Crowley's Occult Rites of Eleusis Ritual Text

Aleister Crowley - The Rites Of Eleusis(Occult Ordo Templi Orientis Oto Thelema Sex Magick Wicca Ritual Initiation).
html[10/02/2014 17:58:31]
" SPECI AL SUPPLEMENT"
NOTE
The Ri t es wer e wr i t t en
and pr oduced by
ALEI STER CROWLEY
except par t s of t he Ri t es of Mar s
and of Mer cur y
whi ch wer e wr i t t en by an adept
who wi shes t o r emai n anonymous.
- - - - - - - - -
The sol os wer e chosen f r omher
r eper t oi r e by Mi ss Lei l a Waddel l .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ I n vi ew of t he absur d st at ement s as t o t he char act er of t hese
r i t es whi ch have been made i n cer t ai n quar t er s, i t has been t hought
t hat t he best r epl y i s t he publ i cat i on of t he t ext i n f ul l . ED. ]
{i }
THE RI TES OF ELEUSI S AS
PERFORMED AT CAXTON
HALL WESTMI NI STER I N
OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
1910 BY MI SS LEI LA WAD-
DELL AND MR ALEI STER
CROWLEY WI TH DI S-
TI NGUI SHED ASSI STANCE
I . THE RI TE OF SATURN.
I I . THE RI TE OF J UPI TER.
I I I . THE RI TE OF MARS.
I V. THE RI TE OF SOL.
V. THE RI TE OF VENUS.
VI . THE RI TE OF MERCURY.
VI I . THE RI TE OF LUNA.
{v}
TO MY FRI END
COMMANDER G. M. MARSTON, R. N.
t o whose suggest i on
t hese r i t es
ar e due
t hey ar e gr at ef ul l y dedi cat ed.
Aleister Crowley - The Rites Of Eleusis(Occult Ordo Templi Orientis Oto Thelema Sex Magick Wicca Ritual Initiation).html[10/02/2014 17:58:31]
{vi }
THE RI TE OF SATURN
{1}
THE OFFI CERS OF THE TEMPLE
MAGI STER TEMPLI , " t he r epr esent at i ve of Bi nah, Sat ur n. "
MATER COELI , " Venus i n Li br a, t he house of Sat ur n' s exal t at i on. "
BROTHER AQUARI US, " t he house of Sat ur n; i n Chesed, because Pi sces i s wat er :
" Hope. "
BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS, " i n t het hr one of Capr i cor nus, t he house of Sat ur n; i n
Gebur ah, because Mar s i s exal t ed t her ei n. He i s Mar s i n Capr i cor nus. "
BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS EMI SSARI US.
THE LEADER OF THE CHORUS, or CHORAGOGE.
SCENE. - - - " I n t he East i s a vei l ed shr i ne, cont ai ni ng an al t ar . To i t s
Chokmah, Bi nah, Chesed, and Gebur ah ar e M. T. , M. C. , Br o. A. , and Br o.
C. r espect i vel y. Br o C. E. i s di sgui sed as an or di nar y member of t he
gar r i son. "
{3}
THE RI TE OF SATURN
PART I
BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS " ent er s and t ur ns of f Bl ue l i ght . Red l amps ar e br ought
i n by" BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS " and t he" LEADER OF THE CHORUS.
" Fi r st t he Templ e i s l i ght ed by t wo r ed l amps. " PROBATI ONERS " chant t he
Capr i cor nus and Aquar i us sect i ons f r om" 963 " whi l e ot her s wai t wi t hout
i n dar kness. Red l i ght s ar e t hen hi dden wi t hi n vei l . " BROTHER
CAPRI CORNUS " t ur ns on t he Bl ue l i ght . "
" The Templ e bei ng i n dar kness, and t he assi st ant s seat ed, l et " BROTHER
CAPRI CORNUS " ar i se f r omhi s t hr one, and knock t hr i ce wi t h hi s spear -
but t upon t he f l oor . " MAGI STER TEMPLI " i n t he shr i ne, wi t h" MATER
COELI .
CAPRI CORNUS. Pr ocul , O pr ocul est e pr of ani !
[ " He per f or ms t he Bani shi ng Ri t ual of t he Pent agr am.
He next l i ght s t he hel l - br ot h and r eci t es: ] "
Even as t he t r ai t or ' s br eat h
Goet h f or t h, he per i shet h
By t he secr et si bi l ant wor d t hat i s spoken unt o deat h.
Even as t he pr of ane hand
Reachet h t o t he sacr ed sand,
Fi r e consumes hi mt hat hi s name be f or got t en i n t he l and. {5}
Even as t he wi cked eye
Seeks t he myst er i es t o spy,
So t he bl i ndness of t he gods t akes hi s spi r i t : he shal l di e.
Even as t he evi l pr i est ,
Poi soned by t he sacr ed f east ,
Changes by i t s seven power s t o t he mi sbegot t en beast :
Even as t he power s of i l l ,
Br oken by t he wanded wi l l ,
Shr i ek about t he hol y pl ace, vai n and vague and t er r i bl e:
Even as t he l or ds of hel l ,
Chai ned i n f i r es bef or e t he spel l ,
St r ai n upon t he si ght l ess st eel , br eak not f et t er s nor compel :
So be di st ant , O pr of ane!
Chi l dr en of t he hur r i cane!
Lest t he swor d of f i r e dest r oy, l est t he ways of deat h be pl ai n!
So depar t , and so be wi se,
Lest your per i shabl e eyes
Look upon t he f or ml ess f i r e, see t he mai den sacr i f i ce!
So depar t , and secr et f l ame
Bur n upon t he st one of shame,
That t he hol y ones may hear musi c of t he sl eepl ess Name!
Hol y, hol y, hol y spouse
Of t he sun- engi r dl ed house,
Wi t h t he secr et symbol bur ni ng on t hy mul t i sci ent br ows! . . . .
Even as t he t r ai t or ' s br eat h
Goet h f or t h, he per i shet h
By t he secr et si bi l ant wor d t hat i s spoken unt o deat h.
CAPRI CORNUS. Br et hr en, l et us awaken t he Mast er of t he Templ e.
[ THE LEADER OF THE CHORUS " beat s t he t om- t om, and t he ot her br et hr en cl ap
and st amp t hei r f eet . No r esul t . " ] {6}
Si l ence - - - i t i s i n vai n! Br et hr en, l et us i nvoke t he assi st ance of t he
Mot her of Heaven!
[ " He goes t o vei l and r eaches t hr ough wi t h hi s hands. "
MATER COELI . [ " Passes t hr ough Thr one of " MAGI STER TEMPLI " and ent er s t he
Templ e. " ] Chi l dr en, what i s your wi l l wi t h me?
CAPRI CORNUS. Mot her of Heaven, we beseech t hee t o awaken t he Mast er .
MATER COELI . What i s t he hour ?
CAPRI CORNUS. Mot her of Heaven, i t l acks a quar t er of mi dni ght .
MATER COELI . Be i t unt o your desi r e!
[ " She pl ays. <> As she ends she kneel s: t he vei l
sl owl y par t s, and" MAGI STER TEMPLI " i s seen st andi ng i n shr i ne. He
sl owl y ent er s Templ e. " Mat er Coel i " r et ur ns t o t hr one, havi ng been
bl essed and r ai sed by hi m. " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Mot her of Heaven, bel oved of t he St ar s, wher ef or e hast
t hou awakened t he Poi son of El d, t he Dwel l er i n Et er ni t y?
MATER COELI . Shabbat hai .
[ MAGI STER TEMPLI " comes down t o hel l - br ot h and r eci t es " The Eyes of
Phar aoh. " ]
Dead Phar aoh' s eyes f r omout t he t omb
Bur ned l i ke t wi n pl anet s r uby- r ed.
Enswat hed, ent hr oned, t he hal l s of gl oom
Echo t he agony of t he dead.
Si l ent and st ar k t he Phar aoh sat e:
No br eat h went whi sper i ng, hushed or scar ed.
Onl y t hat r ed i ncar nat e hat e
Thr ough pyl on af t er pyl on f l ar ed. {7}
As i n t he bl ood of mur der ed t hi ngs
The af f r i ght ed augur shaki ng skr i es
Ear t hquake and r ui nous f at e of ki ngs,
Fami ne and desper at e dest i ni es,
So i n t he eyes of Phar aoh shone
The hat e and l oat hi ng t hat compel
I n deat h each damned mi ni on
Of Set , t he accur sed l or d of Hel l .
Yea! i n t hose gl obes of f i r e t her e sat e
Some cr uel knowl edge cl osel y cur l ed
Li ke ser pent s i n t hose hal l s of hat e,
Pal aces of t he Under wor l d.
But i n t he hel l - gl ow of t hose eyes
The ashen skul l of Phar aoh shone
Whi t e as t he moonr ays t hat sur pr i se
The i nvoki ng Dr use on Lebanon.
Mor eover pyl on shoul der ed r ound
To pyl on an unear t hl y t une,
Li ke phant ompr i est s t hat st r i ke and sound
Si ni st er si st r ons at t he moon.
And deat h' s i nsuf f er abl e per f ume
Beat t he bl ack ai r wi t h gol den f ans
As Tur ki s r i p a Nubi an' s womb
Wi t h damascened yat aghans.
Al so t he t ast e of dust l ong dead
Of anci ent queens cor r upt and f ai r
St r uck t hr ough t he t empl e, subt l y sped
By demons domi nant of t he ai r .
Last , on t he f l esh t her e came a t ouch
Li ke sucki ng mout hs and st r oki ng hands
That l ai d t hei r f oul al l ur i ng smut ch
Even t o t he bl ood' s mad sar abands. {8}
So di d t he neophyt e t hat woul d gaze
I nt o dead Phar aoh' s awf ul eyes
St ar t f r omi ncal cul abl e amaze
To cl ut ch t he i ni t i at e' s pl ace and pr i ze.
He bor e t he bl i st er i ng t hought al of t :
I t bl azed i n bat t l e on hi s pl ume:
Wi t h sage and war r i or enf eof f ed,
He r ushed al one t hr ough t ower and t omb.
The myr i ad men, t he cohor t s ar med,
Ar e shr ed l i ke husks: t he ensangui ne br and
Leaps l i ke a f l ame, a f l ame enchar med
To f i r e t he pyr ami d heaven- spanned
Wher ei n dead Phar aoh si t s and st ar es,
Swat hed i n t he wr appi ngs of t he t omb,
Wi t h eyes whose hor r or f l i t s and f l ar es
Li ke cor pse- l i ght s gl i mmer i ng i n t he gl oom
Ti l l al l ' s a bl aze, one r oar of f l ame,
Deat h uni ver sal , l ocked and l i nked: - - -
Aha! one names t he awf ul Name - - -
The t wi n r ed pl anet s ar e ext i nct .
[ " A pause. "
[ " The l amp bur ns out , and dar kness cover s al l . "
[ LEADER OF THE CHORUS " secr et l y r emoves hel l - br ot h vase. " {9}
PART I I
" The Templ e i n Dar kness"
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. <> Br ot her Aquar i us, what i s t he t i me?
AQUARI US. Mi dni ght .
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Br ot her Capr i cor nus, what i s t he pl ace?
CAPRI CORNUS. The For t r ess t hat i s upon t he Fr ont i er of t he Abyss.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Br ot her s Aquar i us and Capr i cor nus, i s t he Bel oved
wi t h us?
AQUARI US " and" CAPRI CORNUS. The Mot her of Heaven i s ent hr oned.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Mot her of Heaven, l et us l ament t oget her !
[ " Reci t es Swi nbur ne' s " I l i cet " . <>"
[ MATER COELI " pl ays accor di ngl y. <>"
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Br ot her Aquar i us, t o what end ar e we assembl ed?
AQUARI US. [ " Ri ses and whi sper s i n hi s ear . " ] Shabbat hai .
ALL [ " al oud" ] . Shabbat hai .
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Ar e t he br et hr en f ed? {10}
AQUARI US. Upon t he cor pses of t hei r chi l dr en.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Have t hey quenched t hei r t hi r st ?
AQUARI US. Upon poppy- heads i nf used i n bl ood.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . The r aven has cr oaked.
AQUARI US. The owl has hoot ed.
CAPRI CORNUS. The bat has f l apped i t s wi ngs.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Then . . .
Li ght s! [ CAPRI CORNUS " swi t ches on t he bl ue gl ar e. "
1. Br ot her Aquar i us, I scent danger .
AQUARI US. 1. Mast er , t her e ar e evi l t hi ngs abr oad. [ " To" CAPRI CORNUS]
Tur n out t he guar d!
CAPRI CORNUS. Br et hr en, st and t o your ar ms!
[ " Al l " PROBATI ONERS " r i se and f ol l ow hi m. He pr i cks al l assi st ant s wi t h hi s
spear , i nspect s door s, et c. " ]
Mast er , ever y man i s vi gi l ant at hi s post . Ther e i s no al ar m.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Br ot her Aquar i us, I scent danger .
AQUARI US. 1. Mast er , t her e i s a t r ai t or wi t hi n t he gat es. [ " To"
CAPRI CORNUS] I nspect t he gar r i son!
CAPRI CORNUS. Br et hr en, pur i f y your hear t s!
[ " He r i ses and l ooks i nt o ever y eye. When he comes t o" BRO. CAPRI CORNUS
EMI SSARI US, " he hal es hi mf or t h by t he hai r , bef or e t he al t ar , and
pl unges hi s spear i nt o hi m. He compl et es i nspect i on. Ret ur ns and
bows t o" MAGI STER TEMPLI . ]
Mast er , j ust i ce has been execut ed upon t he t r ai t or . Onl y t he f ai t hf ul
r emai n.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . So per i sh al l t r ai t or s!
[ CAPRI CORNUS " ext i ngui shes l i ght . "
[ " A pause. " {11}
PART I I I
" Dar kness"
AQUARI US. [ " Comes f or war d and kneel s t o" MAGI STER TEMPLI . ] Mast er , we
beseech t hee t o per mi t t he cer emony t o pr oceed.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Ther e was no cr ackl i ng i n t he dr i ed l eaves.
[ CAPRI CORNUS " j oi ns" AQUARI US " kneel i ng. "
AQUARI US " and" CAPRI CORNUS. Mast er , we beseech t hee t o per mi t t he cer emony
t o pr oceed.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Ther e was no hear t i n t he bl ack l amb.
[ " Al l " PROBATI ONERS " j oi n" AQUARI US " and" CAPRI CORNUS " kneel i ng. " ]
ALL. Mast er , we beseech t hee t o per mi t t he cer emony t o pr oceed.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . The sacr ed pyt hon was f ound dead.
[ MATER COELI " comes f or war d, kneel s bef or e" MAGI STER TEMPLI , " t hus maki ng t he
apex t o t he pyr ami d of pet i t i oner s, r i ses and pl ays her
pet i t i on, <> t hen agai n kneel s. " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Let t he cer emony pr oceed.
[ MATER COELI " r et ur ns t o her t hr one. " AQUARI US " r i ses, and" CAPRI CORNUS
" r et ur ns t o hi s post and l i ght s t he l amp. " {12}
AQUARI US " and al l pr esent dance wi l dl y f or j oy t o t he sound of t he t om-
t om. " ]
[ " Dur i ng t he conf usi on" BRO. CAPRI CORNUS EMI SSARI US " sl i ps i nt o t he t empl e and
hi des behi nd t he vei l , wher e he r emoves hi s di sgui se and dons hi s
danci ng r obe. " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Si l ence! [ " A pause. "
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1.
AQUARI US. 1.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Hol y be t he Lamps of J oy!
AQUARI US. Hol y be t he Lamps of Sor r ow!
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Let us ent er t he ar k of I ncr eased Knowl edge!
CAPRI CORNUS. Hai l , t hou t hat si t t est i n t he Ci t y of t he Pyr ami ds!
AQUARI US. Hai l , t hou t hat ar t encamped upon t he Gr eat Sea!
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Hai l , br et hr en!
CAPRI CORNUS. Mast er , what i s I ncr eased Knowl edge?
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Deat h.
AQUARI US. Mast er , what i s t he Ar k t her eof ?
MAGI STER TEMPLI . The gr ave.
AQUARI US " and" CAPRI CORNUS. Mast er , how shal l we ent er i t ?
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Ar i se and f ol l ow me!
[ " He r i ses and ci r cumambul at es t he t empl e wi dder shi ns. " CAPRI CORNUS " pl ucks
f or t h ever y t hi r d per son and makes t hemf ol l ow hi m, cont i nui ng t hi s
pr ocess unt i l one onl y i s l ef t . To t hi s one" MAGI STER TEMPLI " addr esses
t he al l ocut i on, as he hal es hi mf or t h. " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Thou al so must di e!
[ MAGI STER TEMPLI " st ops i n " E. {13}
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Br et hr en! l et us humbl y seek f or hel p behi nd t he vei l !
[ " He t hr ows vei l open, showi ng t he empt y shr i ne. " BRO. CAPRI CORNUS
EMI SSARI US " must have wel l di ssi mul at ed hi msel f so t hat he i s not
di scover ed. " MAGI STER TEMPLI " dr aws vei l agai n. " CAPRI CORNUS " put s
out l i ght . " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Al as! t her e i s no God!
[ " Ret ur ns t o hi s t hr one. Al l move conf usedl y about wai l i ng al oud. " ]
MAGI STER TEMPLI . 1. Si l ence. [ " Al l r esume seat s. "
Behol d, I decl ar ed i t unt o you and ye bel i eved me not !
[ " A pause. " {14}
PART I V
" Dar kness"
AQUARI US. I n t r ut h, mast er , t he cer emony cannot pr oceed. Ther e i s no god
i n t he shr i ne.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Br ot her Aquar i us, l et sear ch be made.
AQUARI US. Br ot her Capr i cor nus, l et sear ch be made.
[ " Li ght on. "
[ CAPRI CORNUS " ent er s vei l and wal ks up and down. He r et ur ns. " ]
[ " Li ght s of f . "
Br ot her Capr i cor nus, what do you f i nd?
CAPRI CORNUS. Mast er , t her e i s not hi ng but a l i t t l e pi l e of dust .
AQUARI US. Ther e i s no l i vi ng t hi ng t her ei n?
CAPRI CORNUS. Ther e i s no l i vi ng t hi ng t her ei n.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . [ " Reci t es poem: " Col l oque sent i ment al . "
I n t he anci ent f r ozen sol i t ar y par k
Two f i gur es passed anon - - - now mar k!
Thei r eyes ar e dead, t hei r l i ps ar e sof t and gr ey;
One scar ce can hear t he wor ds t hey say.
I n t he anci ent f r ozen sol i t ar y par k
Two ghost s evoke t he past - - - oh har k!
" Dost t hou r emember our ol d ecst asy?"
" Why do you wi sh t o r emi nd me?"
" Does t hy hear t beat st i l l at my name, and gl ow?
" Seest t hou my soul i n dr eams, dear ?" " No. " {15}
" Ah! t he f ai r days of j oyance and of gr ee
" When our mout hs ki ssed, ah hi ssed! " " Maybe! "
" How bl ue t he sky was, as our hope was cl ear ! "
" Hope has gone down t o Hel l ' s nadi r . "
So i n t he f ool i sh al l eys t hey conf er r ed,
And onl y mi dni ght over hear d.
AQUARI US. Mast er , i t i s not t o be bor ne.
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Mot her of Heaven, l et us l ament t oget her !
[ " Reci t es Swi nbur ne' s " The Gar den of Pr oser pi ne. "
[ MATER COELI " pl ays accor di ngl y. <>"
CAPRI CORNUS. Mast er , i t i s not t o be bor ne!
MAGI STER TEMPLI . Mot her of Heaven, l et us wor k t oget her !
MATER COELI . Behol d t hi ne handmai den!
[ MAGI STER TEMPLI " And" MATER COELI " go t oget her hand i n hand, wi t hi n t he
vei l . "
CAPRI CORNUS " t ur ns l i ght up. " ]
[ MATER COELI " pl ays a Paean of despai r . <>"
[ MAGI STER TEMPLI , " r endi ng vei l , appear s st andi ng on al t ar . "
O mel anchol y Br ot her s, dar k, dar k, dar k!
O bat t l i ng i n bl ack f l oods wi t hout an ar k!
O spect r al wander er s of unhol y Ni ght !
