His Ally
The thought of this poem is that a man’s best helper may be that which gives him no direct aid at all—a sense of humor.
He fought for his soul, and the stubborn fighting
Tried hard his strength.
“One needs seven souls for this long requiting,”
He said at length.
“Six times have I come where my first hope jeered me
And laughed me to scorn;
But now I fear as I never feared me
To fall forsworn.
“God! when they fight upright and at me
I give them back
Even such blows as theirs that combat me;
But now, alack!
“They fight with the wiles of fiends escaping
And underhand.
Six times, O God, and my wounds are gaping!
I—reel to stand.
“Six battles’ span! By this gasping breath
No pantomime.
Tis all that I can. I am sick unto death.
And—a seventh time?
“This is beyond all battles’ soreness!”
Then his wonder cried;
For Laughter, with shield and steely harness,
Stood up at his side!
William Rose Benét,
From “Merchants from Cathay.”