Chapter III: Two Problems

Vienna gained, I gave myself to books. Here I had promised Veera I should be. New paths were opened to me, and my days Were lost in study. All my tutor knew Seemed cramped and meagre in these wider ways Of thought and science. Better far, I said, To know, than be a king. There is no crown That so becomes the brow as knowledge does.

To solve two problems, now engrossed my life. My Bedouin tutor had spent all his days Upon them, but without success. On me He grafted all the purpose of his soul, Determined, though he failed, that I might yet Toil on when he was compassed round by death. These sister problems were, _How make pure gold?_ And, _How endure forever on the earth?_