TWO FRAGMENTS OF RITUAL o. My mouth is on fire To my lord’s desire. [They exchange the holy greeting by a kiss. 1. I kneel at thy feet, And the honey is sweet. [o. plays music while 1 worships in silence. o. Exhausted, I sink. 1. I am dead, on the brink. o. Let us dance! I Let us dance! o. 1. The Lord give us power To be lost in the trance For an hour—for an hour! [They dance together. A pause of perfect stillness and silence follows; until O., sua sponte, advances and places 1. upon the altar. o. Exhaust me! 1. o. Ere I sink! I. I shall sink ! o. Drink wine! oh, drink wine! 1. Iam thine! 0. I am thine! [They drink and greet as before. Nay, drink ! 1. Art thou armed ? 0. With a knife. [o. draws the dagger from her hair. 1. Love is better than life. [o. cats a L, or af possible, the Sigil of N.O.X., on 1.’s breast. o. Let us dance! 85