My soul hat h bl ed f or you t hese sunl ess year s,
Wi t h bi t t er bl ood- dr ops r unni ng down l i ke t ear s:
Oh, dar k, dar k, dar k, wi t hdr awn f r omj oy and l i ght !
My hear t i s si ck wi t h angui sh f or your bal e!
Your woe hat h been my angui sh; yea, I quai l
And per i sh i n your per i shi ng unbl est .
And I have sear ched t he hei ght s and dept hs, t he scope
Of al l our uni ver se, wi t h desper at e hope
To f i nd some sol ace f or your wi l d unr est . {16}
And now at l ast aut hent i c wor d I br i ng,
Wi t nessed by ever y dead and l i vi ng t hi ng;
Good t i di ngs of gr eat j oy f or you, f or al l :
Ther e i s no God; no Fi end wi t h names di vi ne
Made us and t or t ur es us; i f we must pi ne,
I t i s t o sat i at e no Bei ng' s gal l .
I t was t he dar k del usi on of a dr eam,
That l i vi ng Per son consci ous and supr eme,
Whomwe must cur se f or cur si ng us wi t h l i f e;
Whomwe must cur se because t he l i f e He gave
Coul d not be bur i ed i n t he qui et gr ave,
Coul d not be ki l l ed by poi son or by kni f e.
Thi s l i t t l e l i f e i s al l we must endur e,
The gr ave' s most hol y peace i s ever sur e,
We f al l asl eep and never wake agai n;
Not hi ng i s of us but t he moul der i ng f l esh,
Whose el ement s di ssol ve and mer ge af r esh
I n ear t h, ai r , wat er , pl ant s, and ot her men.
We f i ni sh t hus; and al l our wr et ched r ace
Shal l f i ni sh wi t h i t s cycl e, and gi ve pl ace
To ot her bei ngs, wi t h t hei r own t i me- doom
I nf i ni t e aeons ar e our ki nd began;
I nf i ni t e aeons af t er t he l ast man
Has j oi ned t he mammot h i n ear t h' s t omb and womb.
We bow down t o t he uni ver sal l aws,
Whi ch never had f or man a speci al cl ause
Of cr uel t y or ki ndness, l ove or hat e:
I f t oads and vul t ur es ar e obscene t o si ght ,
I f t i ger s bur n wi t h beaut y and wi t h mi ght ,
I s i t by f avour or by wr at h of f at e?
Al l subst ance l i ves and st r uggl es ever mor e
Thr ough count l ess shapes cont i nual l y at war ,
By count l ess i nt er act i ons i nt er kni t :
I f one i s bor n a cer t ai n day on ear t h,
Al l t i mes and f or ces t ended t o t hat bi r t h,
Not al l t he wor l d coul d change or hi nder i t . {17}
I f i nd no hi nt t hr oughout t he Uni ver se
Of good or i l l , of bl essi ng or of cur se:
I f i nd al one Necessi t y Supr eme;
Wi t h i nf i ni t e Myst er y, abysmal , dar k,
Unl i ght ed ever by t he f ai nt est spar k
For us t he f l i t t i ng shadows of a dr eam.
O Br ot her s of sad l i ves! t hey ar e so br i ef ;
A f ew shor t year s must br i ng us al l r el i ef :
Can we not bear t hese year s of l abour i ng br eat h?
But i f you woul d not t hi s poor l i f e f ul f i l ,
Lo, you ar e f r ee t o end i t when you wi l l ,
Wi t hout t he f ear of waki ng af t er deat h.
[ " Bl ow out r ed l i ght s. "
[ BRO. CAPRI CORNUS EMI SSARI US " r uns out wi t h t om- t omand dances wi l dl y. At
t he concl usi on" AQUARI US " and" CAPRI CORNUS " r un up, t ear i ng t he vei l
asunder . " BRO. CAPRI CORNUS EMI SSARI US " f l i ngs hi msel f at f oot of
al t ar . "
CHORAGOGE " l i ght s sal t agai n, or ot her gl ar e. " MAGI STER TEMPLI " i s
di scover ed l yi ng dead, hi s head suppor t ed by" MATER COELI " weepi ng. " ]
[ CAPRI CORNUS " ext i ngui shes t he l i ght . "
[ AQUARI US " dr aws t he vei l . "
[ MATER COELI " pl ays t he f i nal hopel ess di r ge. <>"
[ " Si l ence. "
AQUARI US. Br ot her Capr i cor nus, what i s t he hour ?
CAPRI CORNUS. Noon.
AQUARI US. Let us depar t ; i t i s accompl i shed. [ " Ful l l i ght . "
[ CAPRI CORNUS " st ands wi t h dr awn swor d bef or e t he vei l ; t he ot her s escor t
t he peopl e out . " ] {18}
THE RI TE OF J UPI TER
OFFI CERS
CENTRUM I N CENTRI TRI GONO. " Bl ack Robe, Swast i ka, "
SPHI NX. " Gr een Robe, Vi ol i n and Swor d. "
HERMANUBI S. " Vi ol et Robe, Caduceus. "
TYPHON. " Red Robe, Pr ong t wo- f or ked, or Swor d. "
HEBE. .
GANYMEDE. . " Cup- bear er s and Dancer s. Whi t e Robes. "
" The Templ e r epr esent s t he Wheel of For t une of t he Tar ot . At i t s axl e i s
t he Al t ar on whi ch si t s C. I . C. T. On t he r i m, S. at East spoke, H. at
Nor t h- West , T. at Sout h- West . Hebe and Ganymede ar e seat ed at t he
f eet of C. I . C. T. To t he West of t he Wheel i s t he Vei l . "
{21}
THE RI TE OF J UPI TER
PART I
C. I . C. T. 1- 333.
SPHI NX. 22- 22.
HEBE. Pi sces Sect i on f r om963. [ See Equi nox, No. I I I . , Speci al
Suppl ement . ]
SPHI NX. Br ot her Her manubi s, summon t he guest s t o t he banquet of t he Fat her
of t he Gods!
HERMANUBI S. 4444, Br ot her Typhon, summon t he guest s t o t he banquet of t he
Fat her of t he Gods!
[ TYPHON " dr aws asi de vei l as" GANYMEDE " begi ns hi s dance. Li ght s down. " ]
HERMANUBI S. Wel come t o t he banquet of t he Fat her of t he Gods!
Bear t he bowl s of Li bat i on! ( " done" ) .
Be si l ent and secr et ! For i t i s by st eal t h t hat we ar e her e assembl ed.
Know t hat Sat ur n hat h been decei ved, havi ng swal l owed a bl ack st one, t hi nki ng
i t t o be hi s son, t he chi l d J upi t er . But J upi t er i s her e ent hr oned, and shal l
over t hr ow hi s f at her . Bewar e t hen l est ye br eak si l ence - - - unt i l J upi t er be
r eady t o make war !
TYPHON. Hi mt hat speaket h wi l l I sl ay f or t hr i ght !
[ " A l ong pause. " {23}
PART I I
CENTRUM I N CENTRI TRI GONO 1.
SPHI NX 1. HERMANUBI S 1. TYPHON 1.
TYPHON. Hai l unt o t hee, t hou gr eat god Her manubi s!
Ar t t hou not t he messenger of J upi t er ?
HERMANUBI S. Hai l unt o t hee, t hou gr eat god Typhon!
Ar t t hou not t he execut or of hi s vengeance?
TYPHON. Br ot her Her manubi s, what i s t he hour ?
HERMANUBI S. Noon. Br ot her Typhon, what i s t he pl ace?
TYPHON. The summi t of Ol ympus. Br ot her Her manubi s, what i s t hy posi t i on?
HERMANUBI S. Upon t he r i mof t he Wheel . And Thi ne?
TYPHON. Upon t he r i mof t he Wheel .
HERMANUBI S. Let us seek t he cent r e of t he Wheel .
[ " They wi t h" SPHI NX " r i se and wal k, f ast er and f ast er r ound t he r i m,
r et ur ni ng exhaust ed t o t hei r pl aces. " ]
TYPHON. Br ot her Her manubi s, we ar e no near er t o t he cent r e of t he wheel .
HERMANUBI S. We ar e no near er t o t he cent r e of t he wheel .
TYPHON. Hast t hou no message f r omt he Gods?
HERMANUBI S. None, br ot her . Let us seek an or acl e of t he Gods.
[ " They r i se an go r ound t he r i m, st oppi ng and pr ost r at i ng t hemsel ves bef or e
t he" SPHI NX. ] {24}
HERMANUBI S. Hai l unt o Thee, t hat hast t he secr et of J upi t er !
Decl ar e unt o us, we beseech Thee, t he myst er y wher eby we may appr oach t he
cent r e of t he wheel .
[ SPHI NX " pl ays a r i ddl i ng sar cast i c musi c. <>"
[ TYPHON " goes t o hi s pl ace i n t er r or . "
[ HERMANUBI S " goes t o hi s pl ace i n wonder ment . "
SPHI NX. Nei t her by sl ot h nor by act i vi t y may even my secr et be at t ai ned.
Nei t her by emot i on nor by r eason may even I be under st ood. How t hen shoul d ye
come t o t he cent r e of t he wheel ?
HERMANUBI S. Mot her of myst er y, what i s t hy posi t i on on Ol ympus?
SPHI NX. Upon t he r i mof t he wheel .
C. I . C. T. Feel i ng, and t hought , and ecst asy
Ar e but t he cer ement s of Me.
Thr own of f l i ke pl anet s f r omt he Sun
Ye ar e but sat el l i t es of t he One.
But shoul d your r evol ut i on st op
Ye woul d i nevi t abl y dr op
Headl ong wi t hi n t he cent r al Soul ,
And al l t he par t s become t he Whol e.
Sl ot h and act i vi t y and peace,
When wi l l ye l ear n t hat ye must cease?
TYPHON. How shoul d I cease f r oml et har gy?
HERMANUBI S. How shoul d I quench act i vi t y?
SPHI NX. How shoul d I gi ve up ecst asy?
C. I . C. T. What shi nes upon your f or eheads?
S. H. T. ( " t oget her " ) . The Eye wi t hi n t he Tr i angl e. {25}
C. I . C. T. What bur ns upon your br east s?
S. H. T. ( " t oget her " ) . The Rosy Cr oss.
C. I . C. T. Br et hr en of t he Rosy Cr oss! Aspi r ant s t o t he Si l ver St ar ! Not
unt i l t hese ar e ended can ye come t o t he cent r e of t he wheel .
When t he chi l l of ear t h bl ack- br east ed i s upl i f t ed at t he gl ance
Of t he r ed sun mi l l i on- cr est ed, and t he f or est bl ossoms dance
Wi t h t he l i ght t hat st i r s and l ust r es of t he dawn, and wi t h t he bl oom
Of t he wi nd' s cheek as i t cl ust er s f r omt he hi dden val l ey' s gl oom;
Then I wal k i n woodl and spaces, musi ng on t he sol emn ways
Of t he i mmemor i al pl aces shut behi nd t he st ar r y r ays;
Of t he East and al l i t s spl endour , of t he West and al l i t s peace;
And t he st ubbor n l i ght s gr ow t ender , and t he har d sounds hush and cease.
I n t he wheel of heaven r evol vi ng, myst er i es of deat h and bi r t h,
I n t he womb of t i me di ssol vi ng, shape anew a heaven and ear t h,
Ever changi ng, ever gr owi ng, ever dwi ndl i ng, ever dear ,
Ever wor t h t he passi on gl owi ng t o di st i l a doubt f ul t ear .
These ar e wi t h me, t hese ar e of me, t hese appr ove me, t hese obey,
Choose me, move me, f ear me, l ove me, mast er of t he ni ght and day.
These ar e r eal , t hese i l l usi on: I amof t hem, f al se or f r ai l ,
Tr ue or l ast i ng, al l i s f usi on i n t he spi r i t ' s shadow- vei l ,
Ti l l t he Knowl edge- Lot us f l ower i ng hi des t he wor l d beneat h i t s st em;
Nei t her I , nor God l i f e- shower i ng, f i nd a count er par t i n t hem
As a spi r i t i n a vi si on shows a count enance of f ear ,
Laughs t he l ooker t o der i si on, onl y comes t o di sappear ,
Gods and mor t al s, mi nd and mat t er , i n t he gl owi ng bud di ssever :
Vei n f r omvei n t hey r end and shat t er , and ar e not hi ngness f or ever .
I n t he bl essed, t he enl i ght ened, per f ect eyes t hese vi si ons pass,
Pass and cease, poor shadows f r i ght ened, l eave no st ai n upon t he gl ass.
One l ast st r oke, O hear t - f r ee mast er , one l ast cer t ai n cal mof wi l l ,
And t he maker of Di sast er shal l be st r i cken and gr ow st i l l .
Bur n t hou t o t he cor e of mat t er , t o t he spi r i t ' s ut most f l ame,
Consci ousness and sense t o shat t er , r ui n si ght and f or mand name!
Shat t er , l ake- r ef l ect ed spect r e; l ake, r i se up i n mi st t o sun;
Sun, di ssol ve i n shower s of nect ar , and t he Mast er ' s wor k i s done.
Nect ar per f ume gent l y st eal i ng, mast er f ul and sweet and st r ong,
Cl eanse t he wor l d wi t h l i ght of heal i ng i n t he anci ent House of Wr ong! {26}
Fr ee a mi l l i on mi l l i on mor t al s on t he wheel of bei ng t ossed!
Open wi de t he myst i c por t al s, and be al t oget her l ost !
[ " A pause. "
SPHI NX 1. HERMANUBI S 1. TYPHON 1.
CENTRUM I N CENTRI TRI GONO 1.
[ " A pause. "
{27}
PART I I I
TYPHON. I desi r e t o begi n t he banquet .
HERMANUBI S. Br ot her Typhon, I wi l l i nqui r e of t he Or acl e.
Mot her of Myst er y, I beseech t hee t o begi n t he Banquet ; f or i t i s cer t ai nl y
necessar y t hat t hi s shoul d be done.
[ SPHI NX " t ur ns, bows, and st r et ches her hands i n mut e appeal t o " C. I . C. T. ]
C. I . C. T. 1. I heed not t he passi on, or t he r eason, or t he soul of man.
Mot her of Myst er y, decl ar e my wi l l .
[ SPHI NX " pl ays t he most exal t ed ( passi onl ess because beyond passi on) pi ece
t hat she may. <>"
HERMANUBI S. Thi s means not hi ng t o me.
TYPHON. I f eel not hi ng.
C. I . C. T. 1. Mot her of Myst er y, decl ar e my mi nd.
[ SPHI NX " pl ays a col d, passi onl ess, i nt el l ect ual pi ece. <>"
HERMANUBI S. Ah! Ah! Thi s i s musi c; t hi s i s t he secr et of J upi t er .
TYPHON. I f eel not hi ng.
C. I . C. T. 1. Mot her of Myst er y, decl ar e my hear t .
[ SPHI NX " pl ays an i nt ensel y sensual passi onat e pi ece. <>"
TYPHON. Ah! Ah! Thi s i s musi c; t hi s i s t he secr et of J upi t er . {28}
HERMANUBI S. Accur sed! Accur sed! be t he soul of i mpur i t y, t he body of Si n!
C. I . C. T. 1. I r r econci l abl e, my chi l dr en, how shal l ye par t ake of t he
Banquet of J upi t er , or come t o t he cent r e of t he wheel ? For t hi s i s t he
secr et of J upi t er , t hat He who cr eat ed you i s i n each of you, yet apar t f r om
al l ; bef or e Hi mye ar e equal , r evol vi ng i n t i me and i n Space; but he i s
unmoved and wi t hi n. [ " A pause. "
TYPHON. 1. [ TYPHON " r eci t es. "
Sweet , sweet ar e May and J une, dear ,
The l oves of l ambent spr i ng,
Our l amp t he dr oopi ng moon, dear ,
Our r oof , t he st ar s t hat si ng;
The bed, of moss and r oses;
The ni ght , as l ong as deat h!
St i l l , br eat h!
Li f e wakens and r eposes,
Love ever qui ckenet h!
Sweet , sweet , when Li on and Mai den,
The mot l ey mont hs of gol d,
Swoop down wi t h sunl i ght l aden,
And eyes ar e br i ght and bol d.
Li f e- swel l i ng br east s uncover
Thei r war mi nvol vi ng deep - - -
Love, sl eep! - - -
And l over l i es wi t h l over
On ai r ' s subst ant i al st eep.
Ah! sweet er was Sept ember - - -
The amber r ai n of l eaves,
The har vest t o r emember ,
The l oad of sunny sheaves.
I n gar dens deepl y scent ed,
I n or char ds heavi l y hung,
Love f l ung
Away t he days dement ed
Wi t h l i ps t hat cur l ed and cl ung. {29}
Ah! sweet er st i l l Oct ober ,
When r usset l eaves go gr ey,
And sombr e l over s and sober
Make t wi l i ght of t he day.
Dar k dr eams and shadows t enser
Thr ob t hr ough t he vi t al scr ol l ,
Man' s soul .
Li f t , shake t he subt l e censer
That hi des t he cr uel coal !
St i l l sweet er when t he Bowman
Hi s si l ky shaf t of f r ost
Let s l oose on ear t h, t hat no man
May l i nger nor be l ost .
The bar r en woods, deser t ed.
Lose echo of our si ghs - - -
Love - - - di es? - - -
Love l i ves - - - i n gr ani t e ski r t ed,
And under oaken ski es.
But best i s gr i mDecember ,
The Goat i sh God hi s power ;
The Sat yr bl ows t he ember ,
And pai n i s passi on' s f l ower ;
When bl ood dr i ps over ki sses,
And madness sobs t hr ough wi ne: - - -
Ah, mi ne! - - -
The snake st ar t s up and hi sses
And st r i kes and - - - I amt hi ne!
[ " He cr ouches at t he f eet of " SPHI NX " t owar d" C. I . C. T.
[ HERMANUBI S " r eci t es. "
HERMANUBI S. 1.
O coi l ed and const r i ct ed and chosen!
O t or t ur ed and t wi st ed and t wi ned!
Deep spr i ng of my soul deep f r ozen,
The sl eep of t he t r ut h of t he mi nd!
As a br i ght snake cur l ed
Round t he Vi ne of t he Wor l d! {30}
O sl eeper t hr ough dawn and t hr ough dayl i ght ,
O sl eeper t hr ough dusk and t hr ough ni ght !
O shi f t ed f r omwhi t e l i ght t o gr ay l i ght ,
Fr omgr ay t o t he one bl ack l i ght !
O si l ence and sound
I n t he f ar pr of ound!
O ser pent of scal es as an ar mour
To bi nd on t he br east of a l or d!
Not deaf t o t he Voi ce of t he Char mer ,
Not bl i nd t o t he sweep of t he swor d!
I st r i ke t o t he deep
That t hou st i r i n t hy sl eep!
Ri se up f r ommi ne i nner most bei ng!
Li f t up t he gemmed head t o t he hear t !
Li f t up t i l l t he eyes t hat wer e seei ng
Be bl i nd, and t hei r l i f e depar t !
Ti l l t he Eye t hat was bl i nd
Be a l amp t o my mi nd!
Coi l f ast al l t hy coi l s on me, dyi ng,
Absor bed i n t he sense of t he Snake!
St i r ! l eave t he f l ower - t hr one, and up- f l yi ng!
Hi ss once, and hi ss t hr i ce, and awake!
Then cr own me and cl i ng!
Fl ash f or war d - - - and spr i ng!
Fl ash f or t h on t he f i r e of t he al t ar ,
The st ones, and t he sacr i f i ce shed;
Ti l l t he Thr ee Wor l ds f l i cker and f al t er ,
And l i f e and her l ove be dead!
I n myst er i ous j oy
Awake - - - and dest r oy!
[ " He cr ouches at t he f eet of " SPHI NX " t owar d" C. I . C. T.
SPHI NX. 1.
C. I . C. T. 1. [ SPHI NX " pl ays an enchant ment . <>"
C. I . C. T. ( " r eci t es. " ) {31}
Li f t up t hi s l ove of peace and bl i ss,
The st ar r y soul of wi ne,
Dest r uct i on' s f or mi dabl e ki ss,
The l amp of t he di vi ne:
Thi s shadow of a nobl er name
Whose l i f e i s st r i f e, whose soul i s f ame!
I r at her wi l l exal t t he soul
Of man t o l of t i er hei ght ,
And ki ndl e at a l i vel i er coal
The subt l er soul of l i ght .
