I fancied he was going down.

Still, when I shouted, “Waiter, bread!”

He came out rather stronger,

As if he’d say with toss of head,

Wait a little longer.”

Time takes us on through many a grade;

Of “ups and downs” I’ve had my run,

Passing full often through the shade,

And sometimes loitering in the sun.

I and the waiter met again