The Darkened Way
| “It is no matter;”—thus the noble Dane, About his heart more ill than one could tell; Sad augury, that like a funeral bell Against his soul struck solemn notes of pain. | |
| So ‘gainst the deadly smother he could press With calm his lofty manhood; interpose Purpose divine, and at the last disclose For life’s great shift a regnant readiness. | |
| To-day I bought some matches in the street From one whose eyes had long since lost their sight. Trembling with palsy was he to his feet. | |
| “Father,” I said, “how fare you in the night?” “In body ill, but ‘tis no matter, friend, Strong is my soul to keep me to the end.” |
DISTRUST not a woman nor a king—it availeth nothing.
—Egyptian Proverb.
WHEN thou journeyest into the shadows, take not sweetmeats with thee, but a seed of corn and a bottle of tears and wine; that thou mayst have a garden in the land whither thou goeat. —Egyptian Proverb.