Book 4 (Part II)

6i he will see that mere illusion were the things that seemed so real, and he will be fortified against the new trials that await him. But unfortunate indeed is he who cannot thus endure. It is useless for him to say, " I don't like the Atlantic; I will go back to the fireside." Once take one step on the path, and there is no return. You will re- member in Browning's " Childe Roland to the dark Tower came": For mark ! no sooner was I fairly found Pledged to the plain, after a pace or two. Than, pausing to throw backwards a last view O'er the safe road, 'twas gone: grey plain all round. Nothing but plain to the horizon's bound. I might go on ; naught else remained to do. And this is universally true. The statement that the Probationer can resign when he chooses is in truth only for those who have taken the oath but superficially. A real Magical Oath cannot be broken: you think it can, but it can't. This is the advantage of a real Magical Oath. However far you go around, you arrive at the end just the same, and all you have done by attempting to break your oath is to involve your- self in the most frightful trouble. It cannot be too clearly understood that such is the nature of things: it does not depend upon the will of any persons, however powerful or