Four

The warrior was alone as the battle raged
But while he fought the joker took the stage
Two actors in different plays

The thief broke the ancient lock
Meanwhile the captain waited at the dock
Two thinkers in different ways

Men and cowards, fools and bastards
They’re all the same despite their names
Runners in a set race, running eternally in place

Time has no friends, only those who never die
The warrior, the joker, the thief and the captain
Are among those few
Though the names may change, the faces, they remain the same

Time is their master but also their servant
A paradigm unparalleled
The warrior grunts, the joker laughs
The thief sneers, the captain frowns

The warrior fights without cause
The joker mocks without applause
Both fool’s errands and necessities

The thief steals without need
The captain orders without heed
Both fool’s errands and necessities

When Time’s hourglass is done
These four turn it over again
Is it them or Time who has won?

Time will not stop them
For it knows that without them
The world will fall into decay
And Death will make its name known

The warrior does not fear Death
The joker laughs in the face of Death
The thief would steal from Death
The captain only awaits his death