Lady Disdain

I've met the Lady of Disdain,

Dark as night and cruel as flame.

For when I tipped her my felt hat,

Pon' my head her cane did crack.

I've met his Lordship of Ill Health,

Short and thin, and sick himself!

For when I offered my fair aid,

Pon' the ground and dead he laid. 

I've met the Master of Sad Days,

Crying, screaming, lost in haze.

For when I offered him my cloak,

His tears filled the room up to the throat!

I've met the Duke of All Things Bad,

Not quite ill and not quite sad.

For when he showed me his great strength,

He laughed and cheered at a great length.

I've met the Baron of Endless Pain,

He and Ill Health near' looked the same!

For when I offered him too my aid,

All he needed was hole-digging spade.

Indeed, I've met such folk of woe and pain,

All but one doth look the same!

For that lone one truly's not the same,

Within me stays that one Lady Disdain.