THE FIRST BOOK OF UNCLE TONY, CALLED EXEGESIS 1 In the Beginning was the Always-Has-Been; that which was, and is, and ever shall be. And the earth was barren and flat, and void of life. 2 And the Un-Nameable walked to and fro upon the face of the earth in sorrow, grieved at the barrenness. 3 And the Un-Nameable swept Its hand over the face of the earth, and the mountains rose from the firmament and the earth groaned and cried in its agony. 4 The seas also were troubled; the waves rose in anger at the interference of their peace and tossed and crested on the rocky shores. 5 And the Un-Nameable looked upon the new face of the earth, and was sorrowful, for as yet no living thing was created. 6 Thus the Un-Nameable said "Let us breathe new life into the earth, that it may live and be fruitful." 7 And the Un-Nameable said unto the earth, "Come thou alive, thou barren One!" and from up the earth grew every plant and tree, and every seed-bearing flora. 8 And the Un-Nameable looked and saw it was good. And this was the First Epoch (Tempus Primus)? ???And the earth brought forth life for three thousand million years, and the Un-Nameable grew restless, saying "I shall create beasts for mine amusement and shall populate the earth with them." 10 And the Un-Nameable took a thorny bush, and infused its Spirit in the thorns thereof, and from out the thorny bush grew every type of animal, from the serpent which crawleth on its belly to the birds of the air to the fish in the sea. Grew they from out the thorny bush each and every one of them. 11 And the beasts of the earth provided for the Un-Nameable endless amusements, both day and night amused they It. For fifty-thousand million years amused they the Un-Nameable and the Un-Nameable saw it was good. 12 And among the beasts created by the Un-Nameable was one weaker than the others; a defenseless and pitiable creature the other beasts called MAN. And this was the Second Epoch, (Tempus Secundus). THE SECOND BOOK OF UNCLE TONY, CALLED MORS DEUS 1 As the Un-Nameable was walking to and fro upon the earth one day, it noticed man (anthropos) in the wilderness, cold and shivering, and said "Mine heart is moved for man (anthropos), this most pitiful and weak of creatures. For man (anthropos) hath not fur for warmth neither hath it claws for protection. This creature hath an most special place in mine heart," Thus spake the Un-Nameable. 2 And it came to pass that the Un-Nameable held man (anthropos) in special esteem and furthered its progress above the other animals, that peradventure man (anthropos) would be the Un-Nameable's steward over the earth and its multitudes. Thus was the beginning of the Third Epoch (Tempus Tertius). 3 And it came to pass that the creature man (anthropos) did with its many miracles hold stewardship over all other animals, and man's heart was soon hardened with power and soon man (anthropos) grew weary of its station in life. It grew slothful and its heart turned to impure desires and its conscience was seared as by an hot iron. 4 And it came to pass that men were wont to say one to another "Let us overcome the Un-Nameable, and subject all the earth to our own lusts and desires," and thus it came to pass that whilst the Un-Nameable was walking to and fro in the earth, loving Creation and its Creatures, man overtook the Un-Nameable as a brigand overcometh a traveler in the night. 5 And man (anthropos) overtook the Un-Nameable, both old men and young, male and female, overtook they It. And hearkened they one to another saying, "Let us destroy the Un-Nameable, and henceforth let us call It "God." 6 And as man (anthropos) fell upon the Un-Nameable they mocked It, saying "All hail God! How we worship Thee, O Ruler of Rulers!" And the Un-Nameable grieved sore in Its heart, and was sorrowful in Its agony and death throes. 7 And the Un-Nameable did perish as man (anthropos) with daggers of hatred and swords of anger did hew the Un-Nameable asunder and in twain. And the many pieces of the Un-Nameable did man throw in divers places. In the dung heaps and in evil places did man (anthropos) dispose of its God. 8 And man (anthropos) with its many miracles did become God, jealous and angry, and did rule over every living thing. With its wickedness ruled it over all the Creation. And man (anthropos) did create sepulchres to the Un-Nameable, places of mockery and farce, saying, "Let us every day kill the Un-Nameable for ever and ever!" And man (anthropos) appointed a high priesthood to oversee the death-comedies and to worship man (anthropos), called God (theos) and its multitude of miracles. And at himself did man (anthropos) marvel and worship and offer offerings. And this was the End of the Third Epoch (Tempus Tertius) THE THIRD BOOK OF UNCLE TONY, CALLED SACERDOTIUM MORS 1 And it came to pass that the high priesthood were mocked and became fools among men. And they met in a secret place, and talked amongst themselves, saying "Let us overcome man (anthropos/theos) that they may worship us and unto us send on high burnt offerings, and marvel at out power." Thus they became the thought-erasers and Preachers of Death to the masses (hoi polloi). 