(1) Now when they came forth from the holy place, they turned their faces towards the south when they began their prayers to God. For when the sun is setting, should anyone desire to pray to God, he ought to turn him thitherwards ; so also at the rising of the same, unto that spot which lies beneath the sun. As they were just beginning to recite the prayer, Asclepius did whisper:

[Asclepius] Let us suggest to father, Tat,—what he did bid us do, —that we should say our prayer to God with added incense and with unguents. Whom when Thrice-greatest heard, he grew distressed and said:

(1) [Trismegistus] God, O Asclepius, hath brought thee unto us that thou mayest hear a Godly sermon, a sermon such as well may seem of all the previous ones we’ve [either] uttered, or with which we’ve been inspired by the Divine, more Godly than the piety of [ordinary] faith. If thou with eye of intellect shalt see this Word thou shalt in thy whole mind be filled quite full of all things good. If that, indeed, the “many” be the “good,” and not the “one,” in which are “all.” Indeed the difference between the two is found in their agreement,—“All” is of “One” or “One” is “All.” So closely bound is each to other, that neither can be parted from its mate. But this with diligent attention shalt thou learn from out the sermon that shall follow [this]. But do thou, O Asclepius, go forth a moment and call in the one who is to hear. (And when he had come in, Asclepius proposed that Ammon too should be allowed to come. Thereon Thrice-greatest said:)

[Trismegistus] There is no cause why Ammon should be kept away from us. For we remember how we have ourselves set down in writing many things to his address, as though unto a son most dear and most beloved, of physics many things, of ethics [too] as many as could be. It is, however, with thy name I will inscribe this treatise. But call, I prithee, no one else but Ammon, lest a most pious sermon on a so great theme be spoilt by the admission of the multitude. For ’tis the mark of an unpious mind to publish to the knowledge of the crowd a tractate brimming o’er with the full Greatness of Divinity. (When Ammon too had come within the holy place, and when the sacred group of four was now complete with piety and with God’s goodly presence—to them, sunk in fit silence reverently, their souls and minds pendent on Hermes’ lips, thus Love Divine began to speak.) II

(51) Hail to thee setting in the Land of Life, O Father of the gods, thou art united to thy mother in Manu. Her two hands receive thee daily. Thy Majesty hath part in the house of Sokaru. Exult thou because the doors are opened of the Horizon, at thy setting in the Mountain of the West

(513) 1168 To say: When father N. ascends to heaven among the gods who are in heaven; 1168 and when he stands by the great w`r.t; 1168 he hears the words of the blessed dead 1169 R` finds thee on the shores (or, lands) of the sky, in the ntiocean, in Nut. 1169 "He comes, who should come," say the gods. 1170 He gives thee his arm on (at) the 'iskn of the sky. 1170 "He comes who knows his place," say the gods. 1171 Pure one, assume thy throne in the boat of R`, 1171 that thou mayest sail the sky, that thou mayest mount above the ways (or, the far-off ways); 1171 that thou mayest sail with the imperishable stars; 1171 and that thou mayest voyage with the indefatigable (stars). 1172 Thou receivest the tribute of the evening boat; 1172 thou becomest a spirit in the D.t; 1172 thou livest in this sweet life in which the lord of the horizon lives. 1173 "Great Flood dwelling in Nut, who indeed has done this for thee?", 1173 say the gods who follow Atum. 1174 A greater than he hath done that for him, he who is north of the nti-ocean of Nut. 1174 He has heard his appeal; 'he has done for him what he said. 1174 He has received his, body in the court of the prince of Nun, 1174 before the Great Ennead.

The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. HERMES, draw near, and to my pray'r incline, Angel of Jove, and Maia's son divine; Studious of contests, ruler of mankind, With heart almighty, and a prudent mind. Celestial messenger, of various skill, Whose pow'rful arts could watchful Argus kill: With winged feet, 'tis thine thro' air to course, O friend of man, and prophet of discourse: Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thine, In arts gymnastic, and in fraud divine: With pow'r endu'd all language to explain, Of care the loos'ner, and the source of gain. Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod, Corucian, blessed, profitable God; Of various speech, whose aid in works we find, And in necessities to mortals kind: Dire weapon of the tongue, which men revere, Be present, Hermes, and thy suppliant hear; Assist my works, conclude my life with peace, Give graceful speech, and me memory's increase. Next: XXVIII: To Proserpine Sacred Texts | Classics « Previous: The Initiations of Orpheus: XXVI: To The Mother of the Gods Index Next: The Initiations of Orpheus: XXVIII: To Proserpine » Sacred Texts | Classics

