The Mother’s Tragedy

100 THE GROWTH OF GOD Thus, till the monster-birth of serpent-man Linked in corruption with the serpent-woman, Slavering in lust and pain—creation’s ban. The horrible beginning of the human. The savage monkey leaping on his mate; The upright posture for sure murder taken ; The gibberings modified to spit out hate. Struggle to manhood—surely God-forsaken. The bestial cause of Morals—fear and hate. At last the anguish-vomit of despair, The growth of reason—and its pangs abate No whit: the knife replaces the arm bare. Fear grows, and torment; and distracted pain Must from sheer agony some respite find; When some half-maddened miserable brain Projects a God in his detesting mind. God who made him—to the core all evil, In his own image—and a God of Terror ; A vast foul nightmare, an impending devil; Compact of darkness, infamy, and error. Some bestial woman, beaten by her mates, In utter fear broke down the bar of reason; Shrieked, crawled to die; delirium abates By some good chance her terror in its season. Her ravings picture the cessation of Such life 2s she had. known: her mind conceives