Dark Trinity

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