And others came also entreated him.But he answered them not,He only bent his head;and those who stood near saw his tears falling upon his breast.
And he and the people proceeded towards the great square before the temple.
And there came out of the sanctuary a woman whose name was Almitra.And she was a seeress.
And he looked upon her with exceeding tenderness,for it was she who had first sought and believed in him when he had been but a day in their city.
And she hailed him,saying:
Prophet of God,in quest of the uttermost,long have you searched the distances for your ship.
And now your ship has come,and you must needs go.
Deep is your longing for the land of your memories and the dwelling place of your greater desires;and our love would not bind you nor our needs hold you.
Yet this we ask ere you leave us,that you speak to us and give us of your truth.
And we will give it unto our children,and they unto their children,and it shall not perish.
In your aloneness you have watched with our days,and in your wakefulness you have listened to the weeping and the laughter of our sleep.
Now therefore disclose us to ourselves,and tell us all that has been shown you of that which is between birth and death.
And he answered,
People of Orphalesa?of what can I speak save of that which is even now moving within your souls?
On Love
Then said Almitra?Speak to us of Love.
And he raised his head and looked upon the people?and there fell a stillness upon them.And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you?follow him?Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him?Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him?Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun?So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Linke sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.He threshes you to make you naked.