“Disciples mine, my firm resolve from me receive.
To me a very strict commandment Jesus spake:
‘From friends and kin of every class seclusion seek.
Thy face set tow’rds a wall; sit in some cell apart,
Forsake thyself; forgetfulness cast o’er thy heart.’
Permission’s thus denied with men to hold discourse.
I’ve naught to say; with mortals more I’ll not converse.
Good-bye, my friends! Adieu! You’ll never see me more,
My journey’s unto heaven; there I’ve laid my store.335
Th’ empyrean beneath, so long as I have strayed,