This is a modern-English version of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, originally written by Blake, William.
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The cover of this book was made by the transcriber and is available in the public domain.
THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN
AND HELL
The Marriage of Heaven
and Hell
THE MARRIAGE OF
HEAVEN AND HELL
BY
WILLIAM BLAKE
BY
WILLIAM BLAKE
BOSTON
JOHN W. LUCE AND COMPANY
1906
BOSTON
JOHN W. LUCE AND CO.
1906
THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN
AND HELL
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
THE ARGUMENT
Hungry clouds loom over the deep.
Roses are planted where thorns exist,
And on the empty heath Buzz about the honey bees.
And a river and a spring On every cliff and grave;[6] And on the bleached bones Red clay produced: Until the villain left the easy paths To walk in dangerous ways, and pursue
The righteous person into deserted lands.
In gentle modesty; And the righteous man is angry in the wilderness. Where lions live.
Hungry clouds drift over the deep.
As a new heaven is begun, and it is now thirty-three years since its advent, the Eternal Hell revives. And lo! Swedenborg is the angel sitting at the tomb: his writings are the linen clothes folded up. Now is the dominion of Edom, and the return of Adam into Paradise.—See Isaiah xxxiv. and xxxv. chap.
As a new heaven begins, and it's been thirty-three years since it arrived, the Eternal Hell reawakens. And look! Swedenborg is the angel sitting at the tomb; his writings are the folded linen cloth. Now is the rule of Edom, and Adam returns to Paradise.—See Isaiah xxxiv. and xxxv. chap.
Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.
Without opposites, there’s no progress. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate are essential to human life.
From these contraries spring what the religious call Good and Evil. Good is the passive that obeys reason; Evil is the active springing from Energy.
From these opposites come what the religious refer to as Good and Evil. Good is the passive that follows reason; Evil is the active that arises from Energy.
Good is heaven. Evil is hell.
Good is heaven. Evil is hell.
THE VOICE OF THE DEVIL
All Bibles or sacred codes have been the cause of the following errors:—
All Bibles or sacred texts have led to the following mistakes:—
1. That man has two real existing principles, viz., a Body and a Soul.
1. That man has two real existing principles: a Body and a Soul.
2. That Energy, called Evil, is alone from the Body; and that Reason, called Good, is alone from the Soul.
2. That Energy, known as Evil, is separate from the Body; and that Reason, known as Good, is separate from the Soul.
3. That God will torment man in Eternity for following his Energies.
3. That God will punish humans in eternity for pursuing their passions.
But the following contraries to these are true:—
But the following opposites to these are true:—
1. Man has no Body distinct from his Soul. For that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age.
1. A person doesn't have a body separate from their soul. What we call the body is just a part of the soul that can be perceived by the five senses, which are the main ways the soul interacts with the world in this time.
2. Energy is the only life, and is from the Body; and Reason is the bound or outward circumference of Energy.
2. Energy is the essence of life, and it comes from the Body; and Reason is the boundary or outer limit of Energy.
3. Energy is Eternal Delight.
Energy is Forever Joy.
Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place and governs the unwilling.
Those who hold back their desires do so because their desires are weak enough to be held back; and the one who restrains, or reason, takes its place and controls the unwilling.
And being restrained, it by degrees becomes passive, till it is only the shadow of desire.
And being held back, it gradually becomes passive until it's just a faint echo of desire.
The history of this is written in Paradise Lost, and the Governor or Reason is called Messiah.
The history of this is written in Paradise Lost, and the Governor or Reason is called Messiah.
And the original Archangel or possessor of the command of the heavenly host is called the Devil, or Satan, and his children are called Sin and Death.
And the original Archangel or leader of the heavenly army is known as the Devil or Satan, and his offspring are named Sin and Death.
But in the book of Job, Milton’s Messiah is called Satan.
But in the book of Job, Milton’s Messiah is referred to as Satan.
For this history has been adopted by both parties.
For this history has been accepted by both parties.
It indeed appeared to Reason as if[10] desire was cast out, but the Devil’s account is, that the Messiah fell, and formed a heaven of what he stole from the abyss.
It really seemed to Reason as if[10] desire was expelled, but the Devil's story is that the Messiah fell and created a heaven from what he took from the abyss.
This is shown in the Gospel, where he prays to the Father to send the Comforter or desire that Reason may have ideas to build on, the Jehovah of the Bible being no other than he who dwells in flaming fire. Know that after Christ’s death he became Jehovah.
This is shown in the Gospel, where he prays to the Father to send the Comforter or hopes that Reason may have ideas to build on, the Jehovah of the Bible being no other than he who dwells in flaming fire. Know that after Christ’s death he became Jehovah.
But in Milton, the Father is Destiny, the Son a ratio of the five senses, and the Holy Ghost vacuum!
But in Milton, the Father is Destiny, the Son is a reflection of the five senses, and the Holy Ghost is emptiness!
Note.—The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels and God, and at liberty when of Devils and Hell, is because he was a true poet, and of the Devil’s party without knowing it.
Note.—The reason Milton wrote constrained when he described Angels and God, and freely when he wrote about Devils and Hell, is that he was a genuine poet, and unconsciously aligned with the Devil's side.
