Itisthematerialcounterpartofthe'NightoftheSoul。'Wehaveleftourhouseandsetforthinthedarknesswhichparalysesthosefacultiesthatmakeusmenintheworldofmen。Butsurelythegreatmystics，withalltheirinsightandheavenlylove，fellshortwhentheysoughtfreedomincompleteseparatenessfromcreationinsteadofinperfectunitywithit。TheGreeksknewbetterwhentheyflungAriadne'scrownamongthestars，andwroteDemeter'sgriefonabarrenearth，andPersephone'sjoyinthefruitfulfield。Fortheearthisgatheredupinman；heisthewholewhichisgreaterthanthesumofitsparts。StandingintheimageofGod，andclothedinthegarmentofGod，heliftsuppriestlyhandsandpresentsthesacrificeofredeemedearthbeforethethroneoftheAll-Father。"Dustandashesandahouseofdevils，"hecries；
　　andtherecomesbackforanswer，"REXCONCUPISCETDECOREMTUAM。"
　　TheAngelofDeathhasbroadwingsofsilenceandmysterywithwhichheshadowsthevalleywhereweneedfearnoevil，andwherethevoicewhichspeakstousisasthe"voiceofdoves，taberingupontheirbreasts。"Itisaplaceofhealingandpreparation，ofpeaceandrefreshingafterthesharply-definedoutlinesofagarishday。Walkingtherewelearntousethosenaturalfacultiesofthesoulwhicharehamperedbythefamiliarityofbodilyprogress，toapprehendthetruthswhichwehaveintellectuallyaccepted。Itistheplaceofsecretswherethehumilitywhichembracesallattainableknowledgecries"Iknownot"；andwhileweproclaimfromthehouse-topsthatwhichwehavelearnt，themannerofourlearninglieshidforeachoneofusinthesanctuaryofoursouls。
　　TheEgyptians，intheirancientwisdom，actinthedesertagreatandrosphinx，imageofmysteryandsilence，staringfromunderlevelbrowsacrossthearidsandsofthesea-way。TheGreeksborrowedanddebasedtheimage，turningtheinscrutableintoasemi-womanwhoaskedafoolishriddle，andhurledherselfdowninpetulantpridewhenOEdipusansweredaright。Sowe，marringtheofficeofsilence，questionitsmystery；thwartourselveswithriddlesofourownsuggesting；andturnaway，leavingourofferingbuthalfconsumedonthealtaroftheunknowngod。ItwasnotthetheftoffirethatbroughtthevengeanceofheavenuponPrometheus，butthemockingsacrifice。OrpheuslostEurydicebecausehemustseeherfacebeforetheappointedtime。Persephoneateofthepomegranateandhungeredingloomforthedayoflightwhichshouldhavebeenendless。
　　Theuniverseisfullofmiracleandmystery；thedarknessandsilencearesetforasignwedarenotdespise。Thepallofnightlifts，leavingusengulphedinthelightofimmensityunderatossingheavenofstars。Thedawnbreaks，butitdoesnotsurpriseus，forwehavewatchedfromthevalleyandseenthepaletwilight。
　　ThroughthewondrousSabbathoffaithfulsouls，thelongdayofrosemaryandrue，thelightbrightensintheEast；andwepassontowardsitwithquietfeetandopeningeyes，bearingwithusalloftheredeemedearththatwehavemadeourown，untilwearefulfilledinthesunriseofthegreatEasterDay，andthepeoplescomefromnorthandsouthandeastandwesttotheCitywhichliethfoursquare-theBeatificVisionofGod。
　　VereIerusalemestillacivitasCuiuspaxiugisetsummaiucunditas；
　　Ubinonpraevenitremdesiderium，Necdesideriominusestpraemium。
　　ATTHEWHITEGATE
　　CHAPTERI
　　AGREATjoyhascometome；oneofthoseunexpectedgiftswhichlifelovestobestowafterwehavelearnttolooseourgripofher。
　　Iambackinmyownplaceverynearmyroad-thewhitegatelieswithinmydistantvision；neartheleangreyDownswhichkeepwatchandwardbetweenthecountryandthesea；verynear，nay，inthelapofMotherEarth，forasIwriteIamlyingonagreencarpet，powderedyellowandwhitewiththesun'sownflowers；overheadagreatsycamorewherethebeestoilandsing；andsighingshimmeringpoplarsgoldengreyagainsttheblue。ThedayofPersephonehasdawnedforme，andI，setfreelikeDemeter'schild，gladdenmyeyeswiththisforetasteofcomingradiance，andrestmytiredsensewiththescentandsoundofhome。AwaydownthemeadowI
