BONA Dea, the good goddess, in Pagan mythology, one of the names of Cybele. Others say, she was a Roman lady, the wife of one Faunus, and was famous for her chastity, and that after her death she was deified. Her sacrifices were performed only by matrons; and in so secret a manner, that it was no less than death for any man to be present at the assembly*. Cicero reproaches Clodius with having entered into this temple disguised as a singing woman, and having by his presence polluted the mysteries of the good goddess. What kind of mysteries these were, we may learn from Juvenal, Sat. VI. 313. The poet then mentions the adventure of Clodius.
Atque vinam ritus veteres, et publica saltem
His installa malis agerentur sacra: sed omnes
Noverrunt Mauri, atque Indi, qua psaltria penem
Majorem, quam fuit duo Casaris Anticatoones,
Illuc testiculi sibi confusum, unde fugit mens,
Intulerit.
I wish at least our sacred rites were free
From these pollutions of obscenity:
But 'tis well known what singer, how disguised,
A lewd audacious action enterpriz'd:
Into the sane, with women mix'd, he went,
Arm'd with a huge two-handed instrument;