Fr omt hese sof t spl endour s of a dr eam
I t ur n, and seek t he Sel f supr eme.
Thi s wor l d i s shadow- shapen of
The bi t t er ness of pai n.
Vai n ar e t he l i t t l e l amps of l ove!
The l i ght of l i f e i s vai n!
Li f e, deat h, j oy, sor r ow, age and yout h
Ar e phant oms of a f ur t her t r ut h.
Beyond t he spl endour of t he wor l d,
Fal se gl i t t er i ng of t he gol d,
A Ser pent i s i n sl umber cur l ed
I n wi sdom' s sacr ed col d.
Li f e i s t he f l ami ng of t hat f l ame.
Deat h i s t he nami ng of t hat name,
The f or ehead of t he snake i s br i ght
Wi t h one i mmor t al st ar ,
Li ght i ng her coi l s wi t h l i vi ng l i ght
To wher e t he nenuphar
Sl eeps f or her couch. Al l dar kness dr eams
The t hi ng t hat i s not , onl y seems.
That st ar upon t he ser pent ' s head
I s cal l ed t he soul of man.
That l i ght i n shadows subt l y shed
The gl amour of l i f e' s pl an. {32}
The sea wher eon t hat l ot us gr ows
I s t hought ' s abyss of t ear s and woes.
Leave Si r enusa! Even Gr eece
For get ! t hey ar e not t her e!
By wor shi p comet h not t he Peace,
The Si l ence not by pr ayer .
Leave t he i l l usi ons, l i f e and t i me
And Deat h, and seek t hat st ar subl i me,
Unt i l t he l ot us and t he sea
And snake no l onger ar e,
And si ngl e t hr ough Et er ni t y
Exi st s al one t he St ar ,
And ut t er Knowl edge r i se, and cease
I n t hat whi ch i s beyond t he Peace!
[ GANYMEDE " dances and f al l s as dead. "
TYPHON. O t hat t he banquet of J upi t er mi ght begi n!
HERMANUBI S. O t hat t he banquet of J upi t er mi ght begi n!
SPHI NX. O t hat t he banquet of J upi t er mi ght begi n!
C. I . C. T. Let t he banquet of J upi t er begi n!
[ " Al l go wi t hout vei l , except " C. I . C. T. " and" SPHI NX. HERMANUBI S " and"
TYPHON dr aw and guar d t he vei l . " SI LENCE. ]
C. I . C. T. 1- 333.
SPHI NX. 22- 22.
[ HERMANUBI S " and" TYPHON " dr aw vei l . " SPHI NX " i s st andi ng bef or e al t ar . "
C. I . C. T. " has di sappear ed. He has donned a whi t e r obe, and pant her -
ski n, and whi t e and gol d nemmes. " HERMANUBI S, TYPHON, " and ot her s
r et ur n t o t hei r pl aces. " HERMANUBI S " and" TYPHON " come f or war d and
sal ut e" SPHI NX. ]
TYPHON. 1. Mot her of Myst er y, hast t hou t he secr et of J upi t er ? {33}
HERMANUBI S. 1. Mot her of Myst er y, hast t hou t he secr et of J upi t er ?
[ SPHI NX " pl ays a t r i umphant mel ody. <>"
TYPHON. Br ot her Her manubi s, what i s t he pl ace?
HERMANUBI S. The Summi t of Mount Ki t hai r on.
TYPHON. Pr ocul , o Pr ocul est e vi r i !
[ " Al l mal e pr obat i oner s r et i r e t o back of st age. "
TYPHON. Si st er s, l et us i nvoke t he Fat her t o mani f est i n t he Son.
SPHI NX. Per Spi r i t umSanct um, Amen.
[ " She al so r et i r es t o her pl ace on wheel . "
MAENADS. Evoe! Evoe Ho! I acche! I acche!
TYPHON.
Hai l , O Di onysus! Hai l !
Wi nged Son of Semel e!
Hai l , O Hai l ! The st ar s ar e pal e;
Hi dden t he moonl i ght i n t he val e;
Hi dden t he sunl i ght i n t he sea.
Bl essed i s her happy l ot
Who behol det h God; who moves
Mi ght y- soul ed wi t hout a spot ,
Mi ngl i ng i n t he godl y r out
Of t he many myst i c l oves.
Hol y mai dens, dul y weave
Dances f or t he mi ght y mot her
Bacchanal t o Bacchus cl eave!
Wave hi s nar t hex wand, and l eave
Ear t hl y J oys t o ear t h t o smot her !
I o! Evoe! Si st er s, mi ngl e
I n t he choi r , t he dance, t he r evel !
He di vi ne, t he Spi r i t si ngl e,
He i n ever y vei n shal l t i ngl e.
Sense and sor r ow t o t he devi l ! {34}
Mi ngl e i n t he l aughi ng measur e,
Hand and l i p t o br east and t hi gh!
I n ent husi ast i c pl easur e
Gr asp t he sol i t ar y t r easur e!
Laughs t he unt i r i ng ecst asy!
Si st er s! Si st er s! Rai se your voi ces
I n t he i nspi r ed di vi ne del i ght !
Now t he sun set s; now t he choi ce i s
Who r ebel s or who r ej oi ces,
Mur mur i ng t o t he myst i c ni ght .
I o! Evoe! Ci r cl e spl endi d!
Dance, ye mai ds ser ene and subt l e!
Cl ot ho' s t ask i s f ai r l y ended.
At r opos, t hy power i s ended!
Ho, Lachesi s! pl y t hy shut t l e!
Weave t he human dance t oget her
Wi t h t he l i f e of r ocks and t r ees!
Let t he bl ue del i r i ous weat her
Bi nd al l spi r i t s i n one t et her ,
Over whel mi ng ecst asi es!
I o! Evoe! I f ai nt , I f al l ,
Swoon i n pur pl e l i ght ; t he gr ape
Dr owns my spi r i t i n i t s t hr al l .
Love me, l ove me over al l ,
Spi r i t i n t he spi r i t shape!
Al l i s one! I mur mur . Di st ant
Sounds t he shout , Evoe, Evoe!
Evoe, I acche! Sof t , i nsi st ent
Li ke t o echo' s voi ce per si st ent : - - -
Hai l ! Agave! Aut onoe!
[ TYPHON " goes up st age. "
AGAVE. Evoe, Ho! I acche! Hai l , O Hai l !
Pr ai se hi m! What dr eams ar e t hese? {35}
AUTONOE. Si st er s, O si st er s!
AGAVE. Say, ar e our br ot her s of t he r ocks awake?
AUTONOE. The l i on r oar s.
MAENADS. O l i st en t o t he snake!
AUTONOE. Evoe, Ho! Gi ve me t o dr i nk!
AGAVE. Run wi l d!
Mount ai n and mount ai n l et us l eap upon
Li ke t i ger s on t hei r pr ey!
MAENADS. Cr ush, cr ush t he wor l d!
AGAVE. Tr ead ear t h as ' t wer e a wi nepr ess!
AUTONOE. Dr i nk i t s bl ood,
The sweet r ed wi ne!
MAENADS. Ay, dr i nk t he ol d ear t h dr y!
AGAVE. Squeeze t he l ast dr ops out t i l l t he f r ame col l apse
Li ke an ol d wi neski n!
AUTONOE. So t he sooner sup
Among t he st ar s!
AGAVE. The swi f t , swi f t st ar s!
MAENADS. O ni ght !
Ni ght , ni ght , f al l deep and sur e!
AUTONOE. Fal l sof t and sweet !
AGAVE. Moani ng f or l ove t he woods l i e.
AUTONOE. Sad t he l and
Li es t hi r st y f or our ki sses.
MAENADS. Al l wi l d t hi ngs
Year n t owar ds t he ki ss t hat ends i n bl ood.
AGAVE. Bl ood! Bl ood!
Br i ng wi ne! Ha! Br omi us, Br omi us!
MAENADS. Come, sweet God,
Come f or t h and l i e wi t h us! {36}
AUTONOE. Us, mai dens now
And t hen and ever af t er war ds!
AGAVE. Chast e, chast e!
Our madness hat h no t ouch of bi t t er ness,
No t ast e of f oul ness i n t he mor ni ng mout h.
AUTONOE. O mout h of r i pe r ed sunny gr apes! God! God!
Evoe! Dwel l ! Abi de!
AGAVE. I f eel t he wi ngs
Of l ove, of myst er y; t hey waf t sof t st r eams
Of ni ght ai r t o my heat ed br east and br ow.
MAENADS. He comes! He comes!
AGAVE. Si l ence, O gi r l s, and peace!
The God' s most hol y pr esence asks t he hymn,
The sol emn hymn, t he hymn of agony,
Lest , i n t he ai r of gl or y t hat sur r ounds
The chi l d of Semel e, we l ose t he ear t h
And cor por al pr esence of t he Zeus- begot .
AUTONOE. Yea, si st er s, r ai se t he chant of r i ot ! Li f t
Your wi ne- sweet voi ces, move your wi nest ai ned l i mbs
I n j oyf ul i nvocat i on!
MAENADS. Ay, we si ng.
AGAVE.
Hai l , chi l d of Semel e!
To her as unt o t hee
Be r ever ence, be dei t y, be i mmor t al i t y!
Shame! t r eacher y of t he spouse
Of t he Ol ympi an house,
Her a! t hy gr i mdevi ce agai nst t he sweet car ouse!
Lo! i n r ed r oar and f l ame
Di d Zeus descend! What cl ai m
To f eel t he i mmor t al f i r e had t hen t he Theban dame! {37}
Caught i n t hat f i er y wave,
Her l ove and l i f e she gave
Wi t h one l ast ki ssi ng cr y t he unbor n chi l d t o save.
And t hou, O Zeus, t he si r e
Of Br omi us - - - hunt er di r e! - - -
Di dst snat ch t he unbor n babe f r omt hat Ol ympi an f i r e:
I n t hi ne own t hi gh most hol y
That of f spr i ng mel anchol y
Di dst hi de, di dst f eed, on l i ght , ambr osi a, and mol y.
Ay! and wi t h ser pent hai r
And l i mbs di vi nel y f ai r
Di dst t hou, Di onysus, l eap f or t h t o t he nect ar ai r !
Ay! t hus t he dr eams of f at e
We dar e commemor at e,
Twi ni ng i n l ovesome cur l s t he spoi l of mat e and mat e.
O Di onysys, hear !
Be cl ose, be qui ck, be near ,
Whi sper i ng enchant ed wor ds i n ever y cur vi ng ear !
O Di onysys, st ar t
As t he Apol l oni an dar t !
Bur y t hy hor ned head i n ever y bl eedi ng hear t !
1ST MAENAD. He i s her e! He i s her e!
AUTONOE. Ti ger s, appear !
AGAVE. To t he cl ap of my hand
And t he whi sh of my wand,
Obey!
AUTONOE. I have f ound
A char i ot cr owned
Wi t h i vy and vi ne,
And t he l aur el di vi ne,
And t he cl ust er i ng smel l {38}
Of t he sage asphodel ,
And t he Daedal f l ower
Of t he Cr et an bower ;
Di t t any' s f or ce,
And l ar ksupur ' s l ove,
And bl ossoms of gor se
Ar ound and above.
AGAVE. The t i ger and pant her
Ar e t her e at my cr y.
Ho, gi r l s! Span t her e
Thei r si des!
I ST MAENAD. Her e amI .
2ND MAENAD. And I ! We ar e r eady.
AGAVE. St r ong now and st eady!
I ST MAENAD. The t i ger i s har nessed.
2ND MAENAD. The ni ght i ngal e ur ges
Our t oi l f r omher f ar nest .
3RD MAENAD. I oni an sur ges
Roar back t o our chant .
4TH MAENAD. Aha! f or t he t aunt
Of Theban sages
I s l ost , l ost , l ost !
The wi ne t hat enr ages
Our l i f e i s enf or ced.
We dar e t hemand daunt .
AGAVE. The spi r i t s t hat haunt
The r ocks and t he r i ver ,
The moor s and t he woods,
The f i el ds and t he f l oods,
Ar e wi t h us f or ever ! {39}
I ST MAENAD. Ar e of us f or ever .
Evoe! Evoe!
AUTONOE. Agave! He comet h!
AGAVE. Cr y ho! Aut onoe!
ALL. Ho! Ho! Evoe, Ho! I acche! Evoe! Evoe!
AGAVE. The whi t e ai r hummet h
Wi t h f or ce of t he spi r i t .
We ar e hei r s: we i nher i t .
Our j oys ar e as t hei r s;
Weave wi t h your pr ayer s
The j oy of a ki ss!
Ho! f or t he bl i ss
Of t he cup and t he r od.
He comet h! O l over !
O f r i end and O God,
Cover us, cover
Our f aces, and hover
Above us, wi t hi n us!
Dai nt i l y shod,
Dai nt i l y r obed,
Hi s wi t cher i es spi n us
A Web of desi r e.
Subt l e as f i r e
He comet h among us.
The whol e sky gl obed
I s on f i r e wi t h del i ght ,
Del i ght t hat hat h st ung us,
The passi on of ni ght .
Ni ght be our mi st r ess!
That t r ess and t hi s t r ess {40}
Weave wi t h t hy wi nd
I nt o cur l s deep- vi ned!
Passi onat e bl i ss!
Rapt ur e on r apt ur e!
Our hymns r ecapt ur e
The Br omi an ki ss.
Bl essed our soul s!
Bl essed t hi s even!
We r each t o t he goal s
Of t he st ar r i est heaven.
Daphni s, and At t hi s, and Chr ysi s, and Chl oe,
Mi ngl e, O mai dens! Evoe! Evoe!
[ C. I . C. T. " r i ses upon t he al t ar ; he wear s a whi t e and gol d r obe and t he
pant her ski n, and a whi t e and gol d nemmes. Thr owi ng of f hi s vei l and
r ai si ng hi s hands i n bl essi ng, he r eci t es: " ]
C. I . C. T.
I br i ng ye wi ne f r omabove,
Fr omt he vat s of t he st or i ed sun;
For ever y one of ye l ove,
And l i f e f or ever y one.
Ye shal l dance on hi l l and l evel ;
Ye shal l si ng i n hol l ow and hei ght ,
I n t he f est al myst i cal r evel ,
The r apt ur ous Bacchanal r i t e!
The r ocks and t r ees ar e your s,
And t he wat er s under t he hi l l ,
By t he mi ght of t hat whi ch endur es,
The hol y heaven of wi l l !
I ki ndl e a f l ame l i ke a t or r ent
To r ush f r omst ar t o st ar ;
Your hai r as a comet ' s hor r ent ,
Ye shal l see t hi ngs as t hey ar e! {41}
I l i f t t he mask of mat t er ;
I open t he hear t of man;
For I amof f or ce t o shat t er
The cast t hat hi det h - - - Pan!
Your l oves shal l l ap up sl aught er ,
And dabbl ed wi t h r oses of bl ood
Each desper at e dar l i ng daught er
Shal l swi mi n t he f er vi d f l ood.
I br i ng ye l augher and t ear s,
The ki sses t hat f oamand bl eed,
The j oys of a mi l l i on year s,
The f l ower s t hat bear no seed.
My l i f e i s bi t t er and st er i l e,
I t s f l ame i s a wander i ng st ar .
Ye shal l pass i n pl easur e and per i l
Acr oss t he myst i cal bar
That i s set f or wr at h and weepi ng
Agai nst t he chi l dr en of ear t h;
But ye i n si ngi ng and sl eepi ng
Shal l pass i n measur e and mi r t h!
I l i f t my wand and wave you
Thr ough hi l l t o hi l l of del i ght ;
My r osy r i ver s l ave you
I n i nner most l ust r al l i ght .
I l ead you, l or d of t he maze,
I n t he dar kness f r ee of t he sun;
I n spi t e of t he spi t e t hat i s day' s
We ar e wed, we ar e wi l d, we ar e one!
[ " The l i ght s go out and t he company j oi n i n uni ver sal dance. " ]
HERMANUBI S. Si l ence.
TYPHON. Si l ence.
C. I . C. T. 1- 333. The Secr et of t he Fat her i s i n t he Secr et of t he Son.
SPHI NX. 22- 22. And t he Secr et of t he Son i s i n t he Secr et of t he Hol y
Ghost .
GANYMEDE. 4444 Gl or i a Pat r i . {42}
HEBE. Et Fi l i o.
TYPHON. Et Spi r i t ui Sanct o.
HERMANUBI S. Ut er at i n Pr i nci pi o.
SPHI NX. Et nunc est .
C. I . C. T. Et er i t semper .
ALL. Amen.
SPHI NX. Fast i ng.
HERMANUBI S. Song.
TYPHON. Feast i ng.
C. I . C. T. Gr ace.
SPHI NX. Musi c.
HERMANUBI S. Danci ng.
TYPHON. Love.
C. I . C. T. The End.
TYPHON " dr aws t he vei l . " {43}
THE RI TE OF MARS
OFFI CERS
BROTHER SOL I N ARI ES. " Whi t e Robe, Whi t e and gol d nemmes, Scept r e. "
( MARS) BROTHER MARS. " Red Robe, Swor d. "
( VENUS) SI STER SCORPI O. " Gr een Robe, Vi ol i n, Swor d. "
( ATHENA) BROTHER ARI ES. " Vi ol et Robe, Spear . "
( VULCAN) BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS. " Bl ack Robe, Tom- t om, Swor d. "
" A guar d of " PROBATI ONERS, " ar med. "
" Mar s i s t hr oned i n t he Sout h, Scor pi o on hi s r i ght , Ar i es on hi s l ef t . I n
t he East i s al so a vei l , behi nd whi ch i s Sol i n Ar i es. I n t he Nor t h
i s Capr i cor nus, cr ouchi ng, kept f r omt he al t ar by t he guar d. " {47}
THE RI TE OF MARS
" Char coal i n censer al i ght . No i ncense. "
BROTHER SOL " i s conceal ed behi nd t he vei l i n t he East , ent hr oned upon t he
Al t ar . "
MARS, ARI ES, " and" SCORPI O " ent hr oned. "
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS. 4444- 1.
BRO. ARI ES. 1- 4444.
[ MARS " r eads t he Twel vef ol d Af f i r mat i on f r om963. "
[ SOR. SCORPI O " pl ays a shor t mar i t al ai r . <>"
[ CAPRI CORNUS " dr aws asi de vei l , and admi t s Pr obat i oner s and Guest s. " ]
[ " The voi ce of Mar s i s hear d r eci t i ng t he 91" st Psal mof Davi d.
BRO. ARI ES. Let t he sacr ed per f ume be ki ndl ed upon t he Al t ar of Mar s
( " does so" ) .
SOR. SCORPI O. Hai l unt o t he Mast er of t he Bat t l e!
BRO. ARI ES. Hai l unt o t he Leader of t he Ar mi es of J upi t er !
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS. Hai l unt o t he War r i or of Et er ni t y!
BRO. MARS. Hai l , br et hr en!
[ CAPRI CORNUS " r et ur ns. "
1. Let t he Templ e be pur i f i ed and consecr at ed.
[ CAPRI CORNUS " does so. "
1. Ar e t he Br et hr en pr epar ed? {49}
BRO. ARI ES. They ar e pr epar ed, Mast er ! They ar e dr awn up i n mi l i t ar y
ar r ay ar ound t he sacr ed al t ar .
BRO. MARS. 1. Br ot her Capi r cor nus, I command you t o per f or mt he Ri t ual of
t he Pent agr am.
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS. Fi at ( " does so" ) .
BRO. MARS. 1. Br ot her Ar i es, I command you t o per f or mt he I nvocat i on o
t he Hol y Fi r e.
BRO. ARI ES. Fi at ( " goes t o al t ar " ) .
333. ( " er ect " ) . I swear by Dj i nn and by Shi n and by t he space bet ween
t hat I wi l l not st i r f r omt hi s pl ace unt i l t he f i r e of God hat h f l amed upon
t he wat er t hat i s upon t he al t ar .
( " Hi s f ace over l amp" ) Dost t hou hear , Br ot her Ash?
( " Er ect " ) By Aub, t he wi t cher y of t he secr et f l ame;
By Aud, t he subt l et y of t he i nmost f l ui d;
By Aur , t he ef f ul gence of t he r adi ant l i ght ;
I cal l t hee, Ash! I ador e t hee, Ash!
