Page:The Century Of Life.pdf/46

 FATE AND FREEWILL

“The actions of our former life control This life’s sweet fruit or bitter; everi the high Intellect follows where these point its eye.’’

All this is true,—O yet, be wise of soul,

Think ere thou act, thou who wouldst reach the goal.

ILL LUGK

A bald man, goes the story, when the noon

Beat his plagued brows into a fiery swoon, Desiring dimness and cool place was led

By subtle Fate into a high palm’s shade.

There where he shelter hoped, a giant fruit Crashed on his pate and broke with horrid bruit. Wherever the unfortunate hides his head,

Grief and disaster in his footprints tread.

FATE MASTERS ALL

I saw the brilliant moon eclipsed, the sun Baulked darkly of his radiant pilgrimage, And halter-bound the forest’s mighty one, _ The iron-coiled huge python in a cage; Then saw the wise skilled brain a pauper, and said “Fate only is strong whose hand on all is laid.”