A MEMORABLE FANCY
As I was walking among the fires of Hell, delighted with the enjoyments of Genius, which to Angels look like torment and insanity, I collected some of their proverbs, thinking that as the sayings used in a nation mark its character, so the proverbs of Hell show the nature of infernal wisdom better than any description of buildings or garments.
As I was walking through the fires of Hell, enjoying the pleasures of Genius that Angels see as torment and madness, I gathered some of their proverbs, believing that just as the sayings used in a culture reflect its character, the proverbs of Hell reveal the essence of infernal wisdom better than any description of buildings or clothing.
When I came home, on the abyss of the five senses, where a flat-sided steep frowns over the present world, I saw a mighty Devil folded in black clouds hovering on the sides of the rock; with corroding fires he wrote the following sentence now perceived by the minds of men, and read by them on earth:—
When I got home, at the edge of the five senses, where a steep cliff overlooks the present world, I saw a powerful Devil surrounded by black clouds hovering on the sides of the rock; with burning flames he wrote the following sentence now understood by people's minds and read by them on earth:—
that clears the way It’s a vast world full of joy,
"Closed by your senses five?"
PROVERBS OF HELL
In seed-time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
In planting season, learn; in harvest season, teach; in winter, enjoy.
Drive your cart and your plough over the bones of the dead.
Drive your cart and your plow over the bones of the dead.
The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
The path of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
Prudence is a rich ugly old maid courted by Incapacity.
Prudence is a wealthy, unattractive old woman being pursued by Inability.
He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence.
He who wants something but doesn't take action brings about trouble.
The cut worm forgives the plough.
The cutworm forgives the plow.
Dip him in the river who loves water.
Dip him in the river who loves water.
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.
A fool doesn't see the same tree that a wise person sees.
He whose face gives no light shall never become a star.
He who has no light in his face will never become a star.
Eternity is in love with the productions of time.
Eternity loves what time makes.
The busy bee has no time for sorrow.
The busy bee doesn't have time for sadness.
The hours of folly are measured by the clock, but of wisdom no clock can measure.
The hours of foolishness are counted by the clock, but wisdom can't be measured by any clock.
All wholesome food is caught without a net or a trap.
All good food is caught without a net or a trap.
Bring out number, weight, and measure in a year of dearth.
Bring out the numbers, weight, and measurements during a year of shortage.
No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.
No bird flies too high if it uses its own wings.
A dead body revenges not injuries.
A dead body doesn't seek revenge for wrongs.
The most sublime act is to set another before you.
The most amazing thing you can do is to put someone else ahead of yourself.
If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.
If the fool keeps at his foolishness, he will eventually gain wisdom.
Folly is the cloak of knavery.
Folly is the disguise of deceit.
Shame is Pride’s cloak.
Shame is Pride’s disguise.
Prisons are built with stones of law, brothels with bricks of religion.
Prisons are made with the foundations of law, brothels with the support of religion.
The pride of the peacock is the glory of God.
The pride of the peacock reflects the glory of God.
The lust of the goat is the bounty of God.
The desire of the goat is God's gift.
The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God.
The lion's anger is God's wisdom.
The nakedness of woman is the work of God.
The nakedness of a woman is God's creation.
Excess of sorrow laughs, excess of joy weeps.
Too much sorrow makes you laugh, and too much joy makes you cry.
The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, the raging of the stormy sea, and the destructive sword, are portions of Eternity too great for the eye of man.
The roaring of lions, the howling of wolves, the raging of the stormy sea, and the destructive sword are all parts of Eternity that are too immense for human eyes to comprehend.
The fox condemns the trap, not himself.
The fox blames the trap, not himself.
Joys impregnate, sorrows bring forth.
Joys create, sorrows bring forth.
Let man wear the fell of the lion, woman the fleece of the sheep.
Let a man wear the skin of a lion, and a woman wear the wool of a sheep.
The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.
The bird builds a nest, the spider creates a web, man forms friendships.
The selfish smiling fool and the sullen frowning fool shall be both thought wise that they may be a rod.
The self-serving smiling fool and the moody frowning fool will both be seen as wise so they can be a source of discipline.
What is now proved was once only imagined.
What is now proven was once just imagined.
The rat, the mouse, the fox, the rabbit watch the roots; the lion, the tiger, the horse, the elephant watch the fruits.
The rat, the mouse, the fox, and the rabbit watch the roots; the lion, the tiger, the horse, and the elephant watch the fruits.
The cistern contains, the fountain overflows.
The cistern is full, and the fountain is overflowing.
One thought fills immensity.
One thought fills the void.
Always be ready to speak your mind, and a base man will avoid you.
Always be ready to express your thoughts, and unworthy people will steer clear of you.
Everything possible to be believed is an image of truth.
Everything that can be believed is a reflection of truth.
The eagle never lost so much time[17] as when he submitted to learn of the crow.
The eagle never wasted so much time[17] as when he agreed to learn from the crow.
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion.
The fox takes care of himself, but God takes care of the lion.
Think in the morning, act in the noon, eat in the evening, sleep in the night.
Think in the morning, act in the afternoon, eat in the evening, sleep at night.
He who has suffered you to impose on him knows you.
