Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence

that the young man shall will [and purpose] never to copulate with this, nor any other maid [or virgin] ; and in like manner the maid [or virgin] be enjoined the same. Now, thou reason, full of misery, defects, and infirmities, how do you think you should possibly stand here ? Would you not promise fair with Adaml But you would not be able to perform it.

38. Thus, my beloved reason, I have set a gloss before you, and thus it was with Adam. God had created his work wisely and good, and extracted the one out of the other. The first ground was himself, out of which he created the world, and out of the world [he created] man, to whom he gave his spirit, and intimated to him, that without wavering or any other desire, he should live in him most perfectly.

39. But now man had also the spirit of this world, for he was [come] out of this world, and lived in the world : And Adam (understand the spirit which was breathed into him from God) was the chaste virgin ; and the spirit which he had inherited out of nature, from the world, was the young man. These were now both together, and rested in one arm.

40. Now the chaste virgin ought to be bent into the Heart of God, and to have no imagination to lust after the beauty of the comely young man ; but yet the young man was kindled with love towards the virgin, and he desired to copulate with

Ch. 12] OPENING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE 215

her ; for he said, Thou art my dearest spouse [or bride], my paradise, and garland of roses, let me into thy paradise : I will be impregnated in thee, that I may get thy essence, and enjoy thy pleasant love ; how willingly would I taste of the friendly sweetness of thy virtue [or power] ! If I might but receive thy glorious light, how full of joy should I be !

41. And the chaste virgin said, Thou art indeed my bridegroom and my companion, but thou hast not my ornament ; my pearl is more l precious than costly. thou, my virtue [or power] is incorruptible [or unfadeable], and my mind is constant [or stedfast] ; thou hast an inconstant mind, and thy virtue is corruptible [or brittle]. Dwell in my 2 court, and 2 AS in the I will entertain thee friendly, and do thee much Of the temple, good : I will adorn thee with my ornaments, and I will put my garment on thee ; but I will not give thee my pearl, for thou art dark, and that is shining and bright.

42. Then said the spirit of nature (viz. the young man), My fair pearl and chastity, I pray thee let me enjoy thy comfort, if thou wilt not copulate with me, that I may impregnate in thee, yet do but enclose thy pearl in my heart, that I may have it for my own. Art thou not my golden crown ? How fain would I taste of thy fruit.

43. Then the 3 chaste spirit out of God in Adam » Or modest. (viz. the virgin) said, My dear love, and ray companion ; I plainly see thy lust, thou wouldst fain

p. 216

THE THREE PRINCIPLES

[Ch. 12 disposing.

2 Or might.

copulate with me ; but I am a virgin, and thou a man ; thou wouldst defile my pearl, and destroy my crown ; and besides, thou wouldst mingle thy sourness with my sweetness, and darken my bright light; therefore I will not [do so]. I will lend thee my pearl, and adorn thee with my garment, into thy own but I will not give it to be l thy own.

44. And the companion (viz. the spirit of the world in Adam) said, I will not leave thee, and if thou wilt not let me copulate with thee, then I will take my innermost and strongest 2 force, and use thee according to my will, according to the innermost 2 power ; I will clothe thee with the power of the sun, stars, and elements ; wherein none will know thee, [and so] thou must be mine eternally : And although (as thou sayest) I am inconstant, and that my virtue is not like to thine, and my light not like thine, yet I will keep thee well enough in my treasure, and thou must be 3 my own.

45. Then said the virgin, Why wilt thou use 4 violence? Am I not thy ornament, and thy crown ? I am bright, and thou art dark ; behold, if thou coverest me, then thou hast no glance [or lustre] ; and [then] thou art a dark [dusky or black] worm : And [then] how can I dwell with thee ? Let me alone ; I [will] not give myself to be thy own : I will give thee my ornament, and thou shalt live in my joy, thou shalt eat of my fruit, and taste