,illu/ration - ,! ,o!r ,wise ,man ,_h   
,f\nd ! ,k+  ,,! ,,/ory    ,,( ,,! ,,o!r
 ,,wise ,,man         ,by ,h5ry ,van    
,dyke   ,,new ,,york ,,& ,,london ,,h>p]
  ,,bro!rs   ,copyright #ahie1 #ahii1 by
 ,,h>p]  ,,bro!rs                    ---
           ,all rights res]v$    ,:o    
seeks = heav5 alone to save 8 s\l1 ,may 
keep ! pa?1 b w n rea* ! goal2 ,:ile he 
:o walks 9 love may w&] f>1 ,yet ,god w 
br+ him :]e ! bless$ are4               
,cont5ts  ,,preface ,,! ,,sign ,,9 ,,!  
,,sky ,,by ,,! ,,wat]s ,,( ,,babylon ,,=
 ,,! ,,sake ,,( ,a ,,little ,,*ild ,,9  
,,! ,,hidd5 ,,way ,,( ,,sorr[ ,a ,,pe>l 
,,( ,,great ,,price    ,,preface   ,x is
 n[ "s ye>s s9ce ?is little /ory 0 set  
afloat on ! sea ( books4 ,x is n a      
man-(-w>1 nor ev5 a high-sid$ m]*antman2
 only a small1 peaceful sail+-vessel4   
,yet x has _h r an adv5tur\s voyage4    
,twice x has fall5 into ! h&s ( pirates4
 ,! tides h c>ri$ x to f> c\ntries4 ,x  
has be5 pass$ ?r\gh ! translator's port 
( entry into ,g]man1 ,fr5*1 ,arm5ian1   

,turki%1 & p]haps "s o!r =eign regions4 
,once ,i caught sight ( x fly+ ! outl&i%
 flag ( a br&-new phonetic language     
along ! coa/s ( ,france2 & once x 0     
claim$ by a deal] 9 antiquities z a     
long-lo/ leg5d ( ! ,ori5t4 ,be/ ( all1 x
 has slipp$ quietly into _m a f>-away   
h>bor t ,i h nev] se51 & f\nd a k9dly   
welcome1 & br\ght back messages ( good  
*e] f unkn[n fri5ds4  ,n[ x has turn$   
home to be new-rigg$ & fitt$ = fur!r    
voyag+4 ,be=e x is s5t out aga9 ,i h be5
 ask$ to tell :]e ! /ory came f & :at x 
means4  ,i d n "k :]e x came f--out ( ! 
air1 p]haps4 ,"o ?+ is c]ta91 x is n    
writt5 9 any o!r book1 nor is x to be   
f\nd among ! anci5t lore ( ! ,ea/4 ,&   
yet ,i h nev] felt z if x 7 my own4 ,x 0
 a gift4 ,x 0 s5t to me2 & x seem$ z if 
,i knew ! ,giv]1 ?\gh ,8 "n 0 n spok54  
,! ye> _h be5 full ( sickness & sorr[4  
,e day br\ght tr\ble4 ,e night 0 torm5t$
 ) pa94 ,!y are v long--^? nights :5 "o 
lies awake1 & he>s ! labor+ he>t pump+  
we>ily at its task1 & wat*es = ! morn+1 

n kn[+ :e!r x w ev] dawn4 ,!y are n     
nights ( fe>2 = ! ?\ght ( dea? gr[s     
/rangely famili> :5 y h liv$ ) x = a    
ye>4 ,besides1 aft] a "t y come to feel 
l a soldi] :o has be5 long /&+ /ill "u  
fire2 any *ange w\ld be a relief4 ,b !y 
are lonely nights2 !y are v heavy       
nights4 ,& _! heavie/ burd5 is ?is3  ,y 
mu/ face ! ?\ght t y\r "w 9 ! _w may be 
almo/ end$1 b y "k t x is n ne>ly f9i%$4
  ,y h n solv$ ! problems t p]plex$ y4  
,y h n rea*$ ! goal t y aim$ at4 ,y h n 
accompli%$ ! great task t y set =       
y\rself4 ,y are /ill on ! way2 & p]haps 
y\r j\rney mu/ end n[1--n[h]e1--9 ! d>k4
  ,well1 x 0 9 "o ( ^! long1 lonely     
nights t ?is /ory came to me4 ,i _h     
/udi$ & lov$ ! curi\s tales ( ! ,?ree   
,wise ,m5 ( ! ,ea/ z !y are told 9 !    
,gold5 ,leg5d ( ,jacobus de ,vorag9e &  
o!r m$iaeval books4 ,b ( ! ,f\r? ,wise  
,man ,i _h nev] he>d until t night4 ,!n 
,i saw him di/9ctly1 mov+ ?r\gh ! %ad[s 
9 a little circle ( light4 ,8 c\nt5ance 
0 z cle> z ! memory ( my fa!r's face z  

,i saw x = ! la/ "t a few mon?s be=e4 ,!
 n>rative ( 8 j\rney+s & trials &       
disappo9tm5ts ran )\t a break4 ,ev5     
c]ta9 s5t5ces came to me complete &     
un=gettable1 cle>-cut l a cameo4 ,all t 
,i _h to d 0 to foll[ ,artaban1 /ep by  
/ep1 z ! tale w5t on1 f ! beg9n+ to !   
end ( 8 pilgrimage4  ,p]haps ?is may    
expla9 "s ?+s 9 ! /ory4 ,i h be5 ask$ _m
 times :y ,i made ! ,f\r? ,wise ,man    
tell a lie1 9 ! cottage at ,be?lehem1 to
 save ! little *ild's life4  ,i did n   
make him tell a lie4  ,:at ,artaban said
 to ! soldi]s he said = himself1 because
 he c\ld n help x4  ,is a lie ev]       
ju/ifiable8 ,p]haps n4 ,b may x n       
sometimes seem inevitable8  ,& if x 7 a 
s91 might n a man confess x1 & be p>don$
 = x m easily ?an = ! great] s9 (       
spiritual selfi%ness1 or indiff]5ce1 or 
! betrayal ( innoc5t blood8 ,t is :at ,i
 saw ,artaban d4 ,t is :at ,i he>d him  
say4 ,all ?r\gh 8 life he 0 try+ to d ! 
be/ t he c\ld4 ,x 0 n p]fect4 ,b !re are
 "s k9ds ( failure t are bett] ?an      

success4  ,?\gh ! /ory ( ! ,f\r? ,wise  
,man came to me sudd5ly & )\t labor1 !re
 0 a great deal ( /udy & toil to be done
 be=e x c\ld be writt5 d[n4 ,an idea    
arrives )\t ef=t2 a =m c only be wr\ght 
out by pati5t labor4 ,if y\r /ory is    
wor? tell+1 y ought to love x en\gh to  
be will+ to "w ov] x until x is         
true1--true n only to ! ideal1 b true   
also to ! real4 ,! light is a gift2 b ! 
local color c only be se5 by "o :o looks
 = x long & /eadily4 ,artaban w5t ) me  
:ile ,i toil$ ?r\gh a score ( volumes ( 
anci5t hi/ory & travel4 ,i saw 8 figure 
:ile ,i j\rney$ on ! motionless sea ( ! 
des]t & 9 ! /range cities ( ! ,ea/4  ,& 
n[ t 8 /ory is told1 :at does x mean8   
,h[ c ,i tell8 ,:at does life mean8 ,if 
! mean+ c\ld be put into a s5t5ce !re   
w\ld be no ne$ ( tell+ ! /ory4          
,,h5ry ,,van ,,dyke4   ,y "k ! /ory ( ! 
,?ree ,wise ,m5 ( ! ,ea/1 & h[ !y       
travel$ f f> away to (f] _! gifts at !  
mang]-cradle 9 ,be?lehem4 ,b h y ev]    
he>d ! /ory ( ! ,o!r ,wise ,man1 :o also

 saw ! /> 9 its ris+1 & set out to foll[
 x1 yet did n arrive ) 8 bre?r5 9 !     
pres5ce ( ! "y *ild ,jesus8 ,( ! great  
desire ( ?is f\r? pilgrim1 & h[ x 0     
d5i$1 yet accompli%$ 9 ! d5ial2 ( 8 _m  
w&]+s & ! probations ( 8 s\l2 ( ! long  
way ( 8 seek+1 & ! /range way ( 8 f9d+1 
! ,"o :om he s\ght--,i w\ld tell ! tale 
z ,i h he>d fragm5ts ( x 9 ! ,hall (    
,dreams1 9 ! palace ( ! ,he>t ( ,man4   
,,! ,,sign ,,9 ,,! ,,sky   ,9 ! days :5 
,augu/us ,caes> 0 ma/] ( _m k+s & ,h]od 
reign$ 9 ,j]usalem1 !re liv$ 9 ! city ( 
,ecbatana1 among ! m\nta9s ( ,p]sia1 a  
c]ta9 man nam$ ,artaban1 ! ,m$ian4 ,8   
h\se /ood close to ! out]mo/ ( ! sev5   
walls :i* encircl$ ! royal treasury4 ,f 
8 ro( he c\ld look ov] ! ris+ battlem5ts
 ( black & :ite & crimson & blue & r$ & 
silv] & gold1 to ! hill :]e ! summ]     
palace ( ! ,p>?ian emp]ors glitt]$ l a  
jewel 9 a sev5fold cr[n4  ,ar\nd !      
dwell+ ( ,artaban spread a fair g>d51 a 
tangle ( fl[]s & fruit trees1 wat]$ by a
 score ( /reams desc5d+ f ! slopes (    

