Velvet Requiem

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You, who like a dagger ploughed

Into my heart with deadly thrill:

You who, stronger than a crowd

Of demons, mad, and dressed to kill,

Of my dejected soul have made

Your bed, your lodging, and domain:

To whom I'm linked, Unseemly jade!

As is a convict to his chain,

Or as the gamester to his dice,

Or as the drunkard to his dram,

Or as the carrion to its lice

I curse you. Would my curse could damn!

I have besought the sudden blade

To win for me my freedom back.

Perfidious poison I have prayed

To help my cowardice. Alack!

Both poison and the sword disdained

My cowardice, and seemed to say

"You are not fit to be unchained

From your damned servitude. Away,

You imbecile! since if from her empire

We were to liberate the slave,

You'd raise the carrion of your vampire,

By your own kisses, from the grave."