The Secret of the Kingdom by Mika Waltari

Author:Mika Waltari [Waltari, Mika]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Christian Life, General, Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth, Christian Education
ISBN: 9781787200425
Google: VITjDAAAQBAJ
Publisher: PicklePartners
Published: 2016-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHTH LETTER

MARCUS TO TULLIA:

My simple joy continued. I believe it rose from the relief of no longer feeling impelled to torment myself with vain thoughts, or to suffer inquisitive envy because others may possibly experience things in which I have no share.

When I had written all I had to write I went out and wandered through the alleys of Jerusalem, watching the coppersmiths at work, and the weavers and potters. I engaged a guide to show me the palace of the Hasmoneans, and climbed the towers of Herod’s palace, including one ancient tower inhabited now only by bats. I visited the temple forecourt and passed some time in the forum, and I also went out of the city to survey it from the neighboring heights. Here in Jerusalem all goes on as if nothing had happened. I believe that within a week most of the inhabitants had forgotten Jesus of Nazareth and his frightful death, and wanted to hear no more of him.

I was wearying of this Jewish city, whose customs are foreign to me. No longer could I see anything remarkable even in its temple, which has so phenomenal a renown. In truth all great cities are alike; customs alone vary. The celebrated temples resemble each other though their sacrifices and ceremonies differ. Their one common characteristic is the amassing of money in some way or other. If the Jews in their temple forecourt sell sacred texts in decorative cases for binding on arm or forehead, this seems to me little different from the Ephesians’ way of offering amulets and statuettes of Artemis for sale to travelers and foreigners.

The other evening at dusk when I was on my way home through the darkening alley, my landlord Karanthes saw me from afar and same hurrying as if he had been waiting for me. Smiling slyly and rubbing his hands he told me: “Someone has been asking for you and is awaiting your return.”

I was happily surprised, and asked, “Who can it be? I have no friends in the city. Why are you so mysterious?”

Karanthes could contain himself no longer, but burst out laughing and cried, “Ah, how glad I am that you’re well again in every way and living like a human being! I am far from curious about your ways and paths, but to avoid malicious tongues I have asked her to remain in your room. She is sitting there modestly on the floor with her mantle wrapped about her feet. You might have found a better one, of course, but everyone to his taste. At least she is well grown, and her eyes are beautiful.”

I could not think what woman could be waiting for me. I hurried up to my room but I did not recognize my visitor, though she meekly uncovered her face when I came in and looked at me as if she knew me. I had only met her in the dark before, and it was by her voice that I recognized her as she

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