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SECTION IX.

INTERPRETATION OF FABLES.

We read in ancient fable that the Sphinx sat by the way-side, and propounded to every passer-by a riddle to this effect: What is that animal which in the morning goes upon four legs, at noon goes upon two legs, and at night goes upon three legs? If the traveller could answer truly, the Sphinx should be slain; if not, then the Sphinx would swallow him. The question is simple if we would merely suggest an animal that goes in this method: for man goes first on all four of his limbs in the morning of life,—at life's noon he is on his legs,—and in life's evening he steadies his two legs with a staff. It is said that Oedipus answered the riddle, whereat the enraged Sphinx threw herself into the sea. There are other tales, of various import, in regard to the Sphinx,—all of which are wanting in significance. We can but think that a soul more exalted than those which the authors of these tales possessed was the deviser of that most significant of images, whose meaning was hidden from the many.

The Sphinx is an idol, or symbol of God. It is the head and breast of man, on the body of a winged dog with lions' paws. It is an expression, by the highest earthly types, of intelligence, power, ubiquity, and integrity, through man, the wisest, the lion, the most formidable, the eagle, the swiftest, and the dog, the most faithful of the earth. It is the profoundest

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