They told me that the path I took was hard,
That many a time my weary feet would bleed;
They said at last I'd find my way was barred;
I would not heed.

They bade me stop and go the other way;
This path, they said, Fate thorns and thistles strew;
But I was young, Ambition led the way;
I thought I knew.

But when my bleeding feet came to the end,
And I was bound and scourged by cruel Fate;
Alas, I cried, pray let me start again;
It was too late.