34

THE SMOKING DOG¹⁸

Each act of man is the twist and double of an hare.

Love and Death are the greyhounds that course him.

God bred the hounds and taketh His pleasure in the sport.

This is the Comedy of Pan, that man should think he hunteth, while those hounds hunt him.

This is the Tragedy of Man when facing Love and Death he turns to bay. He is no more hare, but boar.

There are no other comedies or tragedies.

Cease then to be the mockery of God; in savagery of love and death live thou and die!

Thus shall His laughter be thrilled through with Ecstasy.

COMMENTARY (ΛΔ)

The title is explained in the note.

The chapter needs no explanation; it is a definite point of view of life, and recommends a course of action calculated to rob the creator of his cruel sport.

NOTE

(18) This chapter was written to clarify χεϕ-ιδ of which it was the origin. FRATER PERDURABO perceived this truth, or rather the first half of it, comedy, at breakfast at "Au Chien qui Fume".