The Subalterns

    I

    "Poor wanderer，" said the leaden sky，

    "I fain would lighten thee，

    But there are laws in force on high

    Which say it must not be."

    II

    "I would not freeze thee， shorn one，" cried

    The North， "knew I but how

    To warm my breath， to slack my stride；

    But I am ruled as thou."

    III

    "To-morrow I attack thee， wight，"

    Said Sickness. "Yet I swear

    I bear thy little ark no spite，

    But am bid enter there."

    IV

    "Come hither， Son，" I heard Death say；

    "I did not will a grave

    Should end thy pilgrimage to-day，

    But I， too， am a slave！"

    V

    We smiled upon each other then，

    And life to me had less

    Of that fell look it wore ere when

    They owned their passiveness.