What I want to express is something very difficult, not only because it is something beyond my grasp, not only because it is something I do not possess, but because it is part of the mystery of love and therefore the mystery of God.
In the previous post there is one expression of this kind of foolish wisdom. The good king beholds his love for the first time and is wise enough to recognize his fortune
I pick this because it seems to exemplify the wisdom which recognizes what is good, what is beautiful, what is true. His wisdom is that which knows enough to know a good thkng and to pledge himself to her without reserve:
“the King in his white robes was walking under the boughs of the white-blossomed pear-trees, for it was spring, and the moon was at the full. And presently, coming along over the dewy grey grass of the orchard, he saw a figure in white, and when it came close to him he saw that it was a lady more fair than the fair stars of that fair night.
“And who are you?” said the King.
“I am a poor Princess seeking my fortune,” said she.
“You will rest under my roof to-night,” said the King, and led her through the long sweet grass under the blossoming boughs to the Palace garden. When they came to the terrace the Princess loosed a lantern from her girdle, set it on the stone balustrade close by where one of the white peacocks perched in fluffy feathery slumber, kindled it, and threw open the horn door. A flood of light streamed out, bright as spring sunshine, and fell full upon her, and then the King saw that her gown was not white, as it had seemed in the moonlight, but was the colour of yellow gold, and her hair was red gold, and her eyes were of gold and grey mingled. Then for the first time in all his life the King thought of himself and of his own happiness, and he caught her hands and said—
“Nothing will ever again content me, not even doing good to my people, if I must part from you. Will you stay and be my Queen?”
The Princess said, “I am seeking my fortune. Do you think you are it?”
“I do not know, my dear,” said the King, “whether I am your fortune, but I know well enough that you are mine!”
Then the Princess clapped her hands and said, “That is the right answer! I have travelled half round the world to hear it; and will you love me always?”
“Always, my Queen,” said he, “exactly the same as you will love me. We are not of the race that changes heart.”
So then they kissed each other as lovers should, and wandered along the yew-tree avenue deep in lovers’ talk”
Same & Other 