The Officers of the Temple

Sol. Leopard skin. Nemyss white-gold over white-sleeved robe. Spear.

Aries. White robe, spear.

Leo. Red robe, spear.

Satan-Typhon. Violet robe.

Scorpio-Apophis. Green robe. (Violin)

Besz. Black robe.

Four Probationers.

Sol is enthroned in the East; behind him is a black veil which conceals a great scarlet cross. Before him is a second veil. He is supported by Aries on the right, and Leo on the left. The other officers are without the temple, in waiting. In presentation in public, a third veil divides the temple from the congregation.

The Rite of Sol

Leo parts the outermost veil, and advancing, recites chorus from Atalanta in Calydon. Returns. A pause.

Aries

[333-333].

Leo

[333-333].

Aries

Brother Leo, what is the place?

Leo

The Temple of the Sun upon the Mountain of Abiegnus!

Aries

Brother Leo, what is the hour?

Leo

Sunset!

Aries

It is the hour of sacrifice.

Leo

Brother Aries, what is the sacrifice?

Aries

It is hidden from me.

Silence.

Sol

[1-22-22-1].

Aries

Hark! it is the Summons of the King.

Leo

It is the Lord of Heaven that awakens the Children of the Light.

They draw the veil — full light — and kneel.

Aries

Let us adore the Exalted One!

Leo

Life of Life, thy lips enkindle With their love the breath between them; And thy smiles before they dwindle Make the cold air fire; then screen them In those looks, where whoso gazes Faints, entangled in their mazes. Child of Light! thy limbs are burning Through the vest which seems to hide them; As the radiant lines of morning Through the clouds, ere they divide them; And this atmosphere divinest Shrouds thee wheresoe'er thou shinest. Fair are others; none beholds thee, But thy voice sounds low and tender Like the fairest, for it folds thee From the sight, that liquid splendour, And all feel, yet see thee never, As I feel now, lost forever! Lamp of Earth! where'er thou movest Its dim shapes are clad with brightness, And the souls of whom thou lovest Walk upon the winds with lightness, Till they fall, as I am falling, Dizzy, lost, yet unbewailing!

Aries

Hail unto Thee, O thou that art exalted in thy strength, that travellest over the Heaven in Thy Bark in the Splendour of noon!

Aries and Leo resume thrones.

A Probationer recites the Twelvefold Glorification of God from 963.

Enter Scorpio-Apophis dressed in a filmy white robe, her hair in disorder.

Aries and Leo rise and bow.

Aries

Hail thou! Whence comest thou?

Scorpio-Apophis

From the House of God.

Aries

What bringest thou as an offering to our Lord?

Scorpio-Apophis

The House of God is fallen. There is nothing left therein. Therefore I bring nothing but myself.

Leo

Let us burn her upon the altar of burnt offering.

Scorpio-Apophis

But in the fire my tears would be dried up; and these tears are of mine offering to the Lord.

Leo

Let us throw her to the sacred crocodile.

Scorpio-Apophis

But in the water my heart would be chilled; and this heart is of mine offering to the Lord.

Leo

Let us throw her to the winds from the Watchtowers of Silence.

Scorpio-Apophis

But in the wind my hymns would not be heard; and these hymns are of mine offering to the Lord.

Leo

Let us bury her in the consecrated mountain!

Scorpio-Apophis

But in the earth the worms would devour my flesh; and this flesh is of mine offering to the Lord. Oh Lord, let thy servants return unto their thrones that I may worship Thee as I will.

Sol

[22-1-1-22].

Aries and Leo return to their thrones.

Scorpio-Apophis plays her passionate melody, her siren melody, her despairing Venus in Tannhauser melody. [Wagner: Liebestod from Tristan & Isolde] She clasps the feet and knees of Sol but he gives no sign of life.

At the end Aries and Leo rise from their thrones — a pause.

Aries

(Loudly)

[333-333].

Leo

(Louder)

[333-333].

Aries

The hour of sacrifice is past.

Scorpio-Apophis

The hour of sacrifice is to come.

Leo

The sacrifice is not accepted.

Scorpio-Apophis

The sacrifice is accepted.

Aries

Depart from us, thou unclean thing!

Aries and Leo raise her and march from the temple, Aries leading, Leo following her.

Aries and Leo re-enter and resume thrones — a pause.

Aries

[333-333].

Leo

[333-333].

Aries

Brother Leo, this is of evil omen.

Leo

Brother Aries, it is indeed of evil omen.

Aries

There will be no more sacrifice to-day.

Leo

There will be no more sacrifice to-day.

Aries

The sun is already setting.

Leo

The night birds are already abroad.

Aries

It grows very dark.

Leo

The path is too steep and dangerous for any pilgrims to come hither.

Aries

There is no moon to-night.

Leo

I think there will be rain.

Aries

Let us close the shrine.

Leo

The disk of the sun is not yet quite obscured.

Aries

But no pilgrims can come now.

Leo

No pilgrims can come now. But it is the rule of the temple that the shrine is open unto the last spark of sunlight.

