By food and drink, the bonds we make
Around the fire by the lake;
Though waves exhaust and embers burn,
To this circle we return;
Some depart, to flee the smoke,
Their faith and patience bent, then broke,
And tiring of the circle’s blare,
They make escape to fresher air,
But out beyond, the night is black
With eyes and shadows on their back
And every thought, both good and ill
Ties back to those by fireside still,
Where friendly faces flicker gold,
Not hungry, dark, alone, and cold,
And to that circle they return,
With strength to bear the waves and burn,
By food and drinks, their bonds remake,
Around the fire by the lake.