Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/47

 Thus when I reached my manhood, groomed and suave, And taunting maidens made of me, as is their way, Their gardener, to serve them day by day, They sweetly said to me, “Hence you shall be our slave. Tend carefully our youth, that swiftly passes by, Youth that would ever bloom, but soon must ripened be.” Many a role in God’s wide world played I, And what I was, that I was glad to be.

Then Fate stepped in and said: “Time flies, old man, beware! When you have reached the height of love divine, Forcefully tear her lifeless lips from thine, You live, and in your heart her dying image bear. Though longing, while the frosts of scorn rise high. Alone traverse life’s storm-swept, tossing sea.” Many a role in God’s wide world played I, And what I was, that I was glad to be.

Fate said to me, “You be the Czech’s own bard, Sing only songs that stir unhappy souls, Desperate anger, poverty’s sad tolls. Your song of love its bitterness shall guard, Its cruel frost, life’s summers will defy It shall heal men, while your heart shall shattered be Many a role in God’s wide world played I, And what I was, that I was glad to be.

It further said. “Be a soldier, do your best. Stand as the foremost guard in every strife. Though spat upon by foes throughout your life, And rocks of anger pound against your chest, Though wounded thousand times, as often die, And feel your own, your peoples’ grief and glee.” Many a role in God’s wide world played I, And what I was, that I was glad to be.

Perhaps my Fate holds other dreams in store. I know I always stood, where stood the right. And in my heart and soul, all’s sound and light. Fate as from childhood, anew my strength will try, Let each new day bring new hopes unto me. Many a role in God’s wide world played I And what I was, that I was glad to be.