Lo! he traffics with the sun, He hath dealings with the winds, With the seas hath business done, In the stars a kinship finds. But the elemental powers In return for love and song, Do they strew his path with flowers? Do they shield his steps from wrong? Ceaselessly, without a pause Ebb and flow the moving seas, Ceaselessly the torrent roars Round the mountain's steadfast knees. And they care not, foam-flecked tides, Care not, unperturbed hills, Whether man his Fate derides Or his destiny fulfils. Ah! these mighty powers of earth, Take the homage of our breath And uncaring give us birth, And uncaring give us death. |