( " Over l amp" ) Ash! Ash! Ash!
I car ess t hee! I ki ss t hee! I suck t hee up i nt o my mout h and nost r i l s!
Ohooat an! ( " t hr ee t i mes" ) . ( " The wat er f l ames" ) .
Behol d! t he f i r e of God upon t he al t ar as I have swor n by Dj i nn and by Shi n
and by t he space bet ween! ( " r et ur ns t o hi s t hr one" ) .
BRO. MARS. 1. Hai l , si st er of t he Scor pi on!
SOR. SCORPI O. Hai l , Lor d of t he Eagl e and t he Ser pent !
BRO. MARS. Amen. I appoi nt you t o l ead t he ar my.
SOR. SCORPI O. Let us car r y t he hol y symbol s wi t h sacr ed song and dance
r ound t he al t ar of Mar s.
[ " The song<> i s sung as al l mar ch r ound f i ve t i mes
deosi l bef or e" {50} MARS " i n pr ocessi on headed by" SCORPI O, ARI ES,
CAPRI CORNUS. ]
St r i ke, st r i ke t he l ouder chor d!
Dr aw, dr aw t he Fl ami ng Swor d!
Cr owned chi l d and conquer i ng Lor d!
Hor us, avenger ! [ " Al l r esume st at i ons. "
Br ot her Ar i es, l et us i nvoke t he Mast er of t he Bat t l e.
BRO. ARI ES [ " advances and kneel s t o" MARS] . Mi ght y and Ter r i bl e One, we
beseech t hee t o l ead us i n t he Bat t l e. Her e, by t hy Symbol s, t hy Spear , t he
Swor d, and The Dr um, we pr ay t hee t o st r engt hen our ar ms and t o def end our
hear t s. For we ar e t hy chosen war r i or s, O t hou Mast er of t he Bat t l e!
[ " Si l ence. "
We now i nvoke t hee, O Ama- I nanna, whomour Br et hr en wor shi pped i n t he days
of anci ent Babyl on, gr eat Goddess of Love and War , who made l ove and war t o
Gi l games, t he r ul er of t hi ne own ci t y Er ech. We i nvoke t hee, our Mot her , t hat
t hou ent r eat f or us wi t h t he Mast er of Bat t l es.
SOR. SCORPI O. To what end do we ask t he ai d of t he Lor d Mar s?
BRO. ARI ES. Unt o J upi t er we have gi ven t he t hunder bol t and t he l i ght ni ng-
f l ash; f or we seek t o ent hr one hi mi n t he st ead of Sat ur n hi s f at her . But
Sat ur n yet r ei gns; we need t he Swor d of Mar s.
SOR. SCORPI O. My hear t and hand ar e wi t h you, chi l dr en.
[ " She pl ays. <>"
[ MARS " st ar t s up and r eci t es: "
1. . . . The Dukes of Edomwer e amazed: Tr embl i ng t ook hol d on t he mi ght y of
Moab! {51}
2. Lor d, when t hou went est out of Sei r ; when t hou mar chedst out of t he
Fi el d of Edom; t he ear t h t r embl ed, and t he heaven dr opped: t he cl ouds al so
dr opped wat er .
3. Cur se ye Mer oz, sai t h t he angel of t he Lor d, cur se ye bi t t er l y t he
i nhabi t ant s t her eof ; because t hey came not t o t he hel p of t he Lor d, t o t he
hel p of t he Lor d agai nst t he Mi ght y!
4. The r i ver Ki shon swept t hemaway: t hat anci ent r i ver , t he r i ver Ki shon!
5. Oh, my soul , t hou hast t r odden down st r engt h!
1. He bowed t he Heavens al so and and came down: and dar kness was under hi s
f eet : at t he Br i ght ness t hat was bef or e hi mt hi ck cl ouds passed: hai l st ones
and f l ashes of f i r e!
2. The Lor d t hundr ed t hr ough t he Heavens, and t he Hi ghest gave f or t h hi s
voi ce; hai l st ones and f l ashes of f i r e!
3. He sent f or t h hi s ar r ows and scat t er ed t hem: He hur l ed f or t h hi s
l i ght ni ngs and dest r oyed t hem!
4. The Channel s of t he Wat er s wer e seen: and t he Foundat i ons of t he Wor l d
wer e di scover ed.
5. At t hy Rebuke, oh Lor d! At t he Bl ast of t he Br eat h of t hy Nost r i l s!
1. Oh Lor d! I have hear d t hy Speech, and was af r ai d!
2. The Voi ce of t he Lor d i s upon t he Wat er s.
The God of Gl or y t hunder et h!
The Lor d i s upon many Wat er s.
3. The Voi ce of t he Lor d i s st r ong and power f ul !
The Voi ce of t he Lor d i s f ul l of Maj est y!
4. The Voi ce of t he Lor d br eaket h t he Cedar s!
Yea! t he Lor d br eaket h t he Cedar s of Lebanon!
5. The Voi ce of t he Lor d di vi det h t he f l ames of f i r e!
Yea! t he Lor d shaket h t he wi l der ness of Kadesh!
1. El oah came out of Temani of Edom: And t he Hol y One f r omMount Par an:
2. He had Kar nai mi n hi s hand; and t her e was t he Hi di ng of hi s Power .
3. Bef or e hi mwent t he Pest i l ence; and Fl ami ng Fi r e went f or t h at hi s
f eet .
4. He st ood, and measur ed t he Ear t h: He behel d, and dr ove asunder t he
Nat i ons.
5. And t he Ever l ast i ng Mount ai ns wer e scat t er ed; t he Per pet ual Hi l l s di d
bow! {52}
1. Was t he Lor d di spl eased agai nst t he Ri ver s?
Was t hi ne anger ki ndl ed agai nst t he Ri ver s?
Was t hy wr at h ki ndl ed agai nst t he Sea?
That t hou di dst r i de upon t hy Hor ses and t hy Char i ot s of Sal vat i on?
2. The Mount ai ns saw t hee and t hey t r embl ed. The del uge of Wat er r ol l ed
by: t he Deep ut t er ed hi s voi ce; and l i f t ed up hi s hands on hi gh.
3. The Sun and t he Moon st ood st i l l i n t hei r habi t at i ons.
At t he l i ght of t hi ne ar r ows t hey went , at t he shaki ng of t hy gl i t t er i ng
spear !
4. Thou di dst mar ch t hr ough t he Land i n t hi ne i ndi gnat i on: t hou di dst
t hr esh t he Heat hen i n t hi ne anger .
5. Thou di dst mar ch t hr ough t he sea wi t h t hi ne Hor ses: t hr ough t he Dept h
of t he Mi ght y Wat er s!
[ CAPRI CORNUS " st ar t s up wi l dl y and dances t he dance of " MARS. ]
[ CAPRI CORNUS " f al l s on f l oor near hi s pl ace. "
SOR. SCORPI O. Br ot her Ar i es, l et us cr own t he Mast er of Bat t l es.
[ " They advance t o al t ar . " SOR. SCORPI O " t akes cr own and cr owns" MARS,
" al l " PROBATI ONERS " j oi ni ng i n chant as bef or e. " ]
BRO. MARS. May Vi ct or y cr own your ar ms!
PROBATI ONERS. Let us j oi n bat t l e! We conquer ! We conquer .
[ CAPRI CORNUS " r ushes f or war d and t hr eat ens t hem, r eci t i ng: "
My head i s spl i t . The cr ashi ng axe
Of t he agony of t hi ngs shear s t hr ough
The st upi d skul l : out spur t t he br ai ns.
The uni ver se r evol ves, t hen cr acks,
Then r oar s i n di ssol ut i on due;
And I amcount i ng up t he gai ns
And l osses of a l i f e af i r e
Wi t h dust of t hought and dul l ed desi r e. {53}
[ SCORPI O, " as i f al ar med at t he i nt er r upt i on, f l ees t o t hr one of " MARS " and
t her e wi t h" MARS " def i es t he r abbl e. " BRO. ARI ES " r al l i es"
PROBATI ONERS. ]
So, al l i s over . I admi t
Fut i l i t y t he l or d of wi l l .
Li f e was an epi sode f or me.
As f or t he meanest monad, kni t
To man by mi ght i er bonds t han ski l l
Of subt l e- soul ed psychol ogy.
May sever . Ai mi n chaos? None.
The soul r ol l s sensel ess as t he sun.
[ " Al l ar e dr i ven back up t o al t ar . "
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS. [ " ends" ] . " Ther e i s no God. "
MARS [ " l eaps up and goes t o al t ar wi t h upl i f t ed swor d" ] .
1. Si l ence! [ a pause] . Ther e i s no God - - - but God!
[ ARI ES " and" PROBATI ONERS " dance a war dance. "
[ CAPRI CORNUS " sl i nks f r omt empl e. "
[ MARS " r eci t es. "
Thi s i s t he day whi ch down t he voi d abysm
At t he Ear t h- bor n' s spel l yawns f or Heaven' s despot i sm,
And Conquest i s dr agged capt i ve t hr ough t he deep;
Love, f r omi t s awf ul t hr one of pat i ent power
I n t he wi se hear t , f r omt he l ast gi ddy hour
Of dead endur ance, f r omt he sl i pper y st eep,
And nar r ow ver ge of cr ag- l i ke agony, spr i ngs
And f ol ds over t he wor l d i t s heal i ng wi ngs.
Gent l eness, Vi r t ue, Wi sdom, and Endur ance - - -
These ar e t he seal s of t hat most f i r massur ance
Whi ch bar s t he pi t over Dest r uct i ons' s st r engt h;
And i f , wi t h i nf i r mhand, Et er ni t y,
Mot her of many act s and hour s, shoul d f r ee
The ser pent t hat woul d cl asp her wi t h hi s l engt h,
These ar e t he spel l s by whi ch t o r eassume
An empi r e o' er t he di sent angl ed doom.
To suf f er woes whi ch Hope t hi nks i nf i ni t e;
To f or gi ve wr ongs dar ker t han deat h or ni ght ; {54}
To def y Power , whi ch seems omni pot ent ;
To l ove, and bear ; t o hope t i l l Hope cr eat es
Fr omi t s own wr eck t he t hi ng i t cont empl at es;
Nei t her t o change, nor f al t er , nor r epent ;
Thi s, l i ke t hy gl or y, Ti t an, i s t o be
Good, gr eat and j oyous, beaut i f ul and f r ee;
Thi s i s al one Li f e, J oy, Empi r e, and Vi ct or y!
[ SCORPI O " pl ays i n accor dance<>"
BRO. ARI ES. Hai l t o Thee t hat sai l est heavenwar ds!
Hai l t o Thee i n whose eye i s a Fl ame of Fi r e!
Hai l , Lor d of t he Dest r oyi ng Ar my!
MARS. Hai l , br et hr en.
BRO. ARI ES. Hai l unt o Thee, t hat hast f ought at t he si de
of our Lor d i n t he gr eat Bat t l e!
Hai l unt o Thee, our Lady of Tumul t !
Ter r i bl e and beaut i f ul was t hou i n t he mi dst of t he
bat t l e, upon t hy char i ot !
Hai l unt o Thee, as unt o t hy Lor d!
SOR. SCORPI O. Hai l , br et hr en!
BRO. ARI ES. Let us r ej oi ce i n our vi ct or y!
[ " He l eads" PROBATI ONERS " i n t he t r i umphal dance whi ch becomes sl ow and"
" vol upt uous. " ]
[ " A pause. "
BRO. ARI ES [ " t o seal hi s t r i umph" ] . 1- 4444.
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS [ " wi t hout " ] . 4444- 1.
[ BRO. ARI ES " ext i ngui shes al l l i ght s. "
[ SCORPI O " pl ays l ove poem. <>"
[ MARS " r eci t es: "
Who i s t hi s mai den r obed f or a br i de,
Whi t e shoul der s and br i ght br ows ador abl e,
The f l ami ng l ocks t hat cl ot he her , and abi de,
As God wer e bat hi ng i n t he f i r e of Hel l ? {55}
They change, t hey gr ow, t hey shake
As sunl i ght on t he l ake:
They hi ss, t hey gl i st en on her bosombar e.
O mai den, mai den queen!
The l i ght ni ng f l ows bet ween
Thy mount i ng br east s, t oo magi cal l y f ai r .
Dr aw me, O dr aw me t o a dr eami ng deat h!
Send out t hi ne opi at e br eat h,
And l ul l me t o t he ever l ast i ng sl eep,
That , cl osi ng f r omt he ki sses of di sdai n
To ecst asy of pai n,
I may sob out my l i f e i nt o t hei r danger ous deep.
Who comet h f r omt he mount ai n as a t ower
St al war t and set agai nst t he f i er y f oes!
Who, br eat hi ng as a j asmi ne- l aden bower ?
Who, cr owned and l i ssome as a l i vi ng r ose?
Shar p t hor ns i n t hee ar e set ;
I n me, i n me beget
The dol or ous despai r of t hi s desi r e.
Thy body sways and swi ngs
Above t he t i de of t hi ngs,
Laps me as ocean, wr aps me r ound as f i r e!
Ye el ement al sor cer i es of song,
Sur ge, st r enuous and st r ong,
Seeki ng dead dr eams, t he secr et of t he shr i ne;
So t hat she dr ai n my l i f e and bei ng up
As f r oma gol den cup,
To mi ngl e i n her bl ood, deat h' s ki ss i ncar nadi ne.
Who comet h f r omt he ocean as a f l ower ?
Who bl ossomet h above t he bar r en sea,
Thy l ot us set beneat h t hee f or a bower ,
Thi ne eyes awakened, l i ght ened, f al l en on me?
O Goddess, queen, and wi f e!
O l ady of my l i f e!
Who set t hy st at ur e as a wood t o wave?
Whose l ove begat t hy l i mbs?
Whose wave- washed body swi ms
That nur t ur ed t hee, and f ound her sel f a gr ave? {56}
But t hou, O t hou, hast r i sen f r omt he deep!
Al l mor t al s mour n and weep
To see t hee, seei ng t hat al l l ove must di e
Besi des t hy beaut y, see t hee and despai r !
Deadl y as t hou ar t f ai r ,
I cr y f or al l manki nd - - - t hey ar e sl ai n, even as I !
[ SOR. SCORPI O " t akes cr own of f . "
[ " A pause. "
[ BROTHER CAPRI CORNUS " dances t he dance of Vul can t o anvi l - musi c i n gr adual l y
i ncr easi ng r ed l i ght , at end r ushes t o t hr one and f i nds" MARS " and"
SCORPI O, " t hei r weapons l ai d asi de, i n each ot her ' s ar ms. " ]
BRO. CAPRI CORNUS. Ah, want on!
[ SOR. SCORPI O " t akes vi ol i n and char ms t he of f ended dei t y, who r et i r es
paci f i ed. <>" ]
MARS. Br et hr en i n ar ms, t hi s i s not def eat , but vi ct or y! For t hough I be
det hr oned, not t o Me, not t o our l ady was t he gl or y. For al ways i s t he t r ue
God hi dden - - - behol d!
[ " One t ur ns on t he whi t e l i ght , and t her e st ands" SOL. I N ARI ES " upon t he
t hr one of t he East . " MARS " goes t o hi mand r eci t es: " ]
Uni t y ut t er most showed,
I ador e t he mi ght of t hy br eat h,
Supr eme and t er r i bl e God
Who makest t he Gods and deat h
To t r embl e bef or e t hee: - - -
I , I ador e t hee!
[ " He kneel s. "
O Hawk of gol d wi t h power enwal l ed,
Whose f ace i s l i ke an emer al d;
Whose cr own i s i ndi go as ni ght ;
Smar agdi ne snakes about t hy br ow {57}
Twi ne, and t he di sk of f l ami ng l i ght
I s on t hee, seat ed i n t he pr ow
Of t he Sun' s bar k, ent hr oned above
Wi t h l api s- l azul i f or l ove
And r uby f or enor mous f or ce
Chosen t o seat t hee, t hee gi r t r ound
Wi t h l eopar d' s pel l , and gol den sound
Of pl anet s chor al i n t hei r cour se!
[ " He r i ses. "
O t hou sel f - f or mul at ed si r e!
Sel f - mast er of t hy dam' s desi r e!
Thi ne eyes bl aze f or t h wi t h f i er y l i ght ;
Thi ne hear t a secr et sun of f l ame!
I ador e t he i nsuper abl e mi ght :
I bow bef or e t he unspoken Name.
[ " He bows, t hen t ur ns t owar d al t ar . "
For I amYest er day, and I
To- day, and I t o- mor r ow, bor n
Now and agai n, on hi gh, on hi gh
Tr avel l i ng on Di an' s naked hor n!
I amt he Soul t hat dot h cr eat e
The Gods, and al l t he Ki n of Br eat h.
I come f r omt he sequest er ed st at e;
My bi r t h i s f r omt he House of Deat h.
[ " He advances t o al t ar . "
Hai l ! ye t wi n hawks hi gh pi nnacl ed
That wat ch upon t he uni ver se!
Ye t hat t he bei r of God behel d!
That bor e i t onwar ds, mi ni st er s
Of peace wi t hi n t he house of Wr at h,
Ser vant s of hi mt hat comet h f or t h
At dawn wi t h many- col our ed l i ght s,
Mount i ng f r omunder neat h t he Nor t h,
The shr i ne of t he cel est i al Hei ght s!
[ " At al t ar . " {58}
He i s i n me, and I i n Hi m!
Mi ne i s t he cr yst al r adi ance
That f i l l et h aet her t o t he br i m
Wher ei n al l st ar s and suns may dance.
I amt he beaut i f ul and gl ad,
Rej oi ci ng i n t he gol den day.
I amt he spi r i t si l ken- cl ad
That f ar et h on t he f i er y way.
I have escaped f r omhi m, whose eyes
Ar e cl osed at event i de, and wi se
To dr ag t hee t o t he House of Wr ong: - - -
I amar med! I amar med! I amst r ong! I amst r ong!
I make my way: opposi ng hor ns
Of secr et f oemen push t hei r l ust
I n vai n: my song t hei r f ur y scor ns;
They si nk, t hey gr ovel i n t he dust .
[ " He t ur ns t o" SOL.
Hai l , sel f - cr eat ed Lor d of Ni ght !
I nscr ut abl e and i nf i ni t e!
Let Or pheus j our ney f or t h t o see
The Di sk i n peace and vi ct or y!
Let hi mador e t he spl endi d si ght ,
The r adi ance of t he Heaven of Nu;
Soar l i ke a bi r d, l aved by t he l i ght ,
To pi er ce t he f ar et er nal bl ue!
[ " He t ur ns t o" ARES " and" SCORPI O.
Hai l ! Her mes! t hou t he wands of i l l
Hast t ouched wi t h st r engt h, and t hey ar e shi ver ed!
The way i s open unt o wi l l !
The pr egnant Goddess i s del i ver ed!
[ " He kneel s t o" SOL.
Happy, yea, happy! happy i s he
That hat h l ooked f or t h upon t he Bi er
That goet h t o t he House of Rest !
Hi s hear t i s l i t wi t h mel ody;
Peace i n hi s house i s mast er of f ear ;
Hi s hol y Name i s i n t he West {59}
When t he sun si nks, and r oyal r ays
Of moonr i se f l ash acr oss t he day' s.
[ " He r i ses and f aces al t ar . "
I have r i sen! I have r i sen! as a mi ght y hawk of gol d!
Fr omt he gol den egg I gat her , and my wi ngs t he wor l d enf ol d.
I al i ght i n mi ght y spl endour f r omt he t hr oned boat s of l i ght ;
Compani es of Spi r i t s f ol l ow me; ador e t he Lor ds of Ni ght .
Yea, wi t h gl adness di d t hey paean, bowi ng l ow bef or e my car ,
I n my ear s t hei r homage echoed f r omt he sunr i se t o t he st ar .
I have r i sen! I amgat her ed as a l ovel y hawk of gol d,
I t he f i r st - bor n of t he Mot her i n her ecst asy of ol d.
Lo! I come t o f ace t he dwel l er i n t he sacr ed snake of Khem;
Come t o f ace t he Babe and Li on, come t o measur e f or ce wi t h t hem!
Ah! t hese l ocks f l ow down, a r i ver , as t he ear t h' s bef or e t he Sun,
As t he ear t h' s bef or e t he sunset , and t he God and I ar e One.
