"My son," said Confucius," I see that you understand. Other men know life only as a boon: they do not perceive that it is a bane. They know old age as a state of weakness: they do not perceive that it is a state of ease. They know death only as an abomination: they do not perceive that it is a state of rest."

"How grand," cried Yen Tzu, "is the old conception of Death! The virtuous find rest, the wicked are engulfed therein. In death, each reverts to that from which he came. The ancients regarded death as a return to, and life as an absence from, home. And he who forgets his home becomes an outcast and a by-word in his generation."

XX.

DIVINE PARTICULAM AURÆ.

There is in the universe an Aura which permeates all things, and makes them what they are. Below, it shapes forth land and water; above, the sun and the stars. In man it is called spirit; and there is nowhere where it is not.

In times of national tranquillity, this spirit lies perdu in the harmony which prevails. Only at some great crisis is it manifested. widely abroad. And as to these manifestations, those who run may read. Were there not the fearless and truthful annalists of old? Was there not the disinterested chivalry of Chang Siang? the unswerving devotion of Su Wu? Did not Yen Yen say they had headless generals in his district, but none who surrendered their allegiance? Was not an emperor's robe splashed with blood that might not be washed away? And the teeth of Chang Hsun?—the tongue of Yen Hsi?-the guileless honesty of Kuan Ning, pure as the clearest ice?-the martial genius of K'ung Ming, the admiration of Gods and men?--the oath of Tsu T'i?-the tablet dashed in the rebel's face?

Such is the grand and glorious spirit which endureth for all generations, and which, linked with the sun and moon, knows neither beginning nor end. The foundation of all that is great and good in heaven and earth, it is itself born from the everlasting obligations which are due by man to man.

Alas! the fates were against me; I was without resource. Bound with fetters, hurried away towards the north, death would have been sweet indeed; but that boon was refused.

My dungeon is lighted by the Will-o'-the-wisp alone: no breath

of spring cheers the murky solitude in which I dwell. The ox and the barb herd together in one stall: the rooster and the phoenix feed together from one dish. Exposed to mist and dew, I had many times thought to die; and yet, through the seasons of two revolving years, disease hovered round me in vain. The dank unhealthy soil to me became Paradise itself. For there was that within me which misfortune could not steal away. And so I remained firm, gazing at the white clouds floating over my head, and bearing in my heart a sorrow boundless as the sky.

The sun of those dead heroes has long since set; but their record is before me still. And, while the wind whistles under the eaves, I open my books and read; and lo! in their presence my heart glows with a borrowed fire.

BRAHMANISM.

A. VEDIC HYMNS.

I.

TO VARUNA.

I.

The wise Aditya's work, the glorious Ruler,
Should far exceed all other works in grandeur!
The God, the dearest object of all worship,
The mighty Varuna I fain would honour.

2.

May we for ever prosper in thy service,
Who praise thee, Varuna, with true devotion,
With each return of Dawn the Lord of cattle,
Bursts out the flame of our devotion daily.

3.

May we live safely under thy protection,
O Varuna, far-ruling, Lord of heroes!
Ye sons of Aditi, whom none deceiveth,
Ye gods, in covenant of grace accept us!

4.

The ruler of the world sets free the rivers,
They flow, O Varuna, as thou ordainest;
They never fail or faint, are never weary,
Pass swiftly over earth as birds o'er heaven.

5.

Free me from sin, that as a chain hath held me!
Let me maintain the even course of justice!
Tear not the thread of song which I am weaving,
O break not the poor workman's staff untimely!

6.

O Varuna, deliver me from terror!

In grace look on me, O thou righteous ruler, And set me free, as a young calf, from sorrow; Apart from thee I cannot breathe one moment!

7.

Save us, O Varuna, from deadly weapons,
Which smite, at thy behest, all evil-doers;
O let me not from light of life be banished;
Destroy my foes, but let me live in safety.

8.

We faithfully for many years have served thee, O mighty Varuna, both now and ever;

On thee, as on a rock immovable,

Thy own eternal law is firmly grounded.

9.

Deliver me from my own past transgressions,
Nor let me suffer for the sins of others.

Grant, Varuna, that I may see, yet living,
The blessed light of many a coming morning.

IO.

If e'er in dream my timid heart is startled
By friend or foeman speaking works of menace;
If ever thief or wolf would harm thy servant,
Then take me, Varuna, in thy protection.

II.

And, Varuna, grant that a generous patron,
Noble and rich, to me be never wanting;
May well-appointed wealth be mine for ever,
Our voice be heard in councils of the nobles.

II.

TO VARUNA.

I.

Sorely as we, O Varuna,

Break thy just laws, O God,
From day to day as men are wont,

2.

Give us not up to sudden death,
Not to the stroke of vengeful wrath,
Nor in thy hot displeasure smite!

3.

As charioteers rein in their steeds,
So with our hymns, O Varuna,

We fain would soothe thy wrathful mood.

4.

For all our wishes turn to thee,

In hope thy blessing to obtain,

As swift-winged birds fly to their nest.

5.

He knows the course of every bird

Which through the æther wings its flightEach ship that passeth o'er the sea.

6.

Lord of all order, the twelve moons,
With all their offspring, well he knows;
He knows the moon as yet unborn.

7.

He knows the way of all the winds,
The strong, far-sweeping, mighty winds;
Knows them who sit on thrones above.