,m\nt ,orontes1 & made musical by       
innum]able birds4 ,b all color 0 lo/ 9 !
 s(t & odor\s d>kness ( ! late ,septemb]
 night1 & all s\nds 7 hu%$ 9 ! deep *>m 
( its sil5ce1 save ! pla%+ ( ! wat]1 l a
 voice half sobb+ & half laugh+ "u !    
%ad[s4 ,high above ! trees a dim gl[ (  
light %one ?r\gh ! curta9$ ar*es ( !    
upp] *amb]1 :]e ! ma/] ( ! h\se 0 hold+ 
c\ncil ) 8 fri5ds4  ,he /ood by !       
doorway to greet 8 gue/s--a tall1 d>k   
man ( ab\t =ty ye>s1 ) brilliant eyes   
set ne> toge!r "u 8 broad br[1 & firm   
l9es grav5 ar\nd 8 f9e1 ?9 lips2 ! br[ (
 a dream] & ! m\? ( soldi]1 a man (     
s5sitive feel+ b inflexible w--"o ( ^?  
:o1 9 :atev] age !y may live1 are born =
 inw>d conflict & a life ( que/4  ,8    
robe 0 ( pure :ite wool1 ?r[n ov] a     
tunic ( silk2 & a :ite1 po9t$ cap1 )    
long lapels at ! sides1 re/$ on 8 fl[+  
black hair4 ,x 0 ! dress ( ! anci5t     
prie/hood ( ! ,magi1 call$ !            
fire-wor%ipp]s4  ,welcome6 he said1 9 8 
l[1 pleasant voice1 z "o aft] ano!r     

ent]$ ! room--welcome1 ,abdus2 peace be 
) y1 ,rhodaspes & ,tigranes1 & ) y my   
fa!r1 ,abg>us4 ,y are all welcome1 & ?is
 h\se gr[s bright ) ! joy ( y\r pres5ce4
  ,!re 7 n9e ( ! m51 diff]+ widely 9    
age1 b alike 9 ! ri*ness ( _! dress (   
_m-color$ silks1 & 9 ! massive gold5    
coll>s ar\nd _! necks1 m>k+ !m z ,p>?ian
 nobles1 & 9 ! w+$ circles ( gold re/+  
^u _! brea/s1 ! sign ( ! foll[]s (      
,zoroa/]4  ,!y took _! places ar\nd a   
small black alt> at ! end ( ! room1 :]e 
a t9y flame 0 burn+4 ,artaban1 /&+      
beside x1 & wav+ a b>som ( ?9 tam>isk   
bran*es above ! fire1 f$ x ) dry /icks (
 p9e & fragrant oils4 ,!n he began !    
anci5t *ant ( ! ,yasna1 & ! voices ( 8  
companions jo9$ 9 ! beautiful hymn to   
,ahura-,mazda3  ,we wor%ip ! ,_s ,div9e1
                     all wisdom &       
goodness possess+1 ,surr\nd$ by ,holy   
,immortals1                      ! giv]s
 ( b\nty & bless+1 ,we joy 9 ! works (  
,8 h&s1                     ,8 tru? & ,8
 p[] confess+4  ,we praise all ! ?+s t  

are pure1                        = ^!   
are ,8 only ,creation2 ,! ?\ghts t are  
true1      & ! words & de$s t h won     
approbation2 ,^! are support$ by ,him   
& = ^! we make adoration4  ,he> u1 ,o   
,mazda6 ,?\ live/                      9
 tru? & 9 heav5ly gladness2 ,cleanse u f
 falsehood1 & keep u                    
f evil & bondage to badness2 ,p\r out ! 
light & ! joy ( ,?y life                
on our d>kness & sadness4  ,%9e on our  
g>d5s & fields1                         
,%9e on our work+ & weav+2 ,%9e on !    
:ole race ( man1                        
,believ+ & unbeliev+2                   
,%9e on u n[ ?r\gh ! night1             
,%9e on u n[ 9 ,?y might1 ,! flame ( our
 holy love                  & ! song (  
our wor%ip receiv+4  ,! fire rose ) !   
*ant1 ?robb+ z if x 7 made ( musical    
flame1 until x ca/ a bright illum9ation 
?r\gh ! :ole ap>tm5t1 reveal+ its       
simplicity & spl5dor4  ,! floor 0 laid )
 tiles ( d>k blue ve9$ ) :ite2 pila/]s (
 twi/$ silv] /ood out aga9/ ! blue      

walls2 ! cle>/ory ( r\nd-ar*$ w9d[s     
above !m 0 hung ) azure silk2 ! vault$  
ceil+ 0 a pavem5t ( sapphires1 l ! body 
( heav5 9 its cle>ness1 s[n ) silv] />s4
 ,f ! f\r corn]s ( ! ro( hung f\r gold5 
magic-:eels1 call$ ! tongues ( ! gods4  
,at ! ea/]n end1 beh9d ! alt>1 !re 7 two
 d>k-r$ pill>s ( porphyry2 above !m a   
l9tel ( ! same /one1 on :i* 0 c>v$ !    
figure ( a w+$ ar*]1 ) 8 arr[ set to !  
/r+ & 8 b[ drawn4  ,! doorway betwe5 !  
pill>s1 :i* op5$ ^u ! t]race ( ! ro(1 0 
cov]$ ) a heavy curta9 ( ! color ( a    
ripe pomegranate1 embroid]$ ) innum]able
 gold5 rays %oot+ upw>d f ! floor4 ,9   
effect ! room 0 l a quiet1 />ry night1  
all azure & silv]1 flu%$ 9 ! ea/ ) rosy 
promise ( ! dawn4 ,x 01 z ! h\se ( a man
 %\ld be1 an expression ( ! "* & _s ( ! 
ma/]4  ,he turn$ to 8 fri5ds :5 ! song 0
 end$1 & invit$ !m to be seat$ on !     
divan at ! we/]n end ( ! room4  ,y h    
come to-night1 said he1 look+ ar\nd !   
circle1 at my call1 z ! fai?ful s*ol>s (
 ,zoroa/]1 to r5ew y\r wor%ip & rek9dle 

y\r fai? 9 ! ,god ( ,purity1 ev5 z ?is  
fire has be5 rek9dl$ on ! alt>4 ,we     
wor%ip n ! fire1 b ,him ( :om x is !    
*os5 symbol1 because x is ! pure/ ( all 
creat$ ?+s4 ,x speaks to u ( "o :o is   
,light & ,tru?4 ,is x n s1 my fa!r8  ,x 
is well said1 my son1 answ]$ ! v5]able  
,abg>us4 ,! enlight5$ are nev] idolat]s4
 ,!y lift ! veil ( ! =m & g 9 to ! %r9e 
( ! reality1 & new light & tru? are com+
 to !m cont9ually ?r\gh ! old symbols4  
,he> me1 !n1 my fa!r & my fri5ds1 said  
,artaban1 v quietly1 :ile ,i tell y ( ! 
new light & tru? t h come to me ?r\gh ! 
mo/ anci5t ( all signs4 ,we h se>*$ !   
secrets ( nature toge!r1 & /udi$ ! heal+
 virtues ( wat] & fire & ! plants4 ,we h
 read also ! books ( prophecy 9 :i* !   
future is dimly =etold 9 words t are h>d
 to und]/&4 ,b ! highe/ ( all le>n+ is !
 k ( ! />s4 ,to trace _! c\rses is to   
untangle ! ?reads ( ! my/]y ( life f !  
beg9n+ to ! end4 ,if we c\ld foll[ !m   
p]fectly1 no?+ w\ld be hidd5 f u4 ,b is 
n our k ( !m /ill incomplete8 ,are !re n

 _m />s /ill beyond our horizon--lights 
t are kn[n only to ! dwell]s 9 ! f>     
s\?-l&1 among ! spice-trees ( ,punt & ! 
gold-m9es ( ,ophir8  ,!re 0 a murmur (  
ass5t among ! li/5]s4  ,! />s1 said     
,tigranes1 are ! ?\ghts ( ! ,et]nal4 ,!y
 are numb]less4 ,b ! ?\ghts ( man c be  
c\nt$1 l ! ye>s ( 8 life4 ,! wisdom ( ! 
,magi is ! greate/ ( all wisdoms on e>?1
 because x kn[s its own ignorance4 ,& t 
is ! secret ( p[]4 ,we keep m5 always   
look+ & wait+ = a new sunrise4 ,b we    
ourselves "k t ! d>kness is equal to !  
light1 & t ! conflict betwe5 !m w nev]  
be end$4  ,t does n satisfy me1 answ]$  
,artaban1 =1 if ! wait+ mu/ be endless1 
if !re c\ld be no fulfilm5t ( x1 !n x   
w\ld n be wisdom to look & wait4 ,we    
%\ld become l ^? new tea*]s ( ! ,greeks1
 :o say t !re is no tru?1 & t ! only    
wise m5 are ^? :o sp5d _! lives 9       
discov]+ & expos+ ! lies t h be5 believ$
 9 ! _w4 ,b ! new sunrise w c]ta9ly dawn
 9 ! appo9t$ "t4 ,d n our own books tell
 u t ?is w come to pass1 & t m5 w see ! 

