“Ah, bitter heart o’ me! Teach me the way to God, O little child,” cried Colum the old, turning to where the Moon-Child was!
But lo, the glory and the wonder!
It was a little naked child that looked at him with healing eyes, but there were no sea-weeds in her hair, and no shell in the little wee hands of her. For now, it was a male Child that was there, shining with a light from within: and in his fair sunny hair was a shadowy crown of thorns, and in his hand was a pearl of great price.
“O Christ, my God,” said Colum, with failing voice.
“It is thine now, O Colum,” said the Moon-Child, holding out to him the shining pearl of great price.
“What is it, O Lord my God?” whispered the old servant of God that was now glad with the gladness: “what is this, thy boon?”
“Perfect Peace.”
And that is all.
(To God be the Glory. Amen.)