My hours are never heavy, and memory is to me what action is to other
men."
"You have seen much, holy father?"
"And felt more. Yet you will perhaps think the result of all my
experience very slight, for I can only say unto thee, trust not in
thyself."
"It is a great truth," remarked Iduna, "and leads to a higher one."
"Even so," replied the Eremite. "We are full of wisdom in old age, as
in winter this river is full of water, but the fire of youth, like the
summer sun, dries up the stream."
Iduna did not reply. The Eremite attracted her attention to a patch of
cresses on the opposite bank of the stream. "Every morn I rise only to
discover fresh instances of omnipotent benevolence," he exclaimed.
"Yesterday ye tasted my honey and my fish. To-day I can offer ye a
fresh dainty. We will break our fast in this pleasant glen. Rest thou
here, gentle youth, and I will summon thy brother to our meal. I fear
me much he does not bear so contented a spirit as thyself."
"He is older, and has seen more," replied Iduna.
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