I who ent er ed i n a Fool , gai n t he God by cl ean endeavour ;
I amshaped as men and women, f ai r f or ever and f or ever .
[ " He t ur ns and f al l s cl aspi ng" SOL' S " f eet . Al l pr ost r at e t hemsel ves i n
ador at i on. " SOR. SCORPI O " pl ays her sol ar chant . <>"
[ SOL " i n" ARI ES " r eci t es: "
The wor l d' s gr eat age begi ns anew,
The gol den year s r et ur n,
The ear t h dot h l i ke a snake r enew
Her wi nt er weeds out wor n;
Heaven smi l es, and f ai t hs and empi r es gl eam,
Li ke wr ecks of a di ssol vi ng dr eam.
A br i ght er Hel l as r ear s i t s mount ai ns
Fr omwaves ser ener f ar ;
A new Peneus r ol l s hi s f ount ai ns
Agai nst t he mor ni ng st ar .
Wher e f ai r er Tempes bl oom, t her e sl eep
Young Cycl ads on a sunni er deep. {60}
A l of t i er Ar go cl eaves t he mai n,
Fr aught wi t h a l at er pr i ze;
Anot her Or pheus si ngs agai n,
And l oves, and weeps, and di es.
A new Uyl l sses l eaves once mor e
Cal ypso f or hi s nat i ve shor e.
Oh, wr i t e no mor e t he t al e of Tr oy,
I f ear t h Deat h' s scr ol l must be!
Nor mi x wi t h Lai an r age t he j oy
Whi ch dawns upon t he f r ee;
Al t hough a subt l er Sphi nx r enew
Ri ddl es of deat h Thebes never knew.
Anot her At hens shal l ar i se,
And t o r emot er t i me
Bequeat h, l i ke sunset t o t he ski es,
The spl endour of i t s pr i me;
And l eave, i f nought so br i ght may l i ve,
Al l ear t h can t ake or Heaven can gi ve.
Sat ur n and Love t hei r l ong r epose
Shal l bur st , mor e br i ght and good
Than al l who f el l , t han One who r ose,
Than many unsubdued.
Not gol d, not bl ood, t hei r al t ar dower s,
But vot i ve t ear s and symbol f l ower s.
Oh, cease! must hat e and deat h r et ur n?
Cease! must men ki l l and di e?
Cease! dr ai n not t o i t s dr egs t he ur n
Of bi t t er pr ophecy.
The wor l d i s wear y of t he past .
Oh, mi ght i t di e or r est at l ast !
BRO. ARI ES. 1- 4444. The bat t l e i s i ndeed f ought .
SOL. I N ARI ES. 333- 333. The vi ct or y i s i ndeed won.
BRO. ARI ES. Br et hr en, t he Sun i s ar i sen. Let us depar t
i n j oy. {61}
SOR. SCORPI O. Let us depar t i n l ove.
MARS. Let us depar t i n peace.
[ " The of f i cer s l eave t he Templ e, " MARS " and" SCORPI O " escor t i ng" SOL " i n"
ARI ES, ARI ES " and" CAPRI CORNUS " f ol l owi ng at t he head of t he Guar d of "
PROBATI ONERS. ]
{62}
THE RI TE OF SOL
{63}
OFFI CERS
SOL. " Leopar d ski n. Nemyss whi t e- gol d over whi t e- sl eeved r obe. Spear . "
ARI ES. " Whi t e r obe, spear . "
LEO. " Red r obe, spear . "
SATAN- TYPHON. " Vi ol et r obe. "
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. " Gr een r obe. "
BEZ. " Bl ack- r obe. "
FOUR PROBATI ONERS.
" Sol i s ent hr oned i n t he East ; behi nd hi mi s a bl ack vei l whi ch conceal s a
gr eat scar l et cr oss. Bef or e hi mi s a second vei l . He i s suppor t ed by
Ar i es on t he r i ght , and Leo on t he l ef t . The ot her of f i cer s ar e
wi t hout t he t empl e, i n wai t i ng. I n pr esent at i on i n publ i c, a t hi r d
vei l di vi des t he t empl e f r omt he congr egat i on. " {65}
THE RI TE OF SOL
LEO " par t s t he out er most vei l , and advanci ng, r eci t es chor us f r om" At al ant a
i n Cal ydon. "
Bef or e t he begi nni ng of year s
Ther e came t o t he maki ng of man . . . et c.
. . . Hi s l i f e i s a wat ch or a vi si on
Bet ween a sl eep and a sl eep.
[ " Ret ur ns. A pause. "
ARI ES. 333- 333.
LEO. 333- 333.
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, what i s t he pl ace?
LEO. The Templ e of t he Sun upon t he Mount ai n of Abi egnus!
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, what i s t he hour ?
LEO. Sunset !
ARI ES. I t i s t he hour of sacr i f i ce.
LEO. Br ot her Ar i es, what i s t he sacr i f i ce?
ARI ES. I t i s hi dden f r omme. [ " Si l ence. "
SOL. 1- 22- 22- 1.
ARI ES. Har k! i t i s t he Summons of t he Ki ng.
LEO. I t i s t he Lor d of Heaven t hat awakens t he Chi l dr en of t he Li ght .
[ " They dr aw t he vei l - - - f ul l l i ght - - - and kneel . "
ARI ES. Let us ador e t he Exal t ed One!
LEO.
Li f e of Li f e, t hy l i ps enki ndl e
Wi t h t hei r l ove t he br eat h bet ween t hem; {67}
And t hy smi l es bef or e t hey dwi ndl e
Make t he col d ai r f i r e; t hen scr een t hem
I n t hose l ooks, wher e whoso gazes
Fai nt s, ent angl ed i n t hei r mazes.
Chi l d of Li ght ! t hy l i mbs ar e bur ni ng
Thr ough t he vest whi ch seems t o hi de t hem;
As t he r adi ant l i nes of mor ni ng
Thr ough t he cl ouds, er e t hey di vi de t hem;
And t hi s at mospher e di vi nest
Shr ouds t hee wher esoe' er t hou shi nest .
Fai r ar e ot her s; none behol ds t hee,
But t hy voi ce sounds l ow and t ender
Li ke t he f ai r est , f or i t f ol ds t hee
Fr omt he si ght , t hat l i qui d spl endour ,
And al l f eel , yet see t hee never ,
As I f eel now, l ost f or ever !
Lamp of Ear t h! wher e' er t hou movest
I t s di mshapes ar e cl ad wi t h br i ght ness,
And t he soul s of whomt hou l ovest
Wal k upon t he wi nds wi t h l i ght ness,
Ti l l t hey f al l , as I amf al l i ng,
Di zzy, l ost , yet unbewai l i ng!
ARI ES. Hai l unt o Thee, O t hou t hat ar t exal t ed i n t hy st r engt h, t hat
t r avel l est over t he Heaven i n Thy Bar k i n t he Spl endour of noon!
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " r esume t hr ones. "
[ " A" PROBATI ONER " r eci t es t he" 12 " f ol d gl or i f i cat i on of God f r om" 963. ]
[ " Ent er " SCORPI O- APOPHI S " dr essed i n a f i l my whi t e r obe, her hai r i n
di sor der . " ]
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " r i se and bow. "
ARI ES. Hai l t hou! Whence comest t hou?
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. Fr omt he House of God.
ARI ES. What br i ngest t hou as an of f er i ng t o our Lor d? {68}
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. The House of God i s f al l en. Ther e i s not hi ng l ef t
t her ei n. Ther ef or e I br i ng not hi ng but mysel f .
LEO. Let us bur n her upon t he al t ar of bur nt of f er i ng.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. But i n t he f i r e my t ear s woul d be dr i ed up; and t hese
t ear s ar e of mi ne of f er i ng t o t he Lor d.
LEO. Let us t hr ow her t o t he sacr ed cr ocodi l e.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. But i n t he wat er my hear t woul d be chi l l ed; and t hi s
hear t i s of mi ne of f er i ng t o t he Lor d.
LEO. Let us t hr ow her t o t he wi nds f r omt he Wat cht ower s of Si l ence.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. But i n t he wi nd my hymns woul d not be hear d; and t hese
hymns ar e of mi ne of f er i ng t o t he Lor d.
LEO. Let us bur y her i n t he consecr at ed mount ai n!
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. But i n t he ear t h t he wor ms woul d devour my f l esh; and
t hi s f l esh i s of mi ne of f er i ng t o t he Lor d. Oh Lor d, l et t hy ser vant s r et ur n
unt o t hei r t hr ones t hat I may wor shi p Thee as I wi l l .
SOL. 22- 1- 1- 22.
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " r et ur n t o t hei r t hr ones. "
[ SCORPI O- APOPHI S " pl ays her passi onat e mel ody, her si r en mel ody, her
despai r i ng " Venus i n Tannhauser " mel ody. <> She cl asps t he f eet and knees of " SOL " but
he gi ves
no si gn of l i f e. " ]
[ " At t he end " ARI ES " and" LEO " r i se f r omt hei r t hr ones - - - a pause. " ]
ARI ES. ( " Loudl y" ) . 333- 333.
LEO. ( " Louder " ) . 333- 333.
ARI ES. The hour of sacr i f i ce i s past .
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. The hour of sacr i f i ce i s t o come. {69}
LEO. The sacr i f i ce i s not accept ed.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. The sacr i f i ce i s accept ed.
ARI ES. Depar t f r omus, t hou uncl ean t hi ng!
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " r ai se her and mar ch f r omt he t empl e, " ARI ES " l eadi ng, "
LEO f ol l owi ng her . " ]
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " r e- ent er and r esume t hr ones - - - a pause. "
ARI ES. 333- 333.
LEO. 333- 333.
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, t hi s i s of evi l omen.
LEO. Br ot her Ar i es, i t i s i ndeed of evi l omen.
ARI ES. Ther e wi l l be no mor e sacr i f i ce t o- day.
LEO. Ther e wi l l be no mor e sacr i f i ce t o- day.
ARI ES. The sun i s al r eady set t i ng.
LEO. The ni ght bi r ds ar e al r eady abr oad.
ARI ES. I t gr ows ver y dar k.
LEO. The pat h i s t oo st eep and danger ous f or any pi l gr i ms t o come hi t her .
ARI ES. Ther e i s no moon t o- ni ght .
LEO. I t hi nk t her e wi l l be r ai n.
ARI ES. Let us cl ose t he shr i ne.
LEO. The di sk of t he sun i s not yet qui t e obscur ed.
ARI ES. But no pi l gr i ms can come now.
LEO. No pi l gr i ms can come now. But i t i s t he r ul e of t he t empl e t hat t he
shr i ne i s open unt o t he l ast spar k of sunl i ght .
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, I beg t hat you wi l l cl ose t he shr i ne wi t h me.
LEO. I t cannot be.
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, I know t he r ul e. But evi l wi l l assur edl y come t o us
f r omt hi s.
LEO. Br ot her Ar i es, t he Law may not be br oken. {70}
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, t he Law i s made so t hat t he wi se may br eak i t at t hei r
need.
LEO. Br ot her Ar i es, i n my hear t i s f i del i t y - - - f i del i t y - - - f i del i t y.
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, a god has whi sper ed i n mi ne ear : i t i s f ol l y - - - f ol l y
- - - f ol l y.
LEO. The sun wi l l be obscur ed i n a moment : and no pi l gr i ms can come t o-
ni ght .
ARI ES. No pi l gr i ms can come t o- ni ght .
LEO. Ther e wi l l be no mor e sacr i f i ce.
ARI ES. Ther e wi l l be no mor e sacr i f i ce.
[ SATAN- TYPHON, SCORI PO- APOPHI S, " and" BESZ " ent er si l ent l y i n pr ocessi on. The
l i ght gr ows moment ar i l y di mmer . " ]
ARI ES. Hai l , br et hr en! Ye ar e come t o ador e t he spl endour of t he sun?
SATAN- TYPHON. We ar e come t o sacr i f i ce.
ARI ES. What ar e t he of f er i ngs?
BESZ. Danci ng.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. Musi c.
SATAN- TYPHON. Si l ence and St i l l ness.
[ " He pr ost r at es hi msel f and r emai ns mot i onl ess. "
[ SCORPI O- APOPHI S " bows t o " SOL" and pl ays an ador at i on. <>"
[ BESZ " dances i n ador at i on i n t hr ee- t i me. "
[ SATAN- TYPHON " r i ses and bows. "
ARI ES. Whence come ye, br et hr en?
SATAN- TYPHON. Fr omt he dwel l i ng- pl ace of t he sun.
ARI ES. Who ar e ye, br et hr en?
SATAN- TYPHON. I amt he t wi n br ot her of t he sun.
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. I amt he bel oved of t he sun. {71}
ARI ES. [ " To" BESZ. ] But who ar t t hou, br ot her ?
[ BESZ " begi ns t o st ammer . "
LEO. Who ar t t hou?
[ " They t hr eat en hi mwi t h t hei r spear s. " BESZ " cr ouches i n t er r or and l ur ks
t owar d West . " ]
SATAN- TYPHON. I woul d have speech wi t h my br ot her t he Sun.
ARI ES. I t i s wel l .
LEO. I t i s not wel l . Ther e i s danger her ei n t o my Lor d.
[ " He bar s t he way. "
ARI ES. Speech cannot har mour Lor d.
LEO. Br ot her , i f t hou be i ndeed our bor t her , what wi l t t hou say?
SATAN- TYPHON. O Sun, my br ot her , i s i t t hy wi l l t hat I have speech wi t h
t hee? For I l ay wi t h t hee ni ne moons i n t he womb of our mot her ; f or we have
l oved as none have l oved; f or I amcl oser kni t wi t h t hee t han l i ght and
dar kness, or t han l i f e and deat h!
SOL. 22- 1- 1- 22.
[ LEO " gi ves way and r et ur ns t o hi s t hr one, ver y sad. "
[ SATAN- TYPHON " advances t o" SOL " and" ARI ES " cl oses t he vei l on t hem. " ]
[ BESZ " j umps up and r uns of f cr ouchi ngl y. "
[ " The l i ght s go out . "
[ SCORPI O- APOPHI S " pl ays her ser pent mel ody. <>"
[ LEO " r eci t es. "
Mor t al s never l ear n f r omst or i es
How cat ast r ophe becomes;
How above t he vi ct or ' s gl or i es
I n t he t r umpet s and t he dr ums {72}
And t he cr y of mi l l i ons " Mast er ! "
Looms t he shadow of di sast er .
Ever y hour a man hat h sai d:
" That at l east i s scot ched and dead. "
Some one ci r cumst ance: " At l ast
That , and i t s ef f ect s, ar e past . "
Some one t er r or - - - subt l e f oe!
" I have l ai d t hat spect r e l ow. "
They know not , l ear n not , cannot cal cul at e
How subt l y Fat e
Weaves i t s f i ne mesh, per cei vi ng how t o wai t ;
Or how accumul at e
The t r i f l es t hat shal l make i t mast er yet
Of t he st r ong soul t hat bade i t sel f f or get .
[ " A di mr ed l i ght dawns. " BESZ " ent er s, l eadi ng f our " PROBATI ONERS " who bear
t he Past os. They pl ace i t bef or e t he al t ar . " ]
ARI ES. What i s t hi s of f er i ng?
BESZ. The eat er of Fl esh i s my name.
ARI ES. Oh, our Lor d, our Lor d! Ar i se i n t hy mi ght , and l et t hi ne enemi es
be scat t er ed!
[ ARI ES " and" LEO " dr aw vei l . The t hr one has been cast down. On t he bl ack
vei l i s a gr eat r ed cr oss, wher eon" SOL " has been cr uci f i ed. Bef or e hi m
st ands" SATAN- TYPHON " i n t he si gn of Apophi s and Typhon. " ]
[ Ar i es " and" LEO " f al l as i f sl ai n. " SCORPI O- APOPHI S " pl ays her mur der
mel ody. <>"
[ " Meanwhi l e t he" PROBATI ONERS " advance and under t he di r ect i on of Typhon, who
st abs" SOL " i n t he pr oper manner wi t h t he spear of " Sol , " t ake down" SOL
f r omt he cr oss and l ay hi mi n t he Past os. They cover i t . " BESZ " does
hi s br ut al demoni ac dance upon t he l i d of t he cof f i n. " {73} " Exeunt "
OMNI S " exc. " SOL. " Thi s ends i n compl et e dar kness. Si l ence. Ther e i s
a f l ash of l i ght , and t he st age i s shewn empt y. Onl y a gl i mmer
r emai ns. Now" SCORPI O- APOPHI S " st eal s on t o t he st age, and pl ays a l ow
secr et mel ody. <> The r ed l i ght s i ncr ease.
She uncover s and embr aces t he cor pse. Then cover s i t agai n, goes t o
t he t hr one, and i nst al s her sel f t her eon. The gr een l i ght dawns and
gl ows br i ght er and br i ght er , as t he r ed l i ght dwi ndl es and goes out . " ]
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. 7777777.
[ " The" PROBATI ONERS " and ot her of f i cer s ent er , er ect . "
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. Chi l dr en, ar r ay your sel ves bef or e me, and wor shi p at my
f eet .
ARI ES. Our Lor d i s sl ai n. And who ar t t hou t hat hast assumed Hi s Thr one?
LEO. Our Lor d i s sl ai n. And who ar t t hou t hat hast assumed Hi s Thr one?
SCORPI O- APOPHI S. I amt he Mot her of t he Gods and t he Si st er of Ti me and
t he Daught er of Space. I amNat ur e t hat hol det h sway when t he ef f or t of man
i s exhaust ed. . . . . . . Br ot her Leo, I amt he goddess t hat comet h f or t h r i di ng
upon t he Li on. Behol d! I st r i ke t hee wi t h my wand, and i nspi r e t hee.
I command t hee t o decl ar e me unt o t he mul t i t ude.
LEO.
Lo! i n t he i nt er st el l ar space of ni ght
Cl ot hed wi t h deep dar kness, t he maj est i c spaces
Abi de t he dawn of dei t y and l i ght ,
Vi br at e bef or e t he passi onl ess pal e f aces {74}
Shr i ned i n exceedi ng gl or y, er emi t e.
The t or t oi se ski es i n sombr e car apaces
Awai t t he expr essi on and t he hour of bi r t h
I n si l ence t hr ough t he adamant i ne gi r t h.
I r ose i n gl or y, gat her ed of t he f oam.
The sea' s f l ower f ol ded, char i ot i ng me r i sen
Wher e dawns r ose st ol e f r omi t s pear l - gl i mmer i ng home,
And heaven l aughed, and ear t h: and mi ne ol d pr i son,
The seas t hat l ay beneat h t he mi ght y dome,
Shone wi t h my spl endour . Li ght di d f i r st bedi zen
Ear t h wi t h i t s cl ust er s of f i er y dew and spr ay,
When I l ooked f or t h and cr i ed, " I t i s t he day! "
The st ar s ar e dewdr ops on my bosom' s space;
The sun and moon ar e gl ances t hr ough my l ashes,
Long, t ender r ays of ni ght ; my subt l e f ace
Bur ns t hr ough t he sky- dusk, l i ght ens, f i l l s, and f l ashes
Wi t h sol emn j oy and l aught er of l ove; t he gr ace
Of al l my body swayi ng st oops and dashes
Swi f t t o t he dai sy' s dawn of l ove: and swi f t est ,
O spi r i t of man, when unt o me t hou l i f t est !
Dawn shakes t he mol t en f i r e of my del i ght
Fr omt he f i ne f l ower and f r agr ance of my t r esses!
Sunset bi ds dar ken al l my body' s l i ght ,
Mi xi ng i t s musi c wi t h t he sad car esses
Of t he whol e wor l d: I wheel i n wi ngl ess f l i ght
Thr ough l ampl ess space, t he st ar l ess wi l der nesses!
Beyond t he uni ver sal bounds t hat r ol l ,
Ther e i s t he shr i ne and i mage of my soul .
I amNat ur e and God: I r ei gn, I am, al one.
None ot her may abi de apar t : t hey per i sh,
Dr awn i nt o me, i nt o my bei ng gr own.