(4) Thou seest, then, Asclepius, on what we are [already] founded, with what we occupy ourselves, and after what we dare to strive. But unto Thee, O God most high, I give my thanks, in that Thou hast enlightened me with Light to see Divinity! And ye, O Tat, Asclepius and Ammon, in silence hide the mysteries divine within the secret places of your hearts, and breathe no word of their concealment !

(6) "I understand mind, Hermes. You cannot be known, since you stay in yourself. I am happy, father. I see you laughing. The universe is happy. No creature will lack your life, for you are the lord of the inhabitants everywhere. Your forethought keeps watch. I call you father, eternal realm of eternal realms, great divine spirit, who through spirit sends moisture on everyone. What do you tell me, father Hermes?"

(1) Giving praise to Osiris, falling on the earth before the lord of eternity; propitiating the god with what he loves, speaking the truth, the lord of which is not known

(603) 1675 (N. J�quier, VII 709 + 40). To say: Lift thyself up, father N.; fasten to thee thy head; take to thee thy limbs; 1675 (N. VII 709 + 40). lift thyself up upon thy feet; follow thy heart. 1675 Thy runners hasten; thy messengers rush on behind; 1676 thy herald of the horizon comes; Anubis approaches thee; 1676 tp gives his arm to thee; the gods desire (or, rejoice) ---- 1676c (N. VII 709 + 40: Thot comes in his dignity of spirit to the Two Enneads. 1676c + 1 (N. VII 709 + 42). He ferried over the lake; h[e] avoided the D.t 1677 ----------------------------------- 1677 ----------------------- with this mighty one who endures each day. 1678 He comes that he may govern the cities, that he may rule over the settlements, 1678 that he may command those who are in Nun 1678 sitting, to him -------------- 1679 ------------------------------------- 1679 ---------------- he rests alive in the West (or, he is satisfied in living in the West), 1679 among the Followers of R`, who make the way of twilight mount up.

The FUMIGATION from MANNA. BLEST Pæan, come, propitious to my pray'r, Illustrious pow'r, whom Memphian tribes revere, Slayer of Tityus, and the God of health, Lycorian Phœbus, fruitful source of wealth . Spermatic, golden-lyr'd, the field from thee Receives it's constant, rich fertility. Titanic, Grunian, Smynthian, thee I sing, 7 Python-destroying, hallow'd, Delphian king: Rural, light-bearer, and the Muse's head, Noble and lovely, arm'd with arrows dread: Far-darting, Bacchian, two-fold, and divine, 11 Pow'r far diffused, and course oblique is thine. O, Delian king, whose light-producing eye Views all within, and all beneath the sky: Whose locks are gold, whose oracles are sure, Who, omens good reveal'st, and precepts pure: Hear me entreating for the human kind, Hear, and be present with benignant mind; For thou survey'st this boundless æther all, And ev'ry part of this terrestrial ball Abundant, blessed; and thy piercing sight, Extends beneath the gloomy, silent night; Beyond the darkness, starry-ey'd, profound, The stable roots, deep fix'd by thee are found. The world's wide bounds, all-flourishing are thine, Thyself all the source and end divine: 'Tis thine all Nature's music to inspire, With various-sounding, harmonising lyre; Now the last string thou tun'ft to sweet accord, 29 Divinely warbling now the highest chord; Th' immortal golden lyre, now touch'd by thee, Responsive yields a Dorian melody. All Nature's tribes to thee their diff'rence owe, And changing seasons from thy music flow Hence, mix'd by thee in equal parts, advance Summer and Winter in alternate dance; This claims the highest, that the lowest string, The Dorian measure tunes the lovely spring . Hence by mankind, Pan-royal, two-horn'd nam'd, 39 Emitting whistling winds thro' Syrinx fam'd; Since to thy care, the figur'd seal's consign'd, 41 Which stamps the world with forms of ev'ry kind. Hear me, blest pow'r, and in these rites rejoice, And save thy mystics with a suppliant voice.

