The Star in the West

180 THE STAR IN THE WEST XVIII . I dare not to the greater sins aspire ; I might-so gross am 1 --- take pleasure in These filthy holocausts , that burn to sin A damned incense in the hellish fire Of human lust - earth's joys no heaven may win ; Pain holds the prize In blood - stained hands ; Love laughs , with anguish in His eyes . Also he sees how dangerous it is to sip from the cup of “ little common sins . ” Sins nurtured by trust in man's forgiveness ; then struck with the horror of the still small voice , he bids God break his unrepentant will , and let the kiss of life : XXI . Melt on my lips to flame , fling back the gates of Dis ! This is the true conquest of life , the salvation of a soul wandering through the mazy depths of existence . At length filled with the experience of worldly things seeking the Sublime , he finds it. The kingdom of Dis , the terrors of Death are vanquished , “ and , like this in substantial pageant faded , leave not a rack behind .” Yet how difficult is all this without the guidance of a master hand , the hand which supports but does not hold , directing but never compelling . Then the Isis of Aceldama is unveiled , and the secret is caught from the age - worn lips of the Sphinx . On the crimson field of the Exoteric the body of ex clusive Esoterism lies dead , the soul has sloughed the skin of caste , has riven the fetters of law , has smitten the last head from the hydra of religion ; and rises as an eagle - winged serpent , sublime , neither good nor evil , pristine , Adamic , immaculate :