None ot her bosomi s, t o bear , t o nour i sh,
To be: t he hear t of al l beneat h my zone
Of bl ue and gol d i s scar l et - br i ght t o cher i sh
My own l i f e' s bei ng, t hat i s, and i s not ot her ;
For I amGod and Nat ur e and t hy Mot her . {75}
I amt he t housand- br east ed mi l ky spouse,
Vi r gi nal al so: Tar t ar us and Gai a
Twi nned i n my womb, and Chaos f r ommy br ows
Shr ank back abashed, my si st er dar k and di r e,
Mot her of Er ebus and Ni ght , t hat pl oughs
Wi t h st ar r y- sandal l ed f eet t he f i el ds of f i r e;
My si st er shr ank and f el l , t he i nf er nal gl oom
Changed t o t he hot sweet shadow of my womb.
I am: t hat dar kness st r ange and ut er i ne
I s shot wi t h dawn and scent ed wi t h t he r ose;
The deep di mpr i son- house of cor n and wi ne,
Fl ower s, chi l dr en, st ar s, wi t h f l ame f ar subt l er gl ows
For ml ess, al l - pi er ci ng, deat h- def yi ng, di vi ne,
A sweet f r ai l l amp whose shadow gl eams and shows
No dar kness, i s as l i ght i s wher e i t s r ays
Cr oss, i nt er weave, and mar r y wi t h t he day' s!
I am: t he hear t t hat f l ames f r omcent r al Me,
Seeks out al l l i f e, and t akes agai n, t o mi ngl e
I t s passi on wi t h my mi ght and maj est y,
Ti l l t he vast f l oods of t he man' s bei ng t i ngl e
And gl ow, sel f - l ost wi t hi n my soul and sea
Of l ove, t he sun of ut t er l i ght , and si ngl e
Keen many- vei ned hear t : our l i ps and ki sses
Mar r y and muse on our i mmor t al bl i sses.
I am: t he gr eat est and t he l east : t he sol e
And separ at e l i f e of t hi ngs. The mi ght y st r esses
Of wor l ds ar e my ner ves t wi t chi ng. Br anch and bol e
Of f or est s wavi ng i n deep wi l der nesses
Ar e hai r s upon my body. Ri ver s r ol l
To make one t ear i n my super b car esses,
When on mysel f mysel f beget s a chi l d,
A syst emof a t housand pl anet s pi l ed!
I am: t he l east , t he gr eat est : t he f r ai l l i f e
Of some smal l cor al - i nsect st i l l may t r embl e
Wi t h l ove f or me, and cal l me queen and wi f e;
The shy pl ant of t he wat er may di ssembl e {76}
I t s l ove beneat h t he f r onds; r epl y t o st r i f e
Wi t h st r i f e, and al l i t s t i ny bei ng cr umbl e
Under my r ough and war r i or husband- ki ss,
Whose pai n shal l bur n, and al t er , and be bl i ss!
I am: no wor d besi de t hat sol emn one
Rei gns i n sound' s ki ngdomt o expr ess my st at i on,
Who, cl ot hed and cr owned wi t h suns beyond t he sun,
Bear on t he mi ght y br east of f oamThal assi an,
Bear on my bosom, j ut t i ng pl eni l une,
Mai den, t he f adel ess Rose of t he Cr eat i on!
The whol e f l ower - l i f e of ear t h and sky and sea
Fr omme was bor n, and shal l r et ur n t o me!
I am: f or men and bei ngs passi onat e,
For mi ne own sel f cal mas t he r i ver - cl eavi ng
Lot us- bor ne l or d of Si l ence: I cr eat e
Or di scr eat e, bot h i n my bosomheavi ng:
My l i ght est l ook i s mot her of a Fat e:
My f i nger s sapphi r e- r i nged wi t h sky ar e weavi ng
Ever new f l ower s and l awns of l i f e, desi gned
Nobl er and newer i n mi ne ol der mi nd.
I am: I amnot , but al l - changi ng move
The wor l ds evol vi ng i n a gol den l adder ,
Spi r al or hel i cal , f r esh gust s of l ove
Fi l l i ng one spher e f r omt he l ast spher e gr own gl adder ;
Al l gat eways l eadi ng f ar t o t he above.
Even as t he br i ght coi l s of t he emer al d adder
Cl i mb one by one i n gl or y of sunl i ght , cl i mb
My chi l dr en t o me up t he st eep of Ti me.
I am: bef or e me al l t he year s ar e dead,
And al l t he f i er y l ocks of sunr i se woven
I nt o t he gol d and scar l et of my head:
I n me al l ski es and seas ar e shaken and cl oven:
Al l l i f e and l i ght and l ove about me shed,
Begot t en i n me, i n my movi ng moven,
Ar e as my t ear s: al l wor l ds t hat ever swam
As dew of ki sses on my l i ps: I am. {77}
[ " She dr aws" LEO " up t o her . The ot her s kneel i n ador at i on. " SCORPI O-
APOPHI S " pl ays her sof t vol upt uous mel ody. <>" ]
ARI ES. Br ot her Leo, what i s t he hour ?
LEO. The eveni ng st ar i s ar i sen.
ARI ES. The sacr i f i ce i s accompl i shed.
LEO. What i s t he sacr i f i ce?
ARI ES. Man.
LEO. Who i s t he pr i est ess?
ARI ES. Woman.
LEO. Unt o what God?
ARI ES. I t i s hi dden f r omme.
LEO. Let ever y man depar t unt o hi s house.
ARI ES. 1- 333- 1- 1. LEO. 1- 333- 1- 1. SCORPI O- APOPHI S. 1- 1- 333- 1.
{78}
THE RI TE OF VENUS
THE OFFI CERS
VENUS. " Bl ue Robe. "
TAURUS. " Or ange Robe. "
LI BRA. " Gr een Robe. "
PI SCES. " Cr i mson Robe. "
LUNA I N TAURUS. " Si l ver Robe. "
SATURN I N LI BRA. " Bl ack Robe. "
" No of f i cer has any weapon. Venus i s t hr oned, and on her r i ght ar e Li br a
and Sat ur n i n Li br a, on her l ef t Taur us and Luna i n Taur us, whi l e at
her f eet l i es Pi sces. Her t hr one i s an oyst er - shel l , as i n t he
pi ct ur e by Bot t i cel l i . Bef or e i t a vei l . Wi t hout , an al t ar ; and
wi t hout t he t empl e, a f ur t her vei l . "
{81}
THE RI TE OF VENUS
PRELUDE
" Ful l l i ght . " VENUS, " seat ed bef or e al t ar , " LI BRA " and" TAURUS " at i t s
si des. "
VENUS. 7777777.
LI BRA. 7777777.
TAURUS. 7777777.
VENUS. Br ot her Li br a, I command t hee t o decl ar e t he Secr et of Venus.
LI BRA. " r eci t es Swi nbur ne' s " Her t ha. [ " Al l pr esent r ecl i ne and sl eep. " ]
VENUS. Havi ng ear s t hey hear not . Br ot her s Taur us and Li br a, l et t he vei l
be dr awn. [ " They do so. "
PART I
[ " Twi l i ght . " VENUS " i s ent hr oned on hi gh, swat hed i n masses of r ed hai r and
r oses. The al t ar i s cover ed wi t h r oses; t her e i s a smal l f l ame
t her eon. " ]
TAURUS " and" LI BRA " dr aw t he i nner vei l apar t . " LI BRA " r et ur ns and
kneel s. "
LI BRA.
Daught er of Gl or y, chi l d
Of Ear t h' s Di one mi l d
By t he Fat her of al l , t he AEgi s- bear i ng Ki ng! {83) }
Spouse, daught er , mot her of God,
Queen of t he bl est abode
I n Cypr us' spl endour si ngl y gl i t t er i ng.
Sweet si st er unt o me,
I cr y al oud t o t hee!
I l augh upon t hee l aughi ng, O dew caught up f r omsea!
Dr awn by shar p spar r ow and dove,
And swan' s wi de pl umes of l ove,
And al l t he swal l ow' s swi f t er vehemence,
And, subt l er t han t he Sphi nx,
The i nef f abl e i ynx
Her al ds t hy spl endour swooni ng i nt o sense,
When f r omt he bl uest bower s
And gr eenest - hear t ed hour s
Of Heaven t hou smi l ' st t owar d ear t h, a mi r acl e of f l ower s!
Down t o t he l ovel ess sea
Wher e l ay Per sephone
Vi ol at e, wher e t he shade of ear t h i s bl ack,
Cr yst al l i ne out of space
Fl ames t he i mmor t al f ace!
The gl or y of t he comet - t ai l ed t r ack
Bl i nds al l bl ack ear t h wi t h t ear s.
Si l ence awakes and hear s
The musi c of t hy movi ng come over t he st ar r y spher es.
Wr apped i n r ose, gr een, and gol d,
Bl ues many and mani f ol d,
A cl oud of i ncense hi des t hy spl endour of l i ght ;
Hi des f r omt he pr ayer ' s di st r ess
Thy l of t i er l ovel i ness,
Ti l l t hy vei l ' s gl or y shr ouds t he ear t h f r omni ght ;
And si l ence speaks i ndeed,
Seei ng t he subt l er speed
Of i t s own t hought t han speech of t he Pandean r eed!
[ LI BRA " r et ur ns. " {84}
VENUS. 7777777.
SATURN. Amen.
VENUS. 333- 1- 333.
SATURN. Amen.
VENUS. 1- 55555- 1.
LI BRA " and" PI SCES. Amen.
VENUS. Br ot her Sat ur n, what i s t he hour ?
SATURN. Twi l i ght .
VENUS. Si st er Pi sces, f r omwhose house ar e we come out ?
PI SCES. Fr omt he House of Deat h.
VENUS. Br ot her Taur us, what i s st r onger t han deat h?
TAURUS. Love.
VENUS. Br ot her Li br a, what i s t he pl ace?
LI BRA. The Mount ai n of Venus, t hat hanget h f r omt he navel of t he Uni ver se
over t he Gr eat Abyss.
VENUS. Let us cel ebr at e t he Ri t e of Venus.
[ LUNA " pl ays a wal t z t une. The" PROBATI ONERS " dance t oget her . " ]
VENUS. Chi l dr en of Love, what i s t he hour ?
ALL. [ " A conf used mur mur . " ] I t i s t he hour of l ove.
[ ALL " si nk down t oget her . The l i ght s go out . A l ong pause. " ] {85}
PART I I
VENUS. ( " Awakeni ng. " ) 333- 1- 333.
[ " Venus i s br i l l i ant l y i l l umi nat ed; t he r est r emai n dar k. "
VENUS. Li t t l e br ot her , what i s t he hour ?
PI SCES. The dawn i s at hand.
VENUS. Li t t l e br ot her , what i s t he pl ace?
TAURUS. I t i s t he hol y mount ai n of our Lady Venus.
VENUS. Chi l dr en, awake and r ej oi ce.
LI BRA. Awake and r ej oi ce.
PI SCES. How shal l we r ej oi ce?
TAURUS. As our Lady hat h appoi nt ed.
LI BRA. As you l i ke i t .
PI SCES. Wher ei n shal l we r ej oi ce?
TAURUS. I n our Lady Venus.
LI BRA. I n what you wi l l .
TAURUS. Thy wi l l , our l ady, and not our s be done!
PI SCES. Mi st r ess, l et t he ador at i ons be per f or med!
LI BRA. Chi l dr en, ar r ay your sel ves bef or e me, and r ej oi ce i n t he ador at i ons
of my beaut y.
[ " They f or m, each wi t h hi s par t ner . " LI BRA " di sappear s behi nd vei l . "
TAURUS " r eci t es i nvocat i on. " ]
TAURUS.
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , hol y cow i n t he past ur es of Eveni ng.
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , i n t he Mount ai n of t he West ; i n t he l and of per f ect
Peace, Sal ut at i on. {86}
A devour i ng f i r e i s t hy soul , and t he cor pses of t he dead ar e enki ndl ed at t hy
br eat h.
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , t he chi l d of I si s and of Nepht hys!
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , t he br i de of Api s, of Api s t hat hat h t he beet l e upon hi s
t ongue!
br eat h.
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , whose neckl ace i s of t he Soul s of t he bl essed ones of
Amennt i .
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , whose gi r dl e i s of t he Soul s of t he bl essed ones of Seb!
Sal ut at i on t o Hat hor , whose sandal s ar e of t he Soul s of t he bl essed ones of
Nu!
br eat h.
[ " Ret ur ns t o hi s t hr one. "
VENUS. Br ot her Li br a, ar t t hou si l ent ? [ " A pause. "
Br ot her Li br a, wher e ar t t hou?
LI BRA, " st i l l hi dden, r eci t es f r omSwi nbur ne' s " At al ant a. "
We have seen t hee, O Love, t hou ar t f ai r ; t hou ar t goodl y, O Love;
Thy wi ngs make l i ght i n t he ai r as t he wi ngs of a dove, " et c. "
. . . Fami ne, and bl i ght i ng of cor n,
When t hy t i me was come t o be bor n.
[ LI BRA " appear s and conf r ont s her . "
Al l t hese we know of ; but t hee
Who shal l di scer n or decl ar e? " et c. "
. . . Wi l t t hou ut t er l y br i ng t o an end?
Have mer cy, mot her !
VENUS. Nay, br ot her , t hou ar t t he chi ef est of my chosen.
LI BRA. Al as.
VENUS. Yea, br ot her : i n t he end al l t ur n t o me, and al l r et ur n t o me.
I si s amI , and f r ommy l i f e ar e f ed
Al l shower s and suns, al l moons t hat wax and wane;
Al l st ar s and st r eams, t he l i vi ng and t he dead,
The myst er y of pl easur e and of pai n. {87}
I amt he mot her ! I t he speaki ng sea!
I amt he ear t h and i t s f er t i l i t y!
Li f e, deat h, l ove, hat r ed, l i ght , dar kness, r et ur n t o me - - -
To me!
Hat hoor amI , and t o my beaut y dr awn
Al l gl or i es of t he Uni ver se bow down,
The bl ossomand t he mount ai n and t he dawn,
Fr ui t ' s bl ush, and woman, our cr eat i ons' s cr own.
I amt he pr i est , t he sacr i f i ce, t he shr i ne,
I amt he l ove and l i f e of t he di vi ne!
Li f e, deat h, l ove, hat r ed, l i ght , dar kness ar e sur el y mi ne - - -
Ar e mi ne!
Venus amI , t he l ove and l i ght of ear t h,
The weal t h of ki sses, t he del i ght of t ear s,
The bar r en pl easur e never come t o bi r t h,
The endl ess, i nf i ni t e desi r e of year s.
I amt he shr i ne at whi ch t hy l ong desi r e
Devour ed t hee wi t h i nt ol er abl e f i r e.
I was song, musi c, passi on, deat h, upon t hy l yr e - - -
Thy l yr e!
I amt he Gr ai l and I t he Gl or y now:
I amt he f l ame and f uel of t hy br east ;
I amt he st ar of God upon t hy br ow;
I amt hy queen, enr apt ur ed and possessed.
Hi de t hee, sweet r i ver ; wel come t o t he sea,
Ocean of l ove t hat shal l encompass t hee!
Li f e, deat h, l ove, hat r ed, l i ght , dar kness, r et ur n t o me - - -
To me!
[ PI SCES " per f or ms a sl eepy si nuous dance by her sel f , and r et ur ns t o Venus'
t hr one l apsed i nt o her sel f , and as i f exhaust ed. " ]
Ri se, r i se, my kni ght ! My ki ng! My l ove, ar i se!
See t he gr ave avenues of Par adi se,
The dewy l ar ches bendi ng at my br eat h,
Por t ent ous cedar s pr ophesyi ng deat h! {88}
[ " She i s i nt er r upt ed by t he Vi ol i n of t he t hr oned" LUNA, " who pl ays her
unut t er abl e mel ody. <>" PI SCES " mani f est s
di st r ess. "
VENUS. Br ot her Li br a, what i s t hi s song?
LI BRA
My soul i s an enchant ed boat ,
Whi ch, l i ke a sl eepi ng swan, dot h f l oat
Upon t he si l ver waves of t hy sweet si ngi ng;
And t hi ne dot h l i ke an angel si t
Besi de a hel mconduct i ng i t ,
Whi l st al l t he wi nds wi t h mel ody ar e r i ngi ng.
I t seems t o f l oat ever , f or ever ,
Upon t hat many- wi ndi ng r i ver ,
Bet ween mount ai ns, woods, abysses,
A par adi se of wi l der nesses!
Ti l l , l i ke one i n sl umber bound,
Bor ne t o t he Ocean, I f l oat down, ar ound,
I nt o a sea pr of ound, of ever - spr eadi ng sound.
Meanwhi l e t hy spi r i t l i f t s i t s pi ni ons
I n musi c' s most ser ene domi ni ons;
Cat chi ng t he wi nds t hat f an t hat happy heaven.
And we sai l on, away, af ar ,
Wi t hout a cour se, wi t hout a st ar ,
But by t he i nst i nct of sweet musi c dr i ven;
Ti l l t hr ough El ysi an gar den i sl et s
By t hee, most beaut i f ul of pi l ot s,
Wher e never mor t al pi nnace gl i ded,
The boat of my desi r e i s gui ded;
Real ms wher e t he ai r we br eat he i s l ove,
Whi ch i n t he wi nds and on t he waves dot h move,
Har moni si ng t hi s ear t h wi t h what we f eel above.
We have past Age' s i cy caves,
And Manhood' s dar k and t ossi ng waves,
And Yout h' s Smoot h ocean, smi l i ng t o bet r ay:
Beyond t he gl assy gul phs we f l ee {89}
Of shadow- peopl ed I nf ancy,
Thr ough Deat h and Bi r t h, t o a di vi ner day;
A par adi se of vaul t ed bower s,
Li t by downwar d- gazi ng f l ower s,
And wat er y pat hs t hat wi nd bet ween
Wi l der nesses cal mand gr een,
Peopl ed by shapes t oo br i ght t o see,
And r est , havi ng behel d; somewhat l i ke t hee;
Whi ch wal k upon t he sea, and chant mel odi ousl y!
[ VENUS " mani f est s di st r ess. " PI SCES " sl i ps away t o t he t hr one of " LUNA. ]
[ LUNA " pl ays her conquer i ng mel ody. <>"
VENUS. Oh! Oh!
LI BRA. Hol i er t han pl easur e i s pai n; nobl er i s abst i nence t han i ndul gence;
f r omsl ot h and f ai t h we t ur n t o t oi l and sci ence; f r omt he t ame vi ct or i es of
t he body t o t he wi l d t r i umphs of t he mi nd.
VENUS. I t i s t he r ui n of t he t empl e.
LI BRA. For f r omt hee comet h t he Ut t er ance of t he Pr esent ; but of t he
Fut ur e no wor d.
VENUS. And t hou wi l t ?
LI BRA. The Wor d.
[ SATURN " comes out and dances hi s dance, and f al l s, cl aspi ng t he hemof "
LI BRA' S " r obe. " ]
VENUS. Who i s t hi s? These ar e not my dances; t hese f oot st eps t r ead not my
measur es; not me he wor shi ps by t he paces and pauses of hi s f eet !
[ LUNA " pl ays a wi l d and hor r i bl e mel ody. <>"
[ SATURN" dr ags" LI BRA " backwar ds i nt o t he dusk. "
[ " The" PROBATI ONERS " gr oup si mi l ar l y; " MARS " wi t h" MARS " and" VENUS " wi t h"
VENUS. Some, t oo, st and i sol at ed. ] {90}
VENUS. Br ot her Taur us, ar t t hou f ai t hf ul , t hou al one?
TAURUS. [ " Seduct i vel y yet i r oni cal l y. " ] Knowest t hou not me?
VENUS. Yea, my bel oved, Lor d of al l my doves.
TAURUS. Venus, our Lady!
VENUS. Come unt o me!
[ " She hal f r i ses and dr aws hi mt o her . "
TAURUS. Wi t hi n t he vei l ?
VENUS. Ther e i s no vei l bef or e my shr i ne!
[ " She unf ast ens hi s r obe. As i t f al l s he l eaps up wi t h t he Caduceus, as"
MERCURY, " and t r ampl es her beneat h hi s f eet . " ]
TAURUS. I n t he Begi nni ng was t he Wor d; and t he Wor d was wi t h God; and t he
Wor d was God!
[ " Al l come f or war d; " SATURN " wi t h" LI BRA " l i nked; " LUNA " and" PI SCES
" l i nked; and bow t o hi m. " ]
LUNA. The Tr eason i s accompl i shed.
