` Your scholars , by these books , have followed the Blessed Feet in all their wanderings ; but there are things which they have not sought out . I know nothing -- nothing do I know -- but I go to free myself from the Wheel of Things by a broad and open road . ' He smiled with most simple triumph . ` As a pilgrim to the Holy Places I acquire merit . But there is more . Listen to a true thing . When our gracious Lord , being as yet a youth , sought a mate , men said , in His father 's Court , that He was too tender for marriage . Thou knowest ? ' The Curator nodded , wondering what would come next . ` So they made the triple trial of strength against all comers . And at the test of the Bow , our Lord first breaking that which they gave Him , called for such a bow as none might bend . Thou knowest ? ' ` It is written . I have read . ' ` And , overshooting all other marks , the arrow passed far and far beyond sight . At the last it fell ; and , where it touched earth , there broke out a stream which presently became a River , whose nature , by our Lord 's beneficence , and that merit He acquired ere He freed himself , is that whoso bathes in it washes away all taint and speckle of sin . ' ` So it is written , ' said the Curator sadly . The lama drew a long breath . ` Where is that River ? Fountain of Wisdom , where fell the arrow ? '
` Alas , my brother , I do not know , ' said the XXXXX .
Blessed Curator Feet comers earth first lama sight speckle whoso