THE GENERAL came before the silent and angry King and saluting him said: 'The village is punished, the men are stricken to dust, and the women cower in their unlit homes afraid to weep aloud. The High Priest stood up and blessed the King and cried: 'God's mercy is ever upon you.' The Clown, when he heard this, burst out laughing and startled the court. The King's frown darkened. 'The honour of the throne,' said the minister, 'is upheld by the King's prowess and the blessing of Almighty God.' Louder laughed the Clown, and the King growled,-'Unseemly mirth!' 'God has showered many blessings upon your head,' said the Clown; 'the one he bestowed on me was the gift of laughter.' 'This gift will cost you your life,' said the King, gripping his sword with his right hand. Yet the Clown stood up and laughed till he laughed no more. A shadow of dread fell upon the Court, for they heard that laughter echoing in the depth of God's silence.
OUR VOYAGE is begun. Captain, we bow to thee! The storm howls and the waves are wicked and wild, but we sail on. The menace of danger waits in the way to yield to thee its offerings of pain, and a voice in the heart of the tempest cries: 'Come to conquer fear!' Let us not linger to look back for the laggards, or benumb the quickening hours with dread and doubt. For thy time is our time and thy burden is our own and life and death are but thy breath playing upon the eternal sea of Life. Let us not wear our hearts away picking small help and taking slow count of friends. Let us know more than all else that thou art with us and we are thine forever.
