Two Players playing games against the Gods.
A weary game, and full of strange mischance—
Of barren shift, and bitter circumstance
Of growing helplessness and dire odds—
What two may hope to strive against the Gods?
Two Players, playing out a losing game—
A heavy burden—come and see the end
For they have neither strength, nor stay, nor friend,—
And they are dumb from weariness & shame—
Smitten with sorrow by the wrathful Gods.
Two Players—and they cease not from their game,
Tho' both be old, and all sweet favour gone
That made their faces fair to look upon
And nothing but the dice remain the same—
How long shall these two strive against the Gods?
Two Players at the ending of their game—
Brains weary with long scheming rest at last—
Now all the struggle of the game is past—
And nothing but the dice remain the same—
The dice, and all the changeless, tireless Gods!
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