Poems (Katharine Elizabeth Howard)/After the fashion of need

by Katharine Elizabeth Howard

AFTER THE FASHION OF NEED

Now rhyme a riddle as fit as a fiddle,—
And a fiddle is fit indeed,—
And let it be gay and let it be sad,
And let it be good and let it be bad,
After the fashion of need.

Tell me a story of war-time glory;
Let it ring with martial deed;
And let it be brief and let it be long,
And let it be weak and let it be strong,
In the way that life hath need.

Tell me a story of life, red with the blood of strife,—
The color of blood indeed;
To do and to dare and be brave with prayer,
To live and to love and to take much care,
Even as life hath need.

Now rhyme me a riddle as fit as a fiddle,—
And a fiddle is fit indeed,—
And let it be gay and let it be sad,
And let it be good and let it be bad,
After the fashion of need.

You have told it all, you have told it well,—
Up to Heaven and down to Hell;
There's no need for me to tell.
The day is done and the sands are run;
'Tis time for the vesper bell.