THE SWORD

Amidst applauding cheers I won a prize.

A cynic watched me, with ironic eyes;

An open foe, in open hatred, sneered;

I cared for neither. Then my friend appeared.

Eager, I listened for his glad‘ Well done.’

But sudden shadow seemed to shroud my sun.

He praised me: yet each slow, unwilling word

Forced from its sheath base Envy's hidden sword,

Two-edged, it wounded me; but, worst of all,

It thrust my friend down from his pedestal,

And showed him as he was — so small, so small.