Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Volume II: Sermons

I. Pœmandres, the Shepherd of Men

Corpus Hermeticum

Corpus Hermeticum I

Pœmandres, the Shepherd of Men

(Text: R. 328-338; P. 1-18; Pat. 5b-8.)

1. It chanced once on a time my mind was meditating on the things that are, my thought was raised to a great height, the senses of my body being held back—just as men are who are weighed down with sleep after a fill of food, or from fatigue of body.

Methought a Being more than vast, in size beyond all bounds, called out my name and saith: What wouldst thou hear and see, and what hast thou in mind to learn and know?

2. And I do say: Who art thou?

He saith: I am Man-Shepherd, Mind of allmasterhood; I know what thou desirest and I’m with thee everywhere.

He answered back to me: Hold in thy mind all thou wouldst know, and I will teach thee.

4. E’en with these words His aspect changed, and straightway, in the twinkling of an eye, all things were opened to me, and I see a Vision limitless, all things turned into Light,—sweet, joyous [Light]. And I became transported as I gazed.