The Star in the West

178 THE STAR IN THE WEST Dividuality the curse of existence must vanish , and it can only vanish through the melting of the discord ant ego into the harmonious Whole. If we set our selves aside on a pillar of purity , we are but dualizing existence , the lees of the wine must be quaffed in the same cup as the wine itself , there is no other choice : XIV . Thou must breathe in all poisons ; for thy meat , Poison ; for drink , still poison ; for thy kiss , serpent's lips ! ... Then the verse continues , and we see if we may so ex press it, the great nuptials with the Lords of Lust : An agony is this That sweats out venom ; thy clenched hands , thy feet Ooze blood , thine eyes weep blood ; thine anguish is More keen than death . At last — there is no deeper vault of hell beneath ! Then comes the great reward . We have travelled knee deep through the mire of life , yet if our souls be spotless our abasement , “ ... bringeth back the sheaves ” XV . Of golden corn of exaltation , With strange intoxications mad and manifold . It is this curious phase , yearning towards Perfection , which forms the great stumbling - block to all progress in the life of a soul . Priestcraft has drawn a definite line between Vice and Virtue ; it has hedged itself round with chastity , veracity , honesty , and modesty , and set itself apart to wage an incessant war on vice , lechery , mendacity , immodesty , etc. , etc. And what has been the result of this duality ? The very fort of virtuous self - sufficiency , the very citadel of chaste - exclusive