Class 3%λ5Α]_ Book '.B6 _ OopigfrtN?. CSKRISOT DEPOSFT. FROM MARCUS AURELIUS James Vila Blake is. P. Η alpin Company CHICAGO M Sonnets FROM Marcus Aurelius James Vila Blake THOS. P. HALPIN COMPANY Chicago, Illinois ^ < Copyright by James Vila Blake 1920 DEC (7 1920 §>CU605030 \ TO THE Rev. A. W. Oxford, M. D. LONDON, ENGLAND The Quotations from Aurelius Quotation No. 1 — Book II., 1. Quotation No. 2 — Book II., 1. Quotation No. 3— Book IV., 1. Quotation No. 4 — Book IV., 3. Quotation No. 5— Book IV., 3. Quotation No. 6— Book IV., 43. Quotation No. 7 — Book IV., 47. Quotation No. 8 — Book V., 4. Quotation No. 9— Book V., 25. Quotation No. 10— Book VI., 2. Quotation No. 11— Book VI., 6. Quotation No. 12— Book Λα., 7. Quotation No. 13— Book VI.. 23. Quotation No. 14— Book VI., 42. Quotation No. 15— Book VII., 13. Quotation No. 16— Book VII., 15. Quotation No. 17— Book VII., 18. Quotation No. 18— Book VII., 20. Quotation No. 19— Book VII., 47. Quotation No. 20— Book VIII., 14. 15. Quotation No. 21— Book VIII., 42. Quotation No. 22— Book VIII., 45. Quotation No. 23— Book IX., 1. Quotation No. 24— Book IX., 42. Quotation No. 25— Book IX., 42. Quotation No. 26— Book X., 14. Quotation No. 27— Book XI., 8. Quotation No. 28— Book XI., 13. Quotation No. 29— Book XI., 27. Quotation No. 30— Book XII., 11. Quotation No. 31— Book XII., 15. FOREWORD When I had read the book of Marcus Aurelius many times, and was reading it after a long interval once again, which was also in company and aloud, I noticed the worthy matter for poetic treatment presented by the great Emperor's noblest and most characteristic sayings. I marked such passages, and they remained for many years marked and no more. Then I remembered them, recurred to them, and found my former impression confirmed. Hence these heroic hymns, as perhaps I may call them, the sonnet appearing to me the poetic form most suitable and germane. Do or can the lofty thoughts herein versed, gain from verse? The reader must judge, and possibly the fortunes of the present recital may afford some indication whether the stern and high terseness of the original can profit by the expansion, diction and imagery of verse. Certainly in clarity, no; but in persuasiveness, possibly j^es. The ques- tion seems much like a query whether excellent drawing in ink can gain by brush and color. What is proper matter for poesy, is a question belonging to poetic technics, and there is wide space and a thou- sand species between a geometrical demonstration or a bit of chemical nomenclature, and the heroics of a ballad; but at first blush perhaps it may be surmised that whatever thought is big enough and humane enough, may lay all Nature under contri- bution, and need not disdain the warrant of poetic fancy, trope, form or diction. As to the diction, for aught that appears, the word rondure which Shake- speare liked, is as good as roundness, or sphericity, or circularity, or curve, or curvature, or concavity, or convexity, or circumbendibus, and if this be granted, poetic language scores a point perhaps, though I have known poets and others look askance at "rondure." The Greek and a prose rendering are placed to- gether, and the sonnet opposite them. In the ren- dering I have not sought to give a literal transcrip- tion of the original, but rather the embosomed spirit and redolence of it. But it may.be hoped this will be acceptable, since for those who might disapprove the Greek is added. The text is accepted from "The Communings with Himself of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Emperor of Rome, together with his Speeches and Sayings. A Revised Text and a Translation into English, by C. R. Haines, M.A., F.S.A. London, William Heinemann. New York, G. P. Putnam's Sons." J. V. B. The Greek excerpts are taken by means of a photo-etching pro- cess. Of course the result would have been more elegant if I had employed a Greek compositor; but the virtue of the text is not affected, and I have done what I could under the conditions. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS PROEM Marcus, thy stoic wit lacks naught in-door; Out-door methinks thou shouldst be more at play Hill, vale, wood, brook, be fellows by thy way. And wider wanderings on the sea-green shore. Thou shouldst a stilly meadow pool explore For doubled lustres of the early day. Or soft reflections of capacious gray That hath the meadow's verdure tented o'er. Ο if a rose had trembled to thy kiss More than some culprit quailed before thy power, Mayhap I had not now been writing this. Thou being too great to gain thy day and hour. Well, well, wide soul thou wert, kind heart, mind'; dower, And to thee I am pious and submiss. 8 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS Έξωθεν irpoXeyetv εαντφ- σνντενξομαι περι- epytp, άγαρίστω, υβριστή, δοΧερώ, βασκάνω, άκοινωνήτω. πάντα ταντα συμβεβηκεν εκείνοις πάρα την dyvoiav των άβαθων και κακών. eya> $ε τεΘεύφηκως την φνσιν του ayaOov, οτι καλόν, και τον κάκου, οτι αισχρόν, καϊ την αντοϋ του άμαρτάνσντος φνσιν, οτι μοι σνγγενής, ονχί αίματος ή σπέρματος τον αντον, αλλά νον και θείας am ο μοίρας μέτοχος, οντε βλαβηναι υπό τίνος αυτών Βνναμαΐ' αί<τχρώ yap με ουδείς περιβάλει* οντε ορηίζεσθαι τω σι/γγ 61 ^ δνναμαι ούτε άπεχθεσθαι αύτω. At early morning warn yourself thus: Today I shall happen on busy-bodies, ungrateful fellows, in- solent boors, deceitful plotters, spiteful churls, un- kind neighbors. All these ills have befallen them by reason of their ignorance of good and evil. But I have understood the nature of the good, that it is beautiful, and of the evil, that it is ugly, and of the ill-behaved man himself, that he is of the same source, kith and kin, with me — not of the same blood and flesh, but sharing in reason and a divine part; for which cause I neither can be injured by any one of them (since no one can wrap me up in baseness) nor can I be angry or hold bitter feeling against this kinsman of mine. