Here, before the golden doors on which the lightning glimmered fitfully,
we descended and were led by white-robed men bearing lanterns, through
various courts to the inner sanctuary of the god, on the threshold of
which I crossed myself, not loving the company of heathen idols. So far
as I could see by the lamplight it was a great and glorious place, and
everywhere that the eye fell was gold--places of gold on the walls,
offerings of gold upon the floor, stars of gold upon the roof. The
strange thing about this holy place, however, was that it seemed to be
quite empty except for the aforesaid gold. There was neither altar nor
image--nothing but a lamp-lit void.
Here all prostrated themselves, save I alone, and prayed in silence.
When they rose again, in a whisper I asked of Kari where was the god.
To which he answered: "Nowhere, yet everywhere." This I thought a true
saying, and indeed so solemn was that place that I felt as though I were
surrounded by that which is divine.
After a while the priests, who were gorgeously apparelled, led us across
the sanctuary to a door that opened upon some stairs.
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