brightness ( a great light8  ,t is true1
 said ! voice ( ,abg>us2 e fai?ful      
disciple ( ,zoroa/] kn[s ! prophecy ( ! 
,ave/a & c>ries ! ^w 9 8 he>t4 ',9 t day
 ,sosio% ! ,victori\s %all arise out ( !
 numb] ( ! prophets 9 ! ea/ c\ntry4     
,ar\nd him %all %9e a mighty brightness1
 & he %all make life ev]la/+1           
incorruptible1 & immortal1 & ! dead %all
 rise aga94'  ,?is is a d>k say+1 said  
,tigranes1 & x may be t we %all nev]    
und]/& x4 ,x is bett] to consid] ! ?+s t
 are ne> at h&1 & to increase ! influ5ce
 ( ! ,magi 9 _! own c\ntry1 r ?an to    
look = "o :o may be a /rang]1 & to :om  
we mu/ resign our p[]4  ,! o!rs seem$ to
 approve ^! words4 ,!re 0 a sil5t feel+ 
( agreem5t manife/ among !m2 _! looks   
respond$ ) t indef9able expression :i*  
always foll[s :5 a speak] has utt]$ !   
?\ght t has be5 slumb]+ 9 ! he>ts ( 8   
li/5]s4 ,b ,artaban turn$ to ,abg>us ) a
 gl[ on 8 face1 & said3  ,my fa!r1 ,i h 
kept ?is prophecy 9 ! secret place ( my 
s\l4 ,religion )\t a great hope w\ld be 

l an alt> )\t a liv+ fire4 ,& n[ ! flame
 has burn$ m brightly1 & by ! light ( x 
,i h read o!r words :i* also h come f ! 
f\nta9 ( ,tru?1 & speak yet m cle>ly ( !
 ris+ ( ! ,victori\s ,"o 9 8 brightness4
  ,he drew f ! brea/ ( 8 tunic two small
 rolls ( f9e l951 ) writ+ ^u !m1 &      
unfold$ !m c>efully ^u 8 knee4  ,9 !    
ye>s t are lo/ 9 ! pa/1 long be=e our   
fa!rs came into ! l& ( ,babylon1 !re 7  
wise m5 9 ,*aldea1 f :om ! fir/ ( !     
,magi le>n$ ! secret ( ! heav5s4 ,& ( ^!
 ,balaam ! son ( ,beor 0 "o ( !         
mightie/4 ,he> ! words ( 8 prophecy3    
',!re %all come a /> out ( ,jacob1 & a  
sceptre %all arise out ( ,israel4'  ,!  
lips ( ,tigranes drew d[nw>d ) contempt1
 z he said3  ,judah 0 a captive by !    
wat]s ( ,babylon1 & ! sons ( ,jacob 7 9 
bondage to our k+s4 ,! tribes ( ,israel 
are scatt]$ ?r\gh ! m\nta9s l lo/ %eep1 
& f ! remnant t dwells 9 ,judea "u !    
yoke ( ,rome nei!r /> nor sceptre %all  
arise4  ,& yet1 answ]$ ,artaban1 x 0 !  
,hebrew ,daniel1 ! mighty se>*] (       

dreams1 ! c\nsellor ( k+s1 ! wise       
,belte%azz>1 :o 0 mo/ hon\r$ & belov$ ( 
our great ,k+ ,cyrus4 ,a prophet ( sure 
?+s & a read] ( ! ?\ghts ( ,god1 ,daniel
 prov$ himself to our p4 ,& ^! are !    
words t he wrote4 7,artaban read f !    
second roll37 ',"k1 !re=e1 & und]/& t f 
! go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t to re/ore         
,j]usalem1 unto ! ,ano9t$ ,"o1 ! ,pr9ce1
 ! "t %all be sev5 & ?reescore & two    
weeks4'  ,b1 my son1 said ,abg>us1      
d\btfully1 ^! are my/ical numb]s4 ,:o c 
int]pret !m1 or :o c f9d ! key t %all   
unlock _! mean+8  ,artaban answ]$3 ,x   
has be5 %[n to me & to my ?ree          
companions among ! ,magi--,casp>1       
,mel*ior1 & ,bal?az>4 ,we h se>*$ !     
anci5t tablets ( ,*aldea & comput$ ! "t4
 ,x falls 9 ?is ye>4 ,we h /udi$ ! sky1 
& 9 ! spr+ ( ! ye> we saw two ( !       
greate/ />s draw ne> toge!r 9 ! sign ( !
 ,fi%1 :i* is ! h\se ( ! ,hebrews4 ,we  
also saw a new /> !re1 :i* %one = "o    
night & !n vani%$4 ,n[ aga9 ! two great 
planets are meet+4 ,?is night is _!     

conjunction4 ,my ?ree bro!rs are wat*+  
at ! anci5t ,temple ( ! ,sev5 ,sph]es1  
at ,borsippa1 9 ,babylonia1 & ,i am     
wat*+ "h4 ,if ! /> %9es aga91 !y w wait 
t5 days = me at ! temple1 & !n we w set 
out toge!r = ,j]usalem1 to see & wor%ip 
! promis$ "o :o %all be born ,k+ (      
,israel4 ,i believe ! sign w come4 ,i h 
made ready = ! j\rney4 ,i h sold my h\se
 & my possessions1 & b\ght ^! ?ree      
jewels--a sapphire1 a ruby1 & a pe>l--to
 c>ry !m z tribute to ! ,k+4 ,& ,i ask y
 to g ) me on ! pilgrimage1 t we may h  
joy toge!r 9 f9d+ ! ,pr9ce :o is wor?y  
to be s]v$4  ,:ile he 0 speak+ he ?ru/ 8
 h& into ! inmo/ fold ( 8 girdle & drew 
out ?ree great gems--"o blue z a fragm5t
 ( ! night sky1 "o r$d] ?an a ray (     
sunrise1 & "o z pure z ! peak ( a sn[   
m\nta9 at twilight--& laid !m on !      
out-spread l95 scrolls be=e him4  ,b 8  
fri5ds look$ on ) /range & ali5 eyes4 ,a
 veil ( d\bt & mi/ru/ came ov] _! faces1
 l a fog creep+ up f ! m>%es to hide !  
hills4 ,!y glanc$ at ea* o!r ) looks (  

wond] & pity1 z ^? :o h li/5$ to        
incr$ible say+s1 ! /ory ( a wild vision1
 or ! proposal ( an impossible          
ent]prise4  ,at la/ ,tigranes said3     
,artaban1 ?is is a va9 dream4 ,x comes f
 too mu* look+ ^u ! />s & ! *]i%+ ( l(ty
 ?\ghts4 ,x w\ld be wis] to sp5d ! "t 9 
ga!r+ money = ! new fire-temple at      
,*ala4 ,no k+ w ev] rise f ! brok5 race 
( ,israel1 & no end w ev] come to !     
et]nal /rife ( light & d>kness4 ,he :o  
looks = x is a *as] ( %ad[s4 ,f>ewell4  
,& ano!r said3 ,artaban1 ,i h no k ( ^! 
?+s1 & my (fice z gu>dian ( ! royal     
treasure b9ds me "h4 ,! que/ is n = me4 
,b if ?\ mu/ foll[ x1 f>e !e well4  ,&  
ano!r said3 ,9 my h\se !re sleeps a new 
bride1 & ,i _c leave h] nor take h] ) me
 on ?is /range j\rney4 ,?is que/ is n = 
me4 ,b may ?y /eps be prosp]$ :]ev] ?\  
goe/4 ,s1 f>ewell4  ,& ano!r said3 ,i am
 ill & unfit = h>d%ip1 b !re is a man   
among my s]vants :om ,i w s5d ) !e :5 ?\
 goe/1 to br+ me ^w h[ ?\ f>e/4  ,b     
,abg>us1 ! olde/ & ! "o :o lov$ ,artaban

