ht that I might see whence these things
were. Then, as in a vision, the Past opened up its gates. It seemed that
upon a time, thousand, thousand ages agone, I and this man of my dream
had arisen from nothingness and looked in each other's eyes, and loved
with a love unspeakable, and vowed a vow that shall endure from time to
time and world to world. For we were not mortal then, but partook of the
nature of the Gods, being more fair and great than any of human kind,
and our happiness was the happiness of Heaven. But in our great joy we
hearkened to the Voice of the That thou knowest, of that Thing, Rei,
with which, against thy counsel, I have but lately dealt. The kiss of
our love awakened That which slept, the fire of our love warmed That
which was a-cold! We defied the holy Gods, worshipping them not, but
rather each the other, for we knew that as the Gods we were eternal. And
the Gods were angered against us and drew us up into their presence. And
while we trembled they spake as with a voice:

"'"Ye twain who are one life, each completing each, because with your
kisses ye have wakened That which slept, and with the fire of your love
have warmed That which was a-cold: because ye have forgotten them that
gave you life and love and joy: hearken to your Doom!

"'"From Two be ye made _Three_, and through all Time strive ye to be
Twain again. Pass from this Holy Place down to the Hell of Earth, and
though ye be immortal put on the garments of mortality. Pass on from
Life to Life, live and love and hate and seem to die: have acquaintance
with every lot, and in your blind forgetfulness, being one and being
equal, work each other's woe according to the law of Earth, and for your
love's sake sin and be shamed, perish and re-arise, appear to conquer
and be conquered, pursuing your threefold destiny, and, at the word of
Fate, the unaltering circle meets, and the veil of blindness falls from
your eyes, and, as a scroll, your folly is unrolled, and the hid purpose
of your sorrow is accomplished and once more ye are Twain and One."

"'Then, as we trembled, clinging each to each, again the great Voice
spoke:

"'"Ye twain who are One--let That to which ye have hearkened divide you
and enfold you! Be ye Three!"

"'And as the Voice spoke I was torn with agony, and strength went out of
me, and there, by him I loved, stood the woman of my dream crowned with
every glory and adorned with the Star. And we were three. And between
him and