The Sword of Song

APPENDIX II 80 that word, and wiping his blade he kissed it and went on, knowing that his luck should now be ill. And ill it was, for a tem ple was set up in his way , and there he saw the grisly Goat enthroned. But he knew better than to judge a goat from a goat’s head and hoofs. And the first week he s acrificed to that goat 1 a crown every day. The second a p hallus. The third a silver vase of blood. The fourth a roy al sceptre. The fifth a sword. The sixth a heart. The seventh a garland of flowers. The eighth a grass-snake. The ninth a sickle. And the tenth week did he daily offer up his own body . Said the goat: “Though I be not an ox, yet am I a sword.” “ Masked, O God !” cried the Adept. “ Verily, an thou hadst not sacrificed—” There was silence. And under the Goat’s throne was a rainbow 2 of seven colours: our Father fitted himself as an arrow to the string (and the string was waxed well, dipped in a leaden pot wherein boiled amber and wine) and s hot through stormy heavens. And they that saw him saw a woman wondrous fair 3 robed in flames of hair, moon-sandalled, sun-belted, with torch and vase of fire and water. And he trailed comet-clouds of glory upward. Thus came our Father (Blessed be his name!) to Death, 4 who stood, scythe in hand, opposed. And ever and anon he swept round, and men fell before him. “Look,” said Death, “my sickle hath a cross-handle. See how they grow like flowers !” “Give me salt !” quoth our Father. And with sulphur (that the Goat had given him) and with salt did he bestrew the ground. “I see we shall have ado together,” say s Death. “Aye!” and with that he lops off Death’s cross-handle. Now Death was wroth indeed, for he saw that our Father had wit of his designs (and they were right foul !), but he bade him pass forthwith through his dominion. And our Father could not at that tim e stay him: though for himself had he cut off the grip, y et for others —well, let each m an take his s word! The way went through a forest. Now between two trees hung a man by one heel (Love was that tree).5 Crossed were his legs, and his arms behind his head, that hung ever downw ards, the fingers locked. “Who art thou ?” quoth our Father. “He that came before thee.” “Who am I ?” “ He that com eth after m e.” W ith that wors hipped our F ather, and took a present of a great jewel fro m him, and went his way s. And he was bitterly a-cold, for that was th e great W ater he had passed. But our Father’s paps glittered with cold, black light, and likewise his navel. Wherefore he was comforted. Now cam e the sudden twittering of heart lest the firm ament beneath him were not stable, and lo! he danceth up and down as a very cork on waters of wailing. “Woman,” he bade sternly, “ be still. Cleave that with thy sword: or that m ust I well work?” But she cleft the cords, bitter-faced, smiling goddess as she was; 1 The sacrifices are the ten Sephiroth. 2 See Table. 3 Ancient form of the Key of s. 4 Considered as the agent of resurrection. 5 In the true key of m the tree is shap ed like the letter d = Venus or love. The figure of the man forms a cr oss above a tr iangle, with apex upwar ds, the sign of redemption. Adest Rosa Secreta Eros. Hermaphrodi- tus. Mors Janua Vitae. Adeptus. Terrae Ultor Anima Terrae.