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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE. of our conception of wealth in poetical, metaphorical speech.
The legend of the rivalry between Arachne, the daughter of a famous dyer in purple, and Pallas-Athene, the goddess of Wisdom, is an instance of the second type, and yields its secret on a little reflection.
The legend runs that Arachne was famed for her rare skill in weaving rich and wonderful patterns on her webs, and so high rose her name that even PallasAthene, the goddess of such arts, one day came to examine her work. Now, Arachne was very proud of her skill, and denied that the excellence of her work had anything to do with the inspiration of the goddess, though men generally held otherwise. On meeting the goddess face to face, she hurled open defiance at her, on which the goddess, stung to haughty disdain, offered to match her art against her earthly rival's. This challenge was accepted, and arrangements were made for the contest which began forth with.
“Two looms were set up, at which these eager rivals plied their best craft and cunning, with such swiftness that ere long on each the growing tissues shone in all the hues of the rainbow woven into marvellous devices, and shot with threads of gold. For her design Pallas chose the gods ranged upon the Acropolis at Athens, Jove's awful majesty in the midst, Poseidon smiting the rock with his trident, herself in full panoply among the rest, who was shown calling forth the olive tree that made her best gift to man. About this central group were pictured scenes of impious mortals brought to confusion, rebellious giants turned to mountains, and,
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