Psalms of the Brethren CCXXVII: Sopaka

In the shade upon the terrace walking, lo! the Chief of men.
Thither went I, in His presence worshipping the Man of men.

Draped my robe was on one shoulder, forth my
clasped hands were stretched,
In the footsteps of the highest of all beings so I walked.

Then He asked me questions, He so skilled in questions and so wise.
And unwavering, unaffrighted answered there the Master I.

He The-thus-Come then commended how the questions answered were.
And the brethren-host surveying, to them made this matter known: —

‘Fortunate are they of Anga, and of Magadha, from whom
Such as he procureth raiment, food and lodging, medicine
And the reverence that is seemly, yea, they’re happy!’
so He said.

‘From to-day henceforth, Sopaka, come to see Me when thou wilt.
Our discourse alone, Sopaka, shall thine ordination be.’

Seven were my years when to me ordination thus was given.
Now I bear the final body. Hail! fair Order of the Norm.