Collected Works (Vol. I)

148 THE FATAL FORCE So absolute as I shall do to-day In this new infamy. For I must pass Desolate into the dusk of things again, Having risen so far-to fall to the abyss, Deeper for exaltation ; I must go Wailing and naked into the inane Cavernous shrineless place of misery, Forgetful, hateful, impotent, except The last initiation seize my soul, And fling me into Isis’ very self, The immortal, mortal. Let me know this night Whether my place is found among the stars That wander in the deep, or made secure As the high throne of her that dwells in heaven, Fruitful for life and death, Wisdom her name ! This hour the foolish ones shall see their souls Shrink at my manifest deity. This night My spirit on my spirit shall beget Myself for my own child. Behold! they come, Fantastically moving through the dance, The many mourners, and the fatal bier Looms in the dimness of the anteroom. It is enough. My hour is at hand! CHORUS exter and ctrcumarntbulate. Even as the traitor’s breath Goeth forth, he perisheth By the secret sibilant word that is spoken unto death. Even as the profane hand Reacheth to the sacred sand, Fire consumes him that his name be forgotten in the land. Even as the wicked eye Seeks the mysteries to spy, So the blindness of the gods takes his spirit : he shall die. Even as the evil priest, Poisoned by the sacred feast, Changes by its seven powers to the misbe- gotten beast : Even as the powers of ill, Broken by the wanded will, Shriek about the holy place, vain and vague and terrible : Even as the lords of hell, Chained in fires before the spell, Strain upon the sightless steel, break not fetters nor compel : So be distant, O profane ! Children of the hurricane ! | Lest the sword of fire destroy, lest the ways of death be plain ! So depart, and so be wise, Lest your perishable eyes Look upon the formless fire, see the maiden sacrifice ! So depart, and secret flame Burn upon the stone of shame, That the holy ones may hear music of the sleepless Name ! Now the sacred and obscene Kiss, the pure and the unclean Mingle in the incense steaming up before the goddess queen. Holy, holy, holy spouse Of the sun-engirdled house, With the secret symbol burning on thy mul- tiscient brows ! Hear, O hear the mystic song Of the serpent-moving throng, Isis mother, Isis maiden, Isis beautiful and strong ! Even as the traitor’s breath Goeth forth, he perisheth By the secret sibilant word that is spoken unto death. RATOUM. The hour is given unto death. Bring in Dead Horus, for the night is shed above. [Coffix brought tn.