The Holy Books

me take wine and strange drugs whereof I will tell my prophet, and be drunk thereof! They shall not harm ye at all. It is a lie, this folly against self. The exposure of innocence is a lie. Be strong, man! lust, enjoy all things of sense and rapture: fear not that any God shall deny thee for this. 23. I am alone: there is no God where I am. 24. Behold! these be grave mysteries; for there are also of my friends who be hermits. Now think not to find them in the forest or on the mountain; but in beds of purple, caressed by magnificent beasts of women with large limbs, and fire and light in their eyes, and masses of flaming hair about them; there shall ye find them. Ye shall see them at rule, at victorious armies, at all the joy; and there shall be in them a joy a million times greater than this. Beware lest any force another, King against King! Love one another with burning hearts; on the low men triumph in the fierce lust of your pride, in the day of your wrath. 25. Ye are against the people, 0 my chosen! 26. I am the secret serpent coiled about to spring: in my coiling there is joy. If I lift up my head, I and my Nuit are one. If I droop I6