He who has let you take advantage of him knows you.
As the plough follows words, so God rewards prayers.
As the plow follows words, so God rewards prayers.
The tigers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.
The fierce tigers of anger are smarter than the horses of teaching.
Expect poison from the standing water.
Expect toxins from stagnant water.
You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.
You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.
Listen to the fool’s reproach; it is a kingly title.
Listen to the fool's criticism; it's a royal title.
The eyes of fire, the nostrils of air,[18] the mouth of water, the beard of earth.
The eyes of fire, the nostrils of air,[18] the mouth of water, the beard of earth.
The weak in courage is strong in cunning.
The timid in bravery are clever in trickery.
The apple tree never asks the beech how he shall grow, nor the lion the horse how he shall take his prey.
The apple tree never asks the beech how to grow, nor does the lion ask the horse how to catch its prey.
The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.
The grateful receiver enjoys a rich reward.
If others had not been foolish we should have been so.
If others hadn’t been foolish, we would have been too.
The soul of sweet delight can never be defiled.
The essence of pure joy can never be corrupted.
When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of Genius. Lift up thy head!
When you see an eagle, you see a bit of genius. Look up!
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
Just as the caterpillar picks the best leaves to lay her eggs on, the priest casts his curse on the best joys.
To create a little flower is the labour of ages.
To create a simple flower takes a lifetime of work.
Damn braces; bless relaxes.
Forget braces; love the relax.
The best wine is the oldest, the best water the newest.
The best wine is the oldest, and the best water is the freshest.
Prayers plough not; praises reap not; joys laugh not; sorrows weep not.
Prayers don’t work; praises don’t yield results; joys don’t laugh; sorrows don’t cry.
The head Sublime, the heart Pathos, the genitals Beauty, the hands and feet Proportion.
The mind is Sublime, the heart is Pathos, the genitals are Beauty, and the hands and feet are Proportion.
As the air to a bird, or the sea to a fish, so is contempt to the contemptible.
As air is to a bird, or the ocean to a fish, so is contempt to those who deserve it.
The crow wished everything was black; the owl that everything was white.
The crow wanted everything to be black; the owl wanted everything to be white.
Exuberance is Beauty.
Excitement is beauty.
If the lion was advised by the fox, he would be cunning.
If the lion took advice from the fox, he would be smart.
Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement are roads of Genius.
Improvement creates straight paths, but the winding paths without Improvement are paths of Genius.
Sooner murder an infant in its cradle than nurse unacted desires.
Sooner kill a baby in its crib than let unfulfilled wishes linger.
Where man is not, nature is barren.
Where there are no people, nature is lifeless.
Truth can never be told so as to be understood and not to be believed.
Truth can never be conveyed in a way that it is understood without also being believed.
Enough! or Too much.
Enough! or Too much.
The ancient poets animated all sensible objects with Gods or Geniuses, calling them by the names and adorning them with properties of woods, rivers, mountains, lakes, cities, nations, and whatever their enlarged and numerous senses could perceive. And particularly they studied the Genius of each city and country, placing it under its mental deity. Till a system was formed, which some took advantage of and enslaved the vulgar by attempting to realize or abstract the mental deities from their objects. Thus began Priesthood.[21] Choosing forms of worship from poetic tales. And at length they pronounced that the Gods had ordered such things. Thus men forgot that all deities reside in the human breast.
The ancient poets brought to life all tangible objects with gods or spirits, giving them names and attributing qualities of woods, rivers, mountains, lakes, cities, nations, and anything else their keen and expansive senses could detect. They particularly focused on the spirit of each city and country, dedicating it to its mental deity. Eventually, a system emerged, which some exploited to control the masses by trying to separate or abstract these mental deities from their physical forms. This is how Priesthood began, choosing forms of worship based on poetic stories. In the end, they declared that the gods had commanded such things. As a result, people forgot that all deities exist within the human heart.[21]
A MEMORABLE FANCY
The Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel dined with me, and I asked them how they dared so roundly to assert that God spoke to them, and whether they did not think at the time that they would be misunderstood, and so be the cause of imposition.
The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel had dinner with me, and I asked them how they could confidently claim that God spoke to them, and whether they didn’t worry at the time about being misunderstood, which could lead to confusion or deception.
Isaiah answered: “I saw no God, nor heard any, in a finite organical perception: but my senses discovered the infinite in everything; and as I was then persuaded, and remained confirmed, that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God, I cared not for consequences, but wrote.”
Isaiah replied, “I didn’t see God or hear Him with my limited human senses, but I found the infinite in everything. I was convinced and stayed sure that the voice of true indignation is the voice of God, so I didn’t worry about the consequences and just wrote.”
Then I asked: “Does a firm persuasion that a thing is so, make it so?”
Then I asked, “If someone is firmly convinced that something is true, does that make it true?”
He replied: “All poets believe that[23] it does, and in ages of imagination this firm persuasion removed mountains; but many are not capable of a firm persuasion of anything.”
He replied: “All poets believe that[23] it does, and during times of creativity, this strong belief could move mountains; but many aren't capable of firmly believing in anything.”
