“‘Choose,’ spake he, ‘sons and grandsons, who shall, thrive A hundred years: choose for them countless herds— Elephants, horses, gold! Carve out thy lands In kingdoms for them. Nay, or be thyself A king again on earth, reigning as long As life shall satisfy. And, further, add Unto these gifts whatever else thou wilt. Health, wisdom, happiness—the rule of the world, And I will fill the cup of thy desires! Whatso is hard to gain and dear to keep In the eyes of men, ask it of me, and have! Beautiful, fond companions, fair as those That ride the cars of Indra, singing sweet To instruments of heavenly melody, Lovelier than mortal eye hath gazed upon: Have these, have heaven within their clinging arms! I give them—I give all; save this one thing; Ask not of Death what cometh after death!’” At last, in compliance with persistent solicitation, the dread god yields, and in his answer is contained the highest and subtlest teaching of Indian philosophy. A short passage will sufficiently indicate its character, for it is impossible within any brief compass to clearly elucidate the mysteries placed in Yama’s mouth: “‘If he that slayeth thinks “I slay;” if he Whom he doth slay, thinks “I am slain,”—then both Know not aright! That which was life in each Cannot be slain, nor slay! “‘The untouched Soul, Greater than all the worlds [because the worlds By it subsist]; smaller than subtleties Of things minutest; last of ultimates, Sits in the hollow heart of all that lives! Whoso hath laid aside desire and fear, His senses mastered, and his spirit still, Sees in the quiet light of verity Eternal, safe, majestical—HIS SOUL! “‘Resting, it ranges everywhere! asleep, It roams the world, unsleeping! Who, save I, Know that divinest spirit, as it is, Glad beyond joy, existing outside life? “‘Beholding it in bodies bodiless, Amid impermanency permanent, Embracing all things, yet i’ the midst of all, The mind, enlightened, casts its grief away! “‘It is not to be known by knowledge! man Wotteth it not by wisdom! learning vast Halts short of it! Only by soul itself Is soul perceived—when the Soul wills it so! There shines no light save its own light to show Itself unto itself! “‘None compasseth Its joy who is not wholly ceased from sin, Who dwells not self-controlled, self-centred—calm, Lord of himself! It is not gotten else! Brahm hath it not to give!’” It need hardly be said that such a poem as this, though not of a character to be enjoyed by those who read verse simply for its sensuous charm or its dramatic and narrative pictures, will yield fruit for interesting reflection to more thoughtful minds.