The Value of Temptation
Why comes temptation, but for man to meet
And master and make crouch beneath his feet,
And so be pedestaled in triumph?
—Robert Browning.
As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The Crossways
It is supposed that among the hills of Iceland there are certain cross-roads, from the center of which you can see four churches, one at the end of each road.
If you sit at the crossing of these roads on New Year’s Eve, elves come from every direction and cluster round you, and ask you, with all sorts of blandishments and fair promises, to go with them; but you must continue silent. Then they bring to you rarities and delicacies of every description, gold, silver, and precious stones, meats and wines, of which they beg you to accept; but you must neither move a limb nor accept a single thing they offer you. If you get so far as this without speaking, elf women come to you in the likeness of your mother, your sister, or any other relation, and beg you to come with them, using every art and entreaty; but beware you neither move nor speak. And if you can continue to keep silent and motionless all the night, until you see the first streak of dawn, then start up and cry aloud, “Praise be to God! His daylight filleth the heavens!”
As soon as you have said this, the elves will leave you, and leave with you all the wealth that they have used to entice you, which will now be yours.
—Jon Arnason, of Iceland.
Alternate Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27.