{"id":3015,"date":"2013-07-13T01:45:22","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3015"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:45:22","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:45:22","slug":"19-poems-from-ahana-and-other-poems-contd-vol-02-collected-poems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/02-collected-poems\/19-poems-from-ahana-and-other-poems-contd-vol-02-collected-poems","title":{"rendered":"-19_Poems from Ahana and Other Poems – Contd.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\nRishi<\/span><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nYes, He creates the worlds and heaven above<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith a single word;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd these things being Himself are real, yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre they like dreams,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor He awakes to self He could forget<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn what He seems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYet, King, deem nothing vain: through many veils<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThis Spirit gleams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe dreams of God are truths and He prevails.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen all His time<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCherish thyself, O King, and cherish men,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnchored in Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

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

\n\t\t\tUpon the silence of the sapphire main<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWaves that sublime<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRise at His word and when that fiat’s stilled<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre hushed again,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo is it, Rishi, with the Spirit concealed,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThings and men?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nHear then the truth. Behind this visible world<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe eyes see plain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnother stands, and in its folds are curled<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur waking dreams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDream is more real, which, while here we wake,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUnreal seems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom that our mortal life and thoughts we take.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIts fugitive gleams<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre here made firm and solid; there they float<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn a magic haze,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMelody swelling note on absolute note,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA lyric maze,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBeauty on beauty heaped pell-mell to chain<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe enchanted gaze,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 232<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nThought upon mighty thought with grandiose strain<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWeaving the stars.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis is that world of dream from which our race<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCame; by these bars<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf body now enchained, with laggard pace,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBorne down with cares,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA little of that rapture to express<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe labour hard,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA little of that beauty, music, thought<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith toil prepared;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd if a single strain is clearly caught,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen our reward<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs great on earth, and in the world that floats<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLingering awhile<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe hear the fullness and the jarring notes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tReconcile,  \u2014 <\/span> <\/p>\n

\nThen travel forwards. So we slowly rise,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd every mile<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf our long journey mark with eager eyes;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo we progress<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith gurge of revolution and recoil,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSlaughter and stress<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf anguish because without fruit we toil,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWithout success;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEven as a ship upon the stormy flood<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith fluttering sails<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLabours towards the shore; the angry mood<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf Ocean swells,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCalms come and favouring winds, but yet afar<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe harbour pales<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn evening mists and Ocean threatens war:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSuch is our life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf this be sure, the mighty game goes on,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe glorious strife,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUntil the goal predestined has been won.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNot on the cliff<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo be shattered has our ship set forth of old,
\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 233<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tNor in the surge<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo founder. Therefore, King, be royal, bold,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd through the urge<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf winds, the reboant thunders and the close<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTempestuous gurge<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPress on for ever laughing at the blows<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf wind and wave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe haven must be reached; we rise from pyre,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe rise from grave,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe mould our future by our past desire,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe break, we save,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe find the music that we could not find,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe thought think out<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe could not then perfect, and from the mind<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat brilliant rout<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf wonders marshal into living forms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEnd then thy doubt;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGrieve not for wounds, nor fear the violent storms,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor grief and pain<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre errors of the clouded soul; behind<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThey do not stain<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe living spirit who to these is blind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTorture, disdain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDefeat and sorrow give him strength and joy:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t‘Twas for delight<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe sought existence, and if pains alloy,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t‘Tis here in night<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhich we call day. The Yogin knows, O King,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho in his might<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTravels beyond the mind’s imagining,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe worlds of dream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor even they are shadows, even they<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre not,  \u2014  they seem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBehind them is a mighty blissful day<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom which they stream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe heavens of a million creeds are these:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPeopled they teem<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 234<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nBy creatures full of joy and radiant ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThere is the mint<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom which we are the final issue, types<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhich here we print<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn dual letters. There no torture grips,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJoy cannot stint<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer streams,  \u2014  beneath a more than mortal sun<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThrough golden air<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe spirits of the deathless regions run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut we must dare<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo still the mind into a perfect sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd leave this lair<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf gross material flesh which we would keep<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAlways, before<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe guardians of felicity will ope<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe golden door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat is our home and that the secret hope<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur hearts explore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo bring those heavens down upon the earth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe all descend,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd fragments of it in the human birth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe can command.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPerfect millenniums are sometimes, until<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn the sweet end<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAll secret heaven upon earth we spill,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen rise above<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTaking mankind with us to the abode<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf rapturous Love,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe bright epiphany whom we name God,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTowards whom we drove<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn spite of weakness, evil, grief and pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe stands behind<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe worlds of Sleep; He is and shall remain<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhen they grow blind<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo individual joys; for even these<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre shadows, King,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd gloriously into that lustre cease<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 235<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tFrom which they spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe are but sparks of that most perfect fire,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWaves of that sea:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom Him we come, to Him we go, desire<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEternally,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd so long as He wills, our separate birth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIs and shall be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShrink not from life, O Aryan, but with mirth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd joy receive<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHis good and evil, sin and virtue, till<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe bids thee leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut while thou livest, perfectly fulfil<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThy part, conceive<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEarth as thy stage, thyself the actor strong,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe drama His.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWork, but the fruits to God alone belong,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho only is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWork, love and know,  \u2014  so shall thy
\n\t\t\tspirit win<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tImmortal bliss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLove men, love God. Fear not to love, O King,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFear not to enjoy;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor Death’s a passage, grief a fancied thing<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFools to annoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom self escape and find in love alone<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA higher joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nO Rishi, I have wide dominion,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe earth obeys<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd heaven opens far beyond the sun<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHer golden gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut Him I seek, the still and perfect One,  \u2014 <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe Sun, not rays.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 236<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