PI SCES. The mi nd i s nobl er t han t he body.
SATURN. Fr i endshi p i s hol i er t han l ove.
LI BRA. Nat ur e i s over come by wi t .
PI SCES. How shal l we ador e t hee?
TAURUS. As you l i ke i t .
SATURN. What shal l we sacr i f i ce?
TAURUS. Want you wi l l .
[ LUNA " pl ays a mot o per pet uo, <>" ALL, " bowi ng i n
ador at i on t o" MERCURY. ]
LI BRA. Br ot her , what i s t he hour ?
PI SCES. Dawn.
LI BRA. Let us depar t unt o t he wor k of t he day.
ALL. Amen. {91}
THE RI TE OF MERCURY
OFFI CERS
MERCURY. " Vi ol et Robe. "
FR. " and" SOR. GEMI NI . " Whi t e Danci ng Robe and Bl ack Robe. "
VI RGO. " Gr een Robe. "
FOUR PROBATI ONERS.
" Mer cur y i s t hr oned bet ween t he Twi ns. At t he west of t he Al t ar i s Vi r go, and
hi s f our at t endant s. "
{95}
THE RI TE OF MERCURY
I
MERCURY. 22- 333- 333. [ " Ful l l i ght . "
The Speech i n t he Si l ence.
The Wor ds agai nst t he Son of Ni ght .
The Voi ce of Mer cur y i n t he Uni ver se i n t he Pr esence of t he Et er nal Gods.
The For mul as of Knowl edge.
The Wi sdomof Br eat h.
The Radi x of Vi br at i on.
The Shaki ng of t he I nvi si bl e.
The Rol l i ng Asunder of t he Dar kness.
The Becomi ng Vi si bl e of Mat t er .
The Pi er ci ng of t he Coi l s of t he St oopi ng Dr agon.
The Br eaki ng For t h of t he Li ght .
[ " Al l bei ng seat ed, t he" FOUR PROBATI ONERS " r i se f r omamong t he ot her "
PROBATI ONERS " and mar ch t o t he al t ar . " ]
FI RST PROBATI ONER. 333- 333- 22. Br et hr en, l et us ki ndl e t he hol y per f umes
i n honour of t he most di vi ne God.
ALL FOUR PROBATI ONERS. [ " Whi l e he does so. " ] Hai l unt o t he most di vi ne
Lor d Mer cur y!
FI RST PROBATI ONER. [ " To" FR. GEMI NI ] Our Br ot her , chi l d {97} of t he
Voi ce, we ask Thee f or t hy hel p. Wi l t t hou pur i f y t he Templ e, t hat we may
pr oceed wi t h t he i nvocat i ons?
FR. GEMI NI . I amone wi t h you, Br et hr en!
[ " He r i ses and per f or ms t he Bani shi ng Ri t ual of t he Hexagr am. Whi l e he does
so, t he" FOUR PROBATI ONERS " st and f aci ng t he assembl y. " ]
FR. GEMI NI . Let t he r i t es of Mer cur y be cel ebr at ed.
[ " They t ur n r ound, f aci ng t he al t ar agai n. "
[ MERCURY " r eads Gemi ni and Vi r go sect i ons f r om" 963 " at al t ar . " ]
[ " The bi g l i ght s ar e put out ; onl y a smal l pur pl e l i ght r emai ns. " ]
FI RST PROBATI ONER. O Thou Lor d of Har mony! Mast er of t he Ri ght Wi l l , Thou
who hast br ought unt o us t he di vi ne seeds of sel f - knowl edge - - - we, t he humbl e
Ser vant s of t he chi l dr en of Thy voi ce, we cal l on Thee t o l ead us out of our
I gnor ance!
CHORUS OF THREE OTHER PROBATI ONERS. We cal l Thee, O Thr i ce Hol y!
FI RST PROBATI ONER. O Thou, Di vi ne Wor ker ! Mast er of al l t hat i s Di vi ne!
Her al d of al l t hat i s comi ng! Bui l der of our House! Hol y ar t Thou, Thou t hat
knowest t he Supr eme Myst er i es!
CHORUS. We cal l Thee, O Thr i ce Hol y!
FI RST PROBATI ONER. O Thou, Al l Good, we cal l Thee!
VI RGO. 1. [ " Ri si ng. " ] Not Good al one, Br et hr en! But al l compl et e i n t he
per f ect Equi l i br i um.
FR. GEMI NI . Ay, The Bal ance must be kept even. Si st er , l et us i nvoke t he
Lor d of Knowl edge!
VI RGO. He gave unt o you, chi l dr en of Hi s Voi ce, t he {98} Power of t he
maki ng of f ai r t hi ngs. Si ng ye unt o your Shepher d!
FR. GEMI NI . [ " Ri ses and st ands bef or e" MERCURY. ] O Spi r i t , O Di vi ne
Messenger , Mi ght y One, most mi ght y ci r cl i ng and al l compr ehendi ng Di vi ne
Bear er of t he Wand, hai l ! Coel est i al , aet her eal , i nt er - aet her eal , wat er l i ke,
ai r l i ke, f i r e l i ke, ear t h l i ke, l i ke unt o l i ght , l i ke unt o dar kness, shi ni ng
as do t he St ar s, moi st , hot , col d Spi r i t , hai l t o Thee, ever l aughi ng Chi l d-
God, al l - knowi ng. Thr ough Thee al one can we hope t o r each Li ght and Tr ut h.
[ " Ret ur ns t o hi s seat . "
[ SOR. GEMI NI " pl ays accor di ngl y. <>"
[ " A shor t pause. "
MERCURY. At t he Endi ng of t he Li ght ,
At t he Li mi t s of t he Ni ght ,
St ood Mer cur y bef or e t he Unbor n ones of Ti me.
Then was f or mul at ed t he Uni ver se;
Then came f or t h t he Gods t her eof ,
The aeons of t he Bor nl ess Beyond.
Then was t he Voi ce vi br at ed;
Then was t he Name decl ar ed.
At t he Thr eshol d of Ent r ance,
Bet ween t he Uni ver se and t he I nf i ni t e,
I n t he Si gn of t he Ent er er
St ood Mer cur y, as bef or e hi m
The aeons wer e pr ocl ai med.
I n Symbol s di d he r ecor d t hem;
I n Br eat h di d he vi br at e t hem;
For bet ween t he Li ght and t he Dar kness di d he
st and. {99}
I I
" The Templ e i n Dar kness"
MERCURY.
O Li ght i n Li ght ! O f l ashi ng wi ngs of f i r e!
The swi f t est of t he moment s of t he sea
I s unt o t hee
Even as some sl ow- f oot Et er ni t y
Wi t h l i mbs t hat dr ag and wheel s t hat t i r e.
O subt l e- mi nded f l ame of amber gyr e,
I t seems a spar k of gol d
Gr own pur pl e, and behol d!
A f l ame of gr ay!
Then t he dar k ni ght - wi ngs gl ow
Wi t h i r i descent i ndi go,
Shot wi t h some vi ol et r ay;
And al l t he vi si on f l ames acr oss t he hor i zon
The mi l l i ont h of no t i me - - - and when we say:
Hai l ! - - - Thou ar t gone!
The Moon i s dar k besi de t hy cr own; t he Sun
Seems a pal e i mage of t hy body bar e;
And f or t hi ne hai r
Fl ash comet s l ust r ous wi t h t he dewf al l r ar e
Of t ear s of t hat most memor abl e One,
The r adi ant Queen, t he vei l ed Paphi an.
The wi ngs of l i ght di vi ne
Beneat h t hy body shi ne;
The i nvi si bl e
Rayed wi t h some t angi bl e f l ame,
Seeki ng t o f or mul at e a name, {100}
A ci t adel ;
And t he wi nged heel s ar e f i er y wi t h enor mous speed,
One spur ni ng heaven; t he ot her t r ampl i ng hel l ;
And t hou - - - r ecede!
O Her mes! Messenger of i nmost t hought !
Descend! Abi de! Swi f t cour si ng i n my vei ns
Shoot dazzl i ng pai ns,
The Wor d of Sel f hood i nt egr at e of Nought ,
The i nef f abl e Amen! t he Wonder wr ought .
Br i ng deat h i f l i f e exceed!
Bi d t hy pal e Her mi t bl eed,
Yet l i f e exude;
And Wi sdomand t he Wor d of Hi m
Dr ench t he mut e mi nd gr own di m
Wi t h qui et ude!
Fi x t hy shar p l i ght ni ngs i n my ni ght ! My spi r i t f r ee!
Mi x wi t h my br eat h and l i f e and name t hy mood
And sel f of Thee.
[ " A shor t pause. "
FR. GEMI NI . Mast er , be i t t hy pl easur e t o per f or mt he I nvocat i on of
Mer cur y.
[ " Al l " PROBATI ONERS " r i se and j oi n t he f our ot her s i n f r ont of t he al t ar . " ]
MERCURY. [ " Leaves t hr one. " ] Maj est y of t he Godhead, Wi sdom- cr owned Thot h,
Lor d of t he Gat es of t he Uni ver se: Thee, Thee we i nvoke!
O Thou of t he I bi s head: Thee, Thee we i nvoke!
Thou who wi el dest t he Wand of Doubl e Power : Thee, Thee we i nvoke!
Thou who bear est i n Thy l ef t hand t he Rose and Cr oss of Li ght and l i f e:
Thee, Thee we i nvoke!
O Thou whose head i s as an Emer al d, and Thy Nemyss {101} as t he ni ght sky-
bl ue! Thou whose ski n i s of f l ami ng or ange, as t hough i t bur ned i n a f ur nace:
Thee, Thee we i nvoke!
Behol d, I amyest er day, t o- day, and t he br ot her of The Mor r ow! I ambor n
agai n and agai n. Mi ne i s t he unseen f or ce f r omwhi ch t he Gods ar e spr ung;
t hat gi vet h l i f e unt o t he dwel l er s i n t he wat ch- t ower s of t he uni ver se.
I amt he char i ot eer of t he East , Lor d of t he Past and t he Fut ur e. I see by
mi ne own i nwar d l i ght ; Lor d of Resur r ect i on, who comet h f or t h f r omt he dusk,
and whose bi r t h i s f r omt he House of Deat h.
O ye t wo di vi ne hawks upon your pi nnacl es, who keep wat ch over t he
Uni ver se! Ye who company t he bi er unt o t he House of Rest . Ye who pi l ot t he
Shi p of Ra, ever advanci ng onwar ds unt o t he hei ght s of Heaven!
Lor d of t he Shr i ne whi ch st andet h i n t he cent r e of t he Ear t h!
Behol d He i s i n me and I i n Hi m!
Mi ne i s t he r adi ance i n whi ch Pt ah f l oat et h over hi s f i r mament .
I t r avel upon hi gh.
I t r ead upon t he f i r mament of Nu.
I r ai se a f l ashi ng f l ame wi t h t he l i ght ni ng of mi ne eye, ever r ushi ng
f or war d i n t he spl endour of t he dai l y gl or i f i ed Ra, gi vi ng my l i f e t o t he
dwel l er s of Ear t h.
I f I say " come up upon t he mount ai ns, "
The Cel est i al wat er s shal l f l ow at my wor d;
For I amRa i ncar nat e,
Kephr a cr eat ed i n t he f l esh! {102}
I amt he i mage of my Fat her Tmu, Lor d of t he Ci t y of t he Sun!
The God who commands i s i n my mout h;
The God of Wi sdomi s i n my hear t :
My t ongue i s t he sanct uar y of Tr ut h:
And a God si t t et h upon my l i ps!
My wor d i s accompl i shed each day, and t he desi r e of my hear t r eal i ses
i t sel f , l i ke t hat of Pt ah when he cr eat es hi s wor ks.
I amEt er nal ; t her ef or e ever yt hi ng act s accor di ng t o my desi gns, and
ever yt hi ng obeys my wor ds.
Ther ef or e I say unt o Thee: come f or t h unt o me f r omt hi ne abode i n t he
Si l ence, unut t er abl e Wi sdom, Al l - l i ght , Al l - power ! Thot h, Her mes, Mer cur y,
Odi n, by what ever name I cal l Thee, Thou ar t st i l l un- named and namel ess t o
Et er ni t y! Come t hou f or t h, I say, and ai d and guar d me i n t hi s Wor k of Ar t .
Thou, St ar of t he East t hat di dst conduct t he Magi ! Thou ar t t he same, al l
pr esent i n Heaven and i n Hel l . Thou t hat vi br at est bet wi xt t he Li ght and t he
Dar kness. Ri si ng, descendi ng; changi ng ever , yet ever t he same!
The Sun i s Thy Fat her !
Thy Mot her t he Moon!
The Wi nd hat h bor ne Thee i n i t s bosom!
And Ear t h hat h nour i shed t he changel ess Godhead of Thy Yout h.
Come t hou f or t h, I say, come Thou f or t h
And make al l spi r i t s subj ect unt o me!
So t hat ever y spi r i t of t he f i r mament , {103}
And of t he Et her ,
Of t he Ear t h,
And under t he Ear t h,
On dr y l and,
And i n t he Wat er ,
Of whi r l i ng Ai r ,
And of r ushi ng Fi r e,
And ever y spel l and scour ge of God, may be obedi ent
unt o Me!
[ " A pause. "
[ MERCURY " goes t o hi s t hr one. "
FR. GEMI NI . 1. Br ot her Vi r go, di dst t hou hear t he Voi ce?
VI RGO. Ay, Br ot her .
FR. GEMI NI . Tel l me, Br ot her , i s not Mer cur y a gr eat God?
VI RGO. I ndeed, Son of Mai a, t he gr eat est of al l Gods t hat t r ead upon t he
Mi l ky Way.
FR. GEMI NI . I t i s so.
SOR. GEMI NI . Yet , Br ot her , t her e i s t he Sun- God!
VI RGO. I s not Mer cur y t he Sun- God, when hi dden dur i ng t he Ni ght , among t he
soul s of t he dead? Hai l unt o Thee, Tr i smegi st us, Hai l unt o t hee!
SOR. GEMI NI . Hai l , O Sender of Dr eams!
BR. GEMI NI . Hai l , O Suppor t er of Bacchus I nf ant !
MERCURY. Hai l , Twi ns!
FI RST PROBATI ONER. Thou ar t i ndeed t he gr eat est of al l Gods, O Mer cur y!
CHORUS. Hai l , Mer cur y.
MERCURY. Yet , ye wi l l bet r ay me!
Bur y me i n a namel ess gr ave!
I came f r omGod t he wor l d t o save,
I br ought i t wi sdomf r omabove, {104}
Wor shi p, and l i ber t y, and l ove.
So be my gr ave wi t hout a name
That ear t h may swal l ow up my shame!
[ SOR. GEMI NI " pl ays her saddest yet swi f t est mel ody. <>"
[ " A pause. "
VI RGO. O, who ar t Thou, most l ovel y f or mt hat ki l l et h me wi t h t he pl easur e
of Thy Vi si on?
MERCURY. I amt hysel f - - - t hat whi ch i s of t hysel f and dependent upon
t hysel f .
VI RGO. Si st er and Br ot her Gemi ni , kneel ye bef or e t he gr eat est of al l
Gods.
FR. GEMI NI . Al as, Br ot her ! I s t he Speech gr eat er t han t he Si l ence?
VI RGO. 1. Br et hr en, kneel ye bef or e t he gr eat est of al l Gods!
[ " None obey. "
MERCURY. 1. Si l ence. . . . Thou hast no f ol l ower s, Br ot her .
SOR. GEMI NI . Behol d t hi ne handmai den! Wher e t hou goest I wi l l go; t hy
peopl e shal l be my peopl e and t hy God my God! [ " She wal ks t o t he t hr one. "
MERCURY. Peace upon t hee, bel oved! . . . But t he Br et hr en say soot h. Even
Mer cur y l i vet h not f or ever .
[ " He r eci t es. "
The l i ght st r eams st r onger t hr ough t he l amps of sense.
I nt el l i gence
Gr ows as we go. Al as: i t s i cy gl i mmer
Shows di mmer , di mmer
The awf ul vaul t s we t r aver se. Wer e t he sun
Hi msel f t he one
Gl or y of space, he woul d but i l l ust r at e
The ni ght of Fat e.
Ar e not t he host s of heaven i n vai n ar r ayed?
Thei r l i ght di smayed {105}
Bef or e t he vast bl i nd spaces of t he sky?
O gal axy
Of t housands upon t housands cl osel y cur l ed,
Your gol den wor l d
I ncal cul abl y smal l , i t s cl osest cl ust er
Mer e mi l ky l ust r e
St ai ni ng t he i nf i ni t e dar kness! Base and bl i nd
Our mi ni on mi nd
Seeks a gr eat l i ght , a l i ght suf f i ci ent , l i ght
I nsuf f er abl y br i ght ,
Hence hi dden f or an hour : i magi ni ng
Thi s vast vai n t hi ng,
We cal l i t God, and Fat her . Empt y hand
And pr ayer unpl anned
St r et ched f at uous t o t he voi d. Ah! men my f r i ends
What f ur y sends
Thi s f ol l y t o i nt oxi cat e your hear t s?
Dr ead ai r di spar t s
Your vi t al ways f r omt hese unsavour y f ol l i es;
Bl ack mel anchol i es
Si t st r addl ed on your bended backs. The t hr one
Of t he unknown
I s f i t f or chi l dr en. We ar e t oo wel l war e
How vai n i s pr ayer ,
How nought i s gr eat , si nce al l i s i mmanent
The vast cont ent
Of al l t he uni ver se unal t er abl e.
We know t oo wel l
How no one t hi ng abi des awhi l e at al l ,
How al l t hi ngs f al l ,
Fal l f r omt hei r seat , t he l ament abl e pl ace,
Bef or e t hei r f ace,
Wear y and pass and ar e no mor e. So we,
Si nce hope must be,
Look t o t he f ut ur e, t o t he chance mi nut e
That l i f e may shoot
Some f l ower at l east t o bl ossomi n t he ni ght ,
Si nce vi t al l i ght
I s sur e t o f ai l us on t he hi deous way.
What ? Must we pr ay! {106}
Ver i l y, O t hou l i t t l est babe, t oo weak
To st i r or speak,
Capabl e har dl y of a t hought , yet seed
Of wor d and deed!
To t hi ne assur ed f r ui t i on we may t r ust
Thi s wear y dust .
We who ar e ol d, and pal si ed ( and so wi se! )
Li f t up our eyes
To l i t t l e chi l dr en, as t he st or m- t ossed bar k
Hai l s i n t he dar k
Some har dl y vi si bl e har bour l i ght ; we hol d
The hour s of gol d
To our own br east s, whose hour s ar e i r on and br ass: - - -
So swi f t t hey pass
And gr i nd us down: - - - we hol d t he wondr ous l i ght
Our scat t er i ng si ght
Yet sees, t he one st ar i n a ni ght of woe.
We t r ust , and so
Li f t up our voi ces i n t he dyi ng day
I ndeed t o pr ay:
O l i t t l e hands t hat ar e so sof t and st r ong,
Lead us al ong!
[ " A pause. "
FR. GEMI NI . Br ot her Vi r go, wi l t t hou not j oi n us who l ove not Speech?
VI RGO. Hai l unt o Mer cur y. He ki l l et h Sol at t he cl ose of ever y Twi l i ght ,
and hanget h up t he sky of Ni ght on t he Tr ee of Heaven, f ast ened up wi t h t he
St ar - headed nai l s.
MERCURY. Br ot her Gemi ni , do Thou per f or mt he dance of t hy Vi r gi nal Si st er .
[ FR. GEMI NI " dances. "
[ " At t he end of hi s dance, he f al l s bef or e t he al t ar . " SOROR GEMI NI " and
al l " PROBATI ONERS " ci r cumambul at e r ound hi m, t hen st op, f aci ng"
MERCURY. ]
{107}
MERCURY. Come, Si st er , no Di vi ne Bei ng can be r eached, save t hr ough Me.
[ " He descends, and j oi ns t he" PROBATI ONERS, " l eadi ng" SOROR GEMI NI " by t he
hand. " ]
[ VI RGO, " l ef t now al one bef or e t he empt y shr i ne of " MERCURY, " wal ks sl owl y i n
f r ont of i t . " ]
VI RGO. Hai l unt o t he Lor d Mer cur y!
