Idonotevenknowmybishop\'sname，onlythattheworkisofthethirteenthcentury；butheisgoodtocompanywiththroughtheday，forhehasknowndarknessandlightandthemindsofmanymen；mostsurely，too，hehasknownthatGodfulfilsHimselfinstrangeways，sowiththeshadowofhisfeetuponthepolishedfloorherestsinpeace。
CHAPTERIV
ONSundaymylittletreewaslimnedinwhiteandthesparrowswerecravingshelteratmywindowfromtheblizzard。Nowthemildthinairbringsabreathofspringinitswakeandthedaffodilsinthegardenwaitthekissesofthesun。Hand-in-handwithmemoryIslipawaydowntheyears，andrememberadaywhenIawokeatearliestdawn，foracrossmysleepIhadheardthelustygolden-throatedtrumpetersheraldingthespring。
Theairwassharp-set；adelicaterimefrostedroofandroad；thesealayhazyandstilllikeagreatpearl。Thenastheskystirredwithflushuponflushofwarmrosylight，itpassedfrommistypearltoopalwithheartofflame，fromopaltogleamingsapphire。
Theearthcalled，thefieldscalled，therivercalled-thatpiedpipertowhosemusicamancannotstophisears。ItwaswithmeaswiththeCanterburypilgrims:-
\"Soprikethhemnatureinhircorages；
Thanlongenfolktogononpilgrimages。\"
HalfanhourlaterIwasawaybytheearlytrainthatcarriesthebranchmailsandafewworkmen，andwasdeliveredatthelittlewaysidestationwiththeletters。ThekindairwentsingingpastasIswungalongthereverberatingroadbetweenthehightree-
crownedbankswhichwecallhedgesinmerryDevon，withalltheworldtomyselfandtheBrethren。Agreatblackbirdflewoutwithaloud\"chook，chook，\"andtheredofthehawonhisyellowbill。
Arobintrilledfromalowrose-bush；twowrenssearcheddiligentlyonafallentreeforbreakfast，quiteunconcernedwhenIrestedamomentbesidethem；andashrewmouseslippedacrosstheroadfolloweddirectlybyitsmate。Marchvioletsbloomedundertheshelteredhedgewithhereandthereapaleprimrose；afrostedbramblespraystillhelditsautumntintsclingingtothesemblanceofthepast；andgreatbranchesofsnowyblackthornbrokethebarrenhedgewayasifspringmadeamockofwinter\'ssnows。
LightofheartandfootwiththenewwineoftheyearIspedonagain，straydaffodilslightingthewayside，untilIheardthevoiceofthestreamandreachedthefieldgatewhichleadstothelowermeadows。Therebeforemelayspring\'spageant；greenpennonswaving，daintymaidscurtseying，andahostofjoyousyellowtrumpetersproclaiming\'Victory\'toanawakenedearth。Theyrangeinserriedranksrightdowntotheriver，sothatamanmustwalkwarilytoreachthewater\'sedgewheretheystandgazingdownatthemselvesinfairestsemblanceliketheirmosttragicprogenitor，and，risingfromthebrightgrassintheirthousands，stretchawayuntiltheymeltinagoldencloudatthefarendofthemistymead。
ThroughthefieldgateandacrosstheroadIseethem，starringthesteepearthbankthatleadstotheuppercopse，gleaminglikepaleflamesagainstthedarktree-boles。Theretheyhavebutfrailtenure；here，inthemeadows，theyreignsupreme。
Attheupperendofthefieldtheriverprovidesyetclosersanctuaryforthesechildrenofthespring。Heldinitsembracingarmsliesanislandlongandnarrow，somethirtyfeetbytwelve，averitableuntrodEldorado，gloriousingoldfromendtoend，afringeofreedsbythewater\'sedge，andsaveforthat-daffodils。
Agreatoakstandsatthemeadow\'sneck，anoakwithgnarledandwanderingrootswhereamanmayrest，foritisbareofdaffodilssaveforagroupofthree，andasolitaryoneapartgrowingclosetotheoldtree\'sside。Isatdownbymylonelylittlesister，blueskyoverhead，greengrassatmyfeetdecked，likethepasturesoftheBlessed，inglorioussheen；aseaoftriumphant，goldenheadstossingblithelybackasthewindsweptdowntoplaywiththemathispleasure。