Then Ezekiel said: “The philosophy of the East taught the first principles of human perception; some nations held one principle for the origin, and some another. We of Israel taught that the Poetic Genius (as you now call it) was the first principle, and all the others merely derivative, which was the cause of our despising the Priests and Philosophers of other countries, and prophesying that all Gods would at last be proved to originate in ours, and to be the tributaries of the Poetic Genius. It was this that our great poet King David desired so fervently, and invokes so pathetically, saying by this he conquers enemies and governs kingdoms; and we so loved our God that we cursed in His[24] name all the deities of surrounding nations, and asserted that they had rebelled. From these opinions the vulgar came to think that all nations would at last be subject to the Jews.
Then Ezekiel said: “The philosophy of the East taught the basic principles of human perception; some nations had one principle for the origin, while others had another. We of Israel taught that the Poetic Genius (as you now call it) was the first principle, and all the others were merely derived from it. This led us to look down on the priests and philosophers of other countries and to predict that all gods would eventually be shown to originate from ours and be tributaries of the Poetic Genius. This was what our great poet King David wanted so passionately and called upon so powerfully, saying that through this he conquers enemies and rules kingdoms; and we loved our God so much that we cursed in His name all the deities of surrounding nations and claimed they had rebelled. Because of these beliefs, the common people began to think that all nations would ultimately be under the Jews’ rule.”
“This,” said he, “like all firm persuasions, is come to pass, for all nations believe the Jews’ code, and worship the Jews’ God; and what greater subjection can be?”
“This,” he said, “like all strong beliefs, has come to be because all nations accept the Jews’ laws and worship the Jews’ God; and what greater submission can there be?”
I heard this with some wonder, and must confess my own conviction. After dinner I asked Isaiah to favour the world with his lost works; he said none of equal value was lost. Ezekiel said the same of his.
I heard this with some amazement and have to admit my own belief. After dinner, I asked Isaiah to share his lost works with the world; he replied that none of equal value was lost. Ezekiel said the same about his.
I also asked Isaiah what made him go naked and barefoot three years. He answered: “The same that made our friend Diogenes the Grecian.”
I also asked Isaiah why he went naked and barefoot for three years. He answered, “The same reason our friend Diogenes the Greek did.”
I then asked Ezekiel why he ate dung, and lay so long on his right and[25] left side. He answered: “The desire of raising other men into a perception of the infinite. This the North American tribes practise. And is he honest who resists his genius or conscience, only for the sake of present ease or gratification?”
I then asked Ezekiel why he ate dung and lay for so long on his right and[25] left side. He answered, “The desire to elevate others to an awareness of the infinite. This is something the North American tribes do. And is he truly honest who goes against his true calling or conscience, just for the sake of short-term comfort or pleasure?”
The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true, as I have heard from Hell.
The old belief that the world will be destroyed by fire after six thousand years is true, as I've heard from Hell.
For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at [the] tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed and appear infinite and holy, whereas it now appears finite and corrupt.
For the cherub with his flaming sword is ordered to leave his post at the tree of life, and when he does, all of creation will be consumed and will seem infinite and holy, while right now it seems finite and corrupt.
This will come to pass by an improvement of sensual enjoyment.
This will happen through an enhancement of sensory pleasure.
But first the notion that man has[26] a body distinct from his soul is to be expunged; this I shall do by printing in the infernal method by corrosives, which in Hell are salutary and medicinal, melting apparent surfaces away, and displaying the infinite which was hid.
But first, we need to get rid of the idea that a person has[26] a body separate from their soul; I will accomplish this by using the harsh method of corrosives, which are beneficial and healing in Hell, dissolving visible surfaces and revealing the infinite that was hidden.
If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.
If the doors of perception were cleaned, everything would appear to people as it truly is: infinite.
For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things through narrow chinks of his cavern.
For man has shut himself in, until he sees everything through the narrow cracks of his cave.
A MEMORABLE FANCY
I was in a printing-house in Hell, and saw the method in which knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation.
I was in a printing house in Hell, and saw how knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next.
In the first chamber was a dragon-man, clearing away the rubbish from a cave’s mouth; within, a number of dragons were hollowing the cave.
In the first chamber was a dragon-man, cleaning up the debris from the entrance of a cave; inside, several dragons were digging out the cave.
In the second chamber was a viper folding round the rock and the cave, and others adorning it with gold, silver, and precious stones.
In the second chamber, there was a viper wrapped around the rock and the cave, while others decorated it with gold, silver, and precious stones.
In the third chamber was an eagle with wings and feathers of air; he caused the inside of the cave to be infinite; around were numbers of eagle-like men, who built palaces in the immense cliffs.
In the third chamber, there was an eagle with wings and feathers made of air; it made the inside of the cave feel endless. Surrounding it were many eagle-like men who constructed palaces in the massive cliffs.
In the fourth chamber were lions[28] of flaming fire raging around and melting the metals into living fluids.
In the fourth room, there were lions[28] made of blazing fire, roaring fiercely and turning metals into liquid.
In the fifth chamber were unnamed forms, which cast the metals into the expanse.
In the fifth chamber were nameless shapes that poured the metals into the vast space.
There they were received by men who occupied the sixth chamber, and took the forms of books, and were arranged in libraries.
There, they were welcomed by people who occupied the sixth chamber, took the shape of books, and were organized in libraries.
