One!

To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from other's gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pain's relief are from within.
Death's no new thing; not do our bosoms thrill
When joyous life seems like a luscious draught.
When grieved, we patient suffer; for, we deem
This much - praised life of ours a fragile raft
Borne down the waters of some mountain stream
That o'ver huge boulders roaring seeks the plain
Tho' storms with lighting's flash from darkened skies
Descend, the raft goes on as fates ordain.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise!
We marvel not at greatnessof the great;
Still less despise we men of low estate."

Kaniyan Poongundran in Purananuru.
Tamil poem written 2500 years ago
Translation rendered by Rev. G.U Pope.