"What is death?—The inevitable event; the uncertain pilgrimage; the tears of the living; the confirmation of our testament; the thief of man.
"What is sleep?—The image of death.
"What is man's liberty?—Innocence.
"What is the brain?—The preserver of the memory.
"What is the sun?—The splendour of the world; the beauty of heaven; the honour of day; the distributor of the hours.
"What is the moon?—The eye of night; the giver of dew; the prophetess of the weather.
"What is rain?—The earth's conception; the mother of corn.
"What is the earth?—The nurse of the living; the store-house of life; the devourer of all things.
"What is the sea?—The path of audacity; the divider of regions; the fountain of showers.
"What is a ship?—A wandering house; a perpetual inn; a traveller without footsteps.