214
AMBROSIT MAGI HORTUS ROSARUM
Adest Rosa
Secreta Eros.
Hemaphrodi-
tus.
Mors Janua
Vitae.
Adeptus.
Terrae Ultor
Anima ‘Terrae.
that word, and wiping his blade he kissed it and went on, knowing
that his luck should now he ill. And ill it was, for a temple was set up in
his way, and there he saw the grisly Goat enthroned. But he knew
better than to judge a goat from a goats head and hoofs. And he abode
in that temple awhile therefore, and worshipped ten weeks. And the first
week he sacrificed to that goat! a crown every day. The second a phallus.
The third a silver vase of blood. The fourth a royal sceptre. The fifth
a sword. The sixth a heart. The seventh a garland of flowers. The
eighth a grass-snake. The ninth a sickle. And the tenth week did he
daily offer up his own body. Said the goat: ‘‘Though I be not an ox,
yet am la sword.” ‘‘ Masked, O God!” cried the Adept. ‘‘ Verily, an
thou hadst not sacrificed—’”’ There was silence. And under the Goat's
throne was a rainbow? of seven colours: our Father fitted himself as an
arrow to the string (and the string was waxed well, dipped in a leaden pot
wherein boiled amber and wine) and shot through stormy heavens. And
they that saw him saw a woman wondrous fair? robed in flames of hair,
moon-sandalled, sun-belted, with torch and vase of fire and water. And
he trailed comet-clouds of glory upward.
Thus came our Father (Blessed be his name!) to Death, who stood,
scythe in hand, opposed. And ever and anon he swept round, and men
fell before him. ‘‘ Look,” said Death, ‘‘my sickle hath a cross-handle.
See how they grow like flowers!” ‘‘Give me salt!” quoth our Father,
And with sulphur (that the Goat had given him) and with salt did he
bestrew the ground. ‘I see we shall have ado together,” says Death,
‘Aye!’ and with that he lops off Death’s cross-handle. Now Death
was wroth indeed, for he saw that our Father had wit of his designs (and
they were right foul !), but he bade him pass forthwith from his dominion.
And our Father could not at that time stay him: though for himself had
he cut off the grip, yet for others—well, let each man take his sword!
The way went through a forest. Now between two trees hung a man by
one heel (Love was that tree).° Crossed were his legs, and his arms
behind his head, that hung ever downwards, the fingers locked. ‘* Who
art thou?” quoth our Father. ‘‘ He that came before thee.” ‘‘ Who
am 1?” ‘‘ He that cometh after me.’’ With that worshipped our Father,
and took a present of a great jewel from him, and went his ways. And
he was bitterly a-cold, for that was the great Water he had passed. But
our Father’s paps glittered with cold, black light, and likewise his navel.
Wherefore. he was comforted. Now came the sudden twittering of heart
lest the firmament beneath him were not stable, and lo! he danceth up
and down as a very cork on waters of wailing. ‘‘ Woman,” he bade
sternly, ‘‘be still. Cleave that with thy sword: or that must I well
work?” But she cleft the cords, bitter-faced, smiling goddess as she was ;
1 The sacrifices are the ten Sephiroth.
2 See Table.
3 Ancient form of the Key of D.
4 Considered as the agent of resurrection.
5 In the true Key of 19 the tree is shaped like the letter Y= Venus or love.
The figure of the man forms a cross above a triangle, with apex upwards,
the sign of redemption.