1. The strokes of fate, should they descend, descend swiftly,
Or follow on in time, they follow ceaselessly.

2. And if your world contracts, greatly contracts, and wanes,
By waning faith, from such it gains and climbs immensely.

3. It climbed and towered, then it climbed and frightened,
It frightened and alarmed, importuned and wearied.

4. It joined with fires, its swords did join and strike,
It drew a blade of harm and verily it struck.

5. It passed and slipped away with the lad from his place there,
Until the knot was tied securely, then it slipped away.