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The Mystical Hymns of Orpheus - Platonic Philosophy

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64 THE MYSTICAL HYMNS<br />

Celestial, ancient, life-supporting maid,<br />

Inspiring fury ; give thy suppliant aid ;<br />

With joyful aspect on our incense shine,<br />

And pleas'd, accept the sacrifice divine.<br />

TO MERCURY 52.<br />

THE FUMIGATION FROM FRAXKINCENSE.<br />

HERMES, draw near, and to my pray'r incline,<br />

Angel <strong>of</strong> Jove, and Maia's son divine ;<br />

Prefect <strong>of</strong> contests, ruler <strong>of</strong> mankind,<br />

With heart almighty, and a prudent mind.<br />

Celestial messenger <strong>of</strong> various skill,<br />

Whose pow'rful arts could watchful Argus kill.<br />

5Vroclus, in his admirable Commentary on the First<br />

Alcibiades, <strong>of</strong> which two excellent editions have been<br />

recently published by Cousin and Creuzer, gives us the<br />

following information respecting Mercury, which as the<br />

reader will easily perceive greatly elucidates some parts <strong>of</strong><br />

this hymn. " Mercury is the source <strong>of</strong> invention; and hence<br />

he is said to be the son <strong>of</strong> Maia ; because search, which is<br />

implied by Maia, leads invention into light. He bestows -<br />

too mathesis on souls, by unfolding the will <strong>of</strong> his father<br />

Jupiter ; and this he acomplishes, as the angel or messen-<br />

ger <strong>of</strong> Jupiter. He is likewise the inspective guardian <strong>of</strong><br />

gyrnlzastic exercises ; and hence herntce, or carved statues <strong>of</strong>

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