{"id":2973,"date":"2013-07-13T01:45:01","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T08:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=2973"},"modified":"2013-11-28T15:02:17","modified_gmt":"2013-11-28T23:02:17","slug":"23-poems-from-manuscripts-circa-1909-1910-vol-02-collected-poems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/02-collected-poems\/23-poems-from-manuscripts-circa-1909-1910-vol-02-collected-poems","title":{"rendered":"-23_Poems from Manuscripts Circa 1909 – 1910.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\n
\nPoems from Manuscripts <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nCirca 1909 \u00ad 1910<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tPerfect thy motion<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPerfect thy motion ever within me,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMaster of mind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGrey of the brain, flash of the lightning,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBrilliant and blind,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThese thou linkest, the world to mould,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWriting the thought in a scroll of gold<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tViolet lined.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nTablet of brain thou hast made for thy writing,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMaster divine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nCalmly thou writest or full of thy grandeur<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFlushed as with wine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen with a laugh thou erasest the scroll,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBringing another, like waves that roll<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd sink supine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 285<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\nA Dialogue<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nStamp out, stamp out the sun from the high blue<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd all o’erarching firmament of heaven;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nForget the mighty ocean when it spumes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUnder the thunder-deafened cliffs and soars<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo crown their tops with spray, but never hope<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat Baal will excuse, Baal forgive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat’s an ambition more impossible,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA thought more rebel from the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBaal!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt seems to me that thou believ’st in Baal!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd what dost thou believe in? The gross crowd<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBelieve the sun is God or else a stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis though I credit not, yet Baal lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd if he lives, then you and I are Baal,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDeserve as much the prayer and sacrifice<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs he does. Nay, then, sit and tell him, “Lord,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIf thou art Baal, let the fire be lit<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUpon thy altar without agency,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLet men believe.” Can God do this, and if<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe cannot, if he needs a flint and fuel<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd human hands to light his sacred fire,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs he not less than man? The flint and fuel<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre for our work sufficient. What is he<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf not a helpless name that cannot live<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUnless men’s lips repeat him?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 286<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd the flint,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe fuel? Who made these or formed the hands<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat lit the fire? the lips that prove him nothing?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr who gave thee thy clear and sceptic brain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThy statecraft and thy bold and scornful will<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDespising what thou usest? Was it thou<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat mad’st them?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNo, my parents did. Say then<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe seed is God that touched my mother’s womb<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd by familiar process built this house<\/span><\/p>\n

\nInhabited by Esarhaddon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFashioned the seed?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt grew from other seed,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat out of earth and water, light and heat,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd ether, eldest creature of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAll is a force that irresistibly<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWorks by its nature which it cannot help,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd that is I and that the wood and flint,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat Achab, that Assyria, that the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHow came the force in being?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom of old<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt is.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 287<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen why not call it Baal?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor me<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI care not what ’tis called, Mithra or God.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYou call it Baal, Perizade says<\/span><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis Ormuzd, Mithra and the glorious Sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI say ’tis force.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen wherefore strive to change<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAssyria’s law, o’erthrow the cult of Baal?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI do not, for it crumbles of itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhy keep the rubbish? Priest, I need a cult<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMore gentle and less bloody to the State,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNot crying at each turn for human blood<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhich means the loss of so much labour, gold,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSoldiers and strength. This Mithra’s worship is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCome, priest, you are incredulous yourself,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut guard your trade, so do I mine, so all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWill it be loss to you, if it be said<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBaal and Mithra, these are one, but Baal<\/span><\/p>\n

\nChanges and grows more mild and merciful,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA friend to men? Or if instead of blood’s<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUnprofitable revenue we give<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOfferings of price, and heaps of captive gold<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn place of conquered victims?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo you urge,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe people’s minds are not so mobile yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 288<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIf you and I agree, who will refuse?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI care not, man, how it is done. Invent<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tScriptures, forge ancient writings, let the wild<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMystics who slash their limbs on Baal’s hill,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCry out the will of Baal while they slash.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou are subtle, if you choose. The head of all<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAssyria’s state ecclesiastical,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAssured a twentieth of my revenues,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd right of all the offerings votaries heap<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOn Mithra, that’s promotion more than any<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOnan can give, the sullen silent slave,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr Ikbal Sufa with his politic brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhy that?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYou think I do not know! I see<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEach motion of your close conspiring brains,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAchab.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd if you do, why hold your hand?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat’s boldly questioned, almost honestly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBecause a State is ill preserved by blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe policy that sees a fissure here,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA wall in ill repair, and builds it up,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs better than to raze the mansion down<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd make it new. I know the people’s mind<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSick of a malady no leech can name;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI see a dangerous motion in the soil,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 289<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd make my old foundations sure. Achab,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYou know I have a sword, and yet it sleeps;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI offer you the gem upon the hilt<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd friendship. Will you take it? See, I need<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA brain as clear as yours, a heart as bold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat should I do by killing you, but lose<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA statesman born?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tACHAB<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYou have conquered, King. I yield.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tESARHADDON<\/font><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis well. Here is my hand on our accord.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 290<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Poems from Manuscripts Circa 1909 \u00ad 1910   Perfect thy motion   Perfect thy motion ever within me, Master of mind. Grey of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-02-collected-poems","wpcat-57-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2973"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9565,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973\/revisions\/9565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}