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The Mystical Hymns of Orpheus - Platonic Philosophy

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xiv INTRODUCTION.<br />

in their ineffable principle (as Proclus in<br />

Parmenid. beautifully observes), like the<br />

roots <strong>of</strong> trees in the earth; so that they are<br />

all as much as possible superessential, just<br />

as trees are eminently <strong>of</strong> an earthly nature,<br />

without at the same time being earth itself.<br />

For the nature <strong>of</strong> the earth, as being a whole,<br />

and therefore having a perpetual subsistence,<br />

is superior to the partial natures which it<br />

produces. <strong>The</strong> intelligible triad therefore,<br />

from existing wholly according to the super-<br />

essential, possesses an inconceivable pr<strong>of</strong>un-<br />

dity <strong>of</strong> union both with itself and its cause ;<br />

and hence it appears to the eye <strong>of</strong> intellect<br />

as one simple indivisible splendour, beaming<br />

from an unknown and inaccessible fire.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Orphic theology, however, concerning<br />

the intelligible Gods, or the highest order <strong>of</strong><br />

divinities, is, as we are informed by Damas-<br />

cius *, as follows : " Time [as we have already<br />

observed] is symbolically said to be the one<br />

principle <strong>of</strong> the universe ; but ether and chaos 5<br />

are celebrated as the two principles imme-<br />

diately posterior to this one. And being,<br />

4 Vid. Wolfiii Anecdot. Grrec. tom. iii. p. 252.<br />

ti <strong>The</strong>se two principles are called by Plato, in the Pbile-<br />

bus, bound and injnity.

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