 ! be/1 l+]$ aft] ! o!rs _h gone1 &     
said1 gravely3 ,my son1 x may be t !    
light ( tru? is 9 ?is sign t has appe>$ 
9 ! skies1 & !n x w surely lead to !    
,pr9ce & ! mighty brightness4 ,or x may 
be t x is only a %ad[ ( ! light1 z      
,tigranes has said1 & !n he :o foll[s x 
w h only a long pilgrimage & an empty   
se>*4 ,b x is bett] to foll[ ev5 ! %ad[ 
( ! be/ ?an to rema9 cont5t ) ! wor/4 ,&
 ^? :o w\ld see wond]ful ?+s mu/ (t5 be 
ready to travel alone4 ,i am too old =  
?is j\rney1 b my he>t %all be a         
companion ( ! pilgrimage day & night1 & 
,i %all "k ! end ( ?y que/4 ,g 9 peace4 
,s "o by "o !y w5t out ( ! azure *amb] )
 its silv] />s1 & ,artaban 0 left 9     
solitude4  ,he ga!r$ up ! jewels &      
replac$ !m 9 8 girdle4 ,= a long "t he  
/ood & wat*$ ! flame t flick]$ & sank ^u
 ! alt>4 ,!n he cross$ ! hall1 lift$ !  
heavy curta91 & pass$ out betwe5 ! dull 
r$ pill>s ( porphyry to ! t]race on !   
ro(4  ,! %iv] t ?rills ?r\gh ! e>? ere  
%e r\ses f h] night sleep _h already    

begun1 & ! cool w9d t h]alds ! daybreak 
0 draw+ d[nw>d f ! l(ty1 sn[-trac$      
rav9es ( ,m\nt ,orontes4 ,birds1 half   
awak5$1 crept & *irp$ among ! ru/l+     
leaves1 & ! smell ( rip5$ grapes came 9 
brief wafts f ! arbors4  ,f> ov] ! ea/]n
 pla9 a :ite mi/ /ret*$ l a lake4 ,b :]e
 ! di/ant peak ( ,zagros s]rat$ ! we/]n 
horizon ! sky 0 cle>4 ,jupit] & ,saturn 
roll$ toge!r l drops ( lamb5t flame ab\t
 to bl5d 9 "o4  ,z ,artaban wat*$ !m1   
behold1 an azure sp>k 0 born out ( !    
d>kness b5ea?1 r\nd+ itself ) purple    
spl5dors to a crimson sph]e1 & spir+    
upw>d ?r\gh rays ( saffron & orange into
 a po9t ( :ite radiance4 ,t9y &         
inf9itely remote1 yet p]fect 9 e "p1 x  
pulsat$ 9 ! enorm\s vault z if ! ?ree   
jewels 9 ! ,magian's brea/ _h m+l$ & be5
 trans=m$ into a liv+ he>t ( light4  ,he
 b[$ 8 head4 ,he cov]$ 8 br[ ) 8 h&s4   
,x is ! sign1 he said4 ,! ,k+ is com+1 &
 ,i w g to meet him4    ,,by ,,! ,,wat]s
 ,,( ,,babylon   ,all night long ,vasda1
 ! swifte/ ( ,artaban's horses1 _h be5  

wait+1 saddl$ & bridl$1 9 h] /all1 paw+ 
! gr\nd impati5tly1 & %ak+ h] bit z if  
%e %>$ ! eag]ness ( h] ma/]'s purpose1  
?\gh %e knew n its mean+4  ,be=e ! birds
 _h fully r\s$ to _! /rong1 high1 joyful
 *ant ( morn+ song1 be=e ! :ite mi/ _h  
begun to lift lazily f ! pla91 ! o!r    
wise man 0 9 ! saddle1 rid+ swiftly     
along ! high-road1 :i* skirt$ ! base (  
,m\nt ,orontes1 we/w>d4  ,h[ close1 h[  
intimate is ! comrade%ip betwe5 a man & 
8 favorite horse on a long j\rney4 ,x is
 a sil5t1 compreh5sive fri5d%ip1 an     
int]c\rse beyond ! ne$ ( words4  ,!y    
dr9k at ! same wayside spr+s1 & sleep "u
 ! same gu>dian />s4 ,!y are consci\s   
toge!r ( ! subdu+ spell ( nightfall & ! 
quick5+ joy ( daybreak4 ,! ma/] %>es 8  
ev5+ meal ) 8 hungry companion1 & feels 
! s(t1 moi/ lips c>ess+ ! palm ( 8 h& z 
!y close ov] ! morsel ( bread4 ,9 ! gray
 dawn he is r\s$ f 8 biv\ac by ! g5tle  
/ir ( a w>m1 sweet brea? ov] 8 sleep+   
face1 & looks up into ! eyes ( 8 fai?ful
 fell[-travell]1 ready & wait+ = ! toil 

( ! day4 ,surely1 unless he is a pagan &
 an unbeliev]1 by :atev] "n he calls ^u 
8 ,god1 he w ?ank ,him = ?is voiceless  
sympa?y1 ?is dumb affection1 & 8 morn+  
pray] w embrace a d\ble bless+--,god    
bless u bo?1 & keep our feet f fall+ &  
our s\ls f dea?6  ,& !n1 ?r\gh ! ke5    
morn+ air1 ! swift ho(s beat _! spirit$ 
music along ! road1 keep+ "t to ! puls+ 
( two he>ts t are mov$ ) ! same eag]    
desire--to conqu] space1 to dev\r !     
di/ance1 to atta9 ! goal ( ! j\rney4    
,artaban mu/1 inde$1 ride wisely & well 
if he w\ld keep ! appo9t$ h\r ) ! o!r   
,magi2 = ! r\te 0 a hundr$ & fifty      
p>asangs1 & fifte5 0 ! utmo/ t he c\ld  
travel 9 a day4 ,b he knew ,vasda's     
/r5g?1 & pu%$ =w>d )\t anxiety1 mak+ !  
fix$ di/ance e day1 ?\gh he mu/ travel  
late into ! night1 & 9 ! morn+ long be=e
 sunrise4  ,he pass$ along ! br[n slopes
 ( ,m\nt ,orontes1 furr[$ by ! rocky    
c\rses ( a hundr$ torr5ts4  ,he cross$ !
 level pla9s ( ! ,nisasans1 :]e ! fam\s 
h]ds ( horses1 fe$+ 9 ! wide pa/ures1   

toss$ _! heads at ,vasda's approa*1 &   
gallop$ away ) a ?und] ( _m ho(s1 &     
flocks ( wild birds rose sudd5ly f !    
swampy mead[s1 :eel+ 9 great circles ) a
 %9+ flutt] ( innum]able w+s & %rill    
cries ( surprise4  ,he trav]s$ ! f]tile 
fields ( ,concab>1 :]e ! du/ f !        
?re%+-floors fill$ ! air ) a gold5 mi/1 
half hid+ ! huge temple ( ,a/>te ) its  
f\r hundr$ pill>s4  ,at ,baghi/an1 among
 ! ri* g>d5s wat]$ by f\nta9s f ! rock1 
he look$ up at ! m\nta9 ?ru/+ its imm5se
 rugg$ br[ out ov] ! road1 & saw !      
figure ( ,k+ ,d>ius trampl+ ^u 8 fall5  
foes1 & ! pr\d li/ ( 8 w>s & conque/s   
grav5 high ^u ! face ( ! et]nal cliff4  
,ov] _m a cold & desolate pass1 crawl+  
pa9fully across ! w9d-swept %\ld]s ( !  
hills2 d[n _m a black m\nta9-gorge1 :]e 
! riv] ro>$ & rac$ be=e him l a savage  
guide2 across _m a smil+ vale1 ) t]races
 ( yell[ lime/one full ( v9es & fruit   
trees2 ?r\gh ! oak groves ( ,c>9e & !   
d>k ,gates ( ,zagros1 wall$ 9 by        
precipices2 into ! anci5t city ( ,*ala1 

:]e ! p ( ,sam>ia _h be5 kept 9         
captivity long ago2 & out aga9 by !     
mighty portal1 riv5 ?r\gh ! encircl+    
hills1 :]e he saw ! image ( ! ,high     
,prie/ ( ! ,magi sculptur$ on ! wall (  
rock1 ) h& uplift$ z if to bless !      
c5turies ( pilgrims2 pa/ ! entrance ( ! 
n>r[ defile1 fill$ f end to end ) or*>ds
 ( pea*es & figs1 ?r\gh :i* ! riv]      
,gyndes foam$ d[n to meet him2 ov] !    
broad rice-fields1 :]e ! autumnal vapors
 spread _! dea?ly mi/s2 foll[+ along !  
c\rse ( ! riv]1 "u tremul\s %ad[s (     
popl> & tam>9d1 among ! l[] hills2 & out
 ^u ! flat pla91 :]e ! road ran /raight 
z an arr[ ?r\gh ! /ubble-fields & p>*$  
mead[s2 pa/ ! city ( ,ctesiphon1 :]e !  
,p>?ian emp]ors reign$1 & ! va/         
metropolis ( ,seleucia :i* ,alex&]      
built2 across ! swirl+ floods ( ,tigris 
& ! _m *annels ( ,euphrates1 fl[+ yell[ 
?r\gh ! corn-l&s--,artaban press$ onw>d 
until he arriv$1 at nightfall ( ! t5?   
day1 b5ea? ! %att]$ walls ( popul\s     
,babylon4  ,vasda 0 almo/ sp5t1 & he    