\n\t\t\tSeek Him upon the earth. For thee He set<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn the huge press<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf many worlds to build a mighty state<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor man’s success,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho seeks his goal. Perfect thy human might,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPerfect the race.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor thou art He, O King. Only the night<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIs on thy soul<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBy thy own will. Remove it and recover<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe serene whole<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThou art indeed, then raise up man the lover<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo God the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tIn the Moonlight<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIf now must pause the bullocks’ jingling tune,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHere let it be beneath the dreaming trees<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSupine and huge that hang upon the breeze,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHere in the wide eye of the silent moon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHow living a stillness reigns! The night’s hushed rules<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAll things obey but three, the slow wind’s sigh<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAmong the leaves, the cricket’s ceaseless cry,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe frog’s harsh discord in the ringing pools.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nYet they but seem the silence to increase<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd dreadful wideness of the inhuman night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe whole hushed world immeasurable might<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBe watching round this single spot of peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nSo boundless is the darkness and so rife<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith thoughts of infinite reach that it creates<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA dangerous sense of space and abrogates<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe wholesome littleness of human life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 237<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe common round that each of us must tread<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNow seems a thing unreal; we forget<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe heavy yoke the world on us has set,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe slave’s vain labour earning tasteless bread.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nSpace hedges us and Time our hearts o’ertakes;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur bounded senses and our boundless thought<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tStrive through the centuries and are slowly brought<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBack to the source whence their divergence wakes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe source that none have traced, since none can know<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhether from Heaven the eternal waters well<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThrough Nature’s matted locks, as Ganges fell,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOr from some dismal nether darkness flow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTwo genii in the dubious heart of man,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTwo great unhappy foes together bound<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWrestle and strive to win unhampered ground;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThey strive for ever since the race began.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nOne from his body like a bridge of fire<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMounts upward azure-winged with eager eyes;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOne in his brain deep-mansioned labouring lies<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd clamps to earth the spirit’s high desire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHere in this moonlight with strange visions rife<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI seem to see their vast peripheries<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWithout me in the sombre mighty trees,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd, hark! their silence turns the wheels of
\n\t\t\tlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThese are the middle and the first. Are they<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe last too? Has the duel then no close?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShall neither vanquish of the eternal foes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNor even at length this moonlight turn to day?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nOur age has made an idol of the brain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe last adored a purer presence; yet<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 238<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tIn Asia like a dove immaculate<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe lurks deep-brooding in the hearts of men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nBut Europe comes to us bright-eyed and shrill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t"A far delusion was that mounting fire,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAn impulse baulked and an unjust desire;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt fades as we ascend the human hill."<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nShe cries to us to labour in the light<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf common things, grow beautiful and wise<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOn strong material food, nor vex our eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith straining after visionary delight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nAh, beautiful and wise, but to what end?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEurope knows not, nor any of her schools<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho scorn the higher thought for dreams of fools;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRiches and joy and power meanwhile are gained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nGained and then lost! For Death the heavy grip<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShall loosen, Death shall cloud the laughing eye,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd he who broke the nations soon shall lie<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore helpless than a little child asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nAnd after? Nay, for death is end and term.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA fiery dragon through the centuries curled,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe feeds upon the glories of the world<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd the vast mammoth dies before the worm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nStars run their cycle and are quenched; the suns<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBorn from the night are to the night returned,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhen the cold tenebrous spaces have inurned<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe listless phantoms of the Shining Ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nFrom two dead worlds a burning world arose<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf which the late putrescent fruit is man;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom chill dark space his roll of life began<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd shall again in icy quiet close.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 239<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nOur lives are but a transitory breath:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMean pismires in the sad and dying age<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf a once glorious planet, on the edge<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf bitter pain we wait eternal death.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWatering the ages with our sweat and blood<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe pant towards some vague ideal state<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd by the effort fiercer ills create,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWorking by lasting evil transient good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nInsults and servitude we bear perforce;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith profitable crimes our souls we rack,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tVexing ourselves lest earth our seed should lack<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho needs us not in her perpetual course;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThen down into the earth descend and sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor ever, and the lives for which we toiled<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tForget us, who when they their turn have moiled,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThemselves forgotten into silence creep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWhy is it all, the labour and the din,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd wherefore do we plague our souls and vex<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur bodies or with doubts our days perplex?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDeath levels soon the virtue with the sin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIf Death be end and close the useless strife,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tStrive not at all, but take what ease you may<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd make a golden glory of the day,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tExhaust the little honey of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nFear not to take her beauty to your heart<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhom you so utterly desire; you do<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNo hurt to any, for the inner you<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo cherished is a dream that shall depart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe wine of life is sweet; let no man stint<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHis longing or refuse one passionate hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
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\n