The FUMIGATION from MYRRH. O Mighty first-begotten, hear my pray'r, 1 Two-fold, egg-born, and wand'ring thro' the air, Bull-roarer, glorying in thy golden wings, 3 From whom the race of Gods and mortals springs. Ericapæus, celebrated pow'r, Ineffable, occult, all shining flow'r. From eyes obscure thou wip'st the gloom of night, All-spreading splendour, pure and holy light Hence Phanes call'd, the glory of the sky, On waving pinions thro' the world you fly. Priapus, dark-ey'd splendour, thee I sing, Genial, all-prudent, ever-blessed king, With joyful aspect on our rights divine And holy sacrifice propitious shine.

(504) 1082 To say: The sky is pregnant with the wine juice of the vine; 1082 Nut has given birth to (it) as her daughter, the morning star. 1082 I also arise; 1082 the third is Sothis of the pure places. 1083 I have purified myself in the lakes of the dancers(?) singers(?) or, panegyrists(?), 1083 I have cleansed myself in the lakes of the jackal. 1083 Thorn-bush, remove thyself from my way, 1084 that I may take the south side of the Marsh of Reeds. 1084 The m3'-canal is opened, the Winding Watercourse is inundated. 1084 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Horus, 1084 that he may ferry over to R`, to the horizon. 1085 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for him of the horizon, 1085 that he may ferry over to R`, to the horizon. 1085 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Horus sm.t, 1085 that he may ferry over to R`, to the horizon. 1085 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Horus of the East, 1085 that he may ferry over to R`, to the horizon, 1086 The two reed-floats of heaven shall be placed for me, I, Horus of the gods, 1086 that I also may ferry over to R`, to the horizon, 1086 and that I may take my throne, which is in the Marsh of Reeds. 1087 I descend to the south side of the Marsh of Offerings. 1087 I am a Great One, son of a Great One; 1087 I am come forth from between the thighs of the Two Enneads. 1087 I have adored R`; I have adored Horus of the East; 1087 I have adored Horus of the horizon, 1088 as he girded himself with the apron, 1088 that he might be gracious to me, that he might be gracious to "Horus-on-his-throne(?)," 1088 that he might be gracious to "Horus-on-his-throne(?)," that he might be gracious to me.

(610) 1710 To say: Wake up for Horus; stand up before Set; 1710 raise thyself up, eldest son of Geb, 1710 before whom the Two Enneads tremble. 1711 (The keeper) of the palace stands up before thee, so that the three beginnings (of the divisions of the year) may be celebrated for thee. 1711 Thou dawnest on the (first of the) month; thou purifiest thyself on the day of the new-moon. 1711 The great mni.t (-stake) mourns for him, 1711 as for "Thee who standest without being tired," who resides in Abydos. 1712 Earth, hear that which the gods have spoken, what Horus says as he spiritualizes his father, 1712 like Horus- and like Min (or, Amn), 1712 like Seker who is at the head of Pdw-s. 1713 The earth speaks to thee: "The door of Aker is open for thee; the double doors of Geb are open for thee. 1713 Thou goest forth at the voice (of Anubis), for he has spiritualized thee, 1713 like Thot, (or) like Anubis, prince of the court of justice (or, divine court), 1714 that thou mayest judge, that thou mayest lean upon the Two Enneads, 1714 who are between the two sceptres, in this thy dignity of spirit, commanded by the gods to be in thee. 1715 If thou goest, Horus goes; if thou speakest, Set speaks; 1715 if thy step be hindered, the step of the gods will be hindered. 1716 Thou approachest the lake; thou advancest to the t wr, the Thinite nome; 1716 thou passest through Abydos, in this thy dignity of spirit., commanded by the gods to be in thee. 1717 A ramp is trodden for thee to the D.t to the place where is. 1717 The ox of heaven seizes thine arm; 1717 thou nourishest thyself with the food of the gods. 1718 The odour of Ddwn is on thee, the Upper Egyptian Youth, who is come from Nubia; 1718 he gives thee the incense wherewith the gods cense themselves. 1719 The two children (twins?) of the king of Lower Egypt have given birth to thee-- 1719 (they) who are on (his) head, (he) the lord of the great crown. 1719 R` calls to thee out of the 'iskn of heaven, 1719 as the jackal (god), nome-governor (of the Bows), the Two Enneads, 1719 as Horus who presides over his, abode (or thigh-offering). 1719 He appoints thee as the morning star (lit. god of the morning) in the midst of the Marsh of Reeds. 1720 The portal of heaven is open for thee towards the horizon; 1720 the heart of the gods rejoice at thy approach, 1720 as a star which ferries over the ocean which is under the underpart of Nut, 1720 in this, thy dignity issuing from the mouth of R`. 1721 Thou sittest upon this thy firm throne, like the Great One who is in Heliopolis; 1721 thou leadest the spirits (spiritualized ones); thou satisfiest the imperishable stars. 1722 Thine abundance is in that herb in which the gods, abound, 1722 and on which the spirits nourish themselves; 1722 thine eyes are opened by the earth, thy limbs are gathered up by the lord of (bw.t) the rebel city. 1723 Raise thyself up (like) nti-m (chief of Letopolis), 1723 when the great bread and this wine-like water were given to him. 1723 The 'im-trees serve thee, the nb-tree, bows its head to thee; 1723 a royal offering will be given to thee, such as Anubis will do for thee. 46. TEXTS OF MISCELLANEOUS CONTENTS,

