Life has its work to do, and death ensues,

As if the common character of each

Were a thing prescribed. Men consider that

Their death has its cause, but that life

From the operation of the vital forces

Has no definite course; but is it really so?

Why do the vital forces operate in this

But not in that way? How do they operate

In any other possible way? Heaven

Has its spaces which can be calculated;

Divisions of Earth can be assigned by men

According to their power of vision, so long.

But how shall we search for and find out

Terms and conditions of the great mystery

Of the transcendental? We do not know

When and how life will come to the end,

But how shall we conclude that it is not

Determined by the volition of others?

And as we do not know when and how

The life begins, how should we conclude

That it is not so determined? In regard

To the conduct which we deem correct,

How should we conclude that there are no

The gods and spirits presiding over it?