Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
28.
_What is the reason, that when their children are to sweare by_ Hercules, _they will not let them do it within doores, but cause them to go forth of the house, and take their oath abroad_? IS it because (as some would have it) that they thinke _Hercules_ is not delighted with keeping close within house and fitting idely, but taketh pleasure to live abroad and lie without? Or rather, for that of all the gods, _Hercules_ is not (as one would say) home-bred, but a stranger, come amongst them from afarre? For even so they would not sweare by _Bacchus_, under the roofe of the house, but went forth to do it; because he also is but a stranger among the gods. Or haply, this is no more but a word in game and sport, given unto children: and besides (to say a trueth) it may be a meanes to withholde and restraine them from swearing so readily and rashly, as _Phavorinus_ saith: for this device causeth a certeine premeditate preparation, and giveth them (whiles they goe out of the house) leasure and time to consider better of the matter. And a man may conjecture also with _Phavorinus_, and say with him: That this fashion was not common to other gods, but proper to _Hercules_: for that we finde it written, that he was so religious, so respective and precise in his oath, that in all his life time he never sware but once, and that was onely to _Phileus_ the sonne of _Augias_. And therefore, the prophetisse at _Delphos_, named _Pythia_, answered thus upon a time to the Lacedæmonians: _When all these oaths you once forfend, Your state (be sure) shall dayly mend._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.