Page:Four Dissertations - David Hume (1757).djvu/55

 gory? When a god is supposed to preside over any passion, event, or system of actions; it is almost unavoidable to give him a genealogy, attributes, and adventures, suitable to his supposed powers and influence; and to carry on that similitude and comparison, which is naturally so agreeable to the mind of man.

, indeed, entirely perfect, we ought not to expect as the products of ignorance and superstition; there being no work of genius, that requires a nicer hand, or has been more rarely executed with success. That Fear and Terror are the sons of Mars is just; but why by Venus ? That Harmony is the daughter of Venus is regular; but why by Mars ? That Sleep is the brother of Death is suitable; but why describe him as enamoured of one of the Graces ? And since the ancient mythologists fall into mistakes so gross and obvious, we have no reason surely to expect such refined and longspun allegories, as some have endeavoured to deduce from their fictions.