Page:Florian - The Fables, 1888.djvu/126

120  Three spirits of most dreadful fame, ,, and. Death gave them welcome; for, of all The ills that plague our earthly ball, These most dreaded are. Then steps forward—all agree That he too, has great potency. Then comes a, at whose name 'Twas evident he had a claim, Which caused e'en Death himself to doubt How his selection must turn out. But when the all advance, Death could no longer hesitate Which most his service would enhance, Or which was his true candidate: Vice of all vice—— He chose prime minister of state.   To set out ere the dawn of day, Groping in darkness for the way, Caring for naught, nor making quest If going North, South, East, or West;— From fall to fall to stumble on Till near one-third the course be run: Then, as the dark clouds gather round, To enter on unstable ground, Yet pushing onwards, though quite lost, 'Midst thick'ning doubts, and tempest tost, 