THE RITE OF VENUS
VENUS. Brother Taurus, art thou faithful, thou alone?
TAURUS. [Sedaelivelyyet innita/ly.] Knowest thou not me ?
VENUS. Yea, my beloved, Lord of all my doves.
TAURUS. Venus, our Lady!
VENUS. Come unto me!
[She half rises and aii/aws him ta hei/.
TAURUS. Within the veil?
VENUS. There is no veil before my Shrine!
[She anfastens his mbe.
As it falls he leafs up with
Με Cadmeia, as MERCURY, and (!?₪/!15125 her beneath
hisfeeL]
TAURUS. In the Beginning was the Word; and the Word
was with God; and the Word was God!
[All eomeferwam’; SATURN and LIBRA linked; LUNAana'
PISCES linked; and?!לעשla him,]
LUNA. The Treason is accomplished.
PISCES. The mind is nobler than the body.
SATURN. Friendship is holier than love.
LIBRA. Nature is overcome by wit.
PISCES. How shall we adore thee?
TAURUS. As you like it.
SATURN. What shall we sacrifice?
TAURUS. What you will.
[LUNAplays a meto "811203?/??מוALL bowing in adoration to
MERCURVJ
LIBRA. Brother, what is the hour?
PISCES. Dawn.
LIBRA. Let us depart unto the work of the clay.
ALL. Amen.
* Moto perpetuo: Ries.
g
9Ι