This done, one of the company which was a scribe or interpreter of letters, in form of a preacher stood up in a chair before the place of the holy college of the Pastophores 1 (for so are they named) and calling together their whole assembly, from his high pulpit began to read out of a book, praying for good fortune to the great Prince, the Senate, to the noble order of Chivalry, and generally to all the Roman people, and to all the sailors and ships such as be under the puissance and jurisdiction of Rome, and he pronounced to them in the Grecian tongue and manner this word following, “Ploiaphesia,” 1 which signified that it was now lawful for the ships to depart; whereat all the people gave a great shout, and then replenished with much joy, bare all kind of leafy branches and herbs and garlands of flowers home to their houses, kissing and embracing the feet of a silver image of the goddess upon the steps of the temple. Howbeit I could not do as the rest, for my mind would not suffer me to depart one foot away, so earnest and attentive was I to behold the beauty of the goddess, with remembrance likewise of my great travail and misery which I had endured. In the mean season news was carried throughout the country (which goeth as swift as the flight of birds, or as the blast of wind) of the grace and benefit which I had received of the goddess, and of my fortune worthy to be had in memory. Then my parents of close blood, friends, and servants of our house, understanding that I was not dead as they were falsely informed, laid by their grief and came towards me with great diligence to see me, bearing to me gifts, as a man raised from death to life.
At cum ad ipsum iam templum pervenimus, sacerdos maximus, quique divinas effigies progerebant, et qui venerandis penetralibus pridem fuerant initiati, intra cubiculum deae recepti disponunt rite simulacra spirantia. Tunc ex his unus, quem cuncti grammatea dicebant, pro foribus assistens coetu pastophorum (quod sacrosancti collegii nomen est) velut in contionem vocato, indidem de sublimi suggestu de libro, de litteris fausta vota praefatus principi magno senatuique et equiti totoque Romano populo, nauticis navibusque, quae sub imperio mundi nostratis reguntur, renuntiat sermone rituque Graeciensi ita: ploiafe/sia; quam vocem feliciter cunctis evenire signavit populi clamor insecutus. Exin gaudio delibuti populares thallos, verbenas, corollas ferentes, exosculatis vestigiis deae quae gradibus haerebat argento formata, ad suos discedunt Lares. Nec tamen me sinebat animus ungue latius indidem digredi, sed intentus in deae specimen pristinos casus meos recordabar.
And I likewise, which did never think to see them again, was as joyful as they, but would receive none of the honest gifts and oblations which they gave, inas- much as my servants had taken care to bring with them enough of such things as was necessary for my body and my charges. After that I had greeted each according to his kindness, and made relation unto them of all my pristine misery and present joys, I went again before the face of the goddess, and hired me a house within the cloister of the temple, since I had been set apart for the service of the goddess that hitherto had been kept private from me, so that I might ordinarily frequent the company of the priests, whereby I would wholly become devout to the goddess, and an inseparable worshipper of her divine name: nor was there any night nor sleep but that the goddess appeared to me, persuading and commanding me to take the order of her religion whereto I had been long since foreordained.
Nec tamen fama volueris pigra pinnarum tarditate cessaverat, sed protinus in patria deae providentis adorabile beneficium meamque ipsius fortunam memorabilem narraverat passim. Confestim denique familiares ac vernulae, quique mihi proxumo nexu sanguinis cohaerebant, luctu deposito quem de meae mortis falso nuntio susceperant, repentino laetati gaudio varie quisque munerabundi ad meum festinant illico diurnum reducemque ab inferis conspectum. Quorum desperata ipse etiam facie recreatus oblationes honestas aequi bonique facio, quippe cum mihi familiares quod ad cultum sumptumque largiter succederet deferre prospicue curassent.
But I, although I was endued with a desirous goodwill, yet the reverend fear of the same held me back, considering that as I had learned by diligent enquiry her obeisance was hard, the chastity of the priests difficult to keep, and the whole life of them, because it is set about with many chances, to be watched and guarded very carefully. Being thus in doubt, I refrained myself from all those things as seeming impossible, although in truth T was hastening towards them. On a night the great priest appeared unto me in a dream presenting his lap full of treasure, and when I demanded what it signified, he answered that this portion was sent me from the country of Thessaly, and that a servant of mine named Candidus was thence arrived likewise. When I was awaked, I mused in myself what this vision should portend, considering I never had any servant called by that name: but whatsoever it did signify, this I verily thought, that such offering of gifts was a foreshew of gain and prosperous chance. While I was thus anxious and astonished at my coining prosperity, I went to the temple, and tarried there till the opening of the gates in the morning: then I went in, and when the white curtains were drawn aside, I began to pray before the face of the goddess, while the priest prepared and set the divine things on every altar with solemn supplications, and fetched out of the sanctuary the holy water for the libation.