2 And it came to pass that the high priesthood said one to another "Henceforth shall man (anthropos) be made a mockery among us." And they preached unto man an Oratio Mors and sang death-songs (Cantus Mors) and man (anthropos) grew sorely afraid, saying "Have pity on us, O gods! Show Thou unto us the Way!" And man (anthropos) made with them a covenant, saying "We, our children, and our children's children shall submit unto Thee for ever and ever in æternum!" Thus was the Law (Lexius) delivered unto the masses (hoi polloi), and all began to despise the world and its creatures. 3 Man (anthropos) begat AUTOMATON, the Superfluous, the many-too-many, and the High Priests controlled their slaves, saying "Salve Lucrum! We are God! It shall be thus for ever and ever!" And verily did they rejoice in the death of Love and Reason, and set their Gospels of Death on tablets, spreading Death hither and yon, and into the hands and minds of the many-too-many; the AUTOMATON which is man (anthropos). 4 This persisted for generations upon generations, and was the Epoch in which the altars of sensibility and love of life were destroyed by the hammers of Ignorance and the altars of Morality and Worship of the State were erected in their place. This was the Fourth Epoch (Tempus Quartus). THE FOURTH BOOK OF UNCLE TONY, CALLED VATES OMNIPOTENS 1 There was in the far Northern wildernesses, where cold Boreas sweeps clean the mountains with his mighty comings and goings, a village, called Iocus. There was a man in this village, regarded by his fellows as foolish and strange, and his name was Ignosco, which, being interpreted means "he who showeth mercy." His parentage was thus; Son of Misericors and Philosophia. 2 His family was wise to the ways of the Preachers of Death, and hence Misericors and Philosophia sent their young son to the wilderness, to be spared of the many-too-many and their Cantus Mors; to live in pure and idyllic Natura, in pristine forests and Elysian meadows wherein cool Alpine lakes hail gentle Aurora's coming with hues of purple and crimson and offer up offerings of cleansing mists to her. 3 In thus wise was Ignosco brought up, by his nurse-maid, Veritas. His companions were the animals and the trees, from whom he learned the Way, which man (anthropos) had destroyed and forgotten, the Way of the WILL, the way which needeth no "morality." And Ignosco grew of impressive stature and prodigious strength, and knew of the Un-Nameable (by way of the animals) and also of man's injustice. 4 And Ignosco was verily grieved in his heart that it should be thus, and he perceived that change should soon come over the earth. This was the time when Ignosco didst verily decide to come down from the mountains to live among man (anthropos). This was the Fifth Epoch (Tempus Quintus). THE FIFTH BOOK OF UNCLE TONY, CALLED MIRUS PRINCIPIUM NOVUS 1 And it came to pass that Ignosco lived among men (anthropos) and was very much reviled and mocked by every one, for they understood him not. 2 And it came to pass that as cold Boreas hearkened winter"s coming, Ignosco set out from the Northern regions intending to settle for the cold months in the warm, fertile forests of the Southern parts. 3 And it came to pass that Ignosco came upon a village in the South, called Sanctus Civis Sacerdos, which, being interpreted, means "Holy City of the Priests." And it came to pass that as Ignosco entered the gates of the city, he gazed around in wonder, saying, "What is this wickedness and farce that hath gained rule over the hearts of the masses?" 4 And as Ignosco ventured further into the heart of the city, he heard peoples from divers lands extol and praise the High Priesthood, which had created such magnificence, saying "Long live the gods! By virtue of their multitude of miracles do they rule over us, and do we submit to them! All hail, gods! All hail Cruentus Lupus, High Priest for ever and ever!" 5 And it came to pass that Cruentus Lupus waxed interested in his heart of this stranger from the Northern regions, Ignosco, and sent for him, saying "Bring me this stranger called Ignosco, for I verily wish for him to pay me homage!" 