ACTUS SECUNDUS 13
That Wisdom crieth in the streets aloud
And none regardeth her? Obey my voice.
JASON.
O master of Apollo’s lyre and light!
We are not wise—and for that very cause
We meet to-day to call on Wisdom.
ORPHEUS.
Well!
The altar stands, shadowing the Universe
That with my fire of Knowledge I destroy—
And there is Wisdom—but invoke Her not,
Friends, Who is only when none other is.
JASON.
Let us begin: the hour draws on apace.
Drive off the demons from the sacrifice!
ORPHEUS.
Let all the demons enter and dwell therein!
My friends, ye are as ignorant as priests!
Let there be silence while the sleeper wakes!
O coiled and constricted and chosen!
O tortured and twisted and twined!
Deep spring of my soul deep frozen,
The sleep of the truth of the mind!
As a bright snake curled
Round the vine of the World!
E