Fate slew Him, but He did not drop -

[antimeridiem]

Fate slew Him, but He did not drop -
She felled - He did not fall -
Impaled Him on Her fiercest stakes -
He neutralized them all -

She stung Him - sapped His firm Advance -
But when Her Worst was done
And He - unmoved regarded Her -
Acknowledged Him a Man.

Comments

[urease]

Impaled Him on Her fiercest stakes

Приятная игра слов

[antimeridiem]

Типа

a poker game with high stakes - игра в покер с высокими ставками / stake - столб, к которому привязывали осуждённого на сожжение

?

[urease]

Суть в том, что не только привязывали :-)

[antimeridiem]

Еще и сажали?

[urease]

Да :-)

[antimeridiem]

Как в том анекдоте:
- Чем жизнь отличается от ***?
- Она жестче.