Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 136 -
THE ENRAPTURED BISHOP MARTIN AND THE THREE FAIR SUN-MAIDENS.
1
(Three maidens of extreme beauty walk toward Martin, stretch out their arms, and say): "You glorious leader of this fairest party, what sublimity are you bringing us from your heaven of heavens? Oh speak, you for whom we have been waiting so long!"
2
Martin bites his tongue and secretly pinches himself as a reminder that he must not too quickly change from his assumed earnestness to extreme affection. So he does not reply to them at all. The three repeat their address even more sweetly, and Martin almost bites off his tongue, but still remains silent.
3
(The three maidens secretly wonder about our Martin's peculiar silence, and then say): "Oh, great one, do you find any fault with us that you do not consider us worthy of a word? Don't you like us? But then we saw how you wanted to kiss the deceptive dragon in your house in the high heavens.
4
You have also been seen on Mercury almost melting away at the sight of a fair Mercurian. Before that, you were seen with a flock of lambs, where you were quite talkative! You were also seen as a mortal on earth and some most peculiar actions of yours were witnessed. There, too, you were most talkative, but you do not deem us, daughters of the sun, worthy of an answer. Do tell us why you are silent.
5
We do know that silence at the right moment is an essential part of wisdom, but your present silence seems to be different. At least tell us why you are silent. Pray do so for our hearts are yearning for your answer."
6
Martin is almost overwhelmed with love for these most beautiful maidens and is thinking hard what to say. He has already realized that they know everything about him and must be quite familiar with his tricks. Therefore, he says secretly to himself:
7
(Martin): "Oh, what a desperate situation! This will be terribly embarrassing. Whatever shall I say to them?
8
Firstly, their inconceivable beauty is becoming more enticing all the time, rendering me dumb. And secondly, they know me anyway, almost better than I have ever known myself.
9
So what and how should I speak to them? O Lord, do not forsake me now! And you, my earnestness, do not forsake me either or I am lost!
10
Ah, this inconceivable beauty! Those eyes, fiery like the sun itself, that hair like the shiniest gold! The softness of the neck, that roundness and indescribable tenderness!
11
And the bosom, oh, I cannot bear it any longer! There is nothing on earth comparable with this!
12
Compared with this, what is the delicacy of the purest dew-drop, the purest cut of a diamond, the most tender cirrus floating around the setting sun carried by a slight evening breeze? Is there a whiteness like that on earth? The purest snow in the midday sun would not even come near it!
13
One could feast one's eyes on it forever! And the arms, the hands, the feet! Martin, turn your eyes away from these much-too-beautiful maidens or you are lost!"