The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE EQUINOX II. I pour you lustral wine, that giveth you delight both at the sunset and the dawn. 12. Come with me, and I will give you allthat is desirable upon the earth. 13. Because I give you that of which Earth and its joys are but as shadows. 14.. They flee away, but my joy abideth even unto the end. 15. I have hidden myself beneath a mask: Iam a black and terrible God. 16. With courage conquering fear shall ye approach me: ye shall lay down your heads upon mine altar, expecting the sweep of the sword. 17. But the first kiss of love shall be radiant on your lips; and all my darkness and terror shall turn to light and joy. I8. Only those who fear shall fail. Those who have bent their backs to the yoke of slavery until they can no longer stand upright; them will I despise. 19. But you who have defied the law; you who have con- quered by subtlety or force; you will I take unto me, even I will take you unto me. 20. I ask you to sacrifice nothing at mine altar; I am the God who giveth all. 21. Light, Life, Love; Force, Fantasy, Fire; these do I bring you : mine hands are full of these. 22. There is joy in the setting—out; there is joy in the journey; there is joy in the goal. 23. Only if ye are sorrowful, or weary, or angry, or dis— comforted; then ye may know that ye have lost the golden thread, the thread wherewith I guide you to the heart of the groves of Eleusis. zo