Look on this life and meditate! Herein are birth and growth's decay. Atoms combine and separate; Nought lasts: all things must pass away. II. As flowers are the glories of this world, Full blossoms scent the morning shade; The painted petals soon are furled, And in the heat of noon-day fade. III. Lo! everywhere the panting breath Of Pleasure and Pursuit of fame, Of panic flight from pain and death And fierce Desire's consuming flame. IV. The world is nought but endless change, A restless, driven, surging sea. Is it through lives we thus must range, Ever becoming, never be? V. Is there no permanency, then? No realm of rest where troubles cease, Where birth is not, nor death of men, No City of Eternal Peace? VI. Must anxious hearts for ever beat? What power from all this ill redeems? Will not our hot, earth-weary feet At last be dipped in cooling streams? VII. Buddha, our Lord, with pitying eyes Came and beheld this world of woe. He found the path whereby we rise Above all evil here below. VIII. Ye who for life unending crave Know that there lurks immortal bliss In transient form. There is no grave, No death for those who know of this. IX. Ye who for riches vainly yearn Take of the treasure He will give. Ye who the mighty Truth discern The birthless, deathless life will live. X. Truth is the immortal part of mind; Possessing truth is rich to be. In truth the changeless you will find, The image of Eternity! REJOICE.[AY] [AY] From _The Gospel of Buddha, according to Old Records_, told by Paul Carus. I. Let the whole earth with joy resound, Buddha, our Lord, the Blessed One, The hidden cause of Ill hath found, And for the world salvation won. II. He who the ravelled knot unwinds, Buddha, our Lord, has rent the veil! Illusion now no longer blinds, Nor fear of death our hearts assail. III. Ye who of tribulation tire, Ye who must struggle and endure, Rejoice; ye, too, who truth desire, For now is your deliverance sure. IV. Here is a balm for every woe, Here for the hungry princely fare; For those athirst the fountains flow, And Hope triumphant kills Despair. V. On mountain heights, in valleys low, O, darkened soul, where'er thou art, This light ineffable will glow With blessings for the pure in heart. VI. Bind up your wounds, ye bruiséd feet! O broken, beating hearts, be still! Drink, thirsty lips, the waters sweet; Ye that are hungered, eat your fill! VII. O children of the night, arise! The star of morning is on high. O bleeding breasts, O suppliant eyes, Be of good cheer, your bliss is nigh. VIII. Buddha, our Lord, the truth revealed, Which gives us strength in life and death; The sorrowing and the sick are healed, And every evil languisheth. THE GOAL.[AZ]