The Giants who formed this world into its sensual existence and now seem to live in it in chains are in truth the causes of its life and the sources of all activity, but the chains are the cunning of weak and tame minds, which have power to resist energy, according to the proverb, “The weak in courage is strong in cunning.”
The Giants who shaped this world into its sensual existence and now seem to be living in it bound by chains are, in reality, the driving forces behind its life and the sources of all activity. However, these chains are the work of clever and submissive minds that have the power to stifle energy, as the saying goes, “The weak in courage is strong in cunning.”
Thus one portion of being is the[29] Prolific, the other the Devouring. To the devourer it seems as if the producer was in his chains; but it is not so, he only takes portions of existence, and fancies that the whole.
Thus one aspect of existence is the[29] Prolific, while the other is the Devouring. To the devourer, it appears that the producer is trapped; however, that’s not the case. The producer only takes bits of existence, believing it to be the entirety.
But the Prolific would cease to be prolific unless the Devourer as a sea received the excess of his delights.
But the Prolific would stop being prolific unless the Devourer, like a sea, absorbed the overflow of his pleasures.
Some will say, “Is not God alone the Prolific?” I answer: “God only acts and is in existing beings or men.”
Some will say, “Isn't God alone the Source of all creation?” I respond: “God only acts and exists within living beings or humans.”
These two classes of men are always upon earth, and they should be enemies: whoever tries to reconcile them seeks to destroy existence.
These two types of people always exist on earth, and they should be enemies: anyone who tries to bring them together is trying to ruin existence.
Religion is an endeavour to reconcile the two.
Religion is an effort to bring the two together.
Note.—Jesus Christ did not wish to unite but to separate them, as in the parable of sheep and goats; and[30] He says: “I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
Note.—Jesus Christ didn’t intend to unite them but to separate them, like in the parable of the sheep and the goats; and[30] He says: “I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Messiah, or Satan, or Tempter, was formerly thought to be one of the antediluvians who are our Energies.
Messiah, or Satan, or Tempter, was once believed to be one of the pre-flood figures who embody our Energies.
A MEMORABLE FANCY
An Angel came to me and said: “O pitiable foolish young man! O horrible, O dreadful state! Consider the hot burning dungeon thou art preparing for thyself to all Eternity, to which thou art going in such career.”
An angel came to me and said: “Oh, unfortunate foolish young man! Oh, what a terrible, dreadful situation! Think about the fiery dungeon you are creating for yourself for all eternity, to which you are heading with such reckless behavior.”
I said: “Perhaps you will be willing to show me my eternal lot, and we will contemplate together upon it, and see whether your lot or mine is most desirable.”
I said, “Maybe you’ll be willing to show me my eternal fate, and we can think about it together to see whose fate is more desirable, yours or mine.”
So he took me through a stable, and through a church, and down into the church vault, at the end of which was a mill; through the mill we went, and came to a cave; down the winding cavern we groped our tedious way, till a void boundless as a nether sky appeared beneath us, and we held by[32] the roots of trees, and hung over this immensity; but I said: “If you please, we will commit ourselves to this void, and see whether Providence is here also; if you will not, I will.” But he answered: “Do not presume, O young man; but as we here remain, behold thy lot, which will soon appear when the darkness passes away.”
So he led me through a stable, then through a church, and down into the church vault, where we reached a mill; we went through the mill and arrived at a cave. We made our way down the winding cavern until an endless void, as vast as the sky above, opened up beneath us. We held onto the roots of trees, hanging over this abyss; but I said, “If you’re okay with it, let’s jump into this void and see if there’s a plan for us here too; if you don’t want to, I will.” But he replied, “Don’t be reckless, young man; as we wait here, just watch your fate, which will soon become clear when the darkness lifts.”
So I remained with him sitting in the twisted root of an oak; he was suspended in a fungus, which hung with the head downward into the deep.
So I stayed with him sitting in the gnarled roots of an oak; he was dangling in a fungus that hung with its head down into the depths.
By degrees we beheld the infinite abyss, fiery as the smoke of a burning city; beneath us at an immense distance was the sun, black but shining; round it were fiery tracks on which revolved vast spiders, crawling after their prey, which flew, or rather swum, in the infinite deep, in the most[33] terrific shapes of animals sprung from corruption; and the air was full of them, and seemed composed of them. These are Devils, and are called powers of the air. I now asked my companion which was my eternal lot. He said: “Between the black and white spiders.”
Gradually, we saw the endless void, as fiery as the smoke from a burning city; far below us was the sun, dark yet shining. Around it were fiery trails where massive spiders revolved, chasing their prey, which flew—or rather swam—in the limitless depths, taking on the most terrifying forms of creatures born from decay; the air was filled with them, almost seeming to be made of them. These are Demons, referred to as powers of the air. I then asked my companion what my eternal fate would be. He replied: “Between the black and white spiders.”
