I br 'Poor wanderer,' said the leaden sky, br 'I fain would lighten thee, br But there are laws in force on high br Which say it must not be.' br br II br br -'I would not freeze thee, shorn one,' cried br The North, 'knew I but how br To warm my breath, to slack my stride; br But I am ruled as thou.' br br III br br -'To-morrow I attack thee, wight,' br Said Sickness. 'Yet I swear br I bear thy little ark no spite, br But am bid enter there.' br br IV br br -'Come hither, Son,' I heard Death say; br 'I did not will a grave br Should end thy pilgrimage to-day, br But I, too, am a slave!' br br V br br We smiled upon each other then, br And life to me had less br Of that fell look it wore ere when br They owned their passiveness.