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Imaginary Sonnets

By Eugene Lee-Hamilton

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47

FILIPPO STROZZI TO DUKE COSMO.

(1538.)

Hast thou not murdered Freedom in her sleep?
So thou may'st murder me. But, in Death's sight,
I curse thee, Cosmo, with a shrivelling blight;
Grain shalt thou sow, and vipers shalt thou reap!
May Horror's silent spirits sit and keep
Thine eyes awake beside thy bed at night;
Or whirl thy dreams through caverns of such fright,
That thou shalt cower in a clammy heap!
I curse thee from the depths of what I am;
I curse thy thoughts, thy prayers, thy food, thy breath;
And all thy hours I call on God to damn.
Corrupt in life, before thou rot in death;
And when thou shalt be dying, may God slam
The open gates of Mercy in thy teeth!