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

\n\t\t\tWhy should we cabin in such infinite scope,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRestrict the issue of such golden mint?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nSociety forbids? It for our sakes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWas fashioned; if it seek to fence around<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur joys and pleasures in such narrow bound,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt gives us little for the much it takes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nNor need we hearken to the gospel vain<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat bids men curb themselves to help mankind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWe lose our little chance of bliss, then blind<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd silent lie for ever. Whose the gain?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWhat helps it us if so mankind be served?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOurselves are blotted out from joy and light,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHaving no profit of the sunshine bright,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhile others reap the fruit our toils deserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nO this new god who has replaced the old!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe dies today, he dies tomorrow, dies<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAt last for ever, and the last sunrise<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShall have forgotten him extinct and cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nBut virtue to itself is joy enough?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYet if to us sin taste diviner? why<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShould we not herd in Epicurus’ sty<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhom Nature made not of a Stoic stuff?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nFor Nature being all, desire must reign.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt is too sweet and strong for us to slay<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUpon a nameless altar, saying nay<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo honied urgings for no purpose plain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nA strange unreal gospel Science brings,  \u2014 <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBeing animals to act as angels might;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMortals we must put forth immortal might<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd flutter in the void celestial wings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 241<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n"Ephemeral creatures, for the future live,"<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShe bids us, "gather in for unborn men<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tKnowledge and joy, and forfeit, nor complain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe present which alone is yours to give."<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nMan’s immortality she first denies<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd then assumes what she rejects, made blind<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBy sudden knowledge, the majestic Mind<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWithin her smiling at her sophistries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nNot so shall Truth extend her flight sublime,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPass from the poor beginnings she has made<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd with the splendour of her wings displayed<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRange through the boundaries of Space and Time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nClamp her not down to her material finds!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShe shall go further. She shall not reject<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe light within, nor shall the dialect<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf unprogressive pedants bar men’s minds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWe seek the Truth and will not pause nor fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTruth we will have and not the sophist’s pleas;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnimals, we will take our grosser ease,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOr, spirits, heaven’s celestial music hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe intellect is not all; a guide within<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAwaits our question. He it was informed<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe reason, He surpasses; and unformed<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPresages of His mightiness begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nNor mind submerged, nor self subliminal,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut the great Force that makes the planets wheel<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThrough ether and the sun in flames reveal<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHis godhead, is in us perpetual.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThat Force in us is body, that is mind,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd what is higher than the mind is He.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 242<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\n\t\t\tThis was the secret Science could not see;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAware of death, to life her eyes were blind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThrough chemistry she seeks the source of life,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNor knows the mighty laws that she has found,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre Nature’s bye-laws merely, meant to ground<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA grandiose freedom building peace by strife.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe organ for the thing itself she takes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe brain for mind, the body for the soul,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNor has she patience to explore the whole,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut like a child a hasty period makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n"It is enough," she says, "I have explored<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe whole of being; nothing now remains<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut to put details in and count my gains."<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo she deceives herself, denies her Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTherefore He manifests Himself; once more<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe wonders of the secret world within<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWrapped yet with an uncertain mist begin<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo look from that thick curtain out; the door<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nOpens. Her days are numbered, and not long<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShall she be suffered to belittle thus<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMan and restrain from his tempestuous<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUprising that immortal spirit strong.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHe rises now; for God has taken birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe revolutions that pervade the world<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre faint beginnings and the discus hurled<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf Vishnu speeds down to enring the earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe old shall perish; it shall pass away,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tExpunged, annihilated, blotted out;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd all the iron bands that ring about<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMan’s wide expansion shall at last give way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 243<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nFreedom, God, Immortality; the three<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAre one and shall be realised at length,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLove, Wisdom, Justice, Joy and utter Strength<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGather into a pure felicity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIt comes at last, the day foreseen of old,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat John in Patmos saw, what Shelley dreamed,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tVision and vain imagination deemed,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe City of Delight, the Age of Gold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe Iron Age is ended. Only now<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe last fierce spasm of the dying past<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShall shake the nations, and when that has passed,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEarth washed of ills shall raise a fairer brow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThis is man’s progress; for the Iron Age<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPrepares the Age of Gold. What we call sin,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIs but man’s leavings as from deep within<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe Pilot guides him in his pilgrimage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHe leaves behind the ill with strife and pain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBecause it clings and constantly returns,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd in the fire of suffering fiercely burns<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore sweetness to deserve, more strength to gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHe rises to the good with Titan wings:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd this the reason of his high unease,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBecause he came from the infinities<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo build immortally with mortal things;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nThe body with increasing soul to fill,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tExtend Heaven’s claim upon the toiling earth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd climb from death to a diviner birth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGrasped and supported by immortal Will.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 244<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  Rishi   Yes, He creates the worlds and heaven above With a single word; And these things being Himself are real, yet Are they…<\/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-3015","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\/3015","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=3015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3015\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}