YOU ALLOWED your kingly power to vanish, Shajahan, but your wish was to make imperishable a tear-drop of love. Time has no pity for the human heart, he laughs at its sad struggle to remember. You allured him with beauty, made him captive, and crowned the formless death with fadeless form. The secret whispered in the hush of night to the ear of your love is wrought in the perpetual silence of stone. Though empires crumble to dust, and centuries are lost in shadows the marble still sighs to the stars, 'I remember.' 'I remember.'-But life forgets, for she has her call to the Endless and she goes on her voyage unburdened, leaving her memories to the forlorn forms of beauty.
IS IT THE Destroyer who comes? For the boisterous sea of tears heaves in the flood-tide of pain. The crimson clouds run wild in the wind lashed by lightning, and the thundering laughter of the Mad is over the sky. Life sits in the chariot crowned by Death. Bring out your tribute to him of all that you have. Do not hug your savings to your heart, do not look behind, Bend your head at his feet, trailing your hair in the dust. Take to the road from this moment. For the lamp is blown out and the house is desolate. The storm winds scream through your doors, the walls are rocking, and the call comes from the land of dimness beyond your ken. Hide not your face in terror; tears are in vain; your door chains have snapped. Run out for your voyage to the end of all joys and sorrows. Let your steps be the steps of a desperate dance. Sing 'Victory to Life in Death.' Accept your destiny, O Bride! Put on your red robe to follow through the darkness the torchlight of the Bridegroom!