6 And so it happened, that the servants of Cruentus Lupus were sent forth into the wilderness of the South, (for Ignosco had left the city,) that they might procure Ignosco, and bring him before the High Priest, called Cruentus Lupus, that Ignosco might pay homage to him. 7 And the servants of the High Priest overtook Ignosco and captured him, that he might accompany them to the city, and pay homage to Cruentus Lupus. 8 And it came to pass that Ignosco was brought before the High Priest, who demanded homage of him, saying "O thou vermis infimus, thou lowly worm, bow before me, that thou mayest be blessed and that thou mayest be shown the way and saved!" 9 And Ignosco laughed, saying "Who art thou, dressed in robes of regal scarlet and purple, that thou shouldst demand of me homage? Art thou not a man, as myself?" And in thus wise Ignosco mocked the High Priest. 10 And it happened that Cruentus Lupus" heart waxed exceedingly wroth, and Cruentus Lupus railed at Ignosco, saying unto him, "Behold, the time will come when there will be great gnashing of teeth and rending of garments - thine! Who is it that will for you and the masses persuade the god of morality to spare you, if it not be me?" And he smote the servants nearest him, and they fell to his feet in worship. 11 And it came to pass that Ignosco said unto the High Priest, called Cruentus Lupus, "Behold, with the WILL have I loosed the chains which bind the Truth." 12 "With concern for mine fellows, the few, have I unleashed fatal Tisiphone upon the earth, lo, even have I unleashed the rest of the Furies and have told them of your enslavement of the masses (hoi polloi) by way of oppressive morality, and of your nefarious matricide, by and of which your Mother, your god, was by you whipped and forced to play the whore, and, having no further use for Her, your perverted lusts for the moment sated, how you set upon Her and killed her." 13 And Ignosco continued, saying "Not only you, but yea, even the Superfluous shall by the Sisters of Vengeance be persuaded unto the very verge of insanity, when, minds pierced by guilt ye shall into the abyss plunge, with false hope of passing the bitter cup which is yours for eternity. To be pursued by these grim agents of Justice; this is your lot." 14 At these words the High Priest mocked Ignosco, saying "Who are these agents of Justicia? I know them not, that I should obey thee!" For Cruentus Lupus was accustomed to wealth and riches and the blind obedience of all men, and his heart began to tire of Vates Ignosco and he began to wax wroth, saying "Enough! I grow weary of this, our exchange. I alone AM! The Way of Salvation and Righteousness hath to MY care been entrusted! Man (anthropos) cometh to the Way through me alone!" And with this said, he withdrew, smiting all who stood in his path. 15 And it came to pass that Ignosco did into the wilderness return, that he might commune with Natura, and for sleep, as he could not in sweet Morpheus" bosom rest in the cities of "civilized" man. 16 And it came to pass that Vates Ignosco did sleep, and did dream, of things yet to come. And it came to pass that when Ignosco awoke, he gathered his few followers together, and did sup with them, and Ignosco spoke, saying, 17 "Behold, my brethren, I have dreamed a dream, of things hideous and divers; of things yet to come." And his followers did exort him, saying "Tell us, O Vates Omnipotens, of the things to come!" 18 And Ignosco did continue, saying unto them, "Behold! I have seen the glorious solus radius that is the future, and it is ours, my brethren! I did see in my dream a great, many-headed monster, Supervacaneus by name, that did feast on the blood and misery of men, a beast which did grow in stature and flouirsh by the many-faced sorrows of man (anthropos). And this Supervacaneus did in great palaces live, and was largely unknown to men, save the ones who brought their macabre sacrifices to his table. These ones alone spared Supervacaneus, for in their betrayal to their fellow man lay their utility to the monster." 