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