(3) For thy forebear, Asclepius, the first discoverer of medicine, to whom there is a temple hallowed on Libya’s Mount, hard by the shore of crocodiles, in which his cosmic man reposes, that is to say his body; for that the rest [of him], or better still, the whole (if that a man when wholly [plunged] in consciousness of life, be better), hath gone back home to heaven,—still furnishing, [but] now by his divinity, the sick with all the remedies which he was wont in days gone by to give by art of medicine.

(115) Now if a learned physician inquireth of the sick person from what his disease is proceeded, and taketh that which is the cause of the disease, whether it be flesh, water or herbs, and distils or burneth it to powder, according as the matter is, and so burneth away the outward poison thereof, which stands in death; then, in that distilled water, or burnt powder, the astral birth remaineth in its seat, where life and death wrestle one with the other, and are both capable of being raised up; for the dead body is gone.

The FUMIGATION from MANNA. GREAT Esculapius, skill'd to heal mankind,, All-ruling Pæan, and physician kind; Whose arts medic'nal, can alone assuage Diseases dire, and stop their dreadful rage: Strong lenient God, regard my suppliant pray'r, Bring gentle Health, adorn'd with lovely hair; Convey the means of mitigating pain, And raging, deadly pestilence restrain. O pow'r all-flourishing, abundant, bright, Apollo's honor'd offspring, God of light; Husband of blameless Health, the constant foe Of dread Disease the minister of woe: Come, blessed saviour, and my health defend, And to my life afford a prosp'rous end. Next: LXVII: To Health Sacred Texts | Classics « Previous: The Initiations of Orpheus: LXV: To Vulcan Index Next: The Initiations of Orpheus: LXVII: To Health » Sacred Texts | Classics

(26) Go into a Meadow, and look upon the Herbs and Flowers which grow all out of the Earth, and always one is fairer and more fragrant in Smell than the other, and the most contemptible [Herb] has many Times the greatest Virtue. Now then the Physician comes and seeks, and often turns his Mind to the lustiest and fairest, because they thrive so in their Growing, and smell strong; then thinks he, these are the best; whereas many Times a small regardless Herb will serve his Turn better in his Physick for his Patient, whom he has under cure.