Tables of the Law and The Adoration of the Magi

Episoder

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  The Tables of the Law; & The Adoration of the Magi 01.08.2026 42min

  "The Tables of the Law; & The Adoration of the Magi" delves into themes of divine guidance and reverence, exploring the significance of the laws that govern human conduct and the profound act of worship by the Magi. This work invites listeners to reflect on the enduring nature of faith and the moral frameworks that shape our lives. The exploration of these timeless themes resonates in today's world, reminding us of the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding in our spiritual journeys. By engaging with this text, audiences can gain insight into the foundational principles that continue to influence our beliefs and values, making it a compelling listen for those seeking depth and meaning.
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  Tables of the Law and The Adoration of the Magi - William Butler Yeats 18.05.2026 42min

  The first two tales involve the persona's relationship with a certain Aherne, who has come into possession of a beautiful book by Joachim of Flora, a book deemed so heretical that Pope Alexander IV had all known copies burnt. This one overlooked copy, Aherne now cherishes, apparently influenced by a sect directed by a Michael Robartes. (Both Robartes and Aherne appear in other works of Yeats.) A decade after this introduction, Michael Robartes having suffered some "terrible destiny," part 2 opens with the persona catching sight of a much changed Aherne, convinced that he cannot be saved. After a vision constituting a religious experience, the persona flees and never returns to seek out his friend again. The third part of the tale, called "The Adoration of the Magi," introduces three old brothers who come to the persona's door shortly after the previous events and tell him of their own experiences involving Michael Robartes. A spirit calling himself by that name appeared to them in a fishing boat and told them something inspiring that they believed but do not divulge to the narrator. Then years later a voice reported to the eldest brother that Robartes had died, and shortly thereafter the middle brother had a dream in which he was told that he and his brothers should seek a dying woman in Paris who would teach them "the secret names of the gods." When they obeyed, the middle brother had a waking dream in which he saw the stable of Christ's birth. This story changes the persona's life by leading him away from the influence of that terrible book of which he heard from the unfortunate Aherne. (Summary by T. A. Copeland)