The Star and the Garter

By pain would put an end to pain, And jumped,—and struggled against death, I doubt not. Ye courageous men That scorn to flee the world, ye slaves Of commerce, ye that ply the pen, - That dig, and fill, and loathe your graves | Ye counter-jumpers, clergy, Jews, All Paris, smug and good, that use To point the index scorn, deride The courage of that suicide— I ask you not to quit us quite, But—will you take a bath to-night? Money might make you. Well: but he, What was his wage, what was his fee? Fear fiercer than a mortal fear. Be silent, cowards, leave him here Dead in the Morgue, so waxen pale! He failed : shall ye not also fail ? Ah! love! the strings are little; The cords are over strong ; The chain of life ts brittle ; And keen the sword of song. Will you not seize in one firm grip Now, as I hold you, lip to lip, The serpent of Event, hold hard Its slipping coils, its writhe retard, And snap its spine? Delicate hands 23