The God-Eater

17 Of the dotards, slow constraint of Maurya’s mind Tothe one end. Next, study: next, research In places long-forgotten of the West, Deep hidden of the East : the perfect rite Dragged by laborious hand and brain to shape And this [ Raises giass.| the first fruits ! Hail, thou fount of wit, Light liquor, child of cares how heavy ! Drink ! The peace of the Priest ! [He drinks up the liquor.| Be thou my light ! Uncloud the misty channels of the mind! Off, horror ! Off, compassion ! Be the brain The almighty engine of the Will—and those Subtler and deeper forces grimly guessed, Terribly proven—be they strong thereby ! Awake, O sleeping serpent of the soul, Unhinted skills, and unimagined powers, And purposes undreamed of ! [He goes now calmly atout the temple, arranging all the ornaments. He empties the censer.| Shadowy influence Of smoke ! Where lies its physiologic act? What drug conceals the portent? Mystery ! Mystery ninefold closed upon itself That matter should move mind—Ay ! darker yet That mind should work on matter? And the proof Extant, implicit in the thought thereof ! Else all our work were vain. These twain be one ;