.[The Fight Lost]

Oh fate, cruel fate that unyielding so allowed
the virtues and qualities that to me bestowed
ne'r to attain nor aid everything I most desire
for ever this girl's heart is so hard to aquire
and I, all told, realized only this night
that in life and love, truly have lost the fight 
for as I look back in dismay at our species
I ask, what hellish mortal instincts are these
that to mans power, fame and cruelty she attracted seems
while his honesty, wisdom and loyalty all go past unseen
and then what of men, that worse instincts must hold
to see only her outer beauty and dark silent mystery
But I, what know I, who in the battle knew too late
and three times over against such instincts fought

              ...finding compassion and understanding, solely her domain


for she loves not the same displayed in a man 
only to confidence, strength and fame driven
and I, none of these by almighty destiny, was given
And so as the long battle slowly draws to an end
he wryly asks; what was the cost and what have I lost
must time and again, close by such a one endure 
and feel in the heart such a burning fire
to incite me in pain and anguish to cry out;
kill me now, that unwittingly have lost the fight!