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AUREL1US 1. When the sun riseth, consider what he sees, And tell thyself that surely through the day Thou shalt see like the sun. Not hills, and trees On them, green meads, kine grazing, lambs at play, Soft clouds, and birds sipping at brooks — not these I mean, albeit they sparkle wide away; But surly men, churls, fops at insolent ease, The gossip, knaves that envy, steal, betray. But what ! If so they be, be so must I ? Or to do like them, is that arms to meet them? So hapless they in sense, 'tis mine to ply My wisdom for them, not flout or ill-entreat them. Fine wit 's most dowered, and hath his best estate, When civil most to wits less fortunate. 10 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 2. [For Greek see page 8]. J can not be disabled or harmed by any one whom I may meet, since no one can hurl me over into shame or misbehavior; nor can I be angry with one of the same source, kith and kin, with me, nor hold a harsh and ruthless mind toward such a one. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 11 Some man hath done me ill. What 's that to me ? His is the act, and his thereof the fruit, And his the disposition that led to 't ; From both and him I am afar and free. Whatever he hath heart to do or be, Albeit mayhap the fury of a brute, Or man more monstrous, sagely dissolute, 'Tis his adventure and hath naught in me. Nature that sitteth queened on starry throne Assigneth me my place, and my soul's wit To follow her confirms me what to heed. And yet he wrongs me, say you? Haply his own Wish 'tis ; but on wrong's brow no powers sit. But slanders me with lies ? Poor man, indeed ! 12 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS το Se άντ£ΐααηαμενον ΰΚην ίαυτώ iroiei, ωσττβρ το πυρ, όταν επικραττ} των €ΐτ€μ- ττιπτόντων, υή> ων αν μικρός τις Χνχνος ςσβίσθη' το Be Χαμττρον πυρ τάχιστα έξωκβίωσεν €αυτω τά έπιφορονμενα κ αϊ κατηνά\ωσ€ν και £ξ αυτών Ικάνων €7τϊ μβΐζον ήρθη. [Aurelius is speaking of the ruling faculty in a man ( TO tyfoy KVfiCThy ) ] : This turns to account for its own profit whatever is brought against it, like a masterful fire, when it overpowers what is thrown on it. A small blaze would have been smothered by the heap, but a bright and high-flaming fire very soon seizes for its own advantage the things cast on it, making fuel of them, and thrives the more by these very things. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 13 3. Oft have I seen a flame convert to fuel Things heaped and hustled on to stifle it, Whereby the blaze, prevailing in that duel, Doth on his fiery throne victorious sit. For flickers faint, feeble to put to act, Are haply smothered and from purpose bent; But a strong fire, with Nature making pact, Converts all matters to his nutriment ; To his own substance doth digest his foes, Transmuting to become his own estate And painting to be ruddier than the rose \Vhat 's hurled upon to pale him or abate. And so the soul is, or in truth should be, That, kindled well, obstruction setteth free. } 14 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 'Αναχωρήσεις αύτοΐς ζητούσιν, αγροικίας «αϊ aiyidfc&us καΧ ορψ εϊωθας Βε καϊ συ τα. τοιαύτα μαΧιστα ττοθεΐν. okov Βε τούτο ΙΒιωτικώτατόν εστίν, εξόν ής αν ώρας εΟεΧησ^ς εις εαυτόν άνα- χωρεΐν. ουΒαμού γαρ ούτε ήσυχιώτερον ούτε άττραγμονεστερον άνθρωπος αναχωρεί η εις την εαυτού ψυχήν μάλισθ* όστις έχει ενΒον τοιαύτα, εις α, εγκύψας εν ττάστ) εύμαρε.ία ευθύς γίνεται' την Βε ευμάρειαν ουΒεν αΧλο λέγω ή εύκοσμίαν. συνεχώς ούν ΒίΒου σεαυτω ταύτην την αναχώρ- ησα', καϊ άνανεου σεαυτόν βραχέα Βε έστω teal στοιχειώδη, α ευθύς άτταντήσαντα αρκέσει εις το ττασαν ανίαν άττοκΚυσαι , καϊ α/πο- ττεμψαι σε μη Βυσχεραίνοντα εκείνοις, εφ* α εττανερχη. Men seek out refuges for themselves, in country dwellings, sea shores, mountains; and the wishes for these retreats are very lively desires. But this be- longs altogether to the most common rate of men. For any one may retire into himself at any moment when he wishes that privacy, and nowhere in the world does a man find a seclusion more full of quietness or empty of common affairs, than in his own soul; especially whoever has within him such things that by a look at them he is straightway at utmost ease; and this ease I call nothing but good order. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 15 Meseems it is a monstrous whimsey quite To hunt retirement by a run or race Away from cares that cark the day and night, To alien prospects in a foreign place. Now tell, ye hurrying, flurrying, scurrying all, What is 't ye fly but your o'ermastered selves? And think ye to avoid the noisy brawl, Who shoulder with you your own imps and elves? Hark ye, and understand, ye froward fools: No bird will pipe nor zephyr whisper you, Nor dells bechamber you by ferny pools, Till you yourselves be room where none pursue. Myself portals myself ; I pass inside, And noisy crowds renounce that quiet wide. 16 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 5. [For Greek see page 14]. Therefore provide for thyself to have continually this manner of quiet refuge, and renew thyself in thy self, and have about thee always some few brief and underlying or elemental principles, which straightway when you recur to them will be able to wash away all discontents, and send you back ready and willing to the affairs you must return to. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 17 5. I make my constant prayer unto all men, And unto Him who bringeth all to pass, And pray my fellows to afford me ken, And pray Him heartily the heavy mass Of my sole mind to lighten with design, And pray and pray them all that my soul move By some brief constancies whose antique line None ever scoff or doubt or disapprove. For as one mountain mightily upbears Ten thousand things upon its skyward slope, So by one truth, or few, my spirit fares To empire and immeasurable scope. Then go I to my business well content, Doing what I and Nature too have meant. 18 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 6. ΐίοταμός τέ? ix των γινομένων καϊ ρβνμα βιαιον ο αιών &μα τβ yap ώφθη €καστον καϊ τταρϋνψζκται, καν αΧΚο παραφέρβται, το Be €ν€γθήσ€ται. Time is like a river, or a streaming on, of all things that come to pass, even a violent flood of them. Each thing is no sooner seen than swept past, and another is sweeping by, and this also will be carried away. