If some misfortune were but sent to me.

If some illness were to overtake me.

But here I am as strong as iron.

I am drinking, leading a gay life.
I live in filth, but the body does not even rust, and only my soul aches.

Oh Lord! To what purpose is such a life ?" Vague thoughts of protest flashed one after another through the mind of the lonely, straying man, while the silence about him was growing deeper, and night ever darker and darker.