Many played here, and fell; whene'er I came
All men were overthrown."
"No marvel," I made answer; "In fair field
Myself before such skill had doubtless quail'd,
As all men must." Then, turning, I appealed
To one who merely wailed—
As he with forced perpetual smile averse,
To his full height his stately figure draws—
"My youth," he said, "is blighted with a curse—
This stripling is the cause.