And in the radiance of his approach, Great joy was caused through all the region high. And as his gracious shadow there was cast, He found himself upon the meadow plain, Whose carpet spreads before the throne of God. And he who was the first in highest heaven, Heard in that radiant place a voice, that cried, “Oh, tread my plains, for in thy steps is peace.” O’er the whole region did he wend his way And stood at last before the Tree of Life. Before the Tree of Life he paused a while; For there his guide had bidden him to repose. Thence to the throne of his dear God he passed, The God unlimited by time or space. All the dark memories of the world were lost, For there the light of the one God beamed forth. And there he took his station next to God, Higher than prophet or than seraphim. His inmost soul was lost in ecstasy. For God within that circle sole exists; God infinite and absolute is there, In the full splendor of his attributes. There is the light of life divine revealed, Clear as a spotless diamond in heaven. There saw he what no eye before had seen, And heard what yet had reached no human ear. For speech in heaven is wordless, and the heart Speaks out aloud, yet with no uttered sound. From thence he was permitted to return To the waste hill land of his native home. He traversed heaven and blessed it with his face, Returning on his way to earth again. And when he reached his couch, he found that all That boundless journey through the infinite Had happened in the twinkling of an eye. The prophets greeted him with loud acclaim, And spread the joyous news of his return, And all who heard it, turned their minds to God. All were transported with celestial joy. All rendered thanks of gratitude to Heaven. The hearts and souls of all were filled with light, Plunged at the moment in the Sea of Truth. VI A BLESSING ON THE PROPHETS, THE MEDIATORS OF THE PEOPLE, WITH A PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND A GREETING TO HIS COMPANIONS