Affatis itaque ex officio singulis, narratisque meis probe et pristinis aerumnis et praesentibus gaudiis, me rursum ad deae gratissimum mihi refero conspectum, aedibusque conductis intra consaeptum templi Larem temporarium mihi constituo, deae ministeriis adhuc privatis appositus contuberniisque sacerdotum individuus et numinis magni cultor inseparabilis. Nec fuit nox una vel quies aliqua visu deae monituque ieiuna, sed crebris imperiis sacris suis me iamdudum destinatum nunc saltem censebat initiari. At ego,quamquam cupienti voluntate praeditus,tamen religiosa formidine retardabar, quod enim sedulo percontaveram difficile religionis obsequium et castimoniorum abstinentiam satis arduam cautoque circumspectu vitam, quae multis casibus subiacet, esse muniendam. Haec identidem mecum reputans nescioquo modo, quamquam festinans, differebam.
When all things were duly performed, the religious began to sing the matins of the morning, testifying thereby the hour of prime. By and by behold arrived my servants which I had left at Hypata, when Fotis entangled me in my maze of miserable wanderings, who had heard my tale as it seemed, and brought with them even my horse, which they had recovered through certain signs and tokens which he had upon his back. Then I perceived the interpretation of my dream, by reason that beside the promise of gain, my white horse was restored to me, which was signified by the argument of my servant Candidus.1 This done, I retired the more diligently to the service of the goddess in hope of greater benefits, considering I had received a sign and token, whereby my courage increased every day more and more to take upon me the orders and sacraments of the temple: in so much that I oftentimes communed with the priest, desiring him greatly to make me initiate in the mysteries of the holy night. But he, which was a man of gravity and well-renowned in the order of priesthood, very gently and kindly deferred my affection from day to day with comfort of better hope, as parents commonly bridle the desires of their children when they attempt or endeavour any unprofitable thing, saying that the day when any one should be admitted into their order is appointed by the goddess, the priest which should minister the sacrifice is chosen by her providence, and the necessary charge of the ceremonies is allotted by her commandment; all of which things he willed me to attend with marvellous patience: and that I should beware both of too much forwardness, and of stubborn obstinacy, avoiding either danger, that if being called I should delay, or not called I should be hasty. Moreover he said that there was none of his company either of so desperate a mind, or so rash and hardy unto death as to enterprise receiving this mystery without the commandment of the goddess, whereby he should commit a deadly offence: considering that it was in her power both to damn and to save all persons, and that the taking of such orders was like to a voluntary death and a difficult recovery to health: and if anywhere there were any at the point of death and at the end and limit of their life, so that they were capable to receive the dread secrets of the goddess, it was in her power by divine providence to make them as it were new-born and to reduce them to the path of health. Finally he said that I must therefore attend and wait for the celestial precept, although it were evident and plain that the goddess had already vouchsafed to call and appoint me to the happy company of her ministry, and that I must refrain from profane and unlawful meats, as those priests which were already received, to the end I might come more apt and clean to the knowledge of the secrets of the religion. Then when he had thus spoken I was obedient unto these words, and fretted not my duty with lack of patience; but I was attentive with meek quietness and taciturnity to prove me. I daily served at the temple: and in the end the wholesome gentleness of the goddess did nothing deceive me, for she tormented me with no long delay, but in a dark night she appeared to me in a vision, declaring in words not dark that the day was come which I had wished for so long;
Nocte quadam plenum gremium suum visus est mihi summus sacerdos offerre, ac requirenti, quid utique istud, respondisse partes illas de Thessalia mihi missas, servum etiam meum indidem supervenisse nomine Candidum. Hanc experrectus imaginem diu diuque apud cogitationes meas revolvebam quid rei portenderet, praesertim cum nullum unquam habuisse me servum isto nomine nuncupatum certus essem; utut tamen sese praesagium somni porrigeret, lucrum certum modis omnibus significari partium oblatione credebam. Sic anxius et in proventum prosperiorem attonitus templi matutinas apertiones opperiebar: ac dum, velis candentibus reductis in diversum, deae venerabilem conspectum apprecamur, et per dispositas aras circumiens sacerdos, rem divinam procurans supplicamentis sollemnibus, de penetrali fontem petitum spondeo libat, rebus iam rite consummatis