The Ladder

[Dedicated to K.M.Ward] "I will arise and go unto my father" MALKUTH Dark, dark all dark! I cower, I cringe. Only ablove me is a citron tinge As if some echo of red, gold and lue Chimed on the night and let its shadow through. Yet I who am thus prisoned and exiled Am the right heir of glory, the crowned child. I match my might against my Fate's I gird myself to reach the ultimate shores, I arm myself the war to win:- Lift up your heads, O mighty gates! Be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors! The King of Glory shall come in. TAU I pass from the citrine:deep indigo Is this tall column. Snakes and vultures bend Their hooted hate on him that would ascend. O may the Four avail me ! Ageless woe, Fear, torture, throng the treshold. LO1 The end Of Matter ! The immensity of things Let loose -new laws, new beings, new conditions;- Dire chaos; see ! these new-fledged wings Fail in its vagueness and initiations. Only my circle saves me from the hate Of all these monsters dead yet animate. I match, &c. YESOD Hail, thou full moon, O flame of Amethyst ! Stupendous mountain on whose shoulders rest The Eight Above. More stable is my crest Than thine -and now I pierce thee, veil of mist! Even as an arrow from the war-bow springs I leap -my life is set with loftier things. I match, & c. SAMECH ( and the crossing of the Path of Pe) Now swift, thou azure shaft of fading fire, Pierce through the rainbow! Swift, O swift! how streams The world by! Let Sandalphon and his quire Of Angels ward me! Ho! what