THE EQUINOX
ing, by taking its pleasures sadly, becomes an altogether su-
perior kind of nothing.
It is with no hope of personal advancement that the Mas-
ters teach. Personal advancement has ceased to have any
meaning long before one becomes a Master. Nor do they
teach because they are such Nice Kind People. Masters are
like Dogs, which ‘bark and bite, for ’tis their nature to.’ We
want no credit, no thanks; we are sick of you; only, we have
to goon.
This verse is, one must suppose, an attempt to put things
into the kind of language that would be understood by be-
ginners. Compare Chapter Thirteen of the Book of Lies,
where it explains how one is induced to follow the Path by
false pretences. Compare also the story of the Dolphin and
the Prophet in Liber LXV.
37. Behold! the Abyss of the Great Deep. Therein is a mighty dolphin, lashing
his sides with the force of the waves.
38. There is also an harper of gold, playing infinite tunes.
39. Then the dolphin delighted therein, and put off his body, and became a bird.
40. The harper also laid aside his harp, and played infinite tunes upon the
Pan-pipe.
41. Then the bird desired exceedingly this bliss, and laying down its wings be-
came a faun of the forest.
42. The harper also laid down his Pan-pipe, and with the human voice sang his
infinite tunes. .
43. Then the faun was enraptured, and followed far; at last the harper was
silent, and the faun became Pan in the midst of the primal forest of Eternity.
44. Thou canst not charm the dolphin with silence, O my Prophet!
85. Thou hast the knowledge concerning the two Ways.
Thy time will come for choice, O thou eager Soul, when thou
hast reached the end and passed the seven Portals. Thy mind
is clear. No more art thou entangled in delusive thoughts,
for thou hast learned all. Unveiled stands Truth and looks
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