I saw a desert and I saw a woman coming out of it.And she came to the bank of a dark river; and the bank was steep and high.(The banks of an African river are sometimes a hundred feet high, and consist of deep shifting sands, through which in the course of ages the river has worn its gigantic bed.) And on it an old man met her, who had a long white beard;and a stick that curled was in his hand, and on it was written Reason.And he asked her what she wanted; and she said "I am woman; and I am seeking for the land of Freedom."And he said, "It is before you."
And she said, "I see nothing before me but a dark flowing river, and a bank steep and high, and cuttings here and there with heavy sand in them."And he said, "And beyond that?"
She said, "I see nothing, but sometimes, when I shade my eyes with my hand, I think I see on the further bank trees and hills, and the sun shining on them!"He said, "That is the Land of Freedom."
She said, "How am I to get there?"
He said, "There is one way, and one only.Down the banks of Labour, through the water of Suffering.There is no other."She said, "Is there no bridge?"
He answered."None."
She said, "Is the water deep?"
He said, "Deep."
She said, "Is the floor worn?"
He said, "It is.Your foot may slip at any time, and you may be lost."She said, "Have any crossed already?"
He said, "Some have tried!"
She said, "Is there a track to show where the best fording is?"He said, "It has to be made."
She shaded her eyes with her hand; and she said, "I will go."And he said, "You must take off the clothes you wore in the desert: they are dragged down by them who go into the water so clothed."And she threw from her gladly the mantle of Ancient-received-opinions she wore, for it was worn full of holes.And she took the girdle from her waist that she had treasured so long, and the moths flew out of it in a cloud.And he said, "Take the shoes of dependence off your feet."And she stood there naked, but for one white garment that clung close to her.
And he said, "That you may keep.So they wear clothes in the Land of Freedom.In the water it buoys; it always swims."And I saw on its breast was written Truth; and it was white; the sun had not often shone on it; the other clothes had covered it up.And he said, "Take this stick; hold it fast.In that day when it slips from your hand you are lost.Put it down before you; feel your way: where it cannot find a bottom do not set your foot."And she said, "I am ready; let me go."
And he said, "No--but stay; what is that--in your breast?"She was silent.
He said, "Open it, and let me see."
And she opened it.And against her breast was a tiny thing, who drank from it, and the yellow curls above his forehead pressed against it; and his knees were drawn up to her, and he held her breast fast with his hands.
And Reason said, "Who is he, and what is he doing here?"And she said, "See his little wings--"
And Reason said, "Put him down."
And she said, "He is asleep, and he is drinking! I will carry him to the Land of Freedom.He has been a child so long, so long, I have carried him.
In the Land of Freedom he will be a man.We will walk together there, and his great white wings will overshadow me.He has lisped one word only to me in the desert--'Passion!' I have dreamed he might learn to say 'Friendship' in that land."And Reason said, "Put him down!"
