Part 7

41.

Heraclitism.

Brethren, war's the origin Of happiness on earth: Powder-smoke and battle-din Witness friendship's birth! Friendship means three things, you know,— Kinship in luckless plight, Equality before the foe Freedom—in death's sight!

42.

Maxim of the Over-refined.

"Rather on your toes stand high Than crawl upon all fours, Rather through the keyhole spy Than through open doors!"

43.

Exhortation.

Renown you're quite resolved to earn? My thought about it Is this: you need not fame, must learn To do without it!

44.

Thorough.

I an Inquirer? No, that's not my calling Only I weigh a lot—I'm such a lump!— And through the waters I keep falling, falling, Till on the ocean's deepest bed I bump.

45.

The Immortals.

"To-day is meet for me, I come to-day," Such is the speech of men foredoomed to stay. "Thou art too soon," they cry, "thou art too late," What care the Immortals what the rabble say?

46.

Verdicts of the Weary.

The weary shun the glaring sun, afraid, And only care for trees to gain the shade.

47.

Descent.

"He sinks, he falls," your scornful looks portend: The truth is, to your level he'll descend. His Too Much Joy is turned to weariness, His Too Much Light will in your darkness end.

48.

Nature Silenced.

Around my neck, on chain of hair, The timepiece hangs—a sign of care. For me the starry course is o'er, No sun and shadow as before, No cockcrow summons at the door, For nature tells the time no more! Too many clocks her voice have drowned, And droning law has dulled her sound.

49.

The Sage Speaks.

Strange to the crowd, yet useful to the crowd, I still pursue my path, now sun, now cloud, But always pass above the crowd!

50.