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。