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 19 6. There be drops small, and large drops, all being rain, Making the ocean, rivers and rivulets ; There be moments slender, and mighty moments amain — Time's tide, or torrents of hours, or minutary jets. The brooks and rivers that to oceans run, Navies and nations on their bosoms bear ; The pendule's pulses into centuries done Torrential whirl alike the foul and fair. All things rush on. One doth but well arrive Before 'tis gone — another hath his room — That too is sped in cresty fog and dive — All with distinguished shapes, all to one doom. Here do I halt to see them swirling by ; And as they go, I drown them in mine eye. 20 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS "Ω,σπβρ el τις σοι Oeeov evnev, οτι ανριον τςθνήξχι rj πάντως fye eh τρίτον, ονκ €τ\ αν παρά μέγα έποιον το eh τρίτην μάΧλον ή ανριον, €Ϊ ye μη εσχάτως ayewrjs el• ποσόν yap Ιστι το μεταξύ; όντως κσΧ το eh ποΧΚοστον ίτος μαΧΚον ή ανριον μφεν μέγα elvai νόμιζα Suppose a god said to you, You shall die to- morrow, or anyway the day after. You would not further think it much matter whether it were to- morrow or the next day, unless you be very low- minded. For how little is the difference. In like manner deem it to be no great affair whether your time fall in the last of very many years, or rather to-morrow. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 21 7. Conceive a whisper certified thine ear, Some deity above thy shoulder bending, That thou must leave thine earthly summit here, And all thy many matters put to ending; And say to-morrow 'twere, or the next morrow, Appointed for thine expedition brave, Thou begging the later day with cries and sorrow; Wert not thou then indeed a sorry knave? Then reason : For beauty's sake be 't not my song To traverse years, but this day to live stoutly; For beauty hangeth not upon how long I look, but in what way and how devoutly. Grandeur 's not bulk, naught long that ends at all ; That now I live, this sole doth me appall. 22 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 8. ΤΙορεύομαι Bui των κατά φύσιν, μέχρι ττεσων άναπαύσομαι, εναττοιτνεύσας μεν τούτω* £ξ ol• καθ* ήμέραν αναπνέω, ττεσων Βε επί τούτω, i£ ον και το σπερμάτιον 6 πατήρ μου συνέλεξε /eat το αιμάτων ή μήτηρ και το ηα\άκτιον ή τροφός* 4ξ οδ καθ* ήμέραν τοσούτοι? ετεσι βόσκομαι, και άρΒεύομαι, ο φέρει με πατονντα, και εις τοσαΰτα αποχρώμενον αύτψ. I fare along, as indeed I must, through the things provided according to Nature, until at last I shall stop and rest, because I shall sink down. Then I shall breathe out my life into this same air from which every day I have inhaled my strength, and lay me down on this very earth from which my father collected the seed and my mother the blood and my nurse the milk for me, the same earth which day by day has afforded me meat and drink for so many years, and now bears me up as I tread it and use it to the full in so many ways. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 23 8. My body and soul in this their singular time Of love, require a trysting place — the earth ; And what a tryst ! What pied and various clime — Sweet flower-bed nooks, to lone white-swaddled dearth ! Thence did my childhood's nurse obtain her milk, Heart-made enheartening food ; thence eke the forms Were gleaned of linen, cotton, wool or silk For kirtles loose or snug i' the sun or storms. Thence were my parents bred, and all my friends, And seemly feasts with them of corn and wine ; And for my soul what harvest bright extends Of beauteous scenes, diversifying line ! Glad will I march the earth while strength 's to spare, Then glad expire in earth-befriending air. 24 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 9. "Αλλο? άμαρτάνβι τι eh έμέ; όψβται• ιδίαν βχβι Βιάθεσιν, ίΒίαν ivepyeiav. βγω νυν βχω, 6 με Oekei νυν ϊ-χβιν ή κοινή φνσις> και πράσσω, 6 με νυν ττράσσ€ΐν Θ4\€ΐ ή έμη φύσις. Some man or other does me some wrong. He shall look to that himself. For his disposition is his own, and his action in accord therewith is his own. As for me, what universal Nature now purposes me to possess, that now I possess, and I do what my own nature requires of me. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 25 9. Halt! To the right about! Away with you, enemies ! Nay, rather — second thoughts are best — here stay! Come on and do your worst, and cry what shame it is Fellows like me cumber the earth a day! Take counsel now, be warlike as you will, Brush up your pandoors' whiskers, your hussars Clap on their helmets, spit your leaden pill, Bare your sabres and hack your sanguine scars, Your venoms ply, your wily slanders wake, Your stabbing points of lies polish the more ! Ye can not get you where I live, nor make My ruling faculty worse than before. Forsooth ye make a very pretty foe, That can not hurt me and soon prove it so. 26 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURBLIUS 10. Μη διαφερου, πότερον ριγών η θαΧπο- μενος το πρέπον ποιείς, και πότερον νυστάζων ή ίκανώς ύπνου Ζχων, και πότερον κακώς άκούων ή. εύφημου μένος, και πότερον αποθνήσκων η πράττων τι άΧΚοϊον. μία yap των βιωτικών πράξεων και αυτή εστί, καθ* ην άποθνήσκομεν άρκεΐ ουν και επϊ ταύτης * το παρόν εν θεσθαι' Let it not matter whether you are shivering or warm while doing your duty, or whether drowsy or having had enough sleep, or whether well spoken-of or ill, defamed or praised. And whether dying or doing something else, what matter? For this also is one of the acts of life, namely, to die. Therefore, as in all else, it is enough in this also to accomplish well the work in hand. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 27 10. How hither we come, this is not in our power, Nor to what ranks we shall be ushered in, Nor golden sun that riseth in his hour In what estate behold us, with what kin. Perhaps a king, a lord, a serf, a peasant, May be life's business daily spun for me, And in a rigorous clime, or soft and pleasant, With labor hard, or all sweet-leisurely. But though I know not these, 'tis in my ken That of life's ventures one part is to leave it; And as in all beside, the moment then Is life at full — none void and none reprieve it. Then up, my soul — for this I can foretell — And at that time manage my business well! 28 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 11. "Αριστος τρόπος του άμύνεσθαι >rb μτ) ςξομοιουσθαι. If a man has done me an injury, then to imitate him and act like him, so as to return him the same injury or do him some other hurt, is no way to put him or his behavior to discredit or to effect a reckoning. