You that, like a dagger’s thrust, <br />Have entered my complaining heart, <br />You that, stronger than a host <br />Of demons, came, wild yet prepared; <br /> <br />Within my mind’s humility <br />You made your bed and your domain; <br />- Infamous one who’s bound to me <br />Like any felon by his chain, <br /> <br />Like a gambler by his games, <br />Like the bottle and the sot, <br />Like the worms in one’s remains, <br />- Damm you! Damnation be your lot! <br /> <br />I’ve begged the merciful, swift sword <br />To overcome my liberty - <br />To poison I have said the word: <br />Save me from poltroonery. <br /> <br />Alas the sword! Alas the poison! <br />Contemptuous, they spoke to m: <br />"You never can deserve remission <br />Of your accursed slavery, <br /> <br />"Imbecile! - If our deadly empire <br />Freed you from your present fate, <br />Your kiss would soon resuscitate <br />The cold cadaver of your vampire!"<br /><br />Charles Baudelaire<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-vampire/
