From those we hold most dear, association
"With those we hate ; continually exposed
To hunger, thirst, disease, decrepitude,
Emaciation, growth, decline, and death,
What relish can there be for true enjoyment ?
The universe is tending to decay,
Grass, trees, and animals spring up and die.
But what are they ? Earth s mighty men are gone,
Leaving their joys and glories ; they have passed
Out of this world into the realm of spirits.
But what are they ? Beings greater still than these,
Gods, demigods, and demons, all have gone.
But what are they ? for others greater still
Have passed away, vast oceans have been dried,
Mountains thrown down, the polar star displaced,
The cords that bind the planets rent asunder,
The whole earth deluged with a flood of water,
E en highest angels driven from their stations.
In such a world what relish can there be
For true enjoyment? deign to rescue us;
Thou only art our refuge, holy lord [1].
- ↑ The following sentiment occurs in the text before the concluding line : A ndhodapana-stho bheka iva aham asmin samsdre : Living in such a world I seem to be A frog abiding in a dried-up well. Compare some of the Stoical reflections of Marcus Aurelius, given by the Kev. F. W. Farrar in his l Seekers after God : Oil, sweat, dirt, filthy water, all things disgusting so is every part of life. Enough of this wretched life, and murmuring, and apish trifles/ All the present time is a point in eternity. All things are little, changeable, perishable.
