IN THIS GREAT Universe The giant wheel of pain revolves; Stars and planets split up; Sparks of fiery dust, far-flung, Scatter at terrific speed Enveloping in network primordial The anguish of existence. In the armoury of pain Spreading on the stretches of consciousness, aglow, Clang the instruments of torture; Bleeding wounds gape open. Small is man's body, How immense his strength of suffering. At the concourse of creation and chaos To what end does he hold up his cup of fiery drink In the weird festival of the gods Drunk in their titan power,O why Filling his body of clay Sweeps the red delirious tide of tears? To each moment he brings endless value From his unconquerable will. Man's sacrificial offering His burning physical agony Can anything compare, In the whole fiery dedication of the suns and stars? Such unyielding wealth of prowess, Such fearless endurance, Such indifference to death, Triumphal march as this, in hundreds, Trampling embers underfoot To reach the limit of sorrow Is there anywhere such quest, nameless, radiant, Such pilgrimage together, from road to road? Such pure waters of service, breaking through igneous rocks, Such endless store of love?