Aries

Brother Leo, I beg that you will close the shrine with me.

Leo

It cannot be.

Aries

Brother Leo, I know the rule. But evil will assuredly come to us from this.

Leo

Brother Aries, the Law may not be broken.

Aries

Brother Leo, the Law is made so that the wise may break it at their need.

Leo

Brother Aries, in my heart is fidelity -- fidelity -- fidelity.

Aries

Brother Leo, a god has whispered in mine ear: it is folly -- folly -- folly.

Leo

The sun will be obscured in a moment: and no pilgrims can come to-night.

Aries

No pilgrims can come to-night.

Leo

There will be no more sacrifice.

Aries

There will be no more sacrifice.

Satan-Typhon, Scorpio-Apophis, and Besz enter silently in procession. The light grows momentarily dimmer.

Aries

Hail, brethren! Ye are come to adore the splendour of the sun?

Satan-Typhon

We are come to sacrifice.

Aries

What are the offerings?

Besz

Dancing.

Scorpio-Apophis

Music.

Satan-Typhon

Silence and Stillness.

He prostrates himself and remains motionless. Scorpio-Apophis bows to Sol and plays an adoration. [Max Bruch: Romance]

Besz dances in adoration in three-time.

Satan-Typhon rises and bows.

Aries

Whence come ye, brethren?

Satan-Typhon

From the dwelling-place of the sun.

Aries

Who are ye, brethren?

Satan-Typhon

I am the twin brother of the sun.

Scorpio-Apophis

I am the beloved of the sun.

Aries

To Besz.

But who art thou, brother?

Besz begins to stammer.

Leo

Who art thou?

They threaten him with their spears. Besz crouches in terror and lurks toward West.

Satan-Typhon

I would have speech with my brother the Sun.

Aries

It is well.

Leo

It is not well. There is danger herein to my Lord.

He bars the way.

Aries

Speech cannot harm our Lord.

Leo

Brother, if thou be indeed our brother, what wilt thou say?

Satan-Typhon

O Sun, my brother, is it thy will that I have speech with thee? For I lay with thee nine moons in the womb of our mother; for we have loved as none have loved; for I am closer knit with thee than light and darkness, or than life and death!

Sol

[22-1-1-22].

Leo gives way and returns to his throne, very sad. Satan-Typhon advances to Sol and Aries closes the veil on them. Besz jumps up and runs off crouchingly. The lights go out. Scorpio-Apophis plays her serpent melody. [Thomé: Andante Religioso]

Leo

recites.

Mortals never learn from stories How catastrophe becomes; How above the victor's glories In the trumpets and the drums And the cry of millions Master! Looms the shadow of disaster. Every hour a man hath said: That at least is scotched and dead. Some one circumstance: At last That, and its effects, are past. Some one terror -- subtle foe! I have laid that spectre low. They know not, learn not, cannot calculate How subtly Fate Weaves its fine mesh, perceiving how to wait; Or how accumulate The trifles that shall make it master yet Of the strong soul that bade itself forget.

A dim red light dawns. Besz enters, leading four Probationers who bear the Pastos. They place it before the altar.

Aries

What is this offering?

Besz

The eater of Flesh is my name.

Aries

Oh, our Lord, our Lord! Arise in thy might, and let thine enemies be scattered!

Aries and Leo draw veil. The throne has been cast down. On the black veil is a great red cross, whereon Sol has been crucified. Before him stands Satan-Typhon in the sign of Apophis and Typhon.

Aries and Leo fall as if slain. Scorpio-Apophis plays her murder melody. [Waddell: Mort d'Adonis]

Meanwhile, the Probationers advance and under the direction of Typhon, who stabs Sol in the proper manner with the spear of Sol, take down Sol from the cross and lay him in the Pastos. They cover it. Besz does his brutal demoniac dance upon the lid of the coffin. Exeunt Omnis exc. Sol. This ends in complete darkness. Silence. There is a flash of light, and the stage is shewn empty. Only a glimmer remains.

Now Scorpio-Apophis steals on to the stage, and plays a low secret melody. [D'Ambrosio: Canzonetta] The red lights increase.

She uncovers and embraces the corpse. Then covers it again, goes to the throne, and instals herself thereon. The green light dawns and glows brighter and brighter, as the red light dwindles and goes out.

Scorpio-Apophis

[7777777].

The Probationers and other officers enter, erect.

Scorpio-Apophis

Children, array yourselves before me, and worship at my feet.

Aries

Our Lord is slain. And who art thou that hast assumed His Throne?

Leo

Our Lord is slain. And who art thou that hast assumed His Throne?

Scorpio-Apophis

I am the Mother of the Gods and the Sister of Time and the Daughter of Space. I am Nature that holdeth sway when the effort of man is exhausted. ... ... Brother Leo, I am the goddess that cometh forth riding upon the Lion. Behold! I strike thee with my wand, and inspire thee. I command thee to declare me unto the multitude.

