Paracelsus.
15
But after-signs disclosed, and you confirm'd,
That you prepared to task to the uttermost
Your strength, in furtherance of a certain aim,
Which—while it bore the name your rivals gave
To their most puny efforts—was so vast
In scope that it included their best flights,
Combined them, and desired to gain one prize
In place of many—the secret of the world—
Of man, and man's true purpose, path, and fate:
That you, not nursing as a lovely dream
This purpose, with the sages of old Time,
Have struck upon a way to this, if all
You trust be true, which following, heart and soul,
You, if a man may, dare aspire to know:
And that this aim shall differ from a host
Of aims alike in character and kind—
Mostly in this; that in itself alone
Shall its reward be—not an alien end
Blending therewith—no hope, nor fear, nor joy,
Nor woe, shall elsewhere move you; but this pure
Devotion shall sustain or shall undo you:
This you intend.
That you prepared to task to the uttermost
Your strength, in furtherance of a certain aim,
Which—while it bore the name your rivals gave
To their most puny efforts—was so vast
In scope that it included their best flights,
Combined them, and desired to gain one prize
In place of many—the secret of the world—
Of man, and man's true purpose, path, and fate:
That you, not nursing as a lovely dream
This purpose, with the sages of old Time,
Have struck upon a way to this, if all
You trust be true, which following, heart and soul,
You, if a man may, dare aspire to know:
And that this aim shall differ from a host
Of aims alike in character and kind—
Mostly in this; that in itself alone
Shall its reward be—not an alien end
Blending therewith—no hope, nor fear, nor joy,
Nor woe, shall elsewhere move you; but this pure
Devotion shall sustain or shall undo you:
This you intend.
