ny of the ancients, and therefore Plutarch speaking of a Lunary eclipse, relates that at such times 'twas a custome amongst the Romanes (the most civill and learned people in the world) to sound brasse Instruments, and hold great torches toward the heaven. Των δε Ρωμαίων (ωσπερ εςιν ενομισμενον) χαλκψ τε πατάγοις ἀνακαλὃυμενων το φως αὐτὸς καὶ πυρὰ πολλὰ δαλοῖς καὶ δασσὶν ἀνεχόντων ωρὸς τὸν ψρανὸν. [1] for by this meanes they supposed the Moone was much eased in her labours, and therfore Ovid calls such loud Instruments the auxiliaries or helpes of the Moone.
Cum frustra resonant æra auxiliaria Lunæ[2]
and therefore the Satyrist too describing a loud scold, saies, she was able to make noise enough to deliver the labouring Moone.
Una laboranti poterit succurrere Lunæ[3]
Now the reason of all this their ceremonie, was, because they feared the world would fall
