THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
“As I neared it I leapt to the shore, and thereI found, as I
approached the wonderful building, many beautiful creatures
playing about it. But my haste in leaving the blue waters
had been ill-advised; for suddenly a great cloud of water
enveloped me, and catching me up, carried me to a great
height. Then I discovered that I had been changed into a
lily, whose white petals were unfolded, and that I was grow-
ing in a garden, white with a multitude of the same wonderful
flowers.
“Not over long had I been there, when the form of man was
again given to me, and I threw my arms above my head and
then extended them, forming a cross.
“T was standing in silver-grey garments, and before me
was a great white marble temple. At once I prostrated myself,
and then entered. Before me I saw that all was white and
fine within, and that in the temple stood a cubical altar of
silver.
“T knelt before the altar; and as I did soa coldness and
moisture seemed to descend upon me, which thrilled me with
a delicious freshness like the falling dew. From it a cool
stream arose, in the limpid waters of which I bathed my hands.
Whilst in this position an angel descended with a green
garment and gave it me. At first I was unwilling to wear it,
but presently I did so, and after I had worn it a little while,
I sacrificed it before me, when at once it became a crown of
fire.
“ Then a voice said to me: ‘Wilt thou be of the guard ?’
and before I could answer yea, or nay, most lovely maidens
surrounded me and armed me in silver armour and a red
tabard.
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