LOVE AND LAUGHTER

[By Aleister Crowley]

Published in the International

New York, New York, U.S.A.

February 1918

(page 55)

My love is like a mountain stream

Alive and sparkling in the sun—

The tossing spray, the foam and gleam,

A rainbow ray, Hilarion!

But in its deeps the currents run

So strong and pure, so cool and sweet—

The honied hearts of snows unwon

By oread art of faery feet!

All grace, all gaiety, all gladness,

The laughing face and opal fire!

Mockery mingling mirth and madness

Teasing or tingling to desire!

And all the while to love’s own lyre

Her heart sings, tremulous and tender;

Purity, passion, that respire

Firmly to fashion subtler splendour!

Now love shall wet the lips of laughter,

And laughter brim the bowl of love.

Music of mirth before and after;

Envy of earth about, above!

Let all the world be drunken of

The vatted vintage of the Sun!

Our Word, in Art, wing forth, the Dove

For God’s own heart, Hilarion!