But now, from between the black and white spiders, a cloud and fire burst and rolled through the deep, blackening all beneath so that the nether deep grew black as a sea, and rolled with a terrible noise. Beneath us was nothing now to be seen but a black tempest, till looking East between the clouds and the waves, we saw a cataract of blood mixed with fire, and not many stones’ throw from us appeared and sunk again the scaly fold of a monstrous serpent. At last to the East, distant about three degrees, appeared a fiery crest above the waves;[34] slowly it reared like a ridge of golden rocks, till we discovered two globes of crimson fire, from which the sea fled away in clouds of smoke; and now we saw it was the head of Leviathan. His forehead was divided into streaks of green and purple, like those on a tiger’s forehead; soon we saw his mouth and red gills hang just above the raging foam, tinging the black deeps with beams of blood, advancing toward us with all the fury of a spiritual existence.
But now, between the black and white spiders, a cloud and fire burst forth, rolling through the dark, blackening everything below so that the depths turned as black as the sea, rumbling with a terrible noise. Below us, all we could see was a black storm until, looking east through the clouds and waves, we spotted a waterfall of blood mixed with fire. Not far from us, we caught a glimpse of a monstrous serpent that appeared and then vanished again. Finally, to the east, about three degrees away, we saw a fiery crest rise above the waves; slowly it lifted like a ridge of golden rocks until we spotted two spheres of crimson fire, from which the sea retreated in clouds of smoke. Now we realized it was the head of Leviathan. His forehead was streaked with green and purple, resembling a tiger's pattern; soon we saw his mouth and red gills hanging just above the raging foam, tinting the black depths with beams of blood as he advanced toward us with the fury of a spiritual being.
My friend the Angel climbed up from his station into the mill. I remained alone, and then this appearance was no more; but I found myself sitting on a pleasant bank beside a river by moonlight, hearing a harper who sung to the harp; and his theme was: “The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”
My friend the Angel climbed up from his spot into the mill. I was left alone, and then that vision was gone; but I found myself sitting on a nice bank beside a river in the moonlight, listening to a harpist who sang while playing the harp; and his theme was: “A person who never changes their opinion is like stagnant water and breeds pests in their mind.”
But I arose, and sought for the mill, and there I found my Angel, who, surprised, asked me how I escaped.
But I got up and looked for the mill, and there I found my Angel, who, surprised, asked me how I got away.
I answered: “All that we saw was owing to your metaphysics; for when you ran away, I found myself on a bank by moonlight, hearing a harper. But now we have seen my eternal lot, shall I show you yours?” He laughed at my proposal; but I by force suddenly caught him in my arms, and flew Westerly through the night, till we were elevated above the earth’s shadow; then I flung myself with him directly into the body of the sun; here I clothed myself in white, and taking in my hand Swedenborg’s volumes, sunk from the glorious clime, and passed all the planets till we came to Saturn. Here I stayed to rest, and then leaped into the void between Saturn and the fixed stars.
I replied, “Everything we saw was due to your philosophy; because when you ran off, I found myself by a moonlit bank, listening to a harper. But now that we've seen my eternal fate, should I show you yours?” He laughed at my suggestion, but I suddenly grabbed him in my arms and soared westward through the night until we rose above the earth's shadow. Then I dove with him straight into the sun; here I dressed in white, and taking Swedenborg’s books in my hand, I fell from the radiant realm and passed all the planets until we reached Saturn. I paused here to rest, then jumped into the void between Saturn and the fixed stars.
“Here,” said I, “is your lot; in this space, if space it may be called.” Soon we saw the stable and the church, and I took him to the altar and opened the Bible, and lo! it was a deep pit, into which I descended, driving the Angel before me. Soon we saw seven houses of brick. One we entered. In it were a number of monkeys, baboons, and all of that species, chained by the middle, grinning and snatching at one another, but withheld by the shortness of their chains. However, I saw that they sometimes grew numerous, and then the weak were caught by the strong, and with a grinning aspect, first coupled with and then devoured by plucking off first one limb and then another till the body was left a helpless trunk; this, after grinning and kissing it with seeming fondness, they devoured too. And here and there I saw one savourily picking the flesh off[37] his own tail. As the stench terribly annoyed us both, we went into the mill; and I in my hand brought the skeleton of a body, which in the mill was Aristotle’s Analytics.
“Here,” I said, “is your place; in this area, if you can even call it that.” Soon we spotted the stable and the church, and I took him to the altar and opened the Bible, and surprisingly! it was a deep pit, into which I went down, pushing the Angel ahead of me. Soon we came across seven brick houses. We entered one of them. Inside were a bunch of monkeys, baboons, and others of their kind, all chained in the middle, grinning and grabbing at each other, but stopped by the shortness of their chains. I noticed that sometimes they would grow in number, and then the stronger would catch the weaker, and with grinning faces, they first mated with and then devoured them by tearing off one limb after another until all that was left was a helpless trunk; this, after grinning and pretending to be affectionate, they devoured too. Occasionally, I saw one eagerly picking the flesh off[37] its own tail. Since the horrible smell bothered us both, we went into the mill; and I was holding the skeleton of a body, which in the mill happened to be Aristotle’s Analytics.
So the Angel said: “Thy phantasy has imposed upon me, and thou oughtest to be ashamed.”
So the Angel said: “Your imagination has tricked me, and you should be ashamed.”
I answered: “We impose on one another, and it is but lost time to converse with you whose works are only Analytics.”