inchoatae lucis salutationibus religiosi primam nuntiantes horam perstrepunt. Et ecce superveniunt Hypata religionis observatione famosus, clementer ac comiter et ut solent parentes immaturis liberorum desideriis modificari, meam differens instantiam, spei melioris solaciis alioquin anxium mihi permulcebat animum. Nam et diem quo quisque possit initiari deae nutu demonstrari, et sacerdotem qui sacra debeat ministrare eiusdem providentia deligi, sumptus etiam caerimoniis necessarios simili praecepto destinari: quae cuncta nos quoque observabili patientia sustinere censebat, quippe cum aviditati contumaciaeque summe cavere, et utramque culpam vitare, ac neque vocatus morari nec non iussus festinare deberem. Nec tamen esse quemquam de suo numero tam perditae mentis vel immo destinatae mortis, qui non sibi quoque seorsum iubente domina, temerarium atque sacrilegum audeat ministerium subire noxamque letalem contrahere. Nam et inferum claustra et salutis tutelam in deae manu posita, ipsamque traditionem ad instar voluntariae mortis et precariae salutis celebrari, quippe cum transactis vitae temporibus iam in ipso finitae lucis limine constitutos, quis tamen tuto possint magna religionis committi silentia, numen deae soleat elicere et sua providentia quodam modo renatos ad novae reponere rursus salutis curricula Ergo igitur me quoque oportere caeleste sustinere praeceptum, quamquam praecipua evidentique magni numinis dignatione iamdudum felici ministerio nuncupatum destinatumque, nec secus quam cultores ceteri cibis profanis ac nefariis iam nunc temperare, quo rectius ad arcana purissimae religionis secreta pervaderem.
she told me what provision and charges I should be at for the supplications, and how that she had appointed her principal priest Mithras, that was joined unto my destiny (as she said) by the ordering of the planets, to be a minister with me in my sacrifices. When I had heard these and the other divine commandments of the high goddess, I greatly rejoiced, and arose before day to speak with the great priest, whom I fortuned to espy coming out of his chamber. Then I saluted him, and thought with myself to ask and demand with a bold courage that I should be initiate, as a thing now due; but as soon as he perceived me, he began first to say: “O Lucius, now know I well that thou art most happy and blessed, whom the divine goddess doth so greatly accept with mercy. Why dost thou stand idle and delay? Behold the day which thou didst desire with prayer, when as thou shalt receive at my hands the order of most secret and holy religion, according to the divine commandment of this goddess of many names.” Thereupon the old man took me by the hand, and led me courteously to the gate of the great temple, where, after that it was religiously opened, he made a solemn celebration, and after the morning sacrifice was ended, he brought out of the secret place of the temple certain books written with unknown characters, partly painted with figures of beasts declaring briefly every sentence, partly with letters whose tops and tails turned round in fashion of a wheel, joined together above like unto the tendrils of a vine, whereby they were wholly strange and impossible to be read of the profane people; thence he interpreted to me such things as were necessary to the use and preparation of mine order. This done, I diligently gave in charge to certain of my companions to buy liberally whatsoever was needful and convenient; but part thereof I bought myself. Then he brought me, when he found that the time was at hand, to the next baths, accompanied with all the religious sort, and demanding pardon of the gods, washed me and purified my body according to the custom: after this, when two parts of the day was gone, he brought me back again to the temple and presented me before the feet of the goddess, giving me a charge of certain secret things unlawful to be uttered, and commanding me generally before all the rest to fast by the space of ten continual days, without eating of any beast or drinking of any wine: which things I observed with a marvellous continency. Then behold the day approached when as the sacrifice of dedication should be done; and when the sun declined and evening came, there arrived on every coast a great multitude of priests, who according to their ancient order offered me many presents and gifts. Then was all the laity and profane people commanded to depart, and when they had put on my back a new linen robe, the priest took my hand and brought me to the most secret and sacred place of the temple. Thou wouldest peradventure demand, thou studious reader, what was said and done there: verily I would tell thee if it were lawful for me to tell, thou wouldest know if it were convenient for thee to hear; but both thy ears and my tongue should incur the like pain of rash curiosity Howbeit I will not long torment thy mind, which peradventure is somewhat religious and given to some devotion; listen therefore, and believe it to be true.
