Cox, George - Aryan Mythology Vol 2.pdf

II
MYTHOLOGY OF THE ARYAN NATIONS.
BOOK dreary Lours which pass between the setting of the sun and
its rising ? What must be the history of the silent time
ending in the battle which precedes the defeat of the powers
of darkness? That mighty conflict they might see every
morning in the eastern heavens, as the first light flickers
faintly across the sky, only to be driven back, as it would
seem, until it returns with fresh strength and aided by new
friends : but the incidents which went before this strife they
could not see. All that was before their eyes reminded them
of the hosts of vapours, some bright, some murky, which
had been marshalled round the dying sun ; and the same
forms are now seen, the dark clouds being gradually driven
away or being even changed from foes into friends as the sun-
light turns their blackness into gold. But the bright clouds,
sailing along in unsullied purity are especially the children
of Helios, the offspring of the union of Ixion and the lovely
Nephele. These then have sought him through the long-
hours of the night, and at length have rescued him from the
gloomy prison house. There is thus the daily taking away
in the West of all that gives life its value, of all on which
life itself depends ; and it must be taken away by robbers
utterly malignant and hateful. Thus there is also the
nightly search for these thieves,—a search which must be
carried on in darkness amidst many dangers and against
almost insurmountable obstacles ; and this search must end
in a terrible battle, for how should the demons yield up their
prey until their strength is utterly broken ? But even when
the victory is won, the task is but half achieved. The
beautiful light must be brought back to the Western home
from which the plunderers had stolen it ; and there will be
new foes to be encountered on the way, storm clouds and
tempests, black vapours glaring down with their single eye,
fierce winds, savage whirlpools. But afc length all is done,
and the radiant maiden, freed from all real or fancied stains
of guilt, gladdens her husband's house once more, before the
magic drama of plunder, rescue, and return is acted over
again ; and it is precisely this magic round which furnishes
all the materials for what may be called the mythical history
not only of Greece but of ail the Aryan nations. If the