“An enemy I had, whose mien [appearance]
I stoutly strove in vain to know;

For hard he dogged my steps, unseen,
Wherever I might go.

My plans he balked; my aims he foiled;
He blocked my every onward way.

When for some lofty goal I toiled,
He grimly said me nay.

“Come forth!” I cried, “Lay bare thy guise!
Thy wretched features I would see.”

Yet always to my straining eyes
He dwelt in mystery.

Until one night I held him fast,
The veil from off his form did draw;

I gazed upon his face at last—
And, lo! myself I saw.”

Edwin Sabin