<h2><SPAN name="page131"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>FOES</h2>
<p class="poetry">Thank Fate for foes! I hold mine dear<br/>
As valued friends. He cannot know<br/>
The zest of life who runneth here<br/>
His earthly race without a foe.</p>
<p class="poetry">I saw a prize. “Run,” cried
my friend;<br/>
“’Tis thine to claim without a
doubt.”<br/>
But ere I half-way reached the end,<br/>
I felt my strength was giving out.</p>
<p class="poetry">My foe looked on the while I ran;<br/>
A scornful triumph lit his eyes.<br/>
With that perverseness born in man,<br/>
I nerved myself, and won the prize.</p>
<p class="poetry">All blinded by the crimson glow<br/>
Of sin’s disguise, I tempted Fate.<br/>
“I knew thy weakness!” sneered my foe,<br/>
I saved myself, and balked his hate.</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page132"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
132</span>For half my blessings, half my gain,<br/>
I needs must thank my trusty foe;<br/>
Despite his envy and disdain,<br/>
He serves me well where’er I go.</p>
<p class="poetry">So may I keep him to the end,<br/>
Nor may his enmity abate:<br/>
More faithful than the fondest friend,<br/>
He guards me ever with his hate.</p>
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