Now from to-morrow, when we enter into the great sea of the rock
molten in the ancient earth-fires, there is no least peril
of pursuit for you. Yet amidst that sea should ye perish belike,
were it not for the wisdom gathered by a few; and they are dead
now save for the Book, and for me, who read it unto you.
Now ye would not turn back were I to bid you, and I will not bid you.
Yet since the journey shall be yet with grievous toil and much peril,
and shall try the very hearts within you, were ye as wise as
Solomon and as mighty as Alexander, I will say this much unto you;
that if ye love not the earth and the world with all your souls,
and will not strive all ye may to be frank and happy therein,
your toil and peril aforesaid shall win you no blessing
but a curse. Therefore I bid you be no tyrants or builders
of cities for merchants and usurers and warriors and thralls,
like the fool who builded Goldburg to be for a tomb to him:
or like the thrall-masters of the Burg of the Four Friths,
who even now, it may be, are pierced by their own staff or
overwhelmed by their own wall. But rather I bid you to live
in peace and patience without fear or hatred, and to succour
the oppressed and love the lovely, and to be the friends
of men, so that when ye are dead at last, men may say of you,
they brought down Heaven to the Earth for a little while.
What say ye, children?"
Then said Ralph: "Father, I will say the sooth about mine intent, though ye
may deem it little-minded.
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