Prisoner

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?' 

`It was my master,' said the prisoner. 

`I thought I could outdo everybody in the world in wealth and power, 

and I amassed in my own treasure-house the money due to my king. 

When sleep overcame me I lay upon the bed that was for my lord, 

and on waking up I found I was a prisoner in my own treasure-house.' 

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that wrought this unbreakable chain?' 

`It was I,' said the prisoner, `who forged this chain very carefully. 

I thought my invincible power would hold the world captive 

leaving me in a freedom undisturbed. 

Thus night and day I worked at the chain 

with huge fires and cruel hard strokes. 

When at last the work was done 

and the links were complete and unbreakable, 

I found that it held me in its grip.'