THE PYTHAGOREAN PHILOSOPHY,
Souls to which Destiny 'portions new mutable bodies,
Imbibe the Lethean oblivion of prior existence.
A spirit internal supports all — earth, ocean and ether.
Flies to the moon's lucid orb, stars distant and sunlike.
The mind, through each member diffused, all matter enlivens;
Thence men and animals sprung", birds, insects and fishes.
Virgil, En. VI.
Pythagoras divine, him Samos bore,
But since self-banished from his native shore,
Because he hated tyrants, nor could bear
The chains, which none but servile souls will wear:
The crowd with silent admiration stand.
And heard him as they heard their god's command;
While he discours'd of heaven's mysterious laws,
The world's original, and Nature's cause.
