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thoughts are brighter than ever when our bodies are 
turned to dust. 
“Perhaps this is a punishment we must bear for 
the crime of Narcissus, for he certainly was un¬ 
grateful to destroy the beautiful body which was 
given him to clothe his spirit. But we are consoled 
by the possession of a healing power in our roots, 
which are of great service to men. They will heal 
deep wounds, extract the anguish of fire, and they 
will even draw thorns from the flesh, and restore 
the fairness of a faded cheek.” 
The words of the gentle Narcissus soothed 
Mary’s spirit, which had been troubled by the tales 
of wrongs and discontent that she had heard in the 
garden. She was running away to the happy fields 
where the wild flowers grew, when she saw a 
mournful Iris trembling on its stalk. 
