Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 03.djvu/128

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102 THE WRITINGS OF OSCAR WILDE.

of Wisdom. And it reflecteth all things that are in heaven and on earth, save only the face of him who looketh into it. This it reflecteth not, so that he who looketh into it may be wise. Many other mirrors are there, but they are mirrors of Opinion. This only is the Mirror of Wisdom. And they who possess this mirror know everything, nor is there anything hidden from them. And they who possess it not have not Wisdom. Therefore is it the god, and we worship it.' And I looked into the mirror, and it was even as he had said to me. "And I did a strange thing, but what I did matters not, for in a valley that is but a day's journey from this place have I hidden the Mirror of Wisdom. Do but suffer me to enter into thee again and be thy servant, and thou shalt be wiser than all the wise men, and Wisdom shall be thine. Suffer me to enter into thee, and none will be as wise as thou." But the young Fisherman laughed. "Love is better than Wisdom," he cried, "and the little Mermaid loves me." "Nay, but there is nothing better than Wisdom," said the Soul. "Love is better," answered the young Fisher-

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