The Vampire

The Vampire

You came like the blade of a dagger

To my heart that was humbled and sad,

As bold as a pack of wild demons,

Dressed up for a pageant, and mad;

You made in my mortified spirit

Your bed and your private domain,

-You monster to whom I am shackled

As the convict is to his chain,

As the drunkard is to his bottle,

As the gambler is to his game,

As the vermin are to a carcass,

-Accursed, accursed be your name!

I prayed for the sword to come swiftly

With the blow that would render me free,

And I asked if perfidious poison

Could succour a coward like me.

But alas, both the sword and the poison

Gave answer and said with disdain:

“Base slave, you are deeply unworthy

That we ever should shatter your chain;

You fool, if our efforts could grant you

The freedom from her that you crave,

Your kisses would soon give new life to

The corpse of your vampire-love!”