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in many particulars Orpheus, the Thracian. Like him, Odin is described as the most persuasive of men. Nothing could resist, they tell us, the force of his words-that he sometimes enlivened his harangues with verses, which he composed extempore, and that he was not only a great poet, but that it was he who first taught the art of poesy to the Scandinavians. He was also the inventor of the Runic characters, which so long prevailed among that people. He was also the prince of magicians. His followers believed that he could run over the world in the twinkling of an eye-that he had the direction of the air and tempests-that he could transform himself into all sorts of shapes-could raise the dead-foretell things to come-deprive his enemies of health and vigor by enchantmentsand discover all the treasures concealed in the earth. The chroniclers add, that he also knew how to sing airs so tender and melodious that the very plains and mountains would open and expand with delight; and that the ghosts, attracted by the sweetness of his songs, would leave their infernal caverns and stand motionless before him.*

Such was the character of this great Mystagogue, who first established secret societies in the north of Europe. The rites of initiation were at first celebrated in one place; but after the death of Odin, and in the course of many years, various fraternities

* Vide Snorri Heimskringla.

were formed all of which had their special rites and places for their performance.

The initiation of Gylfi, referred to above, presents some curious features, and deserves an extended notice. Arrived at Asgard-i. e., the city of Godhe saw a very lofty mansion, whose roof, as far as the eye could reach, was covered with golden shields. Approaching the entrance, he found it guarded by a man who was amusing himself by tossing seven small swords in the air, and catching them as they fell, one after the other.

Guard.-Whence comest thou, stranger, and what dost thou desire?

Gylfi.-My name is Pilgrim; I have wandered long, and am weary, and desire rest. To whom belongs this fair mansion?

Guard. To the king; and to him will I lead thee. Pilgrim was then led into the hall, and, with a thunder-crash, the great iron doors closed behind him. Following his guide, he traversed many stately rooms crowded with people; some playing, some drinking, and others fighting with various weapons. Seeing many things he could not comprehend, he softly pronounced the following verse :

"Scan every gate

Ere thou go on,

With greatest caution;
For hard to say 'tis
Where foes are lurking,
In this fair mansion."*

*Hava mal. St. I.

Advancing through the mystical journey, he at length stood in a suppliant posture before three thrones, raised one above another.

Guide.--Pilgrim, behold the THREE! He who sitteth on the lowest throne is called the High, or Lofty One; the second is named Equal to the High; and he who sitteth on the highest throne is called the Highest, or the Third. Listen to what they shall say to thee; question them, and they will

answer.

The High.-Stranger, thou art welcome here, and mayest eat and drink without cost, in the hall of the Sublime. What is thy errand? and what dost thou desire?

Initiate.-Knowledge of the Supreme. Tell me, O Lofty One! who is the first of the gods. Where does he dwell? What is his power? and what has he done to display his glory?

The High. He liveth from all ages; he governeth all realms, and swayeth all things great and small.

Equally High.-He hath formed heaven and earth, and the air, and all things thereunto belonging.

The Highest.—And what is more, he hath made man, and given him a soul which will live and never perish, though the body shall have mouldered away or shall have been burned into ashes.

Initiate.-What was the beginning of things?

The High.

""Twas Time's first dawn,
When naught yet was.
Nor sand, nor sea,
Nor cooling wave;
Earth was not there,
Nor heaven above.
Naught save a void
And yawning gulf;

But verdure none."*

The THREE then proceed to instruct the Pilgrim in the science of the universe, and in those instructions we have a full description of the cosmogony of the ancient Scandinavians. They describe the creation of the heavens and the earth, and of the first man and woman; they discourse to him of the mysteries of the world-of night and day--of the sun and moon-of the golden age of the WorldTree, Yggdrasill, and the Destinies--of the winds and seasons-of the gods and goddesses-of the way that leads to heaven-of the twilight of the gods— of the conflagration of the universe, and destruction of the world. The ceremony of initiation ended with a glowing and sublime description of the palingenesia of the universe; the ultimate restoration of all things to purity, and harmony, and peace; and with the statement of some moral precepts for the regulation of human conduct.

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The High. There will be a new heaven; and there will arise out of the sea a new earth, most lovely and verdant, with pleasant fields, where grain shall grow unsown. A dwelling shall be there more radiant than the sun. There the sons of men shall dwell together again in peace and concord; evil shall disappear from the empire of Odin, and happiness and virtue shall be universal and perpetual.

The Highest.-Wanderer, thou hast heard the THREE; profit by the instructions thou hast received.

To the guest who enters your dwelling with frozen knees, give the warmth of thy fire; he who hath traveled over the mountains hath need of food and garments well dried.

He who traveleth hath need of wisdom. One may do at home whatsoever one will; but he who is ignorant of good manners, will only draw contempt upon himself when he comes to sit down with men well instructed.

He who goes to a feast where he is not expected, either speaks with a lowly voice, or is silent; he listens with his ears, and is attentive with his eyes; by this he acquires knowledge and wisdom.

A man can carry with him no better provisions for his journey than the strength of understanding. In a foreign country, this will be of more use to him than treasures, and will introduce him to the table of strangers. A man cannot carry a worso

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