THE EQUINOX
At the last circumambulation they leave him, and go
to the place between the font and the small altar,
where they kneel in adoration, their hands joined
palm to palm, and raised above their heads.
All imitate this motion.
The PRIEST returns to the East, and mounts the
first step of the altar.
THE PRIEST. Ocircle of Stars whereof our Father is but
the younger brother, marvel beyond imagination, soul of
infinite space, before whom Time is ashamed, the mind be-
wildered, and the understanding dark, not unto Thee may
we attain, unless Thine image be Love. Therefore by seed
and root and stem and bud and leaf and flower and fruit do
we invoke Thee.
Then the priest answered & said unto the Queen of
Space, kissing her lovely brows, and the dew of her light
bathing his whole body in a sweet-smelling perfume of
sweat; O Nuit, continuous one of Heaven, let it be ever
thus; that men speak not of thee as One but as None; and
let them speak not of thee at all, since thou art continuous.
During this speech the Priestess must have divested
herself completely of her robe. See CCXX. I. 62.
THE Priestess. But to love me is better than all things;
if under the night-stars in the desert thou presently burnest
mine incense before me, invoking me with a pure heart, and
the serpent flame therein, thou shalt come a little to lie in
my bosom. For one kiss wilt thou then be willing to give
all; but whoso gives one particle of dust shall lose all in that
hour. Ye shall gather goods and store of women and
spices; ye shall wear rich jewels; ye shall exceed the nations
of earth in splendour and pride; but always in the love of
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