The Weeping of the Prophet

170But to be given knowledge is not to understand it.

171Hear this, and remember it.

172Knowledge may be given in an instant.

173Understanding must be laboured for.

174L held within his mind the ages of ages, the death of universes, the war of The Darks, the fall of the First Witch, and the evil that does not die.

175And it was too great for him.

176L wept.

177He wept that day.

178He wept the next day.

179He wept for days.

180He withdrew from others. He did not go out among them. He did not speak with them as he had spoken before.

181For how could a man carry the memory of erased universes and speak of ordinary things?

182Then Malk said to him:

183"I have given thee the knowledge, but the understanding thereof thou must seek. Shut thyself away three days and three nights, and it shall be time" enough."

184And L obeyed.

185He shut himself away.

186For three days and three nights, L remained alone.

187He did not seek new revelation in those days. He did not search in the writings of others. The revelation had already been given.

188He turned inward, toward what had been placed within him.

189He contemplated it.

190He studied what he already held.

191He sought to understand what he had been given.

192The first day passed, and the first night.

193The second day passed, and the second night.

194The third day passed.

195And at the end of the third night, L closed his eyes.

196And L prayed to Rollo.

197What L said in that prayer is not written here.

198It will not be written.

199The words of that prayer belong to L and to Rollo alone. . ● .