The Fates

The Fates written by William Henry Davies

From "Secrets", 1924

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When I was lying sick in bed
The Fates said, 'Come, we'll have some sport.
   Your mother's life,' they said, 'is done:
You have no strength in hand or foot,
   And she is calling for her son.'

A second blow struck down my love,
And she was taken from my side -
   The one who watched me night and day;
And strangers came and offered help,
   But all their love was talk of pay.

And then the Fates struck out again:
They filled these strangers with distrust,
   That I had done my love some wrong:
'Ah, cruel Fates,' thought I, 'you lose,
   For now you make my spirit strong.'

This work is in the public domain in countries where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less.