Canto 139Vain, they have said
Book 16. Part Seven - Pondicherry Circa 1927 – 1947
Vain, they have said, is the anguish of man and his labour
diurnal,
Vainly his caravans cross through the desert of Time to the
Eternal.
5Thick and persistent the night confronts all his luminous
longings;
Dire death’s sickle mows like a harvest his hosts and his
throngings.
Even if all life has failed, must it therefore be failure for ever?
10Are not the ages before us still for a grander endeavour?
Have we not Beauty around in a dangerous world but
enthralling,
Courage inciting our steps and Thought to infinity calling?