Oracles

I34 “ SABBÉ PI DUKKHAM ” And themselves the Maenads on my shoulders” So the self-willed’s folly lights the laugher Rippling round the theatre. But horror Seizes on the heart of the judicious. They see only madness and destruction In the mockery’s self innate, implicit. Horror, deeper grief, most dreadful musings Theirs who penetrate the poet’s purpose ! So in all the passing joys of nature, Joys of birth, and joys of life, in pleasures Beautiful or innocent or stately, May the wise discern the fact of being— Change and death, the tragedy deep-lurking Hidden in the laughter of the people, So that laughter’s self grows gross and hateful. Then the Noble Truth of Sorrow quickens Every heart, and, seeking out its causes, Still the one task of the wise, their wisdom Finds desire, and, seeking out its medicine, Finds cessation of desire, and, seeking How so fierce a feat may be accomplished, Finds at first in Truth a right foundation, Builds the walls of Rightful Life upon it, Four-square, Word and Act and Aspiration Folded mystically across each other, Crowns that palace of enduring marble With sky-piercing pinnacles of Will-power Rightly carven, rightly pointed ; strengthens [Mind sole centred on the single object] All against the lightning, earthquake, thunder,