Itwasallminetohaveandtoholdwithoutseveringasingleslenderstemorharbouringathoughtofcovetousness；mine，asthewholeearthwasmine，toappropriatetomyselfwithouttheburdenandbaneofworldlypossession。\"ThousayestthatIam-aKing，\"
saidtheLordbeforePilate，and\"Mykingdomisnotofthisworld。\"
WewhoaremadekingsafterHislikenesspossessallthings，notafterthisworld\'sfashionbutinproportiontoourpoverty；andwhenweceasetotoilandspin，arearrayedasthelilies，inaglorytranscendingSolomon\'s。BridePoverty-shewhoclimbedtheCrosswithChrist-stretchedouteagerhandstofreeusfromourchains，butwefleefromher，andlayuptreasureagainstherimportunity，whileAmytasonhisseaweedbedweepstearsofpurepityforcrave-mouthCaesarofgreatpossessions。
Presentlyanotherofspring\'sloverscriedacrossthewater\"Cuckoo，cuckoo，\"andthevoiceofthestreamsangjoyouslyinunison。Itisfreefromburden，thismerrylittleriver，andneitherweirnormillbarsitsquickwaytotheseaasitcompletestheeternalcircle，lavishinggiftsofcoolnessandrefreshmentonthechildrenofthemeadows。
Ithasitsbirthonthegreatlonemoor，cradledinawonderfulpeat-smellingbog，withamany-huedcoverletofsoftmosses-palegold，orange，emerald，tawny，oliveandwhite，withtheredstainofsun-dewandtuftedcotton-grass。Undertheoldgreyrockswhichwatchitrise，yellow-eyedtormantilstarstheturf，andbids\"Godspeed\"tothelittlechildofearthandsky。Thusthejourneybegins；andwithever-increasingstrengththestreamcarvesawaythroughthedearbrownpeat，wearsafreshwrinkleonthepatientstones，andpattersmerrilyunderaclapperbridgewhichspanneditsbreadthwhenthemistletoereignedandBottor，thegrimrockidol，exactedthetollofhumanlifethatmadehimgreat。Onandongoesthestream，foritmaynotstay；leavingofitsfreshnesswiththegreatosmundathatstretcheseagerrootstowardstherunningwater；flowingawhilewithabrotherstream，topartagaineastandwestaseachtakesuphisseparateburdenofservice-myfriendtocherishthelowermeadowsintheirfloweryjoyance-andsobythegreatsea-gatebacktoskyandearthagain。
TheriverofGodisfullofwater。ThestreetsoftheCityarepuregold。Verily，herealsohavingnothingwepossessallthings。
TheairwaskeenandstillasIwalkedbackintheearlyevening，andadaffodillightwasintheskyasifHeavenmirroredbackearth\'sradiance。Nearthestationsomechildrenflittedpast，likelittlewhitemillermothshomingthroughthedusk。AsI
climbedthehillthemoonrodehighinagoldenfield-itwasdaffodilstothelast。
CHAPTERV
THEseagullsfromtheupperreachespassdowntheriverinsobersteadyflightseekingtheopensea。Ishallmisstheswoopandcircleofsilverwingsinthesunlightandtheplaintivecallwhichsoundssostrangelyawayfromrockandshore，butitisgoodtoknowthattheyhavegonefrommudbankandmurkytownbacktothefreeairsoftheirinheritance，totheshadowofsun-sweptcliffsandthecurlingcrestofthewind-beatenwaves，tobroodagainoverthegreatoceanofaworld\'stears。
Mylittletreeisgemmedwithbuds，shy，immature，butfullofpromise。Thesparrowsbusiedwithnest-buildingintheneighbouringpipesandguttersuseitforavantageground，andcrowdthereinnumbers，eachlittlebeaksealedwithlonggoldenstrawordownyfeather。
Theriverisheavywithhaybarges，thelastfruitsofwinter\'sstorehouse；thelengtheningdaysslowlyandsteadilyoustthedark；
