II
1. I passed into the mountain of lapis-lazuli, even as
a green hawk between the pillars of turquoise that is
seated upon the throne of the East.
2. So came I to Duant, the starry abode, and I heard
voices crying aloud.
3. O Thou that sittest upon the Earth! (so spake a
certain Veiled One to me) thou art not greater than thy
mother! Thou speck of dust infinitesimal!
Thou art the Lord of Glory, and the unclean dog.
4. Stooping down, dipping my wings, I came unto the
darkly-splendid abodes. There in that formless abyss
was I made a partaker of the Mysteries Averse.
5. I suffered the deadly embrace of the Snake and of
the Goat; I paid the infernal homage to the shame of
Khem.
6. Therein was this virtue, that the One became the all.
7. Moreover I beheld a vision of a river. There was a
little boat thereon; and in it under purple sails was a
golden woman, an image of Asi wrought in finest gold.
Also the river was of blood, and the boat of shining steel.
Then I loved her; and, loosing my girdle, cast myself
into the stream.
8. I gathered myself into the little boat, and for many
days and nights did I love her, burning beautiful incense
before her.
g. Yea! I gave her of the flower of my youth.
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