Dixerat sacerdos, nec impatientia corrumpebatur obsequium meum, sed intentus miti quiete et probabili taciturnitate sedulum quot dies obibam culturae sacrorum ministerium. Nec me fefellit vel longi temporis prolatione cruciavit deae potentis benignitas salutaris, sed noctis obscurae non obscuris imperiis evidenter monuit advenisse diem mihi semper optabilem, quo me maximi voti compertiret, quantoque sumptu deberem procurare supplicamentis; ipsumque Mithram illum suum sacerdotem praecipuum, divino quodam stellarum consortio, ut aiebat, mihi coniunctum, sacrorum ministrum decernit. Quis et ceteris benivolis praeceptis summatis deae recreatus animi, necdum satis luce lucida, discussa quiete, protinus ad receptaculum sacerdotis contendo, atque eum cubiculo suo commodum prodeuntem continuatus salute Solito constantius destinaveram iam velut debitum saetis obsequium flagitare: at ille statim, ut me conspexit prior, “O” inquit “Luci, te felicem, te beatum, quem propitia voluntate numen augustum tantopere dignatur: et quid” inquit “Iam nunc stas otiosus teque ipsum demoraris? Adest tibi dies votis assiduis exoptatus, quo deae multinominis divinis imperiis per istas meas manus piissimis sacrorum arcanis insinueris”: et iniecta dextera senex comissimus ducit me protinus ad ipsas fores aedis amplissimae, rituque sollemni apertionis celebrato ministerio ac matutino peracto sacrificio, de opertis adyti profert quosdam libros litteris ignorabilibus praenotatos, partim figuris cuiuscemodi animalium concepti sermonis compendiosa verba suggerentes, partim nodosis et in modum rotae tortuosis capreolatimque condensis apicibus a curiosa Quaeras forsitan satis anxie, studiose lector, quid deinde dictum, quid factum: dicerem si dicere liceret, cognosceres si liceret audire: sed parem noxam contraherent aures et linguae illae temerariae curiositatis. Nec te tamen desiderio forsitan religioso suspensum angore diutino cruciabo: igitur audi, sed crede, quae vera sunt. Accessi confinium mortis et calcato Proserpinae limine per omnia vectus elementa remeavi; nocte media vidi solem candido coruscantem lumine; deos inferos et deos superos accessi coram et adoravi de proxumo. Ecce tibi rettuli quae, quamvis audita, ignores tamen necesse est: ergo quod solum potest sine piaculo ad profanorum intellegentias enuntiari, referam.
Thou shalt understand that I approached near unto hell, even to the gates of Proserpine, and after that I was ravished throughout all the elements, I returned to my proper place: about midnight I saw the sun brightly shine, I saw likewise the gods celestial and the gods infernal, before whom I presented myself and worshipped them. Behold now have I told thee, which.although thou hast heard, yet it is necessary that thou conceal it; wherefore this only will I tell, which may be declared without offence for the understanding of the profane. When morning came and that the solemnities were finished, I came forth sanctified with twelve stoles and in a religious habit, whereof I am not forbidden to speak, considering that many persons saw me at that time There I was commanded to stand upon a pulpit of wood which stood in the middle of the temple, before the figure and remembrance of the goddess; my vestment was of fine linen, covered and embroidered with flowers; I had a precious cope upon my shoulders, hanging down behind me to the ground, whereon were beasts wrought of divers colours, as Indian dragons, and Hyperborean griffins, whom in form of birds the other part of the world doth engender: the priests commonly call such a habit an Olympian stole. In my right hand I carried a lighted torch, and a garland of flowers was upon my head, with white palm-leaves sprouting out on every side like rays; thus I was adorned like unto the sun, and made in fashion of an image, when the curtains were drawn aside and all the people compassed about to behold me. Then they began to solemnise the feast, the nativity of my holy order, with sumptuous banquets and pleasant meats: the third day was likewise celebrate with like ceremonies, with a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the adept order. Now when I had continued there some days, conceiving a marvellous pleasure and consolation in beholding ordinarily the image of the goddess, because of the benefits, beyond all esteem or reward, which she had brought me, at length she admonished me to depart homeward, not without rendering of thanks, which although they were not sufficient, yet they were according to my power.
