Page:Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer's Life and Writings.pdf/33

 Rh who were under the public Displeasure in Asia, Egypt, or the other barbarous Countries, came to ; and both pretended to, and obtained the Government of the chief Grecian Cities. Thus Danaus, being banished from Egypt, came and possessed Argos: Cadmus from Sidon wreigned over Thebes: The Carians were possessed of the Islands in the Archipelago; and Pelops the Son of Tantalus was Master of the whole Peloponnesus.’

 

 the Sicilian, after having explained the natural Signification of the Allegory of Bacchus’s being the Son of Jupiter and Ceres; or of Wine’s being the Production of Earth and Moisture, adds these Words, which plainly shew the Nature and Tendency of the Orphic Institutions:—‘Of the same Nature with these Allegories are the things which are shadow’d out in the Poems of Orpheus; and likewise the things which are signified in the religious Rites, (prescribed by the same Person:) But it is not lawful for those who are not initiated to enquire into the particular Meaning of every Rite.’. Book 3. following Line of Orpheus is applied by Justin the Martyr to one of the greatest  Rh