Leo

Lo! in the interstellar space of night Clothed with deep darkness, the majestic spaces Abide the dawn of deity and light, Vibrate before the passionless pale faces Shrined in exceeding glory, eremite. The tortoise skies in sombre carapaces Await the expression and the hour of birth In silence through the adamantine girth. I rose in glory, gathered of the foam. The sea's flower folded, charioting me risen Where dawns rose stole from its pearl-glimmering home, And heaven laughed, and earth: and mine old prison, The seas that lay beneath the mighty dome, Shone with my splendour. Light did first bedizen Earth with its clusters of fiery dew and spray, When I looked forth and cried, It is the day! The stars are dewdrops on my bosom's space; The sun and moon are glances through my lashes, Long, tender rays of night; my subtle face Burns through the sky-dusk, lightens, fills, and flashes With solemn joy and laughter of love; the grace Of all my body swaying stoops and dashes Swift to the daisy's dawn of love: and swiftest, O spirit of man, when unto me thou liftest! Dawn shakes the molten fire of my delight From the fine flower and fragrance of my tresses! Sunset bids darken all my body's light, Mixing its music with the sad caresses Of the whole world: I wheel in wingless flight Through lampless space, the starless wildernesses! Beyond the universal bounds that roll, There is the shrine and image of my soul. I am Nature and God: I reign, I am, alone. None other may abide apart: they perish, Drawn into me, into my being grown. None other bosom is, to bear, to nourish, To be: the heart of all beneath my zone Of blue and gold is scarlet-bright to cherish My own life's being, that is, and is not other; For I am God and Nature and thy Mother. I am the thousand-breasted milky spouse, Virginal also: Tartarus and Gaia Twinned in my womb, and Chaos from my brows Shrank back abashed, my sister dark and dire, Mother of Erebus and Night, that ploughs With starry-sandalled feet the fields of fire; My sister shrank and fell, the infernal gloom Changed to the hot sweet shadow of my womb. I am: that darkness strange and uterine Is shot with dawn and scented with the rose; The deep dim prison-house of corn and wine, Flowers, children, stars, with flame far subtler glows Formless, all-piercing, death-defying, divine, A sweet frail lamp whose shadow gleams and shows No darkness, is as light is where its rays Cross, interweave, and marry with the day's! I am: the heart that flames from central Me, Seeks out all life, and takes again, to mingle Its passion with my might and majesty, Till the vast floods of the man's being tingle And glow, self-lost within my soul and sea Of love, the sun of utter light, and single Keen many-veined heart: our lips and kisses Marry and muse on our immortal blisses. I am: the greatest and the least: the sole And separate life of things. The mighty stresses Of worlds are my nerves twitching. Branch and bole Of forests waving in deep wildernesses Are hairs upon my body. Rivers roll To make one tear in my superb caresses, When on myself myself begets a child, A system of a thousand planets piled! I am: the least, the greatest: the frail life Of some small coral-insect still may tremble With love for me, and call me queen and wife; The shy plant of the water may dissemble Its love beneath the fronds; reply to strife With strife, and all its tiny being crumble Under my rough and warrior husband-kiss, Whose pain shall burn, and alter, and be bliss! I am: no word beside that solemn one Reigns in sound's kingdom to express my station, Who, clothed and crowned with suns beyond the sun, Bear on the mighty breast of foam Thalassian, Bear on my bosom, jutting plenilune, Maiden, the fadeless Rose of the Creation! The whole flower-life of earth and sky and sea From me was born, and shall return to me! I am: for men and beings passionate, For mine own self calm as the river-cleaving Lotus-borne lord of Silence: I create Or discreate, both in my bosom heaving: My lightest look is mother of a Fate: My fingers sapphire-ringed with sky are weaving Ever new flowers and lawns of life, designed Nobler and newer in mine older mind. I am: I am not, but all-changing move The worlds evolving in a golden ladder, Spiral or helical, fresh gusts of love Filling one sphere from the last sphere grown gladder; All gateways leading far to the above. Even as the bright coils of the emerald adder Climb one by one in glory of sunlight, climb My children to me up the steep of Time. I am: before me all the years are dead, And all the fiery locks of sunrise woven Into the gold and scarlet of my head: In me all skies and seas are shaken and cloven: All life and light and love about me shed, Begotten in me, in my moving moven, Are as my tears: all worlds that ever swam As dew of kisses on my lips: I am.

She draws Leo up to her. The others kneel in adoration. Scorpio-Apophis plays her soft voluptuous melody. [Saint Saëns: Romance]

Aries

Brother Leo, what is the hour?

Leo

The evening star is arisen.

Aries

The sacrifice is accomplished.

Leo

What is the sacrifice?

Aries

Man.

Leo

Who is the priestess?

Aries

Woman.

Leo

Unto what God?

Aries

It is hidden from me.

Leo

Let every man depart unto his house.

Aries

[1-333-1-1].

Leo

[1-333-1-1].

Scorpio-Apophis

[1-1-333-1].