Mane factum est, et perfectis sollemnibus processi duodecim sacratus stolis, habitu quidem religioso satis, sed effari de eo nullo vinculo prohibeor, quippe quod tunc temporis videre praesentes plurimi. Namque in ipso aedis sacrae meditullio ante deae simulacrum constitutum tribunal ligneum iussus superstiti, byssina quidem sed floride depicta veste conspicuus, et humeris dependebat pone tergum talorum tenus pretiosa chlamida: quaqua tamen viseres, colore vario circumnotatis insignibar animalibus; hinc dracones Indici, inde grypes Hyperborei quos in speciem pinnatae alitis generat mundus alter: hanc Olympiacam stolam sacrati nuncupant. At manu dextera gerebam flammis adultam facem, et caput decore corona cinxerat, palmae candidae foliis in modum radiorum prosistentibus: sic ad instar solis exornato me et in vicem simulacri constituto, repente velis reductis, in aspectum populus errabat. Exhinc festissimum celebravi natalem sacrorum et suaves epulae et faceta convivia; dies etiam tertius pari caerimoniarum ritu celebratus, et ientaculum religiosum et teletae legitima consummatio. Paucis deliine ibidem commoratus diebus inexplicabili voluptate simulacri divini perfruebar, irremunerabili quippe beneficio pigneratus. Sed tandem deae monitu, licet non plene, tamen pro meo modulo supplicii e gratiis persolutis, tardam satis domuitionem comparo, vix equidem abruptis ardentissimi desiderii retinaculis. Provolutus denique ante conspectum deae et facie mea diu detersis vestigiis eius, lacrimis obortis, singultu crebro sermonem interficiens et verba devorans, aio:
Howbeit I could hardly be persuaded to break the chains of my most earnest devotion and to depart, before I had fallen prostrate before the face of the goddess and wiped her feet with my face, whereby I began so greatly to weep and sigh that my words were interrupted, and as devouring my prayer I began to say in this sort: “O holy and blessed dame, the perpetual comfort of human kind, who by Thy bounty and grace nourishest all the world, and bearest a great affection to the adversities of the miserable as a loving mother, Thou takest no rest night or day, neither art Thou idle at any time in giving benefits and succouring all men as well on land as sea; Thou art she that puttest away all storms and dangers from men's life by stretching forth Thy right hand, whereby likewise Thou dost unweave even the inextricable and tangled web of fate, and appeasest the great tempests of fortune, and keepest back the harmful course of the stars. The gods supernal do honour Thee; the gods infernal have Thee in reverence; Thou dost make all the earth to turn, Thou givest light to the sun, Thou governest the world, Thou treadest down the power of hell. By Thy mean the stars give answer, the seasons return, the gods rejoice, the elements serve: at Thy commandment the winds do blow, the clouds nourish the earth, the seeds prosper, and the fruits do grow. The birds of the air, the beasts of the hill, the serpents of the den, and the fishes of the sea do tremble at Thy majesty: but my spirit is not able to give Thee sufficient praise, my patrimony is unable to satisfy Thy sacrifices; my voice hath no power to utter that which I think of Thy majesty, no, not if I had a thousand mouths and so many tongues and were able to continue for ever. Howbeit as a good religious person, and according to my poor estate, I will do what I may: I will always keep Thy divine appearance in remembrance, and close the imagination of Thy most holy godhead within my breast.” When I had ended my oration to the great goddess, I went to embrace the great priest Mithras, now my spiritual father, clinging upon his neck and kissing him oft, and demanding his pardon, considering I was unable to recompense the good which he had done me: and after much talk and great greetings and thanks I departed from him straight to visit my parents and friends, after that I had been so long absent.
