ONCE AGAIN I wake up when the night has waned, when the world opens all its petals once more, and this is an endless wonder. Vast islands have sunk in the abyss unnamed, stars have been beggared of the last flicker of their light, countless epochs have lost all their ladings. World-conquerors have vanished into the shadow of a name behind dim legends, great nations raised their towers of triumph as a mere offering to the unappeasable hunger of the dust. Among this dissolving crowd of the discarded my forehead receives the consecration of light, and this is an endless wonder. I stand for another day with the Himalayas, with constellations of stars. I am here where in the surging sea-waves the infuriate dance of the Terrible is rhythmed with his boisterous laughter. The centuries on which have flashed up and foundered kingly crowns like bubbles have left their signature on the bark of this aged tree, where I am allowed to sit under its ancient shade for one more day, and this is an endless wonder.
'TRAVELLER, WHERE do you go?' I go to bathe in the sea in the redd'ning dawn, along the tree-bordered path.' 'Traveller, where is that sea?' 'There where this river ends its course, where the dawn opens into morning, where the day droops to the dusk.' 'Traveller, how many are they who come with you?' I know not how to count them. They are travelling all night with their lamps lit, they are singing all day through land and water.' 'Traveller, how far is the sea?' 'How far is it we all ask? The rolling roar of its water swells to the sky when we hush our talk. It ever seems near yet far.' 'Traveller, the sun is waxing strong.' 'Yes, our journey is long and grievous. Sing who are weary in spirit, sing who are timid of heart.' 'Traveller, what if the night overtakes you?' 'We shall lie down to sleep till the new morning dawns with its songs, and the call of the sea floats in the air.'
