Note 198 — Chapter VIII · POST-CHRISTIAN GNOSTICS: THE OPHITES

A verse:

Son of Saturn, son of Jove

Or born of mighty Rhea’s love.

Holy name, that sounds so dear

To that ancient Rhea’s ear.

Thee the old Assyrians [read Syrians] all

The thrice-wept Adonis call.

To thee for name has Egypt given

The holy horned moon of heaven [Osiris].

Thou the serpent-god of Greece

The all reverenced Adam thou of Samothrace.

Thee the Lydians, Phrygians thee,

Invoke, the Corybantic deity.

Thee Pappas now and now the dead,

Now lifting up reborn the god-like head.

Unfruitful now or barren desert brown,

Now the rich golden harvest mowing down.

Or whom the blossoming almond-tree

Brought forth on the free hills the piper wild to be.

Attis, old Rhea’s son I sing

Not with the wild bell’s clashing ring

Nor Ida’s fife, in whose shrill noise

The old Curetae still rejoice;

But with the mingling descant sweet

Of Phoebus’ harp, so soft, so sweet,

Evan! Evan! Pan, I call!

Evan the wild Bacchanal:

Or that bright Shepherd that on high

Folds the white stars up in the silent sky.

Quarterly Review, June, 1851.