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 29 11. I met an artist with his paints and brush : What doing? said 1. Worshiping, quoth he. I hear no prayers, said I. He answered, Hush ! One worships what one fain would make or be. Methought then how the earth adores the flowers And the great trees, and violets love the lily They fain would climb to, and the cloudy hours Lean sunward up, with adoration stilly. So unto what we love we look with praise, And imitation, which is praise the more ; But when we love not, we look other ways, And seek not for a likeness in our store. Hark 'e ! To breast a wrong, first meanly rate il Then in the fight ye must not imitate it. 30 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AUREL1US 12. ΈνΙ τ4ρπον και προσαναπαύου, τφ άπο ιτράξςως κοινωνικής μεταβαίνβιν €ττϊ ττραξιν κοινωνικην συν μνήμ^ 0€ου. Delight your self in one thing above all, and find your rest in it, namely, to pass on from deed to deed suitable for social communion, with all your thoughts fixed on God. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 31 12. A bush, its bloom and fruit, supply all senses, While we enjoy its shadow, balm and food; To no perception doth it pose defences, But signaleth its way to any mood. Such pleasure sweet pelts on me like a rain At summer twilight suddenly, when closes A torrid day, and th' drip mingles its vein With seepage of attar distilling on the roses. Yet of all mirth, as wine, song, games, or more, I pray me let me none unguarded plan ; But serviceable worth, be that my lore, My joy that by me better joyed is man ; And thinking thus : That all in One are one ; So all for All as one, for One as all, be done ! 32 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 13. To?? μεν aXoyois ζωοις teal καθόλου ττράγμασι teal νποκειμενοις, ως \6yov έχων \6yov Μ Ζχονσι, χρω μεγαΧοφρόνως teal ελευθέρως- τοις 8ε άνθρώποις, ώς \6yov εχουσι, χρω κοινωνικώς, εφ' αττασι 8ε θεούς επικαΧού* και μη Βιαφερου προς το ττοσω χρονω ταύτα πράξεις• αρκουσι yap και τρεις ωραι τοιανται* As to the unreasoning creatures, and current affairs and present conditions around you, treat them gener- ously and gently, because you have reason and they are void of reason. But as to men, since they are endowed with reason, use them as your fellows and comrades. And in all things call on the Divine Powers. And have no concern as to how long a time you are to do these things; for if one live but three hours in such a way and to such purpose, it is enough. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 33 13. My soul, treat all things, prythee, as what they are, My mute or unbrogued fellows, as speechless so, And thus but little reasoned; and let this bar Incline me to reason for them, high for low. We talk with reasons to reasons, being men ; But Nature's birds and brooks, tree-fingering breeze, Gaunt roars, compound my voice. Be it my ken To hold in reasoning love fellows like these. For^this seek help. Is any wise alone? Let each give aid, and then all seek to God, Commingled in petitionary tone That moves to one what 's near or far abroad. For time, each hath enough to do his part. Moments but few are mighty, flamed with heart. 34 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 14. \oi7Tov ovv σύνες, εις τίι>ας σεαυτον κατατάσσεις- εκείνος μεν yap πάντως σοι κα\ώς χρησεται 6 τά 6\α Βιοικών, καϊ παρα- Βεξεταί σε εις μέρος τι των συνέργων seal συν- ξρ<γητικών. άΧλα συ μη τοιούτο μέρος jivy, οίος ο ευτε7χης καϊ γεΧοΐος στίχος εν τφ Βράματι, ου Χρύσιππος μεμνηται. [Every one is worked into the universal purpose in some manner.] Therefore in fine consider well with whom you join and range yourself. For the Ruler of all things assuredly and in every case will make use of you to the full, and assign you a part among those who work under his rule and help it on. But become no such part as is expressed in the paltry and ridiculous line in the play which Crysippus mentions. For, says he, as comedies include ridic- ulous epigrams which in themselves are bad, yet con- tribute a certain grace to the whole work, so you may reproach wickedness in itself, but it is not useless to other things. Note. — Allusion is made not to any actual line, but to a remark of Crysippus comparing such a line in a play to the place of evil in the world. This remark is quoted by Plutarch "Against the Stoics," 14; it is here added for convenience to the rendering from Aurelius. Plutarch indignantly condemns this view. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 35 14. Ay, go you shall, and that full swift enough ! Your sole will but affects what way you keep Your place in ranks that throng unto the bluff Where every one shall take the hardy leap. This all-hail host, the army of the Lord, Marshals in order so immense and wide It doth amaze me as some monstrous horde, Because the whole is not by me descried. Bethink you then how you will pass along, Whether under the high commandery of the day Advisedly, obedient and strong, Or skulk in vain to be a run-a-way. For you straight up like men shall march your lot, Or dragged at chariot wheels go where you 'd not. 36 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 15. μάΧΚον δε σοι ή τούτον νόησις προσπεσεϊ- ται, εαν προς εαντον πόΧΚάκις Xey???, δτι 'μεΧος * είμϊ τον εκ των Χολικών σνστηματος. εάν δε [διά του ρω στοιχείον] 'μέρος* elvai εαντον Χεηης, ονπω άπο καρδίας φιΧεΐς τονς άνθρώπονς, ονπω σε καταΧηκτικώς ευφραίνει το ενερ^ετειν ετι• ως πρέπον αντο ψιΧον ποιείς* ονπω ώς σαντον εν ποιων. [All rational beings are meant to work together.] But knowledge of this will come over you better if often you say to yourself: I am a vital part, like a limb, of the body of reasoning creatures. But if you call yourself no more than a thing among things, you not yet love mankind from the heart, nor yet does well-doing delight you for its own sake, as not look- ing beyond itself. You are practicing good conduct still as a bare suitableness, not yet as conferring a boon on yourself. