Kabira wept when he beheld the millstone roll,
Of that which passes 'twixt the stones, nought goes forth whole.
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Kabira wept when he beheld the millstone roll,
Of that which passes 'twixt the stones, nought goes forth whole.
- Edward B. Eastwick,

Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall read more

Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall presume to prophesy their date,
Where nought is certain save the uncertainty of fate?
- Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher,

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up
another.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up
another.

Fate leads the willing and drags along the unwilling.

Fate leads the willing and drags along the unwilling.

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let read more

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let the shaft pass by my breast
To pierce another.

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
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Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
We do but row, we're steer'd by Fate,
Which in success oft disinherits,
For spurious causes, noblest merits.