154
THE SWORD OF SONG
My own vague
optimism. Im-
possibility of
tracing cause
back or effect
forward to the
ultimate.
Ethics
individual.
Exactly ! Grown my mental stature,
I ponder much: but never yet ©
Can I get over or forget
That bitter text’s accursed nature,
The subtle devilish omission,*”
The cruel antithesis implied,
The irony, the curse-fruition,
The calm assumption of Hell’s fevers
As fit, as just, for unbelievers—
These are the things that stick beside
And hamper my quite serious wish
To harbour kind thoughts of the “ Fish.” °8
Here goes my arrow to the gold!
I’ll make no magpies! Though I hold
Your Christianity a lie,
Abortion and iniquity,
The most immoral and absurd —
—(A priest’s invention, in a word)—
Of all religions, I have hope
In the good Dhamma’s ® wider scope,
Nay, certainty ! that all_at last,
However came they. in the past,
Move, up or down—who knows, my friend ?—
But yet with no uncertain trend
Unto Nibbana.in the.end.
I do not even dare despise |
Your doctrines, prayers, and ceremonies !
Far from the word “you'll go to hell !”
I] dare not say“ you do not well!”
I must obey my own mind’s laws,
Accept its limits, seek its cause :
My meat may be your poison! I
Hope to convert you by-and-by?
Never! I cannot trace the chain
That brought us here, shall part again
Our lives— perchance for aye! I bring
My hand down on this table- thing,*!
And that commotion widens thus
And shakes the nerves of Sirius !
To calculate one hours result
I find surpassing difficult ;
380
385
390
395
400
405
410
415