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 37 15. Of all secrets methinks the secret is this, That I behold me membered with the all ; No separate shred, whereunto is no bliss, But one with One, whereby all joys befall. If I seem but an atom, a bit, a mote, A flick o' tonguey flames of circumstance, Can atoms love one another, or take note Of the one bond in th' various expanse? Have up thy heart to the lighted style of space, Where hang the lamps that wink no partial eye For prince or peasant. Else thy goodly grace Will be no more than fashion passing by. This above all : Say, at thy charities, I now befriend myself with companies. 38 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 16. "Ο η αν Τί9 iroirf rj Xeyy, βμβ Bet αγαθόν eivai' ώς αν el 6 χρυσός ή 6 σ/χάραγδο? ή ή πορ- φύρα τούτο del eXeyev, ""Ο τι αν τις wotfj η X&yy, €μβ Set σμάραηΒον elvat και το €μαντον χρώμα exetv" Whatever any one may say or do, it is my business to be good; just as an emerald might always say: Let any one do or say whatever he will, it is my part to be an emerald, and preserve my hue. And in like manner might speak gold or purple. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 39 16. 'Tis said the ass cried down fine Philomel, The note of that sweet singer of the night Not being a bray. So might gross soil expel Emeralds, or gold, or royal purple's light. But what saith gold, when so the soggy earth Disputes its yellow blaze, what th' royal hue Or verdant gems, though everything i' the girth Of ireful exhalations sulphurs the view? Unto the noisome mist of the gross chatter The gold saith naught, but shines as 'tis the more The princely purple never heeds to flatter, And emeralds color like a small sea-shore. Like purple, gems and gold is my one art ; Men cog and jog; my right self is my part. 40 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 17. Φοβείται τις μεταβοΧήν ; τί yap Βύναται χωρίς μεταβοΧης γενέσθαι; τί Be φίΧτερον ή οίκειότερον τη των οΧων φύσει ; σύ δε αυτό? Χούσασθαι Βννασαι, εαν μη τά ξύΧα μεταβα,Χτ} ; τραφηναι Be Βννασαι, εαν μη τα εΒώΒιμα μεταβάΧρ; αΧΧο Βε τι των χρησίμων Βύναταί σνντεΧεσθηναι χωρίς μεταβοΧής ; ούχ οράς οΰν, οτι και αύτο το σε μεταβαΧεΐν ομοιόν εστί καϊ ομοίως avay/caiov τη των δΧων φύσει ; Is any one afraid of change? But what can come to pass or exist except by change? And what can be more after the heart of the Nature of the Universe, or more proper and familiar to it? Can you take a bath till the wood be transformed in heating your bath? Can you be fed unless the edible things be transmuted? Or what other useful thing can be attained apart from change? Do not you see, then, that alteration in your very self is a like matter, and similarly essential to the Nature of All Things? SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURBLIUS 41 17. Consider the delicious fluency Of your warm marble pool. The seed, the sprout, The bud and flower, the foliage, the fuel tree, These change to bear your soft lavation out. First leaf and blossom wane to form the wood, Which then must burn to heat the temperate bath — Fellows in timbered aisles that stalwart stood, But bent in lumberman's victorious path. Who feareth changes, feareth what befall With sweet necessitous kind service still; And the Lord Life in the kingdom of the All Questions not with you — change you shall and will. But each one's haps a fervent good may do, As the tree burneth prosperously for you. 42 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 18. Έμ€ !ι> μόνον περισπά, μή τι αυτός ποιήσω, δ ή κατασκευή του ανθρώπου ού θίΚει, $ ώς ού θέλει, ή ο νυν ού θέ\ει. There is but one thing that moves me solicitously, namely, that I myself shall not do anything dis- allowed by the constitution of man, or in a way disallowed, or disallowed at this present moment. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 43 18. Two clans or companies wide Nature hath: What I can wield, eke what 's beyond my power; With these let me go on my sunny path, Nor mire the breast or wings o' the present hour. Now do I moan no more, whimper nor pine; The evils I can rule I straightway cure; For things not in my power 'twere base to whine Or groan while manful reason bids endure. So in the moving mass and sum of things I can and can not, one mark looms sublime : My sole care is that naught me draws or stings 'Gainst my true self, or ill in way or time. How all-benign the universe to me, That I amid these massy things am free! 44 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 19. Ιίερισκοττεϊν άστρων δρόμους ωσττερ συμιτεριθίοντα' και τάς των στοιχείων εις αλληΧα μεταβοΧάς συνεχώς ivvoetv άποκαθαίρ* ουσι yap αι τούτων φαντασίαι τον ρύττον τον χαμαι βίου. Look all around on the courses of the stars, as if running around their races with them; and give mind unceasingly to the mutations of the elements with one another. For the impressions of these things cleanse away the sordidness of the earthly life. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 46 19. Confirm thyself in meditation oft CT the elements — as fire, and how it burns, And water the extinguisher, and soft Billow of air that to a' tempest turns. Reckon their casual conflicts, when they rage In civil strife, or banded 'gainst the earth In ireful havoc, but soon their wrath assuage To bake the meats and green the plain for mirth. Then up, beyond these elements surmise, Pondering what may be the circling stars, Yet as if riding with them through the skies, Driving the coursers of those fiery cars. This fellow converse scours away the rust Gendered of earthy days mid noise and dust. 46 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 20. 9 Ωι.