“Tu quidem saneta et humani generis sospitatrix perpetua, semper fovendis mortalibus munifica, dulcem matris affectionem miserorum casibus tribuis. Nec dies nec quies ulla ac ne momentum quidem tenue tuis transcurrit beneficiis otiosum, quin mari terraque protegas homines et depulsis vitae procellis salutarem porrigas dexteram, qua fatorum etiam inextricabiliter contorta retractas licia, et Fortunae tempestates mitigas, et stellarum noxios meatus cohibes. Te superi colunt, observant inferi, tu rotas orbem, luminas solem, regis mundum, calcas Tartarum. Tibi respondent sidera, redeunt tempora, gaudent numina, serviunt elementa: tuo nutu spirant flamina, nutriunt nubila, germinant semina, crescunt germina. Tuam maiestatem perhorrescunt aves caelo meantes, ferae montibus errantes, serpentes solo latentes, beluae ponto natantes. At ego referendis laudibus tuis exilis ingenio et adhibendis sacrificiis tenuis patrimonio: nec mihi vocis ubertas ad dicenda quae de tua maiestate sentio sufficit, nec ora mille linguaeque totidem vel indefessi sermonis aeterna series. Ergo quod solum potest, religiosus quidem sed pauper alioquin, efficere curabo: divinos tuos vultus numenque sanctissimum intra pectoris mei secreta conditum perpetuo custodiens imaginabor.” Ad istum modum deprecato summo numine, complexus Mithram sacerdotem et meum iam parentem, colloque eius multis osculis inhaerens veniam postulabam, quod eum condigne tantis beneficiis munerari nequirent.
And so within a short while after, by the exhortation of the goddess I made up my packet and took shipping towards the city of Rome, and I voyaged very safely and swiftly with a prosperous wind to the port of Augustus, and thence travelling by chariot, I arrived at that holy city about the twelfth day of December in the evening. And the greatest desire which I had there was daily to make my prayers to the sovereign goddess Isis, who, by reason of the place where her temple was builded, was called Campensis,1 and continually is adored of the people of Rome: her minister and worshipper was I, a stranger to her church, but not unknown to her religion. When now the sun had passed through all the signs of heaven and the year was ended, and that the goddess warned me again in my sleep to receive a new order and consecration, I marvelled greatly what it should signify and what should happen, considering that I was most fully an initiate and sacred person already. But it fortuned that while I partly reasoned with myself, and partly examined the perplexity of my conscience with the priests and bishops, there came a new and marvellous thought to my mind; that is to say, that I was only religious to the goddess Isis, but not yet sacred to the religion of great Osiris, the sovereign father of all the gods; between whom, although there was a religious concord or even unity, yet there was a great difference of order and ceremony, and so I thought that I should likewise believe myself to be called to be a minister unto Osiris.
Diu denique gratiarum gerendarum sermone prolixo commoratus, tandem digredior, et recta patrium Larem revisurus meum post aliquam multum temporis, contendo; paucisque post diebus, deae potentis instinctu, raptim constrictis sarcinulis, nave conscensa Romam versus profectionem dirigo; tutusque prosperitate ventorum ferentium Augusti portum celerrime ac dehinc carpento pervolavi, vesperanus quam dies insequebatur Iduum Decemblium sacrosanctam istam civitatem accedo. Nec ullum tam praecipuum mihi exinde studium fuit, quarti cotidie supplicare summo nummi reginae Isidis, quae, de templi situ sumpto nomine, Campensis summa cum veneratione propitiatur. Eram cultor denique assiduus, fani quidem advena, religionis autem indigena. Ecce transcurso signifero circulo sol magnus annum compleverat, et quietem meam rursus interpellat numinis benefici cura pervigilis et rursus teletae, I rursus sacrorum commonet. Mirabar quid rei temptaret, quid pronuntiaret futurum; quidni? Plenissime iamdudum videbar initiatus.
There was no long delay of doubt: for in the night after appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linen robes, holding in his hands spears wrapped in ivy, and other things not convenient to declare, which he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seat, recited to me such things as were necessary for the sumptuous banquet of my religious entry. And to the end I might know him again, he shewed me a certain sign, to wit, how the heel of his left foot was somewhat maimed, which caused him a little to halt. After that I did manifestly thus know the will of the gods, and all shadow of doubtfulness was taken away, when matins was ended I went diligently from one to another to find if there were any of the priests which had the halting mark of his foot, according as I learned by my vision. At length I found it true; for I perceived one of the company of the Pastophores who had not only the token of his foot but the stature and habit of his body resembling in every point as he appeared in the night, and he was called Asinius 1 Marcellus, a name not much disagreeing from my transformation. By and by I went to him, which knew well enough all the matter, as being admonished by like precept to give me the orders: for it seemed to him the night before, as he dressed the flowers and garlands about the head of the great god Osiris, he understood by the mouth of his image, which told the predestinations of all men, how he did send to him a certain poor man of Madaura, to whom he should straightway minister his sacraments, whereby through his divine providence the one should receive glory for his virtuous studies, and the other, being the priest himself, a great reward. When I saw myself thus deputed and promised unto religion, my desire was stopped by reason of poverty; for I had spent a great part of my patrimony, which was not very large, in travel and peregrinations, but most of all my charges in the city of Rome were by far greater than in the provinces. Thereby my low estate withdrew me a great while, so that I was in much distress betwixt the victim and the knife 1 (as the old proverb hath it), and yet I was not seldom urged and pressed on by that same god. In the end, being oftentimes stirred forward and at last commanded, and not without great trouble of mind, I was constrained to sell my poor robe for a little money; howbeit, I scraped up sufficient for all my affairs. Then thus it was particularly spoken unto me, saying: “How is it that for a little pleasure thou wouldest not be afraid to sell thy vestments, but entering into so great ceremonies, dost fear to fall into poverty? But such poverty thou shalt never repent.” I did therefore prepare myself, and for ten other days abstain from all animal meats, and did shave my head: then was initiate into the ceremonies of the great god, which were done in the night, and I did frequent his services and sacrifices the more confidently because I did already know well the like religion of this. This thing gave me great comfort in my peregrination abroad, and likewise ministered unto me more plentiful living, considering by the favour of good fortune I gained some money in haunting to the courts of law, by reason I did plead causes in the Latin tongue.
