"SERIOUS" STYLE OF A.C. 
285 
deadly, no poison more pernicious , no seduction more subtle 
than Spiritual Pride; it strikes, being solar, at the very heart 
of the Aspirant; more, it is an inflation and exacerbation of 
the Ego, so that its victim runs the peril of straying into a 
Black Lodge, and finding himself at home there. 
Against this risk we look to our insurance; there are two 
infallible: Common Sense and the Sense of Humour. To this 
rule there is, as usual with rules, an exception. Some states of 
mind are of the same structure as poetry, where the "one 
step from the sublime to the ridiculous" is an easy and fatal 
step. But even so, pedantry is as bad as ribaldry. Personally , I 
have tried to avoid the dilemma by the use of poetic language 
and form ; for instance, in AHA! 
It is all difficult , damned difficult ; but if it must be that 
one's most sacred shrine be profaned , let it be the clean 
assault 
of laughter 
rather than the slimy smear of 
sanctimoniousness! 
There, or thereabouts, we must leave it. "Out of the 
fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh"; and I cannot sing 
he words of an epithalamium to the music of a dirge. 
Besides, what says the poet? "Love's at its height in pure 
ove? Nay, but after When the song's light dissolves gently in· 
aughter." 
Oh! "One word more" as Browning said, "Actions speak 
ouder than words." 
Do you see what is my mark? It is you that I am going to 
ut in the dock about "being serious"; and that will take a 
eparate letter-part of the answer to yours received March 
Oth, 1944 and in 
to your entire course of conduct 
ince you came to me-now over a year ago. 
Love is the law, love under will. 
Fraternally yours, 
666