Collected Works (Vol. I)

152 THE FATAL FORCE So Jet me not be buried in that state Due to the hateful rank that I abjure sy this proud act, but let my monument Say lo succeeding peoples and dim tribes Unthought of: ‘‘‘This was born a living man Bound, and he cut the chain of circumstance, And spat on Fate.” And all the priests shall say And all the people: ‘‘ Verily and Amen.” [Stabs himself. Ciuorus. Spirit of the Gods! O single, sacred, secret, let the length least and west, the depth and height, North and south, with music tingle, Ring with battled clarion choirs of the far- resounding light ! Let the might Of Osirian sacrifice Dwell upon the self-slain king ! Spirit of the Gods! Unite Streams of sacramental light In the soul, thrice purified, Consecrated thrice, Till Osiris justified In the supreme sacrifice Take his kingdom. Hear the ery That the wailing vultures make, Circling in the blackening sky Over the abysmal lake. Spirit, for our spirit’s sake Give the token of thy fire Trident in the lambent air, Till our spirits unaware Worship and aspire ! Hear, beyond all periods, Timeless, formless, multiform, Thou, supreme above the storm, Spirit of the Holy Ones, Spirit of the Gods ! Enter MESSENGER. MESSENGER. The battle rages: even now the shock Of hostile spears makes the loud earth re- sound, The wide sky tremble. AMENHATEP. Here lies Ilorus dead, There Isis slain. We have no leader left. MESSENGER. The fight is doubtful. We may conquer still. AMENHATEP. By this shed blood and desecrated shrine And horrible hour of madness, may it be That all the evil fortune of the land, Created of these dead iniquities, Burn its foul flame out. Are ye not appeased, Even ye, O Powers of Evil, at this shame And sacrilege? And ye, Great Powers of Good, Hath not enough of misery been wrought, Enough of expiation? We have sinned, But our iniquity he purged away, Who as avenger hath denied his life, To be made one with ye. O by his blood And strong desire of holiness, and might And justice, let him mediate between And mitigate your anger, that the name Of Egypt may not perish utterly, Make, make an end! THE LEPER. All things must work themselves To their own end. Created sin grown strong Must claim its guerdon. Ye abase your- selves Well for repentance ; but ye shall not ward With tears and prayers the ruin ye have made, Nor banish the enormous deities Of judgment so invoked by any prayers, Or perfumes or libations. What must be Will be. Material succour ye demand In vain. But ye may purify yourselves. AMENHATEP. Knows then thy prophecy our final doom?