Wraith-song

Let malice confound the mind with vigour
Like a spy beguiling many foes,
And hurt and loss inconsolable -
A path to death straight and narrow,
A chill that freezes the yellow marrow -
Affect all but faithless roues.

Let darkness enshroud the bleak morning sun
Like fog upon the black river-bank,
And despair take the onlooker -
A gladiator's last stand,
A bite on breaded hand -
That espies the drab and dank.

Let calamities afflict the human race
Like flies fly to ointment sweet,
And health and strength prove less mighty -
A cacophonous cadence of frail heart,
A unnerving fear rending it apart -
Than canker festering in blood and meat.

Let strife be commonplace once again
Like winged birds the Winter fleeing,
And united stand made impossible -
A treacherous and base warden,
A poisonous snake in First Garden -
By faithless courage your being leaving.

Let evil rise and raise a call
Like shepherd to the bolting flock,
And may no one heed the goodly leader -
A liar that nobody believed,
A burden never relieved -
His hope forever under keyless lock.

Awaken Suffering; O sleeping child!
Arise Anger; bring forth thy hates!
Stride forth, Rancour and Rapacity,
With Envy and Lust, thine parlous mates!
Then shall all fail at Heaven's gate,
And draconian labours be their fate!