No More Learning

"Let us go hence," she said, "For there is no lonely, hidden place
where we can bathe. I would not have this wind lift my golden hair,
or bare my white bosom in this air, or let the light disclose my
sacred nakedness. "

Then we left that sea to seek the Greater Sea.





Crucified




I cried to men, "I would be crucified! "

And they said, "Why should your blood be upon our heads? "

And I answered, "How else shall you be exalted except by crucifying
madmen? "

And they heeded and I was crucified. And the crucifixion appeased
me.

And when I was hanged between earth and heaven they lifted up their
heads to see me. And they were exalted, for their heads had never
before been lifted.

But as they stood looking up at me one called out, "For what art
thou seeking to atone? "

And another cried, "In what cause dost thou sacrifice thyself? "

And a third said, "Thinkest thou with this price to buy world
glory? "

Then said a fourth, "Behold, how he smiles! Can such pain be
forgiven?
"

And I answered them all, and said:

"Remember only that I smiled. I do not atone--nor sacrifice--nor
wish for glory; and I have nothing to forgive. I thirsted--and I
besought you to give me my blood to drink. For what is there can
quench a madman's thirst but his own blood? I was dumb--and I
asked wounds of you for mouths. I was imprisoned in your days and
nights--and I sought a door into larger days and nights.

And now I go--as others already crucified have gone. And think not
we are weary of crucifixion. For we must be crucified by larger
and yet larger men, between greater earths and greater heavens. "





The Astronomer




In the shadow of the temple my friend and I saw a blind man sitting
alone. And my friend said, "Behold the wisest man of our land. "

Then I left my friend and approached the blind man and greeted him.
And we conversed.

After a while I said, "Forgive my question; but since when has thou
been blind? "

"From my birth," he answered.

Said I, "And what path of wisdom followest thou?