Page:Songs of the Slav.pdf/50

 And from her breast First welled the joyous, Broad, powerful, Victorious: I, Which seemed to her The final center Of things all around.— And from the white beast At that time arose man.

And life began.

The embittered power Of afflictions and pains (Which unbeknown Each "I" enclosed As a soul within) Drove them on and on. Life fled before it As flees the hare From the light weasel Which sits at its throat. From a small point Life flew in a curve Of broad expanse. The curve unwinds, Unwinds and unwinds In a whirling spiral Along which man rushes, Impelled by pain And strengthened by hope Of peace and brighter aims.