I replied, “We take advantage of each other, and it's just a waste of time to talk to you when your work is solely about Analytics.”
“I have always found that Angels have the vanity to speak of themselves as the only wise; this they do with a confident insolence sprouting from systematic reasoning.
“I have always found that angels have the arrogance to refer to themselves as the only wise ones; they do this with a brazen confidence that comes from their logical reasoning.”
“Thus Swedenborg boasts that what he writes is new; though it is only the contents or index of already published books.
“Thus Swedenborg claims that what he writes is new; although it is just the contents or index of books that have already been published.
“A man carried a monkey about for a show, and because he was a little wiser than the monkey, grew vain, and conceived himself as much wiser than seven men. It is so with Swedenborg; he shows the folly of churches, and exposes hypocrites, till he imagines that all are religious, and himself the single one on earth that ever broke a net.
“A man carried a monkey around for a show, and because he was a bit smarter than the monkey, he became vain and thought he was wiser than seven men. It's the same with Swedenborg; he reveals the foolishness of churches and exposes hypocrites, until he believes that everyone else is religious, and that he is the only one on earth who has ever escaped their trap.”
“Now hear a plain fact: Swedenborg has not written one new truth. Now hear another: he has written all the old falsehoods.
“Now hear a simple truth: Swedenborg hasn’t written a single new idea. Now hear another: he’s written all the old lies.”
“And now hear the reason: he conversed with Angels who are all religious, and conversed not with Devils who all hate religion, for he was incapable through his conceited notions.
"And now hear the reason: he talked with angels who are all about faith, and did not engage with devils who all despise religion, because he was unable to do so due to his arrogant beliefs."
“Thus Swedenborg’s writings are a recapitulation of all superficial[39] opinions, and an analysis of the more sublime, but no further.
“Thus Swedenborg’s writings are a summary of all surface-level opinions, and an examination of the deeper ones, but nothing more.
“Have now another plain fact: any man of mechanical talents may from the writings of Paracelsus or Jacob Behmen produce ten thousand volumes of equal value with Swedenborg’s, and from those of Dante or Shakespeare an infinite number.
“Here’s another straightforward fact: any person with mechanical skills can take the writings of Paracelsus or Jacob Behmen and create ten thousand volumes that are just as valuable as Swedenborg’s, and from those of Dante or Shakespeare, an endless number.”
“But when he has done this, let him not say that he knows better than his master, for he only holds a candle in sunshine.”
“But once he has done this, he shouldn’t claim to know better than his master, because he’s just holding a candle in the sunlight.”
A MEMORABLE FANCY
Once I saw a Devil in a flame of fire, who arose before an Angel that sat on a cloud, and the Devil uttered these words: “The worship of God is, honouring His gifts in other men each according to his genius, and loving the greatest men best. Those who envy or calumniate great men hate God, for there is no other God.”
Once I saw a Devil in a flame of fire, who appeared before an Angel sitting on a cloud, and the Devil said: “Worshiping God means honoring His gifts in others based on their unique talents and loving the greatest people the most. Those who envy or slander great individuals hate God, for there is no other God.”
The Angel hearing this became almost blue, but mastering himself he grew yellow, and at last white-pink and smiling, and then replied: “Thou idolater, is not God One? and is not He visible in Jesus Christ? and has not Jesus Christ given His sanction to the law of ten commandments? and are not all other men fools, sinners, and nothings?”
The Angel, hearing this, turned pale but then composed himself, shifting to a yellow hue, and finally to a white-pink shade with a smile. He replied, “You idolater, isn’t God One? Isn’t He visible in Jesus Christ? Hasn’t Jesus Christ endorsed the law of the ten commandments? And aren’t all other people fools, sinners, and insignificant?”
The Devil answered: “Bray a fool in a mortar with wheat, yet shall not his folly be beaten out of him. If Jesus Christ is the greatest man, you ought to love Him in the greatest degree. Now hear how He has given His sanction to the law of ten commandments. Did He not mock at the Sabbath, and so mock the Sabbath’s God? murder those who were murdered because of Him? turn away the law from the woman taken in adultery, steal the labour of others to support Him? bear false witness when He omitted making a defence before Pilate? covet when He prayed for His disciples, and when He bid them shake off the dust of their feet against such as refused to lodge them? I tell you, no virtue can exist without breaking these ten commandments. Jesus was all virtue, and acted from impulse, not from rules.”
The Devil replied, “You can grind a fool in a mortar with wheat, but you’ll never beat the foolishness out of him. If Jesus Christ is the greatest man, you should love Him the most. Now listen to how He approved the law of the ten commandments. Did He not disregard the Sabbath, and in doing so, insult the God of the Sabbath? Did He not let those who were killed for His sake die? Did He not dismiss the law for the woman caught in adultery, take others’ work to support Himself, give false testimony by not defending Himself before Pilate, and covet when He prayed for His disciples, telling them to shake off the dust from their feet against those who refused to take them in? I’m telling you, no virtue can exist without breaking these ten commandments. Jesus embodied all virtue and acted on impulse, not according to rules.”
When he had so spoken, I beheld the Angel, who stretched out his arms embracing the flame of fire, and he was consumed, and arose as Elijah.