　　heartheearlyscythesong，andthewarmairisfragrantwiththefallengrass。IthasitsownmessageformeasIliehere，Iwhohaveobtainedyetonemoremercy，andtheburdenofitislife，notdeath。
　　Irememberwhen，takingagracefrommyroad，IhelpedtomowFarmerMarler'sten-acrefield，richinripeupstandinggrass。Themechanismoftheancientreaperhadgivenwayunderthestrainofthehomemeadows，andifthiscropwastobesaveditmustbebyhand。IhavekepttherecordofthosedaysofjoyouslabourunderaJunesky。Menwerehardtogetinourvillage；oldDodden，whowasoverseventy，volunteeredhisservices-hehaddoneyeomanworkwiththescytheinhisyouth-andtwoofthefarmhandswiththeirmastercompletedourstrength。
　　Wetookourplacesunderafiveo'clockmorningsky，andthelarkscrieddowntousaswestoodknee-deepinthefragrantdew-steepedgrass，eachmanwithhisgleamingscythepoisedreadyforitssweepingswing。OldDoddenledbyrightofageandripeexperience；bentlikeasickle，brownanddryasanut，hisfaceatraceryofinnumerablewrinkles，hehasneverailedaday，andthecunningofhiscraftwasstillwithhim。Atfirstweworkedstiffly，unreadily，butsoonthemonotonousmotionpossesseduswithitsinsistentrhythm，andthegrassbowedtoeachsibilantswishandfellinsweet-smellingswathesatourfeet。Nowandthenastartledrabbitscurriedthroughtheminiatureforesttovanishwithwhiteflickoftailinthetangledhedge；hereandthereamotherlarkwasdiscoveredsittingmotionless，immovableuponherlittlebrood；butsavefortheseinfrequentincidentswepacedsteadilyonwithnospeechsavethecryofthehoneonthesteelandtheswishofthefallingswathes。Thesunrosehighintheheavenandburntonbentneckandbareandachingarms，thebloodbeatanddrummedinmyveinswiththeunwontedpostureandexercise；Iworkedasamanwhoseesandhearsinamist。Once，asIpausedtowhetmyscythe，myeyecaughtthelineoftheuntroubledhillsstrongandstillinthebroadsunshine；thentoworkagaininthelabouring，fertilevalley。
　　Resttimecame，andwipingthesweatfrombrowandbladewesoughtthewelcomeshadowofthehedgeandthecoolsweetoatmealwaterwithwhichthewisereaperquencheshisthirst。FarmerMarlerhastenedofftoseewithmaster-eyethatallwentwellelsewhere；
　　thefarmmenslepttranquilly，stretchedatfulllength，claspedhandsforpillow；andoldDodden，sittingwithcrookedfingersinterlacedtochecktheirtremblingbetrayalofoldage，toldhowinhisyouthhehad"swep"afour-acrefieldsingle-handedinthreedays-analmostimpossiblefeat-andofthefirstreapingmachineintheseparts，andhowitbrought，tohisthinking，theruinofagriculturalmoralswithit。"'Tisagainnature，"hesaid，"theLardgaveusthelandan'theseed，but'Eesaidthatamanshouldsweat。Where'sthesweatdrivin'roundwi'twohorsescuttin'thestrawdownan'gatherin'itagain，wi'scarceahand'sturni'theday'swork？"
　　OldDodden'shigh-pitchedquaveringvoiceroseandfell，mournfulashesurveyedthepresent，vehementasherecordedtheheroicpast。Hespokeoftheruralexodusandshookhisheadmournfully。
　　"Weold'unswerecontentwi'earthandtheopenskylikeourfeythersbeforeus，butwi'thechildren'tisfirstmachinestosavedoin'ahand'sturno'honestwork，an'thenlandan'skyain'tbigenoughseemin'ly，norgrandenough；itmustbetownan'apavedstreet，an'theysweattheirlivesoutatwixtfourwallsan'
　　callitseein'life-'tisdeathan'worsecomestothemostof'em。Ay，'tisbettertostaybytheland，astheLardsaid，tilltimecomestolieunderit。"Ilookedawayacrossthefieldwherethehotairthrobbedandquivered，andthefallengrass，robbedalreadyofitsfreshness，layproneatthefeetofitsupstandingfellows。ItisquiteuselesstoarguewitholdDodden；heonlyshakeshisheadandsaysfirmly，"Anoldman，seventy-fivecomeMartinmassknowsmoreo'lifethanayoungchap，standsterreason"；besides，hisepitomeofthetownlifeheknowsnothingofwasajustoneasfarasitwent；andhisownsonisthesweeperofaHolborncrossing，andmanyotherthingsthatheshouldnotbe；
