The Fates

Fortune came to a youth one day and dressed 'im Up in his best. While Society smiled and caressed 'im, Along came Toil with a hammer and saw to test 'im— And all three pressed 'im.

Manhood came, as it usually does, to bear 'im; Virtue stole in and sat by his side, but feared 'im; Ambition came with wonderful schemes and steered 'im— But all three queered 'im.

Wisdom came and knocked at his door; he spurned 'im. Frivolity came on bicycle wheels and turned 'im; Remorse at last came up and stung 'im and burned 'im— And all three churned 'im.

Poverty opened his door and found 'im and sought 'im; Paralysis, crouched in a corner, had finally caught 'im; Idleness claimed the prize because she'd taught 'im— But all three got 'im.

Old Charon rowed up in the Time's canoe and ferried 'im Over the creek, when an undertaker hurried 'im, Dropped sand on his box, while a parson talked and worried 'im— But the whole crowd buried 'im.