I shall never be an ascetic.
44
Reverend sir, forgive this pair of sinners. Spring winds to-day
are blowing in wild eddies, driving dust and dead leaves away,
and with them your lessons are all lost.
Do not say, father, that life is a vanity.
For we have made truce with death for once, and only for a few
fragrant hours we two have been made immortal.
Even if the king's army came and fiercely fell upon us we should
sadly shake our heads and say, Brothers, you are disturbing us.
If you must have this noisy game, go and clatter your arms
elsewhere. Since only for a few fleeting moments we have been
made immortal.
If friendly people came and flocked around us, we should humbly
bow to them and say, This extravagant good fortune is an
embarrassment to us. Room is scarce in the infinite sky where
we dwell. For in the springtime flowers come in crowds, and
the busy wings of bees jostle each other. Our little heaven,
where dwell only we two immortals, is too absurdly narrow.
45
To the guests that must go bid God's speed and brush away all
traces of their steps.
Take to your bosom with a smile what is easy and simple and near.
To-day is the festival of phantoms that know not when they die.
Let your laughter be but a meaningless mirth like twinkles of
light on the ripples.
Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the
tip of a leaf.
Strike in chords from your harp fitful momentary rhythms.
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