It is not the first time that you live
Garbed in this human form:
Again you will be born, again you will meet death,
With each passing period becoming more enlightened.
Finally, because of these transitions,
You will attain the ultimate perfection of human nature;
Now, as a mature soul you will rise
High above us all,
Suddenly as a new star appears
Among the stars in rank with gods.
-Appollon N. Maykov (1821-1897)
Russian Poet