The Subalterns

"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." 

"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." 

"To-morrow I attack thee, wight," 

Said Sickness. "Yet I swear 

I bear thy little ark no spite, 

But am bid enter there." 

"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!" 

 We smiled upon each other then, 

And life to me had less 

Of that fell look it wore ere when 

They owned their passiveness.

-o0o-