the golden asse-第53章
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This done I retired to the service of the goddesse in hope of greater benefits； considering I had received a signe and token； whereby my courage increased every day more and more to take upon me the orders and sacraments of the temple： insomuch that I oftentimes communed with the Priest； desiring him greatly to give me the degree of the religion； but he which was a man of gravitie； and well renowned in the order of priesthood； deferred my affection from day to day； with comfort and better hope； as parents commonly bridle the desires of their children； when they attempt or indeavour any unprofitable thing； saying； that the day when any one should be admitted into their order is appointed by the goddesse； the Priest which should minister the sacrifice is chosen by her providence； and the necessary charges of the ceremonies is alotted by her commandement； all which things he willed me to attend with marvailous patience； and that I should beware either of too much hastinesse； or too great slacknesse； considering that there was like danger； 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； as to enterprise any thing without the commandernent of the goddesse； whereby he should commit a deadly offence； considering that it was in her power to damne and save all persons； and if any were at the point of death； and in the way to damnation； so that he were capable to receive the secrets of the goddesse； it was in her power by divine providence to reduce him to the path of health； as by a certaine kind of regeneration ： Finally he said that I must attend the celestiall precept； although it was evident and plaine； that the goddesse had already vouchsafed to call and appoint me to her ministery； and to will me refraine from prophane and unlawfull meates； as those Priests which were already received； to the end I might come more apt and cleane to the knowledge of the secrets of religion。 Then was I obedient unto these words； and attentive with meek quietnesse； and probable taciturnity； I daily served at the temple ： in the end the wholesome gentlenesse of the goddesse did nothing deceive me； for in the night she appeared to me in a vision； shewing that the day was come which I had wished for so long； she told me what provision and charges I should be at； and how that she had appointed her principallest Priest Mythra to be minister with me in my sacrifices。
When I heard these divine commandements； I greatly rejoyced ： and arose before day to speake with the great Priest； whom I fortuned to espie comming out of his chamber： Then I saluted him； and thought with my selfe to aske and demand his counsell with a bold courage； but as soone 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 goddesse doth so greatly accept with mercy； why dost thou delay？ Behold the day which thou desiredst when as thou shalt receive at my hands the order of religion； and know the most pure secrets of the gods； whereupon the old man tooke me by the hand； and lead me to the gate of the great temple； where at the first entrie he made a solempne celebration； and after morning sacrifice ended； brought out of the secret place of the temple books； partly written with unknown characters； and partly painted with figures of beasts declaring briefly every sentence； with tops and tailes； turning in fashion of a wheele； which were strange and impossible to be read of the prophane people： There he interpreted to me such things as were necessary to the use and preparation of mine order。 This done； I gave charge to certaine of my companions to buy liberally； whatsoever was needfull and convenient； then he brought me to the next bains accompanied with all the religious sort； and demanding pardon of the goddesse； washed me and purified my body； according to custome。 After this； when noone approached； he brought me backe againe to the temple； presented me before the face of the goddesse； giving a charge of certaine secret things unlawfull to be uttered； and commanding me； and generally all the rest； to fast by the space of ten continuall daies； without eating of any beast； or drinking any wine； which thing I observed with a marvellous continencie。 Then behold the day approached； when as the sacrifice should be done； and when night came there arrived on every coast； a great multitude of Priests； who according to their order offered me many presents and gifts： then was all the Laity and prophane people commanded to depart； and when they had put on my back a linnen robe； they brought me to the most secret and sacred place of all the temple。 You would peradventure demand （you studious reader） what was said and done there； verely I would tell you if it were lawfull for me to tell； you should know if it were convenient for you to heare； but both thy eares； and my tongue shall incur the like paine of rash curiositie： Howbeit； I will content thy mind for this present time； which peradventure is somewhat religious and given to some devotion； listen therefore and beleeve it to be true： Thou shalt understand that I approached neere unto Hell； even to the gates of Proserpina； and after that； I was ravished throughout all the Element； I returned to my proper place： About midnight I saw the Sun shine； I saw likewise the gods celestiall and gods infernall； before whom I presented my selfe； and worshipped them： Behold now have I told thee； which although thou hast heard； yet it is necessarie thou conceale it； this have I declared without offence； for the understanding of the prophane。
When morning came； and that the solemnities were finished； I came forth sanctified with xii。 Stoles and in a religious habit； whereof I am not forbidden to speake； considering that many persons saw me at that time： there I was commanded to stand upon a seate of wood； which stood in the middle of the temple； before the figure and remembrance of the goddesse； my vestiment was of fine linnen； covered and embroidered with flowers。 I had a pretious Cope upon my shoulders hanging downe to the ground； whereon were beasts wrought of divers colours as Indian dragons； and Hiperborian Griphons； whom in forme of birds； the other world doth ingender； the Priests commonly call such a habit； a celestiall Stole： in my right hand I carried a light torch； and a garland of flowers upon my head； with Palme leaves sprouting out on every side： I was adorned like unto the Sun； and made in fashion of an Image； in such sort that all the people compassed about to behold me： then they began to solemnize the feast of the nativitie； and the new procession with sumptuous bankets and delicate meates： the third day was likewise celebrated with like ceremonies with a religious dinner； and with all the consummation of the order： when I had continued there a good space； I conceived a marvailous great pleasure and consolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the goddesse； who at length admonished me to depart homeward； not without rendring of thanks； which although it were not sufficient； yet they were according to my power。 Howbeit I could unneth be perswaded to depart； before I had fallen prostrate before the face of the goddesse； and wiped her steps with my face； whereby I began so greatly to weepe 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 perpetuall comfort of humane kind； who by thy bounty and grace nourishest all the world； and hearest a great affection to the adversities of the miserable； as a loving mother thou takest no rest； neither art thou idle at any time in giving thy benefits； and succoring all men； as well on land as sea； thou art she that puttest away all stormes and dangers from mans life by thy right hand； whereby likewise thou restrainest the fatall dispositions； appeasest the great tempests of fortune and keepest backe the course of the stars： the gods supernall doe honour thee： the gods infernall have thee in reverence： thou environest all the world； thou givest light to the Sunne； thou governest the world； thou treadest downe the power of hell： By thy me
