32 THE MOUNTAINS 



in another connection, a chance to esti- 

 mate ; here my only purpose is to present 

 the matter. I should, however, present it 

 fairly, and I want to present it generously. 

 Allow me, therefore, to finish this study 

 by trying to gather up the belief in a 

 sympathetic paraphrase : 



There is a supemature. There is a 

 realm beyond all material things. At the 

 cosmic edge of this realm stand the 

 mighty mountains. They are sentinels. 

 More than that, they are heralds incog- 

 nito. And they have a message. At 

 propitious times — perhaps when the 

 upper spaces are blue and billowing with 

 cumulus clouds; perhaps when the peaks 

 are loyal in purple of infinite depth ; per- 

 haps when they turn into the lavender 

 pinnacles of a city of dreams; perhaps 

 when they become solemn and sublime 

 under the cold stars — at propitious times 

 these mighty heralds speak to those hav- 

 ing ears to hear, saying: "This way, Be- 

 loved, to a finer world!" 