w\ld gladly h turn$ into ! city to f9d  
re/ & refre%m5t = himself & = h]4 ,b he 
knew t x 0 ?ree h\rs' j\rney yet to !   
,temple ( ! ,sev5 ,sph]es1 & he mu/ rea*
 ! place by midnight if he w\ld f9d 8   
comrades wait+4 ,s he did n halt1 b rode
 /eadily across ! /ubble-fields4  ,a    
grove ( date-palms made an isl& ( gloom 
9 ! pale yell[ sea4 ,z %e pass$ into !  
%ad[ ,vasda slack5$ h] pace1 & began to 
pick h] way m c>efully4  ,ne> ! f>!r end
 ( ! d>kness an access ( caution seem$  
to fall ^u h]4 ,%e sc5t$ "s dang] or    
difficulty2 x 0 n 9 h] he>t to fly f    
x--only to be prep>$ = x1 & to meet x   
wisely1 z a good horse %\ld d4 ,! grove 
0 close & sil5t z ! tomb2 n a leaf      
ru/l$1 n a bird sang4  ,%e felt h] /eps 
be=e h] delicately1 c>ry+ h] head l[1 & 
sigh+ n[ & !n ) appreh5sion4 ,at la/ %e 
gave a quick brea? ( anxiety & dismay1 &
 /ood /ock-/ill1 quiv]+ 9 e muscle1 be=e
 a d>k object 9 ! %ad[ ( ! la/          
palm-tree4  ,artaban dism\nt$4 ,! dim   
/>light reveal$ ! =m ( a man ly+ across 

! road4 ,8 humble dress & ! outl9e ( 8  
hagg>d face %[$ t he 0 probably "o ( !  
poor ,hebrew exiles :o /ill dwelt 9     
great numb]s 9 ! vic9ity4 ,8 pallid sk91
 dry & yell[ z p>*m5t1 bore ! m>k ( !   
deadly fev] :i* ravag$ ! m>%-l&s 9      
autumn4 ,! *ill ( dea? 0 9 8 lean h&1 &1
 z ,artaban releas$ x1 ! arm fell back  
in]tly ^u ! motionless brea/4  ,he turn$
 away ) a ?\ght ( pity1 consign+ ! body 
to t /range burial :i* ! ,magians deem$ 
mo/ fitt+--! fun]al ( ! des]t1 f :i* !  
kites & vultures rise on d>k w+s1 & !   
bea/s ( prey sl9k furtively away1 leav+ 
only a heap ( :ite bones 9 ! s&4  ,b1 z 
he turn$1 a long1 fa9t1 gho/ly sigh came
 f ! man's lips4 ,! br[n1 bony f+]s     
clos$ convulsively on ! hem ( !         
,magian's robe & held him fa/4          
,artaban's he>t leap$ to 8 ?roat1 n )   
fe>1 b ) a dumb res5tm5t at !           
importunity ( ?is bl9d delay4  ,h[ c\ld 
he /ay "h 9 ! d>kness to m9i/] to a dy+ 
/rang]8 ,:at claim _h ?is unkn[n fragm5t
 ( human life ^u 8 compassion or 8      

s]vice8 ,if he l+]$ b = an h\r he c\ld  
h>dly rea* ,borsippa at ! appo9t$ "t4 ,8
 companions w\ld ?9k he _h giv5 up !    
j\rney4 ,!y w\ld g )\t him4 ,he w\ld    
lose 8 que/4  ,b if he w5t on n[1 ! man 
w\ld surely die4 ,if he /ay$1 life might
 be re/or$4 ,8 _s ?robb$ & flutt]$ ) !  
urg5cy ( ! crisis4 ,%\ld he risk ! great
 rew>d ( 8 div9e fai? = ! sake ( a s+le 
de$ ( human love8 ,%\ld he turn aside1  
if only = a mom5t1 f ! foll[+ ( ! />1 to
 give a cup ( cold wat] to a poor1 p]i%+
 ,hebrew8  ,god ( tru? & purity1 he     
pray$1 direct me 9 ! holy pa?1 ! way (  
wisdom :i* ,?\ only kn[e/4  ,!n he turn$
 back to ! sick man4 ,loos5+ ! grasp ( 8
 h&1 he c>ri$ him to a little m\nd at ! 
foot ( ! palm-tree4  ,he unb\nd ! ?ick  
folds ( ! turban & op5$ ! g>m5t above ! 
sunk5 brea/4 ,he br\ght wat] f "o ( !   
small canals ne> by1 & moi/5$ ! suff]]'s
 br[ & m\?4 ,he m+l$ a draught ( "o ( ^?
 simple b pot5t rem$ies :i* he c>ri$    
always 9 8 girdle--= ! ,magians 7       
physicians z well z a/rolog]s--& p\r$ x 

sl[ly betwe5 ! colorless lips4 ,h\r aft]
 h\r he labor$ z only a skilful heal] ( 
disease c d2 &1 at la/1 ! man's /r5g?   
return$2 he sat up & look$ ab\t him4    
,:o art ?\8 he said1 9 ! rude dialect ( 
! c\ntry1 & :y ha/ ?\ s\ght me "h to br+
 back my life8  ,i am ,artaban !        
,magian1 ( ! city ( ,ecbatana1 & ,i am  
go+ to ,j]usalem 9 se>* ( "o :o is to be
 born ,k+ ( ! ,jews1 a great ,pr9ce &   
,deliv]] ( all m54 ,i d>e n delay any   
long] ^u my j\rney1 = ! c>avan t has    
wait$ = me may dep>t )\t me4 ,b see1 "h 
is all t ,i h left ( bread & w9e1 & "h  
is a potion ( heal+ h]bs4 ,:5 ?y /r5g?  
is re/or$ ?\ can/ f9d ! dwell+s ( !     
,hebrews among ! h\ses ( ,babylon4  ,!  
,jew rais$ 8 trembl+ h& solemnly to     
heav54  ,n[ may ! ,god ( ,abraham &     
,isaac & ,jacob bless & prosp] ! j\rney 
( ! m]ciful1 & br+ him 9 peace to 8     
desir$ hav54 ,b /ay2 ,i h no?+ to give  
!e 9 return--only ?is3 t ,i c tell !e   
:]e ! ,messiah mu/ be s\ght4 ,= our     
prophets h said t he %\ld be born n 9   

,j]usalem1 b 9 ,be?lehem ( ,judah4 ,may 
! ,"l br+ !e 9 safety to t place1       
because ?\ ha/ _h pity ^u ! sick4  ,x 0 
already long pa/ midnight4 ,artaban rode
 9 ha/e1 & ,vasda1 re/or$ by ! brief    
re/1 ran eag]ly ?r\gh ! sil5t pla9 &    
swam ! *annels ( ! riv]4 ,%e put =? !   
remnant ( h] /r5g?1 & fl$ ov] ! gr\nd l 
a gazelle4  ,b ! fir/ beam ( ! sun s5t  
h] %ad[ be=e h] z %e ent]$ ^u ! f9al    
/adium ( ! j\rney1 & ! eyes ( ,artaban1 
anxi\sly scann+ ! great m\nd ( ,nimrod &
 ! ,temple ( ! ,sev5 ,sph]es1 c\ld      
disc]n no trace ( 8 fri5ds4  ,!         
_m-color$ t]races ( black & orange & r$ 
& yell[ & gre5 & blue & :ite1 %att]$ by 
! convulsions ( nature1 & crumbl+ "u !  
repeat$ bl[s ( human viol5ce1 /ill      
glitt]$ l a ru9$ ra9b[ 9 ! morn+ light4 
,artaban rode swiftly ar\nd ! hill4 ,he 
dism\nt$ & climb$ to ! highe/ t]race1   
look+ out t[>ds ! we/4  ,! huge         
desolation ( ! m>%es /ret*$ away to !   
horizon & ! bord] ( ! des]t4 ,bitt]ns   
/ood by ! /agnant pools & jackals skulk$

 ?r\gh ! l[ bu%es2 b !re 0 no sign ( !  
c>avan ( ! wise m51 f> or ne>4  ,at !   
edge ( ! t]race he saw a little cairn ( 
brok5 bricks1 & "u !m a piece ( p>*m5t4 
,he caught x up & read3 ,we h wait$ pa/ 
! midnight1 & c delay no long]4 ,we g to
 f9d ! ,k+4 ,foll[ u across ! des]t4    
,artaban sat d[n ^u ! gr\nd & cov]$ 8   
head 9 despair4  ,h[ c ,i cross ! des]t1
 said he1 ) no food & ) a sp5t horse8 ,i
 mu/ return to ,babylon1 sell my        
sapphire1 & buy a tra9 ( camels1 &      
provision = ! j\rney4 ,i may nev]       
ov]take my fri5ds4 ,only ,god ! m]ciful 
kn[s :e!r ,i %all n lose ! sight ( ! ,k+
 because ,i t>ri$ to %[ m]cy4    ,,= ,,!
 ,,sake ,,( ,a ,,little ,,*ild   ,!re 0 
a sil5ce 9 ! ,hall ( ,dreams1 :]e ,i 0  
li/5+ to ! /ory ( ! ,o!r ,wise ,man4 ,& 
?r\gh ?is sil5ce ,i saw1 b v dimly1 8   
figure pass+ ov] ! dre>y undulations ( !
 des]t1 high ^u ! back ( 8 camel1 rock+ 
/eadily onw>d l a %ip ov] ! waves4  ,!  
l& ( dea? spread its cruel net ar\nd    
him4 ,! /ony wa/es bore no fruit b bri]s

