Gitanjali

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.