-//w3c//dtd html 4.01 transitional//en"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which
your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper
that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds
your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes
your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep
into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you
joy. When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are
weeping for that which has been your delight.
from THE PROPHET by Khalil Gibran
These things had to come to you and you accept them,
This is your share of the eternal burden,
The perpetual glory. This is one moment,
But know that another
Shall pierce you with a sudden painful joy
When the figure of God's purpose is made complete.
from MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL