Konx Om Pax

THE STONE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS 75 A sight as lovely to the wise As maggots in a maiden’s eyes. From chapel, church, and meeting-room, From brothel, hospital, and tomb, From palace, gin-shop, workhouse, prison, Factory, slum, their slime is risen. The Devil said “ Bestir thy wits! Spew out these dysenteric—" “ It ’s A pity " (thus I cut him short) “ Your boyhood was so badly taught. The riddle ’s simple—here ’s the key! There is none other God than He.” He conjures up the Universe, Men bitter bad, and women worse. The whole disgusting Pan is shown, Filth from the spirit to the stone. “ Read that l ” he yelled. “Your eyeballs squint, But That is surely plain as print.” “ It is,” I said, “ for all to see— There is none other God than He.” And now the Devil strides and spins Most furiously widdershins. He causes two deceitful moons To dance upon the driving dunes. “ If all ’s illusion, gentle youth, All is the enemy of Truth. Where are you now?” “ My worthy friend !” (I answered) “take it to the end. I do not think you prove it quite That truth and lies are opposite. But upon This we can agree: There is none other God than He.”