A Journey through the Great Distance

    Take one more journey with me, just one more journey in dream,
looking through the glass of Faerie, which reflects all things.
Surely you shall profit because of it, seeing that there are many
worlds for winning. The kinds of exchange are many in these visions
and curious values attach to them, as you and I might learn in a
season of russet apples and golden pippins. There are those who give
precious gifts to strangers for a meeting once a year, as you and I
shall ensure it, supposing that we are steadfast in dream. There is a
Law of Barter in Faerie- as when I sold my birthright in a manger for
the price of a star. Once, on another occasion, I was like to have a
kingdom in Faerie, but I sold it for manna in the wilderness. Through
years that were full, years that were lean, and hollow and empty years
I travelled with my pot of manna. I passed through many crowds which
knew not whither they went; but I had dreamed of a wild way and was
aware of a place which I must reach, through straight and winding
paths, going into a great distance. So try one journey more. There is
always a white bird flying; it lures and lures and lures; the castles
are stranger and stranger; the enchantments deepen and deepen; mystery
opens into mystery. I followed this kind of quest, while the moon
spelt out the years; but it came to pass, on a day of longing, that I
saw low towers of Faerie through the evening mist, in a hushed region
of the world. In a mood of contemplation because of them, I sat upon a
green knoll which was the place of a wonderful rest. Of what may be
said thereon you shall hear when the stars lead you, but of that which
may be done after there is no end to the story. When I came to it in
that happy hour, the air gave up her who is my Queen in Faerie. Like
the heaven which is "about us in our infancy," she shone before me in
her purity, bringing the sense of an infinite peace. Hereof is her
state in Faerie, and after such manner she intervened, during my life
therein. I was haunted by love henceforward, because of this Holy
Vision She showed me the jewel which shines at the heart of love, and
I held to this great treasure. She taught me saving kisses in Faerie,
kisses that break up enchantments, saving kisses that open the world
of union. She told me that love in this country is the true, the only
talisman; and if you can keep it in your heart, you will neyer have
occasion to enter those halls of painted images, where the "spirit of
evil strives for mastery over the spirit of good."
    When my Exempt Mistress is seated by her golden harp, you should
see how the world goes by- how the world goes by in Faerie and the
Crown comes down. It was in offices of music that she came to me more
than all- strange music sounding from far away, and pipings of
mysterous musicians. The instruments are unearthiy in Faerie, and
especially among the old hills; but in all that lived and breathed I
found that there were lutes and strings in her presence, and I knew at
last what is said in quiet places by the wind-harp. There are woes
unknown in Faerie and weeping voices in the night-time; but she lifted
in sweet music her hands of healing and said unto them: "Peace, be
still." She carried the cure by music through wounded reams of Faerie.
She opened out all its mysteries in melodious voices. The daisy
breathed about her like a choice garden of roses, and the honey-suckle
was a sweet incense, as if rising before a high altar. The waterfalls
and streams and rivulets ran in light beside her. I saw the rainbow of
Faerie shining to the eyes in splendour and beating at the ears in
music. The sound of many waters glistened in rainbow colours. The
quests of Faerie were set to her subtle melodies, all that wide worid
over. She took the thoughts of men upon great voyages. I heard the
heart of Faerie throbbing. I heard also such messages in the
night-time that my own heart was put to rest.
    So did she lead and lead me. As I followed her, faring through the
vistas, it was like an echoing echoing, echoing far away- beauty and
music and grace continued henceforward, stretching into the blue
distance. For ever and evermore there were colours and music. The soul
was in her eyes of dreaming, and the most dear good God was like
another more indrawn music encompassing all her way. I know not what
voices they were, but there were some that said "Life of life," and the
answer was "Light of Light"- as she passed on her way, when the world
rejoiced about her; as she passed slowly through the vistas. Voices
and many voices; but I called them Dream-Words of my Mistress. At
times the voices and melodies were lifted into a glorious tempest; at
others the crash of music- sinking and sinking- dwindled into an utter
softness, as of falling petals, as into the silence of a rose-leaf
when it rests on a cool sward. In fine, from very far away, came
things so high and deep that I know in my own manner some part of the
great rest and the great sleep, the living repose of all at the heart
of God.
    So did she lead and lead me, telling me as we went of the worlds
which are beyond Faerie and of the free world of the spirit. Her
nimbus was like golden light, seen in the East before morning. We
ceased in the end from our foot-farings, all through the great vistas,
but we travelled after another manner. There are winged horses in
Faerie, and there is a Pegasus which has never yet been put into
pound, nor ridden by any poet. It seems to me that I have been looking
for him all my life, though I testify that I, speaking these things,
have used white wings in my day. I have been where few travellers 
venture, and I look yet to go further. 0 the great lands and seas,
over which the great people have travelled, and the sea and the land
thereafter, of which no one has told! On fair steeds we came out of
the world of many images- because of the one image which we had found
in our heaats.
    We went up a hill in the morning on the other side of Faerie, in a
wind of the spirit. And a certain voice fell, which told of the realms
beyond. It came about in this manner that even I have beheld with my
own eyes, in an hour of clear-seeing, the great end of all
travellings.
    This is also the end of all stories, like those which I have been
telling unto now. Sunset and night-time are over; my Morning-Glory
shines in the glory of morning, with gleaming hair

                                "back blown from rosy bands,
               And light and joy and fragrance in her hands."

    Hereof is therefore my journey through the great distance, and
such is my Swan-Song. I have been making poems of Faerie through my
whole life; but this is the end of my poems.
                                                          A.E. WAITE.