 & ?orns4 ,! d>k l$ges ( rock ?ru/      
!mselves above ! surface "h & !re1 l !  
bones ( p]i%$ mon/]s4 ,arid &           
inhospitable m\nta9 ranges rose be=e    
him1 furr[$ ) dry *annels ( anci5t      
torr5ts1 :ite & gha/ly z sc>s on ! face 
( nature4 ,%ift+ hills ( trea*]\s s& 7  
heap$ l tombs along ! horizon4 ,by day1 
! fi]ce heat press$ its intol]able burd5
 on ! quiv]+ air2 & no liv+ creature    
mov$ on ! dumb1 swoon+ e>?1 b t9y j]boas
 scuttl+ ?r\gh ! p>*$ bu%es1 or liz>ds  
vani%+ 9 ! clefts ( ! rock4 ,by night ! 
jackals pr[l$ & b>k$ 9 ! di/ance1 & !   
lion made ! black rav9es e*o ) 8 holl[  
ro>+1 :ile a bitt]1 blight+ *ill foll[$ 
! fev] ( ! day4 ,?r\gh heat & cold1 !   
,magian mov$ /eadily onw>d4  ,!n ,i saw 
! g>d5s & or*>ds ( ,damascus1 wat]$ by !
 /reams ( ,abana & ,ph>p>1 ) _! slop+   
sw>ds inlaid ) bloom1 & _! ?ickets (    
myrrh & roses4 ,i saw also ! long1 sn[y 
ridge ( ,h]mon1 & ! d>k groves ( c$>s1 &
 ! valley ( ! ,jordan1 & ! blue wat]s ( 
! ,lake ( ,galilee1 & ! f]tile pla9 (   

,esdraelon1 & ! hills ( ,ephraim1 & !   
highl&s ( ,judah4 ,?r\gh all ^! ,i      
foll[$ ! figure ( ,artaban mov+ /eadily 
onw>d1 until he arriv$ at ,be?lehem4 ,& 
x 0 ! ?ird day aft] ! ?ree wise m5 _h   
come to t place & _h f\nd ,m>y &        
,joseph1 ) ! "y *ild1 ,jesus1 & _h la9  
_! gifts ( gold & frank9c5se & myrrh at 
8 feet4  ,!n ! o!r wise man drew ne>1   
we>y1 b full ( hope1 be>+ 8 ruby & 8    
pe>l to (f] to ! ,k+4 ,= n[ at la/1 he  
said1 ,i %all surely f9d him1 ?\gh x be 
alone1 & lat] ?an my bre?r54 ,?is is !  
place ( :i* ! ,hebrew exile told me t ! 
prophets _h spok51 & "h ,i %all behold !
 ris+ ( ! great light4 ,b ,i mu/ inquire
 ab\t ! visit ( my bre?r51 & to :at h\se
 ! /> direct$ !m1 & to :om !y pres5t$ _!
 tribute4  ,! /reets ( ! village seem$  
to be des]t$1 & ,artaban wond]$ :e!r !  
m5 _h all gone up to ! hill-pa/ures to  
br+ d[n _! %eep4 ,f ! op5 door ( a l[   
/one cottage he he>d ! s\nd ( a woman's 
voice s++ s(tly4 ,he ent]$ & f\nd a "y  
"m hu%+ h] baby to re/4 ,%e told him ( !

 /rang]s f ! f> ,ea/ :o _h appe>$ 9 !   
village ?ree days ago1 & h[ !y said t a 
/> _h guid$ !m to ! place :]e ,joseph ( 
,naz>e? 0 lodg+ ) 8 wife & h] new-born  
*ild1 & h[ !y _h paid rev]5ce to ! *ild 
& giv5 him _m ri* gifts4  ,b ! travell]s
 disappe>$ aga91 %e cont9u$1 z sudd5ly z
 !y _h come4 ,we 7 afraid at ! /rang5ess
 ( _! visit4 ,we c\ld n und]/& x4 ,! man
 ( ,naz>e? took ! babe & 8 "m & fl$ away
 t same night secretly1 & x 0 :isp]$ t  
!y 7 go+ f> away to ,egypt4 ,ev] s9ce1  
!re has be5 a spell ^u ! village2 some?+
 evil hangs ov] x4 ,!y say t ! ,roman   
soldi]s are com+ f ,j]usalem to =ce a   
new tax f u1 & ! m5 h driv5 ! flocks &  
h]ds f> back among ! hills1 & hidd5     
!mselves to escape x4  ,artaban li/5$ to
 h] g5tle1 timid spee*1 & ! *ild 9 h]   
arms look$ up 9 8 face & smil$1 /ret*+  
out its rosy h&s to grasp at ! w+$      
circle ( gold on 8 brea/4 ,8 he>t w>m$  
to ! t\*4 ,x seem$ l a greet+ ( love &  
tru/ to "o :o _h j\rney$ long 9         
lonel9ess & p]plexity1 fight+ ) 8 own   

d\bts & fe>s1 & foll[+ a light t 0 veil$
 9 cl\ds4  ,might n ?is *ild h be5 !    
promis$ ,pr9ce8 he ask$ )9 himself1 z he
 t\*$ its s(t *eek4 ,k+s h be5 born ere 
n[ 9 l[li] h\ses ?an ?is1 & ! favorite (
 ! />s may rise ev5 f a cottage4 ,b x   
has n seem$ good to ! ,god ( wisdom to  
rew>d my se>* s soon & s easily4 ,! "o  
:om ,i seek has gone be=e me2 & n[ ,i   
mu/ foll[ ! ,k+ to ,egypt4  ,! "y "m    
laid ! babe 9 its cradle1 & rose to     
m9i/] to ! wants ( ! /range gue/ t fate 
_h br\ght into h] h\se4 ,%e set food    
be=e him1 ! pla9 f>e ( peasants1 b      
will+ly (f]$1 & !re=e full ( refre%m5t =
 ! s\l z well z = ! body4 ,artaban      
accept$ x gratefully2 &1 z he ate1 !    
*ild fell into a happy slumb]1 & murmur$
 sweetly 9 its dreams1 & a great peace  
fill$ ! quiet room4  ,b sudd5ly !re came
 ! noise ( a wild confusion & upro> 9 ! 
/reets ( ! village1 a %riek+ & wail+ (  
wom5's voices1 a clangor ( braz5        
trumpets & a cla%+ ( swords1 & a        
desp]ate cry3 ,! soldi]s6 ! soldi]s (   

,h]od6 ,!y are kill+ our *ildr54  ,! "y 
"m's face grew :ite ) t]ror4 ,%e clasp$ 
h] *ild to h] bosom1 & cr\*$ motionless 
9 ! d>ke/ corn] ( ! room1 cov]+ him ) ! 
folds ( h] robe1 le/ he %\ld wake & cry4
  ,b ,artaban w5t quickly & /ood 9 !    
doorway ( ! h\se4 ,8 broad %\ld]s fill$ 
! portal f side to side1 & ! peak ( 8   
:ite cap all b t\*$ ! l9tel4  ,! soldi]s
 came hurry+ d[n ! /reet ) bloody h&s & 
dripp+ swords4 ,at ! sight ( ! /rang] 9 
8 impos+ dress !y hesitat$ ) surprise4  
,! capta9 ( ! b& approa*$ ! ?re%old to  
?ru/ him aside4 ,b ,artaban did n /ir4  
,8 face 0 z calm z ?\gh he 7 wat*+ !    
/>s1 & 9 8 eyes !re burn$ t /eady       
radiance be=e :i* ev5 ! half-tam$ hunt+ 
leop>d %r9ks1 & ! fi]ce blood-h\nd      
pauses 9 8 leap4 ,he held ! soldi]      
sil5tly = an in/ant1 & !n said 9 a l[   
voice3  ,i am all alone 9 ?is place1 &  
,i am wait+ to give ?is jewel to !      
prud5t capta9 :o w leave me 9 peace4    
,he %[$ ! ruby1 gli/5+ 9 ! holl[ ( 8 h& 
l a great drop ( blood4  ,! capta9 0    

amaz$ at ! spl5dor ( ! gem4 ,! pupils ( 
8 eyes exp&$ ) desire1 & ! h>d l9es (   
gre$ wr9kl$ ar\nd 8 lips4 ,he /ret*$ out
 8 h& & took ! ruby4  ,m>* on6 he cri$  
to 8 m51 !re is no *ild "h4 ,! h\se is  
/ill4  ,! clamor & ! clang ( arms pass$ 
d[n ! /reet z ! headlong fury ( ! *ase  
sweeps by ! secret cov]t :]e ! trembl+  
de] is hidd54 ,artaban re-ent]$ !       
cottage4 ,he turn$ 8 face to ! ea/ &    
pray$3  ,god ( tru?1 =give my s96 ,i h  
said ! ?+ t is n1 to save ! life ( a    
*ild4 ,& two ( my gifts are gone4 ,i h  
sp5t = man t :i* 0 meant = ,god4 ,%all  
,i ev] be wor?y to see ! face ( ! ,k+8  
,b ! voice ( ! woman1 weep+ = joy 9 !   
%ad[ beh9d him1 said v g5tly3  ,because 
?\ ha/ sav$ ! life ( my little "o1 may !
 ,"l bless !e & keep !e2 ! ,"l make ,8  
face to %9e ^u !e & be graci\s unto !e2 
! ,"l lift up ,8 c\nt5ance ^u !e & give 
!e peace4    ,,9 ,,! ,,hidd5 ,,way ,,(  
,,sorr[   ,!n aga9 !re 0 a sil5ce 9 !   
,hall ( ,dreams1 deep] & m my/]i\s ?an !
 fir/ int]val1 & ,i und]/ood t ! ye>s ( 

