THE EQUINOX
Now at last the time being come, did I take my chamber
in the House.
And upon the secret things that were there
shown to me I ponder yet; so that in this place I shall make
no mention of them.
But this treasure will I give out, that
everything noble in that House seemeth vile to them that are
swimming in the stream; and everything vile to them appeareth
noble.
Thus they endure not the delicate stuffs with rough
and impure handling; and the rubbish they carry away with
them, and devour.
Thus wisely hath the master of the
House ordained.
Now of the silver radiance that issueth from the darkness
of the House I will say nothing; nor of the golden ray that
illuminateth the darkness of the House.
But for the sake of one that may come to share my bed-
chamber will I speak of the last adventure.
Upon the breast of the river came a wild swan, singing,
and for a moment rested upon mine image reflected in the
water.
And I said: " Come up hither.”
And the wild swan said : “ How shall I come up thither ? "
I will guide thee.?].י
The Swan : Who art thou?
I: My Father is the keeper of the King’s Cup: I have
prepared a little ship wherein I may go my journeys upon the
great river.
Who will draw it?
The Swan: I will draw it.
So we set forth together; and of the horrible tempests
that arose it is unworthy discourse.
And of what followed
after is discourse unprofitable; but the wild swan still guides
my ship.
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