“In the beginning..when ray and day hadn’t yet come into existence at all, there was a kind of radiance that illuminates universe. That radiance is the light of knowledge and goodness. That radiance will persistently and consistently shines brightly even after all the stars and moons in this vast universe died out.”

“We often fully sense and relish the radiance of happiness only after it is has escaped through the backstage door, stealthily and silently. (“Happy days are back again”)”

“Up then, fair phoenix bride, frustrate the sun;Thyself from thine affectionTakest warmth enough, and from thine eyeAll lesser birds will take their jollity.Up, up, fair bride, and callThy stars from out their several boxes, takeThy rubies, pearls, and diamonds forth, and makeThyself a constellation of them all;And by their blazing signifyThat a great princess falls, but doth not die.Be thou a new star, that to us portendsEnds of much wonder; and be thou those ends.”

“Must you go? I was rather hoping you’d stay and be a ministering angel, but if you must go, you must.””I’ll stay,” Will said a bit crossly, and threw himself down in the armchair Tessa had just vacated. “I can minister angelically.””None too convincingly. And you’re not as pretty to look at as Tessa is,” Jem said, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the pillow.”How rude. Many who have gazed upon me have compared the experience to gazing at the radiance of the sun.”Jem still had his eyes closed. “If they mean it gives you a headache, they aren’t wrong.”