The essential power of music in animal life. Orpheus, the symbol of it
all, the inventor properly of Music, the Law of Kindness, as Dædalus of
Music, the Law of Construction. Hence the "Orphic life" is one of ideal
mercy, (vegetarian,)--Plato, _Laws_, Book VI., 782,--and he is named
first after Dædalus, and in balance to him as head of the school of
harmonists, in Book III., 677, (Steph.) Look for the two singing
birds clapping their wings in the tree above him; then the five mystic
beasts,--closest to his feet the irredeemable boar; then lion and bear,
tiger, unicorn, and fiery dragon closest to his head, the flames of its
mouth mingling with his breath as he sings. The audient eagle, alas! has
lost the beak, and is only recognizable by his proud holding of himself;
the duck, sleepily delighted after muddy dinner, close to his shoulder,
is a true conquest. Hoopoe, or indefinite bird of crested race, behind;
of the other three no clear certainty. The leafage throughout such as
only Luca could do, and the whole consummate in skill and understanding.