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 On Fate

FATE MASTERS THE GODS

Brihuspathy* his path of vantage shows, The red disastrous thunder leaves his hand Obedient, the high Gods in burning rows His battled armies make, high heaven’s his fort, Travath swings his huge trunk for his sport, The Almighty’s guardian favours over him stand ;— That Indra with these strengths, this lordship proud Is broken by his foes in battle loud. Come then, bow down to Fate. Alas, the vain Heroisms, virtues, toils of glorious man!

A PARABLE OF FATE

A serpent in a basket crushed despaired, His organs all with hunger weak and worn, While patiently at night the mouse prepared A hole in that self basket. Ere the morn By his own industry, such Nature’s law, The patient labourer fills the serpent’s maw. He with that food replenished, by the way The mouse had made escaped. O world, behold The mighty master of thy sad decay And fortunate rising, Fate, the godhead old.

guide of the Gods, Irayath is Indra’s elephant.
 * Brihuspathy is counsellor to Indra, the King of Heaven, and spiritual