The collected poems of Arthur Edward Waite in two volumes ... With a Portrait |
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TAKING THE VEIL |
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 | The collected poems of Arthur Edward Waite |  |
TAKING THE VEIL
“L'esprit se revête pour descendre et se dépouille pour monter.”
Folds of flesh henceforth enwind thee,
Earthly veils thy form conceal,
Five restricted senses bind thee—
Dimly wails our vain appeal.
Earthly veils thy form conceal,
Five restricted senses bind thee—
Dimly wails our vain appeal.
Wings of those that loved and knew thee
Round about thy house may throng,
But the charm of earth which drew thee
Holds thee by a spell too strong.
Round about thy house may throng,
But the charm of earth which drew thee
Holds thee by a spell too strong.
Soul of sweetness, thus forsaking
True life's light and love divine,
When the witch-spell fails, awaking—
Light and life and love be thine.
True life's light and love divine,
When the witch-spell fails, awaking—
Light and life and love be thine.
So the walls of sense entomb thee,
So we leave thee—born of men;
May thy sisters' hands assume thee
Born in death to life again.
So we leave thee—born of men;
May thy sisters' hands assume thee
Born in death to life again.
| The collected poems of Arthur Edward Waite | |