Tormented by the thirst for the spirit

I was dragging myself in a sombre desert

And a six-winged seraph appeared

Unto me on the parting of the roads.

With fingers as light as a dream

Mine eyes he touched:

And mine eyes opened wise

Like the eyes of a frightened eagle;

He touched mine ears

And they filled with din and ringing.

And I heard the trembling of the heavens

And the flight of the angel’s wings

And the creeping of the polyps in the sea

And the growth of the vine in the valley.

And he took hold of my lips

And out he tore my sinful tongue

With its empty and false speech.

And the fang of the wise serpent

Between my terrified lips he placed

With bloody hand.

And ope he cut with sword my breast

And out he took my trembling heart

And a coal with flaming blaze

Into the opened breast he shoved.

Like a corpse I lay in the desert.

And the voice of God unto me called:

Arise O prophet and listen and guide.

Be thou filled with my will

And going over land and sea

Fire with the word the hearts of men!