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The Initiations of Orpheus: XXXI. To Pallas

XXXI.

TO PALLAS.

A HYMN.

ONLY-Begotten, noble race of Jove,
Blessed and fierce, who joy'st in caves to rove: 2

14
O'er the Phlegrean giants rous'd to ire, 15 15
Thy coursers driving, with destruction dire.

156:2 XXXI. Ver. 2.] Who joy'st in caves to rove. Proclus, in Plat. Theol, P. 372. informs us, that there are three zoogonic or vivific

157:14 Ver. 14.] Much-form'd dragoness. It is easy to perceive the
agreement between Minerva, who is the same with divine
Wisdom and Providence, and a Dragon; since according to
Phurnutus, a dragon is of a vigilant and guardian nature.

157:15 Ver. 15.] O'er the Phlegrean giants, &c. The fable of the giants is common; but its philosophical explanation is, I fear, but little known and less understood. For the sake of thc liberal, therefore, the following account of the battles of the Gods, recall to principles, oppose and fight with the authors of generation: collecting with separating natures, things unifying with such as multiply by the progression of beings; and universal genera, with such as operate in a partial and particular manner. Hence they relate, that the Titans (or dæmons subservient to Nature) fight with Bacchus, (or Nature) and the giants with Jove.