A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

In the first place, then, when he says,

"The descent to Avernus is easy. Night and day the dark gate of Pluto stands open; but to recall one's steps, and escape to the upper air—this is the work, this is the labor. A few, whom Jupiter has favored, or whom ardent virtue has raised to the ether—children of the gods—have been able. Woods cover everything in between, and Cocytus, gliding in its circuit, surrounds it with a dark embrace." Original Latin: "facilis descensus Averno. Noctes atque dies patet atra janua ditis: Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras, Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci quos æquus amavit Jupiter, aut ardens evexit ad æthera virtus, Dis geniti potuere. Tenent media omnia silvæ, Cocytusque finu labens, circumvenit atro."

Is it not obvious, from the preceding explanation, that by Avernus, in this place, and the dark gates of Pluto, we must understand a corporeal nature, the descent into which is indeed at all times obvious and easy, but to recall our steps, and ascend into the upper regions—or, in other words, to separate the soul from body by the cathartic virtues—is indeed a mighty work, and a laborious task? For a few only, the favorites of heaven, that is, born with the true philosophic genius, and whom ardent virtue has elevated to