When he finished speaking, I saw the Angel, who opened his arms to embrace the flame, and he was consumed, then rose like Elijah.
Note.—This Angel, who is now become a Devil, is my particular friend; we often read the Bible together in its infernal or diabolical sense, which the world shall have if they behave well.
Note.—This Angel, who has now turned into a Devil, is my close friend; we frequently read the Bible together in its dark or sinister meaning, which the world will understand if they act right.
I have also the Bible of Hell, which the world shall have whether they will or no.
I also have the Bible of Hell, and the world will get it whether they want it or not.
One law for the lion and ox is Oppression.
One law for the lion and the ox is oppression.
A SONG OF LIBERTY
1. The Eternal Female groan’d; it was heard over all the earth:
1. The Eternal Female groaned; it was heard all over the earth:
2. Albion’s coast is sick silent; the American meadows faint.
2. Albion's coast is painfully quiet; the American fields are fading.
3. Shadows of prophecy shiver along by the lakes and the rivers, and mutter across the ocean. France, rend down thy dungeon!
3. Shadows of prophecy tremble along the lakes and rivers, and whisper across the ocean. France, tear down your prison!
4. Golden Spain, burst the barriers of old Rome!
4. Golden Spain, break down the barriers of ancient Rome!
5. Cast thy keys, O Rome, into the deep—down falling, even to eternity down falling;
5. Throw your keys, O Rome, into the deep—falling down, all the way to eternity;
6. And weep!
And cry!
7. In her trembling hands she took the new-born terror, howling.
7. In her shaking hands, she held the newborn terror, screaming.
8. On those infinite mountains of light now barr’d out by the Atlantic[44] sea, the new-born fire stood before the starry king.
8. On those endless mountains of light now blocked out by the Atlantic[44] sea, the new flame stood before the starry king.
9. Flagg’d with grey-brow’d snows and thunderous visages, the jealous wings wav’d over the deep.
9. Marked with gray snow and thunderous faces, the jealous wings waved over the deep.
10. The speary hand burn’d aloft; unbuckled was the shield; forth went the hand of jealousy among the flaming hair, and hurl’d the new-born wonder through the starry night.
10. The spear-wielding hand burned high; the shield was unfastened; the hand of jealousy ran into the fiery hair, and threw the new wonder into the starry night.
11. The fire, the fire is falling!
11. The fire, the fire is coming down!
12. Look up! look up! O citizen of London, enlarge thy countenance! O Jew, leave counting gold; return to thy oil and wine! O African, black African! (Go, winged thought, widen his forehead.)
12. Look up! Look up! O citizen of London, brighten your face! O Jew, stop counting your gold; go back to your oil and wine! O African, black African! (Go, flying thought, widen his forehead.)
13. The fiery limbs, the flaming hair shot like the sinking sun into the Western sea.
13. The burning arms, the blazing hair shot like the setting sun into the Western ocean.
14. Wak’d from his eternal sleep, the hoary element roaring fled away.
14. Woken from his eternal sleep, the gray element roared and faded away.
15. Down rush’d, beating his wings in vain, the jealous king, his grey-brow’d councillors, thunderous warriors, curl’d veterans, among helms and shields, and chariots, horses, elephants, banners, castles, slings, and rocks.
15. Down rushed, flapping his wings in vain, the jealous king, his grey-browed advisors, loud warriors, experienced veterans, surrounded by helmets and shields, chariots, horses, elephants, banners, castles, slings, and rocks.
16. Falling, rushing, ruining; buried in the ruins, on Urthona’s dens.
16. Falling, rushing, destroying; buried in the wreckage, on Urthona’s dens.
17. All night beneath the ruins; then their sullen flames, faded, emerge round the gloomy king.
17. All night under the ruins; then their dull flames, faded, appear around the gloomy king.
18. With thunder and fire, leading his starry hosts through the waste wilderness, he promulgates his ten commandments, glancing his beamy eyelids over the deep in dark dismay.
18. With thunder and fire, guiding his starry armies through the barren wilderness, he announces his ten commandments, casting a worried glance over the deep in dark dismay.
19. Where the Son of Fire in his Eastern cloud, while the Morning plumes her golden breast,
19. Where the Son of Fire in his Eastern cloud, while the Morning plumes her golden breast,
20. Spurning the clouds written[46] with curses, stamps the stony law to dust, loosing the eternal horses from the dens of night, crying: “Empire is no more! and now the lion and wolf shall cease.”
20. Shunning the clouds filled[46] with curses, crushes the harsh law to dust, releasing the eternal horses from the shadows of night, shouting: “Empire is gone! and now the lion and wolf will stop.”
CHORUS
Let the Priests of the Raven of Dawn, no longer in deadly black, with hoarse note curse the Sons of Joy. Nor his accepted brethren whom, tyrant, he calls free, lay the bound or build the roof. Nor pale religious lechery call that virginity that wishes, but acts not!
Let the Priests of the Raven of Dawn, no longer dressed in deadly black, shout their curses at the Sons of Joy. Neither should the enslaved nor the so-called free, whom the tyrant calls his comrades, build the walls or set the roof. And don't confuse that longing, which wishes but does not act, with the purity of true virginity!
For everything that lives is holy.
For everything that lives is sacred.
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