The Collected Poems of Lord De Tabley [i.e. J. B. L. Warren] |
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 | The Collected Poems of Lord De Tabley |  |
208
DYSERIS
And I have nursed this thing and called it son,
That makes its wicked laughter at the gods.
This I have fostered, this I have given the breast,
That tells me rule is not for womankind;
I have presumed, have taken on myself,
Have hired a god to lie upon my side,
A poor weak mumbling copper-greedy god.
Ah, madman, is the sky so very clear
That in no cloud sits scathing flame of Zeus
To reach thee? I to let thee reign, and wind
In thy first hour of kingship ruinous war
About Larissa like a net, to sate
Thy lunatic humours? I, that love thee still
Somewhat, am brave to hold thee from thy bane,
And say, thou shalt not reign, if my poor life
Can keep thee crownless till thy wisdom grows.
| The Collected Poems of Lord De Tabley | |