CHAPTER II
THE PILGRIM OBTAINS IMPUDENCE AS A GUIDE
And then I came out of my solitude—and began to look around, thinking how and whence to begin my voyage. At that very instant there appeared one coming, I knew not whence. His gait was active, his sight skilful, his speech quick, so that it seemed to me that his feet, his eyes, his tongue, all possessed great agility. He stepped up to me, and asked whence I came and whither I proposed to go? I said that I had left my home, and decided to wander through the world and obtain some experience.
(The World a Labyrinth.)
2. This pleased him well, and he said, "But where hast thou a guide?" I answered, "I have none. I trust to God and to my eyes, that they will not lead me astray." "Thou wilt not succeed," said he. "Hast thou heard of the labyrinth of Crete?" "I have heard somewhat," I answered. He then replied, "It was a wonder of the world, a building consisting of so many chambers, closets, and corridors, that he who entered it without a
61