Ac dum religiosum scrupulum partim apud meum sensum disputo, partim sacratorum consiliis examino, novum mirumque plane comperior, deae quidem me tantum sacris imbutum at magni dei deumque summi parentis, invicti Osiris, necdum sacris illustratum. Quamquam enim connexa, immo vero inunita ratio numinis religionisque esset, tamen teletae discrimen interesse maximum: prohinc me quoque peti magno etiam deo famulum sentire deberem. Nec diu res in ambiguo stetit: nam proxuma nocte vidi quendam de sacratis, linteis iniectum, qui thyrsos et hederas et tacenda quaedam gerens ad ipsos meos Lares collocaret, et occupato sedili meo religionis amplae denuntiaret epulas. Is ut agnitionem mihi scilicet certo aliquo sui signo subministraret, sinistri pedis talo paululum reflexo cunctabundo clementer incedebat vestigio.. Sublata est ergo post tam manifestam deum voluntatem ambiguitatis tota caligo, et illico deae matutinis perfectis salutationibus summo studio percontabar singulos, ecqui vestigium similis sit ut somnium. Nec fides afuit: nam de pastophoris unum conspexi statim praeter indicium pedis, cetero etiam statu itque habitu examussim nocturnae imagini congruentem,quem Asinium Marcellum vocitari cognovi postea, reformationis meae non alienum nomen. paupertatis intercedente, quod ait vetus proverbium, inter sacrum et saxum positus cruciabar, nec setius tamen identidem numinis premebar instantia. Iamque saepicule non sine magna turbatione stimulatus, postremo iussus, veste ipsa mea quamvis parvula distracta, sufficientem corrasi summulam Et id ipsum praeceptum fuerat specialiter: “An tu ” inquit “Si quam rem voluptati struendae moliris, laciniis tuis nequaquam parceres, nunc tantas caerimonias aditurus impaenitendae te pauperiei cunctaris committere?” Ergo igitur cunctis affatim praeparatis, decem rursus diebus inanimis contentus cibis, insuper etiam deraso capite, principalis dei nocturnis orgiis illustratus, plena iam fiducia germanae religionis obsequium divinum frequentabam. Quae res summum peregrinationi meae tribuebat solacium, nec minus etiam victum uberiorem subministrabat: quidni? Spiritu faventis eventus quaesticulo forensi nutrito per patrocinia sermonis Romani.
Not very much after I was again called and admonished by the marvellous commands of gods, which I did very little expect, to receive a third order of religion. Then I was greatly astonied, and I pondered doubtfully in my mind, because I could not tell what this new vision signified, or what the intent of the celestial gods was, or how anything could remain yet lacking, seeing that twice already I had entered the holy orders, And I doubted lest the former priests had given me ill counsel or not enough, and fearing that they had not faithfully entrusted me, being in this manner as it were incensed. Then while I was in this great doubt and consideration, being driven almost unto madness, the gentle image appeared to me the night following, and giving me admonition said: “There is no occasion why thou shouldest be afraid with so often order of religion, as though there were somewhat omitted: but thou shouldest rather rejoice because the gods have found thee so worthy, since as it hath pleased them to call thee three times, when as it is hardly given to any other person to achieve to the order but once; and from that number thou mayst think thyself ever most happy for so great benefits. And know thou that the religion which thou must now receive is right necessary, if thou do but consider that the garment of the goddess which thou tookest in the province doth still remain in the temple there, and so that thou canst not persevere in the worshipping of her in Rome and in making solemnity of the festival day with thy blessed habit. Let then this thing be a glory and blessing and health to thee, and once more, the great gods being thy helpers, be initiate with glad mind into holy orders.” After this sort the divine majesty persuaded me in my sleep what should be to my profit.
