“I go back then, my lord.  By implication, you have granted, that in times past the future was foreknown of Oro; hence, in times past, the future must have been foreordained.  But in all things Oro is immutable.  Wherefore our own future is foreknown and foreordained.  Now, if things foreordained concerning nations have in times past been revealed to them previous to their taking place, then something similar may be presumable concerning individual men now living.  That is to say, out of all the events destined to befall any one man, it is not impossible that previous knowledge of some one of these events might supernaturally come to him.  Say, then, it is revealed to me, that ten days hence I shall, of my own choice, fall upon my javelin; when the time comes round, could I refrain from suicide?  Grant the strongest presumable motives to the act; grant that, unforewarned, I would slay myself outright at the time appointed:  yet, foretold of it, and resolved to test the decree to the uttermost, under such circumstances, I say, would it be possible for me not to kill myself?  If possible, then predestination is not a thing absolute; and Heaven is wise to keep secret from us those decrees, whose virtue consists in secrecy.  But if not possible, then that suicide would not be mine, but Oro’s.  And, by consequence, not only that act, but all my acts, are Oro’s.  In sum, my lord, he who believes that in times past, prophets have prophesied, and their prophecies have been fulfilled; when put to it, inevitably must allow that every man now living is an irresponsible being.”

“In sooth, a very fine argument very finely argued,” said Media.  “You have done marvels, Babbalanja.  But hark ye, were I so disposed, I could deny you all over, premises and conclusions alike.  And furthermore, my cogent philosopher, had you published that anarchical dogma among my subjects in Oro, I had silenced you by my spear-headed scepter, instead of my uplifted finger.”

“Then, all thanks and all honor to your generosity, my lord, in granting us the immunities you did at the outset of this voyage.  But, my lord, permit me one word more.  Is not Oro omnipresent—­absolutely every where?”

“So you mortals teach, Babbalanja.”

“But so do they mean, my lord.  Often do we Mardians stick to terms for ages, yet truly apply not their meanings.”

“Well, Oro is every where.  What now?”

“Then, if that be absolutely so, Oro is not merely a universal on-looker, but occupies and fills all space; and no vacancy is left for any being, or any thing but Oro.  Hence, Oro is in all things, and himself is all things—­the time-old creed.  But since evil abounds, and Oro is all things, then he can not be perfectly good; wherefore, Oro’s omnipresence and moral perfection seem incompatible.  Furthermore, my lord those orthodox systems which ascribe to Oro almighty and universal attributes every way, those systems, I say, destroy