,artaban 7 fl[+ v swiftly "u ! /illness 
( t cl++ fog1 & ,i caught only a        
glimpse1 "h & !re1 ( ! riv] ( 8 life %9+
 ?r\gh ! %ad[s t conceal$ its c\rse4  ,i
 saw him mov+ among ! ?rongs ( m5 9     
popul\s ,egypt1 seek+ ev]y:]e = traces (
 ! h\sehold t _h come d[n f ,be?lehem1 &
 f9d+ !m "u ! spread+ sycamore-trees (  
,heliopolis1 & b5ea? ! walls ( ! ,roman 
=tress ( ,new ,babylon beside !         
,nile--traces s fa9t & dim t !y vani%$  
be=e him cont9ually1 z footpr9ts on !   
h>d riv]-s& gli/5 = a mom5t ) moi/ure & 
!n disappe>4  ,i saw him aga9 at ! foot 
( ! pyramids1 :i* lift$ _! %>p po9ts    
into ! int5se saffron gl[ ( ! sunset    
sky1 *angeless monum5ts ( ! p]i%able    
glory & ! imp]i%able hope ( man4 ,he    
look$ up into ! va/ c\nt5ance ( ! cr\*+ 
,sph9x & va9ly tri$ to read ! mean+ ( ! 
calm eyes & smil+ m\?4 ,0 x1 inde$1 !   
mock]y ( all ef=t & all aspiration1 z   
,tigranes _h said--! cruel je/ ( a      
riddle t has no answ]1 a se>* t nev] c  
succe$8 ,or 0 !re a t\* ( pity &        

enc\ragem5t 9 t inscrutable smile--a    
promise t ev5 ! defeat$ %\ld atta9 a    
victory1 & ! disappo9t$ %\ld discov] a  
prize1 & ! ignorant %\ld be made wise1 &
 ! bl9d %\ld see1 & ! w&]+ %\ld come    
into ! hav5 at la/8  ,i saw him aga9 9  
an obscure h\se ( ,alex&ria1 tak+ c\nsel
 ) a ,hebrew rabbi4 ,! v5]able man1 b5d+
 ov] ! rolls ( p>*m5t on :i* !          
prophecies ( ,israel 7 writt51 read al\d
 ! pa!tic words :i* =etold ! suff]+s ( !
 promis$ ,messiah--! despis$ & reject$ (
 m51 ! man ( sorr[s & ! acqua9tance (   
grief4  ,& rememb]1 my son1 said he1    
fix+ 8 deep-set eyes ^u ! face (        
,artaban1 ! ,k+ :om y are seek+ is n to 
be f\nd 9 a palace1 nor among ! ri* &   
p[]ful4 ,if ! light ( ! _w & ! glory (  
,israel _h be5 appo9t$ to come ) !      
greatness ( e>?ly spl5dor1 x mu/ h      
appe>$ long ago4 ,= no son ( ,abraham w 
ev] aga9 rival ! p[] :i* ,joseph _h 9 ! 
palaces ( ,egypt1 or ! magnific5ce (    
,solomon ?ron$ betwe5 ! lions 9         
,j]usalem4 ,b ! light = :i* ! _w is     

wait+ is a new light1 ! glory t %all    
rise out ( pati5t & triumphant suff]+4  
,& ! k+dom :i* is to be e/abli%$ =ev] is
 a new k+dom1 ! royalty ( p]fect &      
unconqu]able love4  ,i d n "k h[ ?is    
%all come to pass1 nor h[ ! turbul5t k+s
 & peoples ( e>? %all be br\ght to      
ackn[l$ge ! ,messiah & pay homage to    
,him4 ,b ?is ,i "k4 ,^? :o seek ,him w d
 well to look among ! poor & ! l[ly1 !  
sorr[ful & ! oppress$4  ,s ,i saw ! o!r 
wise man aga9 & aga91 travell+ f place  
to place1 & se>*+ among ! p ( !         
disp]sion1 ) :om ! little family f      
,be?lehem might1 p]haps1 h f\nd a       
refuge4 ,he pass$ ?r\gh c\ntries :]e    
fam9e lay heavy ^u ! l&1 & ! poor 7 cry+
 = bread4 ,he made 8 dwell+ 9           
plague-/rick5 cities :]e ! sick 7       
langui%+ 9 ! bitt] companion%ip (       
helpless mis]y4 ,he visit$ ! oppress$ & 
! afflict$ 9 ! gloom ( subt]ranean      
prisons1 & ! cr[d$ wret*$ness (         
slave-m>kets1 & ! we>y toil (           
galley-%ips4 ,9 all ?is popul\s &       

intricate _w ( angui%1 ?\gh he f\nd none
 to wor%ip1 he f\nd _m to help4 ,he f$ !
 hungry1 & clo!d ! nak$1 & heal$ ! sick1
 & com=t$ ! captive2 & 8 ye>s w5t by m  
swiftly ?an ! weav]'s %uttle t fla%es   
back & =? ?r\gh ! loom :ile ! web gr[s &
 ! invisible patt]n is complet$4  ,x    
seem$ almo/ z if he _h =gott5 8 que/4 ,b
 once ,i saw him = a mom5t z he /ood    
alone at sunrise1 wait+ at ! gate ( a   
,roman prison4 ,he _h tak5 f a secret   
re/+-place 9 8 bosom ! pe>l1 ! la/ ( 8  
jewels4 ,z he look$ at x1 a mell[]      
lu/re1 a s(t & iridesc5t light1 full (  
%ift+ gleams ( azure & rose1 trembl$ ^u 
its surface4 ,x seem$ to h absorb$ "s   
reflection ( ! colors ( ! lo/ sapphire &
 ruby4 ,s ! pr(\nd1 secret purpose ( a  
noble life draws into itself ! memories 
( pa/ joy & pa/ sorr[4 ,all t has help$ 
x1 all t has h9d]$ x1 is transfus$ by a 
subtle magic into its v ess5ce4 ,x      
becomes m lum9\s & preci\s ! long] x is 
c>ri$ close to ! w>m? ( ! beat+ he>t4   
,!n1 at la/1 :ile ,i 0 ?9k+ ( ?is pe>l1 

& ( its mean+1 ,i he>d ! end ( ! /ory ( 
! ,o!r ,wise ,man4    ,a ,,pe>l ,,(     
,,great ,,price   ,?ree-&-?irty ye>s ( !
 life ( ,artaban _h pass$ away1 & he 0  
/ill a pilgrim1 & a seek] aft] light4 ,8
 hair1 once d>k] ?an ! cliffs ( ,zagros1
 0 n[ :ite z ! w9try sn[ t cov]$ !m4 ,8 
eyes1 t once fla%$ l flames ( fire1 7   
dull z emb]s sm\ld]+ among ! a%es4      
,worn & we>y & ready to die1 b /ill     
look+ = ! ,k+1 he _h come = ! la/ "t to 
,j]usalem4 ,he _h (t5 visit$ ! holy city
 be=e1 & _h se>*$ ?r\gh all its lanes & 
cr[d$ hovels & black prisons )\t f9d+   
any trace ( ! family ( ,naz>5es :o _h   
fl$ f ,be?lehem long ago4 ,b n[ x seem$ 
z if he mu/ make "o m ef=t1 & some?+    
:isp]$ 9 8 he>t t1 at la/1 he might     
succe$4  ,x 0 ! season ( ! ,passov]4 ,! 
city 0 ?rong$ ) /rang]s4 ,! *ildr5 (    
,israel1 scatt]$ 9 f> l&s all ov] ! _w1 
_h return$ to ! ,temple = ! great fea/1 
& !re _h be5 a confusion ( tongues 9 !  
n>r[ /reets = _m days4  ,b on ?is day   
!re 0 a s+ul> agitation visible 9 !     

