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Opalus, Opal

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274
Ο ΡΑ LUS.
The somewhat rude style shows it to be a work of the Lower Empire, when the all-prevailing faith in astrology had sufficient influence to induce the possessor of so precious a substance to convert it into an amulet, of a virtue doubtless commensurate to its price. Another magnificent Opal, though corroded by time, is set in a cabalistic ring of the 13th century, now in the Bray-brooke Collection.
A stone apparently so instinct with life, naturally supplied an abundant crop of superstitions to the vivid imaginations of the physicians in the Dark Ages. Some slight traces of these are already apparent in Orpheus (279), who declares that the Opal, displaying the complexion of a lovely boy (alluding to its epithet Paederos), gives delight to the Immortals, and is also a protection to the sight. Marbodus, converting the word into Ophthalmias, improves vastly upon the simple dictum of his predecessor, adding that it also confers the gift of invisibility upon the wearer, so that the thief protected by it could carry off his plunder in open day.2 But the climax is attained in the extra­vagant laudations delivered by Fetrus Arlensis, a visionary of Henri IV.'s reign. " The various colours in the Opal tend greatly to the delectation of the sight ; nay, more, they have the very-greatest efficacy in cheering the heart and inward parts, and specially rejoice the beholder's eyes. One in particular came into my hands, in which such beauty, loveliness, and grace shone forth, that it could truly boast that it drew all gems to itself ; while it surprised, astonished, and held captive, without escape or intermission, the hearts of all that beheld it. It was of the size of a hazel-nut, and grasped in the claws of a golden eagle, wrought with wonderful skill. It had such vivid and various colours, that all the beauty of the heavens might be viewed within it. Grace went out from it; majesty shot forth from its almost divine splendour. It sent forth such bright and piercing beams, that it struck terror into all beholders. In a
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