theairisloudwithagrowingclamouroflife:springisnotonlyproclaimed，butonthisFeastsheiscrowned，anddespitethewarringwindthedaysbringtheirmeedofsunshine。Westandforamomentatthemeetingoftheways，thehandclaspofWinterandSpring，ofSleepandWakening，ofLifeandDeath；andthereisbetweenthemnoteventhethinlinewhichRabbiJochananonhisdeath-bedbeheldasallthatdividedhellfromheaven。
\"SPHAERACUJUSCENTRUMUBIQUE，CIRCUMFERENTIANULLIBUS，\"wassaidofMercury，thatmessengerofthegodswhomarshalledreluctantspiritstotheUnderworld；andforMercurywemaywriteLifewithDeathasitsgreatsacramentofbrotherhoodandrelease，tobedreadedonlyaswedreadtopartakeunworthilyofgreatbenefits。
Likeallsacramentsithasitsrightfultimeandduesolemnities；
thehorrorandsinofsuicidelieinthepresumptionoffreewill，theforestallingofagift，-thesinofEveinParadise，whotookthatwhichmightonlybegivenatthehandoftheLord。Ithastooitsphysicalpains，buttheyarethoseofawomanintravail，andwerememberthemnomoreforjoythatachild-manisbornintotheworldnakedandnotashamed:beholdingourselvesasweareweshallseealsotheleavesoftheTreeofLifesetforthehealingofthenations。
Weareslowly，veryslowly，abandoningourbeliefinsuddenandviolenttransitionsforasurerandfulleracceptanceofthedoctrineofevolution；butmostofusstilldrawasharplineofdemarcationbetweenthisworldandthenext，andexpectaradicalchangeinourselvesandoursurroundings，abreakinthechainofcontinuityentirelycontrarytotheteachingofnatureandexperience。Inthesamewayweclingtothespeciousuntruththatwecanbeginoverandoveragaininthisworld，forgettingthatwhileoursorrowandrepentancebringsacramentalgiftsofgraceandstrength，GodHimselfcannot，byHisownlimitation，rewritethePast。Weareinoursorrowthatwhichwehavemadeourselvesinoursin；ourtemptationsarethereaswellasthewayofescape。
WeareintheimageofGod。Wecreateourworld，ourundyingselves，ourheaven，orourhell。\"QUICREAVITTESINETENON
SALVABITTESINETE。\"Itisstupendous，magnificent，andmostappalling。Amandoesnotchangeashecrossesthethresholdofthelargerroom。Hispersonalityremainsthesame，althoughtheexpressionofitmaybealtered。Herewehavematerialbodiesinamaterialworld-there，perhaps，etherbodiesinanetherworld。
Thereisnoindecencyinreasonablespeculationandcuriosityaboutthelifetocome。Oneendofthethreadisbetweenourfingers，butwearehauntedforthemostpartbythesnapofAtropos\'
shears。
Socratesfaceddeathwiththemagnificentcalmbredofdignifiedfamiliarity。Hehadbuiltforhimselfadesiredheavenofcolour，light，andpreciousstones-thephilosophicformulaofthosewhosetthespiritualabovethematerial，andworshiptruthinthebeautyofholiness。Heisnottroubledbydoubtsorregrets，forthepathofthejustliesplainbeforehisface。Heforbidsmourningandlamentationsasoutofplace，obeysminutelyandcheerilythedirectionsofhisexecutioner，andpasseswithunaffecteddignitytotheapprehensionofthatlargertruthforwhichhehadconstantlypreparedhimself。HisfriendsmayburyhimprovidedtheywillremembertheyarenotburyingSocrates；andthatallthingsmaybedonedecentlyandinorder，acockmustgotoAEsculapius。
Longbefore，inthedaysoftheCaptivity，therelivedingodless，blood-sheddingNinevehanexiledJewwhosefatherhadfallenfromthefaith。Hewasasimpleman，child-likeanddirect；livingthecareful，kindlylifeofanorthodoxJew，sufferingmanypersecutionsforconscience\'sake，andinconstantdangerofdeath。
Henarratesthestoryofhislifeandoftheblindnesswhichfellonhim，withgentleplacidity，andcheckstheexuberanceofhismoreemotionalwifewiththeassuranceofuntroubledfaith。
