The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING “As I neared it I leapt to the shore, and thereI found, as I approached the wonderful building, many beautiful creatures playing about it. But my haste in leaving the blue waters had been ill-advised; for suddenly a great cloud of water enveloped me, and catching me up, carried me to a great height. Then I discovered that I had been changed into a lily, whose white petals were unfolded, and that I was grow- ing in a garden, white with a multitude of the same wonderful flowers. “Not over long had I been there, when the form of man was again given to me, and I threw my arms above my head and then extended them, forming a cross. “T was standing in silver-grey garments, and before me was a great white marble temple. At once I prostrated myself, and then entered. Before me I saw that all was white and fine within, and that in the temple stood a cubical altar of silver. “T knelt before the altar; and as I did soa coldness and moisture seemed to descend upon me, which thrilled me with a delicious freshness like the falling dew. From it a cool stream arose, in the limpid waters of which I bathed my hands. Whilst in this position an angel descended with a green garment and gave it me. At first I was unwilling to wear it, but presently I did so, and after I had worn it a little while, I sacrificed it before me, when at once it became a crown of fire. “ Then a voice said to me: ‘Wilt thou be of the guard ?’ and before I could answer yea, or nay, most lovely maidens surrounded me and armed me in silver armour and a red tabard. 313