Then cried they, “We have chosen this for road
And tread it, Rajaputra ! till the close –
Though all its stones were fire – in trust of death.
Speak, if thou know’st a way more excellent;
If not, peace go with thee !”
Onward he passed,
Exceeding sorrowful, see how men
Fear so to die they are afraid to fear,
Lust so to live they dare not love their life,
But plague it with fierce penances, belike
To please the Gods who grudge pleasure to man:
Belike to baulk hell by self-kindled hells;
Belike in holy madness, hoping soul
May break the better through their wasted flesh.
“Oh, flowerets of the field !” Siddartha said,
“Who turn your tender faces to the sun –
Glad of the light, and grateful with sweet breath
Of fragrance and these robes of reverence donned
Silver and gold and purple - none of ye
Miss perfect living, none of ye despoil
Your happy beauty. Oh, ye palms! which rise
Eager to pierce the sky and drink the wind
Blown from Malaya and the cool blue seas,
What secret know ye that ye grow content,
From time of tender shoot to time of fruit,
Murmuring such sun-songs from your feathered crowns?
Ye, too, who dwell so merry in the trees –
Quick-darting parrots, bee-birds, bulbulbs doves –
None of ye hate your life, none of ye deem
To strain to better by foregoing needs !
But man, who slays ye – being lord – is wise,
And wisdom, nursed on blood, cometh thus forth
In self-tormentings !”
- - - x - - -
Pray not ! the Darkness will not brighten ! Ask
Nought from the Silence, for it cannot speak !
Vex not your mournful minds with pious pains !
Ah ! Brothers, Sisters ! seek
Nought from the helpless gods by gift and hymn,
Nor bribe with blood, nor feed with fruits and cakes ;
Within yourselves deliverance must be sought ;
Each man his prison makes.
THE LIGHT OF ASIA - EDWIN ARNOLD 1892
