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There is one idea of a bed, or of a table, which the maker of

each had in his mind when making them; he did not make the ideas

of beds and tables, but he made beds and tables according to the

ideas. And is there not a maker of the works of all workmen, who

makes not only vessels but plants and animals, himself, the earth

and heaven, and things in heaven and under the earth? He makes

the Gods also. 'He must be a wizard indeed!' But do you not see

that there is a sense in which you could do the same? You have

only to take a mirror, and catch the reflection of the sun, and

the earth, or anything else-there now you have made them. 'Yes,

but only in appearance.' Exactly so; and the painter is such a

creator as you are with the mirror, and he is even more unreal

than the carpenter; although neither the carpenter nor any other

artist can be supposed to make the absolute bed. 'Not if

philosophers may be believed.' Nor need we wonder that his bed

has but an imperfect relation to the truth.