[127] Sentent., 3, 13, 1. It seems extremely probable that Isidore did not quote from the poets directly but merely appropriated along with other material the quotations contained in the sources which he consulted.
[128] “Illud trimodum intelligentiae genus,” Diff., 2, 154. Cf. “Tripliciter autem scribitur, dum non solum historialiter vel mystice sed etiam moraliter quid in unum quodque gerere debeat edocetur.” Contra Judaeos, 2, 20. See also De Ord. Creat., 10, 4–7 and Etym., 6, 1, 11 ([p. 186]).
[129] De Universo is published in Migne, Patr. Lat., 3. In the preface Rabanus says: “Much is set forth in this work concerning the natures of things and the meanings of words and also as to the mystical signification of things. Accordingly I have arranged my matter so that the reader may find the historical and mystical explanations of each thing set together (continuatim positam); and so may be able to satisfy his desire to know both significations.” Isidore’s Etymologies is said to have been left unfinished (quamvis imperfectum ipse reliquerit. Braulio’s Introduction. See [p. 25]). The conjecture may be offered that the finishing of the work might have meant chiefly the insertion of “the higher meaning”.
[130] Sentent., 2, 1, 14.
[131] Sentent., 1, 17, 2.
[132] Cuvier, Histoire des Sciences Naturelles, vol. i, pp. 260–280.
[133] Cf. Isidore’s attitude: “The histories of the gentiles do no harm where they tell of what is profitable,” 1, 41, 1. See [p. 103].
[135] 5, 38, 5; 5, 39.
[136] 9, 1, 1.