19 And his followers did marvel at this, and grew sorely afraid, saying "Hide us from this monster, O Vates Omnipotens, that we may live!" And Ignosco at this did laugh, saying, 20 "Brethren, thou shakest in fear as doth the hen when the fox draweth near! Still thyselves, that I may with this my story continue!" And he continued, saying, 21 "In my dream was I confronted with this beast upon a great precipice, yea, even the abyss, and it drew near, intending to slay me, and I grew sorely afraid, and verily did soil mine linens as the beast, with bloody jaws and smiling face approached. I drew from my sheath mine sword, yet in no wise did it pierce the monster, and at length did he take from me my weapon, and laughed, challenging me." 22 "And verily did the creature draw near, and was on the verge of overtaking me, when I did perceive in it a weakness, and did exort it not to consume me, as I had no miseries, and would not be of good flavour. At once the beast grew confused, and I took fast hold of it, and did into the precipice hurl it with all of my might, and heard its scream as it crashed onto the rocks below, and did perish." 23 "And I saw from the bowels of the earth ascend a man, yea, mightier of stature and more prodigious of strength than even the heroes of old, and I did ask of this man his name, to which he replied Paene Divinus, which, being interpreted, is "Superman." And he did show unto me the things to come, and I saw the Cosmos rent in twain and hewn in pieces, yea, all was Chaos, as Paene Divinus did the High Priests of Death imprison in the earth, every one of them shut up he in the earth." 24 "And this Paene Divinus did many marvelous works, yea, freed he mankind from its bondage under the Worship of Death and of hatred for Natura. All of the old order was swept away, yea, the foolish Morality, and the Death-Songs, and the god of Ignorance and the Spirit of World-Weariness were destroyed, and the earth once again was in agony as it purged itself of the old in preparation for the new. At last the earth was cleansed of what had been, yea, the corrpution, and the Few alone remained, a mere remnant of what had previoulsy been." 25 "And the skies did show themselves in divers colors and hues, and the seas did rage as the Cosmos brought the Chaos to a new, better order than what had been." 26 "At last an altar to the WILL was erected, and an altar to REASON, and the Few and Paene Divinus did rejoice and offer offerings to the WILL and to REASON. 27 "And it came to pass that as the Tempus Sextus did draw to its close, the Tempus Ultimus began, an Age in which men (anthropos) fully realized themselves, and their WILL, and this auric Age of Anthropos shall continue for ever and ever. And the sun shall break upon this new day of man (anthropos) and shall verily shine in æternum upon mankind, for it shall be the Race of WILL and REASON. 28 At these words did Ignosco"s followers marvel, and did praise him, saying, "All hail, Vates Omnipotens!" And Ignosco rebuked them, saying "Wishest thou for me to be no better than the High Priests of Death, who are the servants of the great monster?" And verily did the followers marvel at this saying, and they wondered aloud "What then is the interpretation of these things?" 29 And Ignosco did unto his follwers interpret, saying "Yea, many times of trouble lay ahead of you. Remember my teachings, all of you, and live in accordance with the WILL. Let this be my legacy unto you. Now is the Age of Paene Divinus, and you are both he and the Few also! Verily shall ye and those of the WILL triumph over these monsters and daemons!" And verily did Ignosco"s countenance turn to brass. They hath had their time! Go forth, all of you, and spread the life of accordance to the WILL! Laughter and joy have I consecrated; ye higher men, learn and teach, I pray you - to laugh and be joyful! I hath grown ripe, and my hour hath come, my day beginneth!" 30 And having said this, Ignosco did take his leave of his brethren, preferring to live in the solitude of the wilderness, "glowing and strong, like a morning sun coming out of gloomy mountains." Thus Spake Uncle Tony Acknowledgements As you may have noted, the writing of Friedrich Nietzsche play a large role in how I have written this work. I must also admit the influence of Milton, C.S. Lewis, and Ovid, among others. While none of the writing is verbatim, save the very last line of Book Five, (v. 30) which is from Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra, it would be wrong of me to not credit these authors with their due, as they have influenced my levels of description and other key elements of my writing style. The bulk of the credit, however goes to Nietzsche, who has not failed to touch one aspect of the way I view the world. The First Five Books of Uncle Tony, called the Pentateuch. Anthony J. Caruso Mythology Paper 1 Dr. Weber