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votaries there be who serve the gods With flesh and altar-smoke; but
other some Who, lighting subtler fires, make purer rite With will of
worship. Of the which be they Who, in white flame of continence,
consume Joys of the sense, delights of eye and ear, Foregoing tender
speech and sound of song:
And they who, kindling fires with torch
of Truth, Burn on a hidden altar-stone the bliss Of youth and
love, renouncing happiness: And they who lay for offering there
their wealth, Their penance, meditation, piety, Their steadfast
reading of the scrolls, their lore Painfully gained with long
austerities: And they who, making silent sacrifice, Draw in their
breath to feed the flame of thought,
And breathe it forth to waft the heart on high, Governing the
ventage of each entering air Lest one sigh pass which helpeth not
the soul: And they who, day by day denying needs, Lay life itself
upon the altar-flame, Burning the body wan. Lo! all these keep The
rite of offering, as if they slew Victims; and all thereby efface
much sin.
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