The agéd man lifted his mouth
And spat against the South.
He clutched his throat in pang of death,
As if he cried for breath.
Whereat the second beat his breast
And frowned upon the West.
Then the man sighed, as if to say:
The glow of life is gone away.
At this the rusty and wroth released
His eyes against the East.
Then the man touched his navel, as
He felt his life thence pass.
Also he smote his spine; the base
Of life burnt up apace.
Then rose the many-coloured sage;
He was right sad with age.
93