Proverbial Philosophy / The First and Second Series

by Unknown

OF IMMORTALITY.

Gird up thy mind to contemplation, trembling inhabitant of earth;

Tenant of a hovel for a day,—thou art heir of the universe for ever!

For, neither congealing of the grave, nor gulphing waters of the firmament,

Nor expansive airs of heaven, nor dissipative fires of Gehenna,

Nor rust of rest, nor wear, nor waste, nor loss, nor chance, nor change,

Shall avail to quench or overwhelm the spark of soul within thee!

Thou art an imperishable leaf on the evergreen bay-tree of Existence;

A word from Wisdom's mouth, that cannot be unspoken;