holding a clnb in his right hand, a quiverhanging from his shoulders, and a bent bow in hisleft hand. Upon <strong>the</strong> whole it is Hercules. I v/as<strong>of</strong> opinion that all <strong>the</strong>se things were perverselydone, in dishonor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grecian gods, by <strong>the</strong>Gauls to <strong>the</strong> picture <strong>of</strong> Hercules: revenging<strong>the</strong>mselves upon him by such a representation, forhaving formerly over-run <strong>the</strong>ir country, and drivinga prey out <strong>of</strong> it;herd <strong>of</strong> Geryon, atas he was seeking aftert hewhich time he made incursionsinto most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> western nations. But 1have not yet told, v/hat is most odd and strangein this picture;for this old Hercules draws afterhim a vast multitude <strong>of</strong> men, all ty'd by <strong>the</strong>ir ears.The cords by which he does this are small finechains, artificially made <strong>of</strong> gold and electrum, liketo most beautiful bracelets. And tho' <strong>the</strong> menare drawn by such slender bonds, yet none <strong>of</strong> 'em.thinks <strong>of</strong> breaking loose, w^hen <strong>the</strong>y might easilydo it; nei<strong>the</strong>r do <strong>the</strong>y strive in <strong>the</strong> least to <strong>the</strong>contrary, or struggle with <strong>the</strong>ir feet, leaning backwith all <strong>the</strong>ir might against <strong>the</strong>ir leader:but <strong>the</strong>ygladly and cheerfully follow, praising him thatdraws <strong>the</strong>m ;all seeming in haste, and desirous toget before each o<strong>the</strong>r, holding up <strong>the</strong> chains, as if<strong>the</strong>y should be very sorry to be set free.XNor will

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