Bondage XIX.

Complain not that in Chains, thou here art firmly bound;

Complain not that Earth's Yoke, doth crush thee to the Ground.

Complain not that the World is but a Prison wide;

'Tis only thy complainings that build thy Dungeon round.

And ask not how Life's Riddle will finally unfold;

For soon without thy asking, unfolded 'twill be found.

Say not Love has forsaken or yet forgotten thee;

Love ne'er has Man forsaken; thy Words all falsely sound.

Nor tremble when Death dreaded appears in Terror's Form;

He falls before the Hero, who is with Courage crowned.

Ne'er chase the Phantom, Pleasure; for like a hungry Lion,

'Twill turn and rend in pieces the Hunter most renowned.

Throw not thyself in Fetters; else will Men sternly say:

Complain not of thy Fetters; for thou thyself hast bound.