The Winged Beetle

28 THE WIZARD WAY “ Give thy body to the beasts ! Give thy spirit to the priests ! Break in twain the hazel rod On the virgin lips of God ! Tear the Rosy Cross asunder ! Shatter the black bolt of thunder ! Suck the swart ensanguine kiss Of the resolute abyss ! ” Wonder-weft the wizard heard This intolerable word. ’Smote the blasting hazel rod On the scarlet lips of God ; Trampled Cross and rosy core ; Brake the thunder-tool of Thor ; Meek and holy acolyte Of the priestly hells of spite Sleek and shameless catamite Of the beasts that prowl by night ! Like a star that streams from heaven Through the virgin airs light-riven, From the life there shot and fell An admirable miracle. Carved minute and clean, a key Of purest lapis-lazuli More blue than the blind sky that aches (Wreathed with the stars, her torturing snakes) For the dead god’s kiss that never wakes ;