 | Weeping-Cross and Other Rimes by A. H. Bullen |  |
49
THE RIVERS
“Belovèd Master, tell us how we may
To Happiness and Wisdom find the way?
How shall we get winged souls wherewith on high
Through the bright beams of heavenly truth to fly?”
To Happiness and Wisdom find the way?
How shall we get winged souls wherewith on high
Through the bright beams of heavenly truth to fly?”
“Go seek the Rivers Four of Paradise,
And bathe therein, and you'll grow good and wise.”
And bathe therein, and you'll grow good and wise.”
“The Rivers Four! fain would we learn from thee
What names they bear and what their virtues be?”
What names they bear and what their virtues be?”
“The first named Pison, signifies Foresight;
The second's Gihon, 'mong men Justice hight:
Hiddekel third, is Courage firm and fast,
Euphrates (Temperance) is the fourth and last.
Bathe, and your cleansèd souls mounting the sky,
Through sun-bright beams of heavenly Truth shall fly.”
So Zoroaster taught, ages ago;
Nor better counsel I to-day can show.
The second's Gihon, 'mong men Justice hight:
Hiddekel third, is Courage firm and fast,
Euphrates (Temperance) is the fourth and last.
Bathe, and your cleansèd souls mounting the sky,
Through sun-bright beams of heavenly Truth shall fly.”
So Zoroaster taught, ages ago;
Nor better counsel I to-day can show.
| Weeping-Cross and Other Rimes by A. H. Bullen | |