’Gainst water why does oil rise up, and war, each hour?
The rose springs from a thorn; thorns, from the rose.
In open warfare are these two. Why? What suppose?
Or is this seeming warfare all a cunning sham,
Like donkey-dealers’ wordy strife, some dupe to flam?230
’Tis neither this nor that. ’Tis puzzle for the wise.
The treasure’s to be sought; the ruin’s ’fore our eyes.[296]
That which thou deemest the treasure’s naught but vanity.
By deeming it a treasure, makest thou it to flee.
Thy deemings and thy thoughts build up a pile too fair;