8 For your philosophy is deeper far than that of Plato, and your teachings please the common people more than those of Socrates.
9 Why seek for mystic light within these antiquated dens? Go forth and walk with men, and think with men, and they will honor you.
10 And, after all, these weird initiations may be myths, and your Messiah hopes but base illusions of the hour.
11 I would advise you to renounce uncertain things and choose the course that leads to certain fame.
12 And thus the priest, a demon in disguise, sung syren songs of unbelief; and Jesus meditated long and well on what he said.
13 The conflict was a bitter one, for king Ambition is a sturdy foe to fight.
14 For forty days the higher wrestled with the lower self, and then the fight was won.
15 Faith rose triumphant; unbelief was not. Ambition covered up his face and fled away, and Jesus said,
16 The wealth, the honor, and the fame of earth are but the baubles of an hour.
17 When this short span of earthly life has all been measured out, man’s bursting baubles will be buried with his bones.