Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me,
    Saying, "I’ve come to stay with thee a while;"
    And I perceived that she had usher'd Bile
And Pain into my house for company.
Wherefore I said, "Go forth—away with thee!"
    And went on arguing in an easy style.
Then, looking, I saw Love come silently,
Habited in black raiment, smooth and new,
    Having a black hat set upon his hair;
And certainly the tears he shed were true.
    So that I ask'd, "What ails thee, trifler?"
Answering he said: "A grief to be gone through;
    For our own lady’s dying, brother dear."