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Where have you been? asked the governor. “Up and down,” replied Saint Elid. Up and down? Just what does that mean? Elid was startled; and was afraid. “I do not understand. I speak with a common phrasing, clearly. The people comprehend my words. I've been wandering, many places.” You said up. How high did you go? “As high as I may.” How high's that? “Not high. A few small hills.” Flying? Elid laughed: “Not yet, Sir, not yet till the good Lord gives me strong wings; and I do not think he will. So never.” Yet you speak as if he might do. “It is in his power. He could. I do not think he will. I doubt that it would be that good for me to fly.” You doubt? “I doubt myself and my own spiritual strength. I do not doubt or question god.” How low do you go? “My soul's depth; and sometimes to the low tide line.” To Hell? “No. I do not go there.” And in your dreams? “In dreams? Visions, which, I believe, do come from God, and ideas and imaginings. My body though stays in my bed.” You do not fly within your dreams? “You say it well: I do not fly.” Some say you are a witch, Elid. “Some are deluded by desire and their greed, in combination, which lead them to say untrue things, as a pair of horses might pull a carriage that we could not move. If I do not deny the charge it is because it is insane and uttered in bad faith by fools.” How so insane, if it's folly? “Foolishness is abdication of mind. Bad faith is mind suicide. They are responsible or complicit. All know, or did, what they have done. They've destroyed themselves quite knowingly.” The governor stare at Elid. ----- Lawrence Upton Visiting Fellow, Music Dept, Goldsmiths, University of London New Cross, London SE14 6NW ---- ----- Lawrence Upton Visiting Fellow, Music Dept, Goldsmiths, University of London New Cross, London SE14 6NW ----