1
The Chapter known as
The Twelvefold Affirmation of God
and the Unity thereof
I
adore
Thee by the
Twelve Affirmations
and by the Unity thereof.
1
O Thou snow-clad volcan of scarlet fire, Thou flamecrested
pillar of fury! Yea, as I approach Thee, Thou departest from me like unto a wisp
of smoke blown forth from the window of my house.
2
O Thou summer-land of eternal joy, Thou rapturous garden
of flowers! Yea, as I gather Thee, my harvest is but as a drop of dew shimmering
in the golden cup of the crocus.
3
O Thou throbbing music of life and death, Thou rhythmic harmony
of the world! Yea, as I listen to the echo of Thy voice, my rapture is but as the whisper
of the wings of a butterfly.
4
O Thou burning tempest of blinding sand, Thou whirlwind from
the depths of darkness! Yea, as I struggle through Thee, through Thee, my strength is
but as a dove's down floating forth on the purple nipples of the storm.
5
O Thou crowned giant among great giants, Thou crimson-sworded
soldier of war! Yea, as I battle with Thee, Thou masterest me as a lion that slayeth
a babe that is cradled in lilies.
6
O Thou shadowy vista of Darkness, Thou cryptic Book of the
fir-clad hills! Yea, as I search the key of Thy house I find my hope but as a
rushlight sheltered in the hands of a little child.
7
O Thou great labour of the Firmament, Thou tempest tossed
roaring of the Aires! Yea, as I sink in the depths of Thine affliction,
mine anguish is but as the smile on the lips of a sleeping babe.
8
O Thou depths of the Inconceivable, Thou cryptic, unutterable God!
Yea, as I attempt to understand Thee, my wisdom is but as an abacus in the lap of an aged man.
9
O Thou transfigured dream of blinding light, Thou beatitude
of wonderment! Yea, as I behold Thee, mine understanding is but as the glimpse of a
rainbow through a storm of blinding snow.
10
O Thou steel-girdered mountain of mountains, Thou crested
summit of Majesty! Yea, as I climb Thy grandeur, I find I have but surmounted one mote
of dust floating in a beam of Thy Glory.
11
O Thou Empress of Light and of Darkness, Thou pourer-forth
of the stars of night! Yea, as I gaze upon Thy Countenance, mine eyes are as the eyes
of a blind man smitten by a torch of burning fire.
12
O Thou crimson gladness of the midnight, Thou flamingo North
of brooding light! Yea, as I rise up before Thee, my joy is but as a raindrop smitten
through by an arrow of the Western Sun.
13
O Thou golden Crown of the Universe, Thou diadem of dazzling
brightness! Yea, as I burn up before Thee, my light is but as a falling star seen
between the purple fingers of the Night.
O Glory be unto Thee through all Time
and through all Space: Glory,
and Glory upon Glory,
Everlastingly. Amen,
and Amen, and
Amen.