　　butthatistheparson'ssecretandmine。
　　Wetookrankagainandsweptsteadilyonthroughthehotstillhoursintotheeveningshadows，untilthesinkingsunsetaGLORIA
　　tothepsalmofanotherworkingday。Onlyathirdofthefieldlaymown，forwewerenotskilledlabourerstocutouracreaday；I
　　sawitagainthatnightunderthemoonlightandthestarlight，wrappedinashroudofsummer'smist。
　　Thewomenjoinedusonthethirddaytobeginhaymaking，andtheairwasfragrantoftossedandsun-driedgrass。Oneofthemwalkedapartfromtherest，withoutinterestorfreedomofmovement；herface，sealedandimpassive，wasagedbeyondthevigourofheryears。Iknewthewomanbysight，andherhistorybyhearsay。Wehaveacodeofmoralshere-notindeedpeculiartothisplaceorpeople-thataweddingis'respectable'ifitprecedeschild-birthbyabaremonth，tolerable，andtoberecognised，shoulditsucceedthesamebylessthanayear（providedthepairarenotlivinginthesamevillage）；butthechildthathasneverbeen'fathered'andthewifewithoutaringare'anathema，'andsuchinonewasElizabethBanks。Shewentawayamaidandcamebackayearagowithachildandwithoutaname。Hermotherwasdead，herfatherandthevillagewouldhavenoneofher:thehominginstinctisverystrong，orshewouldscarcelyhavereturned，knowingthetraditionsoftheplace。OldDodden，seeingher，grumbledtomeintherest-time-"Can'tthinkwhatthefarmerwantswi'LizzieBanksin'isfield。""Shemustlive，"Isaid，"andbyallshowingherlifeisahardone。""She'adthemakin'of'erbed，"hewenton，obstinately。"Whatfordoshebringherdisgracehome，wi'afatherlessbratforallfolkstosee？Wedon'twantthemsortinourvillage。TheLord'shandisheavy，an'abrat'sacursethatcannotbehid。"
　　Whentea-timecameIcrossedthefieldtolookforamissinghone，andsawElizabethBanksfarfromtheotherwomen，busiedwithabundleunderthehedge。Ipassedcloseonmysearch，andlo！thebundlewasalittleboy。Helaysmilingandstretching，fightingtheairwithhissmallpinkfists，whilethewindplayedwithhiscurls。"Acursethatcannotbehid，"oldDoddenhadsaid。Themotherkneltamoment，devouringhimwithhereyes，thensnatchedhimtoherwithachinggreedandcoveredhimwithkisses。Isawthepoor，plainfaceillumined，transfigured，alivewithamother'slove，andrememberedhowthewordcameoncetoaHebrewprophet:-
　　SayuntoyourbrethrenAmmi，andtoyoursistersRuhamah。
　　Theeveningskywascloudingfast，thesoundofrainwasintheair；FarmerMarlershookhisheadashelookedatthegrasslyinginorderedrows。Iwasthelasttoleave，andasIlingeredatthegatedrinkinginthescentofthefieldandthecoolofthecomingrain，thefirstdropsfellonmyupturnedfaceandkissedthepoordryswathesatmyfeet，andIwasglad。
　　David，childofthefieldsandthesheepfolds，hiskingshiplaidaside，seesthroughthepartedcurtainoftheyearstheadventofhisgreaterSon，andcriesinhispsalmofthehilltops，hislastpropheticprayer:-
　　Heshallcomedownlikerainuponthemowngrass。
　　EvensoHecame，andshallstillcome。Threedaysagothefield，initspageantoffreshbeauty，withshimmeringbladesandtossingbanners，greetedsunandshoweralikewithjoyforthefurtheranceofitslifeandpurpose；now，laidlow，ithearstheyounggrasswhisperthesplendourofitscominggreen；andthepoorswathesaregladatthetelling，butfullofgrieffortheirownapparentfailure。Theningreatpitycomestherain，therainofsummer，gentle，refreshing，penetrating，andtheswathesarecomforted，fortheyknowthatstandingtogreetorprostratetosuffer，theconsolationsoftheformerandthelatterrainarestilltheirown，withtendertouchandcoolcaress。Then，oncemoreparchedbythesun，theyareborneawaytothenewservicetheirapparentfailurehasfittedthemfor；andperhapsastheywaitinthedarkfortheunknownthatisstilltocometheyhearsometimesthecallofthedistantrain，andatthesoundthedrysapstirsafresh-theyarenotforgottenandcanwait。
