But by succeeding in restraining his outer activity in such close proximity to truth - drawing the strength to do so from his own sense of duty and mainly from his obedience towards the man with the golden beard - his attention could settle on something that lies beyond action: on his own face as the most direct expression of himself, and on his Self itself which he tried to fathom in his eyes.

And all his long hair fell down from his shoulders into the well and turned golden immediately.