Αρ εντνγχάντ}?, ευθύς σαυτφ πρόΧεγε' οδτος τίνα hoy ματ α έχει περί αγαθών teal κακών; ει yap περί ηδονής καϊ πόνου καϊ των ποιητικών εκατέρου καϊ περί δόξης, άδοξίας, θανάτου, ζωής τοιάδε τίνα δόγματα έχει, ούδεν θαυμαστον ή ξένον μοι δόξει, εάν τάδε τινά ποιφ• καϊ μεμνή- σομαι, οτι αναγκάζεται ούτως ποιείν. Μεμνησο* οτι, ωσπερ αίσχρόν εστί ξενίζ- εσθαι, €ι η σνκή σύκα φέρει, οΰτως, εί ο κόσμος τάδε τινά φέρει, ων εστί φορός' When you meet any one, ask yourself forthwith: What views has this man in his head about good and evil? For if about pleasure and pain and what pro- duces them, about what is honorable or unhonorable, about death, about life, his views be of a certain kind, it will seem to me nothing surprising or strange that his deeds should be of the same kind, and I shall consider that he must perforce act out what he is. Remember that as it is monstrously stupid to be surprised if a fig-tree bears figs, so is it downright addle-pated to be taken aback if the world around us produces the things that accord with its kind. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 47 20. 'Twere rustic simpleness to gaze agog Upon a fig-tree that a fig it bore, Or rate a fen that there one finds a frog, Or cry down fire that 's florid, snow that 's frore. And sooth, if all according to its kind Puts forth, will not man do it, body and soul? Thus always ask thyself, and have in mind Briefly : What manner of man is this in whole ? What thinks he good? What bad? What pain, or pleasure? What ignominious or what reputable? And answering this, expect in that same measure, Nor let thy heart be vainly vulnerable. Stare not, I say, at fig-trees growing figs, Nor swinish thoughts a-building little pigs. 48 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 21. Ουκ βίμί άξιος βμαντον Xvireiv ού&€ yap άΧλον 7τώ7τοτ6 βκων ύΧνττησα. Far be it from me to allow disquiet in my own soul — I who never wittingly or willingly have put another to allowing vexation of spirit. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 49 21. 'Twere strange with others to be reasonable, But with myself tempestuous and sore ; I ought to be like fountains, estimable To him who quaffs, but to themselves much more. The fountain giveth drink to all athirst, And for that office is sought out and singled; But as it sparkles up, each drop 's a-burst With image of blue sky and green earth mingled. So have I been, will be, to every one — If hurtful, unwilling so, but willingly befriending; Then what disquiet shall to me be done By me, a spray from earth, and thither tending! As willingly ne'er did I others vex, Say why shall I myself myself perplex? 50 SONNETS PROM MARCUS AURELIUS 22. 9 Αρον με καΧ βαλς, οττον θέλεις, εκεί yap <•ξω τον εμον Βαίμονα ΐ\εων, τουτέστιν αρκού• μενον, εΐ εγρι καϊ ενεργοίη κατά το έξης τ# Ιδία κατασκευή. 9 Αρα τούτο άξιον, ίνα δι* αύτο κακώς μοι εχτ} V ψ υ Χ0 και χεφων εαυτής y ταπεινουμίνη, ορεΎομένη, συνΒυομένη, ιττυρομένη; καϊ τΐ βυρήσεις τούτου άξων; Pick me up and toss me anywhither, wherever you will. For there I shall still keep my divine part tranquil, that is to say, contented if it exist and act suitably to its own constitution. Is there any mis- hap worth my soul's being in sorry plight on account of it, or falling below itself, abased, craving, hindered, frightened? What indeed will you find confirming such abasement? SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 51 22. The world is wide! Well, so 's my will and choice. Pack me whither ye may, it is good scope — Be it a wild, it shall have all my voice; Or thick with haunts of men, there visions ope. And there, be it wild, or thick with haunts of men, What matter, since my ruling part divine Shall be content, and have it in my ken To live my nature as Nature doth design! For what! Some misadventure shall be able To ruffle up my mind or trip me down? That I were weak, servile, frightened, unstable, Who could defend these flutters of a clown? When, where or whither I, this much I see : I am my master, what to do or be. 52 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 23. Ό άδικων άσεβεΐ. της yap των όλων φύσεως κατεσκευακυίας τα Xoyt/ca ζωα ένεκεν άΧλήλων, ώστε ώφελεΐν μεν άΚληΧα κατ άξίαν, βΧάπτειν 8ε μηΰαμώς, 6 το βούλημα ταύτης παραβαίνων άσεβεΐ 8η\ονότι είς την πρεσβυτάτην των The unjust man is an impious man. and sins against the gods. For as the Nature of the Universe has constituted reasoning creatures for the sake of one another, that they may be useful and do good to each other in a due manner, but by no means ever to harm any one, so whoever goes aside from this purpose and will of Nature, plainly is impious, and sins against the eldest of all deities. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 53 23. To act unjustly is a traitorous deed, Treasonable against the King of Kings, Fluent from whom the ancient heavens proceed, And marvelous multiplicity of things. Compacted all in oneness forth they go, And in their way a lovely order sings — Peasants, kings, commoners, friend and foe, And all assembled to the King of Kings ! Nature is music's vast conventicle, Wherein each life plays precious melodies That congregate in parts majestical, And justice is the solemn harmonies. Justice is many in One; uncivil to be Profaneth the most ancient Deity. 54 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 24. "Οταν τίνος άναισχνντία προσκοπτης, ευθύς πννθάνου σεαντον* " Δύνανται οΰν iv τφ κόσμω αναίσχυντοι μη είναι ; " ου Βύνανται. μη οΰν άπαίτει το αδύνατον. εις yap κα ^ οδτος εστίν εκείνων των αναίσχυντων, ονς άνώγκη iv τφ κόσμω είναι, το δ' αύτο teal επί τον wavovpyov καϊ επι τον άπίστον και παντός τον οτιονν άμαρτάνοντος έστω σοι πρόγειρον. άμα yap τω νπομνησθήναι, δτι το yevos των τοιούτων άΒύνατόν ,εστι μη ύπάρχειν, ευμενέστερος εστ) προς τους καθ* ενα. εΰγρηστον Βε κάκεΐνο ευθύς εννοεϊν, " Ύίνα εόωκεν η φύσις τώ άνθρώπω άρ€την προς τούτο το αμάρτημα? εΒωκε yap, ως άντιφάρμακον προς μεν τον αγνώμονα την πραότητα, προς Βε άΧΚον άΧλην τίνα Βνναμιν. "0\ως Βε εξεστί σοι μεταΒιΒάσκειν τον πε- πΧανημενον πάς yap 6 άμαρτάνων άφαμαρτάνει τον προκείμενου και πεπΧάνηται. τί Βε και βίβΧαψαι; εν ρήσεις yap μηΒένα τούτων , προς ους πάροξννη, πεποιηκότα τι τοιούτον, εξ ον η Βιάνοιά σον γείρων εμεΧΚε yεvησεσθar το Βε κακόν σον και το βλαβερον ενταύθα πάσαν την υπόστασιν έχει. Whenever you are offended by some shameless inpudence in some one, straightway ask yourself: Is it possible that the world should be utterly clear of shameless persons? This can not be. Ask