One of Peter Gower’s newly raised Master Masons approached him and said: “Master, we stand on the summit of the highest peak and demons and outsiders cannot know us. We walk on the bottom of the deepest sea and even Jonah’s whale cannot catch sight of us. Even if our eyes are like shooting stars and our intellect is like flashing lightning, still we won't avoid being like the spirit tortoise dragging his tail and leaving traces. At this point, what is proper?”
Peter Gower responded with this story:
“Returning from Joppa, Hiram Abif appeared before King Solomon. Solomon said, ‘So you have arrived, you old dog.’ (Check a probing pole, or a reed shade. Where should you look to see the obscurity?)
“Hiram spoke, 'Tomorrow there's a great fraternal feast for the workers. Are you going, wise master?' (In Israel they blew horns and in Tyre they danced. The arrow is sharp to no purpose.)
“Solomon relaxed and lay down. (The arrow got him. Where will you see Solomon?)
“Hiram immediately walked out. (He’s gone. He saw the opportunity and acted. How will you understand this?)”
Then Peter Gower finished by saying: “Riding a bronze horse he entered the palace. The edict came down that the seven cities were at peace. Still holding a golden whip he questioned the returning traveler. In the depths of the night, who will go along to walk the royal road?”