Now Sergius Paulus chose it for his part To fill Paul's purse, speeding him on his way; But Krishna was of mind himself to go With those who would return to Holy Land. He longed with his own eyes to see the scenes Amid which Jesus lived His life on earth And to glean up from the tradition found Haply there current in the mouths of men Concerning Him, both what He taught and what He was: the Indian's thought was he would then, Full-laden with such treasures of the West, To his own native East return and there Dispense them to enrich his countrymen. Paul bade him prosper in his wish, and go. Acquitted thus of all his natural cares, And joyful in the sense of his reprieve, And springing toward the work that he would do, And for that work renewed in strength by hope And faith and love and zeal unquenchable And passion for the saving of the souls Of men, his fellows, perishing in sin-- Much more, by the almighty hand of God Upon him stayed in an immortal youth-- That spent old man, refusing to be spent Though spending daily like the river of God, Set forward, Luke alone companion now, To send with torch in hand a running fire Of gospel conflagration round the world. Go, Paul, forgetful of thyself, make speed! Thou shalt not be forgotten of thy God! Go, with that treasure for thy fellows fraught! Go, with the future of the world in trust! Nowhere in utmost islands of the sea, Never till time shall be no more, shall men Not owe thee debt for blessings manifold-- Crowning the life that now is, frail and fleet, Crowning the nobler life that is to be-- Blessings theirs but because thou wouldst not shrink From whatsoever hardship, peril, harm, Loss, toil, self-sacrifice to martyrdom. So thou mightst scatter far and wide for us The deathless seeds of that which we enjoy In harvest of all good, civility Of morals and of manners, science, art, Fair order, freedom, progress, light and life, And, overvaulting all, the hope of heaven!