Angels and Women (1924)

72 ANGELS AND WOMENder; "together we will defeat his artifice.His counselor possesses the antidote for hisdeadly narcotic, and can aid you to saveSamoula from the fate of her predecessors.But I have more to say, Aloma. UnlikeSatanas, Hesperus has no roving desire.Ambition alone, not pleasure, called himfrom the service of the Eternal. I wouldhave power and reign a great prince. I willbe the peer of Satanas, nay, his dictator. Iwould reign in solitary grandeur, and yet--only the One Supreme is self-contained, anddwells in awful solitude."Sometimes I long for another self to sharemy bounteous life, upon whose heart my ownmay rest in times of trouble and weariness.The women of this world have I found weakand base. I turned from them in disgustuntil mine eyes met thine, O thou most regalmaid! Our companions in Heaven we lovedwithout desire; but thou, warm, palpitatingchild of earth, art fair to me as forms thatflit across the plains of Heaven, and as true.