"Nevertheless," mused the King, "I know it is urged that human efforts are useless: as, for instance—
"That which will not be, will not be—and what is to be, will be:—
Why not drink this easy physic, antidote of misery?"
"But then that comes from idleness, with people who will not do what they should do. Rather,
"Nay! and faint not, idly sighing, 'Destiny is mightiest,'
Sesamum holds oil in plenty, but it yieldeth none unpressed.
Ah! it is the Coward's babble, 'Fortune taketh, Fortune gave;'
Fortune! rate her like a master, and she serves thee like a slave."
"For indeed,
"Twofold is the life we live in—Fate and Will together run:—
Two wheels bear life's chariot onward—will it move on only one?"
"And
"Look! the clay dries into iron, but the potter moulds the clay:—
Destiny to-day is master—Man was master yesterday."
"So verily,
"Worthy ends come not by wishing. Wouldst thou? Up, and win it, then!
While the hungry lion slumbers, not a deer comes to his den."