I

Nobody hates me more than I;

No enemy have I to-day

That I so bravely must defy;

There are no foes along my way,

However bitter they may be,

So powerful to injure me

As I am, nor as quick to spoil

The beauty of my bit of toil.

Nobody harms me more than I;

No one is meaner unto me;

Of all the foes that pass me by

I am the worst one that I see.

I am the dangerous man to fear;

I am the cause of sorrow here;

Of all men‘ gainst my hopes inclined

I am myself the most unkind.

I do more harmful things to me

Than all the men who seem to hate;

I am the fellow that should be

More dreaded than the works of fate.

I am the one that I must fight

With all my will and all my might;

My foes are better friends to me

Than I have ever proved to be.

I am the careless foe and mean;

I am the selfish rival too;

My enmity to me is seen

In almost everything I do.

More courage it requires to beat

Myself, than all the foes I meet;

I am more traitorous to me

Than other men could ever be.

In every struggle I have lost

I am the one that was to blame;

My weaknesses cannot be glossed

By glib excuses. I was lame.

I that would dare for fame or pelf

Am far less daring with myself.

I care not who my foes may be,

I am my own worst enemy.