The
Vampire
by Charles Baudelaire
Thou who abruptly as a knife Didst come into
my heart; thou who, A demon horde into my life, Didst enter, wildly
dancing, through The doorways of my sense unlatched To make my
spirit thy domain- Harlot to whom I am attached As convicts to the ball
and chain, As gamblers to the wheel's bright spell, As drunkards
to their raging thirst, As corpses to their worms - accurst Be thou!
Oh, be thou damned to hell! I have entreated the swift sword To
strike, that I at once be freed; The poisoned phial I have implored
To plot with me a ruthless deed. Alas! the phial and the blade
Do cry aloud and laugh at me: "Thou art not worthy of our aid; Thou
art not worthy to be free. Though one of us should be the tool
To save thee from thy wretched fate, Thy kisses would resuscitate The
body of thy vampire, fool!" | |