multitude4 ,! sky 0 veil$ ) a port5t\s  
gloom1 & curr5ts ( excitem5t seem$ to   
fla% ?r\gh ! cr[d l ! ?rill :i* %akes ! 
=e/ on ! eve ( a /orm4 ,a secret tide 0 
sweep+ !m all "o way4 ,! clatt] ( s&als1
 & ! s(t1 ?ick s\nd ( ?\s&s ( b>e feet  
%uffl+ ov] ! /ones1 fl[$ unceas+ly along
 ! /reet t leads to ! ,damascus gate4   
,artaban jo9$ company ) a gr\p ( p f 8  
own c\ntry1 ,p>?ian ,jews :o _h come up 
to keep ! ,passov]1 & inquir$ ( !m !    
cause ( ! tumult1 & :]e !y 7 go+4  ,we  
are go+1 !y answ]$1 to ! place call$    
,golgo?a1 outside ! city walls1 :]e !re 
is to be an execution4 ,h y n he>d :at  
has happ5$8 ,two fam\s robb]s are to be 
crucifi$1 & ) !m ano!r1 call$ ,jesus (  
,naz>e?1 a man :o has done _m wond]ful  
works among ! p1 s t !y love him        
greatly4 ,b ! prie/s & eld]s h said t he
 mu/ die1 because he gave himself out to
 be ! ,son ( ,god4 ,& ,pilate has s5t   
him to ! cross because he said t he 0 ! 
',k+ ( ! ,jews4'  ,h[ /rangely ^!       
famili> words fell ^u ! tir$ he>t (     

,artaban6 ,!y _h l$ him = a lifetime ov]
 l& & sea4 ,& n[ !y came to him d>kly & 
my/]i\sly l a message ( despair4 ,! ,k+ 
_h aris51 b ,he _h be5 d5i$ & ca/ out4  
,he 0 ab\t to p]i%4 ,p]haps ,he 0       
already dy+4 ,c\ld x be ! same :o _h be5
 born 9 ,be?lehem ?irty-?ree ye>s ago1  
at ^: bir? ! /> _h appe>$ 9 heav51 & (  
^: com+ ! prophets _h spok58  ,artaban's
 he>t beat un/eadily ) t tr\bl$1 d\btful
 appreh5sion :i* is ! excitem5t ( old   
age4 ,b he said )9 himself3 ,! ways (   
,god are /rang] ?an ! ?\ghts ( m51 & x  
may be t ,i %all f9d ! ,k+1 at la/1 9 ! 
h&s ( ,8 enemies1 & %all come 9 "t to   
(f] my pe>l = ,8 ransom be=e ,he dies4  
,s ! old man foll[$ ! multitude ) sl[ & 
pa9ful /eps t[>ds ! ,damascus gate ( !  
city4 ,j beyond ! entrance ( ! gu>d-h\se
 a troop ( ,mac$onian soldi]s came d[n !
 /reet1 dragg+ a "y girl ) torn dress & 
di%evell$ hair4 ,z ! ,magian paus$ to   
look at h] ) compassion1 %e broke       
sudd5ly f ! h&s ( h] torm5tors1 & ?rew  
h]self at 8 feet1 clasp+ him ar\nd !    

knees4 ,%e _h se5 8 :ite cap & ! w+$    
circle on 8 brea/4  ,h pity on me1 %e   
cri$1 & save me1 = ! sake ( ! ,god (    
,purity6 ,i also am a daught] ( ! true  
religion :i* is taught by ! ,magi4 ,my  
fa!r 0 a m]*ant ( ,p>?ia1 b he is dead1 
& ,i am seiz$ = 8 debts to be sold z a  
slave4 ,save me f worse ?an dea?4       
,artaban trembl$4  ,x 0 ! old conflict 9
 8 s\l1 :i* _h come to him 9 !          
palm-grove ( ,babylon & 9 ! cottage at  
,be?lehem--! conflict betwe5 !          
expectation ( fai? & ! impulse ( love4  
,twice ! gift :i* he _h consecrat$ to ! 
wor%ip ( religion _h be5 drawn f 8 h& to
 ! s]vice ( humanity4 ,?is 0 ! ?ird     
trial1 ! ultimate probation1 ! f9al &   
irrevocable *oice4  ,0 x 8 great        
opportunity1 or 8 la/ temptation8 ,he   
c\ld n tell4 ,"o ?+ only 0 cle> 9 !     
d>kness ( 8 m9d--x 0 inevitable4 ,& does
 n ! inevitable come f ,god8  ,"o ?+    
only 0 sure to 8 divid$ he>t--to rescue 
?is helpless girl w\ld be a true de$ (  
love4 ,& is n love ! light ( ! s\l8  ,he

 took ! pe>l f 8 bosom4 ,nev] _h x seem$
 s lum9\s1 s radiant1 s full ( t5d]1    
liv+ lu/re4 ,he laid x 9 ! h& ( ! slave4
  ,?is is ?y ransom1 daught]6 ,x is !   
la/ ( my treasures :i* ,i kept = ! ,k+4 
,:ile he spoke1 ! d>kness ( ! sky       
?ick5$1 & %udd]+ tremors ran ?r\gh !    
e>?1 heav+ convulsively l ! brea/ ( "o  
:o /ruggles ) mighty grief4  ,! walls ( 
! h\ses rock$ to & fro4 ,/ones 7 loos5$ 
& cra%$ into ! /reet4 ,du/ cl\ds fill$ !
 air4 ,! soldi]s fl$ 9 t]ror1 reel+ l   
drunk5 m54 ,b ,artaban & ! girl :om he  
_h ransom$ cr\*$ helpless b5ea? ! wall (
 ! ,praetorium4  ,:at _h he to fe>8 ,:at
 _h he to live =8 ,he _h giv5 away ! la/
 remnant ( 8 tribute = ! ,k+4 ,he _h    
p>t$ ) ! la/ hope ( f9d+ ,him4 ,! que/ 0
 ov]1 & x _h fail$4 ,b1 ev5 9 t ?\ght1  
accept$ & embrac$1 !re 0 peace4 ,x 0 n  
resignation4 ,x 0 n submission4 ,x 0    
some?+ m pr(\nd & se>*+4 ,he knew t all 
0 well1 because he _h done ! be/ t he   
c\ld1 f day to day4 ,he _h be5 true to !
 light t _h be5 giv5 to him4 ,he _h     

look$ = m4 ,& if he _h n f\nd x1 if a   
failure 0 all t came out ( 8 life1      
d\btless t 0 ! be/ t 0 possible4 ,he _h 
n se5 ! revelation ( life ev]la/+1      
incorruptible & immortal4 ,b he knew t  
ev5 if he c\ld live 8 e>?ly life ov]    
aga91 x c\ld n be o!rwise ?an x _h be54 
,"o m l+]+ pulsation ( ! e>?quake quiv]$
 ?r\gh ! gr\nd4 ,a heavy tile1 %ak5 f ! 
ro(1 fell & /ruck ! old man on ! temple4
 ,he lay brea?less & pale1 ) 8 gray head
 re/+ on ! "y girl's %\ld]1 & ! blood   
trickl+ f ! w\nd4 ,z %e b5t ov] him1    
fe>+ t he 0 dead1 !re came a voice ?r\gh
 ! twilight1 v small & /ill1 l music    
s\nd+ f a di/ance1 9 :i* ! notes are    
cle> b ! words are lo/4 ,! girl turn$ to
 see if "s "o _h spok5 f ! w9d[ above   
!m1 b %e saw no "o4  ,!n ! old man's    
lips began to move1 z if 9 answ]1 & %e  
he>d him say 9 ! ,p>?ian tongue3  ,n s1 
my ,"l3 ,= :5 saw ,i !e an hung]$ & f$  
!e8 ,or ?ir/y1 & gave !e dr9k8 ,:5 saw  
,i !e a /rang]1 & took !e 98 ,or nak$1 &
 clo!d !e8 ,:5 saw ,i !e sick or 9      

prison1 & came unto !e8 ,?ree-&-?irty   
ye>s h ,i look$ = !e2 b ,i h nev] se5 ?y
 face1 nor m9i/]$ to !e1 my ,k+4  ,he   
ceas$1 & ! sweet voice came aga94 ,&    
aga9 ! maid he>d x1 v fa9tly & f> away4 
,b n[ x seem$ z ?\gh %e und]/ood !      
words3  ,v]ily ,i say unto !e1 ,inasmu* 
z ?\ ha/ done x unto "o ( ! lea/ ( ^! my
 bre?r51 ?\ ha/ done x unto me4  ,a calm
 radiance ( wond] & joy light$ ! pale   
face ( ,artaban l ! fir/ ray ( dawn on a
 sn[y m\nta9-peak4 ,"o long1 la/ brea? (
 relief exhal$ g5tly f 8 lips4  ,8      
j\rney 0 end$4 ,8 treasures 7 accept$4  
,! ,o!r ,wise ,man _h f\nd ! ,k+4   ,,! 
,,end