THE BOOK OF WISDOM OR FOLLY
115
Dk
De Cantu
(Of Song)
O then, o my Son, there is my Wisdom, that the
Voice of he Soul in its true Nature Eternal and
Unchangeable,
comprehending
all
Change,
is
Silence; and the Voice of the Soul, dynamic, in the Way of
its Will, is song. Nor is there any Form of utterance that is
not, as song is, the Music proper to that Motion, according to
the Law. Thus, as thy Cousin Arthur Machen hath rejoiced
to make plain unto Men in his Book called “Hieroglyphics,”
the first Quality of Art is its Ekstacy. So, night to all Men at
one Time or other, cometh Joy of Creation, with the Belief
that their Utterance is holy and beautiful, glorious with
Banners. This would indeed be the Case, an we could discern
their Thought from their Words; but because they have no
technical Skill to express hemselves, the do not enable others
to reproduce or recreate he original Passion which inspired
them, or even any Memory hereof. Understand then what is
the Agony of the Great Soul who hath every Key of Paradise
at his Girdle, when he would open the Gate of Holiness, or of
Beauty, or any Virtue soever, o the Men of his Age!
s