“We are emerging from the sacred wood of yesteryear. In the plain that leads us to the next clump of blessed trees, the occult river flows invisibly. Abandoned marbles cover the moss behind us. Forgetfulness is falling over the past gods; the figure of the future gods still remains unknown. What does it matter, since they are both merely images? But mystery follows us to the next halt like a torch-bearer. If you try to interrogate him, I fear that he will only respond with the disappointing word: ‘Seek.’ ”

Gabriel de Lautrec, 1903