The famous winged horse, Pegasus, heroic, though not a hero, has a right to close in our array of mythic characters. Sprung from the blood of Medusa when Perseus cut off her head, Pegasus is regarded sometimes as the thundering steed of Jove, at other times as the war-horse of Bellerophon; and in more modern times, under a third aspect, as the horse of the Muses. Already (at p. 142) we have spoken of some of the merits attributed to him, and have presented Emblems in which he is introduced. It will be sufficient now to bring forward the device and stanza of Alciat, in which he shows us how “by prudence and valour to overcome the Chimæra, that is, the stronger and those using stratagems.”
Conſilio & virtute Chimæram ſuperari, id est,
fortiores & deceptores.
Emblema xiiii.
Alciat, 1581.
Bellerophon ut fortis eques ſuperare Chimæram,
Et Lycij potuit ſternere monſtra ſoli:
Sic tu Pegaſeis vectus petis æthera pennis,