Said I to Pain: "You would not dare
 Do ill to me."
Said Pain: "Poor fool! Why should I care
 Whom you may be?
To clown and king alike I bring
 My meed of bane;
Why should you shirk my chastening?"
 Said Pain.
 
Said I to Grief: "No tears have I,
 Go on your way."
Said Grief: "Why should I pass you by,
 While others pay?
All men must know the way of woe,
 From saint to thief,
And tears were meant to overflow,"
 Said Grief.

Said I to Death: "From ail and fret
 Grant me relief."
Said Death: "I know you are beset
 By Pain and Grief.
But my good will you must await
 Since human breath
To suffering is consecrate,"
 Said Death.

Said I to God: "Pale Sister Grief,
 Bleak Brother Pain,
Bedevil me beyond belief,
 And Death's unfain . . ."
Said God: "Curse not that blessed Three,
 Poor human clod!
Have faith! Believe the One with Me,"
 Said God.