The King's satisfaction was disturbed by the
Great Giant stumbling along the Bridge. "Although he reeled into the midst
of men and cattle in the clumsiest way his presence was felt by none."
The King remained calm. The Giant walked to the door of the Temple. "He
halted and was fixed to the ground, his shadow pointed out the hours which were
marked in a circle on the floor around him."
"The people pressed towards the door of the Temple. The Hawk with the
mirror soared aloft caught the light of the Sun, and reflected it upon the
group, which was standing on the Altar.
The King, the Queen and their attendants seemed illuminated by a heavenly
splendour.
To the present hour the Bridge is swarming with travellers and the Temple is
the most frequented on the whole Earth." (Goethe's text)
It is now broad day and a stately Bridge could
be seen stretching with many arches across the River.
There were many foot travellers and animals upon it "flowing like two
streams on their several sides and neither interrupting the other. The new King
and his spouse were delighted with the motion and activity of this great
people." (Goethe's text)
The Old Man asked everyone to remember and honour the Green Snake for the
sacrifice and contribution she had made towards the neighbouring banks of the
River now being one land.
To the Queen's surprise a fourth unknown young waiting maid appeared. She was
more beautiful than any of her other three maids. She had previously carried a
basket.
In
this Reading the Youth regains full consciousness and becomes a Prince.
Whilst being between the Youth and the Lily the Old Man cried out with a
loud voice, "There are three which have rule on earth, Wisdom, Appearance
and Strength."
When he said these words each of the four kings reacted in different ways,
with the Gold, Silver and Bronze Kings bestowing gifts upon the Youth. The Will-o'-wisps lick the gold veins from the Mixed King who then disintegrates.
Following the Youth receiving the gifts the Old Man saw him change in
demeanour in very remarkable ways. He had become a Prince.
The Prince then advised the Old Man he had forgotten the fourth power that
rules all the world. The Old Man responded with his final wisdom.
We
experience, rising from the River, a Temple, to the astonishment of all
present.
The ground began to move in motion. The depths of the earth seemed to open for
the building. The Temple mounted upwards, planks and beams came crashing in.
"The Cottage of the Ferryman, which had been severed from the ground, sank
gradually down and covered the Old Man and the Youth.
Thus a fair little Temple stood erected in the middle of the large one or if
you wish an Altar worthy of the Temple." (Goethe's text)
The Youth and the Lily went into the Temple.
We
learn how the unconscious Youth is cared for intuitively and ingeniously by the
community gathered around him.
All went forward towards a Sanctuary. The Will-o'-wisps unlocked the doors by
stripping gold from the locks. Everyone went in. They found the four kings.
During conversation between the kings and the Man with the Lamp, he found
himself declaring, to the joy of the Lily - for the Third and Final time in the
Story - "The Time is at Hand."
The Story is now beginning to move towards its final stages.
A community that had formed around the
unconscious Youth declared in a wondrous hubbub what each had to do, their
task, their duty.
They took the unconscious Youth over a most beautiful Bridge that had formed
across the River.
Upon reaching the other side the Old Man asked the Green Snake, who had been
the Bridge, what she had resolved upon. She replied, "To sacrifice myself
rather than be sacrificed."
