A Bard's Dilemma and Time

Time was the enemy whose power we could not match
And time was the friend whose love was left unrequited,
But who were we?
Were we the sluggish sand in the hourglass?
Or were we the hourglass in which the sand still stands?
Were we the masters?
The slaves on whose back the knotted whip was administered perhaps?
Were we the three wise men blindly following a northern star?
Were we refugees in some darkling hole waiting for the final bell to ring?
Or were we simply ruthless bees ravenous for a sting?
Who were we? Why were we? And if we’ve never been, then when will we be?