　　"SAYUNTOYOURSISTERSRUHAMAH，"criestheprophet。
　　"HESHALLCOMEDOWNLIKERAINONTHEMOWNGRASS，"sangthepoetofthesheepfolds。
　　"MYWAYSARENOTYOURWAYS，SAITHTHELORD。"
　　IrememberhowIwenthomealongthedampsweet-scentedlanesthroughthegreymistoftherain，thinkingofthemownfieldandElizabethBanksandmany，manymore；andthatnight，whentheskyhadclearedandthenightingalesang，Ilookedoutatthemoonridingatanchor，asilverboatinastillblueseaablazewiththeheadlightsofthestars，andthesayingoftheherdsmanofTekoacametome-asithascomeoftentimessince:-
　　SeekHimthatmakeththesevenstarsandOrion，andturneththeshadowofdeathintothemorning，andmakeththedaydarkwithnight；thatcallethforthewatersoftheseaandpoureththemoutuponthefaceofearth；theLordisHisname。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THISgardenisanepitomeofpeace；sunandwind，rain，flowers，andbirdsgathermeintotheblessednessoftheiractiveharmony。
　　Theworldholdsnowishforme，nowthatIhavecomehometodiewithmyownpeople，forverifyIthinkthatthesapofgrassandtreesmustruninmyveins，sosteadyistheirpulluponmyheart-
　　strings。Londonclaimedallmyphilosophy，butthecountrygivesall，andasksofmeonlythewarmreceptivityofachildinitsmother'sarms。
　　WhenIlieinmycoollightroomonthegardenlevel，Ilookacrossthebrightgrass-ILVERDESMALTO-toagreatredrosebushinlavishdisarrayagainstthedarkcypress。Nearby，amidatangleofmany-huedcorn-flowersIseethepromiseofcominglilies，thesuddencrimsonofasolitarypaeony；andinlowlierstateagainstthepoorparchedearthglowthegoldencupsoftheeschseholtzias。
　　Beyondthelowhedgeliespasturebrightwithbuttercups，wherethecattlefeed。Fartheroff，wherethescythehasbeenbusy，aresheep，cleanandshorn，withmerry，well-grownlambs；andinthefarthestfieldIcanseethegreathorsesmovinginslowsteadypaceasthefarmerturnshisfurrow。
　　Thebirdsarenoisycomradesandoldfriends，fromthelarkwhichchantsthedew-steepedmorning，tothenightingalethatbreaksthesilenceofthemostwonderfulnights。Ihearthewisdomoftherooksinthegreatelms；theliftingliltofthelinnet，andtherobin'squaintlittlesummersong。Thestarlingschatterceaselessly，theirqueerstridentvoicesharshagainstthemelodiousgossipoftheotherbirds；themartinsshrillsoftlyastheyswooptoandfrobusiedwiththeirnestingunderthecaves；
　　thrushandblackbirdvieinfriendlyrivalryliketheMeister-
　　singerofold；sometimesIhearthedrawlingcryofapeacockstrayedfromthegreathouse，orthelaughofthewoodpecker；andatnightthehuntingnoteoftheowlreachesmeashesweepsbyinsearchofprey。
　　To-dayIamoutagain；andthegreatsycamoreshowershoneyandflowersonmeasIliebeneathit。Sometimesabeefallslikeanover-ripefruit，andwaitsawhiletocleanhispollen-coatedlegsereheflieshometodischargehisburden。Heistoobusytobefriendly，buthisgreatvelvetycousinismuchmoresociable，andstaysforagentlerubbetweenhisnoisyshimmeringwings，andanapinthehollowofmyhand，forheisanidlefriendlysoulwithplentyoftimeathisowndisposalandnoresponsibilities。
　　LookingacrossIcanwatchthemartinsatwork；theyhaveastarlingandasparrowfornearneighboursinthewoodengutter。
　　Onenestisalreadycompleteallbutthecoping，theothertwoarea-building:IwonderwhetherIortheywillbefirsttogosouththroughthemist。