[ " A pause, dur i ng whi ch al l " PROBATI ONERS " bend t hei r heads l ow. " MERCURY
st ands apar t wi t h" SOR. GEMI NI . VI RGO " st ands st i l l bef or e t he shr i ne,
hooded. " ]
MERCURY. And t hi s wor d I speak unt o ye:
[ " He i s hear d whi sper i ng. "
St i BeTTChePhMeFShi SS
[ " A pause. "
MERCURY. ( " l oudl y" ) . Konx OmPax!
[ " Pur pl e l i ght of f , whi t e l i ght on. "
[ " He seat s" SOR. GEMI NI " upon hi s Thr one. She pl ays her babe-
musi c. <>" }
FR. GEMI NI . The wi l l of t he Gods be accompl i shed!
[ " Al l depar t . "
{108}
THE RI TE OF LUNA
OFFI CERS
LUNA. " Si l ver Robe and Vei l . Vi ol i n. Ar t emi s. The Lady of t he Moon. "
CANCER. " Amber Robe. Cup. War den of t he Hol y Gr aal . "
TAURUS. " Or ange Robe. Bow and Qui ver . The Lor d of t he Bow. "
A NYMPH. " Whi t e r obe. The Head of t he Dr agon. "
A SATYR. " Bl ack Robe. The Tai l of t he Dr agon. "
PAN. " Bl ack Robe, Tom- t om. "
" I n t he East Luna i s t hr oned, Cancer on her r i ght , Taur us on her l ef t . Beyond
t hese t he Sat yr and t he Nymph. At t he apex of a descendi ng Tr i angl e,
upon t he ear t h, Pan. "
{111}
THE RI TE OF LUNA
" One r eci t et h " The Twel vef ol d Cer t i t ude of God, " f r om" 963
" The vei l i s wi t hdr awn. "
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
TAURUS. 333- 333- 333.
CANCER. 1. Br ot her Taur us, what i s t he hour ?
TAURUS. Moonr i se.
CANCER. 1. Br ot her Taur us, what i s t he pl ace?
TAURUS. The Chapel of t he Hol y Gr aal .
CANCER. 1. What i s my of f i ce?
TAURUS. War den of t he Gr aal .
CANCER. 1. What i s my r obe?
TAURUS. Chast i t y.
CANCER. 1. What i s my weapon?
TAURUS. Vi gi l ance.
CANCER. 1. Whomdo we ser ve?
TAURUS. The Lady Ar t emi s.
CANCER. 1. How many ar e her ser vant s?
TAURUS. Ni ne.
CANCER. 1. Who ar e t hey?
TAURUS. Thr ee f or t he dew; t hr ee f or t he r ai n; and t hr ee f or t he snow.
CANCER. 1. Who ar e t he gr eat Of f i cer s? {113}
TAURUS. Thysel f , t he War den of t he Hol y Gr aal .
Mysel f , t he Lor d of t he Bow.
A nymph, a sat yr - - -
PAN. 1. And Pan!
CANCER. Br ot her Pan, I command t hee t o honour our Lady Ar t emi s.
TAURUS. Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
[ PAN" r eci t es chor us f r omSwi nbur ne' s " At al ant a. "
When t he hounds of spr i ng ar e on wi nt er ' s t r aces . . .
The wol f t hat f ol l ows, t he f awn t hat f l i es.
TAURUS. The Goddess st i r s not .
CANCER. Si l ence i s t he secr et of our Lady Ar t emi s.
PAN. Hat h no man l i f t ed her vei l ?
CANCER. No man hat h l i f t ed her vei l .
CANCER. 333- 333- 333. I t i s t he hour of seal i ng up t he shr i ne.
TAURUS. Let us bani sh t he spi r i t s of t he el ement s.
[ " Per f or ms t he Lesser Bani shi ng Ri t ual of t he Pent agr amand r et ur ns. " ]
Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333. Let us bani sh t he spi r i t s of t he pl anet s.
[ " Per f or ms t he Lesser Bani shi ng Ri t ual of t he Hexagr amand r et ur ns. " ]
CANCER. Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
PAN. 333- 333- 333. Let us bani sh t he hol y Emanat i ons f r omt he One, l est
our Lady' s sl eep be st i r r ed.
[ " He bani shes t he Sephi r ot h by t he appoi nt ed Ri t ual . " {114}
Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333. Br ot her Taur us, t he shr i ne i s wel l guar ded.
TAURUS. The shr i ne i s per f ect l y guar ded.
SATYR. Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
PAN.
Hear me, Lor d of t he St ar s!
For t hee I have wor shi pped ever
Wi t h st ai ns and sor r ows and scar s,
Wi t h j oyf ul , j oyf ul endeavour .
Hear me, O l i l y- whi t e goat !
O cr i sp as a t hi cket of Thor ns,
Wi t h a col l ar of gol d f or Thy t hr oat ,
A scar l et bow f or Thy hor ns!
Her e, i n t he dust y ai r ,
I bui l d Thee a shr i ne of yew.
Al l gr een i s t he gar l and I wear ,
But I f eed i t wi t h bl ood f or dew!
Af t er t he or ange bar s
That r i bbed t he gr een west dyi ng
Ar e dead, O Lor d of t he St ar s,
I come t o Thee, come t o Thee cr yi ng.
The ambr osi al moon t hat ar ose
Wi t h br east s sl ow heavi ng i n spl endour
Dr ops wi ne f r omher i nf i ni t e snows,
I nef f abl y, ut t er l y, t ender .
O moon! ambr osi al moon!
Ar i se on my deser t of sor r ow,
That t he magi cal eyes of me swoon
Wi t h l ust of r ai n t o- mor r ow!
Ages and ages ago
I st ood on t he bank of a r i ver ,
Hol y and hol y and hol y, I know,
For ever and ever and ever ! {115}
A pr i est i n t he myst i cal shr i ne,
I mut t er ed a r edel ess r une,
Ti l l t he wat er s wer e r edder t han wi ne
I n t he bl ush of t he har l ot moon.
I and my br ot her pr i est s
Wor shi pped a wonder f ul woman
Wi t h a body l i t he as a beast ' s
Subt l y, hor r i bl y human.
Deep i n t he pi t of her eyes
I saw t he i mage of deat h,
And I dr ew t he wat er of si ghs
Fr omt he wel l of her l ul l aby br eat h.
She si t t et h vei l ed f or ever ,
Br oodi ng over t he wast e.
She hat h st i r r ed or spoken never .
She i s f i er cel y, manl y chast e!
What madness make me awake
Fr omt he si l ence of ut most el d
The gr ey col d sl i me of t he snake
That her poi sonous body hel d?
By ni ght I r avi shed a mai d
Fr omher f at her ' s camp t o t he cave.
I bar ed t he beaut i f ul bl ade:
I di pped her t hr i ce i ' t he wave;
I sl i t her t hr oat as a l amb' s
That t he f ount of bl ood l eapt hi gh
Wi t h my cl amor ous di t hyr ambs,
Li ke a st ai n on t he shi el d of t he sky.
Wi t h bl ood and censer and song
I r ent t he myst er i ous vei l :
My eyes gaze l ong and l ong
On t he deep of t hat bl i ssf ul bal e.
My col d gr ey ki sses awake
Fr omt he si l ence of ut most el d
The gr ey col d sl i me of t he snake
That her beaut i f ul body hel d. {116}
But - - - God! I was not cont ent
Wi t h t he bl asphemous secr et of year s;
The vei l i s har dl y r ent
Whi l e t he eyes r ai n st ones f or t ear s.
So I cl ung t o t he l i ps and l aughed
As t he st or ms of deat h abat ed,
The st or ms of t he gr i evi ous gr af t
By t he swi ng of her soul unsat ed.
Wher ef or e r ebor n as I am
By a st r eampr of ane and f oul ,
I n t he r ei gn of a Tor t ur ed Lamb,
I n t he r eal mof a sexl ess Owl ,
I amset apar t f r omt he r est
By meed of t he myst i c r une
That r eads i n per i l and pest
The ambr osi al moon - - - t he moon!
For under t he t awny st ar
That shi nes i n t he Bul l above
I can r ei n t he r i ot ous car
Of gal l opi ng, gal l opi ng Love;
And st r ai ght t o t he st eady r ay
Of t he Li on- hear t Lor d I car eer ,
Poi nt i ng my f l ami ng way
Wi t h t he spasmof ni ght f or a spear !
O moon! O secr et sweet !
Chal cedony cl ouds of car esses
About t he f l ame of our f eet ,
The ni ght of our t er r i bl e t r esses!
I s i t a wonder , t hen,
I f t he peopl e ar e mad wi t h bl i ndness,
And not hi ng i s st r anger t o men
Than si l ence, and wi sdom, and ki ndness?
Nay! l et hi mf ashi on an ar r ow
Whose hear t i s sober and st out !
Let hi mpi er ce hi s God t o t he mar r ow!
Let t he soul of hi s God f l ow out ! {117}
Whet her a snake or a sun
I n hi s hor oscope Heaven hat h cast ,
I t i s not hi ng; ever y one
Shal l wi n t o t he moon at l ast .
The mage has wr ought by hi s ar t
A bi l l i on shapes i n t he sun.
Look t hr ough t o t he hear t of hi s hear t ,
And t he many ar e shapes of one!
An end t o t he ar t of t he mage,
And t he col d gr ey bl ank of t he pr i son!
An end t o t he adamant age!
The ambr osi al moon i s ar i sen.
I have bought a l i l y- whi t e goat
For t he pr i ce of a cr own of t hor ns,
A col l ar of gol d f or i t s t hr oat ,
A scar l et bow f or i t s hor ns;
I have bought a l ar k i n t he l i f t
For t he pr i ce of a but t of sher r y:
Wi t h t hese, and God f or a gi f t ,
I t needs no wi ne t o be mer r y!
I have bought f or a waf er of br ead
A gar den of poppi es and cl over ;
For a wat er bi t t er and dead,
A f oamof f i r e f l owi ng over .
Fr omt he Lamb and hi s pr i son f ar e
And t he Owl ' s bl i nd st upor , ar i se!
Be ye wi se, and st r ong, and f ai r ,
And t he nect ar af l oat i n your eyes!
Ar i se, O ambr osi al moon,
By t he st r ong i mmemor i al spel l ,
By t he subt l e ver i di cal r une
That i s mi ght y i n heaven and hel l !
Dr i p t hy myst i cal dews
On t he t ongues of t he t ender f auns,
I n t he shade of i ni t i at e yews,
Remot e f r omt he deser t dawns! {118}
Sat yr s and Fauns, I cal l .
Br i ng your beaut y t o man!
I amt he mat e f or ye al l ;
I amt he passi onat e Pan.
Come, O come t o t he dance,
Leapi ng wi t h wonder f ul whi ps,
Li f e on t he st r oke of a gl ance,
Deat h i n t he st r oke of t he l i ps!
I amhi dden beyond,
Shed i n a secr et si new,
Smi t t en t hr ough by t he f ond
Fol l y of wi sdomi n you!
Come, whi l e t he moon ( t he moon! )
Sheds her ambr osi al spl endour ,
Reel s i n t he r edel ess r une
I nef f abl y, ut t er l y, t ender !
Har k! t he appeal i ng cr y
Of deadl y hur t i n t he hol l ow: - - -
Hyaci nt h! Hyaci nt h! Ay!
Smi t t en t o deat h by Apol l o.
Swi f t , O mai den moon,
Send t hy r ay- dews af t er ;
Tur n t he dol or ous t une
To sof t ambi guous l aught er !
Mour n, O Maenads, mour n!
Sur el y your comf or t i s over :
Al l we l augh at you l or n.
Our s ar e t he poppi es and cl over !
O t hat mout h and eyes,
Mi schi evous, mal e, al l ur i ng!
O t hat t wi t ch of t he t hi ghs,
Dor i an past endur i ng!
Wher e i s wi sdomnow!
Wher e t he sage and hi s doubt ?
Sur el y t he sweat of t he br ow
Hat h dr i ven t he demon out . {119}
Sur el y t he scent ed sl eep
That cr owns t he equal war
I s wi ser t han onl y t o weep - - -
To weep f or ever mor e!
Now, at t he cr own of t he year ,
The decadent days of Oct ober ,
I come t o t hee, God, wi t hout f ear ;
Pi ous, chast e, and sober .
I sol emnl y sacr i f i ce
Thi s f i r st - f r ui t f l ower of wi ne
For a vehi cl e of t hy vi ce,
As I amThi ne t o be mi ne.
For f i ve i n t he year gone by
I pr ay t hee gi ve t o me one;
A l over st r onger t han I ,
A moon t o swal l ow t he sun!
May he be l i ke a l i l y- whi t e goat ,
Cr i sp as a t hi cket of t hor ns,
Wi t h a col l ar of gol d f or t hi s t hr oat ,
A scar l et bow f or hi s hor ns!
CANCER. May our Lady Ar t emi s be f avour abl e!
TAURUS. May our Lady Ar t emi s never be awakened!
[ NYMPH " comes f or war d and dances her vi r gi nal dance. "
PAN. Of what wor t h i s t he gol d i n t he mi ne?
CANCER. Br ot her Pan, be si l ent .
NYMPH. Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
PAN. [ " Reci t es. "
Mot her of Li ght , and t he Gods! Mot her of Musi c awake!
Si l ence and Speech ar e at odds; Heaven and Hel l ar e at st ake.
By t he Rose and t he Cr oss I conj ur e; I const r ai n by t he Snake and t he
Swor d;
I amhe t hat i s swor n t o endur e - - - Br i ng us t he wor d of t he Lor d!
By t he br ood of t he Bysses of Br i ght eni ng, whose God was my si r e;
By t he Lor d of t he Fl ame and t he Li ght ni ng, t he Ki ng of t he Spi r i t s of Fi r e;
{120}
By t he Lor d of t he Waves and t he Wat er s, t he Ki ng of t he Host s of t he Sea,
The f ai r est of al l of whose daught er s was mot her t o me;
By t he Lor d of t he Wi nds and t he Br eezes, t he Ki ng of t he Spi r i t s of Ai r ,
I n whose bosomt he i nf i ni t e ease i s t hat cr adl ed me t her e;
By t he Lor d of t he Fi el ds and t he Mount ai ns, t he Ki ng of t he Spi r i t s of Ear t h
That nur t ur ed my l i f e at hi s f ount ai ns f r omt he hour of my bi r t h;
By t he Wand and t he Cup I conj ur e; by t he Dagger and Di sk I const r ai n;
I amhe t hat i s swor n t o endur e; make t hy musi c agai n!
I amLor d of t he St ar and t he Seal ; I amLor d of t he Snake and t he Swor d;
Reveal us t he r i ddl e, r eveal ! Br i ng us t he wor d of t he Lor d;
As t he f l ame of t he sun, as t he r oar of t he sea, as t he st or mof t he ai r ,
As t he quake of t he ear t h - - - l et i t soar f or a boon, f or a bane, f or a snar e,
For a l ur e, f or a l i ght , f or a ki ss, f or a r od, f or a scour ge, f or a swor d - - -
Br i ng us t hy bur den of bl i ss - - - Br i ng us t he wor d of t he Lor d!
TAURUS. I n vai n t hou askest speech f r omour Lady of Si l ence:
CANCER. Bear t he Cup of Li bat i on!
PAN. 333- 333- 333.
[ " Reci t es. "
Rol l t hr ough t he caver ns of mat t er , t he wor l d' s i r r emovabl e bounds!
Rol l , ye wi l d bi l l ows of et her ! t he Si st r on i s shaken and sounds!
Wi l d and sonor ous t he cl amour , vast i n t he r egi on of deat h.
Li ve wi t h t he f i r e of t he Spi r i t , t he essence and f l ame of t he br eat h!
Sound, O sound!
Gl eami n t he wor l d of t he dar k, wher e t he chai ned ones shal l t r embl e and f l ee!
Gl eami n t he ski es of t he dusk, f or t he Li ght of t he Dawn i s i n me!
Li ght on t he f or ehead and l i f e i n t he nost r i l s, and l ove i n t he br east ,
Shi ne, O Thou St ar of t he Dawni ng, t hou Sun of t he Radi ant Cr est !
Shi ne, O shi ne!
Fl ame t hr ough t he sky i n t he st r engt h of t he char i ot - wheel s of t he Sun!
Fl ame, ye young f i nger s of l i ght , on t he west of t he mor ni ng t hat r un! {121}
Fl ame, O t hou Met eor Car , f or my f i r e i s exal t ed i n t hee!
Li ght en t he dar kness and her al d t he dayl i ght , and waken t he sea!
Fl ame, O f l ame!
Cr own Her , O cr own Her wi t h st ar s as wi t h f l ower s f or a vi r gi nal gaud!
Cr own Her , O cr own Her wi t h Li ght and t he f l ame of t he down- r ushi ng Swor d!
Cr own Her , O cr own Her wi t h Love f or mai den and mot her and wi f e!
Hai l unt o I si s! Hai l ! For She i s t he Lady of Li f e!
I si s cr owned!
CANCER. I n vai n t hou i nvokest our Lady of t he Moon!
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
PAN.
Must ever y st ar t hat saves t he ni ght
Gl eamf ear f ul l y af ar ,
Gi ve no man l ove, but onl y l i ght ,
Or cease t o be a st ar ?
Nay, t her e' s no man si nce t i me began
Thr ough t he ages unt i l now,
But won t he goal of hi s set soul ,
A st ar upon hi s br ow!
Oh! t hough no st ar ser ene as t hou
Shi ne i n my ni ght f or l or n,
Come, l et me set t hee on my br ow,
And make i t s dar kness mor n!
PAN. [ " Ri ses. " ] Br ot her Sat yr , scour ge f or t h t hese t hat pr of ane t he
sanct uar y of our Lady: f or t hey know not t he secr et of t he shr i ne.
[ SATYR " dances t he dance of t he scour ge, dr i vi ng t he of f i cer s down t he
st age, wher e t hey cr ouch. " ]
PAN. [ " Goes t o al t ar . " ] Br ot her Sat yr , I command you t o per f or mt he dance
of Syr i nx and Pan, i n honour of our Lady Ar t emi s. {122}
SATYR. And i n t hi ne honour !
[ " He dances t he dance and f al l s pr ost r at e i n t he mi dst . "
PAN. [ " Advanci ng t o t he Thr one of Luna. " ]
Unchar mabl e char mer
Of Bacchus and Mar s,
I n t he soundi ng r eboundi ng
Abyss of t he st ar s!
O vi r gi n i n ar mour ,
Thi ne ar r ows unsl i ng
I n t he br i l l i ant r esi l i ent
Fi r st r ays of t he spr i ng!
By t he f or ce of t he f ashi on
Of l ove, when I br oke
Thr ough t he shr oud, t hr ough t he cl oud,
Thr ough t he st or m, t hr ough t he smoke,
To t he mount ai n of passi on
Vol cani c t hat woke - - -
By t he r age of t he mage
I i nvoke, I i nvoke!
By t he mi dni ght of madness,
The l one- l yi ng sea,
The swoon of t he moon,
Your swoon i nt o me;
The sent i nel sadness
Of cl i f f - cl i ngi ng pi ne,
That ni ght of del i ght
You wer e mi ne, you wer e mi ne!
Your wer e mi ne, O my sai nt ,
My mai den, my mat e,
By t he mi ght of t he r i ght
Of t he ni ght of our f at e.
Though I f al l , t hough I f ai nt ,
Though I char , t hough I choke,
By t he hour of our power
I i nvoke, I i nvoke! {123}
By t he myst i cal uni on
Of f ai r y and f aun,
Unspoken, unbr oken - - -
The dusk t o t he dawn! - - -
A secr et communi on,
Unmeasur ed, unsung,
The l i st l ess, r esi st l ess,
Tumul t uous t ongue! - - -
O vi r gi n i n ar mour
Thi ne ar r ows unsl i ng,
I n t he br i l l i ant r esi l i ent
Fi r st r ays of t he spr i nt !
No Godhead coul d char mher ,
But manhood awoke - - -
O f i er y Val kyr i e,
I i nvoke, I i nvoke!
[ " He t ear s down t he vei l . "
[ LUNA " pl ays accor di ngl y. <>"
[ " A l ong si l ence. "
CANCER. 333- 333- 333.
TAURUS. 1. Br ot her War den of t he Gr aal , our t ask i s ended.
CANCER. Let us depar t , i t i s accompl i shed.
{124}
[Wintrhawk]

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