Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still read more

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still strong, though past their prime,
To curse the hopeless world they ever curs'd
Vaunting vile deeds, and vainest of the worst.

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who read more

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who look beyond the tomb,
Can smile at Fate, and wonder how they mourn.

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let read more

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let the shaft pass by my breast
To pierce another.

Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny.

Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny.

Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.

Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.

Many things happen between the cup and the lip.

Many things happen between the cup and the lip.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

He has gone to the demnition bow-wows.

He has gone to the demnition bow-wows.