Mythology, an expression compounded of the two Greek words, muthos, a fable, and, logos, a discourse, signifies a system of fables, or the fabulous history of the false gods of the heathen world. […] What appears to be the meaning of the Fable? […] Proserpine was frequently considered as being the moon, and this fable might be intended to express her time of disappearing. […] The fable represents Bacchus with horns, which may be supposed to allude to the light that is said to have shone around the countenance of Moses, who, in old engravings, is frequently represented with horns. […] The fable relates, that Minerva and Neptune disputing with each other the honour of giving a name to that city, the gods decided that whichsoever produced the most useful gift, should have that privilege.

O, ye delicious fables! […]   The fable of Cupid and Psyche is usually considered allegorical. […] It is therefore of much more recent date than most of the legends of the Age of Fable. […] No one of the fables of antiquity has been oftener alluded to by the poets than that of Narcissus. […] When the fable says that Acheloüs loved Dejanira, and sought a union with her, the meaning is that the river in its windings flowed through part of Dejanira’s kingdom.