पृष्ठ 31 / 83

Obstinate are the trammels, but my heart aches when I try to

break them.

Freedom is all I want, but to hope for it I feel ashamed.

I am certain that priceless wealth is in thee, and that thou art

my best friend, but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel

that fills my room.

The shroud that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate

it, yet hug it in love.

My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy;

yet when I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my

prayer be granted.

29.

He whom I enclose with my name is weeping in this dungeon. I am

ever busy building this wall all around; and as this wall goes up

into the sky day by day I lose sight of my true being in its dark

shadow.

I take pride in this great wall, and I plaster it with dust and

sand lest a least hole should be left in this name; and for all

the care I take I lose sight of my true being.

30.

I came out alone on my way to my tryst. But who is this that

follows me in the silent dark?