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initiated into the mysteries of Isis , Ihose holy mysv 

 teries , in which the human Ihought slrives to unité 

 ilself with the thought divine. Itis in that fortunate 

 land that the rehgious genius of civilization ré- 

 sides. » 



» Thou art as yet very young for such bold de- 

 signs , said the old man. I cannot however blâme 

 ihee ; I know that the Gods , place in us , the an- 

 ticipated knowledge of the deeds we are to accom- 

 plish, but the season is hardly favourable; the me- 

 lancholy Hyades reign in the heavens, wait till the 

 maon has twice filled her horns. » No , replied the 

 poet , I wiil départ tomorrow. » I undersland , re- 

 joined Talaon. That portion of the universal soûl, 

 which is called love , makes Eurydice shine in thy 

 eyes with a soft light , and thou w^ilt fly to avoid 

 throwing trouble into the heart of the innocent vir- 

 gin. But if I am not deceived, she already loves 

 as lenderly as she can love. Remain with us till 

 the season of storms be over. Why wouldst thou 

 banish love from thy bosom ? Alas ! said Orpheus , 

 I hâve nothing to offer Eurydice , but the miseries 

 of exile , and perhaps the vain forebodings of I 

 know not what glory , by which I fear she herself 

 will be seduced , and after the season of storms , 

 as at présent , I shall hâve nothing to ofFer Eurydice.» 

 Be not troubled , answered the old man , ah ! it 

 is not Talaon who would ever counsel thce to lead 

 an inactive and useless life , when the Gods hâve 

 placed gênerons designs in thee. Eurydice, if thou 

 wilt, shall be thy spouse , and will follow thee 



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