Chiromancy

[Tat to Hermes] Assay the line of heart and life With pale waxing one is sure to die Of the line middle and natural Death stalks those who do not reach Moon's hill The table line or line of fortune A cross in Saturn's mound signals a violent death In the wrist's many strokes Accusation and banishment from one's own kindred Incisions on the hill of Saturn – torment! Lines on the mound of Mercury – delusion! Mark on the second joint of Venus – poverty! Imprint on the plain of Mars – execution! Signs of fatality branded in the hands Governed by the laws of astrology One's end is written in the lexicon of lines Why can we probe misfortune with chiromancy? Upon the mortal body is etched one's doom Foreordained zodiacal destiny All is determined by the encircling cosmic gods Why are we slaves to the Seven's cruelty? [Hermes to Tat] What is above endures eternal cycles But below is routed with dynamic change Though the gods confined us to bodily shells The guardians provided mind and reasoned speech Thus we are enabled to discern the gods' symbols To grow wise through fate and by those ends decease