THE SEVEN SEALS 335
If I have ever laughed with the laughter of creative lightning, that is followed by the long thunder of the deed, rumbling though willingly ;
If I have ever played at dice with Gods at the god- like table of earth, so that the earth trembled and brake and hissed up streams of fire;
(For a god-like table is earth, and trembling from creative new words and dice-casts of Gods.)
Oh ! how could I fail to be eager for eternity, and for the marriage ring of rings, the ring of recurrence ?
Never yet have I found the woman by whom I should have liked to have children, unless it be this woman I love. For I love thee, O Eternity !
For I love thee, O Eternity !
��If I have ever drunk a full draught from that foam- ing spice-mixture-vessel in which all things are mixed ;
If my hand hath ever poured what is remotest into what is nighest, and fire into spirit, and lust into woe, and wickedest into kindest ;
If I myself am a grain of that redeeming salt that maketh all things mix well in the vessel of mixture;
(For there is a salt that bringeth together what is good and what is evil ; and even the wickedest is worthy of serving as seasoning, and as a means for the last foaming over.)
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