Thoughts

I to my perils
   Of cheat and charmer
   Came clad in armour
     By stars benign.
Hope lies to mortals
   And most believe her,
   But man's deceiver
     Was never mine.

The thoughts of others
   Were light and fleeting,
   Of lovers' meeting
     Or luck or fame.
Mine were of trouble,
   And mine were steady,
   So I was ready
     When trouble came.

                   A. E. Housman