THE VISION AND THE VOICE
restricted love, and have not understood that “the word of sin
is restriction.”
It is very curious; they seem to be looking for one another
or for something, all the time, constantly hurrying about.
But they knock up against one another and yet will not see
one another, or cannot see one another, because they are so
shut up in their cloaks.
And a voice sounds: It is most terrible for the one that
hath shut himself up and made himself fast against the
universe. For they that sit encamped upon the sea in the
city of the Pyramids are indeed shut up. But they have
given their blood, even to the last drop, to fill the cup of
BABALON.
These that thou seest are indeed the Black Brothers, for it
is written: ‘ He shall laugh at their calamity and mock when
their fear cometh.” And therefore hath he exalted them unto
the plane of love.
And yet again it is written: He desireth not the death of
a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness.
Now, if one of these were to cast off his cloak he should
behold the brilliance of the lady of the Aethyr; but they
will not.
And yet again there is another cause wherefore He hath
permitted them to enter thus far within the frontiers of Eden,
so that His thought should never swerve from compassion.
But do thou behold the brilliance of Love, that casteth forth
seven stars upon thine head from her right hand, and crowneth
thee with a crown of seven roses. Behold! She is seated upon
the throne of turquoise and lapis lazuli, and she is like a
flawless emerald, and upon the pillars that support the canopy
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