(11) "From now on it is good for us to remain silent, with head bowed. From now on do not speak about the vision. It is fitting to sing a song to the father till the day of leaving the body."

(2) [Trismegistus] Nay, nay, Asclepius; speak more propitious words! For this is like to profanation of [our] sacred rites,—when thou dost pray to God, to offer incense and the rest. For naught is there of which He stands in need, in that He is all things, or all are in Him. But let us worship, pouring forth our thanks. For this is the best incense in God’s sight,—when thanks are given to Him by men.

The FUMIGATION from MANNA. HEAR me, O Goddess! whose emerging ray Leads on the broad refulgence of the day; Blushing Aurora, whose celestial light Beams on the world with red'ning splendours bright: Angel of Titan, whom with constant round, Thy orient beams recall from night profound: Labour of ev'ry kind to lead is thine, Of mortal life the minister divine. Mankind in thee eternally delight, And none presumes to shun thy beauteous sight. Soon as thy splendours break the bands of rest, And eyes unclose with pleasing sleep oppress'd; Men, reptiles, birds, and beasts, with gen'ral voice, And all the nations of the deep, rejoice; For all the culture of our life is thine. Come, blessed pow'r! and to these rites incline: Thy holy light increase, and unconfin'd Diffuse its radiance on thy mystic's mind. Next: LXXVIII: To Themis Sacred Texts | Classics « Previous: The Initiations of Orpheus: LXXVI: To Mnemosyne, or the G... Index Next: The Initiations of Orpheus: LXXVIII: To Themis » Sacred Texts | Classics

(482) 1002 To say: O father, Osiris N., 1002 raise thyself from thy left side, put thyself on thy right side, 1002 toward this fresh water, which I have given to thee. 1003 O father, Osiris N., 1003 raise thyself from thy left side, put thyself on thy right side, 1003 toward this warm bread, which I have made for thee. 1004 O father, Osiris N., 1004 the double doors of heaven are open for thee; the double doors of the bows are open for thee. 1004 The gods of Buto are filled with compassion 1004 when they come to Osiris at the voice of lamentation of Isis and Nephthys. 1005 The Souls of Buto dance for thee; 1005 they beat their flesh for thee; they smite their arms for thee; 1005 they dishevel their hair for thee; 1005 they say to Osiris: 1006. "Thou art gone, thou art come; thou art awake, thou wast asleep; thou remainest alive. 1007 Stand up, see this; stand up, hear this, 1007 what thy son has done for thee, what Horus has done for thee. 1007 He beats him who beats thee; he binds him who binds thee; 1008 he puts him under his great daughter who is in dm. 1008 (it is) thy great sister who collected thy flesh, who gathered thy hands, 1008 who sought thee, who found thee upon thy side on the shore of Ndi.t, 1009 so that mourning ceased in the two 'itr.t-palaces." 1009 Ye gods, speak to him, bring him to you. 1009 But thou shalt ascend to heaven; thou shalt become Wp.w.wt. 1010 Thy son Horus leads thee on the ways of heaven. 1010 Heaven is given to thee; earth is given to thee; the Marsh of Reeds is given to thee, 1010 together with those two great gods who come from Heliopolis.