Thou shalt pray
here; thou shalt study the Book; thou shalt meditate upon the
follies and delusions of this world, and upon the sublimities of the
world to come; thou shalt feed upon crusts and herbs, and scourge
thy body with whips daily, to the purifying of thy soul. Thou shalt
wear a hair shirt next thy skin; thou shalt drink water only; and thou
shalt be at peace; yes, wholly at peace; for whoso comes to seek
thee shall go his way again baffled; he shall not find thee, he
shall not molest thee.'
The old man, still pacing back and forth, ceased to speak aloud,
and began to mutter. The king seized this opportunity to state his
case; and he did it with an eloquence inspired by uneasiness and
apprehension. But the hermit went on muttering, and gave no heed.
And still muttering, he approached the king and said, impressively:
''Sh! I will tell you a secret!' He bent down to impart it, but
checked himself, and assumed a listening attitude. After a moment or
two he went on tiptoe to the window-opening, put his head out and
peered around in the gloaming, then came tiptoeing back again, put his
face close down to the king's and whispered:
'I am an archangel!'
The king started violently, and said to himself, 'Would God I were
with the outlaws again; for lo, now am I the prisoner of a madman!'
His apprehensions were heightened, and they showed plainly in his
face. In a low, excited voice, the hermit continued:
'I see you feel my atmosphere! There's awe in your face! None
may be in this atmosphere and not be thus affected; for it is the very
atmosphere of heaven.
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