Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

254 List of Illustrations.PAGE.leaving the tree ;and it is said by the poet that Apollo loves andseeks Daphne, striving to embrace her, when she flies and istransformed into a laurel tree at the instant she is embraced bythe sun-god.42. DIANA AND ENDYMION. Bourbon Mus 118Diana as the queen of the night loves Endymion, the settingsun. The lovers ever strive to meet, but inexorable fate as everprevents them from enjoying each other s society. The fairhuntress sometimes is permitted, as when she is the new moon,or in the first quarter, to approach near the place where herbeloved one lingers near the Hesperian gardens, and to followhim even to the Pillars of Hercules, but never to embrace him.The new moon, as soon as visible, sets near but not with the sun.Endymion reluctantly sinks behind the western horizon, andwould linger until the loved one can be folded in his arms,but his duty calls and he must turn his steps toward theElysian Fields to cheer the noble and good souls who awaithis presence, ever cheerful and benign. Diana follows closelyafter and is welcomed by the brave and beautiful inhabitantsof the Peaceful Islands, but while receiving their homage herlover hastens on toward the eastern gates, where the goldenfleece makes the morning sky resplendent.43. CERES AND THE CAR OF TRIPTOLEMUS 127P. Ovid. Naso, Neder.Triptolemus (the word means three plowings) was the founderof the Eleusinian Mysteries, and was presented by Ceres withher car drawn by winged dragons, in which he distributed seedgrain all over the world.44. PLUTO MARRIES PROSERPINA 127P. Ovid. Naso, Necler.Jupiter is said to have consented to request of Pluto that Proserpina might revisit her mother s dwelling, and the picture represents him as very earnest in his appeal to his brother. Sincethen the seed of grain has remained in the ground no longerthan four months;the other eight it is above, in the regions oflight. In the engraving a curtain is held up by bronze figures.This seems conclusive that it was a representation of a dramatic scene. (See pp. 159, 186.)45. PROSERPINA, ACCORDING TO THE GREEKS. Heck ... 13846. BACCHUS AFTER THE VISIT TO INDIA. Heck 13847. A ROMAN FIGURE OF CERES. Heck. .. 138