not, then, the impossible. For this particular man who has transgressed is one of those shameless persons who perforce must be found in the world. Let this same thought be at hand for you against the knave and the deceiver and all other kinds whatever of wrong-doers. For by recollecting that the breed of such men can not but spring up, you will be more kindly affected toward them one by one. Very useful SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELJUS 55 24. Offences come, for not all can be good, And tangled forests grow some gnarled sticks ; Yet who therefor hath railed upon the wood But strikes with naked heels against the pricks. If thus we know them sad necessities, Yet not how they collect or whither run, We shall be humbler 'fore their destinies, And eke be kinder to them one by one — Yea, and no peril face of being too kind ; For what man hath done harm, or can, to me, Or threatened the invulnerable mind Where is my hold invisible and free. Then come, come one, come all; each hath his place By what he is, but makes nor mars my case. also it is to give mind to this: What virtue has Nature given to man against the behavior of the ill-minded? For Nature has given us meekness for this very thing, as an antidote to the rude and unfeeling man; and other powers against other kinds of ill behavior. Anyway, you have power to teach the man who has gone astray. I say "gone astray", for every wrong-doer simply misses his mark and has wandered astray. But what harm have you received? For you will find that not one of those persons against whom you are inflamed has done anything such that your own mind can be made worse by it. But what is evil or harmful for you has its whole existence just there, in your own mind. 56 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 25. Ύί δαν κακόν ή ξένον yeyovev, ει 6 απαίδευτος ra, τον απαίδευτου πράσσει; δρα, μη σεαντφ μάλλον εγκάλεΐν οφειλές, δτι ου προσεδόκησας τούτον τούτο άμαρτήσ€σθαι. συ yap καϊ άφορμας εκ τον Xoyov είχες προς το ενθυμηθήναι, δτι εικός εστί τούτον τοντο άμαρτήσεσθαι, καϊ όμως επιλαθόμενος θαυμάζεις, ει ήμάρτη /ee. Μάλκχτα δε, όταν ώς άπίστω ή άχαρίστω μεμφτ}, είς σεαντον επιστρεφον* προδήλως yap σον το αμάρτημα,, είτε περί του τοιαύτην διά- θεσίν έχοντος επίστευσας, δτι την πίστιν φυλάξει, εϊτε την χάριν διδούς μη καταληκτικως εδωκας, μηδέ ώστε εξ αυτής τής σης πράξεως ευθύς άπειληφεναι πάντα τον καρπόν. Ύί yap πλέον θέλεις -εΰ ποιήσας άνθρωπον; ουκ αρκεί τουτσ, δτι κατά φύσιν την σήν τγ επραξας, -άλλα τούτον μισθσν ζητείς; What harm is it, or how is it strange, if the boorish man acts like a boor? Consider whether you ought not to blame your self rather, because you have not expected such a man to do ill. For from your reason you might have a start for concluding it to be likely that this man would do this ill. Yet still forgetting all, you wonder at his doing the evil. Therefore first and most, when you complain of any one as faithless SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 57 25. Thus have I thought when some man thankless proved : He promised false? Worse you, being self-deceived. That such a man had differently moved 'Twas you that with a muzzy head conceived. Since the pied world must random rascals hold, Have patience with what you nor none can miss; Ask not th' impossible, and plain behold That meekness was conferred on thee for this. Now sooth you are rebuked by all the flowers, Forests, or streams, or air, or anything; For what! Forthputting God-imparted powers, Wilt groan that these no other guerdon bring? Sad man, contented not with first and best, Moaning for second, tenth, or foolishest. and ungrateful, turn about your attention to your- self. For plainly enough the fault is your own, if you trusted any one of such a character, thinking he would keep faith; or if in doing a kindness, you did it not absolutely and as having received straight- way the full fruit of the deed in the deed itself. For having done well by a man, what more would you have? Is not this enough, that you have behaved according to your nature, but you must seek a kind of wages for this? 58 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 26. Tfj πάντα ΒιΒονστ) teal άποΧαμβανονστ} φνσ€ί 6 πεπαιδευμένος καϊ αίΒήμων Xeyer " Δο? δ θέλεις, απόλαβε ο Θ4\εις." Xeyei Be τοντο ου καταθρασυνόμενος, άλλα πειθαργων μόνον καϊ εννόων αύττ}. To Nature that gives all things we possess, and again takes them away and back to herself, — to this Nature he who is schooled well and disciplined and reverential, speaks, and says: Give what you will, take back what you will. But this he says not in any boastful or emboldened way, but only in obedient spirit and good will to Nature. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 59 26. Have thy soul reverent ; then to Nature say : Out of thine ampleness give me what thou wilt. Certes 'tis large, replenishes the day, And wakes my soul to an unenvious lilt. Of all the pomps of stars, meteors and lights, Suns, moons and followers in th' eternal span, Or here plains, meads, great waters, mountain heights, Partake I as all do, — own them none can; And having given, take what thou wilt away, Be 't health, or power, place, gold, or other pelf. Thy gifts be such the largest meeds must stay, Nor canst thou e'er withdraw from me thyself. I say not this, our Lord, defiantly, But with a glad content, obediently. 60 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 27. Κλάδος τον προσεχούς κλάδου αποκοπείς ου δύναται μη καϊ του όλον φυτού άποκεκόφθαι. ούτω Βη καϊ άνθρωπος ενός ανθρώπου αποσχισθώ εϊς όλης της κοινωνίας άποπεπτωκεν. κλάδον μλν ουν αΧλος αποκόπτει* άνθρωπος δε αύτος εαυτόν του πλησίον χωρίζει μισήσας καϊ άποστραφείς* αγνοεί δε, οτι και τον ολαν πολιτεύματος άμα άποτετμηκεν εαυτόν. A branch cut off from the adjoining branch can not but be lopped from the entire plant. In like manner also a man severed from any one man has fallen off from the whole commonalty of men. Now a branch suffers the ill without doing it, because an alien hand severs it, while it is a man's own doing if he parts himself from his neighbor by hating him and turning away from him; but he little understands that at the same time he has sundered himself from the whole body and citizenship of mankind. