Ben King's Verse/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.