X. Actæon and Pentheus Francis Bacon (1561–1626). Of the Wisdom of the Ancients. 1857.

THE CURIOSITY and unhealthy appetite of man for the discovery of secrets, is reproved by the ancients in two examples: one of Actæon, the other of Pentheus. Actæon having unawares and by chance seen Diana naked, was turned into a stag and worried by his own dogs. Pentheus having climbed a tree for the purpose of seeing the secret mysteries of Bacchus, was struck with madness; and the form of his madness was this: he thought everything was double; saw two suns, and again two cities of Thebes: insomuch that when he set out towards Thebes, he presently saw another Thebes behind, which made him go back; and so was kept continually going backwards and forwards without any rest.

	As to distracted Pentheus there appear
	Furies in troops, and in the sky two suns,
	And on the earth two several Thebes at once.

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