Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

50 Eleusinian anda faithful view of some part of these sacredrites, and this accompanied with the utmostelegance, harmony, and purity of versification, it ought to be considered as an invaluable relic of antiquity, and a precious monument of venerable mysticism, reconditewisdom, and theological information.* Thiswill be sufficiently evident from what hasbeen already delivered, by considering someof the beautiful descriptions of this book intheir natural order; at the same time thatthe descriptions themselves will corroboratethe present elucidations.In the first place, then, when he says,-facilis descensus Averno.Noctes atque dies patet atra janua ditis :Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras,Hoc opus, hie labor est. Pauci quos tequus amavitJupiter, aut ardens evexit ad sethera virtus,Dis geniti potuere.Tenent media omnia silvre,Cocytusque sinu labens, cireumvenit atro 1* Ancient Symbol-Worship, page 11, note.t Davidson s Translation." Easy is the path that leads down tohell ; grim Pluto s gate stands open night and day: "but to retraceone s steps, and escape to the upper regions, this is a work, this isa task. Some few, whom favoring Jove loved, or illustrious virtue