Chapter XV
RICHARD OF ST. VICTOR
granted that they may be able to free themselves from the alien affections by which they are entangled in the meantime, then they will nevermore wish to fall into these same things. In the meantime they demand that they be waited for, and when perchance they have lost rather than cut off these affections, they are busily occupied with vigorously repairing what they have destroyed, and again they wish and demand that they be waited for, for yet a moment.
Surely they say this: "A moment and a moment." For indeed, however great it is, whatever does not satiate a longing seems too little for an affection. And so, those persons who are of such a sort demand that they themselves be waited for and waited for again, a moment and a moment. A moment here and a moment there. A moment and a moment: often in connection with one affection yet at one time and then another. Here and there: in connection with one affection and another, yet at one time. And in all these things we sing a hateful song to our Beloved: "Wait, wait again; wait, wait again; a moment here, a moment there." When do you think such a lazy and tepid soul will be able to form that beaten work and to forge the angelic form? This is especially true since in this work there is need for the spreading out of wings when urged especially by the very command of the Lord, in so much as in such a pursuit we are never permitted to put down the wings of our longings from elevating our intention.
Chapter XV That it is hard and difficult for any perfect soul to gather itself completely within itself and to rest in longing only for the Godhead
A very small, brief delay— I shall not say of a year, nor shall I say of a month or a day— is troublesome enough to the longing of one who is impatient. Indeed, hope which is put off grieves the soul. And so the beloved of a true friend and the friend of a true beloved, as has been said already above, always ought to be prompt and prepared to receive without any insult of a delay the friend who knocks and to run with all due speed to meet the one who calls.
However we know that a singular love does not accept a partner nor
THE MYSTICAL ARK
does it admit a companion. See to it that the very time He begins to knock at the door is not the first time that you begin to want to throw out the crowds of those who make noise. Moreover, when such a crowd is found with you at that time, what will you say?
I say, what will you say, except, "Wait and wait again"? Waiting and waiting again for throwing out the crowd of strangers, for throwing out your household. All thoughts, empty as well as noxious, which do not serve for our benefit must be judged to be strangers.
In truth, we possess them like domestic servants or slaves, whom we involve for our use or benefit. But because a singular love loves solitude and seeks for a solitary place, it behooves us to throw out the entire crowd of such a sort, not only of thoughts but also even of affections, so that we may be at liberty to cling more freely and more joyfully to the embraces of our beloved one. How great,
I ask, is the delay in such waiting? How often must one repeat: "Wait and wait again, a moment here and a moment there"? A moment in one place, a moment in another. A moment in the garden, a moment in the hall, a moment in the chamber until at last finally after much waiting and great weariness He enters the bedchamber and occupies the most intimate and secret place. A moment in the garden while the whole crowd of those making a disturbance is dispersed.
A moment in the hall while the chamber is decorated. A moment in the chamber while the bridal bed is prepared. And the Beloved is forced to wait a moment and a moment in all of these places: a moment here and a moment there. He is heard from the garden. He is seen in the hall. He is kissed affectionately in the chamber. He is embraced in the bed-chamber. He is heard by memory; seen by understanding; kissed warmly by affection; embraced by applause.
He is heard by recollection; seen by wonder; kissed warmly by love; embraced by delight. Or if this pleases you better. He is heard by a showing; seen by contemplation; kissed warmly by devotion; drawn close for the infusion of His sweetness. He is heard by a showing when the whole tumult of those who make noise is quieted down and His voice only is heard as it grows stronger. At last that whole crowd of those who make a disturbance is dispersed and He alone remains with her alone and she alone looks at Him alone by contemplation. He is seen by contemplation when on account of the sight of an unexpected vision and wonder at the beauty of it, the