the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

SIR PALAMDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT
xxv. Upon the Pacific Ocean, he, thinking that It is not-Self, throweth himself
into the sea. But the Beast setteth him ashore.
xxvi. Rowed by Kanakas to Japan, he praiseth the stability of Fuji-Yama. But, an
earthquake arising, the pilgrims are swallowed up.
xxvii. Upon the Yang-tze-kiang he contemplateth immortal change. Yet,
perceiving that the changes themselves constitute stability, he is again baulked, and
biddeth his men bear him to Egypt.
xxviii. In an Egyptian temple he hath performed the Bloody Sacrifice, and cursed
Osiris. Himself suffering that curse, he is still far from the Attainment.
xxix. In the land of Egypt he performeth many miracles. But from the statue of
Memnon issueth the questing, and he is recalled from that illusion.
xxx. Upon the plains of Chaldea he descendeth into the bowels of the earth,
where he beholdeth the Visible Image of the soul of Nature for the Beast. Yet Earth
belcheth him forth.
xxxi. In a slum city he converseth with a Rationalist. Learning nothing, nor even
hearing the Beast, he goeth forth to cleanse himself.
xxxii. Seeking to imitate the Beast, he goeth on all-fours, questing horribly. The
townsmen cage him for a lunatic. Nor can he imitate the elusiveness of the Beast.
Yet at one note of that questing the prison is shattered, and Sir Palamede rusheth
forth free.
xxiii. Sir Palamede hath gone to the shores of the Middle Sea to restore his health.
There he practiseth devotion to the Beast, and becometh maudlin and sentimental.
His knaves mocking him, he beateth one sore; from whose belly issueth the questing.
xxiv. Being retired into an hermitage in Fenland, he traverseth space upon the
back of an eagle. He knoweth all things—save only It. And incontinent beseedheth
the eagle to set him down again.
xxxv. He lectureth upon metaphysics—for he is now totally insane—to many
learned monks of Cantabrig. They applaud him and detain him, though he hath
heard the questing and would away. But so feeble is he that he fleeth by night.
xxxvi. It hath often happened to Sir Palamede that he is haunted by a shadow, the
which he may not recognise. But at last, in a sunlit wood, this is discovered to be a
certain hunchback, who doubteth whether there be at all any Beast or any quest, or if
the whole life of Sir Palamede be not a vain illusion. Him, without seeing to conquer
with words, he slayeth incontinent.
xxxvii. In a cave by the sea, feeding on limpets androots, Sir Palamede abideth,
sick unto death. Himseemeth the Beast questeth within his own bowels; he is the
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