Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence
** -* » v/r r6scrv stand for the children of the lily-rose ; they are ^l?686 .
* J Mystenes.
8 wise, and have the noble tincture * in the light ; the lustre of the driver will be no more so esteemed, for the guests of this world have that [government] knowledg* in hand.
15. Thy proud horse [or beast], thou shameful whore, shall ride no longer alone over the bended knees; in that time it will no more be said, The power [might or authority] sticketh in my chest of money ; that mineral [or metal] becometh a blossom in the light ; and the tincture standeth in the blossom of the lily ; stones are of as much worth [as that metal is] ; 5 the clothing of the virgin is 5 Or the brighter than thy pride. How finely doth the ornament of this world stand on modesty and the fear w of God, if the heart be humble? How doth thy silken and golden clothes adorn thee ? Dost thou not appear in God's deeds of wonder ? Who will call thee a false woman, if thou be so very chaste ? Dost thou not stand to the honour of the great God ? Art thou not his work of wonder ? Is there not a friendly 6 laughter before thee ? Who can 6 mirth or i * i n mi cheerfulness.
say that thou art a wrathful woman ? Ihy modest countenance shineth over 7 mountains and valleys. 7 high and Art thou not at the end of the world, and [will not] thy glance [or lustre] be espied in paradise ? Wherefore standeth thy mother in 8 Babel, and is s Or in so very malicious ? 0! thou shameful whore ; get jangling.
p. 508
1 with wrath, thee out, for Babel is J on fire, or else thou wilt be or with the .
devouring burnt thyself.
16. Or dost thou suppose that we are mad? If we did not see thee, we would be silent. Thou boastest now (by thy flatterers) of a golden time ; but they are most of them wolves of Babel ; when the day breaketh, then they will be known. Or should I not tell thee this, thou proud whore ? Behold, when thou with Adam and Eve wentest out of paradise into the spirit of this world, then thou wast as a god in the spirit of this world ; thou mightest seek all Mysteries, and use them for thy ornament. If thou hadst always gone clothed in silk and purple [or scarlet], yet thou hadst not [thereby] offended God ; but thou hadst gone [in them] to the honour of the great God in his deeds of wonder. Wherefore hast thou forsaken
1 Or God and the2love, and art become a murderer? Was not goodness. 1 , ,_.
covetousness thy sin, in that thou afford est not thy members so much as thyself? Thou desirest to be only fine thyself alone. Thy way only
8 Or must. 8 should be holy. Wherefore was the fratricide between Abel and Cainl The self-honouring pride brought it about, so that Cain envied
4 honesty. A bel's 4 uprightness, for the sake of which he was so much beloved of God. Wherefore was not Cain also humble and pious?
17. Wilt thou say, The devil beguiled him ? Yes indeed, and he beguileth thee too, so that thou enviest the comeliness and beauty of others. Hath
Ch. 20] ADAM AND EVE*S GOING OUT OF PARADISE 509
** -* » v/r r6scrv stand for the children of the lily-rose ; they are ^l?686 .
* J Mystenes.
8 wise, and have the noble tincture * in the light ; the lustre of the driver will be no more so esteemed, for the guests of this world have that [government] knowledg* in hand.
15. Your proud horse [or beast], you shameful whore, shall ride no longer alone over the bended knees; in that time it will no more be said, The power [might or authority] sticks in my chest of money ; that mineral [or metal] becomes a blossom in the light ; and the tincture stands in the blossom of the lily ; stones are of as much worth [as that metal is] ; 5 the clothing of the virgin is 5 Or the brighter than your pride. How finely does the ornament of this world stand on modesty and the fear w of God, if the heart be humble? How does your silken and golden clothes adorn you ? Dost you not appear in God's deeds of wonder ? Who will call you a false woman, if you be so very chaste ? Dost you not stand to the honour of the great God ? Art you not his work of wonder ? Is there not a friendly 6 laughter before you ? Who can 6 mirth or i * i n mi cheerfulness.
say that you are a wrathful woman ? Ihy modest countenance shines over 7 mountains and valleys. 7 high and Art you not at the end of the world, and [will not] your glance [or lustre] be espied in paradise ? Wherefore stands your mother in 8 Babel, and is s Or in so very malicious ? 0! you shameful whore ; get jangling.
508 THE THREE PRINCIPLES [Ch. 20
1 with wrath, you out, for Babel is J on fire, or else you will be or with the .
devouring burnt yourself.
16. Or do you suppose that we are mad? If we did not see you, we would be silent. You boastest now (by your flatterers) of a golden time ; but they are most of them wolves of Babel ; when the day breaks, then they will be known. Or should I not tell you this, you proud whore ? Behold, when you with Adam and Eve wentest out of paradise into the spirit of this world, then you were as a god in the spirit of this world ; you might seek all Mysteries, and use them for your ornament. If you had always gone clothed in silk and purple [or scarlet], yet you had not [thereby] offended God ; but you had gone [in them] to the honour of the great God in his deeds of wonder. Wherefore have you forsaken
1 Or God and the2love, and art become a murderer? Was not goodness. 1 , ,_.
covetousness your sin, in that you afford est not your members so much as yourself? You desirest to be only fine yourself alone. Your way only
8 Or must. 8 should be holy. Wherefore was the fratricide between Abel and Cainl The self-honouring pride brought it about, so that Cain envied
4 honesty. A bel's 4 uprightness, for the sake of which he was so much beloved of God. Wherefore was not Cain also humble and pious?
17. Wilt you say, The devil beguiled him ? Yes indeed, and he beguils you too, so that you enviest the comeliness and beauty of others. Has
Ch. 20] ADAM AND EVE*S GOING OUT OF PARADISE 509