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THE CENTURY OF LIFE

MAINAK

O child of the immortal mountains hoar, Mainak,* far better had this been to bear The bleeding wings that furious Indra tore, The thunder’s scars that with disastrous roar Vomiting lightnings made the heavens one flare,— Not, not this refuge in the cool wide sea While all thy suffering people cried to thee.

NOBLE RESENTMENT

The crystal hath no sense disgrace to know, Yet blazes angry when the sun’s feet rouse; Shall man the high-spirited, the orgulous,

Brook insult vile from fellow or from foe?

AGE AND GENIUS

Nature, not age is the high spirit’s cause

That burns in mighty hearts and genius high. Lo, on the rutting elephant’s tuskéd jaws

The infant lion leaps invincibly.

  • The mountains had formerly wings and could move about,—to the great inconvenience

ofeverybody: Indra, attacked by them, smote off their wings with the thunderbolt. Mainak,

son of Himalay, took refuge in the sea,

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