Household Gods: A Comedy

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A Comedy By Aleister Crowley
CRASSUS, a barbarian from Britain. ADELA, his wife, a noble Roman lady. ALICIA, a servant in the house. A STATUE OF PAN. A FAUN.
THE SCENE is at the hearth of CRASSUS, where is a little bronze altar dedicated to the Lares and Penates. A pale flame rises from the burning sandal-wood, on which CRASSUS throws benzoin and musk. He is standing in deep dejection.
CRASSUS. Smoke without fire! No thrill of tongues licks up The offerings in the cup. Dead falls desire.
Black smoke thou art, O altar-flame, that dost dismember, Devour the hearth, to leave no ember To warm this heart.
I see her still - Adela dancing here Till dim gods did appear To work our will.
The delicate girl! Diaphanous gossamer Subtly revealing her Brave breast of pearl!
Now - she's withdrawn At dusk to the wild woods, Mystic beatitudes That dure till dawn.
Ye household gods! By these male tears I swear That ye shall grant this prayer. All things at odds
ALICIA. Master still sad?
CRASSUS. These faint and fearful shores Of time are beaten by the surge of sense, Love worn away - by love? - to indifference. Who knows what god - or demon - she adores? Or in what wood she shelters, or what grove Sees her profane our sacrament of love?