Et ecce post pauculum tempus inopinatis et usquequaque mirificis imperiis deum rursus interpellor, et cogor tertiam quoque teletam susceptare. Nec levi cura sollicitus sed oppido suspensus animi mecum ipse cogitationes exercitius agitabam, quorsus nova haec et inaudita se caelestium porrigeret intentio, quid subsecivum quamvis iteratae iam traditioni remansisset: nimirum perperam vel minus plene consuluerunt in me sacerdos uterque 1: et Hercule iam de fide quoque eorum opinari coeptabam sequius. Quo me cogitationis aestu fluctuantem ad instar insaniae percitum sic instruxit nocturna divinatione demens imago: “Nihil est ” inquit “Quod numerosa serie religionis, quasi quicquam sit prius omissum, terreare. Quin assidua ista numinum dignatione laetum capesse gaudium, et potius exulta ter futurus quod alii vel semel vix conceditur, teque de isto numero merito praesume semper beatum. Ceterum futura tibi sacrorum traditio pernecessaria est, si tecum nunc saltem reputaveris exuvias deae, quas in provincia sumpsisti, in eodem fano depositas perseverat, nec te Romae diebus sollemnibus vel supplicare iis vel, cum praeceptum fuerit, felici illo amictu illustrari posse. Quod felix itaque ac faustum salutareque tibi sit, animo gaudiali rursum sacris initiare diis magnis auctoribus.”
Whereupon I forgat not nor delayed the matter at all, but by and by I went towards the priest and declared all that which I had seen. Then I fasted again from all flesh according to the custom, and of mine own proper will I abstained longer than the ten days which I was commanded, and I bought at my own charges all that was necessary, considering rather the measure of my piety and zeal than that which was ordained. And verily I did nothing repent of the pain which I had taken and of the charges which I was at, considering that the divine providence 'had given me such an order that I gained much money in pleading of causes. Finally after a few days the great god Osiris appeared in my sleep, which is the more powerful god of the great gods, the highest of the greater, the greatest of the highest, and the ruler of the greatest, to me in the night, not disguised in any other form, but in his own essence and speaking to me with his own venerable voice, commanding me that I should now get me great glory by being an advocate in the court, and that I should not fear the slander and envy of ill persons, which bare me stomach and grudge by reason of my doctrine which I had gotten by much labour. Moreover he would not that I should serve his mysteries mixed with the rest of the number of his priests, but he chose me to enter the college of the Pastophores, nay he allotted me to be one of his decurions and quinquennial priests: wherefore I executed mine office in great joy with a shaven crown in that most ancient college which was set up in the time of Sylla, not covering or hiding the tonsure of my head, but shewing it openly to all persons.
Hactenus divini somnii suada maiestas, quod usus foret, pronuntiavit. Nec deinceps postposito vel in supinam procrastinationem reiecto negotio, statim sacerdoti meo relatis quae videram, inanimae protinus castimoniae iugum subeo et lege perpetua praescripta illis decem diebus spontali sobrietate multiplicatis, instructum teletae comparo largitus, ex studio pietatis magis quam mensura rerum collatis. Nec Hercule laborum me sumptuumque quicquam tamen paenituit; quidni? Liberali deum providentia iam stipendiis forensibus bellule fotum. Denique post dies admodum pauculos deus deum magnorum potior, et maiorum summus, et summorum maximus, et maximorum regnator Osiris, non alienam quampiam personam reformatus, sed coram suo illo venerando me dignatus affamine per quietem praecipere visus est, quam nunc incunctanter gloriosa in foro redderem patrocinia, nec extimescerem malevolorum disseminationes, quas studiorum meorum laboriosa doctrina ibi differebat. Ac ne sacris suis gregi cetero permixtus deservirem, in collegium me pastophorum suorum, immo inter ipsos decurionum quinquennalem allegit: rursus denique quam raso