Charades, II

My lady calls; my First obeys— Nor less his lord's behest: In bower and hall, in olden days, My First was in request.

Yet 'tis my First that tells us now What then my First was doing; How he went forth to war, and how He prospered in his wooing.

A wise King bade the lazy fool Observe my Second's ways, And notice—as it were in school— The wisdom she displays.

Yet hers is a devouring race, And might—though strange it be— Eat up, in given time and place, My First, or you, or me.

As for my whole—in every age Mankind must have its show; In actual life, on mimic stage, In peace, war, joy, or woe.

Now 'tis a wedding, now a death, A gathering, or a play; It comes, but, like a passing breath, Full soon 'tis swept away.