„Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?”
“It was my master,” said the prisoner.
“I thought I could outdo everybody in the world
in wealth and power,
and I amassed in my own treasure-house the money
due to my king.
When sleep overcame me I lay upon the bed
that was for my lord,
and on waking up I found I was a prisoner
in my own treasure-house.”
“Prisoner, tell me, who was it
that wrought this unbreakable chain?”
“It was I,” said the prisoner,
“who forged this chain very carefully.
I thought my invincible power
would hold the world captive
leaving me in a freedom undisturbed.
Thus night and day I worked at the chain
with huge fires and cruel hard strokes.
When at last the work was done
and the links were complete and unbreakable,
I found that it held me in its grip.”