Finally，whenhispiousexpectationsarefulfilled，hissightrestored，andhissonprosperouslyestablishedbesidehim，hebreaksintoaprayerofrejoicingwhichrevealsthesecretofhisconfidentcontent。Hemadeuseoftwogreatfaculties:thesenseofproportion，whichenabledhimtoappriselifeanditsaccidentsjustly，andthegiftofin-seeing，whichledSocratesafterhim，andBlessedJohninlonelyexileonPatmos，tolookthroughthethingstemporaltothehiddenmeaningsofeternity。
\"LetmysoulblessGodthegreatKing，\"hecries；andlooksawaypastthepresentdistress；pasttheRestorationwhichwastoendinfreshscatteringandconfusion；pastthedreamofgold，andporphyry，andmarbledefacedbytheeaglesandemblemsoftheconqueror；untilhiseyesareheldbytheJerusalemofGod，\"builtupwithsapphires，andemeralds，andpreciousstones，\"withbattlementsofpuregold，andthecryof\'Alleluia\'inherstreets。
Manyyearslater，whenhewasveryaged，hecalledhissontohimandgavehimasheritagehisownsimpleruleoflife，addingbutonerequest:\"Keepthouthelawandthecommandments，andshewthyselfmercifulandjust，thatitmaygowellwiththee……
Considerwhatalmsdoeth，andhowrighteousnessdothdeliver……
Andburymedecently，andthymotherwithme。\"Havingsosaid，hewenthiswayquietlyandcontentedlytotheJerusalemofhisheart。
Itisthesimplenoteoffamiliaritythatiswantinginus；thatbywhichwelinkworldwithworld。Once，yearsago，IsatbythebedsideofadyingmaninawretchedgarretintheEastEnd。Hewasentirelyignorant，entirelyquiescent，andentirelyuninterested。Theministerofaneighbouringchapelcametoseehimandspoketohimatsomelengthoftheneedforrepentanceandthejoysofheaven。Afterhehadgonemyfriendlaystaringrestlesslyatthemassofdecrepitbrokenchimneypotswhichmadehishorizon。Atlasthespoke，andtherewasanewnoteinhisvoice:-
\"Eesaidas\'owthereweregoldingstreetsinthemparts。Iain\'tnowaysparticlerwotthey\'remadeof，butit\'llfeelnatrallikeifthere\'schimleystoo。\"
Thesunstretchedasuddenfingerandpaintedthechimneypotsredandgoldagainstthesmoke-dimmedsky，andwithhisfacealightwithsurprisedreliefmyfrienddied。
Weareonewiththeearth，oneinsin，oneinredemption。ItisthefringeofthegarmentofGod。\"IfImaybuttouchthehem，\"
saidacertainwoman。
OnthegreatDeath-daywhichshadowstheearlyspringwithashadowofwhichitmaybesaidUMBRADEIESTLUX，theearthbroughtgiftsofgrief，thefruitofthecurse，barrenthorns，hollowreed，andthewoodofthecross；theseamadeofferingofTyrianpurple；theskyveiledherfaceingreatdarkness，whilethenationofpriestscrucifiedforthelasttimetheirPaschallamb。\"Iwillhear，saiththeLord；Iwillheartheheavens，andtheyshallheartheearth，andtheearthshallhearthecornandwineandoil，andtheyshallhearJezreel，andIwillsowheruntomeintheearth；andI
willhavemercyuponherthathadnotobtainedmercy，andIwillsayuntothemwhichwerenotmypeople，\'Thouartmypeople，\'andtheyshallsay\'ThouartmyGod。\'\"
ThesecondAdamstoodinthegardenwithquickeningfeet，andalltheearthpulsedandsangforjoyofthenewhopeandthenewlifequickeningwithinher，tobehersthroughthepainsoftravail，thepangsofdissolution。TheTreeofLifebearsBreadandWine-foodofthewayfaringman。Thedayofdivisionsispast，thedayofunityhasdawned。Onehasrisenfromthedead，andintheValleyofAchorstandswidetheDoorofHope-theSacramentofDeath。
ScioDomine，etverescio……quianonsumdignusaccedereadtantummysteriumpropternimiapeccatameaetinfinitasnegligentiasmeas。Sedscio……quiatupotesmefaceredignum。
CHAPTERVI