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 61 27. "What a thought of God when he conceived a tree !" The trunk, behold, twice spreads, that one end grips The earth, the other playeth wild and free On lyric winds with countless finger-tips. Rend bough from bough, you part the rended end From the tree's self, and leave it disbodied, void; So is a man, if he one man unfriend, Cut from mankind, unlodged, unkinned, destroyed. Ο if, I say, one breaks the natural band Of all to all, and doth his fellow hate, He little dreams nor can not understand How he from life is disincorporate. All 's One, One 's all — this is "the strength of laws" From which a tree or man his welfare draws. 62 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 28. Καταφρονήσει μου τις; οψεται* εγώ 8ε οψομαι, ίνα μη τι καταφρονήσεως άξιον πράσσων ή λέγων ευρίσκω μαι. μισήσει; οψεται• αλλά εγώ ευμενής και εΰνους τταντί, και τούτω αύτψ έτοιμος το τταρορώμενον Βεΐξαι, ουκ όνειΒιστικώς ουδέ ως κατεττιΒεικνυμενος, οτι ανεγρμαι* άλλα γνησίως και χρηστώς. May it happen that some one disdains or looks down on me? That will be his own business; but J will see to it that I be not found doing or saying anything worthy of disdain. May some one haply hate me? That will be his own affair; but it is my business to show myself moved with kindness and good will toward every one, ready to show even to this very one who has ill used me his mistaken view, not rebukingly, nor as displaying to others that l put up with it, but genuinely and simply. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 63 28. Doth any one contemn me, let him look to 't ! How recks it me to wrangle it at all? My part it is to rule me so withal, And live so, that no cynic mood can hoot. Hath any hated me, let him look to 't, Have, if he will, a sole, ne'er double, brawl; My part is to hate not, and know 'twill fall That as the tree is trained so is the fruit, if one have stripes, fangs, claws and fur, As such there be among us human creatures In spiritual mark, why, then we see A tiger with the tiger manner stir, And tiger thrift go with the tiger features. But I, who am a man, must man-like be. 64 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 29. Ot ΤΙυθα<γ6ρ€ΐοι Ζωθεν els τον ούρανόν άφοράν, ΐν ΰπομιμνησκώμεθα των del /caret τα αύτα και ωσαύτως το εαυτών epyov δία- νυόντων και της τάξεως και της καθαρότητος και της ηυμνότητος. ούΒεν yap ττροκαΚυμμα άστρου. The Pythagoreans bid us look up into the sky in the morning, that we may keep ourselves mindful of those hosts that always are accomplishing their work by the same course and in the same way; and that so we may know their orderly ranks and their purity and their natural openness — for no star wears a veil. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS 65 29. Pythagoras' disciples have a creed Of morning's bounden duty unto joy. Look up, they say, and to the expanse give heed, And let three lustrous thoughts thy soul employ: Acclaim the order and the constancy Of heavenly beamy bodies, each in place. Laud the purgation and equality Of matter in those fulgencies of space. Relish the artlessness of all those lights, That open to our eyes and cry us hail, And naught have to canceal, no hidden plights, But unreserved ; for no star wears a veil. If with this homage the daily dawn we meet, Our path is plain, and sparkles to our feet. 66 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 30. Ήλίκην έξονσίαν βχει άνθρωπος μη iroielv aXko ή oirep μέΧλει 6 θεός iiraiveiv, καϊ Βεχεσθαι πάν, ο αν νεμ-τ) αύτω 6 θβός. What a great power any man has not to do any- thing else than what God shall approve, and to receive contentedly whatsoever God sets apart for him. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 67 30. To what endowment rich and eminent A man is born, what heraldic renown, And what estate, what wealthy brave descent, And in all measures what a meed and crown ! What can compel or mould him from his course And place august, what power prevail to move His stationed foot, what strength against all force He hath to do but what God will approve! And it behoves me to remember well I lead not, but am led; wherefore for me To be a good led-man J s my citadel, Obedient mind my joy and dignity. How blest our case, ne'er to be forced to wrong, With free feet marching, in our mouth a song ! 68 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 31. *H το μεν Ύοΰ Χύχνον φως, μέχρι σβεσθβ, φαίνει καϊ την avyrjv ουκ άττοβάΧΚει* ή 8ε iv σοι αλήθεια καϊ δικαιοσύνη καϊ σωφροσύνη Ίτροαττοσβήσεται; A lighted lamp continues its glow and remits not its radiance until the flame is quenched; and shall the blaze of truth that is in you, and the light of justice and the beam of temperance be extinguished, while you yet exist here. SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELIUS 69 31. The night is long, the candle burnetii low, Yet giveth me its faithfulness of light As when 'twas new and tall ; 'tis constant so, And constant still will be, a golden sight. Its upright pencil and unlessened shine Have been so from its first enkindled beam, And so will be until its stock decline And all its flesh dissolve as in a dream 'Twere shame indeed if so the candle shame thee; For what, my soul! shall beamy powers that store thee With honor, soberness and peace, defame thee By smoky ire and going out before thee? Our ruling part divine, it is most sure, Should rule the while the ruled parts endure. 70 SONNETS FROM MARCUS AURELWS EPODE In sum : Doth thy soul lapse in poorer mine, Or am I quenched in thee? — that is the query. How can I answer, or in what design Marshal my hours now ultimate and weary? For should I crave thy glory's rich estate, Then were thy better bounties for me crossed; Yet if before thy soul my soul abate, My freedom is engrossed in thee and lost. But we together, and both i' the sun, can walk, Commune of friend and foe, of sky and earth, Of trees, rains, rivers, birds, with starry talk; Yet in my way I have the dearer mirth : I hallow can, and chant, thy lofty light, As thou canst not my dimmer lowly plight. ^0 . Λ