He built the temple in three concentric courts, which were
cooler and more exquisite in substance each than the other.
For the outer wall was a hedge of white lilies, ranked so thick
that a green stalk was hardly to be seen; and the wall within
that was of crystal, which smashed the sun into a million stars.
And the wall within that, which was the tower itself, was a tower
of pure water, forced up in an everlasting fountain; and upon the very
tip and crest of that foaming spire was one big and blazing diamond,
which the water tossed up eternally and caught again as a child
catches a ball.
"Now," said the priest, "I have made a tower which is a little
worthy of the sun."
II
But about this time the island was caught in a swarm of pirates;
and the shepherds had to turn themselves into rude warriors and seamen;
and at first they were utterly broken down in blood and shame;
and the pirates might have taken the jewel flung up for ever from
their sacred fount. And then, after years of horror and humiliation,
they gained a little and began to conquer because they did not
mind defeat. And the pride of the pirates went sick within them
after a few unexpected foils; and at last the invasion rolled back
into the empty seas and the island was delivered. And for some reason
after this men began to talk quite differently about the temple
and the sun. Some, indeed, said, "You must not touch the temple;
it is classical; it is perfect, since it admits no imperfections.
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