\"ANYTUSandMeletuscankillme，buttheycannothurtme，\"saidSocrates；andGovernorSancho，withalltheitchofnewly-acquiredauthority，couldnotmaketheyoungweaverofsteel-headsforlancessleepinprison。IntheVisionofErthesoulspassedstraightforwardunderthethroneofnecessity，andoutintotheplainsofforgetfulness，wheretheymustseverallydrinkoftheriverofunmindfulnesswhosewaterscannotbeheldinanyvessel。
Thethrone，theplain，andtheriverarestillhere，butinthedistancerisethegreatloneheavenwardhills，andthewiseamongusnolongeraskofthegodsLethe，butratherremembrance。
Necessitycansetmehelplessonmyback，butshecannotkeepmethere；norcanfourwallslimitmyvision。IpassoutfromunderherthroneintothegardenofGodafreeman，tomyultimatebeatitudeormyexceedingshame。Alldaylongthisworldliesopentome；ay，andotherworldsalso，ifIwillbuthaveitso；andwhennightcomesIpassintothekingdomandpowerofthedark。
Iliethroughthelonghoursandwatchmybridge，whichissetwithlightsacrossthegloom；watchthetrafficwhichisformebutsomanypassinglampstellingtheirtalebyvaryingheightandbrightness。Ihearundermywindowthesprintofover-tiredhorses，therattleofuncertainwheelsasthestreet-sellershastensouth；thejangleofcabbellsasthetheatre-goerstaketheirhomewardway；thegruffaltercationofwearymen，theunmelodioussongandclamorouslaughofwomenwhosemerrimentiswearierstill。
Thencomesatimeofstillnesswhenthelightintheskywaxesandwanes，whenthecloud-driftsobscurethestars，andIgazeoutintoblacknesssetwithwatchingeyes。Nosoundcomesfromwithoutbutthevoiceofthenight-windandthecryofthehour。Theclockonthemantelpieceticksimperatively，foracheckhasfallenonthefamiliaritywhichbreedsadisregardofcommonthings，andareasonhastobesoughtforeachsoundwhichclaimsahearing。Thepauseiswonderfulwhileitlasts，butitisnotforlong。Theworkingworldawakes，thepoorerbrethrentakeuptheburdenofservice；
thedawnlightsthesky；remembrancecriesanendtoforgetting。
Sometimesinthecountryonanightinearlysummeryoumayshutthecottagedoortostepoutintoanimmensedarknesswhichpallsheavenandearth。Goingforwardintotheembraceofthegreatgloom，youareasababeswaddledbythehandsofnightintohelplessquiescence。Yourfeettreadanunseenpath，yourhandsgraspatavoid，orshrinkfromthecontacttheycannotrealise；
youreyesareholden；yourvoicewoulddieinyourthroatdidyouseektorendtheveilofthatimpenetrablesilence。
Shutinbytheintangibledark，wearebroughtupagainstthoseworldswithinworldsblottedoutbyourconcretedailylife。Theworkingofthegreatmicrocosmatwhichwepeerdimlythroughthelittlewindowofscience；thewonderful，breathingearth；thepulsing，throbbingsap；thegrowingfragranceshutinthecalyxofto-morrow\'sflower；theheart-beatofasleepingworldthatwedreamthatweknow；andaround，above，andinterpenetratingall，theworldofdreams，ofangelsandofspirits。
ItwasthisworldwhichJacobsawonthefirstnightofhisexile，andagainwhenhewrestledinPenieluntilthebreakofday。ItwasthisworldwhichElishasawwithopeneyes；whichJobknewwhendarknessfellonhim；whichEzekielgazedintofromhisplaceamongthecaptives；whichDanielbeheldashestoodalonebythegreatriver，theriverHiddekel。
Forthemomentwehaveleftbehindtherealmofquestionandexplanation，ofpowerovermatterandtheexerciseofbodilyfaculties；andpassedintodarknessalightwithvisionswecannotsee，intosilencealivewithvoiceswecannothear。Likehelplessmenwesetourallontheonethingleftus，andliftupourhearts，knowingthatwearebutamerespeckamongamyriadworlds，yetgreaterthanthesumofthem；havingourrootsinthedarkplacesoftheearth，butourbranchesinthesweetairsofheaven。
