Ambergris

56 AMBERGRIS Glow on the bosom of fixed earth ; and Need, The Lady of Beginning, also was. Thus was the firmament a vital glass, The waters as the vessel of the soul ; Thus earth, the mystic basis of the whole, Was smitten through with fire, as chrysopras, Blending, uniting and dividing it, Volcanic, airy, and celestial. I rose within the elemental ball, And lo ! the Ancient One of Days did sit ! His head and hair were white as wool, his eyes A flaming fire : and from the splended mouth Flashed the Eternal Sword ! Lo ! Lying at his feet as dead, I saw The leaping-forth of Law : Division of the North wind and the South, The lightning of the armies of the Lord ; East rolled asunder from the rended West ; Height clove the depth : the Voice begotten said : “ Divided be thy ways and limited ! ” Answered the reflux and the indrawn breath : “ Let there be Life, and Death ! ”