1. I came to Yahya, for he had been
A friend and comrade kind to me,

2. And said “What ails this youth that he
Turns from me horrified and chill?”

3. He shrank from me as captives shrink
Who sudden death before them see.

4. Then one who loved a jesting wit
That turned even earnest matters light:

5. “So fares it with the nobly bred
If they would cloak their poverty.”