FREE WILL.

Say not the will of man is free

Within the limits of his soul —

Who from his heritage can flee?

Who can his destiny control?

In vain we wage perpetual strife,

‘ Gainst instincts dumb and blind desires —

Who leads must serve.. The pulse of life

Throbs with the dictates of our sires.

Since when the world began to be,

And life through hidden purpose came,

From sire to son unceasingly

The task bequeathed hath been the same.

We strive, while fetters bind us fast,

We seek to do what needs must be —

We move through bondage with the past

In service to posterity.