The Preface.
pares him to certain Mimic Birds, who are taught their ≡ο πράττυς and their ζεὺς ἵλεας, but know not what the words ſignifie. Now what Inſtructions he was like to receive from this man, let any indifferent Reader judg. But we have ſomething more to ſay: for if Apollonius when he was at Babylon, could converſe with the gods, why did he afterwards deſire to be taught of men? For when he comes to India, he requeſts the Brachmans to teach him the Art of Divination. Certainly, had he been familiar with Angels and Spirits, he had not troubled them with ſuch a Queſtion. Theſe indeed are the ſlips of Philoſtratus, who had the Art of Lying, but wanted the Art of Memory. In another place he tells us, that Apollonius underſtood πάσας φανὰς ἀνθς άων, all the languages that men did ſpeak, and which is more miraculous, even their ſecret Cogitations. This is much indeed, but ſhortly afterwards he forgets theſe ſtrange perfections: for when he brings him to Phraotes, that ſerious Eaſtern Prince, there doth he uſe an Interpreter; for Tyaneus, who formerly underſtood all
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