The Sword of Song

THE SWORD OF SONG 40 Such reservations—and I class Myself a Christian : let us pass Back to the text whose thread we lost, And see what means this “Pentecost.” This, then, is what I seem occurred According to our Saviour’s word) That all the Saints at Pentecost Received the gift—the Holy Ghost ; Such gift implying, as I guess This very super-consciousness.59 Miracles follow as a dower ; But ah ! they used that fatal power And lost the Spirit in the act. This may be fancy or a fact ; At least it squares with super-sense Or “spiritual experience.” You do not well to swell the list Of horrid things to me imputed By calling me “materialist.” At least this thought is better suited To Western minds than is embalmed Among the doctrines of Mohammed, The dogma parthenogenetic * As told me by a fat ascetic. He said : “Your worthy friends may lack you late, But learn how Mary was immaculate !” I sat in vague expectant bliss. The story as it runs is thus : (I quote my Eastern friend60 verbatim !) The Virgin, going to the bath, Found a young fellow in her path, And turned, prepared to scold and rate him ! “How dare you be on me encroaching ?” The beautiful young gentleman, With perfect courtesy approaching, Bowed deeply, and at once began : “Fear nothing, Mary ! All is well ! I am the angel Gabriel.” She bared her right breast ; (query why ?) The angel Gabriel let fly * Concerning conception of a virgin. 715 720 725 730 735 740 745 750 Mystic mean-ing o f Pente-cost. Super-con- sciousness is the gift of the Holy Ghost. Poet not a materialist. Mohammed’s ideas. Verbatim re- port of Moslem account of the Annunciation.