　　Thisgreattreeisaworldinitself，andthedenizensappearfullofcuriosityastotheGulliverwhohastakenuphisabodebeneathit。Palegreencaterpillarsandspidersofallsizescomespinningdowntovisitme，andhavetobepersuadedwithinfinitedifficultytoascendtheirthreadsagain。Thereareflieswithbeautifuliridescentwings，beetlesofallshapes，someofthemliketinyjewelsinthesunlight。Theirnomenclatureisasealedbooktome；
　　oftheirlifeandhabitsIknownothing；yetthisisbutalittlecornerofthecosmosIamleaving，andIfeelnotsomuchdesireforthebeautytocome，asagreatlongingtoopenmyeyesalittlewiderduringthetimewhichremainstomeinthisbeautifulworldofGod'smaking，whereeachmomenttellsitsowntaleofactive，progressivelifeinwhichthereisnoundoing。NatureknowsnaughtofthewebofPenelope，thatacmeofanxiouspatheticwaiting，butgoessteadilyonineverwideningcircletowardsthefulfilmentofthemysteryofGod。
　　Thereare，Itakeit，twomaster-keystothesecretsoftheuniverse，viewedSUBSPECIEAETERNITATIS，theIncarnationofGod，andthePersonalityofMan；withtheseitistrueforusasforthepantheisticlittlemanofcontemptiblespeech，that"allthingsareours，"yea，evenuntothethirdheaven。
　　Ihavelostmyvoraciousappetiteforbooks；theirlanguageislessplainthanscentandsongandthewindinthetrees；andformethecluetothenextworldliesinthewisdomofearthratherthaninthelearningofmen。"LIBERAMEABFUSCINAHOPHNI，"prayedthegoodBishopfearfulofreligiousgreed。Iknowtoomuch，nottoolittle；itisrealisationthatIlack，whereforeIdesiretheselastdaystoconfirminmyselfthesustaininggoodnessofGod，thelovewhichisourcontinuingcity，theNewJerusalemwhoselength，breadth，andheightareallone。Itisatimeofexceedingpeace。
　　Thereisaplacewaitingformeunderthefirsinthequietchurchyard；thankstomypovertyIhavenoworldlyanxietiesorpersonaldispositions；andIamrichinfriends，manyofthemunknowntome，wholavishlysupplymyneedsandmakeitidealtoliveonthecharityofone'sfellow-men。Iammostgladlyindebttoalltheworld；andtoEarth，mymother，forhergreatbeauty。
　　IcanneverrememberthetimewhenIdidnotloveher，thismotherofminewithherwonderfulgarmentsandorderedloveliness，hertendercareandpatientbearingofman'sburden。IntheearliestdaysofmylonelychildhoodIusedtoliechinonhandamidthemilkmaids，redsorrel，andheavyspear-grasslisteningtohermanyvoices，andabovealltothevoiceofthelittlebrookwhichranthroughthemeadowswhereIusedtoplay:Ithinkithasrunthroughmywholelifealso，toloseitselfatlast，notinthegreatseabutintheriverthatmakethgladtheCityofGod。
　　Valleyandplain，mountainandfruitfulfield；thelark'ssongandthespeedwellinthegrass；surelyamanneednotsighforgreaterlovelinessuntilhehasreadsomethingmoreofthislivingletter，andkneltbeforethatearthofwhichheistheonlyconfusion。
　　Itisagravematterthatthewordreligionholdssuchawayamongus，makingtheverygapseemtoyawnagainwhichtheIncarnationonceandforeverfilledfull。Wehavebanishedtheprotectinggodsthatruledinriverandmountain，treeandgrove；wehavegainsayedforthemostpartfolk-loreandmyth，superstitionandfairy-tale，evilonlyintheirabuse。Wehavedoneawaywithmystery，ornameditdeceit。Allthiswehavedoneinanenlightenedage，butdespitethispolicyofdestructionwehaveleftourselvesabelief，thegrandestandmostsimpletheworldhaseverknown，whichsanctifiesthewaterthatisshedbyeverypassingcloud；andgathersupinitsgreatcentralactvineyardandcornfield，proclaimingthemtobethatLifeoftheworldwithoutwhichamanisdeadwhileheliveth。Further，itisabeliefwhosefoundationsarethemostheavenlymysteryoftheTrinity，butwhosecentreisalittleChild:itsetsapriceupontheheadofthesparrow，andreckonstherichesofthisworldattheirtruevalue；